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100 Years Ago This Month

August 1916

August 4

Two Horses Killed By Lightning

Two horses belonging to Edgar Phillips, residing along Bruceville and Emmitsburg Road about 5 miles from Emmitsburg were struck by lightning and killed early Tuesday morning. The animals were standing under a tree in the field during a very severe electrical storm, which passed over this section in the early morning, and they were found dead later. Five other horses were also out, but they escaped.

Civil War Veterans Die

John Weikert, of Greenmont, died at his home Saturday morning from the effects of a stroke. He was 78. Mr. Weikert was a native of Adams County, and all his life he engaged in farming. He served three years in the Civil War as a member of Company B, 138 Pennsylvania Regiment. He was badly wounded at the battle of Mine Run.

John Pitzer died at his home on Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, Monday morning. He was 77. Mr. Pitzer served nine months in the Civil War as a member of the 165th Pennsylvania Regiment. He was well known in Emmitsburg where he frequently visited.

Qualifying For Circus Positions

Several men from Frederick tried the "loop to loop act" in a racing car last night at Franklinville. The two bridges on the state road at this point have been removed and a temporary crossing has been constructed at another place. A heavy barrier stands at the entrance to the old structures and on this several red lights are hung to warn drivers. The occupants of the car did not observe this danger signal and ran into it, full speed. The car ascended a pile of dirt, struck the heavy timber, made a flying leap and fell into the creek. The men in the machine were thrown over the windshield, landing headfirst into the water. By almost a miracle they escaped serious injury. The car, however, was demolished.

Cow Goes Its Own Way

A female of the Bovine genus with vision impaired and with a decided aversion to being driven, made for Matthews delivery head on, Wednesday morning, tripping old Bart and causing the said beast to sit down upon the horse’s head. Freeing herself, she essayed a little demolition stunt and kicked down 43 panels of board fence. She was not very much cut up after the incident, not figuratively speaking, either.

August 11

Booze Is the Best Laxative

"To keep the bowels regular the best laxative is booze," said Dr. Shorb at the society’s monthly meeting at the Hotel Slagle’s saloon. "Drink a full glass of booze half an hour before each meal and eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables. If you do so, you can be assured your bowels will move every day, even if you are not awake to remember it. Booze is also good for treating all the ailments that effect hard working men – such as cholera, colic, diarrhea and nagging wives – although you may need a few extra shots to fully block the shrill voices of the latter. " Added the doctor.

Big Chautauqua

The big Chautauqua Emmitsburg, beginning September 1 is creating great interest not only in Emmitsburg, but also throughout the whole district. It is expected the event will raise a substantial sum for the Vigilant Hose Company under whose auspices this big affair is to be held. The program chosen for this particular Chautauqua is an excellent one and includes artists of recognized ability. The object has been to give something of pleasure as well as uplift, to satisfy the demands of the young and old, to benefit the farmer, the professional man, and the average citizen. There'll be lectures from the Agricultural Department, as well as music, mirth, songs and melodies. Renowned Hawkeye Glee Club will also be appearing. Together they form a splendid vocal quartet. The trio's, solos, duets and readings are equally enjoyable. To miss these appearances is to lose a rare treat.

Big Boxing Bout

Next Saturday, the local devotees of the manly art of self-defense will have the opportunity of seeing a ten-round go between Tom Bower and Johnny Raven, the latter one of the fast ones from Baltimore, the home of boxing on Fireman’s Field.

This spell will not be a shadow picture affair. These boys will not stand around and pose. They will give the ringside fans the worth of their money, and that money, by the way, will go to the Emmitsburg Baseball Club under whose auspices Saturday’s bout will be pulled off. But a big crowd is expected considering the cause and the merely nominal price of admission-$.25. Sports’ lovers from neighboring towns have signified their intention of being there and it is not unlikely that other "mill" material will be inside the ropes before the main bout.

Barn Struck By Lightning

During the electrical storm Tuesday afternoon, the large bank barn on the farm of John Long, about 1/8 of a mile from town, was struck by lightning and totally destroyed. Mr. Long was sitting on the porch when the barn was struck and immediately ran out and got the livestock from the burning building. All the farming implements, a wagon and trap, the wheat crop, hay and oats, and a new engine valued at $100 were burned. A hog pen, which was near the barn, was also destroyed, but all the hogs were gotten out safely. A large crowd of neighbors and people from town responded immediately and it was through their efforts that the other buildings were saved. Fortunately the wind was blowing in another direction.

August 18

Corn Bake on Thomas Creek

On Wednesday, a party of young ladies and gentlemen enjoyed a corn bake along the creek at the old Gilson's farm. Although corn was cooked to the queen’s taste by Frank Brown, whose reputation as a chef has long been established, there were any number of other delicious delicacies which were greatly enjoyed by large party present.

Runaway on Main Street

Saturday afternoon about three o'clock a spirited horse attached to a buggy became frightened and ran off going in full speed down Main Street. Although it was the busiest hour of the day and many cars and teams were on the street, the animal dodged hither and thither escaping all of them. Several people attempted to stop the horse, which was finally brought to a standstill by Mr. Thaddeus Maxwell.

Health Officer On The State Line

As usual, the state of Pennsylvania is as quick as a flash and taking precautions against disease. At the Mason-Dixon line on the Gettysburg Road, 1/2 miles from Emmitsburg, there is stationed a health officer, whose duty it is to cross examine and to issue or refuse health certificates to all who enter the state at this point. According to the health officer, Pennsylvania is concerned about the growing Suffragette movement in Maryland and wants to ensure that this disease of the female mind does not affect the fairer sex in Pennsylvania.

August 25

Boozers Sold to Junk Dealers

Junk dealers in town had been numerous this week. Five or six were here on Wednesday. Their purchases included decrepit motorcars, iron, rags, rubber and paper. Several wagon loads of the later commodities left town that day. Several wives of Former Former Boozers Association members showed up with passed out husbands and attempted to load them on one of the outgoing carts but were stopped by Squire Shuff. The women claimed that their husbands were useless – and therefore met the definition of ‘junk.’ The Boozers later celebrated their escape from the hands of their treacherous wives in the Hotel Slagle’s saloon.

Boxing Bout A Draw

The boxing bout Saturday night drew about 200 spectators. It was a 10 round "go" and both boys were going the paces from gong to gong. Those who imagine that the match was to be a sort of "you tap me and I’ll tap you" were very agreeably disappointed. Both boxers extended themselves and gave the onlookers the worth of their money. No decision was given, but the fight was looked upon as a draw, "honors even" claimed by the devotees of the sport. It is expected that a series of bouts will be staged here in the near future.

Fight on State Road

In the absence of Contractor Forscythe the man working on the section of stay road north of Thurmont, demanded a nine-hour day and the same money. The men had been working 10 hours at $1.75. During the afternoon, in the midst of a heated argument, two of the workmen got in a mix-up in which one was injured. On arrival of Mr. Forscythe at the works on Wednesday morning, the men were found there waiting for a reply to their demands. They were told to go home for the day, and if any of them wish to go to work Thursday morning at the same scale they have been working, to come to work. It is also reported that some of the roadmen and teamsters were discharged, their services no longer being desired.

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