davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
CHRISTMAS PASSED OFF
VERY QUIETLY IN SMYRNA
1T RAlNEO MOST ALL DAY HIM
DERING OUTSIDE DIVERSIONS
Day Was Celebrated in the Gathering
Together of Family Circles, Many
Being Around Their Xmas Trees

Christmas as usual was a quiet day
in Smyrna, and probably was more
noticeably quiet because it rained
nearly all day and made most every
one stay within doors. Following a
day christmas Eve) when record
breaking crowds visited town in which
our Smyrna merchants report bigger
and better trade than ever, Xmas
day was ushered in quietly. There
was an impressive midnight service at
St. Peters Church that called out a
goodly number and at day there
was the setting off Of few explosives
to announce the ebay of All Days"
had arrived. AS was expected, the
small boy was up early. Distinctively
it was a day of home gatherings, the
uniting of family circles around the
hearth or as the case might have been
the bright and cheerful glow of the
Christmas tree. There were a number
of beautiful and elaborate Christmas
trees thru town, some of which were
lighted with electricity. Sports, such
as cunning or motoring, which usually
figure on such holidays had to be
abandoned on account of the rain.
Toward night however, the rain ceased
and gave many an opportunity to at
tend the Smyrna Opera House to see
the Goldwyn picture production OF
Baby Mine" by Madge Kennedy.
The young folks of town and a number
of visitor held a delightful dance al
the Club House, an account of which
is given in full in another column.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
DONATIONS TO AsBURY CHURCH
Large American Flag and Large Ser
vice Flag at Each Side of Pulpit

Large American Flag and Large Ser
vice Flag at Each Side of Pulpit
Last Sunday morning there was a
pleasant surprise for the congregation
of Asbury M. E. Church in the gift Of
a big American Flag, 5x4 feet and a
staff and another flag, a big Service
Flag about the same size which are to
become a permanent adornment to
each side of the pulpit. The Ameri-
can Flag, handsome silk flag is pre-
sented by Hon. Clarence G. Smithers
and his sister, Mrs. G. E. Grimm, of
Collingswood, N. j., as a memorial
to their mother, Mrs. NJ E. Smithers,
for 45 years a member of Asbury M.
E. Church. The service flag is gift
from a donor whose name is not made
public. The service flag contains 13
stars Defenders of Our Nation, 4"
who have gone out from homes either
represented as members or affiliated
with Asbury M. E. Church. The
names are also on the "Roll of
Honor" a suitably inscribed chart
which is framed and hung up con-
spicuously. A number had a part in
the donation of Service Flag and Roll
of Honor all of which was deeply ap-
preciated by the congregation and re-
ceived by their pastor in fitting re-
marks. The gifts above mentioned
gave something of the patriotic flavor
to the Christmas service which was
held Sunday morning. Besides a
special sermon delivered by the Rev.
George c. Williams, the pastor, there
were special anthems by an augmented
choir under the direction of Choristel
Walter o. Hoffecker. The anthems
which went off with Smyrna's usual
contribution of fine talent had a mum
ber of solo, duett and quartette parts
that were quite effective. The church
was pretty with its Christmas decor.
ations and altogether a fine service
was had. The Sunday School had its
Christmas celebration in the after.
noon when an attractive program
was given.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
PRETTYMANs UNDER SUSPICION
Clarence and Edwin Prettynan Charg-
ed With Arson in Wilmington

Clarence and Edwin Prettynan Charg-
ed With Arson in Wilmington
Clarence Prettyman and Edwin
Prettyman, formerly of Smyrna.
officials of the Glen Hosiery Company
of Wilmington, are under arrest,
charged with arson, as a result of a
fire which destroyed the company's
plant at 401 and 403 East Thirteenth
street early Suday morning, causing
loss on stock and machinery esti-
mated to be $50, 600 most if not
nearly all of which, it is believed
covered by insurance. The Messre.
Prettyman were released on furnishing
bail. The arrests were made as a
result of discoveries by the firemen
and police. In four different parts of
the building lighted candles were
found fastened to block of wood which
stood in the middle of piles of waste
paper, oiled rage and kindling wood,
and the police are satisfied that the
work was of incendiary origin. The
| fire was discovered about d O'Clock by
John Davis, of I'LL Poplar street,
and he summoned the firemen. A
second alarm was turned in with the
arrival of Fire Chief Golden. The
flames appeared to originate near the
boiler room and spread with such
rapidity that the firemen could dc
little except try to confine it to the
building. The firemen were unable
to determine whether the fire started
from one of the Lighted candles, as
the end of the building in which it
originated was enveloped in flames by
the time the fremen had arrived.
The Messrs. Prettyman gave bail to
appear at hearing to be held next
Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
ROYAL ARCH MASON JUBILEE

Will Celebrate on January I6 Next Gen.
tenniaI of Organization in Delaware
Royal Arch Masons of Delaware on
January is will celebrate the centen-
nial jubilee of the introduction of
Royal Arch Masonry into this State.
The celebration will be held in the
Playhouse, Wilmington, and one of the
guests will be Thomas R. Marshall,
Vice President of the United States.
Mrs. Marshall will accompany her
husband, and while in Wilmington
they will be entertained by Senator
Willard Salisbury. Another distin-
guished guest will be George E. Cor
son, of Washington, who is general
grand high priest and the official head
of Royal Arch Masonry in the United
States. A special committee of nine
appointed by order of the Grand
Chapter of Delaware will have charge
of the celebration. Delegations are
expected from several cities.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
CHRISTMAS DANCE FINE EVENT
Young Men of Smyrna Give Delight
ful Affair at Club House Last Night

Young Men of Smyrna Give a Delight
ful Affair at Club House Last Night
The annual Christmas dance of the
young people of Smyrna proved an
other huge success. The efforts of
the executive committee were we'll
rewarded by the number present, and
most pleasant evening was enjoyed
by all. The decorations were of holly
most artistically placed thruout the
Club House. The music was furn-
ished by the Delaware College orches-
ira and was undoubtedly the finest
that was ever played for a Smyrna
dance and it deserves the highest
praise of everyone present. Among
those present were: Miss Maribell
Devaney, Miss L. Shords, Miss Mary
Walker, and Miss l.. Wright, of Phil
adelphia; Miss Mabel Stephenson. of
Stamford. Conn. Mrs. Dan Jones,
of Wilmington; Miss Stats, of Town
send; Miss Katherine Price, of
Goucher College. Baltimore; Mrs.
Warner Price, Miss Esther Read,
Miss Ruth Wallen, Mrs. Leland
Harmonson, Miss Anna Wilson, Miss
Edna Pratt, Miss June Massey, Miss
Katherine Cosden, Miss Christine
Kirby; Messrs. Warner w. Price, C.
Leland Harmonson, John H. Hall,
Victor Boyer, Eugene Goldsborough,
R. Y. Wallen. Jr., William Jacobs,
Ayres j. Stockly, Mr.. Scotton. MIR.
Birch, Davis Il. Bell, Gardner Beck
ett, and Messrs. Payne, Hearn and
Hardesty. x
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
ANXIOUS THAT DELAWARE
Be FIRST STATE TO RATIFY
AMENDMENT FOR NATIONAL
CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITION
Temperance Forces of Legislature as
Well as State May Appeal to Gov
ernor to Call an Extra Session

Dry members of the Legislature
are preparing petition for presenta-
tion to Governor Townsend, requesting
him to call special session of the
General Assembly shortly after the
Christmas holidays, to ratify or reject
the proposed National Prohibition
amendment to the Federal Constitu-
tion. Some of the dry" Legislators,
it is said, want to put Delaware on
record as the first State to ratify the
prohibition amendment. The Legis-
iature, as at present constituted, and
which continues until January 1, 1919,
is controlled by the "drys,' and the
temporary advocates feel that if the
General Assembly, were assembled now
the necessary vote would easily be
secured in ratification of the National
Prohibition amendment. A majority
vote in each branch of the Legislature
would be required to ratify or reject
the amendment, lawyers stated to day.
The first show of strength on the
liquor issue in the last Legislature
was the vote the Loose anti-shipping
bill, which prohibited the shipment
or sale of intoxicants in the two lower
counties, which were already "dry. -
This vote stood 27 yeas and 5 nays in
the House and 13 yeas and nays in
the Senate. The second test of
strength on liquor Legislation came in
the closing hours of the Legislature
when the vote on the resubmission
question for rural New Castle county
and the city of Wilmington, which
passed both branches as follows: House
Yeas, 21; nays, 8. Senate
Yeas, 10; nays. z. Governor Town
send is dry" this being evidenced
by his approval of the temperance
Legislation passed last winter. 1t i!
known that the Governor was seriously
considering the calling of a specia
session of the Legislature last summe
to deed certain lands to the Govern
ment, but at the same time, had ther,
been a session, the question of making
Delaware "bone dry" would hav
been considered.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
CHANGERS TO MEETAT CAMDEN

Number From Smyrna Contemplate
Attending Session of Pomona Jan. 3
A number from Smyrna contemplate
attending the Kent County Pomona
Grange, Patrons of HusbAndry, which
will meet with Fruitland Grange,
Camden, Thursday, January 3rd. The
program includes an address by Hon.
Josiah Marvel, cover the Top in Ag-
riculture. - Miss Ethel Dole will
speak on Making Little Go Far, |"
and County Agent Zimmerley will
talk on Meeting Farm Conditions the
Coming Year I" Frank Richardson
will deliver the address of welcome
and Representative Peet will respond.
The musical program will be in charge
of Trophy and Rural Oranges.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
MEETING OF SMYRNA GRANGE

Plenty of Heat Now and More Activity
is Manifested-LiterarY Program
Owing to inability to properly heat
by gas, our assembly room, Smyrna
Grange has not been as active as
desired. Now we have better heat
ing facilities (better gas). Next
Saturday, 29th inst, our grange will
have its regular literary program at
p. m. On the first Saturday in
January, 1913, 18th inst), the regu-
lar annual election of officers for 1915
will occur. All grangers are requested
to attend. By order of Master. =
Sec. Pro Tenn.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
FIRE ON THOMAS KIRBY FARM

Defective Chimney Flue Caused Blaze
Which Was Put out by Chemical Engine
Fire broke out at the farm of
Thomas Kirby near Smyrna Sunday
and but for the timely arrival of Smyr-
mas chemical fire engine the dwelling
might have been in ashes The fire
was caused by a defective chimney
fiue which was put out by the chemi-
cal and luckily so for there was no
water supply at hand. Quite a num-
ber visited the farm having been
called by the ringing of Smyrna's fire
bell. The fire engine, as usual, made
quick response and saved conflsgra-
tion.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
New Castle Men on Medical Board

DR.. John Ball, Elsmere; DR.. D.
W. Lewis, Middletown; DR.. E. M.
Vaughan, Middletown, have been ap-
pointed by the President through the
recommendation of Gov. Townsend, as
members of the Medical Advisory
Board for rural New Castle County,
Del. The Advisory Board will have
their medical advisory headquarters
in Newark.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
sMYRNAcoMMuNITY XMAS TREE
Party Will Take Place Tomorrow and
Friday EVening-Children Marching
to be Led by Boy Scouts

to be Led by Boy Scouts
Everything is in ship. shape for the
Community Party to be given to-mor-
row Thursday and Friday evenings.
The boys and girls are to meet to-
morrow evening at z, at the School
House where they will be organized by
Mrs. Coverdale and the ladies of the
Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal
choiIs. Martialled by the Boy Scouts
on march. singing hymns and carols,
from the schoolhouse west on South
street to Union street, north on Union
street to Mt. Vernon street, east on
Mt. Vernon street to Main street,
south on Main street to Chestnut
street, countermarch on Main street
to Commerce street, west on Commerce
street to Club House grounds where
short outdoor program, arranged by
MIR. W. o. HUffecker, will be given
under the beautifully lighted tree.
Friday evening the time and place of
meeting will be the same, the children
are to be escorted by the Boy Scouts
to the Club House to enjoy the many
good things provided for them by the
ladies of the Twentieth Century Club.
Should it rain Thursday evening the
whole program will be given Friday
evening. We ask every child to be
at place Of meeting promptly at z
both evenings.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
9IG KENT COUNTY DRIVE TO
SELL WAR SAVING STAMPS
..,ouANHP. HALL OF SMYRNA
"omplETEs HIS COMMITTEE

.,. postoffice, Smyrna Banks, DIV.
' n Walls g. Son. Clifton & Jones
.dErost Gas Co. Local Sellers
v,erv worker in the campaign for
...;ft and savings, involving the sale
~ 't'tf thrift stamps and war savings GER
tiecateq, has been bending his energies
w. ',n' n.st week toward a big sale of
.bs.e .bs stamps for Christmas gift pur-
"ooss ' The suggestion that a 25 cent
tbrift stamp be given to Sunday
Cobool scholars in place Of the usual
Christmas treat of candy seemed to
So,o str1ck a responsive chord and
morv injuries were made which lead
- The belief that this was done very
largely Effort is also being made
~ interest every child in the pub
liz schools of Smyrna and Kent county
not only to teach the children to be
nstriotic and do their little bit for
their country but to encourage thrift
and industry among them and teach
them the value of saving. Thrift
stamp agencies have been opened up
in SMYRNA where certificates and
otamps can be bought. Besides the
Smyrna Post-of1ice and Smyrna's two
National Banks: The Bank of Smyrna
and the Fruit Growers Bank, three
of our business firms are showing their
patriotism by selling them. They
are: Edward G. Walls & Son, Clifton
& Jones. and The Frost Gas Company.
HIP. Hall Names Kent Committee
Hervey P. Hall, who has been ap-
pointed chairman of the Kent county
organization has completed his CON-
mittee and has forwarded the names
to State Director Scott. His comittea
consists of Smyrna, Edward G..
Walls, James E. Hoffecker, Benjamin
A. HAZEL. Eugene Davis, E. M.
Fowler, Robert D. Hoffecker, Walter
T. Massey, Howard r. Jones, Rev.
George C. Williams, Charles D.
Stockly; Clayton, j. R.. Clements,
John W. Houston, Stewart Ashby, E.
C. Graham, Walter Keys. DR.. J. S.
j Cobb; Kenton, John w. Arehurs,
Gamaiel Garrison, DR.. Ernest Smith,
William Il. Greenwell; Hartley, E.
C. DAILY, Thomas Gullett; Little
Creek, Howard McGonigal. ]. Thomas
Lowe; Downs Chapel, William h.
Carter; Leipsic, Albert F. Moore,
William E. Cole. John w. Fenimore
Cheswold, B. H. Emory and E. A. Evans
Dover, John B. Hutton, Charles B.
Wilson, John T. Buckson, Elmer Out.
ten, W. c. C. Schsnts, John Carrow
Reynolds Clough, James C. Wickes,
Herman c. Taylor, Rev. A. v. Light
bOurn.
Members in Lower Part of County
Rising Sun, Millard Hydorn. Harr,
F. Metten, Albert W. Carrow; Mas
tens Corner, Charles S. Warren
Harrington, Prof. W. F. Knowles
William W. Sharp, D. r. Tharpe, F
L. Masten, and S. L. Sapp; Can
terbury, Alex. M. Thomas; Viola
George B. Kersey, Howard G. Ross
Wyoming, George NJ. Fisher, Prof
Godfrey, Alex. j. Draper; Camden
Charles du Pont Ridgely, William
Graham; Magnolia, DR.. James Mar
TN, Edward S. Wyatt; Woodside
Arlington Slaughter, Chas. M. Hook
Felton. George c. Herring, Harry E
Lynch; Pennington, William B
Iharpe, Frank T1mlin; Milford, Al
cert I. Peet, Col. Theodore Townsend
houston, John c. Wharton.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
Attractions at Smyrna Opera HOUSE

Tomorrow, Thursday, Douglas
Fairbanks in "Down to Earth; Sat
urday, charming little Madge Evans
will be seen in the Adventures of
Corsl"; Tuesday, New Yare's night,
Pearl White in "The Fatal Ring"
Betty Compton in Christie Comedy -
adv.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
W $500 FROM SO TURKEYS

v Fletcher Pratt Finds Her Care
eHorts Paid Her Very Well
ItS' J. Fletcher Pratt, residing
MINIS ,ae road leading from Smyrna to
wi.S SIgton' struck it lucky this year
,.i.i 'a nef turkeys. She succeeded in
vhioIs hock of SO young turkeys
% u ranged in weight from 10 to
Mi,l'd pOundS aud when she took them to
&C, stOn last week she was offered
tp,L. seu's pound for them. The 90
ssno sys Is brought her the snug sum of
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
SALES AROUND MlDDLETOwN

O0nn "'Watkins Sells Townsend Farm
10 Dr. 0. W. Lewis of MiddIetown
townsend, Dec. PA number of
,a'ln sales have taken place around
re'e ana Middletown recently. DR..
y W. Lewis, of Middletown, has
p.'cnased at private terms the farm
VI 'onn W. Watkins, of Odessa, sit
sa'ed near Townsend and the Appleton
.a'm near Middletown. DR.. Lewis
"a Ta' also bought the devalinger farm.
.ue James D. Davis farm near Sassa-
w ms No. has been sold to Joseph
,",.Ooleyhan. Joseph S. Algire, of
ssluoletown, has sold his 21O acre
'a'm near Cecilton, Md.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
U. S. Senator WoIcott Moving to Dover

Two truckloads of household goods
of United States Senator Josiah o.
Wolcott arrived at his new country
home, just outside of Dover, last
week. The Senator and his family
are preparing to take possession.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26
Thoroughfare Neck Couple Married

Miss Fannie M. Francis daughter
of John r. Francis of Taylors Bridge
and ]. Milton Latta son of j. E. Latta
were married at Smyrna Circuit Par
sonage Monday evening by the Rev.
Milton McCann.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26

Thief Attempts to Enter .MasseY's
Sunday morning Charles r. Massey
was awakened by noise which he
thought to be the house cat only to
find that thief had been prying at
the bay window OF his residence on
South Street. The thief pretended
Drunkenness, and made his escape.
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26

.,. Postoffice, Smyrna Banks, + dw'
on" Walls & Son. Clifton & Jones
and Frost Gas Co. Local Sellers
Smyrna times., 1917-12-26

CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAGE
The Nevada County picayune., 1917-12-20


 V festive, aRpeaIance. ChrAsssaas y morning. It was rather cold and the furnace was in its usual state of coy reserve, but Farley had stuck holly and evergreen around the oil paintings of garnished fish and High. land Cattle" and each table had a brave sprig of mistletoe tied with crim- son and green ribbon laid beside each plate. That was Beth's special offer ing.
 As each member of the household came In the greetings were hearty and quite satisfactory, even to Beth. She had not thought the experiment would bring out even that much fellowship and good will from the silent, self-ab- sorbed crowd at Mrs. Forbes.
 She put the prettiest bunch of all and card of Christmas cheer beside Mir. Benchley's plate. Poor, grouchy old ScOtchman, nobody ever had a good word for him. In all the months that she had been an inmate of the Forbes domicile she couldn't remember that anyone had ever given him even Il pleasant greeting. He came down. stairs to breakfast late and always grumbling, grumbled at his food, which Carrie, the eolored maid. slid across the table at him, grumbled at the fur mace and weather and the mailman, at the boarders and Mrs. Forbes and life In general.
 But Beth liked him best of all. That morning she had found outside her door a box of fresh violets and book she had been wishing for inscribed from her sincere friend, Alan Farley. IL was the book more than the inscrip- ton that showed the thoughts of the giver, for it was named "The Well Be loved" As Beth glanced through 1t she had smiled, remembering a verse that Alan liked to repeat from Mrs Browning:
 What shall I give to my beloved7
 A little faith all undisproved
 That was what he gave to her. only no. In small measure in full rich meas ure, all his hearts faith and love, ask ing her to believe in him and be pa tient for his success. And she could not tell him that she didn't give rap for his success that she would rather hundred times over have been mar ried 10 him, even if she had kept on with her own work, and they had been running mates together. So between them was the promise of marriage and to the boarding house at large he was there sincere friend"
 "The old mans sick in bed," said Carrie briskly, as she swept the crumbs from Beth's place. "He ain't coming down. He's grooming fearful"
The Nevada County picayune., 1917-12-20
HosD the MsfLefos
 Came fo Mean ess Kissing {

We decorate our homes with sprays of mistletoe at Christmas time, but few of us know the history of 1t as Yuletide symbol. Pretty girls are kissed under 1t and great deal of fun and nonsense are carried on apropos Of 1t, but no one stops to think of how ancient decoration 1t is or how sacred it was once thought to be. The ancient Celts in their Druidical religion had two great festivals, one in June and the other in December, the latter being equivalent to our Christmas. In both of these great festivals the gathering of the mistletoe was a sacred rite.
 The Druids believed that a potion prepared from mistletoe would in- crease their fOcks and that the plant was q remedy against all poison. It was believed to be curative for many ills, and this belief is still to be found in many remote places In Europe. In Lacaune, France. for example. 1t is always administered by the native dwellers as an antidote for poison.
 Tn the northeast of Scotland people used to cut withes of mistletoe at the March full moon these they bent in circles and kept for year to cure hectic levers and other troubles. In Sweden on midsummer eve mistletoe Is diligently sought after the people believing 1t to be possessed of many mystic qualities, and that If sprig of it Is attached to the ceiling of the Ar. cows crib, the trols will then be pow erless to injure either man or beast.
 Many German peasants also consider the mistletoe powerful charm against evil spirits. similar belief seems to have fingered among the Romans When Aeneas descended into Hades he gathered, to protect himself from the internal powers, branch of mis- tletoe, which Vergil calls the golden bough.
 The custom of kissing under the mis- tletoe goes back to the days when Thor and Odin and all the other gods of the Northland walked and talked with men. Baldur the son of Odin and Frigga the Apollo of Scandina- vian mythology, the fiaXen-haired god of sunshine and its attendant bless ingS, was loved by all earthly and heavenly beings save one-LOki, the god of earthly fire and its attendant evils.
 How of all the things animate and ingnmate in the world. except the Surly uiStletoe, swOre never to harm the sun god and how LOki slew Baldur with branch of it. has been told with beautiful poetic power by Matthew Arnold
 In conciliatiOn, hoping to soothe the passionate sorrow of the mother Frig ga, they dedicated the miStletoe to her. And now sin and sorrow had hallowed t for henceforth it was to grow, not as Il Sy ymbol of bitterness and hatred, bNta,a n sign of tenderness and lovess
 Hut the gods decreed that-lt-waS-ta. stand for these things only so long as It touched not Loki's kingdom. the soil and for this reason 1t is never seen growing on the ground and we our selves always hang 1t high on the raft CTS or chandeliers. And now that 1t was the plant of love the custom arose for enemies to become friends under the mistletoe; for lovers to pledge their troth beneath It; and for those who met there to kiss as sign of af- fectionate fellowship.
The Nevada County picayune., 1917-12-20
I.sme back may come iron, ever~t K.

Lame back may como lFaF' 0NETNI TX colo settlel in tae muscles of tte asA. or from q dSeasc Tn the two 1orsfe1s eases tie right remedy IS BalsiAp a'S SNOW EMINENT Ia shai.i1 he rubbed in Thoroughly over fse ffeefed part. the relief will be nFon D and satisfactory Price 25c sslt, ag.u ai ta per bottle Sod by GathFsp Drug. Store. xA
The Nevada County picayune., 1917-12-20

We give FREE with ea,h 50 cent box Soul Kiss Face Pow der one 50 cent jar Soul Kiss Face Cream. Hesterly Drug Store.
The Nevada County picayune., 1917-12-20
His Last Request
HHaSSasSaS aSS ; s sstsaSssbaS ;: y P
R JULIA CRAY

" VEN the little old basement din. - ing room had put on quite a. I festive sRDeaEance W chplsamas