The Penn's Grove record., 1913-06-13
Wilmington Merchants Visit
South Jersey

On Thursday at 10 O'Clock twenty
three automobiles containing a hundred
Wilmington merchants, members of the
Chambers of Commerce, arrived on the
steamer Long Beach to make a tour thru
Salem and Cumberland Counties. The
Borough Council on Tuesday evening
had ordered a hundred postals mailed to
prominent citizens, notifying them of the
visit, so their were several to greet them
Fifteen automobiles loaded with Salem
merchants also arrived with the oath
Regiment band which enlivered the &C.
casion.
The party spent an hour in the grove
during which time, Mayor James
Sweeten, Jr., extended a cordial well
come to the visitors. In reply City So
licitor Daniel O. Hastings read a letter
from Mayor Howell, who could not he
present, extending the courtesies of Will
mlngton to all residents of New Jersey.
He said all the members of the party
appreciated the hearty welcome. The
Chamber of Commerce was organized to
build up Wilmington but not to do
Salem county any harm. Wilmington is
consistent in preaching BUY at home''
and tells Salem countians to buy at home,
but when you buy away from home come
to Wilmington instead OF Philadelphia.
You will be treated equally as we'll.
New Jerseys contaloupes, sweet potato
es and tomatoes have been famous in
Wilmington for many years. More are
wanted. An exchange OF products in the
past has been mutually beneficial to both.
Why will not a greater exchange in the
future be more beneficial. Wilmington
merchants are awake to the greater facil-
tiles for m given by the new ferry
boat Long Beach. They wish to get bet
ter acquainted with New Jersey folks and
believed. each could do the other good.
Mr.. Hastings thanks all for the cordial
welcome and hoped to have the good will
of all.
Rev. Dan. E. Clair also gave cheerful
words of welcome and told of the beau
tiful location and largeness of Penns
Grove. He SO captivated the party with
his humorous ways of putting it that the
party kidnappeded him and took him
with them.
They left for Salem at II o'clock where
they took dinner. Then went to Bridge
ton and returned to Penns Grove to take
the 7.15 p. III. boat.
SOME HISTORY
This was not the first time that Will
mington citizens came after Jersey trade.
Nearly a hundred years ago Wilmington
merchants desired more produce from
New Jersey and wanted to sell more
goods. 1t was Wilmington capital which
built the first wharf in 1929, before Penns
Grove had a name and not two dozen in
habiGants. The place was called Pogue's
Fishery. A seine fishery then existed at
the foot of Pitman Street which extended
to the river. There was a store where
Leap q Sons store is now. The log
house on East Main Street then stood at
the corner of Pitman and Delaware
Avenue. Three or four other small houses
were all that made it a local habitation
without a name. The name Penns Grove
was first applied when the wharf was
built. The same party built the brick
hotel at the foot of Main Street..
South Penns Grove was then known as
Helms Cove, and was the leading bust
ness place with II store, a hotel, a
blacksmith shop and three or -four houses.
1t was Delaware capital which built
and run the steamer Major Reybold
which was the pride of the river for fifty
years and gave the principal conveyance
for passengers and produce for twenty
five years. 1t was Delaware capital
which started Penns Grove National
Bank and a Wilmingtonian became the
first cashier. Delaware enterprise has
furnished the best ferry service this year
that has ever been.
AS Delaware claims not only all the
Jersey shore, but also all the land with
in a twelve mile circle from New Castle,
the Delawarians should teel at home
whenever they they desire to make a Wis
it, which we hope will be often.