davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1934-02-01

a Michigan farm, to ice
skating, square-dancing, old
furniture and the things of
the good old days-crop out
again in the news. For Mr..
Ford has taken an option on
a rambling farmhouse which
has stood outside of Wash
ington, Pennsylvania, since
Revolutionary days. And if,
as expected, he exercises his
option, the old farmhouse
will be restored and the
country will have a shrine to
one Of it's most deserving
sons-to one, indeed, who
more greatly influenced the
minds and character of mil
lions of boys and girls than
probably any other Ameri-
can teacher.
For William Holmes Nc
Guffey, who was born in the
old farmhouse, was none
other than the McGuffey who
gave to America the book
which influenced it's develop
ment more tIan any other
book ever published, except
the Bible. We say book, but
like the Scriptures them
selves, it was really I series
of books-the McGuffey Elec-
tic Readers, six of them.
Magic Sesame
To Henry Ford and to
millions of his fellow-Ameri-
cans, including myself, the
word McGuffey is magic
sesame which opens the flood
gates of memory. It brings
back the little red school
house on the hill. It con-
jures up spring and violets
by the wayside, barefoot
boys and pig-tailed little
girls, the old road and the
nine o'clock bell.
I have no doubt that a
hundred million American
boys and girls, between the
years 1886 and 1905, first
drank at the we'll of knowl-
edge sunk by William
Holmes McGuffey out in
Oxford, Ohio, almost a GEN.
tury ago.
The man McGuffey is far
less known than his famous
readers, from which so
many men and women,
famous or obscure, good
and bad and rich and poor,
first learned the delights of
reading. His people were
Scotch and his father, Alex
ander McGuffey, was one of
the best of the Indian scouts
in the early Northwest Ter
ritory. From his father and
mother he learned the three
RS, but it was an itinerant
preacher, a circuit rider,
who detected young McGuf-
fey's urge for learning and
put him through college.
Reader after reader fol-
lowed McGuffey's old first,
as childhood minds were
shaped to receive the grow
ing knowledge-McGuffe
Second Reader, his Third,
Fourth, Fifth and finally
the wonderful Sixth. Obedi-
ence, piety, kindness, tenn
perance! Surely it was not
DR.. McGuffey's fault if we
failed to acquire those vir-
tues or to hold them.
Homespun religion, pa
triotism and homilies were
to be found in plenty, but
also the best in poetry,
rh ct toric and literature.
Many a man went to Con-
gress, and more than a few
to the White House, because
of the spark kindled within
them by the words of great
men which McGuffey put in
his readers as examples and
inspiration.
Well, times change. as
The Washington times., 1934-02-01
The Human Side of the News
Shrine to McGuffey-Dr. Johnson-Jusserand
Bv EdWin C.. Hill

is as standardize as a motor
car assembly line in one Of
Mr.. Ford's own factories.
1t is a pleasant thing to
record that a gentleman
with a great gift for the
right word in prose and
poetry, and in the ordinary
business of living, has come
in excellent health to the
age of 81. I refer to DR..
Robert Underwood johnson,
whose tanquil genius has
added so much to the luster
of American many books of
verse and some years ago he
was our ambassador to
Italy. He is also director
of the Hall of Fame of New
York University.
Statesmen Play
Entering his eighty-second
year, DR.. johnson tells us
that American life needs
imagination, more than any
thing else-something to Of
set the materialism which
finally brought on the hard
times from which we are
just emerging. And the
way to acquire imagination
is to read the best poetry.
He himself has written a
new poem as a tribute to
President Roosevelt, calling
it "The Conqueror of De-
lay" salute to a Presi-
dent who goes to work and
does it.
Another gentleman of the
type and quality Of DR..
Robert Underwood johnson
appears in the news, though
he has passed from this
earthly life. He was that
c h arm in g personality so
long the French Ambassa-
dor to the United States,
Jules Jusserand. Behind him
he left the memoirs of re-
markably interesting career,
a rich revelation of the
golden years of diplomacy.
For part of his long service
in Washington ne was the
bosom friend Of Theodore
Roosevelt, and in his men,
oirs, entitled "What Me
Befell," he presents a lively
and engaging portrait Of
the great Teddy.
He himself retells, in di-
verting style, the tale of the
gloves and his swim in the
Potomac with President
Roosevelt. The party that
set out on the walk included
President Roosevelt, Assist
ant Secretary Of State Rob-
ert Bacon, General Barry of
the Army, Ambassador JUS
serand and two or three
more. The walk-one Of
those strenuous excursions
upon which Theodore Roose-
welt was so fond of taking
his intimates-began with
the ascent of a very steep
and slippery rock. Then, on
the run, through thorns and
stones and over streams,
they made their way down
to the Potomac River.
They were dripping with
perspiration and the Presi-
dent, with that boyish flair
for fun which so distin-
guished him, invited all
hands to strip and take a
swim in the river. They
peeled off their clothes, and
there they were, as naked
as the day they came into
the world. AS they were
about to plunge in, Theo-
dore Roosevelt, with a quick
glance at the little French
Ambassador, one of the most
dapper of men, called out:
"Eh, Mr.. Ambassador; have
you not forgotten your
gloves?"
81 still had them on,
Jusserand writes in his
memoirs, "because of the
thorns and because they
The Washington times., 1934-02-01
LISTEN, WORLD
By Elsie Robinson

Life is Only What You Feel
All you get out of life is
your own feeling about it.
A strange statement? Per
haps you don't believe it. Maybe
The Washington times., 1934-02-01

motion picture cIic71eS at his
fingertips which make albert
Goes Through" seem not only
the work of a novice, but a
rather doddering novice as well.
Mr.. Priestly's book is all right
as far as it goes, but it isn't 60
ing to convulse anyone west Of
Lands End.
Copyright, 1894, King Features
Syndicate, Inc.)
Articles By Robert Benchley
appear in The Washington Times
each Tuesday, Thursday, and
SATURDAY..
The Washington times., 1934-02-01

J. B. Priestly, aside from
being known as the author
of 'The Good Companions" and
other large books, is probably
best remembered in this coun-
try as the Englishman who
couldn't wait to get off the
boat at New York before pull
ing his first boner.
You may recall that, to the
ship news reporters, Mr..
Priestly criticized Americans be-
cause they never really read
any good books but only pre-
tend to have read them. And,
AMERICANS
EeVER ~HS
soo0 So 40 lNG$ ;
. ,..:'& {lEt|A
The Washington times., 1934-02-01
WISE WORDS

No man was ever so much de-
ceived by another as by himself.
-Grevulle.
Letting the rank tongue blos-
som into speech. Browning.
The older the abuse the more
sacred it is. -Volta1re.
Absence Of occupation Is not
rest: a mind quite vacant is q
mind distressed -Cowper.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
S1,5OO,OOO DEFICIT
IN STATE FUNDS
Governor Expected to Ask
Assembly to Act After 1t
RecOnVeneS
HIGHER LEVY FAVORED

Revenues that go into the gen
eral fund have fallen off to such
an extent ard are continuing TO
shrink at such an alarming rate
and the drains on this fund have
been so heavy the tate will be con
fronted with a deficit of from one
half to three quarters of million
dollars at the end of the current
fiscal year, June 80, it was stated
yesterday At the end of the cur
rent fiscal biennium, June 30, 1885,
it was further pointed out, this
deficit will have reached a total of
81, 100000 and possibly more un-
less new sources of taxation in adj
dition to those already in existence
are devised. The situation is said
to be so serious that when the
General Assembly reconvenes
March 6 after the 90 day adjourn
ment of the special session of the
proclaimed by Cover
nor C. Douglass Buck last month,
the Governor probably will lay the
whole situation before the law
makers.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
DUAL ROAD TO
MD. STATE LINE
Open Bids For Section of Two
and a Half Miles From
Village of Glasgow
LITTLE CREEK-BARKER'S

Bids were opened by the State
Highway Commission last week
for the first link of the proposed
dual road from the village of Glas-
gov, this State, to the Maryland
line near Elkton, Md, a distance
of 2.574 miles and on which the
bids showed a wide variance. Fox
Reynolds Company, of New York,
with their estimate of S49,636 was
low. The other bidders were: Will
son Contracting Company, Will
mington, S87 ,635; Continental Con
tracing Company, Baltimore, S62, :
$50; George and Lynch, Dover,
S58, 819; A. Petrillo Company Will
mington, S57, 282 Other estimates
and the contracts involved, togeth-
er with the bidders and their bids
were: Contract 266, Little Heaven,
near Bankers Landing, Kent coun-
ty, 4.O3 miles; A. Petrillo, Will
mington, S46,343; Fox and Rey-
nolds, N. Y, S45,834; WV. Truitt
Lincoln City, $44, 9O5; George and
Lynch, Dover, s43,834, low bidder
Contract 349, Barker's Landing
fill, 10000 cubic yards Of borrow
Kent county; Wilson Contracting
Company, Wilmington, $4,000;
Walter Roach and Son, George
TOWN S7 300. George and Lynch
Dover, $1,000; Angelo Citro, Will
mington, S4,7OO, low bidder. Con
tracts will be awarded in a few
days. There was a delegation be
fore the commission asking for 9
road 9 feet wide, from Delmar t
Hearn's Cross Roads and to the
Maryland line, a distance Of three
miles.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
OPEN MIDDLETOWN THEATRE
Everett Theatre Re-Opened Aus
paciousIy by George Nj. Schwartz

The Everett Theatre which has
been closed for the past three
weeks was open under the man
agement of George M. Schwartz,
of Dover, on Monday evening. The
theatre is equipped with new super
R. C. A. talkie equipment, and
other improvements and the open
ing was a notable event. Mr..
Schwartz nows conducts theatres
in Smyrna, Dover and Middletown.
At the opening at Everett Theatre
Monday night there was a good
crowd and an suspicious beginning
for the new management. Ad-
dresses were made by Mayor Lew
is Levinson of Middletown, Mayor
Woodford, Terman Taylor, Erwin
N. Snellingberg of Dover, and
George M. Schwartz of Whining
ton, head of theatre chain. A fine
spirit and good wishes for success
was expressed in all the speeches
made. All women attending were
presented with pink carnations.
The feature picture was "The
World Changes"
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
Miss Carolyn FAIRIES, Swarthmore
Miss Carolyn S. FAIRIES, aged IS,
only daughter Of Bertha Price
FAIRIES and the late Gilbert Stubs
lContinued On PAGE Fourl
FARM CREDIT
BODY TO MEET
Will Organize at Dover To
morrow To Make Short
Term Loans to Farmers
SECURITY is REQUIRED

The first meeting Of the directors
Of the Delaware Production Credit
Association will be held in Dover
tomorrow to elect the association s
officials and to conduct other bust
ness Within two or three days
following this meeting the associa-
ton will begin its business of max
ing short and intermediate-t term
loans to eligible farmers and
stockmen for general agricultural
purposes, according to officials Of
the Production Credit Corporation
in Baltimore. The association is
to serve all eligible farmers and
stockmen in the three counties.
In order for the farmer or stock
men to borrow from this associa-
ton, the first step must be the
making of an application for a
loan. Although headquarters for
this Production Credit Association
are in Dover, an authorized agency
for receiving these loan applica-
tions will be set up in each county
shortly The location will be an
nounced by the board of directors
of the association. The Dover
Production Credit Association has
authority to make short and inter
mediate-term loans to farmers and
stockmen of this vicinity for gen.
eral agricultural purposes. Every
application will be considered, not
only from the standpoint of the
security offered, but also from the
standpoint of the applicants net
worth and personal character. His
ability to repay the loan from the
proceeds of the salable crops and
livestock products of his farm also
will be taken into consideration.
The primary security required for
a production loan from this asso-
citation usually must consist of
first liens on crops, livestock and
other personal property.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
NEW CASTLE COUNTY FARMERS
ARE RECEIVING WHEAT CHECKS

Edward w. Cooch, as treasurer
of the New Castle county division
of the Wheat Control Association
of the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture, of which Ed. Willim, Fed
eral Agricultural Agent of New
Castle County, is local administra-
tor, received S11,486 yesterday as
the first installment for New Cas-
tie farmers. Mr.. Within, who has
spent much of his time in explain
ing the wheat allotment provisions
and getting the farmers in line, is
a native Dover boy and married
Miss Christine Kirby of Smyrna.
These checks for about 100 farm
ers of the county represent one
third of the amounts to be paid
them under their wheat acreage
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
JURY DECIDES
TO EXONERATE
Drivers in Smyrna Accident
Resulting in Death of Mrs.
Wise, Found Blameless
ACCIDENT UNAVOIDABLE

The jury summoned by Coroner
G. w. Poore of Kent county to in
vestigate the death of Mrs. Mary
Smith Wise, wife of James w.
Wise, Dover druggist, which oc-
CURED on the Boulevard in Smyr-
ma, in front of Ennis & Deakyne's
gaarge, Smyrna, early on the
morning of December IL last, met
in the Kent County Grand Jury
Room Friday afternoon. After
hearing the evidence of Wesley
Manley, the driver of the milk
truck with which the car in which
Mrs. Wise was a passenger and
driven by Mrs. Frank Hall Davis
of Dover collided, as well as two
other witnesses who were early at
the scene Of the accident, the jury
gave a verdict of unavoidable ac-
cident on the part of the drivers
Of both cars because of the sleety
and snowy condition of the high
way on that morning In view of
the fact that Mr.. Manley, the driv-
er Of the milk truck, had been held
on charge Of manslaughter, the
jury exonerated him from any
blame whatever in the accident.
Mrs. Davis, the driver of the car,
was also exonerated.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03

restriction contracts. The re-
mainder will be paid in the spring
following inspection of acreage by
government representatives. With
in few days about 200 more
checks averaging about the same
amount per check, for each farm
er, will be received by Mr.. Cooch.
He is now arranging for the dis
tribution of the first checks. The
New Castle farmers being paid
are under contracts to restrict
wheat acreage at the rate of 20
cents an acre per bushel. Similar
distribution of checks will be
started in Kent and Sussex coun-
ties early. The remainder of the
checks, due about 200 other farm
ers there, are due within a week.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
HOLD YOUTH AS
TAXI KIDNAPER
Vaughn Combs Identified By
Vaughn Hastings, AS
Guilty Party
AT VIOLA

Picked from a group of 20 per
sons in the Kent county jail,
Vaughn Combs, Is years old, was
identified by Vaughn Hastings, a
taxicab driver, of Salisbury, Nd,
as the man who kidnapped" him
several days before Christmas,
stole the taxicab after ordering
the driver out and then abandon
ing the car near Viola. Combs
was given a hearing at Dover yes
teray morning. According to Hast
ings, Combs hired the taxicab,
owned by the Dryden Taxicab
Company, of Salisbury, and in
structed Hastings to drive into
Delaware. A short distance out
side Salisbury, Hastings said his
passenger pointed revolver at
him and ordered him to drive to-
ward FELTON,. Near that place
Combs is alleged to have ordered
Hastings to drive into a side road.
Here Hastings was ordered from
the machine and Combs drove
away. The car was found near
Viola the following day. Combs
was arrested Sunday on descrip-
ton furnished by Hastings.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
ACCIDENT FOLLOWS DANCE
Stuart Wilds and Party Returning
From Milford, Ran Into Abutment

The new coupe of Stuart Wilds.
Jr., was practically demolished
early Monday morning when
Wilds, accompanied by William
Mabrey of Smyrna, and Denney
Sudler of Clayton, were returning
to Smyrna from a midnight dance
at Milford. Wilds, who was driv-
ing the machine, fell asleep, the
car running off the road and
striking an abutment The three
were taken to the Kent General
Hospital at Dover by William
MARYLAND, Jr., of Dover, formerly
of Smyrna, where their wounds
were dressed. Wilds and Sudler
were released having received only
cuts and bruises while Mabrey,
who was rendered unconscious,
still remains at the hospital suffer
ing from severe cuts about the
face.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
DISPLAY DELAWARE BIRDS
Shown in the State House, Dover,
Offices Game and Fish Commission

Shown in the State House, Dover,
Offices Game and Fish Commission
A collection of native Delaware
birds and animals has recently
been prepared by the Board of
Game and Fish Commissioners and
arranged into a huge display in
the State House, Dover, where the
offices of the commission are 10
Gated. Among them is the bald
eagle of which few know that it is
a native bird According to c. S.
Foster, chief game wardn, the bald
eagle is to be found in the south
western section of the State. al
though the number of the existing
birds is not believed to be large.
Other birds in the exhibit are the
swan, which inhabit the waters in
the southern part of the State,
several varieties of wild geese and
ducks, pheasants. quail and other
game birds. In the animal section
of the exhibit is seen the raccoon,
oppossum, squirrels, rabbits and
others. The exhibit has attracted
much attention since it was placed
before the public.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
COMING STATE
EGG EXHIBIT
POultrymen to Meet at
Grange Hall, Milford, We'd
nesday, Thursday, Friday
PROGRAM is ARRANGED

Within the past few days all
poultrymen in the state have been
mailed premium lists for the state
egg show, which will be held in the
Grange Hall in Milford on Janu-
airy 10, IL and II, under the aus
pices of the Delaware State Poul-
try Association in cooperation
with the extension service of the
University of Delaware, the state
department of vocational educa-
ton and the State Board of Agri-
culture. Those poultrymen, how
ever, who have failed to receive
their copies of this premium list
are requested to get in touch with
H. S. Palmer, secretary of the
show, Newark, Delaware, or with
any one of the county agents or
vocational agriculture instructors
who have been supplied with sew
eral copies of this premium list.
An entry in this show will consist
of one dozen eggs, and there will
be six classes of eggs to be judged
for exterior quality only. These
six classes include large white,
medium white, pullet white, large
brown, medium brown, and pullet
brown. In each class the prem
iums offered are So for first prize,
Sc for second, 81 for third, 81 for
fourth, 81 for fifth, and so cents
for sixth award. No entry fees
will be charge the exhibitors, but
all eggs exhibited will become the
property of the State Poultry As
ISOLATION and will be sold for table
use. Exhibits may be brought to
the show building on Wednesday
morning, January 10, without pre-
vious notice to the secretary. The
program which has been arranged
in connection with this egg show
includes a lecture at 7.30 on We'd
nesday evening by a. 2. Jones Of
New Jersey, on the organization
and operation Of egg auctions.
Following this talk motion pic
lures Of the last two annual state
poultry tours will be shown by II,
r. Baker, poultry pathologist Of
the State Board Of Agriculture.
AT 2 o'clock on Thursday after
noon Joe Keilbaba and his troupe
Of entertainers will appear on the
program, and at 80 on Friday
afternoon there will be q Al egg
judging contest in charge Of a. D.
Cobb, assistant director Of the Del
aware extension service. As an
added feature Of this egg show, an
educational exhibit is being plan
ned BY the Bureau Of Markets Of
the State Board of Agriculture IL
cooperation with the state depart
ment of vocational education
which will be Of interest to all egg
producers.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
ROTARY HOLDS
A XMAS PARTY
Members, With Wives and
Friends, Have a Ladies'
Night" at Wayside Inn
A PLEASING PROGRAM

The Smyrna Rotary Club at
their meeting last Thursday even
ing had their Christmas Party and
in keeping with the spirit Of fell
lowship that prevails in the club
invited the club members wives,
daughters and lady friends to at
tend their party Davis H. Bell,
president of the club, gave the adj
dress of welcome; "a. L. Leader
directed the singing, which led to
the entrance Of Santa Claus,
around the Christmas tree Santa
had prepared gifts for the ladies,
and each clab member exchanged
gifts. H. P. Hall, after a very
complimentary speech, presented
d. III. Bell, president Of the club,
with very beautiful spray Of
flowers on behalf Of the club mem
bers. Games Of fun for the ladies,
Mrs. Robert H. Denney won the
balloon game, and Mrs. A. ". Gil
liland won the Shakespearian Ro-
nance contest. Vocal selections
by the Rotary Quartette, including
Messrs. w. w. Hynson, w. w.
Price, William Doughten, Dr., and
Art. Leader. Mr.. Leader also sang
some vocal solos. Mr.. Y. Lay
Phillips gave the closing address
expressing the pleasure it was TO
the club to entertain their wives
and friends at their Christmas
Party. Guests present: Mr.. and
Mrs. Earle d. Wiley of Dover.
Ladies present: Mrs. M s. Bell
Mrs. M. A. Denney, Mrs. M. H.
Price, Mrs. A. L. Leader, Mrs. L.
L. Hynson, Mrs. ]. B. Vane, Mrs.
". L. Phillips, Mrs. r. F. Corley,
Mrs. H. r. Jones, Miss Bertha
Smithers, Mrs. H. P. Hall, Mrs. w.
]. Taylor, Mrs. A. V. Gillilandr
Mrs. George Robinson, Mrs. Alex.
Handloff, Mrs. P. Matthews, Mrs.
F. M. Barton, Mrs. E. P. Corrie,
Mrs. w. M. Doughten, Miss Eliz-
abeth Phillips, Miss Florence Cor
RE, Miss Marguerite Pawn, Miss
Nancy Slaughter.
Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-03
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Mrs. Annie Wallen, Wife of Rob-
ert Y. Wallen, Dies of Pneumonia

Mrs. Annie Wallen, aged II,
wife of Robert Y Wallen of this
town, the well known Clayton
grain broker and banker, passed
away early Sunday morning after
an illness of about one week of
double pneumonia. Mrs. Wallen
was the daughter of the late
James and Sarah (Maloney) Van
Wrinkle and had spent her whole
life in this vicinity. She was a
member of Asbury M. E. Church,
the Laura Lee Circle of Kings
Daughter, and the Smyrna 20th
Century Club, to all of which she
was more or less active. Always
Industrious, she loved her home
and was recognized as model
housekeeper. She loved flowers
and due to her constant care, her
yard from early Spring to Fall,
had the choicest blooms. Besides
her husband, Mrs. Wallen is sur
vived by one son Robert Y. Wallen,
Jr., of Clayton, and one daughter,
Mrs. Ruth Wallen Pyle, who made
her home with her. She is also
survived by one granddaughter,
Miss Janet Pyle, also at home. She
is survived by one sister, Mrs.
Laura Stephenson of Stamford,
Connecticut, and two brothers,
James VanWinkle of Chester, Pa,
and Joseph VanWinkle of New
York. The funeral services were
held this afternoon, Wednesday,
from her late residence on Com
merce Street, at 40 o'clock, and
interment was made at Odd Eel
lows cemetery. Rev. John L.John-
son oficiated, assisted by Rev. Es-
sell p. Thomas Of Dover, a former
pastor of Asbury NJ. 2. Church
Smyrna.
Miss Carolyn FAIRIES, Swarthmore
Miss Carolyn S. FAIRIES, aged t.
only daughter Of Bertha Price
FAIRIES and the late Gilbert Stubs
CONTINUED On Page Four)