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100 Years Ago This Month

December 1918

December 5

Aged Farmer Killed By His Own Team

Having tripped over a guardrail and thrown under his own team, Daniel Hartman was almost instantly killed Saturday morning when a heavy wagon passed over his body. Hartman, 78, slipped and fell while walking by the side of his four-horse team on the way to the field for a load of fodder. As they came out from the farm, the four horses hitched to the team made a quick turn towards the covered bridge over Tom's Creek. Hartman tripped over the guardrail on the bridge and fell on it. The wheels on one side of the wagon were also on the guardrail and passed over the upper part of his stomach. The son stopped the team as quickly as possible and hurried to his father's side, who gasped his last breath just as he reached him. The Hartman’s reside on a farm near Emmitsburg on what is known as Hampton Valley Road. Mr. Hartman was particularly fond of his horses. Mr. Hartman was born in Franklin Township, but 40 years ago he moved to his farm near Emmitsburg where he has since resided.

Hog Casualties Number 32

Thirty-two hogs were killed in a collision on the Western Maryland Railway at Thurmont Saturday morning when a train of freight cars drifted unexpectedly down grade and ran into the engine that was taking water. The stock car carrying 144 hogs was completely demolished. Thirty-two hogs were killed or died from their injuries in the crash. The other swine escaped unhurt. They were let loose from their enclosure and gave a lively chase to those who tried to place them in pens again.

The wreck was on the main line of the Western Maryland, but it did not cause any serious delay. The demolished car was thrown to the side of the tracks and it was not long before the wreckage was cleared away.

Western Maryland Robbed Again

The freight office of the Western Maryland Railroad and the Hagerstown and Frederick Electric Road in Thurmont was entered by thieves last weekend and ransacked. Consignments of goods and the freight house were opened and a small amount of money and tickets at the trolley station were stolen.

Harney Raises Money For Red Cross

$88 was cleared at a chicken soup supper held at Harney on Saturday evening for the benefit of the Red Cross. The collection for the Red Cross at the postponed Thanksgiving services in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Monday night amounted to $17.50. The services were under the auspices of the tree lodges and had been postponed from Thanksgiving evening because of inclement weather.

Boys Returning Home

Stanley Bussard and Quinn Florence arrived in Thurmont from overseas Tuesday morning. Arthur Fox of Creagerstown arrived home on Wednesday morning. Bussard entered the service in November 1917, enlisting in the Aviation Corps. Private Guy Lewis arrived home early Sunday morning. Mr. Lewis was among the first of the Thurmont boys to go across, he being attached to the air service detachment. He landed in England and remained in that country until after the armistice had been signed. He sailed from a French port and was on French soil three days before leaving for home.

December 12

Lt. Edger Eyler Dies Of Wounds

Lt. Edger Eyler, of Thurmont, a graduate of the Army’s War College, died of wounds received in action October 1st. Lt. Eyler had one more year to complete the theology course at Gettysburg Seminary and enlisted at the outbreak of the war. He was commissioned at Ft. Niagara and was elevated to First Lieutenant while at Camp Meade. Prior to entering the Lutheran Seminary, Lt. Eyler attended Gettysburg College.

Roy Kelbaugh Killed In Action

Word has been received that Bugler Roy Kelbaugh of Thurmont was killed in action on November 8. Kelbaugh was a member of Company L of the 313th Infantry and was sent to Camp Meade a little over a year ago. This past July he went overseas with the 79th Division.

Dr. Stone Returns

Lt. D. E. Stone Jr., of the Medical Corps, who has been stationed at Camp Green, Charlotte, N.C., has returned to Emmitsburg to resume his practice. He signed up for the Medical Reserves and is subject to call when needed. The return of Dr. Stone is especially welcomed since there is much sickness in Emmitsburg. The present number of influenza cases is larger than at any previous time.

December 19

Emmitsburg Motor Car Co. Sued

A suit has been brought by George Sander of Freedom Township and member of the Former-Former Boozer Association, against the Emmitsburg Motor Car Company, in which damages of $2,000 are claimed. The action grows out of a collision between an automobile, sold by the Emmitsburg Motor Car Co. to Miss Rebecca Shorb and a team driven by Mr. Sanders who was returning from his mountain still with a prized haul of his ‘Mountain Thunder.’

Mr. Sanders, citing evidence recently published by the University of Harney that women’s brains did not have sufficient capacity to master the art of driving, feels that the Emmitsburg Motor Car Company should not have sold Miss Shorb the car. "By selling a car to a woman," Mr. Sanders said, "they have endangered all hard working men who have to use the roads to make a living, and thus are liable for any damage they produce. Women should stick to their proper roles – namely cooking, cleaning and taking care of youngins, and leave complex tasks that require thinking to men."

The suit has brought much attention as Miss Shorb’s lawyer has challenged the legitimacy of Emmitsburg Justice of the Peace Schuff’s hearing the case, as Squire Shuff is rumored to be part owner of the Sander’s still.

Victory Singing

The victory songs are not to be confined to Gettysburg in the future. It is the plan to have weekly programs at no less than a dozen places in the county every week. Charles Landis has been appointed to head the organization of singers in Fairfield. There is a great deal of musical talent in Fairfield and it may be that some of these singers will contribute their services to other localities. Residents are encouraged to join in the singing of songs which are not familiar or soon will be so.

Infant Harbaugh Dies

Lloyd Harbaugh, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Harbaugh, of near Weeping Willow school house, died on Friday of pneumonia following influenza. He was one year old. The funeral was held on Saturday, internment being in the Fountaindale Methodist cemetery.

December 26

Little Child Wanders Away

On Sunday evening a scare came to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dern of Detour. At five o’clock, and near dark, Erma, three years old, was missing from the home, and the grieving parents began searching everywhere for her little tot. Not finding her on the premises, the alarm was spread to neighbors near and far and soon dozens of people were looking for the lost child. Automobile and lantern lights were flashing along dark rooms and through fields.

At seven o'clock, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keilholtz, who reside more than a mile from the child's home, heard a noise as that of a child crying in a meadow some distance from their house. Taking a lantern they went in the direction of the unusual sound, where they discovered the little child and a little dog - but they knew neither. They took her to her home and many questions were asked of her, but she could not tell her name. Finally she was asked if her name was Dern, and a smile on her face answered the question. The Keilholtzs’ lost no time in getting to the sad home with a little child, and great was the joy of the parents when their Erma arrived. The ringing of the large dinner bell announced the return and brought many persons to the Dern home where all joined in the celebrations of the child’s safe return.

Soldiers On Casualty List

An official telegram was received this week from the War Department reporting the death of Daniel Stitely of near Thurmont. Private Stitely was wounded in the drive against the Germans in early November and according to the telegram died on the sixth of that month. This week’s casualty list also contains the name of Private Leo Etzweiler of Fairfield among the severely wounded.

Joke Costly To Hunter

As a result of a practical joke which he perpetrated upon Harry Stoner, John Foreman, of Fairfield, is in the hospital with his right leg amputated below the knee. Foreman and Stoner were hunting turkey in Bear Valley. During the noon hour Foreman left his friend and crawled into a thicket and gave out several wild turkey calls. Stoner, believing he saw a turkey in the bushes, blazed away and Foreman toppled over, his leg pulverized by multiple gunshots.

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