ONCE UPON A TIME
by James Rada, Jr.
July 1923, 100 Years Ago
Wreck Near Thurmont
All traffic on the Western Maryland Railroad between Hagerstown and Baltimore was at a standstill Monday afternoon, when 14 loaded freight cars were derailed and half a mile of track torn up a short distance from Thurmont. The cause of the wreck was due to a wheel on one of the freight cars breaking.
A wrecking crew from Hagerstown was immediately dispatched. The damage was not repaired until late Tuesday. The wreck is said to be one of the worst in the history of the railroad and the damage caused will amount to thousands of dollars. The regular evening passenger train due in Hagerstown from Baltimore was held up for more than three hours. Passengers going from Hagerstown to Baltimore over this route were transferred from one train to another on the opposite side of the wreck and were taken to the destination in this manner until the wreckage was cleared.
– Catoctin Clarion, July 11, 1923
Thurmont Merchant Ill
Robert A. Tyson, Thurmont dry goods merchant, became suddenly ill this morning about 8 o’clock while was in the postoffice. Mr. Tyson had apparently been in good health up to the time of his illness. He became unconscious and was taken to his store. Dr. E. C. Kefauver was summoned. Later in the day Mr. Tyson seemed to recover to a great extent and was removed to his home. His illness is not considered serious.
– Catoctin Clarion, July 11, 1923
July 1948, 75 Years Ago
Desire Was Alimony; Divorce Is Refused
The law of Maryland looks with disfavor on divorces where judicial permission to live apart is requested. Associate Judge Patrick M. Schnauffer said in an opinion filed Tuesday in Equity Court accompanied by an order dismissing a bill of complaint for a partial divorce.
The court pointed out the Mrs. Anna N. Ridenour, formerly of Thurmont and now of Waynesboro, Pa., said in her testimony before a court examiner, that alimony was her principal desire. She had asked for a partial divorce from Monroe W. Ridenour, Thurmont.
– Frederick News, July 14, 1948
Peach Crop Harvest Is Begun Here
The harvest of a peach crop which ranges from poor to good, depending on the locality has begun in Frederick County and the canning of a good green bean crop is under way at Thurmont, reports today indicated.
Peaches in this immediate locality still look very good, it is understood, while in the Thurmont section the crop is reported near failure from rot. In the vicinity of Mt. Airy, probably the largest peach section in this area, the crop is reported “just fair” and undergoing constant attack from Japanese beetles.
– Frederick News, July 29, 1948
July 1973, 50 Years Ago
Calif. Players Here Monday
Emmitsburg will play host next Monday night for a group of 12 and 13 year old all-star baseball players from Arcadia,California. They will compete against an Emmitsburg 12-13 year old all-star team in a game at Community Field beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The visitors belong to the Boy’s Christian League which makes tours around the country. Homes in the Emmitsburg area are needed in which to house the visiting boys from after the game Monday night until their departure Tuesday morning. Any family willing to provide an overnight home for one or any number of these visiting boys is asked to contact Gene Myers immediately so that arrangements can be made.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, July 12, 1973
Seton Center Has 6-Month Reprieve
Seton Center in Emmitsburg,recently threatened with loss of funding and possible closing, has a reprieve of at least six months. Until January 1, 1974, there will be no change in the HEW regulations which provide purchase of-care funds for about 40 children enrolled at the Center. The stay in implementation of the new guidelines, which were proposed last February, apparently resulted from a nationwide wave of indignation. Locally, friends of Seton Center bombarded officials with phone calls and letters to express their disapproval. It was charged that the proposed tightening of eligibility requirments for day care would actually increase the number of families on welfare. Many mothers would have to give up the job that kept the family financially afloat and stay home to care for the children.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, July 28, 1973
July 1998, 25 Years Ago
Teen Skaters Ask for Help from Town
This spring three local teenagers signed up to speak at our Emmitsburg Town Meeting. Avid rollerbladers and skateboarders, Kenny Gentile, Chris Rose and Ben Rose, spoke at the meeting expressing their frustration about how hard it was to rollerblade and/or skateboard in Emmitsburg.
Chris Rose, age 16, said they were chased away and hassled by store owners and residents. Some people even called the police. “We just wanted a place where we could go to skate,” says Chris Rose.
Business owners complained that the skaters were a nuisance and a safety hazard to customers. Residents expressed concern for the safety of the skaters fearing the boys would get hit by a car or hurt themselves skating.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, July 1998
Town Seeks New Manager
Former town manager Yvette Kreitz resigned and has accepted the position of Borough Manager of Littlestown, Pa. According to Krietz learning a new system will be challenging, “but, I was ready professionally to make a change.”
Mrs. Krietz started out as a P&Z administrator, was promoted to coordinator of public works and eventually was named town manager.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, July 1998
