"Roddy and His Catamaran" Carroll County Times article for 2 August 1998 by Jay A. Graybeal Among the more interesting portrait photographs in the Historical Society's collection is that of "Roddy" Walter of Westminster. The image was taken by a Baltimore photographer and is inscribed, "Roddy Waters [sic] and his swimming machine Atlantic City 1888". A description of [...]
"Forgeries in Carroll" Carroll County Times article for 26 July 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal During the late nineteenth century local banks often made loans secured the signatures of several citizens. As the following article from the February 15, 1879 issue of the Westminster Democratic Advocate newspaper reveals, the practice sometimes led to forgery: "Arrested on Charge of Forgery [...]
"Alesia Band" Carroll County Times article for 19 July 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal The community band was once commonplace throughout Carroll County. Local bands provided music for social events including picnics, parades, patriotic observances and other activities. The bands also frequently traveled to other communities and performed at similar events. The County's incorporation records provide the names of [...]
"Smith & Reifsnider Fire in 1938" Carroll County Times article for 5 July 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal Sixty years ago Westminster residents witnessed the devastating fire at the Smith & Reifsnider Lumber Yard. The story was front page news in the July 8 issue of the Democratic Advocate newspaper: "The Blaze Was of Incendiary Origin--Fear Was Entertained [...]
"Westminster Celebrates the 4th of July 1925" Carroll County Times for 28 June 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal The 4th of July is perhaps the most American of our holidays. Traditionally, the holiday was observed with community events which often included a large dinner. The story about Westminster's upcoming observance in 1925 was printed in the [...]
"Destructive Fires in Neighboring Towns" Carroll County Times article for 21 June 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal In an ironic twist of fate the Manchester firemen lost their hall to a June 21, 1921 fire. The men had fought a devastating fire in nearby Hampstead the day before and had not been able to replenish their [...]
"Sgt. Smith Falls in Battle in Cuba" Carroll County Times article for 14 June 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, the United States Marine Corps sent a new unit, the 1st Marine Battalion, to secure the harbor at Guantanamo, Cuba as a coaling station for American warships. The 600-man force [...]
"Harry Huber, Westminster's Sailor Boy" Carroll County Times article for 31 May 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal The outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April 1898 led to military actions with the Spanish forces in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands. Several local men participated in the naval actions, including Harry Huber, dubbed by the [...]
"Semi-centennial of the Salem Lodge, I.O.O.F., 1898" Carroll County Times article for 24 May 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal Prior to the availability of health, life and disability insurance policies, and Federal government programs, local government and civic organizations provided some assistance to the needy members of society. One such organization was the Improved Order of [...]
"Carroll's Grand Jury in 1887" Carroll County Times article for 17 May 1998 By Jay A. Graybeal The process of presenting cases to a grand jury has a long history in the county. Usually the jury did its duty and upon dismissal the members went their separate ways. The May 1887 jury members ended their service [...]