May 4

Soda Fountain

C. J. Rowe & Co. has installed a new soda fountain that will dispense ice cream soda - all flavors - delicious sundaes, Coca-Cola and many special beverages.

Military Drill At Mount St. Mary's

The student body at Mount St. Mary's held a military drill prior to the ballgame on Saturday. For the past week the men have been drilling faithfully under the supervision of Messer’s. Cashman, Burns, and Corbett. These men had military training at Plattsburgh last summer.

Struck And Killed By Autocar

Mrs. Catherine Klienman, of Fairfield, 80 years old, was run down and killed last week by an automobile while on her way to visit a sick friend. She became confused brushing the street and, it is said, stepped in the path of an automobile driven by J. E. Sheetz.

Spies Arrested

Two young men, believed to be spies, having flashlights, skeleton keys and a bottle of unknown liquid in their pockets, were arrested while trying to enter a coal shed at the Gettysburg Electric Co. plant.

May 11

War Briefs

Several young men from Emmitsburg left the district this week and enlisted in the army now forming to fight the Huns in Europe. Mr. Harry Beam, accompanied by an expert buyer, was in Emmitsburg buying horses for the fifth Maryland Regiment, this week. The Emmitsburg Red Cross auxiliary is very busy in its commendable work for the soldiers at the front. Weekly meetings are held in the public school auditorium. A great many articles for hostile purposes have already been finished.

During the week, the flags of the allies have been displayed with the American flag on many buildings in town. The British, French and Belgian flags are grouped above the entrance to the reformed church and on the coping of the Emmitsburg Savings Bank, and the French tricolor flies from the Annan building on the square.

Mr. Miles Houston, son of Mrs. Sophia Rowe, left yesterday for Plattsburgh, to join the sergeant’s officer class. Out of the 2000 applicants, Mrs. Rowe reports, only 250 passed the mental and physical examination.

Tramp Dies

Lewis Denson, a tramp, became seriously ill and died from exposure on Saturday morning and was buried at the expense of the town on Sunday morning. Denson fell asleep along the creek, at Tramp’s Roost on Friday.

Annan Re-elected Burgess

The annual election for Burgess, to serve one year, and one Commissioner, to serve three years, was held in the Firemen's Hall on Monday. As there was only one ticket in the field, the vote was not heavy; the balloting was merely complementary. Burgess Jon Stewart Annan and Commissioner William Morrison were re-elected.

James Helmam Dies

After an illness or four months, Mr. James Helman died at his residence here on Wednesday afternoon in his 79th year. He was born in Emmitsburg, October 4, 1839, and resided here during his entire life. He engaged in a mercantile business, which he conducted up to the time of his death. For many months he was a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Hellman belonged to the older regime and price of friendship of the many who, one by one, entered before him. He was a kindly man and a firm friend, and among his kindred he was dutiful, considerate, faithful and affectionate far beyond the common standards.

It was Mr. Helman's delight to delve into all records, to search all, talk of and write about the folklore of Emmitsburg in its vicinity. Much of the early tradition of the District has been kept alive because of this happy trade. Facts and fancy are interestingly woven together in the History of Emmitsburg published by Mr. Helman several years ago.

May 18

Forest Fire Near Catoctin

About 10 o'clock Tuesday morning a fire broke out on the Catoctin Furnace property. For a time, the large McPherson residence was threatened. The homes of James Leatherman, Charles Castle and Vernon Smith were saved from destruction by united efforts of the forces fighting the fire. F. W. Fraley, the Forest Warden, stated that the fire extended from Lewistown to Catoctin Furnace, a distance of about three miles. Upwards of 50 men were engaged in fighting the fire, which is now under control.

Store And Elevator Burned At Loys

Fire of unknown origin burned the store and warehouse and also the elevator of Samuel Ransburg, at Low’s station several miles from Thurmont, at an early hour Wednesday morning. Mr. Ransburg only recently took possession of the store there. The fire started around one in the morning, in the store and the warehouse adjoining and also connected with the post office, which was likewise destroyed. Both the store building and elevator building are a total wreck. The elevator building contained farm implements, coal bins, etc. The residence that was near the store was saved. The store contained several thousand dollars worth of stock, groceries etc. The total loss is estimated at $5000, and is covered by insurance. The property was known as the Stimmel property and is located between Thurmont and Bruceville.

May 25

Conditions Of The Street

Insomuch as we cannot have oiled streets this year, as the oil is needed for the war effort, we can certainly improve prison conditions. Perhaps the most effective thing to do is to scrape the streets regularly after heavy rains, sweep them thoroughly, hard away the dirt and then sprinkle. Any reasonable appeal made to the people of Emmitsburg usually meets with instant and wholehearted response. If the town has the scraping and hauling done they will find everyone willing to do the rest. Of course oil is preferable; each use means comfort, time saved and money well invested, but if we are to be denied this, the half loaf principle is better than nothing. Without some sort of regular attention to the streets to route the summer the dust from Taurus cars alone will make life unbearable.

War Briefs

The registration for the selective draft will be held at the regular polling places in Emmitsburg, Precinct 1, at Mr. Lawrence's house; precinct 2, at Mr. Mullins's house. The registers in Precinct 1, R. Charles Hope and William Colliflower, Precinct 2, James Carrigan and James Harbaugh.

Six young men from Emmitsburg are now in the service. The last to enlist were Messrs. Alexander Cauliflower, and Charles Sharrer but were rejected on account of physical disability. Frank Bouey and Quincy Topper had been accepted and are now underway to the southern border.

A large flag was raised on the public school building, on Frederick Street, on Monday morning following a patriotic demonstration given by the pupils of the school.

Recruiting In Emmitsburg

On Tuesday, May 29, between the hours of four and 8 p.m., recruiting officers will be in Emmitsburg. Company A (Frederick County) needs 50 men. Those who enlist will remain in this company throughout their term of service. Under the draft Emmitsburg unions will be scattered. Many will prefer to volunteer rather than be drafted. This opportunity will be offered only on Tuesday, May 29. "It is no reflection upon any man to be chosen under the draft," but it is reasonable for men to desire to serve with her friends. Men from Emmitsburg that enlist on Tuesday will be with the home organization.

College Offers Plant To Government

Recently, the president and Council of Mount St. Mary's College formally offered its entire equipment to the president for such uses as the government might deem serviceable during the war. Official acknowledgment by the president of this gracious, practical act of patriotism has been received by the college authorities, but up to the present time there has been no indication of what plans the government may have in the matter.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'