"An active campaign was conducted. Col. John K. Longwell was invited to come to Westminster to establish a newspaper in the interest of the new county. On the 28th of June, 1833, the first issue of the Carrolltonian was published. From the first number, the Carrolltonian was an able and tireless supporter of the new county. Its opponents were active. The opposition was largely sectional. The inhabitants of Dug Hill (now Manchester) and Freedom, in Baltimore county and of Liberty and New Market, in Frederick county, were furthest from the proposed county seat at Westminster. They lived in districts which were long accustomed to go to Baltimore city and to Frederick for the sale of their products, the purchase of their supplies, necessities and luxuries, the transaction of their business affairs and legal matters; and for social enjoyment and educational advantages. Their public ways to these places were superior to those to the town of Westminster, which was then quite small in size, and, unquestionably, greatly inferior in social, commercial, educational and financial advantages. The situation was one of anxiety and uncertainty. Public meetings were held and the merits of the question were fully discussed. A general meeting was held in Westminster by those who desired a new county. A pamphlet in English and German was issued to vindicate their position; and a large committee was named of citizens who did not live in Westminster. After an arduous campaign, the vote recorded was as follows:

Frederick County

Baltimore County

	Districts For	Against			Districts For	Against
Westminster	610	139		Dug Hill	150	304
Taneytown	398	187		Freedom	141	208
Liberty	4	101		Woolery's	250	53
New Market	0	22		Wise's	0	11
				Reisterstown	13	17
---------------	-------	-------		---------------	-------	-------
	1012	449			554	593

The vote in Baltimore County was thirty-nine votes less than a majority, and the old cannon in Manchester was dragged to the hill-top and repeatedly fired in exultation over the victory. The close vote in the Baltimore county segment brought on a contest. The petition alleging the counting of illegal votes was submitted by Mr. Schley to the General Assembly when it met in 1833. The matter was referred to the Committee on Elections which reported that from the testimony submitted the majority in Frederick county in favor of the new county was about 600. The Committee further reported that the return of the judges of the vote taken in Baltimore county was erroneous because of the many illegal votes given, which, if deducted, would give a majority of thirty or forty votes in favor of the new county."

Although the vote question was apparently settled there was still a question of boundaries. A new act was proposed in 1836 which kept the New Market district and most of the Liberty district in Frederick County. The House of Delegates passed the act on January 16, 1837 and the Senate returned the bill as having been passed on the 19th. Parke relates that the passage was the cause of much celebration:

"The event was the occasion of great rejoicing. The former opponents of the formation of the County forgot past differences of opinion and loyally united for the common good. The event was signalized by a celebration on Friday, January 27, 1837, at Westminster, which was then a town of less than five hundred inhabitants. There was a procession headed by the Manchester Military Band, under the direction of their leader Captain Jacob Frankforter, which came to Westminster in a sled drawn by four horses. After the band came the Westminster Rifles, led by Capt. John K. Longwell and, in order "the Chaplain and Orator of the day the Committee of Arrangements, Strangers and Invited Guests, Citizens." From the narrative of a survivor, it appears that a deep snow so interfered with marching that when the procession formed it moved to the Union Church, which then stood on the knoll in the Union (now Westminster) Cemetery. It was a cold day and the warmth of the church was a welcome relief. After the audience was seated, there was sacred music by the band; a prayer by the Rev. Augustus Weber, of the Methodist Protestant Church; some more music; an oration by James Raymond, Esq., of Frederick; more music; and a dismissal by the chief marshal."

Photo Caption:

Col. John K. Longwell began publishing a newspaper, The Carrolltonian, on June 28, 1833 and became a leading spokesman for the foundation of a new county. The efforts of Longwell and others resulted in the founding of Carroll County 160 years ago today. Historical Society of Carroll County collection.