December 7

Youngsters Began Writing Annual Letters To Santa Claus

Santa has come from the far regions of the North Pole to collect the Christmas letters of little girls and boys. Perhaps some little children have heard the jingling of the bells of the eight tiny reindeer‘s as it flies through the air like the wind, carrying jolly old Santa along under the twinkling stars.

Some messages have already been received by Santa at his headquarters. One little girl, Helen Wantz, called him up on the telephone to tell him the many things she wanted for Christmas. Old Santa has received letters from one little girl and four little boys.

Dear Santa: I am a little girl seven years old and go to school every day. Please bring me a raincoat and hat, a pair of rubbers, a tricycle, a bookshelf and a fountain pen, with love to you and Mrs. Santa. – Helen Coblentz.

Dear Santa: I want a cowboy suit, a whip, a scooter car, a boat that winds with a key, a tool chest and tools and a game of baseball played with marbles. – Buddy Price

Dear Santa: I want a scooter car, a blackboard, a raincoat, a tool chest full of tools, a game of marbles. I am five years old and have been a good boy. I go to school. - Joseph Delphey

Dear Santa: I am a little boy five years old. Will you please bring me an electric train, an indian suit, some candy and oranges and anything else you like. I will try to be a good boy, your little friend. – Tango Brust

Dear Santa: I am a little boy just three years old. I go to Sunday school every Sunday. Would you please bring me a pony, a pair of shoes, a real police dog and some candy, oranges and ginger snaps. And please do not forget my brothers and sisters. Your little friend. - Casper Letson

Oil Company Machinery Up At Sale

The machinery of the Annie Laura Oil and Gas Company, a short distance west of Thurmont will be sold at a sheriff’s sale at Thurmont, next Tuesday. The sale is for the purpose of satisfying judgments of over $3,000 awarded to creditors of the company for installing machinery at the oil well. It is understood that a plan is on foot to purchase the outfit, reorganize the company, and resume drilling for oil.

The company was organized sometime ago with Mr. Merritt, President. The company was capitalized at $100,000 and it is understood that the family of Mr. Merritt holds 51,000 shares, a majority of the stock. The sale is at the instigation of Joseph Gernand, et. al., who stated that they paid for the installation of the machinery, but where never paid.

The company, under the direction of S. E. Haupt, who is said to be a mining expert from Louisiana, began drilling for oil in September 1921. The drilling continued until March 1922, when operations ceased for lack of funds. A depth of about 1,000 feet was reached.

The land on which the well is located is owned by Mr. Merritt and was leased by him to the company. Mr. Haupt has since left Thurmont and the operation has been at a standstill since March 1922.

Canning Factory To Open In Harney

Whaler, Krug and Co. of Littlestown, has purchased the J. T. Lemmon property, and will start a canning factory. They expect to commence building operations about the first of the year, so that everything will be in readiness, when the canning season opens. This is a new enterprise for our town, and we hope our people will get behind the company, and make it a complete success. We expect several more enterprises to start up, in the near future; but at this writing we have no positive information, but prospects look bright.

May Have To Pay License To Go Fishing

A proposition is a foot to require fishermen to pay a license, the funds to be used for propagating of game and freshwater fish.

In brief, the plan, as submitted, is to amend certain sections of, and broaden the scope of, the present game laws so as to include fishing. This will necessitate procuring a license to fish, and also calls for an increase of $.50 in the price of the hunting license now required. This license will then permit one to either hunt or fish.

In connection with the preservation of game and fish the plan also calls for the payment of a certain sum of money to each person who is instrumental in the destruction of vermin, this money to come from a fund to be created and which is to be known as the State Game Protection Fund.

Failure to comply with the law concerning either hunting or fishing regulations would be dealt with as prescribed on the statue books. This means a fine of $15 must be paid or a jail sentence of not more than 15 days being imposed. The plan was proposed and approved at a meeting last spring of the Frederick County Fish and Game Association, and approved.

Two Annan-Horner Properties Sold

Two properties were disposed of, and a third withdrawn, at the trustee sale of real estate conducted by the trustees in the bankruptcy of Annan Horner, J. Stewart Annan, and Andrew Horner, owners of the bankrupt Annan-Horner Bank, by virtue of an order of the United States District Court.

The property situated on the North side of West Main St., and improved with a two and a half story brick building, was sold to Elizabeth Annan for $4,025. This property formally belong to J. Stewart Annan. The property located on what is known as Shield’s Addition to Emmitsburg, and which belong to Andrew Horner was sold to Helen Horner, for $3,025. This property is improved with a two and a half story brick dwelling house, with moderate improvements.

The farm, about 3 miles south east of Emmitsburg on the Emmitsburg-Keysville Road was withdrawn from the sale at $32 per acre. This property is improved with a dwelling house and out buildings. It consists of more than 234 acres of land.

The sale of Blue Mountain Orchard Company, located in Adams County, 2 miles west of Emmitsburg, also owned by the bank, will take place in the near future, according to information given out Tuesday afternoon by trustees of the bankrupt banking firm.

The orchard is located directly on the Mason Dixon line, and almost 63 acres of it lies south of the Frederick County line. The most valuable sections of the orchard are included in the portion line in Pennsylvania.

The property, 324 acres in total, consists of four separate but adjacent lots. About 70 acres of land is now planted with apple, peach and other fruit trees. Thirty acres of the same contain approximately 1,500 apple trees of 20 years of age and upwards in bearing condition; about 20 acres containing approximately 760 peach trees of choice varieties, many of which are full bearing. There are 3 acres containing 140 apple trees of seven years; about 12 acres containing 1,000 apple tree’s the age of approximately six years of age and of choice varieties, about 95 acres is under cultivation well improved with a large quantity of meadow land.

The land is improved with two sets of farm buildings, well located and situated within the limits of the state of Pennsylvania. One lot has a large two-story brick and log house containing 13 rooms with a large springhouse with never failing water, sheds and other buildings. Another lot has a two-story frame dwelling, a bank barn, sheds and other outbuildings with good water.

Bridgeport Bridge Breaks - Again

A truck belonging to the Lynden Gas Products Co. broke through two sections of the bridge over the Monocacy at Bridgeport. The front wheels were hanging partially on the bridge, the back of the truck was down almost touching the water.

The bridge had just been reopened two days prior, following repairs by the counties following an accident on November 15, in which the floor of the covered bridge giving way beneath an overloaded truck, which caused the bridge to be closed to all traffic until it was repaired.

The bridge, which is on the Emmitsburg-Taneytown State Road, is maintained by both counties and the delay in its repair was due to both counties feuding over the cost of the repairs, neither wanted to spend anything more then the minimum to get the bridge reopened. The portion of the bridge that collapsed in the most recent mishap occurred on the Carroll County side of the bridge, who’s work was performed by a crew paid less then that on the Frederick County side of the bridge.

December 14

Seeks Home For Five Year Old Light Haired Girl

"It never rains here but it pours", is an old adage that would seem to include homeless children of Frederick County around Christmas time in its category.

Going under assumption however that it is possible for even sunshine to be hidden behind clouds at times, we come to the third case of an artificially orphaned child to be brought to the attention of the Children’s Aid Society.

Fate seems to be partial towards fair haired youngsters in its meeting out of ironies to the local children of destiny, for the other two cases included a bright blue eyed blonde boy and his equally charming and fair-haired little sister.

This little five-year-old happens to be a girl. Just because the little girl is but five years of age and perhaps too young to be sent to school is no reason for thinking that her Christmas pleas to Santa Claus, are not any different from any other child. All interested in taking charge of the child should contact the Children’s Aid Society.

Lose His Teeth And Big Buck He Shot

To lose both the deer he claims to have shot and also two teeth was the misfortune of one hunter in this section of the county on the opening day of deer hunting season.

According to reports from the camp of the mighty huntsmen, Paul Thomas, shot four times at a buck, but had the misfortune of losing his prize in the thicket; the members of the camp hunted for hours, but could not locate the deer or any trace of blood. While shooting at the deer, Thomas fell off his stand and had two teeth knocked out and had to be taken to a doctor to have a cut on his lip dressed.

According to rumors, he, and most of the members of his hunting camp, had been heavily indulging in ‘warming spirits’ most of the night and well into the morning, and was cross-eyed with double vision when he took his shots – at whatever he shot at, if anything.

Thurmont Man Guilty Of Assaulting Officer

Frank Schaffer, about 40, of Thurmont, was found guilty of assault and battery against Deputy Sheriff Roger Geishert. Schaffer was fine five dollars and costs amounting to more than $25.

Geishert claimed that he was accosted by Schaffer upon coming out of a restaurant in Thurmont and Schaffer accused him of lying about him. Schaffer said Geishert was spreading rumors about him having whiskey in his car, and that was not so. Geishert said it was true, and after a short argument, Geishert said he turned away and as he did so Schaffer made a pass at him.

Geishert then stated that he grabbed Schaffer about the neck and that Schaffe hit him in the arm, and that he had previously cursed him. Schaffer was put under arrest by Geishert and the case was eventually brought before the Justice of the Peace.

The defense stated that there have been some animosity existing between Schaffer and Geishert for sometime. Schaeffer‘s attorney admitted that Schaeffer called Geishert a name but denied that any blows where exchanged.

Following the verdict of guilty, a new jury was selected to sit in on the resisting arrest charge which grew out of the assault and battery case. Schaffer was found not guilty on this charge.

December 21

December Sets Mild Weather Record

Indian Summer reigns supreme in Frederick County. Daily temperatures have been above freezing since Tuesday, when the minimum was 31E. From the mountain come reports that ants are crawling about in great hordes outside their winter home; that the honeybee is showing restlessness and that swarms of insects are to be seen flying about.

Then from other sections reports have been received that snakes are crawling about outside the dens into which they were believed to have gone for the winter. One snake was discovered in a field and another seen in the mountains near Deerfield, north of Thurmont.

Temperature is suggestive of spring prevailed all day Sunday. The maximum was just nine points below summer heat, or 61E. And the lowest for the entire day was 43, or 11E above freezing. Even thought Christmas is just around the corner, there has been only one flurry of snow this winter so far.

Fall Off Steps Kills Woman

Striking her head on a concrete walk after falling off a short flight of steps at the rear of the home of Miss. Rose Sipes, her niece in Fairfield, Miss. Susan Sample, 81-years old, suffered a fracture of the skull, Tuesday evening, which resulted in her death two hours later.

When found by her nephew, the aged woman was lying unconscious near the concrete sidewalk in such a position as to lead to the belief that she tripped while coming down the short flight of steps from the back porch and struck her head on the hard pavement. Mrs. Staple did not regain consciousness. Dr. Henderson was called in and attended the injured woman, but she was beyond medical assistance.

She was born in Frederick County. About 15 years ago she moved to Fairfield with her nephew and niece. So far as could be learned, Miss Staple has no relative closer then her niece and nephew. She will be buried in the Union Cemetery in Thurmont.

Infant Drowns In Creek Near Home

Charles Hewitt, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hewitt, of Thurmont, drowned Saturday afternoon when he fell into a small stream near his home. The child, who was aged one year, four months and 22 days, was playing about on Saturday afternoon. He wandered away and it is supposed that he fell into the stream, which was adjacent to his home.

December 28

Two Killed At Railroad Crossing

Mrs. Harry Harmony, 40 years old, and her son John, 18 years old, were killed and two other members of the family were injured Christmas morning at the Western Maryland Railroad crossing near Fairfield, when the auto in which they were carrying a quantity of Christmas presents for a celebration with relatives ran into the locomotive. Harry Harmony, the husband, was rendered unconscious. His daughter Helen received a broken collarbone.

Mule Has Christmas Jack

The County Sheriff is searching for the owner of a drunken mule that strayed into their keeping on Christmas Day. The mule not only threatens to eat up their appropriations, but he ‘hee-haws’ at all hours of the day and night demanding attention. He was found wandering on the State Road apparently suffering from alcohol overindulgence. It is believed he found a deposit of corn mash dump from a hidden still.

Thieves Steal Car

On Tuesday evening about 7 o’clock, John Rosensteel’s Nash Six automobile was stolen from his garage on Main Street in Emmitsburg. The thieves were two men and they came down the alley at a high rate of speed in the car, which attracted attention at the Emmitsburg Motor Car Company, the employees of which recognized the car and got in touch with Mr. Rosensteel. A party of men quickly traced it and found it about a mile from town on the Taneytown Road with the timing gear broken. No clue has yet been found as to who the thieves are.

Christmas Trade

The Christmas trade, as well as the general businesses, have been good, considering the mild winter. Naturally, business in heavy wear, rubber footwear, and the light, has been below normal, but snow and freezing weather is likely to come along later.

Bridge Over Tom’s Creek Opened

The new concrete bridge over Tom’s Creek, near Emmitsburg, which has been under construction since September, was opened to traffic on Saturday. Automobilists can now come through with a smile instead of a look of fear, which was the case when the old wooden structure was in existence.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'