A partial collection of people, places and events that have made
Chesapeake City the unique and desirable location that it has become today.
Cecil County Historical Society
The Chesapeake Chesapike Story by Jack Shagena
http://www.cchistory.org/chescity.htm
Feb. 24, 1877 - Town Government of Chesapeake City
Commissioners: David Palmer, Dr. J.V. Wallace,
T.B. Hopper, J.A. Boulden & James Cummins.
Town Bailiff
- N.A. Colmary, Constable - G.R. Carpenter,
Postmaster -
A.P. Barwick,
Magistrate - G. F. Chrisfield
Feb. 24, 1877 - Resident Officials of Chesapeake
and Delaware Canal Company
Superintendent
- John R. Price, Asst. Superintendent - J.F. Price
Collector - J.T. Hedrick, 1st
Asst. - T.J. Cleaver, 2nd Asst. - W.
Smithers
Chief Engineer - T. Lorraine,
1st Asst. - Sam'l. Powell, 2nd Asst. - J. W.
Harriott
Master Carpenter - D. Palmer
All of the
following excerpts are from the February 24, 1877 issue of the Chesapeake
Chesapike:
"Some graceless wretch placed two pieces of
timber across the board walk near Masonic Hall the other night, in such a way as
to seriously endanger life and limb. Whoever did the deed is unworthy to live in
a decent community."
"The Mails - We hear constant complaints from St. Augustine and vicinity about the tardiness of the mails. The Chesapike don't reach that section until Monday, although it ought always to get there on Saturday. Can anyone tell us what is the matter?"
"The name of Johny Dalbo was used in our
last issue in connection with a bad transaction, but the actual culprit gave
Johnnie's name for his own - and thus the error."
"We are in the middle of Lent. We would like to have that five dollar bill we
lent Mr. Woolly."
"Foot-ball, quoits, jumping matches,
marbles, and hoop rolling are now rife in Chesapeake City. Kite flying will no
doubt soon begin."
"The Concert Again - We have been asked by several parties if we did not
intend to "come back" at the Democrat and the Whig for their
strictures on the conduct of part of the audience at the concert in Masonic
Hall. We have simply to say that the Chesapike does not propose to defend
rowdyism - even in its chosen home. Our Elkton neighbors should understand,
however, that a very large majority in Chesapeake City heartily deprecate such
occurrences."
"The colored folks of Elk have taken to masquerading."
"The Cecil Democrat says that the H.Y.M
(How's Your Mother) Club of Elkton has been disbanded."
"The M. E. Church at Summit Bridge is said to be badly out of repair."
"Rt. Rev. Bishop Becker, of Wilmington, will preach in the Catholic Church in
this place, tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock."
"The Rads have beat the Demmy's in the Electoral Commission. It was a game of Eight-up, and old Bradley sneaked in a "cold deck.""
"Thursday the 22nd, inst, was the anniversary of the great Washington's birth day. If his noble spirit is now aware of the manner in which the country he bequeathed us is conducted it must pity this nation indeed."
"Read This - Please look over your old Chesapikes and see if you have any of Nov. 18th. Our files of that date are missing. If you find any please hand or mail them to the poor editor."
"SCHOOL MATTERS - We made an error in the last issue of the Pike, in stating that Mrs. May was principal of the Academy. She is assistant, and Mr. Warner, of Connecticut, is principal. We understand he is the right man. The boys say he is very strict. He is the one needed to govern the youthful scions of Elkton."
"Another Instance - Mr. Woolley advertised "Indian River Oranges" in last Saturday's paper, and by Monday at noon a barrel of them had been sold. The advertisement cost twenty cents."
"A Bad Accident - On Monday, Mrs. Wilson, who is nurse at Mrs. James B. Groome's, was coming down the stairs with some dishes, when she fell and fractured her wrist and cut her lip so badly on one of the dishes, that several stitches had to be taken. This is a severe accident to the old lady, and we fear it will be many weeks before she will be fully recovered."
"Richard McFarland, Esq., cashier of the
National Bank here, is lying at the point of death at his residence. It has been
but a week or two since he was taken ill, and he is failing every day."
"If you wish first class teams, good vehicles, and moderate charges, go to H.C.
Biddle to hire your turn-outs."
"Mail closes at a quarter to seven A.M. Stage leaves for Elkton at half
past seven A.M. and returns at eleven A.M."
"The Jim-Jams - One of our livery stable men, who happened to take one drink too
many the other night, thought he was tied to a post, and could not get
away. He was told that he was not tied, but he said he knew better; "He guessed
he ought to know if he was tied or not," so he had his own way. He thought he
was one of his livery horses."
"The carpenter may look with pride upon the technology of his trade, for it is
used everywhere. To say nothing of old saws, we have heard of a case where a
lawyer split a hair, shaved a note, got up a case, made an entry, framed an
indictment, challenged his jury panel, put twelve of them in a box, and bailed a
witness, hammered the judge and bored the whole court. And what adze to his
offense he chiseled his client and turned carpenter himself."
"AN EXTRA CHANCE - On account of feeble health I wish to dispose of the
good-will and fixtures of my store house, formerly occupied by William Easton,
at the Canal Locks, with the stock, consisting of groceries and ship chandlers
supplies. This is a superior opening for a man of small capital."
"Come - All the young gentlemen who are interested in the proposed entertainment
at the Masonic Hall will please call up in the Chesapike Office Monday evening
at seven o'clock. Don't fail. When you start a thing see it through. Be sure to
come. A fresh bottle of ink will be opened."
1877 Businesses
Advertising in the Chesapeake Chesapike (Most Locations Unknown)
A. P. Barwick - Tailoring
Brook's Marble Works - Monuments, Head & Foot Stones, Mantels, Table-tops,
Cleaning.
Chesapeake House - Entertainment?? M. L. Realy, Proprietor
E. H. Biddle - Tax Collector
G. R. Carpenter - General Collector, Dues of every description, Ground Rents
G. S. Woolley - Drug Store, Patent Medicines (Opposite Hyde Park, Ches. City,
Md.)
G. W. Hume Craig - Attorney & Counsellor At Law
H. Burgett - Lumber & Lumber Products "I will guarantee my LUMBER
to be as good as any in the market."
J. H. Steele - Fertilizers, Coal, Seeds
J. M. Broadaway - House & Sign Painter, Glazier, Paper Hanger
John M. Reed - Dry Goods
John Miller - Tobacco & Smokers' Articles
Lorraine & Biddle - Livery Stable, Horses & Vehicles. (Stables Rear of Bayard
House)
N. A. Colmary - Collector of Claims
Reed Brothers' - Dry Goods, Notions, Groceries & Provisions
"We can sell them very low because we sell every pair."
Smith M. Michener - Clock & Watch Maker (Shop on George Street)
The Chesapeake Chesapike - "Only paper in Chesapeake City or on the Chesapeake &
Delaware Canal."
The Chesapike - Printing
W. Lindsey - Lumber & Lumber Products
W. Scott Way - General Store
Wm. J. Barwick - Ship Chandler, Dry Goods, Groc., more (At Masonic Hall, and at
Mouth of Locks.)
Society/Lodge
Meetings
Feb. 24, 1877 - Bohemia Lodge No.
68, I.O.O.F
meets every Saturday evening in their Hall at 7½ oclock.
The Officers for this term are: N.G.-John J. Hager; V.G.-Joseph Shaffer;
T.-Jacob Metz; S.-John Conrey
Feb. 24, 1877 - Hand-in-Hand Lodge,
No. 45, K. of P.
meets every Thursday evening at their Hall, above the Chesapike Office at 8
o'clock.
The officers for this term are: C.C.-James P. Steele; V.C.-George Spades;
M. of E.-Jacob Metz;
M. of F.-E.T. Evans; K. of R. and S.-J.R. Barwick
Feb. 24, 1877 - Chesapeake Council
No. 20, O.U.A.M.
meets at their Hall over Reed's store every Wednesday evening at 7½
o'clock.
The officers for this term are: P.C.-James T. Houck; C.-W.A. Hazel;
V.C.-James P. Lane;
R.S.-W. C. Lake; A.S.-James Hemphill; F.S.-W. J. Lake; T.-Wm.
Lewis; I.-Chas. A. Lane;
E.X.-Abrm. Davis; I.P.-Wm. Morgan
Feb. 24, 1877 - Cecil Lodge, No.
125, A. F. and A. M.
Meets 2nd. and 4th. Tuesday of every month in Masonic Hall.
Officers for the ensueing term: W.M.-William Lindsey; S.W.-Jas. P. Steele;
J.W.-William J. Barwick; Sec'y-W. Scott Way; Treasurer-Charles
Rhoades