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100 Years Ago This Month

June 1916

June 2

Col. John Mosby Dead

Col. John Mosby, the noted Confederate Gen. and Commander of Mosby's Rangers in the Civil War, who after that conflict became a warm personal and political friend of President Grant and served under Grant as the American Council at Hong Kong, died Tuesday morning after a month's illness. He was 81 years old. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and in addition to being an author, he was also known as a Greek scholar. The many friends of Col. Mosby will remember his frequent visits to Emmitsburg. His daughters graduated from St. Joseph's College, of this place.

Automobile accidents

On Tuesday, Decoration Day, there were several automobile accidents near Emmitsburg. Bernard Henshaw, a motorcyclist, was hurled over the radiator, breaking the windshield of a Ford automobile, belonging to Morris Gillelan, in a head-on collision and badly cut and bruised his face and head. The accident happened on the state road almost in front of St. Joseph's College. Henshaw was going towards Emmitsburg on his way to Gettysburg and Mr. Gillelan was headed towards Thurmont. It is said that Mr. Gillelan was driving along the right side of the road, but as he approached the motorcyclist he turned to the left and then back to the right side. Henshaw was also approaching on the right-hand side and said he started to cross the road when the automobile driver also changed his course and the machines met in the middle of the road. Henshaw's machine was almost wrecked. One of the fenders and the front of the automobile was slightly damaged.

Tuesday night, a horse attached to a buggy driven by John Eyler, of near Emmitsburg, became frightened by the light of an approaching automobile and ran into a team driven by Mr. Harbaugh on the Waynesboro Pike about 2 miles from Emmitsburg. The Harbaugh team was in front and as the other team passed, the wheels locked. Fortunately, none of the occupants nor their horses were hurt.

June 9

Prohibitionist Rally

On Thursday afternoon, local members of the United Dry Forces of Frederick County held a rally on the Square calling for sale of liquor to be banned in Frederick County. At the conclusion of the rally, members sang Prohibitionist songs off-key while tossing pennies into the fountain in the forlorn hope of making their wish come true.

Fountain Saves Boozer

Mead Mort, a member of the Former-Former Boozers Association narrowly escaped being burned Thursday night while trying to retrieve the pennies thrown into the Fountain by the Prohibitionist earlier that day. A thoroughly inebriate Mort grew frustrated when the matches he was using to spot the pennies went out when he placed then under the water to get a better view of the bottom of the fountain. In frustration, Mort made a torch out of straw, but the fire quickly grew out of control and Mort was only saved when he fell into the fountain, extinguishing the flame – but not before the light revealed 5 pennies – sufficient for a round in the Hotel Slagel’s bar.

Blacksmith Commits Suicide

Desponded because of poor health, James Boyer, a well-known blacksmith near Bridgeport, swallowed the contents of a bottle of carbonic acid at his home Monday afternoon and died half an hour afterwards. Justice of the Peace Cashhour, acting as coroner, found that Mr. Boyer's death was due to poisoning, self-inflicted, and deemed an inquest unnecessary.

June 16

Recluse Accidentally Shot

John Jones, age 49 years, died Monday from the effects of a gunshot wound to his right leg. He lived alone on the mountain, and fearing someone would rob him, loaded a single barreled shotgun, set the hammer, and put it at the head of the steps of the second floor. Monday morning he got up to go downstairs and upset the gun, which went off, the load shattering his kneecap. He lay on the floor for five hours until his cries were heard by a farmer who summoned medical aid. The doctors placed Jones in an automobile to take him to Baltimore, but he died on the way from loss of blood.

People's Garage Nearly Completed

Work on the home of the People's Garage Company on Frederick Street is nearly completed and the company expects to move into their new headquarters the latter part of this week. The structure is thoroughly modern in every way and is built of brick with metal window frames and wire glass, making it entirely fireproof. A large, plain, and very effective sign has been erected in the center of the building over the past few days which adds much to the dignity and appearance of the whole structure.

Frederick-Emmitsburg Road

Word has been received that work will soon begin on rebuilding and resurfacing the state road between Thurmont and Emmitsburg. The results of which will make the state road from Frederick through Thurmont and Emmitsburg to the Pennsylvania state line, one of the best in the county. This section has been the one broken link in the state road system for Frederick County. The news of the State Road Commission plans to begin work will be welcomed by the vast number of auto car users who use this highway.

June 23

Horse Deaths

Saturday evening a horse belonging to Mr. Oliver Koontz, of near Emmitsburg, became sick on Main Street and was taken to the stable of Mr. Frizell. Dr. Brokow was summoned and administered his patented colic elixir. When the horse failed to respond, he shot it.

Three Hurt In Runaway

Several automobile parties made narrow escapes from being run down Sunday afternoon, when the mare of Lewis Martz of Lewistown, attached to a buggy, became frightened and made a mad dash up the state road with Martz hanging onto the reins and two girls sitting in the buggy. The flight of the animal was checked for a few seconds when the buggy, which swung from one side of the road to the other, crashed into an automobile, throwing the two girls from the buggy. Martz was dragged for at least 200 yards and was badly cut and bruised. The two girls were going to a church service when they stopped Martz and asked him to drive them there. He knew his horse was skittish, and went to the head of the animal and held her until the girls climbed in. It was then that it started its mad dash. Martz said later that had he been driving his trusty gelding, as apposed to a stupid mare, the accident would never have happened.

June 30

Motorcycle Falls On Boy

Thursday evening around six o'clock Joseph Hopp was painfully injured when a heavy motorcycle fell on him. The machine, one of a number parked on the Square, belonged to a party of tourists passing through Emmitsburg. The lad stepped on the pedal or touched the handle bar in such a manner that the machine fell on him. The boy's cries attracted a number of persons. First aid was given at the Progressive Pharmacy and Dr. Stone was summoned, who removed the boy to his home. The injuries are not thought to be serious.

Substantial Improvements.

Emmitsburg merchants, always progressive in the spirit, are especially noticeable this week at the Pan Dandy Bakery, Rosenstiel and Hopp proprietors. For the past few weeks carpenters have been busy constructing a large room in the rear, to be used as an ice cream parlor that will be open for the first time on Saturday. A string orchestra will play during the evening and every Saturday evening during the summer. In addition to these improvements, two large plate glass windows and a door have transformed the front of the popular establishment.

No Fireworks

Notice is hereby given that ordinance #137 makes it unlawful for anyone to cast, throw, or discharge any firecracker, canning cracker, or other explosive in or upon any street, alley or public place in town. It is suggested that those who desire to set off fireworks gain permission from the Vigilant Hose Company to use their grounds for that purpose.

Barn Burns After Lightning strike

Fire by lightning during the severe storm on Tuesday evening destroyed the barn on the farm of John Harman, known as the Old Hockensmith Farm, situated about 3 1/2 miles from Emmitsburg, tenanted by Charles Ohler. Through the efforts of neighbors who assisted him, Mr. Ohler was able to save all the outbuildings. 10 loads of hay were burned with the barn together with one wagon, a quantity of harnesses and a number of farming implements. All the cattle that were in the building were rescued. The loss is estimated at about $2,000.

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