davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
TALK OF BETTER AIR-MAIL AND
EXPRESS SERVICE TO DELAWARE

The possibility of air-mail and
air-express service for Wilmington
ON a line extending from Philadel-
phia to Cincinnati and touching
towns in Ohio, West Virginia, Penn
sylvania, Delaware, and Maryland
is being discussed in Washington.
The plan, if it works out, will be
quicker mail service for Whining
ton and of course will effect a
quicker mail service for Delaware
state towns. Some Gown-state cit
izens would like to see a fleet of
mail trucks put in service down
the DUPONT Boulevard with faster
and more frequent service of mail
than by the present slow railroad
mail service, if such plan could
be worked out satisfactory. In this
age of fast transportation the feel
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
JULY 4TH QUIET
HOLIDAY HERE
Event Coming on Sunday the
Real Holiday Was Taken
on Monday
PLACES CLOSE

The Fourth passed quietly in
Smyrna with no untoward incident
to mar the pleasure of the double
holiday. The Fourth falling this
year on Sunday, the holiday was
taken on Monday when stores,
banks and factories closed all day
In Smyrna there was little going
on. Monday evening the Strand
and Roxy Theatres put on special
programs, the former being crowd
ed to witness the first film showing
in Delaware of the Braddock-Louis
fight. The double holiday as it
were, gave many an opportunity
for a two-day outing, some leaving
Saturday afternoon to spend the
weekend at Rehoboth, Ocean City,
Nd, and other places. Late Sat
urday, all day Sunday and Monday
the highways were full of automo-
biles, thousand of people being on
pleasure trips to nearby resorts, on
picnics or to visit friends Wood
land Beach, Bowers Beach and
Crystal Beach enjoyed larger
crowds than usual while Rehoboth,
Bethany Beach and Ocean City,
Md, report the largest crowds in
their history In dcwnstate re-
sorts, the crowds and activity
which reached their peak Sunday
suffered a decided let-down Mon
day Sporadic thundershowers.
which seemed to threaten contiru-
ually, sped many weekend vaca-
TONERS homeward bound At Re
hoboth Beach, where the Saturday
and Sunday swarms of visitors
broke all records and caused a
complete sellout Monday because
of threatening weather, the crowd
began to thin out There was in
termittent rain throughout Mon
day, but this failed to check the
of bathers. The larg-
est holiday crowd that ever visited
Ocean City, Nd, also began to thin
out late Monday as thousands re-
turned home. Despite the fact
that more than $4,000 persons
jammed the beach and a continu-
Gus stream of automobiles lined
the highways leading to and from
the resort, no serious accidents
were reported. Wet weather tend
ed to keep fishing enthusiasts
ashore at Bowers Beach. But a
full so per cent of the fishing feet
put out with parties, which total
ed about $50 fishermen.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
SEARCH FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
Hope to Recover Bodies Near
Cooch's Bridge ANY Time

Two men are missing, scores are
suffering from exposure, more than
a hundred families are homeless
for the present, every secondary
road within 25 square mile radius
southwest Of Wilmington has been
under water and property damage
may reach close to million dollars
as the result of a terrific rain
stom Monday night. The missing
men are Frank Ridgeway and Har-
~ Usselton of Pondtown, Nd.
They were last seen in an automo-
bile at Cooch's Bridge just before
the torrential waters, swollen far
beyond normal, swept their car
like a bit of drifting wood before
its fury, into the surging yellow
flood The car, battered, was found
Tuesday morning near the bridge.
It was empty. State police, state
highway employees, and farmers
have been searching since for the
missing men but to no avail. With
Ridgeway and Usselton had been
Charles McGinness of Salem, N. j.,
and Gilbert Sparks of Pondtown,
Md McGinness and Sparks man.
aged to jump clear of the car as it
went down into the water and
floated down stream with the cur
rent until they reached tree to
which they could cling. They were
later rescued by Edward E. Cooch,
Jr., and Leonard c.. Barker of
who had been near Cooch's
Bridge searching for the car and
its occupants.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
r. r. CROSSING
RADIANCE SPAN
Begun at Wilmington Cause
way on the DUPONT
State Highway
TEMPORARY BYPASS

Construction of the 100000 rail
road crossing elimination bridge
along 160 feet of the South Market
street causeway Wilmington, start
ed this week. Hauling Of fill dirt
for the temporary road to run par
allel and IS feet west Of the center
line Of the present causeway, is be-
ing started first. Construction of
the temporary bypass concrete
highway to be used during the con
struction of the bridge will tak7
about a month. J. A. Bader ard
Sons Company Wilmington, go
the contract for the span at its bic
of S206 900. Work of moving un-
derground telephone lines, lower
ing electric railroad wires and
other incidental work is expected
to cost another 100000. Plans
were drawn by the engineering
staff of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
w. w. Mack, chief engineer, State
Highway Department, and A. G.
Livingston, bridge engineer Of the
department, will direct the work.
William NJ. Lewis will be inspector.
A total of sos concrete piles each
averaging 80 feet in length will be
used in building the bridge. Cross
ing at the Pennsylvania Railroad
and Reading Company, scenes of
frequent accidents will be eliminat-
ed. Funds for the project are pro-
vided by the Federal Government
as part of the grade crossing
program. D. E. O'Con-
nell Sons Company have the CON
tract for providing fill for the tenn
porary bridge and road. The en-
tire project is expected to be com
pleted on May l, 1888.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
DAMAGING FIRE
AT BETTERTON
Swept Five Concessions With
Heavy Loss of About
$4,000 on More
BIG HOTEL WAS SAVED

A SOS, 600 fire swept through four
small buildings and a bowling alley
at Betterton, Nd, early Wednes-
day morning Of last week as a vol
unteer bucket brigade fought to
save Chesapeake House, famous
hotel and one Of the largest at this
bay summer resort. Betterton res
idents and resort vacationists
quelled flames licking along the
boardwalk to the hotel. Walter S.
Brice, one of Betterton's town
commissioners, discovered smoke
emitting from the Silver Slipper
concession at six o'clock Wednes-
day morning and at once gave the
alarm. Bucket brigades were
formed and men and women
fought the blaze valliantly until
the Chestertown Fire Company ar
rived and took charge. Rock Hall
and Millington companies soon
arrived and added to the success
of conquering the blaze. Two
large piers which sheltered many
of the amusement facilities of Bet
terton were burned, damaged the
waterfront Hotel Chesapeake, ruin
ed about 200 feet of the boardwalk,
bath houses, etc. Henry Plant is
the owner of the Silver Slipper and
adjoining concession booths as well
as fifty or more bath houses con-
Meeting and which were destroyed
At the beginning of the season he
had leased the property to Henry
Gren for $4,000 part of which was
in hand. He formerly operated
at White Crystal
Beach. He was in charge of the
pier when the fire occurred. The
Beach Ausea Pier was owned by
Mrs. George w. Owens and operat-
ed by Jamie Wilmer. It contained
eight bowling alleys which would
cost over $4,000, as well as a floor
built for a skating rink, several
pool tables and other amusement
devices. The fire reduces by about
half the amusement capacity of
the bayside resort and came just
as preparations were being made
for the greatest holiday crowd in
recent years. The loss is hard TO
Continued on Page Five)
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
BOLTERS LOSE
CHURCH FIGHT
Head of Christian Church
Property Belongs to Pres
bytery Chancellor Says
PRESBYTERY IS UPHELD

Chancellor Josiah o. Wolcott
Tuesday ruled in favor of the Pres
byterian Church of the u. S. A.
and against the newly-formed
Presbyterian Church of America in
the dispute over possession of the
property of the Presbyterian
Church at the Head of Christiana.
near Newark. Holding that il is
not within the province of a secu-
lar court to set itself up as an
arbiter of doctrine and faith, the
Chancellor accepted the decision of
the General Assembly of the older
denomination in the so-called fund
amentalist and modernist split in
the Church Of the u S. A He
viewed the case from the stand
point Of property rights. Posses
sion of the Presbyterian Church at
the Head Of Christiana had been
taken by the Rev Henry C. We'll
bon and other adherents of the So
called fundamentals group, or
secessionists. Officials of the
church loyal to the older denomi-
nation then filed the Chancery
Court action to regain the church
property and the right to worship
there. They succeeded il this pur-
pose BY the opinion of the Chancel-
lor The defendants il the case
claimed the Presbyterian Church
Of the u 81 a. had become her
etical in its practice if not in its
and that the new organ
ization is the true Presbyterian
faith Whether the defendants
are right in their contentious upon
this point Of doctrinaI controversy.
il is not the province Of this court
to determine, Chancellor Wolc9tt
said. Secular courts everywhere
in American recognize that it Is
not for them but for the ecclesias-
tical tribunals, when the church or
ganization provides them, To ad-
judge and determine questions of
purely religious doctrine The
solemn judgment Of the General
is conclusive on that
point, 50 far as this court is con
cerned.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
CROWD AT REHOBOTH BEACH
Peak Reached Sunday With Every
Available Bed Taken

The first three-day Fourth"
since 1926 smashed all vacationing
records at Delaware's ocean-front
resort, Rehoboth Beach. Saturday
night it was reported that every
available bed in the town had been
taken before the incoming rush
reached its peak. Those who were
unable to get accommodations
either slept in their cars or retreat
ed to inland towns back of the re-
port. Similar reports came from
other resorts. At Bowers Beach,
the fisherman's paradise, an esti-
mated 1,1O0 persons put out onto
the bay for days fishing Sunday,
using 110 chartered fishing boats.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
G. o. FEARON PROMOTED
Becomes Business Manager of
state Welfare Home at Smyrna

George o. F'earon, treasurer of
the State Old Age Welfare Com
missbion, was appointed business
manager of the State Welfare
Home at Smyrna by the commits
sion at a meeting Friday in Smyr-
ma. This move was made to re-
Iieve DIR. A. v. Gilliland, superin-
tendent of the Home, of this work
and to give him more time for ad-
ministrative duties, which develop
ed with the growth of the institu-
ton since it was opened three
wears ago. DR.. and Mrs. Gilliland
returned several days ago from a
motor trip to the west coast during
which they Travelled more than T.
900 miles. A program of athletic
stunts, a midday luncheon and mo-
tion pictures was presented at the
Home Monday in observance of In
Day. There was a dis
play of fireworks at night
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
JULY TERM OF
KENT COURT
Convened on Monday at Do
ver-Grand Jury Finds
True Bills
3 MANSLAUGHTER CASES

Although a short session was
held Tuesday morning. the July
term of the Kent County Court of
General Sessions got under way
yesterday morning with the con
vening of the grand jury. Dispo-
sition of cases by the Court of
Common Pleas has reduced the
work of the higher court and the
jury as expected completed its
work in one day A special ses-
sion of the Court of Oyer and
Terminer will convene next Mon
day. The grand jury last Tuesday
returned two indictments charging
manslaughter against Louis Sack
EFT of Syracuse, n. Y, as the re-
suit of an auto crash at Farming
ton June in which Augusta ].
Venables and Hazel A. Venables
sustained injuries which resulted
in their deaths. James Hollis,
Negro, was indicted on a charge
of manslaughter in connection with
the death of Richard Dermott who
was struck by an auto June II at
Magnolia and suffered fatal injur-
les Other true bills returned were:
Layton Conaway, violating his
parole, pleaded guilty and sentenc-
ed to one year in jail; j. ]. Smith,
selling liquor without a license; AL
len Wilkerson and Charles Way
man, unlawful possession of liquor;
Robert E. DeArment, breaking and
entering with intent to commit
larceny, pleaded not guilty. Frank
Thomas, unlawful keeping of alco-
holic liquor, pleaded guilty, sent
ence deferred until September
term Of court; Elmer B. Watson,
desertion and non-support; Pres
ton Brown, larceny; Nollie NAPLES
and Sherman Van, Jr., larceny,
both pleaded guilty; Michael Walsh
assault and battery.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
SOIL FARMERS
HOLD ELECTION
r. Harry Wilson, of Dover,
Heads Kent Agricultural
Conservation Board
PLAN FIELD INSPECTION

At the organization meeting of
the board of directors of the Kent
County Agricultural Conservation
Association, which was held in the
Kent county extension Office on the
evening of June 80, officers of the
association and members of the
county committee were elected for
the year beginning July l in ac-
cordance with the provisions of the
Agricultural Adjustment Admins
tration. This board of directors
comprises nine farmers, each OF
whom was elected chairman of the
committee in his district at the
community election meetings that
were held recently throughout the
county. The officers who were
elected include r. Harry Wilson of
Dover president; H. Clifford Clark
of Kenton, vice-president; County
Agent Russell E Wilson, secre-
tary; and Lyndon D. Caulk of
Woodside, treasurer. The county
whose duties will be to
check over all compliance forms
and make recommendations for
benefit payments in this soil con-
servation program includes r.
Harry Wilson, Dover, H. Clifford
Clark, Kenton, and Laurence E.
Cain of FELTON, Ernest S. Matti-
ford of Smyrna, was elected alter
nate member of this committee. In
Continued :. Page Four)
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Mrs. Barton, Wife of Rev. Freder-
ick Marx Barton, Rector St.Peter's


Mrs. Rose G. Barton, wife of the
Rev. Frederick Marx Barton, rec
tor of st. Peters Episcopal Church
of Smyrna, passed away on Satur-
day morning early, July 3rd, at
the home of her brother, DR.. John
P. Getter, in BellevilIe, Pa. The
sad intelligence of her death was
received in Smyrna with much sor-
row, especially with the congrega-
ton of st. Peters Church where
she was esteemed for her exem-
pliary character, her gooo works
and her loyalty to the Episcopal
Church. As a helpmate to her
husband, she was constant in her
affection and loyalty, jealous
worker in the cause of the church
and will be greatly missed. The
cause of death was a heart block.
On May 31st Mrs. Barton was in
jured in an automobile accident
near Lancaster, Pa, after sixteen
days in the General hospital, was
moved to the home of her brother
where she showed marked signs CT
Improvement On Friday last was
able to walk out in the yard 70
view the flowers, retiring at 10
p. m. in coed spirits and comfort
able At a. m. Saturday she
called Mr.. Barton saying she was
i'll The doctor and sister were
called at once and in twenty min
utes she had departed this life.
Funeral services were held in st.
Marks Episcopal Church, Lewis
town, Pa, Tuesday, interment in
the MELVILLE Cemetery in the
Cumberland Valley, the Rev. Thorn
as Worrell, rector, conducting the
services.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
u. OF ID. LIBRARY
BOOKS SAVED
Only Few Hundred of $4,000
Volumes Damaged by Wat
er Flowing Into Building
BOOKS TO BE REPAIRED

Only few hundred of the $4,000
volumes of the University Of Della
ware Library were damaged by the
food during the storm Monday
of the library Due to the valiant
efforts Of w. D. Lewis, librarian;
DR. Ezra 3. Crooks, chairman of
the library committee, and a res
cue brigade Of professors and en-
ployes Of the university priceless
volumes We're saved Mr.. Lewis
and the others, fearing that the
water might be seeping into the
library, hurried to the building to
find several inches Of water in the
basement. They worked feverish-
ly until a. N. Tuesday morning
moving the books from the lower
shelves to the higher shelves or to
the first floor Of the building. Dur
ing All this time they worked in
water almost to their knees. A set
Of excellent reproductions Of Old
Masters loaned to the University
Of Delaware by the Carnegie
Foundation was slightly damaged,
it was found when the strong room
of the library was opened. Mrs.
Crooks, who is an artist, and Miss
Harriet Bailey, head Of the art de-
partment Of the Women's College,
carefully removed the dirt from
the paintings and dried them in
such a way that any damage that
might have been done has been
corrected. The paintings were val
ued at $4,000 OF the few hundred
books damaged, none was perman-
emily destroyed and none repre-
sented the more valuable volumes
Of the library An expert viii be
called in to dry out and repair the
books. Among the books most af-
fected by the water was volume
published in 1888 which virtually
fell into shreds when picked up by
Mr.. Lewis. It is believed, however,
that it can be repaired by the ex-
pert. Electric fans were borrow
ed from residents Of Newark for
use in drying the books.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
LINDEN SHAPLEY MARRIED
Marries Miss Mary Alice Mccoy of
Charlottesville, Virginia

At a pretty church wedding Sat
urday afternoon at two o'clock.
Miss Mary Alice Mccoy, daughter
of DR.. and Mrs. Ellis Mccoy of
Charlottesville, Va, was married
to Mr.. Linden P Shapley of this
town. Only the immediate family
and few friends were present.
The bride, for few years lived in
Smyrna. Mr.. Shapley is a son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry P. Shapley
and is now holding a position as
mail carrier from our local post
Office. Mr.. and Mrs. Shapley are
now on a wedding trip thru Vir-
ginia and are expected home some
time next week.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
FINE AT TOWNSEND
Roy Webb of Milford, Taken to
WOrkhOuse ON Several Charges

Roy Webb, 55, of Milford, has
appealed the sentences imposed by
Magistrate Richard Hodgson fol-
lowing his arrest by Private Eden
F. Jones. He was committed to
the New Castle County Workhouse
in default of $40 fine on a charge
of reckless driving; S100 fine on
charge of leaving the scene of an
accident, and SI0O on a charge of
operating a car while under the in
fluence of liquor.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
SHOT WHILE WASHING FEET
Edward Thompson of HaZlettville
Receives Bullet in His Leg

Edward Thpmoson, merchant at
Hazlettville, who two weeks ago
was assaulted by man who at
tempted to hold him up at his
home was injured again several
days ago when a revolver was ac-
cidentally discharged while he was
carrying it in his hip pocket. The
bullet hit Mr.. Thompson in the leg
but he was not seriously injured.
Since the attempted holdup, Mr..
Thompson had been carrying a re-
volver With the gun in his hip
pocket he was seated on chair
while washing his feet. 1t is be-
lieved the trigger got caught in
the lining of the pocket and in
some manner was discharged with
the result as stated.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
GIFT TO SCHOOL LIBRARY
Reference Books of Late w. O.
HOffecker Presented to Schools

The Smyrna School has received
a very valuable collection of books
from the estate of the late w. o.
Hoffecker This gift is particular
ly acceptable to the library which
was dedicated as a memorial to
Mr.. Hoffecker, a former president
of the School Board. The board
members and the school author
tiles are deeply indebted to the
donors, Mrs. Emma Hoffecker and
Mrs. Hervey P Hall
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
Superintendent of Schools on job

George R. Miller, Jr., Superin-
tendent of the John Bassett Moore
High School of Smyrna, who re-
Gently moved here from Frederica,
entered upon his duties July l and
will be in the school Office for in
terviews with parents in the morn
ings during the month of July. Ap-
pointments may be made for the
afternoons.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
-fkNA GRANGE MEETING
inursday Evening With a
le Talent Program Pe,do-o5

thursday Evening With !
ne Talent Program Rendered
nyrna Grange held their regu-
J. neetlng Z Thursday evening. A.
: .ae regular business was finjeb-
~ tne e lecture hour was opened bv !
no. 4 from the Patron raad, i
Interesting Facts Abont
~ BY the Lecturer sister
- 0rn Short; quartette, sweet
:. = LOW" Brother Johnson Rrofbl cfb.
- 4 1Sssey' si..y Sister Mary Hynson
.ssfiaa Hls,eF Helen Deakyne; piano
sss',a sti05, a. 5. Sister Mary Hypson. psano
- - BY Sister Helen pesEyne l1ITn'
- by State Lecturer 1n Rr9tb Sne,
..',i soOert Yearsley. Next cranaa n,
Vim g will be July 18th. wbieb
chargs ~ Vpen RI meeting night in
ls,ss y. d the Young GrangeTs a
attendance is anticipated
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
HONOR TO G. 5. MESSERSMITH
Former Lewis Educator Becomes
Asst. to Secretary of State Hull

tsst. 10 secretary OF StdCe HUH
The name of George S. Messer-
smith, formerly of Lewes, to be as
sistant secretary of state to sue
ceed Wilbur j. Carr, was sent to
the US. Senate last week by Pres
ident Roosevelt. Mr. Carr was
named minister to Czechoslovakia
Mr.. Messersmith, now U. S. minis
ter to Austria, was born in Fleet
wood, Pa, on October 3, 1lG3. He
married the former Miss Marion
Lee Mustard of Lewes in 1914, the
year he entered the consular SER
vice. He served in many educa-
tional capacities in Delaware and
wrote book on government which
was used as a text book in the city
schools.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
Picnic at the Carter Farm

The Church School and parish
picnic of st. Peters Church was
held at Cedar Brook Farm, the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. George Car
ter, Thursday. A delightful time
was spent.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
Heads NIiddletOwn school Board

John D. Reynolds, formerly o.
Smyrna, has been elected president
of the Middletown School Board.
At the same meeting the new
member of the board, H. Wallace
Cook, took his seat. Other mem
bers are Bodman Smith and Clar-
ence Shivery.
Smyrna times., 1937-07-08
DOVER BOYS ATTEND CAMP
One Party at Camp Appoquiniminl1
the Other at OSsiDee. N. II

tIO OtIfoI db OshIptty N. III.
Two parties of Dover youth got
off to camp last week. Thomas M.
Gooden III, John G. Davis, William
E. knight, ,Jr., Jack Lewis, William
P. Roe, Jr., Andy B. Clements, Jr.,
and Bruce Moore left for Camp
Appoquinimink, A near Middletown.
Mr.. David NJ. Green left with a
group of Boy Scouts, including
William Clements, Edward Custer.
Lewis Mckay. Jr., George Ehinger,
Jr., and Davis Turner, Jr., for a
fortnight's vacation at Camp Cen
ter. Ossipee, N. H.