once upon a time...
James Rada, Jr.
May 1925, 100 Years Ago
Hit by Falling Tree, Man is Dead
Harvey Woolard, 47, Thurmont, was the victim of an unusual accident on Friday morning about 10 o’clock when a dead tree fell upon him as he was stripping pulp wood from another tree near Catoctin Furnace, suffering injuries, from which he died about 9 o’clock that evening at the hospital. No reason could be given for the falling of the tree, as no one was near the tree at that time. Woolard died from a fractured skull, it was said.
– The Frederick Post, May 18, 1925
Man Held in Death of Boy, 14, Freed After Probe Made
An investigation into the death last September of Robert Wilhide, 14, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Wilhide, Thurmont, ended on Tuesday night with the release from jail of Osba McAfee, of near Thurmont.
…Many conflicting statements said to have been made by McAfee led to his apprehension by the authorities. Convinced that the evidence in his possession was not sufficient to warrant holding the man longer, Mr. [William] Storm [state’s attorney] ordered McAfee’s release on Tuesday night. McAfee is said to be a shell shock victim of the World War, having served overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces.
– The News, May 27, 1925
May 1950, 75 Years Ago
Rodgers, Rightnour Election Victors
Emmitsburg voters last Monday returned Thornton W. Rodgers to his fourth term as mayor of the town. Unopposed, the incumbent polled 161 votes. Prior to his election four years ago as mayor, Mr. Rodgers had served as commissioner for 11 years. The mayor received all but 18 of the total votes cast.
Emmitsburgians also chose as commissioner, young Wales E. Rightnour. World War II veteran and commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Mr. Rightnour was running unopposed on the ticket and garnered a total of 97 votes. This is Mr. Rightnour’s first venture into politics.
A strong “write-in” vote was cast for James T. Hays, whose term as commissioner and chairman of the board expired this week. Mr. Hays declined to have his name placed on the ballot but his many friends at the last minute began the movement to “draft” him. Surprising strength was mustered by them on election day as they garnered a total of 82 tallies for him.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 5, 1950
Community Fund to Aid Afflicted Girl
The Community Fund of Emmitsburg held its regular monthly meeting last Friday evening in the Fire Hall, Chairman Lumen F. Norris, presiding.
The Fund began preparations to tackle its second case in recent months. The first attempt at administering good will and help in the community occurred several months ago when a television set was purchased and given to young Frank Stinson, who underwent an amputation of one of his legs.
Attention of the Fund has been called to the unfortunate case of a local young girl, who is suffering a tremendous physical handicap. At present the child is attending the Maryland State School for the Deaf in Frederick. The child had an infliction which left her deaf and dumb. It is understood the young silentee is also in need of dental and other medical assistance. The Fund readily agreed to sponsor the project.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 19, 1950
May 1975, 50 Years Ago
Thieves Break Thru Wall, Steal Safe
By knocking a hole in the cinderblock wall, thieves gained entry to Highs’ Dairy Store in Emmitsburg early Monday morning and made off with the store safe, containing over $2,000, reported Emmitsburg police.
The break-in and theft was reported by store manager Wayne Martin, who said the safe “weighed a couple hundred pounds like an engine block,” indicating more than one person was involved. The safe was kept behind the check-out counter, concealed under a cardboard box.
The theft apparently took place sometime after 2:00 a.m., noted Police Chief Henry Filler, who spent about 20 minutes in the store parking lot at that hour. He reported no cars parked there, nor any activity at that time.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 8, 1975
Local Boy Scouts Win First Place
The Spring Camporee of the Francis Scott Key District brought 300 Boy Scouts to Johnsville, Md., for the weekend of May 16. The Emmitsburg Troop (284) was part of this gathering, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Jay Dickenson and his assistant, Robert Gauss.
The many Troops were in competition with one another for an overall camping award. The Emmitsburg boys won first place. This included camping readiness, such as equipment and how it was used, compass testing in field situations, and evidence of conservation proficiency.
In this latter category, Troop 284 undertook a road repair project without suggestion or guidance from their adult advisors. This effort earned them an additional 20 points in the judges’ scoring, placing them far ahead of any other Troop.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 29, 1975
May 2000, 25 Years Ago
New Skateboard Park Opens
“Skate or die, dude!” The popular catch phrase from the 1980’s has reemerged as a buzz word with today’s youth, referring to the passion kids shared for skate boarding. And now with the increasing popularity of “extreme sports” and competitions, skateboarding is back with a vengeance. Even Emmitsburg has caught on to the trend, evident in the opening of the Emmitsburg Skate Park on April 9.
After almost three years of negotiating with such details as insurance coverage and location, the Skate Park finally opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the 9th. Nearly 50 skaters arrived to the former tennis court behind the Emmitsburg community center to test out the apparatus, which includes the “fun box,” the “pyramid,” two “four-foot quarter pipes,” and two “three-foot half pipes.” These were built from blueprints from Funtastik, a Gettysburg company which also provided employees to assist with the construction.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, May 2000
Dispatch Dinner-Dance Benefit Set
Emmitsburg’s resident deputy, Deputy Willie Ollie of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, was recently recognized at the fourth annual Victim Services Awards ceremony hosted by the State’s Attorney Office.
Deputy Ollie was among fourteen people, including civilians, law enforcement advocates, as well as police officers, who were honored for their positive impact on crime victims and their families. State’s Attorney Scott Rolle presented to Deputy Ollie the Victim Services Award for recently assisting the state’s attorney office investigating a sexual assault case, spending “numerous hours helping to alleviate the victim’s fears and anxieties by answering all of her questions regarding the criminal justice system. His kindness and willingness to become involved made the difference between the victim’s continuing the case or giving up.”
Emmitsburg’s town manager Dave Haller and Commissioner Jim Hoover were among the more than 100 people who attended the ceremony held April 14 at the Frederick County Court House.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, May 2000
