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100 Years Ago This Month

March 1915

March 5

Painful Accident

On Tuesday afternoon Mr. Francis Krietz, riding to the country for feed, not returning within a reasonable time, his family became alarmed and telephone Mr. George Wilhide from whom he bought the feed. Mr. Wilhide informed the family that Mr. Krietz had left his farm about six o'clock in the evening.

Shortly after this his son went in search of his father and found him lying by the roadside near the Rentzel’s farm near Four Points. It seems that at this particular spot there is a high embankment and it is supposed that the horse, which is blind, wandered off the road drawing the wagon into the ditch below. Mr. Krietz was pinned beneath the vehicle, the hub of which rested on his chest. He had lain in that position for about four hours. Four ribs were fractured and he suffered a laceration on his head. The horse was found nearby grazing contentedly.

Spelling Bee

A spelling bee of unusual interest will be given on Monday evening in the public school building under the patronage of the Civic League. This promises to be the most exciting, fun making, an elaborate contest of its kind ever held in Emmitsburg. There will be one match open only to children under 16 years of age. Three preliminary matches will be open to all in the town, regardless of age.

A specially compiled list of words from the standard dictionary will be used in the matches, but the words for the children's contest will be selected from the spelling books in use at the public and Catholic schools. With admission of only $.10 it is hoped that the large room in the schoolhouse will be filled to its capacity.

March 12

Spelling Bee Best Ever

All four spelling contest drew a large number of contestants. Participants consisted of men, women, and children, who eagerly formed in a line, equal in extent to approximately the perimeter of the room. The winners of the minor matches were Mrs. Henry Stokes, Mrs. Cornelius Gelwicks, and Mrs. John Foreman. The winner of the childrens’ match was Miss Virginia Eyster. The champion speller of the night was then determined in a final contest, in which the winners of the three other matches contended. Mrs. Henry Stokes was successful in eliminating her opponents in this grand finale.

The intermissions were made highly enjoyable by instrumental music, admirably and masterfully performed by Mrs. Higby and Miss. Gross, and the recitation of an appropriate selections by Mrs. Robert Gillelan. A grateful collection was taken at the doors and will be donated as an installment on the public school piano.

Robbed Twice Within Days

Thursday night of last week chicken thieves visited the premises of Mr. Ashbaugh on Gettysburg Street, and carried away about 15 chickens. On Monday night, between the hours of 10 and 11 o’clock, robbers broke the store window in Mr. Ashbaugh’s store and made off with hardware to the value of about $25. On Tuesday night an attempt was made to enter a house uptown.

Vigilant Hose Plans Fair

The Vigilant Hose Company is having the exterior of their engine room and hall, on Gettysburg Street, repainted in preparation for a planned fair. All the members of the company are urged to be present at Fireman's Hall tonight when a special meeting of the company will be held to discuss the fair proposed to be held on April 9 and 10th. The proceeds of the fair will be use for a townhall fund.

Death of Samuel Moritz

Samuel Moritz of Fairplay, Freedom Township, died in his home on March 9. Mr. Moritz had been sick for about five weeks. His death was due to the infirmities of age, he being nearly 88 years old. Interment was made in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mr. Moritz was born and spent practically his entire life at the place where he died. As a young man he taught school for several years at "Moritz’s School." He later engaged in farming in which he was unusually successful. Only about 10 years ago did he retired from active work. Although he never aspired to office, Mr. Moritz was always prominent in the affairs of his township and his counsel was thought by many.

March 19

Library Benefit

After much painstaking drilling and rehearsing, everything is in readiness for the big entertainment to be given in the auditorium of the public school building tomorrow night for the benefit of the Emmitsburg public library. The program is varied and well balanced. The program will include plays, piano solos & duets, voice quartets, recitations, and Irish drills. All in the community are encouraged to attend.

Auto Cars

The Emmitsburg Motor Car Co. received a carload of new Ford touring cars and runabouts this week. Meanwhile work on the new office and rooms that are being built by Mr. Zimmerman for the use of his Motor Car Company is rapidly progressing.

Spring Makes An Appearance

Saturday was one of the busiest days in Emmitsburg for long time. The streets were thronged with people from early morning until late at night and every hitching post was used. The approach of spring was heralded by the appearance of many autocars from far and near which pass through Emmitsburg on Sunday. Wanderlusters have been taking advantage of the beautiful spring days and bands of young people were much in evidence along the mountain and country passes and roadways during the week. The first Robbins of the season made their appearance in a flurry of snow on Tuesday morning.

New Autobus Service

Beginning next Monday, a passenger autocar service to be known as the Emmitsburg-Thurmont Auto Bus Line will operate regularly between Emmitsburg and Thurmont connecting with the Hagerstown and Frederic trolley at Thurmont and meeting the most important trains on the Western Maryland.

Until further notice the first car each day will leave the square in Emmitsburg at 7:30 in the morning. The next car will leave Emmitsburg at 11:40. In the afternoon the bus will leave Emmitsburg at 2:30, with a second car leaving this place at 4:15. This tentative schedule has been arranged with a view to meet the demands of this community. The fare from Emmitsburg to Thurmont will be $.45.

March 26

Fire at St. Joseph's

What might have proven a very disastrous fire at St. Joseph's College and Academy on Wednesday morning was averted by the prompt an efficient action of the workmen at that institution. A spark from the engine on the Emmitsburg Railroad ignited the dry grass in the large field in front of the buildings, but due to the strong winds that day, the fire quickly spread and within minutes a greater part of the field was ablaze.

The moment the fire was discovered the sisters had the men at work with chemicals an apparatuses from the Academy, the institution being splendidly equipped for such emergencies. Word was sent to the Vigilant Hose Company which responded immediately. Their presence was deemed advisable owing to the proximity of the fire area to the gasoline house in which a large quantity about combustible material was stored, but their services were not needed as the fire was completely extinguished by the time they arrived.

Boozer to Ride to Coast

‘"Uncle Joe" Walling, one of the founding members of the Emmitsburg Chapter of the Former Former Boozers Association has announced he intends to ride from Emmitsburg to the Pacific coast, starting next Thursday, April 1. His only companion on this trip will be the pony he rides, a stocky, well-built little animal which he bought from Patterson Brothers at this place.

To prepare for his long journey, he intends to close the Hotel Slagel’s saloon every night and see how far his pony can get towards home before he falls off.

It is said that the Hotel Slagel’s Saloon is sponsoring Walling’s trip and that it will supply him booze to get him to at least Zora, and advertising material to distribute along the route. The Emmitsburg Cornet Band will escort "Uncle Joe" to the town limits when he makes his departure, and will involve great jollifications by the members of Former Former Boozers Association.

Bull Loose on Main Street

Much excitement on Main Street was occasion last Saturday afternoon by an infuriated bull. The animal charged uptown at a two-forty gait scaring women and children, scattering pedestrians in every direction. Being an Irish bull he made for the green in Commissioner Annan’s lawn’s, butted several fences and hurtled the railing between the Felix and Annan’s homes. After a long chase, in which several "cowboys" took part, he was captured on the Miller Farm below town

Runaways

Forty dozens of eggs were broken as a result of a runaway Monday, when the horses of Mr. Henry Plank became frightened and bolted for home. Nothing was broken other than the eggs, except the doubletree of the wagon.

Early yesterday morning a horse belonging to the Patterson Brothers, broke loose from a vehicle and ran off using the sidewalk as a speed course. After running the length of the town it made for the country and was caught by Mr. Thomas Gingrell at Zora.

Another runaway occurred about noon today when a horse, belonging to the Boyle Brothers, took fright and broke from the delivery wagon of this firm. The driver was thrown from the vehicle and dragged quite a distance, but was only slightly bruised.

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