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100 Years Ago This Month

October 1920

October 1

Votes For Women Expensive To Taxpayers

Elections in Maryland have always been very expensive under the present ballot law. Comparisons have shown them to be greatly in excess of the cost of elections held under the original Australian ballot law, and now the doubling of the number of voters brings with it also a doubling of the previous already exorbitant election cost. Supervisors must buy additional ballot boxes, the cost of which has jump from five dollars each a few years back to $25 now. It will also cost an additional $15,000 to print more ballots and modify the registration lists.

It is too early to figure the cost of the election this year for the whole state, but there will be something for the taxpayers to think about, when they are found out. The question we will have to answer will be: ‘was it worth it to give women the vote when it is clearly known that they do not have, nor will they ever have the mental capacity to understand the complexes of running governments.’ All we can hope is that women will follow the direction of their husbands or fathers and vote as told, otherwise chaos will surely ensue.

County Hunters Ready For Sport

The first non-resident hunter’s license for the 1920 hunter season in Adams County was granted to Ida Mundorff of Emmitsburg. Mr. Mundorff is in ardent sportsman and spends much time each fall hunting small game on his farm near Fairfield, and in quest of wild turkeys and deer on the mountain outside of Emmitsburg. With the opening of the Woodcock season last Friday, the demand for hunter’s licenses saw a decided increase. Within the last four days 100 permits to hunt have gone out. The total number issued is 705.

October 8

Electric Light Coming To Taneytown

The President of the Taneytown Electric Light Co. said that the Taneytown line will be completed within the next few weeks. The delay in its completion has been caused by inability to get certain material necessary for the lines completion. The President said that everybody connected with the company is more anxious to get the electric line in operation and will do everything to help matters along.

Death of Edmond Smith

Mr. Edmond Smith, one of the best known citizens of Taneytown, died suddenly from heart disease in the offices of Dr. Roop. He had been attending a director’s meeting at the Taneytown Savings Bank, and was in a cheerful mood, but had expressed himself not feeling well, and after the meeting went to the doctor’s office for medicine, where an attack came on suddenly and death ensued in a short time. He had been suffering from heart attacks for several years, which had recently grown more frequent and severe. He was president of the Taneytown Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and was active in local public affairs. Earlier in life he taught school in Frederick County and was engaged in farming on his farm near Bridgeport.

Apples In Abundance

Up to 15 or 20 carloads of apples have been sent to various places from the Fairfield railroad station. These apples were gathered from orchards throughout the Lower Track and Carrolls’ Track within a radius of 6 miles.

October 15

Taking Joy Out Of Tonics

Many patent medicines offered to the public as ‘tonics’, or under some other medical designation, are going to lose their charm. The thousands a patrons who, since the prohibition enforcement law became effective, who have become experts in diagnosing their own diseases and also in treating them with tonics are going to learn that their ‘favorites’ will be placed under scrutiny by officials of the internal revenue service.

A revenue report showed that after prohibition law became effective, patent medicine sprung up from every nook and corner. The originality of the productions, the wonderful effects produced by a slight overdose in the popularity of some of the brands quickly spread amongst boozers. If there is the slightest suspicion that medicines may grow into a beverage it has. "It is possible, of course, to get drunk on Witch Hazel, but the man who tries this medicine two or three times is going to the hospital," said an revenuer. The same is true of patent medicines, which are tonics.

Revised Mail Delivery Questioned

Concern is being raised about unnecessary delays in mail delivery as a result of changes in the way mail is routed between post offices. Where in the past, mail between local post offices was delivered directly to them by local carriers, now mail is routed to local distribution centers. Mail from Emmitsburg to Harney, which lies just 5 miles East of Emmitsburg, must first go to Baltimore, then to Taneytown, and then by stage to Harney. People living in Harney get there Friday papers the following Tuesday. The changes are a result of the new Post Office postmaster and has raised question in the minds of voters if they can conscientiously vote for an administration that a sanction such senseless in efficiency?

October 22

Former Boozers Protest Crackdown On Tonics

Members of the Former-Former Boozers Association held a protest at the fountain on Saturday night protesting the intended government crackdown on medical ‘tonics.’ Dr. Brokaw, President of the Association, told the assembled drunks, that he knew first hand the value of self-medicating. "Tonics made for corn squeezings," Brokaw continued, "can be used to cure just about all maladies effecting men, especially nagging womenfolk. "Imagine," Dr. Brokaw said, "what life would be like if we had to deal with our wives with out it? Now that would be a true crime." The rally lasted well into the wee hours as Boozers sampled the lasted batch of ‘tonics’ fresh off the mountain.

Emmitsburg Community Show

The Emmitsburg Community Show, which promises to be one of the largest and most interesting exhibition of its kind ever held in the county, will begin this evening with a massive carnival. The show proper, which will be held in the school building will open tomorrow and continue until Saturday night.

The carnival will include such characters as the human skeleton, the Fat Woman and Charlie Chaplin. Prior to the carnival, Gardner, the human fly, who has awed thousands of spectators in large cities by climbing high buildings and performing dangerous acts on the edge the buildings high in the air, will climb the two bank buildings and the new hotel. Saturday night there’ll be a community singing on the Square, and a concert by the Brunswick Band and a agricultural movie show.

The main show will include exhibitions a farm and garden products, household fancy goods, livestock, poultry, canned goods, preserves, jellies, cake, needlework and many other exhibits. About 151 first and second cash prizes will be awarded too successful exhibitors.

A number of merchants and businesses of the town will have floats in the parade on Saturday and many decorated automobiles in school children will also be in line. This will be the second annual community show for Emmitsburg and every detail has been prepared on a large scale.

Serious Automobile Accident

Mrs. Egner Essig suffered a probable concussion of the brain and her passengers were badly cut about the face and heads when her automobile, a five passenger Ford, turned over on the Emmitsburg road yesterday morning and was completely wrecked. The accident happened at a sharp curve at Richfield farm, a few feet from the location of the old tollgate. As the car was about to round the curve the steering gear locked causing the machine to turn upside down.

Stambaugh Barn Burns

Fire started in a large straw stack on the farm of Jake Stambaugh about 3 miles from Emmitsburg Thursday afternoon. The barn was completely destroyed. The barn is said to have cost in the neighborhood of $6,000. This is the third time the barn on the farm has been destroyed by fire

October 29

Democrats gather to hear speeches

About 100 Fairfield Democratic supporters assembled in the town hall, on a few hours notice, Wednesday night, to hear speeches on the importance of electing Democrats to office. Vocal selections by Miss Aagot Borge, who is in charge of music in the Gettysburg Public Schools, where also included on the program.

Thurmont Women Organize

The women Democrats if the Mechanicstown District have organized a club to promote the principles of the League of Nations. Their platform refers to the educational and welfare legislation, which is credited to the Democratic Party, dwelling at length on the Federal Child Labor Law. Mrs. Ross, their chairman, made an appeal to the Democratic women of the district to cooperate with the women in other districts in inducing the newly enfranchised women voters to register and vote. A large crowd packed the hall and overflowed into the streets. Music was furnished by an orchestra and the hall was decorated with pictures of the Democratic candidates with flags flowing.

Warning to Women Voters

That there will be thousands of new women voters this year, is well-known too tricky politicians. They will size them up as 'easy' to deceive will reports that traditional smarter male voters would recognize as campaign lies. Be on guard against all extreme statements reporting to come from any candidate. The candidates are wise as to what they are saying. County newspaper offices, especially, are quite apt to try out stories that are intended to deceive. It is an old, old trick, but, like 'Mother Goose' such stories are always news to somebody. So don’t be fooled by 11th hour lies. Think before your vote, or better yet, ask you husband how you should vote. Remember, he is smarter then you.

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