Smyrna times., 1911-03-01
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK

William S. DiehI, Smyrna's WeIl-known
Merchant Found Dead In Bed in
the Hanover Hotel, Philadelphia
William S. Diehl, Smyrna's we'll
known and popular merchant, was
found dead in bed at the Hotel Han
over, Philadelphia, Saturday. He
was 35 years of age. The announce
ment of his sudden and unexpected
death was a shock to his manv
friends in Smyrna. Mr.. Diehl left
Smyrna Thursday for the city and
expected to be back to his store Sat-
urday. He registered at the Han
over Friday night and left orders to
be called the next morning at eight
O'Clock. At the hotel. the state.
ment was made that these orders
were carried out and he responded
to the call. Nothing was thought
of it until Saturday night when an
investigation was made and he was
found dead in his bed. The sad in
telligence was sent to his mother
Mrs. M. E. Diehl of this town, and
Sunday Undertaken w. A. FAIRIES
went after the body and brought it
down Monday evening. Deceased was
one OF the most obliging and popu-
lar young men of Smyrna and his
urtimely death is regretted by all
who knew him. Learning the mer-
camille business with the firm of
Megear & Son and later with Hall &
Megear, Mr.. Diehl showed aptitude
and qualification that soon placed
him in the front rank as a salesman.
He soon left Smyrna and held a num-
Der of positions. the most important
being with Finley Acker & Company
Philadelphia. In the fall of 1909,
he purchased the business of C. A.
Wilson at the old "Hall Stand'' and
to all appearances was doing a sue
cessful business, was up-to-date in
his methods and was what was
termed "hustler. Funeral SER
vices were held from the home of his
mother on South street this morning
at $50 O'Clock and interment was in
the family lot at Old Drawers
Cemetery, near Odessa. Six of his
young friends acted as pallbearers.
They were Howard r. Jones Robert
Fl. Denney, Maynard Griffith, ].
Frank Webb, Homer D. Hudson and
Roland Moore
j. Clyde Davis, Former Smyrna Boy
j. Clyde Davis, who will be re-
membered in Smyrna as an appren-
tice in the printing office of the
Smyrna Times, founder and man
ager of the Kensington Local, >"
Philadelphia, Pa, died at the Stet-
son Hospital Wednesday, February
22nd, after a short illness. Mr..
Davis was born in Lebanon, Del,
March, 1868. When he left the pub
lie schools there at the age of
twelve years, he secured a position
as office boy in the Smyrna "Times''
composing room, where his ability
was early recognized and he soon
earned for himself an advancement.
After two years apprenticeship in
the Times composing room, he as
sociated himself with the "Delawar-
can" where he remained until he
reached the age of 21 years. In 1890
he founded and issued the first copy
of the Kensington Local which
proved a successful venture. De-
ceased is survived by his widow, who
was Miss Laura Kemble. Funeral
service took place Saturday.
William vanDyke Formerly of Odessa
Mr.. William VanDyke, who for
many years was a prominent busi-
ness man in Odessa and latter con-
nected with the Burgess Shirt Fac
tory at Middletown, died on Monday,
February 20, in Baltimore and was
buried in Drawers Cemetery. Mr..
VanDyke for long time kept a gen.
eral store in Odessa. and was widely
known all over the Hundred. His
family was of Dutch origin, and he
had a number of brothers. Mr.. Van
Dyke was we'll advanced in his
eighties at the time of his death.