Chronicles of Baltimore - Part 20



Page 664 continued

1866. The hailstorm which passed over Baltimore on Tuesday night, May 1st, 
was one of the most remarkable meteorological phenomena of the kind ever 
witnessed. In force and fury, and the size and hardness of the hail 
stones, it was unparalleled. Many of the particles of ice discharged from 
the atmosphere were perfectly round, the largest ranging from three to 
four inches in circumference, clear as crystal, and of almost flinty 
hardness. The destruction of window-glass was immense. On the southern and 
eastern end of the city, where the storm spent its fury, there was hardly 
a window facing north that was not more or less shattered. The churches, 
large public buildings, and buildings with skylights, suffered most 
severely. It was computed that twenty thousand panes of glass were 
shattered by the storm.

The following acts were passed by the General Assembly at the extra 
session of January: authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. 
to build a new city hall; incorporating Jacob Brandt, Jr., Robert Lehr, 
Henry R. Hazlehurst, Daniel Wiegand, Thomas C. Jenkins and William S. 
Raynor, as a body corporate by the name and title of the Baltimore and 
Savannah Steamship Company; incorporating George S. Brown, Charles de 
Garmendia, E. C. Wambersie, Henry R. Hazlehurst, James E. Ramsay, Samuel 
J. Pentz and Alfred Jenkins, as a body corporate, by the name and title of 
the Baltimore and Havana Steamship Company; incorporating John W. 
Randolph, Chauncey Brooks, Horace Abbott, William A. Fisher, Alfred Mace, 
Jesse Tyson, Samuel Shoemaker, Dr. G. H. Tyler, Thomas Booze, F. Littig 
Shaffer, S. J. Carroll, Charles J. Baker, and Evan T. Ellicott, as a body 
corporate by the name and title of the Union Railroad Company; 
incorporating John W. Ross, William W. Watkins, Robert Fowler, Michael 
Hooper, and John O. Reid, as a body corporate, by the name and title of 
the "Merchants Steamship Line."

The great Southern Relief Fair, in aid of the suffering poor of the 
Southern States, opened at the hall of the Maryland Institute on Monday 
evening, April 2d, and terminated with great success on Friday evening, 
the 13th. Total amount of receipts $164,569.97, which was disbursed among 
the Southern States as follows: Virginia committee, $27,000; North 
Carolina committee, $16,500; South Carolina committee, $19,750; Georgia 
committee, $17,875; Alabama committee, $16,250; Mississippi committee, $20,
625; Louisiana committee, $7,500; Florida committee, $5,500; Arkansas

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committee, $5,000; Tennessee committee, $12,500; Maryland refugees, $10,
000; Miscellaneous States, $6,069.97. The following were the principal 
officers of the "Ladies' Southern Relief Association," and to whose 
generous hearts all honor is due, for administering to the wants of age, 
to the distresses of afflictions, and to the cravings of widows and 
orphans, for the indispensable necessaries of life in a destitute and 
impoverished country: President, Mrs. B. C. Howard; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. 
J. Hanson Thomas, Mrs. Chas. Howard, Mrs. J. S. Gittings, Mrs. W. Prescott 
Smith, Mrs. J. J. Bankard; Treasurer, Mrs. Peyton Harrison; Assistant 
Treasurer, Miss Dora Hoffman; Secretary, Miss Frick; Executive Committee--
Mrs. J. Harman Brown, Mrs. Samuel Hoffman, Miss Louisa Hoffman, Mrs. Chas. 
J. Baker, Mrs. D. Preston Parr, Mrs. Samuel W. Smith, Mrs. T. Parkin 
Scott, Mrs. Thomas Murdoch, Mrs. Lurman, Mrs. Robert H. Carr, Mrs. John H. 
B. Latrobe, Mrs. Joshua Vansant, Mrs. A. DuBois Egerton, Mrs. John F. 
Hunter, Mrs. Allan Dorsey, Mrs. Richard Morris, Mrs. James F. Purvis, Mrs. 
Louisa Cannon, Mrs. James M. Anderson, Mrs. F. W. Elder, Mrs. James 
Hodges, Miss Harper.

On Monday evening, May 21st, a number of the leading Catholics of this 
city, together with a number of pastors of the several Catholic churches 
of Baltimore, met in the basement of Calvert Hall and effected an 
organization known as the St. Mary's Industrial School for boys. 
Archbishop Spaulding presided at the organization, and in his remarks, 
acquainted those present with his past action in the matter and its 
results, and also what he proposed in the future. The meeting was also 
addressed by Rev. Fathers Dolan and McColgan on the subject. The corner-
stone of this institution was laid on Tuesday, June 4th, 1867, by Rev. 
Thomas Foley, D. D., Administrator of the diocese, assisted by a number of 
clergy. The building is situated about one mile and a half west of the 
city limits south of the Frederick road.

The Grand Lodge of the Order of Odd-Fellowship in the United States 
assembled Monday morning, September 17th, at 9 o'clock, in the grand 
saloon of the Odd-Fellows Hall on Gay street, in this city. There were 
representatives present from twenty-four Grand Lodges and sixteen Grand 
Encampments.

Died on the 25th of September, Hon. Henry May, an able member of the bar 
and formerly a member of Congress. He was an eloquent and powerful 
speaker, and wrote with great power and effect.

The Second Plenary Council of the Roman Catholic Church in the United 
States, was held Thursday, October 10th, at the Cathedral Church.

General John Spear Smith, son of Gen. Samuel Smith, died on the 17th of 
November. In 1844, on the formation of the Maryland Historical Society, he 
was unanimously elected its first president, a position which he held for 
twenty-two consecutive years.

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The dedication of the Peabody Institute took place on Thursday, the 25th 
of October, at the Institute building, situated on the southwest corner of 
Mount Vernon Place and Charles street, immediately beneath the shadow of 
Washington monument. The ceremonies were very interesting, and attracted a 
large and remarkably attentive audience. After prayer by the Rev. Dr. 
Backus of the First Presbyterian Church, the address of welcome to Mr. 
George Peabody was delivered, by Governor Thomas Swarm. Mr. Peabody's 
reply was alike excellent and interesting, touching feelingly on his 
personal remembrances of Baltimore in past days, and exhibiting the 
patriotic feeling which had animated Mr. Peabody during the Southern 
rebellion. The report of the Board of Trustees was read, recording their 
action in the building of the Institute and preparing it for the use of 
the public. After the close of the ceremonies Mr. Peabody gave a public 
reception in the library room, where a large number of citizens paid their 
respects to him. In the evening he was the guest of the Trustees at 
dinner. On the 26th, the children of the public schools marched in 
procession from the different sections of the city, and were presented to 
Mr. Peabody in front of the Institute. It was estimated that nearly 
eighteen thousand children of the public schools were present, and the 
addition of teachers and graduates increased the number to fully twenty 
thousand, requiring over two hours for the procession to pass in review.

Baltimore was on Tuesday, the 20th of November, the scene of one of the 
finest civic displays ever witnessed in this country. The occasion--the 
laying of the corner-stone of the new Masonic Temple for the members of 
the Masonic fraternity in Maryland--assembled together representatives of 
the brethren from all sections of the country. Our citizens cordially 
welcomed the strangers. The streets throughout the day-were thronged with 
people, eager to witness the display and do honor to the visitors. The 
procession was a most respectable one in appearance, and numbered about 
eight thousand men. The members of the fraternity were attired in suits of 
plain black cloth, which gave a uniform appearance to the line. The 
Knights Templar in their rich and elegant uniforms attracted the attention 
of all on the route of march. There were many magnificent banners and 
flags in the procession richly emblazoned with the symbols of the 
fraternity, conspicuous among which were the red-cross banner and flags of 
the Templars. President Andrew Johnson, who is a past Grand Master of the 
Masons, was in attendance, and participated in the proceedings at the 
Temple. The ceremonies were commenced by the singing of a hymn, composed 
for the occasion by Rev. A. Longacre. Rev. R. W. Murdy, D. D., LL.D., 
Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment of the United States, then offered 
up a beautiful prayer. The Grand Treasurer, Fred. Fickey, Jr., read the 
inscription and contents of the box, and deposited it with its contents

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in the place prepared for its reception. The principal architect, E. G. 
Lind, then presented the working tools to the Grand Master, John Coates, 
who directed the Grand Marshal to present them to the Deputy Grand Master, 
Francis Burns, and the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens. Hymn, tune "Old 
Hundred," composed for the occasion by Brantz Mayer, Esq. The stone was 
then lowered and laid with the usual ceremonies. The choir then sang the 
grand chorus from Haydn's oratorio of "The Creation" with thrilling 
effect. Rev. John McCron, D.D., Grand Chaplain, then followed with prayer. 
Then followed a very eloquent and able oration by John H. B. Latrobe, P. 
M. P., H. P., &c., who gave a most interesting history of Masonry. At its 
conclusion Mr. Latrobe was cordially complimented by many of his brethren 
for his masterly effort. The choir then sang the Gloria from Mozart's 
Twelfth Mass, and this concluded the ceremonies, whereupon the lodges 
reformed and marched to the Masonic hall on St. Paul street, where the 
procession was dismissed. Immediately upon the conclusion of the 
ceremonies the Knights Templar of Baltimore entertained the visiting 
commanderies with a handsome collation at Front Street Theatre. It was 
well attended, and a very happy season was enjoyed by all present. At 
night the Grand Lodge of Maryland entertained the visiting grand lodges at 
Concordia Hall. The gavel used by Grand Master Coates was the same which 
was used by Gen. Washington upon the occasion, of the laying of the corner-
stone of the first National Capitol at Washington in 1793. The gold trowel 
which he used was also the same used by Levin Winder, the Grand Master of 
Maryland, in laying the corner-stone of the old Masonic hall over fifty 
years ago, and which was also used in laying the corner-stone of the 
Washington Monument and of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

1867. Dr. John Cavendish Smith Monkur, a very eminent Baltimore physician, 
died on Tuesday night, January 1st, in the 67th year of his age. Also on 
Sunday, the 6th of January, Mr. Nathan Tyson, one of the ablest and most 
honorable merchants of Baltimore, in the 80th year of his age. Also on the 
18th of January, Mr. William Fisher, of the firm of William Fisher & Sons--
a man beloved by his family and friends, and most highly esteemed by all 
who knew him.

The "Newsboy's Home" was established by Messrs. J. M. Drill, Wm. B. Hill 
and others, in a large room over the farrier shop of Mr. James Keenan on 
Holliday street, south of Saratoga, below the old City-Hall, in January.

On Tuesday, February 26th, Mr. Callender, a United States Government bank 
inspector, commenced an investigation into the condition of the National 
Mechanics' Bank, located on the southeast corner of Calvert and Fayette 
streets, and during the day discovered false entries upon the books in 
which are kept the accounts of foreign banks, and which were in charge of 
Samuel H. Wentz,

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who was known as the "foreign bookkeeper." Mr. John H. Rogers was also 
implicated in the systematic system of defalcation, which extended back a 
period of twenty-seven years, amounting to nearly $300,000. The robbery 
was regarded as one of the most adroit on record, the length of time for 
which it continued evidencing this, and probably ran through a longer 
series of years than any bank defalcation yet discovered.

At an election held on the 10th of April, the majority were in favor of 
calling a convention to change the constitution of the State, and the 
running of the city passenger railway cars on Sunday. The cars commenced 
running on Sunday, April 28th.

The corner-stone of the Ascension Church, Lafayette Square, was laid on 
Thursday afternoon, July 18th, with appropriate ceremonies, by the rector 
Rev. C. M. Callaway, assisted by a number of other clergymen, after which 
addresses were delivered by Rev. A. P. Stryker, Rev. J. E. Grammer, and 
Rev. H. A. Wise.

The corner-stone of the new City Hall was laid in this city on the 18th of 
October. It was altogether a very dull affair, little interest being 
manifested in the proceedings. John H. B. Latrobe, who had been selected 
as the orator of the occasion, delivered an eloquent address.

The first grand parade and review of the First Division of the Maryland 
National Guard took place on Tuesday, October 15th, and it was a display 
that reflected credit upon the troops and their officers.

The General Assembly at the January session passed the following acts: 
incorporating the Maryland State Agricultural and Mechanical Association; 
the Baltimore Warehouse Company, and the Central Maryland Railroad Company.

The order of the Knights of Pythias was instituted in the city of 
Baltimore, November 27th, when "Golden Lodge No. 1" and "Monumental Lodge 
No. 2" were both started on the same evening.

Major-General Geo. H. Steuart died in the city of Baltimore on Tuesday, 
October 22d, in the 77th year of his age. Previous to the civil war Gen. 
Steuart, for some twenty years, commanded the first light division of 
Maryland militia, and in his younger days represented the city in the 
State Legislature. He was also at one time a member of the City Council. 
During the war of 1812 with Great Britain, the deceased was one of the 
brave men who defended the city of Baltimore when attacked by General 
Ross. Shortly after the civil war commenced he went South, where he 
resided privately, mostly at Charlottesville, Va., and after the war went 
to Europe, where he remained until within some four or five months. At the 
first battle of Manassas General Steuart was present as a spectator, and 
was taken prisoner by the United States forces, but on the fact becoming 
known that he was not engaged in actual hostilities, he was promptly 
released.

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1868. The demonstration on Thursday, March 27th, in honor of the officers 
of the Bremen steamship Baltimore, which arrived here on Monday morning, 
March 23d, was one of the most imposing displays that has ever taken place 
in our city. The military were out in strong force, the number of cavalry 
being a marked feature, and all looked and marched well. The officers of 
the steamer (Capt. Voeckler; first officer, Thomas Schubert; first 
engineer, Walter Moffat; second engineer, Frederick Fanger; purser, Thos. 
Flutting; doctor, F. Frei; second officer, Theodore Deetzen; third 
engineer, Herman Tage; and third officer, F. Kustar), as they passed along 
the route, everywhere densely crowded, were warmly cheered, and a platoon 
of German sailors that followed, fine hardy looking fellows, met with a 
characteristic reception which they warmly reciprocated. The civic part of 
the procession was also quite large, the battalion of policemen and the 
fire department, and the strong array of mounted butchers being the most 
attractive points in this part of the long procession. The mass of 
spectators along the route was wonderful; the whole population of the city 
apparently being congregated on the sidewalks, in the windows, and on the 
roofs of the houses. The banquet at night at the Concordia was a splendid 
affair.

Thursday, July 16th, was an exceedingly warm day, the thermometer ranging 
from 97 to 101 degrees in the shade. Thirty cases of sun-stroke were 
reported, twenty one of which proved fatal.

Our city on Friday, July 24th, was visited with one of the most appalling 
and destructive calamities that has ever overtaken it since 1837, which 
swept away all the old stone and brick bridges that previously spanned 
Jones Falls. It was thought that the elevated and broad span iron bridges 
that have since been constructed would prove an effectual bar to a similar 
visitation, but even these have proved ineffectual, and we have now to 
record a flood the most disastrous that has ever visited Baltimore. The 
amount of destruction to property no doubt far exceeds that of 1837.

About two o'clock on Friday morning, July 24th, the storm commenced, 
accompanied by thunder and lightning, but the fall of rain was not serious 
until eight o'clock, when it began to pour down in such a volume that 
fears at once were entertained of a flood in Jones Falls, which passes 
through the heart of the city dividing east from west Baltimore. This 
heavy fall of rain continued with but little intermission until after two 
o'clock, flooding the streets, and rendering pedestrianism next to an 
impossibility. Accompanying the rain was a strong wind from the southeast, 
and persons owning property of any kind in the vicinity of Jones Falls 
were instantly apprised, upon arising in the morning, that their enemies, 
a heavy rain and a south wind, were again at work and that they must move 
quickly if they would save their good and chattels from damage or 
destruction.

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The water in Jones Falls commenced rising very rapidly about eight 
o'clock, and gradually creeping upwards, first overflowed its banks and 
filled the east side of Centre Market Space and Swarm and Hawk streets. 
Another hour and it had backed up sufficiently to overflow Harrison 
street, and within a few moments it was in Holliday, Frederick and 
Saratoga streets. At twelve o'clock the cellars of perhaps two thousand 
houses in this section of the city were filled, and the water was steadily 
rising on their first floors; but as the storm had commenced to abate, 
hopes were still entertained that the flood was at its height. About half-
past twelve o'clock, however, the flood then commenced to rise more 
rapidly than ever, and in a half hour reached ceilings where it had 
previously only invaded floors, and the greatest consternation prevailed. 
So rapid was this rise, and so wild and furious the rushing torrent, that 
the lives of many persons were jeopardized, and we regret to add several 
lives were lost. Had it occurred at night, as in the case of the great 
flood of 1837, the loss of life could not but have been immense. About 
half-past twelve o'clock one of the city passenger cars of the Gay street 
line crossed the bridge coming towards Baltimore street. Immediately after 
crossing, the car proceeded on as far as Saratoga street, down which the 
water was running at a furious rate, reaching the floor of the car. The 
horses floundered in the water, and the front wheels left the track; the 
driver unhitched his horses, and endeavored to attach them to the other 
end of the car and draw it back on to the bridge. The driver and 
conductor, however, unfastened the horses from the car, and getting on 
their backs, went on shore, leaving those in the car to save themselves as 
best they might. The car soon floated, and was swiftly moved by the 
tremendous current down Harrison street, surging and swaying in every 
direction. There were then about eight persons in the car, the others 
having escaped; but as it neared the awnings on either side, four or five 
of them managed at great risk to clutch the awnings, and were saved by 
entering the second story windows. Mr. C. J. Emery, an employee of the 
American office who was in the car, says: "My friend and myself stood with 
our feet on the brakes of the car, holding on to the top portion of it. 
The water was about up to our arm-pits, and the car continued swaying in 
the wild torrent from one side to the other, we laboring hard to clear 
ourselves from the floating debris. We finally reached the corner of 
Harrison and Fayette streets, in front of the tavern kept by John English, 
when the car wheeled around and turned over, carrying us and other 
persons, an old gentleman and a lad about fourteen years of age, with it. 
Myself and friend, through great exertion, succeeded in getting on the 
upper side of the car, and reaching the awning, were saved by the timely 
assistance of Mr. English and the occupants of the house. Mr. Aymeriche, 
my friend, was much bruised, cut and swollen, and almost insensible when 
he reached a place of safety. The old gentleman

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and the youth who were our fellow-passengers in this most terrible 
catastrophe, followed us in reaching the awning, but we had scarcely got 
into the window when it was carried away, and these two unfortunates who 
were on the awning were carried off in the raging current and sunk to rise 
no more. They were strangers to us, and in the excitement and the effort 
each of us had to make during the occurrence to save ourselves from 
impending death, it would be impossible to give the faintest description 
of their personal appearance. That they were both drowned is certain, and 
their bodies probably swept out into the basin. We were most kindly 
received by Mr. English and his family, and every attention given to our 
comfort and resuscitation from almost a drowned condition. A boat in 
charge of police officers finally came to search for the wrecked 
passengers, and conveyed us to dry land once more; and we hope never again 
to make so perilous a journey over the paved streets of Baltimore."

Standing at the corner of Frederick and Baltimore streets about 11/2 
o'clock, the scene was truly distressing. The flood had now swollen into 
an angry torrent that rushed down the beds of Harrison and Frederick 
streets in volume and swiftness resembling the rapids of Niagara. At the 
corner of Harrison street, in front of Laroque's drug store, the water was 
within one foot of the top of the street lamp. Ever and anon masses of 
timber and wood, boxes, barrels, railroad ties, articles of household 
furniture, fencing, trees, wagons, out-houses, and in short all manner of 
debris from the wreck and ruin along the line of the Falls, came sweeping 
down the fearful current, and piling up in front of the Maryland 
Institute, in this way a sort of break-water was formed, protecting that 
building against the beating of the billows, for in truth nothing less 
than billows they were that swept down both Harrison and Frederick 
streets. The water soon after this was seen to dash over the bed of 
Baltimore street bridge, driving the people assembled there in wild 
confusion toward High street. About this time word came that Gay Street 
bridge was seriously threatened, and in attestation of this report there 
was soon a flood of water pouring down Gay street, and shortly thereafter 
the back water came in large volumes down Holliday street also. Language 
is almost inadequate to describe the scene that was now witnessed. The 
surface of the angry flood was fairly covered with every description of 
material, telling sadly and painfully of the immense loss, destruction and 
distress that this disaster was occasioning. Now the porch of a house, now 
the contents of some store, now the timbers of bridges and warehouses, 
would come down dashing along with fearful rapidity, driving up against 
buildings, crashing window glass in the first floor and bursting in 
doorways. At one time we noticed a child's crib floating down Harrison 
street, and several bodies of animals, cows and horses were also seen, 
whilst not a few of the spectators were of the opinion that more than one 
or two dead bodies of human beings were to be seen.

Page 672

The effects of the flood were very severely felt on North street, and it 
is almost impossible to estimate the extent of the loss sustained in this 
portion of the flooded district. From the high ground near the City Hall 
excavation, just south of Lexington street, the water covered the whole 
extent of the street northward towards Eager street, flooding every 
building. In some places, say from near Pleasant street northward, the 
water was fully ten to twelve feet deep. The residents of the small 
dwellings in the neighborhood were obliged to take refuge in the upper 
stories of their dwellings, and some made very narrow escapes. Holliday 
street also came in for a large share of the overwhelming flood. The water 
extended the whole length of this street, even across the elevated portion 
of it at Fayette street, and thence passing down into Baltimore street. In 
front of the theatre the water rose above the sills of the doors, and 
thence extended in a broad sheet across the street to the new City Hall 
excavation, which was quickly filled, the water rushing into it with great 
volume, presenting the appearance of a mill dam. Northward the whole 
length of the street was like an angry river, and the occupants of the 
small houses above Saratoga street were in no little peril. Some of them 
were rescued from drowning only by the humane efforts of others. Smith and 
Curlett's soap and candle factory was entirely surrounded by the flood, 
and the water dashed and beat against its walls on all sides up to the 
second floor. The whole appearance of this region was so changed by the 
action of the water that one even tolerably familiar with the locality 
could scarcely recognize it.

On the opposite or eastern bank of the Falls many of the small dwellings 
had completely disappeared, and on this side those that were left standing 
as the water subsided, were in ruins, as though an earthquake had 
shattered them. Just above Bath street bridge, which disappeared at an 
early stage of the flood, a frame dwelling on the west side of the Falls 
was lifted bodily from its foundations and carried out into the stream, 
with all its contents, and soon became a wreck, its Shattered fragments 
joining the mass of madly rushing timbers, boxes, and household goods 
continually passing down the current. Near where the above mentioned house 
stood was located Crichton's whisky distillery, which was also entirely 
destroyed, nothing being left of the establishment but a mass of ruins. 
All the whiskey in the stills and in the bonded warehouse was swept down 
the Falls. The Centre Market, under the Maryland Institute, was completely 
swept out, scarcely a box or a stall being eft in the whole building. The 
blocks of the upper market, except those that were swept out into the 
basin, were piled up upon those in the lower markets, presenting a scene 
of confusion that made a bad show for holding market the next morning. The 
stores upon both sides of the market were in a terrible condition, the 
water having reached the ceilings, and a large portion of their

Page 673

stock was utterly destroyed. On the west side of the market and on Second 
street the pavements were torn up, and in some places the earth washed out 
to the depth of three or four feet. At the foot of the market on Pratt 
street the earth caved in at the head of Long dock, taking with it half of 
the bed of Pratt street. Five dead bodies were fished out of the falls and 
along the streets.

The mammoth body of water that poured with such terrific force down Marsh 
Market Space, Frederick street and Gay street into the wharves at the 
south side of Pratt street, can scarcely be described. The bed of the 
street was uprooted and carried away, the enormous stones forming the 
coping at the edge of the wharves torn up as if they were mere pebbles, 
and tossed on edge and transversely so that the water pouring over them 
formed a cataract the width of the streets, and swept downward into the 
docks with a volume of sound that could be heard a considerable distance. 
This was especially the case at the foot of Centre Market Space, where 
from Dugan's wharf on one side and McElderry's wharf on the other, the 
torrent of angry turbid water rushed onward with a force that carried down 
huge beams and rafters, barrels of whiskey, beef and pork, and where it 
poured over the head of the destroyed dock was converted into a cataract 
that can be likened to nothing but a miniature Niagara. Down this stream 
there came a number of staves, probably 25,000; a short distance further 
down the dock they caught against some huge pieces of lumber that had 
become fixed across it. In this way a strong boom was formed, and as the 
piled up mass of debris grew greater, it made a bridge on which a person 
could cross dry-shod from shore to shore.

It was supposed at first that all the bridges over the Falls had been 
swept away, but fortunately this was not the case, though the few that 
were left standing were nearly all greatly damaged. The stone bridge at 
Eager street stood firm, and did not appear to be injured in the slightest 
degree. The Charles street bridge was swept entirely away, the abutments 
having yielded to the force of the torrent. The structure was soon dashed 
to pieces, and came down' with the mass of debris against the Monument 
street bridge. The pressure of debris and its damming of the flood at 
Monument street, soon caused the water to rise and flow over the bed of 
that structure, and in a few minutes after it floated from its abutments 
and was dashed into fragments. The Madison and Centre street bridges, the 
Hillen street and the Swann street bridges soon after gave way and were 
swept down the current, the abutments and approaches to these fine 
structures being entirely destroyed. The Belvedere bridge was not injured, 
it having withstood all the floods for fifty years past. The firm iron 
bridge at Fayette street was also swept off. This bridge was of massive 
cast iron, and probably had enough iron in it to construct a half dozen 
bridges. The abutments gave way about half-past one

Page 674

o'clock, and the iron superstructure crumbled into a thousand fragments; 
even the abutments were pushed out to their base. The only other bridge 
totally destroyed was the foot-bridge over Swarm and Plowman streets, 
which was swept off and destroyed. The three principal bridges in the 
centre of the city, those over Gay street, Baltimore street, and Pratt 
street, were all badly damaged, and were only in a condition for foot-
passengers to cross.

The scene at Gay street bridge after the water subsided was of the most 
appalling character, and showed the cause of such an immense flood having 
forced its way into Harrison and Frederick streets. When the flood was at 
its height the debris from the five bridges that were washed away above 
Gay street massed itself against the north side of the Gay street bridge, 
and was piled up to the height of fifteen feet above the floor of the 
bridge, and massed back to the extent of fifty or sixty feet. The bridge 
itself was raised from its abutments on the north side, and the railings 
on both sides carried away. The water when at its height was nearly a foot 
over the railings, and it is singular that the structure retained its 
position. Baltimore street bridge also caught a largo portion of the 
floating timber, and was badly damaged, though it was made passable the 
next day. Pratt street bridge was also in a critical condition, and could 
not be used except for foot-passengers. The bridge over Eastern avenue was 
not injured in the least, and this and the Eager street bridge were the 
only two serviceable for travel. The flood had pretty well subsided, and 
the water was confined to the banks of the Falls, about six o'clock in the 
evening, and many thousands of persons were wading through the mud left in 
the streets, nearly ankle deep, to witness the scenes for two or three 
squares on either side of the Falls, extending over a distance of fully 
two miles. Hundreds of vehicles were in use for the same purpose, though 
it was difficult at times to thread a way through the rubbish left by the 
receding waters. A horse and wagon, the latter containing some fifteen 
persons, was crossing Baltimore street near the west side of Market Space, 
the pavement caved in and the whole party were thrown into a hole eight 
feet deep. They all managed to struggle to shore, and the horse was cut 
loose in time to save himself. The wagon came to a sudden end by being 
badly smashed.

Whilst the flood was at its height, and the angry billows of the torrent 
were surging around the Maryland institute, a most thrilling scene was 
enacted. Several members of the theatrical profession, who had assembled 
in the upper hall over the market-house to hold a rehearsal, heard cries 
of distress from the market-house. Mr. Stevens procured a piece of timber, 
and with the assistance of his friends, knocked out some planks in the 
floor, which enabled them to communicate with the people who were flood 
bound in the market-house beneath. The water was now some eight or ten 
feet deep, and the only refuge of these unfortunates

Page 675

was by climbing upon and clinging to the stalls. A rope was procured, and 
a large number of persons of all ages and sex, white and colored, 
amounting to about thirty-five in all, were rescued.

The destruction of property in Baltimore County was immense. There was 
scarcely a bridge over a stream of any considerable size standing. The 
flood at Ellicott City was terrible, and thirty-eight lives were lost.

The People's Bank, at the corner of Baltimore and Paca streets, was 
discovered on Sunday evening, August 16th, to have been robbed by parties 
who first entered an adjoining warehouse, and then obtained access to the 
bank by breaking through the wall. Once in the bank, they succeeded in 
digging their way into the vault, and blew open an interior safe 
containing money and securities, the whole contents of which they carried 
off. The safe contained some six thousand dollars belonging to the bank, 
and Government bonds and other securities belonging to other parties and 
placed on deposit for safe-keeping. The whole amount of loss was about $20,
000.

The Maryland Institution for the Blind, on North avenue, near Charles 
street avenue, was dedicated on Friday, November 20th. The ceremonies were 
commenced by the singing of a chant by the larger pupils, accompanied on 
the organ by Prof. Wm. Harman. Rev. Dr. Randolph of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church offered a prayer, after which a chorus was sung by the 
pupils. W. W. Glenn, Esq., of the Board of Directors, read the annual 
report. The programme was closed by a benediction delivered by Rev. Dr. 
Crosby.

1869. In accordance with the instructions of the Most Rev. Archbishop 
Spaulding, the Tenth Provincial Council of Baltimore assembled Sunday 
morning, April 25th, at the Cathedral, and the first day of its session 
was celebrated with great religious ceremonies.

The corner-stone of the new St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church, 
corner of Druid Hill avenue and Lanvale street, was laid Thursday 
afternoon, April 29th, with appropriate religious ceremonies. An address 
was delivered by the rector, Rev. Dr. Julius E. Grammer.

The eleventh festival of the Northwestern Saengerbund commenced their five 
days of musical and social festivities in this city on Monday, July 12th. 
People of all nations, citizens of all classes, were on the streets to 
join in the acclaim of kind words, and the streaming flags, evergreen 
arches, illuminated houses, and flashing fireworks, added to the notable 
features of an occasion that was altogether remarkable in its 
demonstrations of popular interest. The procession was brilliant and well-
arranged, creditable to the Baltimore associations, and must have been-
highly gratifying to their visitors. The 14th was the first picnic day at 
the Schuetzen

Page 676

Park of the Saengerfest, and there were numerous festive and jovial 
observances. The singing associations marched from the Concordia to the 
Schuetzen Park in the morning, and on arriving there, there were orations 
in German by Wm. Rapp, Esq., and in English by Robert C. Barry, Esq. Each 
was a very fine oratorical effort, and elicited great applause. The 
distribution of the prize pianos to the winning societies took place in 
the afternoon, the New York Liederkranz taking the first, the Philadelphia 
Junger Maennerchor the second, the Hoboken Quartette Club the third, and 
the Washington Gesang Verein the fourth. During the day speeches were made 
by Mr. Christain Ax, chairman of the honorary committee, Mr. George P. 
Steinbach, chairman of the executive committee, Hon. Reverdy Johnson, and 
Major-General Bier, Adjutant-General of Maryland. The management of the 
musical department of the festivities attending the Saengerfest could not 
have been placed in better hands than those of Professor Charles Lenschow, 
our eminent townsman, a musician of great experience and some renown as a 
composer.

The most destructive fire that had occurred in Baltimore for some time 
transpired between the hours of half-past eleven o'clock on the morning of 
the 25th of April and two in the afternoon. The greater portion of a block 
of buildings, and lumber yard of Randolph Brothers, and several workshops, 
bounded by Thames, Wolfe, and Lancaster streets, were consumed, entailing 
a loss of nearly $150,000.

Shortly before twelve o'clock on Saturday night, October 2d, a rain storm 
visited this city, and continued during Sunday. A great scare prevailed 
amongst the residents along Jones Falls, they being fearful that another 
inundation was about to befall them. Centre Market bridge was carried 
away, and Pratt street bridge and the draw-bridge were considerably 
injured by the dredging-machines which were wrecked against them.

The first annual exhibition of the Maryland State Agricultural and 
Mechanical Association was inaugurated on Tuesday morning, October 26th. 
Agreeably to orders issued by the Adjutant-General (George H. Bier), the 
First Division Maryland National Guards marched to the grounds and 
participated in the ceremonies.

Mr. George Peabody died in London on Thursday, the 4th of November. Mr. 
Peabody, whose name is famous in two continents for his unexampled 
generosity in distributing millions of money in beneficent objects, was 
born in Danvers, Massachusetts, February 18th, 1795, and for many years 
was a merchant in this city. Our State has particular reasons for 
remembering his important services in negotiating important loans while in 
London, for which he always refused compensation. Among the noble 
monuments which will stand in everlasting attestation of his munificence, 
are the working-men's houses in London, an immense block of which were 
built by him and bestowed upon them; the Institute at Danvers;

Page 677

the donation of $1,400,000 to the purpose of educating the children of the 
South; and the Peabody Institute at Baltimore, to which he has also given 
$1,400,000. The great philanthropist also gave smaller sums to various 
objects; indeed, his last years of life are but the history of a series of 
noble charities, bestowed with a large heart and a willing hand.

At his residence in this city, at twenty-five minutes before one o'clock 
on Wednesday, November 10th, died Hon. Thomas G. Pratt, a gentleman who in 
past years had filled many public positions of importance. He was born in 
the city of Washington in the year 1804, and graduated at Princeton 
College, New Jersey. He served in both the State Senate and House of 
Delegates. The next political position held by him was that of Governor of 
Maryland, to which he was elected in 1844, and retired from in 1848. He 
was also in the United States Senate. At the outbreak of the late war he 
strongly espoused the cause of the South, and in 1861 was arrested by 
order of the Government and sent to Fortress Monroe, where, however, he 
remained but a few weeks, and then returned to Baltimore.

Mr. Charles Howard, who was the youngest son of Col. John Eager Howard, 
died at Oakland, in Alleghany county, where he was seeking relief, under 
the advice of his physicians, from a protracted and distressing malady, 
Friday, June 18th. He was among the early graduates of St. Mary's College 
in this city. For a considerable period he was president of the Baltimore 
and Susquehanna Railroad Company. He was afterwards presiding judge of the 
Orphans' Court, and subsequently filled the place of city collector under 
Mayor Hollins. In 1860 he was appointed by the General Assembly of 
Maryland a member of the Board of Police Commissioners under the law of 
that year, and presided over the board until July, 1861, when he was 
forcibly removed with his colleagues, by the military power of the 
Government. The health of Mr. Howard received an impression from his 
sixteen months' imprisonment in Fort Lafayette and Fort Warren which was 
never removed. He was, at the time of his death, one of the trustees of 
the Peabody Foundation, and belonged to the board of trustees of the 
Maryland Hospital, and the board of managers of the Asylum for the Blind. 
He was amiable, affectionate, gentle and brave--full of all the blessed 
charities and quiet virtues that make this world happy, as well as of the 
Christian faith and hope which brighten the pathway to another.

1870. A meeting was held on Tuesday evening, March 22d, at the Mount 
Vernon Hotel, for the purpose of organizing an Academy of Music, and the 
building of an opera house or music hall. Dr. J. Hanson Thomas was called 
to the chair, and Israel Cohen, Esq., was appointed secretary. A charter 
was read and adopted, fixing the stock at $300,000; the shares $50 each, 
and giving to each holder of twenty shares ($1000) and his assigns the 
privilege of

Page 678

a free seat to all dramatic and operatic representations so long as the 
stock was held in one block. The following gentlemen were then appointed 
directors: Israel Cohen, W. T. Walters, Thomas H. Morris, S. T. Wallis, A. 
Schumacher, A. J. Albert, W. F. Frick, W. P. Smith, Werner Dressel, Dr. J. 
Hanson Thomas, J. Hall Pleasants, and John Curlett.

In accordance with the decision rendered in the United States Circuit 
Court for the Maryland District, on April 29th, by Judge Giles, the 
Baltimore City Passenger Railway Company are required to carry colored 
people on the lines of their railway in the same class of cars provided 
for all other persons.

On Tuesday, May 24th, the corner, stone of the new Episcopal Christ Church 
of Baltimore was laid at the corner of Chase and St. Paul streets. The 
services were conducted by the rector, Thomas U. Dudley, assisted by Revs. 
Fleming James and A. M. Randolph. An address was delivered by the rector, 
in which he gave a very interesting history of the church.

Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte died at his residence in this city on Friday 
morning, June 17th. Mr. Bonaparte was the son of Jerome Bonaparte, brother 
of the Emperor, and Miss Elizabeth Patterson, of Baltimore, who were 
married in this city by Bishop Carroll in 1803. Her treatment by Napoleon 
and her husband is familiar to almost every one. Napoleon forbade her 
landing in France, would not recognize the marriage, and she was compelled 
to leave her husband and take up her abode in England, and at Camberwell, 
near London, the deceased was born on the 7th of July, 1805. Napoleon 
never succeeded in inducing the then Pope Pius VII. to declare Jerome's 
marriage null and void, and this protest had several times been brought 
forward in a question involving the rank of the deceased and his family. 
Madame Bonaparte returned to Baltimore with her son during his boyhood, 
and he was reared in this city. Mr. Bonaparte entered Harvard College, and 
graduated from the institution in 1826, having then an intention of 
pursuing the legal profession, but although he studied for the bar he 
never practised law. He was married in early life to Miss Susan May 
Williams, only daughter of Benjamin Williams, Esq., originally of Roxbury, 
Massachusetts. Miss Williams was born in Baltimore, was a lady of very 
large fortune, which, united with Mr. Bonaparte's own fortune, made him 
one of the wealthiest citizens of Baltimore. Mr. Bonaparte had two sons, 
Jerome Napoleon, born in 1831, and Charles Joseph, born in 1852. Major 
Jerome served with great distinction and gallantry in the Crimean war, and 
also in the Italian campaign in 1859. During the reign of Louis Philippe, 
Mr. Bonaparte was permitted to visit Paris, but for a short period only, 
and under his mother's name of Patterson. Although travelling incognito, 
he attracted much attention from his singular likeness to his uncle, the 
great Emperor. He was always thought to resemble him more than any of the 
monarch's own

Page 679

brothers did. Mr. Bonaparte was distinguished by the same shape of the 
head and regularity of features, bronze countenance and dark eyes of 
peculiar tint, which Napoleon had, and which characterized the Corsican 
people. His figure too was cast in the same square mould which we see in 
the pictures of Napoleon. Mr. Bonaparte had long been on good terms with 
the late Louis Napoleon, and visited the French Court with his son. If the 
validity of his father's marriage with Miss Patterson had been fully 
recognized by the Court of France it would have given his heirs precedence 
over the Children of his half brothers and the Princess Mathilde, the 
children of Jerome's second marriage. It is very often doubted whether, 
there was a drop of Bonaparte blood in the veins of the late Emperor of 
France, but the story of the intrigue between Hortense and the Dutch 
Admiral has never been proved, although it has formed one of the staple 
themes for the invectives of La Marsellaise and the Red Republicans 
against Napoleon III. If it was true, then the deceased was the proper 
heir to the throne of France, and his son succeeds to his rights. But the 
son of Hortense made himself Emperor by a coup d'etat, and always refused 
to recognize the American marriage of the first Jerome as valid, thus 
excluding the Baltimore Bonapartes from rank as Princes. The first Jerome 
made his second marriage with the Princess of Wurtemburg in 1807, of which 
the offspring was the present Prince Napoleon, more generally known by the 
nickname of "Plon-Plon," which was given him by the army, and the Princess 
Mathilde. Mrs. Patterson Bonaparte and her husband never met but once 
after his marriage with the Princess of Wurtemburg. The occasion was in a 
picture gallery of Florence, years afterwards. They recognized each other 
instantly, but the gentleman who accompanied the lady led her away, and 
the next morning Jerome Bonaparte left the city. Mr. Bonaparte was of a 
genial and social nature, a generous friend, kind and charitable, and 
universally beloved by his friends and acquaintances.

Hon. John Pendleton Kennedy, of Baltimore, died on Friday, August 18th, at 
Newport, R. I., full of years and full of the honors of a meritorious 
life. In all of the many public positions to which he was called he 
distinguished himself, bringing to them a rare intelligence and ability. 
He was born in Baltimore on the 25th of October, 1795, and graduated at 
Baltimore College in 1812. When the British troops appeared before 
Baltimore in 1814, and the call was made for volunteers to defend the 
city, Mr. Kennedy, then but nineteen years of age, enlisted and fought in 
the ranks at the battles of Bladensburg and North Point. In 1816 he was 
admitted to the practice of law at the Baltimore bar, and in 1818 
commenced authorship by the publication, in connection with his friends, 
Peter Hoffman Cruse and Josias Pennington, of the "Red Book," a light 
serial of prose and verse. This was issued once a fortnight, and in 
continued for two years. In 1820 he entered political life, and in

Page 680

that year, and again in 1822, was elected to the Maryland House of 
Delegates. That body chose him for its speaker. In 1823 he was as 
appointed by President Monroe, Secretary of Legation to Chili, and 
accepted the post, but afterwards declined it before the mission sailed 
for Valparaiso. He was always strongly in favor of high tariff and 
protection of home industry, and in 1830 wrote a review of Hon. C. C. 
Cambreleng's report on commerce and navigation, combatting its free trade 
arguments. In 1831 he was appointed a delegate to the National Convention 
of the Friends of Manufacturing Industry, held in New York. In 1832 Mr. 
Kennedy published his first novel, "Swallow Barn, or a Sojourn in the Old 
Dominion." From this time until 1838 Mr. Kennedy devoted his attention to 
works of fiction, and produced in 1835 his second novel, "Horseshoe 
Robinson, a Tale of the Tory Ascendency." In 1838 he published "Rob of the 
Bowl, a Legend of St. Inigoes." All of these books were revised and 
republished in 1852. In 1838 Mr. Kennedy emerged from his retirement and 
was elected a member of the House of Representatives as a Protectionist. 
Once at Washington, he immediately assumed a foremost position in a 
Congress that numbered many of the greatest lights of the nation. In 1841 
he was again elected to Congress, and was appointed chairman of the 
Committee on Commerce. In 1843 he was a third time elected to the House of 
Representatives, serving there in all six years. In 1845 the Democratic 
party carried his district against him, but in the succeeding year he was 
again returned to the Maryland House of Delegates, and was once more 
elected its speaker. At the expiration of this term Mr. Kennedy devoted 
himself to the production of his "Life of William Wirt, Attorney-General 
of the United States," which was published in 1849. In 1852 Mr. Fillmore 
appointed him Secretary of the Navy, which position he held until the 
Administration went out of office in March, 1854. Since then he live? the 
life of cultivated repose, and literary and material research, to which 
his bent of mind disposed him. The possessor of an ample fortune, he had 
every opportunity to indulge in his predilection. At the outbreak of the 
war he immediately announced himself a supporter of the government in its 
efforts to crush the rebellion, and remained firm in its faith. In 
November, 1868, he presided at a Republican mass-meeting at Front Street 
Theatre, then held in this city prior to the Presidential election. His 
letter accepting the position was fervid with the principles of 
Republicanism. Mr. Kennedy was Provost of the University of Maryland, Vice-
President of the Maryland Historical Society, and a member of several 
other literary and scientific associations. He was chairman of the Board 
of Trustees of the Peabody Institute of this city, and also a member of 
the Board of Trustees of the Peabody Southern Educational Fund.

In August it was discovered that Mr. John L. Crawford, of Baltimore, 
treasurer of the Parkersburg Branch Railroad Company,

Page 681

had issued fraudulent certificates of its stock to the amount of $1,300,
000. On account of the manner in which the alleged unauthorized issues of 
stock, for a period of more than two years, and perhaps more (as disclosed 
in the evidence), were made by Crawford, with the facilities especially 
afforded him for that purpose by the absolutely uncontrolled possession 
and use of the certificate books and seal of the company and signatures in 
blank of the president, and other causes, the holders of the fraudulent 
certificates are endeavoring to hold the company responsible. The 
following very eminent legal gentlemen have been retained to settle the 
questions in dispute before the courts: Messrs Reverdy Johnson and John H. 
B. Latrobe, for the company, and Messrs. I. Nevitt Steele, William F. 
Frick, and Samuel Snowden, for the holders of the fraudulent stock.

The corner-stone of the Mount Vernon Place Methodist Episcopal Church was 
laid on Monday, September 26th, with impressive ceremonies. A large 
audience was in attendance, and stood patiently through the whole 
exercises, which continued nearly three hours. Interesting addresses were 
delivered by Bishop Janes, Dr. Fuller, and Dr. Eddy.

The first day of the meeting of the Maryland Jockey Club at the grounds of 
the Association at Pimlico on Tuesday, October 25th, was a grand success. 
The track was in good condition, the weather delightful, the exhibition of 
blooded stock unequalled, and the attendance exceeded the expectations of 
the most sanguine friends of the club. The contests for speed were well-
managed, and everything passed off as all affairs of the kind should--
pleasantly.

Mr. Benjamin Deford died on the 17th of April, leaving a large estate, the 
accumulation of years of patient industry, of prudent foresight, and of 
judicious enterprise.

On Tuesday, November 8th, the colored people of Maryland voted for the 
candidates of their choice.

In the First Branch of the City Council, on Monday evening, November 14th, 
an ordinance was presented by Mr. Trippe, providing for the laying down of 
the tracks of the Citizens Passenger Railway.

At a meeting of the stockholders of the Baltimore Gas Light Company on 
Monday, November 31st, the franchises and property of the company were 
disposed of to capitalists from New York for $3,000,000.

The opening of Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, corner of Park avenue 
and Townsend street, took place on Sunday, December 2d. The dedicatory 
services in the morning were led, by Rev. Dr. J. C. Backus. The dedicatory 
services were continued in the evening Every seat was occupied, the aisles 
were crowded, and hundreds went away who were not able to find even 
standing room inside the doors. After the introductory services, which

Page 682

were conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. S. Jones, a sermon was preached by 
Rev. Henry C. Boardman, of Philadelphia, appropriate to the occasion, and 
commemorative of the eminent Christian gentleman to whose memory the 
church was erected. Its cost was entirely defrayed as a gift from his 
widow, Mrs. Isabella Brown, a lady distinguished for her great liberality 
and truly Christian character. The church is a most beautiful edifice, and 
will stand as a monument to her memory.

The Rev. James Dolan, familiarly known as the "good Father Dolan," pastor 
of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in the city of Baltimore, who was 
respected and admired by all for his virtues, charities, and usefulness, 
died on the 12th day of January, 1870, aged 55 years, 6 months, and 12 
days. He was born in Ireland on the 1st day of July, 1814, and sailed from 
the city of Cork on the 18th day of February, 1834, bound for New Orleans, 
in the State of Louisiana. After many hardships and privations he arrived 
in Baltimore on the 18th day of December, 1834. He was admitted into the 
seminary in 1834, received the holy tonsural in January, 1836, was 
admitted to minor orders in 1838, to subdeaconship in September, 1839, 
deaconship in the same month of the following year, and was ordained a 
priest and entered on the duties of assistant pastor of St. Patrick's on 
the 20th of December, 1840, and pastor on the 28th day of February, 1841.

The order of the Sons and Daughters of America was first introduced into 
this State and city by the Grand Council of Pennsylvania, November 17th, 
1870, upon which occasion "Columbia Council No. 1" was duly instituted as 
the pioneer council.

James Sullivan Garey, one of Baltimore's wealthiest and prominent 
manufacturers, died on the 7th of March, 1870, aged sixty-two years. The 
village of Alberton, on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, about 
twelve miles from Baltimore, is the scene of his many labors, and the busy 
factory and its pleasant surroundings remain as monuments to his energy 
and skill.

1871. The consolidation of the Central Young Men's Christian Association 
with the Baltimore Association, was consummated at the rooms 160 West 
Baltimore street, on the evening of Thursday, March 2d.

A serious conflagration took place on Sharp street, near German, before 
daylight of Monday morning, May 22d. Two extensive warehouses occupied by 
Messrs. Wm. H. Brown & Bro., and Stellman, Henrichs & Co., and a dwelling-
house, were destroyed, and several other buildings damaged, the loss 
amounting to a total of between two hundred and two hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars. The saddest incident of the calamity was the killing of 
J. Harry Weaver, member of the First Branch of the City Council from the 
nineteenth ward, by the explosion of the steam fire engine "Alpha," at the 
northwest corner of German and Howard streets.

Page 683

John Van Lear McMahon, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the 
Maryland bar, died at the residence of Dr. Robert J. McKaig, Cumberland, 
on Thursday, June 15th. Mr. McMahon was born in Cumberland, August 18th, 
1800. His father, Wm. McMahon, was a highly respected farmer of Alleghany 
county. Mr. McMahon graduated when only seventeen years old, with the 
first honors of Princeton College. He immediately commenced the study of 
law with Roger Perry, the father of Judge Perry, of Cumberland, and was 
admitted to the bar in the nineteenth year of his age. He was at once 
successful, being retained as counsel in almost every considerable case. 
As soon as he had reached his majority he was elected to the Legislature. 
The next year he was re-elected, and at that session became the leader of 
the House of Delegates, and made his famous speech in favor of giving to 
the Jews of the State an equality of all rights. In 1826 he was urged by 
his friends and admirers to remove his residence to Baltimore city, which 
he did, and was elected to the Legislature with Geo. H. Steuart, Esq., 
twice in succession, by the Jackson democrats. The same party unanimously 
nominated him as their candidate for Congress, which he peremptorily 
refused to accept. He afterwards became identified with the Whig party, 
and in 1840 he was president of the great National Whig Mass Convention 
which gathered its thousands in this city, at Canton, where, in his 
stentorian voice, he "called the nation to order," and proclaimed that 
"every mountain has sent forth its rill, every valley its stream, and lo! 
the avalanche of the people is here." When General Harrison became 
President, Mr. McMahon was offered, by letter, any office, except one, in 
the presidential gift. But he declined to accept any office of a political 
nature, although the highest honors of his State were also offered him. 
Mr. McMahon was a delegate to the State Internal Improvement Convention in 
1825, of which Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, was president, and was the 
leader in it, although such men as John Nelson and Charles Fenton Mercer 
were members of it. When it was determined to construct the Baltimore and 
Ohio railroad, Mr. McMahon, then only 26 years old, drew the charter, 
which has ever since served as a model for railroad charters in this 
country. In 1831 he published the first volume of his History of Maryland, 
and it is greatly to be regretted that he never published the intended 
second. Mr. McMahon continued to be one of the leaders of the Baltimore 
bar from 1827 to 1859, in which year, whilst preparing a brief in a cause 
in the Court of Appeals, he was stricken with partial blindness, which 
continued to grow worse thereafter. In consequence he gradually withdrew 
from the bar, and in 1863 removed to his native town, Cumberland, where he 
resided with his brothers-in-law, the late Joseph Sprigg, Esq., and Dr. 
Robert McKaig, who married his sisters. He also passed a portion of his 
time in Dayton, Ohio, where another brother-in-law, Hon. C. L. 
Vallandigham, resided.

Page 684

In his residence in this city Mr. McMahon made his home at the Eutaw 
House, from the time it was erected until he left the city in 1863. As a 
political speaker it is said no one ever heard his superior; as a profound 
and astute lawyer he had few equals. When practising his profession he was 
familiar with the decisions of all the States in the Union. The power of 
his memory was wonderful. If a legal question was propounded to him, he 
would at once say, "It is decided so and so in such and such States," and 
would at once go to his library and put his hand on the volume containing 
the decision. His voice had a wonderful volume, and he could be distinctly 
heard at a great distance, and yet there was no harshness. He was always 
listened to with pleasure, for he was truly eloquent both in language and 
thought.

The Pope's Jubilee illumination on the night of the 17th of June was a 
most extraordinary affair, and one that will long be remembered by the 
rising generation of the city. In every section the city was brilliantly 
illuminated and handsomely decorated with wreaths, crosses, and festoons 
of evergreens and flowers; the illumination was in many instances by gas-
jets and Chinese lanterns outside, as well as candles and other lights 
inside the windows. Flags, both the Papal and American, were profusely 
displayed. With the evening of June 21st terminated the celebration, by 
the Roman Catholics of Baltimore, of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 
accession of Pope Pius IX to the position of spiritual head of the Roman 
Catholic Church. The churches of that denomination, with the residences of 
many citizens, were brilliantly illuminated, and a mammoth procession took 
place. The procession, both in point of numbers and brilliancy of design, 
was, perhaps, one of the grandest which has ever passed through the 
streets of Baltimore. Every inch of curbstone along the streets through 
which the pageant passed was occupied by young and old of both sexes, and 
every window and door-step that would afford humanity a chance of gazing 
upon the flaming procession, was filled with ladies and children. At half-
past seven o'clock large crowds of men were seen wending their steps to 
the different Catholic churches, each man bearing in his hands Chinese 
lanterns, torches, or other illuminating devices; and by eight o'clock 
most of the congregations had received their full complement of members, 
and in a short time thereafter the flambeaux, lanterns, and torches were 
ignited, and the line of march taken up for headquarters on Central 
avenue, where a multitude of persons, numbered by thousands, had 
assembled. During the passage of the procession through the streets the 
church-bells were rung, and thousands of sky-rockets and other fireworks 
flashed upon the horizon, reminding one of the time when the night of a 
4th of July was celebrated in a truly national manner. The illumination 
this night of the dwellings and places of business was on a more extended 
and magnificent scale than that employed on Saturday night. Two stands had

Page 685

been erected at the Cathedral, one at the front of the building on 
Cathedral street, the other on Mulberry street. At the latter the 
addresses were made in the German language. Whilst the procession was 
passing the west front of the Cathedral, the meeting at the stand there 
was organized by the selection of the following officers: President, Hon. 
J. Thompson Mason; Vice-Presidents, Hon. Judge T. Parkin Scott, Hon. Judge 
Danels, Capt. William Kennedy, Charles M. Dougherty, C. Oliver O'Donnell, 
Col. T. J. Mathias, John Murphy, Michael Kelly, George W. Webb, Thomas E. 
Jenkins, D. J. Foley, John F. Hunder, Cumberland Dugan, John E. Eschbach, 
John Bell, and Colonel Bensinger; Secretaries, F. X. Ward and Joseph S. 
Heuisler. Speeches were made by Messrs. J. Thompson Mason, F. X. Ward, 
William P. Preston, Prof. Burg, F. E. Bauer, and A. Heine. At a meeting of 
the clergy in the interior of the Cathedral, Archbishop Spaulding 
delivered a brief address.

Mr. Albert Schumacher, one of the leading shipping merchants of Baltimore, 
president of the Board of Trade, and agent for the North German Lloyd line 
of steamships, died suddenly at his residence No. 52 Mount Vernon Place, 
on Monday, June 27th.

The West Baltimore Schuetzen Association commenced their first annual 
festival on Monday, July 31st.

Thousands of Knights Templar thronged into Baltimore during Tuesday, 
September 19th. The hotels were packed, and in the centre of the city the 
symbols of the order met the eye at every point of view. The streets were 
bright with their uniforms, decorations and banners, and the music of 
their bands was almost constantly ringing out in the air. The Grand 
Commandery was escorted to Masonic Hall by the Baltimore Commanderies, and 
there an address of welcome was delivered by Hon. John H. B. Latrobe, 
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Masonic Order in Maryland. The 
response was delivered by Grand Commander Warren. In the evening there was 
a banquet at the Maryland Institute and social entertainments at the 
various headquarters. On the second day there were excursions on the 
Chesapeake, and the usual parading of commanderies through the streets and 
visits to the various headquarters. The Grand Commandery and the Grand 
Royal Arch Chapter were in session at the Temple. In the evening there 
were balls at the Concordia, Masonic Temple and the New Assembly Rooms, 
and a banquet at Barnum's Hotel. The grand parade and review of the 
Knights Templar took place on Thursday, September 21st, and was a most 
superb spectacle of its kind. The streets were crowded, and such a 
manifestation of enthusiasm and interest was shown as has never before 
been witnessed in Baltimore on any occasion of Masonic character. The 
procession was truly a magnificent demonstration. There was a sparkling 
grandeur in its massed columns, and it may be doubted whether a finer 
looking set of men ever marched in solid phalanx before. A manly and

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martial tread indicated military service, and the perfection of drill 
could be accounted for in no other way. An army of veterans could scarcely 
have kept step to martial music with more precision than was universal 
throughout the line. Many of the commanderies also went through various 
evolutions along the line of march, forming crosses, diamonds, and one 
from Philadelphia actually without halting or breaking the line of march 
formed the figures signifying the number of their commandery. Of course 
nearly all of our citizens witnessed the procession, as throughout the 
line of march, extending not less than five miles, the streets and 
sidewalks were literally massed, and the windows and steps, even the house-
tops, thronged with ladies. We think we do not exaggerate when we number 
the spectators at not less than two hundred thousand, there being just 
room sufficient for the broad platoons of Knights to pass. At all points 
of the route they were greeted with cheers, the clapping of hands, 
showering of bouquets, and the waving of handkerchiefs by ladies on all 
the elevated positions. They marched generally in platoons of eight, 
whilst some numbered twelve, and others kept up through a greater portion 
of the route the form of a cross. Each of the seventy commanderies bore a 
handsome banner, and the number of full bands of music in line was thirty-
three, with seven drum corps. These bands were mostly from other cities, 
and included all the finest and most elegantly equipped military 
organizations from all sections of the country. The music of course was 
grand and inspiriting, and there was no lack of it, their fine uniforms 
serving to break the uniformity which might otherwise have marred the 
scenic effect of the display. It was a demonstration composed of members 
from nearly every State in the Union, and some of the Territories. The men 
of Mississippi were in brotherly fellowship with those of Maine and New 
Hampshire, and Virginia and South Carolina trod in the footsteps of their 
brethren from Massachusetts and Kansas. It brought together in brotherly 
concord the North and the South, the East and the West, and has cemented a 
fellowship that will be lasting and serviceable to both sections.

The National Commercial Convention opened its session in this city on 
Monday, September 25th, at Masonic Hall. Delegations were present from 
twenty-two States. Mr. John W. Garrett was appointed temporary president, 
until a perfect organization was effected.

The Triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United 
States of America, composed of delegates from every portion of the Union, 
met in this city on Wednesday the 1st of October, at the Emanuel church, 
corner of Cathedral and Read streets, where the opening services took 
place at ten o'clock, in the presence of an immense congregation of clergy 
and laity. The sermon was delivered by the venerable Bishop Johns, of the 
Diocese of Virginia.

Page 687

The City Council on the 10th of October appropriated $100,000 for the 
relief of the Chicago sufferers by fire.

The Union railroad tunnel was commenced on the first of May, 1871, and 
finished June, 1873. It is about five-eighths of a mile long.

Ford's Grand Opera House was inaugurated on Tuesday evening, October 3d, 
with a crowded house. The opening address, written by Dr. C. C. Bombaugh, 
was delivered by Mr. Harry S. Murdock. The initial performance was 
Shakspeare's comedy "As You Like It "--Jacques, Mr. James W. Wallack; 
Rosalind, Mrs. Caroline Richings Bernard. The music was sung by the 
Baltimore Liederkranz. The orchestra under the direction of Prof. J. H. 
Rosewald. The scenic department under Charles S. Getz.

1872. Mr. Alexander Lorman, an old and well-known citizen of Baltimore, 
died on the 14th of January, at his residence, corner of Charles and 
Lexington streets, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mr. Lorman was 
many years ago a merchant, but retired from business with a large fortune, 
which he judiciously invested, and at the time of his death was accounted 
one of the wealthiest of our citizens.

On Tuesday afternoon, January 23, the first grain elevator erected by the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company at Locust Point was ready to receive 
grain, and car No. 15,119 of the Continental Line, B. & O. R. R., 
containing a lot of corn consigned to Messrs. Barker & Fisher, was, run 
alongside, and in a short time was emptied into one of the bins.

At five o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, February the 7th, the cathedral 
bell tolled a requiem for the departed spirit of a man who in life was 
truly great and truly good. When the solemn tones broke upon the winter 
air, all who heard the mournful sound knew that Martin John Spaulding, 
Archbishop of Baltimore and Primate of the United States, had breathed his 
last. His death was not unexpected. From time to time the city newspapers 
had published bulletins of his health, which were read with eager and 
trembling interest by tens of thousands of devout Catholics, whom he was 
in the habit of saluting as "dearly beloved children." Martin John 
Spaulding, the seventh Archbishop of Baltimore, was born near Lebanon 
Marion Co., Ky., on May 23d, 1810. His ancestry, however, was of Maryland 
origin; his father, Richard Spaulding, having been born near Leonardtown, 
in St. Mary's County, while his mother, Henrietta Hamilton, was a native 
of Charles County, her parents residing near Port Tobacco. They both 
emigrated with their parents to Kentucky in 1790.

Died, on the 25th of February, Jonathan Meredith, in the 88th year of his 
age. Mr. Meredith was a connecting link between the present and past 
generation. Born in the city of Philadelphia at a time when this was the 
infant republic, and it had but just emerged from the struggles of the 
Revolution a free nation,

Page 688

when the Continental Congress assembled in Independence Hall and 
Washington had not entered on the first term of his Presidency. Mr. 
Meredith grew up amongst all the great events of our early national 
history, and was personally cognizant of the days and the men that laid 
the foundations of the nation. He had known Washington, Franklin, Adams, 
Jefferson, Monroe, in fact all the great men of the times following the 
war for independence, and while in Philadelphia met with the notabilities 
of this and other countries, who clustered around the seat of the new-born 
Government, among whom were Robert and Gouverneur Morris, Alexander 
Hamilton, Louis Philippe, afterwards King of France; the wily diplomatist, 
Prince Maurice de Talleyrand; the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria; 
the Marquis De la Fayette, and a host of other illustrious persons. Mr. 
Meredith was still a young man when he removed to Baltimore and 
established himself here in the practice of the law. His contemporaries 
were Luther Martin, Roger B. Taney, William Pinckney, and William Wirt, 
and even among such intellectual giants he stood in the front rank of his 
profession, and won a fame for skill, learning and eloquence that places 
his reputation side by side with those of these great lawyers. Men who 
have listened to his reminiscences of the past, either on the lecture 
platform or in the private circle, will not need to be told how richly 
freighted his mind was with the memories of historic days. Living an 
honorable, upright life, in death he was crowned with the respect and 
esteem of all who knew him.

In the First Branch of the City Council, on March 4th, Mr. Orndorff, 
chairman of the Committee on City Passenger Railways, presented an 
ordinance granting permission to James L. McLane, Wallace King, C. Oliver 
O'Donnell, Darius C. Howell, George P. Frick, Cumberland Dugan, James W. 
Tyson, John S. Hogg, and Gerard T. Hopkins, or a majority of them, &c., to 
lay down city passenger railway tracks along the following streets: 
commencing on German Street, at the west line of South street, and with 
double tracks on German street to Charles, and on Charles to Saratoga, and 
a single track on Saratoga street to and on Park street, to and on 
Franklin street, to and on Howard street, and on Howard street north from 
Franklin street, &c., &c., &c.

Died on the 6th of March, Benjamin Chew Howard, at his residence in this 
city. He was the third son of Col. John Eager Howard, of Revolutionary 
fame. The deceased was a brother of Governor George Howard, who was 
Governor of Maryland in 1830; also of Judge Charles Howard, who died about 
the year 1869, and Dr. William Howard, a celebrated chemist in his day. 
Benjamin C. Howard was born November 5th, 1791, at Belvedere, and 
graduated at Princeton with high honors, and at the time of his death was 
the oldest alumnies living. He was Captain of the Mechanical volunteers at 
the battle of North Point in 1814. The deceased was by profession a 
lawyer, but being possessed of a princely fortune,

Page 689

he yielded the high position at the Baltimore bar which he had earned, for 
political honors. He commenced political life in 1820 in the First Branch 
of the City Council, was sent to the Legislature in 1824, and afterwards 
to the Senate, and the same year connected himself with the Masonic 
fraternity, and was before he died the oldest P. G. M. living. In 1830 he 
was sent to the United States Congress, and was a leading member of that 
body for about ten years. He was chairman of the Committee on Foreign 
Relations, and author of the celebrated report on the Northeastern 
boundary question, a remarkable document, frequently ascribed to Cushing 
and Winthrop, who, however, said the whole credit therefor belonged to 
Gen. Howard. After leaving Congress he was induced by Chief Justice Tune 
and Jude Wayne, both intimate friends, to accept the position of Reporter 
to the Supreme Court, and was the author of the well-known textbook, 
"Howard's Reports." He declined the nomination for Governor, and also the 
nomination for Vice-President, and United States Senator. At the 
commencement of the war he resigned his position as Reporter to the 
Supreme Court. In 1861 he was one of the Washington Peace Commissioners, 
by appointment of Governor Hicks. He was Democratic candidate for Governor 
against Governor Bradford. His intimate friends and compatriots were 
Presidents Jackson and Van Buren, Governor Kemble, of New York; Chief 
Justice Taney, Judge Wayne, Judge Daniel, George M. Dallas, John R. 
Poinsett, Lewis Cuss, and Forsyth of Alabama.

The National Democratic Convention assembled in this city, on the 9th of 
July, at Ford's Opera House. On the second day Horace Greeley was 
nominated on the first ballot the Democratic candidate for President, and 
B. Gratz Brown the Democratic candidate for Vice-President. Senator Bayard 
of Delaware, and the Delaware delegation, with a few others from other 
States, dissatisfied with the nomination, held a meeting in the Maryland 
Institute, adopted an address to the Democratic party of the country, and 
called another convention to be held at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 3d of 
September.

The corner-stone of the new Carmelite Convent at the southwest corner of 
Caroline and Biddle streets was laid on the 21st of July with the usual 
religious ceremonies.

Decidedly the most bold, daring, well-planned, well-executed and 
successful bank robbery that has ever been perpetrated in Baltimore or 
perhaps in the United States, was accomplished in thin city between the 
hours intervening from the close of business on Saturday August 17th, and 
daylight of Monday morning, Aug. 19th. at the Third National Bank of this 
city, which is located on the east side of South street near Second. About 
$70,000 of the bank was stolen, and the boxes rifled of private funds, 
bonds and securities. The entire loss was over $220,000.

William Prescott Smith died on Tuesday night, October 1st,

Page 690

1872, at his residence in this city. Mr. Smith was born in Baltimore about 
1822. His family were in humble circumstances, and he received merely a 
common school education. He was a wonderful man, even in these days of 
remarkable phenomena. Whether we consider him as a scholar, a wit, a 
gentleman, or a railroad magnate, he was simply admirable. As a mimic he 
was unrivalled, and could at his pleasure "set the table in a roar." As a 
railroad man he had no superior on this continent, and his untimely death 
leaves it a matter of speculation to what position he would have risen had 
his life been spared but a few years longer.

The Right Reverend James Roosevelt Bayley, D. D., was on Sunday, October 
13th, installed as Archbishop of Baltimore and Primate of the United 
States, with imposing ceremonies at the Cathedral.

Fully one thousand ladies and gentlemen assembled at noon on Wednesday, 
October 16th, in the new Home for Aged Women, corner of Fulton and 
Franklin streets, for the purpose of taking part in the dedicatory 
services of that institution.

The prevalence of the horse disease, "Epizootic," caused a total 
suspension of travel on all the car routes, on Monday, November 4th, and 
proved a very serious inconvenience to that portion of the public who 
resided in sections of the city remote from its business centre. There 
were but very few animals on the street, and it was no uncommon thing to 
see a party of men pulling a wagon, and oxen were in some instances 
brought into requisition. Business of course suffered seriously by the 
lack of means of transportation.

Mount Vernon Place M. E. Church was formally dedicated on Thursday, 
November 21st. The large interior was filled to the utmost extent of its 
capacity. Many ministers of other cities were present, as well as the 
clergy of Baltimore. In the morning the dedicatory sermon was delivered by 
Rev. P. S. Foster, D.D., LL.D., one of the newly made bishops. The formal 
dedication was made by the Rev. Dr. Eddy, a former pastor of the 
congregation, according to the form prescribed by the Discipline. In the 
evening a sermon was delivered by Bishop Andrews. The pulpit was occupied 
by Bishop Foster, Bishop Weaver of the United Brethren Church, Rev. Dr. 
Backus, Rev. Mr. Rogers of the M. E. Church South, Rev. Andrew Longacre, 
Rev. Thomas Eddy, Rev. Mr. Slicer, the Presiding Elder, and Rev. Thomas 
Guard, the present pastor. In front of the pulpit were seated Rev. Henry 
Furlong, Dr. James H. Brown, and Reverends George Hildt, William H. 
Pitcher and William Harden.

Samuel Ready, the founder of "The Samuel Ready Asylum for Female Orphans," 
died on Tuesday, November 28th, in the 83d year of his age. He was born in 
Baltimore County, on the 8th of March, 1789, and came to Baltimore when 
fifteen years of age, and was apprenticed to Messrs. Grafflin & Hardester, 
sail-makers, on Bowley's wharf.

Page 691

About the year 1815 he formed a partnership with Mr. James Kerby, and 
carried on the sail-making business under the firm name of Kerby & Ready, 
at the corner of Light and Camden streets. In 1846 Mr. Ready gave up sail-
making to engage in the planing-mill and lumber business. He continued to 
carry on the latter until 1861, when, on account of advanced age and 
failing health, he retired from active business. In 1864 he determined to 
endow with his entire wealth (about $400,000) an asylum for female orphan 
children. He never married. The life of Mr. Ready was one of great 
industry, frugality, probity, and simplicity of habit, and had for its 
chief object the foundation of an asylum for the helpless female orphan; 
and although he has passed away, his work survives and will bear fruit to 
nourish the destitute.