Editor’s Note: Usually when we select the 100 years ago entries, we can whittle them down to just the gems – but this month we had some beauties, so many in fact, we could not fit them on tow pages. So this month we decided to run them over three pages to give you a better idea of what we come up with every month and we’ll leave it to the reader to decided what ones we should have left on the cutting room floor.

April 7

Young Sparrow’s First Flight

I was walking around my stables and stopped to watch a pair of sparrows enticing their offspring from a nest in a hole in the wall. One of the young ones, more venturesome then the others, fluttered off near a cock feeding in the yard with some hens. The cock at once ran up and seized it with his beak; the hens thinking this was something good to eat ran towards him. When they realized it was a baby bird, they attacked the cock, which in his haste to get away, released the baby sparrow, which immediately flew to a branch where he was joined by his relieved parents. His fellow nest mates, retreated back to the safety of the nest, unwilling to risk the journey.

Drinks Hooch, Steals Machine

Moonshine was the cause of Joseph Van Brinkle, negro, age 15, of Emmitsburg, getting himself in the toils of the law.

Van Brinkle, who had nothing better to do, accompany one of the Patterson Brothers’ cattle drivers from Emmitsburg to Gettysburg earlier that morning where the cattle dealer man was to deliver some stock. Van Brinkle, it is understood had some real stock ‘under the belt,’ hence the reason for pulling off some small town stuff.

Arriving at the cattle yards in Gettysburg, Van Brinkle took a liking for a Ford touring car, the property of Mr. Brown of Fairfield, another cattle dealer. He was seen speeding away and the state police were immediately notified.

Van Brinkle drove out of Gettysburg on Chambersburg St. with the police on his trail. The fugitive was captured near the hospital and taken back to Emmitsburg to be examined by a physician to determine whether he had been drinking.

Van Brinkle was in a humorous mood when brought before the doctor, he answered all questions in a jovial manner. The doctor asked: "What have you been drinking?" To which Van Brinkle replied: "I don’t know whether I have been drinking or not."

"You look rather suspicious," the doctor said. "I have been drinking a little moonshine," Van Brinkle committed with a broad smile.

"Why have you been drinking moonshine?" Was the next question. "Because I like it," he answered with a broad grin.

"Where did you get it?" He was asked. Van Brinkle thought for a while and then with a grin that extended from ear to ear replied. "I ain’t gonna tell you, because you might want some yourself."

The physician pronounced him under the influence of liquor, after which he was committed to jail to await hearing.

Public Meeting Of All Good Women

There will be a public meeting in Harney, Thursday night, for the purpose of organizing a camp of the Patriotic Order of Obedient Women of America. The order is dedicated to ensuring that women keep their proper place in society - which is to be subservient to menfolk in all things. The Harney men would like all patriotic women over 16 years of age to be present. If wives do not come, men are requested to bring them there, including daughters, kicking and screaming if necessary, so that they may understand their proper role in society.

Farmer Takes Own Life

Joseph Wagner was killed by a gunshot, in his barn near New Windsor, Monday morning. Wagner was a farmer who had been a tenant on the farm since April 1921. He had recently bought a farm in Frederick County to which he proposed moving to on Wednesday, having already taking his farming machinery to the new home. Shortly after 4 o’clock, Monday morning, he went to the barn. His wife heard the report of the gun. It had been placed with the mussel under his chin and the load tore his head to pieces.

Physicians were summoned, who along with the Justice of the Peace, viewed the body. An inquest was deemed unnecessary, as it was evident that he had taken his own life. He leaves a widow and six children, the oldest about 13 years old and the youngest less than one year.

‘Death Curve’ To Be Eliminated

‘Death Curve’ as the wide curve on the Emmitsburg State Road north of Lewistown has come to be known, will be eliminated before the middle of the summer. A right-of-way over a strip of land belonging to A. C. Stup, has been obtained and the road at this point will be made 17 feet wider. A concrete shoulder will be laid at the edge of the highway with macadam built against the shoulders. Efforts are also being made to secure the right-of-way that will enable the curve north of ‘Death Curve’ to be widened. This will remove two of the worst curves remaining in the county.

Loudmouths Warned

A lot of loudmouth nightcrawlers operate on Taneytown’s Baltimore St., late at night and especially on Saturday and Sunday nights, making of themselves a first class nuisance to those who live along the street. Unless their disturbance is discontinued, measures will be taking to stop it.

Gas Rates Increased

On account of the continued failure of the gas plant to produce sufficient revenue to meet operating expenses, the Burgess and Commissioners of Taneytown. at their last meeting, increase the cost of gas to consumers from $1.25 per 100 ft.³ to $1.50 to go in effect this April 1. This is the second increase, the old rate being one dollar.

Emmitsburg Baseball Team Tryouts

There are 30 applicants for the membership on the Emmitsburg baseball team, all willing to play without salary. Many of these will be tried out in practice, and the regular team made up later.

Free Dentistry – But Severe

Mr. Charles Layman, of Graceham, was helping with a flitting at that place last Saturday. He drove his team under a wire, which he evidently failed to see. The wire caught him in the mouth and relieved him of his three front teeth and part of his upper jawbone.

Daylight Savings

Since the adoption of Daylight Savings by Baltimore, there has been some agitation in Frederick County, with the County Commissioners not inclined to favor it.

Work On Annan Estate Begins

Work on the residence of Isaac Annan of Emmitsburg, which was recently destroyed by fire, was started last week and a beautiful new two-story structure will replace the old mansion.

April 14

Big Mountain Fire

On Monday occurred one of the largest mountain fires that has visited this section for a number of years. The fire started about 6 o’clock in the morning along the public road leading from Thurmont through the Harman Gap, near the bridge that crosses Hunting Creek, about 4 miles from Thurmont.

The Forest Wardens, with a large number of men were soon on the job, but a strong wind from the southwest drove the flame rapidly through the dry leaves and undergrowth. The fire jumped the creek and spread so rapidly that the work of the men was a little avail. In a short time it had reached to the west to Blue Blazes. At this point, the fire reached a clearing that had been made through the mountains by the Hagerstown and Frederick Railroad. Here the man took up their work and kept the fire to the east of the road. By noon it had burned up the west side of Chimney Rock ridge and north several miles. The fire continued north almost to Deerfield and to the Western Maryland Railroad.

During the night the fire presented a spectacular appearance to the residents of Thurmont and the country for miles to the east and north. Several long and irregular lines of fire shone brightly on each of the two hills, while dotted here and there over the burned area shown hundreds of bright spots like large stars locating the position of burning stumps and trunks of trees. Occasionally the fire reached a pine and a flash of flames would run to the top and jump high into the air.

Larger Then We Thought

Thurmont’s correspondent to the daily papers evidently uses a pretty strong ‘hooch’ judging by his accounts to be read in the Baltimore Sun: "Thurmont," he writes, " is threatened with destruction as the result of being in the path of a forest fire which is raging over a stretch from 3 to 5 miles. The sole fire company of the town is ready to leave on a moment’s notice should the flames creep nearer."

Odors From The Fire

Hi Holler was cutting a path to his corn crib with an ax and the ax hit what must have been a chunk of persimmon or gum smoke and glanced off, and if he had’nt a juked he would have seriously cut himself.

Uncle Zeb got into trouble when he smashed the headlights of Jim Simmen’s Flivrer. Uncle said he thought they was sparks. Jim’s car got stuck in the thick smoke and he had to put on his chains.

When the fire company got orders to "be ready to leave on a minute’s notice," each fireman pulled up a fireplug to take along with them.

Plane Wrecked

On Monday morning, an army aeroplane, which had just left Gettysburg, suffered engine trouble when it reached Bruceville. The pilots circled around and landed in R. A. Alexander’s field alongside the state road. They misjudged the point selected and landed on an upgrade in soft ground. When the front of the machine went into the ground, one wheel broke, and it turned over, badly damaging the machine, but fortunately neither of the men were injured.

Two other machines from their home base arrived a couple hours after the accident looking for the first plane. On Tuesday, a plane arrived with a wheel for the downed plane, which was put on and the machine was brought to Keymar and loaded onto a railway car for shipment back to its base.

Radiophone

Music from the air too many seems impossible but to Mr. Edwards Seltzer, of St. Anthony, this is not impossible, for by the use of the radiophone, music, lectures, speeches, &c., can all be heard in one’s home. Several days ago Mr. Seltzer erected his aerial. Upon its completion he demonstrated the wireless radiophone to several of his friends. Hardly had the receiving instrument been connected when his guest heard the broadcasting station ‘KOKA’ out of Pittsburgh issuing the program for the following day.

Next came Newark, New Jersey, where they heard the solo "The Old Town Hall," accompanied by an orchestra. The time was also secured from the Arlington station. Too many this may seem impossible, but to all who have so far heard the radiophone know what a wonder it is. By use of this instrument the owner will be able to secure something from the air at most any hour of the day. It has been announced from one of the broadcasting stations that all baseball scores this year will be sent by radiophone.

Saloons Adopted To Dry Period

Men who drank good liquor now imbibe freely of a kind of corn liquor known as ‘homebrew’ and sigh for utopian days of old, but the buildings which were once used as saloons, to which they retreated to escape the henpecking of nagging womenfolk, are being adopted for other use.

In Emmitsburg , the saloon of M. J. Thompson, is now part of the Slagle Hotel. Michael Hoke’s, is a restaurant. The saloons of Harry Horner and James Elder are simply vacant.

It is the belief of some that elicit distilling of "bootleg stuff " is being hunted by the Army airoplanes our of Gettysburg. Our impression is that this plan would be a very slight help, and doubt whether it is very much use, if at all.

Robberies At Pen-Mar

More robberies at Pen-Mar during the winter have been discovered and reported to property owners according to word received from that resort. The latest places reported to have been robbed were the Pan-Rock Hotel and the Mar-Rock Cottages. The thieves raided the buildings from top to bottom, taking with them many articles of value, including bedding, mattresses, china, silverware, linen and pieces of furniture.

The owners of the buildings learned of the depredations of the thieves when they entered the properties. Not only were articles of value carried or carded off, but the vandals seem to enjoy themselves by smashing up chinaware, bric-a-brac, pictures and scratching other articles over the floor.

Shots At Dog, Hits Neighbor

Early last Monday morning, Granville Roop, of Keymar, went to his ice plant, to see after something and was shot by his neighbor, Ruben Morningstar, who lives on the opposite side of the road. Mr. Morningstar said he had shot at a dog and had no intention of hitting any person. The bullet struck under the right breast and made a slant across the body and lodged between the left lung and heart. He was taken at once to the Frederick hospital, we’re in incision was made, but they did not get the bullet, and then decided to let good enough alone. At this writing he is getting along very well, thanks to the daily supply of ‘hooch’ Mr. Morningstar is providing in compensation for his poor shooting ability.

Machine Skids

Four occupants of the machine of Grayson Bowers, narrowly escaped serious injury Tuesday afternoon when it skidded on the newly oiled road as it was rounding a curve near Thurmont, turned clear around twice, and crashed into a fence, breaking off one of the wheels. While everyone in the car was considerably shaking up, they escaped injury with the exception of some slight bruises. However, the bottles of ‘hooch’ Bowers was transporting where all broken, much to the consternation of the men who can to help. It is claimed that the machine was barley crawling when it had the mishap, however bystanders did say it was weaving ‘quite a bit’, as the occupants where focused on passing bottles around.

April 21

Ice By Electric Process

Now that iceless refrigeration has been simplified to the point where it is suitable for the home, it is safe to predict that it will not be long before it will be within the reach of even those of very modest pocketbooks, and all need a bothering with the iceman, with his picks and tongues, will be gone.

The ice used on our tables has long been a product of electrified refrigerators, although the mechanism was not located in our homes. Hotels, restaurants, and passenger boats have used the electric process because it is efficient, sanitary, and convenient.

Electricity does not immediately and directly produce the freezing temperatures, but merely provides the motive power to condense certain chemicals, which are the actual refrigerant. In the process of condensation these chemicals absorb the heat from the surrounding air. The machinery by which condensation and subsequent vaporization is produced was formerly large and expensive, and it has taken continuous experimentation to reduce it to a point where it is practical for household use.

The process has been similar to the transition of locomotive power from the large and clumsy railroad steam engines to the smaller automobiles, with their comparatively simple mechanisms. The complex machinery had to be refined to a point where it could be produced cheaply and operate on a small scale. Electric refrigeration has now almost reached the ‘Jitney class’. It will soon be considered essential in all of our kitchens.

Winter Dying Hard

Winter has been loath to leave. Last Friday morning he began his tantalizing reappearance by touching the small pools with his coat. During the day he showered us with his crystal fleece, and three mornings thereafter he rallied and gave evidence of his wonderful vitality by coating the bright green of the new grass with his visible breath.

Patriotic

From telephone pole to telephone pole, and on trees in front of the new Thurmont Hotel, Mr. Robert White, proprietor of the hotel, has had placed wire on which is strung, at frequent intervals, red, white, and blue electric lights. The current was turned on Tuesday night for the first time and the illumination was good to see. This, along with other improvements, cannot but help attract attention to the hotel.

Right Of Way Assured

The last obstacle standing in the way of construction of a modern highway, leading from the Emmitsburg State Road at Saint Anthony’s, and running to Motter Station, on the Emmitsburg Railway, has been removed. Daniel Callahan, through whose land the road will run, and who had heretofore refused to permit the road to be built across his land, has announced that he has come to an understanding with the State Roads Commission and will yield a right-of-way across one of his fields.

The highway, which is between three and four miles in length, runs for about 1,000 feet through Mr. Callahan’s property. It is to be of concrete. The work of laying the concrete commenced last summer, stopped during the winter and resumed this spring. It was the intention to build the road at both ends, leaving a gap in that point through Callahan’s property until the right-of-way could be obtained.

Apron Social

The largest Sunday school attendance in its history occurred at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Creagerstown, last Sunday morning with 82 present. Superintendent Geisburt is very ambitious, and with the cooperation of all, will succeed. Also a very large communion was held with 80 out of the membership of 100 communed. The church was packed, aisles and all to the door investable.

On Friday evening, April 28, in the Sunday school room, there will be held in Apron Social for the benefit of the missionary Society of Saint John’s Lutheran Church. There will be given an interesting program and refreshments. Each person will be asked to pay a penny for each inch of their waist measurement. They will be on display laces made in our mission fields of India and those laces will be for sale.

Keep Your Eyes To The Front

Saturday evening on Church St., just a few yards north of the square, two automobiles met in a head-on collision. The machine coming down the hill was crowded as close as it could get to the machines parked on the west side of the street. The driver the machine, when he found you could get off the street no further, tried to stop, but too late – the northbound auto hit him head on. Damages: one windshield, a pair of bumpers, two sets of headlights, four broken bottles of ‘hooch’, and other minor damage to both machines.

Wind Damage

The high winds of last Thursday overthrew the temporary exhaust pipe at the Thurmont powerhouse; the stack buckled and confined the gas from the exhaust. The gas took fire and was communicated to the engine, and this put the engine out of business for a few hours.

New Revenue Agent

J. Stewart Annan of Emmitsburg, who has been connected with the Internal Revenue Bureau in Washington, has been assigned to this County with offices in Frederick. Mr. Annan will also have charge of Washington County, but his main duties will have to do with the income tax and other affairs connected with the businesses pertaining to this County.

Fruit Prospects Good

The fruit is believed to be safe, though a few days this week were critical ones. Peaches are in full bloom, while apple buds are beginning to show up strong. Apricots and plums, and some varieties of pears and cherries, have passed the blossoming stage. There is hardly any danger imminent to apples, but a hard front could still injure most other fruits. Reports from all over the area are encouraging.

April 28

Fruit Killed By Frosts

The unusual, and very heavy frost of Friday night, falling on wet buds, played havoc with the fruit crops. Lighter frosts, and below freezing temperatures on Saturday and Sunday night, did not help the situation. The extent of the damage varies according to localities, and according to previous rainfall. In other words, where the buds where dry, the damage was lightest. Most of the cherries, plums, apricots and strawberries, where killed. Peaches may be on a 50-50 basis, while apples, pears and grapes where not so fully destroyed. In total, three quarters of this year’s fruit crop was destroyed.

Fatal Accident In Taneytown

While engaged in painting the 100-foot smokestack at Taneytown’s Creamery Plant Friday morning, Milton Michaels fell to the roof of the boiler house from the top and was crushed to death. His assistant had just help to pull him to the top of the stack and then turned away to engage in scraping. Almost immediately he heard a clicking noise and saw Michael is falling. The hook-fastening appliance was found broken in one of its parts, which evidently caused the whole appliance to give way.

Mr. Michael’s is well known in the area. He was about 50 years of age and leaves a wife and several children. No inquest was held, as the fatality was clearly an accident.

Fell Out Of Automobile

While Dave Little was motoring to Emmitsburg last Sunday evening, he, in some unexplained way, fell out of his machine about a half mile from Emmitsburg, where he was found and taken to the hospital. He suffered a fractured collarbone and scrapes. Mr. Little is unable to explain the cause of his mishap, but those who have sampled the bottles of ‘hooch’ that Mr. Little had in his car swear that it’s the most powerful they have ever sampled and believe that to be the cause of Mr. Little falling from his car. Proceeds from the quick sale of the ‘hooch’ covered Mr. Little’s hospital bills and car repairs.

No Writing Within Parcels

Caution is given by Post Office authorities to persons who mail parcels and include in them writing matter. This is a clear violation of the law and subjects the author to a fine of $100. Packages sent by Parcel Post and containing other writings except the name and address of the sender and addressee, is considered by the government as First Class mail, and if any violations are discovered, either the shipper or recipient must pay the additional charge, classified at First Class rates. For example a package sent from Taneytown to Woodsboro was recently found to be a First Class mail. At Partial Post it cost $.34 to be forwarded to the addressee, but when the discovery was found it caused the addressee nine dollars to receive the package.

Election In Emmitsburg

Emmitsburg is on its toes over the approaching corporate election next Monday. There is added interest in the election this year because it will be the first in which the newly enfranchised women will participate. 42 of the 50 new voters registered last week were women. This was much larger than anticipated, and increases the enrollment on the books to 198. It is considered a sign that the new voters are interested in affairs connected with the old hometown.

Already there are signs of friction. The Democratic men of Emmitsburg are complaining that their women where not telling them who they where going to vote for, while Republican men say their wives will do as they are told, leading the Democratic men to worry that their wives will vote for the wrong man just to spite them, and in doing so, put them out of power. The issue has been much discussed at the evening meetings of the Former-Former Boozers Association, but little resolution to the issue has been made other then recognition that the longer women have the right to vote, the more men will need to resort to ‘hooch’ to keep sane.

Motorcyclist Drunk, Is Fine $100

Robert Lacey, a Corporal in the United States Army, was arrested near Emmitsburg, charge with operating a motorcycle while under the influence of liquor. Lacey, it is charge, was driving his motorcycle from one side of the road to the other.

He was taken before Justice of the Peace, of Thurmont, who find him $100 and costs. Lacey was an able to pay his fine, whereupon the magistrate sent him to jail for 100 days. Before being locked up, he telephoned his commanding officer and it is understood a check for the amount of the fine will be forwarded by the army to the local authorities.

Harney Road Declared County Worst

The County Commissioners visited Harney on Wednesday, and after viewing the road from Harney to Taneytown declared that it was the worst in the county, and decided to build a modern road commencing at the Piney Creek church and going towards Taneytown. This will be a beginning and perhaps the road will be connected to Harney itself before many years. Work will commence at once.

Construction of Saint Joseph College Buildings Begin

Construction of the gymnasium and swimming pool buildings planned several years ago for St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg has begun. The gymnasium building will be a three-story and basement brick structure of colonial design, with dimensions of 50 x 150‘. Besides the gymnasium on the first floor, a social hall and sleeping quarters for students and guest will be on the upper floors. Adjoining the gymnasium will be the swimming pool building, which would be one story high, 43’ x 115‘, and will contain a pool. 20‘ x 60‘. Costing about $200,000, the buildings will be modern in every respect and will contain the latest appointments.

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