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100 Years Ago This Month

April 1916

April 7

New 5 &10 Store for Emmitsburg

J. E. Smith, a well-known merchant from the Hanover area, recently moved to Emmitsburg and will construct a 5&10 cent store on the lower floor of the Emerald Hall on Frederick Street. The Emerald’s have made extensive improvements to their property in all of its readiness for the opening of the new store.

Audubon Society

Miss Catherine Stewart, a representative of the national Audubon Society', will spend the next two weeks in Frederick County organizing Junior Audubon societies in the schools. The idea is to teach the value and usefulness of birds to the farmer. Members of different classes in the schools will take up the study of the habits of birds and the necessity of protecting them. The plan is to have at least one lesson a month on the subject of birds. A meeting for the purpose of organizing the society will be held in Emmitsburg, Monday morning, April 10.

Serious Accident Avoided

What may have been a serious accident occurred Wednesday afternoon on W. Main St. when a two-horse team belonging to Simon Flohr’s son ran away. The harness, which was broken in several parts, caused the animals to become frightened. In their wild plunge they threw Simon to the ground and ran away at a rapid pace. John Eyler caught them on Fowler’s Hill outside the town. The wagon and harness were badly damaged, but no one was seriously injured.

Death of Henry Maxell

Henry Maxelll, a resident of Four Points, died Thursday evening in his home at the age of 66. Mr. Maxelll had been in ill health for some time but only two weeks before his death his illness had become serious. The deceased was born and raised and spent nearly his entire life in the vicinity of Four Points.

Trolley and Engine Collide

Trolley car No. 168 of the Thurmont division of the Hagerstown and Frederick Railroad collided with a traction engine of the Grove Lime Company at the crossing of W. 5th St., Frederick, Saturday morning, slightly damaging both car and engine. About 20 passengers were on the car, all of whom escaped injury.

April 14

New Moving Picture Theater for Emmitsburg

W. C. Brenaman of Thurmont, proprietor of the Gym Moving Picture Parlor, has bought the Albert Adelsberger lot on Frederick Street and will soon break ground for a moving picture theater as modern and well equipped as the one in Thurmont.

Hurt While Cranking Engine

While cranking his new automobile on Monday, Mr. Zimmerman met with a painful accident. As he attempted to turn over the engine, the crank became disengaged and struck him squarely in the face, badly lacerating the flesh and fracturing the bones of his nose. "I never once got hurt tacking up my horse," said Mr. Zimmerman. "If this is what people can expect from an auto car, I can tell you now, they are never going to replace horses as the primary means for trusty transportation."

Many Lose Use of Arm

It is very doubtful if Larry Delmon will ever again be able to journey to the grave of his father in the cemetery near Mount St. Mary's and play his tribute of music on Christmas morning. Larry was paralyzed about a month ago. The stroke affected his left side, principally his arm, face and the nerves of his neck. He was taken to the Baltimore sanitarium two weeks ago. The fact that he is nearly 70 years old and suffering from paralysis does not seem to worry Larry. What concerns him is if he will regain the use of his violin and flute arm.

Cash Drawer Rifled

On Wednesday afternoon around three o'clock a robbery was committed at the store of John Roddy, near Mount St. Mary's College, while the owners of the store were absent for a few minutes. A tramp who had been loitering around the store for some time is thought to be the thief. Shortly after three o'clock the tramp disappeared. At the time the theft was committed, Mrs. Roddy was in a room on the second floor. Her daughter Julia, who had been in charge of the store, was absent at the stables. During the short interval, the tramp entered the store and made away with about $35. An automobile party was in front of the store at the time, but the occupants of the car were unable to tell in which direction the robber went. This Wednesday theft added another to the series, which has occurred in the section in the past few weeks.

Boozers Celebrate Anniversary

The Emmitsburg Chapter of the Former Former Boozers Association celebrated the second anniversary of their founding in the usual way – by imbibing liberally with the fruits of Mr. John Barleycorn at the Hotel Slagel’s bar. Before the group became too inebriated, Dr. Glass, the chapter’s president, recounted the group’s successful efforts to throw cold water on the local woman suffrage movement, calling forth the idea that "women are smart enough to vote poppy cock."

Glass also gave a report on Dan Shorb, the intrepid Boozer who set out for the west coast on his trusty mule Luke last year. According to Glass, Shorb, who is committed to stopping at every bar and saloon he passes, has gotten as far as Williamsport. Apparently, Shorb’s progress has been delayed significantly due to his repeated arrests for public drunkenness. Glass’s call for funds to bail out Shorb for his latest arrest went unheeded, as the members of the society decided instead to spend their money on getting drunk in his honor.

Glass also announced that the Society would hold its second annual summer boozefest at the farm of Dr. Brokaw in Rocky Ridge. Dr. Brokaw, a founding member of the society, and well know veterinarian in the district, recently called for the banning of auto-cars on pubic thoroughfares, as they were a danger to people out riding their horses.

April 21

Mehrl Ridgley Held for Theft

Charged with theft of about $35 from the store of John Roddy, some days ago, Mehrl Ridgley of Frederick was arrested by Sheriff Roderick and held on $200 bail for the action of the grand jury. It was stated onWednesday morning that Ridgley had taken Mrs. Paxson to Emmitsburg, and that a stop was made at Roddy’s store. Mrs. Paxson testified, it is said, that Ridgley went into the store and remained for about five minutes.

Thurmont in Trouble

Thurmont is in the throes of an agitation relative to the ways and means of increasing the revenues of the town. According to information given at a recent town convention, the electric light plant is badly in need of repairs. It has been estimated that the cost of these improvements will total about $1,500. These changes are necessary in order for the plant to be successfully operated.

In addition, repairs need to be made to the streets. Residents claim that the alleys and highways of that town are badly in need of an overhauling. Again, funds must be raised to retire some of the light plant bonds. The bill which was sent to the Maryland assembly, providing for the issuance of street improvement bonds has been killed, leaving the town with no way to raise money for the needed improvements.

Emmitsburg Reports Expenses

On Friday, the Corporation of Emmitsburg reported its yearly expenses for its 1915 fiscal year which ended April 1. Total receipts were $1,393, of which $675 was from taxes paid by residents. The town's expenditures were $1,386, leaving a balance of $6.66 in the bank. The account listed the town’s total liabilities at $2,836.

April 28

Garage Building Progresses

Work on the home of the People's garage company is going along rapidly. During the past week, foundation work was completed and at present the walls have risen to a man's height. The structure, which we thought thoroughly modern in every respect, will be built of brick and metal wooden frames and wire glass, making it absolutely fireproof. The front of the building will be finished in what is known as Flemish Bond, a very striking arrangement of black and red bricks, with hollow jointing.

Emmitsburg In Grip of Rainstorm

Emmitsburg was visited by one of the heaviest rainstorms in several years last Friday afternoon. The downpour lasted about half an hour and was followed by lighter rain and intermittent showers during the evening. According to reports near town, early-cultivated fields were washed out considerably. High water in some places flooded fields, and the smaller streams rose to an alarming height within a short period of the storm. Large hail fell for several minutes in and near Emmitsburg. Many local gardeners found plants in the furrowed condition as a result of the dashing rain.

Loses finger

Last Monday afternoon the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ott met with a very painful accident. She and her brother were cracking walnuts. She was holding the walnuts while her brother was trying to cut them in half. Instead of cutting the walnut the hatchet slipped and cut off the first finger on her right hand. Dr. Jamison was called and gave medical assistance.

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