St. Michaels Map and History

© John Norton

On the broad Miles River, with its picturesque tree-lined streets and beautiful harbor, St. Michaels has been a haven for boats plying the Chesapeake and its inlets since the earliest days. Here, some of the handsomest models of the Bay craft, such as canoes, bugeyes, pungys and some famous Baltimore Clippers, were designed and built. The Church, named “St. Michael’s,” was the first building erected (about 1677) and around it clustered the town that took its name.

For a walking tour and more history of the St. Michaels area visit https://tidewatertimes.com/travel-tourism/st-michaels-maryland/.

James “Yankee” Sullivan of having been engaged in a fight. ‘Who the devil are you?’ he asked, in a gruff voice. ‘I’m an officer,’ I replied, exhibiting my star. ‘They’re going to bring the gang here,’ said Hyer, in a calm voice, ‘and I’m not going to let them murder me without a pretty tough fight for my life.’”

“Come, get out of this. Come along with me,” Walling advised. The two left the saloon arm-inarm and Hyer went on his way. “No sooner was he out of sight,” Walling reported, “than a howling mob of Sullivan’s friends came rushing toward me. They . . . were in search of Hyer, who if they had caught him, would most assuredly have [been] murdered.”

Island Marine Construction LLC

Licensed and Insured Osprey Platforms & Poles Marine Construction Dock Replacement New Docks · Pile Driving Bulkhead 410-829-9720

Islandmarinellc@yahoo.com Ronnie Reiss & Jason Wilson

Lic. # 138618

Newspapers reported the incident, describing the “Irish braggart” getting his comeuppance. Sullivan and his adherents blamed his defeat on Hyer’s taking advantage of a moment of weakness, claiming Sullivan could beat the big butcher in a fair fight. The incident took on inordinate importance in the lower reaches of New York, undoubtedly fed by tribal allegiance and a tinge of religious bigotry. Prodded by the notoriety, the two disputants traded charges and counter-charges from April till August, when they finally agreed to settle matters in a formal fight under recently published rules.

Hyer and Sullivan encamped in different locations on Long Island for six months of well-publicized training, abstinence and sparring matches. Back in the city, their followers and the press kept the pot boiling in saloons and among rival volunteer fire companies and political clubs. Thus April’s saloon scrap over Bowery bragging rights grew into a match for the “Heavyweight Championship.” Backers raised prize money to an unheard of $10,000, more than a workingman’s lifetime earnings.

Boxing then bore little resemblance to a “noble art of self-defense.” Marquis of Queensberry Rules were nearly twenty years in the future. Bared knuckles were the

15% Off A Two Night Stay

St. Michaels Inn offers our guests outstanding amenities to enhance your Maryland coastal retreat or business trip. Start your day off with complimentary continental breakfast, then enjoy time on the patio. Reserve one of our flexible meeting rooms for your St. Michaels event. St. Michaels Inn

1228 S. Talbot Street, Saint Michaels, Maryland 21663 410-745-3333 • reservations@stmichaels-inn.com www.stmichaels-inn.com