once upon a time...

James Rada, Jr.

June 1926, 100 Years Ago

3 Prisoners Who Escaped Md. ‘Cut’ Caught By Sheriff

Less than two days after their escape from the Maryland House of Correction, three of four [prisoners] who left the State institution at Jessups were captured by Sheriff I. W. Albaugh and Deputy Horace Radcliffe. The capture was made at Thurmont this morning about ten o’clock.

The [prisoners] are Arthur and Frank Thomas, this county, were sentenced to a year each for larceny, and John Fountain, a Prince George county [man] sentenced for carrying concealed weapons.

                                             – The (Frederick) News, June 22, 1926

Wife, Shooting At Birds, Badly Wounds Hubby

Fired upon accidentally by his wife while picking cherries at their home near Thurmont, Anderson Eicholtz, 45, is in the Frederick City hospital tonight so badly injured that he is not expected to live.

Mr. Eicholtz received a charge of buckshot in the abdomen when his wife, not knowing that he was in the tree, fired into the foliage with a shotgun to scare off birds which had been destroying the fruit. Despite his wounds, Eicholtz clung to the tree until aid could be obtained.

                                            – Hagerstown Morning Herald, June 25, 1926

June 1951, 75 Years Ago

Prized Flag Presented Local Legion at Meeting

An American flag which covered the casket of an honored soldier in World War I was presented to the Francis X. Elder Post, American Legion Tuesday night at its regular meeting in the Post Home, N. Seton Ave.

The 5×9 flag, presented by Louis F. Rosensteel, was from Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Kerrigan, Philadelphia, Pa. It draped the casket of Neil McGlaughlin, who belonged to Battery F, 115th Field Artillery, USA, who was killed in action overseas. The late Mr. McGlaughlin, brother of Mrs. Kerrigan, saw action in the battles of St. Mihiel and Meuse Argonne. A notation, accompanying the letter, was also read by Mr. Rosensteel, giving his character as excellent in the service of his country. It was signed by E. Cowley, Adjutant General of the U. S. Army.

                                            – Emmitsburg Chronicle, June 8, 1951

Ritchie Project Apparent Gov’t Redoubt

Night and day now for more than six months Army engineers have been tunneling into Raven Rock Mountain, six miles from Emmitsburg, along the Waynesboro Rd., to build a stand-by Pentagon for use in case of a bomb attack.

Late orders issued to all Pentagon employees, giving them specific, secret points to report to in case of attack, show that the project might soon be ready for some use. What is called the Camp Ritchie Project has been kept under heavy secrecy. The only

official announcement of its existence was a terse Dept. of Defense release some time ago which said, plans are going forward for the establishment of a supplemental communications installation at and nearby Camp Ritchie, Md.”

In the meantime, rumors of its size, location and use have been rife among Washington’s defense employees. Excitement and curiosity among residents living along the Waynesboro Rd. have been intense.

                                            – Emmitsburg Chronicle, June 22, 1951

June 1976, 50 Years Ago

Water And Sewer Rates Hiked

Due to rising operation costs, the Town Council hiked water, sewer and trash collection charges to town users Monday night at their monthly meeting. In the future the trash collection charges for the services of Wetzel Brothers within the corporate limits will be $40 per year for each residential unit.

                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, June 10, 1976

Nat. Fire Academy Still Interested in St. Joseph’s Site

Governor Marvin Mandel, in a letter to County Commissioner Lawrence A. Dorsey, this week reported the National Fire Academy Site Selection Board is still considering St. Joseph

College in Emmitsburg as a possible location for its proposed national academy.

The National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control is seeking facilities that will permit it to operate 250 days per year with a maximum resident enrollment of 300 and maximum attendance on any one day of 1,000.

In the letter. Mandel told Dorsey he had written to we selection committee, urging it to select St. Joseph. He also said he had offered his assistance in resolving any problems or questions regarding the site or state services and facilities.        

                                          – Emmitsburg Chronicle, June 17, 1976

June 2001, 25 Years Ago

Tri-state Meeting Promotes National Status for Route 15

Efforts to designate Route 15 a National Scenic Byway moved a step closer last month as officials from about 40 national, regional, state and local organizations in three states gathered to share ideas and experiences in support of the project. The project, which extends 175 miles from Gettysburg to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, is called Journey Through Hallowed Ground (JTHG), and encompasses the natural, historic, scenic, cultural and rural resources of Route 15 (and Route 20 from Orange, Va., to Charlottesville).

– The Dispatch, June 2001

E-burg to Host State Softball Tournament

The eyes of Maryland will be on Emmitsburg July 21-26, as Emmitsburg Little League will be hosting the 2001 Maryland Little League Junior Softball State Tournament. Teams from all over Maryland will be competing for the title of State Champion.

            – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, June 2001