This Month In Frederick County History

July

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

July 6

Since the 1940s every president has spend some time at Camp David, some more than others. But seldom have these great men ventured out of the confines of this secluded retreat to visit the historical sites so very close by.

On July 6, 1978, President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter created a lot of excitement when they visited the Mother Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg, the Gettysburg and Antietam Battlefields, and Harpers Ferry.

Their first stop was at the Seton Shrine. About 200 people were at the shrine, where Elizabeth Seton, the first American-born saint of the Roman Catholic Church, is buried. Carter was dressed as a typical tourist in a red checkered sports shirt and brown slacks. Besides Mrs. Carter, he was accompanied by his mother-in-law and his son Jeff and his wife, Annette, and Shelby Foote, noted Civil War historian.

At the Seton Shrine, the Carters went inside and prayed briefly, according to a priest who was with them. When Carter exited, he greeted the nuns of The Sisters of Charity and kissed three of them, including Sister Anne William, the shrine's director.

The Carter entourage then went to the Gettysburg Battlefield, where Foote provided a running commentary as the party toured the hallowed ground. The President then stopped at the Eisenhower Farm to pay his respects to Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower, the widow of one of his predecessors.

Next they were off to Antietam where the bloodiest single day of The Civil War was fought. The motorcade then traveled to Harpers Ferry, and Foote again retraced John Brown's Raid of 1859 for the Carters.

The 11-hour trip proved that it was still possible for a sitting President of The United States to travel around the countryside like ordinary citizens with little noticeable security and only a modicum of hoopla.

Visitors to all the sites visited by the Carters that day were surprised and excited that they were able to see the president as `just plain folks.' Mrs. Diane Ellis, of Ithaca, N.Y., was quoted in the local press: "Surprised? I'm in shock. Never thought when we started out for Florida we'd be seeing him. Now we really have something to write about. This is an honor...I don't know if my heart's going to hold out."

July 13

Paul and Rita Gordon's Textbook History of Frederick County was not the first history book by a Frederick resident to be used as a textbook in the public schools of Maryland. James McSherry preceded them by more than a century.

He was born in Littlestown, Pennsylvania, on July 29, 1819. After graduating first in his class at Mount Saint Mary's in 1838, he studied law with James E. Coale in Frederick.

However, his interest lay with literary pursuits and he devoted his life to it. In 1849 he published a History of Maryland, covering the annals of our state from 1634 to 1848. For years it was used as a standard textbook in Maryland public schools.

He also published Willitoft, a novel about life in England during the time of James the First. He also penned a historical narrative called Pierre Jean Laval, about an early Jesuit mission in Canada and the northwestern United States.

For a couple of years he was "the editor of The Frederick Examiner in old Whig times," as the paper said in reporting his death on July 13, 1869. He also frequently wrote for a Catholic periodical in Baltimore.

He didn't devote all his energies to literary pursuits. For many years he was an active member of the Independent Fire Company, and "contributed by his energy and usefulness to that company." At one time he was a vice president of Independents.

He was married to Ann Ridgeley Sappington, the daughter of a prominent family in Libertytown, and was the father of several

July 20

On July 23, 1973, retired Associate Judge of The Maryland Court of Appeals Edward Delaplaine, fourth son of the founder of The Frederick News, married Helen Stickell, widow of Dr. Dean Stickell, at her home in the 300 block of Rockwell Terrace.

His life seemed so full of other things to do. He was an excellent student at Boy's High School and at Washington & Lee University. His law practice was active. He authored books on Francis Scott Key, author of our National Anthem, Thomas Johnson, Maryland's first governor, and on John Phillip Sousa.

His articles in the Frederick News-Post displayed a keen eye for research, though many would find the writing style lacking. And for 18 years he was an associate judge of Maryland's highest court.

So it was that until July 20, 1973, Edward Delaplaine, the youngest of four sons of William Delaplaine, Sr., who founded The Frederick News, and Fannie Delaplaine, did not have time for marriage. On that day he married Helen Stickell, the widow of Dr. Dean Stickell, at her home in the 300 block of Rockwell Terrace.

Judge Delaplaine was born on October 6, 1893. In less than two years his father died. At the age of 17 he graduated first in his class at Boys High School. He entered Washington & Lee University that fall, and before he graduated he won gold medals in debating. After attending W&L and The University of Maryland Law schools, he was admitted to the Maryland Bar at age 21.

His interest in history was enhanced by his association with Dr. Bernard Steiner, the librarian at Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Library. In 1917 he helped Steiner research the life of Chief Justice Roger Taney. Steiner acknowledged Delaplaine's help in the forward to his published biography.

While history was a first love for Delaplaine, the law and politics consumed a great deal of his early career. In 1915 he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and served two terms. In December 1938 he was named by Governor Harry Nice to be chief judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit and an associate judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals.

In 1942 he was elected to the same positions, but because the state's judicial system was changed, he was relieved of his circuit duties and devoted full time to his Court of Appeals position. He would remain on that court until he retired on September 1, 1956.

Throughout his government service both in Frederick and Annapolis, his interest in local history remained unabated. In 1927 he published the first biography of Governor Thomas Johnson. And in 1937 he published what is still considered today to be the definitive biography of Francis Scott Key.

When he left the court in 1956 his time for historical research and writing was expanded, even though he continued to serve on numerous boards and commissions. He frequently said, in reference to his historical subjects that they were his "biographical victims."

On May 21, 1989, Edward Delaplaine died. He was buried on May 24 at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

July 27

For 52 years the Frederick County Historical Society did not have a permanent home. That changed in 1944.

During the Winter of 1943 and the Spring of 1944, Mrs. William Belt, of Omaha, Nebraska, presented numerous antiques and memorabilia which had belonged to her late husband, who had grown up here, to the Frederick County Historical Society.

Initially Mrs. Belt just wanted the society to house and display the items, some of which had belonged to the famous Tyler family of doctors. During those months, Mrs. Belt learned that the society did not have a permanent home and she decided to donate the funds necessary to purchase such a facility.

The search for a suitable location began in June. The Lipps property on West Patrick at Jefferson Street, with a purchase price of $12,000, was quickly pinpointed. The house had been erected in 1807 by Steven Steiner, with an addition in 1817. In 1837 the property was sold to Henry Wilcoxsen, who, in turn, sold it in 1849 to John Lipps, whose daughter was the owner in 1944.

On July 22, Miss Mamie Lipps was given $1,200 to seal the purchase of what the society called The Steiner House. Five days later, at 1:30 in the afternoon, the deed was recorded and the historical society had a permanent home.

Under the terms of the contract, however, Miss Lipps could remain in the rear section of property until November 1, 1945, unless she located suitable quarters prior to that time. In the meantime, Miss Lipps was to care for the part of the house occupied by the Historical Society after November 1, 1944.