once upon a time...

James Rada, Jr.

May 1926, 100 Years Ago

Flames Unchecked As Fire Catoctin Mountain Rages

The Catoctin Mountain in the region between Catoctin Furnace and Thurmont was still a huge mass of flames today. Despite the efforts of scores of men Sunday the fire is still raging in such proportions that little hope is held out for extinguishing it in the near future.

The eastern limit of the fire that was established by fire lines Sunday held during the night and it is thought that there little danger of the fire spreading in that direction at present. Deputy Forest Warden C. Cyril Klein said this morning that he hoped to be able to hold the line that has been established along Hunting Creek above Catoctin Furnace and prevent the further spread of flames in that direction.

                                             – The (Frederick) News, May 10, 1926

Hog Cholera Near Westminster

A severe outbreak of hog cholera has occurred on the farm of the Western Maryland College. The case was reported to the County Agent, Tuesday evening, and Wednesday morning Dr. T. K. Hoffman, State Veterinarian, of Hagerstown, was on the premises. He found several of the animals in the advanced stages, and a postmortem confirmed his diagnosis. The officials of the college are to be commended for their prompt action in slaughtering and disposing of the sick animals and the treatment of the well with serum to prevent the spread of the disease in the neighborhood.

                                            – The Carroll Record, May 7, 1926

May 1951, 75 Years Ago

Plans For Town Hall Progress

Plans for Emmitsburg’s new Community Hall took a step forward Monday night when a committee met and drew up proposed bylaws to submit to a public meeting on June 5 for adoption.

Temporary Chairman Edgar G. Emrich presided at the session which was attended by representatives of various organizations of the town. Present were Mr. Emrich, Paul A. Keepers, Colonel Thomas J. Frailey, Albert W. McCleaf, Herbert W. Roger, Charles A. Elder, Thornton W. Rodgers, Guy A. Baker Sr., and Bernard H. Boyle.

                                            – Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 11, 1951

Oldest Resident Celebrates 95th Birthday

Mrs. Sarah Emma Nunemaker, Emmitsburg’s oldest resident, celebrated her 95th birthday on Tuesday. Daughter of the late Joseph Smith and Ellen Waddles, she was born in 1856 about two miles east of Emmitsburg.

Mrs. Nunemaker moved with her parents, to the home she now occupies, 93 years ago. Her father was a merchant and operated his store in the East end of the house. She was born near the close of the administration of Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, the 14th President of the U. S., about the time of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. That period witnessed the struggle between the North and South for the possession of Kansas, the rise of the Republican party and the opening of the first World’s Fair held in the U. S. in the Crystal Palace in New York. Thomas Watkins Ligon, 35th state Governor, was then the chief executive of Maryland. The question of slavery was a current topic, which, with the secession – of the states, later resulted in the Civil War.

                                            – Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 18, 1951

May 1976, 50 Years Ago

Summer Signals Sharp Rise In Dog Bites

The end of the school year always signals a sharp rise in animal bites to children, often with tragic results, warned Dr. Kenneth L. Crawford. Chief of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, the absence of protective clothing results in more serious wound lacerations in warm weather when children and their dogs are outdoors.

                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 13, 1976

Local VFW Receives Two Awards

Commander-in-Chief Thomas C. Walker, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has announced that V.F.W. Post 6658, of Emmitsburg, Md., has won two Awards of Honor given by the organization for community service.

Walker praised the Post and its Ladies Auxiliary on winning the two awards and gold plaques. “Local V.F.W. members can be proud of this unique accomplishment. Through their activities demonstrate the V.F.W.’s concern of helping others.”

The Post received one Award of Honor for its support of construction of a community swimming pool and the other for sponsorship of an ambulance service for use by local citizens.               

                                          – Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 20, 1976

May 2001, 25 Years Ago

70-Lot Development Set

Ryan Homes has purchased several of the 70 lots of Pembroke Woods Subdivision and optioned out the balance. Ryan will start its on-site sales program immediately for delivery this September.

All the homes will be single family homes situated on 1/2-acre minimum lots. These lots will be substantially larger than the current minimum lots sizes in Town. To accommodate the lower density of the project there will be no curbed streets. Prices of the homes will start at $182,000.

                              – The Dispatch, May 2001

Preston to Resign

After 33 years at the helm of the history department, former Emmitsburg Mayor and beloved Professor Robert Preston is departing the Mount to take a position as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

Preston, who has been a pivotal member of the Mount’s faculty for over three decades, sent an e-mail out to his colleagues on Monday, April 16th, explaining his departure. He said that on a whim he applied for the Vice President position at Trinity, a small Catholic liberal arts college located across from Catholic University in D.C.

                        – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, May 2001