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100 Years Ago This Month

September 1916

September 1

Infantile Paralysis

Mr. Brinckerhoff, an employee of the State Health Department, now stationed at the Mason-Dixon Line, established a new record on Sunday when he stopped and examined over 250 motorcars. The cars containing children are returned to Emmitsburg where they are examined by the local medical examiner. All schools, including Sunday schools, in Pennsylvania will remain closed until September 18 because of the outbreak of infantile paralysis. No children under 16 of any age may attend any picture show between now and September 18. Pennsylvania children who visit Maryland towns for now will be compelled to remain in those towns for two weeks after arriving there.

Road Repairs

Since work began on the state road near Payne's Hill, near Thurmont, persons traveling in autocars have had a rather rough time getting from Emmitsburg. The dirt road is fairly good between the two places when once known, but strangers generally have to find their way and experienced some trouble due to the numerous roads branching out on the main thoroughfare.

Student Dies Swimming In Tom's Creek

Victor Avila, of Mexico City, a student of Mount St. Mary's College, while bathing with a number of companions in Tom's great, lost his life. His youthful companions, among whom was his younger brother George, went to his aid but were unable to save him. A passing motorist hastened to the spot and recovered his body.

September 8

Chautauqua A Success

Last Monday the three-day Chautauqua closed with one of the best performances offered on the circuit. The music started Friday afternoon with vocal and instrumental numbers by the Hawkeye Glee Club, a male quartet of merit. Every number was generously applauded and generously given here the many encores.

Dr. Culp, and authority on child paralysis lectured both afternoon and evening. Mrs. Paynekinski, a Polish pianist, opened the second day's program. Her selections were highly appreciated as indicated by the number of encores. On Sunday morning Dr. Stiles of the U.S. Public Health Service, spoke on public health and rural hygiene. This lecture was intensely interesting and touched on points in connection with the community health that was timely and of value to everyone present. Monday afternoon brought the Ernest Gambel Concert Party. This company lived up to its reputation by making classical music popular and popular music classical. All meetings were held in a large tent located in the Firemen's Park.

Surprise Party

The many friends and neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. John Harner gave a very pleasant surprise party at their home Thursday evening in honor of their daughter Estella. It was a complete surprise as Miss Harner was spending a few days with her sister and did not arrive home until that evening, by then the jolly crowd had already gathered at her home. The evening was spent very pleasantly with music and playing many different games. About 10 o'clock all were invited to the dining room to partake of the delicacies of the season, which were served in abundance. Over 100 guests were present on this enjoyable occasion.

William Eyler

New efforts are underway to secure the release of William Eyler from the Eastern penitentiary. Eyler is serving a life sentence for the murder of Howard Miller at the Globe Hotel, Gettysburg, on Memorial Day, 1906. His case will come up again before the Pennsylvania Board of pardons in October.

Boy Struck By Automobile

Quite a lot of excitement was aroused among the people in town Saturday night when John Lansiger, ran across the street at the square in front of an automobile. He was knocked down by the machine but with presence of mind the little fellow grabbed hold of the bumper and was carried several feet until the car was stopped. The child was not hurt.

Boozers Hold Surprise Party

Members of the Former-Former Boozers Association held a surprise party for President Dan Shorb at the New Hotel Slagel's Bar Saturday night. Each member was supposed to bring their own bottle of booze, but many opted instead to mooch off of those who had brought bottles when they were not looking. The members toasted Shorb for his leadership of the organization in battling the nefarious suffragette movement over the past year. Shorb, who arrived at the party already inebriated, kept forgetting what the gathering was all about, resulting in the members repeating their toasts over and over again until the entire assembly had themselves forgotten why they were there. When all the bottles were empty the Boozers gathered around the fountain and generally made a nuisance of themselves until the early morning hours.

September 15

New Electric Plant For Taneytown

The Electrical Engineering & Development Co. of New York, is actively advocating the installation of an electrical light and power plant in Taneytown. The idea being to construct a plant costing $15,000, to be paid for through the sale of stock, and evidently displacing the present gas plant.

Parents Refused To Enroll Children In School

Public school conditions in Emmitsburg at present are anything but a settled state. In the language of the street there is "trouble" and that trouble seems to center around the policy of closing or keeping open the Annandale schoolhouse, a little over a mile from town.

Several years ago the school was closed. Now, it seems that, a certain number of patrons of the school demand the school be reopened. The county school board however decided that it would be a greater advantage to the children to have them attend the Emmitsburg school. When this information went out the strike question was taken up. On Monday, the opening day of school, the boycott went into effect. Despite the fact that they are subjecting themselves to arrest, the parents of some 20 children have refused point-blank to enroll their children in the Emmitsburg school, a mile and a quarter distant.

It is understood that the school commissioners have sent out notices to the effect that unless the children attend school within a certain period of time, the parents would be arrested for violating the provisions of the compulsory school attendance law.

September 22

Carrier Pigeon

On Sunday a carrier pigeon that was evidently hungry and tired after its flight, flew into the open kitchen door of the New Hotel Slagel. On the band around his leg was the identification number 24911. The bird is being well taken care of.

Chicken Thieves Poison Dogs

Several days ago, "Sen" a Pointer belonging to Henry Stokes died very suddenly, under suspicious circumstances, and yesterday the pet Rat Terrier owned by Loretta Gillelan, and a fine Collie, owned by the Patterson Brothers, died just as suddenly and within a few moments of each other. The owners of these dogs attribute their loss to poison administered by some unknown person. Rewards have been offered in the hope that those responsible for the deplorable deed may be brought to justice. This morning a dog belonging to Irvin Miller was found dead in town.

It is thought that chicken thieves making inroads on the poultry pens in Emmitsburg have been distributing poisoned in the hopes that in the absence of dogs they would have a better chance to steal more chickens.

September 29

Martin's Mill Destroyed By Lightning

Fire last Friday night destroyed Martin's Mill at Four Points, about 3 miles southeast of Emmitsburg, causing a loss of $3,000. The mill was owned and conducted by H. K. Martin, who has operated the stand for the last 13 years. The blaze was caused by a bolt of lightning. Mr. Martin was preparing to retire, when he heard the clang of the dinner bell at the farm of Harry Harner nearby. Members of the Harner family notice the blaze and employed this means of notifying Mr. Martin.

The fire was then located on the roof and soon spread to the portion of that structure where Mr. Martin had about 300 bushels of corncobs. A large quantity of grain, flour and feed was consumed. He had not decided whether or not he will rebuild. Mr. Martin stated that the mill was undoubtedly one of the oldest water powered mills in Frederick County. He said there were building dates prior to 1816 showing that in age the structure had passed the century mark.

Robberies

On Monday night or Tuesday morning thieves entered the business places of Callahan and Rotering, and Joseph Hoke and carry away from the former five cases of eggs, and from the latter 50 pounds of butter, a quantity of meat, and some change from the cash register. It is thought that the robbery was committed by persons from out of town who made away with their plunder by means of a wagon and probably an autocar. The supposition is that this produce will be taken directly to Baltimore or some other market and sold early in the morning. A number of clues were run down, but up to this time the stolen goods have not been located or recovered. Insufficient evidence to fasten the crime on any particular person or persons has not been obtained. On the same night the garage at the New Hotel Slagle was broken into. It is surmise that the intruders took only gasoline as everything else was found.

Ready for Road Work

Daniel Roddy has erected a new stone crusher at his quarry about 1/2 mile south a Mount St. Mary's College near Emmitsburg. The bin will hold several hundred tons of stones, which will be used for the new state road, between Thurmont and Emmitsburg, which is being rebuilt. About an acre rock have been stripped. The rock is a blue limestone, with good submitting qualities.

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