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100 Years Ago This Month

February 1920

February 6

Big Snow Storm

Rain began falling in the vicinity early Tuesday night, the temperature being low enough to cause sleet to form. This continued all during the night and Wednesday morning snow begin falling and a brisk wind set in. This kind of weather prevailed all \day and late into the night. At times the snowfall was very heavy. Considerable rain prevented drifting to any great extent. Blinded by the snow, the Jitney driver ran his car into a culvert head about a mile north of Thurmont Wednesday morning. Sleet caused an electric line wire to break but this was soon repaired. The Frederick trolley line was tied up throughout the storm. The snow is about 8-inches on the level and is covered with a fairly heavy crust of ice due to rain falling in the morning.

Major La Grindeur

Word has been received in Emmitsburg of the death of Major Ramanus La Grindeur

in Washington. Major La Grindeur has been stationed in the west and came to Washington on official business. He took a cold, which quickly developed into pneumonia. He was born in Emmitsburg 39 years ago, entering the army during the Spanish-American war. His body was brought to Emmitsburg yesterday and buried in the family plot.

Goes to Vladivostok, Siberia

Sydney E. Donahue, of Emmitsburg, after passing a successful examination has been appointed vice counsel to Vladivostok, Siberia. He will sail from San Francisco for his new post the first week in March. During the war he served 22 months overseas and upon his return won the Knights of Columbus scholarship to the Foreign Service School at Georgetown University.

Fairfield Passes Tax Ordnance

Residents, property owners and businesses are hereby notified that an assessment of 15 mills has been levied upon all persons, property, offices and professions for the general purpose of the Borough of Fairfield. - Enacted the second day of February 1920. Signed E. E. King, President of the Town Council.

February 13

Escapes From Orphanage

Police of Baltimore City and County have been requested to keep a lookout for Hilda Morrissey, 14 years old, of Emmitsburg, who ran away from the St. Mary’s orphanage in Baltimore, Tuesday morning.

Boy Scout Anniversary

Troop Number One, Fairfield Boy Scouts of America, will attend the 10th anniversary service in the Lutheran Church at Fairfield Sunday night. The celebration will continue for eight days. One of the tasks the scouts in the United States have set down for themselves is that of securing the pledge of all men, women and children in their particular community to do a good turn daily for one week.

Aviator Known Here

Lieutenant G. E. Grimes, one of the American aviators who was recently released by the Mexicans and returned to the United States, is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College, class of 1917, and is well-known here as a football player and manager of the 1917 football team. His mother is Mrs. Katherine Grimes, of Emmitsburg. The released aviator said Monday that he had been shown every attention by the people of Guerrero Mexico, near which city he was forced to land Wednesday when the gasoline supply in his plane failed. At no time was he under guard or containment he said.

School Board Adopts Plans For New High School

In approving this year‘s budget, the school board included a recommendation to build a new high school building in Emmitsburg at a cost of $75,000.

February 20

Fairfield Has Epidemic

Fairfield is in the grip of a serious epidemic of influenza according to reports, which say a great many other residents are afflicted with the disease or sickness resembling it. On this account the Ladies Aid Society of the St. John’s Reformed Church of Fairfield has called off indefinitely the Mame and Fastnacht social. The town medical society advised the action after investigating the situation. Notice of the rescheduled date for the social will be given later. In Fountandale, meanwhile, the house of Clarence Wills has been quarantined for scarlet fever.

Another Snow Storm

Another sudden change in the weather came to the area on Thursday bringing a sudden drop in temperatures and ending the thaw that the area had enjoyed for the past two days. About 4 o’clock clouds begin to gather and by sunset the warm breeze had gone elsewhere. At seven in the evening rain was falling, a light breeze coming with the rain. At 10 o’clock conditions were worse, the wind became very strong and the rain fell harder. Flashes of lightning were seen and thunder was heard from the distance. During Saturday night, snow fell and the fall and temperature Sunday was considerable, and by Monday morning it was sitting at 6E. This low temperature put the roads and streets in bad conditions owing to the great amount of snow and ice from former cold spells. Automobile travel is practically at a standstill because of the great amount of ice on the road.

Falls on Ice: Breaks Hip

While on her way to church, Sunday, Mrs. Anna Spinler, of Emmitsburg, slipped on the ice, breaking her hip. Due to her advanced age, 72 years old, fear is expressed of complications. She was removed to the home of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Catherine Welty.

February 27

County Road Blocked With Snow

Roads in every section of the county from last week snowstorm are still in very bad shape. While the state highways are open and are being traveled, county roads in many places are still blocked with drifts almost to the fence post tops. Weather conditions have greatly increased traffic perplexities. The thaw of last week followed by the freeze has made the main roads very dangerous. A bus operator stated yesterday that he had cut two tires to pieces, and wore out a heavy chain, making a trip from Frederick to Emmitsburg. The state roads and turnpikes have a narrow way open and the snow is so thick in some places as to make it difficult and dangerous to move out of the beaten path. Some of the roads in the vicinity of Creagerstown are closed and the State Road between Lewistown and Thurmont is in very bad condition. Many side and country roads are blocked with drifts so high that they can be hardly traveled. In some localities country stores have been almost depleted of their stock having been unable to replenish since the storm. Owning to the rains a crust has been formed on the snow in fields that will bear the weight of horses and cattle.

Hooligans Breakup Show

An attempt to give an entertainment in the Thurmont Town hall last Saturday night was frustrated by talent from Thurmont. The entertainment, as advertised, was to consist of a play entitled ‘A Clean Sweep’, musical specialties, and funny jokes. The players coming, it was stated, from the vicinity of Yellow Springs. The company arrived and the show began, but soon began the performance by local talent, they giving the visitors a hearty reception of cannon crackers, torpedoes, and stink bombs, forcing the visitors to leave the hall. It is stated that about 100 persons were in the hall to see the show. A number left because the building was not heated. Of course when the visitors left the stage, the crowd left very quickly.

Parents Arrested For No School Attendance

Last week a number of parents of children who have not been attending school were arrested and brought before Justice Cadow to explain why the children were not in school. In each case the parents were found guilty of not sending the child to school. A fine of five dollars was imposed in some cases, other sentences were suspended until it is see whether or not the child is present at school during the present second term. The school law says children must attend school if physically able, and the best, and only thing to do is for parents to see that their children are in school during school hours. A child cannot go to school unless vaccinated. It is compulsory. If ignored, parents are liable to be fined as prescribed in the law.

Infant Dies of Pneumonia

Russell Myers, one of the twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mayer‘s, near Fairfield, died last Friday from pneumonia, he was one year, one month and one day old. He is survived by his twin brother Raymond.

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