once upon a time...
James Rada, Jr.
July 1926, 100 Years Ago
Kelly’s Sister Dead
Death has failed to heal a rift between Frank Kelly, Democratic boss, and his sister, Mrs. Julia Kelly Jarvis, which, according to friends, had existed for more than a quarter of a century. At Thurmont, two days after Mrs. Jarvis’ death, Kelly declined to say that he had any relatives of that name. Mrs. Jarvis, Kelly’s last blood relation, died Saturday, in New York City of heart disease. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from an undertaking establishment in Baltimore. As far as could be learned no one represented Kelly at the services, which were attended by about a half dozen persons.
Kelly is at Thurmont recuperating from a serious heart attack, with which he was stricken about two months ago.
– The (Frederick) News, July 9, 1926
Grapes Plentiful
Everywhere in the section of the county around Thurmont, grapes seem to be plentiful and of good quality according to reports. Reports sent out by government officials state that Maryland promises a big yield unless something unusual happens.
– The (Frederick) News, July 31, 1926
July 1951, 75 Years Ago
Thurmont Sportsman Injured Racing
Thurmont harness race horse owner, trainer, and driver, who escaped serious injury Saturday night in a five-horse spill at Laurel Raceway, was released from a Laurel hospital Monday. He was treated for a laceration on his forehead, sprained wrist, broken thumb and back injuries at Warren Hospital in Laurel.
Some 8,000 spectators witnessed the biggest spill of the racing season. Track officials said it was remarkable that no one was killed as the horses, drivers and sulkies piled up in a tangled heap on the track.
The spill came during the running of the co-feature $2,000 mile fourth race sending Mr. Eyler and Paul Snyder to the hospital.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, July 6, 1951
Local Man Eludes Sheriff
William F. Swope, 23, of Emmitsburg, was in jail at Gettysburg Sunday awaiting disposition of a contempt of court charge after he escaped from the Adams County Sheriff last week and gave himself up last Friday after a widespread search for him.
Swope fled from Sheriff Dorsey J. Schultz and one of his deputies as they were taking him into the jail. Pennsylvania and Maryland police were alerted to look for him, Sheriff Schultz said Swope notified him Friday evening that he was ready to surrender and the officer went to Emmitsburg to take him in custody. Sheriff Schultz said he arrested Swope at his work bench in the Fairfield Shoe Co. plant at Fairfield on a contempt of court charge in connection with a support order. As he was being escorted into the jail, Swope is said to have fled across a field and into the underbrush.
The sheriff said Swope declared that “he was not going in there” as he approached the jail and then turned and ran. Schultz said he fired four shots at the fleeing man but did not hit him.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, July 6, 1951
July 1976, 50 Years Ago
Taneytown Slated For New Medical Bldg.
The Taneytown Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Dr. William R. Linthicum will be opening a medical building on Kings Court Drive in Taneytown in the very near future.
Dr. Linthicum, son of Robert and Emma Linthicum of Middleburg, Maryland is presently serving in the U.S. Navy in Havelock, North Carolina. Dr. Linthicum, who graduated from Francis Scott Key High School in 1963, obtained his B.S. in zoology from the University of Maryland in 1967. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Maryland Medical School in 1971 with his family practice residency at the University of Maryland Hospital in 1971-1974.
The Taneytown Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in the doctor coming to Taneytown by obtaining the site and purchasing a medical modular building from the Marshall Erdman Company in Madison, Wisconsin. The units will be assembled together on the job site with completion scheduled by August 1, 1976.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, July 27, 1976
WWII Vets Hold Reunion at Ft. Ritchie
Thirty years ago, Ft. Ritchie—a small Army post in Western Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains—was the scene of German mobile artillery Maneuvers, Japanese mounted cavalry charges, and lectures to soldiers in German and Japanese uniforms on the proper way to ambush American troops.
No. the Army post had not gone over to the enemy, but was rather the headquarters of the Army Military Intelligence Training Center (MITC), whose responsibility was the training of specially picked American troops in the techniques of enemy warfare so that they could more effectively counteract it.
Those warlike days are gone now, but members of the Composite School Unit (CSU), the teaching core of the MITC, live on to share their memories of those unusual days. Approximately 60 members of the old CSU recently returned to Ft. Ritchie to hold a reunion. Although some of the returning veterans live within a day’s drive from the post, many came from distant points — from New York to California. Arriving with their families, the group numbered more than a hundred. They spent the day comparing today’s Ft. Ritchie with what they knew 30 years ago, reminiscing and exchanging war stories, picnicking by the lake, and generally renewing old acquaintances.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, July 27, 1976
July 2001, 25 Years Ago
Preston’s Tenure Remembered
Dr. Robert Preston, longtime Professor of History at Mount St. Mary’s College, has resigned from the Mount’s faculty and will become Provost of Trinity College in Washington, D.C.
When colleges are taking applications for administrative positions, it is customary to keep the names of the applicants confidential until the process is complete. Benjamin Franklin said that three people can keep a secret only if two of them are dead, and this is especially true at the Mount; the college is a close-knit community where everyone usually knows everything about everybody. However, in this case, confidentiality was maintained; only a few individuals who had written recommendations for Preston were aware that he was considering a move. Therefore, the news of his departure came as a shock to the Mount faculty and staff.
– The Dispatch, July 2001
Sleep Inn and Suites Has Grand Opening
Emmitsburg welcomed a new addition to the town, the Sleep Inn and Suites. Officially opening on June 7, 2001, the hotel rented seven rooms their first night of operation.
The 79-room, three-story hotel offers standard rooms with two double beds and one king-sized bed, as well as 12 standard suites and one fireplace suite with a two-person whirlpool garden tub.
The Sleep Inn and Suites, located at 501 Silo Hill Parkway, features an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, and on-site guest laundry.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, July 2001
