davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

walls and fills the garden with bril-
liant light and contrasting shadows,
nor can one impart to another the
feeling that the trees and flowers
and grasses contribute to the sense
that all of them belong"
%%*
The Ridgely garden is two hun
dred years old almost to the day. 1t
was begun by Thomas Parke, one of
the earliest innkeepers of Dover-a
claim based on the record that he
had kept the tavern that stood on
the site of the old Capitol Hotel as
far back as 1928, even before the
settlement had more than a dozen
houses. Dover grew rather slowly,
but finally there was a demand for
more hotel accommodations and
then sprang up the Capitol, but
Parke soon after retired and built
the original part of the Ridgely
house in 1928, and two hundred
years ago laid ont the garden and
planted the still vigorous box tree
under which Caesar Rodney and
Mary Vining played. There were but
two rooms on each floor in the house
Parke built. He moved into the new
dwelling after his wife was too ill to
further take part in the trying duties
of hostess of the finest hotel in the
lower counties, and continued to re-
side there until 1875 or 1876. 1t was
eventually purchased by Judge Mich
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29
TRIBUTE TO COUNTRY PRESS

"The smaller newspapers of the
country are the most important
newspapers, and incidentally, in
proportion to their circulation,
their advertising results are the
biggest, and their advertising rates
are the smallest in the country.
They are read through from end to
end. Every copy of circulation
means an entire family, not a fam
lily that lives in one room with
can opener, but a family that owns
its own house, and land around it,
at least ninety times out of a hun
dred; family that buys every
thing, from the roof on the house,
to the cement on the cellar floor;
from the hat on mothers head to
the shoes on the boys feet. The
service that their publishers render
to the public is, in my opinion, the
most important service rendered by
any class of citizens in the United
States. The country editors are dis
tributors of information; they
reach the minds of the boys that
leave the farms, and they are the
nations mental police force" says
Arthur Brisbane.
After half a century in the publi-
cation of newspapers, daily and
weekly, the writer can endorse the
opinion of Arthur Brisbane that the
country paper is read from end to
end, and the advertisements are of
special interest. Where a hundred
read all that is in the home weekly,
only one in that one hundred per-
uses all that is in the big city daily
paper that comes to them. Large
foreign advertisers are also becom-
ing cognizant of the fact that space
in country weekly and smaller city
daily papers is of real value to
them; that they can gain more at
less cost, at the same time securing
as much combined circulation with
a certainty that their advertise
ments will be read by all-Wood-
bur, Ore, Weekly Independent.
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29
TRANSPORT CHARGES
CAUSE PRODUCERS
PRICES TO VARY

Why a New York farmer compel
ing with western grain growers il
likely to find it more profitable tC
grow corn than wheat affords {
good example of the effects oil
transport charges on the disuribu
ton of types of farming in the Uni
ted States, according to w. J. Spill
man, of the United States Depart
lnent of Agriculture. 1t also affords
an example of the differences be-
tween producers prices and con-
suIners' prices.
In a general way" says Mr..
Spillman, "the producers price for
product is the price at the mar
ket center less the cost of getting
the product from the producer to
the market center. The consumers
price is the price at the market CEN
ter plus the cost of getting the COM
modify from the market center to
the consumer. A locality that grows
a crop for sale gets producers
prices for it. One that uses more
of a commodity than it produces
pays consumers prices.
Suppose, for instance, the aver
age seabOard price for wheat for a
period of years is 81 cents a bushel,
and that the cost of getting Illinois
wheat to the seabOard is 16 cents a
bushel. Then an Illinois locality
that grows wheat for export would
get 81 minus 16, or 81 cents for it's
wheat. If it cost cents to get a
bushel of New York wheat from the
farm to the seaboard, then a New
York locality that grows wheat for
export would get 81 minus :, or 30
cents a bushel. In both cases the
producer for export gets a produc-
eFs price.
Suppose it costs the same to get
a bushel of corn to or from the sea-
board as it does bushel of wheat,
and that the seaboard price of corn
is 59 cents. Then an Illinois locality
that grows corn for export would
get SO minus 16, or 43 cents a BUSH
ell for its corn. A New York farm
er who buys corn from the West
would have to pay the price at sea-
board plus the cost of getting the
corn from the seaboard to him, SO
plus cents, or 66 cents. In the
case of wheat the New York farmer
would get cents a bushel more for
his product than his western COM
petitOr. In the case of corn he
would get % cents a bushel more.
because in this case he would be
selling on a consumers market in
stead of competing on a producers
market. Such differences as these
IN large measure explain many of !
he differences in the crops and |
cropping systems followed in var
Gus sections of the country"
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

ance and rich beauty even before she
had OutgrOwn her girlhood. Probab-
ly could the signer come again he
would find scarcely a change, except
that electric bulbs have superseded
the candles which were often color
full and fragrant with the pungent
odor of the forest trees or herbs that
lent their fragrance in the making.
The unObtrusive radiator has been
found a modern necessity, in the
10th century. 1t is used here to sup
plement the backlegs and foresticks
that blaze in the great open hearth
On andirons that must have reflect
ed, in their polished surfaces, the
faces of the bewiggered beaux and
dainty beauties 200 years ago. Here
repose in the study-the hall in ear
lier nOmenclature-endless rows of
books, well seasoned with their long
service and perhaps rejecting the
literary culture of the late 18th CEN
tury. They fit aptly into their set
ting. One may read these while sit
ting in either one of the two chairs
Of most generous proportions with
graceful, simple lines that William
Penn brought to this country in the
sailing ship Welcome in 1884. They
are in perfect state; treasures YOU
will all agree!
But perhaps the real gem that ar
rests the greatest admiration and
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

A glorious box tree mounting fal
above the ancient doorway of the in
teresting historic Ridgely house on
the north front of the picturesque
Dover Green, still keeps sentinel Ov-
er the spot where a century and
three-quarters ago two of the most
famous of all Delawareans played
their childhood games, and in form
al elegance befitting their stations,
drank a dish of tea of warm sum-
mer afternoons. Almost nothing is
changed in the old garden except
that it has been enriched in its
charm by Italian brOnzes that serve
to give it note of distinction, and
the recent extension of the flower
garden on the site of the old Capitol
Hotel, parts of the walls of which
were left intact, and with the addi-
ton of a pergola the newer part of
the ancient place gives back the at
mosphere of old English gardens.
##*
Here, too, tiny rill trinkles 81
lently through the greens and lends
further charm to the old garden
that is ready today to burst into a
bloom that will make it the most
attractive spot within our borders.
Fountains send the sparkling
streams lazily into the air while the
figures from a Florentine palace add
to the blithefulness of the rustic
picture. A tea house, shaded by old
trees, invites guests to share it's re-
pose and the foliage on all sides
wards off the summer heat. = flag
ged walk as long as the entire city
square is broken in the centre by
formal flower bed, which also is in
fringed by box of larger growth.
##%
Just now are blooming groups of
peOnies that lend the most gorgeous
hues of color to the green back
ground. Here, also in old fashioned
environment, jack-in-the-pulpits are
raising their reverent heads, and
wood hyacinths are mOdestly blush |
ing in the grasses, while the roses |
that used to bedeck the gardens of |
our great grandmothers are 'Oading
every bush in this two century-old
beauty spot. There is no room for
the modern plants of any kind. They,
however, are not rejected, but bloom
and flourish in garden apart from
the original one.
One cannot describe-even with
the aid of the camera-the charm
of this ancient shrine, for it's har-
mony and the pervading sense of re-
pose must be experienced rather {
than set down in type. One cannot ,
picture the birds that come unafraid ,
to the fountains for grateful sip of ;
water, nor the daybreak hour when ]
he sun rises above the enclosing y
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29
AGES OF VICE PRESIDENTS

The Presidency has come to nine
of our. Vice Presidents in the course
of the existence of our nation: The
elder Adams, jefferson, VanBuren
Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, Arthur
Roosevelt, Coolidge.
Adams was 54 when he became the
first presiding officer of the Federal
Senate. Thomas Jefferson, the great
rival of Adams, was also 54 when he
became Vice President. The more
youthful note began with Burr who
was only As when he became second
officer of the government. He missed
the Presidency in the first contest
decided by the House of Representa-
tives, after he and Jefferson had re-
ceived an equal number of votes, 7S'
in the electoral college, in 1901.
George Clinton, first state COVER
nor of New York, was &c when he
reached the Vice Presidency. He
died in that office at 7S. Elbridge
Gerry of Massachusetts was even
older than Clinton-69. He died
within year.
Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York,
taking office at 43, greatly reduced
the average age for Vice Presidents
John Caldwell Calhoun was also
only 4S when he became Vice Presi-
dent.
The scale went up again when Van
Buren became Vice President at 81.
He was admittedly in training under
Jackson for the highest Office. The
first Johnson to become Vice Presi-
dent-Richard NJ, of Kentucky-was
81 when he took Office with Van Bur-
en- as Jackson's legatee. The second
Johnson-Andrew, Of Tennessee
was also 81.
John Tyler went to the presiding
chair in the Senate at 81;
M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania,
at So; Millard Fillmore, of New York
at 49,; William R. King, of Alabama,
at Ga sharp reversion to the av-
erage age in the earlier days of the
republic.
At the early age Of Sc, John Cabell
Breckenridge of Kentucky assumed
the Office of Vice President. He holds
the honor of having been the young
est man elected to the second high
est Office in the Republic. Hannibal
of Maine was So when lie
began to serve as presiding officer
)f the United States Senate, and he
served during nearly the entire
period of the Civil War.
Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, was
another of the younger group of par
" leaders who reached the Vice
He was 46. Henry Will !
ION, of Massachusetts, was 81; Will
lam A. Wheeler, of New York, So; !
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

Chester Alan Arthur, of New York,
81. When Thomas Andrews Hend-
bricks became Vice President, his
years, 66, put the average up again.
Levi Parsons Morton taking the Of
flee at 65, was also of the "elder
statesmen" group. Adlai Ewing Ste
venson, of Illinois was So; Garret A.
Hobart, of New Jersey, SO. Theodore
Roosevelt, AZ; Charles Warren Fair
banks, So; James Schoolcraft Sher-
man, 81; Thomas Riley Marshall, SO.
Calvin Coolidge was one of the
younger groups, when he became
Vice President. Charles G. Dawes
was go in the first year of his Vice
Presidency.
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Ridgely live
among this wealth of ancient treas
ure from which one might almost
expect to see the founder of the
famous line browsing among the
classics that line the library shelves,
for the house and it's furnishings
are almost as they were when the
original owner entertained his dis
tinguished guests in the same colon
ial home.
Mr.. Ridgely is widely known as
lawyer, banker, and a philanthropist,
taking full part in all worthy under
takings. Mrs. Ridgely is a member
of the Colonial Danes and of ether
patriotic societies and president of
the State Archive Commission that
looks to the preservation Of Della
wares historic records that establish
it the foremost of all states in fur
nishing soldiers for the Revolution,
and great leaders in the formative
days of our national life.
She is granddaughter of Judge
George P. Fisher, who is still we'll
remembered as advisor and friend
of President Lincoln, who turned to
him for counsel on vital matters in
connection with the war of 1S61-65,
especially with the view of averting
the impending conflict through the
purchase of slaves by the federal
government. He served in many
positions in this state and
in posts of high honor in the ma
tiOnal capital. There is one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Harold w. Horsey, who
lives at Dover.
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

arouses the most envy among lovers
of the antique is a dinner set of rare
China that MAD Anthony" Wayne
gave his fancee, Mary Vining but
whom fate kept apart. She died a
spinster.
These precious pieces of porcelain
are of Lowestoff of the Revolution
airy War period. A band of brown
ish red encircles all the pieces while
on each is a medallion of the same
color with half blown roses in the
centre. The pitcher is of helmet de-
sign, now perhaps obsolete, but of
such oddity and beauty as to make il
notable in a collection of ceramic
masterpieces.
1t has been told and retold, but it
is none the less interesting in this
connection, that the beautiful Miss
Winnings kinsmen and kinswOmen
did not look with favor on her be-
trOthal to Mad Anthony" Wayne,
because he was regarded as some
what uncouth-a fighter, man of
action and not an adept in the social
graces. Evidently Miss Vining ad-
mired him for his dash, his bravery
and courage. At any rate she was
accustomed to follow her own will,
and she accepted the proffered hand
of this fighting patriot, son of the
Chester county Quaker and they
would have been married had not !
death overtaken him.
###
Perhaps what the lovers Of history
will regard as the most valued of all
priceless souvenirs that found place |
in the Ridgely "group" is d copy of
4 miniature of Miss Vining, drawn |
md presented to her by Major
Andre, another of the notable Brit /
sh commanders who worshipped at
his beauty's shrine.
1t shows that the Delaware I
)elle was beautiful indeed, as all |
reports affirmed, |
Ind preserves the soldiers skill in
especially when he had I
uch an inspiring model. Unfor-
Ghe original has disappear
ID.
###
A banquet table in the dining-room
ives one an idea of the sumptuOus-
less of the furniture of quality
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

folks" of other days. Three sections
of this splendid example of antique
craftsmanship make it adjustable to
varied numbers of guests. The two
pieces-one for either end-are SEM
Icircular and when in disuse serves
as wall tables. They are fawless and
/ precious beyond price. They came to
the Ridgely home after their original
owner, Commander Grant Jones, U.
S. N, through the misfortunes of
war-1812-had been captured and
imprisoned. They were brought into
the Ridgely family through pur-
chase.
Deep semi-circular inches in the
walls of the dining-room- architec-
tural delights display the splendid
old glasses from which were toasted
the bellies of the early day by the
descendants of Ridgely, and their
guests, while others, no less treasur-
ed, came through the COmegys line
and perhaps recall the period when
gentlemen drank Burgundy, and
praised the comeliness of the beau
ties of that day as they slipped their
old world wines.
#**
A remarkable portrait of Henry
Moore Ridgely modelled in colored
wax by famous sculptor of his day
divides attention with a majestic
portrait of Mrs. Charles Ridgely
(FirsD mother of Chancellor Ridge
ly, by Charles Peale, that reflects
the genius Of the greater painter of
the Revolutionary days.
1t is impossible to touch only the
highest lights, and but few of them
within the limits of a newspaper
but one might well conclude
that there are few if any collec-
tions of antique treasures that have
such great sentimental value by
reason of the fact that they are fam
lily heirlooms of intimate personal |
and value.
###
Doubtless no other home in the .
country has entertained so many
distinguished guests as the old
Ridgely House on the Dover Green.
Men conspicuously prominent in
public service, in the learned pro-
fessions, and leaders in all walks of
life have been guests there. Seven
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

Olas Ridgely, the father of DI
Charles Ridgely who was grea
grandson of Henry Ridgely, tn
emigre of Annapolis, Anne Arunde
county, Maryland In all the inter
vening years it has never been occu
pied by others than the descendant:
of Ridgely-five or six generation!
of the distinguished family, whC
have always been outstanding per
sonages in the history of the State.
#**
The tall old trees, too, reveal in
teresting stories of growth and de-
velopment. One, that bore big
chestnuts, once framed the flower
garden with it's outstretched, sweep
ing limbs, came from French stock
through du Pont kinsmen. 1t dates
far back into the last century, but
, its age or lineage could not spare it
from the irreverent deadening blight,
and it now serves as a lifeless ladder
for. climbing bloomers.
A honey locust, with its filmy
leaves, also has worthy setting in
the garden, and a Chinese Havonia
perfumes the entire country round,
when it's blossoms almost obscure
the foliage. 1t found its way to Do
yer via Washington, whittier it was
sent as Peking courtesy to Amer
leans. One of the saplings was pre-
sented to Senator Henry NJ. Ridgely
while he was in Congress, one hun
dred years ago. Time is measured
by centuries in this remarkable gar
den, where the old fashioned flowers
grow and bloom without being jost
led by modish blossOming neighbors.
**#
Like all "homes of quality" of the
early days, the Ridgely house has
detached kitchen and quarters for
servants. 1t is probable that they
and all their neighbors of position
and substance were the owners of
slaves, and as was customary, the
blacks dwelt in houses apart from
the masters-and the negro cook and
baker functioned in building
enough removed for the dining-roOm
to escape the culinary heat and OdOr.
The quarter" today is almost bur-
led under its veil of honeysuckle and
other vines and shares in it's quaint
ness a fitting part of the splendid
ensemble. 1t is indeed the most in
triguing of "cookeries" that one
could come up with in all that sec
ton.
#A#
Like perhaps the most of negroes
If that early period, and like almost |
everybody of today, the Ridgely SER
Jants had vision of great riches,
lfter the story of Captain Kidd's ex-
)loits had circulated among the Do
'er colOred people, where those of
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

notes in the architectural symphony
No more can type envisage the
charm and the priceless treasures OF
the famous old house than it could
detail the beauties of the garden
One on entering through the quaint
dOOrways, is amazed at the huge
keys that have turned the great
locks for two centuries, and the
great brass knobs set far towards
the centre of the panel of the doors
instead of in the frame, we'll to the
fore, which was the general custom
in the early years of seventeen hun
dred.
Still further within one comes to
face quaint architectural surprises
that seem to have been employed in
but few homes of that remote per-
iOd-twO centuries ago. Opening Into
the dining-room two doors that
swing wide apart, have most won
derful medallions of glass set in
their frames. What could have been
their uses no one seems to know, but
if their mission was decorative it
has been fulfilled.
They are "eye-high" from the
floor, behind the head of the table,
and if they were used to communi-
cate with the butler the latter must
have had a well rehearsed code, for
the glass is rather deeptY toned in
green and cast or moulded from a
centre no longer than milady's COM
pote-and from that run in spiral
wavelets that admit light but par
TALLY cloud the vision from both
sides.
$3.50
The doors that frame them have
swung on their ancient hinges
through many generations with such
tender regard for their precious
medallions that both are still pre-
served undamaged, except one has
yielded a trifle to the modern heater
and with its quaint setting has !
shown small crack. They seem al
most gemlike in their Drillancy and
emeralds. Indeed they
are fine examples of the artistry of
craftsmen in glass of 1928. 1t is said
they do not recur in any other
American homes, with the possible
of two. Whittier came the
model or the design for them, is, of
course, unknOwn-fOr modern archi-
ects coZjulted on the matter and
,an give no hint of their origin. I,
###
The old house has preserved, as
stated hitherto, all the simplicity of
inc and dimensions of it's earliest
lays, and the furniture is almost the ,
ame as when Caesar Rodney came ,
o visit his pretty little kinswoman,
Who became famous for her brilli-
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29
Rdgaly House and Gmdm
Fronting on DO1y Green

of M Oldest of the Fen Remaining Colonial Homes Delaware That Antd THE
Unddmed the
Dgufed Simplicity of Furnishings Tbe FOun Garden Also
Back for the When Small Village of
So HOnS 1t Reflects Accurately the Primitive Beauty of the old FASH
od Flouer Garden Which With the House, Pictures the Amid
Which Om Peob of Quality" Lined the Middle Eighteenth Century,
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

generations of the Ridgelys have
made it their home, and before it's
grateful hearthstone have sat scions
of the famous family-United States
senator, judges, chancellors, state
and federal officers, bankers, states
men, men of honor and gallant, all.
One who carried a challenge for a
friend, when insult was added to the
offense, took up the chivarlous
sword, forced upon him, and fought
till wOunded-almost. mortally But
his cause was righteous and though
he fingered long near unto death his
more sword-skilled antagonist fled
town before the wave of indignation
he had aroused.
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

-, sealed proposals will be received bv
the State Highway Department at its
office, Dover, Delaware until 2:S0 o.
clock p M. July "a, 1928, and at that
tracts involving the following appTox-
innate quantities:
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

The trouble with asking questions
and learning is everybody looks as
If you were so ignorant.
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29
ADVERTISING
NOTICE

NOTICE-As I have sold out my gas
and oil business hereby notify all per-
sons owing me to make settlement of all
accounts at once. H. c. Cohee, Green
wood, IIL 1t
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

There is many an united knot in
cord of wood
Milford chronicle., 1928-06-29

performance of contract shall COM
mence within ten (1O) days after exc
cutIon OF the contract and be Completed
as specified. S'eu
~ Monthly payments will be made for
W per cent of the construction COM
pleted each month:
Bidders must submit proposals upon
forms provided by the Department.
Eacn proposal must be accompanied
by surety bond, certified check. or
money to the amount of at least ten
qO) per centum of the total amount of
the proposal
The envelope containing the proposal
must be marked Proposal for the con-
struction of State Highway Contract
The Contract will be awarded or re-
tected within twenty (20) days from the
date of opening proposals.
The right is reserved to reject any or
all bids.
Complete sets of plans and specifica-
tions may be obtained upon receipt of
two dollars ($200) for each contract,
which amount will not be refunded.
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Dover, Delaware