Smyrna times., 1906-05-09
sMYRNAS COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Years Subscription to Town Library Awarded
For Two Best Essays Written By Members
of the High School Senior Class.


pupil of the Senior Glass who had the
the best essay, and the pupil who had
the second best essay on the Com
mercial Development of Smyrna" Six
members of the Senior Glass contested
for the prizes. The judges composed
the Civics Committee of the Twentieth
Century Club--Mrs. James w. An
thony, Mrs. Frank T. Evans, and Miss
Laura Bell. After going over the list
of essays carefully and considering all
the points, the first prize was awarded
to Miss Julia HUM, daughter of Jo-
seph B. HUM, and the second prize to
Miss Jennie Wheatman, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Wheatman. The
prize essays were as follows:
Miss Julia hunn's Essay Wins First Honor.
''Just one hundred years ago, the
little village Of Duck Creek Cross
Roads was changed by an act of Legis-
lature to the town of Smyrna. During
the next fifty years little by little the
business life of the town developed.
Situated as it was, about one mile from
a narrow, tortuous creek, all facilities
of trade were reduced to small sailing
crafts and stage coaches. Manafactur-
ing and extensive farming were out of
the question. With the coming of the
branch railroad and the steamboat, a
new guiding star appeared upon
Smyrna's commercial horizon. From
that time to the present Smyrna has
grown to three times her former size
along all lines. Smyrna is situated in
the midst of region of great natural
resources. The soil is adapted to the
growth of all the plants of the temper
ate zone. Thus the farmers have the
choice of crops of such wide range,
that there is something he may be
sending to the market every month in
the year if he has the facility of rapid
transportation. Above all, the people
as a whole, are an intellectual, progress
sive class of citizens. A great awak
ening has recently developed among
them, leading to the organization of {
Grange. This is a pioneer step to
ward new demands from our rural dis
tricts. Our vicinity is entirely free
of that foreign element whose policy il
is to cheaper labor and discount cul
ture. Our population as a whole are
teeming great possibilities. A spiri
of progress along with. both CONNER
cial and educational lines is beins
aroused and needs but little to awaker
it fresh and eager for the advance.
Competitive Railroad or Trolley Needed.
Increased rapid facilities for com
merce are demanding requisites. VI
have already had an example of the re
suits of daily boat line during ou
growing season. Yet there is room 70
a great improvement. What we nee'
is competitive railroad or trolley line
The agricultural pursuits are the pri
mary sources of the business of thi
town. Therefore only through create
development along those lines may W
expect to build up business and indus
trial establishments. Early city mar
kets would so increase the growth G
such crops as would make the impoi
tation Of labor worth while. Such
change would necessarily not only in
crease the capacities of our present il
dustries such as basket making an
fruit packing, but would lead to ne
ones. Then new demands would aris
on every side. More houses, bette
equipped stores, more churches, an
increased educational facilities woul
rise as by magic to the occasion. Th
diffusion of education would becom
so general that good practical know
! edge would come within the reach
all. o, what glowing future we ma
3 paint! Let us remember we are of tn
3 Diamond State which in years past hs
. led in more than one great step. VIII
lag now? We, in our conseryatis
9 should be reminded of that old saying
9 "Be not the first by whom the new
t tried, Nor yet the last to lay the ol
3 aside" Let us keep pace with the tim,
: and make our town jewel of the fir
/. water.
r Miss Jennie Wheaiman's Essay; Second Priz
t Smyrna, one of the largest towns
0 Kent County, Delaware, is in Il
o north western part of Duck Creek hui
Q dred, about seven miles from Delawa
: Bay and twelve miles from Dow
4 which is the capitol of the State. 1t
g not directly on the main line of Il
r Delaware Railroad but is connectt
o with Clayton by a branch road. A
j. Smyrna is but short distance fro
a Smyrna River she has a direct wat,
o communication with Philadelphia,
@ line of propellers carrying freig
e and passengers, making daily trips