• Bird's-Eye View Of Hagerstown's Golden Years • • Memories Of Washington County's "Town That Was" •

MARYLAND

l$2.50 • Sentinel of Washington County's Heritage • Feb./March 2005

P oi C> H n H c V Meet Us at the Friendly MARYLAND Cracker Barrel Bi-Monthly! Gather around the pot-bellied stove Grader Bar rel and the checkerboard with a barrel of Our 33rd year common crackers within easy reach and Volume 33 -- No. 4 enjoy the Maryland Cracker Barrel. Since June of 1971 this magazine has Published bi-monthly by been a gathering place for folks interested MARYLAND CRACKER in preserving the heritage of Washington BARREL, INC. 7749 Fairplay Road County. Boonsboro, MD 21713-2322 It is our goal to present the story of the (301)582-3885 individuals who have striven to give this region a heritage worthy of preservation. Editor and Publisher Frank Woodring Associate Editor Suanne Woodring Attention: Former Fairchild Employees Chad Woodring This summer we plan to focus on Fairchild Aircraft in Washing­ Donald Dayhoff ton County. We would appreciate if you would submit your fa­ Janet Dayhoff vorite memory of your association with Fairchild by June 1. Fred Kuhn Please include your name, address, department, and number of Bonnie Kuhn years spent with Fairchild. Bob Waring Betty Waring

Contributing Writers Coming Richard Clem Jessie Robinette Spring of 2005 Blair Williamson Order Prior to March 1 Printed by to Receive Oak Printing, Inc. Pre-Publication Special 952 Frederick Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 $19.99 (Includes Tax and Shipping) Subscription Rate: $13.65 per year Orders Received Maryland Cracker Barrel After March 1 7749 Fairplay Road $22.99 Boonsboro, MD 21713 301-582-3885 Maryland Cracker Barrel 7749 Fairplay Road [email protected] Boonsboro, MD 21713 Images of America 301-582-3885 FRONT COVER: The photo PEN MAR depicts the east side of the first Images of America, PEN MAR contains 128 pages with more than block of North Potomac Street 200 pictures of historic Pen Mar Park along with the Western in Hagerstown. Some of the Maryland Railroad stations and trains that carried passengers businesses in the picture are to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Published by Arcadia Publishing Huyett Bros. Quality Bakery, in Mount Pleasant, SC, the book also reveals the passion of those the Hagerstown Fur Shop, and who worked at the park and those who still cherish memories George's Restaurant. (Cour­ of visiting Pen Mar Park, which opened on August 31, 1877, tesy Washington County His­ and closed following the 1942 season. torical Society.)

Maryland Cracker Barrel 2 February/March 2005 Persistence, Determination Ingredients mmm$m*V I •Xl-C»& For Making A Great Nation km*€^m» By Frank Woodrfng ver the Christmas holidays, we had occasion to visit in John Reese, also featured in the last issue, launched his Othe towns of Pecktonville and Rohrersville, both of business, Boonsboro Produce Market in Boonsboro, by sell­ which have been featured previously in the Maryland Cracker ing produce from his pickup truck along the National Pike. Barrel. It was with sadness that we recounted the passing of Reese's brother, Rev. Jim Reese, pointed out that his many who were interviewed for those editions. With the de­ father, Jim Reese, Sr., was a raspberry and cantaloupe parture of such individuals, the character of Washington grower in the Boonsboro area. Rev. Reese, who grew up in County has sustained an irreplaceable loss, but their memo­ Washington County, would like to hear from friends. He ries hopefully challenge us to appreciate the blessings we may be reached at 501 Fairview Ave., Clifton Forge, VA enjoy today! 24420. • • • As one subscriber put it, "The Christmas issue touched In the Dec. /Jan. issue of the magazine, we noted that a cord with many readers." Maybe that is because men like Dominic Ramacciotti began a successful wholesale business Dominic Ramacciotti and John Reese have helped to make in Hagerstown in 1893 selling produce from a push cart. In this nation what it is today by their persistence and determi­ the same manner, Milton Hershey sold his caramels in nation! Lancaster, PA, in a push cart and was ridiculed by the town's Miriam Bachtell Savage, a subscriber from Miami, FL, business community. echoed the above sentiments when she said, "Your magazine On Aug. 10,1900, Hershey was handed a certified check brings back many memories. I was born and raised in for $1,000,000 for his business. With check in hand, the enter­ Edgemont, 3 miles from Smithsburg. My Dad, Edward prising son of Mennonite parents eventually took his choco­ Bachtell, had the one and only general merchandise store and late business to Derry Township and built a new factory in a the post office. He was postmaster and saw that the mail was cornfield in what would become Hershey, PA. put on the trains running between Baltimore and President Calvin Coolidge in 1932 noted, "Nothing in Hagerstown." the world can take the place of PERSISTENCE. • • • • Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuc­ We want to thank Jessie Bryant Robinette, Richard cessful men with talent. Clem, and Blair Williamson for their contribution to this • Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a prov­ issue of the Maryland Cracker Barrel. Both Richard and Blair erb. are familiar to our readers. Mrs. Robinette, however, is a • Education will not; the world is full of educated der­ new figure to the magazine. Born on Oct. 27,1917, the 87- elicts. year-old retired school teacher grew up in Belle Grove, a "Persistence and Determination alone are omnipotent. small town that once sat along Sideling Hill Creek in Wash­ The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the ington County. She began her teaching career at the Piney problems of the human race" along with God's leading. Plains School that had replaced Swain School where she The story of Dominic Ramacciotti has reached Europe, received her early education just across the Allegany thanks to Merlyn Goodwin of Frederick, who sent it to a friend County line. We think you will enjoy her memories of in England. A caller from Springfield, IL, likewise requested growing up on the western frontier of Washington County additional copies of the issue featuring Ramacciotti. that are found in this issue. (See page 18.) §| Proudly serving our customers since 1933,

HAGERSTOWN TRUSMember FDITC

Maryland Cracker Barrel 3 February/March 2005 Pausing To Ponder Downtown (Hagerstown) Is Where Everything Was"

By Frank Wood ring s Ruth Durbin Shank approaches her 84th birthday, she elevated from the main floor. Areminisces about the days when "you could buy a dress "The treasurer sat on a high desk with a stool. Robert at the R&G (department store in downtown Hagerstown) for Powles had his desk on the other side of her. The desks of a dollar." Phil Recher and Ned Powles were opposite Robert Powles' Located on West Washington Street near the R&G was and the treasurer's. The secretary sat in the middle of the Emmert's Hardware where as a child Mrs. Shank was fasci­ office." nated by the 'money changer.' "I loved to watch that. We For one local resident, however, downtown Hagerstown used to sit there and watch that" while her father, a farmer was his own domain, and that included Emmert's Hardware. near Bridgeport, transacted business at the hardware store. "I always liked to look in there because when you paid, they As mentioned in the last issue of the Maryland Cracker put the money in a thing that went by wire up to a balcony Barrel, Emmert's Hardware was a drawing card for many where they collected the money," recalled Phil Haynes, who farmers in Washington County. As was the case with Mrs. turned 62 on February 1. Shank, youngsters from throughout the county were also en­ "It was always fun watching that. Eyerly's had a vacuum tertained with a visit to the downtown store while their fa­ tube. On the fourth floor at Leiter's was the toy store. They thers conversed on the latest issues of the day. were neat, old stores — Eyerly's and Leiter's!" Betty Beair and her brother Bob Powles, whose father For the son of Carroll and Virginia Haynes, an apart­ Robert served as president of the hardware store at one time, ment above the F&M Bank at 57 West Washington Street was recently described the 'money changer.' "The cashier's cup, home for much of his childhood. "Downtown is where ev­ which was made of wood, was screwed into the carrier. The erything was, and at Christmas it was always lit up, and it carrier was metal and ran on a cable system. When the cable was exciting!" was sent back to the cashier, it worked like a sling shot. Haynes' dream world somewhat diminished in 1951 "When the cashier sent the cup to the back of the when the family moved to a new home on North Colonial store, the incline was not as steep as when it was sent to Drive, where the family had purchased a lot for $600. The the front of the store. There were about six steps that 1961 graduate of South Hagerstown High School, however, went up to the cashier's loft. The office was slightly (Continued on page 6)

In the 1940's downtown Hagerstown was home for the ington Candy Store, The Jewel Box, and the Keystone Carroll Haynes family. The photo above shows some Restaurant on the corner. Going west on West Wash­ of the businesses that were operating in the mid-20th ington Street were Semler's Sporting Goods, OPO century in Hagerstown. Next to the Professional Arts (clothing store), Lana Lobell's, and People's Drug Building to the left were the News Agency, Martha Wash­ Store. (Maryland Cracker Barrel Photo)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 5 February/March 2005 In this 1946 photo, some of the stores on the north shop and ice cream parlor, is pictured in the center side of the first block of West Washington Street in flanked by Eyerly's and F. W. Woolworth's. (Mary­ Hagerstown are seen. The "Lovely Dame," a candy land Cracker Barrel Photo) (Continued from page 4) boxes out on the back porch. I'd go down and get hat boxes. retained his love for the downtown area. Mom would tie a string and punch a hole (in the boxes), and "Even to the Christmas of 1960, I worked at Rosen's I'd put it around my neck. I had a pair of drum sticks, and I'd (former site of the R&G) from Thanksgiving to Christmas, march up and down the roof playing the drum while having and even though Longmeadow had been open for a year or a parade. so, downtown still got a lot of people. That was a fun time! I "I guess I learned to like parades because in those managed to get back downtown for one last shot. days the Mummers Parade started up around Prospect "Probably from that time on, things started to deterio­ Street, went down Washington Street to the Square and rate because it was easy to park at out South Potomac to Locust Longmeadow, and of course, the When I was a child, we lived out on Point, and then had to make Mall opened up and the South End Mulberry Avenue, and of course, that turn back Locust Street to Shopping Center, but I have al­ maybe Broadway and up ways liked downtown, and up to then if you went downtown, Broadway to North Potomac about two or three years ago, I you rode the trolley. and back down to the Square, would always go downtown at -- Virginia Steele Haynes and then back up Washington Christmas." Street. From our view on the Following is a glimpse of what downtown Hagerstown fourth floor, we could look right down on the parade." was like in the 1940's for Haynes and his parents when the The 'skills' that Haynes mastered on those Musey and hub of the city was their home. Carroll Haynes started work Evans' hat boxes honed the skills needed to play with the at F&M in the mid-1930's as a bookkeeper and stayed there Rohrersville Band. "I was probably about 12 the first time I until he went into the Army in the early 1940's. When he ever played with them. Sometimes in high school I marched was discharged in the fall of 1945, the family moved to the with them — through college. In the late 1970's was the last I apartment above the bank, and the Locust Grove native con­ played with them." tinued to work for F&M until he retired on Oct. 1,1980. Playing with the Rohrersville Band was a family tradi­ "Christmas time when you went down there (Hagerstown), tion for the Haynes family. "My Dad and uncle started with the streets and stores were crowded. People were walking them in the 1920's," Carroll stated, "and I started when I was around doing their shopping. There weren't any other shop­ 14 or so when my Dad (Harold) was still playing." Phil's ping areas," added the 89-year-old area resident. uncle, Richard Haynes, recently stepped down as director of Phil, who retired in 1999 after teaching in Washington the band after 44 years in that capacity. With a total of 64 County for 34 years, remembers that the "bank was four sto­ years of participation with one of the state's oldest bands, ries. It was only four stories in the front. The bank went all Richard Haynes still plays with the band and serves as direc­ the way back to the alley. Most of the bank was a one-story tor emeritus. building." The Rohrersville connection also extends to Mrs. Haynes, It was at 57 West Washington Street that Haynes, "the whose family moved into the stately two-story brick home of only kid in the apartment building," created his own play­ the town's founder, David Rohrer, in 1922. (See February/ ground. "Musey and Evans would put all their trash and (Continued on page 8)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 7 February/March 2005 From their apartment at 57 West Washington Street Hagerstown to Williamsport on Aug. 4, 1947. Eyerly's in Hagerstown, the Haynes family could watch the Department Store can be seen in the picture at the trolley makes its way through downtown. The pho­ left while Leiter Brothers and Rand's Cut Rate are pic­ tos above show the last trolley to run from tured in the photo at the right. (Courtesy Phil Haynes) (Continued from page 6) West of the F&M Bank was the R&G Department Store March 1994 edition.) (later Rosen's). "You could get some clothing there that you The daughter of Axel and Myra Steele remembers the couldn't get anywhere else in the farmer's line." Near the H&F trolley that made its way down West Washington Street R&G "was a little confectionery called Rand's, and Mom below their apartment. "When I was a child, we lived out on would let me go down there, maybe get a gum ball. Rand's Mulberry Avenue, and of course, then if you went downtown, was a neat little place. you rode the trolley." "I don't remember their names, but I guess they were On Aug. 4,1947, when car No. 172 closed out the storied teenaged girls working there, and they must have taken a lik­ history of trolley service in Hagerstown, Mrs. Haynes de­ ing to me, and they asked if they could take me to the mov­ clared, "He's (Phil) got to have a ride on the trolley." Phil ies. I think we went to the Maryland Theatre, and I think the remembers that ride. "Mom took me on a trolley ride the last movie was the Babe Ruth story." day they ran." Complete with a banner (LAST TROLLEY TO As a youngster Haynes delighted in the 'abundance' of RUN IN WASHINGTON COUNTY) noting the significance movie theaters downtown. "Mom would give me a quarter of the occasion, "the trolley went to Williamsport and back. I or whatever it was. You had the Academy across the street. remember it. I was about four at the time." Down around the Square, you had Henry's, the Maryland, For Mrs. Haynes, the highlight of downtown Hagerstown and the Colonial. It was nothing for me to walk down the was the "dime stores," she said laughingly. "Newberry's, street and go into the movie and stay all afternoon and see McCroy's, Woolworth's, Grant's, and then of course, Eyerly's the movie two or three times. You could do that in those days. was there and Leiter's and Ward's." If you wanted to see a western, you went to the Academy." It was on North Potomac Street where the family shopped He recalls when "I was probably about five, I went down for groceries at the A&P store. At that time the Abe Martin on the street, and I turned west up to Summit and Jonathan, store on the Square was still in operation. She also recalls the crossed the street, went out Jonathan to Church Street where L&B Hat Shop located near Abe Martin's groceries. the jail used to be, turned up Church and went about a block Phil ticked off the names of the stores that he recalls in and came back. The whole time I carefully remembered what the late 1940's going west from the F&M Bank. "Musey and I did so I could retrace my steps. It wasn't any big deal! I Evans, Emmert's, and then Newberry's, then Hagerstown knew where I was! Trust" and finally the Washington County Court House at "It was fun living downtown," Haynes concluded, maybe the corner of West Washington Street and Summit Avenue. because as his mother put it, "Everything was there!"

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 9 February/March 2005 The photo at the left shows the Savoy Res­ taurant and the Mary­ land Hotel at the cor­ ner of Jonathan and West Washington streets in Hagerstown. The Western Union of­ fice is seen to the left of the restaurant.

Montgomery Ward's in the photo at the right was one of the major stores in downtown Hagerstown in the 1950's. Next to Ward's in the first block of West Washington Street is Thorn McAn's to the west and Kohler's Jewelers to the east.

Demolition of the buildings on the southwest corner of the Square is taking place in the picture below to make way for a new People's Drug Store. The picture on page 4 shows the area prior to con­ struction work. (Maryland Cracker Barrel Photos)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 11 February/March 2005 Reminiscing the Rails Retired Railroader Recalls WM Freight House

By Frank Woodring estled between West Baltimore and Hood streets Rhoe added that the two tracks that serviced the N in Hagerstown was the Western Maryland Railway freight house, a red brick building, dead-ended at Hood freight house that served WM customers until the mid- Street. "We had room for about seven (cars) on each of 1960's. Ironically, the freight house was in the same the two tracks, but only about three or four doors that block as the B&O complex that occupied the area where you could unload from." the Herald-Mail Company is located today. The 74-year-old Hagerstown resident pointed out Bobby Rhoe, a 41-year employee for the Western that H. L. Mills, who owned a gas station on West Balti­ Maryland, worked at the WM freight house from 1961 more Street, "brought his own railroad tank cars in from until it closed in 1965. The WM terminal was one of Baltimore (on the WM). He'd unload them where his fill­ three local railroad freight yards where Emmert Hard­ ing station was. ware employee Lewis Shank picked up merchandise (see "When I was down here, that's when we started in the Dec./Jan. 2004-2005 edition). what we called the piggyback business — trailers on flat- "When I was down there, I was chief clerk to the cars. We had a little ramp right down there before you agent," Rhoe stated. "The freight agent is the liaison get to Lee Street. This was the only ramp around this between the railroad and the customer. About 95% of area that handled piggyback freight." the business is handled through the freight agent's of­ Before the WM closed the Hood Street location, Rhoe fice. noticed a decline in freight traffic "because trucks were "We had three to four people working in the freight starting to come in." Today, however, he believes that shed. We had about eight people in the agent's office, there is a definite shift back to the railroad, "especially who handled everything — the billing, collection of piggyback and automobiles." freight, the rating and routing of freight, anything that Rhoe remembers the nearby B&O freight station still had to do with the customer. Any time the customer being in operation in the 1960's. "We interchanged cars wanted to order a car or release a car or ship some right here with them, and we'd go back and forth every freight, they would do it through the freight agent's of­ day with them." fice. In 1891 the B&O had rebuilt its Hagerstown termi­ "Maryland Metals was a big customer along with nal near the former site of the Antietam Paper Company. Manbeck Bread, Baer Foods, Thomas Bennett & Hunter, and The original B&O freight station was a 101-foot long, Victor Cushwa at Williamsport. Schindel and Rohrer used two-story brick structure. to come here and pick up freight. We also had a program Rhoe's father Edgar worked on the B&O in the mechani­ where the railroad would deliver for a fee. We'd unload it, cal department at Brunswick. "His three brothers (Brady, Guy, notify them, and they'd tell us whether they wanted to pick and Bruce) were all railroaders. Up at Cherry Run (WV) it up or have us deliver it." (Continued on page 14)

Located between Hood and West Baltimore streets in his 41-year career with the WM at the freight house, which Hagerstown was the Western Maryland freight house pic­ was built in 1885 and removed in the 1960's. (Courtesy tured above. Local resident Bobby Rhoe spent part of Western Maryland Railway Historical Society)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 13 February/March 2005 The 1896 photo above shows Western Maryland en­ Kepner (on sandbox), Robert Zeigler, Julia McClure, gine #24 near the freight house between Hood and (?) McClure, W. H. Fleigh, W. H. Full (in cab), and Lask West Baltimore streets in Hagerstown. Those iden­ Lushbaugh. (Courtesy Don Corbett, President of the tified, pictured left to right, are George McKane, Bob Hancock Historical Society) (Continued from page 12) that time as far as the office workers. that's all there was to do at that time — railroading. A "I've unloaded freight out of cars. When you're on lot of people in that area were railroaders." the extra list, you do about anything that has to be done. Rhoe remembers Cherry Run as "15 or 20 houses You might be a clerk this week, and next week you might scattered around the valley. It had a post office and one be unloading freight somewhere. Maybe a week here, store when I was there and a church (United Methodist two weeks there — that went on for a couple of years. Church)." "On the railroad we always went by initials, like I A graduate of Hedgesville High School, Rhoe went was B. R. Rhoe. My name is Bobby Raymond. You'll to work on the WM shortly after high school. "I knew notice on all your railroad records, it's always B. R. Rhoe. the man, Lott Shank, who was the agent there at that That's how you were paid as far as payroll." time. The WM had an agency there at Cherry Run, a After the freight house on Hood Street closed, Rhoe combined agency with the B&O. I went there for a was moved to the passenger station on Burhans Boule­ couple of weeks and tried to learn the job for the agent vard where he became the freight agent. When that sta­ who went on vacation. That was my first job in 1947 at tion closed, Rhoe's next move was to the second floor the age of 17. of what is now the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, "From there I went everywhere. I mean everywhere then the engineering building. "When they closed that — anywhere from York to Gettysburg to Baltimore to out, I was moved over to the yard office." Hancock, Hagerstown, Chambersburg, just working the Rhoe clearly remembers when he retired. "I went extra. That's how you usually started on the railroad at (Continued on page 16)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 15 February/March 2005 The above 1931 aerial photo shows the site of the timore Street and Summit Avenue in Hagerstown. Western Maryland freight station and the B&O freight (Courtesy Western Maryland Railway Historical So­ and passenger stations situated between West Bal- ciety, R. E. Anderson Collection) (Continued from page 14) — beautiful red and white — in all kinds of weather." to work on Oct. 1, 1947, and I retired on Oct. 1, 1988, Fouche, 77, likewise enjoyed working on the rail­ exactly 41 years. You'd better remember those dates. road. "At the time that I went to work at the railroad, I It's like the Army, like your serial number; you don't was a junior in high school, and I was very much the want to forget that!" envy of my classmates because I had gotten a job on the As he summarized his years on the railroad, Rhoe railroad, and it was a man's job. I was just a boy at that concluded, "I enjoyed it! I had a ball. It was hard a lot time, 16 years old, but it was a man's job. I graduated of times, a lot of hard work, but there were a bunch of in 1945, but I went to work for the railroad in 1943. characters on the railroad. At that time I'd say the rail­ "My mother told me that I could work there as long road was one of the best paying jobs around the area — as I made sure I got my schooling in and graduated. good benefits, good retirement!" During my senior year, why I got a regular job on the Bobby Fouche, a 30-year veteran on the Western third trek from 10:30 p.m. until 6:30 in the morning. Maryland, also remembers the WM freight house on Then I'd go to school during the day time and then get Hood Street. "My recollection of what we commonly my rest in evening and go back to work on the railroad. referred to as a local freight house commenced in 1943 "When I first went to work on the railroad, they were when I first went to work for the Western Maryland working 12 hour days, but when the 40-hour work week Railroad as a call boy. " went into effect, that was a big thing for us because it cut "One of my responsibilities as a call boy was to go down on those long 12-hour days real quick." to the local freight station and pick up the mail on the For Fouche downtown Hagerstown was a fun place. second trek and take that mail from the West Baltimore "Monday (his day off from his railroad job) evening was Street location up to the WM Railroad passenger station, spent mostly down at the old skating rink on West which was located at what was formerly known as Franklin Street opposite the post office. R. D. McKee Foundry Street, now known as Burhans Boulevard, and (on North Potomac Street), if I remember correctly, that's I would deposit the mail there in the baggage room. the one that had little baskets that went on the wire for "My route would lead from the West Baltimore the change; Eyerly's had that also." Street location, cut up through Library Alley with my Charley Kunkleman, who recently retired as a CSX bicycle, and of course the bicycle had a nice sized bas­ engineer, remembers going to the freight house on Hood ket on it to carry the mail, but I was never able to con­ Street as a youngster with his father Paul, who worked for quer that steep hill going up to Prospect Street. I'd get the Western Marland. Later, he helped to deliver freight so far, then I'd get off, and push the bicycle up the rest to the WM freight house, which was located in what is now of the way, cut down Prospect to Washington and over the parking lot for the present-day Washington County Ad­ to the passenger station. You had to peddle the old bike ministrative Annex at 80 West Baltimore Street.

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 17 February/March 2005 Nostalgic Moments Belle Grove (Washington County): "The Little Town That Was" By Frank Woodring and Jessie V. Robinette en miles west of Hancock, a small farm community called cates that Edward Potter became postmaster of Belle Grove TBelle Grove once flourished along the banks of Sideling on Feb. 8,1894, in Washington County. He was followed in Hill Creek. that position by M. Brinkman (March 7, 1896), Asbury Complete with a post office, blacksmith, wagon maker, Wigfield (May 6,1896), and Isaac Swain (March 7,1898) be­ church, and school, the town was home to many who fash­ fore the post office was moved to Allegany County prior to ioned a living at the base of the 1,269-foot Sideling Hill. The the turn of 20th century. creek by the same name served as the boundary between Don Corbett, president of the Hancock Historical Soci­ Washington and Allegany counties. ety, has records from the United States Postal Service that Although the Belle Grove Post Office was established in reveal the name of the post office was changed to Bellegrove Washington County in 1894 and served the area until April in December of 1895, and that the post office was discontin­ 4, 1898, when it moved across the stream into Allegany ued on June 30,1920. Apparently, the post office moved back County, residents in both counties lay claim to living in Belle and forth across the county line as information from the Post Grove. Office Department dated Sept. 19,1911, shows that Wigfield A glance at an atlas today shows Belle Grove located west requested to have the Belle Grove Post Office moved 1 /4 of a of Sideling Hill Creek in Allegany County. Records at the mile to a new location in Washington County, "8 miles from Washington County Historical Society verify that Belle Grove the Western Maryland Railroad." The new post office was to no longer exists in Washington County. serve a population of 60. John Frye of the Western Maryland Room of the Wash­ Dale Murschell, librarian for the Allegany County His- ington County Free Library produced information that indi- (Continued on page 20)

PENNSYLVANIA MARYLAND BELLE GROVE Hoopengardner's Blacksmith Shop Belie Grove Christian Church Wigfield's Wagon Shop/ Post Office/General Store Bryant Home Site of Grist Mill 6 -- Hoopengardner's Blacksmith Shop (After 1920 Census) 7 - Swain School

To Hancock

Jessie Bryant Robinette, 87, was born on the family ington County. The Bryant home was situated near farm in Belle Grove near Sideling Hill Creek in Wash­ Asbury Wigfield's wagon shop on the map above.

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 19 February/March 2005 Pictured above are the post office and country store ton County on what is now High Germany Road. that once served Belle Grove in western Washing- (Courtesy Hancock Historical Society) (Continued from page 18) mill. About 10 families had farms on the Allegany side and torical Society, Inc., stated that the town of Belle Grove is listed four or five on the Washington County side. Our farm was on early maps, but that in all likelihood the town was "ab­ one of the smallest in comparison." sorbed with the building of Route 68." Now a resident of Clarksville, TN, Mrs. Robinette Jessie V. Robinette, whose family moved to Belle Grove in added, "For elementary school we children went to the 1925, refers to the community as "the little town that was." Fol­ one-room Swain School on the Allegany side. We all lowing is her story of that "once- walked to school regardless of thriving farming village that was On winter days our feet would be so the weather — rain, sun, and just on the verge of the automobile cold, we were allowed to unlace our snow, sometimes up to the age and now is not even on an offi­ high-top shoes and warm our feet calves of our legs. cial Maryland state map." We carried our lunches in lunch The daughter of Richard on the bumper of the stove. pails or in bags. On winter days Anson Bryant and Clara Albright -- Jessie Robinette our feet would be so cold, we Bryant related that her father —^—^—^-^—^^— were allowed to unlace our high- worked for the Daily News-Evening Times in Cumberland top shoes and warm our feet on the bumper of the stove. "when he purchased the farm property about 1915. It con­ "The school room was a plain affair with windows on sisted of 190 acres, 30 of which were tillable, the rest wood­ the highway side, rows of double desks, a blackboard, land. teacher's desk and chair, and cloak room. A coal-fired pot­ "There were two houses on the property: one a large bellied stove with a shining bumper attached was prominent white frame farmhouse (still standing), and the other, a small in one corner. Big boys brought in coal from outside as four-room affair (still standing) some distance away. I was needed. A water bucket and dipper served for drinking, a born in the large house, the only one of my family to be born basin and soap for washing hands. Two outdoor privies com­ in Belle Grove. My sister Virginia and younger brothers Ri­ pleted the picture. Privies were used only during recess and chard and William were all born in Cumberland. lunch hour. "The family lived only briefly on the farm. When Dad "Miss Mann was our teacher. We adored her as we did changed jobs to work at the Government Printing Office in all our teachers. In the mornings we opened class with the Washington, D. C, we returned to Cumberland, then moved Pledge of Allegiance and a march around the room to a Sousa to a suburb of D. C. in Prince George's County. When Dad march played on a portable Victrola. retired in 1925, we moved back to the farm for good; you might "We were heartbroken when Miss Mann left to get mar­ say we children were virtual newcomers to Belle Grove. ried. Married women were not allowed to teach. Now the "When our family moved there in 1925, it was a thriving school board sent us beautiful, well-dressed city- bred young village. On the Allegany side there was a blacksmith shop, a ladies fresh out of Frostburg Normal School, and we adored country store, and a gas pump. On the Washington County those, too. They boarded with the Hoopengardners during the side (where we lived) across a wooden plank one-lane bridge week and rode the Blue Ridge bus back and forth on weekends. was the Belle Grove Christian Church and remains of a grist (Continued on page 22)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 21 February/March 2005 Richard Anson Bryant and Clara Albright Bryant moved to a 190- acre farm in the Belle Grove area in 1925 and raised their family. One of their daughters, Jessie Robinette, recalls grumbling about such chores as shelling peas and string beans, but added, "It was mother's indus­ try, in a hot kitchen. . . . that filled our storage shelves for good winter sustenance." (Continued from page 20) "For high school my oldest brother and I were bussed west over three mountains to Flintstone High in Allegany County. By the time my youngest brother was ready for high visit the hen house several times a day, let the hen out, read school, a new one had been built in Hancock, so he was bussed and record the band number on a chart, and collect the eggs. there. That way we knew which hens to keep and which were "Our farm life was much the same as that of all the Belle possibilities for Sunday dinner. Grove community. In the field we grew corn or wheat. We "We had a hog, a Poland China, a sow who had a litter of kids marveled at the threshing the prettiest little black and white machine, which belched out straw If we were poor, we didn't know it for piglets. We children were warned from a long pipe, straw which we never went hungry, not even away from the pen, but were al­ made a great playground until our during the Great Depression. Her lowed to hold the squealing little mother got tired of shaking it out things. We gave them names and of our clothes. home baked bread and navy bean were heartbroken when several "Corn in late August was cut, soup could sustain an army. were sold. stacked in shocks, the ears re­ -- Jesse Robinette "George Crawford was the moved, shucked, and stored in a master butcher in Belle Grove and corn crib. The shocks made a great place for a hide-and-seek no doubt elsewhere. He liked to tease two squeamish girls game. Later, it was part of our job to shell the kernels off the like me and my sister. He would open his large case of shin­ corncobs by hand — sore thumbs! ing knives, a real wicked looking array, just to hear us gasp in "We had a garden overseen by our mother. We children horror. grumbled and pulled weeds in the hot sun, but it gave us "Butchering in the late fall was something of a shared wonderful fresh vegetables in the summer. Our mother was experience with neighboring men where meat was traded for a great canner. Once again, we children grumbled when we labor. Our job was to help our mother prepare the huge noon­ had to shell peas, string beans, peel tomatoes dropped in hot time feast of liver and onions, vegetables, pies, and all the water to loosen their skins, peel peaches, core and peel apples jams, jellies, pickles, and preserves the table would hold to — no way to spend the summer with the nearby creek so in­ go with homemade bread. Later, there were hams and ba­ viting. But it was mother's industry, in a hot kitchen, keep­ con to be salted, fat to be rendered into lard, sausage to be ing tabs and time on the copper boiler as it bubbled around made. Again, our mother's canning skill came into play jars that filled our storage shelves for good winter sustenance. for she canned sausage and tenderloin. We ate well in the "If we were poor, we didn't know it, for we never went winter. hungry, not even during the Great Depression. Her home "Yes, we also made use of the cotton sacks the chicken baked bread and navy bean soup could sustain an army. feed and hog mash came in — not for top clothes. But once "Every February the mailman on an RFD route out of washed, bleached, boiled and rinsed, they were made into Hancock — Eddie Munson, later Charlie Corbett — brought fine soft underwear — undershirts, pants, bloomers, and pet­ a wide, shallow, noisy box. Inside it was full of tiny yellow ticoats. Sewn together they made soft sheets and pillow cases. chickens — "pee pees" — all chirping and ready to get out of Elizabeth Hoopengardner taught me to crochet, and soon our their temporary prison. We children couldn't wait to get our feed sack pillow cases sported lacy edges several inches wide. hands on the adorable soft things, our future flock of white "Along the National Highway where Exit 72 now is leghorn chickens. located, Frank Hoopengardner had established a black­ "They needed warmth and care for a while behind the smith shop. We children were fascinated to see the fiery kitchen stove before being transferred to the chicken house flame in the forge, see and hear his hammer against red and pen. There they grew into gawky, awkward creatures hot iron. Frank was a big, muscular man. We watched until they got their full growth and feathers. Dad designed him easily pick up a horse's hoof, pound in a nail, which our chicken house with a series of about six nests with trap we were sure would pain the horse, but it never did, of doors. Hens had a numbered band on one leg. When the course. Frank repaired the iron rims on wagon wheels, or hens went into the nests to lay an egg, the wooden door he could make new ones. He could replace broken spokes fell down and shut them in. It was our job as children to (Continued on page 24)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 23 February/March 2005 "Near our home was a wide place. We children learned to swim in the creek just by flapping our arms and legs until we worked out the right motion. The creek bottom was rocky and hard on our feet, but we didn't care. We started nagging our mother in early June to go swimming. She knew the water was still cold, but finally gave in. We waded in, felt the chill­ ing shock, but stayed in until, shivering, teeth chat­ tering, and blue around the lips, she made us come out and wait for warmer weather. "Further up the creek had once been dammed to provide power for a grist mill. The mill was no longer there, but the wide, deep mill pond was. What a swimming hole that made! "After a hard day's work with their horses, the Swain boys would sometimes bring the beautiful animals to the creek to be cooled off and washed. Yes, there was a strong vine rope hanging from a sturdy tree branch on which you could swing out from the bank and drop into the deep part of the creek. "In winter when the creek froze hard, almost to the bottom in some places, young people and older ones, too, would gather after dark to make a bonfire In 1946 Jim and Clara Roby (above) moved to Belle Grove where and ice skate for hours. Winter was prime time to they opened a Mobil gas station and a snack bar that eventually cut big blocks of ice from the mill pond for storage in turned into a restaurant to serve travelers as well as "locals" sawdust — insulated ice houses. In summer it was available for ice boxes and homemade ice cream. Yum! along Rt. 40 on the Allegany County side of Sideling Hill Creek. "Revivals were held at the church (Belle Grove (Continued from page 22) Christian Church) as well as graduations and special music on damaged wagon wheels. He could also make whole programs where a local band performed. These attracted new wheels themselves, a fine art. His wife Lottie presided crowds from all around. over their spacious two-story house nearby. For his daugh­ "Yes, Belle Grove community spanned both sides of ter Elizabeth he built space near the shop for a small coun­ Sideling Hill Creek, yet people felt united by the isolation of try store. their location." "For the occasional motor traffic on Route 40, Frank in­ Today, Clyde Norris, 96, lives across Sideling Hill Creek stalled a hand-operated gasoline pump — Sinclair — at 25 in Allegany County and remembers Hoopengardner's black­ cents a gallon. The blacksmith shop and also the store be­ smith shop being near the Christian Church in Washington came a place for casual community gathering, exchange of County. Near Hoopengardner's shop on what is now High news, friendly talk, and of course, gossip. If you wanted to Germany Road was a wagon shop operated by Asbury learn the latest, have an errand to do at the blacksmith shop. Wigfield, whose wife Marge ran a store. Norris laughed when "Closer to the foot of Sideling Hill, the Millers opened a he recalled Hoopengardner "spitting on the fire and making garage to service the gasoline engine. As motorists came down it crackle like a pistol!" off the mountain's steep, twisting curves, the Millers were Although Mrs. Robinette and Norris appear to disagree there to handle smoking brakes, fix flat tires, patch inner tubes, as to which county Hoopengardner lived in, U.S. census adjust carburetors, and make other repairs. Their garage also records indicate that both are correct. In 1910 and 1920 cen­ was a spot for community congregating. sus records, Hoopengardner is listed as a blacksmith in Wash­ "In 1925 Belle Grove had no electricity. Homes were ington County. However, the 1930 census reports that the heated with wood or coal, mostly wood. Cooking was done blacksmith lived in Allegany County where he had his shop. on a woodstove. Our stove was a Majestic with a hot water According to the 1910 census, Asbury Wigfield is listed tank on the side. as a merchant while later records indicate his occupation as a "Lighting was by kerosene lamps and lanterns. We had wagon maker and blacksmith. Norris feels that two Aladdin lamps, which used a fragile, cotton mantle, but Hoopengardner and Wigfield worked together on making gave off a brighter light. Frank sold kerosene, also. wagons when their shops were on High Germany Road. "The Blue Ridge bus line was our connection to the outer While census records back up Norris' recollections, 92- world. Most people shopped in Hancock, but as autos be­ year-old Jim Roby well remembers Hoopengardner's black­ came more plentiful, Cumberland became a larger mecca. smith shop in Allegany County. Born at Little Orleans west "Sideling Hill Creek played a big part in our lives in of Belle Grove, Roby recalls, "I used to ride my father's horse Belle Grove. A one-lane wooden plank bridge with iron out there to have him (Hoopengardner) shoe it. That was in railings spanned the creek and connected Allegany and the early 1920's. It was about six miles; I was about 13 or 14." Washington counties. The creek varied in width — some Roby was about 13 when he went to work on the West­ places perhaps 30 feet across and four or five feet deep, to ern Maryland Railroad "up near Jerome west of Pearre in West narrow and shallow. (Continued on page 28)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 25 February/March 2005 Civil War Footsteps Former Slave From Tilghmanton Area Finds Freedom

By Richard Clem lthough born in bondage and only a little over five-foot in As a matter of fact, Mr. Roulette purchased his farm on April Aheight, this black woman could hold her head up with pride 22,1853, from his father-in-law John Miller. Surely, some divine and stood taller than most. The name Nancy Campbell appears force had a hand on Miss Campbell's life for less than a year first on a deed found in the Washington County Court House. after being freed, she not only had a new home and friends, but The official document reads: also would receive wages for her labor. Sometimes a guardian At the request of Nancy Campbell, the following deed angel comes in the form of a compassionate farmer. "O God, was recorded June 14,1859, by Andrew Miller of Washington save thy servant that trusteth in thee." Psalm 86:2 County, Maryland. "I do hereby set free my When Campbell came to live with Will­ Negro slave, Nancy Campbell, her freedom iam and Margaret Ann Roulette, the Rou­ to commence from the year eighteen hun­ lettes were the parents of five children, so dred and fifty nine." the need for a good nanny was great. The The statement is witnessed and signed 1860 census also lists a 15-year-old black by Justice of the Peace Thomas Curtis farm hand named Robert Simon as work­ McLaughlin and Andrew Miller. The small ing for the Roulettes. Soon after Nancy's domestic servant with an appraised value arrival, Margaret Ann gave birth to her listed at $250 would be considered "free" third daughter and final child, Carrie May. from this date forward. Undoubtedly, Miss Nancy felt grief and In 1831 at the age of five, Andrew Miller pain as a family member when little 20- and his family came from Franklin County, month-old Carrie passed away from ty­ PA. Later, as a young man he purchased a 50- phoid fever. acre farm in the Tilghmanton area of Wash­ In the mid 1800's, William Roulette and ington County where his wife, Heaster Ann his close neighbor to the west, Samuel Miller, would give birth to at least four chil­ Mumma, were known as two of the most dren. It is unknown when Mr.. Miller acquired prosperous farmers in the Sharpsburg Dis­ or bought Nancy Campbell. It was against NANCY CAMPBELL trict, raising mostly corn on their fine lime­ the law to teach a slave how to read or write, so few records exist stone soil. And then civil war came to Washington County! if any, to state where Nancy was born or who her parents were. On Sept. 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam was fought on Slave labor in Maryland before the Civil War was less strenu­ rolling farmland and wood lots north and east of Sharpsburg. ous than the backbreaking, arduous task of "picking" in the cot­ Standing in the heart of the morning battlefield, Roulette's ton fields of the South. In Nancy's case she would have taken farm would play a major role in the "bloodiest day of the care of Miller's "youngins" as a nanny, did some cooking or other American Civil War." household chores, and perhaps tended to the garden. To escape the coming storm the day before the battle, Mr. In 1859 Andrew Miller sold his property situated ". . . Roulette "... took the family six miles north to Manor Dunker west side of the pike leading from Hagerstown to Sharpsburg" Church, where they were sheltered by Elder Daniel Wolf, a to Robert L. Cross. Having sold the farm and no more need minister of that church." In all probability Nancy Campbell for slave labor, Miller decided the same year to set Miss and Robert Simon joined the Roulette family at the Manor Campbell free. Years later Hiram N. Cross, son of Robert church. The Mummas also evacuated their farm and sought Cross, turned the Miller homestead into a very productive protection at the Manor. and profitable fruit farm called "Fairplay Nursery." With While still in slavery, Nancy became very familiar with money from the sale of the Tilghmanton property, Andrew the Manor church and often found sanctuary for her soul Miller could anticipate a bright future. But without family, within its solid stone walls. When working for the Millers, education and no means of support, what would happen to she attended and became a member of this mostly white con­ the 46-year-old freed servant trying to survive in a world gregation just a short distance east of Tilghmanton. among strangers? Local folks refer to this house of worship as the An 1860 Washington County census for the Sharpsburg Manor Dunkard Church or "Tunkard" in German. Built District lists a Nancy Campbell, a black, freed female servant in 1830, this meetinghouse was the mother church of the living with the William Roulette family. It is believed Nancy famous Dunkard Church on the Antietam Battlefield. made contact with the Roulettes through William Roulette's Services are still held every Sunday morning in the old marriage (March 14, 1847) to Margaret Ann Miller — a dis­ limestone structure that has taken on a large brick ad- tant relative of Andrew Miller, her former owner. (Continued on page 28)

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 27 February/March 2005 in the attic." The Roulettes' neighbor, however, Samuel Mumma, lost far more during the battle when his house and barn were burned and com­ pletely destroyed. Nancy Campbell must have been devastated and heart-broken when she returned to her once beautiful home. The barn and house had been con­ verted into a hospital — dead and wounded sol­ diers covered the ground. Just to the south where Roulette's lane joined the sunken road, Confeder­ ate bodies were stacked three and four deep. Crops in the fields about to be harvested were trampled and now strewn with caissons, canteens, blankets, guns, and other implements of war. Like most residents of the Sharpsburg area, Nancy along with the Roulettes would have pitched in to bring comfort and relief to the thousands of bloodied and It was at the Manor Church of the Brethren (above) east of fallen humanity with no regards to Blue or Gray. Tilghmanton where former slave Nancy Campbell became a mem­ In 1887 at the age of 63, William Roulette ber. It was also at the Manor Dunker Church as it was called in turned the farm over to his youngest son, Benjamin the 1800's where she sought refuge with the William Roulette fam­ Franklin Roulette. Wanting to take life a little easier, the aging farmer moved to a smaller home in ily during the Battle of Antietam. (Courtesy Richard Clem) Sharpsburg. By this time Nancy herself was get­ (Continued from page 26) ting up in years and only able to do "piddlin work," but the dition and is known as the Manor Church of the Brethren. caring Ben Roulette left her stay on at the old homestead. Will­ Early on the misty morning of what the South still calls the iam Roulette died on Feb. 27,1901. Margaret Ann had passed Battle of Sharpsburg, Gen. George B. McClellan (Army of the away 18 years before on Feb. 19,1883. Both are buried in Moun­ Potomac) launched a series of mass assaults on the Confederate's tain View Cemetery east of Sharpsburg. well protected defensive line. During the final attack over bod­ Evidently, Nancy was paid well by the Roulettes for her ies of fallen comrades, Gen. William French's division (2nd household work. Sometime while living with the Sharpsburg Corps) got turned by mistake in the confusion and smoke of area family, she had her picture taken by a professional pho­ battle. Around mid-morning, French's 5,000 mostly untested tographer. The small photo measuring approximately 3x3 is troops marched blindly towards the Rebel center posted in an still in the Roulette family and in its original protective case. old sunken road — soon to be named "Bloody Lane." Directly Known as a daguerreotype, the black and white image would in the path of the Federal advance stood the Roulette farm. have been expensive to produce in the late 1800's. The dress With his family safe in the Manor church, Mr. Roulette re­ in the picture also appears to be of fine quality material and turned to protect his farm, spending most of the day of the battle possibly purchased from a good seamstress. in the cellar. Following the conflict, one Union soldier remem­ Nancy Campbell passed away on Jan. 5, 1892. She bered, "Around the surgeon's table in the barn of the Roulette was 78 years old. Seven years earlier on Jan. 20, 1885, farm amputated arms and legs were piled several feet deep." she had recorded her last will and testament with the Another eyewitness recalled the damage to the Roulette Register of Wills in the Washington County Court farm. "... the buildings were struck by shot and shell of which House. Appointed as executor of her estate was Ben­ they still bear the marks. One shell pierced the southern end of jamin Franklin Roulette. It was rare for a slave, in bond- the dwelling, went up through the parlor ceiling, and was found continued on page 30)

(Continued from page 24) turned into a restaurant along Route 40." Virginia. They had a camp car up there. I went up there with Roby commented that most of the supplies for the res­ the extra gang. I worked along with the men — picked up a taurant were bought in Cumberland, "I bought most of my crosstie and carried it like a man. I was pretty strong. meats from Pittman's at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue "We stayed in the camp car. It was hard work regardless and High Street in Hancock." While Belle Grove may have of what you did." One of the benefits of railroading for Roby officially disappeared, the Pittman family still operates a gro­ was the fact that "we ate good: pancakes, sausage, and eggs cery business in Hancock albeit not in the same location. for breakfast. They had a cook on the cook car. Like most businesses that once existed in Belle Grove, "I was a laborer off and on for five or six years. I worked the Robys finally closed their business in September of 1981 for the Western Maryland and the B&O. I helped to lay steel when "the State bought me out" to put 1-68 through the area. on the B&O from Green Spring to Martinsburg when steel As Mrs. Robinette put it, "Country life is fine for child­ first came out. hood, probably the best there is. But once out of high school "I enjoyed laying steel — another guy and I, he was left- we had to find jobs, think about careers because it takes cash handed, and I was right-handed. We'd drive spikes. He'd be to live in a changing world. Where were these jobs? Any­ on one side of the rail, and I'd be on the other." where but Belle Grove! In 1946 Roby and his wife Clara moved to the "Although the Belle Grove community is gone from the Allegany County side of Belle Grove and "started a busi­ latest Maryland maps, its people and experiences are very ness — a Mobil gas station and a little snack bar that real anytime I want to recall those days of childhood!" ©

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 29 February/March 2005 Pictured at the left is the home of William Roulette on the Antietam Battlefield. It was here that Nancy Campbell found employment and com­ panionship for more than 30 years. Today, the Roulette farm is owned by the National Park Service and is in the pro­ cess of being restored. (Courtesy Richard Clem)

(Continued from page 28) affection between these two was color blind, leaving no room age or freed, to have a last will and testament. for prejudice. Combining cash in the bank with "cash in the house," As executor Ben F. Roulette was responsible for paying the estate value totaled $867.04. The will gives testimony to the deceased's burial expenses. For a coffin of "rough lum­ where this freed slave placed her trust. "I give and bequeath ber," J. L. Highberger, a Sharpsburg blacksmith was paid $46. to the Manor Church of the Tunker denomination to which I Samuel Line was compensated $2.50 for digging the grave. belong in Washington County, Maryland, the sum of Fifty Dol­ Being a member of the congregation, Nancy was entitled to lars." burial within the Manor Church Cemetery. The Afro-American Methodist Episcopal Church situated Records do not indicate who furnished the stone for the in Sharpsburg also received the sum of $20. Still standing, grave or how the last name "Camel" was engraved on the but in great need of repair, this little one-room church was hard granite face. When pronouncing "Campbell" and leav­ started in 1866 by Rev. J. R. Tolson for slaves recently freed ing out the letter "B," you come up with "Camel." So, with by the Civil War. It is uncertain if Nancy attended Tolson no known living relatives present, it is understandable why Chapel, but the $20 gift from her will demonstrates the value the tombstone engraver inscribed it as he "heard it." Even this former slave placed on spiritual guidance and worship. Nancy wouldn't have known the correct spelling of her name Nancy remembered her former master with fondness. "I — having signed her last will and testament with an "X." give and bequeath to Andrew Miller, my chest, my trunk, and On a cold winter day, this little black lady, born in the my stand." The will provided $25 apiece to Hamilton, Tho­ darkness of slavery, neatly folded her white apron for the last mas, and Susan — all three children of Andrew Miller. She time and prepared to receive the fruits of her labor. In the must have had a good relationship with the Miller young­ eternal records it doesn't matter if the spelling is Campbell or sters while working at Tilghmanton. Heaster Ann Miller Camel for over in the margin opposite the name will be these passed away on March 11, 1899. Andrew Miller parted this rewarding words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant life on Dec. 8, 1910, and was placed at his wife's side in the — enter into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21 Manor Church Cemetery. Credit goes to Earl and Annabelle Roulette of Sharpsburg The last will also reveals Roulette's youngest daughter for contributing background material making this endeavor was highly thought of by Miss Campbell. "And unto Susan possible. Their warm, Christian hospitality given on several Rebecca Roulette, daughter of William Roulette, I give the fall afternoons is greatly appreciated by this writer. sum of One Hundred Dollars together with all my personal Justifiably proud, Earl Roulette is a great-grandson of Wil­ effects." When Nancy came to live with the Roulettes, Susan liam Roulette, whose farm suffered great destruction during Rebecca was five years old. It is evident that the bond of the Battle of Antietam as mentioned in this article. @8

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Maryland Cracker Barrel 31 February/March 2005 Reminiscing the Rails Rail Collision Forces Name Change From Sharpsburg To Antietam Station

By Blair Williamson (Editor's Note: Following is the conclusion of the history of To prevent this accident from happening again, the Antietam Station near Sharpsburg that appeared in the Dec/fan. Shenandoah Valley Railroad changed the name of the station 2004-05 issue of the Maryland Cracker Barrel.) from Sharpsburg to Antietam. This is the reason the name he road was 9,300 feet in length from the station to the Antietam is lettered on the side of the station today. Tcemetery and had stone gutters, and sidewalks of brick For a few years, carloads of pig iron were loaded at on both sides. At the time the road was constructed, Civil Antietam Station. Daniel and Peter Ahl operated the Antietam War veterans purchased 300 Norway maple Oaks, which were Iron Works along Antietam Creek and shipped their iron to planted 50 feet apart on both sides of the road. These trees market on the railroad. were to shade the veterans and their families as they walked Around 1910 the first Antietam Station burned to the to and from the station to the cemetery. ground. The N&W then built the current station in 1911. The Shortly after the first train station opened in Sharpsburg building measures around 84.5 feet by 24 feet and was con­ in 1880, there occurred a slow speed head-on collision between structed with a frame of 2x16 rough cut oak boards with a a freight train and an excursion train in front of the station. white clapboard exterior and a highly varnished wood pan­ The Civil War veterans had begun chartering special passen­ eled interior. ger trains to carry them to Sharpsburg for special events, and The station was divided into four parts: a large open it was one of these trains that was involved in the collision. freight room, two waiting rooms, and a station agent office At that time train movements were determined by hand­ with two ticket windows and a bay window so the agent could written train orders, which told train crews where and when look up and down the track to observe and report to the dis­ they were to meet and pass trains going in the opposite direc­ patcher the conditions of passing trains. The floor of the sta­ tion. One of the two crews misread their orders, mistaking tion was constructed of plain wide pine boards, which were the word Shepherdstown for Sharpsburg, so instead of stop­ treated with a mixture of oil and kerosene, which gave the ping at Shepherdstown to let the other train go by on the pass­ station a distinctive aroma. ing track, they steamed on up to Sharpsburg, which had no Before the days of UPS and Roadway Express, local mer­ passing track, and hit the other train. Due to the low speeds chants and farmers would have to drive down to the station both trains were traveling at, no one was hurt in the accident. (Continued on page 34)

Pictured above is the Antietam Station west of Sharpsburg was opened by the Shenandoah Valley Rail­ Sharpsburg. The structure was built in 1911 to replace road, and the track continues today as a key north- an earlier station that had burned in 1910 and served south freight route for Norfolk Southern Railroad. the area until the 1960's. The original station near (Courtesy Hagerstown Model Railroad Museum, Inc.)

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^^^^MgM I -. ^ 1 1^ iHn 1 I B 2 ^LJ After the Antietam Station closed, the building was County government, who in turned deeded it to the turned 180° with the side that originally faced the rail­ Town of Sharpsburg. The Hagerstown Model Rail­ road tracks now facing the Shepherdstown Pike. The road Museum, Inc., rents the building from State of Maryland saved the station from being demol­ Sharpsburg and plans to turn it into a railroad museum. ished and deeded the property to the Washington (Courtesy Hagerstown Model Railroad Museum, Inc.) (Continued from page 32) grant from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) saved it, giv­ to pick up their new merchandise, seed, baby chickens, etc. ing ownership to Washington County. Farmers would drop off their milk cans for shipment to the In 1997 the station was turned over to the town of dairy, and the post office would pick up and drop off the Sharpsburg and on Oct. 13,1997, the Hagerstown Model Rail­ town's mail from railroad post office cars. road Museum (HMRRM) signed a lease with the town for the The station's first agent was John Connor. He was replaced use of the station as its new home. by Philip Grove, who held the job until he died in November of The HMRRM is currently restoring Antietam Station to 1931. The third and final agent was Elsworth Earley. Upon his house its collection of railroad artifacts and plans on construct­ retirement the station agent position at Antietam Station was ing a large HO scale train layout in the freight side of the abolished, and the station closed on May 13,1962. building for public viewing. After the station closed, the railroad sold it to Myron L. Progress on restoring the station had been slow until re­ Bloom with the understanding that it had to be moved off cently when the museum was able to get grants from MHT railroad property. Using a couple of farm tractors, Mr. Bloom matched by county and local funds. Due to unforeseen costs, moved the building a couple of hundred feet north of its origi­ these funds are running out, and the museum is asking for nal location, turned the building around so that the front of donations to help finish the restoration of the station. Dona­ the station would face MD Route 34 instead of the railroad. tions are tax deductible and can be sent to the HMRRM at Mr. Bloom converted the station into two apartments and P.O. Box 1181, Hagerstown, MD 21741. rented them for a number of years. Members meet at the station on the second Monday of By 1993 the station was slated for demolition, but quick each month at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in model railroads work by Washington County Commissioner Linda Irvin-Craig and the history of railroads in the area is invited to stop by and Save the Historic Antietam Foundation, plus a $25,000 and join us. 0

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Open Monday thru Friday From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. • Near Harper's Ferry, Charles Town, and Antietam Battlefield Major Credit Cards Accepted. (Only 20 minutes from Hagerstown via Sharpsburg Pike Rt. 65) AWARD WINNING COUNTRY INN _ F0U« Reservations Welcomed. Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner ® DIAMOND Overlooking AWARD the Fine German Cuisine WWW 301-733-8560 Potomac River Fresh Seafood, select Veal & Beef 1984 . 2005 • • • BavarianSpecialties • • • Wild Game Festival: Roast Pheasant, Rabbit, Elk Loin, and Venison • Seventy-two Luxury Rooms most with Gas Fireplaces, QNICK'S Whirlpool Baths, Wine Spectator ^-^ AIRPORT INN Cj J and Balconies For Reservations call AWARYD Route 11 North at Airport 304-876-2551 OF Hagerstown, MD EXCELLENCE www.bavarianinnwv.com

25 West Church Street Good food and Friendly Downtown Service In A Comfortable Hagerstown, MD 21740 Atmosphere Open Every Saturday Richardson's Ofers A At 5 AM. Year Around Complete Full Service Menu Plus Evening Buffet For more information call: The Cookie Lady Daily From 4:00 P.M. 301-739-8577 Ext. 183

Friday Seafood Buffet The oldest active market in Take home fresh produce, Saturday Night Prime the State of Maryland, estab­ meats, poultry, and eggs, or Rib Buffet lished in 1791, invites you every plants, flowers, and herbs. Saturday & Sunday Saturday morning, year-round. For a snack enjoy our lunch Breakfast Buffet Enjoy the aromas of fresh counter. Visit our craft room brewed coffee, baked breads, hot with arts and crafts from local 710 Dual Highway • Hagerstown pretzels, and made-to-order artisans. 301-733-3660 breakfast. 'lanYoitf Next Reeeptiort or Dinner Wrth Ds! Support A Maryland Tradition

Maryland Cracker Barrel 37 February/March 2005 fitei ^° untry I Stouffer's Auction I |j 1 & Real Estate Co. Ill Cupboard ^^^^™" LP?! . Suanne Woodring /*"% ur first recipe comes from the 1 tsp. cinnamon \J kitchen of Connie Rohrer, whose 1 tsp. cloves father John Reese opened Boonsboro 1 tsp. ginger ki Produce Market in 1955 (see Dec./Jan. Cream shortening and sugar and ^ffl > 2005 edition). add molasses and beaten egg. Beat well. Connie remembers her family buy­ Add dry ingredients and mix well. 1 ^ ing fruit cakes from R. D. McKee on Roll in small balls and dip into sugar. i ' North Potomac Street in Hagerstown Place on greased cookie sheet. 1 and still has several fruit cake tins today. Bake in preheated 350° oven for 15 DENNY STOUFFER "They were the most beautiful tins, and minutes. Auctioneer/Appraiser the fruit cakes were just out of this If softer cookie is desired, put a Realtor world," Connie stated. piece of bread in cookie storage con­ Telephone: (301) 791-6896 MACARONI/HAM SALAD tainer. 1 lb. elbow macaroni (cooked) PUMPKIN SPREAD Fax: (301) 824-3699 1 can Spam (cubed) Small jar of pumpkin butter Toll Free: (866) 791-6896 1/2 lb. sharp cheese (cubed) 8 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese www.stoufferauctionco.com Sweet pickle relish (1/2 small jar) Dash of vanilla • Appraisals • Real Estate Celery hearts (chopped) Sweeten with Splenda to taste. • Estates • Business Small onion (chopped) • • • Liquidations Pimento (for color) Our next recipes were submitted by Mix all the ingredients with salad Sarah Rhoe, who taught for 35 years at Your Full Service dressing. Add some sugar if you like South Hagerstown High School. She is Auction Company sweet dressing. the wife of Bobby Rhoe, who worked for • • • the Western Maryland Railway for 41 Our next series of recipes comes years. (See feature on page 12.) 1 cup milk from teachers who have retired from MOCK FRUIT CAKE 2 eggs the classroom in Washington County. 2 cups boiling water 1 tsp. vanilla extract Nancy Weirich retired from Bester 1 lb. seedless raisins FAVORITE ICING Elementary after teaching for 29 years. 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup milk We thank Nancy for preparing this 2 cups sugar 5 Tbsp. all-purpose flour recipe for us, one of Frank's "favorites." 1 tsp. salt 1/2 cup butter, softened BROCCOLI SOUFFLE 4 cups flour 1/2 cup shortening Cook 20 ounces of broccoli until ten­ 1 tsp. soda 1 cup sugar der and drain well. 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. vanilla extract Mix in 1/2 pound of Velvetta 1 tsp. cloves Sift together dry ingredients in Cheese. 1 cup cold water a mixing bowl. Add oil, coffee and Add 1 stick of margarine or butter. Pour boiling water over raisins and milk; mix at medium speed for 2 Crumble together 2 cups of Ritz cook slowly for 15 minutes and COOL. minutes. Crackers. Add remaining ingredients and Add eggs and vanilla and beat 2 Mix together and put in a greased blend well more minutes. (Batter will be thin.) casserole. Pour into 8 or 9-inch greased tube Pour into two greased and floured 9- Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes. pan lined with paper. inch x 1 1/2 -inch cake pans. • • • Bake at 325° for 11/2 hours. Bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes. We traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC, to For small fruit cakes, pour mixture Cool cakes for 15 minutes before re­ try this treat prepared by Georgiana into muffin pans, filling 2/3 full. Bake moving from pans. Cool on sprayed Keller, who retired as a Project Chal­ at 350° for 25-30 minutes. wire racks. lenge teacher. MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE Meanwhile, for icing, combine the GINGER COOKIES 2 cups all-purpose flour milk and flour in a saucepan and cook 3/4 cup shortening 1 tsp. salt until thick. Cover and refrigerate. 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. baking powder In a mixing bowl, beat butter, 1/4 cup molasses 2 tsp. baking soda shortening, sugar, and vanilla until 1 beaten egg 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa creamy. Add chilled milk/flour mix­ 2 cups flour 2 cups sugar ture and beat for 10 minutes. Frost 2 tsp. baking soda 1 cup vegetable oil cooled cake. „_ 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup hot coffee Yield: 12 servings. ™ Maryland Cracker Barrel 38 February/March 2005 Antietam Gallery Presents

Framed $230 Unframed $79 "6:15 on the Square" Hagerstown, Maryland — C. 1929 '6:15 on the Square" is from an original the left dominating the downtown skyline. watercolor by Rebecca Pearl depicting the Located in Hotel Alexander was R. southwest and southeast corners of the Bruce Carson Jewelers, which originally Square in downtown Hagerstown in 1929 opened in the first block of West Washing­ shortly after Hotel Alexander opened. ton Street in 1902. The Hagerstown & Frederick trolley is The steeple at St. John's Lutheran seen entering the Square from South Church in the second block of South Potomac Street with Hotel Alexander on Potomac Street can be seen on the right. Antietam Gallery

Francis Scott Key Mall Sharpsburg, Maryland Martinsburg Mall 5500 Buckeystown Pike Located on Md. Rt. 34 Located in Frederick, Maryland 301-432-5868 Martinsburg, WV 301-698-9654 304-262-3031

Maryland Cracker Barrel 39 February/March 2005 PRSRT STD Maryland Cracker Barrel U.S. POSTAGE 7749Fairplay Road PAID Boonsboro, MD 21713-2322 Funkstown, MD 21734 200510 Permit No. 16 MR. AND MRS. R. EARL ROULETTE Address Service 17511 SHEPHERDSTOWN PIKE Requested SHARPSBURG, MD 21782-1630

Hagerstown Broadcasting Company, Inc. w CBSRAOMD

Belle Grove Blacksmith At Work The Belle Grove blacksmith shoes a Robinette grew up. horse with a crowd of spectators includ­ Mrs. Robinette shares her memories of ing the driver of a "horseless carriage" Belle Grove, located along Sideling Hill admiring his workmanship. Creek in both Washington and Allegany The photo above shows the counties, beginning on page 18. (Courtesy community's blacksmith and carpenter Don Corbett, president of the Hancock His­ shop near the site where Jessie Bryant torical Society) WJEJ — Easy Classic Radio ~ 1240 on your AM dial