100 Years Ago This Month

August 1923

August 3

President Harding Dead

President Harding died almost instantly at 7:30 p.m., Thursday night in San Francisco, due to some brain trouble, probably Apoplexy. He was taken ill on the return journey from Alaska with ptomaine poisoning, which developed into pneumonia, and for nearly a week was critically ill; but his attending physicians were about ready to issue a bulletin saying he was out of danger, when the fatal stroke came.

Mrs. Harding and two nurses were in the room at the time, and Mrs. Harding was reading to the President. Then, without warning, a slight shutter passed through the body of the President, he collapsed and the end came. He was 57 years of age.

President Harding was perhaps the gentlest, kindest man ever occupying the Presidency and has had less harsh criticism than any other. His honesty was above suspicion, and there was nothing of the calculating politician in him. He was a gentleman of the old school.

It is a general expectation that Mr. Coolidge will rush to Washington and be prepared to take the oath of office as President of the United States at once, the sixth Vice-President to assume such duties by succession.

Heavy Rains Break Drought, Brings Flooding

The rains that began last Saturday and continued through Monday have broken the long drought.

On Sunday afternoon during the heavy rains, while Gordon Smith was returning from Keymar, he found that Big Pipe Creek had risen so that the road was impossible to travel with horse and buggy. He left the buggy at Charlie Willhide’s, and started to ride the horse home. As he started to cross the cement bridge, a falling limb frightened the horse, causing her to plunge over the side of the bridge into the deep water.

The horse went under the water, while Smith held onto the rains. As she came up, he threw himself across her back. The horse then swam to a tree on a inland in the creek. With Smith still on the horse, they spent nearly one hour there against the tree.

Fortunately David Harmon and son rescued the man by riding horses in as far as they could to meet the other horse. She then started to swim to meet their horses, and soon they were brought to safety. Neither Smith nor the horse was hurt.

Electric Service

What is wrong with the Union Bridge Electric Light Company service? From the beginning it has been more or less undependable for regularity, and this summer it has been the worst yet. Whether it is faulty construction, weak equipment, the trouble needs correction and not excuses or temporary patch work.

No doubt some of the trouble of the past week was caused by the electrical and wind disturbances, somewhere along the line; but, it seems to us that a staunchly equipped system should withstand the lesser disturbances and that light should not go off during every little summer rain. For instance, on Saturday evening there was no noticeable electric disturbance anywhere, yet half the town was without light; and on Saturday night the lights were on and off have dozen times before 10 o’clock.

Patrons of the company are not unreasonable, and have been rather quietly long-suffering for a great while. They know that an absolutely perfect day and night service, every day in the year, is not to be expected but they have a right to, and do expect a healthy fully equipped plant and enough expert lineman to get properly after the brakes - a real efficient service that they have not been receiving.

Falls From Ladder

Although still confined to the bed, Edward Kesh, who is badly hurt in a fall from a ladder at his home in Walkersville, Saturday morning, is getting along very nicely. He suffered severely from the shock and injuries to his back and neck. He lost the use of his lower limbs. His arms were also affected as a result of the fall. However, his condition is now much improved in his recovery is fully expected. No bones were broken.

Mr. Kesh was up on a ladder trying to kill some caterpillars on his English walnut tree. The ladder extended over the fence into the next yard. The ladder broke and he was throwing heavily for some distance to the ground. Although he was not knocked unconscious he suffered a very severe shock and was slightly cut about the face.

August 10

Banks & Businesses Close for Harding Funeral

The banks are closed today, and stores and other businesses will be closed either all, or part of the afternoon in respect to the late President Harding. Post Offices in every town had the fronts appropriately draped in morning out of respect for the death of President Harding, a procedure that was no doubt generally observed throughout the country.

Picnic Season Nearing Peak

A picnic was held in Walkersville, always one of the counties biggest events; and one at Rocky Hill, near Woodsboro, another one that has been held annually for the past half century.

The yellow Springs Band furnished music for the Walkersville picnic, which is under the auspice of the Lutheran Church of Walkersville. A program was rendered by their Sunday school and the usual large crowds attended. A light rain interrupted the picnic for a time in the afternoon.

The Rocky Hill picnic was attended by one of the largest crowds in its history. The music for the occasion was furnished by the Union Bridge band. The Woodsboro Lutheran Sunday school furnished a program in the morning. Reverend John Dobbs, deliver the address in the afternoon. He spoke of the importance of every member of the congregation doing something to improve the community.

Rocky Ridge Community Picnic

The annual picnic at Mount Tabor Park, Rocky Ridge, will be held, on Saturday, August 11. The people of Rocky Ridge have shown a community spirit rare in the small rural communities of the state. They work together for the good of the whole people, in a spirit of harmony, back by unusual energy.

They have purchased 10 acres of ground in a large forest of oaks, from which the place is famous, having fitted up a large comfortable, and substantial pavilion were all sorts of meetings, both religious and secular, are held from time to time, greatly to the pleasure and edification of the people. The grounds are lighted with electricity, an artesian well supplies in abundance of excellent water, and swings and other necessary amusements are scattered throughout the grounds. A more delightful place to spend a day in picnicking cannot be found anywhere in Maryland.

The people of Rocky Ridge and vicinity are largely thrifty farmers, and many are engaged and working in various capacities for the Western Maryland Railroad. They’re always ready to work together for the common good, and a more moral and law-abiding set of people does not exist anywhere in the country. It is one of the oldest settlements in Frederick County, having been establish years before the revolution, more than a century and a half ago.

Drowned While Trying To Save Son

William Schell, 25, of Walkersville, was drowned in the Monocacy on Sunday. The family was motoring to Emmitsburg when they stopped to cool off in the river. The Schell’s youngest son, James stepped from a mud bank where the water was knee deep into a 14-foot hole.

Both father and mother jumped in to save the child. The father got the boy out safely and then went to the rescue of his wife, who was unable to swim. He is believed to have been seized with a cramp, for both went down. Both were washed under the bridge.

The screams of the two boys attracted the attention of William Fedderhoff, who was passing on a bicycle. He jumped in from the bridge and found Mrs. Schell floating in the water, her body entirely submerged but her clothing on the surface. He got her to safety to the shore and commenced administering first aid. As soon as she came to she inquired: "where is my husband". This told Fedderhoff that Schell was also in the hole and he immediately dived in after him. After diving a number of times he found his body on the bottom and with the assistance of several others who had arrived on the scene by this time, the body was recovered.

It was discovered that there is a slight abrasion on the forehead of Mr. Schell, which leads to believe that in some manner he may have slipped and struck his head on a submerge rock. This, it is thought, may have caused Mr. Schell to become partially unconscious, preventing him from making a struggle to regain shallow water.

August 17

Tolling of Belles for President Harding

The tolling of all the bells in the towns, last Friday afternoon, from four to 5 o’clock, will likely be remembered by the younger generation, for many years. It ought to be remembered, not as a mere fact, but that it represented the countries morning for its beloved President – an expression of universal honor.

Cool Weather Succeeds Heat

Comfortably cool weather settled down upon the area on Monday, but it will be taking its departure quickly, according to the weather sharks. The highest temperature was 74 and the low for the day was 65. A cool breeze prevailed during the greater part of the day. And with the coming of the evening the wind became cooler and at midnight all indications pointed to the coldest night for the month of August, ensuring all the harassed inhabitants of the County a comfortable nights rest.

Peach Trees Fair Well

George Fogle, of near Woodsboro, presented at the office of this newspaper, Thursday, six large peaches. Three were of the ‘Stump The World’ variety, and three were of the ‘Mixing Free Stone’ variety, both of which originated from the Old Dominion Nurseries of Virginia. The peaches were picked from 15-month-old trees, each tree this year bearing about 10 peaches. Peach growers declared this a remarkable yield for trees so young. Mr. Fogle is the owner of an orchard of about 900 trees.

Coal Oil Stove Explodes

On Tuesday morning an accident happened at Hugh Heitibridle’s, of Uniontown, when a coal oil stove exploded sending fire in all directions. Neighbors were successful in putting out the flames, and Mrs. Heitibridle wishes to thank all, who were so kind to render assistance.

Windshield Stoned

Stones were thrown at the windshield of the machine of Lester Horn of Lewistown, as he was returning to his home early Wednesday morning. Two men are alleged to have attempted to waylay him and to have hurled the rocks through the windshield of the car. The Horn car is also believed to have struck one of the assailants. The assault is alleged to have been committed between 2 and 3 o’clock in the morning. Mr. Horn stated that he felt that he could identify both assailants but added that he was willing to drop charges against the two men provided no further insults be committed.

August 24

Cold Snap

The cold snap that suddenly develop early this week, has been pretty wide, with near freezing in some sections; and the temperatures were below 50E in the County Wednesday night, and Thursday night, is said to be the lowest record for August since 1896.

This is the time to look over needed stove and furnace repairs, and get them ordered at once. In September will come days when it will be much more comfortable to fire up a little, and repairs cannot be had on a days notice.

Apple & Peach Crops Ready For Harvesting.

The apple and peach crop is heavy throughout this section, but the fruit average small, due to the drought resulting in the fact that the growth was not sent out on the trees. The apple crop is unusually large in Adams and Frederick counties.

Cornerstone Laid

The corner stone to the addition to the Lutheran Church of Walkersville was officially late Sunday afternoon. Extensive improvements are being made to the church - a Sunday school room is being added, 21’ x 60‘, which will be used as a lecture room and a social hall. Other improvements include a Vestry and council room, 12’ x 13‘, and organ room, 12’ x 15‘, the chapel enlarge, a new tower and belfry, a new front of brown tapestry brick, and a new electric lighting system. The cost will be $12,000.

It is plan to complete the work by December first when dedication services will be held. For the present, services will be held in the new Walkersville high school building.

The Walkersville Lutheran congregation was founded in 1890 with 31 members. The corner stone of the present church building was laid on June 17, 1891, and the structure was dedicated in 1892. The congregation has enjoyed a steady growth. The membership now is over 150.

Falls Into Abandoned Well

Men from New York State brought three large Boxwood trees in Uniontown last week, and ship them on Tuesday; two belong to Mrs. Sophie Staub and one to B. L. Cookson. While loading the trees one of the helpers tramped on some boards that covered an old abandoned well, and they broke and he fell a distance at 40 feet, landing on his head. A rope was thrown him, which he grabbed and was pulled up. He had some cuts on his head, but was able to be sent to his home, after some medical attention.

Tramp Set To Cut

A foreigner, giving the name of Joe Elder, who was arrested recently near libertytown, what sentence to the Maryland House a Correction for eight months. Elder was arrested after a number of women in the vicinity of Libertytown became annoyed and frightened after he had been found sleeping along the roadside. A boy testified that he had seen Elder flourishing a revolver while he was coming through a wagon shed on a farm near the town.

The man, who was poorly clad and unkept, had little to say for himself. He had been employed in the Pennsylvania coalmines, he said, and had also served a term of nine months in a Pennsylvania prison he added. He referred to the work he was required to do on the Pennsylvania State roads while he was a prisoner. He was told that wall he will be required to work hard in prison, his surroundings will be far better than those to what he had recently been a custom.

August 31

Schools Open Next Week

Public schools will open on Tuesday, September 4. The buildings have been cleaned and put in readiness. Parents are urged to have children enter promptly and continue in regular attendance.

Dairyman Meet At New Midway

A largely attended meeting of the dairymen and milk producers was held in the New Midway schoolhouse on Thursday night in the interest of creating a new cooperative milk station of the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers’ Association in this County.

The objective and purpose of the new cooperative station were fully explained in an appeal and every dairyman was encouraged to become a member of the association. Saturday morning the association will have trucks on all routes to bring any milk not taken by the distributor’s trucks, to the new plant. Trucks will also be at Walkersville and New Midway to bring in any milk not accepted at the stations.

It is requested that all cans sent in on association trucks contain the full name and number of cans of the owner. If any milk is overlooked the plant should be notified by telephone number 374. The management of the association appreciates everyone patience until the new plant and its routes have been fully established.