davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-06-19
TWO KILLED in FREIGHT
WRECK
WashOut Causes Accident On
Columbia & Port Deposit
Railroad

A washout on the Columbia
& Port Deposit branch of the
Pennsylvania railroad at 1875
o'clock Tuesday morning, re-
suited in the death of the en-
gineer and fireman and injury
of the conductor Of a fast
freight.
The accident occurred at
Mann's Run, six miles south of
Columbia, Pa. The engineer
who met death was Ernest B.
Cantwell, of 2400 West street,
Wilmington, Del. Aloysius L.
Hayden, of 1904 Spring Gar
den street, Philada., fireman of
the crew, also was killed.
John R. Bard, of Wilmington
conductor, suffered a broken
leg. Two other members of the
crew, w. M. Sullivan, of Holly
Oak, fiagman, and VIM. Kreps,
of Perryville, brakeman, were
uninjured.
The freight of II cars was
enroute to the Edge Moor yards
via the Columbia road, when it
ran into a washout at Mann's
Run. The heavy rains, accord
ing to railroad officials, caused
the creek at the bridge to fill
up with debris, thus forcing the
water to overrun the banks at
each side of the bridge, weak
ening the embankment be-
meath the rails. The train had
crossed the bridge, and on the
far side the engine, tender and
two cars went over the en-
'bankment into the creek. Five
cars were derailed but remain
ed on the roadbed.
Mr.. Cantwell is survived by
his wife, who was the former
Miss Florence Grub, one
daughter, Mrs. Mildred Pur-
nell, wife of Robert Purnell, of
the Wilmington police depart
ment; two granddaughter,
Betty Anne and Eleanor; his
mother, Mrs. Josephine Black
Cantwell, of Charlestown, Cecil
county, and a brother, DR.. H.
Arthur Cantwell, North East.
His father, Harry Cantwell,
was in the railway mail service
and met accidental death years
ago when struck by the lever
used in catching mail pouches
while the train is in motion.
Ernest B. Cantwell was horn
Jan. 26, 1881, in Chester, Pa.
and entered the service of tie
Pennsylvania railroad on Feb.
Is. 1898. He left the service
several times, but returned,
and had been in continuous
service since Nov. 3, 1903. He
served as messenger and tele-
graph operator, and in 1904 be-
came fireman and was named
engineer, Nov. 20, 1912.
Mr.. Hayden was born April
1895, in Alexandria, Va, and
went into the service of the
railroad company Dec. 81, 1916,
as a fireman, and had retained
that rank since.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-06-19
BARGE SINKS

The barge ''Machecoe" of the
Southern Transportation Co.,
used to transport wood from
the South to the Elkton Pulp
Mills, sank in fifteen feet of
water at the mouth of theRap
water at the mouth of the Rap
pahannock river, some days
ago. The barge was built at
the Deibert boat yards in Elk
ton, and was registered 307
tons.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-06-19
SMOKE SHELL EXPLODEs

uO GAp1OSlOu VI 0AAOhO
shell he was holding, caused
Jos. M. Jiminez, of Magnolia,
Nd, employed at Edgewood
Arsenal, the loss of his right
hand one day last week, and in
jured one of his eyes so badly
he may lose the sight in it.
The injured man, who is a
former soldier in the Chemical
Warfare Service of the Army.
was filling the shell when it
exploded. Several other work.
men standing near when the
accident occurred escaped in
jury. Jiminez was removed to
the Marine Hospital in BALTIC.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-06-19

The Town Council of Havre
de Grace has fixed the munich
pal tax rate at $1.10 on the
500, an increase of 10 cents
over the rate of last year, made
necessary to take care of a
$4,000 bond issue which falls
due next year.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-06-19

The annual convention Of
Maryland State Firemen's AS
ISOLATION will be held at Ocean
City, Maryland, on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday. July
g. 8 and 10.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-06-19

According to the almanac
Summer begins officially on
Monday, June 22nd.
The longest day in the year
is at hand, occurring on Sun
day next, the 21st inst.
The non-jury term OF Cecil
Circuit Court convened at ELK
ton on Monday morning, OF
this week.
Roger E. Woolleyhan, OF
Chesapeake City, has purchas-
ed at trustees sale, for $4,000,
the Lindsay r. Bristow prop
erty, in that town.
Children's Day will be OBJ
served at Rising Sun M. Il.
church on Sunday morning,
June 21, at 1900 o'clock. A
special program has been
arranged.
A $50 gallon still was located
by Federal Prohibition officers
last week on Dark Run, near
Principle Furnace. The still
and a large quantity OF mash
were destroyed.
The moonlight excursions by
the COLCHESTER Company, from
Port Deposit and Havre dc
Grace to Betterton, on the
steamer Emma Giles, will be-
gin Monday evening, July Ii.
The Woman's Auxiliary OF
Chesapeake City Fire Co. has
elected Miss Miriam Walter
president; Mrs. Jay Sager, vice
president; Miss Kathleen De-
Shane, secretary; Mrs. George
B. Conrey, treasurer.
The safe in the office OF the
warehouse of Garrett A. Alex
ander, in Elkton, was broken
open one night last week, but
as no money is left in it over
night the burglars got nothing
of value for their trouble.
The Daily Vacation Bible
School, under direction OF the
Sunday school of Rising Sun M.
f. church, opened on Monday
morning and will continue for
two weeks. Thirty-six were in
attendance.
Custis C. Price and VIM. d.
Bratton have qualified as SUI
pervisors of Elections, succeed
ing Bayard G.. Black and Rob-
ert B. Foard as Democratic
members of the, Board. The
Republican member, Victor R.
Bennett, was reappointed.
Mrs. w. w. Johnson, of Elk
ton, was struck by an automo-
bile as she stepped from her car
in front of her home one eve
ming last week. She was
knocked down and suffered a
fractured leg and other severe
injuries.
Carmelia Peterson and VIM.
Trimble, members of this years
graduating class ElktOn High
School, received gold watches
as gifts from a jewelry firm in
Elkton, when the hands OF a
clock in the show window
stopped on the pictures OF the
two lucky graduates.
The home of Mrs. Catherine
Goodyear, near Elkton, was
raided by Federal Prohibition
agents last week, and several
bottles of liquor found. On the
adjoining property, covered
with an old rug, the officers
found two ten gallon kegs OF
liquor. Mrs. Goodyear was
summoned to appear before the
Federal Court in Baltimore.
The annual meeting and ban
quet of the Alumni Association
of Rising Sun High School was
held on Friday evening at the
Hotel Bayou, Havre de Grace.
About thirty-five members at
tended. Officers elected for the
ensuing year were: President,
Carl Hanna; vice-president,
Horace Whitman; sec.-treas.,
Miss Kathryn Donache.
The gross receipts of the rec
ent carnival held by the Quar-
ryville. Pa, Fire Company were
$5,066.99. The net receipts
will be about $4,000.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-06-19
TOWN AND COUNTY
Short Paragraphs of Recent Events of
Interest to Our Readers
LOCAL HAPPENINGS BRIEFLY NOTED

Miss Shirley Ewing is visit
ing Miss Kitty Hill, of Lancas-
ter, Pa.
Mrs. Clara V. Beeson, of New
York, is visiting Cecil E. Ewing
and family.
Mrs. Geo. H. Porter, of Bal
timore, was a visitor this week
of Mrs. Cecil e. Ewing.
Carlton B. Nichols left last
week by auto, for a trip across
the continent for California.
Miss Mildred Cutler, of West
minister, Md, has been visiting
her uncle, Jas. M. Holden, and
wife. #
John Stricken, of Philadel-
phia, visited friends at the
Brumfield House during the
week.
Miss Sara Brokaw is home
from the University of Mary
land, College Park, for the
summer vacation.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard A.
Lane entertained last week
Mrs. John H. Nichols and Miss
H. r. Hart, Of New York.
George w. Morrison and
Elihu C. McFadden, of Port De-
post, were graduates this year
from the University of Mary
land.
Mr.. and Mrs. Manuel, Of
Wilkes Barre, Pa, former resi-
dents of our town, were Sunday
visitors of DR.. and Mrs. T. B.
Moore.
Miss Isabel Mccoy, who has
been teaching at Torresdale,
Pa, has returned to her home
in Rising Sun for the summer
vacation.
Mrs. Edwin L. Hams, daugh-
ter Anna and son Lincoln will
leave Saturday morning for
Cape Cod, Mass, where they
will enjoy a months vacation
by the seaside.
Miss Whsle Kincaid has re-
turned to Maryland General
Hospital, Baltimore, where she
is in training as a nurse, after
spending a vacation of two
weeks at her home near town.
Miss Virginia Slicer, daugh-
ter of DR.. and Mrs. j. B. Slicer
of this town, has resigned her
position in the North East
High School and will enter for
training as a nurse in the
Chester, Pa, Hospital.
Miss Evelyn Ewing enjoyed
a two weeks vacation at the
home of her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Geo. L. Ewing, near town.
She is a student at the Mary
land General Hospital, Balti-
more.
Summer school at the Uni
versity of Delaware, Newark,
will open on Monday, June %.
Among the thirty-seven teach
ers from our county who are
enrolled are Miss M. Lidie
Stewart and Miss Mary Brokaw
of Rising Sun.
Mrs. Ralph T. Wilson and
Miss Lucy Carhart last week
enjoyed a motor trip to Boston
and other points of interest.
While away they spent some
time with their friend, Mrs.
Ella Stevens, at Fitchfield,
Massachusetts.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. S. Pyle
and Mrs. Eli T. Reynolds are
spending this week at Hood
College. Frederick, Md. attend
ing Synod of Baltimore, and
Women's Synodical Society of
Missions. Last weekend Mr..
and Mrs. Pyle spent at Swarth-
more, attending the College
commencement.
The members of Rising Sun
school faculty who will attend
summer school are: Principal
M. U. Zimmerman and Miss
Dorothy Bonner, Johns Hop
kins, Baltimore; Miss Julia
Williams, University of Mary
land; Miss M. Lidie Stewart,
University of Delaware; Harry
| A. HOvermill OhiO State TJni-
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09
ELL1sPoRT ITEMS

Miss Carol Chapman and Mr. r. G..
Stewart, of Seattle, were recent callers
at the home of Mrs. Esther Hopkins
Mr.. and Mrs. E. A. Trumbull and
daughters, of Seattle, arrived this
week at the McClintock Homestead
resort for their summer outing.
Mrs. +. T. Merritt and daughter ana
son-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs. A. G.. T.
Novak and children, of Seattle, were
among those who spent the Fourth AZ
Ellisport. They have many friends
among the summer colony and regular
residents of Ellisport, who were de-
lighted to meet them again.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Davis, of Port
land, were callers at the McClintock
home Saturday evening. Mrs. Davis
was formerly Miss Fanny Kingsbury,
of Maury Island.
Miss Bishop and a party of about 40
Campfire Girls, visited Ellisport one
day last week and spent several hours
gathering information on pioneer days
on the Island and seeing the beauty
spots OF the town.
A party composed of Lieut.. and Mrs.
H. w. Ferguson OF March Aviation
Field, Calf; Mr. and Mrs. H. p.
Ferguson, Portland Ore; and DR.. and
Mrs, T, Rex Baldwin also of Portland
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09
Island NelDs OF Interest


Andy Holland is located this summer
in the Mt. Baker National Forest,
where he has charge of lookout
station.
Mrs. Molly Sharp and Freddie spent
the weekend visiting relatives in
Seattle and vicinity,
Elmer Miller made business trip
to Olympia the early part OF this
week.
E. o. Ramquist and Amos had a
most enjoyable holiday trip which in
Guided Lake Crescent, Moro, Olympic
Hot Springs. and a climb up Storm
King Mountain. They we're particu-
larly enthusiastic about the new resort
at Olympic Hot Springs, with its big
pool where water polo is feature.
Hilmer Nelson is spending his vaca-
ton working, as usual. This summer
he is employed by the Rodda store at
Center.
Miss Mayreld Ramquist and her
chum were over from Seattle to spend
the Fourth and Sunday. They came
over to enjoy the annual picnic the
Ramquist and Bibbens families hold
on the Fourth at Point Robinson.
In an effort to get at the cause OF
peculiar epidemic that has been pre-
yalent in several widely separated
communities of the Island q member
of the staff of the county health de-
partment visited the Island this week
Although there was no particular rea-
son to suspect the water supply
samples for analysis were taken from
the various water systems.
Last Thursday MIR. and Mrs. K. K
Prigg entertained Claude William;
and son, Of Yakima, and Mrs. Betty
Wylde, of Quartermaster, at 81,
o'clock dinner.
For the first time in number O
years the entire family of Rev. ant
Mrs. Edwin NJ Randall are enjoying
a complete reunion.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

H. B, Sovereign, was over from We
natchee to spend the weekend with
his family. who will leave soon for
their new home.
Mrs j. I. Young, of Broadripple, is
spending few days in the city.
Mrs. D. B. Kelly, of Seattle spent
the Fourth visiting the Parker-Jones
home ON Maury.
Lillian Larsen is spending the sum-
mer in Los Angeles, attending the
University OF Southern California,
On Wednesday Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur
Johnson, Of Tuckahoe attended the
funeral of a friend in Seattle.
Mr.. and Mrs, NJ. R. Hoax of Key
port, are spending a few days at their
Island home just east of vashon. Mr..
and Mrs. Hoax are returning from an
extensive trip through Western Ore
gon, and report conditions there much
worse than here.
Mrs. Frank Muir and son, Douglas
of Vancouver, B, c., spent several days
with their uncle and aunt, Mr.. and
Mrs. Jas. Mcintosh on Maury Island.
They were guests also in the A. H
Petersen home at Vashon.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Blum and chill
dren picnicked on the Island Sunday
The Mcintosh and Petersen families
with their guests, Mrs. Frank Muir
and son, attended the big Scotch pic
mic at Fortuna Park on the Fourth.
Mr.. Nels Haydine, who has spent
j. the past ten weeks in a Seattle hos
pital, returned home recently, prac-
tically recovered in health.
Miss Edith Copestick, of the Puget
Mills Company, Seattle, spent the
Fourth here with her uncle and aunt
Mr.. and Mrs. Copestick.
Harry Kimmel spent the weekend
with his son, Roy, at Oak Harbor.
Mr. and Mrs Hosai, and family
spent the Fourth in Seattle.
Mrs. Doris Kader, and daughter
Vera, who are spending the summer
with Mrs. Ida Copestick, spent th'
Fourth with relatives in Seattle.
With the damage that was done t,
the small fruit by the recent rains i
is encouraging to know that the ha.
crop and gardens were benefited b.
the unusual amount of moisture.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09
PORTAGE NOTES

Mr.. and Mrs. T. B. Allison, and son,
are spending couple of weeks with
friends in Portland and Central Ore
gon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Claude Williams and
family, and several friends from Yaki-
ma, spent the Fourth of July at the
Allison home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. H. Davis return
ed Monday, to their home at Esta-
s--ada, Ore, after several weeks at the
Kingsbury family home here.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paul Billingsley and
family and guests went to Beilingham
in their yacht, Susan, where Paul, Jr.,
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

left Ellisport harbor on the two
masted power schooner "Sinbadp
Wednesday morning for a months
cruise along the coast of Alaska. The
three families have taken summer cot
tages at the McClintock resort where
they have left their children in the
care of nurses and relatives.
Mr.. and Mrs. Granville Booth and
son, are over from Seattle for two
weeks stay at their summer home in
North Ellisport.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Vesehoff and
daughters are enjoying their third va
cation at the McClintock Homestead
resort.
Mr.. ind Mrs. C. F. McKeehan and
son were guests at the Y. w. Martin
summer home recently
Miss Helen Macdonald, of Seattle,
has been guest at the E. A. Trum-
bull summer home the past week. Miss
Anna McGrath and the Misses Brown
coming over for Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wallace Beall, OF
vashon, were in Ellisport Wednesday
of last week to wish bon voyage to the
party sailing on the "Sinbad' tc
Alaska. The Fergusons are brothers
of Mrs. Beal
AS usual on the Fourth of July
Ellisport entertained about half the
population Of the Islands and big
delegation from both Tacoma and
Seattle. 1t was estimated that during
the day and evening over 1000 people
were in and around the town.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09
BURTON NEWS ITEMS

Mrs. Montgomery and two children
arrived from Vancouver, B. c., Satur-
day, to spend the summer in Burton.
They have rented Mrs, Morrisons cot
tage.
Mr.. T. w. Butler, who moved to
Burton last week and was to open up
barber shop July list, has been con-
fined to his bed with sciatic rheuma-
tism. He was somewhat improved
Tuesday and left for Tacoma to be
with his son until able to carry out
his plans to run a first class barber
shop in our city.
Mrs G. L. Jackson has been ap-
pointed Assistant Postmaster at the
Burton post office, and Miss Alice
Staples as clerk.
Mrs. T. j. Craig and daughter, Miss
Katherine Craig are visiting at the
home of her brother r. w. McKinstry
for a short time before returning to
their home in Alameda, Calf. They
had been visiting for some time with
a sister in Spokane.
Mrs. Milton Prichard, and sons Mil
ton and Burton, motored over from
Redmond for week end visit at the
Kate Forbes home, and met other
friends while here. Mr.. Prichard who
was principal of our high school some
years ago, passed away suddenly while
in charge of the high school at Red
mond, last year.
Mrs. j. Ralph Beck and two chill
dren, Barbara and June, from DALLAS,
Ore, are visiting their parents, DR..
and Mrs. A. E. Young at Burton. Mrs.
Beck has charge of the dramatic art
department in the Fortuna high
school at Fortuna, Calf.
Guests present at the Fourth of
July party at the Van Devanter home,
where five Van Devanter teachers are
gathered for the summer vacation,
were, Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Van De
vanter and two children, Mr.. and Mrs
Aaron Van Devanter and two children
Mrs. Carroll Irish and two children
Mr.. and Mrs. P. Evanson and son, and
Mrs. Edith Hew de Bourck. Cafeteria
lunches were served on the ground:
and fireworks were enjoyed in the
evening.
| Mrs. A. E. Young was taken to Ia
coma General hospital, July 4th
where she will remain for about {
week. Her fail last week resulted il
more serious injury than was at frs
thought. On Wednesday she wa
X-Rayed and it was found she hac
fractured one of the vertebrae of he
back. She is resting very comfortabl.
and as soon as she is placed in cas-
will be brought back to her Burton
home.
| R. L. Barger, who left his bushes
in Chicago, June Goth, where it wa
officially reported 100 in the shade
arrived here Friday and will rest un
der his own vine and fig tree IN Bur
ton during the month of July, mucl
to the delight of his family and hi
own satisfaction.
Rev. and Mrs. H. M. Herstad ar,
here from Grand Maris, Minnesota
and have been visiting at the Hartvig
sen home until last week they move;
onto the Green property near by
These two families were neignbors ii
Norway years ago, met in Montana ii
1915, and intend now to renew oil
associations and live in the SAM
friendly relations they enjoyed il
times past.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

wagon. Mrs. Harriet Ward. 36-41l
Agatha That man had the nerve t
kiss me.
Gazoop-He certainly did!
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09
DocKToN NEWS

Mr.. and Mrs. w. J. stuckey and
family, of Seattle, are visiting their
parents Mr.. and Mrs. A. J. Stuckey
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

It is astonishing how the soft way
yellow gold in a sweetheart's hair
changes into a peculiar red alloy in
q wife's hair.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Howard and Laurie Mattson spent
the week end with relatives in Ta-
coma, and on Sunday made the trip
up Mt. Rainier.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Capt j. E. Jensen and family, Of
Seattle, are visiting Mr.. and Mrs. q.
Peterson.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mrs. p L. Christman and Miss
Martha Christman are guests at the
Vanolinda home.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mr.. and Mrs. C. A. Keen and family
are visiting with Mr.. G. Bloom at
Carlsbad, Wash. and with relatives at
Sequim.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mr. Harold Peterson, of Blaine, is
visiting Mr.. and Mrs John Peterson.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Read the ads and profit by them.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mrs. p. v. o'Neill. of Lacy, Wash, is
occupying her cottage here again.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mr.. and Mrs. Hoel had as guests
ever the week end, Mr.. and Mrs. H.
E. Bradburn of Seattle, and Mrs.
Freitas and children of Aberdeen.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Miss Dorothy Reed, of Tacoma, is
staying with her aunt, Mrs. M. Radin.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mrs. Montgomery and two children
arrived from Vancouver, B. c., satur-
day, to spend the summer in Burton.
They have rented Mrs, Morrison's cot
tage.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

took part in the speed boat races last
week
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mr.. T. W. Butler, who moved to
Burton last week and was to open up
a barber shop July LIST, has been con-
fined to his bed with sciatic rheuma-
tism. He was somewhat improved
Tuesday and left for Tacoma to be
with his son until able to carry out
his plans to run first class barber
shop in our city.
Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-07-09

Mr.. and Mrs. Granville Booth and
son, are over from Seattle for a two
weeks stay at their summer home in
North Ellisport.
The Coolidge examiner., 1931-12-25

going. With much cOaXing on Mar
ions part he was allowed to do so.
When the snowy playground was
reached there was plenty of fun
with SNOWFALL battles, skating, les
sons in skiing with many spills and
thrills. Then the suggestion for
tobOggan ride was answered with
ShriekS of delight.
Marion and her mother decided to
let the father and boys try it first
while they gathered more courage.
Prince stood by watching excitedly,
wagging his tail and voicing his ap-
proval in sharp barks.
1t was a thrilling ride but a safe
one so Marion and her mother read
lily took their places for the second
slide. AS they started down hill,
Prince gave a quick leap, caught
Marion by her coat and pulled her
off the toboggan into the soft snow
returned like a flash and caught her
mothers clothing in like manner and
dragged her free of the toboggan.
Several times they made the at
tempt but Prince simply would not
be pacified and at last they had to
chain him to tree so they could
take their ride. For men and boys
The Coolidge examiner., 1931-12-25
Peculiar Form of Oath
Taken by Manx Official

Manxmen mind their deemsters.
Obsolete except on Great Britain's
minute Isle of Man, deemsters are
medieval judges-Of- They
hear actions and criminal cases of
every sort and preside over Manx
grand juries.
ManXmen gathered recently to hear
the Swearing-in of Deemster Steven
son More. a great and respected
veteran of the Manx bench, Mr..
More has been in retirement for ten
years. He has now been installed as
sole deemster of One-half of the Isle
of Man, upon taking the following
mouth-filling Manx oath:
'By the wonderful works that God
miraculously wrought in between
heaven above and the earth beneath
in six days and seven nights, l swear
to execute the laws of the isle justly
between our sovereign lord the king
and his subjects as indifferently as
the herring's backbone doth lie in
the midst of the fish"
A ManX elder explained: ''The
backbone of a herring lies 'indiffer-
ently'-that is without any differ
ence or deviation to the right or the
left-in the fish. Our ancient deem
ster's oath is a constant reminder
that herring was once almost the only
food of ManXmen. Time Magazine.