A Local Arrest Leads to National Death Penalty Case by James Rada, Jr. An arrest in Thurmont in 1949 was the first domino to tip in Merlin James Leiby’s life that led to him being executed for murder in Florida a few years later in a case that drew national coverage. Leiby was like a…

Alumni and guests met at the Emmitsburg Ambulance Building on October 21, 2023, to renew friendships and share memories. Approximately 130 people were present. Dinner was served by Keystone Restaurant. Bill Wivell offered the blessing. The program began with prayer and the pledge. President Alan Brauer recognized Veterans and public service personnel. Secretary Connie Baker…

The Year is…1808 by James Rada, Jr. The Mount Seminary Is the “Cradle of Bishops” From a brick cottage in rural Maryland grew an institution that has educated dozens of young men who became Catholic bishops and archbishops. Mount St. Mary’s College began in 1808 when “the Society of St. Sulpice in Baltimore closed its…

by James Rada, Jr. Things That Go “Boom” In the Night January 2, 1887, was a cold day in Frederick County. Thermometers hovered around eight degrees. Fireplaces and stoves were stoked with roaring fires to fight back the cold that was pushing its way through every crack and crevice of a home. Several inches of…

by James Rada, Jr. 1909 — Emmitsburg’s Third Great Fire Emmitsburg has a long history of both fires and fire protection. The Great Emmitsburg Fire of 1863 is considered the most serious fire in the town’s history. By the time the flames sputtered out, twenty-eight houses and nine businesses had been damaged or destroyed. Three…