davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
BELMONT HALL, SMYRNA, DELAWARE.

one of the leading members of
the first Constitutional Convention
held in the State in 1776. He was
Bragadier-General of the State Mill
tia from l777 to 1888, and served as
one of the Judges of the State Courts;
was elected Governor in 1856 and SER
we'd until his death, on March Goth,
1888. He was one of the largest land
owners III upper Kent County, a lead
ing Episcopslian and a liberal eontri-
butor to st Peters Church at Smyrna.
His name appears on nearly all of the
continental money issued by the Della
ware State.
Governor Richard Basseu.
The fourth Governor from Kent
County was Richard Bassett, who was
born in 1875, and died in 1915. He
was born on Bohemia Manor, in Cecil
Co.. Maryland He studied law with
James A. Bayard, the elder, whose
daughter Ann, he afterwards married.
His record as a public servant has
been equaled by few who have lived
in this State. He was a Captain in
the Continental Army; for ten years
he was o member of the State Council;
member of the Conventions that
framed the Constitution of the United
State in 1887, and of the State Con-
vention that ratified the same III Dec
ember, of the same year; was United
State Senator from 1889 to 1913 Chief
Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
from 1898 to 1897; and governor of
Delaware from 1897 to 1901. He was
man of large means and had three
homes; one on Bohemia Manor" one
at Dover and one at Wilmington, was
very hospitable and entertained
largely; was converted under Whit.
field and became an enthusiastic Met
odist. He resigned the office of gov.
ernor to accept United States Judge
ship and from this he was deposed by
the abolition of the Conrt by an Act of
Congress.
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
KENT COUNTY GOVERNORS
GIVEN TO DELAWARE STATE
ADDRESS OF HENRY c. CONRAD, ESQ.,,
BEFORE THE SONS OF DELAWARE.
Two of the Governors We're Residents of
belmont fial''-MuCh History Reviewed
During the Mastery Address.

Henry G. Conrad, Esq, of Whining
ton, having been assigned, "The Gov
ernors who have been taken from
Kent County," made the following adj
dress:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The list of governors from Kent
county begins with Caesar Rodney,
'the noblest Roman of them all. "
Rodney was born in 1928, near Dover,
and was the son of Caesar Rodney; his
mother being Elizabeth Crawford.
daughter of Thomas Crawford, one of
the earliest Episcopal ministers in Del
aware. He got his name Caesar, from
his maternal grand-grand father, whose
name was Thomas Caesar, a merchant
in London.
Caesar Rodney was well educated,
and when about thirty years of age
was elected sheriff of Kent county. He
served frequently as a representative
i'll the Continental Congress; was often
a member of the General Assembly OF
the State, and speaker of the Council
was Brigadier General of the State
Militia during the Revolution; was a
signer of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence on July 4th, 177G; was elected
Governor in 1913 and served for term
of four years. The following letter
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
Governor Thomas Collins.

The third governor for Kent county
was Thomas Collins. He resided
aboutSmyrna and came of English par
entage; was a man of large means, and
after buying the plantation upon which
Belmont Hail. was situated, added
greatly to the building itself about
1913 and afterwards occupied 1t dis
pensing liberal hospitality. He was
High Sheriff of Kent county, four years
member of the Council aud
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20

a medical doctor, having studied med
icine with DIR. Joshua Clayton; was
born near Dover in 1861 his father be-
ing of the same name. He practiced
medicine four years at Cambridge,
Maryland and married there; then
came to Dover and established large
practice, being particularly skillful as
a surgeon; was many times a member
of the State Senate and more than once
its speaker. He moved to New York
in 1914, but did not succeed as well as
he expected and remained there but
six years, returning to Dover where
he occupied the house adjoining the
State House, dying there in 1922.
Governor George Truitt.
The sixth governor from Kent
County was George Truitt. On the
State Road, what was fO1mely the Old
Kings Road, leading from Sussex to
Dover between FELTON, and Camden
can be seen three graves with the
old fashioned fiat tombstOnes; one
marks the grave of George Truitt,
one his wife and the other his
daughter. George Truitt was elected
governor of Delaware in 1907, and
served from January 1903 to January
1911. He had been four times member
of the House of Representatives and
once a member of the State Senate.
He was also a member of the State
Convention that ratified the Constitu-
tion Of the United State. Further
than this no information regarding
him seems prOcurable. His only
daughter married DIR. James Fisher,
who lived at Camden, and their son
was named George Truitt Fisher.
The tombstone marking his grave, CON
tains the following: "This marble Gov
ers all that was mortal of George
Truitt, Esquire, former Governor
of Delaware who departed this life
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20

population and say our best crop is
men, meu like Caesar Rodney, Nc
Kean, Cook, Collins, Bassett, Clayton
and host of Others"
Thomas Collins was also Military
Treasurer of Delaware aud Brigadier
General of the State Militia and man
tanned it during the war at his own ex-
pense.
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
BELMONT HALL" SMYRNA
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH
ADDRESS GIVEN BY PRESIDENT CANDY
BEFORE THE SONS OE DELAWARE.
Beautiful Etching OF "BeImOnt'' Presented
With Glowing Tribute to the Owner,
Mrs. Caroline PetersOu.Speakman.

The meeting of the Sons of Delaware
of Philadelphia at their rooms in the
Betz Building on Thursday evening
March the seventh, was one of the
most interest held during the winter
Mr.. James B. Candy, formerly of Will
mington, the president of the society,
presented the Sons of Delaware with a
handsome etching of historic "Bel-
mont HalP' Smyrna, the home of Mrs.
Caroline Peterson Speakman. The
etching is the work of Robert Shaw of
Wilmington, Delaware, an artist of
considerable reputation, who in his re-
cent travels abroad sketched the home
of Shakespeare at Stratford -on-Avon,
England and others historic place.
Mr.. Shaw visited Belmont Hall, "
took a sketch of the front and rear
view, the driveway through the avenue
of naples, the colonial hallway and
staircase and the famous old fireplace
in the parlor. Belmont Hail. being
of such local interest to our reader we
have secured and print on this page a
facsimile of the etching (front view
through the courtesty of the North
American. President Canby's excellent
tribute to Belmont Hail. is given in
full as follows:
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
Governor Charles Polk.

The eighth governor from Kent
county was Charles Polk. He was
born November Is, 1883, near Bridge
vile; was a schoolmate With John NJ.
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20

aud have directed the secretary to deliver
tie Great Seal to you.
am, with great regard, Sir,
Your most obedlent and humbeservent,
JOHN DICKINSON.
Philadelphia, Nov. 4, 1892.
The Honorable John Coke. ESD,
Speaker of the Honorable, the
Legislative Council of the Della
ware State"
This is copy of the original letter,
which has been in my possession for
some years You will note that he
spelled the name Cooke" and not
"Cook.
John Cook assumed the duties of
governor on receipt of this letter, and
served until February Sth, 1888, when
Nicholas Van Dyke was duly elected
governor by the General Assembly.
John Cook lived near Smyrna, and
seems to have resided there most of
his life. He was farmer, and also
followed the business of tanner. At
one time he was the owner, and pre-
sumably, the occupant of Belmont
Hall" He was sheriff of Kent county
and at least three times a member of
the Council, and served as its Speaker;
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and judge of one of the early courts
His wife was a sister of Thomas Col
Inns. One of his sisters married John
Clark, who in 1917 became governor of
Delaware. John Cook died at Smyrna
in 1899.
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
Governor James Sykes.

The fifth governor from Kent County
was James Sykes, who served from
March, 1901 to January 1862. He wa :
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20

on the Sth day of October, 1918,
aged 62 years. This distinguished
citizen, in the various public sta
tions to which he was called bv
the voice of his country always exer-
cised that probity and fidelity, which
belong to the soul of the genuine pa
triot and his actions as public man
will live in the archives of Delaware
to attest to his usefulness when this
perishable marble shall have been
mOuldered into dust. As a man and
citizen he was happy in possessing the
esteem and confidence of wide circle
of acquaintances and while society de-
plores his loss as one of the worthiest
of men his family and friends, CRATE
fully mindful of his virtues, mourn
his departure as the keenest dispensa-
tion of Eternal Goodness.
Governor jacob Stout.
The seventh governor from Kent
county was Jacob Stout. He was born
near Leipsic in 1854, and lived near
that town until his death in 1866: was
tanner by occupation. He married
Angelica, daughter of William Killen,
the first chancellor of the State. Our
present chancellor, John r. Nichol-
son, is a great-grand-son of Jacob
Stout. Jacob Stout was speaker of
the Senate IN 1919, when Henry Mol
lesion was elected Governor. Molles-
ton died before the time came for tax
ing his seat, and Stout became COVER
nor, as speaker of the Senate and SER
we'd from January 1920 to January 1921.
In 1922 he was appointed one of the as
sociate judges of the Court of Common
Pleas and served for several years
He was u large landowner, aud had
the reputation of improving his land
and taking much pride in so doing.
He lived to be 81 years of age, and his
wife, who survived him, died within
the last year.
Governor Charles Polk.
Tho oiubfh ,.oyo.,o. E.. r..
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
Governor William Tharp.

The eleventh Governor from Kent
county was William Tharp. He was
born near Pennington in 1903 and
lived there until after his election as
Governor in 1916. The story is told
that he was so beset with his political
friends, while he lived near Farming.
ton that he was really forced to move
to locality that afforded public ac-
commOdations for visitors, so that he
might be relieved from entertaining so
many of the politicians, was also a
large landowner and a very success
full and progressive farmer. His por-
trait, which have seen shows him to
have been man gifted by nature. He
served in the General Assembly seve-
raj times; was the Democratic candi-
date for Governor in 1874 and was de-
feated by Thomas Stockton, the Whlg
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
President Canby's Address.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
On the State Road, or as it was
called in the olden times, The Kings
Highway, a short distance from the
town of Smyrna, in Kent county, Del
aware, stands Belmont Hall, one of the
oldest houses in State where Colon
ial Mansions and old families abound,
which apart from its interesting hist
ory is one of the most beautiful places
in this country.
The bricks of the mansion were
brought from England and are rich
brown in color, and are as hard as
flint and have only grown more firmly
set with time
Two pictures of it hang in the Relic
Room in Independence Hall in Phlla-
delphia, and one of the frames con-
tains besides the picture, piece of
Continental money signed by Cover
nor Collins its owner i'll 1916.
This picture which l have the pleas
ur9 of presenting to the Sons of Della
ware, of Philadelphia, is an Etching
made lately by a Delaware artist, Rob
ert Shaw, of Wilmington.
Belmont Hall is situated on a por-
tion of six hundred acres of land for
merly called ''Pearman's Choice"
which was granted to Henry Pearman
by William Penn on March Goth, 1854
and from that date to 1771 it belonged
IN diefarapt nareone.
Smyrna times., 1901-03-20
Early Days Of belmont Hail."

Henry Pearman, a Mr.. Strickman
and John Moore, from Mr.. Moore it
was purchased by Governor Thomas
Collins on May "a, 177l. Thomas Col
Inns was the third President or Cover
nor given by Kent county to Delaware,
he enlarged the dwelling to its pres
ent proportions in 1773. He was Gov
ernor of Delaware when her deputies
ratified the constitution of the United
States. Washington said: ''the Con-
stitution or disunion are before us to
choose from" and the answer came
from Thomas Collins, the loyal Exec
utive of the loyal State of Delaware: {:
1.-The new Constitution involves in it's
adoption not only our prosperity and
felicity but perhaps our National exis-
tence." To our ancestors who trans
mitted it down, our Constitution,
which excels that of every other hu-
man government, is a birthright, the
noblest of mankind and we cannot but
admire these Delawareans who by
their patriotism and persevering cour-
age and gallant deeds achieved our
National Independence, more than a
century has passed since its adoption,
Kingdoms have risen and fallen, gov
ernments built up only to be over
thrown, and the empires of the earth
from Greece to China have been sha-
ken to their foundations. Through
all, this Republic, the shortest lived OF
all forms of Government in the former
history of the world, surviving the
perils of foreign and domestic wal
has lived and fourished. The band OF
Union, framed to hold together thir
teen States has expanded to unite for
ty-five States into mighty nation O
seventy-fiye millions, spread from
ocean to ocean and from the Tropic.
to the Frozen Seas.
Senator Thomas +. Bayatd might
well ask: "May not we of Delawar
defendants of the Blue Hens Chick
ems of the Revolution afford to smil,
at sneer or jest at our scanty area ant
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Miss Prior Entertsins.

The hours from ! to 6 were de.
lightfully spent with Miss Lottie
Prior on Friday afternoon at her
home on Eastwood. when merry
making a at q high pitch and
each one present had the best
time" The pretty aud home.like
parlors were rendered doubly at.
tractive for the occasion by the use
Of holly, nistletoe and pOtted
plants. Miss Prior, who makes .
most cordial and attractive hostess.
was assisted by Misses Emily aud
Ellen Black. Fannie Kincaid and
Leona Page.
The diversions for the afternoon
were carroms. muggins and crok.
mole, each Of which held the a,ten.
ton Of the guests for awhile.
Misses Verna Prior. Leona Page
and Fannie Kincsid favored the
company with some fine musical
selections that were enthusiastically
received. We repeat that there is
nothing that eau take the place OF
music. Shakespeare says: IF mu
sic be the food Of love, play Oh
give me excess Of H."
Refreshmentsof fruit gelatine and
cake were served during the even
ing.
Those present were Misses Lii
ian Barnum, Maude Mcclure, Lulu
Sergeant, Lcona Page. Ellen and
Emily Black, Fannie Kincaid, Vert.
ma Prior and Miss Neff.
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Entertained.

Miss Viola Petry delightfully."- en-.
,er,ained a psrty of friends on Fri
day evening, December 2Sth, at her
home OF Eastwood. when different
games were enjoyed and a happy
time socially had.
The following delicious luncheon
was served during the evening:
Oysters with all their accompani.
ments, turkey, ham, salmon salad,
fruits. orange ice, coffee and cake.
The entertained were: Misses
Laura and Amanda Blackburn,
Manic Sanger. MeSsrs. Grin Nc
Cray, Arthur p, mberton and Ar
thur Cry deman.
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Mr.. and Mrs. Hisle Entertsined.

Mr.. and Mrs. G. II. Hislc and
children Of Kentucky, who are Wis.
i,ing J. NJ. Sphar and other rcla.
tives IN Saline, are having quite a
round Of dinners, teas, etc. given
in their honor, all Of which they
are no doubt enjoying TO the full
est. On Friday Mr.. and Mrs. H..
A. wilhelm entertained a dinner
party at their home near Fair.
willie, complimentary to their Ken.
lucky relatives and on Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs {. II. Vanstone, the
latter Of whom is a cousin of Mrs.
Hisle gave a dining that was a
very delightful affair, when the COL
lowing persons were among the en-
tertained: Mr.. aud Mrs. II. A.
Hisle and children, the guests OF
honor, Is. +. Mcclure and wife,
Mr.. and Mrs. {. NJ. Gilpin, ]. NJ.
Sphar aud wife, J. A. Coates and
wife. Misses Lucy Mcclure, May
Gilpin, Jennie aud Willene Sphar.
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Nuckles>Baker.

DIR. K. II. Nuckles, q Of Mr..
and Mrs. Richard Nuckl.s Of this
city. was married to Miss Bessie
Baker. daughter Of Jerry Baker on
Dec IS. at the home Of the bride
in Kirksville. Al $40 in the ven
ing. Rev. ". l.. Darby Of the Cum.
brrland Presb, terrain church per.
forming the ceremony IN the pres.
ence oi u number Of relatives aud
friends.
The groom is a promising young
physician. who has lived in our
city some y years and for more
than one year has practiced Osteo.
pathy with considerable Success.
The bride. who !, ~ Of Kinks
ville's prominent, young ladies', was
married IN a gray cloth travelling
dress with vest Of white cloth.
An clcgan, wedding supper was
served to about 80 persons, after
the ceremony. The happy couple
left on the midni2h, train for Bowl.
ing Green where they spent sever.
al days mot pleasantly, arriving in
Marshall on Sunday evening and
are keeping house IN VERIFY street.
The REPUBLICAN extends congrat.
ulations and best wishes for q pros.
porous and happy life.
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Family Reunion.

The plan Of meeting together in
a family reunion three times a year
was adopted by the late DR.. James
Sharp. in his life. time some 10
years ago or more and the aged
gentleman never allowed any social
or business obligation to interfere
with his pleasures with his family
upon these occasions, and now the
only vacant chair around the fam
ly board in the Sharp family, in all
these years il that Of the father.
The family have continued to oh
serve the custom. On every Christ.
mas day they meet with DR. I'd
Sharp and family, where they re-
Gently enjoyed a happy reunion.
Thanksgiving they met with DIR.
Will Sharp and family, as they
have done for so many years, where
an elegant dinner was served suit
able to the occasion. and OF Tues
day, the first day of the year, a de.
lightful time was spent with DIR. J,
l.. Russell and family and Mrs, J.
Il. Sharp, the mother, who makes
her home with her daughter, Mrs.
Russell on Odell.
The old year just passed with all
Of its blessings, was reviewed and
plans for the new year, now in IL,
infancy, were made by each.
The REPUBLICAN, joins with {
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Dining on Yes, Street.

Mr.. and Mrs. Hugh Hayes gave
a dinner Friday at their home
oil Yes, street which in point Of
excellence and a pleasant time So
cially, has not been surpassed late
~. The following persons were
entertained: DR.. J. G.. Russell and
family, Bert Pyle of Savannah, and
n. McCloud of Mississippi. The
two latter gentlemen are former NJ.
V. G. students, and their visit to
our city has been greatly enjoyed,
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
MARSHALL = REPUBLICAN,.

inRly dub themselves the Rem
n%ants.' lookers.on Of Friday even.
ing's festivities would conclude that
they were indeed securing rare bar
gains when it came to selecting
any one Of this merry throng as a
companion for life.
The very informality Of a chatting
dish party constitutes its chief
charm, when each guest feels il his
or her duty to assist il the viands
prepared.
The hostess. assisted by Rev.
A.. A. McGeachy. presided ~ a
chafng dish at the head OF the Ia.
BILE. while Will Rainey aud Miss
Edith Leonard presided at the foot,
when oysters with all their accom-.
paniments were daintily served.
The entertained we're: Misse.
Edith Leonard. Louise Noble, Wis
sic Frazier Of Kentucky. Berta Fran.
cisco. Minnie Vance. Florian Yer
by, Maude Hughes, Rev. A. A
McGeachy aud wife. Messrs Hari,
Francisco, James Denny, Frank
Miles, K. p. Spencer, Will Raipe,
aud G. W. Newton. who was tn,
only debutante present.
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Will Go to Lexington.

William Bapnon. roadmas,cr on
the Missouri Pacific and one OF
Marshall'> most highly respected
citizens, has sold his property on
Eastwood to T. W. Hunter Of this
city and will with his family move
to Lexington in the near future.
Miss Rebie Paisley. daughter Of
the late ID. l.. Paisley, will accom-.
pany them and Lexington will he
their home in the future. We are
sorry tn lose such good people from
Marshall aud orr loss will be Lex.
ington's gain.
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Chafine Dish Party,

A chatting dish party given by
Miss Pearl Parrish N Friday even.
ing was one Of the most charming
events Of the Christmas season. II
is needless to say that it did not
require an ,ffort upon the part of
the hostess to entertain this de.
lightiul cot, RTE Of old friends. so
ready Of wi, and repartee is each
and everyone. While they laugh
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04

host If friends Of this excellent
family in wishing that their plans
made under such happy surround.
ings may he fully carried ont and
that they may I'LL live to enjoy
many more such happy reunions.
Those present we're. DR.. Ed Sharp
and family. DIR. Will Sharp and
family aud Mrs. Mary Davis.
The Marshall republican., 1901-01-04
Ball q Elk Hill.

One Of the most delightful social
events ever given in the county,
was the old fashioned ball given on
Thursday evening by Mr.. Clay
Taylor and daughters, Misses
Maude and Constance. at their
handsome country home at Fix
Hill. which is known as the Bagnell
farm.
The large airy rooms Of this cd
fashioned. but beautiful house, was
decorated throughout with manv
old palms, cedars. pines, etc. while
the walls and chandeliers were fes
TONED with ropes Of hemlock, mis-.
tletoe and other greenery, that was
very beautiful indeed. Dancing
began at 7 in the evening and last.
I'd until 7 the next morning and
was certainly a deligh, on the wax.
cd cypress floors The music which
was furnished by gentlemen from
Boonvillc and Nelson, who used
guitars and frs, and second violin.
is said t. have been very fine.
Al "a o'clock, an elegant lunche'
on was served consisting Of turkey
oyster patties. salmon croquettcs
sandwiches. pickle and deliciou,
coffee. piping hot.
Mr.. Taylor and his charming
daughters can congratulate them
selves upon the c Of the ven
ing's entertainment. There wer,
one hundred guests present. twen,!
Of the young ladies remaining afte,
the ball to enjoy the hospitalitie'
Of this charming country home.
We give the anne Of the guests
from a distance: Misses Hirst
Upton; Burger. Bunceton: Har
ress. Speed; Chapel and Shi?ley
Sedalia: frances and Roberta Nap
ton. Marshall; Hazel. Boonville
Allen, Independence; Ireland, Mel
son; Williams, Hoping; Taylor
I.ongwood: Green and Hierony
mus Of Hous,onia; Messrs +. II
and W. i. Bagnell. ST Louis: Jones
Taylor and Hieronymus Of Long
wood. Mr.. Mason ri Lexington, J
ID. Mitchell aud 10 Scott Of Hugh
esville, Williams and Hurt of Kop
ing, Messrs Griffith, King and ri
pei Of Marshall. Mr.. Vanarsdale G
Arrow Rock. Earl TAYLOR Of Gree
Ridge, Will Scott OF Saline county
Fred Critics. Kansas City and MI
Terebamx Of Houstonia.