Evening journal., 1908-08-21
REC0LLECTl0NS OF
WILLIAM A. HUKILL
Article Nc. IL.


AIiddletown was an inland village and a
neighboring town OF the important Can't
wells Bridge and for her news or sup
plies went to cantwelrs except for her
bank business when she would go direct
to Smyrna through Blackbird. They built
fine carriages then that were known far
and wide. don't recall any other branch
OF trade that cut much figure. I never
heard Of the dogs chasing strangers out
of town but after sleeping thus through
many years till the energies for a railroad
disturbed their slumbers and they prohted
by the stupid mistake Of the people OF
odessa and became thoroughly aroused
when the first Locomotive whistle was
sounded below Delaware junction. as II
was known in 1885.
Since that time she had kept thoroughly
awake and abreast of the times increasing
her population and multiplying her
churches. She has chartered two banks
taken on electric lights and a water sup.
ply. I expect the retail stores might be
multiplied by ten. She has the most ex'
tensive harness manufacturing plant In
the State and various other substantial
business enterprises besides being a COM
mon resort for retired gentlemen and has
not lost any iaurels for good horses ano
horsemen. Middletown is getting there
while Odessa rather distastefully goes tc
Middletown to take the once rejected car
The people Of Middletown used to rub
It in TO the people Of odessa about theiI
mistake.
There have been great changes in the
customs and general manner Of doine
things within the last 60 years and q
great deal Of It has been brought about by
the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania
railroad which got the first train 10 Mid.
dletown near the close OF 1855.
For instance Alexander Wall and John.
nie Morton did an extensive wood business
by hauling wood from near Warwick ant
out of Middle Neck to Cantwelis Bridge
for transportation. Now there is no wood
TO haul and II there were it would go from
Middletown. In thinking of my boyhooc
days. always recall that went with my
father to John p. Cochran's to buy a little
blazed faced sorrel mare and she was a
nice one and cid Andrew Frisby was one
Of the head hand in the neighborhood and
was driving the mare Pollie, to the lead
of the wagon hauling corn to Cantwel''
Bridge and We had TO wait till the team
came back to deal for the mare.
Mr.. Cochran and his brothers Thomas
and Richard and old Uncle Billie had beer
out for a fox hunt and had returned late
in the afternoon in November 1s49 and We
were invited to take dinner with them but
I was so timid Of strangers they could
not take me in the house and the invi
tation was a pressing one, too. But
would rather lose good dinner than 60
in among those strangers and have otter
thought how foolish / was.
am timid yet but not to that extent. II
/ am at a strangers house now and gel
an invitation as We got on that occasion
/ stay. And one that would not is silly
Then on another occasion, Easter Sunday
1850, It was the custom those days foi
everybody to go to the cs.sQlic church
especially the young men and boys large
enough to ride. We started from Cant
wells Bridge with several in our company
Thomas and Alfred Moore. John Perry
Wesley Walker, VIII and Robert Polk and
myself. When we got as far as Mr.. coch
rams we went In for the bows to Join us
William r. Charles and the head hand
young white man. I remember that Mrs
Cochran came out and asked us as 10 ou
department which she did in such mic
motherly way that it made an impression
ON my mind and have always though
Of that Easter Sunday with a great dea
of satisfaction.
William Andrew HukilL