davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
NOMANLESS WEDDING HERE
Largely Attended at Como Theatre
Thursday and Friday Evenings
Benefit Smyrna Century Club

Como Theatre was crowded with
packed houses Thursday and Fri
day evenings to witness the ''Wom-
anless Wedding" sponsored and
for the benefit of the Smyrna goth
Century Club. Miss Bulamae
Simpson of the Sympson-Levie
Company of Bardstown, Kentucky,
directed the ceremony and being
a real innovation in Smyrna it ere
ated much enthusiasm and was
well received. The Century Club
received fine cooperation and as a
home-talent event it exceeded any,
as far as box-off1ce receipts, given
in Smyrna in years. Miss Symp-
son brought much of the costumes
and the impersonation of women
by Smyrna men was very cleverly
executed. The bride was impers-
onated by j. Frank Webb and the
groom by Frank C. Armstrong
and lots of fun was had. The first
night they were jokingly married
as Miss Emily w. Spruance and ].
Kent Sheubrooks and the second
night they were married as Miss
Katie Smithers and Gardiner Ford.
The representations of the whole
wedding party brought forth con-
vulsive laughter from president
and Mrs Hoover" down and es-
pecially by the parents" and
grandparents" and other "rela-
tives" who assembled. The
"Vamps" were in evidence while
the "mischievious boys" John c.
Mannering and F. Charles Lee
Compte), furnished the comedy for
the performance. w. E. Matthews
Jr.. the Bishop" in his flowing
clerical robes, performed the
ceremony with his ritual of skull
and cross bones" Miss Mary Hyn-
son performed at the piano and
played the wedding march" The
Century Club cleared over $4,000
The cast of characters was as fol
lows:
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
STARS AND STRIPES COUNCIL
NewIy-Elect Officers Installed with
Frank Watson as Councillor

officers recently elected by Stars
and Stripes Council, No. 26, Junior
Order American Mechanics, of
Smyrna, were installed at the last
meeting by Frank P. McCawley,
installing officer: Councillor, Frank
Watson; Vice Councillor, Marvin
Knox; Recording Secretary, Will
liam @. Robinson; Financial Sec
rotary, Ralph Jefferson; Assistant
Recording Secretary, William E.
Thompson; Warden, Edward Tuck
er; Conductor, Harry Still; Sen
tinels, ]. R. Slaughter and Hazel
Lockerman; Representative to S.
c., William @. Robinson; Alternate
Representative, Joseph Jefferson
3rd; Chaplain, Joseph Broadway.
The annual meeting this year will
be held in Laurel, and will be pre-
sided over by Ralph Jefferson,
State Councillor, member of
Stars and Stripes Council, No. 26.
The local Council is also making
plans to take part in the Washing
ton Bicentennial celebration. To-
morrow night, January 2Sth, Stars
and Stripes Council, No. 26, Jr. o.
U. A. M, has invited the theatrical
group from Walkers School House
p. T. A, to present their play
"Ielping Dad" in the Council
Room at o'clock, and they invite
their friends to be present. Ad-
mission will be free. Visitors will
be present from Wilmington and
tell of the work of the order. On
Monday night, February 8th, the
moving picture of the work the Jr.
o. u. A. M. is doing in their homes
in Tifin, Ohio, and Lexington, N.
c., will be shown at Cheswold.
Everybody invited.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
SMYRNA 10Th CENTURY CLUB
Mrs. III. j. Lower, Chairman of
Civics, Presents the Program

The program at the Friday
meeting of the Twentieth Century
Club, Smyrna, was in charge of
Mrs. Harry j. Lower, chairman of
civics and home economics. The
first numbers were two piano duets
"Czardas Danse," Stryiennem G.
Michaels, and with Careless
Ease" R. S. Morrison, by Mrs.
Vernon Westfall and Miss Mary
Hynson. The following program
was given by Miss Skrivan's class
of Smyrna High School, lode to
Posture" Ruth Jean Garrison;
THAT Terrible Tommy" Virginia
Woodall; "Pantomime of Prov
CRIBS" Home Economics Club;
piano solo, Melvina Shockley;
Some Little Bug" Winona Skin
ner. The comedy, ''The Woman
less Wedding" directed by Miss
Bulamae SIMPSON of the Levie-
SIMPSON Producing Company of
KY, presented on
and Friday nights of
last week. was a great success in
every respect. The meeting for
January 20, will be in the Club
House at 3 o'clock. Business and
Social Hour.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
MoFFETT HoNORED
Smyrna Farmer Living on Kenton
Road Made a master Farmer"
at Meeting in Harrisburg, Pa.

Michael E. Moffett, who owns
and operates a 214-acre dairy and
grain farm near Smyrna, was one
of the fifteen farmers of Delaware,
Pennsylvania and Maryland who
received the 1882 Master Farmer
Award for outstanding achieve
ment in agriculture and rural cit
izenship, according to an an
nouncement which was made by
the Pennsylvania Farmer at the
Master Farmers banquet which
was held in Harrisburg, Pa, on
the evening of January 81. These
awards are given each year by the
Pennsylvania Farmer to a few
farmers in these three states who
best measure up to the Master
Farmer score card, which includes
the operation of the farm, business
methods and ability, farm appear
ance and general upkeep, home
life, and community life and citi-
zenship. Within the past five
years there have been five farmers
in Delaware to receive this honor,
and three of these farmers reside
in Kent county. The first farmer
in Delaware to receive this award
was Frank C. Bancroft of Kent
county in 1927. In 1928 this hon
or was accorded to Oliver G. New
ton and Warren c. Newton of Sus-
sex county John D. Reynolds of
near MiddletoWn, a former we'll
known local farmer, was awarded
this distinction in 1929, and last
year this award went to Frank w.
Richardson of Kent county. In a
territory where many of the out
standing agricultural careers have
been devoted to fruit growing, Mr..
Moffett has remained loyal to
dairying and grain farming as his
principal interests, although he has
also devoted small acreages to to-
matoes, potatoes and grapes. His
dairy herd includes twenty-five
head of accredited Holsteins, near
Iy all of which are pure-breds,
while his grain farming consists Of
comparatively large acreages Of
wheat and corn. In addition to
being a progressive and business
like farmer, Mr.. Moffett has many
outside interests such as being a
director of Clayton bank, trustee
Of the Kent county almshouse, a
director of the Delaware Holstein-
Friesian Association, and an active
member of Smyrna Grange. There
is nothing spectacular about his
methods of farming, however, ex-
cept that he has followed the prac-
tice of carrying on his business al
most entirely on the cash basis.
Through his success in farming
and his Willingness to lend hand
to help others by his civic. organ
ization and personal interests he
has justly won this honor of being
one of Delaware's master farmers.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
COL. j. p. LEFEVRE RESIGNS
Health Forces Him to Relinquish
Command of State National Guard

Health Forces Him to RelinquiSh
Command of State National Guard
Col. John p LeFevre of Dover,
formerly of Smyrna, lawyer and at
the last campaign the nominee for
Congress on the Democratic ticket,
has been forced, owing to i'll health
to tender his resignation as com
manding officer of the 198th Coast
Artillery, Delaware N tion |
Guard. He has been succeeded by
Lieut.-Col George J. Schulz of
Hartly4 who has been promoted
Colonel and given the position.
Major Duncan, New Castle, sue
ceeds Lieut.. Colonel Schulz. Col
LeFevre resigns with the regret of
his many friends. For year or
more he has been in much impair
ed health and has sought health
and cure in various service hos
pitfalls of New York State and in
the south, but his improvement is
slow and rather than see the Office
in the Delaware National Guard to
which he has given long and effic-
lent service, suffer by reason of
his inability to serve, he felt it
best to tender his resignation. His
many friends hope for his ultimate
recovery. Col George ]. Schulz
of Hartly, the new commanding
officer, has had notable record
with the Army and National
Guard. He served with Company
F, First Delaware Infantry, on the
Mexican border, in 1916, and at
tended the Second Army officers
training school, at the start of the
war with Germany. He served
with the seth Pioneers, in France,
as a First Lieutenant, during the
war Later, on his return to Della
ware, he took an active part in the
Delaware National Guard up to
the present. When the National
Guard was re-organized as the
198th Coast Artillery, A. A, in
1921, Colonel Schulz had charge of
the recruiting of the regiment and
in building it up, num-
to the largest National
Guard organization that the State
had up to that time.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
SMYRNA ROTARY CLUB NEWS
b. F. Davis of Dover, Gives an In
teresting Talk on "SeIf Thinking"

B. f. Davis of Dover, Gives an In
teresting Talk on "Self Thinking"
The Smyrna Rotary Club met
last Thursday evening at the Way
side Inn, DR.. c. G. Harmonson pre-
sided. DR.. r. F. Corley, chairman,
of the evenings program, present
ed Mr.. B. F. Davis of Dover, who
spoke briefly on self Thinking"
He said in part that while money
could purchase food, clothing,
homes and entertainment, we must
learn to think for ourselves. The
mechanical age now with us and
the government at the head of the
nation are almost in control of our
thoughts. Recodification of our
State and National Laws was urg-
ed for universal use. Mr.. Davis
was highly commended for his ed
vocational address. Because OF the
fact that a number of the MEM
bers of the club assisted in the per-
Torrance of the "Womanless We'd
ding, given that Thursday ev-
ening (and Friday tool, in the
Como Theatre, under the auspices
of the Smyrna Century Club, the
Rotary meeting was cut short to
allow members who desired, to at
tend. Information was given that
G. Leland Harmonson, Esq, who is
i'll in the jefferson Hospital in
Philadelphia, is improving very
nicely and is looking forward TO
his attendance at the club in the
near future. Visitor present, BIZ.
Davir of Dover. guest of the club;
visiting Rotarian, w. Charles Boy
err, OF Dover Club.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
FIVE ESCAPE LEIPSIC FIRE
Smyrna and Clayton Fire COmpan-
les Assist Dover Fighting Blaze


Five persons clad only in night
clothing, We're driven from their
home in Leipsic at 8 a. m, Thurs
day morning last, when fire Of an
unknown origin destroyed the resi-
dence of Aaron Peterson, an oys-
terman The Smyrna fire siren
was sounded and Smyrna fremen
responded Clayton responded too.
Both companies did effective work!
The flames spread to the nearby
residence Of Mrs. James Russell,
which was unoccupied, Mrs. Rus
sell being away for the Winter
Firemen saved that house from
destruction, but its contents were
damaged by smoke and water.
Shortly after their arrival at the
scene of the fire, the Dover fire.
men were handicapped when a
pumping attachment on their en-
CINE became out of order. 1t was
necessary to send to Dover for an
other engine. In the meantime
Smyrna and Clayton firemen pour
ed water and chemical on the blaz-
ing house. The fire was discover
ed by Peterson. BY the time he
aroused other members of his fam
lily, including his son-in-law, who
made his home there, the place
was a veritable furnace and there
was not even time for the five to
gather up additional clothing. Loss
about $4,000.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
DISCUSS FORTY FOOT ROAD
BALTIMORE DELAWARE LINE
WIDE BOULEVARD WASHING
TON TO PHILADELPHIA
ElktOn, Havre de Grace and Others
Want Route Their Way to Will
mingtOn Rather Than ConOWingO

nlnStOn hatner Imam COnOWlDgO
Representative members from
the Chamber of Commerce, of Elk
ton, North East, Havre de Grace,
The Edgewood Improvement Asso-
citation, and members of the Town
Council from Peryville, Aberdeen,
and Perrymans, held a meeting in
Havre de Grace Monday evening
to consider what action should be
taken with reference to a new 40
foot highway connecting Washing
ton, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
For some time it has been known
that the State Road Commission
will eventually build a 40 foot
highway out of Baltimore to either
to the Pennsylvania line or the
Delaware line to relieve the con-
gested travel on the present high
ways. The routes have been sur
veyed, one via way of Belair, the
Conowingo dam thence to Oxford,
Pa, the other via Aberdeen,
Havre de Grace, Elkton to the Del
aware line by way of Wilmington
to Philadelphia. In view of the
fact that the latter route is the
shortest and of the greatest in his
toricaI significance, those attending
the meeting will make a fight to
have the route to the Delaware
line chosen, and committees will be
appointed to bring the matter be-
fore the State Road Commission
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
HIGHWAY POLICE HONORED
Lieut.. Cole Sergeant Powell and
Private Bonaficino Gets Gold Stars


Three members of the Delaawre
State Highway Police, are proudly
wearing two gold stars on their
service pins indicating that they
have rounded out ten years of con
secutive service in the department
The holders of these twin stars are
Lieutenant Earle Cole, in charge
of the northern district, Sergeant
Samuel G. Powell and Private JOS
eph Bonaficino, attached to the
Dover station. These veterans in
this young police organization all
have excellent records for their
term of service. Both Powell and
Bonafcino have been instrumental
in solving some of the most diff
cult cases to come before the de-
partment. Only recently they re-
ceived commentator for their
work in solving a murder mystery
in the central section of the State
and also for halting group of
young men in their plans for loot
ing a number of stores in the
smaller towns of the State All
three of these veterans Joined the
department during its organization
days when it was formed as high
way police force for the purpose of
the highways. A few
years after it's organization gener-
al police powers were conferred
upon the department and it was
changed to a State constabulary.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
FOUR GYPSY WOMEN ROB TWO
BANKS OVER At BETTERTON
TRICK BANK CLERKS AND ES-
CAPE WITH 1925 IN CASH
Elude Observation-Disclosures at Wor-
ton Also Mulcted; Thieves Flee
Toward Delaware and Escape

State police throughout Della
ware and authorities in MARYLAND
are looking for a party of gypsies
who yesterday afternoon robbed
two banks over at Betterton, Md,
of S255 and then on their flight
stopped in Worton and short
changed several merchants there
for small amounts presumably by
asking change for the stolen mon
ey. The police of Chestertown,
Md, which is the nearest large
town to Betterton have a good de-
scription of the party and the
automobile in which they rode.
There are two branch banks in
Betterton both of which are locat-
ed in general stores which stand
side by side on the main street.
One is the Betterton branch of the
Peoples Bank, of Chestertown,
and the other the Betterton branch
of the Chestertown Bank of Mary
land. Howard Owens is the cash
Charles Brice of the branch of the
Bank of Maryland. Yesterday af-
ternoon, both cashiers, who also
own the general stores in which
the banks are located were out
The first bank was in charge of
Miss Frances Owens, a relative of
the cashier and the second in
charge of Miss Louise Brice, a rel
ative of the cashier Of that branch.
Late in the afternoon a Pierce Ar
row car driven by a gypsy, and
containing four gypsy women,
drive up to a point in front of the
banks and two women went into
each bank. The plan in each bank
was the same. One woman en-
gagged the woman in charge of the
bank in conversation while the
other produced roll of money
which she asked to have changed
In the branch Of the Peoples Bank
Miss Owen got roll Of money and
was about to make change when
the other gypsy woman grabbed
roll Of bills. AS Miss Owens turn
ed, the gypsy grabbed another roll.
Miss Owens grabbed one Of the
rolls and the two women ran to
the door and sprang into the car
which left at a rapid rate The
roll Of money which the gypsy stole
at this bank amounted to $170.
While this robbery was going on,
the same scene was being enacted
in the bank next door where Miss
Brice was in charge Here the
amount stolen was S85. As the
women sprang into the car, both
clerks shouted that they had been
robbed and a number of men who
were playing checkers in the stor-
es in which the banks are located,
in pursuit. At the same
time the clerks called Sheriff John
r. Vickers in ChestertoWn, Md,
who, with some of his deputies,
started in pursuit while his Office
notified various towns, the State
Police Of Delaware, Maryland and
Virginia and other authorities.
Later the authorities received
word that a party resembling
those who had robbed the bank
had stopped at Worton which is on
a side road leading from Chester
town to Elkton, and had short
changed several storekeepers there.
The officers have a good descrfp-
ton of the parties wanted and also
Of the car They also have the
number of the automobile license
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. w. j. Bone, Pastor, AnnOunc-
eS Services for the Week

The regular preaching services
will be held on Sunday at the usual
hours. At the morning service the
pastor viii speak on the subject
Salvation, The Gift of God" Sun
day School will meet in the Chapel
at 10 a. m. The Young Peoples
Society will meet in the Chapel
Sunday evening at 6.45; William
Everhart, leader. Mid-week service
this, Wednesday, evening at 7.3O,
lesson the 18th chapter of Acts.
The Ethyl Lloyd Auxiliary will
meet on Thursday evening at 7.30
o'clock, at the home of Mrs. John
P. Hudson
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
ASBURY Nj. e. CHURCH NOTES
Rev. EsseII II. Thomas Announces
Services for Next Sunday

On Sunday morning at 10 a. m,
Sunday School will convene as us
ual. In the Beginners Depart
ment, Sunday will be observed as
Mothers Day. All mothers are
requested to be present. A large
attendance is desired Morning
worship will be at IL a. m. Both
the junior and senior choirs will
render sacred selections. Mr..
Thomas will speak. The topic for
at Epworth League will
be The Church's Interest in Dis
Francis Yeates will be
the leader. At the evening service
at 1880, there win be surprise mu-
steal numbers, both instrumental
and vocal. A treat is in store for
those who attend. Mr.. Thomas
will again speak.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
Firemen Called to Taylor's Bridge

Shortly after twelve o'clock to-
day. the fire siren called our fire.
men to Taylor's Bridge to extin-
guish a fire in a brooder house on
the farm of Wilson David. The
fire, before the high wind, COM
pletely destroyed the house but
firemen kept the fire from sprad-
ing.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
Fire at Herman Cooks, Kenton

With the wind blowing a gale,
Smyrna firemen this morning were
summoned to the farm of ]. Her
man Cook near Kenton. The fire,
which was a chimney fire, was ex-
tinguished before the firemen ar
rived. The Smyrna truck had
reached Downs Chapel when head
ed off.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
= NAY BUY ROAD BONDS
Ia Dollar Issue Would Be Re-
1T Vllce Under the plan

IN Ia Dollar Issue Would Be Re-
Il at Once Under the Plan
kr .,aof Buck expressed the be-
|r,oa'ay' says the Wilmington
H. journal that it NAV be
| Go. loi the State Sinking
|, commission dunn to purchase the
I s s1ilat highway bond issue
|pj ssio 0y the State Highway
I v ,t1I'n next month. The bond
| Coo g 10 the highest bidder.
N . ~ it is stated, will
III bid. If the commission %1,,
E' s'PIa The bond issue it will
f., r.'l :. Tor the State to retire
/ q " .5.t merely cancelling the
E,'io, although u they will be in
} oar y The Commission, thew
Erno rT ned. by the State. Since
|st sps Buck Ok. assumed Office ct,1 as
III chief exec,,i,,a %
/ ha, i h.. outstanding highway
bOo r. 'een reduced from SD,
| Ab@, approximately $1,000
! MINI, July l this year r'a an
! win ' ~ dollars worth of
b. ! bI Probably be retired d
oatsta pataaee Of about 5000 o.,
|stIrsS1 l mall The amount 5t't 70
POO. N may approximate ST. I
! bali INK ~I5,, January about an an
b rstir million dollars 'T worth Fl,
/ De 'i Sasd., Thus BY January olvn
Eats Win sfuq ed Indebtedness Of Sf
/ l5oc o. nave been reduced to to
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
ST. PETERS CHURCH NOTES

Rev. Frederick Marx Barton, Rec
tor, Announce Services for Sunday
The usual evening prayer SER
vice and address on the Church at
730 this evening Sunday next
7.30 a. m, celebration of the Holy
Communion; 10 a. M, Church
School; IL a. M, morning prayer.
confirmation and sermon by the
Rt. Rev. Philip Cook, Bishop of the
Diocese of Delaware.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1932-01-27
recreation !lI!I!
N 4 DEATH

IT, saS5i s1rr0oA7hD
..,,s Building at Cover
Ds .'so,,s Intersection With
{ a s'tr Camden Road 80
p"tl West, manager ana
hai 4 7 polley's recreation aru cen.
~ il, T. Of Governors CsrI%sn
=, vs., srufocated early Fr rtorS,
s ~ destroyed the lD one 1snoes
sl' VESTS assistant, Lame. James
D. .,'ssd to escape without
ns ,.d summoned firemen'
q. auI arrived, however, fam
in'! ,orpad throughout the
p md nothing could be
lalI g,lis who slept in the
n ..tb West, told police his
' .Takened him with cries
W ~ told him to telephone
s.u While at the tele-
' TlIi. said, the flames spread
En-. 9E' he was forced to flee
Y p Mt know whether West
Y, ~ iss building. Vests body
srn d BY fremen at ter the
|. s,5 been extinguished. The
f. which contained two
r. alleys and a miniature
/ .T,r,p. was owned by Rudolph
Il 4 Rehoboth. Dolley esti-
1 ne loss at $4,000. The fire
| out at about $50 a. m.' Fri
,,sils west and Ellis were
IT. DIVER fremen were help
|. ..vp the building and West
~ when they arrived. All
|sone wire and electric lines u
Echity Of the Center were out
mission. many Of them hay
H. burned. Telephone SER
|s,r some distance around was
\ West was thought to have
IAN, sufocation after evi-
II having gone back to his
N rescue some Of his belong
when found he was lying On
sor where he Is believed to
fallen when he became ex-
In unable to get to safety.
IN was said TO have been
n By a defective fiue. The
|Tss estimated at $4,000. The
IL: vas originally construct
n us as an automobile sales
] L was a large concrete
EtHs with a glass front. The
!; spread quickly, and the
|rg was burned to the ground
short time. Dover firemen
pei water from a stream a
distance away, but their ef-
70 save the place were futile.
and Ellis lived on the mez-
( floor Of the building. Both
lived in Salisbury,
Coroner Pearson Of Kent
y summoned a jury to invest
the death Of Arthur 3. West,
50. Two witnesses were
! James A. Ellis a helper in
part Of the building
Chief H. R. Hancock, Of Rob
Hose Company who found the
Of West after they got the
nder control. Ellis testified
he was awakened by West
.0ld to call the fire company
Ellis did, that he called back
st three times, West answer
leh time that he was coming.
the third call, Ellis stated
be heard nothing more from
and supposed he had lost his
. the smoke and was burned
ath- Chief Hancock testified
mdlng the body which was
4 ana almost unrecognizable.
alcI mat the death was caus-
0elng burned in a fire, the
q which has not been de-
. n NM, va gwen. It is suppos-
. building caught fire from a
Y. |, nue.. The body Of West
terment. '-'e'