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100 Years Ago This Month

July 1917

July 6

Fourth In Emmitsburg

The Fourth of July in Emmitsburg is always a gala day and this year was no exception to the rule. Long before nine o’clock a crowd had gathered to witness the parade which is always a feature of the Vigilant Hose Company’s picnic. Promptly upon the hour the columns formed at Fireman’s Hall. First came the Emmitsburg Coronet Band, followed by a large number of automobiles gaily decorated with the stars and stripes. The second division was headed by the Double Pipe Creek Band and comprised the firemen in uniform, horsemen and local members of Company A.

The crowd followed the parade to the grounds, where the morning was pleasantly spent. Tables filled with attractive delicacies greeted the eyes on every side and many stayed for lunch, assuring themselves of a good seat at the baseball game in the afternoon. The evening at the grounds was but a repetition of the pleasures of the morning and afternoon. There were fireworks, balloon ascensions, and band concerts.

Bad Auto Crash

A Ford touring car containing Vernon Ohler and Mrs. Edgar Stansbury struck a stone pile and ran into a telegraph pole on the Baltimore Pike. The pair said that they were forced to the side of the road by a large car, which passed them on the side of the hill. While ascending the hill, it is claimed a large car running about 25 miles an hour came up behind them, just before it shot past, a man on the front seat shouted: "we will pass this old Ford on the Hill." By this time the big car was alongside the Ford and fearing an accident Mr. Ohler turned to the side. His car struck the stone pile and dashed into a telegraph pole. The Ford was badly damaged and had to be taken to Frederick on a truck for repairs.

July 13

Legs Crushed By Freight Train

George Sanders, age 35, was struck by a Western Maryland freight train early Sunday morning near Fairfield, and had both legs badly crushed. He was found along the side of the tracks weak from loss of blood, and taken to the Chambersburg Hospital, where he died following the amputation of a leg and a foot.

Sanders, who had a wife and seven children, left Fairfield late Saturday night for home by way of the railroad right-of-way. Early the next morning, neighbors were awoken by dogs barking. Upon investigation, they were attracted to cries from the direction of the railroad. They came upon the half conscious Sanders who had crawled about 50 yards from where he had been run over. He was able to state that he had been struck about midnight and after the accident had crawled to a switch house to telephone for assistance. He found the switch house door locked, but broke it open. Not being familiar with a telephone he was unable to use it and he began to cry for assistance. He was found two hours later. At the hospital his right leg was removed at the knee and his left foot was amputated. He did not regain consciousness after the operation.

Killed Attempting To Stop Runaway

In an effort to halt four runaway horses, driving a binder, William Harbaugh, of near Emmitsburg, was crushed to death last Friday afternoon. Mr. Harbaugh was working on the farm of his nephew, George Kemper, at the time of the accident. He and Mr. Kemper were shocking wheat, while Miss Kemper, a daughter, was driving the binder. One of the horses began to kick, and kicked over the tongue of the machine. The scrambling of the horse to free his legs frightened the other three horses and the team ran off. The team went around the field once and then Harbaugh tried to stop them. In doing so he was trampled underneath. The large wheel of the binder passed over his head. He was picked up and carried to a shade tree, and Dr. Jamison was summoned, but died before the physician arrived. He was 59 years old.

July 20

Injured While Attempting To Stop Runaway

Robert Wantz, a farmer, residing about a quarter-mile north of Emmitsburg, met with a serious accident last Friday afternoon. Mr. Wantz was hitching two horses to a wagon at the time of the accident. He had hitched one of the horses and while adjusting the harness on the other it became frightened and started to run away. Wantz held onto the bridle and after being dragged a considerable distance, fell. He was hurried in an automobile to the office of Dr. Stone, where he was given medical attention. An examination showed that he had sustained several deep cuts over his right eye. The flesh was torn from the side of the face leaving the eyeball, and upper and lower teeth exposed. The upper eyelid was torn off with the skin and muscles of the face. Fine gravel and dirt were ground into the flesh. It is to be hoped that he will retain the sight of the eye, but his face will now be badly disfigured. His back was raw as a result of being dragged.

Company A Called To Duty

Capt. Elmer Munshower yesterday afternoon issued orders to members of Company A., First Maryland Regiment, instructing them to report to the State Armory, next Wednesday, where they will be held until full equipment has been issued. The company will then depart for Alabama for training.

Trick Bicyclist Visits Town

Emmitsburg was visited by a trick bicyclist from "somewhere in America" on Monday evening. Quite a crowd gathered on the Square where they were entertained for half an hour by stunts such as "looping the loop" without a loop and many other daring exhibitions.

The Cost Of Dog

"From every standpoint there is need for a re-adjustment in the attitude of the state towards the dog," says the Manchester Record. "The upkeep of the dog is an enormous drain on the food supply of the nation. It has been estimated that an average of $35/year is spent on dog food. This totals $875 million/year for all the dogs - a sum significant to banish starvation from a large portion of the war swept nations of the old world. In Europe, children are being saved from starvation at a cost of ten cents a day each, or $35 a year, the maintenance of a dog is therefore costing as much per year as the life of a child.

"It is time to call a halt on the nonsense of dogs - and, indeed, to all other animal pets. It is time that man and woman - and particularly the woman, look at this really important question with reference to its bearings on our national and international economics. There will be more food for the starving woman and children of the old world if there are fewer dogs in America."

July 27

Bank Installs Lighted Clock

The Emmitsburg Savings Bank has just installed one of the latest improved self-winding clocks. The dial, electrically illuminated at night, is eighteen-inches in diameter and the figures can be distinctly seen from almost every point on the Square. The case is solid mahogany, conforming to the interior woodwork of the bank, and the self-winding mechanism is operated by batteries.

Robert Wantz Dies

Robert Wantz, who was injured July 13, while hitching two horses to a wagon and was dragged in such a manner as to sustain several deep cuts about his face, died as a result of his injuries on Monday.

Woman's Defense League

The Woman's Defense League has now finished over 1,506 garments and hospital supply kits for shipment with the troops to Europe. Twelve comfort kits were sent to Company A in Frederick, and eight comfort kits were sent to Emmitsburg volunteers in the United States Army. The Hoover Housewife Cards are being distributed in town by the Census Committee of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Defense Association and the rural delivery men are taking them to rout the surrounding country. Mrs. Ledlie Gloninger has offered her beautifully equipped home to the government and graciously signified her willingness to provide for the care of 12 to 24 convalescing soldiers.

Kill The Dogs? Never!

"Dog dast it boys! That story in the Chronicle last week got my goat, and I'm going to raise the biggest doggone crop of hooun’ to dogs next year you ever saw." This from the ring leader who started the discussion at the weekly Former Former Boozer Association’s meeting at the Hotel Slagle’s Bar.

"Conservation? What does that editor know about conservation?" Continued old Blood Up. "Why what the government ought to be doing right now is feeding the soldiers on bulldog blood and red pepper - especially as they’re handing out grape juice for fighting booze."

"A man's got to have a half a dram or two of that liquid fire in his boiler, to make you want to walk right up to the Kaiser and hang his helmet on Bill's mustache. The only reason those town folks kick is because we let our dogs rob their refrigerators and porch cupboards! Gosh, man, we can’t be expected to do otherwise with all this high cost of livin, kill the dogs? Never!"

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