An even more significant illustration of the superstition then prevailing is found in the conduct of the people immediately after the execution of the three Cotterills, — the father and his two sons. Some of the spectators, we are told, struggled fiercely for fragments of the ropes with which the men were hanged. Their object in striving to get possession of them was to wear them as "charms" against disease or misfortune. It is asserted that the bodies of the executed men were stolen from their graves by resurrectionists and dissected by local physicians. Upton Lawrence, the principal lawyer for the defense of the criminals, is described by Dr. W. H. Grimes as having been a genial, whole-souled man, of medium size, with dark complexion, piercing black eyes, black hair, and very pleasing address.
Old "Oak Spring" has been a famous local resort in Hagerstown for a great many years. It is situated on West Franklin Street, and the water flows from beneath the roots of an ancient oak, which is the only one remaining of the original forest. It is related that an aged Indian, who passed through Hagerstown about 1816, recognized the spring as the one at which he had often slaked his thirst in his boyhood. The water is famous for its sweetness and purity. In 1856 the town authorities enclosed the lot in which it stands with a substantial brick wall. The bowl of the spring was deepened and enlarged and a stone wall was thrown up around it.
One of the local features of Hagerstown was the general muster of the county militia, which was held in October of every year. There were sometimes over two thousand men in line.
A peculiar custom, by no means indigenous to Hagerstown, however, was the suspension, on the eve of St. Patrick's day, in some conspicuous place, of a dummy figure, popularly denominated a " Paddy," with the view of annoying the Irish residents of the town and vicinity. On several occasions this foolish practice provoked serious disturbances, which, however, ended without bloodshed.
In 1805, George Strouse built about the first of the large brick houses. It was located at the corner of Locust and Washington Streets. About this time there was a race-track out Locust Street on the Funkstown road, and races were run in four-mile heats. Among those most active in getting them up were Alfred Kline, Jonathan Hager, John Ragan, Maj. Bailey, Thomas McCardell, and William Fegley. Purses of five hundred dollars were contested for, and the meetings were held every fall. Horses from distant points, such as New York, Virginia, and Kentucky, as well as horses nearer home, from many different localities, took part in them. Betting was very heavy. Lafayette and White Stocking were famous winners. White Stocking slipped, while running one day in a light rain, and broke his leg. Gen. Samuel Ringgold had fine horses, but he was unlucky, and never won more than two races. Gen. Williams had a course at Springfield, and used to train his horses there. Gen. Williams was very fortunate in his races.
Stone's tavern, on Potomac Street, was a notorious gambling resort about 1805. George Stone is described as having been very gentlemanly and pleasing in his manners, but was always determined to win his intended victim's money, whether by fair means or foul. It is related that on one occasion a woman entered the tavern and " collaring" her husband, picked up his hat and forced him to leave with her. The tavern was the scene of many fierce brawls and violent deeds.
The old jail stood in an alley between Washington and Franklin Streets, and was an old log house, looking very much like a stable. There were little peep-holes for windows, and the door was thickly studded with huge spikes. Elbert, the jailer, was shot previous to 1805, by a prisoner named Orndorf, while the latter was endeavoring to escape.
About 1805 both town and country people were very sociable, and balls were frequently given at the Globe Tavern. No man was asked to an apple-butter boiling, which was one of the favorite amusements, unless he would consent to dance.
" Fourth of July" was always celebrated at Hagerstown in early days with a good deal of enthusiasm. In 1810, for instance, it was observed with a parade, volleys of artillery, and a dinner at the Cold Spring, south of the town. The cannon used was a large one, which lay unmounted on the hill just east of the town. It subsequently burst, killing one man, George Bower, and so seriously wounding another, George Gelwig, that his leg had to be amputated.
In olden times there was a singular custom prevalent among the people of designating a person by the trade or occupation followed, or from some particular habit or act done or committed. For instance, an old man who drove a two-horse team and did most of the local transportation about town was known everywhere by the pseudonym of " Bopple Miller," from a habit he had of talking a great deal in a loud and rapid manner. He had small bells attached to his horses' necks, so that anyone having hauling to do knew by the tinkling of his little bells that " Bopple Miller" was about. A man residing in West Washington Street, who supplied his customers with bread and cakes, was always known as " Berker Hanus." So a man who had appropriated some bacon not legitimately his own was ever afterwards known as " Speck Martin." " Cold Spring," situated about half a mile from Hagerstown, near the Williamsport road, was a very popular resort in early times. The water gushes forth from the rock in a pure and limped stream, and the surroundings are of a charming character. The spring is situated in a sequestered dale, and was the favorite resort for picnics, etc.
Negro " runaways" appear to have been very numerous about 1817, as we find in a single number of the Hagerstown Herald, under date of Sept. 17, 1817, four advertisements of rewards for slaves who had disappeared. The rewards offered were ten, twenty, and fifty dollars.
In the Hagerstown Herald of Feb. 7, 1799, Samuel Hughes, Jr., advertised for sale " the house wherein I now keep my office, with a valuable lot belonging thereto."
Fishing in the Antietam was a favorite sport in the latter portion of the last century; so much so that, in 1798, John Booth, Elijah Cheney. George Powell, John Shafer, Jeremiah Cheney, Nicholas Broadstone, Matthias Springer, Nicholas Frankhauser, John Smith, Joseph Cheney, Stephen Poller, Edward Breathed, Elizabeth South, Christian Binckley, Jacob Sharer, and John Claggett advertised that as very great inconvenience had arisen from sundry persons fishing in the creek, they would not thereafter allow any persons to fish in the creek unless they first obtained permission.
On Wednesday afternoon, at two o'clock, Oct. 20, 1790, the approach of President Washington was announced in Hagerstown. Capt. Rezin Davis, of the light-horse, with a number of the prominent citizens of the place, met the distinguished visitor about three miles from town and escorted him to its environs, where they were met by a company of infantry commanded by Capt. Ott. The Presidential escort was then conducted through Washington Street amid the welcoming shouts of the inhabitants who lined the. sidewalks and filled the windows, doors, etc., along the route of the procession. The bells of the city were also rung during the march. President Washington was conducted to Beltzhoover's tavern, where " an elegant supper was prepared by direction, of which the President and principal inhabitants partook." In the evening the town was illuminated, bonfires appeared in all quarters, and every demonstration of joy and enthusiasm was indulged in. At the close of the banquet the following toasts were drunk, accompanied with a discharge of artillery and volley of musketry to each:
1. "The President of the United States."
To this toast Gen. Washington responded in a few fitting remarks, and proposed the toast, " Prosperity to the inhabitants of Elizabeth-Town."
2. " The Legislature of the United States."
3. "The land we live in."
4. "The river Potomac."
5. "May the residence law be perpetuated, and Potomac view the Federal City."
6. " An increase of American manufactories."
7. "May commerce and agriculture flourish."
8. " The National Assembly of France."
9. " The Marquis