davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
CONSTABLE COOK SHOOTS
SWIGGETT WHEN ATTACKED
Dover Man Brought to Milford Hos
pitaI Following Shooting

Martin Swiggett, a white man OF
Dover, was shot by Constable j..
Evans Cook, Thursday afternoon of
last week when the latter called at
the Swiggett home to serve a war
rant in distraint for rent.
Conflicting stories are told as to the
shooting, the family of Swiggett
claiming that the constable was the
offender, while the constable claimed
that Swiggett threatened him with a
double-barreled shotgun and poker
and in defense of his life, Cook shot
Swiggett, the bullet entering the
breast. Swiggett was brought to the
Milford Emergency Hospital for
treatment. The warrant for Swig-
gett was issued by Magistrate E. r.
Wood of Dover, who informed Con-
stable Cook what he might expect.
According to the story of Consta-
BILE Cook he entered the Swiggett
home to serve the warrant and was
attacked both by Swiggett and son.
The family's side of the case is to
the effect that the constable was not
attacked, but entered the house with
I
his gun drawn and that he shot at
Swiggett as he was coming down
stairs with the money to pay the of
ficer for the rent. The Swiggett's
live on North street, south of Loock-
erman street, Dover.
After the shooting Constable
Cook returned to Magistrate Woods
office, where he related the circum-
stances. Oficers Bonaficano and
King of the state highway, police
were notified of the shooting and
started an investigation. No arrests
were made.
Constable Cook is a former sheriff
of Kent County and one Of the most
competent officials in Kent county.
Swiggett has served term in jail
for illegal possession Of liquor and
but a few weeks ago was given a
fine and costs by Magistrate Wood in
a similar case where Constable Cook
was given a warrant of distralnI
against Swiggett.
On Friday Constable Cook wenI
before Magistrate Wood and waived
a hearing on a charge Of murderous
assault and gave bail for $1,000 =
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
MARYLAND MUST
START MOVEMENT FOR
TRUCK RECIPROCITY
Delaware Authorities Consider
The Matter CIOsed..-This State
Benefits.
DRUNKEN DRIVER Law
Assistant Secretary Of State
GrantIand Says No FavOrs Will
Be Shown ViOlalOrs.

Efforts to adjust the controversy
between Maryland and Delaware,
concerning the licensing of trucks,
which agitated Maryland truck ow-
ners last year and again this year
when they were compelled to take
out licenses last month, will have to
come from Maryland, which started
the breach, according to Charles II.
Grantland, assistant Secretary Of
State.
Last year when certain trucks
from Delaware obtained some little
business out of the Eastern Shore,
the Maryland motor officials immed-
lately caused the Delaware truck
owners to take out a Maryland Ii
cense. It is stated that to every
truck from Delaware which uses
Maryland highways there are ten
Maryland trucks using Delaware
highways. When Maryland took TINS
action against Delaware trucks, Del
aware. in self-defense, informed the
Maryland authorities that all Mary
land trucks must pay Delaware IL
cense fees. 1t is stated that there IS
some little difference IN, the Zee III
favor of Delaware.
"As far as the Secretary of States
office is concerned" said Mr.. Grant
land in discussing the situation, I'VE
have nothing to say further than
that it is up to Maryland, which
caused the rupture, to make the first
move. 1 understand the Maryland
legislature has named committee
to seek a readjustment of the con-
troversy, but up to this time we
have heard nothing about it.
"The truck drivers from Maryland
and Virginia drive almost the entire
length of the State, using Delaware
highways. They buy their gasoline
before they start, or if they need
some try to make out until they gel
out of Delaware before they replen.
ish their tanks. In 80 out Of lOC
cases Delaware doesn't get a penny
for the use of the roads and thell
upkeep from the sale of gasoline oi
oil. About the only thing where
the truck drivers find it necessary
CONTINUED on page y
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
BISHOPS CRUSADE
FOR KENT and SUSSEX
Bishop Cook And Several Pas
tors Will Be In Charge OF
Episcopal Services.

The Bishops Crusade of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church opened in
Kent county last Sunday at St. Steph
ems, Harrington. The address was
by the Rev. Guy L. Hill, rector OF
Christ Church, Milford. The inten-
sive week of the Crusade will begin
Sunday, February 13, Bishop Cook
will be at Christ Church, Dover, that
day to administer confirmation and
preach on the Crusade at 1870 a. m.
The bishop and the rector, Rev.
Benjamin F. Thompson, will be at st.
Paul's, Camden, the same day at z
O'Clock at st. Stephens, Harrington,
at 4 o'clock and at st. Peters, Smyr-
ma, at 7.30 o'clock.
Monday, February IA, Crusade
service will be held at Trinity, Clay
ton, 7.3O D. M, with addresses by the
rector, Rev. E. A. Lemoine and by
Rev. B. F. Thompson and Rev. Guy
l.. Hill; Tuesday, February Is, at st.
Paurs Camden, holy communion will
be celebrated at 1890 a. M; Cru
SADIE service, 7.30 p. m; Wednesday
February 16, Christ Church, Milford
7 D. m; address by Rev. Robert h.
Gribbin; Thursday, February 18th,
Christ Church, Dover, holy com
munion. 10 a. m; children's service,
4 D. m.; Crusade service, 7.SO p. M,
Rev. Robert E. Gribbin; Service at
Christ Church, Milford, same even
ing at Z o'clock; Crusade address by
Bishop Cook; Friday, February Is,
Christ Church, Dover, holy commun-
ion, 10 a. m; Crusade mission ser
vice, 7.9O p. m; address by Rev. W.
J. Loaring Clark.
The Sussex county program which
opens Sunday, February 13, and lasts
but four days will be as follows:
The Crusaders for this county are
the Rev. w: J. Loaring Clark, d. d..
/ the Rev. Robert E. Gribbin and Mrs
Charles H. BoyntOn. Probably nc
diocese in the country has more et-
fective speakers than these and Sus-
sex is to be congratulated. In addi-
ton to the regular crusaders, BishoI
Cook has consented to spend three
days in Sussex county to add to the
effectiveness of the Mission. His ap'
CONTINUED on page seven)
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
MOTHER AND CHILDREN in
DESTITUTE CIRCUMSTANCES
Victims Of Neglect Discovered IN
Sussex Near Laurel Last week

One of the worst cases OF neglecC
and non-support discovered in Sus-
eav county recently was found just
Taet of Laurel, Thursday last When
officers went to the home OF ElwOou
Dickerson, about five miles Iloln
Laurel and placed him under arrest
Earlv in the week officials anu
friends visited the home ana repOIt-
cd that Mrs. Dickerson and her nVe
small children, the youngest put .
months of age, were almost DESTITUTE
of clothing and food. Mrs. DickeLSon DiSo-
was wearing an old PAIR OF Tu9peI
bnots for shoes and the chlluIen III
We're all barefooted. There was ~
+ie in the house to eat. DlckersOn
was not at home.
Relatives of the family were III
structed by local authorities 10 re-
,,oove the wife and children from the
bo,no and place them where they
would be cared for. But wheh Iaey l5S,
went to the Dickerson home aiCel
+be children they were met Dy DIGh, ;tI,
erson e who threatened them WIN
b6dilv harm if they attempted 10 us
turb his family. -.
A writ was then sworn out for ms ms
,rTost it being served by State High
,iav "rlS'T3 Policeman Holt with local po-
1icor,an Nay . o- The wife and family were
taken to the home OF Mrs. DicheI icIA,
son's narents in Blades, ana DlcheI
Son Con was lodged in the county JalI @ ~
Georgetown awaiting the next Ueil
of court.
About four years ago. Dickerson son
inherited a farm valued at aDour Ut
Sc 200 from his father. About a yea a5
AGO 9ei9 it was sold to pay his debts anu sor
if was bought by his mother ,oI IoI
about $500. Since that time time ne e,,t 4%f Il
5een Teea' living on the small farm. 6ut . ~ y
!" peeH ai,aged atG he was unable or refused
- make 4 living for his family
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
OTHER STATESENVIOUS.
DEL. CHARTER INCOME.
Maryland Secures $25,OOO In
January Business Normally
Due To Delaware.

One of the most important Ques-
tions which the General Assembly
will have to consider at its present
session is safeguarding the cOrpOr-
alton charter law. 1t has been learn
ed that in the past six months the
officials of Maryland and New York
States, which handle the charter
business of the Commonwealth, have
been seeking strenuously to obtain
some of the business that has been
coming to Delaware. According to
statements from corporation attor-
neys, the State of Maryland during
January obtained business to the
value of $4,000, that ordinarily
would have come to Delaware. II
this should continue throughout the
year it would mean loss of one
third of a million dollars to the gen
eral fund of Delaware.
It has been learned that Mary
land and New York are endeavoring
to make the Incorporating of char
ters a bit more attractive than un-
der the provisions of the Delaware
CONTINUED on page y
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
DELAWARE WANTS OLD
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS
State ArchiviSt Went to Washington
With View OF Getting Muster Roll

Judge Henry c. Conrad, state ar
chivist, is making an effort to secure
the return of important records
which this state loaned the Federal
authorities years ago. He has Wis
tied the War Department offices in
Washington for the purpose of lOcat-
ing the return to the state of an an
cient original manuscript copy of
Delaware Revolutionary muster rolls
Senator Bayard's Office is assisting
him so far as it is able to do so.
The muster rolls in question were
loaned to the Federal government
about 1918, more than a hundred
years ago and though several efforts
have been made in the long interven-
ing period to bring about their resto-
ration to the state of Delaware, none
of them have succeeded. The last
ATTEMPT was made when Senator
Salisbury was in the Senate. AT
that time, Walter G. Tatnall, then
state archivist, prepared a mass OF
data and forwarded it to Washing
ton. The war department was too
busy to pay attention to the matter.
If Judge Conrad can locate and
identify the manuscript, it is plan
ned to have Senator Bayard to pre-
fer a written request for its return
to the state, or, if necessary, to in
troduce a bill in Congress authoriz-
ing the return.
The information contained in the
desired records has been published
in the Delaware Archives, the editor
working from photostat copies of the
pages of the manuscript. But the
state wants the original for perman-
ent preservation.
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
DATES ARE FIXED
FOR nine FAIRS
Exhibition At Harrington Will BE
Held On July 2G to 80

Dates of the nine fairs of the Del
Mar-Va-Penn Fair Association at the
annual meeting in the ballroom OF
the Wicomico Hotel at Salisbury
were announced on Monday.
James NJ. Crockett, of Pocomoke
was reelected president. Senator
David ]. Ward, of Salisbury, was
again elected as secretary.
Dates of the fairs which are mem
bers of the circuit were booked as
follows, both dates are inclusive:
Harrington, Del, July $3.50; Po-
comoke, Md, August 2-6; Tasley,
Va, August 9-12; Salisbury, August
1918; Cambridge, August 24-26;
Keller, Va, August 29-September 3;
Norfolk, Va, September 5-1O; West
Chester, Pa, (open.)
Norfolk and Keller became mem
bers of the peninsula circuit last
wear. Dates of the West Chester
fair remain unfixed because of the
late arrival of an official Of that
place. -.
upon purses and the racing program
by April 1 and submit the informa-
tion to the association secretary for
publication.
G. III. Goshen, Of Hartford, Conn,
secretary of the National Trotting
Association with which the PENN
sula fairs are affiliated, explained
the new regulations for racing. All
horses entered in races in this cir
cuit this year will be classified by
the amount of purses each entram
wins. Forty-two representatives at
tending the meeting were dinner
guests Of the Wicomico Fair Asso-
/ citation
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
INVENTORY CONGRESS WILL
Be LARGELY ATTENDED
Men OF National Prominence Will
Aid In Making 1t A Success

A. E. Fitkin, nationally known
banker and financier, President Of
A. E. Fitkin & Company, 165 Broad
way, New York, who has controlling
interest in public utility concerns
throughout the country with total
assets of over $2OO,OOO,O00, has wir-
ed the Del-Mar-Va Eastern Shore
Association that he will attend and
participate in the Del-Mar-Va Takes
Inventory Congress to be held in
Salisbury on February 16 and IL.
Mr.. Fitkin will be accompanied by
George F. Maddox, Assistant Gen
eraI Manager of the General Engi-
neering and Management Corpora
ton, and H. w. Peck, sponsor for
the Eastern Shore Gas and Electric
Company's properties and the Fitkln
public utility properties throughout
Pennsylvania.
In accepting the invitation to take
an active part in the Congress Mr.
Fitkin expressed a sincere desire to
rub elbows" with the progressive
people of the Peninsula and to
share in their endeavors to make
the Inventory Congress a thorough
" resultful and worthwhile etfort.
The several Congress Commits
sions are active in preparing their
analytical reports. A meeting Of the
Transportation and Communications
Division will be held Wednesday,
when the preliminary report Of their
meeting of last week will be review
ed. Former Senator E. Dale Adkins
Chairman of this Division, reports
a most enthusiastic and resultful
meeting with the following members
in his Division: A. A. Richards, Ac-
comac. Va, J. Richard Phillips, Ber-
lin. Md, W. S. Davis, Pittsville, Nd,
w. P. Ward, Salisbury, Md, Lee Lay
ton, Jr., Dover, Henry Conant, Re
hoboth, I. E. Jones, Onley, Va, W. s.
Sheppard, Salisbury, Md, P. 2. Bur-
roughs, Salisbury, Nd, I. Paul Jones
of Dover, G. Leslie Gooden, Dover
IVY L. Andrews, Cambridge, Nd, w
D. Gould, Cambridge, Md, and w
T. Gardner, Salisbury, Md.
Senator Louis A. Drexler, chair
man of the Resorts Commission, Is
CONTINUED on Page Six)
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
CARLISLE FIRE co.
TO GIVE CARD PARTY
Will Hold Interesting Event in Com
munity Building on February Is

Members of the Auxiliary to the
Carlisle Fire Co., are arranging for
one of the most delightful evenings
of the winter on February 18th. The
spacious room on the second floor of
the Community Building will be ar
ranged to accommodate fifty tables
of cards, bridge, five hundred, euchre
pitch or other card games. Delici-
Gus refreshments are being prepared
and up to the present time very nice
prizes have been donated. This
party will be worth your time and
admission tickets at so cents will
be sold by the ladies and fiermen.
Everybody buy and help, the firemen
need your help and the ladies want
your encouragement for this card
party is to buy table cloths for the
large number of tables used in the
dining room.
If there are any friends who can
not enjoy the card games and feel
they would like to donate a table
cloth, kindly speak to the president
of the Auxiliary, Mrs. G. T. Macklin
and she will be glad to give you the
size required.
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
MILFORD BOYS DEFEAT
SEAFORD HIGH TEAM
Best Game Seen In Milford This
Season Say The Fans

In one of the most thrilling games
ever staged on the local floor, Mil
ford Highs passers defeated Seaford
last Friday, 22-19.
The large crowd that thronged the
Community Building was amply re-
paid for there was never a dull mo-
ment in either the boys or girls
game. In the preliminary game,
Seaford girls defeated the local
sixtette 1929. The Milford lassies
played their best game of the year
and deserved to win.
The boys game was the surprise
of the season as Seaford had prev
iously beaten Milford at Seaford.
However in the first contest several
Of Milford's players were out due
to enjuries.
. The boys of both teams were de-
termined to win and the score was
frequently tied. The first half end
ed 9-8 favor of Milford and in fact
the locals held the lead most Of the
time.
"Ike" Warren and "Dike" Hitch
CONTINUED on page seven)
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
CHICKENS BURNED WHEN
BUILDING IS CONSUMED
George Bennett Lost About 25O
Fowls In Monday Evening Blaze

George Bennett, well-known Mil
ford Neck resident, lost about 25O
chickens when a new poultry house
on his farm was burned early Mon
day evening of this week. The build
ing was a, new one and was the
only one on the farm not covered
bv insurance. Mrs. Bennett had been
fumigating the building against
roup, and had used a preparation
which she poured over a brick
which had been heated. After using
the preparation she went to the
dwelling house, and few minutes
thereafter the family noticed that
the poultry house was in flames. A
call for assistance was phoned to
the Carlisle Fire Company of Mil
ford, who responded Immediately.
When the firemen arrived the build
ing was practically destroyed. None
of the other buildings on the farm
we're damaged by the flames.
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
BUCK OPPOSES TAX
INCREASE ON GAS
AT PRESENT TIME
State Highway Engineer Tells
Budget Committee Increase Is
Not Necessary.
$4,000 in REVENUE NOW
He Expects This Amount For
State Roads Next Year From
Fund.

That there is no necessity for in
creasing the State tax on gasoline
was the declaration of C. D. Buck,
chief engineer of the State Highway
Department, Monday morning be-
fore the joint budget committee of
the General Assembly. He said there
was no necessity for an increase in
the tax at this time and he quoted
figured to show that the depart
ment's income from this source in
1926 amounted to 1896, ,656.30, as
compared with $342,0S1.SS for 1925.
He estimated the revenue from Lhe
gas tax in 1927 would be $370,000.
Committeeman thought the gas
tax should be increased because
many automobile owners who use
the highways do not own property
and therefore do not pay the State
taxes other than the registration
and gas tax. Mr.. Buck, however, ad-
vised against any increase at this
time despite the fact that Maryland
is contemplating an increase of two
cents, making their total gas tax
41h cents. Mr.. Buck told the COM
mittee and departments income in
1926 from registration fees 'totaled
S775,965 as compared with $6SO,O1O
in 1925.
The income from police fines on
autoists was $4O,64S in 1926 as COM
pared with $36,359 in 1925. The de-
partment estimated the registration
fees will bring a revenue of S775,OOO
in 1927 giving the State a total rev.
enue in 1927 from gas tax and reg
istration fees estimated at $1,145,OOO.
The total estimated expenditures
for 1927 amounted to $999,92O, leav-
ing an excess of revenue for the
year of $145,680. This would war
rant the state highway department
issuing bonds to the amount OF So
OS1 900 but Mr.. Buck pointed out
that while the departments excess
revenue in 1925-1926 warranted d
bond issue up to $3,557 900, the de-
partment actually issued for new
roads only $2,1OO,OOO or about 81
per cent of the bonds that could
have been floated.
Mr.. Buck told the committee he
thought one of the most important
measures before the legislature is
the Deputy bill in the Senate pro
viding that the State take over the
county road and state aid highway
bonds. He said the bill as it stands
would require the State to make az
outlay of approximately $9,OOO,OOO
Continued on Page Seven)
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
LAUREL ARMORY OPENED
WITH ELABORATE PROGRAM
Governor Robinson Accepts New
Building For State, Ball in Evening

Featured by a reception by Cover
nor Robert P. Robinson and his
staff, followed by spectacular mill
tary ball, the new $4,000 armory
was formally opened at Laurel last
Friday evening and officially turned
over to Battery A, the unit OF the
National Guard stationed in that
town and which will have its head
quarters in the building. The occa-
sion was one of the most notable
held in Laurel for many years and
proved to be one of the most bril-
liant occasions of the kind witnessed
in Delaware for long time.
About 300 couples attended the re-
ception and dance. The grand march
was headed by Adjutant General j.
Austin Ellison, of Wilmington. The
interior of the armOry was made
brilliant by many lights and the
vari-colored decorations together
with the beautiful gowns of the wo-
men helped to make the scene one
long to be remembered by those at
tending. State and national colors
and colored bunting had been USED
in profusion in the decorations. The
olive drab uniforms Of the officers
we're in striking contrast to the gen
eral color scheme.
Preceding the ball Governor ROD
inson and his staff held a reception
at the armory from $50 o'clock until
$50. H.
The ceremonies incident to the
opening Of the armory began short
ly after 2 o'clock Friday afternoon
Continued on page seVen)
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
STATE POLICE ARREST
81 IN LAST MONTH

Eighty-seven arrests were
made by the State Police last
month. according TO the month
ly report made public by Su-
perintendent c. C. Reynolds.
The amount collected in fines
was S1O15. Reprimands num-
beIed 365.
Reckless driving, usually the
Offense for which the greatest
number of arrests are made,
was away down this month,
with only 6 arrests. The num-
ber of arrests on other charges
follow.
No operators license, 16:
unregistered car, IA; no mir
ror on truck, 9; driving while
drunk, 8; overloaded trucks,
Z; improper tags, 5; assault
and battery, 5; breaking and
entering, 4; drunk and disor-
derly, 4.
One arrest was made on each
of the following charges; op-
Grating a gambling device, i'm
proper lights, no number on
motor, passing on the right
and throwing glass on the
highway.
Milford chronicle., 1927-02-11
WORLD WAR VETERANS
May SECURE FINANCIAL AID
Tbose wishing To Borrow On Bonus
Certificates Are Advised How

Anthony Summers, Commander OIL
Dt;7forJ Post. No. 8, of the American
Legion, has advised Worl9 w wa[ soo,'re SvC
erans lust how to proceed to seGGae T;a,S
loans on Bonus Certificates "nlcn me-
they may desire to borrow On, d. VG1, IN
touch with the local post OF a4e t4e
[UueT Gm,erican Legion and submit data
which will show the amount needed
w. H- make loans, stating the amount
~ ~ he borrowed and naming the To-
oo1 hank which it is desired to bor-
T[11 Tow MOI money. T. Carlisle Collins IS
adiutant of Milford Post NO. o. anu anu
persons desiring information may
secure it from him. There IS no
charge for this service.