100 Years Ago This Month

August 1922

August 4

Struck By Lightning

Struck by a lightning bolt Monday evening while standing in a confectionery booth at the LeGore Grove where the Church of God was conducting its annual summer service, Edward Myers of Woodsboro was instantly killed. C. P. Smith, who was in charge of the booth and was standing near Mr. Myers, was stunned by the same bolt that killed Myers. It is believed that the bolt struck a power pole of the Frederick & Hagerstown Railway Co. and followed a service wire to the booth in which Mr. Myers was leaning against the upright, which supported the service wire. Mr. Myers made no outcry, although spectators saw him fall and ran to his assistance immediately. A physician was summoned and said that death had been instantaneous.

Radios Reach Taneytown

Radio outfits have reached Taneytown. Charles Hesson is installing one, and another is on exhibition at Ott’s store. An altogether wonderful invention, considering everything, but as yet not fully perfect. The one at Ott’s store is connected with broadcasting stations in Pittsburgh and Schenectady New York.

Must Clean Auto Tags

Announcement has been made by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that motorist must polish their license tags. The first drive against dirt license tags was launched with what was described as "disastrous results’ to motorist, 146 persons having been summoned to appear and traffic court in a single day. The penalty provided for violation of the law covering this offense is a fine from $10-$100.

Held For Fishing With Dynamite

The Frederick County Forest and Stream Club, dating back to 1874 and having a membership of 60, has been instrumental in having the Monocacy and other streams in the county stocked with Bass. Its members were disturbed recently by rumors that some persons were using dynamite to capture fish in the Monocacy. These rumors have cultivated in the arrest of Cleveland Hoover, John & William Schaefer, and Dick Myers for placing dynamite in the Monocacy near Keysville.

Knock Down With Club

Following an argument Dehaven Tom was knocked down with the club and stunned by Charles Bishop. Later Bishop was arrested by Sheriff Jones who fined him $10. It seems that Toms went to Bishop’s store in Walkersville and accused him of making a statement about his wife. A quarrel followed and in a short time both men engage in a tussle. After the trouble Tom started to walk away when it was alleged, Bishop picked up a club and hit him over the head. He fell to the ground and for a few minutes was unable to rise. Later Bishop was arrested and brought before Justice Johnson. After both men had related the story the magistrate found Bishop guilty of assault and impose the fine.

Fiivver Supplants Tournament Horse

The annual Libertytown tournament and picnic was held Saturday in the woods about a mile from the town with a large crowd in attendance. In the morning the tournament which is one of the big drawing cards, was held in provided quite an innovation. It spelled the demise of ‘Old Dobbin’, and the gallant knight who had the good fortune to win the event, rolled up in crowned his lady fair to the sound of his flivver hitting on all four and amid the fumes of the gasoline. No horses were used in the tournament by the contestants as the mode of running the course was on the running board of the pride of Henry Ford.

Among the many attractions on the grounds were the ice cream and soft drinks stands, the outdoor dining parlor, the merry go round, and tire swings. Quite a few dealers from various points adjacent to the surrounding country where on hand to exhibit their wares. The weather threatening early in the day, but it turned out to be clear and cool. It is estimated that about 2,000 people attended.

August 11

War On Glaring Light

Automobilists who have been breaking the headlight law are to be prosecuted hereafter. This was learned recently at the office of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Within a few days a statewide crusade will begin. Although the law explicitly states the kind of lights permitted, the length of beam and candle power of lights, the majority of automobiles are said to carry blinding lights, making it impossible for motorist traveling in the opposite direction to see. Dimming lights, when passing in opposite direction is said to be an unknown courtesy.

Drowned In The Monocracy

Stepping unexpectedly into a deep hole in the Monocacy River, Jacob Shinnick, of Woodsboro, was drowned Sunday afternoon. Miss Lela Bartgis, of Creagerstown who attempt to go to his rescue was nearly drowned yourself. Shouts for help brought their friends Ignatius Kennedy and Henry Taylor from further up the river. They rescued Miss Bartgis after she had gone down twice, but were unable to locate the body of young Shinnick.

Shinnick left Woodsboro early Sunday afternoon with his companions. When they reached the Monocacy, it was decided that Kennedy & Taylor should get a canoe for the party and the others went in bathing in the meanwhile. Shinnick, who was able to swim a little, was wading about in the river when he suddenly dropped off rock ledge into a 15-foot hole. He lost all power to help himself and commenced struggling in the water. Miss Bartgis could swim very little, but still hurried to the rescue, but lacked the strength to swim to require distance. Young Shinnick was aged 20 years, 11 months and 18 days.

Fire Damages Woodsboro Home

Fire of undetermined origins partially destroyed a two-story frame dwelling house belonging to Miss. Sadle and Teresa Spurrier of Woodsboro. On Monday morning, the sisters arose as usual and starting to prepare breakfast in the summer kitchen at the south end of the main dwelling. Suddenly the chimney became ablaze and the two ladies attempted to extinguish it. However, their efforts were of no avail and a general alarm was sent out to the neighbors. The flames soon spread to the main dwelling. A bucket brigade was formed and water was thrown on the burning home. Other neighbors set to work removing the furniture. After considerable water had been thrown on the house the flames were gotten under control. The southern end of the house was badly damaged from both the fire and water.

August 18

Shoots Two Then Kill Himself

The community of Union Bridge was thrown into a state of great excitement last Saturday evening. Andrew Fritz, a laborer, who had been employed at the cement plant at Union Bridge got into too much homebrew. He secured a 32-caliber revolver and with Samuel Bradford, Lee Boone, and Richard Glass started in an automobile for a drive. After going some distance he stop the car and all got out of the machine. Fritz pulled out the gun and fired directly at Bradford. The bullet struck the victim him the left cheek and pass through his head, killing him. His companions immediately fled. Fritz then continued to the home of Robert Shepherd, where he found the latter and a friend seated on the front porch talking. After going on the porch Fritz again got his gun and shot Shepherd directly over the heart.

News of the double tragedy was phoned to sheriff Jones and the sheriff and deputy Smith started at once after Fritz. After visiting several places in the vicinity of the murders and not finding Fritz, the officers concluded that he was hiding in a barn. However, while crossing a field, they came upon the dead body of Fritz, who had shot himself through the head.

Attempted Highway Robbery

An unsuccessful attempt was made to rob Charles Brown, of Woodsboro, early Tuesday morning. He was driving his machine when several men rushed on the machine from a cornfield and called for Brown to stop. Brown gave his machine ‘the gas’ and got away from the crowd. In reaching Woodsboro, Brown organized a posse of civilians and return to the area of the attempted hold up, but found no one. He then notified County authorities.

Brown is in the moving pictures business and was returning from Union Bridge where had given a screenplay in the opera house of that place. He had the money realized by the door receipts in his machine, and this is believed to have motivated the would-be robbers.

August 25

Another Murder In Union Bridge

Theodore Karyamva, shot and killed his wife Clara, at Union Bridge, on Wednesday, then fired a bullet through his own heart. Karyamva was a Russian about 34 years old, and is said you have come to Union Bridge, this week, from New York, in search of his wife, who is said to have come to the town about 10 months ago with a man named Jack Bonsava. The latter worked at the cement plant, and was killed some time ago while attempting to enter another man’s house.

Mrs. Karyamva, then went to live with a Russian name Shmantha. Tuesday night Karyamva located his wife and asked her to return to him, but she refused. Wednesday morning he again visited her and asked her to go with him, and on her refusal shot her twice, death resulting in a few minutes. He then turned and walked away a short distance and shot himself.

Perished In Fire

William Wetzel, about 25 years old, an employee at the Union Bridge cement plant, was burned to death Saturday afternoon in the coalhouse of the plant. While the building was not destroyed, Wetzel was trapped and enveloped in flames before he could make his escape.

It is said that a motor in the coalhouse exploded and Wetzel, who was a short distance away, hurried to the building. Upon entering two or three other motors exploded and the interior caught fire. It is supposed that he was either hurt by the second or third explosion or became confused and was unable to find his way out of the building. Several persons, who arrived soon after the first report of the explosion, saw Wetzel lying on the floor of the building with his clothing in flames. As soon as possible he was reached and it was found that everything he wore, except his shoes had been burnt from his body. He was dead when he was found, haven’t been burned from head to foot.

Hog Cholera Takes Toll At Walkersville

Hog Cholera is raging on farms in the vicinity of Walkersville. The disease made its appearance about three weeks ago and has caused considerable loss. Many farmers have lost their entire swine population, other farmers have sick hogs and still others have had their swine inoculated and will be protected. Before the outbreak can be stopped however, there will be a considerable loss to the farmers it is said. Vanderbilt Smith, has already buried 28 hogs and will bury 12 more, saving only two or three of his entire herd. It was found that the outbreak began three weeks ago and had it been reported at that time the disease could probably have been contained to the one farm. Swine can be saved by immediate inoculation and will not contract Cholera even when kept in the same pan with those dying from it.

Husband Charges Loss Wife’s Love

A suit for $10,000 damages has been entered into the circuit court by Leonard Ambrose of Walkersville against Harry & Bessie Bernard for alleged alienation of the affection of Ambrose’s wife, and for the alleged enticing of Ambrose’s wife from Ambrose’s home.

The plaintiff in his declaration, states that he and his wife Natalie, were married on August 3, 1920 and that they resided in Walkersville. It is charged that "on or about August 8, 1922, and prior there too, the defendants, enticed and persuaded the said Nellie Ambrose, without the consent and against the will of the said Leonard Ambrose, to depart, leave and remain absent from the home and society of the Ambrose, where the said Leonard Ambrose lost the conjugal society of the said wife, and it’s still wrongfully deprived of the same, to the great loss in injury of the plaintiff."

It is charged that Mrs. Ambrose was not justified in leaving her husband, and that her alleged desertion of him was through the influence of the defendants.

Schools to Open On September 5

The public schools of Frederick County will open for the 1922-23 school year at 9 o’clock, September 5 The board voted that the white schools would have to be open for 190 days and the Colored schools of the county must be open for 160. A petition was presented by taxpayers of the vicinity of Woodsboro asking that an eighth grade be added to that school. The petition was not acted upon at the meeting, as all members of the Board were not present.

Two Walkersville Farm Sold

David Younger of Walkersville, sold his farms at auction at the courthouse in Frederick. The first farm containing 105 acres, situated about 2 1/2 miles north east of Walkersville on the Bostian Mill Rd. was so to Charles Wertheimer for $31 an acre, the total amount being $3,255. The property is improved with a substantial frame dwelling, large bank barn, wash house and other necessary buildings.

The second farm, containing 142 acres situated about 2 miles north east of Walkersville on the Hoffman Secrist Rd. was purchased by John Smith for $30.50 an acre, the total being $11,431. The property is improved by two dwelling houses, one being brick and the other frame. There is a large bank barn, two hog pens, poultry houses accommodating 600 chickens and other necessary outbuildings.

Cold Snap

After sweltering in the heat for some time, residents were treated to a real taste of fall weather on Wednesday night. People who have been complaining loudly about the continued heat began rummaging about for blankets and quilts and wondering whether last winter’s overcoat should be brought out of storage. The thermometer sank all the way to 47E. It would have taken but little of a drop to produce a frost temperature since that may be expected about 39 or 40E.

But the local weatherman says that there’s still more hot weather in store for this part of the country and that in all likelihood it will soon reach us. However this late in the season very warm weather does not usually continue for long stretches and Fall is scheduled to make it debut before long.