Smyrna times., 1889-01-02
A Retrospective View.
1883 A MEMORABLE AND CONSPICUOUS
YEAR.


The calendar year of 1888. saws the
hCery EUening has in many RESPECTS
been conspicuous over its predecessors.
and will doubtless long be memorable
one to the dwellers in this vicinity Tn
climatic sense the year presented the
greatest variety of surprises and sensa.
tlons, the mercury having reached a
hlgher and again lower point within
the II months than it had attained in n
corresponding period within memorv's
recall. In this line it is a question as
TO whether the hOwling blizzard of
March 18th, or the terrific tornado of
August Dist, should take precedence nc
sensational event. The former nv
reason OF Its vastness in the area COW
cred, and the distance from its lepiti-
mate field of operation is perhaps the
more memorable of the two. but for a
purely local affair exacting the atten-
ton OF those living in the immediate
vicinity the tornado discounts the
March blowout by long odds. In
both Delaware bore the greatest fury
OF the violence. At the Rreakwater
almost an entire feet of vessels were
lost and by Inc tornado in August nm
wards OF 100000 worth of destruction
TO property was wrought. Nothing
half so severe and terrifying as either
can be recalled. Again the wear has
Deeh noticeable for giving some of the
ShdTpesU ram and electrical storms that
nave visited this section in years.
But 1883 has been year of general
prosperity and great local development
IN all branches of endeavor. Tbere
was an entire freedom of any trouble
between labor and capital, and everv
industrial or mercantile establishment
has been operated with profit, and con.
tinuously through the period under
consideration. While there have been
no extensive accessions in the wav of
new enterprises, there has been n
healthy and continued DEVELOPMENT in
facilities for production to meet the in
creased demand of the general market
In mercantile circles there has been a
more satisfactory trade, and the fact
1haJ wilmington merchants are being
looked to to supply greater part Of
the peoples need is apparent.
The records Of the court show that
crime has increased commensuratelv
with the general prosperity of the com
munlty and besides the large number
OF petty offences there have been sew.
eral cases before the court with MANS
life pending upon the outcome. Cbas
Henry Riedel, for the murder of his
wife and child, was executed. Georoe
II. Graham was given three wears for
killing q. KOeder, and William J. CAL
noun Is under death sentence for as
saulting a decrepit German woman
hugh +. Sweeney narrowly escaped
long sentence for assaulting Thomas
Martin. Franklin L. johnson Is doing
life term for killing comnanion
harvey turner IS awaiting trial for ac-
cidently shooting Taylor E. GOodlev. a
lew Gays ago. 7. Taylor shot and Sc
riously wounded his stepfather. but
was acquitted on the ground that the
defence OF his sister was iustifahle
grounds. Harrison Rothwell alias
= Sugar Awful, is doing 10 wears for
burglary. The petty cases before the
city court were more numerous tbon
during the previous year, the whole in
dieation of the growth of lawlessnese
During the year the court has insti.
tlted an open system Of hearing liouor
license applications. and is on the Road
TO a discrimination against the lower
and lawless men engaged in the bnsi.
ness. This gives much satisfaction 10
the temperance element and as a resuIt
they will regard 1883 as marking what
they regard as the beginning Of a radi. |
cal reform. 'U'
In politics the year has offered sur
prises ana disappointments to Della
and the peopIe can evtraot
pleasure and discomfort ont az the si,
nation according to their political ami. |
atlons. The elections in Wilmington
md county demonstrated that disTe-
Dutable, untitled or men in whom The
taxpayers have no confidence and
new with distrust can no longer hi
oisted upon the people because thew
're able to secure n nomination by
ome means or other. "