History
Historical accounts, myths, legends & tall tales about the Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County areas of Maryland
Monday, August 02, 2010
Looking Back: Embarrassed wife has Oakland’s first doctor executed
Quite an interesting story about historical Oakland:
JAMES RADA
Cumberland Times-News
— OAKLAND — It’s been said that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Such fury cost Oakland its first doctor.
When Dr. John Conn stepped off the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad train in 1851, he was a pioneer. Oakland hadn’t yet been incorporated as a town and the region was still frontier for Maryland. The town only had a few hundred citizens and they needed a doctor. The next-closest doctor was Dr. John H. Patterson in Grantsville. To get there and back to Oakland would have taken a full day.
Conn set up his office at Second and Oak streets where it quickly flourished.
“In the days before the convenience of a well-stocked pharmacy, it was said that the ‘young doctor’ either had on hand the correct medication, or could prescribe a suitable home remedy for any attack of ague or vapors, vague ailments which were popular at in that period,” according to the Garrett County Historical Society book, “Strange and Unusual True Stories of Garrett County.”
Besides the fact that Conn had a monopoly on the medical needs of the community, part of the reason that his practice was successful was because he was young, attractive and people liked him.
Sometimes too much.
Ann Johnson was a woman who believed that she deserved more from life than to work in a general store owned by her older husband, Cornelius, and live in a backwoods town. The general store was on Railroad Street, just 300 feet away from where Dr. Conn had set up his office.
Ann could watch him leave and enter the building from either the general store or her apartment. Sometimes the young doctor would even come into the store for items.
Ann began to think that Conn might be her way out of Oakland. He was younger than her husband and he could take her to a city where she could live the life she wanted. She began to find reasons to visit the doctor for treatments for various ailments that either she or her infant daughter, Ida Lucy Florence Jeanette Genevieve Jenny Lind Johnson, supposedly had. She would engage the doctor in conversation to show her sophistication and smile at the single man.
“As time passed, and the visits continued, Mrs. Johnson was convinced that her personality and charm were making an impression on Dr. Conn,” according to the historical society book.
And she was making an impression. Conn thought she was being quite out of line. He told one person that he thought Ann was a “butterfly fool.” When word of this got back to Ann, her dreams collapsed around her. How could this man call her foolish? He could not find a better woman in this town!
Ann stewed on the issue and her affection for the doctor turned to hate. She said something to Cornelius, most likely accusing Dr. Conn of doing something inappropriate to her during one of her visits.
Then one evening in the spring of 1854, Cornelius left the general store shortly before 7 p.m. and climbed the stairs to his apartment. There he loaded his muzzleloader and took up position at his window. He watched the doctor approach his office and raised the muzzleloader to his shoulder.
As Cornelius took aim at the doctor’s back, Marquis Perry approached the doctor to talk about something.
Cornelius waited for his target.
“The doctor crumbled at the step. The bullet passed through his head and lodged in the office door,” according to the historical society book.
Marquis was so frightened at being next to a murdered man that he ran off. He was found later hiding in his closet. Others, alerted by the shot, came outside and saw the doctor on the ground. They carried him to Thayer’s saloon on Railroad Street where Constable Thomas Arnold pronounced Conn dead.
Suspicion quickly fell on Cornelius and Arnold arrested him. However, the only witnesses against him were Marquis and Ann. Marquis said he was too shaken to know what happened and Ann wouldn’t testify against her husband.
The jury failed to convict Cornelius.
He left Oakland and his wife shortly thereafter.
Ann, surprisingly, stayed on longer taking care of her daughter. Then one day, she left the young girl in the care of a neighbor, saying that she needed to run some errands. Instead, she boarded a train and never returned to Oakland.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!
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Jay on 08/02 at 10:44 AM
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Friday, May 21, 2010
Garrett County Historical Society’s transportation museum under construction
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The excavation has begun for the construction of the Garrett County Historical Society’s transportation museum, which will be located along Liberty Street. Much of the funding for the 10,000-square-foot structure was provided via the Community Trust Foundation with a major grant from the Howard and Audrey Naylor Foundation. The façade of the two-story building will comprise the fronts of the former A.D. Naylor blacksmith shop, Martin’s Livery Stable, Lawton’s Auto Dealership, and Oakland’s original fire hall. The first floor will house a rendition of the Naylor blacksmith shop and a variety of antique transportation vehicles, while the second floor will be dedicated to the history of Deep Creek Lake, and also contain educational space and equipment. Photo by John McEwen.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Ten Oddly Named Small Town Travel Destinations - sawfnews.com
Accident, Maryland. Photo Credit: Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Accident, Maryland
Accident is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 353 at the 2000 census.
A person from Accident is called an “Accidental”.
The town of Accident is located near Deep Creek Lake in northern Garrett County, the westernmost county of Maryland.
The unusual name of the town has an interesting story.
In 1750 King George II of England paid off a debt to George Deakins by giving him 600 acres of land in western Maryland.
To make the best of the opportunity, Deakins dispatched two independent survey teams to scout for the most promising land in that section of Maryland. When the teams returned it was discovered that they had marked the exact same 600 acres, even starting with the same oak tree.
A delighted Mr. Deakins had the location patented as “The Accident Tract.”
The town is best known for The Drane House, which was constructed circa 1800 by James Drane, the first permanent settler in the Accident area.
Located on a high ground to the east of the town, approximately 150 yards from the Accident-Bittinger Road and one-half mile east of U.S. Route 219, it is believed to be the oldest standing structure in Garrett County.
The Drane House was purchased by the Town of Accident in 1987, reconstructed and preserved on the original site, and dedicated in 1994.
Recreational activities such as rafting and climbing programs from Adventure Sports Center International offer a more varied experience.
Read the rest here.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
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Jay on 04/27 at 08:03 PM
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Thursday, June 05, 2008
History of the Wisp
History of the Wisp
Over the years the resort has grown from a former cow pasture into one of the premier destinations in the Mid-Atlantic. Below are some of the many historic landmarks:
Winter 1955 - 1956: Mr. Heise forms Recreational Industries, Inc. and offers skiing on Marsh Mountain for the first time. A cow pasture owned by a local farmer becomes a makeshift ski area. A one room hut with a pot-bellied stove serves as the first lodge and the bed of a pick-up truck operates as the first ski rental shop. One slope, The Face, is serviced by a rope tow.
Winter 1956 - 1957: Recreational Industries first attempts to make snow, using equipment resembling lawn sprinklers, which emitted frozen pellets of water.
1965: The first double chairlift (Chair #1) is installed. For the first time skiers are able to ski from the top of Marsh Mountain.
1969: WISP offers night skiing, with the addition of lights on the slopes
1971-1979: Wisp expands to 16 trails and adds snow makers, more lights, and two additional chairlifts. The first motel, The Village Inn, opens at the base of the ski mountain. The snow making system is converted to an airless system, increasing power and efficiency.
1981: Wisp opens its 18 hole golf course, and is now recognized officially as the only four-season resort in the State on Maryland.
1985 - 1986: The Village Inn Motel is renovated and transformed into a Condo Hotel and is renamed the Wisp Resort hotel.
Winter 1987 - 1988: The East Ridge Trail and Life System are added, with 2 triple chairs.
1994: Developers purchased 2,400 acres of land adjacent to Wisp.
2001: DC Development, LLC purchases the Wisp from Mr. Heise and begins a major capitol improvement project. Chair 5 is extended, Chair 4 is relocated and Highline Trail is added. Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park opens.
2003: The Lodge undergoes renovation and is expanded by 11,000 sq.ft. Triple chairs replace the double chairs of 2 & 3 and a ski carpet replaces the rope tow.
2004: Completion of 8500 sq.ft. “State-of-the-art” pump house increases snow making capacity by 18% and is fully automated. Recreational Industries assumes management of Wisp Resort Hotel.
Winter 2005 - 2006: Opening of the first two phases of a four-phase ski area expansion. New beginner and intermediate terrain with 10 new trails, adding over 25% more skiable terrain and 2 quad chairlifts.
Summer 2007: Opening of White Water Course
Over $30 million in renovations and capital improvements since June 2001.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Saturday, December 01, 2007
History of the Wisp
Over the years the resort has grown from a former cow pasture into one of the premier destinations in the Mid-Atlantic. Below are some of the many historic landmarks:
Winter 1955 - 1956: Mr. Heise forms Recreational Industries, Inc. and offers skiing on Marsh Mountain for the first time. A cow pasture owned by a local farmer becomes a makeshift ski area. A one room hut with a pot-bellied stove serves as the first lodge and the bed of a pick-up truck operates as the first ski rental shop. One slope, The Face, is serviced by a rope tow.
Winter 1956 - 1957: Recreational Industries first attempts to make snow, using equipment resembling lawn sprinklers, which emitted frozen pellets of water.
1965: The first double chairlift (Chair #1) is installed. For the first time skiers are able to ski from the top of Marsh Mountain.
1969: WISP offers night skiing, with the addition of lights on the slopes
1971-1979: Wisp expands to 16 trails and adds snow makers, more lights, and two additional chairlifts. The first motel, The Village Inn, opens at the base of the ski mountain. The snow making system is converted to an airless system, increasing power and efficiency.
1981: Wisp opens its 18 hole golf course, and is now recognized officially as the only four-season resort in the State on Maryland.
1985 - 1986: The Village Inn Motel is renovated and transformed into a Condo Hotel and is renamed the Wisp Resort hotel.
Winter 1987 - 1988: The East Ridge Trail and Life System are added, with 2 triple chairs.
1994: Developers purchased 2,400 acres of land adjacent to Wisp.
2001: DC Development, LLC purchases the Wisp from Mr. Heise and begins a major capitol improvement project. Chair 5 is extended, Chair 4 is relocated and Highline Trail is added. Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park opens.
2003: The Lodge undergoes renovation and is expanded by 11,000 sq.ft. Triple chairs replace the double chairs of 2 & 3 and a ski carpet replaces the rope tow.
2004: Completion of 8500 sq.ft. “State-of-the-art” pump house increases snow making capacity by 18% and is fully automated. Recreational Industries assumes management of Wisp Resort Hotel.
Winter 2005 - 2006: Projected opening of the first two phases of a four-phase ski area expansion. New beginner and intermediate terrain with 10 new trails, adding over 25% more skiable terrain and 2 quad chairlifts.
Summer 2007: Opening of White Water Course
-Over $30 million in renovations and capital improvements since June 2001.
View the Wisp web site at: http://www.skiwisp.com/
View live Wisp Web Cams at: http://www.wispresort.com/winter_webcams.htm
Read the Wisp ski review from SkiTown.com at: http://www.skitown.com/resortguide/overview.cfm/md01/Wisp
DCSki Columnist and ski patroller James Chen spent the weekend at Maryland’s Wisp Resort with many of his fellow ski patrollers. Read his article at: http://www.dcski.com/resorts/viewprofile.php?resort=Wisp
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