On January 24, 1775, in a meeting at the Frederick Court House, a county government was formed to be exercised by a committee of observation consisting of a large number of the leading citizens of the county. This action was due to a collapse of state government and the abdication - in effect - by Gov. Robert Eden. On January 24, 1867, Jacob Engelbrecht, Frederick mayor and diarist, hosted a Masquerade Social with 18 men and seven women in attendance. On January 24, 1927, Perry McCleery, publisher with his brother Valentine of The Moon, and composing room foreman at The News - and The Frederick Post after 1916 - for 40 years, died suddenly at his North Market Street home. He was born November 18, 1866, in the house in which he died. On January 24, 1970, Dr. Melvin Lea, the son of the one-time Coca-Cola franchise holder in Frederick, and a prominent surgeon, died. He was born November 10, 1912, in Dendron, VA. 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 [email protected]