Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-08-26
focal CORREspoNDENCE.]

Stick one point OF compass IN the center
of the square in Thurmont, placing the
other point IN the bed of the public road at
the Big Falls in Hunting creek. then swing
It around to right or left, 1t don't matter
which, until you come back to the place of
starting and within this circle wo have Of
males and females population of 260O peo
pie, more or less. OF the male population
abou, one twelfth are engaged IN the various
calings of merchandising, the trades and
professions, while the same number are en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits to greater or
less extent We have ninety farms ayerag
ing 100 acres each besides quite number
of smaller agricultural holdings. The whole
producing in round numbers an annual
average of $50, 900 bushels of grain, wheat
rye, oats and corn. OF wheat $4,000, rye
$4,000, oats $1,000, and corn, 10000 bushels
For the fact that in an agricultural point Of
view we have taken Il one sided town for the
ceuter of our circle this showing is exceed
ingly credi,able and serves to demonstrate
the productivcness of our soil, and while we
rejoice in the fitness of our crops we heartily
lament the absence of local mills and the
industry incident to the manufacturing of the
grain into flour and feed. Well enlarge
this circle and make it 10 instead Of miles
in diameter and not then within its bounds
will there appear roller flour mill of any
capacity whatever excepting the one located
here in our town and can it be possible that
this one will be permitted to languish longer
in idlencss? Not for score of years have
The conditions for profitable milling been SO
favorable as they ale at present, and this
mill successfully operated will prove of far
more Importance to our town and to large
scope of country surrounding 1t than would
the electric road should we secure it.
Recently damaging wind rain and hail
storms have occurred just little to the north,
east south and west of US but 80 far this
summer the elements have dealt gently with
this locality and even the corn stalks in the
fields stand erect under their burden of i'm
mense ears.
At noon on Friday last MIR. A. s Zentz'
grlst mill took fire from spark from the
smokestack and together with several hun.
dred bushels of grain was burned to the
ground. Amid the heat and excitement the
boiler of the engine exploded, becoming a
complete wreck. The burned property is
said to be insured to the amount of $1,000.
The mill will not be replaced at present.
The location of this property is just 81 miles
north. east of Thurmont.
Within the last seyen years four grist mills
all within four miles of Thurmont, have gone
up in flames, that of Mr.. A. S. Zentz being
the last to succumb. The others were Jones'
and Eichotz on Hunting Creek and G. H.
Blacks on Big Owens Creek, peither of
which have been replaced.
This years grain crop Is about one-third
larger than that of last year, and the farmers
are realizing almost double the amount of
money per bushel for this years crop than
they they did for that of last year, and now
it is to be hoped that the great big partisan
newspapers, and little too, for that matter,
will for once lay aside party and prejudice
and honestly inform their readers as to what
has brought about this partial wave of pros
perity and not always Try to cheat the Su-
preme Ruler out OF his just dues.
Mrs. Geyer Black and her five little chill
dren Sundayed with her parents near En-
mitsburg.
| Mrs. George Weller and two babes of
Baltimore, are spending several weeks with
relatives here and at Franklin Mills.
A good many of our people expect to at
tend the Waynesboro, Pa, centennial Cele.
bration next Wednesday and Thursday.