100 Years Ago This Month

November 1922

November 3

Women Engaged In Fist Fight

The participants in the fight were Mrs. Harry Eyler of Thurmont and Miss Hazel Curum, of Creagerstown. The ring was the road, the time was late evening, there were no officials, no rules and the fight was to the finish.

Saturday evening Mrs. Eyler went out in search of her husband. She search for him high and low and finally arrived at the house where Miss Curum resided and ask if ‘hubbie’ had been there. The inquiry was the cause of hot words, which were quickly translated into deeds. Soon both women were pulling each other‘s hair, hitting, scratching, biting and rolling all over the road.

There are no reports as to who came off second best, although Mrs. Eyler carried out of the combat more wounds than her adversary. But somehow the battle ceased. Mrs. Eyler swore out a warrant for Miss Curum’s arrest. Curum fled into the county nearby. The deputy sheriff and his posse finally founding her hiding in an orchard. When brought before the justice, Miss Curum swore out a warrant for the arrest of her adversary, charging assault and battery. Both combatants were released upon furnishing $100 bond for hearing later.

Harry Eyler learned of the affaire after returning from the mountains where he had been tending to his still. Upon hearing the news, he promptly turned around and returned for ‘supplies,’ so he would be well ‘juiced’ when he faced his wife and girlfriend.

Probe Of Water Rates

The Public Service Commission has commenced its investigation of the water rate controversy in Emmitsburg. A petition was circulated by its customers protesting against the increases and filed with the Commission. Members of the commission have been in Emmitsburg for the past week. Two officers spent some time at the offices of the company and looked into the affairs of the company. Rumor has it that the rates as advertise will not stand, it being claimed that the capital invested do not warrant such an increase.

Water Still Scarce

There is still general complaint of scarcity of water in wells. The rain that broke the drought for farm work, did not reach the wells, and there is great fear that the winter freeze up will come before a big rain replenishes the deep water supply.

Memorial Park Dedication

The finishing touches are being put on Thurmont’s Memorial Park, making it ready for its dedication. The committee in charge of the program for the day has about completed its plans, which will be one of the most interesting character. It is earnestly desire that the citizens of Thurmont decorate their homes in places of business on this day.

November 9

Thieves Make Raids

Last Saturday night some person or persons and of the home of Mr.. Tyson. on East Main St. and took from the property about three dozen eggs, a pound of coffee, a pound of sugar, and a bottle of milk. The pan in which the eggs where kept, the sugar sack and milk were left in the yard in the rear of the house. Entrance was made by cutting away the wire on the screen door on the porch and loosening the hook, fence view the window into the kitchen. Discovery of the robbery was not made until Sunday morning when coffee was wanted for breakfast. That same evening, someone cut the wire on the screen door of Mrs. Powell’s home on Lombard St. and stole bananas and milk. it would appear as though someone or a gang of youngsters are hungry.

Community Sing A Great Success

Apples Church was crowded to the utmost capacity and more than half as many on the outside, on Sunday evening, to listen to the men’s community song service. About 50 men from Apples, Rocky Ridge, Creagerstown, Thurmont, Graceham and Woodsboro composed the singers. The selection consisted of songs, duets and quartettes. The entire program was inspiring and interesting. The pastor, Reverend Heimer made a short address on the efforts to develop community fellowship and the great power and importance of music and expressed the hope that the service would inspire the men to work for the kingdom of God and his church to a fuller extent.

Women Voters

A large number of persons in this district failed to vote, among them many women living in towns. As the novelty wears off, voting appears to diminish in charm for the fair sex. Quite a number obeyed their husbands and voted against the amendment making women eligible to hold public office.

November 16

An Appeal

The family of Mr. Charles Carbaugh, who lost their home by fire a few days ago are in general need, as practically the entire contents of their house was destroyed. Donations of clothing, furniture, bedding, indeed any house hold goods would be gratefully received. There are nine in the family: two men, two women, and five children – boys aged 16, 13, 7 and 3 and a girl aged 10. Any person desiring to help can notify Reverend Damuth of the Lutheran Church.

Talking Movies Possible

A great invention is in progress that has already been satisfactorily tried out. It is the ‘Pallo Photo Phone’ for the purpose of recording sounds upon a photographic film so that the sound my afterwards be reproduced by light, much as motion pictures are produced. The invention is by the General Electric Company. It is said that even Thomas Edison exclaimed: "what next!" When the invention was explained to him.

Shorb-Martin Marriage

Miss Rachel Martin of Emmitsburg and John Shorb of Rocky Ridge were quietly married at the Evangelical Reformed parsonage Wednesday morning by the pastor, Reverend Kiefer. Rumor is that the new Mrs. Shorb is in a ‘family way,’ although she denies it. Mr. Shorb however told friends he hopes the baby will be born on St. Patrick’s Day, so he can name him ‘Patrick.’ Needless to say, Mr. Shorb has spent every night since the wedding sleeping in the barn.

November 23

Receivership Asked For Annan-Horner Bank

A petition for a receivership for the banking firm of Annan-Horner has been filed by Dr. Jamison, who alleged that the liabilities of the inactive banking house are about $110,000, the majority of this amount being owed depositors in Emmitsburg. No estimate of the assets could be obtained. But Jamison claims that the bank owns real estate, in and about Emmitsburg, which can be sold to make its customers whole again.

The banking firm has been inactive for about two years since the Farmer State Bank purchased the banking house of the old firm. Numerous suits have been brought against the allege insolvent company for a collection of interest-bearing deposits made with the bank. The bill of complaint of Dr. Jamison states that the claimant deposited the sum of $645 in the bank to bear 4% interest. None of this amount has been paid although several requests have been made for the payment.

The banking firm of Annan-Horner is an old establishment in Emmitsburg and at one time was considered one of the most substantial banking houses in this section of the state. Shortly after the sale of the old banking house, depositors started to take action to recover their money, and a present six suits are pending in the local court against the company.

Dippy Truck

On Monday a truck took a notion not to keep in the middle of the road so he just climbed up on the pavement on the south side of E. Main St. at the Grime’s property, coasted downhill a short distance, bucked up against a large silver maple then decided to get back where it belonged, and returned to the Street and rambled right along. Rumor had it that the truck was carrying a load of ‘hooch’ from a big still in the mountains and the driver had been sampling his cargo.

Water Rates Not Allowed

The new water rates for services by the Emmitsburg Water Company which were practically 100% higher than the old rates will not stand. The hearing lasted about three hours, during which time much light was thrown on the water service situation in Emmitsburg. At the conclusion of the meeting it was understood that if the valuation of upgrades taken by the company were found to be accurate then an advance of only 15%, over the former rates would be adequate to produce an increase in revenue to cover the company’s investment.

Water Becoming Scarcer

The water question is getting to be a rather serious problem with many wells now entirely dry and water in streams not fit to use, even for farm stock. Water in streams are low and has become filthy.

The situation in the Creagerstown is about as bad as any that has been reported. Many wells and springs are dry and numerous others reported to be furnishing a trivial supply. One resident said that he had a spring who pool normally contained about 9 feet of water but at present contains only about 10 inches. The streams in this section are running low and many of the springs along the banks are dry.

Water shortage in Thurmont is not acute. As many of the towns resources are Mountain supplied. Various mountain stream springs however are reported to be drying up.

In Emmitsburg, as few men drink anything other than ‘hooch’, there is plenty of water for the womenfolk to do household chores with when they are not wasting time gossiping on the party lines.