An article in the May 27, 1911, edition of The Argus reported on the first of what would be a series of events marking the 50th anniversary of the ordination of James Cardinal Gibbons, one of the most famous and accomplished American religious leaders. In 1886, Cardinal Gibbons, for whom the now-closed all-boys Catholic high school was named, became only the second American named a cardinal..
Cardinal Gibbons was given his first college reception in honor of the approaching jubilee celebration Friday afternoon of last week at St. Charles' College, Cloud Cap, on the Maiden Choice road, near Catonsville. The Cardinal, accompanied by Rev. Francis X. McKenny, president of St. Charles' College, and Rev. Dr. E.R. Dyer, president of St. Mary's Seminary, went from Baltimore in Mr. J.P. Duffy's automobile. They were met on the large lawn surrounding the buildings by the students of the college, in the charge of Rev. Francis E. Craig; Messrs. Jas. R. Wheeler, J.J. O'Connor, Brother Paul and the band of St. Mary's Industrial School.
Editor's note: According to a website for the Baltimore Basilica, where Cardinal Gibbons ordained more than 2,400 to the priesthood, Washington, D.C., practically shut down in 1911 because so many politicians came to Baltimore to pay their respects to the leader of Baltimore's Catholics. Cardinal Gibbons was the first public figure to speak out against unfair working conditions during the Industrial Revolution and was also well-liked by many national political figures, including President Theodore Roosevelt.
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A number of people living in the neighborhood of Edmondson, Beaumont and Melvin avenues have been allowing men working for them to dump wheel barrows of tin cans and refuse of all kinds down the bank directly opposite Brushwood avenue. As this is private property and not a public dump, they are requested to give the cans, etc., to the collectors of garbage, who will take them away free of charge. Not only do the empty cans disfigure the roadside, but when they are filled with rain water, they become the breeding places of thousands of mosquitoes, who will gratefully return to the original owners of the tin cans.
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An Italian laborer employed in the construction of the new Oella dam on the Patapsco river and known as "Pete," who disappeared Wednesday night of last week from his row boat in the river, was found drowned Saturday afternoon near the race of the tumbling dam of the Oella company, almost two miles from the place where he was last seen. He was without clothing and there was no evidence of foul play.
Coroner Edward McDonald, of Gray's, gave a verdict of accidental death.
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Mr. Henry Heinmuller has purchased the ice-cream and confectionery business of Mr. P.N. Ditch at 624 Frederick avenue. Mr. Heinmuller will take charge June 1.
75 Years Ago
An article in the May 22, 1936, edition of The Catonsville Herald and Baltimore Countian announced a new victor in a close race.
After a complete recount of ballots cast in the Republican congressional primary election in the Second Congressional District, the Board of Supervisors of Elections for Baltimore County announced on Wednesday that they had completed the recount in this county and that Henry C. Whiteford of Harford County is five votes ahead in the Baltimore County recount over Irving H. Mezger of Catonsville.
The vote was so close in Baltimore County between Mr. Mezger and Mr. Whiteford that a recount was requested. Mr. Whiteford was endorsed by the Republican faction headed by George Norris of Dundalk and the marked sample ballots of Mr. Norris' organization favored Mr. Whiteford.
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Mrs. Caroline Link, 72, of Halethorpe suffered a probable skull fracture last Thursday night in an automobile collision at Sulphur Spring and Washington Boulevard, Baltimore county. At St. Agnes' Hospital, she was said to be in "serious" condition.
Two persons riding in the car with her received minor injuries. Mrs. Lula Link suffered shock and her son, William J. Link, Jr., severe facial cuts.
Their machine, driven by William J. Link, collided with one operated by George A. Weinhold of Drexel Hill, Pa. Weinhold, arrested by State Patrolman J.J. Thompson, was released on $1,000 bail pending the outcome of Mrs. Link's injuries.
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Grading and excavating for the new State Highway through parts of Baltimore and Howard Counties, that will connect Edmondson Avenue, from Rolling Road, with the Frederick Pike, began two weeks ago. Workmen are now busy grading near the Patapsco River in preparation for approaches for the new bridge to cross the river in the neighborhood of Union Dam.
The bridge to cross the Patapsco will be a 180-foot span, with fifty-foot roadway and two-foot, three-inch sidewalks. However, the approaches to the bridge will be considerably longer and this is the part of the work which is now under way.
50 Years Ago
An article in the May 25, 1961 edition of the Herald Argus and Baltimore Countian recognized a new union.
Action at a meeting held in Catonsville last week has assumed national and historic significance in that it made certain the merger of two Protestant denominations, the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational-Christian Church into the United Church of Christ.
More than 200 persons from 101 congregations in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia assembled in Immanuel United Church of Christ, Edmondson avenue and Rolling road, on May 24 and 25 for the annual legislative session of the Potomac Synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Church. The Rev. Albert E. Shenberger is pastor of Immanuel, the host church.
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A Catonsville family, trapped on the second floor of their home in an early morning fire on Tuesday, May 16, was rescued by neighbors.
Mrs. Richard Siegman of Greenlow road, Academy Heights told police that she had been watching television in the club basement of her home until 11:15 P.M. the night of the fire. Shortly after retiring, at 12:20 A.M. she smelled smoke. She roused her husband, who attempted to get to the rear bedroom to awaken their seven-year-old daughter Irene, but the smoke forced him back. Nearby neighbors who heard their screams brought a ladder and assisted them to the ground before the Catonsville Fire Department or police arrived at the scene.
The fire, of undetermined origin, started in the basement, and caused extensive damage. Mrs. Siegman, who had inhaled a great quantity of smoke, refused medical attention.
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The Minnie Mouseketeers Pleasure club held a birthday party on Wednesday, May 17, for Mrs. Edith Reinhardt. She received birthday cake from her secret pal and many gifts. A party was also held for Mrs. Ruth Price. The Minnie Mouseketeers, a social group of 35 women, meet the first and third Wednesday in each month for activities such as bowling, showers, birthday parties and bus trips. President is Mrs. Mollie Magee. They are planning a bus trip to Coney Island in June or July for the members, but a few seats will be available to the public.
Material from archives courtesy of Catonsville Historical Society.