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100 Years Ago This Month

November 1921

November 3

Lightning Strike

On Tuesday morning, lightning struck the telephone wire connected to Dr. Brawner‘s house and ran down the ground wire, tearing a number of bricks from John Jackson’s pavement, and broke several panes of glass. Dr. Brawner, was in his office at the time, and received a slight shock.

George Gingell Killed In Mill Accident

George Gingell, of Zora, was killed on Tuesday morning while oiling the machinery at his mill. It is not known just how it happened but in some way he was caught in the shaft and was found by H. C. Harner, who had gone to the mill for feed. One of the largest assemblies of persons for a funeral in Southwestern Adams County gathered at Elias Lutheran Church, demonstrating the high opinion in which all who knew him, held Mr. Gingell. He was an enterprising businessman and widely known as having been in the milling business for more than a quarter of a century. He was the proprietor of the Bell and Liberty Mills in Zora. He was considered by the residents as a leader in anything for the betterment of the community.

Mischievous Young Men

On Tuesday night a few young men were inclined to be mischievous. They set fire to a corn fodder shock, in Mr. Rock’s field in Harney and burned it up. The shock contained 25 bundles and would have fed a horse or a cow for some time. We are greatly surprised to think that the parties concerned would stoop so low as to destroy a man’s property, without any cause.

New Engine For Power Plant

A new oil-burning engine for the Thurmont power plant is being placed into position. The transfer of the engine from the railroad to the powerhouse was a well-executed piece of work. It weighs 10 tons, and it was taken from the car, loaded on a truck, hauled to the powerhouse and placed on the ground in three hours without the slightest mess up or near accident.

Sentence Suspended

At a hearing before the Justice of the Peace in Thurmont, Frank McAllister, of near Foxville, who was charged with assault and battery on three young men; two brothers named McAfee, and a young man name Willard, was found not guilty and the charges dismissed. The three young men were found guilty of trespassing on the McAllister property and where paroled on their good behavior. The judge directed that the boys keep away from the McAllister property and any future misconduct on their part would result in their arrest and a good horse whipping.

The alleged assault took place about two weeks ago, during which one of the McAfee boys received a load of birdshot in his left leg and side from the gun fired by McAlester. The latter charge that the young man came to his house and after frightening his wife acted in a suspicious matter about his premises. He said he fired two shots from his gun to frighten them away. The last shot took effect in the left leg and side of one the McAfee boy. It is said that about 26 small shots were taken from the side and leg of the victim. The young men disclaimed any intention of frightening Mrs. McAllister and declared that they were about to leave the premises when McAllister appeared with his gun and fired at them. After the first shot one of the McAfee boys took refuge behind a shock of corn, a part of his body however was exposed and he received a portion of the charge from the gun.

November 10

Pigs For Sale

For sale: Big type registered Duroc pigs. The sire of these pigs was selected by the Adams County Farm Agent, as herd boar for the Boys’ Pig Club, Fairfield. Their dam, Princess Auburn, a granddaughter of the United States champion, is a far sight prettier than my wife, who is making me sleep in the pigsty, which is why I’m getting rid of the pigs as they are keeping me up all night, (although they do smell better than my wife). Contact Walter Kugler, Fairfield.

Home Burns

Last Saturday evening, a very short time after the family had left for Thurmont, the home of Mr. John Wireman, of Catoctin Furnace was totally destroyed by fire. Mr. Wireman says that there was absolutely no fire about the house when he left and is unable in any way to account for it.

Another Motorcycle Collision

While Charles Ohler and family were going home from church in their auto, last Sunday morning, a motorcyclist going at rapid speed ran around and in front of their car to make a turn to the Gettysburg Road, and in doing so caught the left front wheel of the car, breaking it off, and causing the Ohler car to swerve to the left against a telephone pole, when it was further badly damaged.

The motorcyclist proceeded on his way without stopping, but was pursued by Mr. Ohler and Mervin Ashenfelter on a motorcycle, who overtook him east of Harney. He first denied that he was the person wanted, but finally admitted it, giving what is claimed was an assumed name and a home address in Hanover and promise to come to Taneytown, on Monday, to make up the damages to Mr. Ohler’s car. As yet, he has not made his appearance, and no arrest has been made. It is a common report that the young man is well known in Taneytown.

November 17

Early Vote In County Light

Fair weather throughout Adams County brought a good number of voters to the polls, more then that showed up at the primaries. Women were especially prominent at the polls throughout the county and especially in Fairfield, where the number of women exceeded the men voters 534. According to one woman in Fairfield, the lack of men turning out was a direct result of bogus flyers put up by women promoting the opening of a new still on Jack’s Mountain, offering free drinks to all well-wishers. By the time husbands had realized they had once again been outwitted by the more formidable female brain, voting had closed and candidates supportive of suffrage and prohibition where well on their way to victory.

Emmitsburg To Drill For Oil

Confident that the indications are that beneath the surface of the land on his place an area of coal, oil and gas is located, Edward Fitzgerald, who lives at ‘Havillah,’ along the Gettysburg Road just be on the corporate limits of Emmitsburg, has organized the Havillah Coal, Oil and Gas Company which will commence at once, according to Mr. Fitzgerald, to drill a well expect to bring the hidden resources to the surface. He stated that a number of local parties, including himself, who are impressed with the possibilities suggestions by finding traces of coal and oil on his farm, have become stockholders in the new company, the charter for which has been written and the necessary paper work for a corporation drawn up. No stock is being offered to the public at this time said Mr. Fitzgerald, but he indicated that later on the company might let a few people in on the project.

To Speak On Chinese Heathens

On Saturday evening Miss Mary Firor, who has been a missionary in China since 1916 and who is now home on furlough, will speak in the Reformed Church, Thurmont on her experiences in China and dealing with the needs of the heathens in that country. Everyone is invited to come.

November 24

Cataract Removed

William Zentz, has returned from the Baltimore Eye, Ear and Throat hospital where he has been for two weeks. Mr. Zentz had had trouble with his eye for sometime but apparently not serious. A cataract began to form and a few weeks ago he became blind in that eye. An examination at the hospital showed one eye considerably harder than the other. The eye was then treated until it became softened enough to operate, when the cataract was removed. A strong magnet was applied to the cataract after its removal and a piece of steel the size of the head of a pin was found to have been in embedded there in. Mr. Zentz has no idea when the steel entered his eye, as he has no remembrance of any time suffering any inconveniences. The operation has relieved his troubles as he can now see well enough to get around; and with the aid of glasses he can read fine print, and in time expects to have normal use of his eyes.

Rumored Bus Line

There is a rumor of a new line between Emmitsburg and Gettysburg to connect with the bus line from Gettysburg to Harrisburg and it is understood plans have been made for permit from the public service commission to operate such a line. The idea seems to please the Emmitsburg people as placing them within a two-hour ride of Harrisburg.

Child Scalded

Ralph Shearrer, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shearrer of Thurmont, was badly burned on Saturday. Mrs. Shearrer had just killed a chicken and sent one of her little girls into the house for the kettle of hot water. Little Ralph’s older brother took the kettle and was taking it to his mother, swinging it as he went. Some of the water was spilled, striking Ralph about the face, the chest and legs. The injuries about his chest were most serious. He is getting along very well.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day, in Taneytown, was extremely quiet as the weather was on its bad behavior the entire day. The union service in the Presbyterian Church, in the morning, was well attended; as was also the wedding of Howard Roop and Miss. Clara Hockensmith, in the Lutheran Church, in the afternoon; and the supper in Saint Joseph’s Hall, in the evening.

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