Milford chronicle., 1931-02-27

In March, 1880, Milford had its
first beginning, and humble one, at
that. The first places ever built in
the town were the two mills run by
the Bowman boys. Considering the
fact that Delaware was for a long
time part of Pennsylvania and that
Philadelphia wasn't founded until
1888 one comes to the conclusion
that our thriving town has lived to
ripe old age, and it's about time
for celebration of some sort. What
do the citizens of Milford think of
such a project? And if a celebration
is decided upon, how shall they go
about it? Is it too much for the peo-
pie to undertake? Here is what Col
onel Townsend, Editor of the Mil
ford Chronicle thinks: ut is alto
gether fitting and proper" says he,
"if Milford does not celebrate her
own anniversary no one else will do
it for her" He goes on to say
that the latter part Of March might
be a good time to have the fete;
that a committee of really active
business men of the town should be
appointed to arrange the time and
place. Either that committee or
subcommittee should decide upon
the methods of celebration.
"Steer away from the dead peo-
ple," says that venerable gentleman,
they'll never carry the thing
through. Take the Apple Blossom
Festival in Dover few years ago.
/ n 6fo inh fhnf tho
same people would not do it again
the next year, and the committee
finally appointed did not have
enough enthusiasm to put it across.
Everything depends on the selection
of men and women. It might be
good idea to have some school chill
dren on the committee, for they
seem to have plenty of life and am
bition, and it would bring them into
closer contact with their parents
and the older townfolk. This would
benefit both"
Colonel Townsend suggested a
number of men who would be very
useful on a committee. They are:
Mr.. Harry Mulholland, Mr.. Ruby
Vale, Reverend Francis B. Short, |
and Mr.. William c. Smith. He says
that people who have moved away
from Delaware might come back to
speak or just attend such an event. /
Some of the people he mentions are |
S. P. G. Anderson and his brother,
William Anderson, of Philadelphia;
S. w. Draper of Yonkers, N. Y;
Miss Anna Mcclellan, and man
named Carey who was the first Gov
ernor of Wyoming and a Senator in
Congress.
Other men have different ideas for
celebrating. The ministers of Mil
ford are good material for informa-
tion. First of all there is DR.. Frank
Herson of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He has seen in the paper
that in January, 1882, Wilmington
will celebrate the one-hundredth an
University of it's becoming a city The
is giving $4,000 toward
the event. Now, why can't Milford
do the same and beat Wilmington to
it? DR.. Herson says that the cele-
bration snoAld be similar to an Old
Home Day or something of that
sort. 1t SHOULD be holiday--no
school, 10 business, no work of any
kind. That's another idea. One day
like that would be enough of a fes-
tivity. Now, the pastor continues in
his pleasant Irish brogue, the speak
ers should be old people VINO can re-
call many old days. For instance, a
nan by the name of Mears sends
poetry from Washington to the Mil
ford Chronicle; he might be per- !
;uaded to speak or to write a poem
n honor of the occasion. There
should be plenty of music and a
1and; there should be floats or /
booths; and the carnival should be
leld near the center of town. The
Holland House is an ideal spot, for \
he grounds are not only large and =
accommodating but are also of his
orical interest. Yes, the Doctor
kinks, it is good idea.
DR.. A. M. Eells of the Milford
Church says that a
,ood way to celebrate would be to Z
AVE carnival out-of-doors and
ivide it into three parts. He thinks S
1aL IhC I4lhloLClO OlOu4u l4clfC
barge of the religious celebration, I,
hat the Rotary Club should repre-
ent the business of the town, and :,
hat the Century Club should have "
ontrol of the social part. DR.. Eells
ays that there should be plenty of
oats depicting the growth of Mil
ord with colorful costumes and all 1!
he frills. March is too early to 1!
old an event like that and it should II
e postponed until May or June. The -
.everend ends by saying that he Ii
links the whole town should get
ehind the project and make it a
Iccess.
A third preacher also has inter
sting views on the subject. Rever-
nd J. L. Nichols, minister of the
-ethodist Protestant Church, says
lat there should be both outdoor
Id an indoor celebration. The COM
unity building would be the best
ace because it is town building.
he town government should take
D the question and decide what is
be done. The School Board