100 Years Ago This Month

February 1924

February 1

Proof Drinking & Dynamite Don’t Mix

A thoroughly inebriated Will Hoffman met with a bad accident while playing with dynamite caps, one exploded in his hands, injuring his left hand so that three fingers and a thumb had to be amputated. We are told that the tips of the fingers on the right hand were badly torn up, and he had a number of cuts about the face. This is another proof that high explosives are very dangerous, and should always be handled with the greatest care, and never taken up as a dare from fellow boozers to see how long one can hold onto a stick of dynamite after lighting the fuse.

Honey As An Antifreeze

In using honey as an antifreeze mixture in automobile radiators, it should be mixed with water, half-and-half. Engine head gaskets and hose connections should be tightened up before using the solution as the honey water will pass through apparently tight connections, causing stickiness. The solution becomes more efficient with evaporation, whereas an alcohol solution loses strength. A dollar a half worth of dark honey, unfit for table use, should last all winter.

Delinquent Taxes In Frederick

A large number of Frederick County tax bills remain unpaid. About a week ago the number was 808. Following the custom of the County, parcels of real estate on which taxes are due, will be advertised a public sale, beginning this week, and if unpaid will be sold at the courthouse door. This course will be pursued until the whole list is disposed of.

On The Importance Of A Paper’s Inside Pages

The average person reads his newspaper by habit, yet carelessly; their main objective is to get through with the job quickly, for but few persons read newspapers for the purpose of passing time enjoyably and as a profitable study. They usually take in the first page at a glance by reading the headlines then go over the articles promising the most interest of a general character.

After the first page comes the more local pages - news from the adjoining counties and towns, and after that, reading up on whatever special feature may interest them.

Thousands of persons, every day, spend less than 15 minutes over their favorite paper, and this is casual reading. With a weekly, the plan is much the same as far as men are concerned. Women are greatly the better readers – not only reading more of the paper, But more thoroughly and intelligently.

This means that aside from the first and last pages, and one or two others, a newspaper might as well be a blank paper as so much as the average reader is concerned. Of course, they would raise a big howl if the editorial page was absent, and would wisely observed that there is "nothing in the papers" – if there were no editorials, and would not read them.

The very features that most people want to read, for their own greater intelligence, and perhaps actual business advantage, are the features that they pass by as being "too busy’. Editorials for instance, as a rule, contain more information then news articles, and especially is this true with reference to the greater happenings and questions.

The editorial pages of a paper are apt to contain, also, inside facts and knowledge. They are apt to be written by men of intelligence, carefully thought out, after mature considerations. Outside page articles on the other hand, are apt to be hastily written, of imperfect information, and perhaps colored in order to make a more interesting story. We actually miss greatly more than we think we do, by not reading the inside pages.

February 8

Woodrow Wilson Dead

Former President Wilson died at his home in Washington on Sunday morning. President Coolidge immediately issued a proclamation calling for a display of mourning for a period of 30 days. Coolidge’s tribute to Wilson, while few in words, was finer then all others:

"As President of the United States he was moved by an earnest desire to promote the best interest of the Country as he conceived them. His acts were prompted by high motivation, and his sincerity of purpose cannot be questioned. He led the nation through the terrific struggles of the World War with a lofty idealism, which never failed him.

"He gave utterance to the aspiration of humanity with an eloquence which led the attention of all the Earth and made America a new and enlarged influence in the destiny of mankind."

A state funeral was declined; instead simple services will take place Wednesday, at his home, and another in the Cathedral of Mount St. Albasa, where the body will lay until arrangements have been made for his last resting place.

A Radio Experience

Our enterprising bee man, Rockward Nusbaum, of Johnsville, was pleased to hear over his radio, last Wednesday night, part of a letter of his to Captain Eugene McDonal, millionaire radio broadcaster and owner of the Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago. Captain McDonal, read part of Mr. Nussbaum‘s letter in is three hour program broadcast to the MacMillian Arctic expedition, now frozen in on the schooner Bowden within 11E of the North Pole. The following was broadcast.

"Rockward Nusbaum, of Honeyhill Farm, Uniontown, Maryland, near the Nation’s Capital, sends congratulations and best wishes to you and the crew, and says he is very anxious to present you with a big case of his best honey, but is at a loss to know how to get it to you unless he can persuade a swarm of his best bees to wing their way up there with it. If the bees fail to come across with a honey then Mr. Nusbaum is going to ship it on the dirigible Shenandoah.

This weekly broadcast from the radio station 9XN, Edgewater Beach Hotel Chicago, is eagerly waited for by all who have radio sets. It consists of a weekly summary of the world’s news with a lot of music and fun. To the Arctic explorers up there in the dark bleak frozen north it is a godsend, as it is the only mode of communication. These programs have been broadcast every Wednesday since the ship was frozen in last September.

A careful check up by card and letter has shown that over one million people listen every week to this program. The most distant point so far known to listen is by a radio fan in the Samoan islands, 7,500 miles from the station in Chicago.

February 15

Woman Seeks To Be Postmaster

Mrs. Jane Feiser, wife of Jason Feiser, is a candidate for appointment as Postmaster of Woodsboro, to take the place of the present incumbent, who is a Democrat. Mrs. Feiser is the daughter of James LaGore. Up to this time no other candidate is in the field, and it is considered that Mrs. Feiser will have a strong backing for the office.

Mrs. Feiser is one of the most active Republican women workers in the County. She presided at the dinner at the Francis Scott Key Hotel last fall, given under the auspices of the Republican women of the county, and attended by nearly 100 women identified with party work. She is a member of the Soldiers Memorial Association and a member of the Design Committee which selected the type of memorial that will be erected it in the city, as a tribute to the valor and sacrifice of the servicemen and women of this country. She was a war worker ever presented her district in the various wartime activities.

She is a member of the County Central Committee and is identified with party political affairs. Oscar Barrick, Democrat, is the present Postmaster and George Cutshall, a brother of William Cutshall of Woodsboro, is Assistant Postmaster.

Sale Prices Higher

The range of prices in the first farm sale held in Frederick County for the present year was somewhat higher than those prevailing last year. This was indicated at the sale Thursday of Eugene Connor, near Creagerstown.

Especially was this the case with livestock. The highest cow sold for $101 while the lowest was $23. Cows have sold recently at public sale for as low as one dollar. Horses sold for $150, $135 $125, $120, $80, $80 and $3. A wagon body brought $68. The receipts for the sale totaled $3,430. The cattle sale amounted to $1,550.

Walkersville Bank Robber Granted Parole

Walter Winehave and Norman ogle, who on October 20, 1919, robed the bank at Walkersville, were granted a parole by the State Board of Pardons after having served four and a half years of a seventeen-year sentence.

Woodsboro Player To Join Parksley Baseball Club

First baseman Roger Crum, of the Woodsboro baseball team, has been instructed to report to the Parksley Virginia club of the Eastern Shore League for a tryout in the spring.

Manager Poke Whelan of Parksley has been negotiating with the young Crum for the past two weeks. They came to an agreement Saturday. Crum played the outfield for Woodsboro in 1921. During the 1922 season he was moved to first base and has played there ever sense. He has been a power both with the bat and as an initial sucker.

February 22

Snow Storm

Frederick County is recovering from the most severe snow and sleet storm in recent years. Snow started to fall early Tuesday morning. At 6 o’clock Tuesday evening there were six inches flakes on the ground. The snow then turn to hail, bringing the total for up to 8 1/2 inches. During the night, the temperature rose and there was a steady downpour of rain that did not end until 8 o’clock Wednesday morning.

Despite the unusual heavy precipitation, no lines were reported out of commission by the telephone company. This is believed to be due to the rising temperature which prevented the sleet and rain from freezing much on the wires, and adding materially to their weight.

Taken as a whole, the present week has been the worst of the winter, in the matter of weather. It has contained snow, rain, blizzard, freezing, thawing, wind, & slush -all in a changing pattern.

Boy Found Dead At LeGore Plant

Leon Carty, age 11 years, was found dead on Sunday morning on top of one of the kilns at the LeGore Lime Company. His death was likely due to asphyxiation. He left home about 7 o’clock and when he failed to return his parents became worried and began a search, the body was found around 9:30.

The body of the boy was slightly burnt and his clothing singed. The burns, said the physician, were not fatal. Dr. Stultz, of Woodsboro announced that the boy had met death from asphyxiation

It is presumed that he went to the kiln, where the young people have been in the habit of gathering during the cold months, and while waiting for others to assemble laid a plank across one of the kilns and got on it to keep warm. While in that position, it is believed, he was overcome by gas fumes and fell from the board.

Roads For Frederick County

Frederick County Commissioners went to Baltimore on Friday and conferred with the State Road Commission in regard to street road mileage for the county for 1924. The Commissioners were informed that this county’s allotment for this year will be five to five and a half miles.

The commissioners were told the county shares of funds for approved road for 1924 would be approximately $233,000. Of this amount, $63,000 has been set aside for two miles of State Road now being built between Liberty and New Windsor. This will leave about $179,000 for the five yet to be built.

To obtain the $233,000 for state and federal aid the county must contribute $62,550. The commissioners will shortly recommend a list of roads, embracing about 12 miles from what the county’s allotment will be selected.

Auto Light Wedding

Last Saturday evening, Paul Boone of Walkersville and Mrs. Laura Anderson of LeGore, presented themselves for marriage to Reverend Brandy of the Reformed Church in Taneytown. As the couple had provided themselves with a Frederick County license, it was necessary to go into that County for the ceremony. The bridegroom, minister and witnesses therefore proceeded to Bridgeport, where the ceremony was performed on the State Road in the glare of automobile headlights. Mr. and Mrs. Boone, so unusually wed, will make their home in York Pennsylvania.

20th Home Demonstration Club Is Formed In County

The 20th Home Demonstration Club was formed at Woodsboro on Monday with 22 members signed up. The meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Faiser.

Mrs. McKinney, of Walkersville, President of the County Federation of Women’s Clubs, spoke on the advantages to be gain from Club work and told how the Clubs of the county were conducted. A demonstration was given by Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, on salad dressing and salads. The members of the new club voted to take on nutritional subjects for the rest of the year.

The other Clubs of the county next month will begin on their long-term programs. The three projects offered were clothing, nutrition and household management. These longtime programs are planned for at least five years ahead, so that at the end of each year, they will have finished one piece of each project. The work will be uniform over the County, and will be planned with the idea of getting away from malicious programs.

Mrs. Bertha Knight, clothing specialist from the University of Maryland, will be here for a few days next month to help start the project. It is hope that this will mean increased interest among the clubs, as well as a greater benefit to the women themselves. There are now 509 women throughout the County who belong to the Clubs.

Walkersville Debate Team Victorious

First honors in the senior high school debating league of Frederick County was taken by Thurmont High School, Wednesday night, while Walkersville High School won the debate championship among the smaller high schools. The debate team representing Thurmont High School defeated Frederick High School in Frederick, and Middletown High School at Thurmont.

The Walkersville High School team triumphed over Emmitsburg High School at Walkersville, and over the Liberty High School in Liberty. Liberty also lost its debate with Emmitsburg High School at Emmitsburg.

The team Thurmont sent to Frederick, which carried away the debate honors, was composed of Eloise Weant and Grady Finch. Their team at home was Lucille Eby and John Pryor. Both of Walkersville’s teams were composed of girls. Elizabeth Cramer and Catherine Hahn composed the team that triumphed for Walkersville at Liberty, while the team that won at home was Blanche Rice and Clara Zimmerman.

All seven of the high schools baited: ‘Resolved that the government should own and operated the railroads.’ The home team defending the affirmative side in each case.

February 29

Accidents

Harvey Frock fell while helping to unload a gasoline engine, and injured his head. After an examination at Frederick Hospital, he returned home and his believe not to have been seriously hurt. Harvey’s wife said she was not worried, as he didn’t have much in his head to hurt to start with.

Harry Dern, of Keysville, had his right leg taken off above the knee, at Frederick Hospital, on Thursday. About six months ago he fell into a posthole, the bruise from the fall causing tubercular trouble.

Accused By Two Girls, Found Not Guilty

Maynard Marshall, who was tried on two charges of bastardy, preferred by Norma Ramsburg and Ethel Ramsburg sisters, each of them claimed that Marshall was the father of their child, was found not guilty at a private hearing before the court. Marshall, who lives near Mountaindale, was arrested several weeks ago when the complaint was lodged by the Ramsburg sisters, who live near Walkersville.

A crowded courtroom was on hand to hear the trial. Upon the consent of both the state and the defense, the trial was held in the judge’s chamber and only the witnesses were omitted. The defense was that it was impossible to determine who was the father of each of the children in view of the circumstances surrounding the case. The Judge found in favor of Marshall and dismissed the charges.

Snake Found In Snow, Harbinger Of Approaching Spring

A black snake, a foot and a half and length, was found alive Tuesday morning by David Weddle, an employee of the Potomac Edison Company. Weddle was walking along a high-tension line when he saw the snake lying in the snow. After picking the reptile up, he traced its track back and found that the snake had crawled out of a chestnut tree stump. Weddle put the snake back into the trunk.

It is very unusual for a black snake to be out at this time of the year, it is said, and its appearance is considered a harbinger of the coming of spring.

Fined For Selling Wine

Clinton Eaton, of Woodsboro, was fine $60 and Court costs on a charge of selling intoxicating liquors. Eaton was found guilty of selling 2 quarts of wine to John Topper at two dollars per quart. Eaton, who works at the Hygiene Ice Company, bears a good reputation and it was held that he did not sell the wine for gain. In view of the fact that he was well recommended by his employer, for whom he has worked for 14 years, the sentence was lightened.