TO THE ELECTORS OF FREDERICK. GENTLEMEN: THE AVOWED HOSTILITY OF THE LATE NOMINEES FOR THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND A PORTION OF THOSE PRESENTED FOR COMMON COUNCIL, TO THE PLAN OF SETTLEMENT EFFECTED BY THE PRESENT CITY AUTHORITIES WITH THE BANKS. . . CREATES THE NECESSITY OF MAKING INDEPENDENT NOMINATIONS, FAVORABLE TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PALPABLE JUSTICE OF THIS CLAIM. IT IS IN RESPONSE TO THIS NECESSITY THAT WE HAVE CONSENTED TO BECOME CANDIDATES FOR YOUR SUFFRAGE. WE REGARD THIS PLAN OF SETTLEMENT OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE, TRANSCENDING ALL PETTY PARTIZAN CONSIDERATIONS. .

[Frederick MD, 1865. Broadside, 7-1/2" x 12." Very Good. Title in elegant Gothic type. Signed in type at the end by five members of the Board of Aldermen [David J. Markey, James Whitehill, Val S. Brunner, D.C. Winebrener, Andrew Boyd] and Edward Sinn for the Common Council, Ward 2.

On July 9, 1864, Rebel General Jubal Early demanded a $200,000 ransom from the Town of Frederick. Otherwise, he said, he would burn it to the ground. "Mayor Cole and members of the city council voted to get the money to pay the ransom by requiring five local banks each to give a percentage of their total capital. 'The city knew they would face the likely burning. . . If they hadn't done that, the city would have most likely been destroyed.' The money was carried to Early in baskets provided by residents and later returned to them. A basket belonging to the Shankles family from Buckeystown believed to have been used in the delivery is on display at the Museum of Frederick County History" [Frederick News-Post, 7 July 2014].
The next step was to determine how to repay the Banks. Attacking opponents of the repayment plan, this broadside explains the agreement reached between the City and the Banks. The Banks would "abate $50,000 of the amount as their share." The County would chip in another $50,000. The remaining $100,000 would be paid by taxing the citizens of Frederick. The taxation formula is, these signers argue, extremely favorable to lower income residents. "The 'poor man's' taxes will be less for 1865, than was the taxes for 1864. . . Talk about oppressing the 'poor man' indeed!" For decades afterward, city officials argued that federal officials should pay Frederick back for the loan, believing their actions saved United States government goods and property. They were unsuccessful.
The signers included Frederick's most important citizens, businessmen prominent in civic and religious affairs. The Winebrener family is active in Frederick today. David Markey [1809-1885] owned and operated in partnership "a highly successful planing mill at the northeast corner of North Bentz and West Second Street. . . [was] a building contractor with projects ranging from housing to the parsonage of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frederick . . .co-founder and board member of the Mutual Insurance Company of Frederick and city councilman, alderman and Tax Commissioner. During the Civil War, he did not serve in the military but actively supported the Union cause in this border state of divided loyalties and chaired at least one public event supporting the abolition of slavery in the revision of the Maryland Constitution" [Find a Grave online].
James Clemson Whitehill [1798-1874] was a cabinet maker, dealer of building materials, coffin dealer and undertaker. He was one of the incorporators of the Mt. Olivet Cemetery Company in 1852. Valentine Stickel Brunner[1818-1889] owned and operated a Grocery Store and later added Commission Agent and Forwarding and Wholesale Liquor Dealer. He became well known for his work as local agent for Adams Express Company which continued throughout the Civil War and until his death. David Charles "D C" Winebrenner, Sr. [1834-1903] owned D.C. Winebrenner & Son Wholesale Grocers. Andrew Boyd [1815-1877] was a dry goods merchant. Edward Sinn [1819-1902] was a stagecoach driver between Frederick and Hagerstown and later owned and operated Pioneer Livery Stables in Frederick for many years.
Not located in any of the normally consulted bibliographies, despite diligent search, as of October 2023.