On December 17, 1861, Frederick County political parties met to decide the county's position on slavery and secession. The Union was supported three to one. On December 17, 1935, Alfred Brown was convicted of the first degree murder of Manuel Silva Varela, the common law husband of his mother, after a one-day trial. He was later sentenced to life in prison. On December 17, 1965, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey made a surprise two-hour visit to Camp Catoctin, the nation's first Job Corps Center, near Thurmont. On December 17, 1977, G. Richard Boyer, 44, of Walkersville, was electrocuted when an antenna he was helping to install at a home on Walter Martz Road touched a power line. Injured in the same mishap were Samuel D. Boyer, Donald R. Cecil, Frances M. Cecil, and Bradley W. Cecil. 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)