davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK

Miss Anna OffleY, Known to Many AS
a Teacher in the Old Smyrna Semi
nary Passes Away in Germantown
Miss Anna Of1ey, Of Philadelphia,
we'll remembered in Smyrna as
teacher in the old Smyrna Seminary
died Friday at her late residence,
$500 Green Street Germantown, after
a lingering illness, aged II years.
Deceased spent her girlhood days and
lived her whole life in Smyrna until
she moved to Philadelphia in the
early eighties. For a number of
years she was teacher in the Old
Smyrna Seminary and taught in pri-
vate schools as well. She also con-
Quoted a class of elocution and many
of our younger residents of Smyrna
were under her tutelage. Deceased
was a daughter of Michael Ofiey
well-known and prosperous farmer of
this vicinity. The latter lived on the
tract of his ancestors Michael and
Caleb Of1ey decided from the Duke of
York in 1851. This tract is situated
near Walkers School House and with
the exception of about two years
when it was owned by DR.. S. M. Fis-
her, it has remained for over 228
years in the family. Mr.. John C.
Stockly, cousin of the Ofleys is
the present owner of the tract. When
the land came in possession of the
Off1eys colonial house was built upon
it, considered fine for the times. and
named High Oflev" after their
estate in England. Upon the death
of Miss Anna Of1ey's father, the
property was sold to DR.. Fisler who
held it for about two years before it
came into possession of Mr.. Stockly.
Miss Offiey and her sister Rebecca
MRS. Bradway) were the only sur
vivors of large family and the sweet
companionship that existed between
them grew closer with advancing
years and much sympathy is expressed
for Mrs. Bradway who survives her.
Deceased was popular with large
circle of friends and during her resi-
dence in Smyrna was held in the
highest esteem. She was a Friend and
with her parents were among the last
of sect in this vicinity who took an
active interest in the Quaker Meet
ing House Qater the Smyrna Semin-
ary) which burned down shortly be-
fore she left Smyrna. Funeral SER
vices were held Monday afternoon,
interment private, in Philadelphia.
Mrs. Aaron Marvel, Formely of Dover
Mrs. Sarah E. Marvel, widow Of
Aaron Marvel formerly of Dover, anC
mother of Mrs. Amos A. Watson o,
that town, died suddenly in Philadel
phia on Wednesday of heart trouble
aged about co. Interment was made
at Lakeside Cemetery on Saturday.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
PEACHES NEARLY $500 BASKET.
Champion Varieties in Cheswold Bring
Good Prices, But No Crops.

Cheswold, August 9.-Mr. M. L.
Frazier on the late William F. Mark
farm near Cheswold brought AZ bas-
kets of champion peaches we'll marked
as to color and size to our siding
last Friday which sold at the bid of
81. SO the basket and he carried home
more than $50. On Monday he brought
a few more Of the same variety
which were sold at $l.5O the basket.
When we state as learned that Mr.
Frazier with the promise of three
hundred baskets of peaches as his crop,
is the lucky peach grower of this sec
tion it may be taken as a fair index
of the crop in this belt for 1909. A
fair quantity of cantaloupes for ship
ment was a notable feature on our sid
ing to-day. The buying of tomatoes
for this year will begin on our siding
Tuesday and Wednesday and then
drop off until next week again. The
prices of wheat remain below resur-
rection.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
DOVER's IMPROVED STREETS.

Work Already Begun on Paving and
Sewer Work Making Good Showing.
The work of laying 5, 900 feet of
principal and intercepting sewers and
"a, 900 square yards of bithulithic
pavement in Dover began Friday
when an entire square of sewer work
was begun and completed on State
street north of Division, by the United
Paving Company of Atlantic City, n,
j., the contractors. In doing the
work, which it is estimated will be
under full sway in another fortnight,
25O men will be employed at one time
Nearly 100 of these are now at work
For at least one week there will be
a constant line of workmen in action
extending from the Pennsylvania rail-
road station at Dover to the st. Jones
river at a point directly southeast OF
the Dover Federal building. Two manu-
featuring plants will be in operation
next week-a complete bithulithlc
plant, at the Pennsylvania railroad
yard west of Division street, and a
concrete sewer plant on the triangle
in front of the Hotel Richardson
Five hundred dollars for freight in
one day was paid by the contractors
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
DESIGNING NEW STATE HOUSE

Many Architects Will Compete For Del
aware's Administration Building.
Governor Pennewill, Former Gov
ernOr Preston Lea, Senators Monag~
han and COrbit, Representatives LBf-
ferty, Townsend and Cooper Speak
er). and State Senator A. B. Conner,
one of the active leaders in the en-
terprise constituting the capitol build
ing commission. met at Dover yester-
day. The commission engaged an
architect as adviser and professional
counsel for the commission in the
matter of reviewing the competitive
drawings about 70 be submitted. The
preliminary drawings were to have
been submitted on August 26, but, in
order to get all the Delaware architects
interested who would like to compete
for the honor of designing the building,
the date for the final submission of
the plans may be deferred. The COM
mission will get possession of the State
residence and office building known
as the Jump property, the proposed
site of the new building, on Septem-
Der l, and the commission may pro-
ceed at once to raise the old build
inU
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
ELABORATE PLANS FOR FAle.
The Attractions at Wilmington This
Year More Extensive Than Ever.
Much Down State Interest.

The Attractions at Wilmington This
Year More Extensive Than Ever.
Much Down State Interest.
No event in Delaware in the past
ten years has been looked forward to
with quite so much real interest as
the approaching New Castle COUNTY
Fair to be held at the Gentlemen's
Driving Park, Wilmington, on August
81, September 1st, 2nd and Sd. The
desire of the management throughout
the year 1909, or, in fact, since the
close of the 1908 fair, has been to
make this fair bigger and better
in every way. The races are under
the capable direction of H. T. Wallace
who has successfully managed a num-
Der Of race meetings in the past few
seasons. The racing each day will
be for good purses, $500 each on Tues
day and Friday and two $500 purses
and one $500 purse on "Wednesday and
Thursday. The executive committee
hopes to increase the seating capacity
of the grand stand, and visitors to
the race track will be provided with
comfortable quarters. The FARM
machinery department is rapidly fill
ing up with exhibitors. The women 5
department is to be housed in two
tents, the needlework in one and the
pastry in another. The bench show
licensed by the American Kennel Club,
will be an attractive feature of the
fair for Wednesday and Thursday
No extra admission will be charged.
The showing of the Delaware College
Experimental Station of specimens Of
agronomy and animal husbandry Will
be very interesting-Prof Hayward
and his co-workers having given an
unusual amount of care and thought
to this exhibit. The corn growing
contest for the juvenile corn growers
of this State, under the direction of
Prof. Grantham, will be another in
teresting feature. The merchants
midway in the fair will be larger than
ever. Wilmington merchants and d
number from other cities have already
contracted for space and this, together
with the amusement midway, will
afford plenty of amusement and en-
tertainment to all those who are not
interested in the fair from an educa-
tional standpoint. Entries in the live
stock department will close on August
14th: all other departments on the
21st. The secretary's office this year
is located on the second floor of No. ]
West Fifth Street, and is open through
the entire day, and the secretary will
be, glad to answer all inqp;' es con-
corning exhibits and pros .hme for
each day that are addressed to him
there.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
ANTHRAX EPIDEMIC CHECKED
But Two Deaths Reported in the wal
ker's District Within the Past Week.

But Two Deaths Reported in the wal
ker's District Within the Past Week.
The anthrax epidemic, which has
caused our farmers and state authori-
ties much concern, is now pretty we'll
under control and the situation is
easing up materially. DR.. Frank
Gardner, the State veterinarian in
charge of this immediate district.
reports but two deaths in the past
week. one COW of John Morris and one
COW of Samuel Armstrong, making
about Sc deaths in all for the vicinity
of Thoroughfare Neck in about a
months time. The State authorities
have been waging a relentless war
against the spread of the disease and
DIR. Mcdowell of Middletown and DR..
Gardner of Smyrna have been active
in seeing that all the cattle in that
district are inoculated.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
CHICKEN THIEVES CAPTURED
Dover Detective Trails Them to Smyr-
ma and Then to CheswoId.


One night last week the large poul-
try house of Dexter Learned, whose
farm is located north of Dover, was
raided and about 100 fine fowls stolen.
Mr.. Learned secured the services of
Detective Murphy, and while search
ing for clues the detectives eagle
eye discovered that the wagon used
by the thieves to haul their loot
away left peculiar track, one wheel
carrying broader tire than the
others. Following this clue with the
tireless tenacity of an Indian, the
Dover sleuth trailed the thieves to
Smyrna, where he found that they
had sold the chickens to George w.
Cunning. shipper. With Constable
Cole, Detective Murphy proceeded to
Cheswold and placed the men under
arrest. Harris, it is said, has con-
fessed and they are now under bail
for court.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
FIRED BY TIGHTENING BOLTS
Damage From Storm Which Passed
Over Saturday Afternoon.

During the severe storm which
passed over this locality on Saturday
last lightning struck several PAGES.
While rain fell in torrents for over
half an hour, the storm did not reach
further west than Pearson's corner
where only light shower fell. At
Lebanon the house of James H.
Wheatley was struck tearing out a
window and shattering the glass be-
side tearing away part of the weather
boarding. Prompt action on the part
of the tenants, saved a large and
valuable granary on the HolcOmb
farm, owned by William G. Postles,
of Dover last Saturday night, when
the building was struck by lightning
The fire was extinguished, the same
storm which had caused the damage
greatly aiding in the work with the
deluge that followed and less than
Sl00 damage was done.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
DOVER WOMAN 90 YEARS OLD.
Number From Smyrna Attend the
Birthday of Mrs. William Carrow

Mrs. William Carrow, of Dover,
celebrated yesterday her 93d birth
day. The occasion was made most
enjoyable one at which about seventy
five participated. Refreshments were
abundantly served. Those present
from Smyrna were: Captain and Mrs.
Joshua Davis, Mrs. Annie Colds
borough, Mrs. Lydia Thompson Mr..
and Mrs. Jesse Vane and Miss Mar
garet Vane. Others present were
James Davis, Mrs. Sallie Jones, Mr..
Ehoch Young and Laura Young, Will
mington; Mr.. Charles Dill and wife,
Darby: Mrs. Martha Denney, Mrs.
Eli Mcgee, Philadelphia; Mrs. Annie
Williams, Delaware City; Mr.. George
Carrow and Bell Carrow, Henderson ;
Mrs. Frances Carrow and Miss Martha
Carrow Greensboro; Mr.. John Wheat
man, Lizzie, Mildred and Homer
Wheatman and Miss Sara White,
Camden, N. ] Enoch Williams. Lulu
Williams, Addie Williams and Her
bert Williams. Kenton; Mrs. Frank
Carrow and Elizabeth Henry, Phila-
delphia; Mrs Mamie Casson, Harry
Casson, Johnnie Carrow, Sue Carrow,
William Carrow, Gilbert Carrow,
Harold Carrow and Herman Carrow,
Cheswold; Mrs. Orpha Irland, Mr..
and Mrs. William Pyle. Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph Rash, Maud Rash, Bertha
Wright, Mrs. Marion Cummings,
Joseph Pyle and Roy Pyle, Dover
Mrs. Addie Clark Henderson, Md.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
AN UNWARRANTED REPORT
But Six Gases of Typhoid and No Epi
demic-Cases all ConValescent.

Silly and perhaps malicious reports
as to typhoid fever in Smyrna have
been circulated. There are but six
cases in the town and these are con-
fined to two buildings occupied by
white and one by colored persons,
but all using drinking water from
private wells which needed attention.
The town water has been recently
examined officially and as always
heretofore, found fine. No deaths
have occurred, all the patients are
convalescing and most of them are
nearly we'll.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
BRICKNG OF MAIN STREET
Is NEARING COMPLETION
CONCRETE WORK ALL FINISHED.
BRICKlNG WELL UNDER WAY
Boss Patterson Discharges the Expert
Colored Bricklayer and Gets An
other Man.-Brick Arrives Slowly


Superintendent Patterson, who is
in charge of the street work being
done here by the Amber, Davis
Company, contractors, found it neces-
sary to discharge Charley White, the
colored man sent here to lay the Wit
rified block. White is the man credited
with laying 25, 900 to 80, 900 brick a
day and while an expert at his Job
was found guilty of di regarding the
orders of Boss Patterson and his dis
missal Monday was followed by the
withdrawal of Sam Hughes, who ac.
companied White as his assistant.
They had completed the laying of
block from North street>to the -Four
Corners" and the short section from
South street to Hoffecker's Cannery.
Mr.. Pattern got in communication at
once with Mr.. Amber and another
bricklayer was sent down yesterday
morning. He is laying block from
Hoffecker's Cannery toward Chestnut
street, the terminus. The section be
tween the Four Corners and South
street is being held up on account of
the non-arrival of bricks. Several
carloads have been shipped and are
expected here any day. The concrete
work has been completed and this
week the gang of men have been con-
tructing the "ulverts at the "Foul
Corners. " These are built of stone
and concrete and will be covered
with heavy sheet iron capable OF
bearing many tons weight. The blocks
will be laid over this. When the
bricks arrive it will be but a compare
lively short while before the Main
street work will be completed.
is understood that a part of tn,
Italian workmen will leave this weel
to be put on another job. Ten or q
dozen of them will remain to worl
on Mt. Vernon, South and Delawar,
streets which will be macadamized
the Amber, Davis Company having
been s.warded the contract. Thi
work will be pushed forward to d
early completion.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
SMYRNA BOY THE FRONT
William A. Ransom Elected President
of the Society of American Magi-
clans BY Unanimous Vote

A distinct honor has come to Will
liam A. Ransom, a former Smyrna
boy son of Mrs. Nathaniel B. Ransom
of this town, in being elected on
June the 5th, President of the Socie-
ty of American Magicians. He was
chosen unanimously. 'The Sphinx, -
the official organ of the Society of
American Magicians, published at
Kansas City, Mo-, speaks of the honor
the Society has in having for it's Pres
ident such an able executive and pre-
diets a successful year for the Society.
1t further says: Mr.. Ransom was
born on farm in Smyrna, Delaware,
fOrty-nine years ago. After finishing
his school days he engaged in rail-
road service as a telegraph operator.
Studying stenOgraphy and typewrit-
ing on the side he soon became pro-
ficient in that branch of work, and
was promoted accordingly to the gen.
eral offices of the road. The Pullman
Company, recognizing his ability, Sc
cured his services as secretary to
Gen. Horace Porter, vice president of
the company, then to the same posi-
tion with George M. Pullman, presi-
| dent, and was with him to the time
of Mr.. Pullman's death. Then for
three years he was superintendent of
the Pullman Company of New York,
from which position he was called to
become private secretary to Mr.. E.
H. Hartman, the great railroad mag
nate. This place he held for five
/ years, when Mr.. Hartman placed him
at the head of one of the most impor-
tant departments of his many rail-
roads. This position he still holds.
Mr.. Ransom at one time was also
secretary to Mrs. Hetty Green, who
is called the richest woman in Ameri-
ca. At another period he was secre-
tary to Stanford White, who was kill
ed by Harry Thaw. Mr.. Ransom be-
gan his interest in magic when as q
small boy, he saw Signor Blitz per-
form his wonderful tricks. That in
terest has grown with the years anC
has resulted in many inventions anC
improvements in magical apparatu:
and presentation of same In fac
many of Mr.. Ransom's ideas are now
being used by professionals and have
given him the name of 1.-THE man WHIT
improves tricks" He has never sough
money or fame from his invention
and has kept his name from being
used in connection with them because
as he says: 81 have but one life t.
live and l want to be of all the hell
l can to my fellow creatures. Mr.
Ransom lives in Railway N. j., ;
beautiful suburb of New York, wher,
he is quite prominent citizen, a
he is water commissioner of the city
president of the Railway Yacht CluI
vice president of the Building & LOAF
Association, secretary of the Boar
of Trustees of the Second Presbyterian
Church, and secretary of number o
fraternal societies.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
Mrs. Aaron Marvel, FormeIy of Dover.
GREW POTATOES NABARREL
Recent Experiment by RidgeIy Farmer
Showed A Surprising Yield.

A sensation in potato growing has
been created in the neighborhood of
Ridgely, Md, or Rickardstown, suburb
by the discovery that potatoes grown
in barrels yield enormously. The
experiment was put 10 local test
there this year, and during the past
week, the experimenter, Oscar Needs,
invited his friends and neighbors to
come in and see what the barrel con-
tained. Needs, early in the spring,
had planted the eyes of one whole
potato in barrel which had contained
;me, but in which he threw some
ertilized earth. AS. tn e vines grew
Needs added dirt, and occasionally
added water when the lack of natural
substance of the mother earth caused
the dirt to appear dry. Potato bugs
could not reach it. When his neigh
bors arrived to see what the old barrel
contained on "digging day" Needs
carefully removed the earth from the
dead vines and there sure enough,
and all connected to the vine by Dame
Nature and not by a trick, were 125
prime potatoes. or enough to fill a
peach basket and leave a half peck
of small unmarketable potatoes in
the barrel. Now it is claimed at
Ridgely that one man has given an
order for 5. 900 barrels to be made for
him next season.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
NEXT SUNDAY AT ASBURY

Rev. r. K. Stephenson Will Preach
In Absence of Rev. DR.. Robert Watt
In the absence of the pastor, who
is away on his vacation the pulpit of
Asbury will be occupied next Sab
bath morning by the Rev. R. K.
Stephenson, the District Superinten-
dent. Mr.. Stephenson is an interest
ing preacher. 1t is hoped he may
have a large attendance. The twilight
service will be in charge of Mr.. j..
Offley Winford. The Rev. George W.
Burke will have charge of the
prayer meeting tonight.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11

Defeated at an Adjourned Meeting.
When the question was called Mr..
Hudson arose and said he would like
to have a vote on the question post
poned until Friday evening, that he
might have further time to look into
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
cheswold Concrete School Building.

A Wilmington contracting firm,
Bennett, Brown & BENEFIT, got the
contact for the building of the new
Cheswold Public Schools building and
began work yesterday. 1t is to be
of concrete and will cost SO, 900.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
Next Sunday at St. Peters Church

Next Sunday at St. Peters Church
The services at st. Peters Church,
Rev. Charles H. Holmead rector,
will be as follows: Holy Commun-
ion, 7.3O a. m. Sunday School, 9.45
a. m. Morning Prayer, Litany and
Sermon, TO- 80 a. m.
Smyrna times., 1909-08-11
Petition Read Supporting Extension.

TO THE TOWN COMMISSIONERS OF
SMYRNA We, Citizens of Smyrna, believing
that II would be TO the best interest of the town.
% continue the Vitrfed Brick to Hamilton S
Lane" aud to use the earth thus removed in
eevaiing the grade of the road to the Lake. do
earnestly petition the honor able Town Board 10
extend the work 70 the said HImilton's Lane
and thus improve and Oeautify this main en-.
trance to our town from the South
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-09-30

hip was in. sad this being condescend-
ingly. and Peter was ushered, in a Ian
guid manner. into a morning room. He
had not waited. with a certain feeling OF
t~repidation, more than two minutes when
her ladyship rushed-literally rushed into
the room.
She was a short, stout. white haired
lay of some 60 years. with a benevolent
countcnance and q gushing manner. She
grasped our poet with both hands.
"Welcome!" she cried enthusiastically.
How very good Of you to come so soon:
But, oh. you do not look in the least like
q poet! I feel quite disappolnted!"
II am very sorry!' was all that Peter
could tamm out.
NO matter; it is not the man but the
mind hat we measure"
Poor Peter could not but feel this re-
mark was somewhat unflattering.
please be seated. and let me tell you
why I so wished to Sc you. You must
know that 1 am an intense admirer OF
the muse Of poetry. And your poems are
so truly beautiful, so high in aim, SO per-
feet in every respect, that l wanted to
meet you, to help you, to spur you on to
far greater things. TO nobler aspirations
to be your-your what is it?"
Patron" suggested Peter boldly.
"Tha is the ~word-your patron, and
when you are great and famous-a Byron,
a Tennyson. nay, a Shakespeare, perhaps,
who can say-the world Will speak your
name and say: Louisa Lady Anstruther
was his friend, his patron, his discover
er. To her we owe him."
Her ladyship paused, partly for effect
and partly for want of breath.
You are too good!" m Peter.
Not a word. Do not deprecate your
self. By SO doing you question my good
taste. Mr.. Lawrence"
She looked at him so closely and stead
lily that Peter began to feel a trine un-
comfortable.
You are good looking and young. You
nave the world before you. With my aid
and influence 1t will be at your feet in a
few years tine. Tell me about yourself"
Peter told her. She nodded. %interpolat-
ing Yes" Excellent Capital" here
and there.
You will leave the city, OF course" she
said when Peter had finished. II am glad
you have no relatives. l shall, OF course,
adopt you. I nave no children; you viii
be my son. I shall make you a handsome
to enable you to write in COM
fort. You will go into society-the best
with me. and you will commence at once.