January 2

Says Democratic Party Has Lost Public Confidence

Senator Bruce, of Maryland, created a decided sensation in the Senate, on Monday, by declaring the Democratic Party, a dead, putrid corpse. He said the people of the country have lost faith in the Democratic Party because of the sectional issues. The outburst was replied to by Senators Harrison and Ashton.

Harrison called Bruce, a "so-called Democrat", while Bruce called Harrison, a "narrow, contracted, small-bore partisan".

The crossfire lasted for about two hours. Republicans, of course, were satisfied to take no part of it.

Family Gathers To Cut Firewood For Sick Family Member

On Friday afternoon, Harvey Rentzel and family were given a Christmas surprise by his father-in-law and brother-in-laws, who came and cut about six cords of wood, and hauling it on the wood pile for them. Mr. Rentzel has been in bad health for sometime and is not able to do things. The following were present; John Horner, Ivan Riley, Harry Rentzel, John and James Harner, and Will Martin. A neighbor, Prun Robert also came and assisted in cutting the wood.

Eclipse Of Sun Due On January 24

For a few minutes on the morning of January 24, the moon will get between the Earth and the sun, and cut off all the light which we get from that body. The eclipse will be visible in the United States, and it doubtlessly will be seen by more millions of people than any such occurrence in the past, according to Professor Brown of Yale University.

The accuracy with which the time and position can be predicted the eclipse is high, Professor Brown went on to say. The staff of the United States Naval Observatory at Washington is always at work, calculating the positions of the heavenly bodies years in advance in order that the predictions may be useful. The northern and southern edges of the shadow band can be laid down within a mile. All this knowledge, however, is not a product of the present generation. It has been slowly accumulating through many centuries. Most of it is due to the proof of the law of gravity, which was given by Isaac Newton towards the end of the 17th century.

Plan For New Road In Hamiltonban

A board of supervisors has been appointed; based upon the petition of residence of Hamiltonban Township, for the laying out of a road in that township, and the vacating of another, which becomes useless by reason of the new road.

In their petition, the residence of Hamiltonban Township declare they labor under greatest inconvenience for one of a public road in Hamiltonban. The petition was presented by Donald Swoop. A description of the proposed road is as follows:

"To begin at an iron pipe in the public road, leading from the public road running from Virginia Mills to the Mount Hope schoolhouse to the road running from Fairfield via the Mavia Furnace to the Waynesboro Turnpike Said iron pike being 6,831 feet in a northerly direction from the intersection of said road with the road leading from Fairfield the Mavia Furnace to the Waynesboro Turnpike, and ending at a driven iron pin at the end of the public road running from Virginia Mills to the Mount Hope schoolhouse, on the land of Mrs. John Kernan, said iron pin being 4,582 feet in the westerly direction from the intersection of the road from the public road running to the road leading from Fairfield via the Mavia Furnace to the Woodsboro Turnpike."

Taneytown School Arrangements

An arrangement has been completed to carry on the various grades of the Taneytown school, in rented rooms. No part of the old brick building will be used on account of its presume, unsafe conditions. The arrangements are unsatisfactory, but are the best that could be secured, and at least, they will permit finishing out the school year, which is much better than no school. The following time schedules will be observed:

High school, all grades, in the Opera House, regular schedule nine in the morning to four in the afternoon. Fifth and sixth grades in the portable building on the school grounds from 12:30 to 4:30. Seventh grade in the portable building on the school ground from 8:30 to 12:30. First and second grades will be held on the second floor of the Lemmon building at the railroad station from 8:30 to 12:30. Third and fourth grades will also be held on 2nd floor of the Lemmon building, from 12:30 to 4:30.

According to the information we have, there is no plan, nor agreement, for new building for another year; but, there must be one, and it should be made during the next three months in order that Work may commence on the new building when spring opens. The present temporary arrangement for the school cannot be continued. It is highly objectionable in many ways, and is not to be thought of, at all.

There must be a way found for the conflict between authorities to be compromised. The demands of the one must be made to meet the ability of the other, and both sides must surrender to practical business sense. If there is either politics or personal antagonism in the situation, a way must be found to override both. The principle interest of all must be solving the present unbearable condition of the Taneytown schools.

January 9

Youth Shot Through Hand

Harry Leonard, age about 17 years, son, of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Leonard of Harney, was injured Friday at about noon by the accidental discharge of a revolver while camping with a group of friends along the Monocracy. The revolver was in his own hands when it went off.

The charge passed through the palm of his left hand. The action occurred while the young men were at dinner. Young Leonard was handling the weapon at the time. Leonard was taken by Berner Jenkins, in the latter’s automobile to the offices of Dr. Jenkins in Taneytown, who cauterized and dressed the injury. As the shot passed cleanly through the palm, no serious results or anticipated.

Radio In The Family Circle

As an entertainment and education device, the radio is far surpassing motion picture theaters, dance halls, and any other forms of public amusement.

A new horizon has been opened up to two millions of families living in the country, the town, or the big city, a new means of culture. The world in its larger centers is offering programs of good entertainment and instruction to people in their homes, both day and night, the new marvel drawing families together.

Young and old, instead of wandering idly in search of diversion, can hear an orchestra, a band, a pipe, or organ, a religious service, or a good play in their own home, being in the city, on a farm, or miles away in mountains or desserts.

There are lectures for the serious minded all the way from literature to electricity and specialist give the latest ideas in dress, dancing, gardening, or the various fields of scientific progress. As broadcasting stations are engaged to giving better service overwater areas, radio will give still greater service to the nation.

We have lost track of those getting radio sets; the habit is becoming as common as buying automobiles, consequently, a purchase in no longer a important news item; and every now and then, someone tells us not to mention them as a purchaser.

Snow Brings Out Sleighs

The great snow of last Thursday night and Friday blocked up roads, and in general cause many difficulties. Fortunately, there were no high winds to cause great drifts. The depth of the snow was from 10 to 12 inches, some more.

Old-time sleighing had its inning from Saturday until Tuesday, but it is one of the methods of travel that cleaned off State Road interferes with – to the satisfaction of horses, at least.

January 16

Two Young Boys Die At 2 O’clock

Pneumonia claim two young victims, both age 2 years, at 2 o’clock, Friday afternoon, in Fairfield, after short illnesses.

James Sanders, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cletus Sanders, died at the home of his parents on Track Road, at 2 o’clock, Friday afternoon. The child had been ill a few days. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, Vincent and Alfred, and two sisters, Kathryn and Bernadine, all at home. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, in Fairfield, the Reverend Father Reardon officiating.

Lloyd Junior Kent, son of Myrtle Kent, died at the home of John Shindledcecker also of Fairfield, also died at a 2 o’clock on Friday, following a brief illness with pneumonia. He survived by his mother. Funeral services will be held Sunday morning at the Shindledcecker home with burial in Fairfield.

Harney Residents Racked By Sickness

We are informed that Mrs. Clarence Naill is a very sick woman, at this writing. She has been sick for sometime. First, she was suffering from quinsy. About the time that her throat open, she was taken with Scarlet Fever, and we have just been informed that she has erysipelas. The three coming together, make her case very serious. Her niece, Miss Nelly Hess, a trained nurse from Baltimore, arrived on Wednesday evening to take charge of the case. It is hope that Miss Naill arrival will speed he aunt’s recovery.

Meanwhile, we have been informed, Miss Pauline Fox, daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Fox, is also very sick with Scarlet fever, her temperature is running from 102 to 103. Miss Ethel Wantz who has been sick for several weeks with the same disease, is improving, and if nothing further develops will soon be around again.

All Three Families Are Under Quarantine.

James Ohler, who has been suffering with a bad case of neuritis, is able to be up and around, but at times, his suffering is intense. Last Friday, he was in Gettysburg and had his teeth extracted. The doctors all seem to think that bad teeth have been the probable cause of his trouble.

Charles Paulsen

Charles Paulsen, of Emmitsburg, aged 49, died after an illness of a few weeks from pneumonia. Shortly before the holidays, Mr. Paulsen suffered from a cold, which developed into pneumonia, and on last Saturday it was decided to remove him to the Frederick hospital. Due to his weak condition, he showed little signs of improvement and the end came early on Monday morning.

Mr. Paulson was a native of Carroll County, coming to Emmitsburg 15 years ago to take a position as a fireman on the Emmitsburg Railroad, where he work for a number of years. Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons. Funeral services will be held at his house, conducted by Reverend Higbee, Pastor of the Reformed Church. Interment will be made in the Mountain View Cemetery.

January 23

The Home Newspaper

The local newspaper is the most valuable asset any community has. The daily papers furnish national and international news, but they do not, and cannot, act as a local town booster. The are in business to get all they can out of the towns and boost their own circulation.

We have said as much, in other words, at different times, and without particular prejudice against the dailies. They have the right to exercise, and to exploit their businesses, even when doing so, in some cases, it hits the little town newspapers hard. The dailies are reaching far out into county territory to get patronage that they do not have insufficient bulk in their home cities, and also to supply a natural demand for subscribers, so, from a business point of view, their course is well sustained as legitimate.

But, there is the other side of the question, and that is the hometown and community side, in which the daily is not seriously interested. Accepting the truth, that the hometown newspaper is the most valuable asset any community has, it naturally follows that said community should support it. There is a partnership existing between the home, and the home people that must be mutually exercised and operated.

So, when a subscriber decides to cut out his local paper for the sake of taking a daily paper, he abandons not only his home paper, but also the best interest of his hometown – not only buy so much less in revenue, but by example.

No person can afford to make businesses profitable for a stranger, at the expense of a friend, sooner or later, also injuring himself, directly or indirectly; and when a town and community lacks pulling together – one for all and offer one – it lacks the essential elements of good citizenship, and displays poor business judgment – as well as unfairness.

$450 Blaze In Liberty Township

Damage by fire to the home of Joseph Peffer, of Liberty Township, Wednesday afternoon, amounted to about $450. The building was damaged to the extent of about $300 and the loss of furnishings and other articles in the place will total at least $150. An electric washing machine, which was damaged, was the largest item in the latter loss, which also included the meat of a recent butchering, which had been stored in the kitchen.

Some clothing, which had been placed in the kitchen, preparatory to washing, was also destroyed. The fire originated about 12:30 in the afternoon in the outer kitchen, a one story structure, built at the rear of the house. All the family was at dinner in an adjoining room. When Mrs. Peffer went to the outer kitchen to do some washing, she discovered the fire, which was then only smoking.

Within a short time however, before the aid of fireman could be secured, the frame structure was in flames. A number of men by their prompt action in shoveling snow from the roof probably prevented the main portion of the house from igniting. Only the weather boarding on the house was scorched, although the adjoining building was burnt.

While only one basket filled with clothes was all that was carried out of the room. All the bottles of hooch of thee local boozers association, which had been stored for safe keeping in the kitchen, was safely removed and relocated to the new super secret location in the back room of the ice house on Mr. Crum’s farm.

Mrs. Pfeiffer was not burned as was at first reported. Her collapse was due to fright which occurred when she first saw the fire smoldering. She rallied later in the afternoon.

The manner in which the electric wires burnt off at the point where they enter, the building, led to the belief that a short circuit was the cause of the fire. A fire was burning in the stove at the time, but it is not thought that the fire could have been started from it.

Bridgeport Robbery

On Thursday evening, about 8:30, three men from Baltimore were stopped on the Bridgeport Bridge, and relieved of their possessions, which they said amounted to about $100 in money and some jewelry.

A car went around them just before they got to the bridge and stopped in front of them on the bridge and the occupants got out and made the three men give what they had and drove away with the two cars, leaving the three men standing. Constable Adelsberger of Emmitsburg was summoned, and the stolen car was found abandoned near Allison Ridge about 2 miles away. No clue of the thieves has been secured.

Saturday’s Eclipse

Don’t forget about tomorrow’s eclipse of the sun, it will start about 7:41 in the morning and last until 12:06 in the afternoon. The darkness is promised to be sufficient to fool the chickens to go to roost, and to encourage deeds of evil – but just why these evilly incline items should wait for an eclipse, when there is a real night every 24 hours, is not explained.

Anyways, for 2 1/2 minutes, a total eclipse is promised at about 10:06, through the total eclipse belt and it will be an experience not many have here before had. Streetlights are to be kept burning, and banks will be closed and lamps and flashlight will be in demand. So, it will be well to provide plenty of light, and perhaps to rearrange every day plans, to some extent.

January 30

Eclipse Of The Sun

The eclipse passed off uneventfully, strictly tending to its own business. Not a bank was robbed and not a chicken went to roost in this section so far as was heard from. The height of the eclipse, was about 9:10 and the darkness did not equal that of a summer electrical storm. All portions of the eclipse were directly visible to a very clear sky. The clearness of the sky, and the snow cover ground, prevent any very noticeable dominion of light. The eclipse seemed about 90% full in the section.

Hundreds of telescopic photos were taken and much scientific knowledge was gathered about such mysteries as the contents of the sun’s corona, the composition of eclipse, Umbria, the explanation of the jumping jackrabbit on the moons, the deflection of light as related to the Einstein theory, the effect of eclipse’s upon earth’s climate and tide’s and gravity, and it’s effects upon radio activity, upon earth’s magnetic centers, it thermometers, and its barometers.

Scientist however were unable to use the eclipse to discover and insights into the way women think or why politicians think men are better off without access to liquor.

Counties Have Trouble Keeping Main Roads Open

Frederick County today was occupied trying to emerge from the effects of the snow and hail storm, which on Thursday, swept through the section of the country.  Despite the severity of the storm, it is considered fortunate that not more damage was caused.

The snow and hail, accompany by a northwest wind of no mean proportions, has resulted in numerous roads being blocked in spite of the activities of the fleet of snowplows operated by the State Road Commission.

Virtually every main road in Frederick, Carroll and Adams Counties are blocked at some point as a result of the snowstorm. Almost all side roads are impassable. Reports from various sections indicate the storm hit with ferocity in all parts of the counties. It will take some time, it is estimated, to clear the roads to such a point that traffic will be permissible. Officials of the counties promised that that they were doing everything possible to get at least one lane shoveled to allow normal passage of vehicles.

The bus companies serving the area were held up on Friday on account of 5-foot snow drifts. The Emmitsburg to Gettysburg bus driver was forced to dig his way through several places because of the deep snow, which blocked the bus’s passage. Fortunately, he had packed extra snow shovels prior to departing for Gettysburg, and unable to move forward, required all the passengers to assist in shoveling the road in front of them. The objections of several of the passengers to being put to manual labor was silenced when the driver ‘discovered’ a bottle of top quality ‘mountain hooch’ behind the stack of snow shovels, which was liberally shared by all those helping to clear the road. Once the bus return to Emmitsburg, the station master ‘discovered’ anther bottle to help re-warm the driver and his helpers. All vowed that they would sign up to be passengers on the next big snow.

Peaches Are Killed

It is authoritatively said that there will be no peaches this summer in the Adams County peach belt, due to the below zero weather of the past week. Apples are not affected, but the loss to peaches will be total, except perhaps, in a few sheltered locations.

The temperature in the mountain sections have registered as low as 20 to 24 below zero, recalling the year 1912 when 26 below was reach. The loss to fruit farmers will approximate several hundred thousand dollars.

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