September 1909

September 3

Fine Orchard Specimens

Some of the finest fruit seen this season was raised on the property of Mr. Victor Rowe and sent to town by Mrs. Rowe. Peaches, pears, plums and grapes, each variety the finest of its kind, made up the attractive selection sent to some of her friends this week. The appearance and arrangement remained one of the most beautiful fruit set out by the 'California Fruit Company' - but Rowe's was far more delicious.

Enthusiastic Rider Injured

Yesterday afternoon Miss Marie Gloninger was thrown from her horse and received slight injuries. She was riding through Emmitsburg and as she passed the fountain at a lovely pace the horse fell, throwing the rider to the ground and the animal was badly bruised about the left foreleg.

An Exciting Blaze

Fire broke out in the building containing the engine and machinery needed by Patterson Brothers in connection with their business on Friday last, between 12 and one o'clock. The fire was discovered by Charles Sellers who was passed in the building in a team when he noticed the blaze, and immediately gave the alarm. The Vigilant Hose Co. quickly responded, and by very efficient work, soon had the fire under control. Part of the roof was burnt together with a portion of the gable end. The fire was caused by sparks from the engine. The building was very dry and the fire gained headway rapidly until the arrival of the firemen, who by quick work soon had the flames quenched.

September 10

Exciting Times On Circus Takes

Last Saturday, Circus Day, was unusually disorderly. It became apparent early in the day that a few of those who came in to see the elephant were tanking up for the occasion. In the afternoon, a boxing match between a Wetzel and the Wills ended in the arrest of both. They were taken before the Burgess and fined each two dollars. It is said that the fight was finished outside the corporate limits. There were several other mix-ups before night ended but no other arrests.

The serenity of the town was disturbed considerably later in the night. Employees of the circus, for some wrong done them, fancy or real, at about 11 o'clock assaulted, it is said, two men, and bruised them up considerably but not so bad as has been reported. George Cool was bruised on the shoulders and suffered several scalp wounds, and Basil Sanders, it is said, was struck on the nape of his neck with a club or sandbag with force enough to cause a slight concussion of the brain. Both these men have almost recovered from their hurts.

The circus men claim that some person or persons affected the canvas of dressing tent while the performance was going on. It is supposed then, that in search of those guilty of this offense, they made a mistake and attacked Sanders and Cool who had nothing to do with it. It seems that someone on his way home from the town, going out the pike, fired several shots from a revolver into the air. This called out all the circus men and they went after the first person in sight. The noise of the revolver and the shouts of the man caused many to lose their heads and there was great excitement on the pike.

Another report has it that the last time the circus was in Emmitsburg someone was stung for something like $35 by the shell game experts and this unfortunate one came to town on this occasion to get square and caused the trouble that ended so disastrously to Cool and Sanders.

Serious as the affair was, it still had its ludicrous side. The young man who was struck on the neck had previously eaten some tomato soup. When he was found lying on the pavement he was taken to the hotel Spangler. His injury nauseated him and those by him thought he had hemorrhaged. This led to the report that he was dying.

Two men chased out the pike after each other thinking they were pursued, the one in front taking the other behind him for circus men, and the last man trying to come up to the other for protection. They kept up the chase until the man in the lead was exhausted and then they recognized each other.

It is fortunate for all concerned that the fight occurred when it did for had it been earlier in the night, more people would have been engaged in the affair and it might have assumed more serious proportions.

Successful Festival

The festival for the benefit of the Lutheran Church held at the home of Mrs. Stansbury on September 4, was very successful. The expenses of the festival amounted to $13.87 total, proceeds were $29.87, making a balance of $16 which was given to the church.

September 17

Manufacturing Co. Inc.

A company of local gentlemen has been organized, and is called the Hays' Acetylene Generating and Manufacturing Company. It is the intention of the company to build a big plan for the extensive manufacturing of the already well-known Hay's acetylene gas generators. The machines are in no way experiments.

A 500 light generator has been installed in the new seminary building at Mount St. Mary's and in all parts of the country from Canada to Kansas inquiries concerning prices etc., are being received daily by the builders. At present, the companies are having difficulty in securing a site.

The incorporators are T. C. Hayes, J. S. Annan, E. L Frizell, P. F. Bruket, J. T. Gelwicks, Basal Gilson, A. A. Horner, and W.D. Collifower, all are residents of our fair town.

Circus Men Released

The two members of the circus who are arrested under the charge of having assaulted Basil Sanders and John Cool on the night of the "riot," were given a hearing in Frederick on Saturday afternoon. The evidence was so incomplete, that the justice deemed insufficient to hold the men and they were released.

September 24

Two Children And A Lady In List Of Those Injured This Week.

On Tuesday, Mr. John C. Annan, son of County Commissioner Stewart Annan, fell and dislocated his forearm.

Last Sunday the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Spalding fell from a barn bridge and ran a piece of glass clear through her leg. The child is only five years old.

Mrs. William Weaver, of Mount St. Mary's, coming for Mass on Sunday at St. Anthony's Church, fell and struck her head on the church steps and lacerated her forehead.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'