davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
HISTORY OF
BLACKBIRD
Lore of the Muskrat, Ancient
Mansions, and "BIack-
beard" the Pirate
LAND OF ROMAN CE

G. Avery Bell Of Wilmington,
formerly Of Smyrna, son of Mrs.
Jennie Bell Of Taylor's Bridge, and
brother of Mrs w. S. Gardner OF
near Smyrna. has written the fol
lowing article which recently ap-
4 peared in The Delmarva Star. Will
mington:
Of all the Hundreds" quaint,
ancient Technology that go to
make up the sovereign State of
Delaware, perhaps the most ro-
mantle and untamed is that of
Blackbird- particularly the strip
Of land lying between the mouths
of the Blackbird and Smyrna
Creeks, known as Thoroughfare
Neck. Two hundred and fifty
years after the first white man set
foot on the bay shore, it remains
today as glamourous as ever. No
Spanish dons patrol the beaches
today, and the evidences of the
Spanish raids are gradually fading
away, but for the most part Black
bird Hundred is a bit of the Eigh-
teenth Century
Venerable old mansions still dot
the landscape, with painted barns,
clipped lawns and herds of thor
oughbred cattle adding to the pas
toral dignity. Blackbird Hundred
has weathered the depression very
well. The peach orchards which
once were the chief industry have
given way to dairying as the
major source of revenue.
The great expanses of marsh
land are covered with thousands of
muskrat houses. As our boat
drifts with fast moving tide, two
great herons, one blue, the other
white, stand silhouetted and mo-
tionless against the green back
ground of the marsh grasses. AS
we approach closer they slowly
spread their great wings and awk-
wardly lumber away with their
long legs trailing straight out be-
hind. AS a contrast to these Sc
date birds, the little marsh wren,
with her clever nest of woven
reeds with side door entrance
fastened to some cattails, is scold-
ing in a furious temper. only to
break into song, followed immed-
lately by her scolding. She perch
es on a dozen reeds in thirty sec
onds-one wonders how so much
energy can be in such little body.
A marsh hen sends out her harsh
cackle, and loon has just thought
Of Scotch joke, and is laughing
hilariously. A pair of great bald
eagles have a nest in a large oak
on an island not far from the
mouth Of the creek. These mag
nificent birds live far from the
haunts of man, feel safe in this
solitude
A rustling sound is heard along
the shore, and looking, one sees
hundreds Of fiddler crabs with /
LhSll One Adl Se claw neatly IOlueu +
at their side, scudding sidewise I
into their burrows, looking for all I
the world like huge beetles. The
only sign that man has ever Wis
tied these parts is an occasional
muskrat trap pole sticking in the
marsh, left from last winters
trapping season.
Incidentally, the derivation Of the
term "Blackbird," old families say.
has romantic tinge Blackbird,
they say, IS corruption of'Black-
beard" the swashbuckling pirate
king who frequented these shores
in the early part of the eighteenth
century. His favorite anchorage,
so the story runs, was in the
mouth of what is now known as
Blackbird creek, where his good
ship the Queen Anne's Revenge"
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
DEATH OF BENZ. III. DANIELS
Townsend Man Stricken While at
Work Below MiddIetOwn

Benjamin H. Daniels. of Town
send, died very suddenly about 10
o'clock last Wednesday morning.
Mr.. Daniels had begun to work at
seven o'clock and was apparently
in good health at the time he was
stricken. He was working in Eu-
gene MINERS gravel pit below
Middletown when suddenly he fell
to the ground having been seized
by fatal illness. Breathing heavily
his fellow workers hurried him by
automobile to the Office of DR.. D.
w. Lewis in Middletown, but he
expired before his arrival there
Mr.. Daniels had been a lifelong
resident of Townsend and was the
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Dan
iels, Sr. At one time he was en-
ployed on the railroad as a block
operator but later engaged in 9th
er work, and for the past several
months has has been working un-
der road supervisor, George w.
Daniels, in local road work. De-
ceased was 49 years of age. On
January 22d, 1921, he married Mrs.
Ada Mannering who with daugh-
ter, Mary Daniels, survive. Be-
sides his parents, he is also surviv-
ed by one brother, Edward Daniels
of Townsend. At the time of his
death his wife and child were on
a visit to Oxford, Pa, where she
was Immediately told of the sud
den death of her husband. The
fatal attack was due to heart
trouble, according to the physician.
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
PENSIONS Pr
FOR WELT. y.
Average Nonn
For Entiro AlOV
pO' O v. F. Nettep. /,
: ~ DISTRIBr,

The average ~.
paid 81 The s-s,. ',-oa. c-s
Comm.ss.9s aIr.rs - Ass }
ended June 81 III. { a34
commission 5fr,r @aS @,i
lad approx. a.a.eJy ,sos ~ p
it m7n.a.y pzns.3, '9'o -, 29.@
452 were rs..ser.s 7. ~ q
254 resident ~, = y,
county Beg Il Ks NsFt
538 IA SUSSEX c9g1... .'-'9
age pension 5a3 !, ~
was Sit rs a n IL. 91
Whining ~ Vl.3.
So u Ta / varsg. ag;'as
State ID II !. a
living costs f5r D.l7';-.'
aons 7t .ss STATE eal,s, i
tefsnees r .a average
sas Sly ana fsraI ssc..5,. !
DAY Afternoon BY W.Ia5r +.
ten secretary i tss s1r.
al a meeting of H. 5,+. 81.
Equitable Building :.
7. Candee Chairman w.,
Metten rep9r. shows ~. :.
= Inn .sslgn s overhead i
the pension fund for +. 49,. :.
but 0568 per cent. nj. !. !.
ed 70 Be the loves on.,..
Of pension funds Il i.
Pensioners received s4S, !,
of the total fund. n |,
~nlca lAe State appr33-s
lHe commission for The u.
lng June ~ the comm.#
lfioulea Sl99 99942 j, x.
cents Of the fund s t..s
lslfa ven costs including
once 1ofce -nyesagators Il
travelling expenses s~,,.
} % - a t0,a, !. Eg
was spent r direct 8s5~4
SIOnerS
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12

hole had been patched in the brick
wall and large crack showed
from the ground to the roof, going
into the house He brought out a
six-inch solid round cannon ball,
pitted with rust, and we'll might
Mr.. Derrickson be proud of the
souvenir left by some Spanish
pirates on calm July Sunday af-
ternoon back in 1747.
It was July 18TH to be exact,
and large ship had come to
anchor near shore Mr.. E. L. Lis
ton, and Mr.. Hart, who lived in
these substantial plantations with
their slaves, were not at first
alarmed, for ships frequently sent
ashore for fresh vegetables, butter,
eggs, and other produce Liston's 5
daughter and colored servant girl
were Grabbing on the river shore.
When the boat landed, out swarm
ed nineteen swarthy Spaniards led
IlluCu
lighter complexioned, and evident
ly an Englishman, armed with
pistols, cutlasses, and muskets.
They at once seized the colored
girl and bound her to the thwarts
of the boat and proceeded to
march down upon the farm house
and its helpless inmates. Selling
Liston, who came cut to meet
them; they took his keys from him
and completely ransacked the
premises, taking everything of
value including clothing and bed
linen, and a colored woman with
two small children, and one suck
ing babe. Leaving four of their
number to take care of the loot
and the slaves, they forced Liston
to come with them and marched
down on the home of Hart, half
mile distant. Hart, seeing them
coming, and as he said, thinking
they might be enemies bent on
mischief" bolted the doors and got
his gun in readiness. The pirates
Immediately laid hold of slave
woman who was outside the house.
Hart, looking out of the window.
was told to surrender or they
would open fire on the house.
which they Immediately did. Hart
was severely wounded in the hip
and bled profusely. The bullet
marks may still be seen on the old
house. AS he unbolted the door
he was at once seized and bound
and the house ransacked, as he
states in his affidavit in his COM
plant to the authorities, to the
amount of 20 pounds. The intrud-
ers carried away the colored
woman and forced Hart and Liston
to accompany them back to Lis
TONS house, where they carried the
booty to the shore, and loading the
boat, pulled back to the ship TAX /
ng aim at Liston's house, they t
fred the six-inch solid shot, MAX
ng a perfect bulls-eye as the shot
crashed through the house almost
exactly in the center. Fortunate
y, no one was hurt. They captur-
ed a large merchant ship that
came down the river the same day.
md sailed away without revealing
heir identity, except saying that
hey were Spanish freebooters.
In 1879 the Liston farm produc-
ID 100000 crop of peaches from
hundred acre orchard. II was
hen the property of the David c..
Cummins family, and was tenant
ID by John Rawley. For many
1ears before the Revolution a
great Dutch windmill ground all
he grain on this plantation.
Scientists are still working on the
problem of harnessing the tides,
'ut the problem was evidently
olved by the famous time mill
made and operated by Captain
Abram Stats, long before the
Revolution.
c. AVERY BELL
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
Hunger NIarchers 'N'

At an adjourned sss,.-
s,,nreme Court at Dover
10 hear argument on :
from the counsel II n ~
Tbic ! ! i the supreme GU.
a. = = j. : is meeting a; Da.
,,ael,s > 90. was fur,hs' /,
until July Is. | IL -. h.
in which the Sla's =:
parties and as ,is.. !. s.sa.
representative q :. Nv h
to take up the ma 20
ferred until July T. u
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
Gypsfes Held in Theft

A band Of six gypslss !
en- and one man who aTe :
be the same band las,
Leonard voss of BurrsT--'
Delaware side of the lr'
weeks ago Of S99 while b
ting on his porch Wsl5 ~. Y.
wednesday night at Pre-
sheriff SALISBURY Of Ken.
who had been on the l'''
the band went to PEes-H
dav and brought them !.
iail where they were KY
tody all Of THURSDAY.
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
H. F. Harris Funsn

Funeral services waya !:
urday afternoon al ? %.
Henry F. Harris d. his i3-
Greensboro. with tis Rev
W. Dawson. pastor Of IL
odist Episcopal Church ~
Interment was in Gree1so,,
etery. Harris was ins,al-'
on Wednesday aftsrnoE
Whiteleysburg Del.o1 ,i'
boro-Felton. Del, higaTgT
the automobile in which |
riding alone struck a csna
ment. fracturing his skull
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
Death Of Mrs. NaFy >.

Mrs Mary a A3sos,r. Ds,ts
IS. wife Of John D',s sa5 i ,
ford. died while = .orly b
dence, at Milforu, rss fns1
nesday morning ..rroor (
place Monday ai.. r.llors 7
terment at Oad "a III !
Besides her nuSD rls;sl'
vived by two SUI Un-,-,sobsn !
ham and John D'
Milford. ,a
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
Reappointed Justice of the Peace

Governor G. Douglass Buck has
reappointed Rowland B. Ingram of
Rehoboth, as Justice of the Peace
ana Notary Public for Sussex
county. The appointment which
was dated July 1st, was confirmed
by the Senate at the special ses-
sion held on Monday of last week.
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12

y
FIGHT WITH A BULL-John
F. Goldsborough is the possessor
Of a three year old Alderney bull
that was obtained from the farm
Of the late Col. McComb Of Will
mington when a calf and has
grown into a splendid animal of
about 900 pounds. Mr.. Goldsbor-
ough got up early on Sunday to
milk the cows in the cool of the
morning. He walked into the
pound carelessly swinging the milk
pail. which the young bull evident
ly took for a challenge, and before
Mr.. Goldsborough was aware that
fight was on hand or even
thought Of, he was "off his pins
rolling on the ground with two
fierce eyes glaring at him, a pair
Of sharp horns searching for a
tender spot to rip up, the animal
snorting and roaring like a very
demon. Mr.. Goldsborough's escape
can only be attributed to the fact
Of his unusual strength. AS the
bun would make a dash at his
PROSTATE figure he would grab and
twist a horn, thus diverting its di-
rect force, but he was sorely bruis-
ed in several places. He was near
ing the stable where he knew the
bulls superior strength would en-
able him to bore a hole through
him, and a desperate tug at the
horn and twist of the neck drove
the ANIMAL back with the purpose
Of coming with stronger lunge.
Continued on Page Three)
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
DENTON JURIST HOyr
}. owen Knots One Of Vh
dents Of Nd. State Bar As,

J. Owen Knots. Of Ds-,r
ciate Judge of the Second !
Circuit Of Maryland u
nominated f2g the positn
Of the vice-presidents Of ID
land State Bar Associada
selection, made BY The non
committee Of the Bar Asa
is considered virtually al
since, in former years, NOM
always have been closed q
tion by the COMMITTEES. Z
officers will be inducted id
during the annual co1vsl
the Maryland Bar Assoc1
Atlantic City, y. j., Oh Sa
l and 2.
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
ACID STONLAOln1 JTLGs
IN CaUSNU .;,S

Don't let TOO nun nr s1
stomach. l an ~, OrstS
Tablets and qui. IN "
conditions, neai ~ TtJ,rsriS h
ach, indigestion
Druggist.
Smyrna times., 1933-07-12
SMYRNA DOINGS Y! S;
OF so YEARS AGO
Notes of Marriages, Deaths,
and Matters of Interest
of Half Century Ago
ISSUE OF JULY 11TH, 1888

Taken from our old files Of
corresponding week, as near
date of this issue as possible
Fifty Years Ago. This column,
now a regular feature of the
Times, will call to mind people
and events of the older genera
ton.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30
tuberculosis Is Increas-
ing With the Depression
Thanksgiving Day-Worthy
of Support

Modern methods Of fighting tub
erculosis, the effect Of the depres-
sion on the White Plague and
steps necessary to keep the death
rate on it's downward trend will be
discussed Friday, Nov. "a, in the
Twin Cities at the annual meeting
of the Minnesota Public Health
Association.
Health and tuberculosis workers
from all parts of the state will at
tend.
The day session will be held in
st. Paul, with a Christmas Seal
Institute in the morning and the
annual business meeting in the af-
ternoon. DR.. William A. OfBrien
of the University of Minnesota,
Christmas Seal chairman, Of Min
neapolis, will be the principal
speaker. Anti-tuberculosis work
financed in Minnesota through the
annual sale of Christmas Seals
will be discussed.
The annual tuberculosis dinner
will be given at the Ndcollet hotel
in Minneapolis in the evening. This
occasion will mark the official OPP
ening Of the twenty-seventh annual
Christmas Seal campaign in the
state.
DR.. Charles or. Mayo, of Roches-
ter. president Of the Minnesota
Public Health Association, will be
toastmaster. Principal speakers
win be DR.. Morris Fishbein, noted
speaker and editor of Hygeia, pub
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30
WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT

In spite of the many legal safeguards which sur
round those accused OF CRIME good many limo
cent persons suffer Imprisonment, and even death,
result of perjured otherwise unreliable evil
dence A few instances related by Margaret w.
Stewart of the Library OF Congress IN recent ar
ticle d.. .. -
There is the of William Wilson, of Alabama,
convicted in 1914 on the charge OF numbering his
wife and given lite sentence After he had served
more than three years the supposedly murdered wo-
found living IN 1noIana, ana Wilson was
pardoned. He gwen $5oUU by the state as a
partial recompense tor mis- wrongful Imprisonment.
Another victim, j. b. Brown of Florida, served
II years for a murder OF which ne was finally found
entirely innocent line state gave HIM ST. 492 in in
stallments, about $500 tor each year in prison.
Mississippi not quite liberal with Moses
Walker, who served five years under false charge,
but awarded him $500 upon his release.
These payments by the states concerned were
made through the passage OF special bills by their
legislatures Two srates North Dakota and Wiscon-
SIM have permanent laws providing compensation for
wrongful imprisonment.
1t is hard to imagine anything more tragic than
the punishment of an innocent person. When such
unhappily occurs it that compensation should
be made fixed public policy in every state. No
money payment can really compensate for the mental
and physical suffering experienced by the victim of
false Imprisonment, but it would at least assist him
i'm making new start in life.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30
CARE OF THE EYES

Many persons become blind, or go through life
with impaired vision, because of neglect of the most
ordinary precautions, according to Dr. Steelsmith of
Iowa, VINO gives some good advice in recent article.
He declares that the putting of drop two of
silver solution into the of infant at birth
amost important matter five six different kinds
of germs which may partial complete blind
liable to gain access to the infants eyes at
that time
1t is also important to keep sharp or pointed in
struments, such scissors pencils and dangerously
shaped toys away from very young children, and any
foreign body which happens to get into the eyes
should be given immediate attention. No nfam-
nation of the eyes, however slight, should be neg
lected.
With respect to cross-eyes, Dr. Steelsmith advises
that steps be taken to correct this condition very
early, and he declares that child more than q
year old may be taught to glasses for straight
ening the squint, which will in most cases effect
permanent correction. He warns against the use of
ten cent store glasses any glasses prescribed
after expert examination of the eyes.
Reading in poor light in bad position
strains the eyes unduly while glare is also harmful
and should be avoided as much as possible.
Considering what handicap poor eyesight places
upon the individual it is really strange that the
simple precautions recommended by health author-
ties are so frequently neglected.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30

mission alleging that the assessing
of $500 per car switching charge
between st. Paul and South st.
Paul, in addition to the linehaul
rate, was unreasonable and dis
lcriminatory against the South St.
Paul market. Hearing was held
before an examiner of the Commits
| sion on May 5, 1892, at which the
Exchange presented evidence to
bear out the complaint. Briefs in
behalf of the Exchanges case were
filed by w. P. Dolan, acting Coun-
sci for the Exchange, and also by
Herman Bode, Counsel for the
Railroad Commission of the State
of South Dakota, interviewer. Fol
lowing argument Of this case before
the Commission in Washington the
Interstate Commerce Commission
handed down a decision in favor of
the st. Paul Live Stock Exchange.
defendant carriers succeeded in
getting a postponement of the ef-
fective date of the Order to No
vember %, 1888, on their plea to
reopen the case for argument. Car
riers' petition to reopen the case
was finally turned down by the
Commission October II, 1888. The
new tariffs, therefore, provide for
the absorption of the switching
charge in the line-haul rates on
all rail carload shipments to go in
to effect November %, 1888.
Pursuant to the decision of the
Interstate Commerce Commission
ordering the absorption on inter-
state movement, the Railroad and
Warehouse Commission, on Mr..
Dolan's request, called a hearing
October Both to determine on the
question of absorption on Mime
sofa interstate shipments. Follow
ing this hearing the defendant car
riers signified their willingness to
file tariffs with the State Commits
sion absorbing the $500 per car
switching charge on all standard
minimum cars effective Nov. %.
lAbsorption of the switching charge
will, therefore, become effective on
November % on all standard rail
cars into and out of South st.
Paul.
This is a wonderful victory in be-
half of the patrons of the South St.
Paul market and will result in the
saving of approximately 100000
per year, based on the average rail
receipts over the past five years.
This case is only one OF many
similar services that the Live Stock
Exchange tenders in behalf of
patrons of the South st. Paul
market. The Live Stock Exchange
extends to all patrons of the mar
ket the use of it's traffic depart
ment in any matter in which the
market patron is in need of trans
lportation assistance. These re-
quests may be made directly to
the Exchange or through the men,
Der old-line commission firms.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30
No Cause for Alarm In
Amebic Disease Epidemic
asite-Can Be Avoided,
Doctors Say

st. Paul, Nov. 2O-There is no
cause for panic in the epidemic of
"Amebic dysentery is not q
recently in Chicago and has occu-
pied large space in the news re-
Gently.
This is the assurance given by
the Public Health Education Com
mittee of the Minnesota State Med
ical Association today.
"Amebicd ystentery is not a
plague in the sense Of that small
pox or encephalitis are plaques"
the doctors point out. 'It is due to
a minute parasite which enters the
body through the mouth, usually
on food that has been handled by
somebody who is afflicted with it
but who may or may not betray &C
tive hymptons Of the disease. Pro
lection from it is chiefly a matter
for individual precaution both to
safeguard himself and prevent 1.-THE
spreading of the disease to Others"
The latest epidemic originated
with a food handler in Chicago
restaurant, the bulletin points out.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30

Public Health authorities are re-
doubling their efforts to examine
all food handlers with the possi-
bility of amebic dysentery in view.
II the public will cooperate with
them the epidemic will be brought
to a speedy close.
After the parasite enters the
body" say the doctors, 'it tends
to produce alterations in the large
intestines. These alterations result
in abdominal cramps associated
with diarrhea; often only bloody
mucous is passed.
In view of the epidemic, any.
one who has these symptoms
should suspect the possibility of
the disease and have an examina-
ton for the presence of the amebic
parasite. Taken early, the disease
can be satisfactorily treated. If
treatment is delayed the condition
becomes more serious and may
even be fatal as in the case of
Texas Guinan.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30
State News Briefs
Runaway Trailer Dumps Wood Through
From Our EXCHANGES

Runaway Trailer Dumps Wood Through Window
ELK RIVER-The Elk River Pharmacy re-
ceived load of wood it did not order last week.
dumped right in its show window without waiting
to open it up. A four-wheeled trailer loaded with
chunk wood, broke loose from the sedan which was
pulling it, crashed into the brick wall of the drug
store and dumped it's load right through the front
window ping it UP on the display platform neat
ly as though it had been done by hand. The plate
window was broken into hundreds of pieces and the
brick wall below crashed in, but no one was hurt.
The car was headed down the pavement toward
Anoka when the trailer broke loose, keeping nicely
on the pavement for short distance and then sud-
denly deciding to drop into the drug store-perhaps
for a soda.
Twins, Ninety Years Old, Claim Record
WATERTOWN-A claim to being the oldest liy.
ing twins in Minnesota was advanced by Leopold
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30
One Dead As Train Hits Cagers' Auto

MAFSFlAIL-One man was killed and six MEM
oers OF the girls basketball team from the high school
at Lynd, Mimi. were injured when their automobile
was struck by freight train here Friday night
Frank McChesney, of Lynd, car driver was killed
Inc captain OF the basketball team, Jenny Belle Lar
son. sunered critical head injuries and was not e-
pected to live The party was enroute to Wood Lake
for game The injured taken to a hospital
here.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-30

lished by the American Medical As
ISOLATION and DIR. Stuart Pritchard,
of Battle Creek, Michigan, presi-
dent of the National tuberculosis
Association.
DR.. e. A. Meyerding, executive
secretary of the Minnesota Public
Health Association, is in charge of
arrangements.