The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1947-11-20

ing history, Lne morse mas always
played an important part. We have
hanged garlands on his neck and
money on his nose-only to have it
slide off his tail. But there is an
other of our domesticated animals
that has played a very substantial
part in all our lives; is far more
abundant than the horse; but sell
dom receives any credit Witness,
the Sow"
Did you know that the lovely
contented cow has eyes more beauti-
full than your best girl? Oh that
has nothing to do with her useful
ness, but it ought not to be over
looked.
But let's see what the COW has
done for history. The cows of Wash
ington County, back in 1921, can
lift their heads in pride as having
been the heralds of Hagerstown' s
Coming out" or debut, as a city in
the world of struggling cities. A
famous historian declared that when
the first milkman appeared on the
streets of Hagerstown, offering milk
for sale at the homes, that was the
sign that Hagerstown was no longer
Just a town.
To quote that historian, John
Harry announced his ability to fur
nish milk to customers and would
deliver it fresh at their houses daily
at five cents a quart and the ser
vice would begin as soon as sub
scribers for twelve quarts day
could be obtained" That was
"just a little" under the present
price of milk.
1 recently heard an ex-soldier re-
late horrifying experience he had
somewhere in Europe He boarded
a street car and found a farmer sell
ing milk to the passengers. The
milk was in a large Container, and
the farmer measured it out with a
ladle, and poured it into the peoples
own drinking cups. l suppose this
young man thinks cows have been
equipped with bottles and caps since
time immemorial This description
of the method of handling milk is
exactly the same as that of many of
our own milkmen-not a century
ago, but of a single generation ago.
Many folks living today will tell
you of buying milk in this way.
Since that early beginning of local
diaries, the noble cow has increased
in Importance in our county con-
stantly. The raising of milk cows,
the operations of the diaries them
selves, as well as the buying and
selling of stock, has played an ever
increasing part in the growth and
shaping of the county and our cities.
The cow has been noted for her
gentleness-of course there are ex-
ceptions-but this characteristic
seems, in general, to pertain to the
female side of the barn only. Count
less stories could be told of people
losing their lives, right here in our
own county, upon the horns, or even
just beneath the crushing, bony head
of de-horned bull. Even more often
has the story ended on the amusing
side, with lost shirt, or lost pic
mic dinner Gar from amusing at the
time). And on at least one occasion
a fearless Washington County sher-
riff rushed to the scene of male
cow Large, intending to take
things into his official hands, but
wound up the day sitting high, and
with injured dignity, in locust
tree.
A few years after the first milk
man announced his ability to do
business" and thereby announced
the City of Hagerstown, public at
tention was drawn to the need for a
change from the powerless town
commissioners to some sort of city
government that could get things
done. The last part of this state
ment has been in debate ever since,
but at that time, in 1927, discussions
were started that led to Hagerstown'
first Mayor and Council. In jan
uary of that year, at the town meet
ing, it was proposed to obtain g
charter for the town, and govern
ment by mayor and council, but
it was not until 1848 that the new
government was realized.
Immediately after the first pro-
posal, the newspapers of Hagerstowr
began the battle. Hagerstown':
newspapers have always been il
there batting on one side or the
other when any issue arises. Out
standing among the newspapers
comments at this time, were vivic
cartoons showing what life in Hag
d. IL