davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
u. S. LOSES HALF
OF LIQUOR CASES
Attorney IntimateS Failure To Con-
Wet Due to Sentiment

U. S. District Attorney Leonard E.
Wales has declined to comment Of
ficially upon the annual report of
Attorney General of the United
States William D. Mitchell, in which
Delaware is listed omong the nine
districts in the country where the
Federal government has lost $50 per
cent or more of the liquor cases
tried before juries during the past
year.
Mr.. Wales said that inasmuch as
he had not yet received the report
of the Attorney General Of the
United States he did not care to
make any statement.
Mr.. Wales intimated that the SEN
timent in favor of rigid enforce
ment of the prohibition laws is not
particularly strong in Delaware, and
made the observation that the same
condition probably exists in the
other eight jurisdictions in which
liquor cases which went before juries
resulted in conviction in only SO
per cent or less of the cases.
There are, however, other factors
which must be taken into considera-
ton in connection with the per-
centage of convictions by juries in
Federal liquor cases, the District
Attorney said.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
HERSON Is ASKED
TO RETURN HERE
Pastor OF Avenue M. E.
Church Is Completing
Fifth Year Here

At the quarterly conference of the
official board of the Avenue Metho-
dist Episcopal Church of Milford on
Monday evening, Rev. Frank Her
son, pastor OF the church, was ask
ed to return for another conference
year. The action of the board was
unanimous, and the expression Of
those present was very flattering to
the pastor. Rev. Mr.. Herson came
to Milford from Newark where he
had served nine years as pastor of
the Methodist Church i'll that time.
He has had very successful pas
tOrate here, and Under his inspira-
tion the finances of the church have
been kept in the best of condition.
The action of the official board on
Monday in unanimously asking for
his return has met with the whole
hearted approval of the members of
his church. 1t is equally pleasing
to his large circle of friends in Mil
ford who are members of other
churches. He has been active in
civic affairs since coming to Mil
ford and has aided in all movements
for the betterment of the commun-
itV.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
c. ". GRAHAM IS
REFUSED PARDON
Murdered Of Gordon Ril-
ey Refused Freedom By
Pardon Board

After hearing testimony in the
applications of Clarence W. Gra-
ham, of Harrington, and Joseph
Handy, cOlOred, for pardons, the
State Board of Pardons last Thurs
day afternoon refused both applica-
tions.
Graham, whose home is at Har-
rington, is serving a twenty year
sentence in the workhouse for kill
ing Gordon c. Riley, at Harrington,
in November, 1925. He was charged
with manslaughter and was senten-
ced in February, 1926. This is the
second application that has been
made for his pardon.
At the hearing the application of
Graham's was opposed by Mrs. Alois
Riley, mother of the man who was
killed, his brother, Torrance G.
Riley, and Deputy Attorney General
Melville Hopkins, on behalf of the
State.
The application in Graham.s be-
half was presented by Ray Cannon,
of Pennington, former member of
the Legislature. There were about
sixty residents of Pennington and
Harrington present in Graham's be-
half. The grounds for seeking the
pardon were principally based on
Turn to Page s, Please
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
BUTCHERS HOG WHICH
WEIGHS 9IO POUNDS
RaymODT wilkins Raised Mammoth
= POrker This Year

v Raymond Wilkins, manager of the
Hammond fruit farm, just southeast
of Milford, on Monday, butchered
one of the largest hogs ever grown
in this section of the State. When
dressed the hog was brought to Mil
ford and weighed. It weighed ex-
actly $40 pounds. Mr.. Wilkins has
taken no unusual methods of feed
ing the animal, but has fed it's reg
ularly until it reached the immense
size above mentioned. Each year
reports of 500 or 900 pound hogs
find their way to the newspaper Of
fees on the Peninsula; but not in
years has a story been sent to the
Chronicle telling of larger hog
than that grown near Milford. Dur
ing the next few months reports of
large porkers butchered on the
farms in Kent and Sussex counties
will be reported, but it is doubtful
if that grown by Mr.. Wilkins will be
topped this season.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
YIJELLEE TRIAL
AGAIN DEFERRED
Counsel For Negro Has
Records Sent To Court
Of Appeals

Preparations for the trial at Cam
bridge on Tuesday of Yuel Lee, ne
gro, accused of killing Green K.
Davis, his wife and two daughters,
in Worcester county in October,
were abruptly halted as the jurists
at Cambridge on Sunday acceded to
a defense plea and sent the records
of the case to the Court of Appeals
for review.
The members of the bench are
now sitting in courts in several of
the counties and it was expected
that the review would not be pos
sible until later in the week.
The only question for the jurists
to decide, it was said, was whether
the judges at Cambridge were with
in legal bounds in refusing to move
the trial of Lee to the western
shore as had been requested by de-
fense counsel.
Denunciation of the lynching of
Matt Williams at Salisbury, Friday
night, came from several Baltimore
pulpits on Sunday.
Rumors have been frequent from
several widely separated sections on
the shore of the formation of mobs
to terrorize negro settlements.
County officers and state police,
after Investigations, reported the
rumors to be false.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
RED CROSS DRIVE
WAS SUCCESSFUL
300 Members Were Secured In Mil
lord And Vicinity

Mrs. G. w. Marshall, chairman of
the Milford Branch of the American
Red Cross, is much pleased with the
response to the plea recently made
for membership in the organization.
A total of three hundred members
was secured during the drive. A
total of $500 was secured from the
members. OF this total Houston con-
tributed SIG, Lincoln $5, Ellendale
Sc and the rural districts about Mil
ford $25. The remainder was col
lected in Milford. The Rev. Mr..
Spence of st. Paul's M. E. Church
collected $13 from his people. He
intends to organize an auxiliary to
the Milford Branch. Mrs. Marshall
has received a letter from the Della
ware Chapter of the American Red
Cross in which she is notified that
that organization has decided that
such money as is in the local treas
ury may be used for unemployed re-
lief in this territory. The same pol
icy was persued last year.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
ASK LOCAL LODGE TO
CONFER DEGREES
Crystal FOunt Lodge Degree Team
WIN Put On Work In Wilmington

A large delegation from Fairfax
Lodge, No. 8, l. o. o. F., of Whining
ton, visited Crystal FOunt Lodge,
No. 10, Monday evening, and ex-
tended an invitation to the Milford
boys to attend one of their meetings
in Wilmington and confer the Sec
ond Degree. The invitation was ac-
cepted by Noble Grand Neal wilkins,
on behalf of the lodge, and a date
suitable to the degree team will be
arranged by Geo. A. Swain, Degree
Master.
The entire evening was spent in
the discussion of degree work, and
general welfare of the order
Degree Master Willard S. Stout, of
Fairfax Lodge, made a very inter-
esting address. Refreshments were
served at the close of the meeting.
Among those attending from Will
n1ington were: Jos. H. Sayers, P.
G.; VIM. H. Moran, P. G.; ]. Tohmp-
son, P. G.; G. F. Whittecker, P. G.;
Willard S. Stout, p G.; VIM. J.
Howard, ]. E. Warburton, S. L. Nc
Allister, P. G.; F. Grose, P. c.; J. c.
Powell, P. G.; Jas. o. Baggs, Samuel
r. Hall, P. G.; Paul w. Orth, L. S.
Tugh, W. A. Hall, j. Smith, Fl. A.
MOusley, d. c. Griffith.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
BELIEVE RUM BOATS
AIDED BY RADIO
Arrest Man In Automobile Believe
To Be Signalling To Boat In Bay

A rum running syndicate of ex-
tensiVe scope is believed to have
been discovered through the arrest,
early Wednesday, of man in whose
automobile the State Police discov-
cred a small radio and transmitting
apparatus. The police expect to
trace the operations of the alleged
ring which it is believed operated in
Pennsylvania, New York and New
Jersey. A second arrest was made
later and several others who were
registered at hotel in Wilmington
are believed to have fled when their
plans were interrupted. The police
believe the radio was used to signal
and locate rum running vessels in
the Delaware Bay.
The two men arrested, Lester
Howard Ambuster, 2S years old, an
amateur radio operator, of Baldwin,
N. Y, and Reuben Max Green, 81
wears old, of 1415 North Eleventh
street, Philadelphia, were arraigned
before U. S. Commissioner Albert f.
Polk in Wilmington Wednesday af-
ternoon. Ambuster was held under
$1,000 bail, and Green under $4,000
bail. for further hearings on Decem-
ber 2S.
rTurn TO Page s. PlRaSf1
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
Matthew Williams, Color
ed, Is Taken From Hos
pital Cot At Salisbury
BODY SET AFIRE
AFTER HANGING
Believe Mob Spirit Caus-
ed By Delay In Trying
Other Accused Negroes

Salisbury, Nd, was the scene of
lynching last Friday night when
an infuriated mob of 1000 men took
Matthew Williams, negro, from a
hospital cot and hanged him. Later
the body was cut down, partially
burned and then carried to the ne
gro section of the city where it was
swung up on a lamp pole.
The mob spirit swept like Wild
fire through the city of Salisbury
and surrounding country following
the murder of Daniel j. Elliott, 81
years old, a well-known lumberman
and manufacturer in that city.
Elliott, prominent crate and bas-
ket manufacturer, was shot and
killed in his Office at 2:15 o'clock
Friday afternoon. He was sitting at
his desk in the front Office facing
Lake street, conversing on the tele-
phone with Thomas Chatham, pro-
duce broker. No one else was in the
office. AS they were talking, Chat
ham heard the report of pistol on
the telephone and then there was
silence on the line. Suspecting trag-
edy, he called Patrolman w. w.
White, who hurried to the scene
with several other officers.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Elliotts son,
James Elliott, hearing the shot, ran
into the office. He found his father
slumped in the chair at his desk.
The negro was lying on the floor in
pool of blood. Picking up his IA
ther, the younger Elliott carried him
to an automobile and he was rush
ed to the Peninsula General Hospi-
tai.
While this was being done, Will
liams staggered from the Office into
the lumber yard. James Elliott ran
into the office, seized the negro's
pistol that had been left lying on
the floor, and fired at the man. Will
liams fell, and was captured before
he could regain his feet. He, too,
rTarn TO Page IS, PleaSel
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
BIBLE STUDENTS In
GEORGETOWN PARADE
Four Hundred And Fifty Adults In
Line OF March Last Sunday

Four hundred and fifty people, rep
resenting various adult Bible class
es of lower Delaware Sunday
schools, were in the line of parade
in connection with the big rally at
Georgetown on Sunday afternoon.
AS many more Sunday school work.
ers and members of various classes
were parked on the streets to watch
to watch the parade march down
Market street, where it formed,
around the Public Square and to
the Jones Memorial Hall where an
address was delivered by Dr. c. E.
Forlines, vice-president of West
minister Theological Seminary and
Director of Religious Education of
the Maryland Conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church. The
parade was headed by the Millsboro
Concert Band, which played sacred
music all along the line of march.
The invocation was offered by the
Rev. r. S. Hodgson, pastor of the
Milton NJ. e. church. A short adj
dress of welcome was made by the
Rev. Omar Z. Jones, pastor of Wes-
ley M. E. Church. The Rev. James
L. Nichols, pastor of the Milford M.
P. Church, presided over the meet
ing. Ralph E. Nichols, of Delmar,
secretary of the Sussex County
Council of Religious Education, pre-
sented to the large audience the diff
ferent officers of the council.
DR.. G. E. FOrlines, of Westminster
Seminary, Westminster,
Turn TO Page 5, PieaSe]
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
MANY INVOLVED
IN LIQUOR RAIDS
John Bennett And Son
Accused OF Rum Max
ing Equipment

Two thousand gallons of hard cid
er and liquor were seized by prohi-
bition agents from Wilmington one
night last week in raids made in
Kent and Sussex counties.
Among those arrested in the raids
are a father and his two sons who
live in Milford
At hearings before U. S. Commits
sioner Polk in Wilmington the faith
er, John w. Bennett, ST., 81 years
old, was held in $500 bail and his
two sons, Earl Bennett. S2, and John
w. Bennett, Jr., II years old, were
each held in $1,000 bail. All were
held for further hearings December
14th on charges of possessing ma
terials designated for the manufac-
ture of liquor.
Prohibition agents allege that they
found truck licensed in the name
of Earl Bennett, parked in the yard
of the home of John w: Bennett, Sr.,
shortly after midnight and found,
four fifty gallon barrels of hard cid
er in it, together with large omunt
of charcoal.
The agents allege also that they
found two ten gallon barrels of cider
in barn on the property of the
father.
Seventeen hundred gallons of hard
cider were found by the agents on a
farm at Glendale. The raid was
made on a State warrent issued by
Dimes of Bridgeville.
Constable Belts aided the agents on
Turn TO Page 7, PleGSel
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
POSTAL RAISE IS
URGED TO OFFSET
ANNUAL DEFICIT
Brown Asks Scent Letter
Charge; Years Loss
$146,O66, ,1S9
AIR SERVICE GAINS
Increase OF $173,332,6S4
In Savings Deposits Tops
All Previous Records

A precedent-shatterin deficit for
the Postoffice Department led its
chief on Monday to insist again that
more ought to be charged to carry
letter-mail.
The annual report of Postmaster
General Brown showed that depart
ment came out $146,066, 1S9 behind
last year. This is almost $4S,000,000
more than the gross deficit the pre-
Vious year.
AS to a way out, he repeated to
President Hoover his recommended
tion that the two-cent rate for car
rying a letter be raised by a half
cent when the letter goes out of the
locality, This, on the present vol
ume, would bring in $50,O00,000 a
year additional.
The report went on:
"a twO-and-One-half rate would,
however, obviously fall far short of
producing adequate revenues at the
present time. The deficit for 1881 at
tributable to strictly postal opera
tions was more than $98,000,000, and
il present trends are maintained the
net deficit for the current year will
be in the neighbOrhood of $150,000,
600. This raises the question wheth-
er, in view of the already OvertaXed
condition of the general treasury, it
would not be advisable, pending the
return of normal conditions, to fix
a Scent rate for letter mail.
Urges Congress Act
"Such a rate would have balanced
the budget for 1881 and would have
reduced the probable operating de-
ficit and the corresponding drain
upon the treasury from $150,000,000
to about $5O,OO0,OOO for the fiscal
year 1882. 1t cannot be overlooked
that in 1881 One-sixth of the treas
ury deficit was attributable to the
loss in postoffice operations. 1t is
the opinion of the Postmaster Gen
eral that the adoption of Scent
rate on non-local letter mail should
be given careful consideration by
Congress"
Turing from gloomy figures,
Brown found cause to prais the op-
Grafton of the airmail service. With
mails diminishing in volume gener-
ally, he said, there was an increased
Turn to Page s, Please
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
PAROLE GRANTED
"A DURING YEAR
Sixty-Three Other Prisoners Who
Made Applications We're Refused

The annual report for the fiscal
year of James w. Robertson, secre-
tary of the State Board of Parole,
has been submitted to the members
of the Parole Board.
During the year, the board consid-
cred 107 applications for parole of
which "A were granted and 63 re-
fused.
The total number under parole at
various times during the year was
Sc. This shows a decrease from the
number on parole during the previ-
Gus year The decrease is attribut-
able to lack of employment on the
outside, as there were a number of
prisoners refused parole because of
inability to find employment for
them.
OF the number paroled, three vio-
lated their parole and were return
ed to the Workhouse and were pen
Turn "a Page 5. PleASe1
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
Farm Egg Record Club To Be
Continued For Another Year
State POultrymen Begin Seventh Year Of Record
Keeping With Large Number Of Poultry GrOIUerS
Enrolled In Work. TabUEGted Result Of Work Will
Be Published Each Month During Ensuing Year

sion department, and they have been
given free of charge to those poul-
try farmers who have requested
them and who have also expressed
their desire to cooperate with the
extension service in making study
of the average egg production for
the State as a whole.
In return for this cooperation up
on the part of the poultrymen, a
tabulated summary of the average
egg production for the different siz-
ed fiocks in the State has been pre-
pared each month by the extension
poultryman and mailed from the
county agents Office to each MEM
Turn to Page 5, PleaSeI
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
STATE POLICE NAB
373 In NOVEMBER
Fines Of S4,O25 Paid During Month,
Reynolds Reports

A total of $4,O25 was paid in fines
as a result of 373 arrests made by
the State police operating under c..
c. Reynolds, superintendent, during
November. There were 1875 in fines
imposed that were not paid. A total
of 1882 motorists were reprimand-
ed but not fined.
The greatest number of arrests
was as a result of charges of reck-
less driving, for which 127 persons
were arrested.
Other arrests follow: No operators
license, 8; unregistered car, %; Op-
Grating under influence, 16; fail
ing to stop at main highway, 13; lar
ceny, 13; overloaded truck, IL; dis
battery, 10; drunk-disorderly, 10;
allowing an unlicensed person TO
operate, s; no chauffeur's license, s;
overloaded rear axle, 8; no clear
ance lights, 3; drunk, 8; carrying
concealed deadly weapon, g; man
slaughter, 8; manufacturing liquor,
3; passing trolley car on left, 3;
leaving accident, 8; improper lights,
Turn 10 Page 5, PieaSe1
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11

Santa Claus will greet all the young
sters and listen to their pleas for
Christmas.
No expense has been spared to
make this affair one of the most out
standing in the history of Milford.
The business interest are co-operat-
ing whOleheartedly to make the af-
ternoon an enjoyable one for both
the youngsters and the old folks
who come to Milford. Later in the
afternoon the beautiful cOlored lights
will be turned on in the business
section and the large Christmas tree
in the Plaza, and another at the
northern part of the business dis
trict will be Illuminated with thou
sands of lights. The merchants
have extended an invitation to per-
sons from all parts of lower Della
ware to come to Milford for the
visit of Santa, and thousands of
guests are expected. A full page
announcement of the affair will be
found on another page of this issue
of the Chronicle.
Should Saturday 18th be stormy,
then Santa will visit Milford at the
same time Saturday, Dec. 18th.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
STATE CHANGERS
SHOW PROGRESS
DURING YEAR
Report Shows 81 New
Members And Finances
In Good Condition
FAVOR THE DRY LAW
Former Governor Robin
son Urges Retention Of
Dry Amendment
FAVOR THE DRY LAW

Interesting reports, including that
of former Governor Robert P. Robin
son, the State master, were present
ed at the 57th annual session of the
Delaware State Grange at Camden
on Tuesday. These reports all
showed that the grange had made
advances during the year, that its
finances were in satisfactory cOndi-
ton and a slight increase in mem
bership had been made.
The report of Grand Master Rob-
inson referred to the prohibition law
and expressed the opinion that it
should be enforced and that moth
ing would be gained by its repeal.
Following the usual custom, the re-
port was referred to various COM
mittees, who will later make report
on his recommendations.
At the session Tuesday afternoon
all of the State officers submitted
written reports showing their ac-
tivities during the year, including
visits made to various oranges in
the State. The reports of the Po-
mona or County Grange officers
were on the same line.
Reports of the secretary showed
an increase of "a members during
the year. The treasurer reported
substantial balances in the general
fund, the savings fund and the edu-
cational fund.
The five subordinate oranges
showing the largest membership
were Harmony, of New Castle coun-
ty, with 2O2 members; Milford, in
Sussex county, was 139; Capitol, at
Dover, Kent county, with 1875, and
Reliance, of Sussex county, with 1O1.
Mrs. Robert p. Robinson, State
Flora, gave a report on the work of
the National Grange. Fred Breck-
man, of the National Grange, made
a brief address, urging the oranges
to increase their membership and
take an active interest in affairs.
A musical program was also given
in connection with the meeting.
State Master Reports
Former Governor Robinson in his
report as State Master, alluded to
Turn TO Page ;, PieaSel
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
DEMONSTRATION
SCHOOL APPROVED
Distinguished Visitors Write Favor
able Impressions To DIR. Holloway

The Demonstration School at
Georgetown has received many dis
tinguished visitors this year. Re-
Gently, DR.. Agnes Snyder, of Exper-
mental College, Teachers College
Columbia University, New York
City, brought two advanced stu
dents, Miss Gillespie and Miss
Townes. DR.. Snyder and her advan-
ced students were much impressed
by the quality of the children's sing
ing, the wholesome attitudes on the
part of the children and by the art
work.
Two groups of New Jersey super
visors and principals appreciated so
much what they saw that they wrote
their impressions to DR.. Holloway.
The following is quoted from the
Sign Post" for December:
Letters commencing the type of
work that is being carried on in the
Demonstration School at George
town have been received by DR.. II.
V. Holloway, following the visits of
two groups of supervisors and prin-
cipals, from New Jersey, recently.
Everywhere we found distinct
evidence of the progressive move
ment in education H. w. Weidner
of Vineland, writes. The lesson
taught by Mr. Junek on sign paint
ing and ground care was one of the
best pieces of teaching l have ever
Turn to Page 5. PEeaSe1
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
LYNCH NEGRO
WHO KILLED
HTSEMPLOYER
MARYLAND PROSECUTOR
BLAMES DEFENSE LEAGUE
FOR MOB SPIRIT

Godfrey Child, States attor-
ney for Worcester county,
who is to lead the prosecution
of Yuel Lee, negro accused of
killing a family of four, laid
the responsibility for the
lynching of Matthew Williams
at the door of the Internation-
al Labor Defense League.
The general feeling on the
Eastern Shore of Maryland
and in lower Delaware is that
the actions of Bernard AIDES,
attorney for the League lis re-
sponsible for much of the un-
rest now manifest on the pen
insula. In the past such cases
have been handled fairly by
the courts of Maryland coun-
ties without interference from
mobs.
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11
FRUIT GROWERS
MEET ON SHORE
Peninsula Horticultural Society
Starts Session at Salisbury

The forty-ffth annual meeting of
the Peninsula Horticultural Society
convened at Salisbury Wednesday in
the County Court House, with rep
resentatives of horticulturists and
agriculturists attending from all
parts of the peninsula. An exhibi-
ton is also being held.
w. T. Allen, of Salisbury, presi-
dent of the association, presided
over the session. Secretary J. F.
Adams, of Dover, was active in look
ing after the comfort of the dele
gates and the arranging for meet
ings.
The first session opened at 10 a.
m. with an address by A. L. Schrad-
er, promologist of the Maryland Ex-
Turn to Paae 5. PleaSe1
Milford chronicle., 1931-12-11

Starting with November / as the
beginning of the calendar year for
the keeping of egg production rec
ords, this coming year will be the
seventh in which the Delaware farm
egg record club has been considered
as one of the major. poultry projects
in this State under the direction of
II. S. Palmer, extension poultrylnan
of the University of Delaware, in
cooperation with the county agricul-
tural agent and the leading poultry
men in each of the three counties.
These poultry calendars, which
have been prepared each year by
Mr.. Palmer, have been printed at
considerable expense to the extern