Smyrna times., 1908-10-21
RECOLLECTION OF SMYRNA
OF OVER HALF A CENTURY
WILLIAM A. HUKILL 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, Del, October 19: =
Enoch Spruance was a younger
brother of Presley, the subject of
preceding article and a member of
the distinguished firm of P. & E.
Spruance, which was of long stand
ing and noted for its square dealings
and great generosity, had a great
grip on the peoples confidence,
trust which they never betrayed.
They entered largely into the com
mercial trade of the town and COM
munity, had their own means of trans
pOrtation and played an important
part in moving the various kinds of
produce of the surrounding country
to distant market, and bringing in
return articles of manufacture from
different points to supply the needs
and demands of the people at home.
Enoch Spruance was not a man of
great stature or ponderous avordupois
but where he might lack in those two
essential quantities never proved diff
ticulty in his manly makeup. Not bulky
but weighty, not broad shouldered but
broad minded and always contented,
a full man when weighed or listed,
and in raising men for army or navy
succeeded beyond the average man
for in that line he proved quite pro-
Iifio hnuIncr hove, - L.
before the net was reeled. The ma
jority of the boys were short of
stature and of ordinary size, but
there was no stinting or cutting short
on material in the makeup of the
only daughter for she would have
brought her end of the scales down
plump if thrown in the balance with
two or three of her brothers, but l
must except Henry for he did not
lack material. There was Presley,
Enoch, James H., David, Henry,
Alexander and Edmund.
Boys Equally Divided in Politics
Of other things to the credit of
these seven boys they did not always
see just alike on the common ques-
tions of the day of state or national
nature. They were about equally
divided on politics. Enoch was a
Republican, and James a Democrat
after the breaking out of the re-
bellion and at one time were rivals
in the omnibus business from Clayton
to Smyrna. James got into politics
early and was elected to the legisla-
ture in 1854. and on an equal divi-
sion of the House on the subject of
what they called The Maine Law or
PrOhibitory Law, had the deciding
vote and voted dry after consulting
his staid old uncle Presley. / would
like to say something more about
that temperance law but cannot in
this connection for my subject is al
ready too large for a one column let
ter, and it is a nice point to condense
the written matter of a subject that
would require three culumns Ito do
it justice) so as to get it into one
column without spelling it. Your
worthy editor sits down on me and
puts his foot on me to hold me down
to limited space. Every time l get
ready to dive to the bottom of sub
Ject he bitches on to me a floating
cork as large as a bar buoy that
brings me back to the surface again.
David the fourth son was travelling
salesman and later retired to his
farm west of Clayton. Henry went
into the merchantile business under
the firm name of Spruance & Megear.
Alexander died early but Edmund is
living in Philadelphia. Henry has
representative here in Wilmington in
Doctor Henry Spruance at 9Th &
Lombard Streets, who has a large
practise and accommodating property.
Edmund also has a son here, DR..
Harvey Spruance at Second & Mon
roe, who has also fine practise OF
which both doctors are very deserv-
ing.
Only Two of Seven Brothers Left
Of the seven brothers only two
are living and Edmund is in decling-
ing health, but James w. is well
preserved for a man of 80 years and
Is quite active with physical anc
mental faculties unimpaired. In
summing up we find in the two
branches of the Spruance family In
eluding three generation, one Unitec
states Senator, two lawyers, includ
ing one Judge, and two doctors all Of
Which Smyrna is entitled to regular
credit. w. A. Hukill.
Dr.. Barrett Called to Chestertown