100 Years Ago This Month

April 1922

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, who in his haste to get away, released the baby sparrow, who immediately flew to a branch where he was joined by his relieved parents. His fellow nest mates, unwilling to risk the journey, retreated back to the safety of the nest.

Farmer Takes His 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 in the 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. 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.

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.

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.

During the night the fire presented a spectacular appearance to the residents of 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.

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 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.

Shot 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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Woodsboro, the offices of Rosebud’s Avenue Company now occupy the saloon of George Menzer. The liquor store of John Diebie has been transformed into a modern rest house. A pool parlor occupies the old saloon of Clarence Valentine in Creagerstown.