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100 Years Ago This Month

November 1912

November 1

Chronicle Road Race Called off

The proposed automobile race from Emmitsburg to Frederick planned for today, will not take place. The roadways was designed for several general purposes-namely to attract attention to the deplorable condition of the road, which is one of the gateways to the world-famed battlefield at Gettysburg; to advertise to the world the wonderful country through which the cars participating would have run and over which many spectators would've traveled in order to see the race, and lastly, to attract attention to this County in order to further the idea of locating the proposed National Memorial Road to be erected as an everlasting tribute to the martyrdom of Lincoln.

The race was called off after a prominent road builder raised concerns that the damage to the road by the 20 cars would be about $25. Though the race organizers were willing to post a certified check for $500 to compensate the State Roads Commission for any damage the race may cause the roads, the state refused to issue a permit, in spite of the fact that the organizers even committed to making improvements in the road in excess of $100.

Improvements

A concrete crossing has been made between the properties of Mrs. Ida Gillelan and the Presbyterian parsonage. Mr. Shuff is having the porch on his W. Main St. house painted. Mr. Thomas Gillwicks is making extensive improvements to his dwellings on E. Main, Gettysburg and Greene Streets: the woodwork on the house occupied by Mrs. Coyle has been repainted, the property occupied by Mr. Brown has been improve by 65 feet of wire fence, the three houses on Green Street had been repainted and one of those has had a new tin roof install. The property occupied by Mr. Clarence McCarran has been approved by a new livery stable. Mr. Guy Topper has improved his residence on W. Main St. by a half glass door.

November 8

Election Day in Emmitsburg Quiet

Everything and everyone was orderly in Emmitsburg on Election Day. From the time the polls opened until the very hour of their closing, voters in town and from the country made their way to the respective polling places and registered their convictions by means of a ballot.

It was an ideal day and lots of people were out, and though many from a distance remained in town after casting their ballots there was no disturbance noticeable on any of the streets at any time.

It was a jolly crowd that gathered in front of the Chronicle office to hear the returns. There was a throng there from early in the evening until midnight-an orderly, good-humored assemblage that innocently made merry with shout and jest as the dispatches were megaphoned or paraded up and down, lustily cheering the different candidates.

Through the courtesy of the C&P Telephone Company, private wires were run in to the Chronicle office and a most efficient operator received dispatches that came at intervals of a few seconds. Long before midnight the trend of election was known, and just as Wednesday morning was ushered in, the people of Emmitsburg knew definitively that Woodrow Wilson had won.

Snowfalls

The first snow fell in Emmitsburg on Saturday night. The town was covered with icicles all day Sunday until late Monday morning. The goldfish were taken out of the town fountain on Monday afternoon much to the dismay of the little children who come to watch them.

Gypsies Returned to Town

A band of gypsies passed through Emmitsburg on Wednesday. For breaking one of the ordinances of the town, a "Gentleman of the Road" spent a night in the "coop" and swelled the coffers of the Corporation to the tune of five dollars and cost.

November 15

Town to Celebrate Election

Next Tuesday night Emmitsburg will be aglow with color. Red and blue lights, lanterns and bunting will give a festive appearance to the town, and the music of the bands and the prancing of gaily caparisoned steeds and the laughter of children will proclaim that a big jollification is on.

The occasion is a celebration of the victory the Democratic Party won on November 5 and the nature of the celebration will be a Monster Street Parade in which everyone is invited to participate, Democrats, Bull Moosers, Republicans and Suffragetts.

Everyone who owns or can secure a team, or horse or mule is welcome, and opportunity is afforded to originate floats with grotesque figures that will lend variety to the pageant. The old time gig, the ancient coach, the sulky, and the hay wagon, the sled - any and all of these, decorated with bunting, strong with lanterns and flags and hung with bells will be effective.

Every household is requested to illuminate and to share in the festivities of the event. It will be a big family affair and a source of real hearty amusement to all.

Dr. Shorb Gets Returns By Wireless

With his private wireless apparatus in the tower at Pigs Misery, Dr. Dan Shorb received the election returns. With the assistance of Dr. Glass he manipulated the intricate machine to a nicety, and long before the telegraph instruments of the county had ticked the news, Prof. Bushman, who had his airship anchored on the prairie dog house nearby, was on his way to Emmitsburg with bushel baskets filled with the correct information.

Dr. Shorb declared that owing to his splendid eyesight it was not necessary to use his wireless apparatus for returns from Thurmont, Harney and Jimtown. He simply looked over the shoulders of the clerks, from his private office at Pigs Misery, and wrote down the results. Some slight difficulty was experience in reading the tally sheet at Poplar Ridge, owing, the doctor said, too a bad wick in one of the lamps at that place.

November 22

Towns Celebration A Monster Success

They came from everywhere-those jolly, enthusiastic pleasure loving people that helped to make Tuesday night’s Carnival in Emmitsburg a huge success. They came by automobile, they came by train, and those who did not drive came on foot and what a gathering it was!

As soon as darkness fell, light after light appeared in the windows of the citizens of this progressive little town, and torch upon torch appeared upon the busy streets. On Monday bunting floated from housetop and storefront. On Tuesday more elaborate decorations in original design, draped the exterior of many buildings, and lanterns galore, lined the curb from tree to tree until every street loomed up in brilliancy.

From post at regular intervals, large gasoline torches shed light in all directions, brightening the color of the costumes of the hundreds of passers by and intensifying the beauty of the pageant as it moved along between throngs and applauding spectators.

From Mount St. Mary's and far below, the lights and fireworks were visible in all direction. Way out the Gettysburg Road and the direction of Fairfield the sky was aglow, the pink tint of the distant lights resembling a summer sunset. Down Taneytown way, too, could be seen the yellow balls spurting from hundreds of Roman candles, after from many places nearby could be heard the strains of martial music and the roll of many drums.

Although everyone was in good humor and here on pleasure bent, 10 special officers were sworn in for the occasion - more to direct them to arrest-but their services were needed in only a few instances. Nor could a crowd of 2,000 have been expected to behave with better decorum than did this jolly crowd that came to Emmitsburg. All were happy and enjoyment reign supreme.

Installs Modern Dental Machinery

In order to keep abreast with the progress of his profession and that he might be able to give his patients the benefit of that progress, Dr. Foremen has installed in his dental parlors, on E. Main St., a Sims Hydraulic Engine - the last word in the construction of dental appliances. This particular type of machinery surpasses even electricity in its facilities for accomplishing work quickly and thoroughly. Its installation shows that Dr. Foreman is progressing and that he is alive to the improvements that make for the benefit and comfort of his patients.

November 29

Little Jack Bollinger Dies

Death following a severe scalding in a vessel of boiling grease and water was the fate that befell little Jack Bollinger on Friday last. The little lad had been playing on the pavement in front of Patterson's Brothers butcher shop, where, for the moment, a pan of boiling grease and water had been left out.

Not observing the obstruction, he stumbled and fell; nearly his entire body became immersed in the scalding fluid. Some of the employees of the butcher shop heard the screams of the little fellow, but before any assistance could be given, he had gotten out. Three doctors were in attendance and although they did all in their power for the boy, he became unconscious about 3 o’clock, in which condition he remained until his death at 5:30. The little fellow was a favorite with all who knew him, and the whole community joins in sympathizing with the bereaved parents in their sad affliction. Jack will be interned in Mountain View Cemetery.

Barn Destroyed by Fire

Early Monday morning the barn belonging to Mr. Bernard Hobbs was completely destroyed by fire. It is not known how the fire started, but it was thought that a piece of corn fodder was ignited as a result of coming in contact with a lighted lantern. Mr. Hobbs succeeded in getting his livestock out safely before the fire had gained much headway. Unfortunately all the grain and farm implements were ruined.

Characters

It is reported that Dr. Glass and Professors Shorb of Harney University will be appointed by President Wilson to a special committee to revise the tariff code on codfish balls. Clarence Buckingham, brother of the Duke of Buckingham, will also revise the tariff on dill pickles. In an unrelated note, Col. Stonebottle, one of the most prominent citizens of Emmitsburg, painted his overalls on Saturday.

Auto accidents

A large touring car driven by a young boy who lost control of it ran into Dr. Jamison's residence, knocking out a windowpane and several bricks. On Saturday morning a party of motorist turning around backed into the gutter in front of the land owned by Harry Harner. The car could not be removed until further assistance was given in the way of Mr. Harner’s old draft horse "Luke," who easily pulled the mechanical beast to safety, and settling once and for all, the value of a good horse over an autocar.

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