November 7

Presidential Election Results

The election returns commenced coming in, in small installments, as early as 7:30, and from the outset, the indications were favorable to the Republicans, the latter returns merely adding to majorities. New York, Illinois, and Ohio were soon added to the Coolidge column, while the vote in Baltimore precincts indicated that the state would be Republican.

The far western states were necessarily later with their figures, but the trend a public sentiment was the same there as in the East, and by midnight, conceding of the election of Coolidge by Democrats was general from New York to Chicago.

Coolidge received 279 electoral votes, John Davis, 139, and Robert La Follette claimed Wisconsin’s, his home state’s 13.

North Dakota and New Mexico are still in the doubtful classes, owing to the closeness of the vote, but are likely to land in the Republican column.

Davis, a compromise candidate, triumphed on the 103rd ballot at the Democratic National Convention after a deadlock between supporters of William McAdoo and Al Smith.

President Coolidge made a practical demonstration of his inclination towards economy, by mailing the votes of himself and his wife back to Massachusetts. This appears to us to be a very sensible law for all states – voting by mail.

The Ku Klux Klan may have had some influence on the results, but it seems to have been largely confined to a few states. There was also a conspicuous absence of organized labor mass voting, unless it was located in La Follette stongholds.

Rather contrary to most expectation, the La Follette vote appears to have been made up of more Democrats than Republican votes. An outstanding fact in the returns is, that Mr. Davis lost his home state, West Virginia, and his vice-presidential partner Charles Byron lost his home state of Nebraska, both by an un-mistakable plurality.

The total popular vote as given in the papers on Thursday, were: Coolidge - 15,224,688, Davis – 7,796,784, and La Follette’s Progressive Party - 4,413,508.

The vote in the Taneytown District was 893, out of 1,055 registered, A shortage of 202 partially due to illness, and to some being too far from home to vote; but there must have been over 100 who where not interested enough to make the effort. There was never finer weather for Election Day, then that on Tuesday. Whatever excuses there may have been for not voting, they were not due to disagreeable weather.

Republicans will have a clear working majority in the House, the standing being Republicans - 246, Democrats - 183, independents - 6.

Mr. Davis issued the following statement, after sending President Coolidge a telegram of congratulations:

"The results of the election speak for themselves, and the decisive character renders a comment or explanation unnecessary. I accept the outcome without any vain, regret or bitterness, and it is my earnest, hope that the administration of President Coolidge may prove successful and beneficial to our country.

"So far as I am personally concerned, I am not shaken in my faith in the principles and ideals, professed by the Democratic Party. They will never lack defenders. To those who supported me so loyally throughout the campaign I am more grateful than I can say, and I am glad to march with those towards the inevitable triumph of the principles in which we believe. Greater than any transient success, is the virtue of our common country; and to this is the duty and privilege of every citizen to contribute, whether in office or out of it."

The first election statement made by President Coolidge is as follows:

"It does not seem possible to me, to make an adequate expression concerning the Presidency of the United States. No other honor equals it, no other responsibility approaches it. When it is conferred by an overwhelming choice of the people and the vote of the Electoral College, these are made all the greater.

"I can only express my simple thanks to all those who have contributed to this result, and plainly acknowledge that it has been brought to pass through works of a divine providence, of which I am but one instrument.

"Such powers as I have I dedicate to the service of all my country, and of all my countrymen. In this performance of the duties of my office, I could not ask for anything more than the sympathetic considerations that my fellow Americans have always bestowed upon me.

"I have no other appeal except to the common sense of all the people. I have no pledge, except to serve them, have no object except to promote the general welfare of all Americans."

Coolidge enthusiast in Emmitsburg, Thurmont, Taneytown, Woodsboro and Walkersville took to the streets on Wednesday morning and paraded through the towns with drums and horns, as well as raising some noisy vocal efforts.

Local Broadcasting Of Election By Telephone A Failure

We regret that our efforts to broadcast radio election returns to homes by phone, on Tuesday night, was largely a failure. Between Friday night and Sunday afternoon last, something happened to the internals of our radio that materially reduce the volume of sound. To correct it we made a trip to a radio specialist in Gettysburg on Monday who failed to locate the troubles. The wiring was gone over, on Tuesday, but reception still continued below par. It was sufficient for those who gathered in our pressroom, but was not strong enough to carry to phone subscribers.

In talking to other owners of radios, we learned that our experiment was not very different from others. There was such a commotion on the ether caused by the activity of every broadcasting station in the country, and almost every individual radio station was adding its own little part to cause interference, that it is a wonder that reception was as clear as it was.

During the night we made use of 20 or more strong stations from Boston to Chicago, using the one which at the time was strongest, and out of the lot we had the best results from Chicago, Cleveland, Schenectady, Springfield, and Pittsburgh.

On the whole, it was a wonderful experience, and demonstration of radio. Every station had special attractions that were sandwiched in with the election returns – music of every description, vocal and instrumental, humorous sketches, and all sorts of announcement, comments, and at times three or four stations would come through on the same tuning at the same time.

Youths Held For Stealing Auto

Sheldon Richardson and Andy Reese, both 18 and both of Fairfield, were committed to the Adams County jail on a charge of stealing a motor vehicle. The young men were remanded to the County jail to away trial at the January term of the court.

Richardson was held on three counts: larceny of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

Reese is charged with being an accessory to the above counts lodged against Richardson.

Richardson, who until his arrest was employed by Roy Zinn at his fruit farm in Fairfield, was acquitted in court here several months ago on a charge of setting fire to woodlands in the south mountains.

He and Reese where under the influence of intoxicating liquors, it is charged, and took Mr. Zinn‘s truck and wrecked it Friday night.

Nov 14

Women Of Keymar Put Out Fire

Last Saturday evening there was quite an excitement in Keymar among the ladies. West Marion was cleaning up around his home burning the leaves, and thought he put the fire out.

At 10 o’clock at night the fire began to blaze up, and some of the ladies, gossiping over the party line, saw the fire, and called other ladies, and they took their little gallon buckets and carried water and put the fire out. All were glad that the fire company did not have to come, as the ladies with their little gallon buckets did the work.

Real Estate For Sale

In order to settle an estate, we are offering the going business of the Kaufman Motor Company together with the real estate, on the state highway in Emmitsburg. The latter consist of a fine garage, sized 50 x 150 feet, and the property formally known as the public school, which is immediately opposite the garage, the latter containing about one acre of land. Both buildings are in fine physical condition. This business is a prosperous one and carries with it the Ford agency.

In order to settle the estate of Robert Black and Lillian Black, his wife, trading as the Thurmont Motor Company, creditors are notified to file their claims, with the circuit court before March 21st or otherwise they may be prohibited from participating in the distribution of the trust funds in the case.

Fairfield Chamber Of Commerce Gets Underway

Reverend Ralph Baker was elected President of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce at the meeting of its Directors. Other officers elected were Robert Reindoller - Vice President, Edward Seabrook - Secretary, and Paul Lower - Treasurer.

Reverend Baker played a prominent part in the organization of the body, and his election to the Presidency, was in the nature of a reward for his efforts. His election to the head of the body is considered by Fairfield businessman as an excellent choice and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce members are confident of the ultimate results.

Emmitsburg Farmer Held In Liquor Case

William Oyter, of Emmitsburg, is being held on $3,000 bail on a charge of conspiracy against the government to defeat the National Prohibition Law. He was arrested by Deputy Marshals on his farm, where a 150 gallon still was found in a tenant house which he had rented to George Cramer of Woodsboro.

Oyter was charged after receipts, bearing his signature for rent was found on Cramer. The receipt showed that the man paid Oyter and extravagant rental for a small building, and other information, which the officers would not reveal, but which is claimed, will implicate Oyter on the charges.

If convicted, Oyter could serve up to 10 years imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Nov 21

Two Of Three Escaped Prisoners Give Up

Andy Reese and Sheldon Richardson two of the three prisoners who escape from the Adams County jail early last Thursday morning, were brought back to the jail by their fathers. Robert Bingaman, the third member of the trio, is still at large.

Following their sensational escape from their cell in the jail the trio hid in a barn on the unattended farm of Robert Watson, in Hamiltonban Township. Suffering from lack of food, and, fearing capture, brought the two young men to the decision that they would give themselves up.

Reese was the first to give himself up. He left his hiding place on the Watson farm and went to the home of his father, about a mile away. "It sure was great to get home and get a good square meal," said Reese in a cell in the jail this morning. "We have been living on apples alone and we’re getting pretty tired of them."

Reese remained at his father‘s home until Friday evening, during that time, his father got him a pair of new shoes and another pair of trousers. At 7 o’clock, Reese returned to the barn on the Watson farm where Richardson and Bingaman were still in hiding. He said he tried his best to persuade Bingaman to accompany him and Richardson back to the jail, but to no avail.

Saturday morning the two boys were brought back to Gettysburg on the 8:41 eastbound Western Maryland train, accompany by Mr. Reese and Edward Richardson, father of Sheldon.

They were taken at once to the jail and turned over to the authorities, who once more put them back behind bars. From the corridor in the jail, this morning, Reese told the whole story of the escape.

"Richardson and I didn’t know anything about Bingaman’s effort to get out until early Thursday morning, when he woke us up and asked us if we wanted to go along. We asked him where he was going, and he said he didn’t know exactly. At first we were undecided, but he finally persuaded us to accompany him.

"He had a hole in the floor and had removed a number of stones from the wall, so that it was only a few minutes worked to remove the rest of the stones and slip out into the courtyard. It was about 4:30 in the morning when we left.

"Bingaman dug out the stones in the wall with an improvised saw. It was Bingaman, also, who came up with the method of scaling the jail yard wall. It was very easy to get out after we were in the jail yard.

"After we got over the wall, Bingaman left us for a few minutes, saying he had some business to attend to. He mailed three letters while he was gone, I think.

The three of us, then started out the Fairfield Road, and on up to the mountains to the Watson farm, which Richardson and I knew was not tentative."

According to Reese, neither he nor Richardson realize the seriousness of their escape, until after they had been away for several hours, and they began to speculate on their chances of making good their escape, which was a deciding factor in their surrender, first to their parents, and then to the authorities. They had had nothing substantial to eat from the time they left jail except apples.

After he turned his son over to the Sheriff, Ephraim Reese went out and brought two packs of cigarettes for his boy. "I’m glad he is back in jail", the father declared, "now I know where he is. If he had gone on with that man, Bingaman, he might have come to an untimely death. Now I know where he is."

Additional charges of breaking jail will be laid against Reese and Richardson by the district attorney. The pair had been arrested for operating a motor vehicle, while under the influence of liquor, and without the consent of the owner as well as the forcible entry into a home in the mountains last week.

Bingaman is said to have told Reese and Richardson that he was going to head to Harrisburg, where his wife and child are now living. Police in that city have been notified to be on the lookout for the escape prisoner. Apparently Bingaman only took the other two along because they were in the same cell with him on the night he left.

Emmitsburg Doctor Fined For Intoxicated Driving

Dr. Posey, of Emmitsburg, who is arrested in Fairfield on July 6 on the charge of driving his car while under the influence of intoxicating liquors, pleaded guilty and was fine $200 and cost.

Steelman Marker To Be Dedicated At Zora

Roads from Emmitsburg and Fairfield, leading to the scene of the John Hanson Steelman marker in Liberty Township, near Zora, will be plainly mark Saturday for the dedication of this monument.

The unveiling of the marker to the first white settler in Adams County will take place Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock under the hospices of the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, and the Swedish Colonial Society - Hanson, having been a native of Sweden.

Recounting of the historical facts in connection with Hanson coming to this county from Maryland will be made as part of the dedication of the marker to which the general public is invited. Indications are that it will be one of the largest attended historical events held here in recent years.

Nov 28

Escape Bootlegger Caught

Henry Hewitt, 32, of Creagerstown, who on October 9 was sentence to the House of Corrections for six months on a charge of selling liquor, and escaped on October 26, was captured November 24 by Pennsylvania State Troopers. He was held in the Franklin County jail until Tuesday when the Maryland authorities took him back.

Hewitt was sentence on one of four charges against him at the last term of the court. The remaining three charges were put on hold dependent upon his good behavior, but will now be reinstated as a result of his attempt to escape from the state prison.

Only 17 days of his sentence had lapsed when, while working on a road crew near the prison, he succeeded in invading the guards and disappeared. Nothing was heard of him until we appeared near Glen Burney.

A man named Patterson, who was with him when Hewitt was arrested in the Pennsylvania town, is being held by the Franklin County authorities under $500 bond for interfering with the officers in making the arrest, and for harboring escaped prisoner.

An officer at the Maryland House of Corrections stated that Hewitt’s term will be increased to nine months. He also stated that Hewitt was picked up along the Maryland Road in an automobile driven by Patterson‘s daughter. Officers arrested Hewitt at the Patterson’s home.

Accidents & Deaths

On Tuesday afternoon, William Fair, employed with Raymond Ohler in placing a metal roof on Albert Ohler’s barn, met with a narrow escape from serious injury, or perhaps death. He was engaged in seeming the sheets of metal, when the ladder on which he was working became unfastened and slid down the roof. William grabbed a upstanding seam, and partially broke his fall, but slid off the house roof to a porch roof, and from there to the concrete walk. No bones are broken, but it was a close call.

George Stavely, age 63, was severely injured when he fell headfirst from a barn on which he was working last Saturday, at the home of Mrs. James Kelly. In the fall Mr. Stavely struck a nail protruding from an upright, which cut a gash on his forehead and nearly tore his nose from his face. Deep gashes were also cut on his forehead, lips and chin.

Stavely was given first aid by Dr. Crouse, after which he was rushed to the Gettysburg hospital, where physicians and nurses said Mr. Stavely’s injuries were the most unusual they have ever seen. Although it will be several days before it will be definitively, known whether the operation of sewing together the torn edges of his nose is successful, it is believe that the nose can be saved, and that he will not be disfigured permanently. Mr. Stavely has been employed as a carpenter for many years and this is his first serious accident. He was brought home last Saturday evening, and at this writing is getting along as good as can be expected.

Robert Annan, 44, son of Isaac Annan, and a prominent businessman of Emmitsburg, died Saturday afternoon, following an operation for appendicitis. His remains were brought to the home of his brother, Isaac Annan, with whom he lived, and was also in partnership in the business with him.

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