Smyrna times., 1908-10-07
RECOLLECTION OF SMYRNA
OF OVER HALF A CENTURY
WILLIAM A. HUKlLL RECALLS HIS
BOYHOOD DAYS IN THIS VICINITY
Tells of People he Knew Who Were
Prominent in Smyrna in The Early
Forties and Relates Incidents


Forties and Relates Incidents
Wilmington, Oct. 6.-Smyrna form
erly called Duck Creek Cross Roads
and renamed mainly through the an
strumentaily of Robert Holiday a
man somewhat distinguished for his
peculiarities was taken from the
Smrvna mentioned in the Bible, and
might be very properly called the old
town for reasons, various and many.
And while l may not be able to give
all the reasons, will make our best
effort to give some of them at least.
First she was the most important COM
mercial centre between Wilmington
and Lewestown, she was headquar-
ters for the sale of grain, bark,
slaves, wood, hides and almost every
article of produce from the rural dis
tricts for a radius of Is or 20 miles
on three sides, to say nothing of her
lime kilns and great number of ves-
sells owned there and trading to other,
markets in the products of her own
surrounding country including a large
section of Maryland. Why it would
be an interesting sight in these mod
ern times to see the array of wagons
and carts laden with the different
kinds of produce and drawn by
horses, mules and oxen, of which the
old faithful and time humored drudge
the OK, formed a prominent part
while now you might ride through
that country for days and not see a
pair of oxen. During my recent
running around in that section
did see one pair at Woodland and l
took the pains to look them over
we'll for they seemed almost like old
comrades.
Smyrna a Prominent Banking Town
Smyrna had the only State Bank
between new Castle and Dover and
the people from radious of fifteen or
twenty miles on three sides, includ-
ing large section of Maryland were
dependant on her Bank for bank
accommodations and on Thursdays
there was a general heading from
the different sections of country
toward Smyrna, and on every Thurs
day morning the stately form of
Daniel Corbit of Cantwell's Bridge,
now Odessa. behind two nice bay
horses might have been seen, going
in that direction to act as director
in that bank. Sixty-five years
ago, / must tell you there was
something doing about Smyrna in
those days. She was also noted
for the many old and prominent
families that made it their home, g
good many of whose children may
be found there about yet. The
Spruances, Cummins, Fishers,
Stocklys, FAIRIES, Raymonds, Bew'
leys, Temples, Blacks, Hoffeckers,
Denneys, Cloaks and great many
other smaller families among which
many have attained posts of honor
and distinction. One branch of the
Spruance family was Presly Spruanc'
anu his DIObACL OOID VI WAAOA
recollect very we'll, being boil
staunch and active business men il
my early boyhood days and theil
father was also named Presley.
Presley Spruance Man of Influence
Presley. Spruance, of the tw
van4san Cnanf hi
youthful days on the old farm nea
Clayton now owned by Alfred l.
Hudson which was owned by tn
family three generations and onl,
passed out of the family after tn
lamentable death of Horace Spruance
He went into business with hi
father before he had reached hi
majority and was only a silen
partner in the firm in consequence
there of for the time being, wa
educated in the common schools bu
was a brainy man of fine mind
superior judgement, a statemen
which his after attainments will
justify. Was born in Kent county
Sept. 11th, 17S5. Married Sara
Corbit, Daniel Corbit's sister in 1880
and by this union had two sons, vii
liam Corbit and Horace and on
daughter Miss SalIie who is now liV
ing with Judge Spruance at 12ll De-
aware avenue this city. Presle
Spruance was not only man OF mn
business qualities but was noted Il
his strict integrity, land large hearte
liberality, or in other words the poe
/. mans friend, always ready to hel
those who would try to hel
II themselves. Was first elected
M the legislature in 1922, in 1926 w'
M elected to the state senate, ana
Ii 1881 was elected to the constitution
u f'oNriNUsc on flFvH FACE