davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1936-05-11

S&~S
"Okay-Step out with me in my
little car. It's a honey"
She gazed into space, remote
from the young man whose earnest
ness touched her, but who was so
unromantic with the hair already
receding from his forehead and a
slight heavineSS gathered below
the belt. She saw another face,
gallant, beautiful, full Of fire. I'm
consciously she smiled and men
tally blew to it an ardent kiss.
Nell, listen, I'll take you to the
best show in town and supper in
the Rainbow Room. You've never
been there. Honestly now, have
you?"
Cant do it, darling. I've a date
with the junk man tonight. with
my old maid aunt tomorrow and
Sunday I take care of the Dionne
Quintuplets. It's q heavy week."
He said, cycling her narrowly:
''You're making q big mistake,
Nell. I'm not much on the looks,
I know. But you'd be surprised II
you'd give me q chance. I could
be awfully swell to you"
You're an old dear, Ned, but
there are only seven days in this
week and all of mine are taken"
She waved him q breezy goodby
and walked over to the dressing
cabinet where she absently washed
her hands.
He Was Kind
In the back of her mind went
pictures. Ned Hamilton had been
in love with her four yearS-ever
since she came into this office, a
wind-blown, frightened kid, just
10. He was a kind, affable fellow
who began almost Immediately to
pay her aSSiduouS homage.
She went out with him, taking
with childish JOY, her first taste
of New York life. She stepped
along Broadway, excited by the
crowd, by the gaudily flashing
lights, by the bold pictures
Haunted at casino thresholds.
Nell Rugged his arm, whisper
ing with awe: whats up there?
Oh-dancing girls-are they really
that beautiful?" and he looked
down to chuckle happily: You
little Gear kid-you don't know
anything, do your"
This was before Ricky came:
before she fell in love-foolishly,
madly and now, as it seemed,
tragically.
She shut her eyes on a deep,
troubled high. She could marry
Ned Hamilton if she wanted to.
He'd not directly asked her. He
was always on the verge of it.
Even Nell Doran, soft, eager,
dreaming thing that she was,
could see the lure of it.
Sometimes, when things were
very black at home, she thought
Starkly: II may be forced into It'll"
But this was too calculating, too
dismally heartleSS an attitude. Nell
would never be beaten down to
that.
Ned Hamilton was still fairly
rich-enormouSly well off from
the Doran standpoint. a junior
partner in the insurance office
where Nell was the least of a dozen
GtenographerS. He drove cute new
cars, went to first nights at the
theater and carelessly flipped down
@ $40 bill for supper in a night club
afterwards.
Withal, he was unSpoiled,
humble, gay. It was ironic that
Nell didn't and couldn't love him:
that she wanted with every fiber
of soul and body one devil-may-
care Richard Calhoun who had no
job, no prospects and very little
business sense or hope.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
CHANGE NAME
SMYRNA HIGH
Will Be Known in Future as
John Bassett Moore High
School of Smyrna
HONOR NATIVE CITIZEN

At recent meeting of the Board
of Education, Smyrna Special
School District, it was unanimous
ly voted to change the name from
the Smyrna High School to the
John Bassett Moore High School.
The original High School building
was erected in 1888. Several of
the prominent men who occupied
the position of principal were: The
late L. Irving Handy, Esq.,a prom
inent attorney of Wilmington; DR..
A. Duncan Yocum, Professor of
Education, University of Pennsyl-
vania; Charles H. LeFevre, former
assistant Alien Property Custodian
of Washington, D. c.; c. Leland
Harmonson, Esq, prominent law
yer of Smyrna. In 1919 a consol-
idated district was formed, taking
in surrounding rural districts, and
in 1922 a new High School building
was erected at cost of approx
mately SITS, 900, to which Mr.. P.
is. DUPONT contributed $4,000. In
1885 the original building, built in
1888, was demolished and an addi-
tion with auditorium, gymnasium,
cafeteria, library and numerous
other special and regular class
rooms, was erected and equipped
at a cost of Approximately S315,-
500. The school project also in
cluded an athletic field of six acres
and grandstand. The entire cost
of the plant was approximately
S550,0OO. The total enrolment in
1919 was about $50 students. In
1886 there were approximately
900 students enrolled, about 375
were pupils in the Secondary
School. The cost of operating the
schools in 1919 was approximately
$3.50 The amount expended il
1886 for current maintenance, op-
Grafton and capital outlay will be
approximately S6s,700. In 1915
there were 18 members in the
teaching staff. In 1886 the profes-
sional teaching staff consisted OF
38 persons. The present Superin-
tendent of Schools is c. w. w
Schantz, N. A., who entered the
public school system of Delaware
in 1916, being Superintendent OF
Schools at Dover, Delaware, for {
period of three years In 1919 ht
became Superintendent of School.
CONTINUED on Page Four
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
TABER SAYS VIGILANCE HAS
SAVED STATE FOREST FIRES

son since the beginning of organ
ized forest protection under the
Forestry Department in 1881. Dur
ing the four-and-one-half year per-
iod of organized forest protection
in Delaware, there has been an av-
erage of rs fires per year, with a
peak in 1882 of 121 for the entire
year; to date this year, 121 fires
have occurred and forest fire ward
ems and patrolmen have been sent
to investigate at least twice this
many smokes which have proven
to be properly controlled field
clearing or brush burning" But
for the strict vigilance of the for
est fire towermen, the willingness
and quick response of the forest
fire wardens, crewmen, volunteer
firemen, and the CCC, and the CO
operation of citizens, according to
Mr.. Taber, Delaawre might have
been the scene of a disastrous for
est fire equal to one in New Jersey
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04

Since the recent disasterous
New Jersey forest fires, members
of the State Forestry Department
are being repeatedly piled with in
quiries as to the number and SER
iousness Of fires occurring in Del
aware, it was stated by w. S. Tab
er, State Forester. The severe
drought conditions prevailing dur
ing the last several weeks" said
Mr.. Taber, notably in southern
Sussex County, where only trace
of rain has fallen during the last
81 days, has converted the forest
floor into veritable tinder box.
AS a result of this condition, and
the carelessness of many who
started fires out of doors, the fire
fighting forces Of the department
have been called upon to combat
more than three times the number
of fires normally occurring during
the spring fire season. In fact,
he continued, 1T is the worst sea-
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
MORE HIGHWAY
JOBS PLANNED
Bridges To Be Built in Bren-
ford, Clayton, and
Smyrna Vicinity
ROAD TO PORT MAHON

The work program of the State
Highway Department will further
be increased when the department
receives bids on eight more pro-
jects, the bids to be opened on
June oath. Five of the projects
are in Kent county, two in Sussex
county and one in New Castle
county. The repair and replace
ment of five bridges along dirt
roads in Kent county are included
in the projects while another item
is the construction of traffic
bound Stag road from Little Creek
to Port Mahon. The project on
which the bids will be received are
contract 308B, traffic bound road
Little Creek to Port Mahon 3.03
miles. Contract AIS paving of Lake
Avenue, Milford, O.292 miles. Con-
tract ATT, sidewalk on bridge at
Rehoboth. Contract 491, construc-
tion of a ten foot bridge on dirt
road leading from Hollandsville to
Whitelysburg. Contract 492, con-
struction of q bridge over Berry
town banch, near Viola. Contract
493, construction and repair of two
bridges over dirt roads between
Brenford and Clayton and between
Clayton and Smyrna. Contract 494
rebuilding of Carter's bridge over
Choptank river, near Sandtown
Contract 495, construction of an
improved highway over Carr Road,
just North of Wilmington, for a
distance of 143 miles
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Frank O. Armstrong, Town ColIec-
tor, Dies of Double Pneumonia


Frank c. Armstrong, aged 60,
alderman and collector of taxes
and revenues for the Town of
Smyrna, died at his home on Della
ware Street at 1910 Monday night
following an attack of double
pneumonia. He had been sick
about a week and many had hoped
he would survive, but his condition
grew worse. Despite medical at
tention he passed away. His death
therefore was a severe shock to
his friends, many not knowing he
was ill. His death was the fourth
in his family within four months:
Miss Estelle Armstrong, a sister,
died Feb. 5th; Mrs. May Startling,
another sister, the widow of Frank
Startling, Dover, died February 27,
and John Armstrong, a brother,
died in Philadelphia, April Is.
Four deaths in one family within
so short a time is unusual and has
occasioned more than ordinary
concern. Frank Armstrong was
the youngest son of the late Sam
uel A. and Anna buchanan Arm
strong and was born on a farm
near Smyrna, attended the Smyrna
schools and started first in the liv-
cry business, the old Willard G.
Pierce stand on Mt Vernon street.
Later he took up farming on the
old state road north of Duck
Creek. After some years he gave
up and moved back to Smyrna and
carried on a taxie business until
February, 1885, when he was elect
ed Alderman and Collector for the
CONTINUED on Page ilve)
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
HIGHWAY BRIDGE PLANS
One to Be Built to Eliminate r. R.
Grade Crossing at Wilmington

Bridge engineers of the State
Highway Department nov have
under consideration final plans for
proposed overhead bridge on the
causeway which would eliminate
two railroad grade crossings. The
bridge would cost about a quarter
of a million dollars. 1t would be
at least 1900 feet long and follow
the route of the present highway.
One of the grade crossings has
been the scene of a number of fatal
accidents. and halts traffic when
long trains pass over. The soil
borings were made sometime ago
and have been checked by the en-
gineers. The concrete piers will be
constructed on plans made as re-
suit of the borings. The bridge
engineers are also working on final
plans for a new bridge over Silver
Lake at Dover to replace the pres
ent narrow structure. The new
bridge will, it is planned, accom-
modate four lanes of traffic and
give a wider traffic entrance to Do
yer from the north.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
SMYRNA'S PART
MEMORIAL DAY
Interesting Exercises Put On
By Local American Le-
gion Post
STORES WERE OPEN

Memorial Day passed off in
Smyrna with exercises at Odd Eel
lows Cemetery by the David C.
Harrison Post, No. IA, American
Legion of Smyrna, and other
events. Save for the display of
flags along the streets, notably in
the business section, there was not
the semblance Of holiday spirit for
the reason that most stores were
open with the usual Saturday traf-
fic. The stores kept open until
eleven p. M, and merchants re-
port no falling o if of their Satur-
DAY receipts due to the holiday.
However, Smyrna banks, factories
and most all business places except
stores, closed all day. Memorial
Day and Sunday coming together
gave motorists an opportunity fol-
extended weekend trips. The ex-
ercises held under the auspices OF
the local Legion Post, were car
ried out as advertised, parade
being formed from the Post Room
to Odd Fellows Cemetery, headed
by the Smyrna Band and followed
by school children and patriotic or.
CARNATIONS, carrying garlands OF
flowers. The day being clear, COO
and pleasant, hundreds gathered al
Odd Fellows Cemetery to heal
George c. Herring, Esq, of Viii.
mington, delive the Memorial Day
oration at Odd Fellows Cemetery
The Firing Squad and Taps com
pleted the formal exercises. Sun.
day evening the Legion Post spon.
sored the usual services in which
churches of the community CLOSED
their meetings and held a unitec
service in the big school auditor
ium. The Smyrna High Schoo
Band opened the program witt
several selections and the congre
cation joined in singing The Stal
ISpangled Banner" The stage wa.
decorated with Legion colors, in
sigma, flags and flowers. Adju
tant w. M. Woods of the loca
Post, presided and introduced tn,
speaker of the evening, William H
SCHNEIDER, Esq, prominent LIE
gionnaire and a past Governor o.
the 5Oth District Rotary Interna
tional. His well organized addres!
told of all wars from the forma
tion of our Republic until the pres
ent time. He closed with ples
for universal peace not only herr
but throughout the world. Mrs
Theodore Hynson sang a solo, ant
Miss Clara Nancy Slaughter, {
member of the graduating class 0.
Smyrna High School recited Lin
coins Gettysburg address which
was followed by taps. The pastor
of the local churches took part il
the program.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
AUTO TRAFFIC
OVER HOLIDAY
Figures in Twelve Hours Are
Exceeded Only On Mem
Orial Day of 1881
MANY USE THE HIGHWAY

At the conciusio nof the first 49,
hour traffic count made by state
police at State Road, Superintend-
ent c. c. Reynolds reports that
43 900 automobiles had passed
State Road from 8 a. m. Saturday
Memorial Day, until o'clock Mon
day morning. From noon Satur-
day until midnight Sunday night,
the heaviest of the Memorial Day
traffic, 1884 automobiles passed the
State Road station, 6,063 more
than the 1927 cars which passed
the same point during the CORES
ponding same 12-hour period last
year. Only on Memorial Day of
one previous year, 1881, when 25,-
056 cars passed State Road, was
the Memorial Day traffic of Sum-
day exceeded. OF the total 1904
used the Glasgow Road and 25,016
the DUPONT Boulevard Traffic,
during the -12-hour period Sunday
afternoon and Sunday night, ex-
ceeded all previous Memorial Day
counts, except that of 1881. The
count that year was 25,O56 for the
12-hour period, 5,716 more than
this year. Traffic Sunday exceed
ed all other previous counts made
during the past nine years on a
Memorial Day. The busiest hour
during the entire count was from
a to s o'clock when 1878 automo-
biles used the DUPONT Boulevard
and 1,04s used the Glasgow Road
The slowest hour was from / to Z
o'clock in the morning when 43s
cars used the boulevard and 344
the Glasgow Road.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
$500 FIRE NEAR SMYRNA
Frank Adams of Black Diamond
Garage Loses Home and Contents

Eranl, Adams of Black Diamond
Garage Loses Home and Contents
Frank Adams, proprietor OF
Black Diamond Garage, north of
smvrna in Blackbird Hundred, had
the misfortune to lose his home
and contents Saturday night in a
fire that practically burned it to
the ground. The Adams were
away at the time and just how the
fire started is not known. The
alarm was sent to Smyrna fire
company who were joined later by
CLAYTON, Townsend and Middle
town. All efforts to save the
bungalow proved futile. The fire
had gained such headway that
the fire company when they ar
rived, were unable to cope with it.
The residence was soon reduced to
ashes, contents and all. Firemen
kept the flames from spreading to
the filing station and gasoline
tanks or a greater conf1agration
would have occurred. 1t is under
stood Mr.. Adams had insurance.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
SOIL MEETING
OVER IN HARTLY
Will Be Held in the Hartly
School Building on Fri
day Evening
r. E. WILSON IN CHARGE

For the benefit of farmers in the
western section of Kent county
who would like to know more
about this soil conservation pro-
gram of the. United States Depart
ment of Agriculture meeting will
be held in the Hartly public school
building at o'clock on Friday ev-
lening of this week. The purpose
of this meeting, which has been
arranged by County Agent Russell
E. Wilson, will be to explain how
farmers may take advantage of
this soil improvement program and
the benefits to be derived by CO.
operating with the Federal gov
eminent IN building up and main
tanning the fertility of the land.
No doubt there are many farmers
who could sign up with this pro-
gram if they more thoroughly un-
derstood the objects and purposes
of this new Agricultural Act. In
order that farmers may be eligible
to participate in this soil conserva-
tion program it is necessary for
them to sign work sheets on which
is recorded the acreage of soil de-
pleting, soil conserving and other
crops in addition to woodland and
idle crop land on their farms. This
procedure is followed in order that
a determination may be made re-
garding the soil depicting base
and the acreage which may be TAX
!: en- out of this group of crops and
placed in the class of soil building
or soil conserving crops upon
which benefit payments will be is
sued by the Federal Government
The signing of a work sheet, how
ever, does not obligate a farmer tc
comply with the terms of this Act
as grant will be issued later ir
the year to those who have COM
piled in full or in part with the re-
quirements of this new agricultur-
al program. Although the time
limit has been extended for filling
out work sheets, farmers should
not delay this matter if they ex-
pect to receive any benefits from
this program this year.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
THREE HURT IN
HOLIDAY CRASH
Elmer Revel, Dover, Thrown
Through Windshield When
Car Hits Abutment
ACCIDENT BELOW DOVER

Three persons were seriously in
jured Saturday, Memorial Day, in
automobile accidents in rural Della
ware. Elmer Revel, 80 years old,
Dover, suffered a lacerated jugular
vein, and a severe laceration of
the throat Saturday night when he
was thrown through the windshield
of his automobile after it had
struck a concrete abutment on
Route 13, about five miles south of
Camden, Private j. E. Turner, of
the State Police, who investigated
the accident, said he believed Revel
had fallen asleep in the car, and
failed to make a turn in the road
He is in the Kent General Hospital
Mrs. Susie TAFT, 49 years old, OF
Philadelphia, suffered a possible
fracture of the skull in a head-on
automobile collision on the Glas-
gov Road, near the state line, Sat
urday night. She was riding in a
car driven by her son, Harry w
TAFT, 90 yeas old, Philadelphia,
when the car struck a machine
driven by Jesse M. Brown, Negro,
Philadelphia, who is said by police
to have been pulling out to pass
another car at the time. William
TAFT, husband of Mrs. TAFT, suffer
ed lacerations of the hand and
head. The two were treated al
the Union Hospital in Elkton
where Mrs. TAFT is being held fol
observation. Brown, arrested by
State Police on charges of assault
and battery by automobile and
reckless driving, was held in bail
by Magistrate Thompson, Newark
for a hearing June Is.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
SMYRNA A FRIENDLY TOWN
Will Again Take New York Chill
dren for Vacation" This Summer

Will Again Take New York Chill
dren for vacation" This Summer
The town and community of
Smyrna has once more enlisted as
a Friendly Town" to the poor and
under-prvileged children of New
York City. Through the coopera-
tion of the Tribune Fresh Air Fund
a group of children will be brought
to Smyrna to spend two weeks in
the fresh air of the country. 1t
is a great blessing to these chill
dren to be able to spend a short
time away from the heat and dust
and dirt of the tenement district
of the worlds largest city. The
people who open their homes to
these children are doing most
worthy and Christ-like deed. 1t is
hoped that Smyrna will respond
even more readily than she has in
the past, in order that these chill
dren might enjoy themselves for
this short period of time. If any
body reading this article has not
been approached concerning TAX
ing one or more of these children
into their homes they may contact
any member of the committee. If
CONTINUED on Page Five)
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. James R.Gailey, Minister, An
nOunces Services For the Week

The First Presbyterian Church
of Smyrna, Rev. James R. Galley,
minister, Announces services for the
coming week as follows: Tonight,
Thursday, the Mite Society will
meet at the home of Mrs. Grant
Garis on Market Street, at 7:3O
P.M.-The choir practice this week
will be held Saturday evening at
7:30 p. m, in st. Peters Episcopal
Church. The Baccalaureate ser
vice is being held as a union SER
vice in the High School Auditor
ium this year and all the choirs
are uniting for this melting. The
first practice will be held this
week. All are urged to attend
The usual services will be held on
the Sabbath: 10 a. m, Sabbath
School; IL a. m, sermon by the
minister; 6:45 p. m, Young Peo-
pies Meeting in the chapel; 7:30
p. M, evening worship service in
the church.-The mid-week PRAYER
service will be held in the chapel
Wednesday evening at 7:30 p. m.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
REV. DIR. COLONA
BEFORE ROTARY
Gives Club Members an In
teresting Talk on "Mem-
Orial Day.
SOME OF ITS LESSONS

The Smyrna Rotary Club at
their meeting last Thursday even
ing had as their speaker Rev. DIR.
j. w. Colona, pastor of Asbury M.
E. Church, Smyrna. DR.. Colona's
subject was Memorial Day., and
said in part: Memorial Day, day
when we express our sorrow for
those who have laid down their
lives for the preservation of our
Nation. A day set apart when all
people visit the graves of their de-
ceased loved ones. Good Ameri-
can citizenship was expressed as a
way to secure the well being of our
country. The security of nation
is in its interest to train nation
intelligently in the security of a
nation. Advancement in science
and invention has greatly multi
piled in the past generation, but
that alone does not secure a ma
tion. The mere increase of popu-
lation is not a safeguard or the
secret of strength to safeguard our
nation in the future. Certain prin-
ciples to secure our American life
and happines is equal opportunity
and social justice for all under the
American Constitution and form OF
government. The proper observ-
snce Of the Sabbath, that we may
rest our bodies and mind in order
to uphold the structure of our ma
ton. DIR. Colona concluded by say
ing that the nations of the Earth
through religious education, should
seek peace to insure the safety ol
the nations of the Earth. Elmer
P. Corrie responded to DR.. Colona's
address, extended the best wishes
of the club and gave rising vote
of thanks. DR.. c. G. Harmonson
president of the club presided
Hervey P. Hall was chairman OF
the evening program. This even.
ing, Thursday, June 4th, Prof. ]
McFaddin and his group of mu-
sicians will entertain.
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
ST. PETERS CHURCH NOTES

Rev. Frederick Marx Barton, Rec
tor, Announces Services for Week
st. Peters Episcopal Church,
Rev. Frederick Marx Barton, rec
tor, announces the following ser
vices: Saturday evening, 7:30, full
choir practice for the High School
Commencement. The Presbyterian
and Methodist Choirs will be pres
ent in st. Peters Church to prac-
tice with us. Sunday, Trinity, 10
g. m, Church School; IL a. m,
celebration of the Holy Commun-
ion and sermon upon the Second
Birth, Born of the Spirit"
Smyrna times., 1936-06-04
TALK CHANGES
IN CCC CAMPS
May Consolidate Delaware
Corps With the New Jer-
sey District
CHANGE AT LEIP S C

The probability of consolidating
the Delaware Civilian Conservation
Corps district with the first and
second districts of New Jersey
with headquarters at Trenton, N.
j., is under consideration by gov
ernment authorities, it was learn
ed at Lewes, Monday. 1t is under
stood the changes will become ef-
fective July /. While the plans
have not reached a definite stage
as yet, local army officers say, they
are being discussed and some
agreement will be reached within
the next two weeks. With the
shifting Of the Fort DUPONT head
quarters, Capt. Earle E. Ewing
Infantry Reserves, executive officer
of the Delaware CCC district, will
be returned to the Lewes CCC
Camp, which, it is said, will be.
come the headquarters camp fol
the state. Captain Ewing has beer
stationed at Fort DUPONT since
June, 1885, where he was promot
ed to the position Of district execu'
tive officer. The plans under con-
sideration include the transfer Of
the present Lewes chief, Capt
Franklin Lee, to the Leipsic CCC
Camp, in Kent county. When ask
ed about the changes, he statet
that while some changes will Like
ly be made before July /, the plan
have not received official sanction
and are subject to alteration.