davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06
Smyrnds commercial Interests Fifty Years Ago.
BY Mr. M. H.. BAcGS
BY MR. WIN. H. BAGGS.

AS this issue of your valuable paper
rounds out the fiftieth anniversarv of
It's exlstance, it may be interesting To
some OF your readers to get a glimps Of
the commercial interest of Smvrno
nifty or more years ago. 1 do not pro.
pose to give an exhaustive view of all
the interests that engaged the atten-
ton OF citizens of that period
Smyrna at that time was quite a
bustllng busy commercial center. for a
scope of country, embracing a large
portion of Kent County, and the Iower
part of New Castle County, also DOR.
tlon of Kent, Queen Annes, Cecil. Caro-.
line and Talbot counties, MARYLAND
Indeed its interests commercially were
far ahead of any place on the peninsula
south OF Wilmington. It was noted
for its grain market, there being tbree
concerns that bought largely, viz: Geo
W. Cummins, P. and E. Spruance. and
VIM. Temple. 1t was no uncommon
bAO BQlDDl0U
season, in the early hours of the morn
ing, commencing with day break for
the public road from the railroad cross
ing at what is known as Jim Town TO
be strung with two, three, and four
horse teams in close proximity TO
Smyrna Landing, distance of nearly
two miles, ladened with grain, to be
delivered to the various graneries 10.
Gated at that point on the head waters
OF Smyrna River. There were quite a
number of sailing crafts that plyed be.
tween Smyrna Landing and Philadel-
phla. The carrying trade was all done
by this kind of craft until the Steam
Boat was introduced to our waters.
and later the Delaware Railroad was
built.
The local industries were not numer-
GUS but most of them were carried on
quite vigorously. The carriage build
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06

l ng was extensively engaged in bv
Benson 4 Cats and Denning &
Cooper, the former employed from 20 to
SO men and boys and the latter 70 to Is.
their products were shipped all over the
peninsula. The building industry was
also quite large. There we're quite a
number of firms, namely VanGasken
q Bro, Smith & HAZEL, Wright &,
Humphreys and Jno. A. Cavender
They employed on an average from 8
TO II men and boys each. The tan
dlng business was quite an industry al.
so engaged in by Peterson & Mustard
employing quite number of men, in
Isct was one of the leading industries.
Inc masonry business was quite vigor-
ously engaged in by Benjamin L. Col
inns, Benjamin Enos and Edward
streets. There was quite a business
In the Iron moulding and Plow manu-
featuring by Pratt & Davis, also wagon
building, wheelwrighting and black
smlthing by James Milloway and James
Taylor and many other business of
minor Importance which fourlshed in
those times.
The old Smyrna Bank was quite a
FACTOR IN maintaining all these in
dustries, it was the only banking in
stltution except the old Farmers Bank
at Dover within perhaps a radius of
fifty miles east, west and south and 35
miles north, its officers Judge Isaac
Davis, president; Ayres Stockley,
cashier; were men of sterling worth
and integrity, with a desire to see
every one succeed in whatever business
enterprise theyIundertook. Indeed all
the men made mention of were men of
high standing for business integrity.
Lest weary those who may choose to
read the above 1 close with wishing the
TIMES many prosperous anniversa.
ries.
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06

John Severson; and as a younger
class L. r. George, James George, A..
P. Crockett, Charles Sumption, and
others.
Under prosperous church conditions
the existing new church enterprise
toward an adequate building was be-
ing agitated. The usual differences
as to location and plans prevailed, but
the spirit of progression was rife.
The projectors considered we'll and
builded we'll in their day house that
was dedicated in 1858 by Bishop
Beverly Waugh. James T. Farson
wss the architect and Elihu Jefferson.
William Dawson, Gamaliel Garrison.
Jacob Williams, James L. Farson,
William F. Smith, JOhnathan Brown.
John Denney and Isaac Register were
the trustees.
Returning again to Moorton activ-
tiles, since our establishment as a
station the forests east and husband
west of the railroad track, were under
the energy of c, Boggs fast succumb-
ing to plant gardens and nursery
stock. The late DR.. j. NJ. Smith
then in his prime and with a good
practice, was leading spirit in Moor
toms development, as was also Peter
L. Barcus later on. In 1876 further
building boom set in, at which time
Messrs. W. H. and j. G. Dawson
erected the store house in which they
established a good trade, succeeded
later by Boggs & Jefferson, who in
connection built up a trade in grain
of considerable magnitude.
As the veil is removed, rich marks
the advent of the TIMES as a weekly
visitor to a few homes in this com
munity, and which figure largely in
our lives to-day both in a commercial
and domestic way. We can only note
briefly as follows: The introduction
in 1852 of Peruvian Guano, which
proved the forerunner of phosphate as
a commercial fertilizer. The laying
by of the scythe and cradle for the
more rapid work of the reaper. The
sewing machine following close the
weaving of home made fustian clothing
and also telegraphy, when the former
was denounced because they would be
the sure downfall of tailors and seam
stresses every where, and the latter
was branded with unbelief by groups
of farmers and others who assembled
on Saturdays in Smyrna, aud dis
cussed the impossibility of transmit
ting messages on wire. When the to-
mato was hoed out of gardens as a
most offensive weed. When the mar
ket value of the peach experienced in
New Castle County was the Klondike
of the time, in which their culture was
sensationally rushed into by land
owners, resulting in the making of
few, and like the Klondike was the
ruin of many; leaving. however,
Moses Price the one pioneer and
peach king only of this section. This
is modest summary of few out of
the many events, which serve to show
by comparison with the present pro.
gression as we'll as aggression made |
when looking back over the half
century past, which is the anniver-
sary subject of this number of the
TIMES.
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06
ChesWoId, Bethel and Old
FarroW's Meeting House
BY Mr.. A.. T. HOFFECKER
BY Mr.. A. T. HOFFECKER.

Nestled as it were in woods and
swamp in 1854 one farm house the
property of the late James S. Moore
was all that marked the spot where the
present town of Cheswold, now having
five stores with good merchantile
trade and with other occupations we'll
fitted up duly incorporated under the
laws of this State, with church, a
graded school and fourishing postal
delivery now stands. At that time
William S. Bishop was conducting a
thriving cross roads store one-Lalf
mile east of Cheswold, which has been
since known as bishops Corner"
and also about this time John Moore
was conducting one mile west flour
ishing cross roads store and the spot
has since been known as "Moore's
Corner.
In 1856 the Delaware Railroad then
being built reached this point, which
soon after felt its booming effects.
With this boom sprang up a demand
for station and a little rivalry fol-
lowed for a time whether Dupont, one
mile south, or this point would be
most advantageous to the company.
This point was finally selected and a
station IN name only known as Leipsic
was established. Thereupon James
). Moore erected a store house in
which as a railroad centre to sell
goods, where he also for time acted
as agent for the company, and later
acted as postmaster in dispensing the
mails with the name changed to
MOOrton in his honor Business soon
rapidly increasing in railroad lines,
and the company planted a large red
box car near the track for a station
house and employed James D. Boggs,
now the freight agent at Dover, who
it is said will soon retire with honor
under the Pennsylvania time limit.
Prior to these events we are in
formed a stage route known as the
Peoples Line" and running from
Georgetown to Wilmington in this
State, and operated by Presley and
Enoch Spruance of Smyrna, was the
chief means for passenger and mail
conveyance. Hence the Estate Road"
still known as such. This stage route
IN its later and closing years was run
by John Van Gesel, then whose family .
living opposite No. school near the
Big Oak" were very prominent. In
those days the hardship and tedium
Of trip to Philadelphia was equal to
or greater than a trip to Europe now. .
The reader can readily make the com
parison however.
Antedating the TIMES by about one
year the dedication of Bethel ME-.
Church was an event of great local in
ierest IN this vicinity. cold Farrows"
which Bethel supplanted was famous
her day at home and abroad for her
zeal and spiritual power and many
lines crowds much too creator the lit
lie farm building for many miles gath
'red at their meetings. Here in 1S4O
Sunday School was organized. in
which Joseph Carey was then the
eading spirit and the senior editor of
he TIMES was one of the charter
members, as were also Robert Crockett
1phraim Garrison, Jacob P. Dickson
'ohn 81. George, John Van Gesel
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06
Lightning Bolt Stuns a Little Babv

During slight storm which passed
over this section last night, a bolt of
lightning descended and struck tree
in the yard of James Cloud corner
of Glenwood Avenue and Main street
aud passed along a clothes line into
the house tearing the weather boarding
and plaster and stunning a little baby
which was playing. No serious dam
age was done however. Sexton Frank
McCawley also felt the shock in his
house.
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06
ROBT. D. HOFFECKER
Publisher and Proprietor.
ROBT. b. HOFFECKER, JR.,

FIFTY years of steady and unhinch
ing interest in the town which it rep
resents and of the county and State of
which it is part This is the record
of THE SMYRNA TIMES, which to-day
goes to its readers IN enlarged form,
twenty pages illustrated and full of
local history and Renaissance. The
getting out of an issue of this character
has not been without its cares and
anxiety, but it seemed fitting that
some recognition should be made of
the event, since the TIMES is now the
oldest newspaper in Delaware. But
few business places in Smyrna can
boast of a longer continuous record
than the TINES. Started July 5, 1854,
before the days of the railroad, when
many of the great modern conven-
fences were unknown, the TINES be-
came established and has contributed
its share in the growth and upbuilding
of the town. This fact will be more
fully explained after reading our his
tory on the second page and the kind
words our contributors have to say
about us. Though fifty years old,
we are as lively as ever and shall con-
tluue to give the people of Smyrna
and the county and the State an up-to-
date newspaper.
We heartily appreciate the support
and good will of our many patrons.
knowing that without this the TIMES
could never have been success.
Our subscribers and advertisers have
stood by us Loyalty and to them we
extend our sincere appreciation and
at the same time solicit their continued
support that we may be able to make
the TINES better and stronger with
advancing years.
A remarkable fact in connection
with this anniversary number is that
all of those who assisted in getting out
the first copy of the TIMES are living
to day: Thomas L. Poulson, D. D..
aud r. D. Hoffecker, editors, and
Nicholas Watkins, foreman. All of |
these have contributed articles of |
Renaissance with the exception of the
senior editor of this paper, and it is a
matter of deep regret that the condi-
ton of his health made it impossible |
for him to take part Doubtless he |
would have given matter of much |
local interest had he been able to use
his pen. AS the editor and founder,
and the veteran editor of Peninsula
journalism, he has made the TIMES a
factor IN the town and State and il
IN not be but deeply regretted that
there is not an article from his pen.
In getting out this edition we are
Indebted in large measure to the
assistance of Rev. DIR. Thomas L.
Poulson. Mr.. Nicholas Watkins, Mr..
John W. Lycett, Rev. DR.. Robert
Watt, Rev. J. L. Estlin, Rev. G..
Valerie Gilreatb, DR.. J. E. Clawson,
Mr.. Thomas S Start, DR.. S. A. Buch-
auan. Mr.. Gilbert s. Jones, Mrs.
Lewis NJ. Price, Mrs. A. E. Jardine.
Mr. @. Avery Bell, Mr.. A. T. Hof-
iecker, Captain Joseph Benson, Mr.
W. Il. Baggs, Principal J. P. Bur
iette, the presidents of our two banks.
Mr.. j. G. StOckly, Mr.. Walter w.
Hynson, Mr.. Gilbert S. FARES, and
others.
We are also indebted to the Babcock
Printing Press Company of New York.
and the Sidney Folder Company for
The use of their cuts which we publish
in connection with our HISTORY.
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06
Don. Get FOOtsOrsI Get HIIsp., Eoot.Eas.

A wonderful powder that cures tired
aching, sweating feet and make new or
tight shoes easy. Ask to-day for Aliens
FOot-Ease. Accept no substitute. Trial
package FREE. Address, A. S. Olmsted,
Leroy, n. Y.
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06

THE SMYRNA TIMES is published at Smyrna
Del, every Wednesday afternoon.
The TIMES is an independent paper devoted to
the welfare of the town it represents and the
State OF which it is a part. Il also gives the
items of importance of the Eastern Shore of
Maryland
ROBT. D. HOFFECKER
Publisher and Proprietor.
ROBT. D. HOFFECKER, JR.,
Editor and Business Manager.
RMS-SUBSCRIPTION-Sl5 so per annum. II
paid strictly in advance SlOO. No paper is
discontinued until all arrears are paid up
except at the option Of the publishers.
ADVERTISEMENTS-TH SMYRNA TIMES is the
business medium not only for the town it rep
resents, but for the outlying district of which
is the centre, embracing the towns of Clayton,
NentOn, CheswOld, Leipsic, &c. rate OF so
cents an inch for first insertion and 25 cent,
tOr each subsequent insertion will be charged
or transient advertising. locals and Reading
Notices, 10 cents per line per issue. speca
discount on all Sc ni-annaS' aud yearly adver
Il ementS.
Smyrna times., 1904-07-06

OFFICE:-Next Door TO the Fruit Growers
NauOnal Bank.
Telephone. No. 10.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
INVEST $50. 900; GOT $1,000.
Receiver Closes Up Affairs of One
Trego Shale Company.

The Trego county gold shale boom
has burst, and with it has burst
one of the gold shale companies of
which c. o. Knowles was the receiver
The company invested $4,000 in gold
shale lands and mills, and the receiver
realized about $1,000 on the prop
erty.
A year ago the company got into
litigation. S. S. OFT. George A. Poole.
A. B. Poole and w. H. Poole brought
suit against E. w. Poindexter, A. B.
Ouinton, E. s. Quinton, H. P. Dillon.
F. A. Lewis, w. w. ManSpeaker, H.
w. Hayes and Mrs. A. w. Goodell.
other members of The Process Syn
dictate for an accounting. The result
was that Judge Hazea appointed a
receiver. Mr.. Knowles. the receiver.
has reported to Judge Hazen that he
has disposed of the property of the
litigants, and Judge Hazen has or
dered him to divide it among the par
ties.
During the trial of the case some of
the members wished to show that the
1000 acres of shale land was in the
hands of a mining syndicate and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
CONDEMNS TOPEKA SYSTEM.
Plumbing Journal Says Board of
Health Is Right.

The Plumbers Trade Journal and
Steam and Hot Water Filters Review,
published in New York, devotes con-
siderable space in its last issue to the
controversy between the Topeka
plumbing inspector and the board of
education over the subject of plumb
ing in the public schools
The Plumbers Journal publishes in
full the reports against the latrine
system submitted by DR.. c. F. Men
ninger and Inspector E. A CLANCY,
and then comments in part as fol-
lows:
In reviewing the material submit
ted to us in the foregoing report, we
must say that we agree thoroughly in
the criticisms made therein.
The latrine water closet mentioned
is a fixture that has been tolerated for
a long time-why, We do not know
unless from the fact that it has taken
such a deep root that for long
period no one had the courage to open
an attack against it. This same rea-
son We believe protected the Smead
system for many years, until at last
bull by the horns and opened the
battle against it. with the result that
in large part of the country it was
IN few years fairly driven out as
filthy, disease breeding institution, un-
f1t for its purpose
sSome forms of the latrine still
have a strong foothold today, some
being more desirable from a sanitary
standpoint Nnan Others we DeleNe,
however. that no Iatrine, however
good. (for its kind) it may be, can
ever be as sanitary and free from
Nth as the individual water closet
The school house of all buildings
should receive the utmost care in the
Installation and care of its plumbing
system, and we believe that those of
our readers who have watched the
matter Will agree with us when we
say that the best qualified architects
are today specifying for school house
work, for factory use, etc, the indi-
vfdual water closet.
The chairman in his report has
made a logical argument against the
fixture in question, and the water
closet that shows any of the unsani-
tary points as presented by him. is
unit for use
ssThe purpose of the board in caus-
ing the janitor to scrub out the
Iatrines with a broom is no doubt
well meant, but is not only laughable,
but stands as an argument against
them. for the board should know that
If the fixtures are sanitary this pro-
vision would be unnecessary
ssMuriatic acid will help along in the
good work, however, by aiding in the
destruction of the whole system,
piping and all.
ON conclusion let US say that the
plunabing of the school buildings OF
Topeka as presented in these reports
should not be tolerated by any civil
tied community
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
DAVID SAYS IRIS MILES.

with Apologies to Baltimore American,
David Overmyer has declared in favor
of General Miles for the Presidency
Hill says it will be Parker;
Bill Bryan whoops for Hearst;
The Bay State bowls for Olney
Until you'd think 'twouId burst
The party is for Cleveland
Through all these troublous whites;
Hen WatterSon is frothing,
But David is for Miles
Old Adlai has been mentioned,
Bill Bryan's always ripe
And ready for the plucking;
Hearst screams in yelloy type
That all are bound for bow-wows,
While German smiles and smiles;
But what's the use to worry,
Since David's out for Miles?
Let John Sharp Williams vanish
To far-away Yazoo
Let Cleveland, Hearst and German
Go skip the tra-la-loo.
Let WatterSOn and Bryan
Eat crow in various styles
The final words been spoken,
And Davids out for Miles!
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

should not be treated as would
land company. Judge Hazen heard
shale and how much cubic gold per
acre could be produced, etc.
H. P. Dillon was on the witness
stand and he told of the wonderful
cubic acres of gold shale and the
great value. Judge Hazen asked him
if there was so much gold to be got
ten out of one acre how the company
would handle 100000 acres.
THE magnitude of the undertaking
does not defeat the feasibility" re-
piled Mr.. Dillon.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
POLICE COURT NOTES.

There was some race trouble zen
miniature" aired for the benefit of the
attendants on police court Friday af-
ternoon. The whole question hinged
upon whether or not Mabel Birch, col
ored, had swatted Eunice Derrenger,
white, behind the ear. Eunice and three
of her little playmates of like color
claimed that Mabel had committed the
deed without prevocation while Mabel
and her trusty cohorts, alias witnesses,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

said that the assault was but of a tri-
vial character and was greatly proyok-
ed by Eunice calling her "a great black
coon.' All of the parties Interested
were IS years old or under Dog Officer
Younkin was brought into connection
with the matter through the fact that
the original trouble started with an eff
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
THE KANSAS HERMIT.


DR.. George Holman, ex-health COM
missioner of the city of ST. Louis, tes-
titled in court that Health Club Bak-
ing Powder was equal in healthful-
ness to the high-priced trust-made
brands. Ask your grocer for Health
Clubs ounces Is cents, 25 ounces
20 cents. FulI-size tumbIer in every
can.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

and that of Mr.. Cheney, which were
of months duration, confined her to
her home. They left no children.
The arrangements for the funeral
have not been completed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
Fourth at Camp Ben Harrison.

Camp Ben Harrison, July 2.-On
July 4, 1904, the freedom of Camp
Ben Harrison will be extended to
everybody opposed to the baneful eff
fects of monopoly, greed, grog and
narcotics.
The Frances E. Willard L. A. K. of
L. are especially invited, as also the
friends of NJ. N. Butler, home rule
secretary, deceased.
THE KANSAS HERMIT.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02


w H is
o the He a
in
Burlington
in
presidency
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

j. Barrett pleaded guilty to the
charge of disturbing the peace in the
vicinity of the transfer station Thurs
day night and was taxed five dollars
w. T. Gill, the other participant, claim
ed that he was not guilty and his case
was continued.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

Fourt of July Rates via Mo. Pacific.
on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th. tickets will
be sold between all stations at greatly
reduced rates, limited to return to July
5th Tickets will be sold to children
between five and twelve at half of the
reduced rate.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

AM A CANDIDATE FOR STATE
senator from the Seventeenth district,
3lIth), subject to the decision of the quail
med electors in Shawnee county in No
vember g p ROI.MAR
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

fort on both of the principals in the
case to look into the dog wagon at one
and the same time. Judge Hamilton
considered that Mabel was entitled to
a tag of So and costs for having created
the melee.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY.
The Worlds Fair Line.

Seven daily trains between Kansas
city and St Louis which leave Kan
gas City 6:55. 500. 1910 a. m. and
40, 9:15, 1900 D. m. and 1905 mid
ASK for your ticket via this line
from Kansas City. II you miss one
train, you will not have long to wait
for another.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

Fourth of July Rates Santa Fe.
On July End, Bird and Attn, tickets will
be sold to all points at rate of one fare
plus soc, final limit returning July 5th.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
Fourth of July Rates via Rock Island
system.

Tickets on sale July 2 8 and 4, at one
fare plus soc, final return limit July 5.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

Special Officer Dusenberry executed
flank movement upon J. M. Cook last
evening and caught him fiagrantly
playing ball on the streets. The trou-
BILE will be threshed out at this after
moons session of the court.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

St. Louis and Return S11.4O-Santa
Good for Is days; 1910 for go
days.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
MANIFESTATION.


WANTED-Position in private family by
man and wife. Address B. o., Journal.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

PERMANENT solicitors or district man
ayers introducing newly patented arti-
Gle with out cooperation. First suitable
applicants get exclusive territory. Mariet
ia Brokerage Co. Especially dept), Ma
rietta, o.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02
wAvTED-FEMALE HELP.

WANTED-Nurse girl, must have expert
ence and references. 800 Buchanan st
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

WANTED-Farm hands, Transfers SHOW
elers, barn men. Capital Emp, 735 K. A