January 5

Sterling Galt

The death of Sterling Galt, of Emmitsburg, represented more then the loss of an average good citizen to the community, for he was above the average man in intelligence, public spirit, and a general optimism that was contagious, and in that two little practice of the courteous gentleman.

He moved to Emmitsburg in 1906 where he became editor and publisher of the Weekly Chronicle and continued as editor until 1918.

Emmitsburg was better, in many ways, for his having lived in it a little while, and will benefit from his good deeds, that will live after him. He was a progressive in spirit and in practice, and led with his convictions as well as his financial support. His influence was for life – putting Emmitsburg on the map, and his efforts were not self-centered.

Mr. Galt, who had been in failing health for two years, died of pneumonia on Tuesday. He was educated at Emerson Institute, Gettysburg College, Columbia University Law School and was awarded a Doctorate degree by St. Mary’s College. He was a member of the State Board of Education. He was the brother-in-law of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson.

In the death of Mr. Galt, Emmitsburg lost, not one of his good friends, but it’s best.

We feel like giving this little personal tribute, for men often come and go, make their wider effort, and spend their energies, without more than passing notice greatly to the loss of community welfare. All cannot be leaders, but all can follow good leaders and play their parts for the general uplift.

Auto Accident

Last Sunday afternoon the automobile of Mrs. Dotterer narrowly escaped a collision with another car. Mrs. Dotterer’s car had been parked in front of the Citizens’ Bank. When she started her machine she turned to the middle of the street in front of an oncoming car, which wasn’t able to stop but succeeded in passing in front of her; but in doing so ran into a spring wagon standing on the side of the street. The harness was broken and the wagon pushed away from the horse that barely noticed the incident and continued to munch on his hay. The smart horse belonged to Charles Hoffman of Loys.

Stick In The Throat

The young son of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes met with the misfortune while playing with his older brother. Upon a dare from his brother, he attempted to swallow a stick, but it got stuck in his throat. He was taken to the hospital where an operation was performed to remove it. Reportedly, Mr. Rhodes ‘horse whipped’ the older lad – as he should have.

Frederick Mehring Dies

Frederick Mehring died at Myrtle Hill, his home, in Bruceville. He spent his entire life at the home where he was born and died. He was a successful businessman and much loved and respected by his friends. The community has lost one of its greatest and best men. Locally he was always loyal and helping to promote the best interest of the Bruceviile community, and was a liberal contributor of his means in many directions.

A Bargain For A Quick Fire

For sale, 12 acres of land near Emmitsburg, known as the Locust Grove Mill. Improvements consist of a 12 room brick house, a three-story mill, 1/4 mile from State Road. One and a half miles from Emmitsburg. Price – $1,500.

A farm of 133 acres near Union Bridge, along a hard road, with good cropping, good buildings and plenty of running water can be had for $12,500.

Home Burns From Unknown Cause

A fire broke out Sunday morning in the rear of the house of John Hellerman on Track Road. The farm is only half a mile from the barn of the Blue Mountain Orchard Co. whose barn burned to the ground last Saturday morning.

Mr. Hellerman was awakened by the frantic barking of his dog, and immediately awoke his wife and daughter. Together they manage to make their way down the front stairs, the fire being still in the rear of the house. The flame spread so quickly that the occupants had barely time to escape in their nightclothes, and none of the contents of the house could be saved.

It is said that they were fortunate they stopped for nothing. A few seconds after the family had descended to the first floor, the stairway was in flames and smoke and heat throughout the building was unbearable. The dog, which had given the alarm, and was the means of saving the lives of the family, is understood to have been saved.

The shivering and scantily clad family were taken into the home of Robert Annan in Emmitsburg where they will find shelter until able to make other arrangements. The loss is taught to be about $2,500 in personal property. Little insurance is said to have been carried on the home.

Married In Jail

Georges Gaul, 29 years old, of Fairfield, and Miss Nelly McCoy, 22 years old, also of Fairfield where married in the Fairfield jail where Gaul is under arrest. It is understood that Miss McCoy is in the ‘family way.’

James Moore Dies

James Moore, a prominent and highly respected resident of Fairfield, died at his home on Thursday morning from influenza and pleurisy. He was 66 years old. Mr. Moore was a lifelong resident of Fairfield, and was one of its leading citizens. For 17 years, he was postmaster of that Borough. Resigning that position eight years ago, he became affiliated with a State Highway Department and was employed as the road master of the district at the time of his death.

January 12

Disturbing The Peace

Early last Saturday morning a strange man was arrested near Catoctin Furnace on complaint of residents residing in that section. It is said the man molested the people all night in various ways. The stranger - a foreigner - was brought before the Justice of the Peace. But the Justice, not being able to understand much of his talk, sent him to Frederick. It is said he came here from Bethlehem Pa., and did not know where he was now or where he wanted to go.

Ice Thin And Slippery

Last Sunday the temperatures were just below the freezing point - just enough to freeze the small amount of mist falling from early morning until evening. The pavements and streets became so smooth that walking was next to impossible. Persons traveling in automobiles found their chains had but little effect on the hard frozen serface. A number of automobiles skidded back and forth across the streets, and at night many machines slid into the ditches along public roads and were either left there until morning or had to be pulled back onto the road. A number of persons are reported to have fallen and received severe bruises. Sunday evening a light fall of snow and rising temperatures relieved the condition.

Auto Accident

Mrs. Dorothy Worthington was severely injured in an automobile accident in Emmitsburg on Sunday evening. Her Ford coupe was traveling East on East Main St. when it met in a head-on-collision with the machine of Mrs. George Andrew, occupied by Mrs. Andrew and her four sons. The occupants of the Andrew’s car where throwing out, but escaped injury, except that Mrs. Andrew sustained several bruises.

Mrs. Worthington was thrown against the side of her machine. She was taken to the home of Mrs. Edgar Annan, where a preliminary examination was made by Dr. Brian, who determined she had sustained a fractured hip.

Fire At William Fair’s Farm

A narrow escape from a serious fire was made at the William Fair farm, near Taneytown, on Thursday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Myers, who lived in the house, where awoken buy the smoke and fought the fire as best they could until help arrived. In some mysterious way the fire seems to have originated in the cellar and communicated to the kitchen and upstairs rooms. A large lot of clothing and bedding burned. The building was damage to the extent of $500 or more.

The Myers suffered considerably from exposure and their efforts. By their work, and remarkable good luck, the house was saved from complete destruction. No exact cause has yet been discovered for the fire.

Ball Player’s Arms Broken

Leslie Fox, employed by the Emmitsburg Railroad, had both of his arms broken above the wrist while unloading a barrel of molasses from one of the cars. Fox was well known in the community, having been their main stay in the pitching department for the Emmitsburg baseball team in the Frederick County League last season. His right arm is injured so badly that it is doubtful if he will ever be able to pitch again. Fox received several offers last year from professional baseball teams.

Damage Rector’s Car

While the Reverend Sullivan of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Fairfield, was making a sick call at the home of John Dix, the gasoline line of his automobile was broken and numerous wires were ripped from the engine of the machine, which he had left parked outside the house. As a result, he was compelled to walk two miles to a telephone to summon arrangements to tow the disable machine back to Fairfield, a distance of 6 miles. A reward of $25 has been offered for information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the offense.

January 19

Thurmont Post Office First

The Thurmont Post Office was first among third class post offices in Maryland in disposing of Treasury Saving Certificates during December.

Postmaster Rouzer has been congratulated on the showing of his office in a letter from the Director of the Government Saving System which states: "I congratulate you on your sales of $1,625 of government securities; the record reflects credit upon you and your associates in the Thurmont office; it means material assistance to the Treasury Department and its refinancing operations of our war debt and, moreover, will prove to be most satisfactory investment to the people of your community."

More of the saving certificates were sold in December than in any other month of the year, thus demonstrating the increasing popularity of the government saving system.

Mr. Rouzer said all owners of the 1918 War Saving Stamps, who have not done so, should present them at the Post Office for redemption or exchange; each day means a loss of interest to the holder. It is best to exchange them for Treasury Savings Certificates which begin to bear interest today they are issued, are registered without cost against lost or theft and can be cash at any time for more than you pay for them.

Taneytown High To Put on Play

On January 27, the Taneytown high school will give two plays at the opera house. The first of the place is a one-hour comedy called ‘The Burglar’; the second is a comedy in two acts entitled ‘Mr. Bob’. The latter is a great favorite and has been played many times successfully. Both are full of life and fun. Proceeds will be used for various school needs. Admission will be $.25 for all. Ask your neighbors and friends to come with you and help make the evening a big success.

Harney Roads To Be Stone

We are informed that the county stone crusher was brought up to Norman Hess’ quarry and will begin crushing stone for the roads around Harney. Mr. Hess says: "the stones are there and have been for a long time and have never benefited any person, and the more they take the better."

We are informed that for every hundred feet of stones the citizens put on the road, the county will put on a like amount; besides, they will crush the stone, furnish the chips, oil it, and roll it down. The proposition seems to be a fair one, and it might be a good thing for every person to get behind it and see what can be accomplished.

Receivers for Annan-Horner Bank Named

John Newman and Alexander Armstrong were appointed in the United States Court as Receivers in the bankruptcy for the Annan-Horner Bank in Emmitsburg. On December 11 bankruptcy proceedings were instituted against the firm. The petitions for the appointment of receiver states that besides being engaged in the banking business the firm owned a large orchard property, other real estate and securities.

Emmitsburg School Building Bought

The Board of Education has accepted George Kaufman’s bid of $4,130 to purchase the old Emmitsburg high school. Mr. Kaufman expects to turn the building into apartments and may make some other use of it in the future. The building is a two-story brick with modern improvements and the purchase includes an acre of land. The building is centrally located and opposite the garage now operated by Mr. Kaufman.

January 26

Commits Suicide By Shotgun

Apparently despondent over domestic difficulties, Melvin Buhrman, about 24 years old, of Creagerstown, shot and instantly killed himself sometime between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. He shot himself through the chest with a 20-gauge shotgun and death was instantaneous.

Buhrman and his wife had separated about three weeks ago and since that time he had been living alone. It is thought that worry over his domestic affairs caused him to end his life.

Buhrman’s nearest neighbor was his father, who living only about 500 feet distant from him, failed to hear the shot, which ended his son’s life. Buhrman was accustomed to going to his father’s house each day for water and when he failed to appear, the father became alarmed and made the investigation which resulted in the finding of the dead body of his son.

Buhrman had apparently placed the butt end of the gun against the wall, the muzzle against his chest and then succeeded in exploding the charge. There was no way of telling the exact time at which the suicide occurred. He had been employed as a laborer in the vicinity of his home. His wife and two small children survive him.

Amelia Black

Mrs. Amelia Black, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Thurmont, died at her home, age 92 years and 12 days. Mrs. Black was born and reared at her family homestead near Apple Church. She is the last of a family of eight children.

In 1855 she married Cornelius Black and together they began farming on Black’s Farm, about 1/4 of a mile east of Thurmont. Later they move to a farm near Hoover’s Mill, just outside of Graceham. After some years, the Blacks purchased an adjoining property known as the Black’s Mill Farm and moved there. After some years the couple moved to Thurmont.

Mrs. Black had 10 children, nine of whom survived. Advancing age hindered but little Mrs. Black’s ability to work. Until perhaps the last year of her life she was able to attend to her household duties and during spare moments was busy doing needlework of some kind. She continued with her work until Friday prior to her death when her strength failed rapidly and she quietly and peacefully passed away.

For many years in her early life she was an active member of the Apple’s Reform Church, but in later years she transferred her membership to St. John’s Lutheran Church in which she was a faithful worker to the end.

Train Hits Auto Near New Midway.

Austin Fogle, 17, had both legs broken and suffered internal injuries, and Raymond Daugherty 27, suffered a sprained shoulder and was bruised about the body when the Ford touring car in which they were riding was completely demolished when it was struck by a train at a railroad crossing near New Midway.

The two, who live near Woodsboro, where returning from Detour, where they had taken some milk, and we’re coming towards New Midway over the dirt road. High embankments being on both sides of the crossing where the accident happened made it impossible to see the train coming. The lay of the land is said to be such that it is often difficult to hear a train approach.

It is understood that the automobile was too close to the train to avoid the accident before the men were aware of it. Following the accident, the men were placed on the train and word was sent to Frederick to have the ambulance meet the train upon its arrival there. Both where considered fortunate in escaping with their lives.

Ford Lowers Price of Tractor

Henry Ford is near the goal of the prices he said out to attain several years ago when he announced he would sell a car, a tractor and a truck for $1,000.

The price for the three is now $1,172. A few days ago he announced reduction in the price of the Fordson tractor of 37%, a cut of $239. With a yearly production of 500,000 tractors this means a card of $115 million in revenue from tractor sales.

"We can afford to take the loss," Mr. Ford said, "because it will put the price of the tractors where it should be, where every American farmer can buy one.

"I have been a farmer all my life," Mr. Ford said, and I am interested in solving the farmers problems, especially the acute problem of reducing cost of farm produce. Although during the last 18 months farmers generally have better financial conditions, production cost are still too close to selling prices to allow fair margin of profit. With the farmer must do to put his business on a paying basis is to lower the cost of production.

"There are many ways of doing this. One of them is by reducing the labor cost for use of machinery. We are doing our part in bringing the cost of power machinery within the farmer’s reach," Ford said.

Coldest Day Of 1922

A word oif cheer came from the weather forecasters late Thursday evening when one of them, the one who makes three observations locally, predicted that things would begin warming up this weekend. The cold wave has about spent itself, he thinks, and warmer weather is just around the corner.

While north winds continued to blow yesterday evening, and to hold sway the greater part of the night, keeping the temperatures low, the local sharp predicted fair winds will gradually shift to the south, bring in warmer weather.

The lowest temperatures for the new year of 1923 prevailed yesterday, the mercury getting down so low as eight degrees, or 23 inches below freezing. People who have been shivering with Colt for the past few days may now draw sigh of relief – the cold wave is about to pass.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'