The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1945-03-22

named Bachtell and after him by a
Mr.. Hager Harvey Trovinger
owned and operated the mill, after
Hager, following his father, Joseph
Trovinger, and in the recollection of
many people still living, was known
as Trovinger's Mill.
But this part of our story primari-
ly concerns the old dance hall that
was located in a tenement house just
opposite the mill, and on the farm
now owned by Harry Needy, and be-
fore him by Albert T. Fiery, father
of Mrs. Hugh N. Carver, 449 Summit
avenue. This old dance hall has now
disappeared with the march of time.
In it Irish people had regular old
hoe-downs, living there while the
Western Maryland Railway was un-
der construction. There was another
dance hall in the old Philip Beck
home near Boards church, where
dances were held in Colonial times.
In early days, and don't forget it,
youth had its fling, too Country
lads and lassies would gather to trip
the fantastic too. Practically every
community had its old fiddlers and
one can visualize the dancers swirl
ing about to old-fashioned tunes,
such as Turkey in the Straw"
Fishers Hornpipe," etc.
And maybe you went to one of the
old-time singing schools on horse
back, with your girl holding fast to
you, not alone from safety, but be-
cause you both liked it.
Every community has its store of
legendary lore, which is most inter
esting when reviewed in the present
day.
Descending to us the grapevine
way, we are told about family by
the name of Wolfensberger, who re-
sided in the neighborhood of the
Trovinger Mill, now the Willow
Grove mills, east of Hagerstown,
who died from poisoned applebutter.
The story goes that applebutter had
been boiled in the customary way
for the winter supply of the family.
It was placed in crooks and the
glazing caused the poison, which was
fatal to about six members of the
family. These victims were buried in
the old graveyard on the farm, still
in existence. The farm is today
owned by Harry Needy.
This incident recalls the old Gus
tom of boiling applebutter in big
kettle over a fire in the large fire
place. 1t was then placed in crooks,
after being dipped out with large
ladle. 1t was necessary to constant
ly stir the apples, while in the pro-
cess of cooking by means OF big
paddle on the end of a long handle
1t may be that you, as boy or girl
remember how you thought it was
an awful job to stand and stir the
contents of the kettle, resolving it
self into applebutter. The boiling
followed seige of peeling apples by
hand, process engaged in by a
number of persons distributed
around large tub. Perhaps there
might be an apple-peeling party
with more or less of frolic by the
younger set, who had a good time
along with the work being per-
formed. And wasn't that applebut-
ter good throughout the long winter
which might be ahead
Near this old mill which we have
mentioned was also at one time a
large distillery.
There is a story extant that Col
onel Fitzhugh, who once owned the
historic house known as "The Hive"
just north of Chewsville, now the
Baker farm, conceived the idea of
raising silk worms. With that end
in view he planted grove of null
berry trees along the road towards
Fiddlersburg, but the venture
proved failure. To this day mass
of mulberry bushes can be seen
where he planted the trees and then
abandoned them, considering the
scheme impractical
Reverting to the old Irish dance
hall and the building of the Western
Maryland Railroad, which we men
toned in the first part of this story,
Mr.. Trovinger remembers seeing the
first passenger engine passing over
the road. 1t was old No. 9 and was
gaily decorated for the occasion. He
also recalls old engine No. 2. This
engine had peculiar whistle which
was initiated by boys.
There is located on West Washing
ton street, about opposite the Wash
ington Street School, small build