Smyrna times., 1924-12-03
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
John G.Gray, Well-KnOwn Wilmington
Attorney and Democratic Politician
Killed in Auto Accident, Bridgeville

night when an automobile he was
driving was struck by a sOuth-bound
freight train at the main railroad
crossing in Bridgeville, about one
eighth of a mile from the Bridgeville
station. Mr.. Gray, who was alone in
his new Buick sedan, had been spend
ing the evening with Newell Ball, at
Bridgeville, discussing a business
transaction. He left Mr.. Balls home
about 10 o'clock, and it was only
few minutes later when Mr.. Ball re-
ceived a telephone call advising him
of the accident, in which Mr.. Gray
lost his life. Singularly, Mr. Gray's
brother, William c. Gray, was killed
about five years ago at a crossing
near Wilmington of the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad. Mr.. Gray, apparently
not hearing the approaching freight
train, started to drive across the
tracks right in the path of the ap-
preaching locomotive. Before the en-
gineer could apply the brakes the en-
gine struck the automobile squarely.
carrying the wreckage As to so feet
before it. Witnesses of the accident
hurried to the wrecked machine and
called physicians and the police sta
tion. An examination of the body
showed that Mr.. Gray apparently had
been instantly killed Although drag
ged along with the wreckage, how
ever, it was found that aside from a
crushed leg the body was not mutilat-
ed. News of the accident was a sud
den shock to Mr. Gray's numerous
friends in Wilmington and vicinity,
where he has always been prominent
ly identified with civic affairs. Mr..
Gray was born and raised at
Bridgeville. He attended the public
school and later entered Delaware Col
lege from which he graduated in 1885.
He was later Superintendent of Pub
lie Schools of Sussex County. During,
the Cleveland administration, while
holding a job at Washington, he read
law and was admitted to the Bar. He
hung out his shingle in Wilmington
and became a prominent lawyer and
politician. He was a spellbinder for
the Democratic Party and appeared in
Smyrna in a number of campaigns.
Mr.. Gray was 81 years old, and a
widOwer, his wife, who was a daugh-
ter Of former Governor William H.
H. Ross, having died about eight
years ago. He is survived by two
sisters, Mrs. Eta Gray Jones, of
Bridgeville, and Miss Marian Gray,
with whom he made his home at
"Wrenwood," in Claymont. Funeral
and interment took place at Bridge
vile, Sunday.
Death of Mrs. Martha A. Norris
Mrs. Martha A. Norris, aged about
so, widow of the late Robert Norris,
long in charge of the Smyrna Gas
Works for the old firm of Smithers
& Mcguire, died Friday evening after
lingering illness. She had been
confined to her home for a long time.
Recently she was brought from her
home on South Main Street to the
residence of her son, William Norris,
on Market Street, where her last days
were spent. She was devoted moth
er, member for many years of As
bury NJ. +. Church and lived a life
centered in her home and loved ones.
Mrs. Norris was born in Ireland, came
to America in her girlhood and with
the exception of few years spent in
Pennsylvania, lived most of her life
here in Smyrna. Before her stroke,
she had remarkable memory for old
events and remembers folks of the
past generation and days when
Smyrna was a much smaller town.
She is survived by Charles X. Norris,
Of Maple Shade, N. j.; Robert Norris,
a successful automobile painter Of
Philadelphia and William Norris, pro-
prietor of the Iron Front Hardware
Store of Smyrna. She is also surviv-
ed by a grandson, Robert N. JOrdon
of Philadelphia. Funeral services
took place from the residence of her
son, William Norris, yesterday, Tues
day afternoon and interment was in
Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Mrs. Sarah S. Best Near Smyrna
Mrs. Sarah S. Best, aged 83 widow
of H. Edwin Best, a well-known farm
er of this vicinity, died at the home
of her son, Samuel NJ Best, near
Smyrna, Thanksgiving Day, NOvem-
Der 27, after a lingering illness. She
was a daughter Of Levi and Elizabeth
Black, and was born and raised near
Mount Joy, Pa, and moved to Smyr-
ma with her husband in 1883. She
was a member of Seversons M. f.
Church for a number of years. She
was a devoted mother, loved her home
and will be mourned by many friends.
She is survived by two children: Mrs.
Archie McClain and Mr. Samuel M.
Best, both of Smyrna. Funeral took
place Monday at two o'clock from the
residence of her daughter, Mrs.
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