Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-01
MIDDLETOTN.


SpeclalI nrfeHpOnuenceO t1azette ana journal
MrnDLETowN, Dec. 26,-Christmas passed
off very quietly. The stores nearly all
closed about noon. Services were held in
St Anne's Church in the morning and
were fairly attended.
Governor Biggs was still improving yes
terday The attending physician stated
last night that he was rapidly gaining
strength and his recovery will be only
matter of few weeks.
1t began showing early last evening and
continued all night. This morning the
snow is several inches deep and brisk
wind is banking it up in drifts. 1t is the
heaviest snow this section has had in three
years.
on Christmas eve a colorcd man,
with silk tile, high collar and the latest
cut of clothing stepped from the SAG south
bound train on to the platform, having
come to Middletown TO spend his Christ
mas, Several colored men were standing
around and one of them recognized the
new conner as a former acquaintance. He
stepped up and welcomed Ills friend home
in a most hearty manner by knocking off
the silk tile and playfully slapping him in
the face. The stranger was not expecting
such cordial welcome and picking up his
hat reached around to his hip pocket for
his revolver. He fired two shots, the first
one at the crowd and the second into the
air, but fortunately no one was hurt. He
then started for the Maryland line at his
best pace and has not been seen around
Middletown since.
Joseph Rhodes, q young man living near
Mt. Pleasant, was in town one evening this
week and as he started to go home he was
seized with heart trouble and fell in a
faint. He was taken into house and Il
physician summoned. Mr. Rhodes soon
rallied but was compelled u remain here
over night and return home III the morn
ing.
Mr.. John Fitzpatrick was awakened about
2 o'clock this morning by the smell Of
smoke and found that his home was ablale,
lie quickly gave an alarm and the Hose
Company at once responded. About all
the furniture on the first floor were saved
but nearly everything else was burned. The
Hose Company played two streams ON the
building and prevented it from spreading
to the adjoining residence. The place was
stated that the loss is fully covered by
insurance.
M1DpLETowX, Dec. 27.-The residence Of
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, which was burned early
yesterday morning, was insured for S2,O0l
known in this neighbnfhood and who has
been in Pittsburg, IA, for several months
past, is home ON visit. lie will return to
Pittsburg about january 3D.
The slci9hing was very fair last night
and more sleighs were ont than at any
time for three years past. If the weather
will only coniinc cola the sport will be cy-
cellent.
The yonng men of Chesapeake City gave
grand ball in the Masonic Hall at that
place.
The annual election for directors of the
Peoples Bank will take place ON JANUARY
luth, Between 10 and II o'clock.
The merchants I'LL report a very good
trade during the pasf week or two Al
say they have done as well as at the same
/ time last year and several report better
trade than ever before.
I the meeting Of The stockholders of the
| Citizens Bank for the purpose of electing
niae directors Will be held on Tuesday
! January 18th.
MinpLrrowN, Dec. 3a-The funeral of
! Miss Belle Watson took place yesterday
afternoon lrem tic residence Of James
1 Culbertspn. lnterment was made in Nj.
| +. cemetery.
| There has not been 50 much sloighing in
| three years as within tine past four days.
| Although the snow is disappearing on
/ some lGrs Of the street, the sport is still
| good. Every evening there is n number OF
fast horses out and the teams race from
| one end of Main street to the other, while
crowds Of men and boys stand around and
watch the. sport.
The mill ponds are frozen to the depth
of several inches and several people began
to harvest their ice crop this morning. Ii
the weather continues cold while longer
there will be an abundance of ice, 1t is
thought by many that if the winter is u
hard one the peach crop will be good, and
those who are of this opinion furnish
| numerous instances to back it up.