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100 Years Ago This Month

June 1920

June 4

Fire In Garage

Fire which threaten for a time to destroy the Hotel Slagle in Emmitsburg broke out Tuesday morning in the garage in the rear of the hotel. Only a few cars were stored in the garage and three of these were pushed out of the building soon after the fire started. Two cars, one belonging to Mrs. Slagle, were burned. The fire started in a large automobile, which was evidently placed in the garage while overheated. The gasoline tank of this car exploded during the fire. The Emmitsburg volunteer fireman succeeded in preventing the spread of the flames to the hotel and nearby residences.

Play At Fairfield

The ‘Old Maids Club’, which is to be staged Saturday night at 8 o’clock in the Fairfield schoolhouse, promises to attract the banner crowd of the season in that town. Fifteen young ladies have been working on the play under the direction of Mrs. Clark Heller, for the past four weeks.

Dr. Stone Dies After Operation

Dr. Daniel Stone, age 44, for 20 years one of the leading physicians of Emmitsburg, died at Frederick City Hospital after an operation for appendicitis. Following the initial operation he rallied for a few days when complication set in and a second operation was performed, from which the doctors saw little chance of recovery.

Dr. Stone graduated from the University of Maryland in 1900, and upon graduation took up his practice in Emmitsburg, where he built a large practice. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and the Masons. During the war he enlisted in the Army Medical Corp, being assigned to Camp Green North Carolina. Interment will be in the Emmitsburg‘s Mountain View Cemetery.

June 11

Dog Owners Slow To Take Out Licenses

At the close of business yesterday afternoon fewer dog licenses have been issued at the County Treasurer’s office that it any corresponding time since the law requiring dog licenses had been enacted. But 37 licenses have been taken out with receipts of $49. Emmitsburg has not recorded any request for licenses at all this year.

When questioned why, one Former-Former Boozer Association dog owner stated that he saw no reason to license his dog: "Why would I want to put a collar around his neck? He’s always at my side. If anyone needs a collar it’s my useless wife and her stupid cats … all they do is lay around the house sleeping and eating. My dog at least earns his vittles by protecting my still from no good revenuers when I’m not around, and unlike my useless wife, he doesn’t snore like a bull moose in heat when he sleeps."

No Clues Left By Thurmont Robbers

At an earlier hour on Thursday morning thieves robbed the stores of George Stockdale, and Grayson Shaffer, in Thurmont. The Sheriff made an investigation of both properties and while the robbers left no clues as to their identity the officers feel that the guilty parties will be captured.

Entrance was gained to Shaffer’s store, located on West Main St. near the Square by prying open a shutter and forcing a rear window after having made an unsuccessful attempt to force the side door. The safe, which was unlocked, was opened and its contents of papers scattered. Finding no money the visitors help themselves to a brand new suit of clothes, valued at $55, several pairs of new shoes, nearly a dozen coats and other articles of clothing. They then made their escape. Entrance to the Stockdale store, which is next to the Western Maryland Railroad depot, which gained by breaking the glass on the front door. The guests helped themselves to candy, cake, cheese and cigars but did not tamper with either the cash drawer or the safe. It is believed that the same parties entered both stores.

June 18

Storm Brings Relief From Hot Wave

A little shower that did nothing more in some parts of Adams County then to sprinkle the streets and give the fields a much needed soaking turned into a storm of great strength as a crossed into Maryland on Sunday. In Emmitsburg hail of considerable size fell, damaging the wheat crop to considerable extent while jagged lightning flashed at frequent intervals and thunder boom continuously. The wind reached the velocity of a mild gale and blew over many structures that were not fastened firmly to the foundation.

Considerable damage was caused by the heavy storm and accompanying hail. Trees and telephone poles were blown over. A number of poles and wires fell across the tracks of the Emmitsburg Railroad causing a suspension of traffic. A silo and a carriage shed on the farm of Isaac Annan were unroofed.

Considerable damage was done at St. Joseph’s College. Between 75 and 100 trees, many of great proportions, were blown over and uprooted. About 200 others were partially stripped of their foliage and damage. Many of the trees were twisted off about halfway from the ground, indicating a cycle like force overhead. Fencing was blown down and out buildings were shaken from their foundations and in places carry 25 feet by the force of the wind. For a while the town was in darkness and telephone communications cut off.

Cooler weather and a relief from the heat wave that has gripped the area during the last few days followed the storm. At noon Monday the mercury registered 84E, which is quite a contrast with a 96 registered on Sunday. Monday morning the thermometer registered 61, or eight less than at 6 o’clock Sunday morning. The hot weather returned Tuesday morning, but as there was plenty of moisture in the air, the area has experienced plenty of thunderstorms since then, bring relief from that heat. Saturday night was the hottest this year, the thermometer dropping no lower than 69E. Those residing in towns found comfortable sleeping difficult.

Officials Place Ban On Swimming

Adams County medical authorities are endeavoring to prevent an outbreak of a Typhoid Fever epidemic, or any other disease equally as dangerous, by prohibiting persons from swimming in Marsh Creek near the Fairfield water company pumping station. For many years it has been a custom of young boys of the town to go to the old swimming hole near the pumping station. "How are the people of the town to drink water after several scores of men and have been washing it every day?" Is the question asked by a health official. On the other hand it is perfectly permissible for anyone to swim at natural dam if they should so choose

June 25

Cyclone Hits Fairfield

For a few minutes on Thursday afternoon residence of the usually peaceful village of Fairfield thought that they were living on the plains of Kansas when a miniature cyclone swept through the valley, uprooting trees, breaking telephone lines, upsetting silos, destroying barns, and damaging houses. In the words of one of the older residents "it was the worst storm I’ve ever saw in this neck of the woods."

The violent windstorm sprung up in an incredibly short time and swiped across the fields in the southeasterly direction. The farmhouse of Charles Landis was damaged by having one side blown in. Part of the roof of the Mickley house also got a ride and landed on the dwelling of Solomon Alliston. The two chimneys of the Fairfield Hotel were knocked off the foundations and the front part of the hostelry was damaged when one of the biggest trees on the street became uprooted and fell against the framework. Planks measuring 15-feet in length where carried clear across the tops of telephone poles.

Not content with doing damage within the borough limits the storm then took it’s fury out on the silos of John Hartman and Andrew Slonaker. The house of John Mussleman was then uproofed and clothing and shoes were scattered in all directions. One shoe was blown about 600 feet; its mate was lost in the shuffle.

Residents of Fairfield were dazed by the velocity of the storm, which resembled the kind experienced in the west. Practically everyone sought shelter before the storm was at its height and then in a comparatively short time emerged into the open to marvel at the scene of destruction confronting them.

Knocked Down By 2,200 Volts

On Tuesday a piece of one of the cross arms on the electric light pole at the corner of Carroll and Main Street in Thurmont pulled out of place. Mayer Roszer, William Stoner, and William Foreman went to make repairs. As Foreman reach the cross arm on the pole, he caught hold of one of the metal brace rods which was charged with 2,200 volts. He was held fast, but after some difficulty pulled himself away from the pole and drop to the concrete payment below, a distance of about 15 feet. When picked up it was found he had broken a bone in his right arm just above the wrist. A burn spot on the left hand showed where he had touched the wire. It is reported that he is able to be about, although he is very sore and stiff.

Emmitsburg Chronicle resumes publication

The Emmitsburg Chronicle has resume publication after some changes in management which include William Shugars as general manager, and Walter Wickert as assistant.

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