davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
AUTO MISHAP NEAR SMYRNA
Benjamin Scorah and Three Sons,
and Vernon Phillips, Hurt in Spill

Benjamin Scorah and Three Sons,
and Vernon Phillips, Hurt in Spill
Late Sunday afternoon on the
Woodland Beach road, two miles
east of Smyrna, a Ford sedan driv-
en- by Benjamin Scorah of this
town, in which were riding Mr..
Scorah's twin sons, Robert and
Richard Scorah, age Z, and Vernon
Scorah, age IL, his father-in-law,
Vernon L. Phillips, all of this town,
turned over. Mr. Scorah in turn
ing a bend, drove off the road and
in attempting to get the machine
on the concrete it turned over.
Little Robert Scorah was the most
seriously injured having received
lacerations of the right leg, eyes
and mouth and is suffering from
shock. He was hastened to the
Kent General Hospital at Dover
where on Monday there was little
hope for his recovery. At this
writing, he is much better and is
getting along as nicely as could be
expected. Richard received a cut
on the leg which required two
stitches to close the wound. Vern-
on received scratches on his back
and cuts on his hands. Vernon L.
Phillips suffered broken ribs and
decorations of the head while Mr.
Scorah, father of the children, re-
ceived contusions of left leg, face,
and decorations of the left hand.
He was treated by DR.. Prickett
while the others were rendered
treatment by DR.. Harmonson. The
automobile was damaged consider
able. A large police dog, which is
a pet of the family, disappeared at
the time the accident occurred and
no trace of him has been found.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
SMYRNA ROTARY CLUB NEWS
Graduating Class of the Smyrna
High School Entertained Thursday


The Smyrna Rotary Club at their
weekly meeting last Thursday ev-
ening entertained the graduates of
the Smyrna High School. w. w.
Hynson, president of the club, well
coined the guests and Mr.. Carlton
Garrison, president of the class,
responded for the graduates. Glass
songs were intermingled with Ro-
tary songs under the leadership of
the club song director w. w.
Price. The graduating class gave
several class yells and concluded
with a cheer for the club. Rev.
DR.. S. B. Hiley ministry in charge
of the Baptist Church, Dover, Del
aware was introduced as speaker
of the evening, his subject Select
ing a Profession" He said in part
that education was the preparation
for Iife's work. Service as one in
dividual renders it was contrasted
to a small pebble being dropped in
water, the waves so made spread
ing out to the fartherst boundary
of the shores that surround it.
Influence was stressed as being a
method whereby the result of good
influence was sure to return in re-
action in later years. The joy of
right living was particularly en-
phasized with the character it de-
veloped. In his concluding re-
marks he pointed out Peace as the
harmonious working of Mind and
Soul to move along in life and have
Faith, and to exercise Faith in our
fellow man, our home, our church
and our country. Although DR..
Hiley is not q native of Delaware
he lauded the Diamond State for
the type of citizens that have been
sent forth as leaders of their chos-
en- profession. Visiting Rotarians:
Bud Sipple, L. D. Shank, ]. A.
Frear and G. r. Frear of Dover
Club. Guests present, S. B. Hiley
of Dover, and the graduating class,
Carlton S. Garrison, Marshall
Crossley, John Blizzard, John Pratt
Molly Baggs, Geneva Pryor, Ellen
Shortall, Mary Hutchinson, Melvin
Blechman, Kathryne NJ. Clifton,
William D. Hudson, Anna R.Jones,
Bill Mabrey, Lawrence Croft, Will
liam Palmer, Bertha Sparks. Helen
Pawn, Elizabeth Crossley, Freder-
ick w. Fravel Jr., and Hannah
Wallace.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
FOUR HURT NEAR BLACKBIRD
Tire Blows Out as Auto Was Pass
ing Truck Causing Accident

In an automobile accident Fri
day evening near Blackbird, in
which the tire of an automobile
blew out as a truck was passing,
four persons Were seriously injur-
ed, three of whom are still in Kent
General Hospital at Dover, suffer-
ing from internal and external in
juries. The injured are: Mrs. Alice
Gates of 7117 Greenway avenue,
Philadelphia, suffering from lacer-
ations to right leg; George Craft,
aged 9, broken collar bone and in
ternal injuries; Mrs. Linden Sergu-
son, also of Philadelphia, badly lac
Grated on body; Arthur Serguson
of Philadelphia, ribs broken and
badly bruised. A State highway
officer with the assistance of others
helped the injured into a passing
car and with the officer blazing the
way from Blackbird to Dover,
made a record run to the hospital.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
CHARLES WHARTON, FORMER
SMYRNA BOY, ACCEPTS POST
BECOMES HEAD OF PHYSICAL
TRAINING AT DELAWARE
His Resignation From University
of Penn and Acceptance of Home
State Post, Boon to Students

Dr. Charles M. (Buck) Wharton
of Dover, former Smyrna boy,
former University of Pennsylvania
football luminary and All-Ameri-
can guard in 1895 and in 1896,
will become head of the new De
partment of Physical Education of
the University of Delaware, New
ark, which new department was
established by an act of the 1881
session of the Delaware Legisla-
ture He takes hold in September.
DR.. Wharton, whose recent resig-
nation as assistant director and as
sistant professor of physical educa-
tion at the University of Pennsyl-
vania has been accepted, stated he
will join the University of Della
ware faculty, and start to make
plans at once for his work in the
new department With the estab-
lishment of the chair of Physical
Education at the University of Del
aware, products of the State insti-
tuition will be qualified to teach
physical education in the various
schools, in addition to having their
coaching ability advanced. This
will give students an opportunity
to major in physical education. DR..
Wharton, native Delawarean, has
always had the interest of his
State at heart. He said that he is
planning to establish a health and
physical training department ex-
animation for students. Quite an
elaborate system is being planned
by Dr. Wharton. Gerald P. (Doc)
Doherty, is graduate manager and
coach of basketball and baseball at
Delaware. Charlie Rogers, former
star back at Penn several years
ago, is coach of football and track
and Edward @. Bardo coach of
swimming. All three of these
coaches are to remain at Delaware
for the next year in those posi-
tions The passing of DR.. Whar-
ton from the University of Penn
sylvania removes one of the most
prominent figures in Red and Blue
athletics. A former football star
and captain and for many years
line coach, DR.. Wharton is known
to thousands of Penn men.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
PLEAD GUILTY COURT, DOVER
Mark Swiggett Sent Up For Year
for AssauIting w. F. Cunmins

Before Resident Judge Harring-
ton on Saturday in plead Guilty"
Court several sentences were inn
posed. Mark Swiggett, on a
charge of assaulting Representive
William F. Cummins, of Leipsic,
was sentenced to one year in the
New Castle Workhouse. Robert
Waters, colored, was given one
month in the New Castle County
Workhouse for carrying a revolver
and a razor. Roger Johnson, col
ored, who was indicted for assault
on Waters was given a sentence of
z months in the Workhouse. Ris
Passwaters, of Milford, accused of
assaulting Constable Evans, of
Camden, was given two months
Imprisonment in the New Castle
County Workhouse. Clancy M.
Spayd, indicted at the October
term of Court on charge of assault
and battery and who had entered
a plea of not guilty. changed his
plea to guilty and was ordered to
pay fine of $4,000 and costs.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
MIDDLETOWN BEATS SMYRNA
Smyrna Had An "Off Day" Satur-
day i'm Contest on School Diamond


Smyrna had an ''off day" Satur-
day and lost to Middletown to 8
in contest noticeable for errors,
played here on the Smyrna High
School Athletic field. Both clubs
are members of the Diamond State
League. The weather was sizzling
hot but despite this there was a
good attendance. For three in
nings the game looked like a pitch
ers' battle, but Middletown solved
the delivery of Palmer in the four
tn and scored almost at will. By
rnes after holding Smyrna hitless
for five chapters weakened in the
sixth from running bases, and was
found for three bingles which
coupled Rawley relieved relieving
Byrnes and with the bases loaded
famed Patterson for the final out.
St. Georges lead was cut down by
Newark with a 81 setback. Con-
difico defeated st. Barnabas, to 4.
Standing of the teams:
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
STRAWBERRY CROP WAVES
Seasons Harvest, However, viii
Not Equal That of Last Year


The strawberry season through
out lower Delaware and the Del
marva Peninsula is rapidly coming
to close. Shipments will practi-
cally end by the latter part Of this
week, it is stated. The seasons S
yield will probably not equal that
of last year. There are several
contributing causes. The dry
weather last year had a tendency
to kill off the beds and present the
plants from producing runners.
Naturally the larger the plant beds
the greater the yield. 1t is from
the plant runners that growers are
able to get the plants to set out
new fields. Another cause for the
rapid decline in yield within the
past ten days is the heavy rains
which softened the fruit which was
ripening, rendering it practically
worthless in many instances, es-
pecially some varieties. There was
likewise decline in the acreage
this season, owing to the fact that
many Of the fields last year were
rendered almost worthless for
bearing this season on account of
the drought. Had the acreage re-
manned this season as it was last
year and in 1929 the yield would
have been heavier.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
EAGER FOR SMYRNA TIMES
Four Smyrnians Get Free Air
plane Rides as Result of Their Find

Four Smyrnians Get Free Air
plane Rides as Result of Their Find
On Friday morning blue and
silver Travel Air biplane arrived in
Smyrna for a three-day stay at
which time a Flying Carnival was
held in the Belmont Hall field
along the boulevard, just south of
Smyrna The plane took up pas
sengers Friday, Saturday, and un-
til late Sunday evening. Friday at
noon about twenty-five issues of
The Smyrna Times were dropped
from the plane by the pilot as it
swooped low over Smyrna. Five
of the twenty-five papers dropped
contained flight tickets and the
lucky finders of the papers con-
tanning free pass would be taken
for free ride by applying at the
flying field. Those who received
the five free tickets were William
Ellison, Eugene Porter, Joseph
Jefferson, and Mrs. Ralph Robinson
two. The chief pilot in charge of
the plane representing the Skyway
Flying Service, Mineola, Long ISL
and, N. Y, was Lieutenant Charles
Douglass. He was accompanied
by George Scheder as manager and
James Lyons as ground man.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
STATE BOARD Of EDUCATION
HOLDS ITS FINAL SESSION
L. Nj. PRICE, VICE-PRESIDENT,
SMYRNA MEMBER ON BOARD
New Law Makes the Future Board
a SiX-Member Instead of Four
Member Body to be Appointed


DelaWare's state Board of Edu-
cation, as at present constituted
with George S. Williams of Mills
boro, as president; Lewis M. Price,
of Smyrna, as vice-president, and
]. Pearce Cam of Newark, and H.
Fletcher Brown of Wilmington as
the other two members, held their
last meeting in Dover, Friday, in
the Supreme Court Room of the
State House. The terms of all the
members will expire July /, 1881,
and as yet Governor Buck has not
yet named their successors. At
the last session of the Legislature
the State Board of Education law
was amended so that the board,
after July 1, will consist of six
members instead of four, three to
be of each political party. Will
liams and Brown are Republicans,
and Price and Cam are Democrats.
The board approved the bond is
sue for the new school at Selbyville
and the selection of the building
commission. This commission is
composed of E. v. Baker, Willis M.
Hudson, John r. Buell. and I. L.
Long. Only II votes were cast at
the special election, but they were
all in favor of the bond issue and
for the school commission named
Teachers Training is Discussed
A teachers training program, in
connection with the University of
Delaware, was approved. The
question of continuing attendance
day programs was considered and
the attendance teachers were di-
rected to prepare and submit a
suitable program for such affairs
There was some discussion over a
revision of the rules concerning al
lotments to various school boards,
but the matter was held under ad-
visement.-John Shilling, assistant
superintendent of public instruc-
ton, submitted a report of equip
ment needed. for the commercial
department of the Delmar high
school and it was ordered purchas-
ed.
May Take Over All Transportation
There was some discussion over
the transportation of school chill
dren to special school districts and
it was practically decided, that af-
would take charge of all transpor-
tation facilities to schools through
out the State.-There was a dis
cussion on the project to combine
Logan's district with Dover, but it
was decided to allow Superintend-
ent Holloway to confer with the
districts concerned on the advis-
ability of the consolidation. 1t was
decided to consolidate the Oak Hill
School district in New Castle coun-
ty with the Alexis /. dupont School
A series of text books suggested
by the superintendent was adopted.
More Building Additions Needed
There was a discussion on the
need of additions to some of the
newly school houses,
but no action was taken. 1t is
claimed that there is already an
overcrowding of some of these new
school houses.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
MARYDEL MAN "GIVES UP
TO FACE CHARGES IN FLORIDA
BENZ. FRANKLIN, FUGITIVE,
HAS A "CHANGE OF HEART
Convicted and Sentenced for Muir
der, He Escapes Jail and Finally
Settled at MarydeI, Maryland

A religious fervor which swept
aside seventeen years of liberty
and prosperity, prompted Benja-
min Franklin, owner Of three gaso-
line stations at Marydel and re
spected member of the community
to surrender himself to serve a jail
sentence for a murder committed
in Florida almost score of years
ago. Stirred by religious ardor
acquired at camp meeting last
summer, Franklin barred his past
to his spiritual counsellors and was
advised to surrender himself to
Florida authorities as an escaped
convict He had become friendly
with the Rev. G. M. Thomas and
the Rev. H. j. Carter, both men,
bers of Gods Free Gospel Mission,
Wilmington, and to them he un-
burdened his strange story. DR..
Aquilla Webb also shared in the
narrative. Franklin's trouble dat
ed back to when he was a promin-
ent resident of Blountstown, Flor
ida. Accompanying the sheriff of
the town on hunt for a negro
who was wanted for a crime,
Franklin shot the negro to death.
For this act he was uncensured,
but moral let down seemed to
follow, and he became compan-
ion Of the tougher element of the
town. One OF his gang was man
named Mcdaniel who had shot his
father, in addition to 80 negroes.
With this gang he went searching
for a negro who was said to have
mistreated a white woman. This
negro too, was slain by Franklin,
but in contrast with the previous
incident within three days time
Franklin was arrested, tried, con-
victed and imprisoned at Mariana,
awaiting action on an appeal of a
sentence to life Imprisonment. It
was then he escaped and roamed
about New England states for a
number of years before settling at
Marydel. There, on small scale
he prospered and his three gasoline
stations are now valued at $4,000.
He married and has a son living in
the town. His estate has been
taken over bY his wife. But his
attendance at camp meeting reviv-
ed memories of the past and after
a mental struggle he sought spirit
ual guidance. He was advised to
surrender and his case was laid be-
fore Governor Buck and a letter
dispatched to Governor Carlston,
Of Florida. A few days ago ac-
companied by Mr.. Carter and Mr..
Thomas, he returned to Florida.
On his arrival Franklin found that
his mother had died only four
months ago and his oldest son had
died two weeks later His father,
81 years old, is still alive, but did
not recognize him until his identity
was revealed. A son and a daugh-
ter and three brothers are still
alive. His first wife had divorced
him after he had not been heard
from for many years. A few days
of liberty were allowed him before
his commitment to jail. A week
ago he went to the State prison at
Rainford faced with the possibility
of remaining the rest of his life.
Efforts to obtain pardon are be-
ing made, however. John Tram
mellaa, member of the Florida
legislature and a widely-known
citizen is interested in the case and
is working to obtain Franklin's
freedom.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
SMYRNA LEGION AUXILIARY
Held Meeting at Home of Mrs
Grant Garis and Plan For Fourth

helU mee1ng at Home OF MIS-
Grant Garis and Plan For Fourth
The Legion Auxiliary of the
American Legion met at the home
of Mrs. Grant G.. Garis on Friday
evening. Miss Octavia Bartlett
was elected a delegate to the meet
ing in Wilmington, June "a and 25.
Mrs. Fannie Smith was elected al
ternate. In addition to the dele
Davis H. Bell, Mrs. William HKen-
worthey, and Mrs. Grant Garis will
also attend. The auxiliary will en-
ter a float in the parade on Fourth
of July to be sponsored by the
David c. Harrison Post, No. IA,
American Legion, with Smyrna
Town Council, the Business Mems
Association and Smyrna Rotary,
cooperating.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
Called to 'Woodlawn,

The fire siren was sounded on
Friday night which took our fire.
men to the boulevard near Wood
lawn" where a wheat field had be-
come endangered by the f1are-up
of passing motorcycle. The fire
was soon extinguished but the
owner of the motorcycle is un-
known.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. w. j. Bone, Pastor, Announc-
es Services for Next Sunday

At the Presbyterian Church, Rev
w. J. Bones, pastor, the regular
services will be held on Sunday
Sunday School at 10 a. m; morn
ing preaching at IL o'clock, topic,
'"rhe Suficiency of God" Even
ing service at 7.30, topic, 'The
Proof of Christianity" The Ethel
Lloyd Auxiliary will hold a picnic
on Thursday afternoon, June 25th.
at the home of Mrs. Harry Lower
at A o'clock. All members and
friends, with their families, are in
vited to attend.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
WHEAT HARVEST NEARS
Some May Begin This Week or
Early Next-Price Unlc5firable

Farmers throughout the county
will begin cutting their wheat
crops late this week or next and
soon most of the crop will be in
the shock. Leading growers in the
county are predicting that there
will be a normal average yield,
while number of large tillages in
the county may reach 80 bushels
per acre. Buyers were offering 81
cents bushel for July delivery on
Saturday, at which price the
yields will have to. be unusually
large to enable the growers to reap
a profit from the crop.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
ST. PETERS CHURCH NOTES
Rev. Frederick Marx Barton, Rec
tor, Announces Services for Sunday

Thursday of this week the Parish
and Sunday School picnic will be
held at Deemer's Beach, starting
from the Parish House at 1 p. IN.
Sunday next, at 7.30 a. m, there
will be a celebration of the Holy
Communion. The IL o'clock ser
vice will be conducted by the Rev.
P. L. Donaghay of st. Anne's
Church, Middletown, he and the
Rector of st. Peters exchanging
pulpits for the morning. Monday,
st. Peters day, there will be a
celebration of the Holy Commun-
ion at 730 a. m.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
~ad viii Furnish Music

Concert Band viii
-sc for all occasions.
committee chairmen
s'aizations they repre-
! follows: Ralph G.
<alal Chairman Ameri-
William E. Matthews,
Chairman, Business
SaiiOn; William H.Ken-
IL ~'.r Boat Races, Amer
''.I IRR.F.Corley, Swim
chairman, Rotary
Ivy P. Hall, Fireworks
| ~, .alaess Mems Associa-
,st Ennis, Public collec-
xs Como, American
n !. T. Corrie, Publicity
| s,'.sfy Club; G. Reyn-
n kauson, Refreshments
/ M laess Mems Associa-
H. |, ,faries, Public Safe
h smyrna Town Coun-
Mne, Publicity Chair
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
ASBURY Nj. E. CHURCH NOTES
Rev. Essen p. Thomas, Pastor, An
nounces Services for the Week

On Sunday morning at 10 o'clock
the Sunday School will convene.
At the morning service at IL
o'clock DR.. John L. Johnson, Dis
trict Superintendent of the Mid
dletown District, will preach. This
will be the last morning service at
which the Junior Choir will sing.
They will resume their singing
next fall. Evening worship will be
at the usual hour, 7.30 p. m.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24

Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday,
Smyrna met defeat again. 1t was
a close contest between Smyrna
and Newark, the game being play
ed at Newark, and ending with a
Sd score.
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
Schools Picnic

| aes dy School held their
! ID ~ Deemer's Beach
Ms 'ss largely attended.
fAss,aa aelightful day. ST.
|sssn.s,. School win picnic
Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
E1GLEBRAIE. Al.
|IHI|III / DAY PROGRAM

IUlL Uni '"0'"''"'
\ lD CIVIC oaaAsI- AM
Plan BIG oooA SION
u,uiug Followed BY
,Iotor Boat Races,
- e.me and Fireworks
that are rapidly
'.-,IstiOn, the citizens of
u sgsin welcome the
4 people that will
Z witness one Of the
rnrth Of July program programs
ger been presented
vars back the local post
.,rjcan Legion has indi-
,nr,Ored the whole at :
ID the Rotary Club and
Is Mems Association
4, tbe local post in help
Z. ore of the most out
Immunity affairs ever
!. nTn Of Smyrna. The
f.,a m. standard time, is
) most promising events
nerchants and business
sn already entered their
I / Wiling to enter floats.
n CIVIC and Patriotic bod
.l.ning to enter floats.
= The comic section, so
'rsiysd last year, will
~uinsnt place in the line.
,r;ss and private homes
smrsted in keeping with
L. The committee in
1 The parade announces
III cash prizes are being
n the best decorated
nsss houses and private
asbig prize for the best
IL outboard motor boat
i Hgin at 10 a. m. stand
% Lake Como. The com
! oEsring several large
x Mr.. John Bulgar,
Ensger of the Delaware
!, d Wilmington, will be
,rsr Of all races. En-
Eng made from Pennsyl-
u Jersey, Maryland and
n Some of the speediest
i d seen in the local races.
V--ilg races should attract
d attention as several of
h nd girls have mastered
ice The Town Council has
E;sibla for a Beach front
Rtamu. A State Champ
als viii be staged at this
In al events and contests
nnitte hss placed several
przE for winners in the
faH Game and Fireworks
I lyus Baseball team of
nE ted for second place
lE1d State League will
nz-t the Eigh-class base
Fa3p. m. standard time,
H;dominated their career
he committee in charge
isolks display in the ev-
p made arrangements to
q Of the most gorgeous
zdsr the personal super
n expert in arranging
BEAUTIFUL pieces of
used in the display,
Eng the many aerial
La give forth the bril-
nut colored lights high
The executive commit
Planning the arrange
hs celebration is alert
Ae Of the situation,
the cooperation of the
Of citizens of Smyrna
most outstanding pro-
n attsmpted will be plac-
4 as public Of the State
Ss Private homes and
-HeS will be decorated
Jung manner to acclaim
II |.-A'sd and fifty-fifth year
aaS Independence. Del
afst State to proclaim
n ae colonies, and Smyr-
as historic spots of our
4 = present. to the public
i Nogram in commemor-
great liberty that we
a VIII Furnish Music
!, ! Concert Band will
N 80 for all occasions.
committee chairmen
!, situations they repre-
: follows: Ralph G.