Editors Note. In the Sept. 1st, 1911 issue of the Emmitsburg Chronicle, the paper from which we draw the 100 Years Ago this Month material, the Editor, Sterling Galt, announced that as he was going to seek the position of State Senator in the upcoming state election, he was handing the reigns of the paper over to his deputy, E. Higbee, to ensure the paper’s neutrality. Unfortunately, from a Historical Society perspective, Mr. Higbee was a tad bit lacking in his coverage of local affairs, leaving us with little to draw upon for the column this month. He did, however, manage to fill the paper’s pages with some interesting tidbits on world affairs that caught our eye, and hopefully yours as well.

Oct. 6

Large Surprise Party

A surprise party was given in the honor of Mr. and Mrs. Asbury Fuss at their home near the Toms Creek Bridge at Four Points. The guests assembled much to the surprise of the Fuss’ and with them came the Emmitsburg band, which rendered some fine selections during the evening. All those present expressed themselves as having spent a very pleasant evening. The guests numbered about 88 and all.

New Piano for School

The Literary Society of the high school has bought a new piano and presented it to the school. It is their intention to pay for it by means of festivals and plays during the next year. On Oct. 21st the ninth grade will give a chicken supper for this purpose. The patrons and friends of the school are asked to help the cause along by not only attending the same, but also lend whatever support they can.

Hampton Valley Telephone Company

The Hampton Valley Mutual Telephone Company is in process of formation. The projectors and subscribers intend to build a line from Emmitsburg up Hampton Valley at least as far as Mr. Walter Hess’ place.

William Curtis Dead

William Curtis, one of the most widely known newspapermen in America, died last week. One of his earliest "scoops" was getting an interview with Jesse James and his gang in the midst of his war with the authorities. While detectives were endeavoring to locate the desperados, Curtis, then a reporter for a Chicago paper, went out to Missouri, found their hiding place, and calmly announced that he had come for an interview.

The first thing the gang wanted to do was kill him, but Curtis talked his way out of a quick death and into one of most vivid interviews anybody ever had with Jessie James. Having accomplished his purpose the reporter returned to the nearest telegraph station and wired his "scoop" to the paper. While he was pressed heavily by the Pinkerton railroad detectives to reveal the location of their hiding place, he kept his word to the gang and kept their location secret.

Italy Declares War on Turkey

Italy, exasperated by Turkish misrule and treatment of Italian citizens by Mohammedans, declared war and opened it up last week by sinking a Turkish vessel. On Tuesday, Italy began a bombardment of Tripoli. The Italians spared all hospitals, churches and convents, aiming only at the city’s fornications.

Discrimination was made with relative ease, as the range of the Turkish cannon was so short that the ships were able to approach the city closely and take accurate aim. The bombardment was protracted out of concern to avoid useless bloodshed and to respect the homes of non-combatants.

Oct. 13

First Wireless Communication Across the Pacific

The first wireless communications between San Francisco and Japan, a distance of 6,000 miles, was established last week. This is the first time that a wireless message has been received across the Pacific Ocean. When the operator at Hillcrest station caught the signals he made them out to be the call for the Chive Maru, a steamer that is due today at Honolulu. He answered the signal and learned that the call came from the Japanese wireless station on Hokusha Island in the northern part of Japan. The operators exchange messages for some time.

This Year's Garden Results Best Yet

The largest specimens of chestnuts we've ever seen were brought to this office by Mr. Knott. The burr held three nuts, each larger than the $.50 piece. Mr. George Ohler and George Springer each sent pears to this office that weighed 15 ounces. Mr. George Warren of Liberty Township presented us a pumpkin that looks like a monster peanut. It was a pie pumpkin 19 inches long; now it's a pumpkin pie 36 inches in diameter.

A squash raised by Mr. McKissick measured 10 1/2 inches in diameter and 5 1/2 inches thick. Mr. Moser brought us a radish, which was easily the largest ever seen here about. It was 39 inches in circumference and weighed, well we won’t say what it weighed for it may hurt our reputation, but it had to be the largest radish in the world. Mr. Maxwell brought in a sweet potato that weighted six pounds.

When it comes to Turnips, we go to Mr. Frank Feliex. He showed us one that weighted 5 pounds.

Oct. 20

Temperance Reform Criticized

President Andreas of the Brewers Congress has criticized temperance advocates in this way: "In this country the so-called temperance movement has fallen into the hands of the most intemperate people in the nation - individuals suffering from what I can only describe as chronic moral inebriation, individuals utterly devoid of reasoning powers, largely lacking in the most elementary knowledge and education, and, worse than all, in only too many cases prompted solely by the commercial benefits they derived from the cause they make a profession of championing."

Oct. 27

The Airplane’s 100th victim

Aviator Level died at Rheims, France from the effects of this fall on the previous Tuesday. On that same day at Berne, Switzerland, Hans Schmidt fell 150 feet, the gasoline exploded, and he was burned to death. With these two deaths, aviation now claims 100 victims since Thomas Selfridge was the first to die in a plane in 1908.

Affairs of the County

The commissioners of this County have made their annual public statement of the funds received and expended during the fiscal year. Your statement shows that $275,489 was collected for the maintenance of the County government. The county spent about $25,000 for approving and erecting bridges. In addition to this the sum, $22,000 was spent upon the old roads of the County and about $8,000 on new roads. The Sheriff’s Office expenses cost the County $8,000 and the Board of Education $95,000. Excess revenue was used to retire outstanding debt, reducing the county’s indebtedness to just $350,000.

The State Comptroller has made public the results of the quarterly distribution of the Sate School Tax. Frederick’s share is $16,789 for schools and $1,771 for the book fund.

Horse & Auto Accidents

A team belonging to Bishop Murry came to grieve yesterday morning in front of Gelwicks’ store. One of the horses, drawing a load of corn, became unmanageable and before he quieted down kicked in the end of the wagon.

A horse driven by Mr. Long stumbled over a stone on West Main Street and fell, breaking the shafts and runabout to which he was hitched.

Dr. Jamison’s absent-mindedly cranked up his new "mechanical horse" while it was still in gear and it ran into a tree, breaking one of the headlights before he could jump in and bring "the beast" to heal.

Rebellion in China Grows

The rebellion in China grows in magnitude each day. Three cities have fallen under their attacks and some of the largest centers of the population in the empire are threatened, including Peking in Shanghai.

The revolutionary spirit is now manifesting itself in the north as well as in the South. Those who heretofore have believed that the Northern provinces might rally around the government are now at the opinion that successions will follow in rapid succession.

The precautionary measures taken in Manchuria, where the government does not permit mention of the revolution, shows that the antigovernment spirit also exists in the far North. It is also reported that the rebels are anxious to overthrow the Manchurians, now the ruling race, and build up a republic.

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