December 1

Sesquicentennial of the Emmitsburg Presbyterian Church

This evening, the Presbyterian Church of this place began the celebration of their 150th year as a congregation. These interesting ceremonies are ushered in by a fellowship supper in the lecture room of the church to which all members of the church and congregation are invited. The ladies of the congregation will act as hostesses. Immediately following will be the first public service beginning at 7:30. The pastor, Rev. Hensley, will respond to the greetings from the churches of this town and vicinity. The Sabbath school will observe their part of the celebration on Sunday afternoon at which time Rev. Hensley will deliver a historical address. The former pastors and others will also take part.

Rocky Ridge Telephone Company

Mr. Charles Hiteshew, agent for the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company, formed the Frederick and Rocky Ridge Telephone Company the latter part of last week. , The line of the company he represents extends to six subscribers in the vicinity of Rocky Ridge who at present do not have phone connections. It is expected that the company will be able to install the service by the first of the year.

Waynesboro Horse Dies on Road

Early Sunday morning Mr. John O’Connor, who lives on a mountain road between Emmitsburg and Mount St. Mary’s found a horse in the road in front of his house. He noticed the animal was sick and started to lead it to the stable from which he had come, but he had gone only a short distance when the horse fell over and died. The horse was a property of the Waynesboro livery and was driven to Emmitsburg on Saturday.

Complaints of Neighbors

Offense seems to be taken when I sit at my window with my eyes on the outside. I wish these kind neighbors who object to this luxurious privilege to know that what I wish to see if that is a snowdrop I see, or drop of rain, or a thousand other things- it is no neighbor’s d--- business. Nor is it my business to know, or care to know what is going on there. These windows are to look out, as well as to let in blessed sunshine and light. So far as looking out a window goes, our eyes are not prisoners. Signed: Very Disgusting

Death of George Ovelman

Mr. Ovelman, 73, was born near Emmitsburg and for many years ran the farm just south of Motter’s Station. In 1883, he moved to town and for two years had charge of the warehouse at the railroad station. He built the house now owned by Eugene Rowe, Esq. Having proved unsuccessful in his business ventures, he went west and was among the first party of white men to cross the border when the Oklahoma Territory was thrown open to settlers. The better part of his life since then was spent in the west until the past three years, when he went to make his home with his daughter in Birmingham, Ala.

December 8

Death of George Gillelan

After lingering illness, Mr. George Gillelan died at his home on W. Main St. on Monday morning, at the age of 69 years. At the age of 19, he enlisted in Cole’s Cavalry and serve through the Civil War until September 1864. After the war he was engaged in farming until he was appointed to the Internal Revenue Service. He also served on the Board of Charities and Corrections in this county. He then retired from active business life and took up his residence in town where he lived until his death.

December 15

Rapid Growth of Telephone Service

Mr. R. W. Stake, the general and efficient local manager of the Frederick office of the Chesapeake and Potomac telephone company, said that a great deal of interest is being manifested in telephone connections throughout the Emmitsburg district. He thinks the people will admit that the C&P Company is meeting them more than halfway in their demands for such service. For instance, the rate to Gettysburg was formally almost prohibitive whereas now the toll is only $.10 a minute. This ought to have a tendency to increase the use of the telephone between these important centers.

The Emmitsburg Pioneer Company has entered into 15 contracts. As the Emmitsburg Pioneer Company has lines running into Liberty Township and the Hampton Valley Company, these mutual companies will now have access to the C&P network for five dollars a year. Applications have been received for connections with Harney, Four Points and Harbaugh’s Valley, and these lines will be run this winter. This will give Emmitsburg unusually good telephone connections with many outlying towns.

A franchise will be given the Liberty Independent Telephone Company to erect poles and string wires within the town limits. This action will be taken at the next meeting of the town commissioners.

December 22

More Telephone News

There’ll be a telephone meeting at Mr. Joseph Felix’s store in Fairplay next Wednesday to discuss a line between Emmitsburg and Fairplay. On the same day a meeting will be held at Mr. Rowe Ohler’s on Harney Road for the line between Emmitsburg and Harney. At these meetings, arrangements will be made for the respective lines, both of which will be built in the very near future. The Emmitsburg Pioneer telephone company, voted in two new subscribers this weekend: Mrs. J. W. Winegardner and Charles Ecker.

Rocky Ridge Church Rededicated

Last Sunday morning, the Mt. Tabor Church of the reformed and Lutheran congregations at Rocky Ridge was rededicated with an impressive ceremony.

The church has recently undergone extensive improvements. A handsome metal picket fence has been completed around the cemetery, with three driveways and three gateways. Mr. James Kerrigan and son, of Emmitbsurg, have finished frescoing and painting the interior of the church. Their work is much admired by all who have seen it and it speaks well for the artisans. An all-wool carpet will cover the entire flooring, new shades will replace the old ones, and a new large 14-light chandelier has been ordered. The cost of the recent improvements amounted to $874, while the amount subscribed was $975, leaving a surplus of almost $100, which will be used toward the purchase of modern pews.

December 29

Post Office Robbed

Early yesterday morning, presumably between two and three o’clock, a robbery was committed at the local post office. Cracksmen entered the building and having blown the safe made away with everything they wanted. The burglary was not discovered until Mr. John Horner, the postmaster, opened the office at the usual hour. Mr. Horner saw the door of the safe was blown off and upon investigation discovered all the money, stamps, registered mail and private papers have been taken. The plunder was thrown into a mail sack and carried off. Six hundred 1-cent stamps an equal number of twos were found lying on the floor, and a number of stamp books were left undisturbed in the safe.

The following items were taken: stamps, $946; stamp cash, $233; money order cash, $71; private funds, $17: Red Cross Seal funds, $5; box rents, $4. Total amount stolen: $1,296.

The robbers were clearly professionals, as evident from the cleverness with which they went about their work. They entered the room by the front door and the bright glare of the gasoline light above the fountain. They forced the door with a crowbar. Nitroglycerin was used to dislodge the door the safe.

Several persons living in the vicinity of the post office remember hearing of dull report between two and three o’clock, but no one thought to investigate, assuming that it was but the discharge of a revolver by some holiday revelers.

Christmas Festivities

Observing the usual custom a company of about 10 ladies and gentlemen sang Christmas carols on the streets of Emmitsburg at midnight on Christmas Eve. On Tuesday night, the principal social event of the Christmas season was a most attractive dance held at the Emerald Hall.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'