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100 Years Ago This Month

March 1919

March 7

Tragic Death of Child

Last Sunday morning, while Mr. & Mrs. Saylor were attending services at the Graceham Church, the children were playing about the house. The daughter, Mary, age 7, who has been weak minded from infancy, went into the summer kitchen were a rifle, not loaded, was hanging on the wall. It was surmised that this child, who, in spite of her weakness, has strong observation faculties, often noticed how they would load the rifle and took it down to play with and probably loaded it, and in some way must have been pointing a rifle at the door when her the younger brother, Charles, age 5, entered. He was struck in the head, the bullet entering above the left eye. The older boys who were outside rushed to the scene and carry the boy who was bleeding profusely into the house. One of the boys rushed to a neighbor, who telephone the Moravian parsonage and in a few moments the parents were at home followed by Dr. Birely. The boy was taken to the hospital and Frederick but died soon after they reached the operating room.

Harney Wife Taken To Sanitarium

Mrs. Frank Kaiser, of Harney, who killed her husband February 12 by shooting him through a closed door of their home, has been taken to the Sykesville, Maryland sanitarium for treatment. After the shooting, Mrs. Kaiser was arrested and was due to appear for hearings on Thursday.

Dies From Cranking Car

Exerting and cranking his autocar caused Theodore Bollinger’s death, according to a coroner’s jury. The strain resulted in a violation of the heart and he died ten minutes later. After three years of being nagged by his wife, Mr. Bollinger finally broke down and traded in his trusty horse Luke, who had served him faithfully for twenty years, for a Ford Run About. Mr. Bollinger had often told friends that his wife’s nagging would be the death of him – apparently he was right. As Mrs. Bollinger is herself unable to crank the car, the car was returned to the Emmitsburg Motor Car Company and Luke is once again in his old stall in the Bollinger stable.

Public Sale

Dies In 97th Year

John Cunningham passed away last Saturday morning at the advanced age of 96 years three months and nine days. He had been in feeble health for a long while and had lost his sight. He was a native of the county, born in Freedom Township. He farmed many years in Highland Township, then moved to Fairfield where he engaged in the mercantile business and conducted a store. He enjoyed the esteem and confidence of a wide circle of acquaintances during his long life.

March 14

Waives Hearing

Mrs. Frank Kaiser of Harney, who killed her husband by shooting him through a closed door several weeks ago, has returned to her home this week from the Sykesville sanitarium, and has waived hearing of her case. The case now awaits the action of the Grand Jury, which meets in May.

Public sentiment of women folk in the area is that Mr. Kaiser, a member of the Former Former Boozers Association, had it coming to him, as he was constantly spending money on booze needed for the upkeep of their home, and that no woman should have to put up with that. Mrs. Annan, head of the Emmitsburg Chapter of the Loyal Temperance Legion, said that the shooting of Mr. Kaiser should serve as a wake-up call for the drunks in town to get their act in order. Mayor Annan, when told of his wife's comment as he was headed into the Hotel Slagle’s saloon, refused to comment. The newly formed Emmitsburg Branch of the Loyal Temperance Legion, comprised mostly of wives of members of the Former Former Boozers Association, is dedicated to stopping the flow of booze in Emmitbsurg. The Legion will hold twice monthly meetings at the Reformed Church.

Strictland Recovering From Wounds

Word has been received that Rev. Harry Strickland is recovering his sight in an American hospital in France. He was blinded by German mustard gas while serving as a chaplain with the 28th Division. Father Strickland was a former pastor of St. Mary's Church in Fairfield.

Stolen Goods Found

Several weeks ago a notice was inserted in this paper to the effect that tools, &c., taken from Comus Fox's stable and belonging to Harry Fox returned, nothing would be said. The missing articles were not returned in the specified time. Mr. Fox therefore had warrent sworn out for the three youths residing near Thurmont, viz: Samuel Stambaugh, George Black, and Carroll Miller. The boys were arrested and on being questioned the boys confessed, and another young man, Earl Bentzel was implicated. A search warrant was issued and much of the stolen property was found in the buggy shed at the Bentzel’s home. Stambaugh, Black and Bentzel where held on bail. Miller, being underage, was released to his father, upon promising Fox that he would ‘whoop’’ his son to within an inch of his life.

Turnpike Officials Scorn Road Offer

The president of the Woodsboro Turnpike Company received notice from the County Commissioners that the board would take over that turnpike and abolish the two tollgates at five dollars per share for the stock of the company. The road begins in Woodsboro and ends in Detour. The turnpike board rejected the offer as they thought it underestimated the value of the company. Instead, they countered with an offer to sell the road for $20 per share.

March 21

Settles Suit Against Motor Car Company

John Sauble settled his suit against the Emmitsburg Motor Co. yesterday afternoon when both sides agreed to pay half the cost, amounting to about $21. According to the testimony, Sauble employed the Emmitsburg Motor Co. to remove some furniture from Baltimore to his home near Emmitsburg. While in route, near Taneytown, a mishap occurred with the result that some of the furniture was damaged. The damaged pieces were brought by the company to a shop in Emmitsburg for repairs. The damage to the furniture was appraised at $37.50 which was paid by the company. While the furniture was awaiting repairs, Sauble retrieved it and brought suit against the company to pay the cost. The judge suggested that the parties divide the cost and close the case. Both sides agreed.

Fairfield Band Supper

The Fairfield Band held a chicken and waffles supper Saturday evening in the Old Fellows Hall at Fairfield. The band rendered a delightful concert throughout the evening. Proceeds of the affair amounted to $103 from which $65 will be used for band instruments. The remainder of the proceeds will be used to buy booze for the band to ensure it has an ample supply to ‘wet their whistles’ prior to performances once prohibition becomes law.

Rocky Ridge Property Sold

John Snook, who is a candidate for County Treasurer on the Republican ticket, has sold his handsome home to Edward Craham, of Woodsboro, who will take possession of it April 1. The property is situated in the village of Rocky Ridge and has all the modern conveniences, including indoor, flushable toilets. No announcement of the price was made but it is supposed to be about $4,000.

March 28

Taneytown Approves Electric Company Franchise

The Burgess and Commissioners of Taneytown have approved the ordinance granting the Union Bridge Electric Company a franchise to extend its line to Taneytown. It now goes to the public service commission for confirmation. It is said that the company is ready to begin extension work as soon as all the formalities are settled.

Joseph Williams Killed In Action

William Williams, colored, living along the Taneytown Road between Emmitsburg in Taneytown, has received word from the War Department that his son, Joseph Williams, was killed in action on the battlefields of France. William’s son had sent no word from France since October and his parents feared that he had fallen in one of the big drives. He left here with the first colored contingent during the summer of 1917.

Emmitsburg To Have Picture Theater

Workmen are busy reconstructing the Helman building for a motion picture theater. The ground floor is being altered for this purpose, an addition of 30 feet is being added at the rear. The new venture is due to the forethought of Mr. E. L. Annan, the owner and promoter, who realizes that rational diversion is the demand of the local people. It is Mr. Annan's intention to have only the best and most interesting photo-plays, and to this end he requests the people of the community to state their preference as to those plays that most strongly appeal to them. The new theater will open about April 15.

School Clubs Merge

Emmitsburg’s two afterschool clubs have merged. The Catholic school club and the Protestant school club will alternate in meetings, one being held in the Catholic school one week and the next in the Protestant school. About 40 members have already enrolled in the club for the upcoming season. The clubs have been very active in the community, providing much afterschool activities for the local children, including help with homework, plays, poetry recitals, and archery classes.

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