25-50-100 Years Ago -- Sept. 20

Susan Guynn, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
·3 min read

Sep. 20—100 Years Ago

Sept. 20, 1923

Detectives have again been called in to determine the source of malicious tales growing out of Middletown robberies. Officers have been making an investigation of reports growing out of the Kepner murder case. Names of a number persons have been mentioned in connection with the recent Middletown robberies. Seven Middletown persons, officers say, have been mentioned. They are members of prominent families of that town. In the face of denials, the reports have persisted and the stories have continued to circulate.

John Aldridge, Fountain Mills, about 43 years of age, disappeared Monday evening while on a trip to New Market and no word has since been received from him. Aldridge was seen in New Market about 8:30 o'clock Monday night. A short time later he disappeared. About 10:30 o'clock the same night Aldridge was seen to dart into a cornfield in the vicinity of Jug Bridge, but since then no trace of him has been discovered. This is the second time that Aldridge has disappeared from home. Some time ago he mysteriously disappeared but was found a short time later in the neighborhood of Frederick Junction. He has a wife and six children.

Rome, Aug. 24 (A.P.) (By Mail.) — As a result of the recent sensational incident when 150 women, forming a part of a deputation to the Pope, were turned back from the Vatican because their dresses were low cut at the neck and had short sleeves, the Papal Majordomo has issued a new set of regulations for dress when being received by the Pope. Women must wear dresses covering their arms to the wrist and the neck to the chin, says the regulations. The dresses must be made of thick material and not transparent and be long enough to reach down to the ankles of the wearers. Dresses giving undue prominence to the figure are discouraged. Gloves must be worn and only wedding or engagement rings may adorn the fingers of intending visitors to the Vatican, who are now subject to three examinations. Makeup of any description is strictly forbidden.

50 Years Ago

Sept. 20, 1973

Nearly perfect fair weather which greeted visitors to the Great Frederick Fair Wednesday is predicted to continue today as the State Lottery Commission will hold its 18th weekly drawing on the fairgrounds.

After serving 27 years as rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Va., the Rev. Dr. Reno G. Harp Jr., a native of Frederick, who is retiring this month, has receive eulogies for his outstanding service. Dr. Harp, who was born in Frederick on Sept 20, 1905, thus observing his 68th birthday. During the rector's years in Richmond, the congregation at St. Stephen's has grown from 750 to 2,300.

Ninety-three years ago John Phillip Dennis of Frederick visited the Frederick Fair on old timers day but he was no old timer. Wednesday he strolled through the 111th edition of the annual event and he was the oldest of the old timers there. Having celebrated his 99th birthday on Monday, Dennis describes this year's fair as "a very special one to me because next year I'll be starting my second hundred years." He doesn't tour the entire fair as he did years ago because as he explains, "I can't see too well and I'd probably get lost in the cattle or machinery rows."

25 Years Ago

Sept. 20, 1998

This date was a Sunday. The Frederick News-Post did not publish a Sunday edition at this time.

(Editor's Note: The News-Post does not have access to archives from 20 years ago for April 16 through December 2003. The "20 Years Ago" summary will return Jan. 1, 2024.)