once upon a time...
by James Rada, Jr.
*Note: Newspaper excerpts are as they appeared in their respective issues.
November 1926, 100 Years Ago
Apple Show At Thurmont Today
Interest is being shown throughout Thurmont and surrounding districts in the community apple show to be held in the Central Trust Company at Thurmont, Friday and Saturday, under the auspices of the Trust Company. The event will be participated in by residents of Thurmont, Catoctin, Hauvers, Creagerstown and Emmitsburg. It has been arranged by Calvin S. Lohr, of the Thurmont Company, assisted by C. Thomas Summers, of the Central Trust Company, this city, and County Agent Henry R. Shoemaker, and has been looked forward to be exhibitors for some time.
– The Frederick Post, November 5, 1926
20 Injured As Western Maryland Mail Train Crashes Into Freight
Approximately 20 persons narrowly escaped serious injuries and 16 were hurt about 5:45 o’clock Monday morning when the Baltimore to Hagerstown fast mail train No. 1 met in head-on collision with train No. 900, a freight, a freight train of the Western Maryland R. R. one-half mile east of Thurmont. The majority of passengers of the mail train were later sent to Hagerstown on the same train with a new engine attached. 11 of those who suffered slight cuts and bruises having first been attended by Dr. M. A. Birely. of Thurmont. The accident, it was stated, was due to a switch being opened for eastbound instead of westbound trains.
– The (Frederick) News, November 9, 1926
November 1951, 75 Years Ago
Route 15 Relocation To Open
The Route 15 relocation just north of Harmony Grove, which includes a new bridge over Tuscarora Creek and has been under construction for more than a year may be opened to traffic late this week, it was reported yesterday.
L. R. Waesche and Son, Thurmont, the contractor for the $143,000 project, has virtually completed the job except, for connections at either end of the relocation, some shoulder work along the new road and hand rails on the bridge. An official of the company indicated that the shoulder work and bridge rails could be finished up after the road is opened to traffic, while excavation for the so-called “tie-ins”at either end of the relocation is under way.
The project eliminates a dangerous temporary bridge, erected years ago when another structure at the same point on Route 15 was washed out by a flash flood, and also does away with several severe curves. The relocation covers slightly over half a mile and the new single span steel I-beam bridge is some distance upstream from the old bridge. The roadway is one of re-inforced concrete surfacing and the connections with the old road are to be of bituminous concrete.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 2, 1951
Route 15 Scene Of Five Wrecks
Wet and slippery highways were contributing factors in five motor vehicle accidents in this section of Frederick County Friday afternoon. All occurred in a space of four hours and were inyestigated by State Trooper 1/c Kenneth Bond.
Only two personal injuries resulted from the mishaps. Mrs. Jennie Hartman, 69, or Jamestown, N. Y., suffered a fractured arm and leg and her sister, Mrs. Victoria Schmock, 61, of Erie, Pa., a broken nose and left arm. Both were admitted to Frederick Hospital for treatment.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 26, 1951
November 1976, 50 Years Ago
Charred Body Found
The charred body of an unidentified male was discovered on a remote logging trail near Kelbaugh Road on Nov. 2.
State Police reported the body was burned beyond recognition so even the race and approximate age of the victim were not known. The body was removed to the morgue at Frederick Memorial Hospital. An autopsy was to be performed on Nov. 3 at the state medical examiner’s office in Baltimore to determine the exact cause of death. The State Police are handling the death as a homocide.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 10, 1976
Staley Named Officer of the Year
Sgt. William C. Staley, of Thurmont, has been named Maryland’s Outstanding Inland Division Officer of the Year. The award is presented annually by the Law Enforcement Section of the Southeastern Association of Game & Fish Commissioners.
Sgt. Staley who works in the Northcentral Section of the State has been with the Natural Resources Police for 15 years. Sgt. Staley was cited for his meritorious work in coordinating the activities of all Inland Division police assigned to the Northcentral section. His responsibilities were thrust upon him because of the illness of his commanding officer of that area.
The Inland Division is made up of 66 officers whose primary duties are enforcement of game & inland tidal fish conservation regulations In addition, the Inland Division renders numerous assists to outdoorsmen every year and is responsible for the conduce of the highly successful hunter safety program in the state.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 21, 1976
November 2001, 25 Years Ago
President and First Lady Honor Fallen Firefighters in Emmitsburg
On October 7th, at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, President George W. Bush, with his wife, Laura, led the nation in paying tribute to 101 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year. “Laura and I are honored to be here with you today, as we remember the lives and sacrifices of your brave relatives,” the president said.
Coming in the wake of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, which took the lives of more than 300 New York firefighters September 11, the President’s appearance at the 20th Annual National Firefighters Memorial Service could not have come at a more opportune time. “Our Nation still mourns,” the president said.
Although the recent tragedy has thrust firefighters and their heroism into the nation’s spotlight, it had no bearing on the president’s decision in July to accept the invitation. “The courage and loss we saw in New York we’ve seen in every community that has laid a firefighter to rest.”
– The Dispatch, November 2001
Construction Begins on Seton Addition
Construction began early October 2001 on the $1.7 million expansion project at Mother Seton School, a year after their September 14, 2000, ceremonial groundbreaking.
Bruchey Builders, Inc., of Frederick began site work for the new addition to the school, which was designed by Nelson Salabes Johnson, Inc., of Baltimore. Nevin Mauck, project superintendent for Bruchey Builders, said the foundation for the addition will be poured during late October or early November. The addition will include two kindergarten classrooms; a classroom for a future pre-kindergarten program; a state-of-the-art science lab; a large multipurpose room for art, music, band and chorus; centralized administrative offices; a larger staff room, and a two-bed health room. The building will also feature a new central front entrance, an extended driveway in front of the school; more storage space, an improved playground and an outdoor kindergarten play area.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch,
November 2001
