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100 Years Ago This Month

December 1913

December 5

Bennet Tyson

Uncle Bennet Dead! Such was the startling announcement sprung upon the people of Emmitsburg early Saturday morning. One of the oldest "stalwart oaks" gone! A man of remarkable physique, mind and character. Born here in 1932 and living all these years in one place, it would seem superficial to comment on the life or habits of this "Grand Old Man."

Every man, woman and child newly miss uncle Bennet. One third of the residents were related to him by the ties of kindred. His Parents were among the first settlers - the Hughes - who did so much better for their church in giving ground and laboring unceasingly for the cause of religion and the uplift of the future town. Under the skilled training of Shorb and Storm, Uncle Bennett became a first class carpenter and architect. Some of the finest buildings at St. Joseph's are monuments to his prowess. An honest man is the noblest work of God and Uncle Bennet was pre-eminently the most honest man ever to walk the streets of our fair town. May he rest in peace.

Emmitsburg Loses Pool Match

Gettysburg defeated Emmitsburg in a pool tournament on Monday evening at the poolroom of Mr. McGreevy, at the Hotel Spangler. The game was very close and the local boys had the Battlefield lads defeated by a small margin until the last Gettysburg player put one over on Stokes. The scores were Joseph Elder vs Vaughn, 50 - 42; Francis Rowe vs Doubs, 50-46; Samuel Annan vs Toaneus, 50-48; and Arthur Stokes vs Homan, 25-50.

Shortage of Horses for Army

Army quartermaster's say that there is an alarming scarcity of horses. If there were an emergency requiring a large number of horses, the War Department would have great difficulty in getting them. This is due, in part, to the reduced number of people breeding horses. The autocar has finally had its influence on these animals. Motor trucks seriously affect the market for draft animals, but that has to do mostly with the mules, so far as the army is concerned. According to the army, the mule will always be a necessity, despite the improvements which have been made in the motor trucks. The animals are a necessity for troops in the field, while trucks are only useful for supplying the columns in the rear. The army said they see no use for any mechanized vehicle in an actual battle.

December 12

Bowling Contest – Yanigans Defeated

The Emmitsburg Duck Pin team defeated the Yanigans at the Matthew’s Bowling Department on Monday evening by 113 pins. The Yanigans, strengthen by a few new bowlers, went into the game was so much venom and confidence that the Regulars, where out classed in the first two games by three pins, but the steady bowling of the Emmitsburg Duck Pin team soon dispelled all hopes of victory, as they came back strong in the latter part of the contest and had the pins falling in every direction.

The Yanigans displayed a marked improvement over last week's game, which some attribute to the lack of ‘spirits’ at Mondays game, but they were not able to withstand the onslaught of the Regulars. For the Regulars, Eichelberger and Pryor excelled, while Hardman and Luther Myers carried off the honors for the Yanigans.

New Railroad Parlor Car

The management of the Emmitsburg Railroad is to be complimented on the new parlor car recently put into service. This car is much appreciated by the traveling public and is in keeping with the progressive policy of our railroad.

Another Wreck on Western Maryland

One of the worst freight wrecks that has occurred in this section for some years took place Wednesday afternoon near the Monocacy Bridge between Rocky Ridge and Detour. Eleven loaded cars were derailed and the roadbed for considerable distance was torn up and thrown into chaos and confusion. Of the cars derailed, one was carrying autocars, and another pianos. Cars containing terra-cotta, hay, pipe and merchandise were thrown into a heap. Some of the train cars were so badly destroyed that they were burned where they lay.

December 19

Loose Hand at Sawmill

While operating a shingles saw at Stouter’s sawmill, near town, Mr. Charles Wagerman had his right hand cut off. It seems that the sleeve of Mr. Wagerman's coat came into contact with the teeth of the saw and in an instant the arm was carried into the blade. The accident occurred yesterday morning. The injured man was rushed to town for where Drs. Jamison and Brawner dressed the wound. That same day, while manipulating a sausage machine, Mr. Clarence Rider severed the tip of his index finger

Butcher Shop Changes Hands

On January 1st, Messrs. Albert and Meade Patterson will retire from the butchering and meat business and confine themselves entirely to dealing cattle and livestock. They publicly thanked their patrons for their loyalty during the 32 years of their career in that business and asked their many friends to extend their patronage to Mr. Gillelan and his son, who purchased the business. The Gillelan’s plan to relocate the shop to West Main St. in the building they recently purchased from Mrs. Zimmerman.

Firewood for Sale

Delivered in two cord lots, $2.50 per cord. Signed James Pecher, Fairfield.

Laws of the Road

Now that autocars are so numerous, it is getting to be very important that all users of the road should know and observe the rules in order to prevent accidents. When meeting another car all vehicles should turn to the right to pass except those who overtake and pass another, in which case the one which is passing the other should pass around to the left. If everyone followed these rules, would have fewer accidents. But try as we might, riding in an autocar will never be as safe as riding in a buggy, for the horse can be counted on to supply the necessary ‘horse sense’ when their drivers are lacking it. A trusty horse can always be counted on to get a ‘loaded’ owner safely home – an autocar on the other hand will merely find the nearest ditch or tree.

December 25

Light Up Your Houses

It is suggested that from Christmas Eve until New Year's, the people of Emmitsburg should raise their front shades at night and allow the glow and warmth of the interior of their houses to shed brilliance on the streets.

The holiday season is naturally a season of cheerfulness, brightness, and warmth. How in keeping then, with the spirit of the time to let the brightness radiated! Why not let the passersby capture the radiance of these happy homes? No one who presume to stop and gaze within - there would be no annoyance, while on the other hand, the whole town would be gleaming with a mellow friendly glow, emblematic of goodwill, and present a picture long to be remembered.

Presbyterian Pastor and Wife Surprised

Thursday evening a large delegation from the Presbyterian Church, each one carrying a pannier laden with all kinds of good things, called at Pastor Hensel’s house to fill the larder. They filled it to its full capacity. With the good things they brought good cheer and goodwill and they lingered to enjoy with the pastor and his wife a delightful evening.

Post Office Turns Profit

The U.S. Postmaster estimates that it will require $306 million to run the Postal Service next year. While Congress each year makes an appropriation sufficient to defray the cost of the Postal Service, just as it appropriates to defray the cost of each of the other Federal departments, the Post Office is able, with great regularity, to cancel its appropriations by means of its earnings from postage. The Postal Service is the largest growing department of the government, but unlike the Navy, or War Department, each of which cost the taxpayers $100 million a year, the cost of the Post Office growth has not been borne by the taxpayer. The Postmaster expects that the Post Office will end the current financial year with a surplus of $4.5 million, thanks, in part, to the recent increase in the cost of mailing a letter from 1 cent to 2 cents. The Postmaster said he could not foresee ever raising the rates for mailing a letter again.

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