100 Years Ago This Month

June 1925

June 5

Decoration Day Finely Observed

By general consent, Taneytown had the most creditable celebration of Decoration Day of any community. The parade was larger, and the observance at the cemeteries was appropriate and well carried out. The following were in line; two Civil War veterans, George Duttera and Luke Bitzel; one Spanish American War - Harry Baumgardner; 25 World War survivors; Hanover Pa. Drum Corps; Town Officials; a long line of children with flowers; Taneytown Band; 50 members of the P.0.S. of A.; the fire truck and firemen.

At the cemeteries, and at the soldiers' memorial members of the American Legion rendered the customary honors, bugle calls and salutes; appropriate to such occasions, and the graves were decorated by the children.

The theme of all of the addresses was "sacrifice," as embodied in the full measure given by the soldier dead, that made by the home folks in many ways, the sacrifice that is due by all good citizens at all times that our dearly bought heritage shall be properly safeguarded, and the importance of showing our gratitude for the liberties we enjoy through perpetuating the best memories of Decoration Day.

The streets of the town and the cemeteries were well filled with people from far and near, who spent the two hours from 1 to 3 o'clock ob-serving the various events. The large number of visitors from quite a distance was distinctly noticeable.

The committee having charge of the arrangements are grateful for the assistance and encouragement it received, and returns thanks to everybody who in any way contributed to the success of the event.

May Fete Given

The Woodsboro Parents Teachers’ Association gave its final program of the present scholastic term, on Friday night on the school lawn.

The feature of the program was a "May Fete", including a processional consisting of a May Queen, and attendants made up of children in costumes to represent roses, violets, daffodils, lilies, poppies, butterflies and bees. "Book Land" consisted of fairytales, Alice in Wonderland, Tin Soldiers, Little Red Riding Hood, Hiawatha, Siamese Twins, and Gardens of Venice.

Each group of characters demonstrated their stories by song and dance before the May Queen‘s throne. Following this, there was a procession of the characters to the schoolhouse.

A play written by the seventh grade entitled: "Scouting In The West, was given by the sixth and seventh grade pupils. This consisted of a night scene around a campfire and another scene fighting a forest fire. About 10 children took part in the program. About 100 parents were present.

The committee in charge where: Mrs. Charles Miller, Mrs. William Cutshall, Mrs. Noah Flanagan, Mrs. Raymond Smith, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Elizabeth Benson, and Misses Bertha Rice and Elizabeth Futzelle, teachers of the school.

Eight Boys Pay For Prank

A series of practical jokes extending over a period of several weeks resulted in the arrest last week of eight youths, all whom live in the vicinity of Johnsville. The complaint was made to the authorities by Chester Stover, about 18, of the same vicinity.

Those for whom warrants were sworn out are: Paul Grossnickle, Lester Singer, Elmer Singer, Reginald Watcher, Thomas Watcher, Daniel Stitely, John Foreman, and Norman Eyler. The arrests were made by Deputy Sheriff Meyer. The eight were charged with playing a series of so-called practical jokes on the young Stover.

One night, it was said, a strand of fine wire was drawn across the road, and the party lay and wait for Stover to come along, at which it was planned to frighten him, start him running with a result that he would trip over the wire. Stover came along, but saw the wire with the aid of a flashlight, which he was carrying, and broke it, it was said.

On another occasion, Stover was told that a girl who lived some distance away, wanted to see him, and the boys accordingly took him to the appropriate destination. Arriving there, Stover got out of the machine in which she was riding and the boys hurried away, leaving Stover to walk about halfway home, at which point they met him and took him the remainder of the distance.

Stover also claimed that he was tied by the boys several times and that each time he cut the ropes with a penknife.

Stover finally became peeved and had a warrant sworn for the eight, charging each with assault and battery. The youths were then arrested and brought before Justice Sherman Bowers for a hearing and each was fined the cost in the case. In addition, Justice Bowers reprimanded the youngsters for their exuberant spirit.

June 12

First Silk Spun By County Worms

The first silk spun by the silk worms grown on Chestnut Farms, Walkersville, by the proprietor, Dr. Will Payne, who has been conducting experiments with this new adventure in agriculture for Frederick County, was brought to the newspaper’s office.

Tuesday night, the oldest silkworms began their eight-day task of spinning their cocoons. Most of the night Dr. Payne watched and aided the worms in their activities so that the silk could be in the desired condition. 14 persons assisted him in this work. There are hundreds upon hundreds of worms starting on this transition stage of life, whereby material is made for the most valuable of millinery finery.

The worms brought to our offices have completely covered themselves, the silk bean of yellowish hue. By artificial means, the grower can establish the color of the silk to be spun by the worms. The cocoons are about the size of a large size single jointed peanut. Dr. Payne stated that the worms continue to spin for eight days inside of their silk shell until the mass becomes particularly solid. By holding the cocoons to the light, the forms of the tireless little workers could be seen.

Dr. Payne stated that the average length of the silk spun by a silk worm in making his cocoon is 37,000 yards, which is about 21 miles. This means that a worm spun about 10 feet of silk a minute, and continues his work uninterrupted for the eight days. At that time, he passes into a comatose state and remains so until he emerges as a butterfly. Before that time, however, the grower ships the cocoons to the mill where the cocoons are holed, the worms being destroyed in the process.

Dr. Payne is elated over the success of his first effort and is convinced that the conditions here are suitable for the industry. The first essential in the undertaking will be the planting of mulberry trees on which the worms feed.

Walkersville Baby Clinic A Success

The Walkersville baby clinic last week was described to have been very successful, 51 children, ranging in age from two months to six years, having been examined by Dr. Wells, Superintendent Of Child Hygiene, form the State Department Of Health.

Miss Maud Wagner, County health nurse, weighted and measured the children; Miss Henrietta Cramer and Miss Nelly Kenode, graduate nurses at the Frederick City Hospital, assisted Dr. Wells. His histories of the children were taken by a committee from the Women’s Club, under whose auspices the clinic was held. Doctor Kefauver, county health officer, was present and assisted in giving instructions to the mothers. A health motion picture was shown by the county agent and a large number of persons were present.

Literature from the Child Welfare Association, State Department of Health, and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company were distributed. Instructive posters decorated the walls of the old school house in which the clinic was held and the proper clothing and toys for babies was exhibited.

In commenting upon the clinic, Dr. Wells said that the children examine tested higher than in any other community he had ever given an examination. Dr. Joseph Long and Dr. Nicodemus, both of Walkersville, spent part of the day and together with the nurses where guest of the Women’s Club at lunch at the Cramer House. No prizes were awarded due to the fact that in the examination there had been such close competition.

Fall From Train Fatal

Missing his footing and falling between two cars from a Western Maryland freight train on which he was a brakeman, John Vaughn, 32, of Woodsboro, sustained injuries Thursday morning, which resulted in his death a few hours later at the Frederick Hospital.

The mishap occurred about 5 o’clock as Vaughn left the engine of the train to go back over the freight to make the inspection, which is conducted following each trip made through the mountains.

He missed his footing and fell between two cars, his right arm was cut off as was his left foot at the end step. He was dragged for some distance, which caused injuries about the head and hips.

The mishap occurred about a half mile west of Thurmont. Vaughn was rushed into the northern county town, where a few minutes later he was taken in a car to Frederick. But died about two hours later.

The Frederick County Jail

The County jail has been rated as grade "C" in the report of the Director of Public Welfare, and 16th among the county jails of the state. According to the report, there was not much about it that was "fit, except ample air space, steam heat, and electric lights in corridors."

Well, those who don't like the accommodations should keep out of it. There are seven jails in the state less desirable than ours, and Baltimore County heads the list for general up-to-dateness. Tramps, bums and evildoers, take notice, and avoid Frederick County.

The Keymar Fishing Club

The Keymar Fishing Club had an outing Saturday to the Potomac River, where they had a most delightful time and plenty of fishing, and on Monday night gave a fish roast on the lawn of White Plank’s ,one of the members. They invited their friends and family, and all did justice to the fish, which all said was prepared fine and was served camp style. The Four Leaf Clover Orchestra furnished music.

Flag Day

The approaching observance of Flag Day, nation-wide in scope and world-wide in sentiment, tends to bring us into a closer realization of the significance attached to our National Colors.

The stripes of red, symbolic of the baptism in the noble blood of American manhood, alternating with the pure white stripes, that should never bear the stains of national dishonor; together with the clear-cut stars amid the field of blue, all forming the component parts of the banner representing these United States of America; is a beautiful and impressive sight to behold as it floats in an azure sky, with the bright sunlight playing upon its glorious and protecting folds.

Our Flag should have the loyal support of all true Americans. Government officials, the men in whose hands the welfare of this country rests, should ever remember and practice - the sacred trust reposed in them. No un-American practice, or malfeasance of public office, can be tolerated, supported or condoned by our people.

National and state legislatures should forget, momentarily at least, on this day of reverence, all-party differences, and unite in rendering due homage. For our Flag to continue to wave over the republic as the symbol of Liberty, in its truest sense, and rational patriotism in its noblest form, thus justifying that proud boast of unsullied reputation so well known to every school student, is our prayer.

Our country should be free from sectarianism; free from corrupt political influences and practices; eternally grateful to the brave men who have, by sacrificing their live, insured Democracy; and solicitous of the comfort and welfare of its maimed veterans.

June 19

Colored Man Killed at Union Bridge Cement Plant

Robert High, colored, was killed at Union Bridge cement plant, Thursday morning, by being caught between two gears at a dryer. Death is supposed to have been instantaneous. His body was not discovered until several hours later. He was a roving character, said to be from California, and leaves no known relatives in this section of the country.

Robbery on Keymar Road

Last Wednesday night, as Marshall Bell was coming home on the Woodsboro Pike road, he noticed a rope stretched across the road, and as he got near the rope saw two men, a white and a colored, who held the rope and called to Mr. Bell to stop. He did not know what to do but did slow up, the white and colored men jumped on each side of the car and grabbed for his watch. But the chain tore so they got only part of the chain and did not get the watch.

Mr. Bell fought them and kept his car running. He knocked the white man off first, and then had the colored man to contend with. He fought him and kept his car running, and going down a big hill he knocked him off. Mr. Bell went on to Walkersville and reported the robbery to the Deputy Sheriff.

Automobile Traffic and Birds

The heavy automobile traffic in most parts of the country, presents as grave a problem to the birds as it ever can to humans.

We can remember driving along the country roads and counting the birds nest in trees and wayside bushes. Robins, orioles, catbirds, bluebirds and many others seemed to nest and raise brood after brood in the reach of humans and not show the least fear. Bob-whites and the more timid ruffed grouse might often be seen running across the road in front of horse's feet.

All this has changed. The noise and smothering dust and burned gas of the passing cars have driven the birds far back into the woodlands. If a nest is seen it is far up and no sociable burst of song greets us as we journey along.

Occasionally a dead woodpecker or sparrow, or perhaps a young quail, tells of some overbold fellow who will sing no more.

The telegraph and telephone wires have long been fatal to many flying birds. One day while riding with a friend in a wagon, along a country road, we saw a ruffed grouse flying toward us, but she never reached the road. She hit a telephone wire with such force that she dropped dead almost beneath the horse's feet.

If birds are able to think at all, they must feel that all mankind is leagued against them.

Supreme Court Gives to Parents Control of Education

The Supreme Court, on Monday, without a dissenting vote, declared invalid a Oregon school law, requiring all children between the ages of 8 and 16 years, to attend the public schools. The decision therefore upholds the decision of the District Court of Oregon, from whose decision the Governor and Attorney-General of the State had appealed.

The decision holds that a State has the power "reasonably to regulate all schools, to inspect, supervise and examine them, their teachers and pupils; to require that all children of proper age attend some school; that teachers shall be of good moral character and patriotic disposition, and that certain studies plainly essential to good citizenship must be sought and nothing be taught which is manifested inimical to the public welfare."

However, beyond that broad general ground, the Supreme Court does not go and it clearly upholds the right of a parent to send his child to a private, public or parochial school.

The opinion, rendered by Justice McReynolds, of Tennessee, said among other things: "We think it entirely plain that the (Oregon) act of 1922 unreasonably interferes with the liberty of parents and guardians to direct the upbringing and education of children under their control. As often heretofore pointed out, rights guaranteed by the Constitution may not be abridged by legislation that has no reasonable relation to some purpose within the competency of the State. The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations."

June 26

Storm Does Heavy Damage

Barns were unroofed and blown over, fencing leveled, trees uprooted, sheaves of wheat tossed about and carried from one field to another, and outbuildings demolished in the locations of Creagerstown, Lewistown, and Woodsboro Saturday afternoon in one of the heaviest rain and wind storms of the summer.

The storm broke near Creagerstown, between four and 5 o’clock and was accompanied by wind, hail, and rain. A barn on the farm of George Ramsburg, near Creagerstown was blown over and wrecked, and the barn on the farm of County Commissioner Frank Stevens was partially unroofed. A garage on the premise of Russell Smith, near Lewistown, was lifted from its foundation and sent in an adjoining field. A car in the building was damaged.

The barn on the farm of Newton Kramer, near Woodsboro, was blown over. A large number of trees were uprooted near Lewistown and hay shed on the farm owned by Mr. Stevens, near Creagerstown, was demolished. A large locust tree was uprooted and blown across the front porch of the house occupied by Mr. Garvey.

The road for some distance along Hunting Creek was blocked by uprooted trees. Orchards were stripped of fruit and fencing on a number of farms was blown over. In some places, the force of the wind broke off fence posts even with the ground. Farmers near Creagerstown were compelled to work nearly all day Sunday rebuilding their fences to keep their stock from straying away.

A culvert on the road near the farm of Harvey Rhensburger was washed out and the stream overflowed the road and adjoining fields. Sheaves of wheat were carried down the stream and lodged in trees along hunting creek. Practically every sheave of wheat in the fields adjacent to Creagerstown where blown over and many sheaves were scattered in every direction. Dozens of large trees were uprooted and others blown over. Telephone service between the communities was put out of commission for a short time Saturday afternoon. A severe storm also settled in over Keymar and Ladiesburg.

Bee Causes Auto Wreck

A bumble-bee caused the wrecking of an automobile driven by James Nelson, Walkersville. Mr. Nelson and family were driving on the Woodsboro Pike, when a bee flew through the window of the car and struck Nelson's face. In hitting at the bee, Mr. Nelson lost control of the car and struck a barrel of tar at the edge of the road. The machine was wrecked and Mr. Nelson severely hurt, while Mrs. Nelson and son were but slightly injured.

Joy Ride Goes Bad

A supposed case of joy ride by four inebriates met with a mishap on York St., last Thursday evening, the car running into a stone pile in front of Raymond Ohler's.

One of the occupants appeared to be badly injured. The others refused and hastily left in the direction of Woodsboro. The license tag was found along the road, near town. As the parties failed to show up with the injured man at Frederick Hospital, the probability is that it was a bad case of drunk, and a get-away from a hearing before a justice, and a heavy fine or jail sentence.