Smyrna times., 1921-05-04
DEATH RECORD OF. THE WEEK
Caieo J. Freeman, Long Editor of the
MIddletOwn New Era Dies at His
Home in His 8Oth Year of Aoo

0O d. freeman, one of the oldest
newspaper men in Delaware died F,;
day night at his home in Middletovy,
aged 79 years. The funeral took nlaco
Yesterday afternoon, with services Of
the house at 2.3O and interment at
rorest cemetery, Middletown. A ma
i've OF Cecil county, Md, early in life
Mr. freeman went to Wilminuton
where he learned the printing trade in
all It's branches in the Gazette Office
subsequently he went to WASHINGTON
and was employed for a time in the
government Printing Office. Later he
returned to the Wilmington Gazette
he went to Middletown in 1884. and.
In partnership with Frank w. Reeve
established a job printing office. A
month later, in January, 1885, thew
established the New Era, a weekly pa-
per, which has been a prominent state
publication ever since. In 1886 Mr..
Reeve sold his interest to NJ. w. Web
er, Mr.. Reeve going to Wilmington
and later to Atlantic City. Up to last
Thanksgiving Mr.. Freeman was ac-
tive in getting out the paper, doing
much of the writing and mechanical
work and also doing job work. On
Thanksgiving he fell down the cellar
steps at his home and since that time
had been confined to the house. He
was one of the few remaining old time
printers, being proficient in every
branch of the business, as we'll as in
that of newspaper publication work
generally. He was known and re-
spected all over the peninsula. Dur
ing all the years he was engaged at
the business there was scarcely a day
that he could not be found at his office
actively at work. Mrs. Freeman and
one sister, Miss Anna Freeman, sur
vive.
Death of DIR. RObt. Y. Watson, Milford
DIR. Robert Y. Watson, aged n, of
Milford, one of the best known citi-
zens ofs Delaware, died at his home
Wednesday evening after an illness of
several weeks. He was a delegate
from Delaware to the Democratic Ma
tional Convention at st. Louis in 1916,
which nominated Woodrow Wilson for
President. DR.. Watson was the VIC
tim, in 1901 of the theft of family
heirloom, diamond pin, valued at
$500, stolen from his shirt front by
the notorious pickpocket, James Nc
Caffrey, alias James Hughes, at the
State House, in. Dover, while he was
standing in the door of the lobby of
the State Senate watching the pro-
ceedings of that body during balloting
for United States Senator. He was a
brother of the late Beniah Watson, of
Dover, former United States district
attorney. He was director of First
National Bank at Milford, a vestry-
man in the Episcopal Church and a
prominent Mason. He is survived by
widow and one daughter, Mrs. Jas.
Stanton.
S. nj. DOnnell, Prominent Newark Citi
Samuel M. Donnell, who for many
years had been notary public of New
ark, and who was one of Newark's
most prominent citizens, died We'd
nesday afternoon, April 27, at his
home, following an illness of about
one month. Mr.. Donnell has been ac-
tive in the affairs of Newark for many
years and at one time served as May
or. He is survived by his widow, Mrs.
Mary B. Donnell, prominent w. C. T..
U. worker of New Castle County. The
cause of his death is attributed to
uremic poisoning, from which he had
been suffering for many years. Mr..
Donnell was born in Montgomery,
Alabama, and went to Newark when
he was but child. He had for many
years been a director of the Farmers
Bank. He was an ardent Presbyter-
ian and fraternally was affiliated with
the Masonic Oder. He was 72 years
of age. The funeral services were
held in the Presbyterian Church Sat
urday afternoon with interment in
White Clay Creek cemetery.
John P. DOughten Dies at RehOboth
John P. Doughten, for many years
prominent in business circles in Will
mington, died at his cottage in Reho-
both Saturday. He was in his eighty
ninth year. Deceased was well-nown
in Smyrna being a relative of Miss
Annie Doughten and her family, who
were prominent here many years ago.
Mr.. Doughten retired from business
about fouteen years ago, and since
that time has lived in Rehoboth dur
ing the summer months, and IN the
South in the winter. He was married
three times. his first wife being Miss
elizabeth Turner, of New Castle; hls
second Miss Ellen Postles, daughter
of Stephen Postles, and his third VIE
was Miss Annie Hawkins. He was a