davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
WHEAT CROP DESTROYED

The unusual rainfall of the past ten
days, during which more than ten
inches of rain has fallen, has had the
effect of running what little prospect
there was for wheat here. In this part
of the county, known as the wheat
belt' of Della ware, it is estimated that
the yield was cut down more than one
half by the attack of ''rust." which
caused the wheat to stubble, fall and
d, on the stalk. The rair of the past
ten days has even cut that one-ha f
down to such an extent that there are
many fields of wheat tnat will never be
threshed
On very few of the farms were the
farmers able to shock the wheat prop
erly, owing to the twisted condition of
the straw. Now every shock is grow
ing, and in some fields they resemble
pile: Of green grass. When the cap
sheaves are lifted off cloud Of steam
comes from the shocks, showing that
the wheat is rotting, and will be unfit
for threshing. The straw will also be
unfit for use, and what is threshed will
be dangerous for use on account Of the
danger Of straw poison to the stock.
The corn fields are sea of mud, and
the ground is so soft around the stalks
that the corn is barely standing, and
the farmers are fearful of wind
storm coming. and blowing the corn to
the ground. The early paintings of
sugar corn were locking fairly good be-
fore the rain began, but it is the
opinion of many Of the farmers that it
will never make crop.
The same condition applies to the to-
mato crop here, and if the sun should
come out hot, when the rain finally
ceases to fall, a blight of the entire
crop will be the inevitable result.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
TOBE SCHOOL CENTER

Five school districts within a radius
of six miles will doubtless join very
soon in a project to erect building in
Middletown to cost from 100000 to
SIPS, 900, which will be used as consoli-
dated scnool for elementary, grammar
and high school grades. The project is
greatly stimulated because the consoli-
dated district may reasonable expect to
have one-half of the cost of this school
borne by the trust fund created by
Pierre S dupont
While no definite action in the way of
a vote was taken by the County school
Board on this project at its meeting in
Miedletown last Saturday night, the
undertaking is looked upon with such
general favor that there seems to be no
doubt about it going ahead.
The meeting Saturday night followed
an inspection made of the five school
districts in the afternoon by the county
commissioners. The inspection Was
made in spite of the downpour of rain
through the greater part Of the after
noon. The five districts visited. all of
which would be affected by the consoli-
dation include: Woodlawn, Eight
Squares. Mt. Pleasant, Jamison's Cor
ner and Mill Lane. All three commits
sioners, George l.. MediIl. of Newark.
the president; Eugene Shallcross. of
Middletown vice e-president, and William
Danzenbaker, of 81 ;Ymo: t.. were in the
inspection party Ill the afternoon and
they all ATTENDED the evening meeting.
In addition to the commissioners
others present at the gathering Satur-
day night included the members Of the
Middletown Board of Education, the
trustees of each of the five districts
which would be affected by the consoli-
datio1 and w. H. Jump, county SUPER
intendent of schools.
The meeting was entirely harmonious
the trustees of the five districts show
ing that they favored the consolidation
and were willing to cooperate to the
utmost in bringing about the success of
the project.
Various sites were considered upon
which the consolidated school might be
erected, but the most logical one, it was
thought, and the site which it is be-
lieved will be finally selected is to the
north of Middietown, on plot of
ground adjoining the New Century Club
building.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Long---Pearce Wedding

Mr.. William F. Long, of Selbyville,
and Miss Martha Pearce, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. w. T. Pearce, of near
town, will be married before large
number of relatives and friends this
Saturday afternoon. at three O'Clock.
The ceremony will be performed by
Rev. Van P. Northrup, at the home of
the bride-elect
The couple will be attended by Miss
Leilah E. Pearce, and Mr.. Francis H.
Fillingame, of Chesapeake City, Md.
The bride will be attired in white
georgette dress, with hat to match, and
will carry bouquet of white sweet peas
and fern, while her attendant will wear
a light blue georgette dress with hat to
match and carry bouquet of sweet
peas.
Immediately after the ceremony Mr..
and Mrs. Long will leave for trip to
Ocean City, Md, and upon their return
will reside in Easton.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Select Seed Potatoes Harvest Time

The custom of using as seed potatoes
those left from the previous seasons 8
crop, after having disposed of the best,
must be discontinued if the present
quality and yield of the crop is to be
materially improved, say specialists Of
the United States Department of Agri-
culture. The grower can not expect to
get maximum yields from inferior seed
stock any more than the dairyman can
expect to get maximum milk yields from
scrub cows. The best time to select
seed potatoes, according to the special.
lists, is in the fall wheL the crop is be-
ing harvested. Then the yield of the
individual plant and the quality of the
tubers can be considered.
Good seed is pure in respect to the
variety; is produced by. healthy. vigor-
Gus, heavy-yielding plants grown under
favorable climatic conditions; is some
what immature; reasonably uniform in
size and shape; firm and sound. The
first sprouts should begin to develop at
planting tim=.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
DESTROYS OVER 500 RATS

Serick F. Shallcross, of Odessa.
Dclaware's modern rival of the Pied
Piper of Hamelin, added new laurels to
his fame as destroyer Of rats in his
campaign against the rodents on the
farm of Henry p Scott, near Reybold
III five-day drive on the Scott farm,
Shallcross, with his band of trained
ferrets and terriers, accounted for over
500 rats.
Sha)lcross. who during his career has
exterminated more than $50. 900 rats,
by actual count, does his work entirely
with his trained animal assistants. The
ferrets go through all the holes and
nests occupied by the rats and drive
them scurrying to the surface, where
they are pounced upon by the dogs
lying in wait. With few sharp shakes
the dogs kill the dents with ease. The
ferrets also account for satisfying
number, being able to cope with rats
twice their size.
The Scott farm, which boasts Of hun
dreds of white Wyandottes and other
fine poultry, was troubled by plague
Of rats which made a custom of killing
and feasting off the chickens. The
silos where the feed is kept for the
thoroughbred cattle Oh the farm were
also constantly raVaged.
On the first day of the visit of Shall
cross and his exterminators, l3O rats
were killed in a. whirlwind campaign.
This total was nearly equalled in the
daily average of the succeeding four
days of the hunt and the farm is now
almost entirely cleared of vermin.
When the panic which has sp cad
among the rat tribe in the vicinity has
somewhat quieted down. Shallcross will
pay another visit to the farm and clear
out any strays who may have survived
the vigorous hunt.
1t was an interesting sight during the
work to witness how the dogs spread
out to watch for the retreating rats.
The trained CANNES knew the differ
ence between the ferrets and the rats
and as the rodents tried to escape from
the ferrets they would be pounced upon
by a waiting dog. Although the work
on the Scott farm was unusually good,
Shallcross stated that at times the
average kill is much higher.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
TOWNSEND

Mary Schwatka is visiting Whining
ton relatives.
W. Hart Scott is on business trip ir
| North Carolina for two weeks.
Mr.. Jacob C. Crowding, of Still Pond,
visited relatives here on Friday.
Miss Hazel Burris, of Porter, is the
guest of Mrs. Anna Richardson.
Maud Bramble has returned home
from a visit with Wilmington relatives.
Gladys and Frances Alfrey. of New
Castle, are visiting Mr.. and Mrs. Alfrey.
Eta Skaggs returned home Saturday
after a pleasant visit with relatives in
Pennsylvania.
Lewis and Edward Graves, cf Lewes,
visited town on Monday and purchased
an automobile from w. H. Reynolds.
G. Lloyd Knots, wife and daughter
Elizabeth, of Gibbstown, visited his
mother Mrs. Clara Knots Saturday and
Suncay.
William Wright, Jr., and wife, of
Atlantic City, spent the weekend with
his parents Mr.. and Mrs. William
Wright.
Miss Irene ~Hardister, who has been
spending sometime with her mother,
Mrs. Morris Collins, has accepted po-
sition at Railway, N. J.
Mr.. Basil Sampson, who has been
spending few days with his aunt.
Mrs. Morris Collins, has returned to his
home, near Aberdeen. Md.
Ralph Christy, Elizabeth Richardson
and Mrs. Ruth Harris, of Chester, re-
turned home Sunday after pleasant
visit with Mrs. Anna Richardson.
Rev. and Mrs. Webster entertained
their daughter Helen Webster, and MIR.
and Mrs. Jones and Miss Jones, of Will
mington. on Saturday and Sunday.
Mr.. Ernest Herdman, who has just
returned from overseas and Miss Chris
tine Slant visited her parents Mr.. and
Mrs. George Stant over the weekend.
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter K. Treleaven
are spending week with her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Collins, of Fields
boro. They expect to start for New
York State next Monday. where they
will make their future home.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
More Potatoes Planted

Potatoes are scare and high in this
vicinity, though down the Peninsula in
the Virginia section particularly, big
crops are being harvested with better
prices realized than for many years.
One farmer is said to have cleaned up
$l2, 900 from his crop. Down around
Milford, growers of potatoes for wiater
are planting more than four times their
regular acreage. Many Of them did
not get very much from the early crop
which was damaged by dry weather.
Some large growers air ady have been
offered good prices by spectators for
their winter potatoes, but none OF the
offers have been accepted.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Record Apple and Peach Crop.

According to reports from apple and
peach orchards on the eastern shore
and in western Maryland. the fruit
crops in Maryland this year will break
the record. Senator Orlando Harrison,
of Worcester county, the largest fruit
grower in the State, said: ''The peach
crop on the eastern shore orchards is
even more promising than it was two
weeks ago. Tae prospects are to-day
that we will have at least 25O cars of
first grade peaches. Maryland growers
of fruits, berries. cantaloupes, water
melons and vegetables, including to-
matoes, will reap larger money returns
this year than for many years. Most
Of this il shipped to Philadelphia.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
THESCHOOL TAX Rate
viii be IS Cents on The 500
Assessment
AND $4.0O FUR POLL TAX

The levy Court of New Castle county
at its. meeting Tuesday afternoon, set
the tax rate for the county districts
under thu new school code. This tax
will be in addition to the poll tax which
IS set by the school commissioners.
Under the new law the districts turn
over t. the Levy Court their budgets
showing the amount of money required
to run the school during the year. The
commissioners appointed by the Govern
or set the poll tax rate and that is why
j, is not uniform in the districts in this
coun y
The Levy Court, under this new law,
was compelled to set the tax rate in the
several districts in order that sufficient
money would be raised to meet the
amount required in each district, in
addition to the poll tax.
On the school code districts the tax
alton fixed is 46 cents on the 500 assess
ment and 81 poll tax. On the three
special districts the following resolution
was adopted:
Resolved, That the Clerk of the
Court notify the County Tax Collectors
that the following has been adopted as
covering taxation for the school code
and the three special districts, namely:
New Castle district. 80 cents on 500
as sessment and poll tax S4.O4
Newark special districts, 80 cents on
S19O assessment, poll tax, SIS 90.
dupont special district, 20 cents on
the $lOO assessment, poll tax, $500.
Some weeks ago the County School
Commission turned over it's budget to
the Levy Court and set the tax at $4.00
on 5000 poll taxables and in addition
asked for the sum of $l7l, 300. 1t is to
meet that amount that the 46 cent tax
rate for school code purposes has been
levied by the Levy Court.
1t has been decided by the Levy Court
to allow rebate of per cent. on all
school taxes, payable before August 10
of the present year. The tax collectors
in the several hundreds, outside Of Will
mington, will receive two per cent.
commission for the collection Of the
school tax.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Scholarships Offered at Delaware

Two scholarships of 500 each will be
open this fall to students entering Del
aware College. One is offered by the
Princeton Club for the first time. The
other is supported by the Harvard, Yale
and Princeton Clubs and has been held
for four years in succession by Robert
Sumwalt, OF Lewis, who is now taking
an engineering course in BOSTON Insti-
tute of Technology.
ANY graduate of four year high
school and a resident of the State is
eligible.
Candidates should send to President
S. C, Mitchell, previous to September
/, an application including the academic
record and any other information that
may be of value to the committee in
awarding the prizes. Applicants may
choose any course leading to graduation,
engineering, agriculture. or arts and
science.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26

The Queen Esther Circle rendered one
Of its members Miss Martha Pearce. \
variety shower, last Friday evening, ct
her home near town, in honor Of her
marriage this Saturday. afternoon to
Mr. William F. Long. A large number
Of guests were present and Miss Pesrce
was the recspient Of many beautifu,
and useful gifts.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
THE OPEN CONTESTS
Boys and Girls Of Delaware In
terested in Agriculture
APPLY TO 7. 7. MARTIN

The following contests are open to
boys and girls of Delaware between the
ages of 10 and 21 years, who are work
ing on the farm and home projects in
which they are entered at the State
Fair under the direction of the extension
department of Delaware College, and
the County Farm Bureaus in co-opera-
ton with the U. s. Department of Agri-
culture. All entries shall be made with
Theodore T. Martin, State club leader.
Delaware College, Newark, Delaware.
Pig club contests:
Pure bred pig club exhibit, prizes in
each county, 3 to z months old, S., 81;
State sweepstakes, $40.
Grade pig club exhibit, prizes in each
county, 8 to months old, S., 81; State
sweepstakes, $40.
Sow and two of her produce, one con-
test for State. 81. 81.
Pig club judging contest, one contest
for State. SIS. 81, $3, S.
Best homemade self-feeder, one con-
test for State, 81, 81.
Corn club contests; six stalks of corn
with ears:
Corn club exhibit. prizes in each coun- ,
ty, SIS, 81; State sweepstakes. $40.
Poultry club contests:
Best pen of four laying hens, prizes
in each county, 50. 81; State sweep
stakes, S..
Best pen, four pullets and cockerel,
prizes in each county, So, 81; State
sweepstakes, IS.
Poultry club judging contest, one con-
test for State, $5, $4, s., 81.
Poultry club egg exhitit, one dozen
eggs, one contest for State, 81, IS cents
so cents.
Best homemade self-feeder, one con-
test for State, 81, 80 cents.
Pure bred dairy cattle club contests:
Holstein-Friesian calves Is to IL
montbs). State contest. SIP, So, Sc. $4.
Guernsey calves, Is to IL months),
State contest, $12, So. S., 81; (prizes
offered by Delaware Guernsey breed
ers.)
Dairy heifer exhibit. az to 30 month";,
State contes7, SIS. $11, 81, SIS.
Dairy club judging contest. one con-
test for State, IS, 81, So. So.
Canning club contests:
Canning club exhibit, one contest for
State, (for best quart in each Of 20
kinds of fruits, vegetables, meats and
soups), 40 cents, 80 cents, 25 cents.
Canning club demonstration, one team
of three members from each county, So,
Sc. So.
Sewing club exhibits, one contest for
State, (best four samples of sewing
club lessons). $3, 81, 81, so cents.
Baking club contests:
Baking club exhibit. one contest for
State, (for best loaf of yeast bread,
81, 81, Is cents, SO cents.
Baking club judging contest, one con-
test for State, SIS, 81, So, 81.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Forest Church Notes

Sunday, July 9th. 1919.
1890 A. M. Public worship with
sermon.
l1.45 A. NJ. Sunday School session
GASP. M. Christian Endeavor SER
vice. Topic: "How Do Men Confess
Christ and How Deny Him." Rom.
1n:9; Luke 22:25-61.
1902. Nj. Evening service, closing
at 8 P. N.
: Wednesday evening, prayer meeting
at 8 o'clock.
sunday, August Sd. will be the last
Sunday on which church services will
be held until the Pastors return from
bic vacation.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
OBITUARY
WARNER B. GEORGE

Warner B. George, the four year old
son Of Rev. and Mrs. John r. George,
OF Warwick, Md, died at the home of
his parents early Friday morning.
Death was caused from an attack Of
acute indigestion.
The remains will be taken to Sauls-
bury, Md, to-day and interment will be
made there tomorrow Sunday after
noon.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Manv Condensed News Items OF
the Past Week
IN THIS AND NEARBY POINTS


Owing to rain last Saturday no local
base ball games were played.
About sixteen men Of the Quarter
master Department. stationed at for'
dupont and Fort Mott, were discharged
Monday.
The plum crop is the largest for
vears and AS there is little demand for
the fruit, bushels are going to waste on
many farms.
Nv the return of several of Dover's
soldiers from overseas, who were men,
bers of the Dover Band, which had
been depleted by their absence. re-
organization of the band has taken
place.
Harry c. Clark's contract for repair
ing ard rebuilding the barracks at Fort
dupont, which were partially destroyed
by fire, has been greatly enlarged by
the damage done to the plasterlng,
metal ceilings and floors by water
1t Is simply impossible to estimate
the damage done to crops in New Castle
County by the almost continuous rains
of the past two weeks. Wheat in the
shock has sprouted, and we are in
formed by many farmers will be almost
a total loss. Oat fields are flattened,
and many will not recover.
A few years ago Henry Cole. a farm
er, near Townsend, set out a large
orchard of apple trees. This month
they are picking apples on his farm that
are selling from So. so to $500 hamper
with a heavy demand for all that can
be supplied. Most of the fruit is of the
Yellow Transparent which is in heavy
demand for apple pies.
If your neighbor is prosperous, let
him prosper. Don't grunt. growl or
grumble. Say good word for him and
let go at that. Don't be knocker.
Your turn will come. No one man is
the whole show. If you see that the
town is moving along nicely, feel good
about it. Help things along, shove a
little. Try to get some Of the benefit
yourself.
Delaware's annual State Fair will be
held on September l, 2. 3; and 5, on
the new grounds near Elsmere. This
years fair will mark the twentieth
anniversary of the organization Be-
ginning with a small picnic held at
Brandywine Springs, the fair has now
attained place among the leading ones
of the East, and is classed in the same
rank with the famous fairs at Trenton
and Brockton, Mass.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Yearsle1-Stant Wedding

Mr.. Merritt w. Yearsley, of Della
ware City, and Miss Virgil w. Slant,
daughter of MIR. and Mrs. George Slant,
Of Townsend, were quietly married last
Thursday afternoon, by Rev. George l..
Wolfe, of Wilmington.
Mr.. and Mrs. Yearsley will make Will
mington their future home.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
MRS. r. r. SHUL.I.

A letter was received at Camp Caesar
Rodney telling Of the ueath Of Mrs. K.
X: Shull. Greensboro, Maryland, wife
Of the famous old Scoutmaster Uncle
Dick, known to most all the Delaware
scouts, and who has been in all of the
Wilmington Council Camps since Scout
Executive Greenhawk has been in the
field In honor of Mr.. Shull the entire
camp was called to attention promptly
at two o'clock while the camp bugler
Paul Milliken played taps, the Scouts
held attention for thirty seconds in re-
sponse>to request from Uncle Dick.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Smyrna Firemen's Carnival

The next big attraction in Smyrna
will be the Firemen's Carnival which
will be held on the school grounds,
August q. 49, 26, q, %, 20 and 80.
The executive committee appointed by
the Citizens Hose Company to arrange
for AMI direct the Carnival are: John
c. Mannering, George W. Cunning and
Harry Jones. They have secured the
famous Harlan Band, of Wilmington,
to be there for the occasion and are
now looking up free attractlon'' to
be an opening thriller for eacR night of
the Carnival.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26
Agricultural Committee Named

In compliance with resolution which
was adopted by the State Bankers As
sociation at Newark on May l, 1919,
John S. Russell. president of the asso-
citation, has appointed the following
Agricultural Committee for this county;
Daniel w. Corbit, president, New
Castle County National Bank, Odessa;
Horace L. Dilworth, director, Security
Trust and Safe Deposit Company, vii,
mington, r. F. D.; }. C. Truitt. treas
urer, Fsrmers' Trust Company, New
ark.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1919-07-26

THURSDAY. AUGUST 18TH. 1919
Public Sale of stock, farm implements,
ETC.. by Cora V. Bishop. administra-
trix of The late Edgar f. Bishop. on
Fair Oaks Farm" on the road from
Warwick to- Cecilton, Nd. Eugene Ra-
cine. auct,