February 4

Civic League Meeting

Last Friday the regular monthly meeting of the Civic League was held in the high school. The attendance, though not large in proportion to the enrollment, was representative. Several matters of importance, pertaining to the morals and health of the community, were discussed and committees appointed.

As an incentive to the prevention of fly breeding the League offered a prize of one dollar for the first quart of flies killed since February 1st and brought to the secretary of the League. Following the custom that has accomplished so much in the extermination of flies in other places, it was determined by the League to offer a nominal sum for dead flies during the spring and summer months. Also new iron signs that say: "Keep to the right" were contracted for by the League, the signs to take the place of wooden ones now at the Square.

Mild Weather

Emmitsburg, in fact all of Frederick County, has not experienced in 18 years, such mild weather as has been prevalent during the past month. The farmers throughout the county are rejoicing over the fall of snow on Wednesday. While the growing wheat is said to have been looking well there was danger of a freeze, which has been prevented by the recent snow. If signs count for anything, Frederick County will have six weeks of good weather as the groundhog failed to see his shadow any place in the county on Tuesday.

Auto Show Big Success

Frederick's second annual automobile show was the biggest and finest display of motor vehicles that Western Maryland has ever had. The cars shown were valued at $100,000. This exhibit, unusually well display, represented 30 autocars from the leading manufacturers of the country. The range in price of these machines was for $300 for a roadster to $6,000 for a beautifully appointed limousine.

February 11

Reprimand For Wrecking Trolley

Barney Carbaugh, 10 years old, of near Catoctin Furnace, was brought to Frederick last Saturday and taken before the justice of the peace, charged with having placed an obstruction on one of the rails of the Thurmont trolley last Tuesday, which caused a serious wreck. Barney, while returning from school the saw a piece of iron lying along the track and just for the amusement, placed in on one of the rails. He waited several minutes for the trolley but when it was late arriving, the little fellow continued on his journey home. Shortly after the car struck the iron, left the track and crashed into a telephone pole. It was damage to the extent of several hundreds of dollars and 20 passengers made narrow escapes from serious injury. By reason of the child's age the sentence was suspended after a severe reprimand from the magistrate.

Chestnut Blight Worse in Frederick County

While some farmers have reported that the chestnut blight, which has been destroying trees throughout Frederick County, is disappearing, a different story is told by others who have been carefully watching the progress of the serious tree disease. John Early claims that conditions are even worse than ever before, and he cannot understand how some say that the blight is vanishing.

"I've been cutting timber for telephone polls" said Mr. Early, "and you can hardly find a chestnut tree that is not affected. I think that the blight is now worse than ever before. This is not only true on Catoctin Mountain, but also on South Mountain, where I worked last summer. You can scarcely find a bunch of sprouts that is not blighted."

In the summertime the blight appears as a gradual withering of the leaves. Its progress is steady and results in the death of the healthiest looking trees. This tree disease has enlisted the best thought of scientist and foresters - but no remedy seems to be forthcoming.

February 18

Narrowly Escaped Serious Injury

While sledding On Gettysburg St., Tuesday evening, William Sprenkle, of East Main St., collided with an automobile, narrowly escaping serious injury. The car was coming in the opposite direction and before the driver could stop, the machine struck the sled, throwing young Sprenkle under it. Other than a few cuts about the head and knee, he was not seriously injured.

Killed While Operating Pump

While operating a gasoline pump on the Western Maryland Railway Bridge in Rocky Ridge, Samuel Butts, 63 years old, was killed. The section foreman found his body wedged in the machine. Butt’s clothing was caught in the pump and he was drawn in headfirst under the flywheel. His skull was crushed. He was a section hand and is survived by a widow and six children.

Presidents' Day

On Lincoln's birthday many flags were seen floating from homes and stores in Emmitsburg. On next Tuesday, Washington's birthday, it is expected that Bunting will be displayed profusely on all stores and residents in town.

February 25

Maryland Passes Up Suffrage

After one of the hottest fights of the presence session of the Maryland legislature, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments reported the proposed suffrage measurement unfavorably. The whole Frederick County delegation stood by the equal rights measure, with one exception, Edward Delaplaine, who opposed it.

Horse Thief Caught

A horse and buggy, valued at $250, was stolen on the farm of Charles Flook, late Wednesday night. Yesterday, a negro giving his name as John Wilson, about 35 years old was arrested by Deputy Lidie, a Thurmont, while trying to sell the team. The prisoner was taken to Frederick and after a hearing before the justice of the peace, was held on $500 bail for action of the next grand jury.

Organization Notice

A special invitation is extended to all men between the ages of 18 and 50, to be present at a meeting in Emerald Hall on Tuesday night for the purpose of organizing a tribe of Red Men. Because of the inclemency of the weather, the attendance at the preliminary meeting on Tuesday night was small, but enthusiasm was manifest, and consequently the organizers are confident that our hearty response will be made to this invitation.

Death of Mary Bowling

After weeks of suffering which she bravely bore in the spirit of Christian fortitude and resignation which characterized her life, Mrs. Mary Bowling died at her home on Gettysburg Street. The cause of her death was a complication of diseases. She leaves behind her, beside her husband, nine young children, one of which is a baby five weeks old.

Thurmont Post Office Robbed

Yeggman early Sunday morning blew up two safes in the Thurmont post office but left without having obtained loot of any kind. The door of the smaller safe was jammed into the wall at a point near the ceiling. There was nothing of value in the safe. Although the door of the larger safe used entirely for the storage of stamps and funds of the post office was torn from its hinges, bent, twisted and warped beyond repair, the charge explosive was not effectively placed. The second, or interior, door of the safe was not open. The total loss will amount to about $200. An investigation is being conducted into the burglary but as yet no arrest had been made. The only clue points to two strange men, who were seen moving about suspiciously before the burglary and her were seen leaving town a short time after the explosions occurred.

Boozers Celebrate Suffrage Vote

Former Former Boozers turned out in force to heckle the suffragettes who gathered on the Square last night to protest the defeat of the state bill to allow women to vote. The Boozers paid a dollar to the boy who could blow out the most candles held by the women – which according to Boozer President Dan Shorb - was a far better use of a dollar then killing flies. "Flies I can live with," said Shorb, "but what right minded man can live with a women voting?" Calls to end the boozers’ celebration went unheeded as Constable Shuff was partaking in the celebration himself.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'