Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-06
CHASED WITH PITGHFORKS.
Delaware Farmers Object to PENN
sylvanla Assessors.

1t is the Old boundary Question Again
But the Expatrlated Deiawareans Met
the PENNSYLVANIA Oflcials With Fire In
Their Eyes and Made Them Kun.
West Chester Local News
The trouble over the new Pennsyl-
vania- Delaware boundary limo has
broken out afresh, and it is hard to tell
where it will end.
The townships of London, Britain,
New Garden, Kennett and Pcnnsbury,
all of which are Ia Chester county,
compose that portion of Pennsylvania
which borders on the Diamond State,
and, of course, we get nearly all the
trouble. When the boundary line was
located some time ago by the Boundary
Commission, number of farms which
had hitherto been In Delaware were
thrown into Pennsylvania. However,
they were never assessed in this State,
as the time for making the trieunial as
sessment has only just arrived. A few
days ago the assessors of the townships
above referred to started out to perform
their work, and all went we'll until they
trespassed upon the ground Of the
farmers along the boundary.
Then the fun commenced.
PREFER TO REMAIN IN DELAWARE.
For one reason or another nearly all
the farmers prefer to come under the
jurisdiction of the State of Delaware for
taxation, and, Notwithstanding the fact
that the boundary stones ordered by the
commission are up, they still claim
residence in their old State.
LONDON BRITAIN ASSESSORS ExPERI-
ENCE.
Thomas Crossan, the assessor of LON
don Britain township, had the liveliest
experience of any Of the assessors along
the line. When he visited one of the
farms along the boundary line, the
owner appeared upon the scene and de-
manded to know what he was "writin'
in the book" Crossan informed him that
he was tine assessor uf London Britain,
and was laying the valuation of the pro-
perty for taxation. The aged land
tilers' feathers thereupon became
rutfled, and he told Mr.. Crossan very
emphatically that his farm was not in
Pennsylvania and that he would permit
no assessment to be made. The official,
however, paid but little attention to the
man, and started for the barn to take an
account of the cattle contained therein.
And the farmer started for the barn at
the same time, but arrived there first.
CONFRONTED BY PITcHFoRK.
When Mr. Crossan reached the stable
door he was met by the enraged farmer
with appraised pitchfork, and again the
assessor was ordered to leave the
premises. As the prongs of the fork
looked sharp and there was fire in the
farmers eye, Mr.. Crossan concluded to
obey the command, and quietly de-
parted. At last accounts the farmer and
mis- pitchfork were still holding the fort.
But the assessment will certainly be
made, even if it becomes necessary for
Sheriff Ingram to send posse down to
protect Assessor Crossan.
WHERE THE COMMISSIONERS ARE.
The Boundary Commission was COM
posed of Hon. Wayne MacVeagh of
Philadelphia, and who is now in Rome;
Hon. Thomas +. Bayard of Delaware,
now in London, and Robert Il. Mona
CHAN, Esq. Of West Chester. Their re-
port, it is said, have not as yet been APP
proved by the Legislatures Of the two
States, but ex-senator S. L. Nivin, who
lives down along the line, says it is not
necessary ioI the Legislature to take
action.
THE QUESTION NEVER RAISED BEFORE.
The question of whether or not it is
necessary for the Legislature to endorse
the work of the Boundary Commission,
has never before arisen, and until it is
settled the commissioners of Chester
county will take no decided stand in
the matter.