Twelfth Annual Report of the Bureau of Statistics and Information of Maryland. 1903. Thomas A. Smith, Chief. (Volume 1904) online

jrear 1748. There are 633 square miles in Frederick County, of which
three-fourths are under cultivation. According to the census of 1900
it had a population of 51,920, and the tax rate of the county for 1903
.is 87 cents.



212 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OE

Its chief town, Frederick, was laid out by one Patrick Dulaney, in
1745, and the first house erected in 1746 by Thomas Schley. Prior to
that time it was a part of Prince George's County, which was formed
in 1695. Frederick County was peopled by sturdy Germans and Scotch-
Irish, who came down from Pennsylvania, and since then it has had
a solid and substantial, if not rapid, growth.

The historical possessions of Frederick County are rich and price-
less, and there is nothing its people prize higher than the stirring deeds
of their ancestors in the Colonial days, the Revolutionary period, during
the terrible strife of the war of the States, and as late as the war with
Spain.

In 1765 the first official protest against the British Stamp Act came
from the Frederick County Court. In 1775 Governor Schoope, Gen.
Braddock and Colonel George Washington had a conference in Freder-
ick City, prior to the fatal expedition against the Indians, in which
Braddock lost his life; Benjamin Franklin came here to confer with
Col. Washington, and in 1818 General Lafayette was welcomed by the
people on his triumphal tour of the country, after the war of the
Revolution had been won by the American people, through his aid.
Frederick City was a theatre of action during the Civil War, and its
citizens took part in that momentous struggle, either on the one or
the other side.

Frederick numbers among her illustrous men Francis Scott Key, the
author of the "Star Spangled Banner," Thomas Johnson, the first
governor of the State of Maryland, William Cost Johnson, Roger Nel-
son, John Hanson, John Hanson Thomas, who figured in the early
period of our government as members of Congress and the State Leg-
islatures, and who were in touch with the weighty matters during the
times in which they lived. Later during the Civil War Frederick had
Bradley T. Johnson, a fearless and intrepid Southern soldier, and in
more modern times. Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, who conquered
Admiral Cevera's fleet at Santiago during the war with Spain, and
Gen. Otis, who was the head of the army in the Phillippines.

The first railroad ever built connected Baltimore and Frederick, and
developed into the great Baltimore & Ohio system.

These and many more interesting personages and incidents, which
could be narrated if space permitted, show why the people of Frederick
County hold dear the memories of the past.

But it is with the modern Frederick County that we are to deal.
Frederick County to-day ranks as one of the first in the United States
in the quality and quantity of its agricultural products, and until the
great wheat and corn raising sections of the Middle West made such
rapid strides in cultivation and the adoption of modern methods, was
a leader in the production of the two aforementioned products.



.STATISTICS AND INI'ORM AYION. 213

COUNTY SEAT AND OTHER TOWNS.

Frederick City, with its ten thousand inhabitants, is situated in a
beautiful valley behind the Cotoctin spur of the Blue Ridge Moun-
tains and the picturesque Linganore Hills, and is the natural market
for these products, and many thriving industries add their share to the
prosperity of its people. The city has an up-to-date government, a
medium rate of taxation, and although burdened with a war debt of
$200,000, which the Federal Government has refused to take off its
shoulders, annually pays interest on the same, and has enough left for
internal improvements, such as smooth streets, sewers, etc. With better
railroad faciliti-es, Frederick would easily become one of the most im-
portant manufacturing cities in the State, but with this handicap it
has a number of very successful concerns of a varied nature that earn
profitable dividends for the owners.

Frederick County in 1900 had 353 manufacturing industries, of which
Frederick City contained about 200, with a total capitalization of
$2,386,538. Only one other county had more industries and only four
surpassed it in the amount of money invested.

The banks of Frederick City, of which there are five National and
two savings institutions, are of the most substantial character. In
the five National banks in Frederick, according to the' last state-
ments in June, there was $3,261,394.92 on deposit, subject to check, and
in the two savings institutions the sum of $1,039,261.29. The surplus
and undivided profits of the above institutions are $614,427.43.

Frederick, being the chief town in the county, is the seat of the Cir-
cuit Court, the county offices and the trading place for the agricultural
community surrounding it, but of later years several of the more im-
portant towns in the county, such as Emmitsburg, Middletown, Bruns-
wick, Thurmont and Walkersville, vie with Frederick in offering in-
ducements to the country people for their trade. Towns along the rail-
roads have established elevators and grain depots, thus saving farmers
long hauls to Frederick with their produce, and incidentally taking
much of their trade away. These towns have coal and lumber yards
and handle all sorts of building materials, besides having good retail
stores.

Frederick County has kept pace with the electric railroad develop-
ment of the country and boasts of one of the first ^ssenger and freight
trolley lines, traversing a mountainous section where grades are met of
seven and eight per cent. This road, the Frederick & Middletown
Electric Railway, taps the rich Middletown valley as far as Myersville,
fifteen miles from Frederick, and is in a prosperous condition. It has
developed Braddock Heights, a summer resort on the mountain, and
enjoys a large and growing commuters' patronage.

A trolley line from Frederick to Baltimore is projected, and may
yet be built.



214 RKPORT OF THE BUREAU OP

The incorporated towns of Frederick County are Middletown, Thur-
mont, Brunswick and Emmitsburg. There are about eighty towns
that are not incorporated in the county, ranging from a handful of peo-
ple to populations of from five hundred to over a thousand.

CLIMATE, ETC.

The climate of Frederick is healthful and invigorating. The sum-
mers are at times warm, but there are generally refreshing breezes at
night to make sleep comfortable. Rains are variable. The winters
are pleasant, except some severe spells, that rarely last but a few days
at a time. Farmers usually get a good supply of ice in. December and
January.

THE COUNTY LEADS IN WHEAT AND CORN PRODUCTS.

A report of the United States Census Department recently shows
that in 1899 the acreage, bushels and percentage of yield of corn in
Frederick County was greater than any county in the State. From
57,484 acres was grown 2,279,040 bushels of corn.

The census report on wheat the same year shows that Frederick was
the banner county in the State in the acreage, amount and percentage
of yield of wheat. From 92,620 acres was grown 1,314,280 bushels, or
1 1. 4 per cent, of total yield of the State.

This year's crop is rather of an uncertain quality on account of the
terrible weather during harvest, and the corn has been damaged
much by rainy weather.

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.

The transportation facilities of Frederick County are ample. The
Northern Central, the Frederick & Middletown, and the Baltimore &
Ohio, also the Western Maryland Railroads traverse various parts
of the county and give easyaccess to the markets of the East and West,
in addition to which there is one trolley line running and one contem-
plated.

There are several fine streams of water running through the county,
the Potomac river being part of its southern boundary.

WHAT FREDERICK COUNTY NEEDS.

Coal, timber and excellent water power are at hand for develop-
ment, and while there are many good roads in the county, its greatest
need is a better road system. Much complaint is made of the wagon
roads throughout the county and there is a great need for improvement
in this respect.



STATISTICS AND INFORMATION. 215

WHAT FREDERICK COUNTY NEEDS.

Coal, timber and excellent water power are at hand for development,
and while there are many good roads in the county its greatest need
is a better road system. Much complaint is made of the wagon roads
throughout the county and there is a great need for improvement in
this respect.

With all the natural and artificial advantages in and surrounding
Frederick, there is room here for many industries that could occupy
almost an exclusive field and find ready encouragement from the city
and its citizens.

But recently a large iron and machine works accepted the advan-
tageous offer of the Business Men's Association, and workmen are now
engaged in erecting commodious buildings for its occupancy.

Among the industries that we call to mind, that would find raw
material in abundance in this fertile country, are : Woolen mills, iron
and foundry shops, fruit and canning companies, shoe factories, broom
factories, implement and wagon factories, cake and cracker factories,
pickling factories, silk mills, truck gardens, the culture of grape and
fruit along our mountain sides, and the development of natural ore
beds of copper and iron. The Cotoctin Furnace was at one time one
of the most flourishing industries of the county.

Dairies and creameries thrive in Frederick County, and many farmers
now sell all their milk to these concerns, doing away with the trouble
and expense of making butter and getting the same to market.

Canning factories for corn, tomatoes, beans, peas, etc., are extending
their operations in the county, and no more profitable industry can be
found. The raising of sugar corn has greatly increased since the start-
ing of these factories. This year quite an acreage is out in this much-
in-demand cereal.

There are five active canning factories in operation, three in the
city and two in the county. There is room for more in the outlying
districts, where the crop could be utilized at the farmers' doors with-
out long hauls, as now, to market.

The stone and lime industry is a thriving one in this county and
much capital in invested in this line. There are five large concerns
and a number of smaller ones engaged in the business, and all are
doing well. The limestone deposits in this county are of considerable
quantity and excellent quality, and some of the best building and
agricultural lime in the State is made here. Stone crushing is also
taking on an impetus of late years.

MANUFACTURES.
The principal manufactures of Frederick County, which follow, are
probably more varied and more extensive than those of any other
agricultural county in the State, and give evidence of enterprise and
thrift in their business.



2l6 REPORT OF^ THE BUREAU OE

In the list that follows we have estimated the value of their annual
product, and add to these a list of the various business firms of the
county according to the last census, and corrected up to date.

Canned Goods — C. Ruland, Monocacy Valley Canning Company,
Frederick — Number of employees, 317; value of total product, $73,000;
capital invested, $45,000; amount paid annually in wages, $9,400.

Printing, etc. — Marken & Biefeld, Baughman Brothers, Frederick —
Number of employees, 27; value of total product, 129,500; capital in-
vested, $30,000; amount paid annually in wages, $7,500.

Lumber Products — Wilcoxon & Brown, Bowers Lumber Company,
Frederick; Maryland Excelsior Company, Thurmont — Number of em-
ployees, 75; value of total product, $166,000; capital invested, $93,000;
amount paid annually in wages, $22,500.

Whiskey — Pure Rye Distilling Company, The Outerbridge Horsey
Company, Twenty-second Election District — Number of employees, 17;
value of total product, $40,000; capital invested, $110,000; amount paid
annually in wages, $6,500.

Lime and Crushed Stone — Samuel W. Barrick & Sons, The John
W. Tabler Lime and Stone Company, Frederick ; Le Gore Combination
Lime Company, Woodsboro; M. J. Grove Lime Company, Lime Kiln
and Frederick — Number of employees, 282 ; value of total product,
$126,000; capital invested, $230,500; amount paid annually in wages,
$59,600.

Among other industries may be grouped the following: Brunswick
furniture Company, bedroom suits and sideboards, Brunswick; G. F.
S. Zimmerman, shutter fasteners ; Palmetto Fibre Company, palmetto
brushes ; Frederick Starch and Manufacturing Company, starch, salt
and brick plant; Ramsburg Fertilizer Company, fertilizers; Hygeia Ice
Company, ice; Union Manufacturing Company, hosiery, Frederick —
Number of employees, 466; value of total product, $484,000; capital
invested, $434,000; amount paid annually in wages, $101,953.

Ink — Frederick Manufacturing Company, Frederick.

Gloves and Mittens — Daniel G. Eissler, Frederick.

Gas — Isabella Gas Works, Frederick.

Baskets, Rattan and Willow Ware— John W. Younkins, Middle-
town; Gelsey Brothers, Woodsboro.

Bottling — Wm. A. Shipley, James R. Warfield, Frederick.

Cigar Boxes — Chas. M. Engler, Rock Ridge.

Bread and Other Bakery Products — James A. Slagle, Emmitsburg;
John Hershberger, E. J. Hudson, Adolph A. Neidhart, Chas. F.
Schvodel, Henry G. Shell, Frederick; Sylvanus M. Posts, H. S.
Wisotzkey, Woodsboro.



.STATISTICS AND INFORMATION. 21 7

Brick and Tile — John M. Stouter, Emmitsburg; Peter Brookey,
Frederick Brick Works of Frederick County, Frederick; D. W. Zcntz,
Thurmont.

Brooms and Brushcs^Wincgardncr & Hawk, Emmitsburg.

Carriage and Wagon Materials— Marshall Font, Frederick.

Carriages and Wagons— Dukehart & Chismer, James M. Kenigan,
Jacob L. Topper, Emmitsl)urg; David A. Castle, Geo, C. Crum,
Augustus H. Erab, Hagcn Brothers, D. Chester Kemp, Frederick; T.
A. Stevens, Monrovia; Isaac M. Fisher, Motters; Chas. J. Bittle,
Myersville; David Dc Gruchy, Perry Hall; John A. Gesey, Chas. W.
Gilbert, Walkersville ; Excelsior Carriage Works, Woodsboro.

Cheese, Butter and Condensed Milk, Factory Products — W. F. Burns,
Bartholows ; A. W. Nicodemus & Sons, Buckeystown ; Isaac S. Armon,
Emmitsburg; Walter B. Stevens, C. E. Zimmerman & Company, Fred-
erick; Blue Ridge Creamery Company, Knoxville; Chas. M. & Martin
Iv. Shank, Middletown; I^ewis C. Frizzell, B. O. Frizzell, Monrovia;
Rocky Ridge Creamery, Rocky Ridge; Chas. P. E. Smith, Chas. E.
Zimmerman & Company, Thurmont; J. L. McMaster, Chas. M. Myers,
Geo. M. Oyster, Jr., Walkersville.

Women's Clothing — Walderman & Maxell, Emmitsburg.

Confectionery — Joseph D. Caldwell, Christian T. Zacharias, Emmits-
burg; S. C. Beckley, Oscar M. Burucker, R. S. J. Dutrow, Frederick.

Cars and General Shop Construction and Repairs — Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Repair Shop (incorporated) Brunswick.

Foundry and Machine Shop Products — Fraily Brothers, Emmitsburg;
J. H. Abbott & Son, John Comber, H. H. Hoke, The Montrose Iron
Works, Frederick; Blue Mountain Iron and Steel Company, Thurmont.

Canned Fruits and Vegetables — -Louis McMurray Packing Company,
Bartholows ; Buckeystown Packing Company, Buckeystown ; Frederick
City Packing Company, Louis McMurray Packing Company, Frederick.

Furniture and Factory Products C. H. Fette & Brother, Bruns-
wick.

Flouring and Grist Mill Products — E. A. Shriner Milling Company,
Willow Glen Mills, Newton M. Zentz, Carroll Creek Mills, Ballanger
Creek Mills, Thos. L. Miller, Mountain City Milling Company, Fred-
erick; Allen D. Hoover, Graceham; Franklin's Grist Mill, Harmony
Grove; William H. Turner, Ijamsville; W. D. Bell, Wm. F. Steiner,
Willow Grove Mills, Lander ; S. E. Kinney, Lantz ; Catoctin Roller
Mills, National Steam Mills, George W. Slifer, Middletown; Jacob
Shaw'baker, South Star Mills, Monrovia; Marcellus Duvall, Myers-
ville; Hunting Creek Mills, Myrtle Roller Mills, Rocky Ridge; Eutaw
D. Neighbors, John W. Rhine, Daniel R. Rouzer, Sugar Camp Mills,
A. S. Zentz, Thurmont ; Fountain Rock Mill, Walkersville ; Andrew H.



21 8 REPORT 0]? the; bureau OjF

Etzler, Woodsboro; Jesse Kraig, F. Lightner, Three Springs Mill,
Adamstown ; B. P. Crampton & Company, Brunswick ; Monocacy Mills,
Buckeystown ; Four Points Flouring Mill, Daniel A. Hartman, Locust
Grove Mills, Emmitsburg.

Leather, Tanned, Curried and Finished — Geo. K. Birely, Eclipse
Tannery,' Frederick; W. D. Byron, Williamsport.

Lime and Cement — Chas. F. Crawford, Adamstown ; O. J. Keller
Lime Company, Buckeystown; Ceresville Lime Kiln, Frederick City
Lime Company, Gilmor Schley, Frederick; David K. Cramer, Mt.
Pleasant ; Daniel F. Roddy, Mt. St. Mary's, Fountain Rock Kiln, Glade
Valley Lime Kilns, Walkersville; Chas. L. Hill, Isaac E. Strine, Woods-
boro.

Liquors Distilled — Mountain Spring Distillery, Gapland.

Looking Glass and Picture Frames H. F. Knock & Son, Frederick.

Lumber and Timber Products — Geo. F. Springer, John M. Stonter,
Samuel Waggeman, Emmitsburg; Jefferson Keller, Ijamsville; Jacob
H. Ahalt, Wm. H. Leatherman, Middletown; Broadhurst & Brother,
Walker & Grubbs, John L. Watkins, Monrovia ; Geo. W. Rumpkells,
Plane No. 4; A. J. Colbert, Point of Rocks; James G. Stevens, Rocky
Ridge ; J. W. Creeger, Thurmont.

Lumber and Planing Mill Products — Hardt & Keefer, Frederick.

Mineral and Soda Waters — Frank J. Schrader, Frederick.

Monuments and Tombstones — Hoke & Anon, Emmitsburg; Excel-
sior Monument Works, Thos. W. Eyler, Frank S. Suman, Frederick;
Wm. G. Boileau, Middletown.

Patent Medicines and Compounds — Victor Remedies Company, Fred-
erick.

Paving and Paving Materials — Willard C. Keller, Frederick.

Perfumery and Cosmetics — Rose Jelly Manufacturing Company, New
Midway; Rosebud Company, Woodsboro.

Photography — Maxwell Dixon, Emmitsburg; W. C. Bell, W. A.
Burger, Chas. W. Byrely, John F. Greh, Frederick.

Printing and Publishing — City Printing Works, Examiner Publishing
Company, Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing Company, Fred-
erick; Chronicle, Emmitsburg; Valley Register, Middletown; Monitor
Publishing Company, Myersville; Catocton Clarion, Thurmont; Ad-
vance, Woodsboro.

Roofing and Roofing Material — John M. Hartman, Frederick.

Saddlery and Harness — John H. Stokes, Emmitsburg; C. A. Castle,
L. S. Clingan, C. E. Houck, John E. Schell, Chas. L. Stokes, Fred-
erick ; A. T. Doty & Son, Lander ; Chas. E. Moberly, Alex. T. Weaver,
Middletown.



vSTATlSTlCS AND INI-ORMATION. 2I9

Wholesale Slaughtering and Meat Packing — Patterson Brothers, Em-
mitsburg; Abraham Hemp, Jr., Lander.

Tinsmithing, Coppersmithing and Sheet Iron Working — E. A. Adcls-
berger, Jas. T. Hays & Son, Emmitsburg; Excelsior Stove House,
Henry K. C. Fox, T. F. Kennedy, C. P. Smith & Son, S. D. Thomas
& Company, Wm. J. Thomas, Frederick ; Thos. G. Davis, Valley Stove
House, Middletown; Clemence J. Willhide, Myersville; V. B. Osier,
Thurmont.

Tobacco, etc. — Climax Cigar Factory, Chas. W. Miller, Emmitsburg;
T. G. Buckey, E. J. Elkins, H. T. Kline, Kussmaul, S. L. Lilly, N. M.
Nusz, F. K. Schmidt, John E. Shipley, Wertheimer Brothers, Fred-
crick; East End Cigar Factory, Walkersville.

Toys and Games — Zimmerman Flying Machine Company, Frederick,

Vinegar and Cider — Gideon Bussard, Ijamsville.

GARRETT.

Garrett is the westernmost county of Maryland, and vi^as created by
an Act of the General Assembly in 1872, which divided Allegany County
into two sections, naming the western end Garrett, after John W.
Garrett, the well-known President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
and contained a population of 17,701 in 1900. There are 681 square
miles of area in the county, but with little, if any, water surface.
It will be thus seen that Garrett is one of our youngest counties,
and needs much development. The tax rate of Garrett for 1903 is 90
cents.

INCORPORATED AND OTHER TOWNS.

Oakland is the county seat, with a population of 1,170; Deer Park,
Mountain Lake Park, Grantsville and Loch Lynn are other incor-
porated towns.

Other towns in the county not incorporated are Accident, New
Germany, Bittinger, Friendsville, Swanton, Bloomington, Altamont,
Hutton, Crellin, Thayerville, Avilton, Sunnyside, Kitzmillersville,
Jennings, Beckman, Finzel, Hoyes, Grug and McHenry.

These numerous towns indicate rapid settlement of the county in
the brief period that the county has been actually in existence, and is
also an indication of great natural wealth, which lies to hand for
development.

GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION.

Garrett is bounded on the north by the Mason and Dixon LiiTe, which
separates it from Pennsylvania; on the west by West Virginia; on the
south and southwest by West Virginia, and on the east by Allegany



220 . REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF

County. The geographical survey divides the county into the Potomac
Vallej' District, the Savage Valley District, the Glades Valley District,
the Castleman Valley District and the Youghiogheny Valley District.
Along the western boundary of the county there is an elevation of
over 3,000 feet above sea level. This includes the crest line of the Great
Backbone and Big Savage Mountains. Between these mountains lie
a range of broad, flat-topped or gently arching hills.

The eutire count)' is niountaiuous, but everywhere over the surface,
covering hill and valley alike, is found a coating of soil varying in
depth and grading imperceptibly into the underlying or resting directly
upon the surface of the rocks. In the valleys the soil is usually deep and
productive, and on the mountain slope it is shallow and stony. In
some places the soil is stained a deep red, not altogether unlike the
underlying beds of shale and sandstone. In other places the produc-
tive clays seem to bear no relation whatever to the deeply buried lime-
stone, while on the mountain tops the soils seem but a mass of
broken gray sandstone, mixed with small amounts of sand and clay.
It is this soil covering with which the farmer has to deal.

This description is partially taken from the volume on Garrett County
issued by the Geological Survey:

Mr. Clarence W. Dorsey, in his article on Garrett County, says :
"Its surface is that of a broad, rolling plateau. * * The greater
part of the county is well drained, but there are several areas of
considerable size in the central portion which is swampy; these are
known as glades. * * * a large portion of the county is included
within farm boundaries, and more than half of the farm area is not
improved. The average sized farm is about 150 acres, but there are
many which are over 1,000 acres. * * * I'j^g soils consists mostly
of sandy loams."

Taken as a whole, the soils of Garrett County, in the valleys, yield
easily to cultivation; and the principal products of agriculture are
buckwheat, oats, hay and potatoes, and a fair yield in some sections of
wheat, rye and corn.

The principal manufactures of the county emanate from the forests,
which are plentiful, and consists of lumber, shingles, staves and the
mining of coal and shale.

CHIEF SOURCE OF WEALTH.

One of Garrett's chief sources of wealth is her minerals, coal, fire-clay
and limestone. The George's Creek coal fields lie along the boundary
line between Garrett and Allegany Counties, the major portion being
in the l&tter county, but considerable of the coal being in Garrett.
The George's Creek coal is known all over the United States as being



STATISTICS AND INl'OkMATfON. 221

of a superior quality. Along the Potomac River, the southeastern
boundary of Garrett, lies another field of coal, which is just being
developed, it may be said.

While practically throughout the entire county coal may be found,
as yet it is undeveloped, it being the smaller veins, and only being
worked where it lies near to railroads. It can be said Garrett's
resources are inexhaustible. It is only within the past few years that
the small seams of coal are being worked, and as the years pass and the
large veins become exhausted, it naturally follows that the small veins
will be opened up more extensively.

Fire-clay is found in abundance in some portions of the county,
notably the northeastern section. Limestone is plentiful.

FARMS.

According to the census of 1900 there were 1,788 farms in the county,
the estimated value of which, in 1903, is about $4,671,500, and the
total assessed value of property in the county amounts to $7,612,488.

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.

Garrett is favored by good facilities for reaching the markets of the