February  4

Signs of Spring

Spring is coming and coming fast if indications count for anything. Residents report the presence of bluebirds that generally do not arrive until the end of February. It is the general belief that spring will arrive unusually early despite the mild winter that has been experience so far.

Stolen Articles Recovered

A number of thefts near Thurmont during the past two weeks, including the theft of meat from Edward Deweese, gave Sheriff Wilhide and his deputies all the work they could want. The sheriff got on the track of the meat thieves, and the trail led to the home of David Reesman, located on the mountain road leading from Thurmont to Eyler’s Valley.

When they stopped at the house the inmates were terribly excited. Percy Reesman and his sister sought hiding places, Paul Kline took to the road, while Ma and Pa Reesman tried to protect the home from being search. After telling their business and producing a search warrant, the Reesmans told the officers to proceed. After looking around, the deputies uncovered the meat taken from Deweese. The officers also found revolvers, a shotgun, a rifle and blackjack, as well as numerous pieces of jewelry, silverware, four kits of tools, fancy dishes, a dozen or more pocketbooks, and many other articles.

The elder Reesman, his son Percy, and Kline were arrested and brought before the Justice of the Peace. Pa Reesman stated that he knew nothing about the meat, as he was drunk and not able to be about the night it was stolen. The other two accused declared they knew nothing about the meat and Ma Reesman and daughter said they knew not how the meat came into the house. Sheriffs from adjoining counties are particularly interested in the arrest of Reesman and Kline, hoping that some of the articles taken from cottages around Blue Ridge Summit may be recovered.

February 11

Unknown Visitor Scares Women

Neglecting the formality of even rapping on the door to make his presence known to Mrs. Howard Browne and her sister, Sarah, who were alone in the Brown residence near Fairfield, a man of small stature entered the residence sometime Wednesday night and slept there until the morning.

Nothing unusual transpired during the night, but around 10:30 in the morning, Mrs. Brown was greatly startled when the man suddenly appeared in the door leading to the parlor. The first act of Mrs. Brown was to rush to the telephone to summon help, but her efforts on the score were cut short when the stranger commenced to advance towards her. Together with her sister, Mrs. Brown then ran to the residence of Emanuel Plank for assistance. When Mr. Plank and several others return later the stranger was gone, together with two $5 bills. The torn up appearance of the parlor couch revealed that he had spent the night there.

Big Engine Off Track

Three hours work by the Hagerstown wrecking crew was necessary before Western Maryland freight engine 965 could be put back on the track, 100 yards west of the Thurmont station. The big engine jumped the track at a switch shortly after midnight and was off the track until 8:30 when the wrecking crew completed its work before a large group of watchers.

Women May Not Hold Public Offices

Women are barred from every public office in Maryland where the statute indicates the office should be held only by males, according to the opinion delivered by the Attorney General. The use of the masculine pronoun in the laws which creates offices is accepted by the Attorney General as indicative of the intention of the law that the office should be filled only by a male. As practically every office in the state from Governor, down to clerkship in the smallest town of the state, is created in statutes, which use the masculine pronouns, the opinion is held to be all-inclusive. If the opinion stands it will bar women from running for the legislature or any other office.

According to the Attorney General, "it is perhaps needless to add, that the 19th amendment related only to the right of suffrage and not to the right to hold office. Thankfully, the foresight of those who chose to use the male pronoun in creating offices, will save us from the disarray that will surly come from feeble minded women holding elected office."

Roll of Bills on Long Journey

To put his role of $67 in a wheat bin for safekeeping, to take the wheat to Hezeter’s Mill without removing the money and then to have the bills return to him after they had laid on the mill floor for two months was an interesting incident to occur in the life of John Wilkinson, an Adams County farmer whose home is between Zora and Fairfield.

Upon missing the roles of bills Wilkinson made inquiry as to whether or not anyone at the mill had noticed his role. Although he searched to mill thoroughly at the time, Mr. Hezeter was unable to find the money. Two months later, while cleaning an obscure part of his building, Mr. Hezeter spied the role. Mr. Hezeter took the money to the Citizens Trust Company where a check was made out payable to Mr. Wilkinson.

During the time the money was missing, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson had become estranged and there is said to have been a considerable dispute before the $67 finally reached the pocket of the owner from which it had been taken more than two months before. Unfortunately for Mr. Wilkinson, who with fellow Former-Former Boozers were getting ready to celebrate his good fortune, the courts directed he give the money to his wife to settle back payments for spousal support, showing once again, why women can not be trusted to look out for a man’s best interest.

February 18

Mystery Auto Found Capsized

A brand new Cadillac limousine lying upturned in a gully eight feet below the level of the road, shattered and bloodstain fragments of glass; two chrisom stained handkerchief lying on the snow. This gruesome site foretold a serious accident or possibly a tragedy during the night was seen by travelers along the Emmitsburg Road at the new Marsh Creek Bridge near Greenmount.

Who the occupants of the car where, how badly they were hurt, and what became of them after the accident is a complete mystery. The expensive machine is lying with its wheels in the air. Its windshield is smashed to fragments and large bloodstains give evidence of the extent to which the driver and the passengers were cut. A 22-caliber revolver with one shot missing was also found in the right hand door pocket.

Farmers to Grow Pipe Cobs

Farmers of this section have contracted to grow more than 2,000 acres of corn, the cobs of which are to be used in manufacturing pipes. Results obtained last year proved to be entirely satisfactory and resulted in increased acreage. Farmers made profit of $10-$12 an acre on their cobs, besides the corn.

February 25

Winter Finally Comes

Up to Saturday of last week this section in the county enjoyed most delightful temperatures and weather. Some of the spring birds could even be seen flittering about; people were beginning to clean up gardens, farmers were plowing, carpenters were finishing dwellings, and the one thought, summer is near, seem to occupy the minds of all.

A change to a real winter came suddenly Saturday evening when snow began falling. It first melted as it struck the ground, but eventually the snow covered all the bare places. The snow continued all night and up until Sunday noon. After an intermission of an hour, the snow began again coming down and continued until the evening. As there was little wind, there were few drifts. While the churches were open, so few people ventured out that no services were held.

The snow measured probably 12 to 14 inches, and this gave employment to many who did not desire to work on Sunday. Steam and electric trains by hard work were kept running, but were late arrivals. The trolley from Frederick was tied up - a car being derailed trying to get through.

The deep snow put a stop to all outdoor activities. People coming in from the county reported that roads were drifting closed and considerable effort had to be made to get through. A few sleighs were seen about, as well as a few automobiles, but the going was bad for both.

Old Time Quilting Party

An old-time quilting party was held at the home of Mrs. Kemper on Tuesday. The day was merrily spent, and at the close of the day two quilts hade been completed. On Wednesday at noon, much to the surprise of Mrs. Kemper, most of the ladies again gathered and resumed quilting, producing two more quilts.

Deaths

Mrs. Ellen Waddles, 91, one of the oldest residents of Emmitsburg, died early Saturday morning at her home. Interment was in Mountain View cemetery. On Friday, Mrs. Edward Baumgardner died after a short illness at her home near town. Interment was delayed owing to the blizzard.

On Thursday, the remains a Private Robert Reifsnider, who died overseas of pneumonia during the World War, was returned home. He was among the first of the local boys to volunteer. He was interned in Mountain View cemetery.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'