Milford chronicle., 1922-06-02
A LETTER RECALLS PLEASANT MEMORIES

In August of 1877 two young men of Milford James
Younger Grer and Theodore Townsend left Milford for
Baltimore Nd where they took passage on schooner
whose destination Galveston, Texas The schooner
was loaded with coal and in command of Captain John
CAIN of Philadelphia and the twenty-five days and nights
consumed in making the trip from port to port marked
the beginning of life experience for the two young men,
Mr. Grer, after arriving in Texas, decided to make
that great empire his home and started to shape his
ure business career in accordance with that purpose
while the other young man. started the adventure of look
ing the country and proceeded to travel by the Gus
tomary methods of getting to or from the great and a
reaching boundaries of what even then wonderful
state of the American Union
James Younger Grier also took time in settling and
looked into the many undeveoped resources of Texas and
finally started manufacture of implements which were
tn helm develop the agricultural enterprises for the then
new country married and raised family in the land
of his adoption and now has retired and resides at
Corpus Christi Texas where the temperature is always
summer and spring time
The following extract from letter written to his
sister, Mrs James Pierce, of Lake View avenue South
Milford Delaware recently recalls the days which are
now long in the past.
When we sailed from Baltimore, in the coal laden
schooner our education actually commenced In crossing
the Gulf Stream and weaherng two hurricanes in pass
ing down the Atlantic coast our opinion OF seaIaInS e
grew small indeed But when coastng the Bahama Islands
and skirng Cuban coast youth asserted ltse anu
enthusiastic dreams again swept the adventurers on to
ambitious hopes of realizing grandly the adventure
In the eastern part of Texas found ourselves down
to our last dollar and Younger Grier made use OF
his mechanical training in his fathers shops in Milford
he took job as carpenter and assisted to build small
church at the little town Tylernow one of the
most prosperous parts of Texas
It was there that we separated-Grier continue on
in the of his adoption and the writer going into the
then undeveoped western centre of the state and from
there on through Indian Territory now Oklahoma
Kansas Missouri and finally to home
the following spring. and Delaware the summer following
That experience in the then western country was
one of the most valuable early life and often have
we looked back with pleasure to what then appeared real
hardship discomforts. With our old friend OF early
days. when visited Delaware about two years ago. those
days again became real and in his mature years. 1t
is pleasure to that life is strewn with roses-may
they always bloom in magnificent colorngs and carry the
most soothing perfume for his pleasure and edcaon dur
ing the remaining years of life
The letter to Mrs Pierce is dated Corpus Christi,
Texas May 25 1922 and of the parts of it reads as
follows:
For the past month have thought would have to
write YOU to get some from old Delaware My ne
gect was rewarded by receiving three Chronicles yes
terday, sent by you
think the Milford Chronicle is the BEST newsiest
|
better one published anywhere for collection of home
near home and the most interesting of distant news
It began early be good paper from its first issue
which was Immediately on Theodore Townsends re-
turn from Texas when he made the trip down here with
me in the year 1877 in the good ship "Wm Marshall in
which nv father had an interest at that time.
If he or ever forget that voyage it will be when we
depart for another world One item of interest found
in one of the Milford Chronicles trip made to Way
nesboro Va by Dr. Walter L. Dr. Frank L., and Harry
L. Grier and others. Another item-The completion OF
the Delaware Highway the Haven Lake. after TWO
years of construction. really would like to know now
they built that part the Harrington main road cross
ing via our home; how they crossed the lake. etc.
find many things of interest in the papers and thank
you for them and will be glad to get others at any con-
venient time.
This the beginning of your beach season You nave
one advantage over Corpus Christi Beach lovers you can
enjoy nine mile automobile ride each way while ou1
folks live with beautiful bay and beach at their from
door We have it here in winter as June is IL
Delaware Corpus Christi is veritable flower garden
for the past two months the flowers have done the
best to outlook ounumber their neghbors on every
hand If Florida beat that place must be DAISY