davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
GOVERNORNAPPROVES BILL
CLOSINCePRIME HOOK CREEK
Stream Over Which Controversy
Ragged May Be Closed In Season

Governor Robinson has signed the
bill recently passed by both branch
es of the Legislature which will per-
NIT the closing of Prime Hook
Creek from October to March Of
each year.
1t is reported that owners Of land
adjoining the muskrat farms on
both sides of the creek may insti-
tute court proceedings to test the
constitutionality of the Legislatures
action.
The passage of the bill was asked
by renters of lands on both sides Of
the creek who are engaged in musk
rat hunting. They argued that clos
ing of the Delaware Bay end Of the
creek would permit the flooding Of
the lands near the creek and better
enable them to get over the lands
which they rent and trap the musk
rats.
Owners Of higher land fear that
the damming up Of the creek would
flood and seriously damage their
lands.
Closing of the creek has been a
source of bitter argument between
the muskrat men and other land
owners for many months. A short
time ago the muskrat hunters closed
the creek and flooded their lands.
The land owners then reopened the
creek with dynamite.
An amendment to the bill signed
by the Governor provides that the
persons who close the creek during
the specified period shall reopen it
at the expiration of the period.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
FIRE DESTROYS BUILDING
AT BOWERS BEACH
Milford And Dover Firemen Battle
Flames At Early Morning Blaze

The building owned by Wilbur
McIlvaine, and occupied by him as a
dwelling, pool room and confection-
cry store, at Bowers, was burned to
the ground early yesterday MORN
ing. An adjoining cottage owned
by Wilbur Layton was burned on
one side, but it was saved through
the efforts of firemen. The blaze
brought calls for assistance to the
Carlisle Fire Company of Milford,
and the Robbins Hose Company of
Dover, both of which companies re-
sponded. The Milford boys arrived
on the scene about ten minutes be-
fore the Capitol city boys, and had
streams of water playing on the
burning building when the Dover
boys arrived. The citizens of Bow
ers were able to save some Of the
contents of the McIlvaine home and
store. All of the contents of the
Layton cottage were taken out. For
a time the citizens of Bowers fehred
that the flames would spread to
other parts of the town. The high
east wind which was blowing fat the
time sent burning embers forfa con-
siderable distance. The Efforts Of
Dover and Milford fireme1, how
ever, confined the blaze to tDe Nell
vaine property and the Layton cot
tagG adjoining.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
STATE PER CAPITA
DEBT INCREASES
DURING YEAR 1926
Net Indebtedness Was $34.33 For
Each Resident Of State.--In-
crease Over 1925.
TAX LEVY Was S2.64
Amount OF State Taxes Levied For
Year Was $500, ,lO4; Assessed
Valuation $252,O41, ,739.

A slight increase per capita in the
cost of maintenance of the general
departments of the State Govern
ment of Delaware is shown in a
summary of the financial statistics
of the United States Department Of
Commerce just issued. The per
capita cost for the fiscal year ending
June 80 last year was $18.29, which
included S1,361 ,416 apportionments
for educational purposes. In 1925
the per capita cost was $17.29.
Interest on the state debt am
Ounted to $399,553; and Outlays for
permanent improvements totaled
$2.670,467. The total payments,
therefore, for expenses of the gem
eral departments. interest and out
lays were $7,441,271. The totals in
clude all payments for the year,
whether made from current reven-
ues or from the proceeds of bond
issues. OF the governmental cost
reported above $2,216,S71 was for
highways, $203,612 being for main
tenance and $2,O13,259 for construc-
tion.
The report concerning the States
revenues for the past year says the
total revenue receipts of Delaware
for 1926 were $7,SSO,57O. or $32.97
per capita. This was $3,109,7
more than the total payments of the
year, exclusive of the payments for
permanent improvements, and $780,
299 more than the total payments
including those for permanent inn
prOvements. This excess of reVen-
ue receipts is reflected in purchase
of improvements and in cash bal
ances, not shown in this summary.
Property and special taxes repre-
sented 61.9 per cent. of the total
revenues for 1926, S44 per cent for
1925, and 28.1 per cent for 1917. The
increase in the amount of property
and special taxes collected was
672.9 per cent from 1917 to 1925,
and 37.6 per cent from 1925 to 1926.
The per capita property and special
taxes were S2O.41 in 1926, $15.17 in
1925, and $2.11 in 1917.
Earnings of the general depart
ments, or compensation for services
rendered by State officials, repre-
continued on page seven)
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
M. E. CONFERENCE In
SESSION AT SALISBURY
Many Pastoral Changes Are Expect
ed BY Bishop

With ministers from all parts OF
Delaware and from sections of Mary
land and Virginia in attendance, the
59th annual session of the Whining
ton Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church convened in AS
bury Church, Salisbury, Wednesday
morning.
The mornings session started
with a communion service, with
Bishop Francis J. Mcconnell in
Charge The church auditorium was
comfortably filled when this session
started, many ministers and their
wives occupying the pews.
A memorial service, in charge OF
Rev. G. 7. Anderson, was held fol-
lowing the communion, at which
time was read memoirs of ministers
and ministers wives VINO have died
during the past year.
Following the memorial service,
the conference met for organization.
Bishop Mcconnell took charge Of
the proceedings at this point.
Rev. Disston w. Jacobs, secretary
of the conference from the last ses-
sion, read the rOll-call, 240 minis
ters responding.
1t is thought that many new as
signments of pastors will be made
this year.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
THE AGRICULTURAL
OUTLOOK In COUNTRY
County Agent M. c. Vaughn Says
Price Level Is No Better Than
Last Year.

Speaking of the agricultural out
look for 1927, County Agent NJ c.
Vaughn this week said:
"Now that the time for seeding
another crop is almost here every
farmer and those interested in agrt-
culture are planning their years
work and many of them are Won
dering just what crops to put in
this year that will pay them best.
OF course it is hard to answer this
question for the only gage that we
have to judge the future by is the
records of the past. With this in
view, the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture
every year in February publishes
circular on "The Agricultural Out
look for the Coming Year." and the
few following suggestions are based
largely on this publication.
In attempting to predict what
1927 has in store for the farmers Of
Delaware as well as the country in
general, one must consider general
economic laws which operate the
same year after year such as: sup
Ply anu uSludllu5 fdlu6 VI SOlus GICs
Based on the U. S. Department
Circular No. 1O1, prepared by the
Bureau of Agricultural Economics,
the general price level for all agri-
cultural products in 1927, will not
be any better than the past year,
1926. This, of course, is not en-
cOuraging to the farmer. However,
the general price level of all manu-
factured products that we buy,
clothes, hardware, automo-
biles, fertilizer, spray material, ETC.,
will be downward in 1927. That is
to say, that the farmers dollar
should buy more in 1927 than it did
in 1926. Another thing that was
in the Departments cir
cular was this: That the general
price level of all agricultural pro-
ducts this year will be about the
same as last year, but certain Sec
tions of the country, that are spec
ializing in quality production, can
expect to receive prices quite a bit
above the general level. To the
(continued on page y
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
CELEBRATE GOLDEN
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Mr.. And Mrs. John H. Bennett, Mil.
ford Neck, Married Fifty Years

Mr.. and Mrs. John H. Bennett,
prominent residents of Milford Neck,
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of
their marriage on Monday evening
of this week at which time scores of
their friends visited their home and
congratulated them upon the Golden
Anniversary of their union. The
bride and groom of half a century
ago reside on their farm near Ben
nett's Pier in very prosperous
farming district. During the fifty
years of their marriage life they
have resided on farms in the Milford
Neck District where they have al
ways been prominent in activities Of
the district. The affair on Monday
evening brought forth gifts of gold
to Mr.. and Mrs. Bennett, whose
friends expressed the esteem and re-
spect in which the Benefits are
held with gifts of gold. Gold money
predominated among the gifts, the
couple having received a snug sum
on the occasion of their wedding an
niversary.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
RIVER & HARBOR ALLOTMENTS
FOR DELAWARE WATERWAYS
$1,000 Appropriated For Work On
MispilliOn River.

The Secretary of War has ap-
proved the following allotments
from the National Appropriations
made by Congress, for the rivers
and harbors in all parts Of the
United States.
The sum of $2,OOO,OO0 has been
set aside for the Delaware River
from Philadelphia to the Sea.
For Delaware: Wilmington Har-
Dor, $147,50O; st. Jones River, $751;
500; Mispillion River, $1,000;
Broadkill River, $4,000; Waterway
between Rehoboth Bay and Della
ware Bay, $4,000. Delaware and
Maryland: Waterway, Delaware
River to Chesapeake Bay, $640,000.
Delaware, Maryland and Virginia:
Waterway, Delaware Bay to Chinco-
league Bay, $500.
An adequate amount has been
reserved for contingencies and fu-
ture allotments. Unless some un-
usual and exceptional case shall
arise, no allotments will be made
for the new projects authorized in
the recent Rivers and Harbors Act
until another appropriation shall
become available.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
JAS. N. TUNNEL, R.,
AGAIN Wins SCHOOL
ORATORICAL HONORS
Georgetown Boy Takes Contest In
His School; Will Compete For
Right To Represent State.
STOOD SECOND LAST YEAR
Boy Made Good Showing In Final
Regional Meeting At Philadel-
phia---This His Last Chance.

Two high school students who
won their way last year to the
Philadelphia Regional Finals of the
National Oratorical Contest on the
Constitution, have won school hon
Ors again.
They are James M. Tunnel, Jr.,
of the Georgetown, Del, High, and
Gertrude Weisberger, of Dunmore,
Pa, High. They are seniors, and
this is the last chance to participate
in the patriotic and educational con-
test sponsored by the Philadelphia
Regional Committee of which for
mer U. 81 Senator George Wharton
Pepper is chairman.
Coming from geographic extremes
of the region, this boy and girl, the
two youngest participants in the
contest which gave Thomas p.
Cleary, regional winner last year,
his crown, were awarded second
and third place, respectively. Should
both survive the inter-school elimi-
nations leading to the major meet
ing in the area this year, it will be
the first instance anywhere that two
youthful orators have appeared in
regional meeting in consecutive
years.
The first of the inter-school elimi-
nation meetings was held in the au-
ditorium of the Sunbury High
School Tuesday evening. These
contests will continue throughout
April and early May, the sponsor
ing committee announced.
Eight finalists will appear in the
regional meeting in the Academy Of
Music, Philadelphia, on the evening
of May 13. The regional winner, in
addition to receiving the major
elective award becomes eligible to
represent Eastern Pennsylvania,
Southern New Jersey and Delaware
in the American National Finals, in
Washington, May 27. when five JUS
tices of the u. S. Supreme Court
will select the foremost high school
orator in America.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
HOUSE PASSES CUBBAGE'S
TEACHERS GRADING BILL
Measure Favored By Representa-.
tiVeS Opposed By Educators.

What is termed by educators a
step backward in the fight that has
been made in this state for the past
six or seven years to raise the STAN
dard of teachers in the public
schools will be made if a bill that
passed the House Monday morning
is also passed by the Senate and
signed by the Governor.
The bill which was introduced by
Representative Cubbage provides
that all white teachers who have
been teaching in the elementary or
high schools for five consecutive
years and who have taken two or
more terms of teacher training in
tht summer schools shall be issued
first grade certificates. Under this
bill regardless of the qualifications
of the teachers the State Board of
Education would be required to is
sue the first grade certificates un-
der the above circumstances.
Mr.. Cubbage argued at the pres
ent time some teachers who have
been teaching for years in the
schools cannot get these first grade
certificates unless they attend sum-
mer school for eight summers.
The bill was passed 20 to 4. Those
voting against it were Representa-
tives Duncan, Sheldrake, Wootten
and Speaker Wintrup. This bill, it
is argued, should it become a law
will set back the fight to raise the
teaching standards of the state 10
years.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
REV. D. W. JACOBS CLOSES
SUCCESSFUL PASTORATE HERE
Entertained BY Milford Friends Dur
ing Last Days With Them

Avenue Methodist Episcopal
Church is closing the most prosper
GUS and harmonious year of its his
tory. During the year pastors sal
airy ha,' been raised $500, making
the cash salary now $4,000, and be-
cause of the hearty response Of
members and friends of the church
the treasurer reports it has been a
real joy to serve in that capacity.
Reports from the various organiza-
tions of the church show them to
be in most excellent condition. The
pastor, who has served this charge
for six years, left for Conference
last Tuesday afternoon to make one
of the best reports of his minister
ial career.
Having been invited TO become
the pastor of the M. Z. Church at
Newark, the seat of the University
of Delaware, and having accepted
the invitation subject to the approx
al Of the Bishop and his cabinet.
Rev. DisstOn W. Jacobs expects to
be assigned to that important
church at this present Conference.
During the last week or ten days
members and friends of the church
have, in various ways, shown their
love and esteem for the pastor and
his family, and regret their leaving
them for new field of duty.
On Friday evening, March 18th,
the Sunday School Board held a tur-
key dinner at the Grange Hall, and
at the conclusion of the evenings
entertainment the pastor was pre-
sented with most beautiful Con-
sistOry watch charm. Everyone was
in high spirits and most enjoyable
evening was spent.
The Fellowship Bible Glass, Of
which class Mrs. Jacobs was an
active member, presented Mrs. Jac-
obs with most beautiful luncheon
set on Monday evening, after de-
lightfully entertaining her at a
party at the home of Mr.. and Mrs
Earl Hudson.
At the conclusion of last Sunday
mornings service, the Friendship
Bible Glass, which class the pastor
has taught for six years, presented
him with a beautiful Thomas
clock. All such kindnesses show
how the members of the church ap-
preciate the services of the pastor
and his wife.
On Monday evening at the par
sonage, the members of the choir
came in a bOdV and DraSented tn
Mrs. Jacobs, on behalf of her many
admiring friends among the mem
bership and friends of the church, a
purse of $100 in gold Mrs. Jacobs
wishes to express her thanks to all
her friends who in this way showed
their appreciation of her services at
all times in the church.
A number Of other gifts from in
dividuals consisting of money, ETC.,
have been taken and sent to the
parsonage during the last week.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
HEAR TALKS ABOUT
MILK PRODUCTION
Delaware Milk Producers Are
Told Why They Should Feed
More Carefully.

Some very interesting as well as
educational facts concerning the
present marketing situation for
whole milk, and the prospects for
developing the dairy industry in this
section of the United States were
discussed at the dairy meetings
which were held at Smyrna and
Harrington last Thursday and Fri
day evenings under the directions of
Kent County Agent Russell E. Will
son, in cooperation with the Inter
State Milk Producers Association
and the Interstate Dairy Council of
Philadelphia.
Approximately four hundred dairy
farmers and their families were in
attendance at these two meetings to
learn of the Importance of prOduc-
ing clean milk for public cOnsump-
ton, also the necessity for develop
ing the dairy industry on a more
economical and practical basis, and
in an effort to bring about these
suggested changes on the average
farm, the cooperation and support
of all the milk producers and local
agricultural organizations within
this territory is being solicited by
the County Agent and the represen-
tatives of the Interstate Milk Pro-
ducers' Association, and the Inter-
State Dairy Council.
In discussing the average produc-
tiOn of milk per COW in the territory
covered by these two organizations,
few interesting figures comparing
the milk production in certain Sec
tions of Pennsylvania and in Della
ware and the Eastern Shore of
Maryland were presented by C. I.
COhee, director of the Quality Con-
troll Department of the Interstate
Dairy Council.
Taking as a basis for this dis
cussion the amount of milk deliv-
cred and handled by ten typical re-
ceiVing stations in Pennsylvania
during the past year, it was found
that 6O,950,832 pounds of milk was
sold from 1881 COWS, or an aver
age production of $3.50 pounds of
milk per COW, as compared to 106,-
618,531 pounds of milk sold from
1922 cows representing nineteen
receiving stations in Delaware and
on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
Continued on page seVen)
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
MILFORD FOLKS ENJOY ROUND
F-PARTIESlTHE PAST WEEK
Many Parties We're Enjoyed By The
People In Milford

During the past week many par
ties were enjoyed by different ages
and crowds in town. Usually the
people plan their gayety before the
Lenten season, but this year many
affairs are being enjoyed during the
present season.
On Saturday evening, March 18th,
Mrs. William Emerson Hallett en-
tertained many of her friends at
four tables of bridge. Mrs. Wilbert
Joseph entertained at bridge on
Wednesday evening, March 9th. Mrs.
Lester o. Atkins entertained in her
usual delightful manner on Wednes-
day evening, March %.
The New Windsor Hotel was the
scene of another pretty party on
Friday evening, March 18th, when
Mrs. T. T. Windsor entertained at
st. Patrick bridge party. The spa
cious dining room was beautifully
decorated with growing plants and
daffOdils, while the talleys, favors
and even the aprons of the young Ia
dies assisting the hostess to serve,
carried out the patron saint idea.
Four prizes were awarded and at a
late hour, the forty-four guests were
served one of Mrs. Windsor's famous
platters. After refreshments were
served the guests were entertained
by Prof. Halfway with his card
tricks. This ended a very delightful
evening.
Another Saint Patrick's party was
given on Thursday evening, by Mrs.
S. M. D. Marshall, when she enter
tertained several of her friends at
bridge. Talleys, favors and refresh
ments carried out the idea of st.
Patrick and the wearing of the
green. A very enjoyable evening was
Snpnf
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
MILFORD COUNCIL PLANS
: MANY STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Officials Hope To Resurface All Inn
proved Streets In Town This Year

Milford Town Council is now
planning it's street work for this
year with the idea of resurfacing
every improved street in the town.
Specifications have been prepared
and bids for doing the work will
be asked for in the near future. In
addition to the resurfacing work,
Council expects to improve West
Front Street, South Milford, from
the Chronicle office down past the
Community Building. AS yet just
the kind of materials to be used for
this work has not been decided
upon. Bids will be asked for con-
crete, Macadam and Amesite con-
struction. 1t is more than likely
that the cost of the several kinds of
materials will govern the placing of
the contracts for this work. At the
present time the Diamond State
Telephone Company is contemplate
ing making a number of changes in
it's plant in Milford. This work
will be done in conjunction with
the new central plant now being
provided for in the Masonic Temple.
Efforts are being made to work out
a plan whereby the Light & Water
Commission and the telephone COM
pany will eliminate all poles on
Walnut street, in the business Sec
ton, between Front street, North
Milford, and Front street, South
Milford
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
SCHOOL PUPILS ENTER
BIRD HOUSE CONTEST
Approximately 50 Houses VIII BE
Entered In Manual Training Work

The pupils of the Milford Public
Schools are now busy making bird
houses which they will enter in
contest for workmanship hOnOrs
within the next few days. A like
contest was held last year and Won
derful results were accomplished by
the boys. This years competition
is being conducted by the Manual
Training Department of the High
School. Much more interest is
being manifested this year than
last season and indications are that
it will be the best of it's kind ever
held in Milford. Approximately so
houses will be entered for the
prizes, and they are of all types.
There are robin shelters, wren
houses and larger colony homes for
purple martins. The Milford RO-
tary Club has offered two prizes,
one of $500 and one of $3.50, and
the department is supplementing
these with a boy scout knife for
second year classes. When all Of
the contestants have completed
their work, the boxes will be placed
on exhibition where the public may
inspect the work of the boys.
Milford chronicle., 1927-03-25
MILFORD ROBBERTES SOLVED
BY ARRESTEOF YOUNG MAN
Paul McNatt, With Former Good
Reputation, Charged With Thefts

Several cases of thievery during
the past several months in Milford
were solved last Thursday when
Paul McNatt, a young married man,
was placed under arrest. Suspicion
was first pointed toward the young
man when a radio stolen from the
store of VIM. H. Warren several
months ago was taken to Warren's
store for repairs. The person
bringing the radio stated that he
had bought it from McNatt. This
caused an investigation, and Frank
v. o. Reedy got out search war;
rant and found another radio set
which had been stolen from his
store hooked up in McNatt's home.
He was arrested and taken to Do
yer where he was released under
$500 bond for his appearance in
court. In the meantime Samuel G.
Evans had been busy. He got in
touch with Sussex County Detective
Donoway who searched the McNatt
home and found a Victrola which
Mr.. Evans identified as his. A
lamp shade missed when the Evans
store was entered five months ago
was seen at the same time This
caused the officials to question Nc
Matt with the result that he ac-
knowledged having entering the Ev-
ans store and having taken a guam
tity Of watches and jewelry. He
was again arrested, and on Friday
morning was held by Justice of the
Peace Mustard, of Georgetown,
under $1,000 bond on the Victrola-
stealing charge, and $4,000 bond on
the jewelry store charge. Failing
to secure a bondsman he is still in
Georgetown Jail. Another radio set
taken from Wharton 6 Barnard's
store, was found in his home.
While the feeling is general in
Milford that a gang of young men
are implicated, McNatt insists that
he did the work himself. He has
always had the finest reputation,
and the disclosure has caused
widespread sympathy here.