Monthly Publication of the Fell’s Point Citizens on Patrol 9 April 2011 4HHEE&ELLSS0OIINTERNTER Volume 13 Number 4 Fells Point in the Civil War Happenings Swashbuckler Soiree April 15, By Steve Bunker Teamed with Privateers’ Day I was surprised to read in Jack Trautwein’s Main Street’s fourth annual article in the March Fell’s Pointer that the Civil War Swashbuckler Soiree--in tandem had no relevance to Fell’s Point. This is a remark- with the 7th Privateers’ Day--starts able statement from a man who speaks to groups on Friday, April 15, 8PM to midnight about local history. The Fell’s Point and Canton in the 1300 block of Thames St., areas played vital roles in the war. $40 per person and free parking on The Battle of Pratt Street in April 1861 resulted site. The preferred garb is pirate, to the sounds of the Brigands and in the first battle deaths of the Civil War. It began Salty Dogs, with a costume con- at President Street Station but did not end there. test and pirate trivia quiz. Tickets Unarmed soldiers separated from their units, fled at www.fellspointmainstreet.org. east to Fell’s Point where local citizens protected Information, robin@fellspointmain- them. These refugees later expressed gratitude street.org or 410.675.8900. to the community for protecting them. Point On Saturday, April 16, from merchants and shopkeepers formed a militia Thames Street Park to Bond Street company the next day to guard the village from Wharf, 11AM to 6PM, the Privateer a “Confederate” invasion. East Baltimore, with a Festival includes same music plus Inishowen. large immigrant, sailor and free-black population, Key Death Laid to ‘Pointers Children’s activities include tended to be sympathetic to the Union. It’s not treasure hunts and shipboard with generally known, but in the midst of the April 19 By Michael J. Lisicky the Urban Pirates. Also lessons on Riot a mob sympathetic to the soldiers counterat- Most people who study this city’s role in the differences between a privateer tacked the first mob, creating a small civil war in Civil War are familiar with “The Baltimore Riot,” also and a pirate;a walk-through Liv- Baltimore’s streets. Fells Pointers were injured and known as ‘The Pratt Street Riot,” that produced, ing History Camp, and at 5PM a died that day. by all accounts until now, the first fatalities of the harbor-borne raid on Fell’s Point East Baltimore’s deep-water port became criti- conflict. Trains then arrived from the north along featuring a fierce battle at sea with cal to the Union war effort. The Abrahams and Ash- tracks on Canton Ave., known today as Fleet St, the Pride of Baltimore. From noon to 6PM in Thames croft shipyard at Thames and Wolfe Sts. launched which fed into President Street Station. Then the Street Park is a beer garden, with the USS Pinola in October 1861. The Abbott Mills cars--in this case bearing federal troops bound for music by Pirates for Sail, and from in Canton rolled the iron plates for the famous USS Washington--were removed from the locomotive. 6PM to midnight is the “infamous Monitor. The docks, wharves and warehouses were Each car was then pulled by horses westward on Pirate Invasion Pub Crawl. filled with cargoes, civilian and military. Sailors, Pratt St., off limits to engines, along tracks to Cam- Wrestling at Du Burns marines and soldiers were recruited here. den Station and a Washington-bound engine. On Billed as the Battle for Suprema- Maryland is officially credited with 46,638 April 19, 1861, that routine collapsed into a riot that cy, Real Championship Wrestling is recruits, plus merchant seamen, nurses and sup- left at least four soldiers and more than a dozen on the bill at the Du Burns Arena on port organizations. Some Baltimoreans went south rioters dead along Pratt St. Boston St. in Canton on Saturday, and fought for the Confederacy. But by the end of But Simeon Hecht, German-born scion of a April 23. See www.realchampion- 1861, Maryland was firmly in the Union and Fell’s family of merchants in Fell’s Point, tells a different shipwrestling.com. Point was finding new prosperity. story. Yes of bloodshed, but he insists that the first 4 May Tours of Green Mount The campaign to save President Street Sta- casualty occurred a dozen blocks east in Fell’s Point. Four guided tours of historic tion began with a small band of believers in Fell’s On that April 19, a long train, 25 to 30 cars, arrived Green Mount Cemetery, led by Point in 1979. We wanted to save the building and in Baltimore by the tracks on Canton Ave. (Fleet St.). historian and educator Wayne R. remember the soldiers and Marylanders who died The train carried the Massachusetts 6th Regiment, Schaumburg, will take place on that day in 1861. This does not detract from the along with some volunteers from Pennsylvania Saturdays, May 7, 14, 21 and 28. great deeds of Baltimore sailors in 1812-15. responding to President Lincoln’s call to arms. The cost is $15 and reservations I don’t think that a fantasy pirate or privateer According to Hecht’s 1908 memoir, which through 410.256.2180 or wayne. festival, which is essentially a day of costumed surfaced recently at the Jewish Museum, his son [email protected] are re- drinking, sheds a positive light on those gallant was playing at recess at Public School #2, Broadway quired. Thousands have attended deeds or brings much credit to Fell’s Point. I am and Bank St. Suddenly the students heard shots the 2-hour tours and many return often. They start at 9:30AM from glad for the business it brings to local saloons; I and outcries. They looked down Broadway to see the main gate, Greenmount Ave. just wish it was scheduled for a day that is less men with guns and axes attacking a train travel- and East Oliver St. significant in Maryland history. ing west on Canton Ave. (Fleet). Hannah Hecht Jack Trautwein responded: went for Simeon’s son and hustled him home. As Bunker’s account of the activities east of the Simeon was not home, Hannah huddled with her Station may answer questions raised by Michael children in the cellar but watched the conflict. Lisicky’s article in the spring Baltimore City His- They witnessed, said Hecht, a Union soldier being torical Society Gaslight suggesting the war’s first pulled from the train. He was beaten to death by death came in Fell’s Point [See accompanying the mob and his body left on the sidewalk. When excerpt]. We need to find out Steve’s sources for the commotion subsided, Hannah had the body none of this has been mentioned in the accounts brought to her store at Canton Ave. and Regester I have read, including those of Friends of the St. A mob threatened to attack the Hecht store President Street Station, the State Archives, the but police from the Eastern Station arrived and Maryland Historical Society and the newspapers took the body to headquarters. Hecht concludes of the day. by saying this was the location of the first casualty In the newspaper research, Locust Point was of the Civil War. the terminus of activity because of the B&O Rail- All other reports say that Southern sympa- road’s piers and rail lines to Washington. The major thizers attacked the Massachusetts troops as they freight activity was over the rails. Our shipyards made their journey from President St. Station to did produce what seems to be a handful of gun Camden. How can Hecht see otherwise and be so ships. But we by then were sharing the shipbuild- adamant? He states that the troops on the train in ing with Canton and Federal Hill/Locust Point. Fell’s Point were unarmed. Other ac- (Continued) What Was the Question, Mark?-VII Rev. Trautwein’s Easter Service The Artist of Fleet St.--and Madison Ave. The Rev. Jack Trautwein, Towne Crier, will offer sunrise service at By Mark Walker advertising campaigns 6AM on Easter, April 24, on the foot Michael Diliberto is a multi-talented visionary for the Travel Industry of Broadway Pier next to the Keith active in ads and in art. I’ve always looked up to Association of America binoculars. him from the magician’s perspective as a market- and one of the big- Hearty Harbor Ball Benefit ing wizard. He is a fan of magic and the old adage gest hotel chains--Best Preservation Society Director El- of a conjuror having another “trick up his sleeve” Western International. len VonKarajan said the Residents’ holds true for Michael--consistently topping him- For this account he cre- Association did an exceptional job self when a corporate client needs an ingenious ated a corporate ID that with the March 19 Harbor Ball, netting $21,272 for the Society, Madison Avenue-type campaign to achieve a was simple, yet effec- earmarked for restoration of the superior competitive position. His oil paintings, tive: a globe resting on windows on the Merchant’s House, more sublime, would grace any gallery. a pillow. The campaign 1732 Thames St., deeded by anti- Born in New York, Michael is a graduate of the proved so popular that Interstate leader Lu Fisher. Maryland Institute. Fresh out of college, he joined Michael and his crew Drop Off Hazards April 23 Fell’s Point’s own Trahan, Burden & Charles agency traveled throughout Michael Diliberto’s gal- The Dept. of Public Works will about 35 years ago and later did creative work for Europe and the U.S. lery and shop are at receive hazardous wastes 9AM- other companies, including Foote, Cone and Beld- filming commercials for 1922 Fleet St. 2PM at Poly, Falls Rd. and Cold- ing in Philadelphia. He returned to Maryland to join Best Western. Michael spring La., on April 23. Enter on Gray Kirk/VanSant, one of the largest marketing/ also worked with the offbeat funnyman and actor Coldspring, with proof of residence. communication firms here. It was at the World Martin Mull for Red Roof Inns commercials. www.baltimorecity.gov. Trade Center but moved to Tide Point when the From 1999 to 2004 Michael was exhibiting at ex-Procter & Gamble plant in Locust Point became art galleries all throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Schedules a waterfront business park. One of the problems with galleries, though, is that Trash and Recycling Michael’s first big client for GKV--where he their take is 50% on sales. So, in 2004 Michael, Current days for trash pickup was executive vice president and director of com- and his then wife Susan bought a retail spot at are Tuesdays and for recycling are munications-- was Choice Hotels. He created his 1922 Fleet Street. The first floor is Diliberto Gallery Thursdays. Residents are limited to setting out three 32-gallon cans of now famous “Celebrity in a Suitcase” advertising and the second and third are Michael’s business, waste between 6PM on Mondays campaign that ran for years on national televi- Diliberto Inc., www.diliberto.com, where he is cre- and 6AM on Tuesdays. sion. Do you remember the commercials where a ating ads for Johns Hopkins Alumni, Chesapeake traveler walked into a Choice Hotel room, tossed Urology, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Nassau Neighborhood Meetings his luggage on a bed, and a celebrity popped Paradise Island. Douglass Place: Third Tuesday out of the suitcase talking about Choice Hotels? Michael’s ex-wife is an art teacher. Their son of every other month at Bertha’s, The celebrities Michael worked with included David lives in New York and is an art director with [email protected]. Tip O’Neill, Sonny Bono, George Foreman, Vanna BBDO, the third largest ad agency in the world, Fell’s Point Antique Dealers’ Asso- White, Ed McMahon, Don Adams, Jack Palance, and their daughter Lauren, also in New York, is a ciation: Call 410.675.4776. Johnny Cash and Kathy Ireland. The campaign won production assistant in the film industry. Michael Fell’s Point Community Organiza- him international acclaim. has lived in Fell’s Point but currently commutes tion: Second Tuesdays at 606 The character Michael most vividly remem- from Parkton. As for the ‘Point being the locus of South Ann St., 443.791.1717. bers from these commercials is Evel Knievel, who his international art and ad business, he said: “It he said showed up on the set drunk, claiming he works for me.” Fell’s Point Main Street: office, 1730 needed his medication (a fifth of Crown Royal) to Bank St. 410.675.8900. Key Death - Cont. from front ease the pain from his motorcycle accidents. Be- Fell’s Point Residents’ Association: cause he kept flubbing his lines, a voice-over was counts say the Massachusetts troops were armed First Wednesdays, 7PM, Bertha’s. deemed essential. Knievel did manage to deliver with muskets, although ordered not to shoot. the commercial’s final speaking lines. Another At least eight cars made the trip down Pratt highlight of Michael’s advertising and marketing Street without incident before the disturbance thanks! career occurred in the 1986 when he hired an up occurred. Could this long train have been stopped The Fell’s Pointer thanks its three and coming New York comedian for a Bell Atlantic in Fell’s Point as the Massachusetts troops received sustaining contributors for covering (now Verizon) ad. Michael did a lot of development word of the Pratt Street attacks? At the end of the our printing bill: Henderson’s Wharf, work with this now famous celebrity--Jay Leno. train were some volunteers from Pennsylvania, 1000 Fell St.410.522.7777; One- At one time Michael was art director for MAGIC unarmed. They might have been on a stopped train Eyed Mike’s (see story on Page 1), magazine, one of the largest conjuring publica- as the rowdy crowd advanced in Fell’s Point. and Duda’s Tavern, Thames and tions in the world. Its editor, and hence occasionally Most accounts of the killings include four Bond Sts. We also thank volunteer distributors. Recruits welcome via mine, Stan Allen, marveled at Michael’s creations. privates from the Massachusetts militia and about e-mail below. After winning every major advertising indus- 11 city civilians. Some add a southern sympathizer, Design and layout are contrib- try creative award, including the Clio, One Show, perhaps even a soldier, shot dead in Camden Sta- uted by Tina Fleming of Warren Addy, CA and the coveted Golden Effie, Michael tion early on. A memorial displayed by Friends of Communications, warrencommuni- left GKV in 1996 to start his own firm, Diliberto President Street Station also lists a 26th Regiment [email protected]. We welcome Inc., in a swanky Towson office building. With his Pennsylvania volunteer, shot at the station, who donations by readers but more experience in the hotel business, he worked on died on return home. The Friends have a data base importantly submittals, questions on the casualties that does not corroborate Hecht. or complaints. But could his be the real account of the first death? Editor Lew Diuguid History is usually documented through personal accounts. Hecht’s version makes one question other, often inconsistent, accounts. Hecht’s narrative continues that after the death of this soldier, a crowd of Union sympathiz- PRINTER AD ers in Fell’s Point raised the “Stars and Stripes” across Broadway from the Regester St. side to the opposite corner. This suggests the sentiment in Fell’s Point might have been more for the Union The Fell’s Pointer is published than the Confederacy--contrary to the general city monthly by volunteers of Fell’s The Bob Keith memorial binoculars are installed position. After the riot, Baltimore was held at bay Point Citizens on Patrol, Inc. on Broadway Pier, thanks to the Residents’ Society, under martial law for the course of the war. Questions, input and participation serving viewers for a quarter. Keith, captain of the Lisicky is author of “Hutzler’s: Where Baltimore in patrols and this newsletter are Half-Shell buy boat and of Bond St., died in Feb. Shops” and “Wanamaker’s: Meet Me at the Eagle.” He welcome. E-mail [email protected]. 2010. A plaque was not yet in place but the Vela is a musician with the Baltimore Symphony, member Online www.fpcop.com. Write P.O. family of Harford County enjoyed the amenity. of the Preservation Society board and a Towne Crier. Box 6137, Baltimore, MD 21231.