COMPILATION of CANAL TRADE ARTICLES from the CUMBERLAND CIVILIAN and the DAILY TIMES Two Cumberland, Md. Newspapers and the NEWS a Frederick, Md
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COMPILATION OF CANAL TRADE ARTICLES FROM THE CUMBERLAND CIVILIAN and THE DAILY TIMES two Cumberland, Md. newspapers and THE NEWS a Frederick, Md. newspaper and THE HEARLD AND TORCH LIGHT a Hagerstown, Md., newspaper and THE BALTIMORE SUN a Baltimore, Md. newspaper and EVENING STAR a Washington, D. C. newspaper and ALEXANDRIS GAZETTE an Alexandria, Va. newspaper 1887 Compiled by William Bauman C & O Canal Association Volunteer [email protected] Revision 1 OCTOBER 2017 Revision 2 JANUARY 2018 Revision 3 JUNE 2019 Canal Trade 1887 A. PREFACE This compilation of newspaper articles about the C. & O. Canal is one of a series. The Cumberland Civilian and The Daily Times, newspapers were found on microfilm at Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. The News, a Frederick, Md. newspaper, The Herald and Torch Light, a Hagerstown, Md., newspaper, The Baltimore Sun, a Baltimore, Md. newspaper, Evening Star, a Washington, D. C. newspaper and Alexandria Gazette, an Alexandria, Va. newspaper, were found on-line. Articles from The Daily Times are preceded by DT, those from The News are preceded by News, those from The Herald and Torch Light, are preceded by H&TL, those from The Baltimore Sun are preceded by Sun, those from the Evening Star are preceded by ES, and those from the Alexandria Gazette are preceded by AG. There will be some duplication in articles due to the several sources. I have included the grain receipts by schooner, whenever found, to contrast with the grain receipts by canal boat. I have included the editorial articles from The Daily Times to illustrate to political atmosphere. Readers not interested, should just skip over those articles. The departing boats were listed in a separate spread sheet to identify inconsistencies in spelling. Now Parrott always has two "ts," Fernsner always has two "ns," Embrey always has two "es," and Dunnigan always has three "ns." In some cases, the boat listing only had one name, e.g. "Shupp" in which case the spread sheet was searched to obtain the entire name, e.g. "M. A. Shupp." Thus, this compilation is considered an edited version which should be of help to subsequent researchers. Readers are encouraged to search the enclosed report for information on their ancestors as their time and interest permits. Feel free to send additional observations for the benefit of others. William Bauman Revised June 2019 [email protected] 2 Canal Trade 1887 Canal Trade - 1887 Consolidation 47,278 09 George’s Creek 443 11 DT, Mon. 1/3/87, p. 4. The Year’s Canal 53,325 02 Trip – The annual statement of the Shepherdstown shipments from the port of Cumberland on Consolidation 535 17 the Chesapeake and Ohio canal has been George’s Creek 111 08 completed by Collector Edwards. It shows National 102 16 that for the year 1886 the total shipments 750 01 were 295,415 tons, a decrease of 102,598 Hancock tons as compared with 1885. The tonnage American 624 12 by months was as follows: Borden 104 01 Tons Consolidation 328 08 March 1,573 03 George’s Creek 519 16 June 33,977 18 1,576 17 July 48,084 18 Sundry Points August 56,350 08 Borden 24 11 September 54,201 17 Blaen Avon 220 06 October 51, 057 17 244 17 November 48,022 04 December 2,146 19 AG, Mon. 1/3/87, p. 4. Admitted to 295,415 04 Record – The deed conveying the title to the Owing to the succession of breaks aqueduct bridge to the Government by the and washouts and the long strike there were Alexandria Canal, Railroad and Bridge no shipments during the months of April and Company was admitted to record in the May. clerk’s office of the county court today. The The Consolidation Coal company deed will be delivered to Col. Hains, for the was the heaviest shipper, having sent out Government, by Mr. H. H. Young, clerk of 114,601 tons, of which 48,142 tons were the court, tomorrow, at noon. consigned to Williamsport. The following table shows the shipments of the different DT, Tue. 1/4/87, p. 1. THE CANAL’S companies to the various ports: PRESENT PERIL – Annapolis, Jan. 4 - Georgetown, D.C. Comptroller Turner submitted his annual Borden 44,836 14 report to the Governor yesterday. He states Blaen Avon 426 10 that “since he entered upon the duties as Consolidation 69,458 17 comptroller three years ago the State debt Despard Gas 1,841 00 has been reduced $1,271,731.89, an average George’s Creek 67,938 11 reduction of $423,916 per year. The total Gaston Gas 2,208 15 funded debt of the State is $10,960,535.56, Maryland 46,852 17 which the comptroller sets off with the Pennsylvania Gas 4,146 13 State’s productive assets and sinking fund Waverly Gas 225 10 deposits of $4,847,375.68, leaving a net Youghiogheny Gas 3,806 13 State indebtedness of $6,113,159.68. He Bigley Gas 776 07 will recommend to the legislature a 239,518 07 reduction of one and a half cents in tax rate, Williamsport but wants at the same time the reduction of American 5,603 02 the debt to continue. The tobacco 3 Canal Trade 1887 warehouses and the oyster navy continue to sold at an average price of 80 cents on the be burdens upon the State Treasury.” dollar. The falling off in the shipments are Of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal placed at one hundred thousand tons; the the comptroller says: “Of the State’s claim reduction of tolls is pronounced a failure. against this work, $7,000,000 of it is Attention is called to the contract principle and the residue is for interest. The with the Lock and Dock company of the treasury has derived no revenue from the District of Columbia, who now receive canal company, yet it is an extremely useful $20,000 per year for transporting boats to channel of commerce. What is to be the Alexandria. Immediate cancellation of this future of the canal? is now the question contract is advocated. Comment is made on before the people of this State. It is increasing the indebtedness of the canal, and conceded that the affairs of the canal have its insolvency is practically admitted. been well and economically administrated Further floods, the report says, will result in by President Baughman, and yet its revenues its abandonment. The report says the United were insufficient to meet its running States and the State of Maryland ought to expenses for the year just closed by $30,000. make annual appropriation for the canal. Nearly all the repair bonds have been issued, Two defaults of payment of interest and the revenues arising therefrom used in on repair bonds of 1878 are admitted and the keeping the work in repair. It is evident that further one in July must be averted or the the time has come when something heroic canal sold. The critical point of the canal’s must be done. Let a freshet come now, such career has been reached, says the report, and as has frequently occurred in the past, and something must be done. The Piedmont and its fate is sealed. Cumberland railroad is stated to be a “There is but one avenue of escape beneficial feeder. The early opening of the from the impending wreck and ruin that now canal is announced. The telephone service stand ready to engulf it. An appeal once is said to be unsatisfactory. more to the State for aid by which it can be The reduction of expenses in 1886 rescued from its present perilous condition. over those of 1884 is placed at $50,000. In But will the people submit to taxation for conclusion President Baughman says he will such a work? It will be the duty of the next not employ hands unless they can be paid General Assembly to deal with the question and denounces all statements that the canal in the manner which its importance has been used for political purposes. demands.” Sun, Thu. 1/6/87, p. 5. Condition of the DT, Wed. 1/5/87, p. 1. A CRITICAL Chesapeake and Ohio Canal – The annual POINT REACHED – Annapolis, Jan. 5 - report of President Baughman to the The annual meeting of the stockholders of stockholders sets forth briefly but in a clear the Chesapeake and Ohio canal was held and comprehensive manner the present here today. The directors were all present critical condition of the Chesapeake and except Col. Barrett, who represents the Ohio Canal. While the most rigid economy United States. President Baughman’s has been practiced, the occurrence of annual report was read and approved. unusual freshets and the shrinking in It begins by referring to the floods of tonnage caused by the strike of the George’s last Spring, stating the cost of repair of Creek coal miners have counterbalanced the damages to have been eighty-two thousand reforms and economies put in practice by dollars. It says the repair bonds were all the present administration, and have 4 Canal Trade 1887 precipitated difficulties from which, in the opinion of the president, it will be Sun, Fri. 1/11/87, p. 4. President of Blaen- impossible to extricate the canal without Avon Coal Company – At the annual assistance from the State and the general election of the Blaen-Avon Coal Company government, the latter of which, as the today Dr. G. E. Porter, Fred Mertens, James report shows, has pecuniary interests at Little, W. L.