February 3

New Emerald Building

The new Emerald building on the west side of Frederick Street is rapidly nearing completion. The structure is 25 feet by 50 feet and is two stories high with room with 12 foot ceilings. The upper floor, which is all in one, will be used as a hall and the meeting room of the Emerald Beneficial Association of this place. The lower floor is designed for a store or similar purpose, having a full glass front. The large plate glass panes arrived this week and will shortly be placed in position.

The Emerald Beneficial Association is a benevolent, beneficial and religious organization based upon the fundamental principles of faith, hope and charity which aims to inculcate and practice towards all mankind. The society was formed in 1876 and is made up of Roman Catholic Irishmen. The objective of the Association is to care for its members, provide for the sick, bury the dead and practice the virtues of life.

Improvements on Frederick Street

Mr. Edwin Chrismer, who recently purchased the coach-making establishment known as the Baker shops on Frederick Street, has torn down part of the establishment and built a new frame dwelling. Mr. Chrismer also had his manufactory re-weather boarded. This is one of the greatest improvements in property for some time and has greatly added to the appearance of that section of town.

Another great improvement on Frederick Street is the erection of an addition to Mr. Bernard Welty’s blacksmith shop. Mr. Welty had a gasoline engine placed in position and geared up with drill, circular saw and all other machines for the prompt execution of heavy work of all kinds.

Stewart Annan Announces Candidacy

Mr. Stewart Annan announced he will seek reelection as County Commissioner. Mr. Annan is the first citizen of Emmitsburg to hold office as County Commissioner. He is a farmer and has been a valuable member of the board of County Commissioners.

February 10

High School Spelling Bee

The spelling bee was the first held in Emmitsburg for a long time and proved very entertaining. It was the more successful because the best speller was awarded with a prize of $2.50 in gold. There was a long but friendly battle before it was decided and everyone was perfectly satisfied with the results. For 45 minutes the students spelled until all but two, Miss Harbaugh and William Morrison, retired. Then by some sudden unforeseen disaster William carelessly took aim at a word and missed. Miss Harbaugh was more successful and won the contest.

There is very much truth in Prof. White’s words, "Spelling is almost a lost art." The only way to reclaim it once more is to go back to the old-time spelling bee and battle for a whole evening. Let us have more.

February 17

Cross Country Run

On Monday afternoon the high school students were surprised by the announcement of a cross-country run that afternoon. Although they were informed several weeks earlier that they would have won, none of the boys were in running condition. Some had practiced rather strenuously Monday morning and as a consequence were somewhat stiff and sore.

Dilbert Hospelhorn and Donald Agnew started out together, but on the way Donald was smitten by the deadly pangs of love and walked the rest of the way to town with a pretty young schoolteacher.

Charles Eichelberger and William Morrison, the cigarette fiends, were the real heroes. Tobacco showed its true colors; before passing the first milestone, both had their tongues hanging out like our canine friends, and their breath came thick and fast. At length, one timidly said, "I'm awfully tired," and the other said, "So am I." So they struck into the woods to recover the good health, which they have so foolishly blown up in smoke.

Another Runaway

A horse belonging to Ms. Mary Weigant was frightened and ran away from Boyle Brothers warehouse. It ran against a telephone pole, where it left the buggy. It was later caught by Dr. Stone. No one was hurt as Ms. Weigant was of the buggy at the time.

Improvements on Gettysburg Street

Many congratulations are due to the people on Gettysburg Street for their prompt attention to the importance of keeping their property in good condition, such as building and paving. If the people on Main Street, do not keep wide awake, those on Frederick and Gettysburg Street will surpass them.

Ms. Sarah Fox

The many friends of Mrs. J. C. Fox were shocked to hear of her rather sudden death on Monday. She suffered a stroke of apoplexy and died about 1 a.m. Sometime ago Mrs. Fox, the mother of Mrs. Thomas J. Hayes of Emmitsburg, purchased the Tiers properly on Frederick Pike near Mount St. Mary’s College. It was here that Mrs. Fox raised her family until her death.

February 24

Death of Mr. Charles Rowe

At an early hour on Wednesday, Mr. Charles Rowe passed into eternal rest. Through the four score years of his life Emmitsburg was his home. For over a quarter of a century he was the faithful and efficient superintendent of our Lutheran Sunday school. He was deeply interested in the promotion and progress of the school’s moral and virtuous welfare.

His inquiring and ambitious mind encompassed quite a wide circle of knowledge both from books and from men. He thought on deep and timely subjects. He had convictions and could command the attention of others in their expression.

Champion Walker Visits Town

Last Friday Mr. F. J. Cooper of Allston, Mass., passed through town on his pedestrian tour of 1,050 miles on a wager of $1,500. While in town he stopped at the Emmit House where he was interviewed. By the terms of the wager Mr. Cooper is not allowed to beg or asked for anything, but he started his trip with 300 photographs of himself which he could sell. The entire distance, 1,050 miles, must be covered in 45 days, 12 of which were taken in reaching Emmitsburg.

High School Play at Fairfield

On Friday afternoon students of Emmitsburg high school went to Fairfield to render their five act comedy entitled "Al Martin's Country Store." They were most hospitably received by the students of Fairfield high school when they reached town. The Fairfield students, led by their teacher, sang a welcome ode, "Maryland, My Maryland." This seemed to do the young folks much good as everyone was in the best of spirits when the curtain was raised on the first act. After the performance the Fairfield teacher escorted all the young actors to Snyder's restaurant for lunch.

The Fairfield school netted enough from the proceeds to start a school library. Although the Emmitsburg school was not benefited financially, they were benefited in many other more important ways, including the students meeting other high school boys and girls, the rendering of their community away from home and the moral lessons from such an affair.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'