davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
WINS
AT All CONTEST
Comes Out With Second Hon.
OrS in Dramatics Contest
For Kent County
OAK GROVE WINS FIRST

The Smyrna Wide Awake All
Club contested with four other
All Clubs in Kent County on Fri
day evening in the All Dramatic
Contest which was held in the
auditorium of the Caesar Rodney
School at Wyoming on Friday ev-
ening. The Smyrna Wide Awake
Club was placed second in the CON
test presenting the play "F'umidid-
die" The play was very well
presented, the cast of characters
being "Gramp Biddle." Clifford
Heinold; Try Biddle," his son,
Homer Stevens; Nellie Biddle,"
Iry's wife, Virginia Heinold; Jack
Biddle," Iry's son, Howard Dea-
kyne, Jr.; Bonnie Biddle," Iry's
daughter. Emily Downs; Marie
Lane" Bonnie's chum, Ruth Jean
Garrison; Morton Milford" the
cook, Philip Williams; "Ament, ;"
Reynolds Bradley. The contest
" O. VT well dIlCIld1d G1l4d l4lOSL
successful. First place was won
by the Oak Grove Blue Hens Club
who gave kidnapping Betty"
Ghost Hunters" given by the
Houston Cardinals was third. The
Harrington Live Wire Club and the
Woodside Dairy Club tied for
fourth place. The Smyrna or
chestra furnished music between
the plays and added much to the
success of the evenings entertain
ment. The judges were Prof. G.
r. Kase from the University Of
Delaware, Mrs. A. D. Cobb, New
ark, and Mr.. a. Bailey Thomas,
Lecturer of the Delaware State
Grange All of whom compliment
ed the clubs on the excellency of
their productions. Demarest and
William Dawson of Camden, were
in charge of lighting and proved
experts in the lighting effects.
Furniture for the stage settings
was loaned to the Clubs by George
Kirby of Houston. Jack Lafferty
of Cheswold, Vice-President of the
Order of the Links in the All
Chain of Delaware which sponsor
er the contest, presided. Tt is the
intention of this Chapter to make
the contest an annual affair.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
AUSTIN SMITH
TO BE MARSHAL
Will Succeed Charles Hanrat-
ty of Smyrna, On or
About April 1, Next
WAS FORMER SHERIFF

Austin D. Smith, democrat, of
Clayton, former sheriff of Kent
County, has been named United
States Marshall for the District of
Delaware by President Roosevelt.
He will succeed Charles Hanratty,
republican, present incumbent, on
or about April 1. The announce
ment that Mr.. Smith had landed
the appointment was pleasing to
his many friends of Smyrna and
Clayton as well as to his friends
all thru the County and State.
Since a Democrat lad to be ap-
pointed there was no one his
friends would rather see in the Job
than he. Marshall Hanratty will
leave the post with a good record.
Fe has been fearless in the dis
charge of his duty and has made
one of the best officials the state
has ever had. Mr.. Hanratty is a
native Of Tennessee. but has lived
in Delaware for about 25 years.
He commutes to Wilmington daily
by automobile from Smyrna and
his successor intends to do like
wise. Mr.. Smith, who will sue
coed him, is the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. John Wesley Smith, of near
Clayton. The new Marshal's faith
er was a member of the House of
Representatives of the Delaware
General Assembly in 1922 and
1929. Austin D. Smith was
prominent in Democratic politics
in the Third Representative Dis
trict in Kent county. from which
his father was first elected to the
State Legislature, and later in the
First District, from which his
father was again elected to the
House He was born near Sudlers-
vile, Md, also the birthplace of
Jimmy Foxx, great first baseman
of the Philadelphia Athletics base
ball team, who is a cousin of Mr.
Smith. Mr.. Smith is in his late
30's. He married the former Miss
Lena Bush, of Dover, and both are
popular in Kent county society
Mr.. Smith has three brothers, all
Kent countians. They are William
M. Smith, Lawrence Smith and
Roland Smith.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
MISSING SINCE CHRISTMAS
f. Eugene Davis Found Drowned
in Lake Como, Smyrna

The body of Franklin Eugene
Davis, aged %, son Of Mr.. and
Mrs. George w. Davis of near
Smyrna, was found in Lake Como
on Saturday afternoon. Eugene
had been missing since the latter
part of December and.i it is thought
the body has been in the lake since
then. The body was kept preserv-
ed ali this time by the ice in Lake
Como and the intense cold weather
during the intervening weeks.
Herman Fortner of Smyrna was
the first to make the discovery,
seeing the body floating, face
down. The state police and cor
oner were summoned, holding the
inquest at Matthews Funeral
Home, Sunday afternoon at 2
o'clock, the verdict rendered being
drowned from unknown causes
Besides his parents, he is survived
by three sisters and one brother,
Mrs. Frank Ryan, Miss Frances
Anne Davis, Master George Davis
Jr.. of near Smyrna, and Mrs
Charles Ardle of Dover. Fun
eral services were held on Sun
day afternoon from Matthews
Funeral Home at one o'clock and
interment was made at Odd Fell
lows Cemetery. Rev. John L.
johnson officiated.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
H.B.YOUNG TALK
ROTARY
Employment Administrator
For Delaware Tells of
Methods Used
DISCUSS SMYRNA SHARE

Mr.. Howard B. Young, National
Employment Administrator for the
State of Delaware, addressed the
Smyrna Rotary Club at the Way
side Inn on Thursday evening on
the methods used in the place
ments of the unemployed. Mr..
Young said in part that the meth
DDS applied are to place men in ac-
tual employment and see that
every dollar of monies thus ex-
pended be made useful expendi-
lures Persons employed are those
who are not enrolled ON any direct
relief agency. The department is
under the direction of Miss Franc
es Perkins, head of the Depart
ment of Labor at Washington, DC.
The method of enrolling the youth
OF the country in the Civilian Con-
servation Corps was fully explain
ed. Unemployment offices in Del
aware are located in Wilmington,
Dover, and Georgetown. These
agencies enroll men for work jobs
under the Public Works Admins
tration, the Civil Works Admins
tration, and State Projects. Meth
obs of distribution of labor be-
tween farmer, orchardists, and
public works were fully explained.
Hervey p. Hall responded to Mr..
foung and the club voted Mr..
Young rising vote of thanks.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
OPEN FIRE TOWER LOOKOUTS
Spring Season For Service Begins
Down i'm Lower Delaware

Delaware forest fire towers stu
ated in Sussex county were today
placed in service for the spring
season. The towers will remain in
service until such time as the
greatest danger of the occurrence
and spread of forest fires is over.
The towers are normally opened
about two and a half months in
spring but are closed during the
summer and opened again during
the danger period during the fall.
Those opened are situated near FL
lendale, near Dagsboro and near
Laurel.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
NO PEACHES IN
KENT THIS YEAR
Yellow Varieties Show Few if
Any Live Buds While
Whites Stood Better
SPRAYING AND PRUNING

In discussing the fruit situation
for this year, DIR. Adams, plant
pathologist of the University OF
Delaware and State Board of Ag-
riculture, stated that the low tenn
peratures during the last week in
December initiated the first injury
to the blossom buds of peaches,
and this injury has been extended
throughout the past two months so
as to eliminate any prospects for
a commercial crop Of peaches this
year in this section of the United
States In a few paintings only
80 per cent kill of blossom buds
has been reported but generally the
yellow varieties show few if any
live buds Although the white
varieties appear to have withstood
the severe winter weather with
more resistance than the other
varieties, even so there are no in
dications of a commercial crop this
year In addition to bud injury
there has resulted considerable
twig and trunk injury, the extent
of which will vary with the age,
vigor and variety, all Of which
must be carefully determined by
the growers before they decide
upon the type of pruning that will
be best adapted to restore the
peach trees to their proper growth
for the 1885 crop. A high renewal
pruning will prove the most efci-
ent method to offset the winter in
jury, as severe dehorning or cut
ting back to the main scaffold
branches is not regarded as a good
practice. DR.. Adams, who gives
much study to the orchards of Del
aware will conduct another or
chard spray service program for
the benefit of all fruit growers in
the state this spring and summer.
This work will be in cooperation
with the county agricultural
agents as it has been done for the
past several years. Russell E.
Wilson is the county agent for
Kent County. The first edition of
these orchard spray notes to the
fruit growers in Kent county for
CONTINUED on Page Four)
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
21 STATE HIGHW AY PROJECTS TO
BE UNDER CONTRACT BY APRIL l

w. w. Mack, chief engineer of
the State Highway, announced
Monday that the State Highway
Department expects by April 1 to
have 81 projects under contract at
a cost of $1,570,0OO and an esti-
mated average employment of 2400
men weekly ON this work. This
includes the dual road Smyrna to
Dover, already started, as well as
a number of secondary roads. The
Smyrna heswold road being built
by D. E. O'Connell & Sons Co., has
much of the grading done and
were making fine progress when
stopped by the snow and cold
weather. The weather conditions
of the past six weeks slowed down
the road work throughout the
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21

State but beginning next month
road building will be in full swing.
In addition to the new contracts
that will be in full force in April,
the State Highway Department
will be obliged to repair a number
of secondary or macadam bound
roads. a number of which were
badly damaged by the frigid win
ter weather and snow blockades
and the recent thaws. Several of
these roads are about Smyrna.
The Federal Unemployment Bu-
reaus will supply most of the
workers and all applications for
employment should be made to the
offices in Wilmington, Dover, and
Georgetown by workers who wish
employment on the roads.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
.CWA APPROVES
TWO AIRPORTS
One For Dover to Cost $685.
600 and One For RehObOth
Beach Costing $4,000
INCENTIVE TO FLYING

At meeting of the Civil Works
Administration at Dover, yester-
day, projects were approved pro-
viding for airports at Dover and at
Rehoboth Beach to cost approx
mately $4,000. The announcement
has given enthusiasm to those
owning airplanes in Delaware for
the more landing fields centrally
located in the State, the better.
The Dover airport viii cost $685.
722.50. OF this amount S23 ,222.5O
would be contributed by the Fed
eral government through the State
CWA. Ground for the site has
been leased by Dover, the cost of
the lease, $500, representing the
community's contribution to the
project. The tenure of this lease
is for five years and the city holds
an option for the purchase of the
land. The airport at Rehoboth
would cost approximately $4,000.
1t is expected that construction of
the two airports will be started
soon. Although CWA work thru
out the country is being reduced so
as to be closed out by the end of
the month, it is believed that the
Federal government will continue
all airport work as part Of its
aviation policy. The meeting was
heldy prior to a conference with
the commission and the joint legis-
lative committee Jasper E. Crane,
chairman of the Civil Works Adj
ministration presided.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
ADDITIONS TO
SCHOOL PLANT
Contracts Awarded to Can
terra Construction Company
and Other Concerns
TO START NEXT WEEK

Prospect is that ground will be
broken for the new addition to the
Smyrna High School next week.
The contract for the 100000 re-
modelling and addition has been
awarded to The Cantera Construc-
ton Company of Wilmington on
their lowest bid of $177,378. Bids
were also Let for the plumbing and
electric work both of which also
went to Wilmington contractors.
Work will begin on the new found
ations first and later the old
school building, built fifty years
ago, will be RACED to make room
for the extension. 1t was hoped
that the tearing down of the old
building could wait until the clos
ing of schools in June for the sum-
mer recess. but this will not be
feasible. When the old building is
ready to be torn down Supt.
Schantz will move the pupils of
the various grades to the new
school and double up some of the
class rooms as best as can be done.
This plan seems to have the pre-
ference over renting rooms out in
the town. Plans for the new
school addition, drawn by Brown
& Whiteside, Wilmington, arch
fleets, show new front on
South Street, with colonial
entrance and the building OF
twelve more school rooms a new
auditorium and gymnasium. The
auditorium will be built on more
improved and commodious lines,
with a stage Attention, we are
told, will be paid to the acoustic
effects Amplifiers are to be add
ed. The gym will be separate and
distinct department. Independent
of the auditorium and better equip
ped with appliances. The old audi
forum is to be turned into libr-
airy and study hall,we are told, and
what is now the commercial de-
partment, will be turned into of
fees for Superintendent Schantz
and his Secretary, Miss Margaret
Slaughter. The present office of
the Superintendent will become
part of the corridor of the new adj
dition and the present library will
be turned into a class room. Other
important changes will be made,
the Commercial Department hav-
ing entire new quarters. Back of
the gym, temporarily taken UP by
a court ward. the School Board
hopes to have a swimming pool
built some day. At present, funds
are not thought available.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
SMYRNA HIGH
SCHOOL NOTES
Activities For the Month of
February as Reported by
the Local Nurse
PREPARING FOR SOCIAL

The activities for the month of
February as reported by the local
school nurse have been of excep-
tional interest. Number of chill
dren receiving first aid, 1853; num-
Der of pupils excused from physic-
al education, 40; number of pupils
examined before re-entering
school. 68; number of pupils ex-
cluded from school for various
reasons, IL; children needing doc
tors attention, z; number of pupils
examined by nurse, rs; number of
defects found in children, 81; num-
Der of homes visited by nurse, "a:
number of health talks given by
the nurse in various classrooms,
48. The work being done by Miss
Brown in this direction is of ex-
ceptionally high order. 1t makes
the school the health center as
well as the educational center of
the community, from which the
nurse can work back into the home
and give such guidance and direc-
tons as may help to improve the
of the child. = The
Senior Glass Play Three Strikes
You're Quit" will be given on
Friday evening in the auditorium.
starting promptly at eight O'Clock.
This play is the second dramatic
production of the year, and is
highly entertaining and one the
public should not miss. The plot
IS centered around a young girl
Continued on Page Five)
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
GUILTY
COURT, DOVER
Six Of Nine Cases Before
Judge Harrington Heard
and Received Sentences
SUPPORT CASES HEARD

Everett Kemp, who pleaded
guilty before Judge w. w. Har-
rington at Dover, Saturday, in
Plead Guilty Court, on two charg-
es, one for illegal possession and
the other for illegal sale of alco-
holic liquors under Delaware's new
liquor control law, was given four
months in Kent county Jail. Six
of the nine cases presented by the
attorney-general's office were for
desertion and non-support, some of
the cases having been continued
from the regular February term
of court.-In the case of John w.
Wroten, the court reduced the or
der of 81 per month for support of
children to S4.-Ernest Smith, a
young man who had been ordered
to pay So per month for the sup
port of a two-year-old child, had
his order for the support changed
to 81 per mOnth.-Clarence Jack
son, charged with desertion and
non-support of wife, was ordered
to pay S. per month.-Augustu
P. Pernol, who was indicted at the
February term of court for deser-
ton and non-support of wife and
children and on whom an order
had been placed by Judge Wiley
in the Court of Common Pleas of
Kent county of Sc per month, may
continue with same order Judge
ruled. The wife asked
for a larger amount which was
denied. The case of Wilbur S.
Camper, indicted at the October
term of court for desertion and
and who had been or
dered to pay 81 per month, was
continued until the April term of
Denie, who plead
ed guilty to carrying concealed a
deadly weapon, was given a sent
ence of 80 days in Kent county
jail
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Mrs. Alexine Thompson, of Dover,
Formerly of Smyrna, Passes Away

4 oiHiCily VI silly iu6i, L dSScS AWAY
Mrs. Alexine Thompson, aged 90,
died at Dover yesterday morning
at about IL o'clock from a general
breakdown to infirmities of age.
Her passing was received in Smyr-
ma with sorrow by her many
friends. Cheerful and happy in
spirit to the last, she lived her long
life, a benediction to all who knew
her. She was a good woman, a
good neighbor and a good friend,
led an exemplary christian life,
devoted to her home, her family
and friends she held dear, Mrs
Thompson was daughter of the
late Samuel Wharton and Matilda
Buckingham and was born and
raised near Magnolia. She mar
ried early in life William H.
Thompson. a well known merchant
and salesman and spent most of
her married life in Smyrna. Mr.
Thompson died April a, 1896. Lat
er, July 8, 1900, Mrs. Thompson
and daughter Mabel, moved from
Smyrna to Dover where Mrs.
Thompson resided until her death.
Though she moved to Dover she
never lost her interest and love for
Smyrna and counted it a JOY to
come back as frequently as the OPP
portunity presented to renew
friendships she never wanted to for
get. She was a member of Asbury
NJ. E. Church and its auxiliary so
cieties during her residence in
Smyrna and when she moved to
Dover, she transferred her mem
bership to Wesley M. E. Church.
She was also an honorary vice
president of the Palmer Home, Do
ven She is survived by one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Mabel Lafayette, two
grandsons, H. Paul Lafayette,
Wharton T. Lafayette, and three
great grandchildren. Funeral SER
vices will be held from her late
residence at Dover on Saturday af-
ternoon at 23O o'clock and inter-
CONTINUED on Page Fivel
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
BODINE-HOLDING WEDDING
Miss Lois Holding of West Chester,
a Cousin of r. III. Denney, SMYRNA

A quiet wedding took place last
Saturday, March It'll, when Miss
Lois Elizabeth Holding, daughter
of Colonel and Mrs. Archibald Nc
Call Holding of West Chester. be-
came the bride of Mr.. William
Carson Bodine, of West Chester,
son of Mrs. and the late Allan G..
Bodine, of Yonkers, N. Y, at the
home of the brides parents in the
presence of the immediate families.
The Rev. Jacob Wintersteine, rec
tor of Holy Trinity Church, West
Chester, officiated. Mr.. Bodine
and his bride will be at home after
May 1, at 121 East Virginia Av-
enue, West Chester. Colonel Hold
ing is well known in Smyrna where
he is frequent visitor. He is
cousin of Mr.. Robert Holding Den
ney.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
NEW DOVER P. o. COMPLETED
Postmaster Simmons Gets Author
ity to Move to New Building

Dover's new postoffice building
which with excavation of cellar,
general construction, ETC., started
over a year ago, has been complet-
ed, all inspections made and ap-
proved by the contractors and the
Government, and has been turned
over to Dover's postmaster, B. F.
Simmons, with authority to move
into the new building at any time.
Postmaster Simmons can give no
exact time when he will move
from the old building just opposite
the new one, but as soon as he can
get a force large enough to check
up on the equipment, etc, which is
stored in the basement of the new
building and other minor details
in leaving the old build
ing, he hopes to be able to make
the move by the last of the present
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
HISTORY DAY CENTURY CLUB
Mrs. w. ID. Hudson Conducts One

History Day" was observed last
Friday by the Smyrna Twentieth
Century Club. Mrs. w. D. Hudson
chairman of history, presented a
program entitled Delaware and
Landmarks" The first number
was a song, Hail Wilmington" by
the club chorus, led by Mrs. Mar
ion Coverdale. THE Old Gray
Bonnet was sung by Mrs. Hudson
and Mrs. Magill with the club
chorus. "Old Churches" was dis
cussed by Mrs. w. D. Hudson. The
song, Delaware" was sung by the
chorus. Notable Men and Wo-
men" was read by Mrs. V. Lay
Phillips. Mrs. Hudson read a poem
on Delaware and interesting pic
lures were shown.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
TOWN AMENDMENT
Article as Published Last Week In
is More Clearly Explained

Governor Buck has approved
Representative M. v. Ford's bill to
amend the Town Charter of the
Town of Smyrna, notice of which
was published in the Times last
week. In this notice we stated
that Town of Smyrna taxes did not
become a lien for three years, in
stead of two years, under a recent
amendment to the Town charter
approved by the Governor March
18th, 1884. We now learn that
Town taxes are a lien from May
18th of the year the tax is due and
under the new amendment such
taxes continue to be a lien for a
period of three years, instead of
for a period of two years previous
to the amendment.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
SMYRNA KINGS DAUGHTERS
Elect Officers at Annual Election
Thursday For Ensuing Year

At the meeting of the Little
Laura Lee Circle of Kings Daugh-
tiers held at the home of Mrs. How
ard R. Jones on Thursday evening
the election of officers was held.
The officers are President, Mrs.
Lewis M. Price; Vice-president,
Mrs. Edward T. Porter; Recording
Secretary, Mrs. Grant CARTS; Cor
responding Secretary. Miss Laura
Bell, and Treasurer, Miss Helen P.
Start.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
FUR PRICES HOLD STRONG
Though Season is Practically Over,
Good Prices Still Prevail

The fur trapping season is about
over along the Delaware River and
Bay marshes and Notwithstanding
the severe winter the season has
been fair. Fur buyers have been
paying S110 for brown hides and
S1.75 for blacks. Many hides have
been bought the past two weeks.
Over in Galena a few sales of
blacks were made around So.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
a GRANGE MEETING
Furnishes a Delight
"M-Other Notes

\ = an interesting pro
Y meeting of Smyrna
I, : Wednesday night
= vel attended. The pro-
! cs Song by the
aaage Journal, ]. r.
En- "Gal duet, Arthur Moi
-! Hynson; duet, Har-
1 s',., md Mary Hynson.
!, s.s = Deakyne Of smvr-
tn a . Master Harry John
\, ]. Pomona % Grange gave
w.. STATE meeting in Do
! sna l !. A song by the
kc' ,p,slsd the program.
~. y viii take part in
| sS..ea l t to be held in
Vi ,1..s School on March
| M - ~ the play Cab
: s'I ~. will be cOmpos-
1 d : H Hslnold' Mrs. Ella
a. f,,E Ryan, Miss HiIds
clifford HeinOld and ltic j.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-03-21
CLIFFORD PRYOR is INJURED
Blackbird Member of Delaware
Legislature Breaks Bone i'm Foot


Legislature Breaks Bone in Foot
Although he did not know it I'M
til Sunday, Representative Clifford
Pryor, of Blackbird, has been
walking around for nearly a week
with a broken bone in his right
ankle. He fell several days ago
while chasing a cat in his pigeon
loft and, while he injured his ankle,
he thought it was merely a sprain.
He consulted a doctor Thursday
and found a bone had been fractur-
ed. The foot and ankle were plac-
ed in a plaster cast and Monday
Mr.. Pryor had to wear a slipper in
stead of his shoe. He is on the
job at the Legislature but has to
use a cane in walking. The inquiry
has caused him much pain.