August 20, 1995

25 Years Ago

Public Library Faces Crisis In Giving Service – Demand Is In Unprecedented Increased Volume While Budget Cut Necessitates Curtailment — 27% Increase In Circulation – During fiscal 1970 the Carroll County Public Library provided county residents with more books, magazines, and phonograph records than in any other year in its history. Circulation figures of 202,439 for fiscal 1970 showed an increase of 27% over fiscal 1969’s circulation of 159,864. Previous years’ growth rates had averaged 5,000. Last year’s was 20,000. Fiscal 1970’s circulation growth was 40,000. This amounts to more than three times borrowed by every man, woman, or child in the county. Not only have circulation figures reached an unprecedented high, but requests for reference information by telephone and in person have increased accordingly. During the past year it became necessary to add an extra telephone line to the central headquarters library in order to handle the increase in calls. The sharply increased use of the library with concomitant patron demands for more and better services, combined with a severe budget cut, has led library officials to view with dismay the present library dilemma. While the public need for information rises, library resources must of economic necessity, decline. Community Reporter, August 21, 1970.

50 Years Ago

JAPS SURRENDER WAR ENDS – Pres. Truman Makes Announcement Tuesday at 7 P.M. – Westminster Citizens Celebrate – The war with Japan ended Tuesday, night. Japanese acceptance of Allied surrender terms, and orders for suspension of hostilities, were announced by President Truman at 7 P.M. The news was announced in other Allied capitals at the same hour. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commander of United States Army forces in the Pacific, has been named supreme Allied commander to receive the formal Japanese surrender—at the earliest possible moment. The official proclamation of V-J day will await the formal signing of the surrender terms by Japan. Which should be within the next several days. Residents in every section of Carroll county broke out into spontaneous victory celebrations immediately upon the official announcement of the Jap surrender. People congregated quickly to share their excitement and joy by creating every noise possible. Sirens, whistles, church bells and horns filled the air everywhere. Tin cans, drums and every possible device were tied on the back of
trucks and cars, which paraded the streets of Westminster until 3 o’clock Wednesday morning. Hampstead and Arcadia firemen brought their fire trucks to Westminster to help increase the noise. The Westminster Band joined in the merriment and also gave a band concert in front of the firemen’s building. Democratic Advocate, August 13, 1945.

75 Years Ago

Wholesale Prices Drop 2 1/2 per cent. in July – Wholesale prices of commodities declined approximately 2 1/2 per cent, during July in the United States, according to a report by the Department of Labor. The decrease in clothes and clothing materials was the most notable shown in the department’s list of index numbers, amounting to 5 1/2 per cent, while foodstuffs declined 4 percent, and farm products generally 2.9 per cent. At this point the department reported prices were still above level of July, 1919, food articles having increased during the year 24.1 per cent., clothes and clothing 12.4 per cent., and fuel and lighting 47.4 per cent. Fuel and lighting materials were products which showed no decrease during July, 1920, according to the department’s statistics, but on the contrary increased by 2 1/2 per cent., making their current level the more disproportionate to other commodities. Union Bridge Pilot, August 20, 1920.

100 Years Ago

An Elopement – Mr. R. Frank Caples, a young grocer and farmer, of Cockeysville, and Miss Stella Parks, a daughter of Mr. George Parks, a farmer near that place, eloped to this city on Tuesday, spent the night at the Montour House and were married on Wednesday morning, by Rev. A. D. Melvin, pastor of the M. P. Church. They reached here by driving across the country from Cockeysville to Glyndon, where they took a train, arriving here Tuesday night. The father and brother of the bride, accompanied by a detective, it is said, arrived here shortly after the marriage ceremony was performed. Mr. Caples and his bride were walking along West Main street, between the Montour House and the railroad, when they spied Mr. Parks on the opposite side of the street. Not caring to encounter the irate parent, they turned into the side entrance to one of the residences of that point, passed out the back way and walked two miles to Spring Mills Station, where they boarded a train and went on their way rejoicing. The amusing feature of this latter incident is that Mr. Parks was seeking his daughter and her husband for the purpose of assuring them of his forgiveness and to invite them to return home. American Sentinel, August 17, 1895.