Home | Mission & Goals | Meeting Schedule | Search | Contact Us | Submit A Story | Links

100 Years Ago This Month

February 1913

February 7

Whipping for Wife Beater

For the first time in many years the sentence of whipping as a penalty for wife beating was inflicted in Frederick County. On Wednesday Robert Phelps received 15 lashes applied in rapid succession upon his shoulder and back. Phillips was tried on Monday night for wife beating and was given the privilege of paying a fine of $25 or spending 60 days in the County Jail. He said he preferred to be whipped, and though he wished to change this decision afterwards, he received the lashing to expiate his offense.

False Report of Marriage

Mr. Lewis Callahan has this to say concerning a report of his marriage to Ms. Warthen:

In the Frederick Evening Post on January 31st there appeared in that paper a statement to the effect that on January 27th, Miss. Warthen and I, both the Mount St. Mary’s, went to Baltimore and were married. On behalf of Miss. Warthen and himself Mr. Callahan says that this report is absolutely false and without foundation as neither he nor Miss. Warthen were not in Baltimore on that date.

The editor of the Frederick Evening Post retracted the article in the February 1st issue of the Post and stated to Mr. Callahan that the article had been sent in over the telephone as no copy of it to be found, and he had a accepted it as coming from a regular correspondent.

Improvements

Mr. Harry Wagerman is erecting a blacksmith shop on the land belonging to Mr. Dukehart on Frederick Street.

Matthew Brothers is contemplating making extensive improvements to their property. The work will begin shortly and will include a bowling alley and a pool room.

A dynamo for electric lighting or persist has been installed in the Broom Factory.

The Emeralds improved their hall on Frederick Street, by putting new glass doors that open outward.

The Emmitsburg railroad has purchased a new whistle called "The Chime" from the Western Maryland Railroad.

The milk wagon belonging to Mr. Long has been repainted.

Another Wreck on the Western Maryland

Twelve cars on the Western Maryland were derailed at seven stars near Fairfield, Saturday afternoon, and caused a pileup which it took several days to straighten out. The wreck occurred when a battleship coal car jumped the tracks for some unknown cause and the others followed. The track was torn up about 300 feet and the rails were demolished. No one was hurt. The evening train Sunday was the first that could be gotten through the wreck. Previous to that passengers were transferred to special training made up at Hanover.

February 14

Letter to the Editor

Everybody around here, and for some distance beyond, is painfully aware that one of the locomotives of the Emmitsburg Rail Road is equipped with a new whistle, or an old one upholstered. But does this sign of progress entitle said road to send their engine down, back and forth, shrieking, screaming, frightening, startling the whole county?

I’m from the countryside. You should see the cattle take to cover when said whistle is let loose. A stranger who was talking to me the other day, and whose conversation was punctured repeatedly in a short time by the enormous whistle, wanted to wager that more steam was escaping the whistle then the smokestack.

Is it necessary to shock and bolt the whole of this, and parts of the adjoining counties, when a small train is approaching Motters’ or announcing its advance to impassive mud road?

It seems a waste of economy and a public nuisance to have a whistle like the Trump of Doom on an engine that needs only to give a signal that can be heard a couple of hundred yards away.

Slipper Roads Cause Accidents

Two horses in the four worst team of Mr. Daniel Roddy fell on the ice crossing near Spangler Hotel on Saturday. No injury was done either of these fine animals.

On Tuesday an Autocar got stuck at the same crossing, unlike the horses that walked away, the car still stuck, once again proving the Autocar will never replace a good horse.

February 21

Death of Mrs. Peninah Morrison

Mrs. Peninah Morrison died on Monday, February 17th pneumonia at the home of her son. She was 95 years, four months and 29 days old. She was the daughter of Thomas Jones and Elizabeth Hahn and was born near Emmitsburg where she lived the greater part of her life.

Mrs. Morrison was a verb remarkable woman up to the very day of her death. She possessed all of her faculties and took a lively interest in all around her. Only two weeks ago she was seen in the Presbyterian Church of which she was a lifelong member.

She is survived by four sons, 25 grandchildren, between 30 and 35 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, which makes five generations living in this family at one time, a most unusual circumstance.

Local Knitting Mill Forging Ahead of Thurmont

The local branch of the Union Manufacturing Company whose main plant is in Frederick is working to the full capacity of its present equipment.

This factory, which has only been in operation for a few months has arrived at an output equal to the branch at Thurmont which has been in operation for two years. 50 machines are now running their capacity being 162 dozens, but the local manager, finds that more machines are necessary. Even now there is room for four more operators as will be noticed in the advertisement in another column.

In order has just been given for a new engine of greater horsepower than the one in use and it is confidently expected that before very long and additional building will be necessary.

February 28

Unusual Weather

Emmitsburg was visited by a regular spring thunderstorm on Saturday. For a short time rain accompanied by hail, fell in torrents. On Sunday afternoon a flock of about 50 wild geese flew over town heading due South attracted the attention of many people strolling the streets. By the time anyone could retrieve their hunting rifles, the geese were long gone, much to the dismay of many who for a moment had hoped for a surprise goose dinner.

Death of Dr. Eichelberger

Dr. James Eichelberger, one of the most prominent physicians of Emmitsburg, died on Sunday morning of Bright’s disease, he was 72 years of age.

Dr. Eichelberger was in very good health until a few months ago we began to decline rapidly. On February 5th he was taken to the Frederick city hospital very ill and although he obtained temporary relief this condition did not improve. Dr. Eichelberger loved his profession and was actively engaged in this practice up into within a few months of his death. His field was a large one and he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his patients, too many of whom his loss will prove a great hardship to.

Dr. Eichelberger was born in Emmitsburg, October 1st , 1841. He was the son of the late Dr. James W. Eichelberger senior, and was a graduate of the University of Maryland, following which he associated himself with his father's practice in Emmitsburg. In 1892 he married Miss Sarah Minnie Hoke.

The funeral services were held at the old Eichelberger Homestead on the square and interment was made in the Lutheran cemetery.

Read Prior '100 Years Ago this Month'

Have a newspaper clipping on a event that took place in Emmitsburg? 
If so, send it to us at history@emmitsburg.net