100 Years Ago This Month

November 1923

November 2

Run Down By Auto And Killed

Thomas Keffer, 55, of Keymar, was run down by a Ford car near New Midway on Tuesday evening as he and his son were walking home. Both were hit by the car, but the son escaped with minor injuries.

They had been to Taneytown to consult an eye specialist for the son, and arrived in Taneytown on an earlier train than they expected, consequently, another son who was to have met them, was not there, and they started to walk towards home. The Ford car was going in the same direction at a rapid gait, and threw both of them some distance. Keffer was taken to the office of Dr. Wetzel in Union Bridge and at once hurried to the Gettysburg Hospital, where an operation was performed, but death ensued. He is survived by his wife and three sons and three daughters.

The driver of the car went on his way, without stopping to render any assistance.

Electrifying A Nation

Realizing that this country is on the threshold of the greatest industrial development it has ever experienced, Secretary Hoover, with the approval of the President, called an Eastern Super-Power Conference in New York City for a preliminary discussion on what steps Federal and State authorities can properly take in the promotion of what is called super-power development in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states.

Hoover explain that the conference was not to put more government in business, but as public authorities were already deeply interested in power production through many forms of regulation and control over power resources, he felt that coordination between public authorities and individuals would help in the advancement in the development of a great service to the public.

Engineering science has at last made it possible, by the perfection of high-voltage transmission lines of great lengths, to send power from distance sources to the thickly populated communities. Great economies in distribution can be secured through the interconnection of loads between systems and at the same time assure more security in the power supply from the effects of coal strikes and transportation interruptions.

A power distribution system stretching across state lines will result, he said, in financial, ownership and legal problems arising which must be coordinated. It was with these ideas in mind that secretary Hoover called the present conference in order that the way be prepared to handle the coming situation in the most efficient and scientific matter.

Mr. Hoover said: "every time we cheap in power and centralize its production we create new users; we increase production, we eliminate waste, we decrease the burden of physical effort upon men. In sum, we increase the standard of living and comfort of all our people."

Stops For Drunk And Gets Hit

An automobile accident occurred in Middleburg in front of C.E. Six’s store, on Thursday night. Fortunately no one was hurt but the car of James Nusshum was pretty badly damaged. John Newcomer was also pretty badly shaken up, as he had stopped his car so not to run over Wanda Sherman, who was passed out on the street, having imbibed a tad too much of her husband’s stash of hooch, when Nussbaum’s car hit his car. According to rumor, Sherman’s husband thanked Newcomer for missing the jug of hooch beside his wife on the road, and secured that before looking to his wife.

November 7

Frederick Must Pay

Although Frederick County has been slow in paying for the tuition of children from this County who have been attending border schools, the State School Superintendent has told the Carroll County school system that these children cannot be barred from schools, as the Carroll County Board of Education has warned officials at Frederick County they would do.

The question of barring Frederick County children in the vicinity of Union Bridge from attending schools has resulted from the failure of Frederick County to pay a balance of $4,656 for tuition for the 1922 to 1923 school year. The original bill was $8,656, $4,000 hasn’t been paid by the Frederick County School Board. Because of an adequate school levy, say school officials, the balance has been unpaid.

Approximately 108 Frederick County school children in high school and elementary grades are attending border schools in Carroll County. Carroll County‘s per capita charge has been $133, which is considerably higher than the per capita cost in Frederick County.

This year Frederick County school officials have put a bus into service running from near Union Bridge to Libertytown. Each day 28 pupils who have been attending border schools are transported to the Liberty high school and elementary school. The cost of operating this bus is about $100 per month, or about $1,000 for the school year, as against the $3,700 charge by the Carroll County authorities.

In discussing the question, the Frederick County School Superintend said that the state superintendent had decided that children living near the Carroll County schools can attend those schools and their tuition must be paid by the County in which they live. If these children live near Frederick County high or elementary schools, they are expected to attend the schools of this county. Otherwise the family must pay for the tuition of their children if they wish them to go to out of County schools.

Thief Is Known

The person who took Paul Smith’s sheep lined coat from A. H. Deers mailbox Saturday evening, November 10, is known. If not return at once the party will be prosecuted - Charles Smith, Walkersville.

County Chautauqua

While Frederick City may be tiring of the Chautauqua, County town seem to be taking kinder to it. Practically all the towns and villages of Frederick County either have conducted a successful Chautauqua or plan on holding one. It is felt there an annual performance under the auspice is of the Swarthmore Chautauqua Department is the thing to do.

But Chautauqua season is just opening. Towns are buzzing about preparing to hold the three or four-day afternoon and evenings of literary a musical entertainment. Woodsboro’s third annual Chautauqua will be held on December 13, 14 and 15th. Both the others were patronized and every session was attended by hundreds of people of Woodsboro and vicinity.

On the opening day a musical program will be given both in the afternoon and evening sessions. The lecture in the evening session will be delivered by George Turner, who subject will be ‘Towards the Goal.’ The lecture on the second evening session will be at William Robin, who’s subject will be ‘Youthful America.’

On the third day a junior Chautauqua pageant, ‘Her Family On Display’ will be featured in the afternoon session and three-act comedy, ‘The Riddle’, will be given at the evening session.

November 14

Dropping Gasoline Prices

Gasoline is selling in California from 6 to 13 cents per gallon and in Oregon and Washington from 12 to 14 cents per gallon. The reason for this is California has knock the bottom out of the oil business through the opening of vast new fields producing 600,000 barrels of crude per day, and is said to be capable of producing 1 million barrels per day.

California is now yielding more crude oil than Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas, three of the great petroleum regions of the United States and the bulk of this California oil is being produced in Los Angeles, which until a few years ago, was chiefly devoted to citrus fruit growing and diversified farming.

Within a radius of 35 miles of the city center lays three great petroleum fields and another field, which is reported to be destined to replace the Huntington Beach field in it’s declining years. This latter field has put 40 wells into production in the last 15 months for a grand total of 128 producing, drilling or building rigs.

In less than eight months the oil fields of California, some of which reared their 120 foot derricks above bearing orange tree groves, valued at from $2,000-$5,000 per acre, have caused the petroleum capital of the world to rise within 2 miles of the tidewater at Los Angeles harbor; having put the Panama Canal on a paying basis after the world’s general maritime trade failed to do so, and have provided the United States Shipping Board with $40 million worth of new steel tankers

Store Is Robbed

A robbery which took place at the clothing store of Samuel Morris in Union Bridge, was discovered when the clerk, Joseph Colt, arrived to open the store. It was found that the thief, or thieves, had gotten away with 20 men’s suits and overcoats, all of the expensive shirts in stock, some jewelry and silverware, and a lot of women’s dresses and coats.

An automobile was noticed parked in the alley near the store about midnight, but nothing was thought of the matter until the robbery became known. It is now thought that the goods were hauled away in this car. Entrance was game by breaking the glass in the rear door, which opens on the alley.

About a year ago the dry goods store of J.T. Miller, also in Union Bridge, was robbed in a like matter and no trace of the thieves was ever found.

Big Enrollment In Red Cross Expecting

A record enrollment of membership in the American Red Cross for 1924 is indicated in Frederick County from reports received from all sections of the County. Most of the rural leaders, in answer to the call of President Coolidge, have completed plans to reach, or exceed, the 1923 membership quota.

Red Cross activities from the annual report to Congress have been given wide circulation. The largest sums last year were used in service to the deceased and injured men of the world war, relief and disaster, home hygiene, nursing service, first aid work, refugee assistant, Junior Red Cross etc. The Japanese earthquake relief was one of the outstanding accomplishments of the year. In Frederick County the amount given to the Japanese relief totaled $3,157.

The Walkersville District has one of the largest enrollments with over 100 members. Mrs. Nicodemus is the Chairman for the Walkersville effort. A special church service with an appropriate Red Cross sermon was held under the auspices of the Walkersville Red Cross this week.

At Woodsboro, the committee appointment consisted of Mrs. J.P. Feiser, chairman, Mrs. Kathryn Barrick and Mrs. Edith Miller.

Adolph Hitler Captured

Adolph Hitler, the fascist leader of the recent Munich plot, was arrested near Lake Stuffle, Southern Bavaria. He offered no resistance.

Private advances from Munich represent the situation there as wholly in a state of flux. Ritter von Kahr, Bavarian Commissioner, General von Lossow and Colonel Ritter Seiser, who disavowed the Ludendorff-Hitler revolt, are directing the affairs from their barracks in which they have been quartered since last Thursday night. General Ludendorff has been himself entirely incommunicado at his villa.

The preponderance of sentiment among the masses is reported to be for Hitler. His friends are making strong presentations to von Kahr, demanding the dictator arrive at an understanding with the Fascist leader. Reinforcements of troops are reported to be reaching Munich hourly from surrounding districts.

Work On Graceham Moravian Church Nearing Completion

Work on the Graceham Moravian Church is progressing satisfactorily. The new ceiling, which is of Wainscot is finished. The painters are now at work. Besides the ceiling, there were numerous other repairs made.

The outside of both the church and the parsonage have been painted, and the interior of the church is to be re-decorated. The Ladies Aid Society has brought new light fixtures as well as carpet and rubber padding for the platform and isles. Three new Port Richey hours and a communion table are being made, all of walnut, to harmonize with the railing and the pulpit. After the work is finish the church will be very attractive. It is hope that everything will be completed for the reopening on December 9.

November 21

Thanksgiving Day Services

Thanksgiving day will be a big one in the local churches. In Walkersville, the services will be held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Ramen Mowbray, pastor. The sermon will be presented by Rev. Shilkem, pastor of the Lutheran Church. Other congregations participating in the service include: Reformed Rev. Harizell, pastor, and United Brethren, Rev. Skettle, pastor. The services will begin at 10 in the morning. At noon the woman of the Walkersville Lutheran congregation will serve a Thanksgiving dinner in the Town hall.

A community Thanksgiving dinner will also be given in Creagerstown, at the residence of Mrs. Kolb, the dinner being served by the members of the Lutheran Church of Creagerstown.

The Methodist Episcopal and the Methodist Protestant churches of Libertytown will unite and hold Thanksgiving services in the Methodist Episcopal church at 7 p.m.

In Woodsboro, Thanksgiving Day services will be held in the Woodsboro Lutheran Church, Rev. Patterson, pastor. It will feature a brotherhood rally and by a dinner. Services will begin in the morning at 10:30.

Stonesifer Feed Mixer

William Stonesifer, of Keysville, is the inventor and patent holder of a molasses feed mixer that promises to be a big success for use in connection with feed mills for making of dairy feed. This mixer can be attached to any standard mill, and will mix as fast as the mill will grind, and without heating of the molasses. It is designed for use by the individual farmer. Mr. Stonesifer deserves a great deal of credit for his innovative ingenuity, as the mixer has been severely tested and does its work completely.

Patron See Work Done In The Schools

Wednesday was a big day in public schools throughout the County. In Walkersville and Liberty high schools, patrons day was observed by large crowds who visited both institutions.

A large number of patrons and friends of the school attended during the morning and observed how the different classes were taught. The latter part of the morning was given over to exercises by members of the student body. Plays were given by student actors and actresses. A demonstration of how hot lunches are prepared and served was given at the noon hour.

The afternoon was given over to demonstrations of physical education work. Two pick teams of girls give a demonstration game I field ball while two teams of eleven boys gave a similar one of soccer.

November 28

Places Crosstie On Track To Derail Train

"Just for fun," Fillmore Hartsock, 16-year-old, who attempted to wreck the Baltimore Hagerstown express train of the Western Maryland Railroad early Friday at Union Bridge, told the magistrate when he was arraigned on Saturday.

The incident was at first believed to be an attempt on the life of Maxwell Byer’s, President of the Western Maryland Rail Company, who was on the train in his private car. Byer’s ordered an immediate investigation and the Western Maryland detectives were soon on the scene. Evidence was quickly secured and Hartsock was placed under arrest.

Hartsock’s arrest followed an investigation which began Thursday night when it was believe the boy made an attempt to wreck another train, but was foiled by a little girl who saw a crosstie on the track and pulled it off. The girl told authorities she had seen Hartsock coming out of the woods shortly after she took the crosstie from the tracks, Hartsock was suspected of Friday’s attempt and his arrest followed.

Hartsock, when arrested, made a full confession of the crime, saying that while on his way to work at the Union Bridge cement plant he decided to place the cross tie across the rail to see if the engine would push it off.

He apparently realized the seriousness of his crime, although he spoke a bit lightly. Detectives who questioned him state that they believed that he did not take the action with any malice, or with any design on the life of the President of the railway.

Keen eyesight on the part of the engineer on the passenger train, was all that prevented serious consequences. The engineer, despite the dim light of early dawn, and the mist, which cover the tracks, detected the obstruction on the rails as the headlight played upon it, and slowed the engine down to such an extent that, when it struck the crosstie, the only damage resulting was a broken pilot. Repairs where quickly made, and the train delayed only 30 minutes.

Hartsock, according to reports from Union Bridge, has a bad reputation, and several times has been charged with malicious destruction of property. Hartsock lives at the home of his father, a farmer on a small farm close to the railroad tracks, and not far from the station at Union Bridge. He is considered by several people who know him to be mentally deficient.