100 Years Ago This Month

July 1924

July 4

Fourth Of July Thoughts

Our national holidays are too much given over to mere outward manifestations of observance and too little to recognition of the underlying ideas which gave these festivals importance.

Independence Day should set the American people thinking of the real and permanent meaning of the Declaration of Independence, and the vital significance of the Fourth of July.

The story of the birth of American nationality is one of the most inspiring in all the annuals of mankind. No other nation has been born of such high purposes, broad visions and unselfish spirit of service to humanity.

The Declaration of Independence was signed by a company of greater men then ever before had been joined in the founding of a nation. Their act represented something far greater and nobler than your personal dissatisfaction with the existing order. They were men who would have better serve their personal advantage by desisting from this act. Moved by the purist patriotism, they launch defiance against the powerful military power, supposedly capable of crushing the feeble forces of the colonies, knowing that monarchy was sure to define their acts as treason, and probably punish their act with death.

Americans on Independence Day should dedicate themselves anew to the principles, the tradition, and the ideas of the Great Republic – the most wisely conceived, the most strongly developed nation of all times, where the wildest range of opportunities, the loftiest level of intelligence and the highest plane of life for the masses have been attained in all the history of the world.

It is a time for rereading the story of the nation, the struggles for independence - the most romantic and most thrilling chapter in the history of humanity - the story of the young Republic’s growth from feeble beginnings to its present high estate of power and influence.

Too many Americans do not comprehend their country. Patriotism has been ridiculed until they are ashamed to manifest it. The institutions of this country have been attacked until they fear to have faith in them.

To you know your country is to love it, to cherish it and to stand ready to defend it – to return the scoffing of the skeptics with scorn and rebuke, the misunderstandings of the superficial sapheads, who imagine they are manifesting superiority and moral breath by decrying the country and the citizens love for it and his purpose to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

The truth about the man who profess to love all other countries as well as his own is that he loves no country at all. He is lacking in the instinct of loyalty to things worthwhile which differentiates the patriot from the traitor.

Have faith in America! Have love for America! For love of this Republic is love of humanity, which this Republic from its beginning has serve so well by example and action.

Frederick County Tax Rate

The tax rate of Frederick County has been fixed at $1.35 per $100 of assessed value, a 17 cents increase from the prior year.

The increased rate, one of the Commissioners claim, is due to the large public school appropriation, increase in the cost of public road, maintenance, an increase of two cents for the sinking fund, and two other expenses that had to be met. Provisions had to be made for the improvement of two new roads, Liberty to Johnsville, and Woodsboro to Ladiesburg, not included in last year‘s budget.

It is understood that the school appropriation is approximately $325,000, or 65% of the entire County budget. The next largest budget appropriation is for roads.

The Commissioners endeavored as far as was in their power to keep down the rate, and the budget list was gone over a number of times and reductions made wherever this was possible. It has been apparent for sometime that the tax rate would be increased this year.

It making up the budget many items are fixed by law. It is understood that the school appropriation was cut and that the road items, although above the total of last year, were kept down to a minimum. One of the Commissioners stated at the new rate is the lowest that could have been fixed in view of appropriations, deemed absolutely necessary.

Roses

Among the many fine growths of roses in town is a rambler display at Mrs. Winemiller, on George Street, about 50 feet in lath that deserves special mention. It amply repays for the training and attention it has received. Another display of roses and many old-fashioned flowers and shrubs along the Fairview Avenue walkway at Mrs. Scott’s also attracts desired notice.

First Airmail Letter Received In Town

Donald Hesson received on Thursday morning, a letter by airmail from his father Albert, of Elk, Nevada; the first trip east of a U.S. Mail airplane service. The letter was postmarked July 1 and arrived here in just two days. The letter carried a $.24 airplane stamp in addition to two cents regular postage.

Improving Fish Hatchery

The regular monthly meeting of the Frederick chapter, of the Isaac Walton League, will be held Wednesday evening in the auditorium of the YMCA. It is likely that among the matters to be considered, the members will discuss the improvements now underway at the fish hatchery in Lewistown, which is now in the process of a thorough overhaul, and which is expected to be put into operation in the fall.

Triplets Born To First Time Parents

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Lightner, of Union Bridge, are now the proud parents of triplets. Two boys, and a girl, all alive and apparently healthy. The larger boy weighs 6 pounds the other 5 lbs. 6 oz. and the girl tipped the scales at an even 5 pounds. The Lightner’s have been married several years and these are the first children, the mother is reporting doing well, the father is reported to have taken up drinking.

Woodsboro-Ladiesburg Highway Construction

Construction of 3 miles of State highway on the Woodsboro-Ladiesburg Road was awarded by the County Commissioners. The winning bid was $40,377. The losing bid, sent in by Elmer Valentine, of Rocky Ridge, was for $47,429. Work on the road is expected to start immediately. The highway will be constructed according to State specifications, and will be under the supervision of the State. After it is completed, the State will take it over to maintain it.

July 11

Avoid Killing Chickens

One of our subscribers tells us he has lost about $10 worth of chickens over the last three months. They were rundown and killed by auto drivers who did not think, or do not care, how hard it is for a man to make a living these days. Several of this man’s neighbors have lost poultry the same way.

Anyone who travels by road does not have to be told about this nuisance. Poultry to do well should have free range. It is nearly impossible, and will be highly expensive, to fence, poultry from the roads. The civilized motorist seldom, or never, kills a chicken. The slayers are the reckless speeders, who whiz by and probably try to see if they can’t kill a chicken crossing their path. A state law requiring a driver to stop and pay for any poultry, he kills, or be subject to a fine, would fix these fellows, and quite literally the farmers could be trusted to see that the law was enforced.

When motorist can knock down and kill human beings, with a strong probability of the act being called "unavoidable", it seems hardly worthwhile to seriously mention, such a loss as that of chicken; and yet, we don’t know about that.

Perhaps, appealing for the greater protection of our property – livestock, and the like – may lead to the protection of human life. We may be more interested in the value of our own cattle and chickens, then we are just "other people and their children." The question is quite worthwhile considering as a possible course for bringing about greater safety on the public highways. Sometimes by experimenting with one thing, we find another just as valuable.

The Klan issue

The Democratic National Convention very properly dealt with the Ku Klux Klan as a symptom, not as a disease. The disease is the whole bag of bigots, prejudice, suspicion and hatred, the whole condition of the pernicious ignorance, underlying and motivating the organization. The Klan is merely a symptom of this disease.

A disease does not exist because of its symptoms; the symptom exist because of the disease. This condition, a pernicious ignorance does not exist because of the Klan; the Klan exists because of pernicious ignorance. This fact was recognized by the convention.

Instead of denouncing the Klan, as an organization, the convention denounced the bigots, prejudice, and ignorant suspicions out of which the Klan arises. Instead of denouncing the symptoms, it denounced the disease. This is gratifying.

After all, it is the disease that counts. Many bitter and articulate opponents of the Klan are to be found to subscribe wholeheartedly to all of the prejudices and stupid superstitions, upon which the Klan is founded.

They denounced the organization, but the ideas upon which it is founded, in the name of patriotism, of Americanism, of Christianity, and so forth. This is not logical, but it is done. They are not offended by the insufferable, bigotry and presumptuousness out of which the Klan arises, but are affronted by the weird costumes, the ludicrous nomenclature, and the generally childish sinister aspects of the Klan.

Farmers Make Use Of Good Weather

Farmers have been making good use of a more or less unsettled week. A great deal of wheat has been cut and on the shock, but steady, hot dry weather has not yet appeared. Corn is doing well, considering the season, and most of the hay remains to be made. Indications are that neither yield nor quality will be up to the average. The wheat so far is very fair, both in quality and condition. The weather, during the next two weeks, will be of extreme importance to the year’s farming results.

The rains that were much too numerous in May and June are needed now for corn and potatoes, and vegetation in general, and the more so because the ground is baked and hard from the wet spring, and unworked cornfields.

The Freezer Canning Company in Keymar has been going full force the past week. They have been working day and night, and there has been as many as 28 loads of peas waiting to be unloaded, they employ about 35 people. The factory is one of the most up-to-date you will find any place.

"Turncoat Wife"

Evelyn Biddinger, of Woodsboro, was pronounced not guilty of operating an automobile without an operators license, and while found guilty of driving under the influence of her husband’s ‘hooch’, she was not fined as she led the police to his hidden still where he and his co-hooch makers were arrested. Word in Woodsboro is that upon his release from the lock up, Mr. Biddinger intends to file for divorce from his "turncoat wife."

Drowning Victim To Be Buried

Funeral services of Harry Saylor, of Walkersville, who drowned Thursday afternoon while swimming in a creek, will be held Sunday evening. Saylor will be buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Woodsboro.

Mr. Saylor lost his life while swimming in a Creek in the presence of hundreds of picnickers. When he was 30 feet from the shore, the picnickers saw him throw up his hands, make frantic struggles in the water and go down. His body was recovered 22 minutes later but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He was about 50 years of age.

July 18

The Dog Days Are Here

The 40-day period known as the Dog Days Of Summer, which is usually associated with hot and sticky weather began last Thursday and continues until August 23. It is the time of year when mosquitoes, ants, silver bugs, and gnats do their darndest; when bread molds in the bread box; when butter runs all over the plate a few minutes after it leaves the ice chest; when milk left by the mutual milkman before the homeowner fetches it off the front porch; when exercise is an agony, when women’s patience is at the lowest, and men’s temperature is at its warmest.

The canine-sounding name of the season does not refer to the animal, man’s long, suffering, friend and companion, though perhaps some have thought of the Dog Days as days when dogs go mad, or lie around with long, red tongues protruding and panting heavily in an effort to keep cool. Astronomers tell us rather that the name is associated with Sirius, the Dog Star, which rises with the sun about July 23, or in the middle of the period.

Astronomers also tell us that Sirius has nothing to do with the unusual heat and humidity of midsummer, but that unjust association is a relic of the time when astrology and astronomy were confused and celestial omens and influences were taken seriously. if one however, were to pick out the 40 days of the year which average, the hottest, one would find that temperatures do correspond pretty accurately with the Dog Days.

Train Hits Team At Grade Crossing

Mrs. Edith Fannyfrock and daughter, Evelyn, of Woodsboro, had a very narrow escape Wednesday morning, when a Northern Central passenger train struck the team in which they were driving, at Glade crossing, 1 mile and a half north of Walkersville.

The team was about to cross the Pennsylvania tracks, when the train headed towards Frederick, running out a fast rate, suddenly approach, striking the horse, cutting the animal and shaft loose from the buggy and killing the horse outright. It was understood that Mrs. Fannyfrock failed to hear the train approaching.

Radio Facts

Few people need to be told how rapidly radio is interpenetrating every part of our daily life. A writer has contributed to us a most comprehensive article.

"More than 2.5 million radio sets have been manufactured and sold in the last three years in this country, with 500 broadcasting stations in operation in our United States, and 16,000 amateur transmitters sending and receiving.

"According to engineers of the Radio Corporation, 300 manufacturers are turning out sets or parts of sets, 30 radio magazines have been started, 250 books have been written, 2 million listeners constitute the present radio audience, and they spend 175 million on their hobby last year, giving employment in one way or another to half a million people. There are 12 transatlantic stations, which communicate not only with France and Latin America, but with 2,700 radio equip ships."

July 25

Gets Even With Tormenter

Sometime ago, a farmer living near Woodsboro, found a turkey buzzard tangled in some bushes, and after making the bird a prisoner, with the assistance of another individual, fastened a sheep’s bell around its neck and turned it loose. The bird remained in the community and persons began talking about the "bell buzzard."

Saturday morning, the farmer who had fastened the bell around the buzzard’s neck, was driving along the road when the buzzard appeared, and perched itself upon a fence ahead of the team. The bird frightened the horses, which ran away, turning over the vehicle, and throwing the occupants out. At last report, the buzzard was still flying about.

Useless Arithmetic

That some traditional subjects and the traditional methods of teaching them, do not make for educational progress, was emphasized in several meetings of the National Education Association convention in Washington.

In a report presented to the convention, the uselessness of teaching outworn subjects, in common arithmetic, to the exclusion of its application to every day life, and its influence on the minds when taught as an inspiration, and not as mirror process of mental mechanics, was emphasize.

The report recommended that the following subjects be dropped from arithmetic courses as unnecessary and time taking: Apothecaries weights, partial payments, proportions, troy weight, greatest common divisor, and least common multiple, long and confusing problems in common fractions, complex and compound fractions, reductions in denominate numbers, tables of folding paper, surveyor’s table, and tables of foreign money, compound numbers including their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; longitude and time, cases, 2 and 3 in percentage, compound interest, annual interest, exchange, both domestic and foreign; true discounts; partnership with time, ratio, beyond the ability of fractions to satisfy; monuments of trapezoids, trapeziums, polygons, fracsturn, spheres, cube root, and the metric system.

With these useless processes, admitted, teachers may be expected really to accomplish the aim of arithmetic in the schools, on the basis of social what is needed, is ability to figure accurately in the fundamental processes, simple fractions, simple percentage, including interest, and simple, denominated numbers. With this simplified program letter-perfect results are possible. Thus the committee looks forward to a program in which arrhythmic will be better taught, and in which time will be left for the accomplishment of other worthwhile aims of education.

Unlucky Week For Some

Marvin Haugh, of Keymar, met with what might have been a fatal accident. In his herd of cattle he had a cross male cow, to which he had a heavy block attached to protect him and family, and on going to the barn, one morning found the bull had gotten the block off. Mr. Haugh thought he would go in and get the block and try to get the bull in the barn, and put the block on again, when the bull made for him, caught him, before he could get out of the way and the cow gourd him considerably.

His 13-year-old son came to his rescue by jabbing the animal in the jaw with a fork, which saved his father from death. He was taken to the house and fainted several times, but under doctors care he’s getting along well.

The same day, an electrical storm passed over the house, where Mrs. Haugh was sitting on the front of her husband‘s bed, the lightning struck the house, throwing her to the floor, unconscious. The lightning tore several windows out, and a lot of the weather boarding on the house off, but there was no fire.

The condition of Miss Kathryn, Eyler, daughter, of Mr. and Mrs., William Eyler, of Woodsboro, who has been suffering from the effects of shock from lightning since last week, continues to be serious, according to report from her home.

Margaret, the little daughter of Oliver Metcalf, was seriously injured by a vicious cow a few days ago. She was playing at the barn when attacked, and only the prompt action of her grandfather, and one of the men who were nearby saved her life. She was taken to the Frederick City Hospital for examination, but as no bones were found broken, she was brought home. She is suffering intensely from bruises, but unless complication should arise, it is thought she will recover.

The condition of Charles Burris, five, who is run over by an auto car driven by Charles Green of Lewistown, is much improved. Following the accident, the youngster was taken to the Frederick city hospital and his condition has improved to such an extent that on Wednesday, he was taken into his home. The vehicle passed over his chest and abdomen.

Community Sing At Walkersville

A community ‘sing’ will be held at the Walkersville playground, Saturday afternoon, Dr. Homer House, headed to the Department Of Music, at The University Of Maryland, will lead in the singing, and Professor Goodyear, of the Department Of Voice at The University Of Maryland, will be the solo list for the evening. A short talk will be given on the subject, "what a rural community owes it, young people". These meetings have always been very popular, and a large crowd is expected.