May 3, 1998
25 Years Ago
Union Bridge Site Of Freedom Tree Fete—It was a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting of America. Well planted deep in the rolling hills of Western Maryland, the little town of Union Bridge was the scene of a heart warming, good old-fashioned American celebration, the like of which used to be standard procedure for all towns in this nation. The occasion, this April 29 Sunday, was the dedication of another Freedom Tree. Eddie Drabik, former M.I.A. and P.O.W., was the guest of honor. Among the close to six hundred people who gathered together for the special celebration one could see in their faces the very heritage of America, past, present and its future. In a country too long starved for real American heroes, Eddie Drabik was hugged, backslapped, kissed, handshook and praised by a cross section of American citizens. All sizes, shapes, ages and colors of people stood in the late April sunshine and eagerly anticipated the recussitative effects which they knew the patriotic ceremonies were going to have on the life signs of our nation’s patriotism. The Community Reporter, May 3, 1973.
50 Years Ago
City Election Monday—Another selection of importance will be held Monday, May 10, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Firemen’s building in the City of Westminster. The voters will mark their
ballots for Mayor Joseph L. Mathias and his councilmen, Scott Bair and Jesse Royer. The term is for two years. Our city is one of the best governed in the state. Fine streets, parking ground, playground, comfort station, fine thoroughfares, etc., at the cost of $1.00 tax a year. Now show your appreciation by voting for these candidates. They have no opposition, but that should not keep any voter home. Democratic Advocate, May 7, 1948.
75 Years Ago
STILL OPPOSE SYKESVILLE SITE – High School Proposition Held Up And Will Not Be Built Until Freedom People Have Voted On The Matter—For many months past fierce rivalry has divided the advocates of Sykesville and Eldersburg as the prospective site of a new high school building in Freedom district. The County Board of Education, against the protest of the advocates of Eldersburg, purchased a lot from former Senator Wade H. D. Warfield, at Sykesville, and its choice of site has been approved by the State Superintendent. Feeling runs high and the antagonism culminated Wednesday afternoon in the invasion of Westminster by more than 200 representative citizens of Freedom district. Democratic Advocate, May 4, 1923.
100 Years Ago
Monday night the students of Western Maryland College assembled on the girls’ terrace, in front of the main building, to celebrate Dewey’s victory. They had a display of fireworks, followed by speeches by President Lewis, Profs. Black, Bonnotte, Galbreath, Simpson and Watts; the president of the senior class, Mr. Shreve: Mr. Harker, president of the class of 1900, and Mr. Dixon, president of the class of 1899. After many patriotic demonstrations the students marched downtown to the tune of “Yankee Doodle.” President Lewis made a short speech, in which he said that he had opposed war, but now that it had come he hailed with pride the signal victory that had crowned the American arms only eight days after the declaration of war, and he trusted that in another eight days the whole object for which we fought might be accomplished and Cuba might be free. Democratic Advocate, May 7, 1898.