once upon a time
by James Rada, Jr.
*Note: Newspaper excerpts are as they appeared in their respective issues.
October 1926, 100 Years Ago
Two Year Term Given Man For Forgery Charge
Found guilty on two charges of forgery, Martin L. Benner, of Thurmont, was sentenced to two years in the Maryland House of Correction on each of the two charges, the sentences to run concurrently. He was tried before the court. Judges Worthington and Peter. The amount involved $75.
– The (Frederick) News, October 18, 1926
Repair Bridges Following Floods
Bridges throughout Frederick county are being rapidly repaired since the recent rains and are now open to the unusually heavy travel of Fair week. Roads are being put in shape, and travel is becoming easier for persons residing in outlying districts.
…In the Thurmont area two concrete bridges have been opened to travel.
– The (Frederick) News, October 19, 1926
October 1951, 75 Years Ago
Hit-Skip Driver Surrenders After Death
State Police Monday afternoon formally charged Nathan Luther Valentine, 39-year-old mechanic of near Thurmont, as the driver of a car that fatally injured Ernest Powell, 71, also of Thurmont, on the southern edge of Thurmont last Saturday night.
The driver of the death-car had been widely sought since it fled the scene.
Mr. Powell died two hours after being struck by the car..
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, October 19, 1951
Sportsmen Ask Return Of Catoctin Area
Efforts were begun Sunday to have the Catoctin Recreational Area, Thurmont, turned back to the State of Maryland. The section is now under Federal operation.
Action was taken Sunday, by the League of Maryland Sportsmen, meeting in Hagerstown, by adopting a resolution calling on the Government to turn over the recreational area in Northern Frederick County to the state.
The National Park Service now controls the 5,000-acre area. The resolution asked that the land and improvements thereon be placed under state control.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, October 26, 1951
October 1976, 50 Years Ago
Town Damaged By Flood Waters
Flash Floods, Tornado warnings. You name it and it was forecast for Emmitsburg and Frederick County early Saturday morning. As it turned out, the only thing missing was the tornado as Emmitsburg and surrounding area was hit with 6.07 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period.
Residents are now busy digging out from under a disaster that some people are saying is worse than Tropical Storm Agnes which struck in 1972. The rains, which were heavy a week ago, were compounded by rains on Friday and Saturday, and saturated the already saturated ground and swollen streams. This produced flooded crops and basements; stranded motorists, damaged homes and businesses, felled trees, and caused heavy flood destruction that will result in considerable cost to area residents.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, October 14, 1976
Deputy Superintendent Retires
Lieutenant Colonel Woodrow W. Crobin, who rose to the position of Deputy Superintendent, has retired after serving 38 years with the Maryland State Police. Colonel
Corbin, who spent his entire career in the operations area of the department, participated in all but two of the major disaster and disturbances that the State Police handled during his years of service.
Colonel Corbin received five Superintendent’s Commendations for outstanding police performance and was awarded three Governor’s Commendations besides receiving a joint Maryland Senate-House resolution. His first commendation was awarded by Governor Herbert R. O’Conor for his speedy, efficient and fearless participation at a major riot at the Maryland House of Correction in 1945. Governor W. Preston Lane, Jr. awarded Corbin a commendation in 1947 following a high speed pursuit and apprehension of an armed man in a stolen car who had just run down a Hagerstown policeman.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, October 21, 1976
October 2001, 25 Years Ago
Chris Stahley Resigns as Town Commissioner
In a letter to Mayor William Carr dated September 12, 2001, Commissioner Chris Stahley resigned his position as commissioner of the Town of Emmitsburg.
“In all fairness to the citizens of Emmitsburg,” he said, “I feel I cannot fulfill my duties because of my work schedule, civic commitments, and my two children.”
Mr. Stahley is a 911 Dispatcher for Frederick County and has been an active member of the Vigilant Hose Company since he was 18.
He was elected commissioner in the spring of 2000 and was serving as the liaison to the Streets Committee. Mayor Carr accepted the resignation with regret and thanked Mr. Stahley for what he has done for Emmitsburg.
– The Dispatch, October 2001
New Principal for Catoctin High School
A new principal welcomed students to Catoctin High School this school year. Ann Bonitatibus replaces former principal Marty Tarr.
Ms. Bonitatibus was appointed by the Frederick County Board of Education after serving most recently as principal at New Market Middle School. Prior to New Market, she held the position of assistant principal at Frederick High School and at Thomas Johnson High Schools. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Bonitatibus moved to Maryland to begin her teaching career in math and English. She now resides in Adamstown with her husband.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch,
October 2001
