March 3

Protestant Church Convention

An interdenominational convention of the layman of Protestant churches in Emmitsburg was held at Elias Lutheran Church last Friday afternoon and evening. The interest in the idea was manifest by the large attendance of men from all parts of the district. At the afternoon meeting some 150 men comfortably filled the auditorium while almost as many ladies crowded the gallery. In the evening the church was filled with a mixed attendance. The response to their invitation was most agreeable to the committee who had charge of the convention, and while they were not surprised at the size of the gathering, they were very gratified.

Hair Pulling Case in Court

The exhibit of a bunch of hair in court Tuesday afternoon was one of the reminders of a fierce fight between two women in Emmitsburg for which one woman was indicted. The exhibit of hair formed a matted mass about the size of a man’s two fists, and stood as evidence that the fight was one of earnest participants. Mrs. Kate Wills was indicted for assaulting Mrs. Theresa Jennings. Mrs. Wills’ husband, who was a witness on behalf of his wife, when called to testify, was too drunk to do so and was told to leave the stand by the Judge. As he left he muttered something, and the Judge instructed the sheriff to take him to jail for contempt of court.

Fairfield Loses Its Best Teacher

On February 22 Fairfield lost one of its best teachers, when Miss Lucy Bowling, who taught at the Lower Track school, became the wife of Mr. James Beard, of near Fairfield. It will be remembered that a few weeks ago Miss Bowling was unjustly charged with severe and unwarranted punishment of a child, and a lawsuit was promised. But she, like other teachers, knew her duty in dealing with disobedient and stubborn children. When kind words failed, she was forced to use other means. The patrons of the school, while sorry to lose her as a teacher, are glad to know she will finish the present term. They wished the couple a merry and prosperous life.

March 10

Mrs. Crouse’s Birthday Remembered

Mrs. William Crouse, who lives on Gettysburg Street with her daughter, Ms. Clarence Rider, celebrated her 86 birthday on Tuesday of this week. Friends and relatives in different parts of the county remembered Mrs. Crouse on her birthday and sent beautiful cards, numbering 132. In addition to this a neighbor prepared dinner for Mrs. Crouse. She received a number of beautiful presents from her many friends in this place, including a set of silver teaspoons.

Death of Jeremiah and Amanda Feezer

Jeremiah Feezer, age 76 years, and his wife, Amanda, age 75 years, died within a half hour of each other at their home near Harney on Monday. The cause of their deaths was pneumonia which they contracted at the same time a few days previous. The deceased were survived by three sons - Harry, William, and Theodore of near Harney and one daughter, Mrs. Quincy Shoemaker of Emmitsburg.

Large Cross to Mark the Site

Messrs. Hole and Rider, marble workers, have given an order to build a monument to Mother Seton. It is to be of solid granite in the shape of a Celtic cross 13 feet high, to be erected on the mountainside near Mount St. Mary’s College. The cross will bear this inscription: "This marks the site of Father DuBois’ house in which Mother Seton and her first Associates lived from June 21 to July 31, 1809."

Accidents on the Farm

A particular double accident happened between Fairfield and Ortanna on Monday. Mr. James Sanders, and son Lennis had a narrow escape from being injured. While engaged in loading straw the stack fell upon the son. This frightened the colt hitched to the wagon, and the animal kicked Mr. Sanders against the fence. Mr. Sanders called for help but his son was buried beneath the pile and could not reach him. Lennis, however, soon worked his way out, went to his father’s assistance, and found him considerably bruised.

March 17

Cleanup the Backyard

In every yard and in the rear of every property there is an accumulation of ashes and rubbish at this time a year. This refuse represents the letter of long winter months and is not only in the way, but very unsightly. While the snow was on the ground there was a reason for allowing it to remain where it has lain all this time, but the season is now at hand for properly disposing of it.

People used to complain—and they were justified in doing so— that there was not a public dumping ground. But all this is changed. There is now a very conveniently located lot where all refuse, other than garbage, may be disposed. The Emmitsburg Railroad Company has provided the place. It is not far from the main tracks and, under reasonable and proper regulations, people may get rid of a great deal that is annoying and disagreeable.

Public School Building to Be Enlarged

At a meeting of the school board last week it was decided to add a second story on the Emmitsburg school building. The improvements will include additional accommodations for scholars and a hall for all school and commencement purposes. This enlargement is imperative for the school now has an enrollment of 40 scholars, far too many for the accommodations. Prof. Strauss will also be given an assistant and maybe the curriculum will be changed to include manual training, and agricultural or commercial courses.

March 24

Local Enterprise Authorized

The Emmitsburg Fruit and Orchard Company was authorized to transact business on March 21 under articles of incorporation filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Courts. The incorporators, who are the directors for the first year, are: Albert Patterson, Mead Patterson, Andrew Annan Horner, Thaddeus Zimmerman, John Foreman, J. Stuart Annan, Edward Rowe, and Eugene Zimmerman. This company intends to plant approximately 1,000 apple and several thousand peach trees this spring on land they have secured on our mountainside.

March 31

Henry Bowman in Trouble

The authorities of Gettysburg arrested Henry Bowman of this place, alleging that he traded off one of Mr. McCarron’s horses to a man and then tried to sell the horse he got in trade and the vehicle. He was very much intoxicated at the time.

Death of James McGrath

Mr. James McGrath of Emmitsburg, died March 26, 1911 after five days of illness of pneumonia. He is survived by a wife, six children and 10 grandchildren. Mr. McGrath was a genial Irish gentleman of the "old school." Polite and courteous and extremely fond of his heritage, he was an interesting conversationalist and withal a broad-minded man. During his last years, after he had retired from active life, he lived in Emmitsburg and was a familiar figure on our streets. He had many friends and few, if any, enemies.

Broom Factory Totally Destroyed by Fire

On Monday night a fire totally destroyed the Emmitsburg Broom factory on Frederick Street. The alarm was given by Rural Carrier Lantz who noticed the fire as he passed the building. When the fire was discovered the building was doomed. Its flammable contents burned so rapidly and the fire was so hot that the firemen wisely devoted their attention to other buildings. Everything in the factory was destroyed.

The firemen responded promptly to the alarm and two heavy streams of water were turned on The Creamery, Boyle Brothers Hay Sheds and the dwellings of Mr. Felix, which were covered by a shower of sparks carried by the high winds blowing from the North West, and in doing so, saved them.

The loss to the Emmitsburg Broom Company is in the neighborhood of $5000, which is only partially covered by insurance. At a meeting of the directors of the company held on Tuesday evening, plans for the future were considered. It is their desire to start up in the near future but nothing definite has been decided.

The cause of the fire is not known but it is thought by some to have started in the bleaching room. In the last few weeks the factory has been hard at work on many large orders some of which were filled before the fire, but a number of others were not completed and since the fire still others have come in.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'