davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
LAND
ALONG CANAL
BucksOn's Store and Apart
ment and Lester's Can
merry Will Go
WILL AFFECT Is PERSONS

The government is preparing to
condemn land along the Chesa-
peake and Delaware Canal that
will be needed in the proposed wild
ening and deepening of the water
way. Last week property owners
between Summit and Delaware
City, with the majority from
around St. Georges, however, were
called to the Federal Building in
Wilmington. They were asked by
Judge Nields if they were willing
for the condemnation proceedings
to be started. The unanimous sent
iment Of the property owners
seemed to be that the canal i'm
provementS were necessary and
that they were willing for the gov
eminent to take whatever prop
critics were necessary with ade-
quate compensation paid. 1t is ex-
pected that jury of II persons
will soon be named to appraise all
the buildings and parcels of land
that will be needed for the right of
way. This work has all been done
in the vicinity of Chesapeake City
to Summit Bridge, but nothing has
yet been done between Summit
and Delaware City. Work on the
canal will begin at the western end
and move eastward. Most of the
land to be taken by the govern
ment comprises farm or marsh
land. In st. Georges, however,
numerous buildings are to be taken
on the south side of the canal. The
canning factory of Claude N. Les
ter, president of the New Castle
County Levy Court, and the store
and apartment of Newlin r. Buck
son, both bordering on the canal,
south of the st. Georges bridge,
will be taken. The canal will
come to a narrow point where the
present st. Georges bridge is and
will come to the point at an angle
across the present Lester and
Buckson properties. The apart
ment house owned by Mr.. Buckson,
directly across the street from his
CONTINUED on Page ,'lve)
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
FORMER LOCAL
BOY ON TICKET
Gilbert Spruance at PhiladeI-
phia Primaries, NOminat-
ed For Sheriff
ON DEMOCRATIC BALLOT

Gilbert Spruance, son Of the late
Edward Spruance, who was born
and raised in this vicinity, was the
successful nominee at the Philadel-
phia primaries Tuesday, in being
named the Democratic candidate
for sheriff. Mr.. Spruance is a
prominent paint manufacturer of
Philadelphia and a brother of Mrs.
Nan Spruance Jones, frequent Wis
itor to Smyrna. Spruance moved
to Philadelphia forty-fve years
ago when he was but sixteen years
of age. He was successful in get
ting a job in paint shop on Mar
ket near Eighth street. He work
ed for many concerns and it was
about 27 years after his start that
he founded his own company which
has grown into one of the best
known industries of its kind in
Philadelphia Shortly after the
advent Of the Roosevelt Admins
tration he was considered for Post
master of Philadelphia. but never
made any especial try for the
place. Some months ago he was
urged to enter the fight for Sheriff
His interest in politics is tradition
al, as his grandfather, Enoch Spru-
ance, served several terms in the
Delaware Legislature, while a
grand-uncle, Presley, served in the
u. S. Senate in the early fifties
A. brother, DR.. j. Harvey Spru-
ance, was elected Mayor of Will
mington in 1909, after serving sew
eral terms in the Delaware Legis-
lature. Friends say Gilbert Spru-
ance, if elected, would make a
practical Sheriff because he under
stands human nature. He started
at the bottom of the paint business,
they point out, and is now a sub
Stantial manufacturer. He served
under the NRA as community rep
resentative in his district on the
Paint Industry Recovery Board.
Those who knew him in his young
er years say he wasn't a clock
watcher, but kept on a job until it
was completed. He lives at 7154
Crittenden street, Mt. Airy, in the
22nd ward. He is married and has
two daughters, Mrs. James B. Ball.
and Elizabeth Spruance, who is in
terested in charity work at Jeffer-
son Hospital.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Mrs. Rhoda Dickinson Griffinberg,
Formerly of Middletown, Dead

Mrs. Rhoda Burton Dickinson
Griffinberg, a native of the Odessa
MacDonough vicinity, wife of E. B.
Griffenberg. magistrate and form
er State Senator, of near Holly
Oak, Wilmington, died in the
Homeopathic Hospital Tuesday
morning, the 33rd anniversary of
her wedding day. Mrs. Griffen-
berg had been i'll at intervals for
the last two years, and became
critical last Friday. She was TAX
en- to the hospital and underwent
an operation Saturday morning but
died without regaining conscious
ness. In addition to her husband,
Mrs. Griffenberg is survived by
two children, Elbert Dickinson
Griffenberg and Miss Elizabeth M
Griffenberg; two grandchildren; a
brother, Walter Dickinson, of Ches-
apeake City, and two sisters, Mrs.
William Price, Middletown, and
Mrs. Wilmer George, Of Marshall
ton. Mrs. Griffenberg was born
on a farm near MacDonough, a
daughter of the late Samuel Dick
inson. She was reared in that sec
tion and later the family moved to
Middletown. Mr.. and Mrs. Grif-
fenberg were married at the Dick
inson home at Middletown, Sep
tember II, 1902. They went to
Wilmington to live and retained
their home in Middletown until
about Is years ago when they
moved to Brandywine Hundred
They have lived at their present
home overlooking the Delaware
River ten years. Mrs. Griffenberg
Continued on Page Five)
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. Games R.Gailey, Minister, An
nOunces Services For the Week

Rev. Games R.Gailey, Minister, An
nounces Services For the Week
The weekly choir practice will be
held in the church on Saturday ev-
ening at 7:30. The usual services
will be held on the Sabbath-10
a. m.,s Sabbath School; IL a. m,
morning worship; 6:45 p. m, Young
Peoples meeting; 7:30 p. m, even
service of prayer and praise. The
re-dedication services of last Sab
bath were an inspiration to all of
us. 1t is hoped that we will all
heed the request of the Moderator
of the Presbytery when he urged
us all to rededicate ourselves in the
service of the Lord, and show our
interest and devotion by attending
the services in His House ON His
Day.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
SMYRNA FIREMEN AT STATE
CONVENTION AT MIDDLETOWN

year were elected. Delegates,
wives and guests were entertained
at the Everett Theatre last night
by the Volunteer Hose Company of
Middletown, and a meeting of the
Fire Chiefs Association" was held
in the fire house at s o'clock.
Sergeant A. G. Bargagni, of the
Washington, d. c. Bureau of Fire,
and president of the National Fire
mems Association, was the guest
speaker. The highlight of the con-
vention for the public will be the
parade this Thursday afternoon
at three o'clock, to which 80 fire
companies and auxiliaries have
been invited, Between 5000 and
1000 firemen and spectators are
expected. The judges will review
the parade from specially built
stand in Cochran Square. There
will be six parade judges and three
special music judges, to make the
27 awards which will be given.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19

John D. Morris, John w. Jacobs,
delegates; Frank p. McCawley,
president, and Harry Collins, past
president, representing the Smyrna
Fire Company, are attending this
week at Middletown, the 18th an
nual convention of the Delaware
Volunteer Firemen's Association.
The convention was called to order
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning by
President Walter Hubert. Alfred
Flemming of the National Board
of Underwriters, New York City.
was the speaker at the afternoon
session. The morning meeting was
devoted to business and opened
with prayer by the Rev. Edward
Collins. chaplain of the State as
sociation; address of welcome to
Middletown by Mayor Louis Levin
son; reply by Vice-president Will
lard ID. Boyce; report of commit
tees and other business. Yesterday
afternoon officers for the ensuing
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
SMYRNA HIGH
SCHOOL NEWS
Enrolment of New Students
Grows With Largest Sen
iOr Class Ever
IMPETUS GIVEN TO MUSIC

In addition to the enrolment re-
ported, more pupils have entered
our schools during the past week.
In the High School the following
is the enrolment: 9th grade, 85;
10th grade, go; 11th grade, 81; !;
18th grade, 38. There were 46 pu-
pills enrolled in the first grade
and 20 in the Kindergarten. If the
SO pupils now enrolled in the Sen
ior class qualify by June it will be
the largest class ever graduated
from Smyrna. 1t will be interest
ing to note, however, that the Jun
ior Class, or next years Seniors,
will more than outnumber any
class that might have been antici-
pated several years ago. In the
White School the enrolment is SO
pupis larger than last year at the
same time. The enrolment in the
Colored School is $50, slightly less
than the previous year. Quite a
llOlllOCl vi Jul nave oI-A4 hOS
enrolled, being engaged in agricul-
tural work From all appearance
there will be an increase in our en-
rollment of so over the previous
year.-The First Banking Day was
held on Tuesday with the following
results: Number in attendance,
824; number of depositors, So;
amount deposited. S291O. W. Our
new and revised Music Department
is functioning very satisfactorily.
Mr.. MacFaddin, Instructor in Or
chestra and Band, had As pupils
report for Instrumental Music, and
81 candidates for the School Band.
In Vocal Music the following
groups have been organized: Senior
High School Boys Glee Club, Sen
ior High School Girls Glee Club,
Junior High School Girls Glee
CONTINUED on Page FTve)
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
WINS LIBERTY
LEAGUE PRIZE
]. nj. Brentlinger Wins the
Grand Prize on "Ameri-
can Constitution"
GETS $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP

John M. Brentlinger, Jr., of
Cragmere Road, Brandywine hun
dred, was announced Monday as the
grand prize winner in the essay
contest conducted under the aus
pices of the American Liberty
League of Delaware. The decision
climaxed a series of announce
ments concerning sectional winners
chosen in Wilmington and the
three counties. Brentlinger, a re-
cent graduate of the Wilmington
High School, receives a 81 900 COL
lege scholarship for his paper, '"The
Constitutional Guarantee of Indi-
vidual Liberty" He will matricu-
late at Cornell University next
week. The League timed its an
nouncement to coincide with Con-
stitution Day, believing it in keep
ing with the purpose of the contest
and with the Leagues work here.
The general subject of the COM
petition was THE American Con-
stitution." The prize award was
officially rendered the State win
ner. Bertlinger, following the pres
entation, read his paper. Former
Senator George MacIntire, of New
Castle, was the guest speaker on
the program, speaking on ''The
Constitution" League officials
also spoke briefly. Brentlinger's
CONTINUED on Pare Five)
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
WHEAT MEETING.
SMYRNA SEPT. "a
Will Be Held at Smyrna Fire
Hall Next Tuesday To
Discuss Contracts
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

Next Tuesday evening, Septem-
Der "a, at 8 o'clock, the Smyrna
Clayton farmers, principally wheat
the Smyrna Fire Hall to hear an
explanation of the new 1936-1939
wheat allotment contracts, which
the being offered by the Agricul-
tural Adjustment Administration
to all wheat farmers in the United
State. The meeting in Smyrna is
to be one of a series of commun-
ity meetings to be held in Kent
county next week under the direc-
ton of the Kent and Sussex Coun-
ty Wheat Production Control As
sociation and the Agricultural Ex-
tension Service of the University
of Delaware Every wheat grow
er is invited to attend at least one
of these meetings and hear this
new wheat acreage control pro-
gram discussed, as it contains
many new features which are to
the advantage of those wheat
growers who will cooperate with
the Federal government in its eff
forts to stabilize the price of wheat
for more profit to the producers.
In order to give every wheat farm
er in this section of the state an
opportunity to become more fa-
mi wit n hn Of r.
of these new contracts. the follow
ing meetings have been scheduled
by Kent County Agent Russell E.
Wilson in cooperation with the al
lotment committee and directors
of the local wheat association: ::
Monday, September %, p. m,
Capital Grange Hall, Dover; Tues
day, September "A. s p. m, Fire
House, Smyrna; Wednesday, Sep
tember 25, 8 p. m, First National
Bank Building, Harrington; Thurs
day, September 26. s p. m, Trophy
Grange Hall, FELTON,; Friday, Sep
tember 27, s p. M, Public School
Building, Kenton; Monday, ,Septem-
ber 80, 8 p. m, Community Build
ing, Milford. Following these COM
munity meetings, the sign-up cam
paign will start October / in Kent
and Sussex counties, and the work
will be in charge of the district
committeeman and officers of the
association. AS the acreage reduc-
tion requirde for the seeding of the
1886 wheat crop is only 5 per cent
of the base acreage for each farm.
it is expected that large number
of wheat growers in these two
counties will sign allotment con-
tracts this fall. The benefit pay
ments will be made on the basis of
33 cents per bushel on 81 per cent
of the basic production of wheat,
less the cost of administration, and
the contracts will extend over a
period of four years. The wheat
land which is taken out of produc-
tion may be used for soil improve
ment, erosion prevention, pasture
crops, fallow, reforestation. and
such other purposes as may be pre-
scribed by the Secretary of Agri-
culture.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
GOV. PENNEWILL FUNERAL
Many Prominent Men Attend the
Obseques i'm Dover

More than 200 persons, including
many men prominent in judicial
and State circles, attended the fun
eral of former Governor Simeon S.
Pennewill Thursday afternoon
from his home on State street, Do
yer. Interment was in Bridgeville
cemetery, near his boyhood home.
The Rev. George Ashworth Burs-
lem, Presbyterian minister of Do
yer, was in charge. The active
pallbearers were: John Cosby, John
Smitheman, Elmer Horsey, DIR.
Harry Mcdaniel, w. T. Derrickson
and Harry Richardson. The hon
orary pallbearers were: u. S. Sen
ator John G. Townsend, of Selby-
vile; Matson Willim, of Bridge
vile; Captain Harry V. Lyons, of
Dover; former State Senator Oliv-
er A. Newton, of Bridgeville; Judge
Charles S. Richards, of George
town; General ]. Ernest Smith. of
Wilmington. and former u. S. Sem
ator j. Frank Alice, George E.
Dawson, Harry I. Beers, former
Congressman William H. Boyce,
DR.. Frank S. Hall, Chancellor
Josiah o. Wolcott, Judge Earl d.
Wiley. former Governor William
d. Denney and DR.. E. Richmond
Steele, of Dover.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
FISHING PARTY
IN AUTO MISHAP
Car of Wilmington Folks
Overturn at Magnolia Re-
turning From Little Creek
ONE MAN WAS KILLED

A fishing trip was ended with
death Saturday afternoon when an
automobile struck an abutment
and overturned in ditch near
Magnolia, killing Bernard Farnan,
80, Of 1902 West Sixth street, Will
mington. His two companions,
Andrew j. Geiger, of 1016 Read
street, Wilmington, the driver, and
Abraham Rittenhouse, of 1904
Reed street, Wilmington, were cut
and bruised. Geiger was arrested
on a charge of assault and battery
and held by Judge Earl D. Wiley,
of Dover. under 1000 for the Oc-
tober term of the Kent County
Court of Common Pleas. Bail was
obtained. A jury summoned by
Coroner Edgar N. Smith, returned
verdict that Farnan died from a
fracture of the skull, the result of
the automobile accident. The
three men were returning from
Little Creek where they had been
on fishing trip. Geiger was driv-
ing and about a mile from Mag
nolia, where the road is only nine
feet wide, the car is said to have
gotten out of control, struck an
abutment and plunged into a ditch.
Geiger and Rittenhouse were
thrown clear of the wreck while
Farnan was caught in the wreck
age. Geiger and Rittenhouse were
treated in the Kent General Hos
pital. Farnan is survived by his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Philip Farm
an with whom he lived, and several
brothers and sisters. His funeral
was held from his late home yes
terday "wednesday morning with
services at $50 o'clock in st.
Thomas r. c. Church. Interment
was made in Cathedral cemetery,
Wilmington. The young man had
been employed by the Allied Kid
Company.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
HOME COMING
AT FRIENDSHIP
ThOrOughfare Neck Folks At
tend Reunion at Friend
ship M. E. Church
REV. GUNBY is SPEAKER

Over 400 persons Sunday attend
ed the homecoming services in the
Friendship M. E. Church in Thor
oughfare Neck a few miles from
Smyrna. A delightful autumn day
greeted the occasion and the home
coming feature was one of happy
reunion. Friendship Church is on
the Odessa charge of which the
Rev. F. Charles Louhoff, Jr., is
pastor. The visitors, former MEM
bers of the church, came from
Philadelphia, New Jersey, Will
mington and the surrounding re-
gion. The Rev. Walter E. Gunby
superintendent of the Wilmington
District of the M. E. Conference,
preached at the morning service
which was conducted by the pastor
OF the church. Mrs. Frank H.
Hynson and daughter, Mary, of
smyrna, sang during the services.
A song service was held at 2
o'clock in the afternoon, led by
MISS Bessie Murray, of the Saliva
tion Army in Wilmington. She
was assisted by Miss Christine Nc
Intosh, of Wilmington, and Mrs.
hynson and her daughter. The
Rev. James c. Eelman, of Plain
neid, N. j., delivered a sermon at
. O'Clock. Mr.. Eelman is con-
Quoting evangelistic services in the
church all this week, continuing
until Friday night.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
THOs j. HODGSON JR., WEDS
Takes Miss Louise Livesay as His
Bride at Washington, ID. q.

Mrs. Laura E. Livesay has an
nounced the marriage of her
Miss Dallas Louise Live
sav to Mr.. Thomas j. Hodgson, Jr.
The marriage took place Septem-
her l, at Washington, D. c., with
the Rev. L. I. McDougle, ID. D., Of
ficiating. Mrs. Hodgson is a grad
nate of Greenbank High School
and Charleston School of Com
merce. She is a member of Alpha
Iota Sorority. Mr.. Hodgson is a
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas j.
Hodgson of near Smyrna. He is a
graduate of the College of Archi-
lecture. University of Michigan,
and a member of the Triangle fra
ternity. He is employed in the en-
eineering department of Carbide
and Carbon Chemical Corporation,
Charleston, w. Va. Mr. and Mrs.
Hodgson are residing at HOG Lee
Street, Charleston, w. Va. Mr..
Hodgson graduated from Smyrna
High School in 1925.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
ADMIRE PRETTY
LOCAL CHURCH
Presbyterians Make Notable
improvements To Their
Property Here
RE-DEDICATED SUNDAY

Sunday was a happy day with
the members of the Presbyterian
denomination here as they partici-
pated in the formal re-dedication
of their pretty church and heard
with pride the many compliment
ary expressions on what the Board
of Trustees had accomplished in
the renovation that had taken
place. The church had been re-
painted and redecorated inside and
out, a new carpet laid, the choir
rail lowered and new curtains
hung. changes in the electric light
ing made, the organ redecorated,
seats refinished and new cushions
and in fact numerous improve
ments all of which had been need
ed. And not only the church audi
torium but the Sabbath School or
Lecture Room, which originally
was not included in the plans was
renovated in the same attractive
manner. While this was being
done and in the absence of Rev.
and Mrs. James R. Galley away on
their August vacation, the Trust
ees had the plumber, the carpenter,
the painter and paper hanger put
on the Presbyterian Manse opposite
the church and it too was put in
proper repair. Added to this was
the replacing of the old board fence
along Benson Street with a new
ornamental iron fence and gate
Now the Manse, for the first time
in a number of years, is receiving a
new dress of paint. With the
church and manse renovated inside
and out the Presbyterians had a
Re-dedication service last Sunday
that filled the church to its ca
pacity. Other Smyrna denomina-
tions closed their churches in the
evening to sing a song of praise
with the First Presbyterian Church
of Smyrna. At the morning ser
vice Sunday, the Rev. Sydney j.
Venable, pastor of the Pitts Creek
Presbyterian Church, and Moder-
ator of the Presbytery of New
Castle, gave the sermon, rededicat-
ing the Presbyterian Church of
Smyrna. In the evening the Rev.
Samuel MZwemer, D. D., Profess
sor of Missions and Religious His
tory at Princeton Theological Sem
mary, gave scholarly sermon on
GLORY to the Lamb of God" The
church at both services. was decor
ated with flowers that were ar
ranged with good effect around the
pulpit and at night when the lights
were turned on the whole interior
looked lovely. The choir, augment
ed for the occasion, rendered a
special musical program with Mrs.
Vernon A. Westfall at the console.
The consensus of opinion was that
the Trustees of the church had
done their job well.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
IkY WILLING WORKERS.
su,,l.e r,,.1, For Fall and Winter
WIN Mrs. Magill. Pres;de,,. !.

ee ur., for Fall and Winter
"i'n Mrs. Magill, President
,a 're m arst social and business
alter the summer recess
gs g. group Of members of the
Eg Workers met last IT, -
kfiaarn4g k[ssalng and elected the follow.
1sars 1.uers for the ensuing term
Fam k.' =, MRS. Ethel Magill; Vice
4 Evsn'' Mrs Clifford Jones; Sec
H., Mrs. :. Norman Shorts.
h III, H. Mrs. William George.
hittsa mfs. J G. Harvey Wright:
= l''ss Secretaries Ways and
i NJ Norman Coleman; Pro- sne1
|Mr, nis, uaI Thomas coverdale; So
| M. howard W. Deakyne; Visit
bsrss, @ss. Ralph Jefferson. '.sr.I and
! 1,saip, Tsaap Mrs. Ernest Matti- It'll
| This TssIer. ! Mrs. John L. john
| la,s cla.l l' the largest organized da,a.
(nSsrss,in stsss u the school, having having
FAoVfSnlp of aho,,.
! s1a aeiirs forty and is one Of Atne tbe
| 'ss,vs ssuses Organizations in n the the
} added ! New \ members are
! session 70 the roll at almost
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
To Hold Colonial Exposition"

All committees, members and
friends of Asbury M. E. Church
are actively engaged in the work
of preparing for the Colonial Ex-
position to be held october 3rd,
4th and 5th- This will be different
from anything previously given by
the church awaking great interest
and assuring large patronage.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
SMYRNA GRANGE MEETING
Discuss Plans For the Coming
Winter and Hear Short Program

Smyrna Grange held its regular
meeting Wednesday evening. Most
of the time was taken up with dis
cussions and plans for the work of
the coming winter. A recitation
by Edgar Heinold, and a reading
by Mrs. Mary c. johnson compos-
ed the program.
Smyrna times., 1935-09-19
Chimney Fire Near Greenspring

Fire Monday noon for time en-
dangered the residence of Mr.. and
Mrs. Beddle on the Wallen farm.
1t was chimney fire and was ex-
tinguished by the Smyrna Fire
Company before it had gotten
headway. Part of the roof was
damaged.