Currently viewing the tag: "December 1970 50 years ago"

by James Rada, Jr.

December 1920, 100 Years Ago

Pike Purchased

Yesterday, December 15th, if reports be correct, the last tollgate in the county closed the pike from Woodsboro to Frederick for the last time. After considerable talking and scheming to get rid of this gate, the State Roads Commission finally purchased the pike, 3.26 miles, for the sum of $40,000. The pike begins at Fifth and Market streets in Frederick and runs to the Monocacy bridge at or near Ceresville. The receipts received at this gate in the year 1919 are given as $11,375.99, and for the year 1920 to December 1st, $10,779.51.

                                          – Catoctin Clarion, December 16, 1920

Maj. Geo. T. Castle Dead

After an illness[s] of many months, Major George T. Castle, of Thurmont, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. W. W. Zimmerman, W. Main street, about six p.m. Thursday, November 25, 1920.

Major Castle was a veteran of the civil war and was in the service during the four years. He was a member of Company A, of Frederick. On November 26, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and was made a major August 16, 1865. He was Commander of Jason Damuth Post No. 80, G. A. R. of Thurmont, for the past five years, and was assistant inspector for the Department of Maryland at the time of his death. He was aged 79 years, 2 months and 7 days.

                                          – Catoctin Clarion, December 2, 1920

December 1945, 75 Years Ago

Emmitsburg High School Has Orchestra

The Emmitsburg high school orchestra, under the direction of Charles C. T. Stull, has been organized for 1945-46. There are beginners, juniors and seniors. The beginners’ orchestra will be started in the near future.

                                          – Gettysburg Times, December 18, 1945

Thurmont Soldier Smuggles German Dog Home Safely

A Thurmont soldier, Pfc. Ellis Rice, finally succeeded in smuggling home a young German female for the holidays, after various strategy needed to get her across the Atlantic and in a Blue Ridge bus where pups don’t usually find a welcome.

Pfc. Rice, a veteran of the 80th U. S. Infantry, said he found “Mickey” the day she was born in Bamberg, Germany. He rolled the dog into his overcoat to get her aboard the transport that brought him back to this country, sharing his food with her and enlisting the aid of other GI’s to keep her hidden during the crossing.

No one objected to the Dachshund on the troop train to Fort Meade, however, and after some delay in Baltimore, a Blue Ridge driver looked the other way to allow the soldier and his dog to ride home.

                                          – Hagerstown Morning Herald, December 27, 1945

December 1970, 50 Years Ago

Town To Enforce Peddlers’ Ordinance

The possibility of creating a nice ice skating area on Flat Run was discussed at the regular meeting of the Mayor and Commissioners held Monday evening in the Town Office, Chairman of the Board J. N. Flax presiding.

The discussion brought into consideration the sandbagging and backing up of water in Flat Run in East End. This section was recently dredged and cleaned and would provide several hundred feet of good skating area once freezing weather was here to stay.

                                          – Emmitsburg Chronicle, December 11, 1970

Slow-Moving Vehicles Must Be Marked

Commissioner of Motor Vehicles Ejner J. Johnson this week reminded owners of slow-moving vehicles that, effective January 1, 1971, their vehicles must be equipped with the uniform slow-moving vehicle symbol in order to operate legally upon the highways of Maryland.

Commissioner Johnson noted that the new law specifies that it is illegal to operate “any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is designed to be and is operated at a speed of 25 miles per hour or less, unless the rear-most vehicle displays a ‘slow-moving vehicle emblem’.”

The emblem is an equilateral triangle 14 inches in height with a red reflective border not less than one and three-quarters inches in width with a fluorescent orange center.

                                          – Emmitsburg Chronicle, December 11, 1970

December 1995, 25 Years Ago

Water Distribution Problems Limit Town’s Growth and Development

Continuing problems with the town’s water treatment facility and water distribution system force a moratorium on growth and development within the corporate limits of Emmitsburg. Resolution 95-16, adopted by the town commissioners at the November town meeting, halts expansion while necessary work is completed.

The quality of drinking water is lowered by the presence of rust in older iron distribution lines. Plans and funding are in place to replace 12,400 feet of water lines. As a temporary solution, residents of affected areas have been supplied with water filters until the new lines can be installed.

                          – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, December 1995

Up-County To Get New Building

A ground-breaking ceremony for the new home of the Up-County Family Center (UCFC) was held November 20, 1995, at 303 W. Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg. The town of Emmitsburg will own the facility which will be leased by the Up-County Family Center and the counseling services of Associated Catholic Charities.

                          – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, December 1995