by James Rada, Jr.
May 1921, 100 Years Ago
Alleged Holdup Man Caught
Charged with being one of four men who held up the Republican Club in Baltimore City several weeks ago, Ernest Myers of Baltimore, was arrested two weeks ago at the home of his aunt, Mrs. J. L. Whisner, near Mt. St. Mary’s, this county, by Detectives Porter and Quirk of Baltimore, and Deputy Sheriff Roscoe Mackley of the Sheriff’s office, Frederick. The arrest was made on the day the man charged with burglary at Hanover was being chased through the mountains west of Thurmont, and when it became known that an arrest was made in this section, many persons thought it was the supposed burglar that was caught.
– Catoctin Clarion, May 12, 1921
Mosquitoes By The Millions
With the warm wave of Sunday and Monday last came a swarm of millions of mosquitoes in the vicinity. Sitting on porches meant to be in agony. The air was full of them during the evening hours and to walk through the grass or shake a bush mean about the same as disturbing a hornet’s nest. The cool weather Tuesday gave some relief.
– Catoctin Clarion, May 26, 1921
May 1946, 75 Years Ago
Convention of Fireman Is Set
The annual convention of the Frederick County Volunteer Firemen’s Association will be held at Thurmont on August 1 and 2. This was decided at the quarterly session held on Thursday night at Independent Hall, this city, with 11 of 13 companies of the County Association represented.
The convention will coincide with the annual carnival of the Guardian Hose Company, of Thurmont, which is scheduled for July 29, 30, 31, and August 1, 2, and 3. Invitation to hold the County Association’s 1946 convention there this year was officially extended by D. Sayler Weybright, who is also president of the county group and who presided at last night’s meeting. Feature of the convention will be the parade on August 2.
– The Frederick Post, May 3, 1946
Cadets Triumph In Field Meet
Frederick High School, with a total of 33 points including five first, Thursday won the first annual Boys and Girls Week, field and track meet, sponsored by the local Rotary and Jaycees clubs.
Only Thurmont High School was represented from outside the City. Marks set yesterday at Bjorlee Field will hold as records until next year, or until surpassed.
– The Frederick Post, May 10, 1946
May 1971, 50 Years Ago
Bronze Star Medal Awarded Local Sailor
Thomas W. Humerick, Gunners Mate Second Class, United States Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Humerick, West Main Street, Emmitsburg, was recently presented with the Bronze Star Medal “for meritorious service while serving in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong Communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam from August 1969 to June 1970.”
“Petty Officer Humerick, while serving as a crew member on a river patrol boat participated in two hundred sixty combat patrols, engaging the enemy in eleven fire fights. Humerick, while acting as boat gunner on October 4, 1969 on a five boat patrol on a small canal off the Ong Doc River, maintained a heavy volume of fire which aided the patrol in clearing the canal when coming upon an intense enemy attack.”
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 14, 1971
Wildflower Festival At Catoctin Mt. Park
At Catoctin Mountain Park, a recreation area of the National Park System near Thurmont, Md., final arrangements are being made for the season’s first great influx of visitors. The occasion is the 8th Annual Catoctin Mountain Spring Wildflower Festival, May 14, 15, and 16.
Park Superintendent Frank Mentzer reports, “recent April showers and warm May days are bringing the bloom out in profusion. We are bracing for an all-time high in Wildflower Weekend attendance.”
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, May 14, 1971
May 1996, 25 Years Ago
Commissioners OK Water Plant Upgrade
Emmitsburg Commissioners voted to proceed with improvements to the town’s water supply system at a public workshop held April 29. The plan as proposed by the Smith Engineering Report calls for making use of ground water and existing supply wells, in conjunction with surface water from Rainbow Lake.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, May 1996
Citizens’ Petition Over Road Use Discussed
At the April town meeting, commissioners heard from a delegation of concerned citizens from Northgate who oppose a connecting road between their subdivision and the adjoining Emmit Ridge II subdivision under construction. Developers have been using Provincial Parkway and cutting through Northgate subdivision since they do not have an entrance yet to Emmit Ridge II.
The Northgate Homeowners Association went on record as opposing the connecting road when they presented a petition to the Planning and Zoning Committee in March. The foremost concern was for the safety of the children who have to cross the road to get to the playground. It was felt that the connecting road will adversely affect the quality of life, decrease property values, and destroy the uniqueness of Northgate with increased noise, traffic, and litter.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, May 1996
