Chronicles of Baltimore - Part 3



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1773. The importance of the trade and intercourse had already produced the 
establishment of a line of packets and stage-coaches, by the head of Elk, 
to and from Philadelphia; and a coffee-house or hotel was opened at the 
Point.

Until this period the hills on which the Cathedral and Hospital are 
erected, and the grounds west of Greene street, where Mr. Lux had 
established a rope-walk, and the south shore of the river from Lee street, 
where Mr. Thomas Moore set up the frame of a vessel, to the Fort point, 
were covered with forest trees or small plantations. The grounds between 
the town and Point, called Philpot's Hill, remained an open common. The 
last fair was held on Mr. Howard's grounds, between Liberty and Greene 
streets, where races were also run before the Revolution. Most of the 
timber fell a prey to the wants of necessitous inhabitants during the cold 
winters of 1779 and 1783, and improvements did not commence, even on Mr. 
Philpot's grounds, for some years after.

In May, Charles Ridgely, Thomas C. Deye, Aquilla Hall, and Walter Tolley, 
Esqs., were elected delegates to the General Assembly,

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and the subversion of the colonial government taking place before the 
usual period of issuing writs for an election, which was three years, they 
were the last delegates under that government.

Messrs. Moale and Steiger were authorised, at a session in June, to add 
eighteen acres of ground lying between Bridge, now Gay and Front streets. 
It was not carried into effect until eight years after; but about eighty 
acres of Plowman, Philpot, and Fells' lands were added to the town on the 
east.

The markets were regulated by law, and the commissioners authorised to 
hire stalls, appoint a clerk, &c.

At this time Gay Street bridge was rebuilt of wood, and a new one erected 
at Baltimore street, first of stone, which gave way when finished, and 
then of wood; and for the first time on Water street, now Lombard, another 
of wood. To the two last it was necessary to raise causeways from 
Frederick street across the marsh. Mr. Joseph Rathel issued proposals for 
a circulating library, but without success.

Antecedent to the erection of Alms Houses in the State of Maryland, the 
County Courts had levied tobacco for the relief of the sick and infirm 
poor, from year to year, as other county charges were levied. The year 
before Baltimore County Alms House was authorised to be erected, 240 
persons were relieved in the county, then including Harford, and the 
amounts levied averaged 1200 lbs. of tobacco each--the levies per poll on 
10,000 taxables being sometimes in the name of persons who had the poor in 
charge, but generally in the name of the persons relieved at their own 
houses. At the session of Assembly in November 1773, an Act was passed, 
appointing Charles Ridgely, William Lux, John Moale, William Smith, and 
Samuel Purviance, of Baltimore Town, and Andrew Buchanan and Harry Dorsey 
Gough, trustees for the poor of Baltimore County, with corporate powers to 
fill their own vacancies, and to elect one new member annually in the 
place of the first-named in succession. Four thousand pounds in bills of 
credit, of a larger loan made to the county, in common with other 
counties, were directed to be paid the trustees, for the purpose of 
purchasing "in Fee or Quantity" of land in the said county, not exceeding 
100 acres, near and convenient to Baltimore Town, but not within a half a 
mile thereof; and to agree and contract with a workman or workmen, to 
undertake, erect, build, and in a workmanlike manner to complete and 
finish, on the said land, when so purchased, good, strong, sufficient and 
convenient houses, habitations, and dwellings, for the reception of the 
poor of said county, and of such vagrants, beggars, vagabonds, and other 
offenders, as shall be committed; and shall appropriate one part thereof, 
to be called the Alms House, to and for the reception and lodging of the 
poor of said county; and another part or parts thereof, to be called the 
Work House, to and for the reception and lodging of all such vagrants and 
other offenders; and also to purchase sufficient beds, bedding, working

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tools, kitchen utensils, cows, horses, and other necessaries, of which 
vouchers were to be produced at Court. The people were taxed at the rate 
of 12 pounds of tobacco per poll annually to repay the loan-office 
commissioners, and which in 1775--6 was levied by the then sheriff, whose 
property on his return to England was confiscated to the State; but the 
loan was still standing against the county, and 15 pounds of tobacco per 
poll was authorised to be levied by the Justices of the County Court, as 
had been provided for individual poor before, "for the use, benefit and 
charge of maintaining the poor, vagrants, &c., in the purchase of 
provisions and other necessaries for use and labor; in paying a Doctor for 
his salary and medicines; in providing men and women servants, to be under 
the management and direction of an overseer of such alms and work house, 
hereafter to be appointed; and in purchasing materials for the use and 
employment of the poor, and all beggars &c., who shall be able to work and 
who shall be committed by virtue of the act." The Trustees were directed 
to meet "on the first Monday of May yearly, and at all such other times as 
they shall judge necessary, at the Alms and Work house, to appoint a fit 
person of said County to be overseer of the Alms and Work house aforesaid, 
and such other proper officers and servants as to them shall appear 
necessary, and in the first week in February, May, August and November 
annually or oftener to make all such good and wholesome ordinances, rules 
and by-laws as they shall think convenient and necessary." It was made 
lawful for any one Justice, and for any person authorised and appointed by 
such Justice, "to apprehend or cause to be apprehended any rogues, 
vagrants, vagabonds, beggars, and other idle dissolute and disorderly 
persons found loitering or residing in the said County, City or Town 
corporate, who follows no labor, trade, occupation or business, and have 
no visible means of subsistence whereby to acquire an honest livelihood, 
thence to be kept at hard labor for any term not exceeding three months," 
which power was afterwards, on the organization of a special Court of Oyer 
and Terminer for Baltimore County, transferred with additional powers to 
said court; but on the adoption of the Penitentiary in September 1811, the 
County work-house was used, as was the prison, for the detention of such 
vagrants until they were duly convicted or acquitted.

The elevated and beautiful site of the Alms-house was first purchased of 
Mr. William Lux for £350, containing twenty acres, being nearly in form of 
a square, and situated northwest of the town, at the head of North Howard 
street, and was on the square formed by Eutaw, Biddle, Garden, and Madison 
streets. The trustees erected the necessary buildings, then laid out the 
grounds, planted them with trees in the most agreeable manner, excellent 
water being procured from two wells about seventy feet deep each, with 
pumps. On Wednesday, September 18th, 1776, a fire broke out in the garret, 
caused by accident with some flax in the main

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building. The wind blowing fresh from the westward, the fire soon 
communicated to the dome and east wing, both of which were nearly consumed 
before the engine from town arrived. By the activity of the inhabitants, 
part of the west wing of the house was preserved and most of the 
furniture. The main building was immediately rebuilt, but the wing not 
until some years after. In 1792 nearly ten acres of land was purchased of 
Mr. Russell, agent of Mr. Lux, for the sum of £167 13s. 5d., and added as 
a pasture, by Messrs. P. Hoffman, W. McLaughlin, Alexander McKim, David 
Brown, George Presstman, James McCannon, and Samuel Hollingsworth, the 
then trustees, who with difficulty obtained the acquiescence of the County 
Court, and to which ground the burial-place was removed from the south 
side of Howard street when that street was extended ten years afterwards. 
In pursuance of a law passed in 1805, commissioners were appointed to open 
a road in the extension of Howard street, to the north side of the Poor-
house ground, converting the square into two angles, and separating about 
one-half of the garden from the other and from the buildings, and the 
trustees were authorised to lease part of the ground so separated from the 
rest. In the same year the management of the Poor-house and funds of the 
poor was transferred to the Justices of the Levy Court, at their own 
request, and they proceeded to lay out and dispose of lots in pursuance of 
the authority which had been given to the trustees, and which was 
increased in the Court, to open other streets and lots on both sides of 
the new road, by acts passed in 1807 and 1811, until 1816, when the same 
Court was authorised to sell the house and all the ground east of Biddle 
street, and to purchase land in the county for a new alms-house. The Court 
advertised for land, but none was tendered them which was considered 
sufficiently eligible and cheap to induce them to abandon such extensive 
improvements so conveniently placed as the present.

After a number of modifications in the system of relieving the poor, the 
Legislature in 1799 authorised the trustees to pay a pension, not 
exceeding thirty dollars each, to not more than ten persons in one county, 
"whose peculiar circumstances may render a situation in the Poor House 
particularly unsuitable," which number of out-pensioners was extended to 
thirty persons in this and other counties, and to forty persons, at forty 
dollars each, in some about ten years after. In the meantime the 
Legislature was importuned to special acts of relief, and this and some 
other ties were to special acts of relief, and this and some other 
counties were compelled by laws to provide for almost as many more out-
pensioners.

In 1819 or 1820 the city and county of Baltimore jointly, for the sum of 
$44,000, purchased from the Mechanics' Bank of Baltimore, "Calverton," 
formerly the country seat of Dennis A. Smith, with its splendid mansion, 
to which the trustees added two wings 130 by 40 feet each, and other 
necessary out-buildings, and thereby

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formed the large and elegant alms-house, which in point of extent, 
convenience, and beauty of location, was not surpassed in its day by any 
similar establishment in the United States. The old alms-house, between 
Eutaw and Howard streets, was demolished about the year 1827. It contained 
306 acres, and was situated about two and a half miles from the court-
house in a northwestern direction, on the Franklin road. No part of the 
debt incurred in the purchase was paid until the year 1828, between which 
period and 1836 the whole debt was cancelled. The purchase-money was paid 
out of the proceeds of the old alms-house property, and from the same 
source-also a very large proportion of the improvements, including 
additional wings, &c. The entire cost of land and improvements was about 
$94,000.

In 1866 Bay View Asylum, a new institution for the paupers of the city 
which had been erected by the City of Baltimore, was occupied. The grounds 
consist of forty-six acres, which were purchased of the Canton Company, at 
the rate of $150 per acre. The building is exceedingly imposing in 
appearance, and situated upon a hill high enough to render it conspicuous 
for many miles. Over $500,000 have been expended on the premises, and 
every rare and modern appliance afforded to render the asylum and its 
grounds equal to the best in the world. The wings and centre building give 
an aggregate front of 714 feet, whilst it is three stories in height, 
including the basement. The top of the cupola rises to the height of 184 
feet, whilst the base is estimated at 100 feet above tide-water. More than 
seven millions of brick have been used in the work of erection. The 
superintending architect of the building was John W. Hogg, Esq. The 
principal management of fitting it up for the occupation was performed by 
James McDougall, Sr., W. W. Maughlin, William Callow, A. W. Poulson, and 
James F. Ross, Esqs., trustees appointed by the Mayor, whose labors, 
though gratuitous, were of the utmost advantage to the city in point of 
economy and completeness. It was under the able administration of these 
gentlemen, that an asylum for the insane was established in the building, 
which proved to be a saving to the city of nearly $35,000 a year.

The sale of the old "Almshouse" property took place at the Exchange 
Salesroom on Tuesday, April 18th, and drew together a large number of 
capitalists and property-dealers. Mr. F. W. Bennett, the auctioneer, first 
offered lot No. 1, containing 123/4 acres, binding on the southwest side 
of the Calverton turnpike road at the junction of the Potomac Railroad. 
The first bid was $1500 per acre, but was finally knocked down to Thomas 
G. Scharf, Esq., at $3600 per acre, he becoming the purchaser at that 
price, it being $45,900 for the lot. Lot No. 2 was divided into three 
lots. The first lot, comprising within its limits the almshouse buildings 
and the stone quarry, and containing 361/4 acres, was sold after much 
effort to Messrs. William S. Raynor and James Bromell, at $2600

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per acre, or $94,250 for the lot. The second portion of lot No. 2, 
containing 28 acres, was sold to Mr. A. S. Abell at $2610 per acre, or $73,
080 for the lot. The third portion of lot No. 2, containing 271/4 acres, 
was sold to Mr. A. B. Patterson at $500 per acre, or $13,625 for the lot. 
Lot No. 3, containing 671/2 acres adjoining lot No. 2, was sold to Mr. A. 
S. Abell at $1700 per acre, or $114,750 for the lot. The sale amounting in 
the total to $341,605.

In the latter part of the year 1735 Mr. John Wesley and his brother 
Charles consented to leave England, and to come over to America as 
missionaries to the Indians, and on the 14th of October, 1735, they set 
off. After a passage of more than three months, they landed on the 6th of 
February, 1736, at Tybee, near Savannah, Georgia. On the 24th of December, 
1737, Mr. John Wesley sailed from Charleston, South Carolina, for England, 
and never returned again to America. Mr. Charles Wesley embarked for 
England in July, 1736, after a short stay of about six months in Georgia. 
Mr. George Whitefield, who came to America in May, 1740, passed through 
Baltimore on several visits to the members of the Methodist society from 
Europe, settled in the United States (then British Colonies), who were 
scattered about as sheep having neither fold nor shepherd. In the 
beginning of the year 1766 the first permanent Methodist society was 
formed in the city of New York. Not long after this society was formed in 
New York, Robert Strawbridge, from Ireland, who had settled in Frederick 
county, in the State of Maryland, began to hold meetings in public, and 
joined a society together near Pipe Creek. Mr. Strawbridge was a useful 
man, and zealous in the cause, as he spent much of his time in preaching 
the Gospel in different places before any regular preachers were sent over 
to this country by Mr. Wesley. The first Methodist meeting-house that was 
built in the United-States, was in John Street, New York; the second by 
Mr. Strawbridge and his society, near Pipe Creek in Frederick county, 
Maryland, and was called the "Log Meeting House." On the 24th of October, 
1769, Mr. Boardman and Mr. Pillmore landed at Gloucester Point, below 
Philadelphia, from England, and were the first regular itinerant Methodist 
preachers that ever came to the United States. On the 27th of October Mr. 
Francis Asbury and Mr. Richard Wright arrived in Philadelphia, having been 
sent over from England by Mr. John Wesley to this country. They soon began 
to extend their labors farther into the country, and in a short time they 
preached in Baltimore, with Mr. Rankin, Webb, King, Williams, Pillmore and 
others. Mr. Asbury first preached in Baltimore at Fell's Point on 
Saturday, November 28th, 1772. In November, 1773, Messrs. Jesse 
Hollingsworth, George Wells, Richard Moale, George Robinson, John 
Woodward, and others, formed a society on Fell's Point, and built the 
first Methodist meeting-house in the city of Baltimore, in Strawberry 
alley.

On the 11th of February, 1774, William Moore and Philip

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Rogers took up a subscripton towards building another church in Baltimore 
Town, and secured a lot in Lovely lane, which lay immediately south of 
Baltimore street, running from Calvert to South street. The history of 
this first Methodist meeting-house west of Jones Fails, and the second in 
Baltimore Town, and which has long since been removed and its precise site 
scarcely known, reveals the following facts: On Monday, the eighteenth day 
of April, 1774, the foundation of the house was laid, and the first 
quarterly meeting that was ever held in the town of Baltimore was on 
Tuesday the third of May in this year. In October of the same year the 
building was completed, and Captain Webb, the British-officer, and 
faithful pioneer local preacher, delivered his Gospel message to the 
congregation assembled therein. On the 21st of May, 1776, the first 
conference of Methodist preachers held in Baltimore, took place in this 
meeting-house. The first three conferences had been held in Philadelphia. 
The Methodists met with some particular persecutions this year. Mr. Asbury 
says, on the 20th day of June "I was fined near Baltimore five pounds for 
preaching the gospel." It was with great difficulty the preachers could 
travel their circuits, on account of the war which was spreading through 
the land; these persecutions were due perhaps to the fact that the 
preachers were all from England, and some of whom were so imprudent as to 
speak too freely against the proceedings of the Americans. During the 
Revolutionary war a number of the Methodist preachers were brought into 
difficulties and sufferings. In April, 1778, Joseph Hartley, one of the 
travelling preachers, was apprehended in Queen Anne's county for 
preaching, and afterwards in Talbot county was seized by the people and 
shut up in jail. Freeborn Garretson, another travelling preacher, was 
severely beaten in Queen Anne's county. Mr. Asbury says, "On conscientious 
principles I was a non-juror, and could not preach in the state of 
Maryland, and therefore withdrew to the Delaware state, Where the clergy 
were not required to take the state oath, though with a clear conscience I 
could have taken the oath of the Delaware state had it been required, and 
would have done it, had I not been prevented by a tender fear of hurting 
the scrupulous consciences of others."

On the 24th day of April, 1780, the eighth conference met in Baltimore, 
where the northern preachers only attended. This conference took under 
consideration the subject of slavery, and required all the travelling 
preachers who belonged to the Baltimore Conference to promise that if they 
held slaves they would set them free. They went further, and said that 
they believed that keeping of slaves was contrary to the laws of God, of 
man, and of nature, and that it was hurtful to society and contrary to the 
dictates of conscience and pure religion. They also said, "We pass our 
disapprobation on all our friends who keep slaves."

December 27th, 1784, the thirteenth conference began in Baltimore,

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and where the most important epoch in the history of American Methodism 
occurred, which has given to the Lovely Lane Meeting House and to the 
preachers assembled on that occasion, a commanding position in the 
religious history of this country. The Methodist societies in the United 
States were here organized into the Methodist Episcopal Church in the 
United States of America, and Rev. Thomas Coke, LL. D., and Rev. Francis 
Asbury became the first bishops of the Church. The rapid growth of 
Methodism soon rendered the Lovely Lane Meeting House too limited to 
accommodate the people, and arrangements were made to locate the First 
Light Street Church on the northwest corner of Light street and Wine 
alley. The building was commenced in August, 1785, being 46 feet front by 
70 feet deep. On May 21st, 1786, the church was dedicated to worship by 
Bishop Asbury; subject in the morning, Psalm lxxxiv. 10; in the evening 
1st Kings ix. 6--9. The subject of liberal education engaged the attention 
of Bishops Coke and Asbury and their early fellow-laborers, and at the 
close of the conference in 1785, "A plan for erecting a college, intended 
to advance religion in America, to be presented to the principal members 
and friends of the Methodist Episcopal Church," was decided on, and signed 
by the two superintendents. A site was selected in Abingdon, Harford 
county, Maryland, and the two superintendents called the college, when 
finished, aider their own names, "Cokesbury College." On the 8th, 9th and 
10th days of December, 1787, the college was opened, and Mr. Asbury 
preached each day; the dedication sermon on Sunday from 2 Kings iv. 40, "O 
thou man of God, there is death in the pot." On the 4th of December, 1795, 
the college was destroyed by fire. The Methodists of Baltimore rallied to 
the relief of the Church to repair this calamity. A large assembly or ball-
room which stood on the lot where the late Light Street Church stood, was 
purchased, and Cokesbury College was re-opened under favorable auspices. A 
sad trial awaited the First Light Street Church and the second Cokesbury 
College. Mr. Patrick Colvin's mortal remains were borne to Light Street 
church, December 4th, 1796. Rev. Henry Willis was officiating on the 
occasion; in the midst of the solemn service a cry of fire was heard, the 
flames were issuing from a contiguous building (see fire in the year 
1796), and in a short time the first Light Street Church and the second 
Cokesbury College were smouldering ruins. It was remarkable that this 
destructive fire occurred precisely in one year after the loss of the 
first college by conflagration. This catastrophe awoke valuable sympathy 
among the citizens of Baltimore; and the members and friends of the church 
immediately projected the building of a new and commodious edifice. A lot 
was secured from Mr. Daniel Grant on the southwest corner of Light street, 
and Wine alley, being the opposite corner to the one previously occupied. 
The trustees, Mr. James McCannon, William Hawkins, Isaac Burneston, Samuel

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Owings, John Hagerty, Job Smith, Caleb Hewitt, Walter Simpson, and Philip 
Rogers paid for the lot £5,360 Maryland currency. On October 29, 1797, 
being about ten months after the loss of the first church, Bishop Asbury 
dedicated the new Light Street Church. This church was removed upon the 
opening of German street.

In 1788 Methodism greatly increased in Baltimore, and in the course of the 
summer a plan was adopted of preaching on the common, or in the Lexington 
Market on Howard's Hill, every Sunday-afternoon after the services were 
ended in the churches. On the 18th of May 1800, Richard Whatcoat was 
ordained a bishop at the third regular conference, held in Baltimore, by 
the laying on of hands by Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, and some of the Elders.

In the year 1801, camp-meetings were first introduced in the new paints of 
the country where the people were but thinly settled, and no house could 
hold them when the people collected together. The first camp-meeting that 
was ever held in the State of Maryland was in the woods, about fifteen 
miles from Baltimore, a little to the east, on the Reisterstown road. This 
meeting was held in September, 1803, and began on Saturday and ended on 
Monday. That day was long remembered as "The happy Monday, the blessed 
26th of September, 1803."

Up to this time the newspapers of Philadelphia and Annapolis were the sole 
media of information for Baltimoreans, and the only means of advertising 
their wares or their wants. The Maryland Gazette, originally published in 
the interest of the Provincial Government, by Jonas Green, at Annapolis, 
with the Pennsylvania Journal and the Weekly Advertiser, the Pennsylvania 
Chronicle and Universal Advertiser, and the Pennsylvania Packet, or the 
General Advertiser, published at Philadelphia, seemed to have hitherto 
satisfied every requirement. There was not a practical printer to be found 
within the limits of the town; and yet matters of the gravest political 
importance were culminating, and many of the leading minds in the colonies 
were becoming editors and pamphleteers. The Pennsylvania Chronicle was 
published weekly in Philadelphia on Monday. The first number appeared 
January 6th, 1767, by William Goddard, at ten shillings per annum. This 
was the fourth newspaper in the English language established at 
Philadelphia, and the first with four columns to a page in the colonies. 
The second and third years it was printed in quarto, and the fourth year 
again in folio. It was ably edited, having the celebrated Joseph Galloway, 
Esq., and Thomas Wharton, Esq., as secret partners. If gained great 
circulation. It became at last too Tory in its bias to stand the times. It 
continued till February,1773. A short time afterwards Mr. Goddard made a 
visit to Baltimore, where he was urged by some prominent townsmen to 
undertake the publication of a paper here, with assurances of hearty co-
operation and liberal support. This resulted in Mr. Goddard's removal to 
Baltimore late in June, 1773, and in the general

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advertisement on the 15th of the month following, in the Maryland Gazette, 
of the prospectus of The Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser, which 
was announced to appear in August. Meanwhile an office was secured, a 
press erected, a handsome outfit of type and material obtained, several 
old employees brought hither from Philadelphia to work at the case, and 
every provision made for a successful debut. The first issue of The 
Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser appeared on the morning of 
Friday, August 20th, 1773, and was distributed throughout the town and 
Fell's Point. It was in folio sheet, 18x24 inches, and contained twelve 
broad columns. It was printed from a new and beautiful Elzevir type, on 
heavy book paper. The press-work was admirable. The armorial bearings of 
the Province, engraved by Sparrow at Annapolis, formed the device with the 
title. Type-graphically the paper compared favorably with any printed in 
the colonies. The motto selected for the Journal--and the papers of that 
day invariably had mottoes--was the familiar couplet from Horace:

Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci.
Lectorum delectando, pariterque monendo.

Which may be thus freely translated:

He carries every point who blends the useful with the agreeable,
Amusing his reader while he instructs him.

The paper was published every week from the office in Market street, three 
doors from the corner of South lane, then, as it now is, the business 
heart of the town, at ten shillings per annum. Late in October Mr. Goddard 
made a "tour to the northern colonies," leaving his sister, Miss Mary K. 
Goddard, in charge of the paper, a position which she most acceptably 
filled. The founder of the first newspaper in Baltimore was also the 
founder of our present national postal system. Mr. Goddard was the most 
enterprising editor of his day. He had pledged himself to present the news 
to his readers, and he determined to do it. But the mails were under a 
systemized espionage: they were regularly tampered with. All matter 
considered prejudicial to the interests of the Royal Government was 
suppressed. And, apart from these considerations, the service was 
inefficient and the range of its operations narrow. Already Mr. Goddard 
had established a special post to Philadelphia in connection with his 
paper, the success of which induced him to attempt the establishment of a 
complete postal system throughout the colonies. With this end in view, he 
started northward in February, 1774, leaving his sister for the second 
time in full charge. Mr. Goddard returned July 1st, and on the 2d 
announced in his paper, "that his proposal for establishing an American 
post-office on constitutional principles hath been warmly and generously 
patronized by the friends of freedom

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in all the great commercial towns in the Eastern colonies." The same 
number gives at length the official plan for establishing a new American 
post-office, signed William Goddard, which within a month was in full 
operation, from Maine to Georgia--certainly a note-worthy incident in 
connection with the history of this paper. It may be mentioned, also, that 
Miss Mary K. Goddard was appointed the Postmistress in Baltimore, which 
position she held for fifteen years, and that the mails were received and 
distributed at the Journal office. In November, 1775, paper became very 
scarce, and Mr. Goddard established a paper factory near the town. In 
March, Mr. Goddard was mobbed by the "Whig Club." [See mob in the year 
1797.] On the 8th of June, 1779, Colonel Eleazer Oswald, a gallant and 
distinguished officer, formed a business connection with his friend 
Goddard, at Baltimore. In the Journal for July 6th, 1779, appeared the 
article, "Queries--Political and Military," which caused the mob as 
recorded in the year 1779. On the 19th of February, 1783, the Journal 
published an extra, headed "The Olive," announcing, in advance of any 
paper in the country, the signing of the preliminary articles of peace at 
Paris, the news having been brought direct by a Baltimore clipper. Miss 
Goddard having continued ostensible "Printress" and "Editress" of the 
Journal during the war, and until the 1st of January, 1784, when her 
brother, who had been on a long absence north, returned to Baltimore and 
resumed his original connection with the Journal, the number for January 
2d being published by William and Mary K. Goddard. They jointly conducted 
it until January 25th, 1785, when Edward Langworthy, "a gentleman of 
character and abilities," becomes a partner, and it is published by them 
regularly until January 1st, 1787, when Mr. Langworthy retired, and Mr. 
Goddard alone continued it. On the 7th of August, 1789, Mr. James Angell, 
"a young man who hath embarked his all in this establishment," becomes co-
editor and partner. About this time a personal controversy was carried on 
through the columns of the Journal, between Leonard Harbaugh and 
Christopher Hughes, continuing for some time, and frequently filling from 
one to two columns. Mr. Harbaugh, it seems, overwhelmed Mr. Hughes with 
satire and ridicule, as the end will show. In answer to Mr. Hughes, the 
following appears in the Journal of Feb. 9th, 1790: "We hear that the 
noted Kit Crucible, alias Kit Chartres, hath given his white-faced Nag a 
Respite from his daily labor of carrying his master's dead weight through 
the streets of Baltimore, and applies himself closely, at his Forge, 
Anvil, and Vice (near Harbaugh's Wharf), in melting down, casting and 
hammering into solid Ingots, his old Buttons, Buckles, and Spoons, with 
his Clippings and Filings, for the encouragement of a certain Attorney. 
Incog, who hath become Crucible's Bellows Blower, in the present Exigency 
of his Affairs. Beware of the Alloy." This card, it seems, was too much 
for Mr. Hughes,

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for we find shortly after, the following in the same paper: "Kit Hughes, 
the Silversmith, unable, it seems, to Refute the Charges of the 'Sturdy 
Carpenter,' hath essayed to confound them by clapping a Writ on the 
Editors, for the free promulgation of accusations derogatory to his fair 
immaculate character,--they have only publicly to present him their 
Compliments and assure him they will do themselves the Honor cheerfully to 
attend his polite and Pressing Invitation (per the high-Sheriff of the 
County) to the General Court in May next, when, they doubt not, they shall 
further illustrate a Character, already conspicuous, highly to the 
satisfaction of the lovers of real sport." From the Journal we also get 
the following: "On Monday, March 17th, 1794, in Baltimore County Criminal 
Court, an indictment against Goddard & Angell, as the printers of a 
publication of Leonard Harbaugh against Christopher Hughes, the Chief 
Justice, in a long and labored charge to the Petit Jury, expressed in the 
most dogmatical manner his decided opinion against the defendants, but his 
doctrine of the law of libels appearing to the july to be utterly 
inconsistent with every principle of a free Constitution, they had 
patriotism enough to scout it and to acquit the Printers. The following 
persons composed the Jury: Richardson Stewart, Caleb Hewett, Caleb Smith, 
Joshua Porter, John Picket, Matthew Swain, Alexander Coulter, John 
Laypoll, John McClellan, Jacob Eichelberger, George Wiley, and Jacob 
Miller. Counsel for the Printers, James Winchester and Robert Smith."

Messrs. Goddard and Angell continued in partnership until August 14th, 
1792, when Mr. Goddard, who became involved in financial difficulties, 
sold his interest in the Journal to Mr. Angell. The following extract is 
taken from the Journal of August 14th, 1792, "Address to the friends and 
patrons of the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser, and in 
relinquishing a business reared under favor of the public, to its present 
consequence and respectability, by long perseverance and incessant 
application, on a small Capital of a single solitary Guinea, after a total 
wreck of my fortune in another state. It is, however, an alleviating 
circum stance, that by this measure, I am enabled to do justice to a 
worthy friend, who, from my too sanguine anticipation of the growth and 
importance of this really flourishing Town, spontaneously became my 
security, in an unfortunate speculation for upwards of twenty-five hundred 
pounds, and has actually advanced the money. From an anxious desire fully 
to indemnify this disinterested gentleman, who never wounded me by an 
unkind suspicion--an untimely importunity, or, by a word, or even the 
countenance of dissatisfaction, and from a consideration of my age 
(verging fast on 52 years) the little probability that I should, by the 
most unwearied industry, be able, seasonably, to discharge this highest of 
all moral obligations, I have, after mature deliberation, disposed of my 
whole Printing concern (one of the most considerable in the United

Page 83

States) for a valuable consideration, to my partner and brother-in-law, 
Mr. James Angell." Mr. Goddard removed to near Providence, R.I. On the 
24th of January 1795, it is announced in the Journal that Mr. Goddard had 
been elected to the Rhode Island Legislature. Miss Goddard remained in 
Baltimore, where she kept a book-store until 1802; she died on Monday the 
12th of August, 1816, aged 80 years.

On the 1st of November 1793, Mr. Paul James Sullivan purchased an interest 
in the establishment, and assisted Mr. Angell in the editorial duties. On 
the first day of Mr. Sullivan's connection, the Journal became a tri-
weekly, and so continued until it became a daily, a year later. Mr. 
Sullivan retired on the 11th of June, and Mr. Angell alone carried on its 
publication until October 24th, 1794, when Mr. Francis Blumfield purchased 
and published it until January 1st, 1795, when Mr. Philip Edwards, editor 
of the Baltimore Daily Advertiser, purchases an interest, and consolidates 
his paper with the Journal, which then begins its daily publication. The 
paper was continued under the title of The Maryland Journal and Baltimore 
Universal Daily Advertiser. June 18th, 1795, Mr. Francis Blumfield retired 
from the establishment, and Mr. John W. Allen took his place. Mr. Philip 
Edwards and Mr. J. W. Allen remain but a short time associated in its 
conduct, for on the 18th of June, 1796, they dissolved partnership, and 
the Journal "after a continuation of 23 years is continued by Philip 
Edwards." On the 2d of August 1796, a partnership commenced between Mr. P. 
Edwards, and W. C. Smyth, under the firm of Edwards & Smyth. They remained 
in partnership but a short time, for on the 8th of September, 1796, the 
Journal was continued by P. Edwards. On the 4th of December, 1796, the 
Journal office was burnt out, [see fire 1796] and the paper suspended 
until the 2d of January, when it was continued by Mr. D. Finchete 
Freebairn as editor and proprietor. After the fire on the 9th of December, 
1796, Mr. P. Edwards published the following card in the Federal Gazette 
and Baltimore Daily Advertiser: "To the Subscribers, Friends, and Patrons 
of the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Daily Advertiser--Citizens: The 
dreadful fire which happened on Sunday last, contiguous to my printing 
office, obliged me to remove the apparatus, and everything belonging to my 
business, so that I have not a single press fit to work, and a 
considerable quantity of types thrown together in the utmost confusion. 
Being thus unfortunately situated, I have through necessity, suspended the 
publication of the Maryland Journal, &c., but hope in a few days to be 
enabled to commence again its publication; and that my friends and 
customers, considering the great calamity which has taken place, and the 
trouble and difficulties I have experienced, will kindly wait a few days, 
assuring them that the utmost diligence will be exerted on this occasion, 
and that I shall ever have a grateful sense of their indulgence, and will 
endeavour, by every

Page 84

means in my power, to make them amends hereafter, whenever any public 
matter of importance may occur. I am with great respect the public's most 
obedient, and very humble servant, Philip Edwards."

In the Journal of Tuesday the 28th of February, Mr. D. F. Freebairn 
"announces to the public, in particular to the patrons of the Maryland 
Journal, that its publication, by him, will terminate with this month." He 
also says: "Was he to judge, of the public opinion from the encouragement 
he has received, he would consider it as not favorable towards the 
continuance of its old and faithful Mirror. As it is certain that its 
support has not been near equal to the pains and expences of its 
publication." In the same paper Mr. P. Edwards says: "The publication of 
the Maryland Journal is necessarily suspended for a short time. 
Arrangements are made for its continuance, upon a plan which cannot fail 
of rendering it acceptable to an enlightened public. The apparatus are 
entirely new, and are daily expected to arrive. The subscriber, therefore, 
under whose immediate care it will be conducted, solicits the exercise of 
the public patience and candor, and informs the patrons of the Journal, 
that in a few days they may expect its appearance in a new and improved 
form. Timely and proper notice will be given." On Tuesday, March 21st, 
1797, the former editor, Mr. Philip Edwards, "solicited by some of his 
friends, and influenced by other private considerations, is determined 
once more to attempt an establishment of this truly valuable paper." The 
paper was issued upon the before-mentioned date, and named simply the 
Maryland Journal. From the Maryland Journal of Thursday, June 29th, 1797, 
we extract the following from a card published by Mr. Philip Edwards, 
editor, &c.:--"I am now constrained to inform them [the public] that such 
are the difficulties of my present situation, that I find it necessary for 
me to decline the publication of my paper altogether. It is with regret, 
much regret, I relinquish a pursuit, from which I expected much 
satisfaction; but so it is--the Maryland Journal will be no longer 
continued after the 30th June (to-morrow), the last day of the present 
month."

The Baltimore American and Daily Advertiser was first published by Mr. 
Alexander Martin, at the time mentioned in a brief sketch of the early 
history of the paper, published under the signature of Mr. Martin in the 
American of June 9th, 1800, which is as follows: "On the 14th May, 1799, 
the American first commenced. It had then no subscribers previously 
engaged. Like a friendless stranger, it threw itself upon the generosity 
of the public; nor were its hopes misplaced. Many of the hospitable doors 
of the citizens were thrown open for its reception; and at this period, 
nine hundred citizens daily take it in." There were two offices, for we 
find in the first number the following notice:--"Subscriptions, 
Advertisements, and Communications for this paper received at No. 15

Page 85

Baltimore street, where all business connected with this establishment 
will be attended to with the same promptitude as at the Office of the 
publisher, No. 39 Bond street, Fell's Point." From that time to this--
seventy-five years, lacking but a few months--the regular publication of 
this paper, which bears the same name now that it did then, has not for a 
day been interrupted--with a single exception, and that was when its then 
patriotic editor strapped on his sword, and every employee of the 
establishment shouldered his musket and met the enemy on the battle-field 
of North Point! To compensate his subscribers for the deficiency of size 
in his paper, the editor issued the Honey Comb, a dainty little literary 
paper of eight pages, beautifully printed, and full of interesting matter, 
beginning on the 18th of August, and it was continued until the 14th of 
November, when the American was considerably enlarged and otherwise 
improved. The office was also removed to Second street, near South. On the 
1st of January, 1803, Mr. Martin having sold out his interest to Messrs. 
Pechin & Frailey, they became the proprietors of the American, and removed 
its office to No. 31 South Gay street, near the Custom-house. Mr. Martin 
settled down permanently in Baltimore, opened a printing office, and on 
January 1st, 1804, began the publication of the Rush-Light, a satirical, 
political, and literary weekly journal, which, in September of the same 
year, began a series of papers upon Pechin, sharply criticising him. The 
latter gentleman answers him, and the Rush-Light goes out. On the 10th of 
August, 1805, Mr. Frailey, a most efficient coadjutor, on account of ill-
health withdrew, and Mr. Pechin became full proprietor.

On the 1st of July, 1810, Mr. Pechin, who had associated with himself 
Messrs. Dobbin & Murphy, the paper on that day bears at its head the names 
of "W. Pechin, G. Dobbin & Murphy." On the 23d of September, Mr. Pechin is 
nominated by the Democratic Republicans of this city to represent them in 
the State Legislature, and after an active canvass, on October 7th he was 
elected by a large majority. On Tuesday, the 3d of December, Mr. George 
Dobbin, one of the proprietors of the American, died in his 38th year. The 
name of the firm remained unchanged. The share owned by Mr. Dobbin was 
worked for the benefit of his widow (who is still living), and when his 
son (the late Robert A. Dobbin) arrived at manhood, he took his father's 
place as a partner. Early in 1812 the office of the American was removed 
to No. 4 Harrison street, and remained there for some years. On the 10th 
of September, 1814, announcement is made in the American that for a few 
days the publication of the paper would be suspended. Messrs. Dobbin & 
Murphy, the printers, and Major Pechin, the editor, with every attache of 
the paper, are enrolled among the volunteers, and were immediately sent 
forward. On account of the indisposition of the aged Colonel of the Sixth 
Regiment, the command devolved upon Major Pechin, who promptly took the 
field at the head of 600

Page 86

men, rendering most efficient service. On the 20th of September, the 
American resumed publication, since which time--59 years ago--with the 
exception of Sundays and two annual holidays, it has been published 
regularly every morning. The number for September 21st, 1814, gave to the 
people of America their national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," 
written only a week before--a most interesting fact in the history of this 
paper. In 1815, Mr. Wm. Bose was taken into the firm, and his name first 
appears at the head of the editorial columns in the issue of the 4th of 
July, 1815. The firm then was Pechin, Dobbin, Murphy & Bose.

On the 17th of January,1849, the American office was removed from the 
building which it had occupied for nearly forty years No.2 South Gay 
street.), to its present location, Nos. 126 and 128 West Baltimore Street. 
On Saturday, March 9th, 1850, the first number of the Weekly American was 
issued. The old firm of Dobbin, Murphy & Bose. which had been in existence 
for nearly half a century, was dissolved on the 30th of June, 1853. Mr. 
Dobbin purchased the interest of Mr. Murphy, and Charles C. Fulton 
purchased the interest of Mr. Bose. For the next eleven years the American 
was owned and published by Dobbin & Fulton. from the time that Mr. Fulton 
became a member of the firm of publishers, there was a change in the tone 
and spirit of the paper; its scope of vision was vastly enlarged, and new 
life and vigor were infused into the "news," "local," and editorial 
departments. His experience as a journalist had taught him that money must 
be expended in the gathering of news, if a paper would afford its readers 
that which is latest and most striking, and that all outlays in this 
direction brought ample returns. Acting upon this principle, Mr. Fulton 
has succeeded in making the American one of the most entertaining and 
instructive newspapers south of Mason and Dixon's line, and placed it 
beside the great journals of New York in enterprise and far-reaching 
vigilance. In September, 1862, Mr. Dobbin died, and Mr. Fulton purchased 
the interest in the American which descended to his heirs thereby becoming 
sole proprietor. Mr. Fulton was always a great believer in "special 
correspondence," and during the war the American was frequently in advance 
of all other newspapers in the country, in its letters from the great 
battle-fields. He was with the army of the Potomac himself during two of 
its most important campaigns, and the readers of the American got the 
benefit of his candor, his accurate habits of observation, and his 
indomitable enterprise in gathering and sending news while the incidents 
are fresh. The American paid more attention to our naval operations during 
the war than any other newspaper in the United States. Mr. Fulton's son 
(Albert K. Fulton, one of the present proprietors of the American) was an 
engineer on Admiral Farragut's flag-ship the Hartford, and the American 
published the first, the fullest, and most graphic

Page 87

descriptions of all the great naval engagements fought by that illustrious 
commander. Mr. Fulton himself accompanied the first "iron-clad" expedition 
against Fort Sumter, and was on board the United States steamer Bibb when 
the attack was made. Considering that the American is published in a city 
in which for the last fifteen years the preponderating political sentiment 
has been against it, the wonderful success it has achieved can only be 
attributed to substantial merits which politics cannot affect.

The first number of Dunlap's Maryland Gazette or the Baltimore General 
Advertiser was issued on Tuesday, May 2d, 1775--printed by John Dunlap 
once a week, at his printing office in Market street, at 10 shillings per 
annum. On Tuesday, September 15th, 1778, Mr. Dunlap sold out his interest 
in the paper to Mr. James Hays, Jr., who changed the name to The Maryland 
Gazette and Baltimore General Advertiser. On the 5th of January, 1779, 
this paper was discontinued for want of support.

Another paper, called The Maryland Gazette or the Baltimore General 
Advertiser, issued its initial number on Friday, May 16th, 1783--published 
by John Hays every Friday, in Market street, opposite the dwelling of Mr. 
Archibald Buchanan--terms, 15 shillings per annum. On the 27th of 
February, 1787, it was published semi-weekly, Tuesdays and Fridays.

The initial number of The Baltimore Daily Repository (the first daily 
paper published in Baltimore) was issued on Monday, October 24th, 1791, by 
David Graham, publisher, in Calvert street, between Market street and the 
court-house. After April 29th, 1793, the paper was published by Messrs. D. 
Graham, Z. Yundt, and W. Patton. On the 28th of October, 1793, Mr. Graham 
retired, and the paper was continued under the name of The Baltimore Daily 
Intelligencer, by Messrs. Yundt & Patton, at $4 per annum, or twopence for 
a single copy. On the 30th of October, 1794, Messrs. Yundt & Patton 
dissolve partnership, Mr. Patton retiring, the paper being continued under 
the name of Federal Intelligencer and Baltimore Daily Gazette, by Messrs. 
Yundt & Brown. "Through convenience," the Federal Intelligencer and 
Baltimore Daily Gazette changed its name on the 1st of January, 1796, to 
the Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser. Messrs. Yundt and 
Brown dissolved partnership on the 1st of January, 1807, the paper being 
continued by John Hewes. In 1812 Mr. Hewes retires from the Federal 
Gazette, &c., which is continued by Mr. William Gwynn, who purchased his 
interest. Mr. William Gwynn, after having issued the Gazette twenty-one 
years and six months, sold all his interest on the 21st of July, 1834, to 
Mr. William Gwynn Jones, who as "editor and proprietor" continued the 
paper from his office at the corner of St. Paul street and Bank lane. On 
the 24th of May, 1835, Mr. Jones was detected in robbing the post-office 
[as recorded in 1835], and was convicted and sentenced to the 
penitentiary, from which he was pardoned out during the latter part of 
President Van Buren's administration.

Page 88

After the arrest of Mr. Jones, Mr. William Gwynn assumed control of the 
Gazette, which ceased publication on the 30th Of December, 1837.

On the 2d of March, 1795, Mr. John W. Allen issued the first number of the 
Fell's Point Telegraph, at the price of $2.50 per annum; tri-weekly, 
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Messrs. Clayland, Dobbin & Co., on Monday, March 23d, 1795, issue the 
first number of The Baltimore Telegraph, from their printing office on the 
northwest corner of Market and Frederick streets. This paper was 
afterwards continued by Mr. Thomas Dobbin, in the rear of No. 1 Light 
street, under the name of The Telegraph and Daily Advertiser.

The Eagle of Freedom was published by Messrs. Pechin & Wilmer in 1796.

The first regular issue of the American Patriot was on Saturday, September 
25th, 1802--S. McCrea, printer and publisher, No. 67 South street. In a 
short time the office was removed to Fell's Point, and the name of the 
paper changed to the American Patriot and Fell's Point Advertiser, S. 
Kennedy, printer and publisher.

The first number of the Baltimore Evening Post and Mercantile Daily 
Advertiser was issued on Monday evening, March 25th, 1805, by J. Cook & 
Co., corner of South and Water streets. In a short time Messrs. Cook & Co. 
sold their interests to Mr. George Bourne and Hezekiah Niles. On the 10th 
of June, 1811, Mr. Niles sold his interest to Mr. Thomas Wilson, who 
formerly edited a paper called The Sun.

The first number of the North American and Mercantile Daily Advertiser was 
issued in January, 1808, and was published by Jacob Wagner, in an old 
frame building situated at the time on the northwest corner of Gay and 
Second streets. On the 3d of October, 1809, it was consolidated with the 
Federal Republican, and was issued on the 4th of October, 1809, as the 
Federal Republican and Commercial Advertiser, by Messrs. Hanson & Wagner. 
The Federal Republican was very violent in its politics as a Federal 
paper, and on the 22d of June, 1812, the office in which it was printed 
was entirely destroyed by a mob at night (as per reference to the year 
1812). The publishers recommenced the publication in Georgetown, D. C., 
and forwarded the printed copies by mail to this city. As soon as it was 
known, the people gathered at the post-office, then at the corner of St. 
Paul's and Bank lanes (Chas. Barrall, post-master), and demanded the 
copies for the purpose of destroying them. Soon after this the publishers 
recommenced the publication in Baltimore in a house on South Charles, near 
Pratt street. As soon as this was noised abroad, a crowd gathered, and a 
terrible outbreak ensued, with the result as stated (in 1812). This was 
the last of the Federal Republican, whose violent strictures against 
President Madison, the war, and the soldiers who went forth to the Canada 
borders, had caused this terrible riot, which for many

Page 89

years after left a stigma upon the fair name of our city, which bore the 
sobriquet of "mob town."

On Friday, February 1st, 1802, the first number of The Republican or anti-
Democrat was published by Messrs. Prentiss and Cole, No. 14 South Charles 
street, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This paper ceased December 30th, 
1803.

The first number of the Mechanics' Gazette and Merchants' Daily Advertiser 
was issued in March, 1815, from No. 28 South Gay street, by Thomas Wilson 
& Co.

Niles' Register, which had a character and circulation in every part of 
the civilized world: was read in the palaces of kings, in the haunts of 
commerce, and in the cabin of the pioneer; is referred to as an authority 
in courts of justice and in legislative assemblies; and at this day 
constitutes the best and truest foundation extant of the history of our 
country for the period over which it extends --issued its first number in 
Baltimore, on Saturday, September 7th, 1811, printed and published weekly 
by Hezekiah Niles, late editor of the Baltimore Evening Post, at $5 per 
annum. On the 3d of September, 1836, after the lapse of twenty-five years, 
H. Niles gave up his business to his eldest son William Ogden Niles, who 
continued to publish the Register in an enlarged form and new dress. On 
the 2d of September, 1837, Mr. Niles removed his printing-office to 
Washington, D. C., and published the Register there, under the name of 
Niles' National Register. Hezekiah Niles, the founder of the Register, 
died at Wilmington, Del., on the 2d of April, 1839, in the 63d year of his 
age. On the 4th of May, 1839, the office was removed again to Baltimore, 
and the Register was published there until it ceased to exist. On the 19th 
of October, 1839, Mrs. Sally Ann Miles, who was administratrix of her 
husband's estate, disposed of the Register to Jeremiah Hughes, formerly 
editor of a paper at Annapolis, who continued to publish the Register 
until the 26th of February, 1848, when it ceased to exist.

In the year 1811 the Baltimore Whig, then edited by Baptist Irvine and 
Samuel Barnes, was the leading Democratic paper in Baltimore. When the 
Presidential election was about to come off, the Whig was induced by the 
malcontents of the Democratic party to declare for Mr. De Witt Clinton 
against Mr. Madison, much against the wishes of Mr. Barnes, who soon after 
sold the paper and retired to Frederick, where he established a Democratic 
paper in full faith with the party, which is still in existence, the 
Political Examiner. Messrs. Cone and Norvell took charge of the Whig, and 
endeavored to bring it again into the fold of the party to which it 
originally belonged, but it was too late--the blow it experienced by its 
desertion at an imminent period of the war was so stunning that it soon 
had to succumb, and its subscription list and several of the apprentices 
were united with the American. Norvell was an able editor, and was 
afterwards elected one of the first Congressmen from the State of 
Michigan, when that State was

Page 90

admitted into the Union. His associate. Mr. Spencer H. Cone, whose sister 
Norvell married, had been on the theatrical boards before becoming an 
editor, but after his retirement from the latter position, he took orders 
in the Baptist Church, and for a great many years, to the day of his 
death, was the pastor of one of the largest churches in New York of that 
denomination, and was one of its most eloquent and respected ministers. 
Mr. Samuel Sands; who is now editor and proprietor of the American Farmer, 
was one of the apprentices in the Whig office, and after that paper 
suspended went to the American office, and continued with that paper until 
about the year 1820 or '21, and was in the office at the time of the 
attack on Baltimore by the British, and had the honor of being the first 
man who set in type our national song, the "Star Spangled Banner." After 
the Whig abandoned Mr. Madison, the influential members of the 
administration party induced Isaac Monroe and Mr. Ebenezer French, then 
connected with the Boston Patriot, to come to Baltimore and establish a 
new paper in support of Mr. Madison's administration, and hence the origin 
of the Baltimore Patriot, which commenced on the 28th of September, 1812, 
and continued till after the breaking out of the late war with the South, 
when it ceased to exist. In 1814 the name was changed to the Baltimore 
Patriot and Evening Advertiser, published by Monroe & French. At certain 
periods the Patriot was published and edited by Messrs. J. Fand, J. N. 
McJilton, and Messrs. John Wills and William H. Carpenter.

About the year 1821 Mr. Samuel Sands published the Saturday Herald, which 
had been started by Richard Matchett and edited by Paul Allen. It was a 
weekly literary paper, and Mr. Allen used it during the remarkable contest 
in our courts and in the Presbyterian Church, in defence of Rev. John M, 
Duncan. After Mr. Allen's death, the Herald was discontinued, and Mr. 
Sands commenced the publication of a paper with Dr. Patrick Maccauley as 
editor, intended to be of a similar character to the Albion published in 
New York, with this exception that the latter was devoted to British 
interests, whilst Mr. Sands' was to be of American. This paper had but a 
short existence. About the time it was published the great contest for the 
presidency commenced between J. Q. Adams and Jackson, and the friends of 
the former established the Marylander to support him for re-election. The 
first number was issued on Wednesday, December 3d, 1827, and continued 
every Wednesday and Saturday--Edward P. Roberts, publisher, Edward C. 
Pinckney, editor, and Samuel Sands, printer. Mr. Pinckney was the son of 
Hon. William Pinckney, the celebrated lawyer and statesman and was an 
elegant poet, some of his lyrics being among the choicest in the language. 
When the election was over, and Mr. Adams was defeated, the paper was 
discontinued; but Mr. Sands purchased the interest of Mr. Frank Davidge in 
the Commercial Chronicle, which had been in existence since April, 1819,

Page 91

being first started by Schaeffer and Maund, afterwards by Thomas Maund, 
William Pechin, and then by Gen. S. C. Leakin and Mr. Davidge. At this 
time it was a neutral paper, devoted to commercial matters. The 
Marylander's subscription list was united to that of the Chronicle, and it 
was afterwards published by Leakin and Sands under the title of the 
Commercial Chronicle and Daily Marylander, as a political journal, and the 
organ of the Whig party. For several years it was thus published, when Mr. 
S. Barnes, from Frederick, bought out the interest of the junior partner. 
Mr. Nelson Poe afterward published it, but it finally shared the fate of 
many of its predecessors in this city, and ceased to exist.

About the year 1818, John S. Skinner, Esq., published a periodical 
political in its character, called the Censor. About a year afterwards the 
paper was discontinued, and the first number of the first agricultural 
journal ever published in this, and perhaps any other country (the 
American Farmer), was sent forth, without a single bona fide subscriber to 
it in advance. The paper took with the public for whose interests it was 
commenced, and in a few days had obtained a large subscription list; it 
was published weekly, in quarto form, at $5.00 per annum. Mr. Skinner 
after a few years sold a half interest in the paper to Mr. J. Hitchcock at 
a large price, and not a very long time thereafter Mr. Hitchcock purchased 
the other half. Mr. Hitchcock published the Farmer but a short time after 
he had control of it, and it was discontinued for about a year. He shortly 
after this commenced the issue of a new journal of a similar character 
under the name of The Farmer and Gardener, but before the end of the year 
sold out to Mr. Moore, of the firm of Lindan and Moore. He published it 
for a while, and then sold out to Mr. E. P. Roberts, who had been editor. 
Mr. Roberts subsequently sold his interest to Mr. Samuel Sands, who 
commenced its publication with Mr. John S. Skinner, the original founder, 
as the editor. From this time to the end of Mr. Sands' connection with it, 
the paper flourished, and again obtained a high position among the 
agriculturists of the land. Mr. Skinner having received the appointment of 
Assistant Postmaster General, he removed to Washington, and ceased his 
connection with the Farmer. Mr. E. P. Roberts again assumed the 
editorship, and continued to the end of his life; Mr. Sands being 
proprietor and publisher nearly all the time. An interest, however, in the 
meantime was sold in the paper to Mr. N. B. Worthington, and about three 
years afterwards Mr. Sands sold him the other half and retired therefrom. 
Mr. Sands, the ensuing year, commenced a new paper called the Rural 
Register, which was published four years, but the civil war in the South, 
where the most of his support was obtained, interfered with it to such an 
extent that after the second year of the war the Rural Register ceased to 
exist. The Farmer had stopped in about six months after the war commenced. 
When the war was over, the proprietors of the Farmer, Messrs. Worth-

Page 92

and Lewis, resumed publication, but in a few years it was permitted to go 
out of existence after having changed hands once or twice since its 
renewal. After remaining suspended for fifteen or eighteen months, the old 
publisher, Mr. Sands, in connection with his son, recommenced its 
publication on the 1st of January, 1872, under the name of the American 
Farmer and Rural Register, and it has in less than two years attained 
again to the high character it formerly enjoyed under Mr. Skinner and its 
other proprietor, Mr. Sands, and is now about entering on its third year, 
under its present proprietors, editors and publishers, under the most 
auspicious circumstances.

In September, 1829, Mr. John S. Skinner commenced to publish the American 
Turf Register and Sporting Magazine. In August, 1835, he disposed of his 
interest, and Mr. Gideon B. Smith became editor; shortly afterwards it was 
published in New York.

The first one-cent paper published in Baltimore was the Baltimore Daily 
Transcript; the first number was issued in the afternoon of Thursday, the 
10th of March, 1836 -- Messrs. S. P. Kenny and A. G. Tenney, editors and 
proprietors.

Messrs. Cloud & Wilman, in February, 1832, issued the first number of the 
Saturday Visitor, which was afterwards sold to Dr. Snodgrass. Messrs. 
Charles F. and R. M. Cloud, in 1840, issued the first number of the Argus; 
in 1841 they purchased the Republican, and consolidating the two papers, 
gave it the name of the Republican and Argus.

The Metropolitan, a monthly magazine devoted to the Roman Catholic 
religion, education, literature and general information, was founded in 
February, 1853 -- Mr. John Murphy & Co., publishers.

The first number of The United States Catholic Magazine and Monthly Review 
was issued in January, 1841, Mr. John Murphy, printer and publisher, 
edited by Rev. Charles J. White. The Very Rev. M. J. Spalding, D. D., for 
three years was assistant editor. In December, 1848, the last number was 
issued.

The first number of the Companion and Weekly Miscellany was issued, 
November 3d, 1804, by Edward Easy, Esq. -- Messrs. Cole & Hewes, printers 
and publishers.

The Red Book was published anonymously October 23, 1819,Messrs. John P. 
Kennedy, Peter Cruse, and Josiah Pennington. was a spirited publication, 
much esteemed at the time, and is now very rare.

The first number of the Spirit of Democracy was published by Mr. R. M. 
Cloud, on the 1st of August, 1840. Issued tri-weekly-- Mr. T. L. Murphy, 
editor.

The Itinerant or Wesleyan Methodist Visitor was first published on 
Wednesday, November 12th, 1828. Issued every two weeks-- Melville B. Cox, 
editor.

The Enterprise was first published in 1847 by W. Taylor and

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N. Sardo. This paper republished the Baltimore letters, taken from a 
newspaper published in New York in 1847, by Wm. Chase Barney, called The 
Aristocratic Monitor, which created much excitement. These letters were on 
"Mushroom Hill" and its environs, of "May Lady Fashionable," "The Prince 
of Morocco," "My Lords of the Yard Stick and other distinguished 
Aristocrats" in Baltimore. A writer speaking of this paper says: "I find 
the Monitor, 'The Aristocratic Monitor,' is everywhere. If I go into a 
fashionable drawing-room, there is the Monitor; if I go into bank to have 
a check cashed, there is the Monitor; if I go into a store, there lies the 
Monitor; the people go through the streets reading--what? Why, 'The 
Aristocratic Monitor.'" It was however a scurrilous publication, and was 
ere long discontinued.

In 1836 Messrs. Cloud & Pouder published the Daily Intelligencer.

There have been numerous papers and magazines of every shape and character 
issued in this city, some of which were successful for a time, many 
unprofitable, and a few, by dint of capital, perseverance, and success in 
meeting popular demands, have become permanently established. Among the 
new daily and weekly newspapers and magazines started in Baltimore, and 
long since disappeared, we find the following:

In August, 1804, The Porcupine was established. In November, 1831, Mrs. 
Mary Barney issued the first number of her political and literary monthly, 
called the National Magazine or Lady's Companion. In 1834, Messrs. J. F. 
Weishampel, Sr., and T. J. Beach published The Experiment. In 1827, The 
Emerald was established, which was afterwards merged in the Minerva. Then 
there was the Portico, a weekly published by a bookseller, Mr. Edward J. 
Coale, an amiable and popular gentleman; many able pens contributed to 
this work, among them those of Edward C. Pinckney, the poet, and Francis 
S. Key, the author of the "Star-Spangled Banner." The first Sunday paper 
published in Baltimore was called the Enterprise, by Wm. Taylor, in 
January, 1848. About this time the Wreath, another weekly, was commenced. 
In 1829, there were published the Mutual Rights and Christian 
Intelligencer, the Itinerant Weekly, and the Saturday Evening Post. Then 
we had the Jefferson Reformer, the Genius of Universal Emancipation, the 
Republican, the Huntress, the Amethyst, the Athenaeum, the Young Men's 
Paper, the American Museum, the Dispatch, the Baltimore Times, the 
Saturday Herald, the Freeman's Banner, the American Whig, the Temperance 
Herald, the Odd Fellows' Magazine, the Log Cabin; in 1848, the Buena 
Vista; in 1846, the Western Continent, Park Benjamin and Carpenter & 
Thompson, editors and publishers; the Monument, a weekly journal, edited 
by J. N. McJilton and D. Creamer, first number October 8th, 1836; the 
Baltimore Literary and Religious Magazine, Rev. Robert J. Breckenridge and 
Rev. Andrew B. Cross, ministers of the Presbyterian Church,

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editors, &c.; the Family Magazine, published in 1836, by T. A. Richards & 
Brother; the People's Friend, first number May 25th, 1816; the Columbian 
Democrat; the Federal Republican and Baltimore Telegraph, by Paul Allen & 
Co.; the Baltimore Intelligencer, which ceased January 5th, 1835; the 
Wanderer, by R. J. Matchett; the Merchant, in 1801, by General Duff Green; 
the Kaleidoscope, the Baltimore Visitor, the Literary Visitor, by Edward 
J. Cole; the Maryland Colonization Journal, the Baltimore Iris; in 1839, 
the Penny Magazine, the Journal of the American Silk Society, Gideon B. 
Smith, editor; the Baltimore Literary Monument, the Baltimore Post, ceased 
Wednesday, April 22d, 1840; the Athenaeum and Visitor; the Chronicle's 
subscription list was transferred to the American January 1st, 1839. In 
1840, we have the Daily Evening Gazette, a Whig penny sheet, first number 
issued in August. Wm. Ogden Niles, Esq., editor; in January, 1841, 
Juvenile Mirror, by Geo. H. Hickman; the Independent Press, a tri-weekly, 
first number issued in April; in August, the Clayite, an evening penny 
paper; the Baltimore Counterfeit Detector, by H. Wigman; in November, the 
Christian Family Magazine, Rev. Dr. Newell, editor; in November, the 
Baltimore Privateer, the Baltimore Phoenix and Budget, published by 
Messrs. Snodgrass, Sherwood & Co. In July, 1842, we have the Baltimore 
Whig, by Mesrs. Sperry, Gallup and Rogers; in 1844, the American Whig, 
heretofore published weekly, was changed in July to a penny daily paper, 
Samuel Sands, editor; the Democratic Sentinel, first number issued the 6th 
of April, 1844; in January, 1846, the first number of The Flag of our 
Union was issued by Mr. W. Bennet, publisher; The Bankers' Magazine and 
State Financial Register, published and edited by J. Smith Homands, Esq.; 
the Temperance Herald; in June, the Baltimore Daily News; in January, 
1849, Mr. N. Sardo published a paper called the Paul Pry; in January, Mr. 
H. M. Garland published The Young America; in May, by Mr. James Young, the 
Temperance Banner; on the first of October, by H. M. Garland, the Parlor 
Gazette and Ladies' Advertiser; on the 30th of October, by Messrs. Martin 
& Co., The Daily City Item; by Mr. John S. Skinner, The Plough, the Loom, 
and the Anvil; the Baltimore Bank Note Reporter; in November, Mr. Beale H. 
Richardson purchased the interest of Mr. Charles F. Cloud in the 
Republican and Daily Argus.

In January, 1850, Messrs. W. C. Peters & Co., publishers, issue the first 
number of the monthly, Baltimore Olio and American Musical Gazette. In 
December the Monumental Fountain, a temperance paper, by the Grand 
Division of the Sons of Temperance, suspended.

On the 16th of September, 1851, The Flag of Liberty, a weekly Whig paper, 
was commenced. On the 25th of September the first number of The Daily 
Morning News, a Whig paper, by Messrs. Peake, Walker & Co., was issued; it 
ceased May 10th, 1852.

In 1852 The Evening Porcupine was published by an association

Page 95

of journeymen printers. It was afterwards changed to a morning Democrat 
paper, and the name changed to the Daily Advertiser. In the same year was 
commenced The American Whig Review. The first number of The Daily Times, 
by Messrs. F. K. Lipp & Co., was issued on Monday, April 26th. The 
Parthenian, or Young Ladies' Magazine, was conducted the same year by the 
pupils of the Baltimore Female College. The Old Defender, a weekly Whig 
paper, was first issued Saturday, August 21st, Mills, Troxall & Co., 
publishers.

Messrs. Hoffman & Co., on Sunday morning, February 6th, 1853, issued the 
first number of the Sunday Morning Atlas. In the same year the Daily 
Republic is issued, also American Daily Times, Daily Globe, Literary 
Bulletin, and the Monumental Literary Gazette, in December, by Messrs. 
Finley, Johnson & Co.

In January, 1854, Messrs. Charles F. and R. M. Cloud issued the first 
number of the Sunday Dispatch, which they sold in November to Messrs. 
William H. Gobright and J. Cloud Norris. In the same year The True Union 
was published, also The True American.

In February, 1855, the first number of The Presbyterial Critic and Monthly 
Review was issued; also in the same year The Baltimore Flag, and The 
American Democrat, September 10th.

In April, 1856, the first number of The Bible Times was issued; also in 
the same year The Evangelical Lutheran and The Elevator.

On the 17th of April, 1857, the first number of The City Agent was issued, 
and in the same year the Baltimore Stethescope, The Traveller; and on the 
15th of August Our Opinion was published by John T. Ford, and edited by 
Clifton W. Tayleure, who was at this time connected with the Museum and 
theatre in the capacity of dramatist. The Baltimore Illustrated Times and 
Local Gazette, by Messrs J. C. Gobright and J. W. Torsch, was published 
the same year.

The first number of the Baltimore Christian Advocate appeared in May, 1858.

In 1859 the first number of the Real Estate Register was issued by Mr. 
Samuel Sands. In the same year there also appeared the Weekly Bulletin, 
the Weekly Freeman, and Our Newspaper. On the 2d of April the first number 
of the Evening Star was issued; in the same year The Lily of the Valley, 
and The American Nautical Gazette.

In May, 1864, Messrs. Simpson K. Donavin and Charles W. Kimberly published 
the first number of the Baltimore Advertiser.

The first number of The Monitor was issued on Friday, June 2d, 1857. 
Published by Joseph Robinson weekly, and edited by Hugh Davey Evans.

On the 29th of February, 1836, Messrs. William M. Swain, Arunah S. Abell, 
and Azariah H. Simmons, then in the city of New York, entered into 
partnership as equal partners, both in law

Page 96

and equity, under the firm of Swain, Abell & Simmons, for the purpose of 
publishing, and in the publication of a daily penny paper, (neutral in 
politics,) to be entitled "The Times, in the city of Philadelphia, State 
of Pennsylvania." Such was the beginning of the memorable association of 
Swain, Abell & Simmons, which lasted for nearly a quarter of a century, 
until dissolved by death, and which resulted in the establishment of two 
of the most successful, widely circulated and influential journals in the 
United States, published in two of its largest cities, the Public Ledger 
in Philadelphia, and The Sun in Baltimore. On Friday, March 25th, 1836, 
within less than a month after the partnership had been formed, the first 
number of the Public Ledger made its appearance, "price one cent, or six 
cents a week." It was at first coldly received, and two of the parties 
became so much discouraged as to propose a discontinuance of publication. 
Mr. Abell, however, urged so strenuously the policy of holding on, at 
least until their funds were exhausted, that the confidence felt by his 
copartners in the soundness of his judgment led them to defer to his 
wishes, and they did "hold on," with what splendid results need not now be 
told The business of the paper having been established upon a sound and 
paying basis, and having no further misgivings about the future success of 
the Ledger, it occurred to Mr. Abell, in the spring of the following year, 
to visit Baltimore for the purpose of determining the feasibility of 
establishing a penny paper in that city. A suggestion from him to that 
effect meeting with the hearty approval of his partners, Mr. Abell, in 
April, 1837, visited the Monumental City for the first time. There were 
then published in Baltimore a number of respectable and well-conducted 
journals, but not a single penny paper. They were all "six pennies." To 
the editors of these journals Mr. Abell brought letters of introduction, 
and he then formed the acquaintance, among others, of Messrs. Dobbin, 
Murphy & Bose of the American, Mr. Gwynn of the Federal Gazette, Mr. 
Harker of the Republican, Mr. Poe of the Chronicle, Mr. Monroe of the 
Patriot, and Messrs. Streeter & Skinner of the Transcript. It cannot be 
said, however, that any of these gentlemen with whom Mr. Abell conferred 
in regard to his plans, held out much encouragement as to the success of a 
new paper. In fact the times seemed singularly inauspicious for any 
enterprise of the kind. The year 1837 was one of unprecedented disaster 
and gloom in all commercial and business circles, and all classes shared 
the general depression. Mr. Abell, however, felt persuaded that a penny 
paper would make its way where other enterprises might fail. He returned 
to Philadelphia impressed with this idea, and obtained the approval of his 
partners to hazard the experiment, upon condition that he should assume 
the immediate responsibility and personal control. This, although he had 
just passed through a similar trial of patience and faith incident to the 
first establishment of the Ledger, he consented to do. With

Page 97

the same rapidity that had characterised their proceedings in regard to 
that paper, when once their minds were made up, type and materials were 
ordered, one of the best single cylinder presses of that day worked by 
hand was purchased from the Messrs. Hoe, an office taken at No. 21 Light 
street, and on the 17th of May, 1837, the first copy of The Sun was left 
at the door of nearly every house in Baltimore. The Sun was well received. 
In less than three months it had a larger circulation than the Ledger had 
attained at the end of nine months. Within a year it circulated more than 
twice as many copies as the oldest established journal in Baltimore. It is 
believed that its success was more immediate and more rapid than has 
attended the advent of any similar enterprise in the United States. It was 
soon discovered that the original quarters in Light street were entirely 
too contracted for the growing business of the paper. Mr. Abell 
accordingly purchased the property at the southeast corner of Baltimore 
and Gay streets, long familiarly known as the "Old Sun Building," made 
such alterations as were necessary to adapt it to its new use, and in 1839 
removed the whole establishment to that location. Soon, however, the same 
want of increased accommodation to meet the requirements of an increasing 
business, was again felt, and it was deemed desirable, that before making 
another change, a site should be purchased and a building erected which 
should be expressly designed for the purpose of the paper, and at the same 
time be an ornament to the city which had so generously fostered and 
rewarded the enterprise of the proprietors of The Sun. To Mr. Abell was 
confided the task of selecting such a site. After mature consideration, 
the lot at the corner of Baltimore and South streets, in the very business 
heart of the city, was determined upon, and Mr. Abell effected the 
purchase of this valuable property, then occupied by six old brick 
buildings, four on Baltimore and two on South street, for a fraction less 
than $50,000. It happened that just about this time Mr. James Bogardus, of 
New York city, a man of undoubted genius as well as mechanical skill, was 
seeking for an opportunity to test in practice his invention for the 
construction of iron buildings. His proposal had been but coldly received 
in Yew York, and he was almost in despair of finding a man intelligent 
enough to comprehend his plans, and liberal enough to aid him in their 
realization, when fortunately he submitted his views to the proprietors of 
The Sun. They gave to the plans of Mr. Bogardus the most serious and 
careful consideration, and were soon convinced of their entire 
feasibility. Mr. Abell accordingly determined that the new building should 
be of iron, and erected according to the plan of Messrs. Bogardus & 
Hoppin, of New York, who were the contractors for the work, and whose 
inventive genius, enterprise and perseverance gave the first cast-iron 
edifice to the world. The architect whose taste conceived and executed the 
original design, was Mr. Hatfield, of New York. The

Page 98

carpenter work and general superintendence of the building were confided 
to Messrs. H. R. & J. Reynolds. The iron work was done by Messrs. Adam 
Denmead & Brother and Mr. Benjamin S. Benson, of this city. When The Sun 
was first started, and for some time afterwards, Mr. Abell had the 
personal assistance of Mr. Simmons, who at that time resided in Baltimore. 
Subsequently Mr. Simmons returned to Philadelphia, leaving The Sun in sole 
charge of Mr. Abell, the two other partners devoting their attention to 
the Ledger. This arrangement continued until the death of Mr. Simmons, 
which occurred December 9th, 1855, and which dissolved the original 
copartnership of Swain, Abell & Simmons. The two surviving partners 
immediately formed a new association, under the style of Swain & Abell, 
and continued as before the publication of their two papers, and the 
business of the printing offices connected with them. Although equally 
interested in each paper, it naturally happened that as Mr. Swain lived in 
Philadelphia, and Mr. Abell in Baltimore, the management of the Ledger and 
its concerns fell to the charge of the former, and that of The Sun 
continued in the hands of the latter, an arrangement which was found 
productive of entire harmony, and which removed all occasion for 
interference or collision. Gradually, however, Mr. Swain's health began to 
decline, until he was unable to give to the Ledger his active personal 
supervision. The war too broke out, and Mr. Abell's duties in Baltimore 
became exceedingly difficult and onerous. His own position and that of The 
Sun were not free from danger, when public journals were suppressed and 
their editors incarcerated at the mere will of a military commander; and 
to add to his other perplexities, his partner in Philadelphia took the 
extreme Northern view in the conflict between the sections. Under these 
circumstances, Mr. Abell notified Mr. Swain of his willingness to dispose 
of his interest in the Ledger, and finally, after considerable 
negotiations and many delays, on the 3d of December, 1864, the Ledger was 
sold to Mr. George W. Childs, the publisher, and the Messrs. Drexel & Co., 
bankers, of Philadelphia. After the sale of the Ledger, The Sun was 
conducted by Mr. Abell alone, as agreed upon between his partner and 
himself, until February 16th, 1868, when Mr. Swain departed this life in 
the sixtieth year of his age. Since the death of Mr. Swain, Mr. Abell has 
sold his interest in the Ledger Building and other real estate in the city 
of Philadelphia, which he held in common with his late partner, to Mrs. 
Swain and her two sons, and they in turn have sold to Mr. Abell all their 
interest in the Sun Iron Building and other real and personal estate in 
the city of Baltimore, thus completely severing the interests which were 
formerly joint. In 1852 the founders and proprietors commenced using two 
Hoe type revolving cylinder presses, each rated at 10,000 copies per hour, 
and which were the first type-revolving presses successfully used in the 
world. Their use has since spread throughout the world and into all great 
printing offices

Page 99

of this country and Europe. Prior to the introduction of the magnetic 
telegraph, in a spirit of sagacious enterprise Mr. Abell organized, in 
connection with Mr. Craig, afterwards agent of the Associated Press of New 
York, a carrier pigeon express for the transmission of news between the 
cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. The pigeons 
for this service, about four or five hundred in number, were kept in a 
house on Hampstead Hill, near the Maryland Hospital for the Insane, and 
were carefully trained. Foreign steamer news was frequently obtained in 
this way, and on more than one occasion a synopsis of the President's 
message was brought by the pigeons to Baltimore immediately after the 
delivery to Congress, and published in extras to the great surprise of the 
public. This was the first pigeon express organized in this country, and 
was regularly continued until superseded by the telegraph. The first 
(President's) message of any considerable length which was ever 
transmitted by the electric telegraph, at once demonstrating and 
illustrating the success and the utility of Morse's great invention, was 
sent across the wires, then newly laid from Washington to Baltimore, 
addressed to The Baltimore Sun, and published in an extra Sun. It may be 
stated that Mr. Abell was the first to introduce into Baltimore the 
"carrier system" for the distribution of newspapers, which has since been 
found so convenient both to publishers and subscribers, as well as 
remunerative to the carriers themselves, who own their own routes and make 
their own collections, that it has been adopted by all the papers of the 
city. There are few subjects, too, of vital concern to the community in 
which The Sun has not led the way, and it may now be said to have acquired 
an individual character of its own; it has traditions from which it never 
departs, grooves which it rarely leaves, a certain tone by which it is 
almost invariably distinguished. Here it may be remarked, and it is an 
illustration of what has just been said, that many of the persons employed 
about The Sun office have been there for years. For a long period the 
chief editor was the late Thomas J. Beach, a writer of much force. Mr. 
John T. Crow, who was an associate with Mr. Beach, and who formerly edited 
and published a paper in Georgetown, D. C., where his youth was spent, is 
editor-in-chief, and the editorials are distinguished for clearness and 
directness. He is evidently a close observer and thinker, and does not 
permit the superficial treatment of any subject of moment. The Sun 
continues to increase in business and prosperity, and Mr. Abell has 
brought to his aid in its conduct latterly Mr. George W. Abell and one or 
two others of his sons, who, having the advantage of his teachings and 
example and association with others long connected with the conduct of the 
journal, it may he confidently assumed that the paper will be kept in the 
judicious path it has always pursued so advantageously to the community.

The first number of the Baltimore Clipper was issued on Saturday morning, 
September 7th, 1839, from No. 10 North Gay street,

Page 100

John H. Hewitt & Co., editors and proprietors. Tuesday, may 19th, 1840, 
Mr. Hewitt retired from the paper, having disposed of his interest to 
Messrs. Bull & Tuttle. On the 10th of June, 1840, the Clipper announced 
that "the daily circulation is five times greater than that of any other 
dally paper of Baltimore." On Saturday, June 27th, 1840, the Clipper 
issued their first weekly number, called the Ocean. On Monday, Nov. 11th, 
1844, the name was changed from the Baltimore Clipper to that of the 
American Republican. On Friday, January 1st, 1847, the paper resumed its 
former name of the Baltimore Clipper. Mr. Tuttle died Friday, June 17th, 
1864, and on Monday, July 11th, 1864, Mr. Edmund Bull, surviving partner 
of Messrs. Bull & Turtle, disposed of the Baltimore Clipper to Mr. William 
Wales, who continued it until it ceased, Saturday, September 30th, 1865.

Mr. Wales having entered into partnership with Mr. Wm. R. Coale, issued on 
the following Monday, October 2d, the first number of the Baltimore Daily 
Commercial. In 1867, the Daily Commercial was changed to an afternoon 
paper by the original proprietors, until 1869, when Mr. Wales withdrew, 
returning to Minneapolis. The title was changed to Evening Bulletin, and 
on Sunday a Sunday Bulletin was issued. In 1870, the paper was purchased 
by Dr. William H. Cole, a talented gentleman, formerly connected with some 
of the leading papers of the country, and who had been connected since 
1867 with the Commercial and the Bulletin, and who is now connected with 
the Baltimore Gazette; and he, in company with Colonel E. M. Yerger, of 
Mississippi, started the Evening Journal, under the firm name of E. M. 
Yerger & Co. In 1871, Dr. Cole withdrew from the firm, and the paper was 
continued until July, 1871, by Col. Yerger, who discontinued it.

At the time of the purchase by Dr. Cole of the Bulletin, Mr. W. R. Coale, 
its formerproprietor, together with Mr. W. M. Laffan, a gentleman of 
marked literary attainments, who was assistant editor, made the Sunday 
Bulletin a separate establishment. The first number had been issued August 
14th, 1870, on Sunday morning, and attained from the first a large 
circulation. The name was changed on the 11th of May, 1871. to Baltimore 
Bulletin, its present title, Mr. Laffan being opposed to the word Sunday 
in the title, it being in nowise a Sunday paper. At the same time it took 
up Real Estate, and gave it close attention, besides publishing a record 
of all transactions in the city and county. On the 3d of September, 1873, 
Mr. Coale retired from the firm, and his interest was purchased by Mr. 
Laffan and Mr. Samuel S. Early, the latter a gentleman well known in 
business circles, who had come to Baltimore from Terre Haute, Indiana, to 
settle with his family. Mr. Early's wealth and position, and the healthier 
management that was immediately apparent in the conduct of the paper, gave 
new life to it, and it became exceedingly prosperous and valuable. It is 
independent in politics, expresses radical opinions without regard

Page 101

to persons or prejudices, and is a strong advocate of local and general 
progress. With the exception of real estate, it is mainly devoted to 
literature. Among its numerous contributors may be mentioned S. Teackle 
Wallis, Dr. Wm. Hand Browne, Edward Spencer, Professor Gildersleeve, Mrs. 
Bellonoy, Mrs. Margaret J. Preston, Dr. J. Williamson Palmer, Dr. George 
Reuling, Dr. Edward Warren, Miss Mary Laffan, of London, England, Miss 
Margaret Fitz Gibbord, and others.

The proprietors, Messrs. E. V. Hermange & Co., of The Evening News, a 
merry, pungent, spicy and sprightly evening paper, issued their initial 
number on the 4th of November, 1872, The News, from the first, has been a 
success; every day there are three editions published, and frequently four 
and five, when important events occur to justify it. Mr. Hermange, before 
engaging in the newspaper business on his own account, was connected with 
the Baltimore Sun for sixteen years as clerk, night editor, and latterly 
manager and general superintendent of The Sun book and job printing 
office, one of the largest in the country. The fact of Mr. Hermange being 
with his first and only employer for so many years,--the knowledge he 
necessarily acquired whilst serving him during that time, induced a few 
gentlemen who knew well his character and abilities, to furnish the 
additional capital that he required to establish a successful evening 
newspaper, and it is they who compose the company of E. V. H. & Co. The 
News is independent on all subjects, and its editorials are noted for 
their sprightliness and vim. On the 9th day of February, 1874, Mr. James 
R. Brewer, a gentleman of fine scholastic attainments, and in every way 
fitted for a live journalist, purchased a half interest in the Evening 
News and assumed control of its editorial department.

The first number of The Sunday Telegram was issued on Sunday, the 16th of 
October, 1862, by Messrs. J. Cloud Norris and William R. Coale as 
publishers and proprietors. After publishing the Telegram about three 
months, Mr. Norris purchased the interest of Mr. Coale, and has continued 
sole owner and proprietor from that time to the present. Mr. Norris was 
formerly connected with Mr. Charles F. Cloud and William H. Gobright in 
the publication of a paper called the Sunday Dispatch, and latterly the 
Weekly Dispatch. The Sunday Telegram is the first successful weekly 
published in Baltimore, and has the largest circulation. The paper was 
formerly edited by Mr. William H. Gobright, but for the last eight years 
Mr. James R. Brewer ably fills that responsible position. While the 
progress of The Sunday Telegram has been steady and its success uniform, 
it must not be inferred that that progress has been unattended with 
difficulties, or that that success has not been achieved over obstacles. 
In the firm and conscientious discharge of his duties as a public 
journalist, the proprietor of the Telegram has frequently incurred,

Page 102

during the dark hours of the last war, the hostility of the violent and 
lawless elements of society which it was his business to rebuke. He has 
been threatened with mob violence, but the paper never swerved from its 
course in consequence of such threats. After the war ceased the Telegram 
advocated the principles of the Democratic party, from which it has never 
departed.

The Southern Magazine, a monthly periodical, was founded in January, 1868; 
its proprietors, Messrs. Turnbull and Murdoch, having purchased the 
Richmond Eclectic, published by Drs. Hoge and Brown, in Richmond, 
Virginia. They gave the new journal the title of The New Eclectic; and as 
at that time it was impossible to secure a sufficient number of original 
contributors, its contents were almost entirely composed of selections or 
translations from the leading English, French and German journals. It is 
worth while mentioning that at the commencement of their enterprise the 
publishers wrote to each of these foreign papers--although the absence of 
international copyright made the obligation only one of courtesy--
requesting permission to use their materials, which was very obligingly 
granted. In March, 1869, an arrangement was made with Gen. D. H. Hill, 
publisher of The Land we Love, a monthly magazine, issued at Charlotte, N. 
C., by which that journal was combined with the New Eclectic. At the close 
of 1870 Mr. Turnbull retired, and the magazine became the property of Mr. 
Murdoch, Mr. Wm. Hand Browne, a highly educated and talented gentleman 
(who had for some time ably filled the editorial chair), and Mr. W. S. 
Hill, formerly its general agent. By this time the magazine had drawn 
around it a sufficient staff of contributors to assume the rank of an 
original journal, so the title was changed to that of The Southern 
Magazine. In 1873 the house of Turnbull Brothers became the publishers, 
Mr. Wm. Hand Browne remaining the editor. The Southern Magazine is the 
only first-class literary monthly published south of Philadelphia. As its 
title denotes, it is devoted to the interests and development of the 
South, and the organ of the higher thought and culture of the Southern 
people, most of whose leading thinkers, poets and scholars are numbered 
among its contributors. For its efforts to promote the well-being and 
intellectual advance of the South, and to do justice to her history, the 
Magazine was recently complimented by a public vote of thanks of the 
Southern Historical Society, and a resolution that it be adopted as the 
official organ of that body.

Lyford's Baltimore Price Current, published weekly by Wm. G. Lyford, 
editor and proprietor, commenced Saturday, March 3d, 1838, printed by Bull 
& Turtle, northwest corner of Baltimore and Gay streets. Mr. Lyford 
continued his publication until January 5th, 1850.

On the 29th of June, 1850, the Baltimore Price Current and Weekly Journal 
of Commerce made its first appearance, published

Page 103

and edited by George U. Porter and Thomas W. Tobin, and printed by James 
Young. In the early part of the war Mr. Tobin died, and the Price Current 
has ever since been published by George U. Porter. In July, 1862, Mr. 
Porter was arrested whilst at work in his private office, and hurried off 
to Fort McHenry, for no alleged cause, denied an examination, and 
prevented from engaging an attorney--Gen. Morris, who was in command at 
the time, calling particular attention to a printed order forbidding 
prisoners from engaging counsel to defend them. After being confined for 
fifteen days, he was taken to Fort Lafayette, in New York harbor, and 
there detained for three months longer. There was no interruption in the 
regular issue of the Price Current, nor has there been since the date of 
its first issue. Mr. Porter has been connected with the Merchants' 
Exchange since the 14th of August, 1841, and for the last twenty years has 
been the commercial reporter for the daily and weekly Sun, and for about 
five years also filled the same position with the Baltimore Gazette; 
retiring from the latter when it passed from the hands of Mr. W. W. Glenn.

The German Correspondent was founded February 1st, 1841, by Mr. Frederick 
Raine, its present proprietor. The place of publication was then at the 
northeast corner of Baltimore and Holliday streets, in a building since 
demolished for the purpose of widening the latter street. The 
establishment was moved in 1842 to Second street, opposite the Post-
Office, thence to No. 75 Baltimore street, below Tripolet's Alley (now 
Post-Office Avenue), thence to Baltimore street opposite the Museum, 
thence to Gay street opposite Christ Church, afterwards the "Old Sun 
Building," corner of Baltimore and Gay streets, until lastly (1869) it 
found a permanent resting-place in the magnificent marble building, corner 
of Baltimore street and Post-Office Avenue, erected at a cost of more than 
$200,000, by Mr. F. Raine for the purposes of his paper. From 1841 to 1842 
the paper was published as a weekly, of rather small dimensions, the 
original list of subscribers embracing only some 80 names. It is also a 
remarkable fact that Mr. Raine at that time composed, set-up the type, 
printed and carried the paper, which to-day as a German public journal has 
no superior in the country. In 1843 Mr. Raine ventured first upon a bi-
weekly, then upon a tri-weekly, and in 1844 upon a daily publication. Not 
meeting the support he expected, the tri-weekly was resumed, until 1848, 
when the daily became a fixed fact, and has as such remained until the 
present date, being at present the largest two-penny paper published in 
the State of Maryland. The German population, comparatively small in 1841, 
has increased since to 60 or 70,000, and the Correspondent has been 
closely identified with the progress of that class of our citizens and 
their development as manufacturers, merchants, mechanics, agriculturists, 
&c. In its early struggles to maintain itself, the Correspondent and its 
industrious, energetic and enterprising founder, showed the same pluck

Page 104

and perseverance that characterize those of his competitors who from 1841 
until to-day have devoted themselves to journalistic enterprises in our 
city. Sagacity and enterprise are exhibited in its management, and the 
editorial columns are marked by ability and sound sense. Mr. E. F. Leyh, a 
talented gentleman and a writer of some renown, fills the editorial chair.

The first number of The Catholic Mirror, a first-class weekly religious 
paper, was issued on the 5th of January, 1850, Rev. C. J. White, D. D., 
editor. Present proprietors, Messrs. Kelly, Piet & Company.

The Baltimore Wecker, a daily paper published in the German language, was 
founded by Charles Henry Schnauffer in the fall of 1851. its founder was 
before that time one of the editors of the Journal in the city of 
Mannheim, Baden (Germany), but by taking part in the German revolution of 
1848--49, was compelled to leave his country. In September, 1854, C. H. 
Schnauffer, the original founder, and a very popular German, died, when 
his widow, a talented lady, continued the publication without 
interruption. In 1856, the Wecker was the only paper in Maryland which 
advocated the principles of the Republican party. Shortly after the 
presidential election in 1856, the office was attacked at night by a crowd 
of lawless politicians, but were prevented by the police from doing 
serious harm. About this time the Wecker came into the hands of Mr. Wm. 
Schnauffer, who added a weekly edition to the paper, which soon commanded 
a large circulation in the counties. The paper continued on its course 
until the ever-memorable 19th of April, 1861, when, soon after the attack 
by the mob on the military, the office of the Wecker (then on Frederick 
street) was visited by the same, and completely wrecked, and the building 
seriously injured. The paper was suspended, and the publisher, Mr. Wm. 
Schnauffer, and the editors, whose lives were threatened, were compelled 
to quit the city, leaving the establishment at the mercy of the infuriated 
people. As soon as Gen. Butler took possession of the city by the armed 
military, Mr. Schnauffer returned and resumed the publication of his 
paper. The Wecker continued throughout the war a firm supporter of the 
Union cause. In 1865, Gen. F. Sigel entered into partnership with Mr. 
Schnauffer, which continued for two years, when the former gentleman went 
to New York. Mr. Rapp becoming his successor. In the spring of 1873, Mr. 
Wm. Schnauffer, after nineteen years' service in the establishment, 
retired, leaving the paper in a flourishing condition in the hands of 
Blumenthal & Co., who are continuing it on the same progressive principles 
inspired by its founder.

The South, a very able afternoon paper, "devoted to the South, Southern 
Rights and Secession," issued the first number on Monday, April 22d, 1861--
Thomas W. Hall, Jr., Editor. From the first it became exceedingly popular, 
and was eagerly sought after by all classes of our citizens. The South 
flourished until Friday, September

Page 105

13th, 1861, when the printer announced in the afternoon edition on a half 
sheet, under a flaming head of the "Freedom of the Press," that the "usual 
hour for the arrival of the editor, Thomas W. Hall, Jr., Esq., having 
passed this morning, an effort was made to gain admittance to his 
editorial room. This was easily accomplished, for on trying the door, it 
was found that the lock had been forced, and that all his papers and 
documents of value had been abstracted. The locks of Mr. Hall's desk and 
private drawers had been picked with an expertness that would do no 
discredit to the most accomplished convict, and all the letters and scraps 
of papers contained in them carried off, as were also the full files of 
the Exchange and South, the files of the American, Clipper and Sun being 
left. Whilst looking on with wonder and amazement, the astounding 
intelligence was brought in that Thomas W. Hall, Jr., Esq., had been 
arrested * * * * * and it is only reasonable to suppose that he is now an 
inmate of the American Bastile, formerly known as Fort McHenry. As all 
communication between the editor and the printer of the South is forcibly 
cut off, the latter is constrained to announce to its numerous readers 
that its publication, for the present, must necessarily cease with the 
current number." This was certainly, for the times, bold language of the 
printer. On Thursday, the 19th of September, The South, after a suspension 
of six days, was continued by Messrs. John M. Mills & Co., on a half 
sheet. On Thursday, the 13th of February, 1862, the paper was issued on a 
full sheet by Messrs. S. S. Mills & Bro., who continued to publish it 
until Monday, the 17th of February, 1862, when it was suppressed by the 
military authorities.

The first number of The Daily Times was issued on Thursday, September 
19th, 1861; Edward F. Carter and Wm. H. Neilson, editors and proprietors.

After the war a weekly paper was started in Baltimore, called The Southern 
Society, which was afterwards changed to the name of The Leader, and was 
finally merged into The Statesman, which soon ceased to exist.

The Episcopal Methodist was established in Richmond, Virginia, July, 1865; 
publishers and editors, Rev. D. S. Doggett, D.D., (now Bishop of the M. E. 
Church South) and Rev. J. E. Edwards, D.D., a leading member of the 
Virginia Annual Conference. The office was transferred to Baltimore, and 
the first number issued the first Saturday of July, 1866, under the title 
of Baltimore Episcopal Methodist. It was owned and published by Rev. John 
Poisal, D.D., and edited by Rev. Thomas E. Bond, M. D., D.D. In November, 
1869, Dr. Bond resigned his position as editor, and the editorial as well 
as the business department was managed by Dr. Poisal. On the 1st of May, 
1872, Dr. Poisal sold out half his interest to Rev. Wm. S. Baird, A. M. (a 
minister of thirty years' standing in the Baltimore Conference of the M. 
E. Church South), by virtue of which sale Mr. Baird became joint proprietor

Page 106

and editor with Dr. Poisal. On the 1st of October, 1872, Dr. Poisal sold 
his remaining interest in the paper to J. Everett Martin, Esq., a graduate 
of Columbia College, D. C., and a lawyer by profession. From that date 
until the present the Baltimore Episcopal Methodist has been issued under 
the style of William S. Baird and J. Everett Martin, proprietors and 
publishers, and Rev. Wm. S. Baird, A. M., editor. The Baltimore Episcopal 
Methodist is published in the interest of the M. E. Church South, and 
circulates extensively throughout the whole South, and is the organ of the 
Baltimore Conference.

The Baltimore Saturday Night was first issued January 9th, 1869, by James 
H. Wood, publisher, and has continued in the same ownership until now. Mr. 
John Wills was its first editor, and subsequently it numbered among its 
conductors Dr. Palmer, Mr. A. J. Bowen, and D. Preston Parr, Jr. The 
latter gentleman, late editor of the Dispatch, a poet as well as a general 
newspaper writer, fills its editorial chair. The Saturday Night is 
independent in polities, and literary, semi-social and artistic in tone. 
In 1871--2 a series of valuable articles on the connection of Baltimore 
with the civil war, by Osmond Tiffany, a talented and much respected 
gentleman, were published in the Saturday Night. They were graphic in 
character, and considered very impartial and accurate records by all 
parties.

The Baltimore Dispatch was first published by James E. Anderson, its 
initial number appearing March 30th, 1872. It was an eight-page weekly, 
devoted to literature, art, and the reform of municipal governmental 
abuses. From its second issue to its last, which was on November 9th, 
1872, it was edited by D. Preston Parr, Jr., who fearlessly and 
independently opposed fraud and corruption, whether practised in high or 
humble position. Mr. Parr first purchased a half interest, and afterwards 
the whole paper. It was sharp, spicy and determined, and died only for 
lack of means.

The first number of the Baltimore Underwriter was issued in July, 1865, 
Dr. C. C. Bombaugh editor and proprietor--a class paper, published 
monthly--devoted to the interests of insurance. Continued as a monthly to 
Jan. 1st, 1873, since which it is published weekly--present publishers, 
Bombaugh & Ransom.

Die Maryland Staats Zeitung, a German daily paper, formerly Der Neue 
Correspondent, was founded by three compositors of the German 
Correspondent. On the 1st of April, 1869, it was purchased and published 
by A. Douglas, who afterwards sold it to Fred. Polmyer, August 15th, 1870, 
who conducted it as an evening paper till the 1st of August, 1871, when it 
was discontinued.

The following German papers were started in Baltimore: In 1838, the 
Geschaftige Martha; in 1840, the Wahrheits Verbreiter, published by Samuel 
Ludwig; in 1844, the Democratic Whig, by William Raine; in March, 1853, 
the Novellen Zeitung, illustrated

Page 107

Sunday paper, by F. Raine of the German Correspondent; in April, 1856, the 
Leit-Stern, illustrated paper, published by Messrs. L. Wunderman & Co.; in 
Oct., 1859, Die Turn Zeitung, by Mr. Rapp of the Wecker; in the same year, 
the Zwin Zeitung; in 1865, Der Leuchtthurn; in 1867, Die Belletristischen 
Blaetter, Messrs. W. Minckler and Joseph Leucht, publishers; in January, 
1873, Die Biene von Baltimore, by Messrs. Juenger & Mueller.

Die Katholische Volks-Zeitung is the most successful Roman Catholic paper 
published in the United States. The first number was issued on Saturday, 
May 8th, 1860, by the publishers, Messrs. Kreuzer Brothers, Mr. John 
Schmidt, editor. By energy, industry, and perseverance, the paper has now 
a weekly circulation of over 24,000 numbers, circulating in all parts of 
the United States and Canada.

The first number of The Baltimorean, a first-class weekly paper, was 
issued on the 8th of June, 1872. The proprietors are Messrs. Crutchfield & 
Haas, practical printers and journalists. As a family paper, The 
Baltimorean has no superior in the State, and we are pleased to know that, 
within the comparatively brief space of two years, it is permanently 
established. The proprietors have been unremitting in their endeavors to 
please the public, and we hope they will meet with a liberal and just 
reward, which they really deserve.

The Enquirer, a first-class weekly newspaper, established principally for 
the discussion of questions relating to and affecting insurance interests; 
for the examination of the condition of Companies, and the advisement of 
policy-holders and persons seeking insurance, whether that of life, fire, 
marine, or accident, issued the initial number on Saturday, December 14th, 
1872. Mr. Nat Tyler, formerly of the Richmond Enquirer, and Mr. Frank 
Markoe, editors and proprietors.

The People's Appeal, devoted to literature and independent politics, 
issued the first number Thursday, July 17th, 1873.

The Young Idea, a monthly literary journal, issued first number in August, 
1872. Edited and published by boys.

The Amateur Journal, devoted to literature, gossip, and general amusement, 
issued first number in January, 1872. Published monthly, by R. Emery 
Warfield, C. Taylor Jenkins, and John F. Nichols; on the 1st of January, 
1873, continued by Warfield & Jenkins. This paper was edited by boys. On 
Saturday, the 5th of July, 1873, the name was changed to The Monumental 
Journal, the following young men being the editors and business managers: 
H. F. Powell, W. Landstreet, Jos. H. Rieman, Jr., and Geo. U. Porter, Jr.

Our Church Work.--The initial number of this weekly newspaper was issued 
on Saturday, December 3d, 1870, Rev. Hugh Roy Scott, editor.

The first number of The Baltimore Herald was issued in March, 1873, Mr. 
Tom Wash Smith, publisher.

Page 108

The Southern Star was first issued January, 1873. Published monthly, by 
Messrs. James S. Calwell and Geo. D. Fawcett.

The Railway World and National Economist, a weekly review of manufactures, 
transportation, and the iron, metal, and railway supply markets, was 
established in 1872.

The Monthly Argus, conducted by schoolboys, was established in January, 
1873.

There are also published in Baltimore, the Lutheran Observer, the 
Baltimore Market Journal, the Good News, The Baltimore Matrimonial 
Journal, The Episcopal Register, and several others, of which we cannot 
now remember the names.

The first paper published by, and devoted exclusively to, the colored race 
in Baltimore, was the "Lyceum Observer, a compendium of literature, 
romance, poetry, and general intelligence." It was published by J. Willis 
Menard, in the year 1864, but was short-lived. The next one that made its 
appearance was the Communicator. It was published semi-weekly in 1865 and 
'66, by James Thomson. There was another called the Daily Evening 
Chronotype, which was published in 1867, by Mansfield, Hobbs & Co.

On the 22d of February, 1858, (Washington's Birthday) uppeared the first 
number of The Daily Gazette. Its projectors and proprietors were Messrs. 
Charles J. Kerr and Thomas M. Hall, two talented young members of the 
Baltimore bar. A week or two subsequently Mr. Wm. H. Carpenter became 
connected with the paper, and at a little later period bought an interest 
in it. The need of a paper boldly and fearlessly conducted was never 
greater than at that time. Baltimore had long suffered under the reproach 
of ruffianism. Even at an earlier day the stigma of "mob town" had been 
applied to it. At no period of its history was "mob rule" more predominant 
than in 1858. The police were insufficient, and the municipal authorities 
were in accord with the worst elements of the population. Brute force was 
in the ascendant; clubs of desperate and reckless men banded together as 
"Plug Uglies," "Blood Tubs," "Rip Raps," "Rough Skins," and by other names 
equally significant of their character and evil qualities, held possession 
of the city. Politically in affiliation with the faction in power and 
controlling the municipal elections by terrorism, they were too useful to 
be put down by those whom they served, and too strong to be overawed by 
individual effort. Day after day, night after night, brawls and riotous 
demonstrations, and sanguinary conflicts in which blood was shed and lives 
were lost, were common occurrences. It was against these desperadoes and 
those who upheld them, that The Daily Exchange opened a vigorous assault. 
For more than two years it maintained the dangerous contest. Its office 
was mobbed in open day, the screen on the counter torn down, the clock 
smashed with brick-bats, and a pistol pointed at the head of its business 
manager. Its editors were dogged in the day-time by ruffians, and at night 
they gathered about the

Page 109

editorial rooms waiting an opportunity to wreak their vengeance. But at 
every intimation of a probable attack, citizens, well-armed, assembled at 
the rooms and constituted a formidable garrison of defence. At length, one 
Paul Placide, whilst in a passenger railway car, fearing to assault, 
commenced to violently abuse Mr. Henry M. Fitzhugh, who had become one of 
the proprietors of the Exchange by purchase from Mr. Kerr. Fitzhugh 
drawing a pistol, made a dash for Placide, who rushing from the car, was 
caught on the sidewalk, and would have been shot but for the interposition 
of others passing along at the time. Placide soon afterwards commenced 
suit against Fitzhugh for assault with intent to kill. The case was 
removed to Baltimore County Court, where Fitzhugh was defended by S. 
Teackle Wallis and promptly acquitted by the jury. After this the office 
of the Exchange and its editors suffered less molestation. The unremitting 
efforts had ultimately aroused a spirit of indignation in the community, 
to which many brilliant editorials from the pen of Mr. S. Teackle Wallis 
largely contributed. A "Reform" party was organized, the banded ruffianism 
which had so long disgraced the city was overthrown, and peace and good 
order restored and maintained by a law which took from the city the 
control of the police and vested it in a Board of Commissioners. Of this 
new police force Col. Geo. P. Kane was appointed marshal. In the second 
year of the Exchange Mr. Frank K. froward became a partner by purchase, 
and when Mr. Hall retired, took his place on the editorial staff. Of his 
contributions to the columns of the Exchange, up to the time of his arrest 
and imprisonment in Fort Warren, and also to the Gazette after the close 
of the war, we cannot better speak than in the language of the noble 
tribute paid to his memory in the Daily Gazette, from the brilliant pen of 
Mr. S. Teackle Wallis, after his death in London in June, 1872. "Connected 
as we were with Mr. Howard in the labors and responsibilities of 
journalism, amid dangers and trials such as rarely beset its path, we are 
entitled to speak of his character and qualities, as only men can speak of 
each other who have gone side by side through such an experience. 
Testifying thus, and from our very hearts and knowledge, it is our pride 
to say of him, that no manlier soul than his, no steadier intellect or 
nobler purpose was ever consecrated to the discharge of public duty. Even 
in these times, when forgetfulness of the past seems to be regarded as 
almost the only hope of the future, there are hosts of Maryland men who 
remember with gratitude and honor how bravely he fought the fight of 
public liberty through the press; how vigorously he upheld what he 
believed to be the right, and how he suffered all that oppression and 
brutality could inflict, rather than abate one jot or tittle of his hatred 
and defiance of the wrong. Time will be when the sayings and doings of 
those days will have their true place in the history of the freedom of 
thought and speech. There will be no prouder name then on the list of the 
champions of both, than that of our

Page 110

departed associate and friend. It is needless to say anything to our 
readers of Mr. Howard's ability as a writer. He had the command of a 
vigorous and lucid style, to which culture had given grace without 
diminishing its strength. His power of statement was remarkable; his logic 
was eminently clear and cogent, and there was a manly independence, an 
earnest directness and candor in every line, which commanded the 
confidence of all who read, and the respect of enemies as well as friends. 
Of the petty arts of journalism he knew nothing. He was incapable of 
imposture, and despised it, as he despised clap-trap and demagogism in 
every from. His humor was genial and effective, and he was a master of 
denunciation, as it is used by gentlemen who know the dignity as well as 
the force of the English tongue. Of the literature of that tongue he was a 
loving, enthusiastic student; and if circumstances had permitted him to 
dedicate his lifo to it, he might have attained a high rank in poetry as 
well as prose. Of Mr. Howard's personal qualities we cannot yet trust 
ourselves to speak. The remembrances which the moment of his death recalls 
cannot now be written. There were none of those who knew him well who did 
not love him; there are none who will not mourn the gifts and the hopes 
which are thus early ended with him now." Scarcely had the Reform party 
attained to power in Baltimore before that intense agitation of the 
slavery question was begun which after the election of Mr. Lincoln to the 
presidency brought on civil war. During the Presidential canvass, the 
Exchange supported the candidacy of Mr. Breckenridge, and the vote of 
Maryland was cast for him. But neither then nor subsequently did the 
Exchange countenance secession as a remedy for the injuries inflicted on 
the South, believing that the true policy of that section was to fight its 
battles under the Constitution in Congress, and not in the field of arms. 
But when all overtures for peace were at an end, and no adjustment was 
possible but by the bloody arbitrament of the sword, the Exchange, 
reflecting the sympathies and opinions of nine-tenths of the people of 
Maryland opposed what Mr. Lincoln subsequently and truthfully declared to 
be a "most cruel and unnecessary war." Soon after Mr. Lincoln's election, 
Mr. Fitzhugh differing with his associates in respect to the policy of the 
paper, sold out his interest to Mr. W. W. Glenn, so that when the crash of 
war came, the proprietors of the Exchange were Messrs. Glenn, Howard and 
Carpenter. Then followed a period of wild turmoil, in the midst of which 
all the evil passions, with such difficulty subdued by the strong arm of 
the Reform party, were all loose again in Baltimore. The city was included 
in a military department. The Exchange was harassed on all sides. It was 
denied the use of the mails. This failing, its proprietors were arrested 
and imprisoned. First Mr. Frank K. Howard, then Mr. W. W. Glenn, and his 
arrest was followed by the suppression of the paper. The office and all 
its printing material were forthwith transferred

Page 111

to other hands, and the paper re-issued as The Maryland News Sheet, its 
editor, Mr. Carpenter, being the only remaining partner of the supressed 
Exchange then at liberty. Presently The News Sheet was denied the use of 
the mails, and Mr. Carpenter cited to appear before the commanding 
General. A strong protest being made against the denial of mail 
facilities, and the late Henry May interesting himself in the matter, the 
order was reversed. After a little while the vindictiveness of its enemies 
again manifested itself. The privilege of the mails was again refused; Mr. 
Carpenter was arrested at midnight, taken to Fort McHenry (where he nearly 
died from ill treatment and exposure), and thence to Fort Delaware. After 
an imprisonment of several months he returned and resumed his editorial 
duties, but subsequently was compelled to seek refuge in the country, 
until by grace of the General then in command he was allowed to return. 
Thus suppressed several times, and restricted in its circulation 
southwardly, harassed in every possible way, the News Sheet was published 
until the close of the war, when under the new name of the Gazette, the 
former owners of the Exchange resumed possession of their property, and 
recommenced their editorial labors. In 1870 Mr. Frank K. Howard sold out 
his interest to Mr. W. W. Glenn, who in turn sold out in 1872 to Messrs. 
Welsh, Taylor & Carpenter; Mr. Taylor subsequently transferring his 
interest to Mr. Charles J. Baker. The style of the firm at the present 
writing is Welsh, Baker and Carpenter, and the power and influence of the 
paper are felt throughout all points of the State; whilst the frequent 
notices of the press, not less than the large circulation it has acquired, 
bear testimony to the great ability with which it is edited and conducted.

The history of the American Theatre is a subject of importance as 
connected with the history of our literature and manners. Dramatic poetry 
is one of the first of the fine arts. The histrionic art, not complete in 
itself, because dependent on the poet, is still so important as the 
handmaid of poetry, that its history, as a part of the history of any 
country, is positively necessary to the understanding of its literature 
and its manners. The rise, progress, and cultivation of the Drama mark the 
progress of refinement and the state of manners at any given period in any 
country. Without the aid of the actor there are thousands who would never 
have heard the name of Shakspeare; but who, by his aid, are familiar with 
the most sublime, moral, and beautiful sentiments that ever adorned a 
language. That there are evils and perversions and abuses attendant upon 
theatrical exhibitions, as on all sublunary things, no one is more ready 
to admit than the writer; but he firmly believes that the theatre is in 
itself a powerful engine well adapted to the improvement of man, and that 
it only wants the directing hand of an enlightened society to make it the 
pure source of civilization and virtue. In May, 1752, Mr. Lewis Hallam's 
company,

Page 112

under the appellation of the "American Company," embarked in London on 
board the "Charming Sally," Captain Lee, and after a voyage of six weeks, 
a short passage in those days, the first company of players that crossed 
the Atlantic arrived safely at Yorktown, Virginia. Williamsburg was then 
the capital of Virginia, and thither the players proceeded from Yorktown. 
Upon application made to Governor Dinwiddie, permission was granted to 
erect or fit up a building for a theatre. Hallam found a building which he 
judged to be sufficient for his purpose, and proceeded to metamorphose it 
into pit, box, gallery, and stage. This was the first theatre opened in 
America by a company of regular comedians, and on the fifth of September, 
1752, at Williamsburg, the capital of Virginia, the first play performed 
in America by a regular company of comedians was represented to a 
delighted audience. The piece was "The Merchant of Venice," and it was 
followed by the farce of "Lethe."

The first theatre, in point of time, erected in the United States was in 
Annapolis. it was a neat brick building, tastefully arranged, and 
competent to contain between five and six hundred persons. It was built 
upon ground which had been leased from St. Ann's Protestant Episcopal 
Church, which lease expired about the year 1820, and the church took 
possession of the theatre. It was sold and pulled down merely to procure 
the materials of which it was built. From the Maryland Gazette we find:-- 
"By permission of his Honor the President. At the new theatre in 
Annapolis, by the company of comedians, on Monday next, being the 13th of 
this instant, July 1752, will be performed a comedy called the Beaux' 
Stratagem. Likewise a farce called the Virgin Unmasked, to begin at 
precisely 7 o'clock. Tickets to be had at the printing office. Box 10 
shillings, pit 7 and 6 pence, gallery 5 shillings." Wynell and Herbert, 
who were the principal performers at the Annapolis theatre came over with 
Hallam's company, who arrived at Yorktown in June. As the regular company 
did not play at Williamsport until the 5th of September, ample time was 
left for Wynell and Herbert to have gone to Annapolis for the purpose of 
performing plays, for we find them playing at Williamsport in September in 
their subordinate stations. It was the earliest temple reared in our 
country to the dramatic muse, and perhaps the first spot upon which the 
characters of Shakspeare were exhibited to the western world.

Theatrical performances have an early date in Baltimore. In the year 1773 
a large warehouse, which stood at the corner of Baltimore and Frederick 
streets, was occasionally converted into a theatre, on the boards of which 
the company of Messrs. Douglas and Hallam performed plays from time to 
time for the edification of the colonists. The theatre-going spirit 
appears to have been active in those early days when Baltimore was but a 
small village, for we are told that the encouragement received by the 
company was sufficient to induce them to erect a small theatre at the 
intersection

Page 113

of Water and Albemarle streets, where they performed until the Revolution 
commenced, when all amusements of the kind being prohibited, they removed 
to the British West India Islands. In 1781, however, the first theatre 
built of brick in Baltimore was erected in East Baltimore street, nearly 
opposite the "Second Presbyterian" church. The announcement of its 
completion was published during Christmas week, and on the 15th of 
January, 1782, it was formally opened, with the following play-bill as 
published in the papers of the day, and from which we give a facsimile:

(By Permission)

THE NEW THEATRE IN BALTIMORE.

Will Open, This Evening, being the 15th of January, 1782, With an 
Historical Tragedy, called
KING RICHARD III.

Containing--The Distresses and death of King Henry VI. in the Tower; The 
inhuman Murder of the young Princes; The Usurpation of the Throne by 
Richard; The Fall of the Duke of Buckingham; The landing of Richmond at 
Milfords Haven; The Battle of Bosworth Field, and Death of Richard, which 
put an end to the Contention between the Houses of York and Lancaster; 
with many other Historical Passages.

King Richard, by Mr. Wall.

Earl of Richmond And Tressel,
By Gentlemen for their Amusement.

King Henry, by Mr. Tillyard; Duke of Buckingham, by Mr. Shakespeare; 
Prince Edward, by a young Gentleman; Duke of York, by Miss Wall; Lord 
Stanley, Mr. Lindsay; Catesby, by Mr. Killgour; Ratcliff, by Mr. Atherton; 
Lady Anne, by Mr. Bartholomew; Queen Elizabeth, by Mrs. Wall.

An Occasional Prologue by Mr. Wall, to which will be added a Farce, called
MISS IN HER TEENS;
Or the Medley of Lovers.

Boxes one Dollar; Pit Five Shillings; Galleries 9d.

The Doors to be open at Half-past Four, and will begin at Six o'Clock.

No persons can be admitted without Tickets, which may be had at the Coffee 
House in Baltimore, and at Lindlay's Coffee House on Fells-Point.

No Person will on any pretence be admitted behind the Scenes.

At different periods there were added to the play-bills the following 
notices, viz: "Any Gentlemen possessed of good Farces, and will lend or 
dispose of them to the Managers, will greatly oblige them." "Some Tunes 
having been called for by Persons in the Gallery which have given Offence 
to others, the Managers have resolved, that no Music will be played, but 
such as they shall order the Day before the Representation." "Children in 
Laps will not be admitted." We give the annexed list of plays which were 
performed here during the season, for the amusement of the carious as well 
as for the gratification of the lovers of the drama:

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Tragedy. 
Orphan; or the Unhappy Marriage. 
Gamester. 
Venice Preserved; or a Plot Discovered. 
The Revenge. 
Tamerlane the Great. 
Gustavus Vasa. 
Mahomet the Impostor. 
Jane Shore. 
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. 
Romeo and Juliet.
Farce. 
The King and the Miller of Mansfield. 
The Citizen. 
Beaux' Stratagem. 
The Contrivances. 
The Busy-Body. 
Thomas and Sally. 
The Ghost. 
The Mayor of Garratt. 
The Devil Upon Two Sticks. 
The Wapping Landlady.

After the Revolutionary War terminated Messrs. Hallam and Henry returned 
to Philadelphia; but the people received the runaways with frowns, and 
many would have willingly continued the prohibition of stage-plays, which 
the caution of the first Continental Congress had so effectually 
recommended. After a short stay in Philadelphia the company removed to New 
York, and while there the managers caused a theatre to be erected in 
Baltimore, between the town and Point, near Pratt and Albemarle streets, 
on the lot where the old Trinity Church now stands. On the 17th of August, 
1786, the theatre was opened. This was a new soil for the players to 
cultivate, and their harvest was proportionably great. Their Southern 
friends received them with smiles, and they continued their efforts in the 
new theatre until the beginning of October, when they proceeded to 
Richmond, Va. The Maryland Gazette of Tuesday, August 22, 1786, says: "On 
Thursday last was opened the new Theatre on Philpot's Hill, belonging to 
Messrs. Hallam and Henry, where the Old American Company performed that 
celebrated Comedy, The School for Scandal. The principal characters were 
so admirably well-sustained as to give entire satisfaction to the 
audience, and, indeed, the exertions of the whole company were such, that 
we have never before seen any Theatrical Exhibition in this town nearly 
equal to it. The new Theatre is very commodiously built; the scenery and 
other decorations truly elegant, and well-designed, expressive of the just 
taste of the managers, who have been at a great expense in forwarding the 
completion of their plan for the entertainment of the public, whose 
indulgence and approbation we are persuaded will adequately reward them 
for their labor and ingenuity. As their stay will be short, they continue 
to perform four times a week."

John Henry joined Hallam soon aider the return of the latter to America, 
in 1785, and became his partner in business. Dunlap says, "Henry was full 
six feet in height, and had been an uncommonly handsome man." His wife was 
a very meritorious actress. He was greatly afflicted with gout sometimes, 
and was compelled to keep a carriage to move about in. It was small, yet 
large enough to carry himself and wife to the theatre, He was the only 
actor in America then who kept a coach. Aware of the rather

Page 115

hostile feeling of the public toward players, and anticipating the 
inevitable sneer about an actor keeping a carriage, he had painted on the 
doors, in the manner of the coat-of-arms of the European aristocracy, two 
crutches, in heraldic position, with the motto, "This or these." "I put 
this marked motto and device on my carriage," Henry said, "to prevent any 
impertinent remarks on an actor keeping his coach." The wits would have 
taken care to forget that the actor could not walk.

In 1792 an important division took place in the old American Company of 
Hallam & Henry. Mr. Wignell, the most important member of the company, 
resigned his situation and entered into partnership with Mr. Reinagle, a 
professor of music in Philadelphia. Their friends furnishing the means, 
and with the assistance of a man by the name of Anderson, who associated 
himself with them, and afterwards acted as their treasurer, they commenced 
to build an elegant theatre in Philadelphia. Whilst the theatre was being 
constructed, Mr. Wignell went to England to secure a company, and upon his 
return, Death, in the loathsome form of yellow fever, had established 
himself in the beautiful city of Philadelphia, in the citadel which had 
been prepared for the reception of Mirth and her attendants. All the usual 
occupations of life had ceased, and the streets were deserted. Wignell and 
Reinagle distributed their forces, and in the meantime opened the old 
theatre in Annapolis, and caused to be erected the old theatre on the site 
of the present Holliday street. Before it was finished they returned to 
Philadelphia and opened the splendid theatre prepared for them on the 17th 
of February, 1794, and thence they came here to open the "new theatre," of 
which we have the first mention in the following advertisement:

"New Theatre.--Persons desirous of becoming subscribers to the New Theatre 
of Messrs. Wignell & Reinagle, are respectfully informed that there are 
five shares unappropriated of One Hundred Dollars each. Subscribers to 
draw interest at six per cent. till the money is repaid, and to be 
entitled to a free ticket for the first season for each share. Application 
to be speedily made to Thorowgood Smith and Robert Gilmore, Esqs.

"Baltimore, August 19th, 1794."

Wignell & Reinagle's company consisted of the following named actors and 
actresses, viz: Fennel, Chalmers, Moreton, Marshall, Harwood, Whitlock, 
Green, Darley & Son, Francis, Bates, Blisset, Warrell, Mrs. Whitlock, 
daughter of Roger Kemble, Mrs. Oldmixon, Mrs. Francis, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. 
Broadhurst, Mrs. Warrell, Miss Willems (afterwards Mrs. Green), Miss 
Oldfield, and Mr. and Mrs. Morris, composing a force that defied 
opposition. Of this "New Theatre" the editor of the Maryland Journal says: 
"The inhabitants of Baltimore and its vicinity will soon have the

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opportunity of being gratified with the most refined and rational 
amusement which a liberal mind is capable of enjoying. The animated 
sentiments of immortal authors, when clothed in the smooth robe of 
pathetic eloquence, cannot fail to awaken the most dormant of the human 
faculties, and, by exciting a laudable emulation, rouse the noblest 
principles of the soul in imitation of the virtues and glorious 
achievements of the heroes of the drama. In all ages, since the first 
invention of dramatic entertainments, the stage has been justly celebrated 
for its tendency to reform the manners, and give an elegant polish to 
society; its facility in exposing the baser part of mankind cannot be too 
warmly admired, and the beautiful representations of the rewards of 
virtue, which every well written play exhibits, must cause the honest, 
generous breast to glow with the strongest consciousness of rectitude and 
additional self-satisfaction. The public may anticipate the full enjoyment 
of all the ravishing sensations which the superior talents of able 
theatrical performers, assisted by the attractive charms of melodious 
music, are capable of conveying to the soul. The ingenious conduct of 
Messrs. Wignell & Reinagle, the peculiar taste displayed in their 
selections, and the shining abilities of their company, have already 
merited and received the loudest applauses of a distinguished part of our 
country; and from the convenient situation and accommodations of our New 
Theatre, but particularly from the address of its managers, the public 
have everything that is pleasing to expect." From the Maryland Journal we 
also copy the following card, published by Wignell & Reinagle:

NEW THEATRE.

The Public are respectfully acquainted that the Entertainment for the 
Season commences on Wednesday, the 24th instant [August], with the Comic 
Opera of
LOVE IN A VILLAGE,
And a Comedy in two Acts, called
WHO IS THE DUPE?

Places for the Boxes to be taken on Tuesday, at the office in the front of 
the Theatre from the Hour of 10 till 2, and on the Day of Performance--
Boxes 7s. 6d.--Pit 5s. 71/2d.

Floreat Republica.

From the Maryland Journal of Wednesday, September 24th, 1794, we also get 
the following:

The Public are respectfully acquainted that the opening of the
NEW THEATRE

Is unavoidably postponed until Thursday, the 25th instant, when a favorite 
Comedy will be performed (for the first time here) called
EVERY ONE HAS HIS FAULT,
With an occasional Overture, composed by Mr. Reinagle.

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End of the Comedy,

A SCOTS PASTORAL DANCE,
In which will be introduced a New Highland Reel composed by Mr. Francis
called
THE CALEDONIAN FROLIC.

To which will be added A Comic Opera in two Acts called
THE FLITCH OF BACON;
Or, Dunmore Priory.

Love in a Village is obliged to be postponed on account of the 
indisposition of Mrs. Warrell, &c.

Subscribers to the New Theatre are requested to send for their tickets of 
admission to the store of Mr. Clarke, bookseller in Market Street, on 
Thursday morning.

Places for the Boxes to be taken on Tuesday at the office in front of the 
Theatre, &c., &c.

Floreat Republica.

Of which the editor of the Journal, of the 26th of September, says:--"We 
have the pleasure of announcing to the public that the opening of the New 
Theatre, last night, was attended by a numerous and brilliant audience, 
who deservedly bestowed their reiterated plaudits on the very skilful 
performance of the company." From the play-bills we get the following 
information: "The scenery was designed and executed by Mr. Milbourne." 
"Doors were opened at a quarter past five and performances commenced at a 
quarter past six." "The manager requests gentlemen and ladies who procure 
tickets at the office of the Theatre, would in future, always bring the 
exact change, as no change can be given, owing to the confusion it 
occasions in the hurry of business." "The ladies and gentlemen are 
requested to send their servants to keep places by a quarter before five 
o'clock, and to direct them to withdraw as soon as the company are seated, 
as they cannot on any account be permitted to remain." We add the 
following reminiscences, extracted from an old old newspaper which was 
published by the Hon. John P. Kennedy anonymously: "This playhouse stood 
in Holliday street, just where the present 'Theatre' now stands. What a 
superb thing it was!--speaking now as my fancy imagined it then. It had 
something of the splendor of a great barn, weather-boarded, milk-white, 
with many windows; and to my conception, looked with a hospitable, 
patronising, tragi-comic greeting down upon the street. It never occurred 
to me to think of it as a piece of architecture. It was something above 
that--a huge, mystical Aladdin lamp that had a magic to repel criticism, 
and filled with wonderful histories. There Blue Beard strangled his wives 
and hung them on pegs in the blue chamber; and the glorious Valentine 
overcame his brother Orson by the clever trick of showing him his own image

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in a wonderful shield of looking-glass, which, of course, we believed to 
be pure burnished silver; and there Babes in the Wood went to sleep under 
the coverlet provided for them by the charitable robins that swung down 
upon wires, which we thought was even superior to the ordinary manner of 
flying; and the ghost of Gaffer Thumb came up through the floor, as white 
as a dredge-box of flour could make him--much more natural than any common 
ghost we had seen. Alas! what has become of Orcobrand's Cave and the Wood 
Demon and the Castle Spectre, and all the rest of those delightful old 
horrors which used to make our hair stand on end in delicious ecstasy in 
those days? This reflection gives me rather a poor opinion of the modern 
drama, and so I do not look much after it. In fact, I suspect this age to 
be greatly behind ours in these terrible fascinations. Young America is 
evidently not so easily scared as old America was. It has a sad propensity 
towards fast trotters, and to that wretched business of driving buggies 
which has spoiled the whole generation of young gentlemen, and made a good 
cavalry officer, just now, an impossibility, or at least a virtuous 
exception in one half of the country. The age is too fast for the old 
illusions, and the theatre now deals in respectable swindlers, burglars, 
and improper young ladies, as more consonant with public favor than our 
old devils, ghosts and assassins, which were always shown in their true 
colors, and were sure to be severely punished when they persecuted 
innocence. The players were part and parcel of the playhouse, and 
therefore shared in the juvenile admiration with which it was regarded. In 
fact, there was a misty confusion of the two which destroyed the separate 
identity of either. The playhouse was a compound idea of a house filled 
with mountains, old castles and cities, and elderly gentlemen in wigs, 
brigands, fairies and demons, the whole making a little cosmos that was 
only connected with the world by certain rows of benches symmetrically 
arranged into boxes, pit and gallery, where mankind were drawn by certain 
irresistible affinities to laugh and weep and clap their hands, just as 
the magicians within should choose to have them do. Of course there was 
but one playhouse and one company of actors. Two or more would have 
destroyed that impression of the supernatural, or rather the extranatural, 
which gives to the show its indescribable charm. A cheap and common 
illusion soon grows stale. Christy's Minstrels may be repeated every 
night, and people will only get tired of the bad jokes and cease to laugh; 
but Cinderella and her glass slipper would never endure it. The fairy 
bubbles would burst, and there would be no more sparkling of the eyes of 
the young folks with the delight of wonder. Even Lady Macbeth, I believe, 
would become an ordinary sort of person in 'a run'--such as is common now. 
The players understood this, and therefore did not allow themselves to 
grow too familiar. One company served Baltimore and Philadelphia, and they 
had their appointed seasons--a few months or even

Page 119

weeks at a time--and they played only three times a week. 'The actors are 
coming hither, my lord,' would seem to intimate that this was the 
condition of things at Elsinore--one company and a periodical visit. There 
was a universal gladness in this old Baltimore when the word was passed 
round--'The players are come.' It instantly became everybody's business to 
give them a good reception. They were strange creatures in our schoolboy 
reckoning, quite out of the common order of humanity. We ran after them in 
the streets as something very notable to be looked at. It was odd to see 
them dressed like gentlemen and ladies--almost incongruous, we sometimes 
thought, as if we expected to see them in slashed doublet and hose, with 
embroidered mantles and a feather in their caps. 'There goes Old Francis!' 
was our phrase; not that he was old, for he was far from it, but because 
we loved him. It was a term of endearment. And as to Jefferson! Is there 
anybody now who remembers that imp of ancient fame? I cannot even now 
think definitely of him as a man, except in one particular, that he had a 
prominent and rather arching nose. In regard to everything else he was a 
Proteus--the nose always being the same. He played everything that was 
comic, and always made people laugh till tears came to their eyes. Laugh! 
why, I don't believe he ever saw the world doing anything else. Whomsoever 
he looked at laughed. Before he came through the side scenes, when he was 
about to enter O. P. or P. S., he would pronounce the first words of his 
part to herald his appearance, and instantly the whole audience set up a 
shout. It was only the sound of his voice. He had a patent right to shake 
the world's diaphragm which seemed to be infallible. No player comes to 
that perfection now. Actors are too cheap, and all the hallucination is 
gone. When our players came, with their short seasons, their three nights 
in the week, and their single company, they were received as public 
benefactors, and their stay was a period of carnival. The boxes were 
engaged for every night. Families all went together, young and old. Smiles 
were on every face: the town was happy. The elders did not frown on the 
drama, the clergy levelled no canon against it, the critics were amiable. 
The chief actors were invited into the best company, and I believe their 
personal merits entitled them to all the esteem that was felt for them. 
But, among the young folks, the appreciation was far above all this. With 
them it was a kind of hero-worship, prompted by a conviction that the 
player was that manifold creature which every night assumed a new shape, 
and only accidentally fell into the category of a common mortal. And, 
therefore, it seemed so interesting to us to catch one of them sauntering 
on the street looking like other people. That was his exceptional 
character, and we were curious to see how he behaved in it--and, indeed, 
thought him a little awkward and not quite at his ease in that guise, How 
could old Francis be expected to walk comfortably in Suwarow boots and a 
stove-pipe hat--he

Page 120

who had, last night, been pursuing Columbine in his light suit of 
triangular patchwork, with his wooden sword, and who so deftly dodged the 
police by making a somersault through the face of a clock, and 
disappearing in a chest of drawers, or who, the night before that, was a 
French dancing-master, and ran away with a pretty ward of a cross old 
gentleman who wanted to marry her himself!"

Finally, this old wooden theatre, which had become too small for the 
rapidly increasing population of the city, was to be replaced by a new 
one. In the Baltimore American of Wednesday, September 4th, 1811, we find 
the following advertisement:

"New Theater.--The subscribers, managers and proprietors of the New 
Theatre of Baltimore, propose to build a new edifice on the site of the 
present theatre, on an elegant, improved and enlarged plan. To effect this 
object, equally desirable to themselves and the public, it is proposed to 
raise a sum of money, on the security of the property, by subscription. 
Those who feel disposed to assist and patronize the undertaking, are 
invited to examine the proposed terms of the subscription, which are left 
at the office of William Gwynn, Esq., in Chatham street, and will be found 
to be highly advantageous to subscribers.

Warren & Wood."

On the 10th of May, 1813, the "New Theatre" (now called Holliday street) 
was opened with the following ceremonies, as taken from the programme of 
the day, published in the Baltimore American of May 8th:

BALTIMORE THEATRE.

On Monday, the 10th of May, The Theatre will open with an occasional 
Patriotic Address, commemorative of the late brilliant Naval victories, to 
be spoken by Mr. Wood.

After which, Cumberland's Comedy of
THE WEST INDIAN.

Belcour.   Mr. Wood. 
Captain Dudley   Mr. Doyle.
His first appearance here.

To which will be added, a new farce, never acted here, called THE SLEEP 
WALKER, OR, WHICH IS THE LADY?

Somno, (the Sleep Walker) Mr. Jefferson.

Doors will be opened at half past 6, and performance commence at 7 o'clock

The theatre was built by Col. Mosher, after a design of Robert Carey Long, 
architect. The managers were William Warren, father of the present well-
known comedian of the same name, and William Wood, author of "Personal 
Recollections of the Stage." The theatre not being finished, it was closed 
for the season Thursday, June 10th, 1813.

Page 121

A short time after the retreat of the British forces from their 
unsuccessful attempt upon Baltimore, "The Star-Spangled Banner," written 
by Francis S. Key, on the night of the 13th of September, during the 
bombardment of Fort McHenry, was set to music and sung by the Durang 
brothers (two of these volunteer actors) on the stage of the Holliday 
street theatre, creating immense enthusiasm. So popular did it at once 
become that its repetition was demanded every night for several weeks. 
This fact gave the theatre a national reputation; and after the war, all 
the leading American, and every foreign actor who visited this country, 
appeared on its boards. Here John Howard Payne, the author of "Home, Sweet 
Home," won the name of "The Young Roscius;" here the great George 
Frederick Cooke, then at the zenith of his power, gained fresh laurels; 
here Edmund Kean drew the largest audiences which had ever been seen in a 
Baltimore theatre; here the classical and scholarly Macready enchanted the 
most cultivated citizens by his delineations of Shakspeare's most 
celebrated heroes; here the elder Booth displayed that amazing genius 
which made him the acknowledged head of the American stage; here Forrest, 
Ellen Tree, Fanny Kemble, Cooper, the elder Vandenhoff, Murdoch, Burton, 
Charles Kean, the elder Wallack, the elder Jefferson, Madame Celeste, 
Fanny Elssler, Hackett, and other famous actors, appeared from time to 
time. Later came Mr. Joseph Jefferson, the younger Booths, Owens, Clarke, 
Boucicault, the Williamses and Florences, Davenport, Holland, the younger 
Warren, Laura Keene, Maggie Mitchell, Ristori, Charlotte Cushman, Matilda 
Heron, and a host of others, including many of the prominent and first 
singers of the world, including Bosio, Mario, Grisi, Sontag, Piccolomini, 
Patti, Madame Bishop.

On Thursday evening, Sept. 10th, 1846, the theatre was closed by an 
injunction granted by the Chancellor of the State, on application of 
Mendes I. Cohen, one of the original stockholders. It appears that the 
theatre was built originally by subscription, 126 shares having been sold 
at $200 each, but which were not sufficient to complete the building, and 
consequently liens were held against it for work done. Two several times 
it was offered for sale to satisfy these liens, and at the last time 
offered in 1846, was purchased by Jas. V. Wagner, Esq., for $13,000, it 
being the only bid offered. Mr. Cohen immediately took exception to the 
sale, on the grounds of there being but one bid for the building, and of 
the sale having taken place on Saturday, which, being a Jew, and his 
Sabbath, he could not attend the sale. Mr. Cohen held fifty shares of the 
stock, and formerly each share of stock was entitled to a ticket of 
admission, and after the sale Mr. C. sold all his stockholder's tickets, 
which were refused admission, and hence the suit. The court dismissed the 
injunction and confirmed the sale.

For years it remained closed entirely--unthought of, or uncared for, by 
responsible managers. Latterly efforts were at different

Page 122

periods made by managers of more repute than tact to continue it 
regularly, but their attempts invariably resulted disastrously. In the 
fall of 1854 it was purchased by an association of liberal and wealthy 
gentlemen, who refitted and magnificently refurnished it at an actual 
expenditure of $12,000, and determined upon leaving no effort untested for 
the establishment of the drama in our city. They engaged, at enormous 
salaries, a full and for the most part a talented dramatic corps, which 
they placed under the absolute control of an experienced actor; but 
through mis-management, the season closed with an actual cash loss of $15,
000. It remained for Mr. John T. Ford and his confreres in management to 
determine that our citizens would support a properly conducted theatre, He 
assumed entire control of the theatre on the 12th of August, 1855, and 
purchased the same fifteen years later, in 1870, for $100,000. It was sold 
on Monday, April 21st, 1856, at the Exchange, at public sale, for the sum 
of $32,000, Mr. John Grayson becoming the purchaser. Under Mr. Ford's 
efficient management the establishment attained a degree of popularity and 
prestige never before known in the theatrical annals of Baltimore. The 
season of 1873--74, which was doomed to so sudden and disastrous a 
termination, opened on Monday, August 11th, with the spectacular drama of 
"The Ice Witch," and promised to be the most brilliant and profitable it 
had ever experienced. On Monday, September 8th, "After Dark" was placed on 
the boards, and on Tuesday night was again performed. That evening the 
curtain fell for the last time on the stage of our "Old Drury," for in 
less than five hours afterwards the fire broke out, which in a short time 
leveled it with the ground. It may appear as a singular coincidence that 
the last words spoken in the play of "After Dark" are, "After dark the 
light has come." At this period (1874) Mr. John T. Ford has associated 
with him his eldest son, Mr. Charles E. Ford, a gentleman well adapted to 
aid him in the management of his extensive theatrical business, and is re-
building the "Old Drury" on an enlarged and more modern plan.

The following celebrated actors and actresses made their first appearance 
at the Holliday Street Theatre: Mr. John W. Albaugh commenced his first 
regular season here August 22d, 1855; Mr. George Boniface in 1851, as 
Capt. Bleinheim, in "Rough Diamond;" Thomas Authorpe Cooper in 1796; Mr. 
W. C. Drummond made his American debut here in 1810, in "Cinderella"; 
Rosalie Durand in 1854; Mr. Gallagher made his debut as a callboy; Miss 
Effie Germon, in the season of 1857--58, as Sally Scraggs, in "Sketches in 
India"; Mr. Charles Matthews, Sr., made his first appearance on the 
American stage at the Holliday, on September 2d, 1822, in "The Trip to 
Paris," his receipts being $752; Mr. Milliken in 1835; Mr. Mills made his 
first appearance in America at the Holliday, October 4th, 1806, as "Bob 
Tyke"; Mrs. Joseph E. Nagle made her debut at the same place, September 
4th, 1847;

Page 123

Mr. James A. Oates made his first appearance here in 1859; Maria Pritchard 
was brought out as a star at the Holliday by John T. Ford and Mr. Joseph 
Jefferson; in 1843, Peter Richings was manager; Henry J. Riley made his 
American debut here October 5th, 1830; Edward Sinclair Tarr, in Nov. 1861; 
Clifton W. Tayleure, the dramatic author and actor, took his farewell of 
the stage at the Holliday, May 3d, 1856. From 1854 to 1859 he was business 
manager. In May, 1859, he was admitted to the Baltimore bar, and practised 
law until 1861, uniting in the latter year the profession of journalism 
with that of the bar. From 1861 to 1864 he was connected with the press of 
Baltimore and Richmond. In August, 1864, he became business manager for 
Mr. John E. Owens, and accompanied him to England in 1865. At present he 
resides in New York. Mr. Henry Wallack made his first appearance in 
America at the Holliday in 1819. His average receipts were $441 per night. 
Mrs. Chester, in September, 1857; on the 2d of November, 1821, the elder 
Booth made his first appearance in Baltimore at the Holliday, and created 
an unusual sensation in Richard the Third. His receipts averaged about 
$350 per night. During this season Booth appeard as Lear, Edgar, Charles 
Kemble, and Edmund, Macready. The last night the receipts were not 
sufficient to pay the expenses, and they were obliged to make up the 
deficiency by paying $80--which nearly absorbed all the earnings of their 
former nights. Charles Kean played here in 1826, but owing to the partisan 
feeling against him in relation to the Boston riot, he did not fill his 
engagement of eight nights, but removed to Philadelphia. On the 15th of 
December, 1848, Forrest was announced to act "Macbeth" at the Holliday 
Street Theatre, and at the same time Macready was announced for the same 
part at the Front Street Theatre, which created great excitement, both 
theatres being crowded with the friends and admirers of each.

1773. In this year Messrs. Griffith, Shields, Lemmon, Presstman, McKim, 
Cox, and others purchased a lot and erected a church on the corner of 
Front and Fayette streets, where the Shot Tower now stands, for the 
Baptist society. The Rev. John Davis, from Harford, officiated 
occasionally; but on the 15th of January, 1785, Mr. Lewis Richards (who 
had been elected the presiding minister the year previous), together with 
Mr. David Shields, George Presstman, Francis Presstman, Jean Shields, 
Racheal Coal, Thomas Coal, Richard Lemmon, Alexander McKim, William Hobby, 
and Eleanor Thomas were constituted in a regular Baptist Church by the 
Rev. John Davis, pastor of the Baptist church in Harford County. There 
were attached to the church at the time a parsonage and graveyard. This 
church since its organization has had only five pastors, including the 
present incumbent. Rev. Lewis Richards was pastor for thirty-three years, 
from its organization in 1785 to 1818; Rev. Edward J. Reis was associate 
pastor from

Page 124

1815 to 1818, and full pastor from 1818 to 1821, in all six years; Rev. 
John Finlay from 1821 to 1834, thirteen years; Rev. Stephen P. Hill from 
1834 to 1850, sixteen years; Rev. John W. M. Williams, D. D., the present 
pastor, from January 1st, 1851, nearly twenty-three years; Rev. H. O. Wyer 
was elected pastor in 1834, and accepted, but declined before entering 
upon his duties because of ill-health. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. 
Richards 293 persons were received into the church by baptism and 115 by 
letter; under the Rev. Mr. Reis 30 were received by baptism and six by 
letter; under the ministration of Rev. Mr. Finlay, 140 by baptism and six 
by letter; under Rev. Mr. Hill, 410 were added by baptism and 159 by 
letter; and under the Rev. Mr. Williams, the present pastor, 865 have been 
added by baptism and 302 by letter and restoration. In the spring of 1834 
the church held a protracted meeting, conducted principally by Rev. W. F. 
Broaddus of Virginia, which was a great success, as were also those held 
in October, 1839, by the Rev. Jacob Knapp, assisted by the pastor, Mr. 
Hill.

In 1817 the original society erected their commodious circular church on 
the corner of Sharp and Lombard streets, at a cost of over $50,000. The 
debt incurred by the building of such a large and costly house proved a 
serious hindrance to the prosperity of the church for many years. In 1823 
a resolution was passed to close the house and give the keys up to the 
creditor, and but for his generous spirit it would have been lost to the 
denomination. It was not until 1852, during the pastorate of the present 
minister, that the whole debt was paid and the ground-rent greatly 
reduced. The property is now held in fee-simple. On the removal to Sharp 
street the church and grounds on Front street were sold, and the remains 
of the interred there removed to the cemetery southwest of the city; but 
soon after the old church is let to a third Baptist congregation, the Rev. 
James Osborne officiating there. Several colonies have gone out from the 
first church, which have become large and influential bodies. Among them 
is the Seventh Baptist Church, constituted in 1845 with ninety-two 
members. Its meeting-house, on the northwest corner of Paca and Saratoga 
streets, cost between thirty and forty thousand dollars. Rev. R. Fuller, 
D. D., was pastor for twenty-three years; Rev. W. T. Brantley, D. D., has 
been pastor for more than two years past. It now numbers 556 members, a 
large number having left with the former pastor to form the Eutaw Place 
church in 1871. This church reports now 370 members. It has a beautiful 
white marble edifice, costing with the ground $125,000.

The Lee Street Baptist church is also a colony of the old First, 
constituted in 1854. It has 231 members; Rev. John Pollard pastor. Its 
house of worship was dedicated in June, 1864; cost, $16,000.

Besides these there are in Baltimore the Second Baptist Church,

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Broadway, near Pratt, founded in. 1797. The venerable John Healey was 
pastor for more than fifty years; Rev. E. N. Harris is the present pastor. 
In 1854 they left their old meeting-house on Fleet street, and entered 
their present handsome one on Broadway; cost, $15,000. The High Street 
Church was constituted in 1835. It first met in Calvert, near Saratoga 
street, but in 1844 moved to High street. Rev. Franklin Wilson, D. D., was 
pastor for several years, and saved the house from being sacrificed for 
debt. It cost about $15,000. The Franklin Square Church was organized 
October, 1854, with thirty members. It now has 330; pastor, Rev. G. W. 
Sunderlin. Its meeting-house cost about $20,000. Besides these there is 
one German Baptist church and three colored churches in the city. One of 
these, on Leadenhall street, has a house, dedicated in 1873, which cost 
$20,000, and is one of the finest houses for colored people in Baltimore.