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100 Years Ago This Month

October 1912

October 4

Surprise Party

A very delightful surprise party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Horner on Wednesday evening. The evening was spent in social chat, games, songs and a great many musical selections on the organ and violin. Owing to the inclement weather only 34 guests arrived from Keysville, Bruceville, Taneytown, Harney, Bridgeport and Emmitsburg. At 11 o'clock all were invited to the dining room were refreshments were served. After extending thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Horner for their hospitality all departed for their homes.

Pays to Ship Milk to Baltimore

Several of the best farmers in Emmitsburg are now shipping milk to Baltimore and as this new market has been found to be very profitable it is certain that many more will soon follow the lead. On account of the steady increase in demand, owing to the growth of the city, they obtain good prices for milk, and since the rate has been reduced to only three cents per gallon from all points on the Emmitsburg Railroad they claim that they make more net profit now than at any previous time.

"Swimmer" In Baltimore

Everyone in Emmitsburg remembers "Swimmer" who used to camp in town – "Swimmer," the dark complected person with pearly teeth, shiny eyes and feet like a steamroller with elephantiasis.

"Swimmer," it will be called to mind was a brave Ethiopian. When he was properly pickled, or lagerad up, he wasn’t afraid of anything-not even himself. Fully laden with frisky Juice, he would start out at night, happy and unconcerned, and glide along the dark alleys as graceful as a drunken Dutchman beating a busted bass drum. The only thing he thought of was eating, and there was some class to "Swimmer’s" appetite. He could eat eight meals a day, four at night, and even then he was hungry.

They heard of "Swimmer’s" combat with a famous ‘sizzlehisser,’ those pirates in Baltimore; they heard of his appetite and his fearlessness, hence "Swimmer’s" present occupation along the wharves of the Monumental City. His steady job is biting tarantulas off bunches of bananas and lifting the freight. For this occupation he receives from his employer a fair wage, and from those who are not looking, something more.

October 11

Bumper Crops

The Rice Brothers, owners of the Mountain Orchard Farm where Victor Rowe formerly lived, shipped last week a carload of the finest potatoes seen in this locality for many a day. Northern Star is the variety and for size, weight, and appearance this potato is unusual. Three specimens, taken at random from the shipment weighed 5 pounds, the largest measuring 9½ inches in length and the smallest 8½ inches.

More broom corn is being grown near here than ever before and a fine variety to. None has been seen however equal to that being grown by Charles Keepers. It measures 12’11" in length and has a brushed 25 inches in length.

Emmitsburg Cornet Band

The Emmitsburg Cornet Band, the musical organization of which all Emmitsburg radians are justly proud, delighted a big audience on the square Friday night with a concert that was greatly enjoyed by all who heard it. The repertoire was lengthy, well-chosen and splendidly rendered and it was the consensus of opinion of the townspeople that never before have the band appeared to better manage and that it should repeat the concert at an early date.

October 18

Dr. Charles Reinewald Celebrates Anniversary

Services at the Elias Lutheran Church on Sunday morning marked the 20th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Charles Reinewald’s pastorate. The church was appropriately decorated with flowers and a special musical program was arranged for the day, the repairs to the pipe organ having been finished in time for the occasion. Exactly 20 years ago Dr. Rheingold assumed charge of the Emmitsburg church, from which date he has ministered year in and year out to his congregation.

Rev. Gluck Preaches Last Sermon

On Sunday evening the Reformed Church was crowded with citizens of Emmitsburg eager to show their regard for Rev. Mr. Gluck who on this occasion said farewell to the people of this town. The other churches were closed in order that such an opportunity might be given their members. Rev. Glock left on Monday for his new home and work in Martinsburg, taking with him the good wishes and prayers of this whole community.

Gypsies Pickpockets Working County

A band of alleged marauding and pick-pocketing gypsies have been reported in different parts of Maryland. It is supposed that these are the same gypsies who invaded Emmitsburg Wednesday morning. One of the girls succeeded in picking one’s residence pocket of $20, and a traveling man’s of $1. Several members of the party were arrested, and besides refunding the $1 paid a fine $3 for fortune telling. The girl who took the $20, had left hurriedly going towards Gettysburg. Later, when the authorities threaten them with pursued, some of the Gypsy men produce $20, and a promise of capitulating Emmitsburg, were allowed to go free.

Accidents

An automobile leaving Emmitsburg about two o’clock Wednesday morning ran into the Eichelberger house on the square. No damage was done.

A large party of tourists from New Market met with an accident on Sunday. The chauffeur lost control of the machine and it ran into the fountain, delaying them for some time. Mr. Ashbaugh came to their assistance and they continued their journey.

A horse belonging to Mr. Charles Rider ran away on Monday. It started in the alley on the north side of E. Main St. and turned a corner so sharply at Gelwicks Alley that it tore a board loose on the barn. The horse then continued its course to the square where it stopped. The horse is now in a serious condition having hurt itself in the runaway.

October 25

Chronicle to Sponsor Auto Race

The course is from Emmitsburg to Frederick, a distance of 23 miles, over the old Frederick Emmitsburg pike. The start will be made in front of the offices of the Chronicle and the official starter, who will give final instructions of the drivers, will be Mike Thompson, athletic instructor at Mount St. Mary’s College. The Marshal of the course will be Col. Austin Baughman, of Frederick.

The cars are to be started at five-minute intervals and three prizes are offered. The first prize will be a solid silver loving cup, valued $100; the second prize will be a handsome auto robe, and the third a trophy valued at $10.

The objective of the race is to center the attention of the state road commissions on the conditions of that link of state road between Emmitsburg and Frederick, and also the hope of getting some definitive co-operation on the part of Pennsylvania or the government in continuing the road into Gettysburg, the National Battlefield. This 23 miles can be put into splendid shape at a moderate cost. If the people living along this thoroughfare - traveled as it is by thousands of automobilist - will turn out and afterwards come forward with their plea for substantial improvements to this road, a great deal may be accomplished.

Opposed to ‘Turkey Trot"

Dr. Dan Shorb says that in the bright lexicon of Greece there's no such word as ‘Turkey trot." Incidentally Dr. Shorb, who was recently made a Brigadier General in the Greek army, is fitting out a fleet, which will shortly leave Whitmore's Wharf to join the Greek fleet which is assembled at Four Points. General Shorb is very much opposed to the modern style of dancing and in the interest of humanity, will stamp out the ‘Turkey Trot" once and for all.

Telephone Line Extended

A new telephone line extending from Emmitsburg to points on the Gettysburg Road is being erected. This line is being finance by the subscribers but the service will be furnished by the C&P Telephone Company.

Farm Produce

This week there was exhibited in the window of Mr. Zimmerman 16 fine specimens-eight varieties-of apples from the well-known orchards of Mr. John Hollinger. The exhibit was a decided credit to one of the best farmers, and this community is to be congratulated and having in it a man who devotes his time to raising such excellent fruit.

Mr. Edward Lynn brought to the Chronicle offices was probably the largest turnout ever grown in Frederick County, and which, beyond doubt, would have won a first prize at the fair had been exhibited. It was a cluster turnip, in which over a dozen turnips had grown as a single plant. It weighed 13 1/2 pounds and measured more than a foot in diameter.

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