Home | Mission & Goals | Meeting Schedule | Search | Contact Us | Submit A Story | Links

100 Years Ago This Month

May 1918

May 3

Town Quiet Tuesday Night

Contrary to expectations, Emmitsburg, on the last night of the liquor privilege, was as quiet as Philadelphia Sunday. All the saloons closed promptly at midnight - some before - and after the last jugs and bottles were tucked under the arms of those who believe in preparedness, everything was "all off." Here and there were a few stragglers - all off likewise - and the legs of a number who have dallied too long around the bar of the departed spirits failed to function properly; but, taking one consideration with another, the departure of old John Barleycorn was as silent as that of the Arabs.

Exhibition Of War Shells

For the past week, the Chronicle has had a number of shells, of the type now being used over there, on exhibit. The interesting collection includes large steel projectiles twelve inches long. Ever since their arrival, the stern reminders of what is taking place on the battlefield in France have attracted a great deal of attention. They have stimulated the Liberty Bond drive, and brought home to the people of this district the necessity for complete cooperation with the government in its endeavor to win the war as quickly and as decisively as possible.

Emmitsburg feels proud that a community of its size has outstripped much larger places in the matter of exhibits of this nature. The crowds have viewed the displays and have expressed themselves as having had a fine object lesson and as being indebted to the Chronicle for putting on the display.

Emmitsburg Liberty Bond Quota

Advances just received from the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, state that the quota for the town of Emmitsburg is $43,100. This amount has been oversubscribed by the Emmitsburg Savings Bank and its customers who have signed up for $47,000 of this issue of the third Liberty Loan. Already nearly 200 applications are on file at this institution totaling over $25,000, and it is expected that by the time the subscription list closes tomorrow, this amount will be greatly increased. At the same time a great many people are matching Pres. Wilson by purchasing bonds on the installment plan.

May 10

Twelve Trucks In Route

From Buffalo to Georgia there was a sign displayed on twelve large trucks that passed through Emmitsburg Saturday morning. Almost daily, new cars and trucks go through town, consigned to dealers nearby and throughout the state, but this last lot was the limit for mileage.

Unearthed Old Boundary Line

While digging a ditch on West Main St. in front of the Patterson property, part of an old cedar post was unearthed. It was supposed that this was one of the posts that marked the boundary line of the town of Emmitsburg. After the Shields Addition was made the line was torn down. The post must have been standing for more than 100 years.

Honor Flag For Emmitsburg

Emmitsburg was among the ten towns in Frederick County that received an honor flag for having subscribed more than its quote of the third Liberty Loan. The flag now flies over the public square and is 36 x 54" in dimension and is made of good quality material. It has a red border and a white center, and three stripes indicative of the third loan. The Treasury Department supplied the flag.

Egg Company Robbed Again

Unknown burglars entered the storeroom of the Blue Ribbon Egg Company on Tuesday night and stole fourteen crates of eggs. Each crate contained 30 dozen, making a total of 5,048 eggs stolen. At the prevailing price of $.35 per dozen, the amount of the whole was $147.

It is supposed that the robbery was committed by three or four persons. The thieves entered the premises of Mrs. Marion Houck and crossed her yard and garden to the warehouse. They pried open the warehouse window, and, after breaking three iron bars, entered the building and went to the spot where the eggs were stored. It is supposed that the fourteen cases were carried to the stable on the premises and from that place placed into an automobile, which came by way of an alley leading from the Waynesboro Pike. The robbers worked so quietly that they succeeded in getting away without attracting the slightest attention. So far no clues have been discovered.

May 17

$100 Reward For Thieves

The County Commissioners authorized the State's Attorney to offer a $100 reward for any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the robbers who broke into the warehouse of the Blue Ribbon Egg Company. The State's Attorney will see that the reward is made known throughout the county. Not the slightest clue has been discovered that will lead to the unveiling of the thieves.

Drilling On Firemen’s Field

Many people congregated at Fireman’s Field on Tuesday evening to witness the drill on the younger boys of Emmitsburg. 47 youngsters - all in dead earnest - reported for duty and went through the tactics like seasoned regulars. The instructors were three sergeants and one corporal from Camp Colt in Gettysburg. After the drill, which lasted more than an hour, the four military men and several interested bystanders held the tossing canvas and catapulted the younger soldiers into the air, much to the enjoyment of the participants and to the amusement of the onlookers.

Patterson Barn Completed

The large barn of the Patterson Brothers, from which the frames were raised on April 11, (this work was done in fifteen minutes) was completed last Saturday. This new structure, which is perhaps the largest in Frederick County, replaces the old one, which burned down on January 7. It is 133 feet long and 47 feet wide, and contains 76,000 feet of lumber. It was built - complete with stalls, mangers, granaries, &c. - in 23 days, with only twelve men doing the work. Accommodations are for 72 head of cattle and fifteen horses. Harrison Mort of Emmitsburg was in charge of the construction. This firm, which built nine barns last summer, also built the new porch to the farmhouse on the Patterson place and a 32-foot corncrib on the same property.

May 24

Thurmont Picture Show

On Tuesday afternoon, quite a number of Emmitsburgians attended the moving picture play titled "Least We Forget" at the Gem Theater in Thurmont, which was given for the benefit of the Thurmont Chapter of the American Red Cross.

More Boys Arrive Safely

Word was received in Emmitsburg of the safe arrival of Clay Shuff and John Rosenstiel in France. Meanwhile, it was announced that Thomas Frailey has entered the Fourth Officer reserves training school - the school to train candidates for infantry and artillery officers.

Soldiers Injured In Auto Accident

On Sunday, while returning to Camp Colt, Gettysburg, two soldiers were slightly injured when the Hudson car, in which the soldiers and their four companions travelled, was run into by a Ford machine at Franklinville. The accident happened at a treacherous curve in the road a mile and a half north of Thurmont. The Ford machine, driven by Frank McNulty of Mount St. Mary's, was going in the same direction, and smashed into the rear of the Hudson car. The men in the first car were thrown out, one sustaining a broken collarbone and bruises, and the driver and another soldier receiving cuts and slight wounds. The Hudson car was badly damaged, while the Ford windshield was broken and the fenders smashed.

May 31

Notice To Owners Of Lots In Mountain View Cemetery

All owners of lots, or parts of lots, in Mountain View Cemetery, are hereby requested to bring their deeds for said lots to Mr. Henry Stokes, Manager, as soon as possible, in order that they may be compared with and verified by the official record of the cemetery. Should it be impossible to call in person, the owners of lots are requested to address a card to Mr. Stokes.

Troco Representatives In Town

Harry Edel, the sales manager for "Bee-Hive" Troco Nut Butter, visited Emmitsburg last week. Troco, the successor to butter, as it is called, has a reputation solidly built upon merit. It has advantages that butter does not possess and it serves everything dairy butter is ordinarily used for. Before importing it into towns, the manufacturers are visiting towns like Emmitsburg and giving its residents a chance to taste the product first hand.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'

Have a newspaper clipping on a event that took place in Emmitsburg? 
If so, send it to us at history@emmitsburg.net