davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
ALUMNI BANQUET And
RECEPTION FOR CLASS OF '26
Held In Varney Auditorium OF Com
munity Building

On Thursday evening, June 10, the
largest attended and one of the best
receptions and banquets that the
Alumni Association of the Milford
High School, has ever given in hon
or of the graduating class, was held
in the Varney room of the commun-
ity building.
At exactly S:45 o'clock the 116
persons entered the banquet room,
and after a short invocation by Rev.
H. L. Bunstein, were seated.
Thirteen circular tables were US
ed, the members of the respective
classes represented, being seated to-
gether insofar as possible.
The Carlisle Fire Company had
charge of preparing and serving OF
the menu, and their services were
very veil rendered, indeed. Those of
the firemen who served were dressed
entirely in white-which added much
to the general attractiveness and ap-
pearance of the place.
The menu consisted of strawberry
entree, baked chicken, dressing, peas
potato, tomato salad with lettuce,
rolls, mints, coffee, ice cream and
cake.
The Rotary Club of Milford very
kindly loaned their song sheets for
the occasion, and the singing Of a
number of these songs started LOT
of fun.
At 10 O'Clock, Clarence Downing
the retiring president of the associ-
alton. addressed the gathering; first
welcoming the guests and then Civ
ing a brief account of the aims, WORK
and accomplishments of the assocla'
ton.
The treasurer, Edwin Messick, was
next called upon to give the report
This report was most encouraging.
Mr.. Downing then presented thu
gavel to the new president, Fred Ire
land, of the class of '19. Mr.. IRELAND
spoke earnestly, telling Of his hope'
and desires for the coming years
work for the association, and in clos
ing. introduced the toastmaster, Jas
P. Pierce.
A. Donnell Marshall, the presiden
of the class of 1926, was the mrs
called on to speak, and was followe'
by Roland Walls, a member of tn
same class, who in few hunorou
remarks started contagious laughter
Mr.. Pierce then introduced individ
ually the 18 members of the gradu
continued on page y
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
ROBBED HOME OF FARMER
in SLAUGHTER NECK
Samuel F. Draper Lost Car, Money,
Shot Gun And Clothing

About noon last Tuesday, Samuel
F. Draper, who is widower and re-
sides on a farm in Slaughter Neck,
saw an automobile driving away
from his home shortly after the noon
hour; he was working in nearby
field at the time, and thought that
some one had called at his home, so
he went to the house to investigate.
There he found that robbery was the
object of the visitors, and ne started
to investigate.
He found that a new suit OF
clothes, a shot gun and shells and
other articles had been taken from
the house, while his Ford touring
car was used to make the getaway
with the plunder. In addition $500
in cash was taken from drawer.
He started out to get trace OF the
thief and with the assistance OF
neighbors, suspicion was directed to
"red-cast" freckled negro man.
weighing about 180 pounds, feet
10 inches tall, who had recently
been employed by John Isaacs as a
laborer on his farm. The negro is
said to have come to Sussex county
from New Jersey and has caused
more or less trouble since his ap-
pearance here.
The trial led finally to the motor
ious Larry Smiths place, where
raids have been made and stills anC
LIQUOR found by the authorities two
CONTINUED on page y
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
1000 AUTO INCREASE
in STATE LICENSE
Revenue From Gas Tax And
Lessening Ia Cost Of Road
Maintainence.

1t may be well to know that four
thousand more automobiles have
been licensed in Delaware in the
first five months of this year than
during 1926 The receipts from gas
oline tax are many thousand of dol
lars more and there were more ar
rests in the first five months of this
year than last year, although there
were two months when driving was
unattractive. These statements give
some idea of how the automobile in
dustry is stepping forward in Della
ware. That regulation of motor trar-
fic is going to be one of the major
concerns in the government Of the
state, seems evident.
In the first five months of last
year the fees received for licensing
automobiles, truck and motorcycles
was 1851, ,479. During the first five
months of this year the receipts to-
tai $629,631.
From gasoline tax of 2 cents a
gallon there was received in the first
five months of 1925 $104,644.34. Dur
ing the first five months of this year
the total was $122.9O3.22. While this
shows apparently an increase of but
$4,000, there really should be $19,-
900 more, because in order to avoid
confusion, the State Treasurer clos
ed his books for May on Saturday
before Decoration Day. On June 1
there were checks awaiting him for
more than $4,000, which, If added
to the other tax received for May,
would make the grand total for the
five months of this year about $37,-
900 more than last year. In order to
keep things straight, this $4,000 will
be reported as of receipts for the
month of June.
There were two months, February
and March, when the heavy snowfall
and cold weather, made motoring
anything but pleasant. During the
month of February the gas tax fell
off $4,000 less than last year for that
same month. But, despite all this and
the cool weather, the number of cars
has increased as noted, and the gaso-
line tax increased.
During the first five months of this
CONTINUED on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
STATE HEALTH BOARD
TESTS DRINKING WATER
To Protect Motorists From Obtaining
Tainted Water

In order to properly protect mo-
torists from tainted water, the state
Board of Health has already begun
its spring inspection of public drink
ing water in towns throughout Dela-
ware and at public garages and ser
vice stations along the highway.
In several of the Sussex county
towns the water that has been eX-
amined is free from any pollution
Each service station where drinking
water is obtained will be visited ana
samples of the water taken for an
alysis at the State laboratory, at Do
yer.
Last year the State Board OF
Health placed triangular signs along
the highway which signs indicated
that pure drinking water and sanl-
tary conveniences could be found at
the service station or garage 300 feet
ahead. These stations will be check
cd I'D again this spring to determine
whether the water is all right and
that there has been no laxness in the
sanitary arrangements.
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
GOVERNOR ROBINSON LEADS
DELAWARE In SESQUI PARADE
Delaware Took A Leading Part In
The Flag Day Parade

Stepping from the line of nine
governors from nine of the thirteen
original States to head the Blue
Hens Chicks" in the line of march in
the Flag Day parade in Philadelphia
last Monday, Governor Robert p.
Robinson was recognized and was
given an ovation by the multitude of
spectators.
Governor Clifford Pinchot, of
Pennsylvania; Governor Smith, Of
New York; and Governor Ritchie, of
Maryland, also received a great
share of the applause.
The parade was held in connection
with the Sesqui-Centennial exposi-
ton. 1t started from the Parkway
and moved south on Broad street.
The governors stood in front of the
Union League and each would step
to an automobile in front of the rep
resentatives of his respective State.
The Delaware "Blue Hens Chicks"
led the uniformed line.
AS the members of the Delaware
National Guard, attired in uniforms
similar to those worn by the Conti-
mental soldiers, consisting of bufr
trousers, high black boots, blue
coats trimmed with red and gold
buttons and the black cooked hat,
drew near, Governor Robinson step
ped out and was given vociferous ap-
/blause by the thrOng of spectators
lining the street. The governor led
the Blue Hens Chickens to the ex-
position grounds, where they halted
in front of the Delaware column,
which was dedicated with impressive
ceremony.
The detachment from this State
was headed by Captain Leroy Work
and Adjutant General ]. Austin Eli
son, the latter riding with the gov
ernor at the head of the troops.
The dedication of the pylons was
accomplished with much ceremony
as the Governors, with their military
CONTINUED on page y
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
new SCHOOL BEATEN
3TOlN REFERENDUM
The Expected Defeat Was No
Surprise To Friends OF Public
School Education.

For a week or two before the cleo
ton of last Saturday, persistent
work to defeat the proposition to
build anew grammar school for the
town of Milford, was conducted by
those skilled in the infaming of that
large part of the people, who make
no effort to find out for themselves,
as to the needs of children attending
the public schools; much less MAX
ing an effort to understand the
methods of distribution of school
money by the State Board of Educa-
ton, on which body that duty falls.
The result was not unexpected and
the one fact brought out, was, that
there is after all sufficient interest
in the masses of the men and women
of Milford Special School District, to
turn out at an election when effort
is made. This clearly proves, that
when the truth and facts are clearly
explained to the people, that large
majority will act for the best well
fare of all children; and, this will
be the basis of the next referendum
for the people of Milford to express
their opinions on.
The vote cast on Saturday was
1882 Of this 779 were against build
ing a new grammar school building,
and 260 votes for the building. Three
votes against, to one for.
There were 165 colored people who
voted; but probably a score of them
voted for the building program,
while the others were lined up
against it. However, the new school
problem is settled for a time.
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
DRAW JURY PANEL
IN KENT COUNTY
Austin Peet, Frank Austin And ALL
mOnd Wilson Drawn From Tenth

Kent County Jury Commissioners,
Hopkins and Hope drew the follow
ing panel of petit jurors for the July
term of Kent County Courts, con-
vening July 5. The Courts will like
ly not sit on July ., but begin on
July 6.
First District-Robert L. Boyd,
George w. Turner, Theodore Man
non.
Second District-Armstrong Cul-
len, G. Dewitt, Paradee, Alden j.
Benson, John Disch.
Third District-Wilbur e. Clark
Daniel Turner, NJ. e. Moffett.
Fourth District-Roland Knots,
Fred Lawton, William Mabrey, Ed
ward C. Daily.
Fifth District-J. Henry Hazel,
Douglass c. Alice, John It. Buckson,
Charles C. Darling.
Sixth District-Emory Voshell,
William I. Masten, John Draper.
Seventh District - Harry Lingo,
Harry G. Wilson, Edward Hodgdon,
julius Pfleegor.
Eighth District-Asa c. Rogers,
Lawrence Keller, Grover c. Dill
Thomas Spurry.
Ninth District-Harry Sullivan
Goodman Creadick, Wallace Hill, D.
Norman Hopkins.
Tenth District-Austin Peet, Frank
Austin, Almond Wilson.
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
SESQUI DELAWARE BUILDING
ATTRACTS LARGE CROWDS
Beautiful Structure Is First State
Building Completed

The Delaware Building, a beauti-
full colonial structure ideally located
at the Sesqui- Centennial Information
al Exposition in Philadelphia, is a
fitting testimonial to the part played
by Delaware in the Revolutionary
War
Stately in character and splendid
ly furnished in keeping with the
style of architecture, the building
has proved of great interest to thous-
ands of visitors.
It was opened to the public on May
81, thereby adding to the colortul
opening day ceremonies Of the expo
sition. Since that time, many visit
ors, including hundreds from Della
ware, have inspected the structure or
rested in its great hall.
The historic character OF the sym
bolic building is further enhanced by
its position. Directly IN front OF the
Colonial carriage entrance, the col
onial houses of High Street" (now
Market Street of Philadelphia) can
be seen, while from the Colonial
French doors in the back, the dun
colored tents of the regular army
troops present an imposing sight at
Camp Anthony Wayne.
A gravel terrace, through we'll
kent gardens and sloping lawns
leads to the carriage entrance. on
entering the central hall, 80 by &c
feet. an impression of a Colonial
room is conveyed to the visitor. The
main hall is finished in a. handsome
panelling and is attractively set OF
by famous oil paintings, bearing
CONTINUED on page y
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
JOHN B. SMITH, WELL KNOWN
FINANCIER, SUCCUMBS AT HOME
Outstanding Figure For Thirty Years
In Banking World

John B. Smith died at his home in
Milford, Delaware, early Tuesday
morning, June IS, 1926, of acute in
digestion, which attack came on late
in the evening before and trouble
of the heart of long standing. The
funeral will be held this Friday af-
ternoon at 2 o'clock from his resi-
dence on South Walnut street and
interment will be made in Odd Eel
lows cemetery at Milford.
One of the leading financiers of
Delaware in the banking world has
passed from affairs, leaving a void
which will be difficult to fill quickly
by another, in the affairs of the First
National Bank of Milford, Delaware,
and in the banking circle of this
state. He was an outstanding figure
for the past thirty years of his life,
in finance as it affected his state,
his native town and the business in
terests which have helped TO develop
lower Delaware.
John B. Smith was born near what
is now known as NAPLES Mill, but
then known as Smiths Mill, located
about seven miles southeast from
Milford, on what is now the Milford
and Rehoboth Highway, in Sussex
county, on November IA, 1843, and
he was 80 years, Z months and one
day old.
After the death of his father, Hen
~ Smith, which occurred at an early
date in his life, he was adopted by
his aunt, Eliza S. Scott and brought
to Milford, where he has lived al
most all of his entire life. His aunt
contributed largely to his education,
she being a woman of strong mlnd
and character. He repaid the spIen-
did care and service which his aunt
gave him in early life, by remaining
with her and managing her affairs
until her demise.
At the age of 10, in 1862, he join
ed the Presbyterian Church, where
he was soon one of its dependable
members and helped to finance its
affairs successfully in all operations.
He was made an elder of that church
about S5 years ago and has ever
since been one of its main pillars.
He married Sallie Anderson
youngest daughter of Mr.. and Mrs
BENJAMIN D. Anderson, of Milford
and she died about two years ago.
Mr.. Smith leaves to survive him
a son, Dale, who has been afflicted
since babyhood, and daughter, Miss
Mary E. Smith.
To the people of Milford and the
country for twenty miles around
John B. Smith was so well known
and liked, that his death affected the
solid business and successful agri-
cultural men and women of that
sector, as would the death of a rel
atiye or intimate friend.
In 1865, before the era of National
Banks in lower Delaware, the Smyr'
ma Bank of Smyrna, Delaware, main
tanned a branch bank in Milford, anC
John B. Smith was made its cash
ier. It was located where the offices
of Drs. Samuel and William Marshal
now are, on West Front street, Nortf
Milford. The late Isaac S. Truitt was
his chief clerk at that time, and the!
continued in the banking business
with that institution, until Angus
31st, 1876, when the present F1rs
National Bank was organized ant
Mr.. Smith was made its cashier;
position he has held continuousl!
CONTINUED on page u
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
JUDGE HASTINGS
TELLS THE NEED OF
BROAD CITIZENSHIP
Warns Against Pessimism Of The
Day And OF The Dangers OF
The Different Doctrines.
URGES ALL TO Do DUTY
In Address At F.ag Celebration
Of The Elks In Wilmington
On Flag Day.

Judge Daniel o. Hastings, in an
address at Flag Day exercises held
by the Wilmington Lodge of Elks,
called for an awakening of the
conscience of the best men and wo-
men everywhere to their Importance
in the public affairs"
1.-The sooner citizens of all classes
realize their responsibilities in con-
nectiOn with public affairs" Judge
Hastings declared, "the sooner we
shall rededicate ourselves to the
principles of the Declaration of In
dependence, the American flag and
the Constitution of the United
States"
The Flag Day celebration of the
Elks was one of several celebra-
tions held in Wilmington during the
day. Exercises were held in Schools
Nos. l and 4. Flags were displayed
throughout the day on residences,
public buildings and business houses.
The Elks' exercises were attended
by more than 100 persons in spite
of the intense heat and the Occa-
sional rains of the evening. Harry L.
Maier, exalted ruler, presided at the
ceremonies, which were held in the
Knights of Columbus hall because of
the lack of space in the temporary
quarters of the Elks.
Judge Hastings asserted in his talk
that 'if political conditions are not
what they should be, the responsible
ity is largely with the respectable.
selfish deadwOod of every community
who pose as leaders in the social
and industrial affairs Of the nation" "
Judge Hastings impressed upon
his hearers the responsibility every
true American" must accept If he
desires to be worthy of the title and
urged public service in place OF
"fault-finding and grumbling."
He also warned against the pes
simism of the day" and of the dan
gers of the Bolshevistic, Communls-
tic and Socialistic doctrines which,
he said, "are eating at the very VI
tails of our basic law"
Judge Hastings said in part:
I'VE are not living in country
today where a struggle for existence
is necessary. The uneducated, II
willing to work, can easily maintain
himself and family, but the crying
need of the hour is broad-m1ndeo
CONTINUED on Page Seven)
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
MISS HERRINCTON
RESIGNS AS CHIEF
In STATE OFFICE
Effective Thursday, September
80, To Enable Her To Take
Much Needed Rest.
SERVED FOR 2S YEARS
Miss Harrington Only Woman
In Delaware To Serve As Sec
retary Of State.

Miss Fannie S. Harrington last
Friday submitted to Secretary of
State S. D. Townsend, Jr., her Itsig-
nation as chief clerk in the Office Of
the State Department at Dover. 1t is
to take effect September 30, next.
Desire to take a much needed rest,
after % years of service to the state
is given as her reason for leaving
the position she has held for so
long.
In her letter to Secretary Town
send, Miss Harrington says: Il here
by resign the position or chief clerk
in this office of the governor and the
secretary of state, my resignation to
take effect of the 80 day of Septem-
ber, 1926. After an official service
in the employ of the state for more
than % years, am minded to take
a much needed rest, to which feel
entitled.
Permit me to use this means to
thank you most sincerely for your
uniform courtesy and kindly consid-
Grafton to me during your term of
Office as Secretary of State and my
sincere appreciation of the courteous
consideration of all the officials con-
nected with the office of Secretary of
State and other state officers and of
the individual public with whom
have been associated in an official
way.
"My deep gratefulness goes out to
I'll co. 4I,o ,,1hroIya1, Iyfnduocc and
consideration of many years"
In reply to her letter Secretary OF
State Townsend has forwarded the
following letter to Miss Harrington:
Your resignation as chief clerk to
the Secretary of State is received
with real regret and l am sure that
all Delawareans who have followed
your able and conscientious devotion
to your official duty will accept
your determination with much sor-
row. The knowledge of work so well
and faithfully done, and the deep at-
| lection with which you are held by
all of those under your supervision
will undoubtedly bring you much
| happiness in the future which l hope
will be all that you may desire"
Miss Harrington was first appoint
ed to the position she holds in the
secretary of states Office during the
administration of Governor Tunnel
more than 2S years ago and at the
time James H. Hughes of Dover was
secretary of state. She has served
under succeeding administration
ever since.
Last November when it was def
nitely known that Secretary of STATE
William G. Taylor had been lost a
sea she was appointed secretary o
state by Governor Robinson. Whel
she assumed the duties of secretar!
of state she became the first ant
only woman in Delaware ever to fill
the office. She ably filled this ofiic,
until about March when she resign
ed and S. D. Townsend, Jr., was ap
pointed to succeed her.
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
SCHOOL PUPILS HAVE
$4,000 SAVING FUND
Used For Library Books, Athletic
Equipment, Musical instrument
And Other Things.

Magnificent progress has been
made the past year in thrift among
the pupils attending one and two
teacher schools in the State of Del
aware, according TO reports for the
school year just closing assembled
by H. r. King, assistant in charge
of elementary schools of Delaware.
The movement which is a new one
has proven very popular because
there are many parents who, admit
ting to themselves that they cannot
save money, have given money to
their children to have deposited to
their credit in school savings &C
counts.
The community spirit in which the
parents have co-operated to make
the school of their district more pro-
gressive and better equipped is an
other item in the progress obtained
during the past year. In both health
and music these one and tWO-rOOm
schools have gone forward. Accord
ing to data supplied Mr.. King the
boys and girls in these one and two
lCdClCA OChOO40 AelfC POOBOA AsOO OA
deposit to their credit. There are l.
649 children who made deposits the
past year for a total of S8,724.9S.
There was raised and spent by To-
cal communities during the year the
sum of $8,134.87. This money was
largely devoted to the purchase of
library books, athletic equipment,
musical instruments, hot lunch
equipment, and other things needed
about the district school.
At the last session of the legisla-
ture the State Board or Education
was directed that the Stars and
Stripes should be furnished at the
rate of one flag for every school
room in the state. This was done and
in addition to this every building is
equipped with a flag for the outside.
In a cultural way these rural
school buildings, located some of
them many miles from an improved
highway or railroad, have made tre-
mendous progress. Among the finer
continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1926-06-18
TUG BOAT LAUNCHED
AT ABBOTT SHIPYARDS
Building Barges For HarbOr Work In
The Waters About New York

Wednesday afternoon a tug boat
built in the VIM. G. Abbot Shipyards
in South Milfard, was launched at
three o'clock, successfully and it was
christened "Wm. H. Reed" as the
boat slid gracefully from the ways.
This yard has built several tug boats
for the same parties in New York.
and this one will be delivered to the
owners there as soon as fully equip
ped with the machinery necessary.
The Abbott yards are building
barges for harbor work in the wa
ters about New York. This latter
work has been considerable part
of the business of the Abbott yards
for several years past, and these
barges seem to have given excellent
service; for the same company con-
tinues to have their work done in the
Milford yard.