Smyrna times., 1930-07-09
{. ]. THAWlEY, AID To BYRD
HON0RED BY HARRINGTON
LIEUT.. GOV. HAZEL REPRE-
SENTS STATE AT BANQUET
Home Town Presents the Explorer
With a Gold Watch At Dinner
At Century Club Building

Delaware in general and Har-
rington, his home town, in partic-
ular, Joined Thursday evening in
honoring Elbert J. Thawley, a resi-
dent of Harrington, who returned
recently after having served with
the Byrd Antartic Expedition.
More than $50 persons took part
in testimonial dinner to the
young man. During the dinner he
was presented with a gold watch
by the people of Harrington and
with life membership in the Har-
rington Chamber of Commerce.
The whole town was decorated
with flags and bunting in honor of
Thawley. The dinner was held in
the Century Club building, and the
hall was brilliant with American
flags and bunting. The table dec
orations were red, white and blue
candles. Lieutenant Governor J.
Henry Hazel represented the State
and occupied seat at the speak
er's table. The parents and broth
ers and sisters of Mr. Thawley oc-
cupied a table at the right of the
| speakers table. Mrs. Vernon Gray
newly elected president of the Cen
tury Club, assisted by a committee
gave personal attention to the pre-
paration of the dinner and other
arrangements. The Rev. E. H.
Collins, pastor of the M. E. Church
made the invocation and Earl Syl-
vester, past state commander of
the American Legion was toast
master. Mrs. Clara S. Harrington
a past president Of the Century
Club and Harry F. Harrington
the newly appointed postmaster,
gave toasts to Mr.. Thawley and to
his parents. At this time Mr..
Harrington also presented Mr..
Thawley with a life membership
in the Chamber of Commerce of
Harrington. In response Mr..
Thawley spoke briefly telling Of
the expedition and the value of the
information secured. He paid a
tribute to Admiral Byrd for the
manner in which the expedition
was handled. Toastmaster Syl-
vester presented bouquet to Mrs.
E. S. Thawley, mother of the guest
of honor. Colonel James G. Wick
es, of Dover, expressed satisfac-
tion that Thawley was a native of
Kent County and ]. Harry Burgess
spoke briefly and read poem.
Toastmaster Sylvester asked the
family of Mr.. Thawley to stand
and they were applauded. Horace
c. Quillen led group singing.
Toastmaster Sylvester introduced
j. c. Messner, superintendent of
public schools N Harrington and
president of the Rotary Club who
spoke briefly of the expedition, the
achievements of Admiral Byrd and
expressed satisfaction that Della
ware had been represented on the
history-making expedition. Turn
ing to Mr.. Thawley, he said: II
have the honor to present to you
this small token of appreciation
from the people of Harrington, at
the same time presenting Mr..
Thawley with a watch which is in
scribed: Presented to Elbert J.
Thawley, a member of the Byrd
Expedition, July 3, 1890" Mr..
Thawley was much affected by the
gift and said: There is nothing in
this wide world / can do except to
say thank you" The dinner guests
sang America and the Rev. f. H.
Collins pronounced the benedic
tion. The members of the Thaw-
ley family then formed line and
were introduced to the entire num-
ber present. During the evening
kilograms of regret were received
from United States Senators Dan
iel 0. Hastings and John G. Town
send, Jr., Representatives Robert
G. Houston and Governor c. Doug
las Buck.