October 3

Farm Show To Open Today

The South Mountain Farm Products Show to be held Friday and Saturday, October 3 and 4 at the Biglerville community auditorium only awaits the snapping of the barrier for its getaway.

Farmers, residing in the upper end of the County are actively engaged in grooming all manner of farm products for exhibition at the show in competition with those of their neighbors. All housewives are baking bread, cakes, and pies, and making candies and rummaging for jars, preserved fruits and jellies, which are likely to be judged the best.

Cash prizes accounting to approximately $60 will be awarded to first and second prize winners in the various classes. The prizes were donated by the Biglerville National Bank, sponsor of the show, after a decision was made to abandon in the south mountain community fair this year.

Almost every product conceivable on a farm will be on display and unusual exhibits will not be rare. On Saturday morning there will be a potato-judging contest for boys and girls, a prize of two dollars to be given the winner, and a prize of one dollar to the next best.

Those in charge of the Farm Product Show, the first of its kind ever attempted in Adams County, are urging the farmers to exhibit their corn and potatoes, although they may not be fully matured, owing to the lateness of the season and unfavorable weather conditions.

Observe The White Line

"Show me the automobilist who fails to keep to the right of the white line and I’ll show you a careless driver, " said Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Edward Baughman in commenting on the alleged practice of automobiles who drive in the center and wrong side of the road, while rounding curves on the state highways.

"I will venture to say that approximately 80% of motorists pay no attention to the white lines appearing in the center of all curves," said the Commissioner. "And I will say that up this 80%, at least 60% are violating other automobile laws; such as failing to have their operator’s or registration card with them, improper headlights or obscure license tags.

"A careful motorists, when he sees a white line on the road, realizes that it is put there for his safety. By keeping on the right side of the road while rounding curves, and in doing so, collisions are less likely."

Members of the State Police force have been ordered by the Commissioner to warn all motorists of the danger occurred by their failing to observe the white line.

Baughman also encouraged towns to enforce the regulations for parking cars that are in use in most towns having a main street – that of running cars to the curb on an angle, and not broadside. The angle parking not only accommodates fully a quarter more cars, but permits backing out easily without disturbing other cars. By marking white angle lines on the bed of the street, the plan could be adopted without trouble, and still leave room in the center of the road for two cars to pass.

Bad Wreck On Emmitsburg Road

A bad wreck occurred at the bridge over Piney Creek on the Emmitsburg Road last Sunday, when two autos, going in opposite direction, attempted to use the one-way bridge at the same time. It is possible for two cars to cross the bridge at the same time by carefully driving, but this was not exercised.

Both of the cars were driven by women – neither of which was paying attention to the road – instead they were too busy gossiping with their passengers - all women -hence the accident.

Both divers were fined, one for not having a driver’s license, and the other for reckless driving. The Sherriff said he would have like to have charged them for being wasting their husband’s hard earned money by wrecking their cars, but was unable to find a citation in the motor vehicle code for that. None of the occupants of either car was seriously hurt, but both made extremely narrow escapes. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the cars.

October 10

Car Damage in Crash

When the driver of the delivery truck of the People’s Cash Store failed, it is said, to signal that he was about to turn into an alley off the Main street of Fairfield, Mrs. Joseph Codori, who is following the truck, crashed into the rear of the machine, with the touring car she was driving.

According to Mrs. Codori, the driver of the truck failed to extend his hand as a signal that he was about to turn into the alley. She was taken unaware that he was stopping as she said she was busy checking her makeup and was not looking at the truck. As a result, the right front fender of her car crashed into the rear of the truck.

The truck driver is said to have stopped his car, rather suddenly as he was about to make the turn into the alley, to avoid running down a little girl who was crossing the alley at the time. The damaged to both machines were slight.

Harney At Work

Harney is on the job putting away the local tomato crop. About 40 people are working in the canning factory, taking the peel off tomatos and canning them. This employees the people of the town and community during the fall season, but what we need is something to give the people permanent employment.

Our newly built road will be a great improvement in this place, when completed. The road from Harney to the Pennsylvania line has been graded, and when it is completed, it will not be bad; but it should have been stoned while the machinery was all here. Unfortunately, The Taneytown end of the new road appears to be in need of patches, already, in some places, or it will be torn up into bad holes next Spring.

Rare Old Paper Money

Robert McKinney, in going over old papers that belong to his father, Andrew McKinney, the well-known Taneytown teacher of years ago, found a package of old time Continental Currency, seven notes as follow:

• Two Dollars, entitling the bearer to two Spanish Milled Dollars, or the value there of in gold or silver, according to resolution of Congress passed in Philadelphia, November 2, 1776
• Two and two thirds Dollars, gold or silver, at the rate of four Shillings, and six Pence per Dollar, according to the Provincial Convention, held in Annapolis, December 7, 1775.
• One Dollar, conditioned as above, same date.
• One Dollar, entitling the bearer to receive one Spanish Milled Dollar, or an equal in gold or silver, according to resolution of Congress, January 14, 1779.
• Three Dollars, as above, by active Congress, February 26, 1777.
• Two Dollars, according to a resolution of Congress past February 1776.
• Twenty Shillings, according to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed in the 13th year of the reign of his Majesty, George the Third, dated October 1, 1773.

These notes are in fair state of preservation and are perhaps still redeemable but are probably worth more than their face value to collectors.

October 17

Thurmont Man Pleads Guilty to Bastardy

Allen Willard, of Thurmont, pleaded guilty to a charge a bastardy, and was in order to pay the prosecution witness, Maude Wolf, the sum of $12 per month for the support of his children, twin boys. Willard was also ordered to post $533 bond as security and this was provided by his father.

The judge ask Mr. Wolf if he wished to arrange a ‘shotgun wedding’‘ for his daughter while the pair was in his courtroom, but Mr. Wolf declined the offer. "It’s bad enough I have to support the no good’s offspring, but I’m sure as hell not going to support a useless drunk who hasn’t the capacity to even walk a straight line if it was painted in the middle of the road for him. Let his useless parents pay for him. What my daughter ever saw in him I’ll never know, nor do I care." He told the judge.

Wolf asked the judge if he could shoot Willard based upon "justifiable homicide". The judge said that while he was supportive of Wolf’s request, he doubted higher courts would support such a decision and recommend Wolf not shoot Willard.

Joseph Smith, of Libertytown was also found guilty on a charge of bastardy, and was ordered to pay seven dollars a month to Helen Horton, also of Libertytown for a period of 12 years.

Church Improvements Completed

On Sunday, a reopening service was held at the Mount Tabor Union Church in Rocky Ridge, after making repairs and improvements by way of the laying of a new hardwood floor with a fine wax finish, painting the interior of the church, and carpeting the aisle and the pulpit platform.

Reverend Stogmister, President of the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, preached the sermon. That evening, Reverend Helmer, preached a sermon that was inspirational in nature with a special appeal to the young to return to life and service of the church. There was also a special concert given by the large community choir of the church.

Boy Hurt By Cross Bull

Virgil Lescaleet, son of Charles Lescaleet, of Keymar, met with a very serious accident, on Sunday evening. While his father was feeding his cows in the stable, he told Virgil to get the bull and tie him as he was becoming very cross as a result of the railroad employees teasing him. The bull turned on the boy, knocking him down, and gourd him. Dr. Diller was called at once. No bones were broken, but the boy was badly bruised.

Wife Finds Aged Man Dead In Bed

Samuel Sanders was found dead in bed by his wife at 2 o’clock on Wednesday morning. Mrs. Sanders had woken up to place a cover on her husband when she discovered that he had died. A physician was summoned and said death had taken place about an hour before. He was 74 years old. Dr. Miller, the County Corner, was notified of the death, but said that an inquest would not be necessary since the Sanders’ family physician said death was due to a heart attack.

October 24

Emmitsburg Boozers Found Guilty

Edward Wetzel, of Emmitsburg, was found guilty on two counts of selling liquor, receiving a six-month sentence on one count, and a suspended sentence in the other. His wife, Lucy Wetzel, was found guilty of four counts, and find $100 and cost on one charge, sentence was suspended in another, and the remaining counts were settled at the request of the state.

According to testimony, Wetzel and his wife had been engaged in the illicit liquor business for sometime, and one witness testified that he had a large still at his house. Both of them had on several occasions sold intoxicating liquor at their home. Both denied having made any transactions with the prosecuting witnesses, but the court handed down a verdict of guilty in each case nevertheless.

In sentencing Wetzel, the court stated that it was evident that the home of Wetzel was known as a place to obtain liquor, and that almost anyone could obtain the illicit beverage there. The Judge stated that he intended to break up the practice at the Wetzel home, and that he would have to send Wetzel to the lockup in order to stop it.

In suspending sentence on the second count, he stated that at any time the defendant returned to his old practice after he was released from the institution at the end of six months, he will be brought back into the court and sentence to an additional 6 to 12 months.

The court showed a degree of leniency to Mrs. Wetzel, and refrained from passing a jail sentence, stating that it was evident that the woman had only negotiated the sale because she was placed in a position where she had to, or she would have been beaten. A warning however was metered out to Mrs. Wetzel, concerning any further attempt to violate the law.

In another cases, Edward Krug, colored, of near Emmitsburg, was found guilty on one count of selling liquor and acquitted on another. Krug was fine $50 and cost and ordered to refrain from any illicit sales in the future. Craig was unable to pay his fine but later provided bond and was released.

Alvie Hess, of Hornets Nest Road, Emmitsburg, was found not guilty on a charge of larceny of the property of Mrs. John Eyler, also of Emmitsburg. Hess, however, was found guilty on charges of assault and battery upon both Mrs. Eyler and Martha Stouter, on two separate counts. Final disposal of her case will be made after she has been tried on two counts of selling liquor, which will come before the court next month.

Taneytown May Lose High School

The following article on the Taneytown high school situation, has been handed us for publication by one who is fully acquainted with the facts, and we recommend careful reading and consideration:

"On Monday afternoon of this week, Dr. Samuel North, stay superintendent of high schools, accompanied by Superintendent Unger, made his annual visit to the school at Taneytown.

"After his inspection was completed, Dr. North announced that under the no circumstances would he recommend the continuance of a four-year high school at Taneytown, unless by the opening of school next September, adequate room is provided for the operation of the school.

"The announcement from Dr. North creates an emergency in the school situation here. Our high school, our president, is a first group, state aided, four-year high school. and appropriation of about $2,500 is made annually by the state port of education towards the operating expenses of the school. After this year, no appropriation will come from the State. The local high school will drop from first group rating to third; that is, at best, the high school will give only two years of instruction instead of four. Pupils who desire to complete the high school course, will be compelled to go to Westminster, Union Bridge, or New Windsor. In response to an inquiry, Mr. Unger stated that Carroll County pupils can not be received at Emmitsburg.

"In view of Dr. North’s announcement Mr. Unger stated that on account of the situation at Taneytown; namely, that the building in which the school is operated is condemned, and cannot be used after March 1st, and because there is not sufficient land at the present school, even to erect any more portable buildings, no high school attaining town can be expected after this year, unless the new building is erected. At best, only two rooms in the old building are safe, namely, the addition that was erected about eight years ago. These, along with the portable building of one room, makes three rooms available for schoolwork next year.

"Under the law, Mr. Unger, stated he is compelled to provide rooms for the elementary school first, before he can make provisions for high school. Pupil of the first six grades will need the three rooms at present available for next year, so that unless the new building is built, very probably it will be impossible to have at Taneytown even seventh grade. In a word, as the situation stands, unless the County Commissioners provide the money for the erection of a new school building, Taneytown’s school will probably drop five grades in rank after this year and all pupils of this community, after completing the sixth grade will be required to go to school someplace else."

The local committee feels that the citizens and school patrons are not willing for the situation to arise. The committee has therefore arranged for a meeting of all citizens on Monday evening, October 27, in the Fireman hall, to take immediate and action to secure for this community a proper school facility."

Emmitsburg Man Injured In Fall

George Florence, of Emmitsburg, is recovering from serious injuries, suffered when he fell 25 feet while working at Gingle’s stone quarry in Zora. His injuries consisted of a fractured left wrist, a badly bruised hip, and a possible fracture of the left anklebone. After the accident, Mr. Florence was removed to his home in Emmitsburg, where he is receiving treatment.

Rumor has it that once word was circulated that Dr. Jamison had provided Florence with a prescription for a healthy supply of high grade drinking alcohol to ease his pains, other boozers in Emmitsburg have been actively looking for ways to injure themselves to obtain their own supply.

October 31

Radio To Broadcast Election Returns

The C&P Telephone Company has authorized each of its local exchanges to broadcast over a ‘party line’ the returns on election night, as received by radio, providing the night is good for clear reception.

All customers of each exchange who request it, will have their phone be connected to the line carrying the results, but no conversation can be carried on with this number, as the receiver will necessarily be down in order that the voice of the radio may be broadcast through the transmitter to the phones of the subscribers.

No returns are likely to be given before about 9 o’clock, and it is quite probable that this service will be discontinued about one in the morning - no all night session, no matter how the returns may be.

Phones with weak batteries, or otherwise, not in first class order, are not likely to reproduce the voice of the radio very clearly, but good hearing, and close attention may enable all to get at least the substance of what is going on. As the loudspeaker of the radio will be about 10 to 12 inches away from the mouthpiece of the operator’s phone, the volume of sound will not be equal to voice close up to it.

Customers must asked the exchange to connect with the ‘return line,’ and C&P will do its best to give the phone subscribers, the returns as they come in. This arrangement, of course, will be subject to telephone regulations related to the lines that may be used, and not interfere with the rights of subscribers who want to use those phones for regular purposes.

The United Press Association will broadcast the election returns that will be transmitted by C&P, beginning at 7 p.m. Special wire and telegraph instruments will be run into the broadcast station, and a special staff will be working to receive and edit the latest returns, coming from all sections of the United States. Those listening in will be afforded the privilege of hearing the latest up to the minute tabulations.

Never again, said the head of the United Press Association will Americans have to go to bed on election night without know who won the Presidency.

Fairfield Plans Chamber Of Commerce

Another borough of Adams County will have a Chamber Of Commerce organization, if plans of residents of Fairfield, now, in a tentative state, materialize.

At a recent meeting of the Fairfield citizens at the home of Reverend Ralph Baker, Pastor of the Lutheran Church, a temporary organization, to be known eventually as the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, was affected, with the Reverend Baker as President, and Howard Harbaugh, Secretary.

After discussion of the need and possibilities of a commerce organization in Fairfield, a committee was appointed to place before another meeting of citizens, the purpose and intent of the organization, as well as submit a constitution and bylaws to govern a permanent association to the citizens of Fairfield on November 7 at the Fairfield high school building.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'