"Some very kind friend sent me
two copies of your paper of the 7th and 14th issues,
February last, in which is an article "Chronicles of
Emmitsburg, Interesting Facts about Early Times," by Mrs. Ester Barry. These
reminiscences were read with much pleasure, and the idea
occurred to me that by not being a subscriber to your
paper, I was losing much interesting news of the place
and people where I was born. Enclosed please find a
year’s subscription for which kindly mail the Chronicle
to the address of the writer.
On the 6th day of August 1845, I
was born in Emmitsburg, Md., and from that date to this,
I have felt exceedingly proud of that distinction. Not
withstanding the fact that I have been removed from that
section permanently, since the year 1857, I have made it
my business to keep in touch with the Marylanders in
general, and those of Emmitsburg in particular. My
efforts along these lines have not been as extensive as
I would have liked them to have been, owing to business
cares, and I believe that the best source of information
will be through the columns of your paper.
In 1904 I had the pleasure of
spending two or three days in Emmitsburg, and would like
to have spent more time, business necessities compelled
me to cut my visit short. I found during that visit,
that the dear old town had not changed much. I
recognized nearly all of the old landmarks, but missed
the favorite haunt of the boys, namely, the Old Town
Pump. It is too bad that villages generally, in
modernizing themselves, do not preserve the old town
pumps. Thank Heaven, when I went to Tom’s Creek, I found
that the old swimming hole was still there; thanks to
Dame Nature for preserving this much of our early
childhood’s pleasures.
The hills were there, just as I
left them, the fields however, were much improved. I
noted that many improvements had been made, hut not
enough to disappoint one in returning to his birthplace
and finding so many changes that he could not recognize
it. Emmitsburg is a typical village, once seen never to
be forgotten. It was my pleasure to visit
St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s, and all portions of
the burg.
I found many reminders of my
early days, and met many people that I knew in boyhood
days. I was exceedingly glad of this. I made it my
business to call upon Mr. Edw. Taney, and others; he in
particular, was a special friend of my father, and I
have in my possession today, a cane made by Mr. Taney
that was presented to my father by him in 1858; that
came, this fall, will have been in my possession fifty
years. I shall celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
possession of this cane in our family, in a suitable
manner.
Mrs. Barry and I had the
pleasure of meeting, and I was much surprised that she,
after more than ninety years, should look and act as one
scarcely half that age; she certainly is a remarkable
woman. Lewis Motter was another old timer that I had the
pleasure of meeting; at that time, hale and hearty. I
was much surprised with his activity and alertness, so
much so that said to him "Mr. Motter, when I get ready
to die, I am going to return to Emmitsburg to live."
My father, James A. Storm, and
my mother, Margaret Baumgardner, daughter of Samuel
Baumgardner, were Lisa born in Emmitsburg. My father is
dead; my mother still living, in her 86th year, and she,
as well as I, is much interested in Emmitsburg and their
welfare.
I would be much pleased to go
into many things that I believe would be pleasing to
Emmitsburg, but time will not permit; in fact, I have
already infringed upon your good nature, and apologize
for doing so by saying that he temptation was
irresistible. Those here, who know me say that I am so
imbued with the Maryland spirit that it makes no
difference whether the individual be white or black,
there is a soft pot in my heart for him provided he is
me of the old school. Illustrative of; his, I wish to
say that two or three rears ago, I was in Canada, and
there vas an old Negro man playing a fiddle, and his tin
plate was on a little stand, which to deposit whatever
you chose to give. I said to my wife, who was with me,
"There is a typical Maryland Negro," and she laughed and
said ‘Nonsense." I approached the old fellow and said.
"Uncle, where are you from? " The old fellow
straightened himself up, evidently with much pride, and
said "I’se from Maryland, Sah," and in turning to my
wife, she had to acknowledge my ability to recognize a
Maryland Negro. On asking where he vas from he said
Hagerstown, and as a part of my family came from
Hagerstown, it was not long until the old man and myself
had much to talk about.
I might continue this "ad libitum," but really I must close. Wishing you and
Emmitsburg generally, prosperity, health, happiness and
long life I am with kindest regards.
Yours respectfully,
John. F. Stomr
