davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
The Price of Wheat.

Under the head of cheaper food -
the New York Tribune thus speaks of
the prospective price of wheat:
Grain has been falling. though the
decline prior to this week had led
many to believe that the bottom had
been reached. On the lst of Decem-
Der, wheat deliverable in February
sold at Chicago for 9S5. and Nav wheat
at over Sl.O5. On Thursday, February
dropped to S95, and May to 96i. 1t is
| noteworthy, too, that the decline has
been well nigh continuous for several
weeks, that it has not been attributed
hy observers 10 the power OF specula-
tive cliques, but to influences which
such cllques have proved powerless to
resist, and that corn has also declined
while pork and larl are rather ii.,ber
than December IL.
This fall in prices involves severe
losses to many dealers. oi ncc,s,itv.
for the stocks ia the hantl- of dealers
have been unusually large. 1t is to
the credit of those engaged in the trade
that the pressure has been borne with
very few disasters. but it is not possible
to regret that the public is to have
cheaper food. A sadly mistaken esti-
mate OF the commercial situation has
been corrected nl IueXorable events.
and those who insisted that the official
and other standard information was
false have been obliged to pay for their
error. But it is good thing for the
country that the curse of artiticially in
Hated prices is not to be added to the
other trials of industrial depression
during severe Winter 1t is also a
good thing that the marketing of
American surplus products is not to be
arrested by manipulation at time
when the foreign demand is light and
uncertain. Especially is it a good
thing that the producers of this cOun-
try have less of the loss to bear than is
usual, because the proportion of the
crop already moved to commercial cen
tres Is larger than it has been for sever
al years before, and because the "visi
bic supply Of wheat is nearly HOOD
OOO bushels larger than il was at this
date last year, and nearly $4,000 600
bushels larger than at this date in 1882.
Wheat Is now selling at Chicago be-
low the average price III that market.
In 1888 the average was $l.0l}; in 1882
1t was $l.l4}; in 1881, $1.I3I; in 1880
only $l.O52, and in 1879 ONLY 90 cents
In ten years the yearly average of cash
price has not been as low as the Feb
ruary options are now in midwinter.
The obvious consequence is that.
even with exports from this time for
ward as large as those of the same
months last year, we should have left
on hand at the close of the crop wear
an enormous surplus unsold. The
consumption in this country, if not per
ceptibly checker by industrial depres-
SION, is certainly not above the average.
1t Is difficult to say at what price sur
plus wheat may be marketed under
such circumstances, and it would have
been better for the country if the dis
asters which the spectators now have
to meet had been forced upon them as
early as September last As it is, how |
ever, the country is tOlerably sure of |
cheap breadstufls for the rest of this
year"
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23

representation would place the rest of
the State at the mercy of Wilmington
and make it the ruler of the common
wealth as virtually as Paries does
France? One-third of the population
of Wilmington may be classified as a
floating pOpulation-viz no fixed in
terest, so simple a thing as disagree
ment with an employer, for instance.
may in twcnty-fOnr hours make them
resident Of Maryland. PENNSYLVANIA
or New Jersey Does the Nc;rs wish
each one of these men, because they
can be counted in workshop, where
several hundred others may be like
wise counted on an enclosed acre of
ground, to count equal with the man
in the lower hundreds, who owns and
occupies several hundred acres of land.
with fixed local, social and financial
interest? If it does, the people of the
rural districts of its own county do not,
and that is one reason why the propo-
sition had such an ignOminious failure.
The News demanded of us to tell what
kind of representation the people of
Wilmington wanted; and it has it
above stated we think justly, and which
it must have understood one year ago.
But spirit has come over its
dreams" 1t states the wants of the
city of Wilmington, now as follows:
" We will state again for the hun
dredth time that the people of Whining
ton want representation in the General
Assembly by districts, the number of
representatives from these districts to
be determined by the population alone.
They do not, however, ask for such
representation for themselves, that is.
man for man, but are asking for only
half as much representation, man for
man, as they think that the country
districts ought to have"
For example, if the present aDper-
tiOnment of Kent county. which is one |
Representative for every 5000 inhabi |
tants, and one Senator for every 10000, |
should become the standard of the dis |
trlcts, the new Legislature would con-
tain about seven Representatives and |
three Senators from Kent county, and /
precisely an equal number from the
rural part of New Castle county: eight
Representatives and four Senators
from Sussex county, and five Represcn-
tatives and two Senators from Whining
ton. This would give the country dis
tricts twenty-five Representatives and
ten Senators against five Representa-
tives and two Senators from this city"
This is modest coming down, and
while claiming more than some people
in the lower counties would possibly
be willing to concede, is Il reasonable
and entitled to considera-
ton.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Donation Visit.

A large donation party from Sever.
son Church congregation invaded the
Circuit parsonage, Monday evening,
bent on doing the fright thing" by
their pastor, which is properly
acknowledged by him in another col
umn. 1t took them sometime to un-
load, after which the evening, to a late
hour for country folks, was spent in
social converse and in enjoying the
contents of a well loaded table. But
they were not like some donation par
ties we read Of-eat up all the good
things they carried and leave the fami-
ly the dirty dishes to clean-but in
stead, as the preacher tells us who wrote
the inventory after they left, the fruits
will be enjoyed after many days.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23

THERE is much interest at this time
in our State, especially among the law
yers, as to who shall be the successor
of Judge Bradford to preside over the
United States Circuit Court for this
State. Several names have been talk
ed of, but the contest seems to have
narrowed down to two-W. Corbit
Spruance, Esq, of Wilmington, and
ex-Judge Geo. T. Fisher, of Dover
The last is backed by the Dover bar,
including Chief Justice Comegys and
Chancellor Salisbury it is said, while
the first has the almost unanimous
support of the bar of New Castle Coun-
ty. Promising that both have equal
abilities. it is thought that the first
will have great advantage in the fact
that he has never been an Office seeker.
The appointment is looked for at any
time.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23

THE catastrophe of the wrecking OF
the City Of Colpm5uS, near Martha s
Vineyard, while few hours journey
out, on her way from Boston to Savan-
nah, on Friday, was the first serious
loss Of the year and appalling in all its
details. Of147 souls on board 81 are
known to have perished. Had it been
the result of a storm there would have
been some palliation, but it seems to
have resulted in criminal negligence
in allowing the steamer to run in dan
gerous waters. Immediately after it
struck, the most of the passengers
rushed on deck to see what was the
matter. A moment afterwards and
they were gone. So sudden was it
that not shrek or a prayer came
from the lips of any of the little com
pany ere the great wave engulfed
them. Every women and child on
board died ut that moment. At dav-
light only forty persons, men and boys,
were alive, hanging in the rigging,
frozen stiff and helpless.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Death of Francis wilds,


The sudden death of Francis Wilds.
one of our old citizens caused n surnrise
IN our town this morning. He was NOT
known to be sick and hence the sur.
prise at the announcement. Since De.
cember he has been with his daughter
Mrs. Eugene Crow, Sunny Side. 5 near
town. He seemed to be in usual health
that is, he was about, in his customary
habits; complained of neither sickness
nor pain, only weakness, for which he
was taking tonic, and ate with his
usual appetite until yesterday. He had
been abed since Saturday but only
from languidness, and when left ON re-
tlrlng last evening there was nothing
IN his condition different from anY
other time. Mr.. Crow on arising early
this morning and going in his room
found him unconcious and he expired
before medical aid could be procured
he did not, as was thought would be
the case, survive long his wife. Mrs
Mary Wilds, who died in August last
He had nearly reached the age of three
score and ten, a limit that is accorded
to but few. Mr.. Wilds was one of n
large family of children, son of Nathan
iiel Wilds, near Kenton, where he was
born and raised until he removed to
this town some thirty years ago. In
his younger days he took great interest
in public matters, especially politics.
and was once the Whig candidate for
Sheriff of this county, in 1876. He was
endowed with fine conversational pow
ers and at the time we speak of welded
considerable influence in public mat
ters that engaged his attention. For
the past twenty-five years he has not
been in active business. The death of
father and mother so near together.
leaves their only son, N. F. Wiids, an
exceedingly lonely home.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23

THE universal interest that was at
tracted to the Mutt trial throughout
the land was brought to an end
yesterday in Pittsburg by the jury
bringing in Il verdict of acquittal on
the ground of emotional insanity.
This was a decision in obedience to
popular wish and sympathy, because
he avenged what the law did not, the
murder of his father and the defamer
of his sister. The same plea in a case
of ordinary homicide would doubtless
have had different termination.
Dukes was william who being cleared
by corrupt jury, met his fate we may
say through an outraged populace at
the hands of young Mutt.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Winter.

The first several weeks of Winter
We're unusually mild weather, but its
equivalent of real Winter has been
amply repaid in the weather of the
past four weeks. While the thermome-
ter has not registered so low as many
winters the weather has been more de-
clded Wintery because of the frequent
SHOWS, though never falling in large
quantities. The especial unpleasant
ness OF the Winter has been experienc-
ed by the pedestrians. CommencinO
with sleet and continued with lipht
SHOWS that would fall little at a time
through a whole day and thus be
tramped on the pavement until the
consistency of ice, we have managed to
keep almost continuous icy streets.
that however disliked by the older per.
sons have been hugely enjoyed by the
youngsters who have thus appropriat-
ed many hours of shedding on the briclx
pavements. To many old and infirm
people 1t has been season of virtual
imprisonment, for If south wind
wouia melt the ice on the streets.
before they would dry q north wind
would again bring snow. Rubber
shoes have rarely played SO important
part for general use as this Winter.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Testimonials of Respect.

The Rev. ]. D. Rigg is finishing the
last weeks of his three year course and
If we may be allowed the phrase in
this connection, is making much his
best time on the "home stretch ),
Duty well performed is sure of appre-
ciatlOn, which coupled with that other
aphorism, patient walters are no
losers" is very applicable to the Rev
erend gentleman at this time. The
testimonials of respect of this month ex-
pressas muchin sentiment and intrinsic
value as if they had been con-
veyed in yearly donation visit. The
hrst was dressing gown (which would
not have thus been paragraphed but
for those that followed), then on Thurs
day last, also in an informal manner n
handsome Elgin hunting-case gold
watch, with gold mounted silk guard
with his initials and q legend of the
donors beautifully engraved by the
Jeweler, j. V. Smith, and in addition to
this at the same time, an enyelope con-
tanning money to provide an outfit
for Conference. So much for last week
This week the above is supplemented
by the presentation of a handsome
copy of the Peoples Encvclopedia
These gifts were entire surprises and
thus the more highly appreciated bv
the recipient, whose card of acknowI-
edgment appears in another column
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Freaks of the Tbernon.tar

At all of the cold snaps this month
the thermometer was reported at sew
eraI towns on the Peninsula below
what 1t registered here. On Tuesday
and wednesday mornings of last week
IL was reported down to zero and two
or three degrees above, while here the
record stood about 12'. During the
cold weather the first week in January
at several of the towns in the lower
part of the Peninsula the thermometer
was recorded at g and t below zero.
while in this town it stood 81 and 10
above. Usually the temperature fol-
lows the lines of latitude, but this
Winter seems to be an exception to the
rule. 1t was colder in the Southern
States of Georgia and South Carolina
than it was here.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
More Ho,nas Naaaaa

1t would seem from the present out
look that some of the people in town
as we'll as farmers in the country are
going to get left" in the matter OF
proper dwellings to live in the coming
season.
Il. II. Cummins who advertised a
house for sale two or three weeks ago
tells us that he has had a number of
applications to rent it, but this was not
his purpose. A number of farmers are
yet without place to go ana little or
no prospect of any being provided.
Truly, we are in need of more farms in
the country and more dwellings in the
town to accommodate our increasing
population.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
I'm ArticuIO MOrfis.

What has become of the patrons of
the reading room?
Not many weeks ago the young men
nightly assembled lin this retreat for
the wayward and wandering to reyel
in the flowery fields of literature. or
gaze in wonder and admiration at the
champions Mackenzie and Steinitz. do
battle for supremacy, castles were be-
sieged and captured, the gallant
knights rode rough shod over the ad-
vanced guards onward to victory.
What change has come DER the
scene. a sOmbre silence now pervades
the rooms. At night the light burn 5
low. Over the wreck, the shades of
some departed muse a silent vigil
keeps, and whispers to the solitary Wis
itor, " 1t might have been"
MOURNER.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
About Lamps,

ist.-keep your lamps full of oil. not
half or two-thirds full, but fuU.
2d.-Don't use any oil that will
ignite from a lighted match applied to
the surface in an open vessel.
3d.-Keep your burnerand wick tube
well cleaned, and the crust rubbed OIL
the top of the wick.
4th:-Turn your wick down to ex-
tinguish the light. Never blow it out
Under any circumstances. Half the
accidents are caused by blowing out.
Turn the wick down and let it 20 out
itself.
5th.-Aftcr the light is out turn vour
wick down as low as it will bear With.
out getting out of the ratchet. and keen
1t SO till you light again.
6th;-Never use lamp or oil can
that leaks, or is out of order. Get it
mended or throw it away. Don't give
it away.
7th.-Be careful to observe Rule No.
:. j. b. COOPER.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Public Sales

The following persons will sell their
personal property at public sale:
Benjamin w. and George w. Turner.
near State line, on the Hazel farm, u
on Thursday, January 31st.
John Fraser, near this town, on
Tuesday, February 18th.
James e. Robinson, on the road from
smyrna to Leipsic, about miles from
the former place, on Tuesday, February
Joseph c. Robinson, on Miss Julia
Collins farm, on the road from Smyrna
TO Leipsic, on Wednesday,, February
18th.
J; Gould, on the road from Smyrna
to kenton, on Wednesday, February
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Land Sales

70. Harry Beck, real estate agent,
sold last week the farm of Abel ]. Por-
ter, near Green Spring, containing &C
acres, to Joseph VanPelt, for $500.
MIR. VanPelt, now residing near Mid
dletOwn, (sOn of the late Mrs. Ann
VanPelt) will move to the farm in the
Spring.
Mrs. c. NJ. Collins, of this town, has
sold her property at Lebanon, to Hazel
u Penneweli, of Dover, for 81 500.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
NIOURNER.
For the Smyrna Times

For the Smyrna Times
Mr.. Il. ID. HOFFECKER-Dedr Sir
You will, please, do me the favor TO
make brief mention in the TINES of an
unexpected donation visit to the Smyrna
Circuit parsonage, last evening, of some
thing like fifty members and proba-
TONERS of Severson's Church.
The Pastor was requested To be at
home on Monday evening, as he would
be needed there and then, and he Mt
once came to the conclusion that some
parties wanted him to tie 1.-THE Gordian
Knot " and asked who they were. but
was informed by the messenger that he
mad been requested not to tell. About
O'Clock last evening the door bell be-
gan to ring and party after partv ar
rived in rapid succession in the house
until it was full, and there was but one
single person in the crowd. Instead
oil marriage license being produced
every body was armed with bundle
Ihen, the key of the cellar was de-
manded and about a dozen bags of
corn and potatoes were carried down.
together with some of the featherej
tribe from the Neck barn-yards, while
eAe Kitchen became the receptacle of
beef, butter, ham, sausage, cabbage.
canned fruit, dressed chickens, apples,
&c, and barrel of flour of Denney's
best brand. The sitting room table
also soon grOaned under load of cake
and other edibles, of which heaps re-
manned, after the whole party, includ-
ing some Smyrna friends, had pertaken
q aOountltul repast together. Social cheer
abounded and a sweet atmosphere of
kindly christian fellowship filled the
house.
After short speeches by the pastor
and his wife and by Bros. Griffith,
Keiser and Robinson. interspersed with
singing and prayer by Bro. J. C. Robin
son, the company disbanded about IL
o'clock.
1t was a delightful surprise to the
pastor and his family, and it will long
be gratefully remembered by them.
j. T. VANBURKALOw.
smyrna, .IdnudrU % 1894
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
GaIne.

The law in relation to game limiting
the time when it may be killed went
into effect on the 18th inst, and any
partridge, rabbit, &c, that is hereafter
Killed between this and the time speci-
fed by law next Fall, is in violation of
the law. This has been a cold snowy
Winter on the game, and much that
was left by the gunners will possibly
be destroyed by the hungry hawks and
animals of prey. 1t would be we'll for
the farmers to take a protective over
sight of them and see that they are not
only protected from boys and men
simply engaged in wanton destructive
sport, but supply them food where the
continued SHOWS have kept their feed
ing grounds covered.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Railroad Change.

The Kent County and Smyrna and
Delaware Bay Railroad" has changed
its name to the shorter and NOR
euphoniOus one of Baltimore and
Delaware Bay Railroad" Just how
the. Baltimore ;" is hitched on we 20
not exactly see, as the Chesapeake
Bay lies between its western terminus
and that city, but it sounds well, and is
communicated with we presume bv
steamers from the Chester river. i
change occurs also i'll the time table
with the morning trains. that from
Chestertown arriving at CLAYTON al
IO.45, ten minutes sooner, and leaving
at ll.45 instead of 2.43 p. NJ. as hereto,
fore, giving the people of Chestertown
their mail at o'clock instead of 4. 40
as heretofore. On Thursday there is
also an evening train which leaves
Clayton at 80 o'clock.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
SHOES.

Lot Misses Straight Goat Button shoes >l''s -
! 10 >, S. " Ia S2.31. Ill
Another lot straight Goat Button shoes SIX a.
! to ., $50 to $50 s
Misses Curacao Kid Button Shoes Sizes Il " -
| $50 10 S275.
Misses Curacao Kid Button Shoes Siiss i : =
| s. 50 Ia 81 So -
Childrens' Pebble and Straight GOa;, sizes : '''
$40 To SlS7 Al.
Children's Pebble and straight Goat, Si's -
to lUl2, $50 tOSl.62 s;..s :
ChildrenS Pebble and Kid Button BOOH '-'-
TO lO15, 81 80 tOSlOO. -,.,1is
Another lot Kid Button Boots, sizes I" w
81 % To % cents. s;,.,;
Another lot Pebble Goat Button BoOS 80
to lOIS, Sl.lj to 70 cents. c7ip
Another lot Pebble Goat Button Boo" 'i'''
Sl.25. 9
Children's Pebble Goat BalmorAls, ST." q"
cents.
Infants Shoes, 75c. to Csc ,s.ssl
Lot WOmen'S French Kid Shoes 1suu 1suu,NsH
from 81 80 to $3.50 Another lot from so'''V'
Lot Satin Slippers, 81 TO s..
Lot Kid slippers, 81 TO s.. ,,..SbOd
Lot Mems French Calf Hand-Sewed Law
s. to So 10. .SbOss
Lot Boys French Calf, Handsewed Lace SD''
S. to 81.
CARPETS.
9. Lot 20 styles very best quality VeiVe' ''
Sl.25 per yard. ,-C.ypsA
lSstyleS OF best five-frame Body Brusses'A'F
down 10 81 l2%.
q styles Tapestry Carpets from go to ~ ms
II styles Smyrna Carpets, from Sl.o0 " W
styles fine three ply, from u " 10 W.
- styles Ingram, from 90 TO 6Oc.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Personal.

Wesley Warren, the mail messenger
between this town and Clayton was
summoned to Georgetown, on Satur-
day, to attend the funeral of his father,
jenkins Warren, an old gentleman 84
years old. His clothes took fire on
wednesday while asleep, and though
assistance soon came, (the family in
the adjoining house being apprised of
the lire by the smoke) the effect of the
burn was sufficient to end his life
Thursday night.
John s. Hoffecker, for nine years a
travelling salesman of the Vulcanized
Fibre Company of Wilmington, has
severed his connection with it and
formed copartnership with Charles p.
cline, of the Quaker City Spice Mills.
at No. 3219 Chestnut street, Philadel.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
.S~IYz'n0, DeI.,
Wednesday Afternoon, Jan. %, 1854.

THE TIMES" is published every Wednesday
afternoon by ROBT. D. HoFFEcKER, Editor and
Proprietor, at Smyrna, Del.
MS-SUBsCRIPTIoS-On year 10 III advance
or $50 if not paid till the end of the year. No
paper discontinued until all arrears ara paid
only at the option of the Publisher.
ADVERTISEMENTS will be inserted at the rate
of Seven Cents line for the first insertion; sub
sequent insertions Three -and-a-half cents. A
liberal discount made to quarterly, semi annual
and yearly advertisers.
OBITUARY NOTICES will be charged Five Cents
per line.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
IIJ>LIN~

n+ ad'ei. % TIE .e, y..- .-......
H'.e %. '"e >,"..E >,-s 49,.
t>'!!UL'e d.. NE ia.i..4. ....,..
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"e'! MtF.teG Erp4;ai.u.. Ny., = ,.- '-'
Make> :. 4: e!e - D.. ~. .....- 90: .'..--
god + ,a-Aei u ....:. =: :. ''''''' -
= e""d b.earari .i.,.... al
\ good B.e4yAtt Mos. A..
4 good EutE.e M.,....,.
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
To whom it may Concern

| return most cordial thanks for the
gift of a splendid Eigin, hunting-case
gold watch. The matter was com.
plete surprise to me, and | cannot ex-
press the appreciation | feel for such
consideration. Avery pleasing feature
OF the matter was the quiet that mark
ed the purchase and presentation. 1t
will be kept and treasured as memento
OF kindness that l hope to reciprocate.
JNO. ID. RIGG
Smyrna times., 1884-01-23
Death from "a Gun wo,nd

An accident occurred on Saturday
morning, at the residence of Isaac
Webb, residing On the farm of Mrs
Susan Bell, four miles from this town
IN the direction of Kenton, resulting in
the death Of his son, Richard Webb. n
young man 81 years of age. A neigh.
Dor, a young man of The same are
named Samuel Boyd came over to Mr.
Webbs house between nine and ten
O'Clock and asked for younger brother,
US If to have his company to 20 gun
ning. Just how the fatal accident
occurred is not clearly stated, but it
seems the deceased took hold of the
gun as if in playful way to take IT
from him to look at, in doing which
the hammer caught in the overalls of
the owner which discharged the gun.
the whole load entering the abdomen
OF the young man from which he died
about four O'Clock in the afternoon.
his case was past medical assistance
from the first. A coroners inuuest
held Monday rendered verdict Of ac-
cidental death and the young man was
buried yesterday.