davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1909-03-24
DOVER METHODlSTS OBJECT
Resent Treatment of Rev. A. W. Light
bourne Whom Conference Ousted
and Will not Accept New Minister.


bourne Whom Conference Ousted
and Will not Accept New Minister.
With remarkable unanimity, the |
official board of Wesley Church Dover
has decided to keep both church and
parsonage locked against Rev. E. l..
Hoffecker, the young minister ap-
pointed Monday by the Wilmington
Conference. The vote was Is to 3,
Messrs. Hannah, Moore CA. B. and
Salisbury voting to receive. Pro
fessor Wesley Webb, special COM
mittee commissioned by the board at
a full meeting, notified Mr.. Hoffecker
! that under no consideration would he
be allowed to enter the parsonage or
the church except as an attendant or
worshipper in the congregation, and
at no time would he be considered or
received as the pastor of the church.
Mr.. Hoffecker doubtless knew in
advance of the turn affairs would
take, and the conference is said to
have known, as they have selected a
man who owns a farm and is there
fore not without means of support.
The conference, it is claimed will
also have to allow him salary similar
to that of a supernumerary, if the
contest goes against him. In "hold-
ing the fort, the Wesley officials are
not doing so soley because of resent
ment of the treatment of their pastor,
DIR. A. w. Lightbourne, who wa
turned out of conference because 0.
an alleged spurious credential, al
though all the minister's knew him TO
years as a minister in both the Meth
odist and Congregational churches
But the officials are protesting agains
the condition of affairs in the Will
: mington Conference, they say, tn
political machinery that has bee
: built and the utter disregard for cor
: ditions in the appointment of minis
9 tiers as is, they claim, shown by tn
d appointments made at Milford Nor
: day. William M. Hazel, presider
n of the Board of Trustees; John F
. Hutton, superintendent of the Sunda
IS School; Elmer P. Horsey, steward
/ William J. Benson, a trustee; ar
z. H. c. Taylor, a steward will be tt
L service committee to generally repre-
sent Wesley Church. 1t is probab
, that no services will be held tn
"A week or on Sunday, although tt
! matter is entirely in the hands of Il
ts service committee. The general OPT
&c ion is expressed among the churchmt
! that there will be no service ne
:. Sunday and the church will be close
,o The reason for this is not given
IL fact, the officials are keeping ma
-, of their moves secret and are in dai
of consultation with their attorney
no James H$ Hughes and John B. HI
= ton. Rev. E. L. Hoffecker the locke
NO out preacher, will. it is said, ARR
tb at the church early next Sunday MOI
no ing, accompanied by Rev. Alfrt
on Smith, conference evangelist, W
n will claim the right to enter by bel
.ov assigned as a member of Wesley qui
or terly conference. The admission ask
700 for, it is said, will be refused. I
is Wilmington Conference has retair
ill Henry Ridgely as its chief COUNSEL {
s. the probability is that the conferel
at will take the initiative in mandan
L. proceedings to compel the reopen
lev of the church.
Smyrna times., 1909-03-24
KINGS DAUGHTERS OFFICERS
Mrs s. Gilbert Wilds the President of
Smyrna's Organization

At meeting at the home of Mrs.
S. Gilbert Wilds last Friday evening
the annual election Of the King $
Daughters took place and a pleasant
social evening had. The new officers
elected are: President, Mrs. S. Gil
bert Wilds; first vice president, Mrs.
w. A. FAIRIES; second vice president,
Miss Irene Roberts; recording secre-
tary, Miss Emma Hough; correspond
ing secretary, Miss Julia Griffith
treasurer, Mrs. Joseph L. Beckett.
Smyrna times., 1909-03-24
ENJOY WHITE ROSE MINSTRELS
Large Audience Turns Out at Opera
House to See the Home Boys Give
One of its Best Performances.

The Smyrna Opera House was
crowded Thursday evening to witness
the performance of the White Rose |
Minstrels, an organization that has |
been identified with Smyrna for more |
than 25 years. With the exception
of several orchestra pieces and Mr..
Start and Mr.. Mitchell of Whining
ton, who assisted in the quartette and
solo work, the cast was entirely
home talent. 1t was one of the best
performances the boys have ever
given and a number think it equal If
not better thai the celebrated Guy
Brothers Minstrels which recently eX-
hibited here. The stage was bril-
liantly set, a curtained railing sep
arating the circle from the orchestra.
On the railing was row of white
and red lights which went on and off
automatically during the whole even
ing. The costumes were in keeping
with high class ministrelsy. The
best feature of the evening was the
t instrumental music. An orchestra
of eight pieces under the leadership
of William Norris, which included
/ drums, discoursed some bright and
catchy overtures and song music, Civ
= ing the entertainers great support.
d The song and jokes were all good anC
o up-to-date while Mannering and
D FAIRIES made a laughable pair in the
n comedy of the evening. They were
k roundly applauded at every appear
n an"e. The jig dancing of McAfe'
e and Reed took we'll with the audience
n and they were called before the foot
l. lights a number of times. All in al
It it was a performance that refecte
N credit upon those who had it i
in charge and will go on record. a
10 one of the best the White Ros
I'd has ever given. The program
was as follows: Social session c
:, the Royal Hunt Club in the ROys
" Hunt Clubs Parlors. President MI
nd George w. Cunning. Invited Guest
1t John C. Mannering, James +
mt Lassell, James Reed, Harvey v
d. FAIRIES, John Cummins, William M
ne Afee. Clubs Entertainers-Eu
lie Start, Thomas Start, Walter
OO Massey, w. II. Mitchell. Clubs o
tn chestra- William Norris, William
tn Anthony, Harry W. Shapley, Georl
d. w. Sylvester, ]. w. Fell, George '
Up Price, Signor ValinOtO, Isadore Sign
mt Part I-Opening song and choru
be Company; "Fever's On, " ]. H. La
lth sell; "When the Morning Glori
ley Irvine Around the Door, =" Thomas
ON Start; Travelling, j. C.. Name
sht ing; "Where the Sunset Turns t
lid Ocean Blue to Gold" w. T. Masse
and "Alabam', H. W. FAIRIES; THE {
zen Oaken Tree" Eugene Start; &c
eet Bye Little Girl" w. H. Mitche
ne. Grand Finale-Stars and Stripes, Co
the pany. Part II-Overture, orchestl
ect Song and Dance, McAfee and Rec
ing Harp Solo, Signor Valinoto; Sh
'ets mates, FAIRIES and Mannering; Musi
ore Specialties, -Four Cornets) Will
rec G. Anthony, W. T. Doughten, /
'et' drew Collision, George W. Sylvest
the To conclude with the original ia
ng' "a Night in a Strange Hotel. "
ave
Smyrna times., 1909-03-24
FOUR FINGERS WE'RE SAWED of
Robert Cocker of Cheswold Meets With
Accident While Saving Wood.

Cheswold, March % Robert Coker
while saving wood last Friday had his
left hand suddenly drawn in contact
with the circular saw and foursingers
Of the hand were lost as the result OF
an hospital operation the day follow
ing. There has been general SYM
nathv for Robert in the misfortune
which befel him.
Smyrna times., 1909-03-24
PHILANTHROPY DAY AT CLUB
Rev. Albert &. Clay Lecturer of VIII
mington Addresses Ladies.

The Chairman of Philanthropy, Mrs.
Edgar Supple, arranged to have Rev.
Albert E. Clay rector of Old Swedes
Church, Wilmington, to speak on her
day at the Century Club. Rev. Clay s
subject was Philanthropy and Noted
Philanthropists, and he related strik-
ing incidents of conditions and work
among the poor. Mr.. Clay further
entertained the club by singing two
songs. Mrs. McCausland and Mrs.
Arts sang a duet and Miss Beck.
Miss HUM and Miss Speakman played
a piano trio.
Smyrna times., 1909-03-24
p G. WARNER LEAVES FLEMlNGs
Is Succeeded at the Steamboat Wharf
By John Council as Agent.


Townsend, March %. p. G. War
ner. who for many years has been
the agent of the Smyrna Transporta-
tion and Manufacturing Company at
Fleming's Landing, has severed his
connection with the Company and
moved to near Odessa. He has been
succeeded by John Councill. There
will be many who will miss seeing
Mr.. Warner at the wharf. He has
been faithful in the discharge of his
duties and his moving from our
midst removes one of the most prom
inent figures Of the Landing.
Smyrna times., 1909-03-24

Dr.. Watt Announces Church Services
Rev. Robert Watt, D. D. who re-
turned from Conference Monday will
have charge of the Prayer meeting
this evening. The usual services wilt
take place next Sunday
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26

him with blankets and forced brandy down his throat
before we could revive him, and all that time we
could hear the noise of horse and foot passing to and
fro in the streets. Fee aroused that night as it
seldom Isl but we felt safe. We heard the Consul
calling to his to find out what the about
and chuckled when the fellow replied that he be-
lieved the Spanish army was about to attack the
city. And when we left that poor fellow, who
sobbing from sheer weakness, the rain had ceased
and the soft dawn running up to pale the stars.
What is more, we kept him there without
the Consul's being aware that he harboring the
Spanish Captain whose escape was the wonder of all
Fee until it became convinced that he had been
drowned in the Pearl in his hopeless fight Indeed
kept him through all those trying weeks till the
red and yellow banners of CASTLE came whipping
into the city and the Sultan brought to his knees
"Once more we looked down from our terrace, and
this time cheered boldly the splendid soldiers
of Spain went galloping past, and at last saw our
Captain rush out through the gate to be received by
pretty stirring sight and we felt rewarded for
part in the AFFAIR."
COLONEL DUNOIS sighed as if regretting the
- brave times of his youth and again beckoned
the waiter He poured the wine into his glass and
held it up to the light while waited.
But what about that duel?" | asked. what
about the greatest fight you ever saw"
"Oh, that?" he replied. why, that was when
had all returned to Tangier, some three weeks later
and Leopard had the best Of it. Ran him through !;
but, thank Heaven! the wound wasn't serious and
Louis himself helped patch De Costa up and ac-
cepted his acknowledgment that the French method
was trile just trifle the best. AS said BEFORE
it very beautiful flight which lasted for more
than half an hour"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26

by again dragging him by the arm toward the con-
sulate. l stood watch for Villalon who seemed long
in coming. Far away the clatter of galoping hoofs
on the cobbles told that already the Moorish
guard scattering out to overtake US. Gates
began to open where porters had been aroused by
the sound of our fighting, and from cross shaped
window above leaned yelled head outlined
me from the darkness and challenged in Arabic, and
ran him through the throat before he could scream
Vialon came plunging out of the alley almost upon
me- and we nearly engaged before we could make our
identity known. The night turning to of
screaming confusion. Hoarse shouts the barking of
dogs the ring of iron shoes stone, the alarmed
calls of watchmen, and the excited babbng of women
from the terraces sweed into a roar. Nom de Daen!
1t wonder they didn't get us!
I'VE down the familiar street, which we had
mapped out many times, with swords in hand
"A porter had rushed out and frantically strug
Cling to close big gate across the street: He went
down in heap when l struck him full in the face
with my fist, and went
A T last came to more familiar buildings, better
known curves in that jungle of alleys and dashed
along the last stretch to the consulate with lungs that
afame from exertion and hearts that were
pumping like mad. The door swung open to receive
us; it shut behind US; we heard the bars drop
into place; and Leopard pounded us our backs in
an outburst of JOY
"'We've got him. he exclaimed We've got him!
Come on! Let's get him to his hole in the WALL
I'VE had to pick De Costa up and carry him. .or
he had tainted through exertion and weakness. We
jerked off boots might make noise
and ran through the old deserted portion of the
palace to the room we had made ready for refu-
gee. We tore off his disguise, stripped him, covered
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26
THE FIRE PLAGUE
By Russell M. McLennan

EDrroR's NorE.-rhe figures in By Russell I
thi: : ar ARTICLE ss+s were computed by the
Conservation Convection but by some >S9EH&
gathered by any branch of the Government SER oSN
vice In addition to the figures T 1st the t nted
States for 1908 at 500, 100000.
IMAGINE, if you can the sunny State of Florida
j absolutely devastated by an earthquake a ire
mendous fire. a great storm, with ,449 persons
killed and 1854 more injured From one end of the
world to the other moan of horror would go up.
The vivid story of suffering and financial loss would
be told in every newspaper in the world for weeks.
Assistance would be rushed to the stricken State,
and it developed that remedy or preventative of
the cause of such catastrophe could be found, the
whole world would bend its every nerve to bring
it about
Nevertheless what was equivalent to this hap
pened in 1907 and the people of the United States
looked upon it with complacency. The financial
loss, amounting to s215 O84. 700, which is greater
than the true value of the real property in Florida,
with loss of life stated in the first paragraph
CURED in 19O7 by fires throughout the United States.
1t wasn't great forest fires; just the little and big
bee
throughout the forty-six States Had they occurred
in day in State, the horror of the thing would
have been pressed home; but they didn't. They
happened in widely separated localities and differ
ent times but for the year it the in the end
Truly it must be called The Fire Plague" 1t is
property every hour of every day, not to mention
an amount almost equal to that being expended
every hour to combat the fires.
The people of this great country haven't risen up
in horror and tried to remedy the source of this
trouble; but the Government has, 1t is doing every
thing within its power to better building materials
and help shape buildi :. codes of municipalities so
to lessen thus great los~ of life and property. It
also has se.-.sh reason. 1t has many millions of
ing more every year. 1t is seeking protection
against fire for them through really freproof ma
terials
The Government pays no insurance on its build
ings To do would cost six hundred thousand
dollars yearly. In view of this fact and inasmuch
partment has under his control public buildings
costing more than two hundred million dollars, and
is spending each year twenty million dollars in the
construction of new ones the Government felt duty
bound to put forth every effort to ascertain what
could be done to have only material put into its
buildings that will really be freproof
To this end Richard L. Humphrey, engineer in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26

the fire loss OF the country take eleven comparatively
treeless States like Iowa. Illinois, Oklahoma, Connec
ticut, Delaware, New Jersey, South Dakota, Rhode
Island Kansas, Nebraska, and North Dakota and
compare them with eleven States with plenty of tim
Der, like Washington Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi
Arkansas Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North
Carolina and Oregon 1t will be found that the per
capita loss in the tmbered States exceeds that of
the treeless States, being for the groups named
respectively 81. 80 and $3.50.
The people of the United States paying
nually through fires preventable tax almost great
enough to pay for the construction of the Panama
Canal for year In other words, if the buildings
in the United States nearly TeprOof those
of Europe, the amount saved would be three hum
dred and sixty-six million dollars, which includes
not only the fire loss but the cost of private fire pro-
lection, the of premiums insurance paid,
the annual expense of waterworks and of fire de-
partments. This would almost build the canal for
year. If our buildings those of Europe
the fire cost would be ninety million dollars, instead
of four hundred and ffty-six million.
For every building constructed in the United
States in 1907, half building destroyed by
fire. This fact is stated by Herbert NJ Wilson, chief
engineer of the United States Geological Survey In
quiry to the cost of property destroyed by fire.
and including in the total the cost of maintaining
fire departments, payment of insurance premiums
less benefits returned, protective agencies and the
cost of water supplies, gave the fire cost in 1907
$3.50, 485, 600. The cost of building construction
during the same year was almost thousand million
dollars, nearly double the amount Of the fire COST
Hence Mr.. Wilson conclusion that for every building
that constructed half building destroyed
by fire.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26

q. NcLennan charge OF the investigation OF
2TXSSA@ United States Geological Survey, is
SMIaCI devoting his energies. Not only will
G&$w the result of his labor be beneficial to
NJ the Government, but to municipalities in
II shaping their building codes
To bring the extent of the fire plague home, no
better illustration be used than the statement
that if the buildings consumed in year were placed
on lots of sixtyve feet frontage they would line both
sides of street extending all the way from New
York to Chicago.
Walking along this street of desolation, person
would pass in every thousand feet ruin from which
an injured person was taken. At every three
quarters of mile he would encounter the charred
remains of human being. And worse still, when
this thousand-mile street had been utterly
suned by the end of the year. the destruction would
be repeated the following year on an even longer
street.
Five Times That of Europe
WHILE the per capita loss of the United States,
w according to the latest authentic figures, is
$251, that of Europe by the same source of nforma
ton, is forty-eight cents One explanation is that
frame buildings in Europe are almost absolutely
lumber In the United States the exact opposite is
the case. And though the fire departments of the
United States greatly excel those of European cities
they powerless to keep down the heavy loss
owing to faulty construction in America and the
prevalence of timber material.
In Europe the fire insurance laws remarkable,
tries while in all cities they prevent great losses by
insisting on the erection of only STEEL stone, and
brick buildings
French law compels insurance against fire not
only for the benefit of the owner but for his neigh
bors In Germany building insurance is compulsory,
and in some Kingdoms it is Government monop
oily. Russia has an elaborate system Of control and
local government insurance and requires all build
ings to be insured. By law recently enacted the
Swiss method of insuring against the loss of time
resulting from fire, such loss has been made almost
impossible In of the cantons insurance against
loss by fire is compulsory.
This is almost parallel with the Chinese custom
of paying the doctor to keep you we'll; but sickness
will come if the structural material isn't right well
taken care of.
1t is natural that a majority of buildings in the
United States should be of timber. In this sesource
the United States has been plentifully supplied. Of
the total losses sustained by fire in 1907 than
two-thirds due to frame buildings. The loss in
frame buildings s148, 695, 442 and $685. 425 267
in brick, stone, and steel buildings.
To illustrate the influence of frame buildings upon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26
Public's Costly Neglect


WHILE the prevailing material of construction
lumber-is responsible for the great fire waste.
the Government holds that there is a lying
back of all this; that is, faulty construction and
equipment of buildings.
NEARLY one-fourth of the fires labeled I'm
known Causes, :" says Dr. Holmes, which indicates
forciby the stless attitude only of the general
public toward this waste. but also the directly
charged with protecting property against fre,-the
officials of municipalities and others
From the total loss from fire in 1907, which
$215 O84 7O9 as has been mentioned, it readily
be seen that absolute waste from fire of 5000 600
for every day occurs or of s25 900 for every hour
of the day.
The fire loss is termed waste" by Government
officials because it is irretrievable and constitutes
tremendous drain upon the natural of the
country. The insurance burned building does
not bring back the property that destroyed. 1t
simply equalizes the loss between all others whose
property is insured
The fire waste for the last thirty three years,
cording to the national board of fire underwriters,
reached the tremendous total of S. 484 326, 831.
And it grows worse every year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26
Over a Million . Day

to tax the people exceeding the total value of
gold, silver, "copper" and petroleum production. This
fire cost greater than the true value of the real
property and improvements in Maine West Virginia,
North Carolina. North Dakota, South Dakota, Ala
bama, Louisiana, or Montana.
The actual fire loss in 1907 $215, 084 7O9
greater than the value of the real property
Utah, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Wyoming, Ne
vada.
of the chronological branch of the United States
Geological Survey show that fire losses in the United
States for 1907 exclusive of forest fires reached the
total Of $215 O84 100 per capita loss of $251 The
total fire loss buildings was $1O9, 156 1884, and
contents sos, 927, 815. There fires in &c. 40
brick ron and stone buildings, with loss of $751;.
O92, 687 the buildings and $37 1872 $50 the
contents. There fires in 1291 III frame build
ings with loss of SIS O64 2O7 the buildings and
SOS, 595, 235 on the contents
In 1896 cities and villages having a population
of thousand and upward, with aggregate
population of "a 1902 453 the fire loss $50 49,
O29, per capita loss of 1854 Eighteen hundred
and ninety-eght postmasters, representing popula-
ton of 40 1888 reported total fire loss of $3519,
769, per capita loss of $2.49.
That the fire loss in urban and rural districts
should be nearly equal appears surprising on the
surface. Big losses in cities to be expected
account of the many large buildings filled with
millions of dollars worth Of property. In the rural
districts the buildings widely separated and con-
that in the cities The equalization of the per capita
of the fire departments of the cities prevents much
greater loss and the absence of fire fighting apparatus
in the rural districts permits the loss in fires to be
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26

hhatnl ecompu by structure raj materials of
=: s.;::: s.: S ::: n:
hm gtheexte Of the fepagu