On January 20, 1872, a public meeting was held in Mechanicstown to discuss the formation of a new county to be called Catoctin. On January 20, 1874, Charles Byerly, who succeeded his father, J. Davis Byerly, and his grandfather, Jacob Byerly, in the photographic business in Frederick, was born. On January 20, 1885, Frederick lawyer and philanthropist Leo Weinberg was born. On January 20, 1900, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, author of the historical novel Lorna Doone, died. Lady Ellen Thompson, who with her husband operated Glenellen Academy in Ijamsville from 1878 to 1888, claimed that she was the actual author of Lorna Doone. Blackmore was born June 7, 1825, at Longworth, Berkshire, England. On January 20, 1921, whiskey valued at $60,000 was seized at Ridgeville. On January 20, 1941, The Ritchie Lodge at Catoctin Furnace, which had been host to President Herbert Hoover on numerous occasions, was heavily damaged by fire. The property was owned by Lawrence Ritchie, who was Hoover's personal secretary. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury (wasps65@earthlink.net)