davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
Quick Work by Our Chief

TIE TRANSCRIPT repeats its former OBJ.
servation that Chief Stanley is ION his
ob-everastiBgly, with two Wide-awake
eyes, two quick arms and pair of ninble
legs-on to his job" 1t isn't necessary
for the comet to hit him, either, before
he tumbles to thing.
At the depot Wednesday he saw a six
foot "buck" hop off the 926 train and
run to "whet his whistle" at The
National, clapping his hand to bis hip as
he ran. The next thing Mr.. Buck knew
clap No. 2 struck hin in the shape Of
the Chiefs big hand with "come along
with me-" They do say the gun the
Chief unloaded from him was record
breaker. James Rochester, the owners
name, was forthwith hailed before Squire
Cox, and held to bail in 5000 for carrying
concealed deadly weapons. He finally
resumed his journey in companyo of officer
Dixon, bis new destination being the
workhouse, and after the grand and petit
juries get through with him, his last travel
point for awhile will no doubt be the
county Jail.
The cop and the squire did land
Office business on "Whistlin' Monday"
as the colored people call the Monday
following Whitsunday, which from time
immemorial has been holiday, too often
given over to bibulous indulgences, which
about as often land the too "happy"
celebrators in the town lookup, or lessen
their dram buying capabilities in the way
OF fines. Some $50 we're thus turned into
the town exchecquer in one day thanks
to the Chiefs eternal vigilance. If the
moor fellows n1ust throw awav their hard
got coin, it is only fair that the town
should get a share as well as the places
they lose 6heir heads and their purses at.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
Soaring Folks Everywhere

And let me tell you, friends, the blamed
thing has ''got on to the nerves" of some
people not quite so far off as Georgia, or
the Philippines where 1000's are scared
to a standstill-they do say some of our
own citizens are swearing of-some few
rubbing uptheir "noW / lay mes, "prom.
ising to 60 to church, quit cussin', etc.
if the comet won't strike 'eml
We're getting nervous too, and that's a
fact-in another way-tiFed to death of
hearing tue everlasting question 16 times
a day these three weeks past 30, have
you seen the comet yeI?" ''Do you think
it will hit us?" etc. And then the tons
of stuff these scientific sharps have been
feeding us! Astronomers real and bogus
for weeks telling US all they know about
stars, sun and comets and great deal
more than they know, some of them.
And the internal discussions about terres-
trial and celestial cosmogonies, about
nebular hypothess, corpuscular theories,
etc., one hears and the questions the
school kids fire at one! Enough to get
onto ones nerves without any Halley's
comet, amt itP It would be q relief to
be hit by something about now, anyhow.
Can't stand it much longer. Why even
the moon had to go and get full
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
HoIdina Her Hands

THE TRANSCRIPT man overheard q ner.
vous young lady ask gentleman would
he bold her hand at the fateful moment
when the comet struck We can't re-.
port his answer, but we can guess it.
Now, inasmuUh as there will no doubt
be quite number of good. looking young
ladies' more or less upset about this comet
business, of course they will all need
some obliging young fellow to reassure
them in this manner, and if the young
men of our burg are ''up to snuff" they
will at once proceed to work this comet.
hand. holding racket for some months to
come. May be more comets, you know
danger not all over yet, etc.
Now, boys, hearken unto me! The
TRANsCRIPT editor used to play the same
nice game, even without any comet, be-
fore be got married, and gladly gives you
kids a pointer. Science says there are
millions of oomets-big and little-scores
OF 'em hitting the earth's atmosphere
every day somewhere. Every day, think
of It'll There's your cue my dear boys-a
reason for supporting the fair Arabelia's
little soft paw, or both of them for that
matter-every day in the year and at least
twice on Surdaysl
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

A s'freedom party" on his twenty first
birthday was given Reece L. Darlington,
by his mother, Mrs. Margaret ]. Darling.
ton last Friday evening. The affair was
a surprise to Reece, as were also the hand
some desk and chair given him by q
number of bis young friends, Music and
games filed in the time pleasantly until
the young folks were invited to the
dining-room to partake of the many
good things provided by the hostess.
Those present were: Rev. and Mrs.
Vaughan s. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Rich
ard Fennimore, Mr.. and Mrs. William
Green, Mr.. and Mrs. Edward s. Jones,
Mrs. Joseph L. Parsons, Mrs. Albert
Hopkins, Miss Kate Darlington, Miss
Louise EchenhofeF, Miss Virginia Jones,
Miss Elsie Jones, Miss Mildred Spurgeon,
Miss Prudence Lewis, Miss Elsie Boulden,
Miss Nan SpurgeoD, Miss Lulu Vinyard,
Miss Anna Denny, Miss Bessie Foraker,
Mics Elizabeth Richards, Miss Mary Neff,
Miss Edna Banning, Miss Lottie Jolls,
Miss MaybeI Ford, Miss Helena Dutton,
Miss Ada Scott, Miss Bertha Jones,
Daniel w. Stevens, Woodall Cochran,
Norman Knmpel, George CHM, Elwood
Banning, Robert Ratledge, Harry Jones,
Louis Dreka and Ringgold Richards.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
Queer Effects on Various People

We are not sorry to see the end Of this
comet business. It has killed a few,
driven some crazy. and scared lot of
Georgia darkies almost white. One poor
girl in New York City who stayed up to see
the comet, lost her memory and wan
dered off miles till q wise doctor who
knew a thing or two besides pills, con-
trived to pull her dislocated wits into
their socket again. Voodoo doctors in
the big cities are doing lively trade in
selling charm potions warranted to head
off all evil effects when Mr.. Halley's
traveller lights Hundreds are bessech.
ing the police stations for help; scores are
refuging in their cellars with grub enough
to stand siege; many are falling to their
devotions limbering up their rusty prayer
hinges. Some are drinking more wbiskey,
some are drinking less, etc. So there you
the deuce to pay generally; but the
chaps that are fond of going on nocturnal
battsrs and going home so full they can't
find the keyhole anywhere in the front
door-these booZers are getting great re-
turns from the comet gazing yarns they
tell their trusting better halves.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21

ILLEGAL ARRESTS
BY Our SeIf-AppoinIed Con-
SfahuIarY

On Thursday evening two lads, II years
of age, were taken off the northbound
freight by couple of self-appointed con:
stables. Riggs and Cochran; and Chief
Stanley being told by them that the rail-
road special officer Armstrong had order.
ed their arrest, put them in the lookup.
Later finding that he had been deceived
the Chief, after examining the boys, who
had their overals with them, and finding
proofs that they were as they claimed re-
turning from strawberry picking atBridge.
willie, to turned them loose advising them to
keep to the highways.
It is the opinion of our citizens gener.
ally that the amateur detective business is
being much over done here.
The TRANSCRIPT as we'll as the whole
community are in hearty sympathy with
the efforts Of the railroad through their
duly appointed officers to stamp 1t the
hobo nuisance, which is in truth great
evil; but our people have a right to ask
that the proper officers like Mr.. Arm
strong, who deserves great credit for his
effective work at this station, and others
shall make these arrests, and not irrespon
sible volunteers themselves liable to be
arrested for their pains.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
Bethesda Church Noles

Next Wednesday, May 25th, after the
prayer-meeting, the first regular meeting
of the Pastors Aid Society" will be
held.
Rehearsals for the Children's Day SER
vices which will be held Sunday, June 9th,
are being held dailyat P. M. The Prim.
ary School is working hard and promise to
give very pleasing program.
The new copper wire screens on all the
windows of the church, will doubtless add
much to the comfort of the church goers
during the warm weather. The annoy
ance caused by the bugs, flies and other
pestiferous insects will now be thing Of
the past.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society, Mrs. A. 6. Cox, President, will
bold their annual Thankoffering service
next Sunday at 1890 A. NJ. Addresses
by Regs. w. H. Hutchin, ]. A. Arters
and the Pastor. Rev. Vaughan 8. Collins.
At 7.3O P. NJ, the pastor will preach the
thir sermon of the series on ''Samson."
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
WHOLESALE ARRESTS
R. r. Police Piling up Useless
County Expenses


Last Thursday evening the railroad Of
ticers arrested 10 men found in a box car,
where they had taken refuge to escape
the rain, and took them before Squire
Cox, who Friday morning sent them to
the woFkhoHse for 20 days. TheFeupon
they were marched through the streets
shackled together in pairs as though they
we're desperate criminals charged with
some strocious crime, who might make a
dash for liberty or perhaps murder their
armed guards. They we're not tramps
but poor men from the city out OF work
and hunting chance to earn dollar or
two in the strawberry fields south. Some
of them were young lads of 16 or IL years
and others said they had families In
Philadelphia.
Your professional tin.can "hobo" not
only has the undesirable brand written
large all over him, from crest to toe, at
tested, too, universally by a rum bottle
commissariat with breath to match but
be nearly always carries a little "kit"
of some sort, consisting of pocket comb
and brush, matches, soap and few cook
ing traps. None of these things were
found upon these 10 men but on the con-
trary that they were what they claimed,
was made probable from the fact that they
had their workingmen's overalls with
them, just what honest laboring men
looking for work would have.
Now The TRANSCRIPT certainly holds
no brief for the worthless tramp, but it
always holds one for the town and county
to help keep tab on where the tax-pay-
er's money goes; and it would be sorry
enough to think it did not also stand
ready to demand fair play for any man
against whom the fates had gone who
was honestly "hunting a Job" as these 10
mtn declared they %eEe. Sc He cay that
under all the circumstances of the case,
it was a mistake to send these men and
boys to the workhouse, not only to their
own unmerited disgrace but to the
county's needless expense of $1,000 or
more.
But this is not all. One of the green
"specials" who has aspirations as a young
detective" wantonly fred a number OF
shots.from bis revolver into the car remark
ing with an oath that woke'emlproper,
be guessed. OF course it would be very
brave to drive piece of lead into de.
fenceless stranger whose only crime was
that be was poor and out of work. For
this senseless piece of folly Chief Stanley
hearing of the act called the youthful
vidocq to an account and upon his admit
ting the truth of the charge, promptly
discharged him, for which action he de-
serves the thanks of all citizens.
THE TRANSCRIPT is informed that the
800 cells in the Workhouse are full and
that already they have begun doubling
up," which is not proper since the cells
were built to hold but one occupant.
Perhaps it would be wise for this reckless
wholesale shipping Of men to the work.
house to 60 just trifle slower.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
JoIted the Star Gazers

Star gazing was at a premium Wednes.
day night, when scores of folks, ladies and
gentlemen, got out of town far enough to
get a good view of the much discussed
comet chow and the spectacle of the
Aurora BoreaIis, Leonids, shooting stars,
etc., scheduled by some of the knowing
astronomical guys TO come off somewhere
between 10 80 P. NJ, Wednesday, the
18th, and the middle OF next week
maj be.
Well, it "went of, F." it didI Not the
comet but q ky-rocket some Wag managed
to explode over the heads of the lady
comet-lookers just when. the expectation
of seeing Mr.. Halley's big shuW had
reached the highest point. Then the
ladies shrieked and tumbIed over each
other, and the chivalrous men took to
their beels-eVerybody cock sure the
comet had strnck-or something.
After finding the comet shower was
limited to one poor squib, the startled
star gazers got their nerves back and
finally went home singing a catch of the
old song
"I'm dreaming now of HALEY
Sweet HALEY, and the comet-bird
Is singing on its bough."
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
CANDIDATES INITIATED

Great Junior Sycamore James I. SemerA
! teen, acting as great sachem, Acting
Great Senior Sycamore DR.. ]. 5. Cono,
Acting Great Junior Sycamore William
@. Josting, Great Chief of Records Edward
McIntire, Great Sannap John +. Lynn,
Great Prophet William II. Ferguson,
Great MishineWa Alexander 9. Rogers
and Great Guard OF the Wigwam Stephen
]. Barcus, together with the warriors aud
chiefs degree team of Keokuk Tribe, No 3,
of Wilmington; trailed to the hunting
grounds Of Seneca Tribe, No. A, OF this
town on Tuesday evening. reatSachem
Harry B. Sinclair was unable to accom-
pany the party on account OF the Illness
Of his wife. About so members otSeneca
Tribe were present and welcomed the
visitors. Several members from Shawnee
Tribe, No. 27, of Clayton, were present,
as wellas Rev. Vaughan S. Collins, VINO
is a member of Minqua Tribe, No. 3. OF
Wilmington. The degree team OF the
Keokuks took charge, after the regular
work had been performed by the Senecas,
and conferred the warriors and chiefs
degrees on ii candidates. The rendition
of the degree work was beautiful ana
worthy of the fine team that conferred II.
They were deseryedly complimented for
their impressive and elegant work. Long
talks were made by Great Junior Saga
more Semerteen, Great Sannap John +.
Lynn, P. G. s. William Fl. Ferguson and
others, compIimenting the degree team
and also Seneca Tribe for the advance:
ment they had made in the interest OF
Redmanship. After the council fire was
quenched corn and venison were served
in the usual style of the Senecas, plentl-
ful and of the best. The great chiefs
were pleased with the reception and the
Keokuk boys were delighted with the
brotherly attention and friendship dis
PLAYED.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
ODESSA

Mrs. Harry Lightcap was Philadelphia
visitor last week.
Mrs. o. P. Stevens is spending this
week with friends in Rising Sun, Md.
Capt. William Rhein, of Delaware City,
spent Sunday with his parents here.
Mrs. Edward Shetzler spent few days
this week with relatives in Chester, Pa.
Mr.. Pierce Boyer, of Delaware City,
spent Friday with his aunt, Mrs. George
Boyer.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Boyer visited
relatives in Smyrna, several days this
week.
Miss Leethal Musgrove, of Middletown,
was the guest of Mrs. A. L. Orrell this
week.
Miss Anna Sewer, of Wilmington, was
the guest OF Miss Alice Mccoy, several
days last week.
Miss Mary otaats, of Church Hill, Md,
was visitor at the home of Mrs. G. E.
Coppage last week.
Miss Madeline Pennington who has
been spending sometime in Philadelphia,
has returned home.
Miss Anna Shelter and sister Matte
have returned home, after pleasant visit
with Chester relatives.
Mrs. Blanche Hawkins, of Ceilings
wood, Pa, was the guest of Mrs. John
Heldemyer several days last week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Austin, of near
Townsend. were visitors at the home OF
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John Isaacs,
Sunday.
Miss Edna EwelI left Saturday for
Washington, D. c., where che, will attend
the Worlds Sunday School Convention,
May 10Th and 24th.
The P. o. s. of A. of this town attended
services in a body at st. Pauls N. E.
Church on Sunday. The pastor, Rev.
]. H. Gray, preached a special sermon
from l Col. 1913. "The greatest of
these is Charity" 1t was delivered in a
most impressive manner.
The Matthews Corner School gave
their annual picnic Saturday afternoon
last, school having closed for this term
the day before. The weather being fine
and everyone having a cordial invita-
tion, she picnic was quite success, and
all who had the pleasure of attending
enjoyed good time.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
TOWNSEND

Miss Laurla Heavelow, of near town,
returned home on Monday, after few
days visit with relatives in Wilmington.
Mr.. Thomas Wells was Wilmington
visitor on Sunday.
Mrs. John Townsend, Jr., of Philadel-
phia, is visiting her mother here.
Mr.. Harvey Daniels, of Wilmington,
was in town a few daye this week.
Mrs. Mollie Naylor and friend, OF Viii.
mington, spent Monday aud Tuesday
with Mrs. Mary Money.
Mr.. Howard Cane, of Philadelphia,
spent Sunday with friends here.
Misses May and Mildred Wells spent
Sunday with their cousin, Mr.. and Mrs.
Edward Lafferty, in Clayton.
Rev. and Mrs. F. G. MacSorIey had as
their guest on Sunday, Mr.. Wright, son
and daughter, and Mr.. and Mrs. Short, of
Newark.
Mr.. and Mrs John Morris and children,
of Smyrna, visited her mother, Mrs.
Maggie Lee, on Sunday.
Miss Ethelwyn Maloney, and Mrs. N.
P. Money attended the w. @. T. U. con-
veution held at Delaware City on Tues
day. A delightful time was had sby all.
The trip was made by auto.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ralph vanDyke and
daughter, of Middletown, visited his par
ents here on Sunday.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
COMET COMrCALITTES
As Gathered BY Our Local
Observer
Chief His Manu "nhainufiiISn


Well, we're glad to announce that the
comet didn't hit US q little bit. One OF
our friends started TO write q Latin obit-
uary for the whole town, but happened
to think there'd be nobody left to get
The TRANSCRIPT ont and so he didn't
finish it. That obituary for dead folks to
read would be something like Pats alarm
clock that he bad to wake up to pull.
But Chief Stanley is furnishing enough
diversion to tide us over this comet crisis
-thank Heaven. Here are two more Of
his exploits. The writer was talking to
him MONDAY evening when on q sudden
he turned round and grabbed a CLASSY.
eyed ''culled gemman" trying to hold up
a telegraph pole and had him in the bug
house in a jiffy-whisked him off so
fast the fellow owned up to theft he
had not been charged with. But the
funniest is No. 2. Two sable-hued
belated "Whislin' Mondayites" from
Smyrna, homeward bound somewhere
out on the Manor, driving q vehicle that
originally had four wheels, met with some
sort of an accident in their ''unco fu"
condition that left them only two wheels,
one axle and the horse. The Chief first
saw them as they neared the National
Hotel, both riding the axle, holding each
other on some how and driving with one
hand, both very drunk. From some
cause their luck left them there for they
both landed between the Wholesome OF
them under the wheels. The Chief took
pity on their perilous gym nastics, and
put them in the town jug to sober up.
Some good Samaritan finally went their
bail keeping the horse for security. The
next day they came back and redeemed
their nag. Whether they got the other
II nd kta oE
we can't say. but the marvel that puzzles
everybody is, how they ever got to town
and how many times they tumbled off
their slender perch.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
w. c. T. o. CONVENTION
Interesting Session Held in
Delaware Civ

The County Convention ofthe Woman'l
Christian Temperance Union was held al
Delaware City on last Tuesday. The
meeting was very enthusiastic and dele
gates we're present from each union in the
county. The chief subject for discussion
was Che coming local option campaign
and the methods to be used in helping
with che work. Mrs. John A. Cranston,
of Newport, suggested addresses in the
schools, and Miss katherine Croes, Secre-
tary of the County Y's proposed special
campaign organization of the Y's. Mrs.
Ella g. Henderson, State Superintendent
of Loyal Temperance Legion Work, will
organize the children.
Plans were made for Temperance Day
at Braudywine Summit Camp Meeting,
which will be on the first Sunday of the
Camp.
Temperance addresses were made by
Rev. John NJ. Arters in the morning and
by Madame Layyah Barakat at the eVning
service.
Several slate officers took part in the
convention, including the State President,
Mrs. Kate Smithers, of Smyrna; State
Corresponding Secretary. Mrs. Mary
Chandler, of Smyrna; Mrs. CranstoD, of
Newport and Mrs. ]. R. Milligan, OF st.
Georges.
Mrs. Mary B. Donnell, of Newark, the
County President; Miss Lily Williams, of
Marshallton, the County Secretary, and
Mrs. Jessie G. Mearns, of Wilmington,
County Treasurer were each presented
with bouquet, after reading their re-
ports and Mrs. Mearns was given a purse
of $500 in especial appreciation of her
work. All the county officers were re.
elected unanimously.
Reports of the officers show a very sue.
cessful year, and,there are 1895 paid mem.
keEss ef HlheHe 4lo are We Tetal receipts |
amounting to 81 ,661 96 we're reported by
Treasurer; disbursements were 81, ,328.35,
leaving balance of $433.6I. More than
5000 was paid out for speakers and $500 |
was paid into the Soldiers Reading Room
repair fund.
Wilmington Y is the banner Y, hav-
ing gained go members in recent men,
bership contest, bringing their number
up to 85.
Nearly all the delegates took advantage
of the opportunity to visit the Delaware
City Reading Room for Soldiers. A graph
ophone and 40 new books were recent
gifts to the room.
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
THoRoUGHFARE NECK

Mrs. ]. Harry David spent Wednesday
and Thursday in Wilmington.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Money, of Phila-
delphia, have returned home, after two
weeks visit to her sister, Mrs. Fannie
McClain.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilmer Stats visited Mr..
1. q. Webb and family in Odessa, on
Saturday. Miss Ethelda came home with
them to spend Sunday.
Mr.. Gilmore Johnson who is very sick
has the sympathy of his many friends,
and all hope to see him out soon.
Miss Florence David spent few days
with Mr.. and Mrs. Horace David last
week.
The young people are now practising
for the Children's Day services at Friend.
ship NJ. E. Church.
Delightful Birthday Surprise
Mrs. Wilmer G. Stats was given a de.
lightful surprise on Saturday evening by
her husband, it being her birthday. Mr..
Stats planned it SO she would not be
home, and the guests were almost all pres.
ent when they returned early in the
evening.
The young people INDUCED in the usual
games and refreshments were served at
late hour, ct which time Mr.. J. Edward
Latta presented Mrs. Stats with a beau.
tiful gold watch, a present from Mr..
Stats, with an appropriate speech Miss
Ethel E. Derrickson then gave a short
speech in Mrs. Stats behalf. Everyone
expressed themselves as having enjoyed
| the evening so much, as a company always
does when at Mr.. Stats, and Mrs. Stats
seemed almost as much delighted as she
was surprised which was completely.
Among those present were:. Mr.. and
Mrs Wilmer @. Stats, Mr.. and Mrs. Ben
| Janlin F. David, Mr.. and Mrs. William Col.
ins, Mr.. and Mrs. ]. F. David, Mr., and
Mrs. Frank Wheeler, Mr.. and Mrs. H. s.
Woodkeeper, Mr.. and Mrs. Horace David,
Mr.. and Mrs. @. Fl. Dukes, Mr., and Mrs.
J. A, David, Mr.. and Mrs. Alex. Deakyne,
Mr.. and Mrs j. E. Latta, Mr.. and Mrs.
J. V. Price, Mr.. and Mrs. Elw0od David,
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Boyer, Mr.. and Mrs.
William Birchard, Mr., and Mrs. James
Lockerman, Mr.. and Mrs. John Holland,
Mrs Elizabeth Woodkeeper, Mrs. s. A.
David, Mrs. Samuel McClain, Mrs. Elmer
David, Mrs. William Warner, Mrs. Blanche
David, Misses Mary A.. Staats, Jessie r.
Stats, Hilda and Nora David, Avis Shock
ley, Florence David. Ethel E Derrickson,
Elizabeth Collins, Mamie McClain, Minnie
spitznsgel, Ella Remeley, Florence Col.
Inns, Reba Latta. Edna Woodkeeper, Mary
Burris, Ethelda Webb, Ruth Evans and
Messrs. W.. II. Staats, Charles Stellar,
Samuel McClain, Jr., Pierce Berry, Geo.
Bennett, Coryl' Wrench, 0rveal Nunam,
Lee David, George Boyer, Walter and
Oscar David, Linsey Collins, Milton Latte,
Clarence Pleasanton, Harry Keiser aud
| Benjamin Burris
Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
MiddIalown Bow Honored

I aac Gibbs, Jr., an engineer graduate
OF Delaware College, and resident Of
Middletown, who has been assisting in
road work in this State for some time,
has gone to Chestertown to be sworn in
as engineer for Kent County, Nd, under
appointment of Governor Crothers of
Maryland There was some objection to
the new appointee last week, because he
Is only % years old, and therefore the
youngest man holding Office under the
governor OF Maryland.