It was an election year and in the April 23, 1958, Ellicott City Times issue, the politicians running for office ran ads promoting themselves. Under a "Primary Election - Maryland" banner there was one column of names that included names still familiar to many people today: J. Millard Tawes for Governor, Thomas D'Aalesandro Jr., for U.S. Senator, C. Ferdinand Sybert for Attorney General, Louis L. Goldstein for Comptroller. Another column of politco pictures included: C. Ridgely Harman for Senate, W. Howard Brown for House of Delegates, T. Ormond Nichols for House of Delegates, Norman E. Moxley for County Commissioner.

But someone may not have been thinking about ad placement, because next to the four politicians' head-shot photos is an ad for Lee Riders, "Genuine western cowboy pants" with a picture of two boys in cowboy outfits aiming their pistols right at the politcians.

By the way, along with the pants, kids got a free "big, shiny sheriff's badge." The cost was $2.98 at Caplan's Department Store in Ellicott City, and were advertised to have parent- pleasing qualities: "Double knees," "Scratch-proof rivets" that wouldn't scratch furniture and for the young desperados, the pants were "Sanforized," don't you know, so they would "keep their comfort fit always."

75 Years Ago -- Lisbon Local

The "Lisbon Local" sounds like a group of Portuguese longshoreman, or factory workers getting together for a union meeting, but it was farming that was the "industry" of Howard County 75 years ago and much ink was devoted to the subject then. On Thursday, April 23, 1933 in the Ellicott City Times:

"Head of American Farm Bureau to Speak At Lisbon. Senator Donovan, Miles Fairbanks, Also to Address Countywide Farmer's Meeting."

"The Howard County Farm Bureau in cooperation with Farm Bureau members of the Lisbon Local, have planned a county wide farmers' meeting to be held at Odd Fellow's Hall, Lisbon on Monday, April 24 at 8 p.m."

Edward O'Neal president of the American Farm Bureau Federation will be the principal speaker. He will address the meeting on the subject of 'National Farm Legislation Which is Now Before Congress.' Those who have heard Mr. O'Neal know the forcefulness, enthusiasm and humor which he puts into his talks. He represented the American Farm Bureau in helping to formulate the agricultural bill which President Roosevelt presented to Congress. With the wide experience and first hand knowledge of agricultural legislation and leadership with which Mr. O'Neal is equipped, every farmer in the county should avail himself of the privilege of attending the meeting."

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