This Month In Frederick County History

February

From John Ashbury's - '... and all our yesterdays'

February 3

At home and abroad the United States military has been blessed with natives of Frederick among its ranks. But Frederick's claim to military fame perhaps lies in the installation today known as Fort Detrick.

On February 3, 1956, Camp Detrick, whose history dates back to 1929 when the federal government leased 98 acres near Frederick to be used as an emergency landing field, was renamed Fort Detrick, making it a permanent military facility.

In 1931 Detrick Field was made the training base for the annual encampment of the 104th Aero Squadron of the 29th Division and was named after Dr. Frederick Detrick, who at the time was the unit's flight surgeon.

After the start of World War II, the role of the facility expanded, and with the enlargement of the military role came numerous scientists who conducted top secret biological and chemical warfare research. In 1943 the base was activated as Camp Detrick.

Even after the war ended, the need to continue this germ warfare research was apparent and the facility continued to expand.

On October 18, 1971, President Nixon, visited Fort Detrick to announce its conversion from biological warfare research to a cancer research center, a role which continues.

February 10

In 1870 when John Martin was accused of the rape of an 82-year-old woman. The word "rape" was never mentioned in news accounts. As a matter of fact, the first mention of the incident in The Examiner, was on November 9 (1870) when he was sentenced to death for his crime. The sentence was unexpected as imprisonment was the usual punishment for the crime.

The presiding judge in the case in sentencing Martin said: "The frequency of this crime of late, in this community, and in other parts of the country, makes it necessary that the punishment should be certain and severe."

It was obvious from his words that the judge felt a need to send a message to others who might contemplate such a crime.

As Martin awaited his execution, he found himself in jail with a few members of his family. Both his mother and grandfather were confined for resisting police officers when they came to arrest Martin. It was initially thought that Martin's mother would still be in jail the day her son was executed, but the week before the February 10, 1871, date set by the governor, Maryland's chief executive pardoned her and she was set free. Martin's grandfather's served his full sentence before that date.

The day of the execution was bright and sunny, and more than 5,000 people gathered to witness the spectacle. Trees were bent from the weight of men and boys. Rooftops in the area were jammed with people who didn't have tickets for the jail yard.

At precisely 1 p.m., Sheriff Hiram Bartgis entered the cell on the ground floor and told Martin it was time. Martin was kneeling in prayer with the Rev. J. Hummer. A moment later he arose and quietly allowed his arms to be strapped and the noose draped around his neck. He walked with a steady gait through the jail corridors and out into the recreation yard.

At the scaffold he paused momentarily, then marched up the steps quickly and took his position over the trap door.

He then addressed the crowd, saying that he justly deserved his punishment, but that while he was a sinner during his 21 years of life, he had been forgiven by God for his sins. He also thanked Milton Urner, his defense counsel, the jury which convicted him, and the jailers whom he said answered his every request while he was confined.

"I leave the world feeling that I am at peace with God and all men. Farewell!"

He then knelt once more with the Rev. Hummer and, as the minister recited a prayer, rested his head on the railing of the scaffold. There was little evidence of trepidation on Martin's part. Only his clenched fists indicated his state of mind.

He arose and was placed over the trap door once more. The noose was adjusted just beneath his chin so that when he fell it would slide around to just below his ear. Rev. Hummer and the sheriff then left the scaffold. Bartgis pulled the release mechanism for the trap door and Martin fell about 4 and one-half feet.

The Examiner said he struggled for a few seconds, and then remained still. Twenty minutes later Dr. William Baltzell pronounced him dead. His body was cut down, placed in a wooden coffin and turned over to his friends, who took it to Mt. Pleasant for burial.

February 17

Few men in Frederick County history had foresight to match Manasses Jacob Grove. He was born in Middletown on February 17, 1824, and rose to prominence as an educator, soldier, mathematician, storekeeper and postmaster. But it was his foresight in the manufacture of lime for county farmland that remains his legacy even today.

After his early education at the Middletown Academy he wanted to continue his studies at a university. But the local school board thought so much of his abilities as a student that he was convinced to remain in the school as a teacher.

During his four years teaching career, he saved some money, which he then lent to his younger brother, Martin to go to California in 1849, where he established the San Francisco Chronicle.

In the meantime, Manasses joined a company of cavalry formed by Captain George Biser with expectations of fighting in The Mexican War, but he never saw action. During this time Grove also taught school in various other places in the county.

In 1851 he opened a general store at Broad Run. Shortly afterwards he opened another in Burkittsville, where he was postmaster from 1852 to 1859.

About 1860, realizing the expanding use of lime as a fertilizer, he purchased the Eichelberger farm near Limn Kiln and began burning the abundant limestone on the property for use as fertilizer. The firm was known as M. J. Grove & Son, the son being William Grove.

Mr. Grove also served in the state legislature for eight years ending in 1896. He died on February 2, 1907, just two weeks before his 83rd birthday. The company he founded was succeeded by Genstar and continues to operate in various locations around Frederick County.

February 24

For only the third time in 40 years Frederick had a new police chief on February 24, 1992. Regis Raffensberger replaced Richard Ashton, who had had a stormy 15 years in that office.

Charles Main, affectionately known even today as "The Chief," had served 24 years in the post, retiring in 1977.

Raffensberger, a retired Baltimore City tactical commander, served Maryland's largest city with 31 years on the police force.

Raffensberger's involvement – and love of – police work had begun when he was but three years old. He had been given a sailor suit as a present and he left home alone one day to go down to the Baltimore Harbor where the big ships were docked.

When he was missed by his mother, everyone became frantic and a big search was begun. Several hours later the family got a call from the police that they had found him and he was at the Central Police Station downtown on Fallsway.

When his mother arrived there, she found him sitting in a hallway with a big ice cream cone, licking away

On the day her son was sworn in as Frederick's Police Chief, Mrs. Raffensberger recalled that incident and vowed that she was sure this was the beginning of her son's interest in police work.

Attending the swearing in ceremonies in 1992 were several high-ranking police officials from Baltimore, including Police Commissioner Ed Wood.

After the swearing in by Mayor Paul Gordon as police chief and City Director of Public Safety, Mrs. Raffensberger, the new chief's wife, pinned Frederick City badge Number One on his lapel, to the rousing cheers of a packed Alderman's Meeting Room in City Hall.