July 3

Celebrations In Emmitsburg

The annual Fourth of July celebrations will be held in Emmitsburg, tomorrow. There will be a parade, baseball games in the morning, and a boxing match, band concert and fireworks in the afternoon and evening. Meals will be served at the fireman’s festival grounds.

Mysterious Fire

Sunday morning fire was discovered on a building on the property of Mr. Ridenour several miles north of Thurmont. The blaze was first seen by Mrs. Ridenour, the balance of the family having not arisen from their slumbers. A son-in-law was the first to reach the building and succeeded in pushing his Ford car there from. Fire had already burned off the top and destroy the cushions, but had not reached the gas tank which contain about 7 gallons of oil. In the shed was a buggy, which was also burnt. From the fact that the top of the car and the buggy were burned, it would seem as though the blaze started overhead. Nothing is known how the fire originated. None of the family had been at the shed since late Saturday evening and it was almost 7:30 Sunday morning when the fire occurred.

Cool Weather

For the past two weeks the temperature in this vicinity has been very mild for July. Rain fell on a number of days and stop to some extent the harvesting of the wheat crop, but it is now about all put away without loss. The past Saturday and Sunday the air was cool enough to require extra wraps.

July 10

Trucks Forced to Forge Stream

Although the Army’s Transcontinental Motor Convoy is following the Lincoln Highway, generally conceded to be the finest coast-to-coast road, it was proven during the first two days of the trip that bridges incapable of permitting passage of trucks are going to cause the government train a great amount of trouble and may possibly result in considerable delay.

On Tuesday when one of the big trucks came to the Middle Creek Bridge between Emmitsburg and Gettysburg, it was found that the machine was unable to pass beneath the roof of the structure and it was necessary to forge the stream with many of the large cars. It was fortunate that Middle Creek is not a sufficient size to cause any great difficulty. Many of the officers were greatly displeased over the inability of the bridges to allow passage of their trucks. One of the officers said “These old bridges are a thing of the past and it wouldn't be a bad idea to run over them and bring them down to show how poorly they are constructed.”

Epidemic in Fairfield

Fairfield is suffering from an epidemic of the Whooping Cough. Many of the younger children are affected with the disease and a number of houses have been quarantined. Although the disease has not been pronounced Whooping Cough, some of the symptoms indicate that it may be an epidemic of a new disease.

Arrested for Theft

Last Sunday a warrant was issued for Howard Lantz of Thurmont. Lance owns a Ford automobile, and was in need of a new tire and other accessories, and according to his statement, he had no money to purchase them so he went to his neighbor’s garage and took what he needed from his car. After hearing the evidence in the case the Justice of the Peace held Lantz for the September court. Failing to secure bond, Lantz put up his car as collateral and was given his liberty. The Justice of the Peace however made Lantz return the stolen parts before he would accept the car.

Attacked in Hotel

Last week trouble arose between Mr. and Mrs. William McGrill and Mr. David Firor proprietor of the new Thurmont Hotel and also a farmer. Firor, it is said, claims that some of the McGrill children knocked down some fence and his cattle got into a forbidden pasture. It is said words passed between Firor and Mrs. McGrill and her husband took a hand in the matter sometime afterwards and demanded an apology from Firor.

McGrill met Firor in the Grove midway between Firor’s farm and the hotel and started an argument, which quickly turned violent with McGrill knocking down Firor. Not being satisfied, McGrill and his wife went to the hotel in the evening and again demanded an apology from Firor for what he said to Mrs. McGrill. Firor told the couple he had nothing to apologize for, upon which McGrill knocked him down again. Mrs. Firor scream for help and one of the hotel guests ran to his assistance. The McGrill’s then left the hotel. The next day Firor swore out a warrant for McGrill’s arrest on assault and battery. After hearing the testimony, McGrill was fined $25. Upon hearing the fine, McGrill said it was the best $25 he had spent.

July 17

Storm Damage to Orchards

A destructive thunderstorm, accompanied by high winds and hail swept over this part of the county on Wednesday evening. Trees were uprooted and cornfields in roads badly washed. Considerable damage was done to orchards, immature peaches and apples being knocked from the trees. The storm was one of the most severe in recent years. Two and a half inches of water fell within one hour. Lightning did considerable damage. A number of trees and buildings were struck. The barn of Daniel Ross was struck and destroyed by fire, together with this season’s wheat and hay crops as well as all the farming implements. Lightning also struck Newton Henson’s stable, killing a horse and badly stunning two of his workers.

Gas Tank Blows Up

An accident occurred Saturday about noon at the Thurmont garage that might have killed three men and resulted in the destruction of the building. A heavy gas tank of a road truck had sprung a leak and was taken to the garage for repairs. One hole had been soldered and Mr. Vincent O’Toole was preparing to solder the second. Upon placing his soldering iron into the hole and explosion occurred, the tank being blown apart and a number of pieces. Mr. O'Toole in two of his helpers or all close to the tank when the explosion occurred. The two helpers were knocked some distance away and each had their eyebrows and hair singed by the flames. Parts of the tag struck Mr. O'Toole in the face, inflicting a severe wound on his four head over his right eye and cutting his nose at several places. His hair was also scorched. Many gas tanks have been repaired by Mr. O'Toole, but this was the first time he has met with an accident.

July 24

Little Girl Burned

Last Thursday morning about nine o'clock, Eleanor Tressier, the littlest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Tressier of Graceham, was burned so badly that she died at 10 o'clock that evening. The little tot climbed on the kitchen range and secured a match from the kitchen and went to the porch were an oil stove is kept. It is thought that she intended to light a burner on the stove and after lighting the match accidentally set fire to her clothing. Her screams brought her older brother to her rescue and then her parents, but before the flames were extinguished the front of her body was horribly burned, her little fingernails being held on by only a little flesh. Dr. Birely was summoned, but her condition was such that little could be done for her.

Berry Harvest Big

Raspberries, always an important crop in this part of the county, far surpasses all previous records in price and yield per acre. Prices are nearly double those of last year, running from six dollars to eight dollars per crate of 32-quart boxes. The betting on the raspberries was spirited. An interesting feature of the marketing this season is caused by the entrance of the canning people into the field. At this writing, the canning people have purchased about 3,500 crates. Altogether 9,500 crates, at an average price of $7.50 has resulted in almost $70,000 going into local farmer’s pockets. And a good many more berries are yet to be gathered.

July 31

Escapes from Frederick Jail

John Hobbs, of Thurmont, escaped from the Frederick County Jail on Thursday night and is still at-large. The escape was made by sawing through all the iron bars in the window and scaling the high wall of the jail yard by means of ropes. Hobbes was being held on charges of larceny. At 11 o'clock he was seen playing cards and nothing unusual was noticed. The escape was discovered early this morning.

Burglars Busy Again

Saturday night thieves made a raid on George Stockdale's warehouse. Entrance to the building was made by smashing a pane of glass in the window on the North Side. To get into the storeroom it was necessary to get open another door. Evidently fearing being detected he did not use an ax, but began boring and continued until the doorframe fell apart. Once in the store, the large safe claimed attention. This safe is never locked, a tag bearing the combination figures being kept hanging on the lock. Papers kept in the safe were strewn about the floor. The money drawer under the counter was not molested. It was thought the thief was after money, from the fact that so little goods thus far have been missing.

Fire Burns Straw Loads

Fred Rhodes recently lost 10 loads of straw, one load of rye and a big four-horse wagon on his farm, in Freedom Township, near Emmitsburg, when the straw carrier on his thrashing machine caught fire. Rhodes stopped work when trouble occurred with a straw drag. When the machine started again fire broke out and it was only by great efforts that flames were prevented from igniting the barn.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'