Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1909-02-17
RECOLLECTION OF SMYRNA
OF OVER HALF A CENTURY
WILLIAM A.HUKILL RECALLS HIS
soYHOOD DAYS IN THIS VICINITY
Tells of People He Knew Who Were
Prominent in Smyrna in the Early
Forties and Relates Incidents

wilmington req. 10 .-JOnn van
0esel recollect but l know nothing
of his family. He was widely known
for his interest in the old stage coach
line from Lewestown to Wilmington,
which at my earliest recollections in
the early forties, was a fOur-hOrse
coach with railing around the top for
carrying baggage. The drivers seat
was almost level with the top. The
driver had to be a master reinsman,
for they used good horses and if there
were any unruly horses in the country
that other people could not manage,
they often found their way into the
stage service. l recOllet one picked !
team of four sorrel roans that worked |
between Smyrna and McDOnough, and |
they were all good ones and after the |
driver had gotten his mail changed at
Blackbird about o. clock in the after
noon, and the horses had their sip of
water and he had mounted his seat
for the next run to Smyrna and gath
cred his reins with sharp chirp,
those four horses with one simultan-
Oous movement, further stimu lated
to action by a sthrill crack from
long and finely strung whip, would
burst into lope which they would
continue for some distance before
they would settle down to more
moderate gate But going the other
way in the morning they had to be
more careful for right at the start
they had an ugly and dangerous hill,
where they were liable to accident
going down or getting stalled coming
up. In muddy weather they frequent
" had to ask their passengers, of
whom there were many, to alight
and walk to the hotel. have known
persons to ride on top of the stage
when crowded.
Travelling Meant Something Then
1t meant something those days to
90 from Lewistown to Wilmington by
stage, for they would have to start
the day before to bring them along
bv Blackbird at 8 O'Clock in the morn
CUdURlllR
fifteen miles, for know the fresi
horses at Smyrna were changed a
McDonough. The drivers had to b.
of the rugged kind for their expos
ures were of the most severe kind
next to a sea-faring life. In wet
freezing weather his outside garment
would be frozen stiff and he coul
scarcely dismount from his loft
perch at one of his stops without as
sistance. Among those drivers who's
names are familiar to almost every
one and famous for their occupatlo
were: Orange B.Wo'cott (or 'Yand
as he was called John Kenard, PERI
Wright. William Cantwell, Jerl
Smith and later Samuel Smith. Att
the stage coach was laid by Tor q
railroad trains in 1856, James W
Spruance established a four-hor
omnibus line from Smyrna to Clayt
driven by Wesley Warren who W
an expert reinsman. John Vanges
was manager and owner. he
generally known for his trathc
horses and stages and once hea
Judge William C.. Spruance say tn
Mr.. Vagesel gave him his hrst
dollar bill for legal service render'
and no doubt prompted by spirit
kindness and a knowledge that
Spruance had been Smyrna boy
followed him into New Castle cour
to throw that much patronage IN
way. and encourage him on his ca
legal career which from that sta
point was the more highly apr
ciated by the recipient.
The Vaneasken Family Promine'
VanGasken was among the Smy
names, many years ago but VIVA
know of the VanGaskens is someV
limited. JOHN and Henry Want
ken were inclined to handle lun
in one way or other. John wa
carpenter by trade but did not
fine himself to that branch OF I
ness, being a lumber dealer at
time and farmed for a short time
the Daniel Cummins farm now XII
as Spruance City. When he sol'
farm stock at public sale | wei
member attending it. was pa
ularly interested when ne was
to offer for sale a driving n
a nice little block Of gray.
recommended the horse in this
He's gentle, cheerful and much admired
And you may drive him from Maine 70 :
And he II never get tired.
l was quite young and long D
/ ever thought of selling hor'
public auction myself have
thought Of that remark when !