100 Years Ago This Month

May 1922

May 5

Heavy Thunderstorms

Sunday afternoon a heavy thunder and rain storm passed over this section of the county. Rain fell in torrents for a time and the lightning and the thunder was severe. One of the flashes of lightning struck the barn of Luther Keilholtz, located about a mile east of Graceham and it did considerable damage. A fire started, but prompt action and hard work by Mr. Keilholtz and other saved the building from being burned.

Old Mill at Detour Torn Down

William Cover, of Keymar, who had purchase the stone building near the Detour bridge, known as the Old Mill, tore the walls down by using a large truck and cables. The structure was so firm that the cables tore a number of times before the stones gateway. One of the stones was inscribed 1815; probably that was the year it was built. Mr. Cover removed the stones to Keymar, for the construction of a house.

Union Bridge Not to Get County Road

The recommendation of the County Commissioners for roads to be built during the coming two years, recently submitted to the State Road Commission, brought to an end one of the warmest contentions over route selection that has developed in this county for years. The recommendation of the commissioners for the construction of the road to Westminster via Libertytown, is to go through Oak Orchard, rather than via Johnsville and Union Bridge. It is stated that this is the shortest direct line to Westminster covering a distance of approximately 27 miles from Frederick, while the route by way of Johnsville and Union Bridge, via New Windsor to Westminster is 4 to 5 miles longer.

The route which has been recommended, and which leads through Oak Orchard, will give the people, it is claimed, in that section of the county, their first good road, as all their connections, at present, are over county dirt roads, impossible during the winter months. There is at present a hard surface road from libertytown to Johnsville and Union Bridge.

Benefit Play A Success

The audience filled the capacity of the Woodsboro Opera House, witnessed – A Rustic Romeo - a sparkly musical drama, last Friday night. The performance was one of the best ever staged in that town and the clever acting elicited rounds of applause. Musical specials were introduced, which added much to the success of the play. The play dealt with a country town love affair that for a while threaten to upset the unusually quiet and serene community of Chowderville. Jack Doolittle, a rich hotel owner, after proposing to every girl at home, sought a broader field and was finally accepted by Madam Sara Surface, a sprightly widow.

May 12

Permits To Build

Beginning June 1st every person before erecting or repairing any building in Frederick County worth $250 or more, will be required to procure a permit from the Board of County Commissioners. When applying for a permit, which will be issued free of cost by the commissioners, every applicant will be required to give the dimensions and the estimated cost of the proposed buildings. Permits will have to be secured before the work can be started. In order not to create a hardship on persons living in remote sections of the county, it will not be necessary to apply in person for a permit. Persons desire an permits can write to the commissioners setting forth the necessary information and in return the permits will be mailed directly to the applicant.

Any persons failing to comply with this new law will, upon conviction, will be fined no less than $10 or more than $100 and cost for each offense. The object of this law is to get the names of owners of new buildings on the assessment books for the purpose of taxation. Heretofore persons have been erecting buildings and their names never get on the assessment books until several years afterwards. As the county is so large it has been most difficult to get all the names of owners of new buildings and by the passage of this act it is thought that this trouble will be over come.

Light Plant Given Away

Permission was granted by the Public Service Commission to the New Windsor Electric Company to sell its plant and franchise to the town of New Windsor for one dollar. The Commission was informed that the company has been losing money for 14 years and wanted to quit. It had endeavored to interest its customers into making the enterprise a cooperative concern, but the subscribers would not agree to this arrangement. The town of New Windsor, finally, after many negotiations, agreed to take over the property, but was not willing to give anything for it. Therefore permission was asked to give it to the city.

Jimtown News

Spring, the most beautiful and inspiring season of the year, has come around again. We know such is true because as we glance about we see the flowers in the trees regaining their magnificent foliage, which had departed at the beginning of winter, and the birds of various types and colors have returned from their winter homes, singing merrily among the branches, producing such a scene that no painter has the power to reproduce. As we view the beautiful landscape, spotted with a deep green and rusty brown, we cannot help but think As Edgar Guest has said: "it’s good to be in the world just now." We should not forget it is God that makes them all so beautiful for us to enjoy and to be thankful for them. One thing that brings us a little sorrow is the small fruit crop. But we are hoping for a half crop at least.

Assault Charges Filed

A white man who refused to give his name to the authorities will be give a hearing before the Woodsboro Justice of the Peace on the charge of assault and battery. Charges against the man, who is now known as John Doe, were referred by Helen Hitchcock, age about eight or nine, of Woodsboro. Deputy Sheriff Dorcas, of Woodsboro, arrested Doe on Wednesday. The alleged assault is said to have occurred Wednesday, the man denies the charge.

May 19

Poplar Trees Dedicated At Walkersville

Forty-three Lombardy poplar trees, skirting the eastern border of the campus of the new Walkersville high school, where dedicated with appropriate ceremony Saturday afternoon to the memory of the servicemen of the community. The crowd assembled at the school building, and after being called to order, those present marched as a body to the trees where a selection of patriotic songs were sung by the pupils.

Reverend Hartzell, pastor of the Reformed Church, referred to the appropriateness of planning trees to signifying life and the appropriateness of honoring the memory of those who went to war. He spoke of the courage and sacrifice made by the soldiers and of the cooperation of those at home to help win the war. The need a patriotism is as earnest in time of peace as in time of war to bring about better moral, social and industrial conditions, he said.

Following his speech, the boys in the eighth grade planted the trees. At the conclusion of the tree planting, a large flag was raised over the school building. The names of the soldiers in whose memory the trees were planted, were then called by a class of young ladies.

Boone Fisher, Jailed Often, In Again

Boone Fisher, colored, of near Walkersville, has been found guilty of assault and battery on Frank Stauffer, of Walkersville, and sentenced to six months in the house of corrections.

It is said that Fisher was engaged in putting up fences for Stauffer, who not liking the work, told Fisher to do it differently. Boone became incense at this and jumping up, pulled Stauffer from the horse he was riding and struck him on the jaw. Stauffer had a warrant sworn out for the arrest of Boone, who is taken into custody Thursday night.

Boone has had a bad criminal record extending over a number of years. He is the same negro who was arrested and tried before a jury on the charge of attempting to assault a woman of the Johnsville district sometime ago and was sentenced to a term of three months in the house of corrections. While Sheriff Wertenbraker was taking him down to the ‘cut’, he attempted to escape, and it was only through the use of strong measures that his escape was prevented. After he was released on that charge, he was noticed by Wertenbraker hanging around the jail one night, presumably in order to attack the sheriff, he was made to come into the jail and was locked up overnight.

He also served a term of 18 months in the House of Corrections for being in a fight in which, it is understood, a man was killed. He ran away into Pennsylvania on another other occasion when he beat up former Deputy Sheriff Stephen Myers of Libertytown when Myers attempted to arrest him.

Texas Man Stops At Walkersville On Tour Of States

Irving Smith, of Austin Texas, arrived in Walkersville Thursday evening, enroute on a bicycle trip to every capital in the United States. Mr. Smith, who is 24 years of age, left his Texas home December 26 and has thus far visited 13 capitals. He is chained to his wheel and the chains are not removed while eating or sleeping, for he is to stay by the bicycle until the journey ends. The trip, which will require two years, is not being made on a wager, or for money. Expenses are met by handing out cards, containing his portrait, receiving any donations people are disposed to make. Thus far he has received enough money to defray his expenses.

May 26

Freak Hailstorm

Last Friday afternoon, shortly after 1 o’clock, a remarkable hailstorm visited Taneytown. The fall lasted only a few minutes, but covered the ground like snow, and in some places in drift. The hail was round, like small camphor balls, and very white. The center of the fall was apparently over York and Frederick Street, and barely extended east or west to the limits of the town. Outside of the town they were scattering falls for several miles in the same general direction, but Taneytown receive the chief visitation.

Some gardens were badly cut up, but others were only slightly hurt. A number of small lots of peas from the cannery were badly injured. Very few say they have seen such a heavy fall of hail in their lives, but have seen larger stones and greater damage from lighter falls. It seems that the uniform roundness of the stones and the heavy fall of rain, must have operated towards preventing greater damage.

175th Anniversary Of Creagerstown Church

Plans are practically completed for the four day celebration, beginning Tuesday for the 175th anniversary of the Old Mononacy Reformed Church, and the 200th anniversary of the founding of the village of Mononacy, about 1 mile south of Creagerstown. The celebration will be held in St. John’s Church, Creagerstown. Very interesting program, embracing the four days has been prepared. Addresses will be delivered pertaining to the history of the church and village, a memorial tablet will be unveiled and a memorial service will be held in the old graveyard.

Union Bridge Bank Closed; Big Shortage

E. O. Olmstead, Casher of the First National Bank of Union Bridge, has confessed to the Board of Directors that he is the defaulter to an unknown amount. He said that he used the money in speculation. Neither the bank officials nor the central treasure officials, who are reviewing the accounts, will approximate the shortage, which is in the savings department, but they say it is in excess of $75,000.

James Cash, who is one of the largest stockholders in the bank, became suspicious sometime ago that all was not well with the institution. Two weeks ago, he was elected President of the bank, and immediately began earnestly reviewing the books.

His investigation showed that there was something wrong, but the shortages at first seemed to be only about $4,000. On Saturday the directors on their own, closed the bank pending further examination and requested the Comptroller of the Currency to take charge of the bank.

It is said that individuals in the community may sustain considerable loss through the disappearance of their savings, which they had entrusted to Mr. Olmstead for safekeeping. Members of the community, who made deposits to the bank, for which no receipt was given, have been told that the bank will not be liable for those deposits.

Union Bridge is a prosperous town and the deposits in the bank run well over $300,000. The Tidewater Cement Company is located here, as are the repair shops of the Western Maryland Railroad, which make heavy weekly payments. All the Board of Directors are residents of Union Bridge.

Olmstead has a wife and several children. He received a salary of $1,500 a year, and it is said that his scale of living, which seemed beyond his modest salary, caused suspicion among many. It is thought that some of the money, which he admits having taken, has been recovered from brokers who he dealt with.

Memorial Service

Extensive plans are being made for memorial exercises, under the auspices of the Woodsboro branch of the Patriotic Sons of America, to be held at the Woodsboro cemetery, Sunday, May 28. All pastors of the town and Sunday school children have been invited to be present. Church services and Sunday school services will be held half an hour earlier than the usual time in order to give everyone an opportunity to take part in the exercises. A parade will take place from the center of the town to the cemetery. The procession will form in front of the Town hall at 10 o’clock and proceed in a body to the cemetery.

Taken To Insane Asylum

William Crebbs, of near Woodsboro, was judged insane by Dr. Johnson after an examination and was taken to the Springfield Insane Asylum at Sykesville for treatment where he will receive the new electric shock therapy.

On Tuesday night Deputy Sheriff Bartgis was notified that Crebbs had been acting in a particular manner and had threatened to burn down his house. It is said that he also threatened to kill his mother and sister.

In company of State Policeman Gearhart, Bartgis went to the Crebbs’ house, but found his man was out. They discovered him at the soda fountain at Woodsboro talking with several acquaintances. The officers told Crebbs that they wanted him but he refused to go. They then forcefully took him from the place.

Outside the soda fountain as deputy Bartgis reach for Crebbs’ hip pocket to take his gun, the man struck the officer a severe blow on the face. For a moment the deputy was stunned. Crebbs quickly turned around and struck the state policeman a blow in the eye. The officers then overpower the man and handcuffed him. He was brought to Frederick and locked up in the county jail until the physician could examine him as to his sanity. Bartgis apparently has volunteered to ‘throw’ the breaker for Crebbs’ first treatment.

Girls Club Entertains

The Girls Club of the Walkersville M. E. Church will give an entertainment, consisting of a concert by the Kitchen Cabinet Band and a farce entitled ‘Her Uncle’s Boots’, at Striner’s Hall, Walkersville, on Saturday evening. This entertainment was given in Libertytown before a large and appreciative audience, the unique features of the band being the special attraction.