Panel tracks fault to B&O Railroad in boys' deaths

The Argus printed Oct. 19, 1907, contained the inquest results related to the deaths of two local youths.

> The jury of inquest impaneled by Coroner August Miller to investigate the deaths of John Rieman and Jacob Miller, two lads who were killed on the tracks of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at Lansdowne on Saturday last, met at the Mount Winans Police Station Monday night and, after deliberating for fully three hours, returned the following verdict:

"John Rieman came to his death on October 12, on or about 7:30 P.M., by being struck by a train of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company.

"It is the opinion of the jury that the said accident was caused by the criminal negligence on the part of said railroad company by not providing proper protection for the traveling public, and we believe that the matter should be thoroughly investigated by the grand jury of Baltimore county."

The two boys, who were killed, were playing on the tracks at Lansdowne while waiting for the return of a relative on the train.

> A subscription theatre party was given Monday evening by residents of the Catonsville neighborhood, who went to the Academy of Music to see "Fascinating Flora."

They were conveyed to the theatre in the private car, Lord Baltimore, and supper was served in the car on the return journey.

> Miss Margaret Draper, of Massachusetts, granddaughter of former Ambassador Draper, has entered Miss Carter's boarding school at this place as a pupil.

75 years ago

Campaign announcements for an upcoming election were carried in The Catonsville Herald circulated Oct. 21, 1932.

> A Democratic rally and mass meeting is announced by the Jefferson Club Executive Committee for next Friday night, October 28, at 8 P.M. in connection with the second annual oyster roast and barbecue.

The scene of the meeting will be in the club quarters at 726 Frederick Avenue. Heading the list of speakers are United States Senator Millard E. Tydings and Representative William P. Cole, Jr., both candidates for re-election on the Democratic ticket.

> The First District Public Health Association has decided that there is enough local talent in Catonsville to stage a vaudeville show that will be a real Catonsville affair, coached and presented by Catonsville people.

The show will be a benefit from which the entire proceeds will remain in the community and will be spent by the health association for furthering the public health work in the First District.

The show is to be coached by Mrs. William Boutall of Summit Park, who is experienced in amateur theatricals.

She will be assisted by representative women form the seven Catonsville churches.

> Miss May F. Gelletly, miniature artist, who exhibited in the Paris Salon last spring, has returned to this country and is now staying with her sister, Mrs. Charles J. Ogle, of Sylvanside, Kenwood Avenue.

Miss Gelletly expects to locate in Baltimore and has opened her studio in The Studio House, on Biddle Street.

Some of her miniatures are now on exhibition at the International Water Color Show being held at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

> Latest and modern methods of catching a monkey were explained by Miss Coakley, of Wade Avenue, in describing how she was able to get her pet, which will appear again this year in the Parent-Teacher Harvest Festival zoo.

The festival is to be held the afternoon and evening of Friday, November 11.

The monkey was originally owned by Mrs. Gross, of Paradise Avenue. He broke away and ran loose for about two weeks and finally arrived at Spring Grove and Wade avenues, where he took up his residence high in a tree.

Miss Coakley's little brother, having a knowledge of the things monkeys like to eat, placed a banana in a chicken coop, tied a string to the door, climbed a tree, and awaited results.

Not being able to resist this delicacy for long, the monkey finally decided a full meal was of more interest than more traveling about Catonsville, whereupon he was securely caged in the chicken coop.

50 years ago

On Oct. 17 1957, the Herald Argus called attention to the value of volunteer service at a local institution.

> More than 500 persons packed the auditorium of Spring Grove Hospital this past Monday night to witness the presentation of awards to volunteers, who have served the hospital patients.

Gov. Theodore R. McKeldin, who was the principal speaker, presented the certificates and pins.

The governor paid tribute to Mrs. Isabel Schuman, coordinator of volunteer service at the hospital, and to Dr. Isadore Tuerk, superintendent of the hospital, under whose administration the hospital has risen to national fame for research therapy, educational and patient care programs.

He pointed out that Spring Grove is one of the first three state hospitals in the United States to be fully accredited.

> The Rolling Road School, which was opened on Sept. 17 for the instruction of mentally retarded children of the western section of the county, is the original Riggs mansion at Rolling road and Wilkens avenue.

The most recent owner, Dr. John T. Stang, sold it to the Board of Education last summer.

Occupied by the Riggs family and later by the Knapps, the house was purchased in 1927 by John O'Donnell, who added wings and remodeled the dwelling to its present size of 31 rooms.

It is located on a five and one-half acre estate.

Dr. Stang bought the house about five years ago.

> The Soviet satellite Sputnik is being picked up by MARS.

MARS is the Military Affiliate Radio System at Fort Meade, Second U.S. Army Headquarters, and the unit that has been picking up the beep-beep satellite sound every 96.2 minutes since early Sunday morning, October 6.

MARS swings into operation in local or national emergencies, as well as furnishing military communications and training operators.

A great deal of safety work was done by MARS in the floods in early 1957, for instance.

> Roger Baker, son of Mrs. Hazel Baker of 801 Francis avenue, Halethorpe, has resumed his studies at Catonsville Senior High School after having spent the summer in Germany, under the American Field Service Plan.

One of the highlights of Roger's visit was a sight-seeing trip to Copenhagen Denmark, for one week, with six other American Field Service students, and a one-day visit to Sweden.

His companions on the trip were from Nebraska, California, Minnesota, Washington, and two from New York.