December 2

November Hot and Dry

November was the warmest November on record, according to the local weatherman. The general temperature which prevailed during the past month hasd been above that of the other Novembers since the local shark has been keeping tabs on the atmospheric conditions. The highest temperature registered was 77E on the 18th. Only once since the sharp has been keeping records has this been equaled, that being November 4, 1914. The warmest night was on the 19th, when the mercury in the official tube rose as high as 62E.

November’s lowest temperature was 26, and that was on the 16th. The precipitation this November was equal to last November, with the area receiving a total of 3.69 inches of rain. Rain fell on 19 days, while last November it rained on only 10 days. Heavy frost fell on the 6th, 8th, 11th, 16th and 22nd. Snow flurries visited the area on the 12th, 13th and 26th, and high winds swept through the county on the 3rd, 18th, 22nd and 24th. Ice formed on five mornings during the month. The thickness of ice varied from 1/3rd to 2/5ths of an inch.

Bank Robbers Foiled at Taneytown

An attempt was made Monday night by crackmen to rob the Taneytown Savings Bank. First the iron bars of the rear window were attacked for entrance, a pipe cutter being used to clip the stout bars, but this was given up as too hard a job, the cutter being left on the ground. Entry into the building was eventually made throughout the window into the furnace cellar. The wall of the vault was then attacked and a large amount of plaster and brick removed by a pick and crow bar, until the double frame work of railroad rails was reached, when the job was given up.

For some reason the telephone wires were cut, possibly with the idea that they might be alarm wires. No attempt was made on the vault doors. Evidently, the vault is such that a great deal of time and use of powerful explosives would be required to crack it. No one heard the crackmen, or saw them, even thought both the building and the street were brilliantly lit all night. A yellow and red striped horse blanket with two holes in it, and black and a dark green lab robe, where left with the tools.

Oyster Plants

Several Thurmonters have made preparation to grow oyster plants on an ambitious scale next season, judging by the number of non-edible oysters, which were purchased from a journeyman vendor last week when the market price of the invalid bivalves was tempted in the low. How about it?

Meanwhile, the work of drilling for oil on the land of Caleb Mettitt, in Thurmont, is going steadily forward. They have already drilled down to a depth of 550 feet, but have yet to strike no oil. There has been nothing so far however too damp in there enthusiasm or to lead them to doubt that they will eventually strike oil .

December 9

Hit By Train And Killed

Miss Sarah Appold, 68, of Detour, was struck by a Western Maryland passenger train shortly before 6 o’clock last Friday evening. She died 15 minutes after. Her body was dragged for some distance and badly mangled. Her skull was fractured, both arms broken, one leg broken, and one cut off.

Mrs. Appold made her home with her sister and brother-in-law, residing a short distance below the railroad station. The sister went to Baltimore and was returning on the evening train. Miss Appold had started to walk to the station to meet her upon return, and had cross the siding, stepping from behind a freight car. The engineer saw her first, and a little later she was on the fireman side of the track. It is supposed she thought she was on the siding and when she realized her mistake tried to get back to the station side of the track. Immediately after the train stopped members of the crew hurried to the spot and found her unconscious. She was laid upon a car door and carried to her home. But she died without regaining consciousness. Mrs. Appol was well known and held in high esteem by all in the community.

Struck by Automobile

Mrs. Sefton was struck and knocked down by an automobile last Thursday on Carroll Street, Thurmont. Mrs. Sefton, who was busy, applying cheek powder, stepped, from behind one machine in front of one driven by Ernst Warner. Mr. Warner applied the emergency break but was an able to stop in time to avoid hitting her. He, did, however succeed and bringing his machine to a stop in time to prevent it passing over her body. While Mrs. Stephen sustained a few bruises, fortunately Mr. Warner’s autocar was not damaged.

Manhattan Players Coming to Thurmont.

Three nights, commencing Thursday, December 15, Thurmont playgoers will have the opportunity of seeing a really worthwhile theatrical performance - the Manhattan Players. The splendid company comes direct from a week at City Opera House, Frederick. Never has such a sterling attraction appeared outside the larger towns. The company brings a special baggage car loaded with magnificent special scenery. The opening play, "The still he wanted," is a charm. There will be a slight charge of $.25.

December 16

Fairfield To Have Christmas Tree

Arrangements have been completed for a community Christmas tree and service in the Borough of Fairfield on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 6 o’clock. According to the plan, a large Christmas tree will be erected in front of the post office and will be fully decorated and lighted with electric lights. A resident Fairfield have been secured to play the part of Santa Claus for the festivities. A gift package will be given every child present at the time. Members of the Dramatic Club will sing Christmas carols on the streets of the town at midnight.

Six Hundred Checks Mailed

The members of the Emmitsburg Savings Bank Christmas club were made happy on receiving their checks which will add greatly to the Christmas shopping. 600 persons were mailed checks totaling $13,446.The distribution of the sum of money at this time means a great deal in a business way and the merchants of the community are bound to feel the effects of this money being in circulation. The local stores are reporting a nice holiday business and it is expected that traiding will be very brisk for the next week or so.

Meets With Tragic Death

Edward Wentz, 40, a prosperous young farmer near Harney, died after wagon load of cordwood passed over his body, near Emmitsburg. Mr. Wentz and Mildred Hess who was employed by Wentz left home early last Saturday morning to bring a cord and a half of timber from a sawmill near Emmitsburg. After loading the wagon to its capacity, the pair started home. Hess was driving the team and Mr. Wentz was riding on a board on the side applying the brakes when necessary. On the long hill near the Emmitsburg reservoir, Mr. Wentz slipped when the rubber level broke throwing him under a rear wheel of the wagon. The wheel passed over his back and shoulders and life was crushed out almost instantly. Mr. Hess, who was riding one of the horses at the time, was unable to stop the team to help the injured man and the wagon continued on down the grade until the foot of the hill. After the wagon came to a stop Mr. Hess rushed up the hill and found Mr. Wentz still alive, but he died before medical assistance could be secured. His back was crushed and several ribs forced out through the skin. He leaves behind a wife and an baby daughter.

December 23

Fall From Ladder Fatal

Ray Hummer, 54, of near Detour, died last week from a hemorrhage caused by a fracture in the spinal column. He sustained the injury in a fall from the top of a 15-foot ladder in his barn. He had placed a ladder against the fodder stack and was at the top when the ladder slipped, throwing him against the cement curb about the stable. He was paralyzed from the shoulder down, but retain consciousness. He was removed to the Frederick City Hospital, but grew steadily worse until death ensued Mr. hummer is survived by his wife and three small children.

Collision in Square

That the Thurmont public square, is a dangerous point for traffic was again demonstrated on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Williams Snorr of Graceham was going west on Main Street and Mr. Zentz of Zentz’s Mill was going south on Church Street. The cars collided at the Square. Mr. Zentz‘s car had gone far enough that the rear fender caught the left front wheel of Mr. Snorr‘s car, and the force of the impact bent the axle of Mr. Snorr‘s car, throwing the front wheels out-of-line. Mr. Zentz lost his license tag and tail light. State Road Officer Trooper was riding just behind Mr. Zentz and saw the accident. He made all adjustments necessary, with Mr. Snorr apparently was in the wrong.

Drilling For Oil To Start

Oil drilling operations will be started in Fairfield within 90 days. 35 land owners met with officials of the Annie Laurel Oil & Gas Co. to secure leases covering 3,000 acres of land. The president of the company told the residents that there were indications of oil in the land and that the company desired to secure leases that would protect themselves in the owners of the land as well. Property holders are to receive 1/8 of all revenues receive from oil and gas taken from their land and the privilege of using what he needs without charge. The work of cutting timber and transporting equipment necessary for drilling will soon be started. A 13-inch hole will be dug and officials said they would be prepared to go down 3,500 feet. A dozen men will be employed when the near future doing preliminary work. Another well will be started in Emmitsburg shortly.

December 30

Poor Roads Cause Accident

On last Thursday night, while Milton Sprangler was driving from Taneytown to Harney, over our almost impossible road, his horse fell near Piney Creek Church, and threw Mr. Sprangler with great force from the buggy. His head struck something – and he does not know why. He was rendered unconscious; when he became conscious again he says that he was lying on his back in the road. He get up but was very dizzy. It was dark and he began to look for his horse and found it lying in the road.

With the aid of his buggy lamp, he managed to get the horse up and get the harness fixed up and get home but felt the effects of the shock for several days. His horse, which is a perfectly quiet one, was slightly hurt and has been lame from the effects of the fall. While the accident was not fatal, it might have been a very serious one, and all on account of the bad condition of the road,. We earnestly hope that those in authority would take action before something more serious happens. Rural communities should benefit from the money they pay for road maintenance.

Pipes Burst

Last Thursday morning the water pipes, which passed through the pantry in the Reform parsonage, froze and burst. The force of the water was turned directly on the shelves and swept the contents to the floor in a conglomerate mess of broken glass, jellies, preserve and fruits.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'