Historical Society of Carroll County

Baltimore Sun article for August 6, 2000

25 Years Ago

Improvements are Under Way at the Library – Roof Has Been Replaced and Painting is Being Done — More Renovation Planned.  The “Mt. Airy Friends of the Library” group met this week at the home of Mrs. Normandy, with representatives of the Mt. Airy Recreation Council present.  This group meets regularly and they are a very sincerely interested group, a very civic minded group, and most active.  They have great plans for the future Mt. Airy Library.  Bids for the work on the building are coming in and before long there will be much more activity.  As observers already know, the roof has been replaced and painters have been on the job.  There is much more work to be done on the interior of the building.  Just in case there is curiosity, and of course interest, in the ugly wall facing the vacant lot next to the library building, plans do include doing something to make that wall less ugly.  It will be interesting to see what develops!    Community Reporter, August 1, 1975

50 Years Ago

4-H Fair Was Held at Taneytown – Entries Increased Over Last Year’s Show — Miss Singer Selected as Miss Carroll County.  Maryland boys and girls competed for honors in the Carroll County 4-H Fair and Farm Bureau Rally held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Taneytown fair grounds.  All entries were increased over last year’s show, officials reported, with 17 boys’ clubs and 18 girls’ clubs participating.  The boys showed 217 animals and 43 coups of poultry.  Girls’ entries included 259 clothing exhibits, 103 baked goods, 49 flower arrangements, 30 canned goods and 36 hobbies and crafts exhibits.  Among the highlights of the two-day affair was selection of Annabelle Singer, Union Bridge as Typical Carroll County Farm Girl.  Nancy Devilbiss, New Windsor, of the Sams Creek 4-H club, was chosen alternate and honorable mention went to Joan Halter, of the Bachman’s Valley club.  Democratic Advocate, August 4, 1950

75 Years Ago

Carroll County in Debt $316,958.56.  The County Statement.  In this issue will be found a statement of the county affairs for the past year ending June 30.  We notice among the disbursements that David E. Smart, prohibition agent, received $1,057.40 for inducting violators of the Volstead act.  Did the county receive enough in fines to off set amount?   It is very doubtful.  The Incorporated towns, Westminster, New Windsor, Union Bridge, Manchester, Hampstead and Sykesville came in for their share — $9,981.33; for the care of our insane, $13,922.80 was required; coffins to bury paupers, $509.16; by dogs killing animals and poultry $590.41 was paid in claims; for the maintenance of our County Home, $8,409.82; the expense at the jail amounted to $4,714.02; the miscellaneous accounts amounted to $96,720.76.  The largest amount was paid out for redeeming notes, $57,800.00; fire companies of Carroll county received $8,000.00.  The expenses on the county roads were $55,261.83.  The district receiving the largest amount was New Windsor, $7,918.10 with Manchester next $7,113.99.   Democratic Advocate, August 7, 1925.

100 Years Ago          

Rev. P. H. Miller, of this city, has received a letter from his son, Mr. Edgar Miller, written at Nome City, Alaska, and dated June 24th.  The letter was written immediately after Mr. Miller arrived at that place and described, briefly, some of the incidents experienced by himself and party after landing.  They were all well and were courageously preparing to pursue their quest for gold, about twenty-five miles inland, where the claims which they represent are located.  Prices of provisions, wages of labor &c., were quoted and few articles were named which did not command 500 to 1000 per cent more than they do here.  Laborers were receiving ten dollars per day.   American Sentinel, August 4, 1900