davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
MIDDLETOWN MAN DIES
e. S. Jones, 56, Former State Fire
Head, Dies After Long Illness

Edward S. Jones, 76 years old,
one of Middletown's leading citi-
zens, and former president of the
Delaware Volunteer Firemen's As
sociation, died early yesterday
morning at his home after a years
illness of complications. He was a
past president of Middletown Coun-
Gil, Junior o. U. A. NJ. and helped
to form State Council, Jr. o. U. A.
M. and for many consecutive years
answered its annual roll call. Mr..
Jones served 25 years as member
of the Middletown school board,
and served for a number of years
on the board of the old Middletown
Academy. He was member of
Bethesda Church. The funeral will
take place from the Spieer FuneraI
Home, Middletown, Friday after
noon at 2 o'clock. The Rev L. d.
Morgan, pastor of Bethesda Meth
odist Church here, will officiate.
Burial will be in Forest Cemetery
near Middletown, where already a
bonument has been placed as a
tribute to him. The trustees of
the cemetery erected the manu-
ment on Memorial Day in 1923 in
recognition of Mr.. Jones service to
the community. The memorial is
in appreciation of a.
beautiful row of trees bordering
the path from Middletown to the
cemetery, which Mr.. Jones planted
nearly so years ago, and which he
had cared for many years while
they were growing. The path,
nearly a mile in length is named
Continued on Page Five)
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
TO COMPLETE
FEB. 1SI'
SOFT. Wide Bridge Here to
Be Built as Unit, Instead of
i'm Halves as Planned
TO BE 40 FEET WIDE

The S0-foot wide bridge for the
dual highway at Lake Como,
Smyrna, will be built as a unit in
stead of in halves as originally
planned with the span expecting to
be completed February I, A. @.
Livingston, bridge engineer Of the
State Highway Department, an
nounced. First plans called for the
initial half of the bridge to be
ready for use by December i. The
change was made to save time, Mr..
Livingston explained, and there
will be little inconvenience mean
while to motorists using the tenn
porary span about 100 feet west
of the new structure. The tempo
rary two-way bridge is 81 feet
long, "a feet wide. The new bridge
will be 40 feet long. Contractors
for the span are now driving piling
in connection with foundation
work. The new bridge replaces
the one washed out September 1.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
MUSKRAT TRAPS
SET ON SUNDAY
Sunday Opens Season for
States 100000 Industry;
Expect Higher Prices
HIDES AVERAGE S1.25

An industry that means approx
imately 100000 to residents and
owners of marshland along the
Delaware River between Deemer's
Beach, below New Castle, and
Woodland Beach, will get under
way for the 1940-1941 season Sat
urday when muskrat trappers start
setting traps for the opening of
the season Sunday. Prospects are
said to be good for an excellent
season. During the past year
there has been a lack of severe
storms and unusually high tides
which drown young muskrats, and
the heavy wind storms of the last
few weeks have had a tendency to
break up the muskrat houses which
are constructed mainly of roots,
grasses and reeds. Prices like
wise are expected to be better.
Last season prices were the high
est they had been for hides in sew
en- or eight years, averaging about
SIPS for run-of-the-catch furs.
Choice hides sold for an average of
$1.50. Pure black hides bring the
greatest returns with spotted black
hides next, and brown hides bring
ing the least. The season runs un-
til March 10, except on the en-
banked meadows where trapping is
until March 20.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
SO MEN IN STATE
OFF TO CAMP
Kent and Sussex Draftees to
Leave Today and Tomorrow
For Camp Upton, L. |.
IN COAST ARTILLERY

Fifty-three young Delaware men
left their civilian life Tuesday and
Wednesday to start a years ser
vice in the American army the
third important step in the ma
tons first peacetime conscription
program. The initial step was
taken on October 16 when Amer
ica's man-power from 21 to 35
years of age registered Army Of
ficials and civilian draft boards al
most Immediately swung into ac-
tion to prepare for the drafting Of
a gigantic defense army. Later
came the drawing of the numbers
the lottery in Washington. And
Tuesday without much ceremony
the first group of Delawareans
were inducted. By Wednesday af-
ternoon the men were in Camp Up
ton, L. l., where the 198th, Della
wares National Guard, is station
ed. The men will be assigned to
the 198th Coast Artillery. The
schedule of the Boards for the rest
of the week follows: Rural New
Castle County Boards Nos. 1 and
2, 25 men from the New Castle
Board, and four men from the Mid
dletown Board, all today (Thurs-
day); Kent and Sussex County
boards on Friday, IA men from the
Kent County board and "a men
from the Sussex County board
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
RAIN SLOWS
BRIDGE WORK
New st. Georges Bridge Work
Impeded; Footing For
Is Piers Constructed
MUCH HEADWAY MADE

Recent heavy rains which con
verted the ground about st. Georg-
es into a sea of mud have slowed
down the work of the Penker Con
struction Company on the sub
structure for the highway bridge
over the Chesapeake and Delaware
Canal, it was learned from Lieut.
Col. H. B. Vaughn, U. S. Engineer
district Office, Philadelphia. Both
north and south abutments have
been completed and are ready for
the approach fill, which will be
made by George & Lynch, con-
tractors. Footings for 13 of the 20
piers to be built on the north side
are complete. Seventy of the 300
bearing piles required for the main
pier on the north side have been
driven. The working trestle for
the main pier, south side, has been
completed and fabrication begun
on the wales for the cofferdam.
Four of the 81 footings required on
the south side have been sunk, and
two of the concrete pier forms are
in place for columns that will rise
60 and 40 feet.
Work on Canal Impeded
Work on the canal itself has
been impeded by the rains. Be
tween Summit Bridge and Goose
Point, 100000 cubic yards of earth
have been removed by Frank Ma
shuda, contractor, and temporary
drains installed to care for ground
water. Further work waits on
more favorable weather. The c. j.
contract has been
completed, giving a section of bank
nearly a mile long, graded and
drained to prevent erosion, and
with a loose stone foundation to
guard against wave wash. A 25-
foot roadway above the foundation
will provide a service route for
that section. Work has not yet
begun ON the Edward A Acker
Company contract. The Acker
work continues the section improv-
ed under the Mashuda contract,
and will extend the improved bank
about 1000 feet west from Sum-
nit Bridge.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
CHORAL GROUP
GIVE CONCERT
First Effort of Choral Society
Will Be Combined With Or
chestra Concert, Song Fest
FREE TO THE PUBLIC

The community sing and con-
cert, next Tuesday afternoon and
evening, sponsored by the Smyrna
Choral Society, will be the first eff
fort of that group, since organiza-
ton to present an educational pro-
gram free to the public, as well as
offer the results of the choral train
ing practiced by the group for the
past few months. In bringing the
WPA orchestra to Smyrna, Mr..
George r. Miller, chairman, an
nounced that transportation ex-
penses will be paid out of contribu-
tions from the Rotary Club, The
Smyrna Business Association, and
the David G. Harrison Post of the
American Legion. Individual mem
bers Of the Choral Society are pro-
viding dinner for the musicians.
Both the afternoon and the even
ing concerts are free of charge, "
stressed Mr.. Miller. The commun-
ity song fest will be under the di-
rection of Mr.. John MacFaddin
former music instructor at the
John Bassett Moore School. ME
MacFaddin will lead the audience
in a group of well known songs.
The Choral Society hopes to en-
courage community singing here, :
said Mr.. Miller. Mr.. Edgar Welch,
instructor of music at Drexel In
stitute, will direct the Choral So
ciety. The afternoon program will
begin at 2.30 o'clock and the even
ing program at 500 o'clock, De
cember 3rd. Both concerts will be
held in the auditorium of the John
Bassett Moore School.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
DELAWARE DAY DEC. 7TH
Schools, Clubs, and Churches Ask
ed to Participate With Services

Observance of Delaware Day,
December z, by school, club, ard
church exercises and display Of
flags is asked in a proclamation by
Gov. Richard c. McMullen. The
Governors statement, which de-
clares: 1--WE have just cause to be
proud of the part our state has
played in the foundation and pres
ervation of the union, particularly
in the ratification of the federal
Constitution on December z, 1857, ;"
is included in a pamphlet prepared
by the Delaware Day Commission.
Participation of all Delaware cit
izens in at least one program COM
memorating the anniversary is
asked by the commission, which
comprises DR.. Harry V. Holloway,
state superintendent of public in
struction, as chairman; the Very
Rev. DR.. ]. Francis Tucker, pastor
of st. Anthony's R. c. Church; the
Rev. John L. Johnson, pastor of st.
Johns Methodist Church, Seaford;
Ruth S. Jones, secretary.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
NOHARMN WAR
TOYS FOR CHILD
Poll of Parents Opinion Taken
by ROtarian Magazine; Ma
jority Say "No Harm"
VARIED OPINIONS GIVEN

War toys for children? That's a
question in the minds of many in
the pre-Christmas season. Some
parents say yes and others say no,
but most Of them cannot see that
it makes any difference, according
to a poll of opinion in the current.
issue of The Rotarian magazine
Twelve parents, both fathers and
mothers, from Canada to Argen-
tina were queried in assembling
these opinions, and they vary as
much as the climates of the coun-
tries. For the most part, the
mothers think that war toys have
a definite bad influence. Martial
toys are uncivilized," writes Nary
G. Phillips, wife of a Cornell pro-
fessor. They give Importance to
the savage, brutal side OF d child"
Constant association with play
things of a martial nature would
make war seem reasonable" fears
Josephine Vowel, wife of a ply
sician. But John Girdler, superin-
tendent of schools in Arizona, con-
siders the whole thing ''Gettysburg
on a down quilt Really, after
watching children for great
many years, believe this is all
much ado about nothing" From
Hawaii comes a complete agree
ment with Mr.. Girdler; but Sergio
Herrera, of Havana, Cuba, fears
that "a child's lack of experience
may permit them to think of war
as something pleasant" Yet DR..
w. H. Spence, a retired clergyman
from New Hampshire, agrees with
the majority when he says: up to
a given point, they will do no
harm"
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
Banquet For Methodist Choir

A banquet for the intermediate
Choir was given Tuesday night at
the Asbury Church. George Thaw-
ley, president, was in charge of the
business meeting following dinner
New officers elected for the ensu-
ing year are as follows: Howard
Deakyne, president; Callie Diacu-
secretary, and Mary Louise
Porter, recording secretary.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
ADULT COURSE
IN TYPEWRITING
Adult Night School to Offer
Course in Typewriting This
Winter; Can Develop Skill
COURSE in ENGLISH

The practical uses Of typewriting
are many and varied. In the busi-
ness world of today, typewriting is
indispensable, as it is one of the
greatest factors in the expansion
of American commerce. Through
its aid, as a means in correspond
ence, the enterprising American
business man gets business wher-
ever the United States mail reach
es. Typewriting provides many
opportunities for earning q iveli-
hood, since there is a continuing
demand for well-qualified typists.
Through the medium of the Adult
Education program, a comprehen-
sive course in elementary typewrit-
ing will be offered to all who are
interested in the subject for a vo-
cational or personal use. It can
be appreciated that because of lack
of sufficient time, no grea1 results
will be accomplished in sixteen
hour period. However, the course
will offer an introduction to the
technique of tipping. While COM
plete mastery of the keyboard will
not be achieved, the beginner will
get an understanding Of the funda-
mental operations, and by his own
efforts can develop a satisfactory
tipping skill For those, VINO are
familiar with the rudimentS Of
typewriting and wish to improve
their technique, work of an ad-
vanced nature will be considered,
such as, speed drills and tests, let
ter projects, manuscripts, reports,
statistical matter, legal and busi-
ness documents.
Course i'm English
The Importance of the ability to
use English effectively can not be
over emphasized Whether it be
the immigrant with a background
of a foreign language or the citizen
who has lacked the opportunity for
the need is just as great.
One does not realize at times that
the written word and speech is
merely a tool whereby ideas are
exchanged. Yet, it is more than
that; it is an index of personality.
The purpose of such a couse in
English would be to meet the needs
of those who enrolled. It would be
necessary at first to discover what
these needs are. Among the pos
sibilities one might list: (a) Pro
(b) Correct forms for
giving oral reports, (c) Enlarging
the speaking vocabulary, (dD Con-
versation, (e) Letter writing, I'D
How to find and evaluate data on
given subjects. AS in all other
adult courses to be offered at the
John Bassett Moore School, the
wishes of those in the course will
determine what will be studied.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
ALIENS
NUMBER 1867
Exceeded by 81 of Original
Number Estimated in State;
Total Not Complete
30 REGISTERED HERE

The total number of aliens regis
tered in Delaware up to Saturday
night was 1857, of whom 4,205
were registered at the Wilmington
postoffice and 452 in other first and
second class postofices in the
state. Aliens registered in Della
ware in accordance with provisions
of the Alien Registration Act of
1910 now exceed by 81 the original
1900 estimate of the number Of
aliens in the state. The estimate
was based on the census figures of
1880 with allowances for naturali-
zation of aliens in the US. District
Court This week Raymond H.
Mahan and William T. Bower, Jr.,
postal employees, assisted by two
other employees of the postoffice,
will register aliens at the Delaware
State Hospital. They will also
complete registration Of aliens con-
fined to their homes or in other in
stitutions. Alien registrations from
postofices in Delaware to Saturday
night were: New Castle, 90; Clay
mont, 80; Newark, 20; Dover, 40;
Harrington, 81; Smyrna, 30;
Georgetown, 20; Seaford, %; Mid
dletown, 18; Rehoboth Beach, S;
Delmar and Milford, 6 each; Sell
byville, 5; Lewes, 4, and Laurel, l;
total 452 AS Dover and Milford
some of their early regis
trations directly to Washington,
the figures shown for those cities
are not complete.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
DRAMA GROUPS
AID TOWN LIFE
Article Points Out Growing
Importance of Little The
atres in Community Life
PREVENTS CRIME

An aticle in a recent Philadel-
phia paper, pointing out the grow
ing Importance of the Little The
atre in community life, is reprint
ed here in part: THE Little The
atre movement has grown from a
hobby to an important community
activity. In fact, it is even con-
sidered an excellent medium for
crime prevention. These small act
ing groups have sprung from
schools, churches, community cen
ters and private clubs. For years
they were regarded with some con
descension as dilettante and rather
inexpert outfits. But a sudden re
surgence five or six years ago put
the Little Theatre on the map.
The press and the communities
openly encouraged them. Parents
now know what their children are
doing out late at night. They
watch with amazement as the
study-a and make the
atre history.
Many Don't Want to Act
Surprisingly enough, many per-
sons connected with the theatre
are not bitten by the
acting bug. Those without acting
ability are not turned away, but
are encouraged to help backstage.
But the chief problem of the Little
Theatre movement today is not
but an overabundance Of
it. Applications pour in so fast
that many groups find it difficult to
keep up with them. AS for the
theatres connection with crime
many youngsters have
been brought from the streets to a
constructive avocation. AS the
grows the results will be
more obvious"
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
PRESS MEETING
Held at u. of ID. ON Dec. 18th for
Delaware, Maryland, PENNSYLVANIA

Dr. Cyrus L. Day has announced
that the annual scholastic press
conference at the University of
Delaware will be held on the camp
us on Saturday, December Z, with
schools from Delaware, Maryland,
and Pennsylvania taking part.
Tentative plans are being formu-
lated by program committee
comprising w. S. Adams, Goldey
College; Robert S. Black, Whining
ton Friends School; Catherine Bry-
son, P. S. DUPONT School; e. Maude
Webster, A. l. DUPONT; the Rev. ].
F. Tocik, Salesianum; Rebecca
Hobson, H. c. Conrad; Mary De
Han, Wilmington H. S., and Glenn
s King, Smyrna.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. S. j. Ivhackaberry, Pastor, An
nounces Services For the Week

Presbyterian Church, Rev. S. ].
Thackaberry, pastor, announces
services as usual on Sunday morn
ing and evening at IL and 7.3O;
Sunday School at 10 a. M: Young
Peoples meeting at p. m. Mid
week meeting on Wednesday at
7.30. The Missionary Society will
meet at Mrs. Harold Senger's home
on Thursday at p. m. If your
1.-THE has not come in as yet will
you please bring it in. All are
welcome to these meetings.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
eAl DIRECTORS MEET

M ENGAGEMENTS for An
h 49, ooncert Next Spring
\ sS,a.o a Of directors of the
\ lssa,1I. l,ss1 Of the Delaware are
kn J ! n Association and
F sss,,sss as school bands Of the
r.. q arrangements IS for for
N ss,s WOO @ band concert 10
(sJ'' :, spring in Atlantic ic
y agbt : 2 meeting here
fssts- All music teachers
[|~sr were H.ss invited to attend
n n which was at the the
| ts an.,. ! Is planned to
Pa q aseate .,'as band, which is
/ ID e,,' Students from various
r At 4. schools, present a
FsaeI r F,.tern eastern conference :
Ssss Jerss. JSa'ion Association
n HsD..e sersey resort. M,sa
saaw presided. mss
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
''AVLRr AT WILMINGTON
h'ent Beethoven's .Eroica.
Sunday at Playhouse

ant Beethoven's 'EroicaD
NY Sunday at Playhouse
sanlngtOn Symphony Or
WI present as the featur-
uh Of its first concert of
sn this Sunday afternoon
nAyaouse, Beethoven's third
(aS Known as The Eroica."
~sr' which will begin at 8
W include on its program
q ! rhapsody by Lucius
:. le overture to Mendels-
slsas Cave" and Paul
\. : Spanish suite LA
q nary E. Stausebach will
k,A .e Hfolca' was Beeth-
b sAso1te- ~ 1t was composed
nd is supposed to have
~, sea Z with the idea of
= - tae personality Of Ma
-Ni! cldrantarizod
n : !. as a messiah and
l0erty" but the name
ksss from the finished
-, y 7, Beethoven because Of
\ ss,l' "a NapOleOn's latter i'm
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
ASBURY METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. DIR. j. w. Colona, Pastor, An
nounces Services For the Week


The services at Asbury Method
ist Church next Sunday, December
1st, will be as follows: the Church
School will convene promptly at 10
o'clock with Mr.. H. c. Jones, su-
perintendent, in charge; the morn
ing worship service and Holy Com
munion at IL; the Epworth League
service at $50 p. m; the evening
worship service and sermon at 7.20.
The monthly meeting of the offic-
ial Board Tuesday evening next at
730. The Woman's Division of
Christian Service will meet next
Wednesday, December 4th, at IL
a. m. Box luncheon at 1890. At
ternoon session at 1.30. The pray
er service Wednesday evening at
7.3O.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
q. S. AIDS STATE BUILDING
54.1 Miles of Roads Built During
Last Fiscal Year With Federal Aid

The federal works agency re-
ports that Delaware built 54.1
miles of roads during the last fiscal
year with the aid of federal funds.
The total cost of the program, in
cluding federal funds, was $685.
87S. In addition, the reports said,
Delaware eliminated two grade
crossings during the year, with
federal aid. Work was under con-
struction or approved for construc-
ton at the end of the fiscal year in
Delaware at an estimated cost of
1882 ,170. This program included
construction of 47.3 miles of high
ways and elimination of three
grade crossings.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Frank Luff Passed Away at His
Home in ChesWoId SATURDAY.

Frank Luff passed away at his
home in Cheswold on Saturday
November %. He was 70. Mr..
Luff was the son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas Luff of Maryland. He is
survived by his wife, Mrs. Addie
Leager Luff and two sons, George
of Dover and Franklin of Ches-
void, and one daughter, Mrs. jam
es Tribbitt of near Millington, Md.
Funeral services were held at his
late home on Tuesday at 2 o'clock
with Rev. w. L. McClintock offic-
iating. Interment was in Lakeside
Cemetery, Dover.
Death of Mrs. Alice E. Ferguson
Mrs. Alice E. Ferguson, 80, of
406 White Horse Pike, Haddon
Heights, N. J., died Friday, No.
vember 22nd, after lengthy ill
ness. Mrs. Ferguson was the
widow of Benjamin Bassett Fergu-
son, M. D., native Delawarean
and a practicing physician of
Black Bird and Camden, N. j. She
was born in London, England, the
daughter of George ]. and Eleanor
Wesley Perkins, and is survived by
two daughters, Miss Bessie 3. Fer
guson, with whom she resided, for
merly manager of Publicity Print
ing Department of the Curtis Pub
fishing Company, Philadelphia, and
Mrs. Thomas G. Rowand, P. D., of
Oaklyn, n. J. and two grandchil-
dren, T. GarWood Rowand of Had
don Heights and Mrs Alice r.
Brown of Oaklyn Funeral servic-
es We're conducted Monday evening
at her home by the Rev. Walter
Plumley, rector of St. Mary's P. E.
Church, Haddon Heights Inter
ment was at st. Anne's Cemetery,
Middletown on Tuesday morning
where the services We're concluded
by the Rev. Mr.. Plumley and Rev
Percy Donaghey, rector Of ST.
Anne's, Middletown.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
Christmas Tree on Plaza

The Town Council of Smyrna
went on record at their last meet
ing, as having given instructions
for the placement of the Commun-
ity Christmas Tree on Market
STREET. Plaza The tree will be
ready on December 7th, Shop
Early Day, it was stated. Council
also voted to donate $50 to the
Kings Daughters.
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
Church Society to Meet Dec. 4th

Women's Society for Christian
Service will meet Wednesday, De-
cember 4th at the Sunday School
room, Asbury Methodist Church.
Mrs. j. w. Colona will present
Youth on the Highways"; Mrs.
Pritchard will present Community
Health" from 'Inventing Our Her
itage."
Smyrna times., 1940-11-28
Good Response TO Red Gross

Miss Anna b. Beckett, local
chairman Of the Delaware Chapter,
American Red Cross, reports over
$50 collected in Smyrna and vicin-
ity to date. This drive is the regu-
lar annual Roll Call.