January 8

A cold winter’s day at Kavanagh & Smith. Joe and his apprentice work hammer and tongs on a large cooking kettle. The work is still sparse. The Shop is still only open three days of the week. However, they have been regularly working one night late at Orient Distilling or one of the other distillers. This deal with Orient for maintenance has spread to several others. Still, the amount of money is just not there. George tells Joe he doesn’t think this is going to work for him. Joe understand his partner’s position, but encourages him to hold on a bit longer. To see how things go in the Spring when the weather breaks. George agrees.

March 25

The Kavanaghs attend mass at St. Vincent’s. They have a quiet relaxing day after church. The children out in the Spring sunshine playing on Albemarle Street. The adults discussing the news and family. Joe quietly listens, but he is distracted. The Shop is still struggling. Joe is still confident that the maintenance work in the distilleries will lead to something bigger. He doesn’t know how much time he has to wait though. He knows that George is ready to throw in the towel. He won’t try to dissuade his friend anymore. He knows George Smith has to look out for himself and his family.

May 2

Joe & George have lunch at the Shop. It’s a Wednesday. The Shop is still only opening, Mon., Wed. & Fri. George informs Joe that he has found an employment opportunity in NY. He has to take it. Joe listens and accepts what George has to do. They reach an agreement. Joe will take the little money he has set aside and buy out George. This concerns Joe, but he can not let George leave with nothing. He’s worried, but not overly. Again, Joe feels sure he’s going to some day be successful due to the quality of work he does on distilling equipment.

July 1

Kavanagh & Smith are dissolved. See the Baltimore Sun article below. George and Joe separate amicably. George will move his family and try his luck in the North. The firm will be known as Joseph M. Kavanagh, Coppersmith. For all intents and purposes, the Joseph Kavanagh Company is born on this day.

July 16

The B & O Railroad Strike begins in Baltimore. A third round of wage reductions is too much for the rail workers. They strike which starts a domino effect around the nation. Trains are left standing fully loaded. Some with perishable food items. Over the next several days, the strike gets bigger. More workers walk off the line as the B & O shows no signs of capitulation or cooperation.

July 21

The strike turns bloody. Overnight a riot and battle ensues. Local police and federal troops sent by Governor Carroll fire on the crowd. Things get very ugly and Baltimore slips into essentially marshall law. Federal troops are assigned to MD by President Hayes.

July 23

The City of Baltimore is in chaos. Coal is running low which impacts several other industries. There is no coal due to no trains so now those businesses have no work. In addition, bars and drinking houses are ordered closed. Though, some did and some did not. Enforcement on this was low. Still, Joe closes the Shop and it remains closed throughout the week. The unrest has spread across the country as the strike spawns like protests in Chicago, St. Louis and other cities. Federal troops are used to quell the unrest, but this strike is a stepping stone for the American Labor movement.

August 6

A sense of normalcy returns to Baltimore. Joe working with his one helper. He receives a message from Orient Distilling. One still has ruptured. It’s a mess. It needs replacement. Joe grins at HIS still in the corner. He tells the messenger he’ll be along shorty with a replacement. They load Joe’s still into the cart and deliver it. They stay late to install, but it’s working when they leave. Joe has sold his second still and this one at an “emergency” rate.

September 3

Joe is hard at work replacing the still he sold to Orient. They were thrilled at the expediency with which he replaced their damaged unit. Moreover, management informs Joe that his still works well and his rye is clearly more potent and at a higher proof then theirs. Joe knows this and accepts their accolades quietly. They tell Joe as time goes by, they would be most interested in using more of his design. Joe hires another worker. He begins a tradition that has been followed by the Shop for generations. When it comes to employees, grow your own. His oldest nephew, Martin, is 3 months shy of 15, but anxious to work. Joe takes him in and he becomes the second Kavanagh to work at the Shop.

After the disputed election of 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes is chosen as President after a compromise by Congressional Democrats and Republicans. The Indian Wars rage on. The first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is held. Billy the Kid kills his first man. Thomas Edison invents the phonograph.

There are 38 states in the Union.

February 1

James Dausch Kavanagh is born, Patrick & Katherine’s 4^th son and 6^th child. His middle name is their family doctor’s name. Dr. Pierre Dausch. There were some complications with the delivery. Everything turned out fine and they decided to honor him when naming James. The family rejoices at the new addition to the brood. Joe, again, is thrilled for his brother’s family. I wonder if he thought of having a family of his own. A wife and children. His work hours would make that very difficult. Joe was a worker. His focus was on the Shop and its future. I know little of his social life except that he took good care of his mother and loved his siblings and niblings very much.

April 9

Kavanagh & Smith celebrate their 10^th anniversary. I’m sure it was not a raucous affair, but I’m sure they were aware of it. Honored it in some way. At the very least a toast of whiskey. Rye, I assume. Ten years is still ten years. They’ve made it this far. The work is still slow, but there is a great deal of enthusiasm for the coming centennial celebration. The Shop is 10. The U.S. will be 100. That 90 year gap will seem a lot smaller as the years pass.

July 4

The United States of America turns 100 years old. It’s a big party. Festivities all over the nation. Elaborate parades and firework displays across the country. The partying even bolsters the economy a bit. From the standpoint of Americans, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. One hundred years since such a relatively meager beginning for a nation. It would seem to warrant a big party.

August 22

Joe returns home late. He worked late tonight on a long still repair at Orient. These repairs are working out. They trust Joe to make a weekly visit for maintenance and occasionally, an emergency repair. Such was the job tonight. They recognize Joe’s skill and speed. Not just with the column still design but copper. He could work it, shape it, fix it, anticipate it. He truly knew copper. He eats a late supper after a long but fruitful day.

October 3

Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University is founded.

October 7

Joe finishes a still for Sherwood Distillery. A small one, but one of Joe’s design and construction. The last month or so, he’s had several repairs at a few distilleries. Now, he’s sold another still. The installation will take a day, as well. Unfortunately, the cooking vessels and the other pots are not selling. Money is still tight for most Americans. Joe is happy for the still work though troubled that some days that is all of his work. George is concerned too. The walk up purchases are almost non-existent.

December 31

The year ends with Kavanagh & Smith in flux. Sales are still down. However, the distilling work is growing. The still jobs are keeping the company afloat. Joe knows that George is having his doubts. Joe knows that his coppersmithing skills cover multiple industries. It’s good when several of these are busy, but at least one is at the moment. Things will get better. He’s sure of it. He goes to sleep and hopes for better days.

Ulysses S. Grant is still President. In fact, the election of 1876 is contested. No candidate receives sufficient electoral votes. A new president is not chosen until next year. Professional Baseball’s National League is formed in Chicago. Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone. The Battle of the Little Big Horn is fought. Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is published.

With the admission of Colorado, there are now 38 states in the Union.

February 5

A cold work week comes to an end. After their apprentice leaves for the day, Joe & George discuss their prospects. Joe is determined to carry on, but George is less convinced. The work is going in the wrong direction. It’s not picking up. If anything, it’s dwindling down farther. George is concerned that if this situation continues, they will be left with nothing if the business fails. Joe convinces his partner to give him at least another year. Joe will re-double his efforts with the distilleries. He also recommends that they drop their prices on the smaller household items. Better to make something than nothing on these pieces. George agrees. They will lower some prices and keep working as hard as they can.

March 22

After work, Joe and his mother, Alice walk two doors over to Patrick & Katherine’s house. Today is Joe’s niece, the younger Alice’s 7^th birthday. The family enjoys a meal together than throws a small party for her. The family revels in such get-togethers. Simple but fun. Young Alice receives a doll and some small toys. She’s very excited to find out that she will start piano lessons the following week. She’s a precocious young girl who’s been very anxious to follow in her older brothers’ footsteps on the piano. The boys are continuing their lessons. Martin with a little less enthusiasm as he’s getting older. Young Joe, however, spends countless hours working out tunes and songs on the keyboard. They have a wonderful family night of music and celebration.

June 17

Joe visits Orient Distilling again. He presses for an opportunity to work on their stills. The owners have reduced their workforce, so they give him a small opportunity. They will pay a minimal cost, if Joe will service and clean their stills after hours. It’s not much money, but Joe agrees. Things have become so slow for Kavanagh & Smith that they are only open 3 days per week. Now, one of those days Joe and his apprentice will walk to Orient in the early evening. They spend 3-4 hours at night there. Cleaning and fixing small issues with each still. Joe refrains from any adjustments to the individual pots. He knows he could make it more efficient, but he won’t give that away. These once a week maintenance nights are a foot-in-the-door he hopes.

July 4

The country is in jubilant celebration. It’s Independence Day. Next year will be the country’s centennial. People are already excited for next year. It’s as if the Centennial Celebration starts a year early. In Maryland, a small eastern shore beach town opens it’s first hotel. The hotel is the Atlantic. The town is called Ocean City.

July 27

Joe signs a petition in favor of opening up and expanding Albemarle Street. I actually found his signature in the Baltimore City Archives. The Kavanaghs are Irish,, but clearly they are Baltimoreans. Proud of their home town and beginning to be active and involved in it’s politics and the community in general

October 25

The new Baltimore City Hall is dedicated. A large crowd gathers to cheer and commemorate it. I would guess that Joseph Kavanagh was there. He’s shown already his interest in local matters and his city. This particular event would have been very interesting to him. My feeling is he attended the ceremony.

December 5

The Kavanaghs go to mass at St. Vincent’s. They gather together for a large family meal. Another baby is on the way. Katherine is expecting her 6^th child. A baby on the way and the impending holidays lift everyone’s spirits even Joe’s. Joe is still worried about the Shop. The night work at Orient has helped certainly. They are still making far less money than before. George Smith has given Joe a promise to stay with him until the next summer. If things do not improve, George is considering a move up North. He’s heard that there are more available jobs in PA or NY. Joe understands and, again, hopes for better times.

Ulysses Grant is the President. Congress passes the Civil Rights Act which prohibits racial discrimination for public accommodations and jury duty. Archbishop John McCloskey of NY is chosen as the first American Roman Catholic Cardinal. The Indian Wars begin in earnest. Brigham Young University is founded in Provo, Utah. Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto #1 is performed for the first time in Boston, Mass. Former President Andrew Johnson dies.

Still 37 states in the Union

January 15

The amount of work is down a tremendous amount from last year. The Depression has a tight hold of the economy with no end in sight. Kavanagh & Smith make the difficult decision to let go the two youngest and newest of their apprentices. The volume of work just isn’t there. They hold on as far into the winter as possible. The Shop is very clean. Usually a sign of little work. If you have the time for a thorough cleaning, you must not have much work. Both the large kettles and the small pitchers, pots and pans are sitting on the shelf. Very little foot traffic from individuals or eateries. They are getting some repair work. Both from steamships and the small distilleries. It’s cheaper to repair than replace. Perhaps, not long term, but certainly over the short term. Joe & George are happy for any work they have.

March 20

Kavanagh & Smith is down to just 3 men. Joe, George and one helper open the Shop on Lombard Street every day. Both the partners beat the bushes for work. George makes bi-weekly trips to the docks and speaks to boatman. Hoping for some parts or pieces to repair. Joe keeps knocking on the doors of distilleries. Both large and small. Repairing stills, replacing stills. It makes no difference at this point. Every bit of work that can be found is important now.

July 25

A hot Saturday of work is followed by a fun family night for the Kavanaghs. It is young Joe’s 8th birthday. There are the usual presents and cake, but the highlight is the music. Young Joe has taken well to the piano. Still inexperienced but learning, Joe entertains his family by pounding out several songs he has learned. There is much clapping and smiling for the young lad. Despite the economic challenges, the family remembers what’s important. They are safe. They are together. In addition, young Joe’s mother, Katherine, is pregnant. Baby#5 will arrive soon enough. Something else to buoy their happiness.

September 12

Katherine gives birth to her 3^rd son and 5^th child, Eugene Kavanagh. All of the family is gathered in anticipation of meeting the baby. Joe is even there because it’s a Saturday. He and George have given up bothering to open the last few Saturdays. It seems pointless as they have enough trouble staying busy five days a week. The upside for Joe is being able to spend more time with his nephews and nieces especially the new baby.

November 27

Friday brings an end to a chilly week. The partners discuss the year that is passing and the future. They decide to stick it out. They hope that some relief will come in the new year. There’s no sign of it yet. They get their repair jobs here and there. The occasional kettle or pitcher is sold and another made for their stock. It’s not much, but they will make it through the year. Joe is concerned for his business and his family. I feel certain his faith helped sustain him. Joe was a devout Catholic and leaned on the Church when he needed to. Again, he just hopes for better times.

Ulysses S. Grant is the President of the United States. The first public zoo in the country opens in Philadelphia. The sovereign nation of Hawaii signs a treaty giving the U. S. exclusive trading rights.

Robert Frost and Herbert Hoover are born.

There are 37 states in the Union.

January 14

A frigid Shop greets Kavanagh & Smith on this Tuesday. Baltimore is in a deep freeze. It’s a day when blow-torches are lit even when not in use. The crew goes about their business. They make the commercial jacket kettles now to keep in stock. Demand for these large cookers is getting higher. In addition to restaurant and eateries some large factories have their own kitchens. With a bit of success now, Joe & George can afford to keep some standard sizes on hand. They don’t sit around long as Baltimore keeps growing.

March 16

Most of Joe’s family are enjoying the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Baltimore. The Sunday before the feast day proper, a parade and celebration is held. After they go to mass at St. Vincent De Paul’s Church, the other Kavanaghs hasten to the Washington Monument for the start of the parade. Joe goes over in his mind a meeting he had with the folks at Orient Distilling. He took along his bottle of his rye. They were impressed by its potency, but were not interested in Joe servicing their equipment. They are a larger distiller and they have a big crew. Some of those men are there for the purpose of repairs. The meeting was cordial and professional. There was no issue with Joe’s rye. They just had little interest in an outside person or firm being involved in their production. Joe considers this through the chilly Sunday afternoon. They are still busy at the Shop. They’ve done another small repair for Monticello Distilling. He decides to focus on other small distillers. He’ll try to get “in” with these companies and go from there.

.March 22

A long week ends and the partners of Kavnagh & Smith discuss hiring another apprentice. The two young fellows they have hired have done well. The work is definitely there. They have several industries they are drawing work from which seems to keep things flowing. They can count on a fair amount of regular sales from both private customers and the cooking vessels users. They decide to hire. George will look for a suitable young man.

March 31

George finds a teen boy in the neighborhood who’s looking to work. He’s hired as the 3^rd apprentice. He’s quickly put to work doing basic cleanup at first. Generally, this is the first assignment to any new employee. This will free up Joe’s other helpers to attend to the kettles and other coppersmithing duties.

May 10

Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh move out of the family home. They don’t go far moving from 89 Albemarle to # 93, just two doors down. They have four children now and they need the room. Patrick has a good job of his own. Still working as a ship’s carpenter. The time is right for them to get their own home. Joe’s happy for his older brother. He gives his brother and sister-in-law a present. A piano.

May 19

The Kavanagh children attend St. Patrick’s Catholic School. On this Monday, their father, Patrick, speaks to the principal of the school and piano lessons are arranged for his sons, Martin and Joseph. Both boys are excited to learn. Lessons are weekly. They take their lessons seriously, but it is the younger brother, Joe, who excels. He has some natural talent. It is clear. He grows to love the piano and singing, as well. Doing both throughout his life.

May 23

Baltimore welcomes a new tradition. The first Preakness Stakes is run. The race was and still is held at Pimlico Ractrack. It’s unlikely that Joe attended. Saturday is a work day. Still, I’m sure he read the paper with some interest. Survivor wins in a runaway by 10 lengths.

June 7

Another Kavanagh leaves the nest. Joe’s younger brother James moves to 13 S. Bond Street. He’s working at the Baltimore Sun as a printer now. Joe remains at home with his mother. Always a devoted son. He does all he can to make his mother’s life as happy as possible.

July 16

It’s the middle of a very hot very busy week. Joe and his crew hammer out the work. He’s sold a second still to another small distiller. He finishes that himself while the boys make more kettles and pitchers. The work is steady and plentiful. Joe’s family and business are both doing well. He puts his thoughts of the larger distilleries on hold. Things are good. No need to fret now. Both Joe and George are content that the Shop is moving in the right direction with a bright future ahead.

September 18

The Stock Market crashes in New York. Over-speculation combine with a huge drop in bank deposits to cause a panic. This sends the burgeoning U.S. economy into a depression that hits hard and fast. Kavanagh & Smith feel the effects within several weeks. Suddenly, companies are closing and people are out of work. There is less money for people and businesses to spend. The amount of work will plummet by the end of the year. In a few days, the promising future is gone replaced by one of fear and uncertainty.

Ulysses S. Grant is still the President. The Coinage Act puts the U. S. on the gold standard. The first typewriter is produced. Levi Strauss begins making denim jeans with copper rivets at the pocket. In New York, Central Park is completed. The entire nation is slammed into Depression after the Panic of September 18.

The state count remains at 37.

January 25

Baltimore continues to grow. The city has more residents. An influx of immigrants keeps pushing the population and the city. Kavanagh & Smith have stayed relatively busy over the winter. It’s always a good sign as the warmer months are most often the Shop’s busy times. A busy winter always infers a good year to come. It doesn’t always work out that way but, it’s a good omen. Joe and his crew are working on some copper tubes and fittings for a fountain. It’s finished about mid-day then Joe sets his young helpers to making some of the larger commercial jacket kettles. Joe is getting a bit of a name for himself in the food service industry. Confectioners have taken a notice and they’ve made several kettles for roasting peanuts and making candy. That’s just fine with Joe. The more work the better.

April 21

It’s a Sunday. Usually a day for Church and family. Joe has some work to do. Some ornate handles that a customer has requested on their kettle. Joe decides to go into work after Church and take care of it. He informs his mother that “ he is going down to the Shop.”. This may be the first reference to the business in this way. I suppose it was a gradual thing. Over time, the business is routinely called the Shop. Phrases such as “ Going down to the Shop” or “I’ll be in the Shop” become very much a common part of the Kavanagh lexicon. Everyone else says I’m going to work but, Kavanaghs say “ I’m going to the Shop.” This is still true today.

June 24

Joe has had some small success with the distilling industry. Several chances to do repairs on some equipment. Finally, today he receives an order to make a still for Monticello Distilling. This facility has just been re-built after a horrible flood of the Jones Falls in 1868. They make the Maryland Rye that Joe is familiar with. He knows this is a tremendous opportunity. He’s given the go-ahead to design and build the Continuous Still for them. Perhaps, a leap of faith by the owners or a move to try to compete with some of the larger distilleries. Either way, Joseph M. Kavanagh starts working on his first still for sale.

July 8

Joe’s still is completed. He delivers it himself in the company’s horse & cart. He installs it and leaves it in the hands of Monticello’s crew. He returns to the Shop anxious to hear how well it works.

July 9

The Democratic National Convention is held in Baltimore. I imagine Joe was interested and read the newspaper accounts. At this time, he was a Lincoln Republican so , perhaps, he was not that interested. The Democrats choose Horace Greeley as their candidate for the Presidency.

July 15

The owners of Monticello Distilling are very happy. They report to Joe that this rye is outstanding. They flavor it with the right mix of rye, corn, barley and aromatics. It has a smooth taste but still carries that wallop from Joe’s still. The whiskey is a higher proof for sure. An unexpected benefit of Joe’s arduous efforts to keep the columns as round as he can is the efficiency of the still. They are netting out a bit more by volume from the mash. Joe’s proud of himself, surely, but he’s mostly chomping at the bit to do more. He’s sure that the best way to expand the Shop is via the distilling industry.

September 3

Joe & George have lunch in the Shop and discuss their next move. Since July, the Shop’s work has increased dramatically. They still have their bread and butter. Household copper items, commercial cooking vessels, fountains and the occasional steamship repairs, but now these are augmented by the still work. Joe has made another still for a small company and done several modifications for Monticello and others. They discuss hiring another apprentice. They decide to wait through the winter and decide on that. Joe tells George that he’s targeting one of the larger distilleries in town, Orient Distilling. They are located in the Canton part of Baltimore. Close enough to the Shop for convenience and a large enough facility to provide a lot of work. They too make the MD Rye that Joe knows so well.

The incumbent Ulysses S. Grant defeats Horace Greeley in a landslide to win the Presidency. Greeley dies about 3 months later. Yellowstone National Park is established as the world’s first national park. The Centenary Biblical Institute is founded in Baltimore. This will become Morgan State University in time. Boston burns for two days in the Great Boston Fire of 1872. Author Zane Grey and future Baltimore Oriole Wee Willie Keeler are born.

There are still 37 states in the Union.

February 7

Patrick & Katherine welcome baby, Alice. She’s named for her grandmother, the matriarch of the family, Alice Clarke Kavanagh. A new baby brings happiness and hope. It always does. Joe’s an uncle again for the sixth time.

February 15

A customer brings in two bottling and carbonating devices for repair. They are referred to as “Mineral Water Apparatus” at the time. A basic system made of copper tubes with some bends in each tube. Something new to them, but not at all out of their area. It’s copper and it’s bent. Pretty straight forward except after completion of the repairs, the customer does not show up. He’s gone. This will happen periodically. A job is done, but for whatever reason the customer doesn’t pick up. Usually, they are never heard from again. The pieces sit and then are scrapped.

March 9

Kavanagh & Smith places an ad in in the Baltimore Sun. They are trying to sell the two used “Mineral Water Apparatuses”. The Ad is below. It’s the earliest ad for the Shop. Alas, it doesn’t work. No one has any interest in the devices. They are scrapped a few months later.

July 19

Kavanagh & Smith receive an order for three big cooking vessels for a new restaurant/pub. These are quite large. Almost 4 ft. in Diameter. They are double-jacketed, as always, for faster and more even cooking. It’s a nice little job for the Shop. Joe and his apprentices are getting quicker in producing these vessels. Kettles this size need three men to make. Two with hammers and mallets and one to hold the thing still. Upon completion, they are lifted into the cart and delivered by George Smith.

August 8

The dog days of summer are upon Baltimore. The city is growing by leaps and bounds. More people. More work. It’s a time of growth and expansion of urban centers. Joe and his crew work oblivious to the heat. Joe’s nephews Martin and Joe visit the Shop today. Joe does his work and smiles softly to see them playing in the dirt of the Shop floor. Perhaps, he starts considering their future. Would they work for him? Wouldn’t that be something? I’m sure the thought pleased him. I can say from personal experience that playing in the dirt of the Shop is often how it starts.

September 23

Joe sits alone late on a Saturday night. The rest of the family sleeping. Joe has spent as many off-hours as possible at the Shop this year. Trying to “round out” the columns of his still. It was laborious to try to keep them as round as possible to a very tight tolerance. His work has paid off. Joe’s last batch of rye was clearly a higher proof. The taste is fine though a true distiller would flavor it better. Joe knows he’s no distiller, but his skills as a coppersmith have helped him. He can’t sleep if he wanted to sleep. He takes another sip and smiles for he has done it.

September 25

A cool fall day is a good day for working. Kavanagh & Smith go about their business. Joe informs George of his success with the still. The potential for better rye whiskey and more to the point ,the chance for more work. George tastes the rye and agrees with Joe. This is definitely a potent drink. Joe decides he will visit local distilleries. He will try to convince them to allow Kavanagh & Smith to service and repair their equipment. It might be a hard sell. The distillers have their own staff who fix problems as they pop up. Joe will have to be persuasive so he fills a bottle with rye. That will be his sample and his selling point. He makes his plans and hopes that this will open up a wide avenue of work and success for his firm.

October 16

It’s a Monday. I am sure that folks from that era had the same feeling about Mondays as we do. However, this day. This Monday. Joe is hired to do some repairs on a still by a Baltimore distillery. It’s his first chance to prove his abilities. He’s excited and confident. He knows his system will net a better rye. He’s sure of it. What he’s unsure of is where this whiskey work will take him.

Ulysses S. Grant is the President. The first Major League Baseball game is played but without a corresponding official league yet. In October, four large fires rage around Lake Michigan. The Great Chicago fire being the most famous. 100,00 are left homeless and 2500 die.

There are 37 states in the Union

February 7

Snow falls in Baltimore on a chilly Monday morning. There are no snow days. Joe & George open there Shop like any other day. Their two young apprentices work with Joe on several large Jacket Kettles. Similar to the one pictured below. Joe teaches them how to use smithing hammers, wooden mallets and a brass hammer. All most likely of his own construction. Meticulous work every day. You can try to go fast, but this can lead to mistakes. It’s a balance of brevity and accuracy. His young charges seem to be learning well. When completed, the kettles are delivered by George in the Kavanagh & Smith Cart.

May 11

Joe works on a funnel or stack for a steamship. A rush-rush repair job, but one that the Shop is well-suited to do. The funnel is the large spout that releases boiler steam and smoke. With his helpers, Joe anneals and bends the brass tubes. He hammers and shapes to get the right curve and degree. The steamship repairs are not steady work, but it all adds up for Joe & George. While Joe and the boys work on the funnel, George sells their copper items to the general public. They make sure to have a bit of an inventory of pitchers and pans now. This makes walk-up purchases a possibility. Business is good and they are busy.

June 14

A quiet Saturday night spent with the family. Joe still thinking of the Column Still. He’s of the mind that if he can adapt the still enough, there is a way to make a higher proof without sacrificing taste. He thinks that the key may be in the beer still. A beer still is the first phase of distilling. Distilling is, essentially, boiling fermented liquid then cooling it quickly. This creates vapors which are liquified and gathered. The beer still separates the water and the alcohol from the mash. The better it works. The higher the proof of the end product. After passing through the beer still, the product is distilled again (sometimes several times) and flavored. The true Maryland Pure Rye has been distilled in MD for over one hundred years in 1870. Maryland is the 3^rd largest producer of Rye in the U.S. at the time. The MD rye is quite popular. Opinions seem to vary on why, but it’s most likely the quality of homegrown MD rye and the soft water of our temperate location. No matter what the reason, the MD rye is some of the best available. Joe decides to start from scratch. He’ll make his own Continuous Column Still starting with the Beer Still. The Column Still is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a column of pots, basically. Each with perforated copper between the layers to catch the mash or slop (the rye mix including a little corn & barley malt). Joe thinks that irregularities in the diameter of the columns or pots may be contributing to the lower proof of the rye. He will make his own taking pain-staking detail to keep the circular pots as round and true as possible. A real challenge when these pots are made by hand with no machinery. He will do it bit by bit as he can. Joe believes if he can make better columns, he can make a better still. This work in distilleries could be his biggest money maker.

August 22

Kavanagh & Smith are hard at work in the heat. Coppersmithing is such hot work. While holding that torch in the summer heat, one can see the waves of heat rising from the copper. You might get light-headed and dehydrated. There is still no refrigeration so any water you drink is warm. It’s still refreshing, but not of the order of popping open a bottle water and downing it. You do what you can to deal with the heat. Focusing on the work to be done. Joe stays late many nights. He’s working on rounding out his columns. Trying to get them as perfect as possible. His days and nights are long, but he’s quite certain some day it will be worth it.

December 30

The Kavanaghs celebrate the 10^th Wedding Anniversary of Patrick & Katherine Kavanagh, Joe’s brother & sister-in-law. A small party is held. Some toasts and many smiles. Joe feels happy for his brother and his growing family. They have 2 boys (Martin 8 and Joe 4) and their 2 year old daughter, Alice. Katherine is expecting so their fourth child will arrive next year. They gather and honor each other. It is Joe, the youngest brother James, their sister, Katherine, her husband Edward Brody and their 2 boys, Patrick and his family and, of course, their mother, Alice. Alice was the leader of this family. They know how much they owe her for bringing them to this nation. More to the point. She is their mother and the source of the love and life that they all enjoy. The year ends. Their life is happy but hard. Still no indoor plumbing, electricity, sanitation or running water. The “necessities” of today are not even thought of yet. Not luxuries, but non-existent.

Ulysses S. Grant is the President of the United States. The Department of Justice and the National Weather Service are created. Christmas Day is declared a federal holiday. Old Faithful is discovered and named by Henry D. Washburn. Robert E. Lee dies.

With the return of the last of the Confederate States, there are now 37 states in the Union.

March 15

Kavanagh & Smith have made it through another winter and their new building is paying off. They see an increase in the call for larger kettles. Restaurants, pubs and bars begin using them. The Jacket Kettles that Joe makes seem to be a hit. Joe & George hire an apprentice. Joe’s first helper. A young teen boy looking to learn his trade. Joe needs the labor and is happy for the assistance.

April 28

Joe & George buy a horse & cart. They have been considering this for a year but now it’s almost a requirement. They had intended to use it to ply their wares through the neighborhoods. As it turns out, they need the cart for deliveries now. The larger commercial cooking vessels need to be hauled to the customer. George delivers to local eateries as they gain food service customers. The work is there and they are determined to get as much of it as they can.

June 1

Summer starts early. June turns the Lombard Street building into a hot box, but the partners are undaunted as they are thrilled at the prospects for new work. George begins speaking to steamship captains and the owners of these ships. George was a Navy Man and his familiarity with ships gives him an “in” with these gentlemen. The steamships are becoming more common in Baltimore. These ships need repairs. Repairs of brass and copper tubes and parts. A new avenue opens up for the Shop. When ships are in port, they have a limited time there. When repairs are needed, they must be done fast. If the work can be done, Joe & George can charge a premium. The ships’ captains though concerned with price are much more concerned with the time frame. Joe’s skills and quickness land them some ship work.

September 3

A breezy fall day is spent working on a municipal fountain. Yet, another commercial application for Joe’s smithing skills. Fountains are made from copper than embedded in stone. The guts of them are copper through and through. So, Kavanagh & Smith starts bending copper for fountains. This work is time-consuming and can be intricate, but Joe learns the how-to’s quickly. Fountain work becomes a mainstay of the Shop. We still work on them today.

November 15

Kavanagh & Smith are busy. It’s been a year of growth and success. They hire a second apprentice as the volume and variety of work continues to expand. Now, a four man crew, the Shop is off to a fine start in its new building. I’m sure Joe was excited at the new prospects. Still making his pitchers and pots for your average folk, but now with a stable of commercial customers. He must have been proud. Of course, there are no guarantees in business. Things can change on a dime but for now, Joe must have known they were on the right track.

December 25

Christmas Day is a day of no work and a day of celebration and family. The Kavanaghs attended Church than sat down for a family meal. Home life for the Kavanaghs was about family and togetherness. I wish I knew a bit more about their life outside of work. I can only speculate. I feel certain that the home on Albemarle Street was full of song and laughter. Through the years, there have been a lot of Kavanagh musicians. I feel quite sure this was true of this generation, as well. Singing about their faith, their homeland and life in general. I’m sure it was a Merry Christmas, but Joe is still preoccupied. He sips his whiskey and thinks. A whiskey of his own distilling. He still tweeks the column still in search of that smoother blend and that higher proof. He ponders as his family celebrates around him.

Ulysses S. Grant is the President of the United States. The Transcontinental Railroad is completed when the “ golden spike” is driven in to the last rail. The National Women’s Suffrage Association is formed. The Cincinnati Red Stockings become the first fully professional baseball team. The first intercollegiate American football game is played. Jesse James commits his first confirmed bank robbery.

There are 33 states in the Union. Reconstruction will soon give way to the Gilded Age.

March 22

Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh welcome a baby girl, Alice. Their first daughter joins their two sons as the Kavanagh family gets a little bigger. The Kavanaghs all still living at 89 Albemarle. Three generations in one home. As Patrick and Katherine’s brood gets bigger, that will have to change.

July 24

The Black Friday Flood hits. A massive storm with torrential downpours slams Baltimore City. A tremendous amount of water causes the Jones Falls to overflow. At one point, the water level rises 5 feet in 10 minutes. Joe and George try their best to deal with the water, but it’s impossible. They scramble to save their tools, supplies and any of their products they can. The stall at 1. W. Falls Avenue is washed away. Joe and George salvage what they can and return to their homes. Joe sits at his home on Albemarle Street and thinks of what he can do. His short-lived business is essentially all gone.

July 29

Joe and George meet on Albemarle Street. They both agree to carry on. They need to find new premises and hopefully one more permanent than the stall. George has a lead on a building on Lombard Street. Joe and he inquire about its availability.

August 3

Kavanagh & Smith open a new facility, 16 W. Lombard Street. The partners have decided to give it another try. They pool their money and are able to acquire this much more permanent Shop. They are taking a chance, but they were doing fairly well in their stall. It’s a risk, but the other option was to give up on the business. The building is approximately 50 ft. X 20 ft. There’s room to build and grow, if that is necessary. They have more room to work and sell. Joe has an actual shop to work in now. It’s more convenient, safer and more secure. This new building offers a chance to be more successful. The process of moving was relatively simple. A few tools and supplies were all they had after the flood. Any move is complicated, but this one I am sure was quick and easy. Considering the flood and damage, there wasn’t much down time and they get back to work. They make their pots, pans, pitchers and sundry. But now, Joe also has some privacy. To develop his skills and his knowledge. He begins tinkering with the design of the French Column Still he learned about in France. When he is not otherwise occupied with his copper products, he begins exploring ways to make the Column Still even more efficient. Off hours things. After closing time. As an owner, closing time is quite often an open-ended time.

August 20

A blistering heat wave burns over Baltimore. Joe misses his old stall a bit. A breeze that offered some relief there is missing from the new shop. Still, he hammers away. He anneals, he bends, he twists and pounds his copper. Despite the lack of wind, the new shop seems to be working out well. They are able to make larger pots and kettles for cooking now. The room affords them the opportunity to try new things. They are able to store and use larger blocks and sheets of copper. Foot traffic near the Lombard Street building brings them a steady supply of customers. The heat is more tolerable as they get busier and busier. Work can cure all ills at times. The production of larger kettles opens up the possibility for commercial customers, as well. All the while, Joe is still contemplating the Column Still. He believes that the burgeoning distilling industry may be a better potential source for work than even the food service industry.

December 20

The first winter at 16 W. Lombard Street arrives and Kavanagh & Smith couldn’t be happier to have four walls. The stall is not missed at all now. Of course, as mentioned earlier, using a torch will help keep you warm through the day. But nothing seems better for warmth than walls and a roof. The two friends speak gently of their successful recovery from the flood. They know success can be fleeting. They continue to work and make bigger plans. Their thoughts return again to purchasing a horse and cart. A way to reach a wider range of folks and increase their customer base. They table this plan until after the winter. Next year, they will re-evaluate.

Andrew Johnson finishes his term. In November, Ulyssess S. Grant defeats Horatio Seymour to become the 18^th President of the United States. Memorial Day is observed for the first time. The Maryland School for the Deaf is established in Frederick, MD. The first volume of the novel, Little Women, is published. W. E. B. Du Bois and Scott Joplin are born. After the re-admittance of six Confederate states, there are 33 states in the Union.