On May 31, 1781, Gen. Anthony Wayne, leading a force of about 1,000 men, passed through Frederick on their way to join General Lafayette in Virginia. On May 31, 1788, William Bradley Tyler, who practiced medicine in Frederick from 1814 to 1842, was born in Prince George's County. He died in Frederick on September 9, 1863. On May 31, 1871, the cornerstone was laid for the first new building at the Maryland Deaf and Dumb Asylum off South Market Street in Frederick. On May 31, 1872, Mason L. Apple and Philip H. Heeter, who both lived near Point of Rocks, stabbed each other to death with pocket knives during a heated argument near the town's post office. On May 31, 1936, the cornerstone of the tower of The Church of The Brethren at 23 West Fourth Street in Frederick, was laid. This event marked the first expansion of the church's physical facility, which had been built in 1886 on the old Mantz Family Cemetery. On May 31, 1939, Michael J. Thompson, burgess of Emmitsburg and former dean of football officials, died suddenly at his home. He was born July 22, 1877. On May 31, 1940, a new Frederick High School was dedicated. It was built by Calvin Owens of Bethesda for $369,500. The contract was awarded December 21, 1938. On May 31, 1967, Martha Louise Reynolds, an Indiana native, assumed her duties as administrative librarian at the C. Burr Artz Library in Frederick, succeeding Josephine P. Etchison, who retired after 30 years in the post. Ms. Reynolds retired April 30, 1993. 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]