100 Years Ago This Month

May 1925

May 1

The Lincoln Gettysburg Car

The W. M. R. R., the owner of the car in which President Lincoln rode to Gettysburg, has announced its willingness to donate the car to the Pennsylvania Lincoln Association, and to transport the car to Gettysburg, free of charge. It is in this car in which President Lincoln is believed to have jotted down the sentences of his speech.

The services of the railroad will also be available for restoring the car to its original condition as nearly as the data at hand will permit. The plan is to preserve it as well as place it on exhibition. A number of firms have offered their services for refitting the car.

Samuel Rea, President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, has suggested that the car be shown in towns and cities throughout the State, and has offered to transport the coach without cost over the Pennsylvania lines for that purpose.

Because of the peculiar historical significance attached to the old car, the Lincoln Highway Association plans to exhibit it at the Sesqui-Centennial in Philadelphia next year, after which it will be housed in permanent quarters on the battlefield in Gettysburg, not far from the spot where Lincoln gave his immortal address.

Burn Old Lead Batteries

Growing out of the hauling away of old tin cans, broken crockery, and refuse generally, by the town authorities, this week, we have good authority for the statement that old dry lead batteries are worth more than coal, for burning in furnaces, and besides, act as a fine chimney cleaner.

W. C. T. U. Holds Annual Meeting At Walkersville

The 39th annual convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Frederick County was held in the Lutheran Church, Walkersville, on Thursday. The church was beautifully decorated with mock oranges and wild cherry blossoms, and ferns, the tables with regalia.

The executive session was open by Miss Nora Mcinney, vice president, with a short devotional service.

The convention opened with a devotional service, and greetings by Reverend Shlike of the Lutheran Church. The business section consisted of reports of secretaries and treasurers and superintendents, interspersed with music.

The convention’s speeches all dealt with the need for Temperance Union women not to grow impatient, "the message we white ribbon are carrying into the world is worth repetition, and we must drive to cultivate faith in our sincerity in the nations that are watching America in her ability to do what has been promised. May we show to the world we are law abiding, not, a law violating nation."

A pleasant luncheon hour was enjoyed. Delegates and friends, partook of a box luncheon supplemented with coffee, iced tea, cake and ice cream, furnish by the Walkersville Union.

The most credible demonstration was presented by 50 or more children of the Walkersville schools, under the instruction of Mrs. Raddock. The program included a reading by Alice Etzler; "We’re Coming For Grandpa’s Still"; A short play by Mabel Fox, Mary Stouffer, and Ethel Fraser titled: "Prohibition Guards, How To Follow Your Father to His still"; an exercise by six boys depicting being forced to tear apart a still, while being encouraged on by 12 girls pretending to hold shotguns, who sang "enough with deadbeat husbands." The women in the audience clearly enjoyed the children’s presentation.

The report from the 17 departments indicate increasing interest in the Temperance Union and evidence. Most interesting was the report on how to disable a husband‘s automobile to prevent them going to boozers’ meetings.

The meeting however did not go over well with husbands of those in attendance in the hall. The husbands demonstrated outside the church demanding that the women stop demeaning their sons by forcing them to participate in the plays. To protect their ears from the screeching of the women in the church, the men frequently broke out into drinking songs like: ‘Go Away Nagging Woman" and "Were Are My Vittles," while they openly passed around bottles of Woodsboro’s finest hooch.

The men’s demonstration broke up after the boys where released. The men, who by that time were considerably soused, headed off the Walkersville Boozer’s super secret still in the main barn on the old Oyster Farm in Glade Valley to sleep the rest of the day away in peace and quite.

May 8

Weather

The Almanac, or the weather, has been wabbly, so far in May. We have been having April showers, and cold ones at that, for the past two weeks, following summer heat about the middle of April.

Presented Flowers

Mrs. Andrew J. Ohler and Mrs. Amanda Wolf, aged respectively 87 and 89 years, of Fairfield, were each presented with bouquets of carnations, at the Lutheran Church, last Sunday morning, as being the oldest women present at the services.

Young Couple Weds

Lloyd Kaufman, 23, of Rocky Ridge and Mimi Barber, 19, of Walkersville, were married in an old-fashioned shotgun wedding at the Reformed Parsonage on Wednesday. The father of the bride, Walter Barber said he had hope to get his daughter married earlier, but it took him more time then he initially thought to find the culprit who made is daughter "in a family way".

"I finally found the useless bum hiding out in a barn in Johnsville and had to hog time him up for three days until the Pastor could return."

A thoroughly disheveled Lloyd was unable to put a ring on his bride’s finger as his hands where still tied behind his back, and his new wife’s father stood behind him with his trusty shotgun.

The couple has no honeymoon planned; instead Barber said his no-good son-in-law "best get to work to earn some money before the baby comes." If he doesn’t my shotgun’s best friend, a horse whip, is just chomping at the bit to be put to use on that no good free loader’s back."

State Police Enforcing Traffic Laws

Two state "Cops" pulled a lot of auto law violators here, Saturday night and Sunday. We do not know anything about these cases, but we do know that the speed laws are commonly violated here, and it is very dangerous business. We also know that there is a growing local sentiment against such arrests, and that is a dangerous business too. There should be only one sentiment, and that is, obedience to, and respect for, the laws. Guying the cops, or interfering in their business, should not be indulged in.

The Bridgeport Bridge

The lowest bidder for the new concrete bridge over the Monocacy, at Bridgeport, is the Concrete Steel Bridge Company, at $31,345. The specifications call for two arch spans of 50 feet, and one of 56 feet, with a clear roadway of 24 feet.

May 15

Woman, Burned At Brooder, Dies

Bethel May Mlelke, about 25 years old, wife of Edward Mlelke, of near Loy’s Station, was fatally burned shortly after 10 o’clock, Thursday morning, and died at the Frederick City hospital, about six hours later. Practically all of her clothing was consumed by the flames and her body, from her feet to her neck, was burned to a crisp.

The woman, who was alone with her three-year-old daughter, went from the house into a small building in the yard to look after a chicken brooder. While in the building her dress caught fire from an oil lamp used to heat the brooder. She ran screaming to the yard almost a living torch. A man working in a field some distance away, heard her scream and ran to her assistance. By the time he arrived, her clothing had nearly all burned away, and with the exception of her face her entire body was terribly scorched.

She was carried into the house and Dr. Irving of Thurmont summoned. In the meantime, her husband and father, who were at work on a nearby farm about a mile away, were notified. After an examination, Dr. Irving had her rushed to the hospital. She was conscious when she arrived at the hospital, and remained conscious until she died.

There was no witness to the unfortunate accident. It is thought that after igniting, her clothing burned rapidly. After running from the building, it is evident that the flames gained headway and she probably endeavored to shield her face with her hands. Her hands and arms as well as her entire body was a mass of burns.

Decoration Day

Decoration Day will be properly observed, May 30, in Taneytown, the local Camp of the P. 0. S. of A., as usual, having charge of the program, assisted by children of the various churches and other organizations. Details will be given next week.

Uniontown’s Decoration Day will be observed by the children strewing flowers on the graves of the fallen heroes, Saturday evening, meeting at the Bethel Brethren Church at 6, bring flowers. We would like to see more of the older folks take interest.

Flowers for Decoration Day promise to be scarce. All who have them are urged to send them along with children, or others, to use for decoration purposes. American Legion poppies will be sold again this year. These poppies are made by the wounded soldiers and the amount received goes for their relief.

The Dictionary

Next to the Bible, the dictionary is the most neglected book published; and next to the Bible, the dictionary is the most valuable and helpful book in existence, yet at the same time is almost completely ignored in the curriculum of our Colleges and schools. It is shelved as a "work of reference," is not regarded as an essential textbook, and the finished product of our schools, in the crop of educated (?) poor spellers, shows the result.

When the "spelling bee" of the old-fashioned school was tabooed, and the time given to more "modern" accomplishments, education received a hard blow. Spelling contests meant a study of the dictionary, and this study in turn meant a study of the derivation, definition, pronunciation and proper application of words; it meant sentence forming, an extended vocabulary, and general preparation for many kinds of work, such as no other study can give.

Students, nowadays, are started in Latin, Greek, French and German before they know how to spell and pronounce English, or have any sound foundation in the etymological construction of words. The study of the dictionary is a liberal education in itself, and it is largely neglected as an out-of-date factor in schoolwork.

"Walking dictionaries" are less in evidence now than forty or fifty years ago and this is regrettable, for the information secured in youth, on account of being a "good speller," is an accomplishment that is apt to "stick," through life, and to mean that along with good spelling there are a lot of accompanying good qualities. There is no greater "give away" than a misspelled word or two, in common use, in a letter or newspaper article, and especially when they come from a "graduate" of college or high school.

State Police Enforcing Traffic Laws

Two state "Cops" pulled a lot of auto law violators here, Saturday night and Sunday. We do not know anything about these cases, but we do know that the speed laws are commonly violated here, and it is very dangerous business. We also know that there is a growing local sentiment against such arrests, and that is a dangerous business too. There should be only one sentiment, and that is, obedience to, and respect for, the laws. Guying the cops, or interfering in their business, should not be indulged.

May 22

Refuse To Pay Fine, Is Jailed

Phillip Wolf, of near Libertytown, learned how rapidly justice can be disposed, when he was arrested by Corporal McCauley, of the state police, on a charge of driving a car while under the influence of liquor Sunday afternoon. Taken before Justice Dorcus at Woodsboro, he was fine $100 in cost or a jail alternative of 30 days.

Wolf was driving a car in a reckless manner along the Woodsboro Road, it was said, and the condition of the man was reported to McCauley, who was patrolling that section at that time. The state officer located Wolf along the road, and obtain several witnesses to show that the driver was in an intoxicated condition. Several persons who saw wolf operating the car, stated that he was driving in a very dangerous manner.

Wolf was taken before Justice Dorcas for trial. After hearing the testimony, Dorcas pronounce Wolf guilty and gave him a choice between a 30-day jail sentence and the payment of $100 and cost. Wolf stated that while he had the money, he preferred the jail term. He was brought to the Frederick jail where he’s confined.

It is understood that members of the Libertytown Boozers Association is taking up a collection to pay his fine to get him released as Wolf recently moved the group’s still and is the only person who now knows where it is.

Uniontown Parents-Teacher’s Association Meet

The Uniontown Parents-Teacher’s Association held their last meeting, for the summer, last Friday evening. After a business session, the children gave several "folks games," and Miss Grim gave a talk on school work, and some of the first grade pupils gave an illustration of the proper way of making purchases at the store, counting up bills and making change; Stewart Segafoose as merchant made a very good salesman.

An auction of pies followed and a large number was disposed of, many cutting their pies and passing to those about them, to test the abilities of the Uniontown and neighborhood ladies as pie makers.

Scouts Enthused Over Contest

The contest was arranged on the points system as follows: 100 points for each troop, having a perfect attendance and a proportionate number of points for each scout at each meeting in case the attendance is not perfect; 20 points for all boys of each troop owning their own uniforms and wearing them: five points for each test passed by individual scout: five points for each scout on each hike: 10 points, for each scout brought into the movement, and five points for the bringing back of old scouts who had fallen out.

The winning troop will be given a free trip to one of the following three places; Washington, Gettysburg, or Harpers Ferry. The work of the boys it is said, indicates that they are anxious to have their troop win for during the past five weeks the contest there has been 44 test passed, 249 boys on hikes, and the average weekly attendance, which before the contest was about 77%, has risen to 100%.

The scouts are working hard, and it is difficult to tell which troop will have the highest number of points at the end of the contest, which has been set for May 22.

Many of the boys who at the beginning of the contest were but second-class scouts, have completed the first class requirement and are now working for their Eagle Scout rank, by passing merit badges.

Motor Cycle Accident

John Sharrer, his sister Bertha, and Bernard Gilbert, of Woodsboro met with a motorcycle accident at the Frederick County approach to the Monocacy bridge, at Bridgeport, last Saturday night, about 9:30. When their machine struck the rough approach, it became uncontrollable, turned over, and threw the three occupants down the embankment.

Sharrer was rendered unconscious and was brought to Taneytown for treatment, and was still unconscious when friends took the parties back to Frederick. The girl was only slightly injured. Sharrer and his sister were brought to town by Dr. Hitchcock and Harry Anders.

May 29

Decoration Day

Let everybody help to make Decoration Day a permanent institution. It is not a question of whether one cares to parade, or wear a uniform, or follow a brass band around. Such efforts may be personally objectionable to us, and not considered worth the effort; but one ought to do certain things, even at a sacrifice, when the object aimed at is a worthy one, and for the perpetuation of some great patriotic principle.

So, let us all, who are able, take part in this year's demonstration; give it our sanction by our personal participation, and help to keep alive the gratitude our country feels for its defenders in time of great need. Let it not be so much a holiday or a day for financial gain, or for mere amusements, instead make it a day in which we do homage to those who either fell while serving under the flag, or who have since honorably finished their course.

Surely, it is little for us to do, to follow the children with flowers to the cemeteries, and to spend a little time hearing brief addresses in honor of our country's dead. It requires only an hour or two of our time, but it represents much more than that in sentiment—a sentiment that is worthwhile keeping alive, though the objects of it sleep.

Receivers For Cement Plant

A receivership for the Tidewater Portland Cement Company of Delaware, a $4,000,000 corporation, which has a large plant in Union Bridge, was asked today by W. A. Spurrier, of Baltimore and the Farrell Fuel Corporation of Pennsylvania. The company is alleged to be insolvent.

In an answer to the petition filed in United States Court the Tidewater Company admits the allegation and consents to the appointment of receivers. Spurrier is a stockholder and the Farrell Fuel Corporation is a creditor of the Tidewater Company.

There is a mortgage covering the Company's property at Union Bridge, to secure a bond issue of $1,750,000, all of the bonds being outstanding. In 1913-15 the Company borrowed large sums from Wilson Shaw, of Pittsburgh; and 0ilver Foster, of Buffalo. Shaw and Foster being bondholders. The Company gave Demand Notes for the money borrowed, the Notes aggregating $523,000. Last month Shaw brought suit against the Company in the Superior Court on the Demand Notes held by him, claiming $245,000 principal and interest. Foster at the same time brought suit for $434,000 principal and interest on the Demand Notes he held.

The Tidewater Company has been engaged in the business of manufacturing lime and cement since 1912. Judgments by default against the Tidewater Portland Cement Company were obtained yesterday in the Superior Court by Foster for $434,663 and by Shaw for $245,763. Both judgments were given on demand promissory notes, suits on which recently were instituted.

Receivers for the company were appointed Tuesday by consent in the United States District Court. It was said that the action of Shaw and Foster made it impossible for the company to continue business.

Middleburg Boy Killed

Injuries sustained when kicked by a horse in the stable on his father's farm, proved fatal to Arthur Bittinger, 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bittinger, near Middleburg, Friday morning, last week. He died at the Frederick City Hospital where he was brought on Thursday, following the accident. Fracture of the skull was the cause of the youth's death.

Young Bittinger was in the stable, and it is thought that in walking behind one of the horses he was kicked in the head and knocked to the floor. He was able to regain his feet and summon aid. He was taken to the house and a physician called. After an examination he was brought to the hospital and an operation performed. He failed to improve and he died on Friday morning.

The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock, with services conducted by Rev. Mowbray, pastor of the United Brethren Church of Walkersville, at the home of his parents.

Anti-Fly Drive Underway Early

The first fly of the season buzzed through the open window in the recording room of the Bureau Of Communicable Diseases of the State Department Of Health, the other day.

Automatically, the office force rose as one individual to swat at it. "Getting rid of one fly" summarized one of the combatants, "means the potential loss of many millions by August."

To verify the statement, the status looked up the records for five families and this is what the book said.

• April (wintered over female) – 1
• May 1 – 120
• May 20 – 7,200
• June 20 – 432,000
• July 10 – 25,920,000
• July 29 - 1,555,209,000
• August 18 - 93,312,000,000
• September 10th – 5,596,720,000,000

These flies placed end-to-end with circle the world 352 times.