once upon a time...
August 1926, 100 Years Ago
A severe electrical storm, accompanied by wind and rain, swept Frederick and Washington counties Thursday evening, between 5 and 9:30 o’clock. Hail fell in different sections of both counties. The downpour was heavy and many telephones were put out of commission by lightning.
… Thurmont was visited by a heavy rain and some hail. Lightning disabled a number of telephone lines. A near-cloudburst was reported at Foxville, a few miles northwest of Thurmont.
– The Frederick Post, August 13, 1926
Truck Wrecked
When the steering apparatus locked on the Ford truck, owned by George F. Late and Sons, butchers, of Thurmont, on the Thurmont road between Blue Ridge Summit and Sabillasville, Wednesday, the truck hit an embankment, turned completely around and turned over. Two youths and the driver of the truck, George Stunnell, of Thurmont, were badly shaken, but escaped serious injury.
– The Frederick Post, August 28, 1926
August 1951, 75 Years Ago
Local Family Tells of Trip and TV Shown
An interesting account of their appearance on the “Strike It Rich” television show is given by an Emmitsburg family which appeared on that program from New York last week. Mrs. Elizabeth Bowers and daughters, Paula and Loretta, in a letter to this paper give some interesting highlights of the trip which took place last week.
No doubt most everyone about Emmitsburg was watching. First it was a most pleasant trip. But an experience you’ll never forget. To see a show put together, controls to tend, cameras to plan and fix into position, try outs, rehearsals, then the momentous moment; nerves tight; contestants talking over the whereofs, and ifs. Then Ralph Paul, announcer, at his mike, everyone in place, the down-drop of Producer Walt Framer’s hand, then the M. C. Warren Hull, most likeable, congenial friend to all, comes out. Contestant after contestant tells why they’d like “to strike it rich.” Some receive more than others because some people are more cautious than others. But it is truly what they say, a program with a heart. I received as prizes $140 cash for answering questions.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, August 5, 1951
Old Home Week Opens With Parade Thursday
Emmitsburg’s gala Old Home Week, the first since 1909, will get under way officially next Thursday night when the mammoth parade, scheduled for 6:15 o’clock, takes off for a tour of the main thoroughfares of the town.
Thousands of Emmitsburgians and visitors are expected to view the spectacular parade which promises to be the largest ever held here.
Final plans for the 10-day affair were disclosed at a meeting of the committees in charge held in the Fire Hall Wednesday night, presided over by Edgar G. Emrich, president of the Memorial Hall Assn., and Samuel C. Hays, president of the sponsorer of the event, the Emmitsburg Chamber of Commerce. Twenty-one local organizations and churches have worked diligently in supporting the program and have lined ‘up a series of activities that will keep residents hustling to view them all.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, August 24, 1951
August 1976, 50 Years Ago
Boy Drowns in Mount Pool
The body of a 14 year old boy was found on the bottom of the swimming pool at Mount Saint Mary’s College Tuesday afternoon.
The boy, later identified as Charles Benjamin Marshall III, of Baltimore, had been reported missing at 8 a.m. on Monday, from the Maryland Council of the Arts at St. Joseph’s College after he failed to attend courses Sunday.
Chief Henry Filler, of the Emmitsburg Police Dept., and security guards at St. Joseph’s conducted a search of the immediate area Monday afternoon. Students attending a basketball clinic at Mount Saint Mary’s College noticed a pile of clothes under the diving board of the fenced and locked pool. After contacting a college authority, the body was found lying on the bottom of the pool in about 14 feet of water.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, August 12, 1976
Town Cited on Comm. Center
At the Town Meeting on Monday, Aug. 2, James L. Bryan, County Administrator and County Commissioner Donald L. Lewis told the town commissioners that they were violating the terms of an agreement by not hiring a security guard for the Emmitsburg Community Center.
The Town Council was told that it has been over two months since that post has been vacant and that the town’s agreement for the use of the building was that security would be provided seven nights a week.
Bryan pointed out there has been complaints from the Health Department about unauthorized use of its sect ion and reminded the town fathers that it was being funded money on the basis of service.
Some of the complaints about conditions at the Community Center were that windows were being left open, lights being left on, doors left unlocked, cigarette butts and ashes being left in the Health Dept. section after it had been cleaned, and that authorized entry was being made into the building.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, August 12, 1976
August 2001, 25 Years Ago
Emmitsburg Hosts Maryland Tournament
The eyes of those following the Maryland Little League Junior Softball State Tournament were on Emmitsburg as opening ceremonies began at Memorial Park the morning of July 21st. The double elimination tournament stretched over five days ending Wednesday evening the 25th with the State Championship belonging to the District 5 team Rising Sun. The final game completed an 8-0 record for the Rising Sun team, which swept both the District and State tournaments.
According to their manager, Al Price, the girls have averaged 15 runs while giving up 4 1/2 runs on average over the eight game stretch.
– The Dispatch, August 2001
New F&M Bank ATM Installed at the Emmitsburg Jubilee
A new drive-thru automatic teller machine (ATM) will soon be in operation in Emmitsburg. It will bring 24-hour banking convenience to the Emmitsburg community at a handy, free-standing location in the Jubilee grocery store parking lot off East Main Street. With safe, easy, drive-thru access, customers will not have to get out of their cars to bank at this new ATM facility.
Farmers & Mechanics has been serving the Emmitsburg area since 1962, at its full-service, downtown Center Square office which also offers drive-thru banking during office hours.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, August 2001
