Jingle Bells and A New Year's Resolution

Sleighing in Bedford, Massachusetts. Circa. 1883 (Courtesy of the Medford Historical Society)

In 1850, James Pierpont of Medford, Massachusetts wrote a song entitled “Jingle Bells” about the frequent occurrence of sleigh racing on Salem Street, the main thoroughfare in his town. Thirty-three years later, in 1883, the song likely rang out throughout the week in Frederick, Maryland between Christmas and New Years Eve. Beneath the famed "Clustered Spires," the principal street was filled with sleighs and revelers.

Maryland Union (Jan 29, 1857)

The Daily News (Frederick, MD), December 29, 1883

An ice covering on Market Street made for perfect conditions. While sleigh rides were a pure delight, there was always a danger of getting run down on the city thoroughfares.  The local newspaper warned pedestrians to use particular care when crossing streets, especially at night.

Another winter and "yuletide" problem existed with "snow slides" which had nothing at all to do with social amusement. No these could be unforeseen dangers from above for those people walking on Frederick's sidewalks. Rooftop “snow slides” had been prevalent all week as The Daily News of Tuesday, January 1st, 1884 cautiously reported:

Luckily, there were no major injuries to speak of—that is, of the human variety. The Daily News of New Year’s Day (1884) did, however, relay the sad correspondence regarding "Dick," a popular, tame squirrel who apparently inhabited the Court House Square vicinity.

The playful rodent had met his demise thanks to a neighborhood feline belonging to the James Marshall family who once inhabited the large townhome at 105 Council Street. Perhaps this was a New Year's Resolution of the latter?.... of course knowing how some cats can be, regardless of the holidays.

Frederick News (Dec 21, 1883)

The Daily News (Frederick, MD), January 1, 1884

105 Council Street, home of the alleged defendant

But wait, my keen research points to possible foul play in the story, and introduces possible doubt that Annie Marshall's cat was to blame. The paper printed an apology for making the assumption that the cat belonged to the Marshall family even though the squirrel homicide happened on the Marshall family property.

The true shame in this horrible occurrence lies in the fact that Dick was given a playmate for Christmas, just a week earlier. I assume the pair spent Christmas together, and rang in the New Year in the vicinity of Court Square, a lovely place this time of year.

Frederick News (Jan 10, 1884)

Could the true New Year's killer of Dick have been not a cat, but, instead, a squirrel "of a wild disposition?" You be the judge as we will never know. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR from Chris Haugh/History Shark Productions

Dick the Squirrel's former playground of Court House Square in the late 1800s

The award-winning author of this article is teaching classes on local Frederick History. A variety of courses and tours are now scheduled for 2025, and open for registration on this site. Most classes will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery's Key Memorial Chapel. Enjoy colorful commentary within PowerPoint-illustrated lectures, some featuring video clips from Chris' past documentary work and occasional "show and tell" using historic artifacts and memorabilia. Holiday gift certificates now available for that local history lover on your list. For more info and registration details, click the link below:

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