davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
PERSONAL.

Rev. DR.. VIM. S. Robinson, of Hacketts-
town, n. j., was guest of Mr.. and Mrs.
John H. HOfecker, Wednesday night, re-
turning with them from the McCalum-
Willis nuptial at Milford that day.
Miss Mary Cahoon and little niece,
Emily Teneyke, of Brooklyn, spent a day
OF two with friends here last week.
Misses Clair and Lizzie Cooper, were
guests of Miss Bertha Hoffecker Monday
night, en- route from KentOn to their new
home in Wilmington, 916 Jefferson street
They were accompanied by Miss Beth Den
ney, who will probably remain over the
holidays with them.
Mrs. Mary Z. Spruance, has gone west
to spend the winter with her son, Alex. 2.
Spruance, in Indianapolis.
A. w. Cummins. son of David J. Cum
minis, of this town has resigned from the
City Editorship of the Wilmington Morning
Net0S, which he has held over five years, tC
assume the duties of Special and Politica
correspondent in Delaware of the Philadel
phia Record.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. F. Evans and Miss Ethe
Cooper have returned from visit to Phila
delphia
Miss Lula Boggs, of Crumpton, Md, il
the guest of Miss May Cavender, near town
Miss Mary Turner, of EastOn has beer
visiting Miss Ada FARRELL.
George Mckay and family, of German
town, are occupying the second story fla
in the HAZEL Block, previous to moving
down on the Shorts Landing farm in tn
Spring.
Fletcher Jones, residing at the ''Whit
House, on the road to KentOn, gave pleas
ant evening company Thursday evening, t,
about fourty of his friends.
Charles j. McCOnaughy and wife, of Phila
delphia, have been spending several day
with his father, A. McCOnaughy. in Clayton
Mrs. Virginia Howard, of Still Poond Md.
is visiting her sister, Mrs. A. Stengle.
Mrs. M. L. Janvier, of Delaware City, i
the guest of Mrs. Mary Boyd.
DIR. and Mrs. Il. j. Lambdin will celebrat
their 50th wedding anniversary tomorrow
Their nephews and neices will join them i
the event.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
The Constitutional Convention.

After a long rest, in which the
President decided upon the commit
tees to be named, the Constitutional
Convention resumed its session at
Dover, Monday. The most import
ant work was the appointment of COM
mlttees, and in this work President
Biggs, who is a Democrat, did all that
he could to make the Convention a
non-partisan one.
There are fourteen Republican and
sixteen Democratic members of the
body, and in making up the committees
Mr.. Biggs made them all consist of six
members, with the exception of the
Committee on Judiciary, on which
there are eight members. The mem
bers of all the committees were equally
divided between the two parties, and
so were the chairmanships. In order
to do this, it was necessary in some
cases to place the Republicans on more
committees than the Democrats. The
committees are as follows:
Richards, Martin, Muir
ray, Salisbury, Bradford and COoch.
Governor and other executive Off
cers-Hearn, Cannon, Cooper, Smith
ers, johnson and Spruance.
Judiciary-Spruance, Evans, Brad
ford, Cavender, Richards, Hearn,
Burris and Martin.
Elections-Harman, Spruance, Cav
ender, Herring, EllegoOd and Cannon
Securing the purity of the ballot
Bradford, Evans, Carlisle, Cooper
Wright and DaseY.
Corporations Pratt, Clark, Dasey
Richards. Donahoe and Burris.
Crimes, Punishments and Impeach
ment-MOore, COOch, Smithers, Sapp
Gllchrist and johnson.
Agriculture -HOrseyS Wright, Pratt
Clark, HarmNn and Moore
Alterations to Constitution - Orr
Martin, Carlisle, Sapp, Burris anC
Harman.
Accounts Salisbury, Murray, Don
ahOe, Gilchrist, EllegoOd and Orr.
DR.. Pratt, from the committee tC
consider the matter Of taking an oath
reported adversely. The cOmmitte
said that it had found that none of tn
members of previous conventions ha,
ever been sworn and that they had de
clded then that it was not necessary.
A communication was received frOI
the New Castle County Sunday SchOO
Union asking the Convention to plac
Il local option clause i'll the Constitu
ton. 1t was decided after a long dis
cussiOn to refer the matter to speciG
committee of six, which will be ar
pointed later.
The Union Republicans who wer
seated from Kent county did not com
into the Convention Monday. The
held a meeting and also n cOnferenc
with some Of the regular Republican
in the Convention, among whom wer
Edward 6. Bradford and VIM.
Spruance. 1t was decided to leave tn
matter of attending the COnventio
with the individual members who hay
been seated. 1t is believed that the
will go into the Convention and wi
attend the meetings. Mr.. Murray
South Murderkill took his seat yeste-
daV.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
Fire Near CLAYTON.

About II o'clock Sunday morning
the rick of wheat straw on the farm of
Mrs. Lydia Colt, (now residing in
WilmingtOn) in tenure of Fletcher
Truax, a half mile west of Clayton,
was discovered to be on fire. Levi
ScOtten, whose wife keeps house for
Mr.. Truax, happened to come on the
premises directly after it caught fire,
Mr.. Truax, being at Church in the
town, and proceeded at once to get
the only horse in the stable out, and
get the cattle ont of the pound, re-
move the gears etc. This was hardly
done, which was before anyone else
got there, when the fodder on the cow
shed at the far side of the pound was
discovered to be on fire, doubtless
from q spark carried there from the
burning rick, (the latter being on the
west side of the lane, this the east). 1t
was then evident that the stale and
COW shed covered with fodder ON two
sides of the enclosure (abOut 40 feet
must be burned. The granary, in
which was stored the corn crop of this
year and other things which stood q
little south of the straw rick and close
enough for the rosin to be drawn from
the knots in the pine boards was saved
by the efforts of the Clayton Hose
Company. Had their apparatus been
brought with them when they first came,
the stable could also have been saved.
Mr. Truaxs loses will be about 800,
tons of clover hay, fodder and wagon,
fully insured, and Mrs. Colts about
$500, on which is and insurance of $3.50.
The origin of the fire is mystery
Such fires usually come from smokers
and careless match throwing. The
place has been particularly unfortu-
nate in the way of fres-fve times in
thirty-five years-twice during the
ownership of Garrett Foxwell and
twice since it has been the property OF
his daughter, Mrs. Colt At the fire
five years ago which was at night, some
seven horses and mules were burned
| to death
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
David J. Murphey Dead.

David J. Murphey, aged 78 years, of
Newark, died at the residence of his
son, Henry G. Murphey, No. 1923
BOuvier street, Philadelphia, on Satur
day. Service was held at noon to-day,
at the residenc of the Rev. II. l.. Mason
pastor of the Newark Presbyterian
church. Interment in White Clay
Greek cemetary Nh Murphy lived
in Newark about 25 years. He owned
property there and in Kent county
near Smyrna. Several years ago he
sold his Newark property. By his
first wife he was the father of the late
David J. Murphy, Jr., former mem
Der of the New Castle county bar, and
of Henry c. Murphy. He had no
children by his second wife, who sur
wives him. Divorce proceedings
brought by him against her in superior
court have never been settled MIR.
Murphy was at one time a member of
the Legislature. For years he has been
a trustee of Delaware College.
Mr. Murphy grew up and succeeded
his father at the Alley Mills (wollen
and grist mill four miles west of this
town, and lived there until he went to
Newark to live. He was an active and
useful member of the Presbyterian
church, took decided interest i'll all
public matters, was Adjutant of the
9th Delaware Regiment under Col.
Wilmer during the war, and when a
resident of this vicinity, held in high
regard as aman of means and influence.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
KENTON W. c. T. U.
Address Made by Mrs. Kate Smithers Of
Smyrna.
pecial Corresponds. &c to the Times,

special Corresponds. &c to the Times
KENToN, Dec. S.-The Kenton w.
G. L. u. held public service on sun
day afternoon, Dec. 9th, and had in
vited Mrs. Kate Smithers, of Smyrna,
President of the Kent county w. G. L.
u, to give the address, which she did
in very helpful and inspiring way
and with great credit to herself as well.
She told us this was the first time she
had ever responded to the call to make
a public speech, but she dared not say
mo" to God We all feel very proud
of our County President, and we are
more determined than ever to press on
in this work against the saloon. We
believe that she reached hearts here
that have never been reached before,
for the cause of the white ribbon, and
also taught the members of the Union
the need of a deeper cOnsecration in
the service of God, as well as in the
w. G. L. U. work.
Mrs. Smithers is we'll known and
loved in this community, as her birth
place is near KentOn, so she said that
she had come back home to make heI
first speech. We bid her Godspeed in
her work, and hope that she may visit
us again. A collection was taken fOl
her t0 use in the temperance work il
the way that she thought best; and
was kindly passed over to the l.. T.. L.
of KentOn, to help buy some song
books for the Legion, for which the
children felt grateful.
Mr.. L. NJ. Price, also of Smyrna,
favored us with a solo, ''ThrOw Ont
the Life Line" the congregation join
ing in the chorus.
A business meeting of the Unior
will be held Thursday afternoon, Dec
10th, to arrange for public entertain
ment to be held some time during the
Holidays. A MEMBER.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
HARD WEATHER SOuTH.

Last week was a cold week through
out until Saturday, the mercury on
Friday morning getting down to IS
degrees but 1t did not equal that to the
South OF us, which was unprecedent,
following as it did, summer condi-
tlons. The storm, or as they cal
led it, the blizzard, struck down
from the North through Virginia, the
Carollnas and Georgia, out into the
Ocean. The upper part of the storm
visited here, the weather Wednesday
being cold and promising snow all the
day and night, but it went off to the
south of us. The snow fall was from
seven to nine inches deep. At Char
lOtteville, n c., it was the heaviest in
the eighteen years the weather record
has been kept, and at Raleight Macon,
Augusta, Atlanta, etc, business was
suspended.
A dispatch from Columbia, S. c.,
Friday said:
The snow, sleet and cold wave which
have prevailed in the South this week
have caused great suffering among the
people, who were unprepared for such
sudden change.
Some novel scenes have been wit
messed in this city. There has been
good sleighriding for several days and
the houses have been covered with
iciles.
After eight months of summer, be-
ginning with temperature of So early
IN April and lasting until Monday OF
this week, when the maximum tempera-
ture was 81 degrees, it began raining
here Monday night, northeast wind
prevailing. All Tuesday this rain con-
tlnued and toward evening it frOZe as
it fell. This continued the night, and
as a result the double and triple rows
of trees on Columbia's S park-like streets
were the bearers of tons of ice.
To such a strain the oldest oaks had
never been subjected, and the soun(
! of their breaking branches resembled
the skirmish fire of infantry. Within
a few hours streets were blocked ant
sidewalks Uttered with fallen trees
! Some were uproOted, others were spill
to the ground, while yet others wer
bent until their tops trailed the ground
In this mass were ineXtricably tangled
telegraph, telephone, electric-light, troll
ley andpOlice patrol wires.
For several days neither of the tele
graph companies had Il line of wiz
! reaching mile out OF town. Ih'
managers of the companies say it vii
be a week before telegraph communi
cation with the outside world can b
repaired. The lofty poles have beer
snapped like pipestems. While it is in
possible to estimate damage i'll Othe
sections, it is known that miles of pole
are down within sight OF this city.
There was foot of sleet and snov
on the ground here Wednesday. Busi
ness of all kinds was suspended Fo
the first time in the history of dali
newspapers here, not line of telt
graphic news appeared in their column
Thursday morning.
The forests have been seriously il
jured, much of the timber having ia
len. 1t is probable that number c
lives have been lost among the colore,
people who live in wooded districts.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

WHERE a wedge is entered, as IN the
attempted steal of the Kent County
offices. it is difficult to tell just what
the outcome is going to be. Such an
unlawful procedure is two edged
sword that cuts both ways, nor can 1t
be defined which in the end will re-
ceive the deepest wound. If one party
can-count another out at will, or there
shall be a conspiracy to defraud the
voters. or a part or the whole OF the
State stolen, then it may become a
matter of National consideration. 1t
has already led tOanOtice OF contestlng
the seat of L. Irving Handy IN Con-
gress bv J. S. Willis, for if the Con
vention and Legislature can seat men
not elected on the face of the returns,
so can the House of Representatives at
Washington, and for the same reason
it is likely that a Senator chosen by
men not fairly elected, will be re-
jected by the U. S. Senate. Where
will it end?
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

SECRETARY Herbert says: The country
has made very decided progress IN the
increase of the navy during the Ad-
ministration now drawing to a close.
Within the past four years twelve new
armored vessels, eight cruisers and
three gunboats-a grand total OF
twentv-three war vessels-have been
placed in commission. This repre-
sents a displacement of 1875 tons,
the largest tonnage placed IN commits
sion during any Administration since
1865. The Secretary remarks that,
while we should not aim to rival
France and England in naval equip
ment. continuous effort should be
made to bring the country to higher
relative rank in this respect.
The Secretary lays much stress npon
the usefulness of light-draught battle
ships. The ports of the Gulf Of Mexi-
co are peculiarly defensible by such
vessels, though there are ports scat
tered along all the coasts which could
be efficiently protected in this way.
Our naval establishments deficient
in torpedo boats, and the Secretary
asks Congress to authorize twelve
more boats of this useful class. Ac
cording to the exhibit of the strength
Of the worlds navies, published re
Gently in the Pal Mall Gazette, th'
United States had only "a torpedo yes
sells; Great Britain has 226; France
2S6. Russia, 1874; Germany, 119; Italy
100. All foreign nations whi,h aspire
to well-equipped modern navy are
making liberal provision for torped,
vessels.
Notable prO.less Aas Deeu made Il
manning the war fleet with American
citizens.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
Kent County Bible Society.

The annual meeting of the Kent
County Bible Society which was an
nounced to be held in the Presbyterian
Church here yesterday, has been for
several reasons postponed until next
Tuesday, 18th inst.
The official call says:
1t is very desirable that your Church.
Sunday School, Christian Endeavor
Society and Epworth League should
be represented at our meetings, so as
to make the proceedings and exercises
as general, and to have as many per-
sons interested in the work, as possi-
BILE. We therefore ask you to appoint
at least two representatives from each
of the above named societies under
your charge, and that you will also
give us your presence Be pleased to
ask your congregation for liberal col.
lection for the Bible Cause. and for
ward promptly to the Treasurer on or
before the day of Annual Meeting. SC
that our years work may be closed up
and ready to commence the new wear
with our Indebtedness paid and some.
thing in the treasury. Our work is
general. We know no denomination
but to distribute the Bible to all men
DIR. w. w. Mofiet, Superintendent
for New Jersey and Delaware, will bs
present and give an address.
BY order of the President.
II. M. COOPER, Secretary,
The Constitutional Convention ad
] iourna to-day until after the HOLIDAYS
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

THE indecision of the court, as TO
obstacles thrown in its way and dallied
with instead of being speedily decided
upon in harmony with the spirit and
intent of the law, has made it a play
thing with politicians. By such course
its mandates and rulings have lost
power and effect and are actually over
ruled by political tricksters, viz: the
command of the latter are Obeyed
sooner than those of the court. In
country less stable than ours it would
look like the beginnings Of anarchy,
for the Court is the common barrier Of
law and order, and as such a common
defence againstinfringement byparties.
To-day the Court stands a limp thing
in Kent County: 1t remains to be seen
what can do to maintain its dignity on
Saturday, or at most, when it meets as
n Court of Error and appeals.
This condition Of things is reached
an the long drawn ont contest where
the Inspectors refuse, under the guild.
ance Of certain leaders, to perform the
legal duty Of tabulating and signing
the returns. The Court at session OF
Thursday ISSUED an order that thii
should be done, but Prothonotary, w
T. Hutson, refused under the advice o
certain lawyers to issue she writ of per
emptory mandamus for the Inspector
to assemble yesterday at Dover, tn
reason assigned being that they ha,
appealed the case, later writ Of erro
was issued the Democrats giving
bond of $1,000, the action claiming I
be a supersedeas that stopped all pro
eeedings until the meetingof the Coui
OF Error and Appeals. The actio
carries with it the implication thu
there is failure of justice in the Stat
of Delaware. If mere clerk has tn
high power Of setting at defiance
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

The political classification OF the
members-elect of the Fifty-ffth Con
gfess. made by Clerk Mcdowell on the
list which he has Just issued, probably
shows a greater variety of political or
carnations than ever before found
representation in that body. OF straight
Republicans there are 2O4; straight
Democrats, 1874, members designated
bvother titles are as follows: Popullsts'
1S Fusionists, Is, and Silver, 3.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
1874 Acres and tSS Square PerCheS

ofland, be the same more or less. 1t being all
the lands of hieh the said Ann +. Bewley died
public ad leading from Blaekbrd to Taylors
Bridge, and on the west side of said public road
leading from laylor'S Bridge to Fleming'S Land
ing The Improvements on said land being a
good and conf rtable twO-stOry Frame Dwelling
House with Kitchen attached, smoke house. mil <
house, corn crib granary combined. stable
and uyher Outbuildings in good condition there
is also on said land an apple orchard of good
varieties, and siNty-hve acres of growing wheat
OF which about one half is also SOwn in timothy.
No ,. All that certain farm or tract of land
situated on the east side of the public road lead
ing from TaylorS Bridge to Fleming's Landing.
in Blackbird Hundred, New Castle County and
State of Delaware, adjoining lands of Isaac r
Staats. lands lately of Jacob Deakyne and lands
of IANleS AnGerSn.l and Nnnl aininc
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

IT was once said of a distinguished
member of the L. S. Senate that he
could see a fly on a barn door sooner
than he could see the door itself. In
this particular Judge Grubb must be
very similar to him. To him 'technl-
calitv" is of far more Importance than
the law itself where its execution IN
the interest of political justice IS con-
cerne1
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

The report of the Secretary OF the
Interior does not convey much comfort
TO those who have been hoping for a
decrease in the enormous amount paid
for pensions. During the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1896, the sum OF SlSS,
PA. 761 was paid to 97O,67s pensioners.
The sum is not so large by about s@3,
900 600 as in 1898, but the number OF
pensioners is greater by 46G6 than in
that year.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
ROBT. D. HOFFECKER,
Editor and Proprietor.
ROBT. D. HoFFECKER, JR.,
Associafe Editor.

AMBASSADOR Bayard, who had made
himself immensely popular with the
Britishers, has properly declined to
receive from them a national Christ
mas gift as suggested by one of their
papers, because it would not be IN
harmony with our diplomatic laws.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

Do you know the quickest way to
cure a sprain or bruise, burn or
scald? Such injuries are very common
and be cured quickly ifproperly treated.
Mr.. j. M. Amerman, of Forks P. o.,
Columbia Co., Pa, says: 81 have
never found anything to compare with
Chamberlain Pain Balm for sprains,
braises and burns. We have used it in
our family for several years and feel
that we Gan not do without it." For
sale at o and 20 cents per bottle by
Clifton III Raymond!
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
I63 Acres of Land,

be the same more or less It being all the lands
Of which the said Ann +. Bewley died seized
that are situated on the East side OF the said
public road leading from 1aylOr's Bridge TO
Fleming's Landing. The Improvements on these
lands being C. one and a.hHlf story rrSme Dwell
ing House, gTanary and stab combined and
other OUtbuidings in good condition. Twenty
five Acres of these lands are seeded in wheat
and timothy
The above described two tracts or parcels of
land are OF good quality and in fair condition.
They are well aud deSirably located, in good
neighbOrhOOd. and convenient TO churches and
t0hools and near to Steamt Oat Landing.
The said two tracts or parcels OF land are the
lands whereofthe said ANN L. BEWLEY died
seized, nd viii be sold, as above stated pursu-
ant 70 the authority contained in her last will
and testament
TERMS OF SALE.s-Twenty per cent of the
purchase money must be paid TO the under.
signed Executor on the day fSale and the res
idue thereof On OF before the Sth day of AnriI
A. d. 1897 The percentage to be paid on the
day of sale WI be treated as part of tho nur.
chase money If the other terms of sale are ,on,
piled with. otherwise it will be forfeited Tor non.
compliance. ~ "'"
VIM. M. BELL
Executor OF the last will and testament az INN
E. BEWLEY, Deceased
B. Y. wELDoN, Auctoneer
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
On SATURDAY, Dec, | 9Th, 1896,

At O'Clock, p NJ. the following described
Real Estate, viz:
No |. All that certain farm or tract Of land
situated on the south side of the public road
leading from Blackbird to Taylors Bridge. and
on the west side Of the public road leading from
TaylOr'S Bridge to Flemings Landing in Black.
bird Hundred New Castle County and State OF
Delaware, adjoining lands of Wesley FARRELL and
lands of Thomas Deakyne, and containing
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09
Kent Oounty's Board of Canvassers will
not Meet.


The Kent county Board of Canvass
did not meet yesterday and canvass
the vote as directed by an order of the
court. The reason for this is that
Prothonotary Hutson refused to issue
the writ of mandamus compelling the
Democratic inspectors to meet and
make the canvass.
The Union Republicans have noti-
fed the Prothonotary that unless he
issues the writ they will prosecute him
for contempt of court. Hutson has
taken legal advice and declares that
the writ of error taken by the Demo
Gratis acts as a stay to all proceedings,
and that he would be in contempt of
court If he issued the writ of manda-
mus before decision is given by the
Court of Errors and Appeals. The
Superior Court will meet next Satur-
day and the Union Republicans will
prefer a charge Of contempt against
Hutson. The Republicans claim that
if the writ was issued it would compel
the Democrats to meet and canvass
the vote and give certificates to the
| onion Republicans who were elected.
Smyrna times., 1896-12-09

where we are showing the large
est assortment of Dress Fabrics,
Silks, Notions, Blankets, &c, we
have ever shown, and at lower
prices. Novelties worth S1.OO
per yard at 85c. Csc line at SOC;
36 in. all-wool serge in all colors,
real value 35c, our price 25c.
12Ic Plaids at 1Oc. The 1Oc
Plaids at sc. All-wool, red twill
Flannel worth 2Oc at 12!c; the
10c grade Canton Flannel, 30 in.
wide, at Sc. Full size double
I weight Blankets at SOC and
upwards.
We have arranged with a
Philadelphia manufacturer OF
Misses high-grade Hose for the
control of their goods for this
vicinity and we believe the 12lc
grade have more value than any
we ever sold at 15c. Ladies 25c
regular-made hose at 15c.