davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-06

Membership Of the various city
boards Is changed. The board Of
finance 10 reduced from II to nine
members, with four members TAX
ang their places automatically
(inayor, controller, budget, direc-
Tor and aldermanic president) and
i've being named by the mayor,
with one Of the five being an
alderman. There Is no require-
nnent for minority representation
on this board and any mayor
could, had he wished, chosen only
members Of his own party. The
police and fire boards are reduced
70 I'VE members, one Of whom
must be an alderman.
All special funds Of the city,
except those required by existing
bond issues, are eliminated, and
oil money goes into one general
fund. The surplus resource sink
ing fund 70 wiped out.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-06

ne charter cenfuslon can be.
66msn nssa6mn. The entire 1880
68ei eanse neaT being veiaed
5sasase 10 enc nslIeed that me
iIEal't - psvyiase shss -
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
KENT OIL MEN
HOLD ELECTION
Group Discusses Problems of
Interest to Industry and
Consumers at Dover Meet
ADVOCATE TAX RELIEF

The Kent County Division, Asso-
ciated Petroleum Industries of
Delaware, met at the Richardson
Hotel, elected officers for 1940-41
and discussed problems of vital in
terest to the industry, its custom
ers and the state. Mr.. c. ]. Nur-
ney, Chairman of the group which
included the leading oil men of the
county, issued the following state
ment after the meeting. They
will continue their policy of advo-
eating tax relief for the motor We
hicle owners of this state, over half
of whom, according to government
data, earn less than $50 a week.
1--WE will continue our fight against
the constant and dangerous diver
sion of motor tax revenues to pur-
poses other than highway use.
Delaware citizens have heavy in
vestment in our highway system.
Our highways represent a primary
asset and diversion threatens to
reduce the value of the invest
ment. The continued industrial
and agricultural expansion in this
state will be restricted if our high
ways are neglected and if we have
insufficient funds for their proper
maintenance. In opposing diver
sion we are only fighting for the
prosperity and well-being of the
state. The merging of highway
funds with general funds is an aG
ditional and positive threat against
the stability of our highway sys-
TEN. The repeal of this merger
will be one of our major detectives.
Public sentiment is squarely be-
hind us in this stand. Our Gus
toners are contributing in gasoline
taxes and special fees incident to
automotive ownership over 81 per
cent of all the tax revenues col
lected by the state. Eliminate di-
version, erase the fund merger leg
islation and, with proper admins
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
RECLAIM LAND
THRU DRAINAGE
Drainage bitches in Kent and
Sussex Cleared of Debris
After Years of Neglect
MANY ACRES TILLABLE

The historic drainage bitches of
Kent and Sussex counties, some of
which were originally dug more
than two centuries ago, are being
made to function once again after
years of neglect. Thousands of
acres of fertile land are being re
claimed by this drainage. Artific-
ial drainage in the first county of
lower Delaware is essential to ag-
riculture. The early settlers real
lied this and with rare engineer
ing skill dug miles and miles Of
drainage bitches in the lower coun-
ties. For years these were kept
UP, cleaned out periodically and
the system extended as need die
tated. The drainage districts, or
ganized under charters from the
courts, taxed themselves for drain
age purposes. BY means of drain
age bitches, charter bitches" and
Court Order bitches" they are
called locally, the rich loamy soil
was made tillable and the Della
ware peninsula became known as
one of the most fertile areas in the
east. Decades later, in the 1920's
the state legislature passed law
taking over the operations of the
drainage bitches and the drainage
districts in many instances allow
ed their charters to lapse, think
ing that the state would keep up
the system as the law intended.
Unfortunately for the farmers, the
State never carried out the intent
of the law and nothing was done to
keep the bitches open. Meantime,
the depression had arrived and
even where the drainage districts
were kept alive the farmers had
no money to pay for the upkeep
of the bitches. The drainage sys-
tenn, essential to the very life of
the agricultural interests, was al
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
THE CAT" IN SUSSEX

The whipping post and pillory
of Sussex county, of Georgetown
had three victims of an unusual
character Saturday when three
men of god families and previously
good regulations were pilloried
and whipped for horse stealing, OF
which crime they had been con-
victed
The case was one of unusual in
terest. The victims We're James
Owens Isaacs, son of a respected
farmer. who deserted his family
several years ago. and has. it is
said, been leading wayward life;
Joseph Hamilton, an old soldier,
and John T. Owens, son of a lead
ing farmer. The case was tried
last week and occupied four days.
The State had 40 witnesses and the
defense about so. The case was
stubbornly fought and created
much excitement among the farm
ers of Sussex county by whom the
prisoners are well-known. The
sentence of the court was: One
hour in the pillory, 20 lashes, 5000
restitution, costs of the case, and
one year in Jail. Petitions were
Immediately drawn and every ef-
fort made to prevail upon the gov
ernor to remit the pillory and post,
but without avail; and Saturday
the corporal part of the sentence
was carried into effect. A crowd
of over 300, the largest that ever
assembled in Sussex county to see
the Sheriff WELD the lash, assem-
bled around the whipping post,
and it was found necessary to
stretch ropes to keep the people
back.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02

tration, gasoline taxes can be ra
duced and our highways kept in
excellent condition" H. V. Dan
iel, Secretary of the state orgsni-
zation, stated that the petroleum
industry is thoroughly organized
in the state and will actively press
for tax relief and for an end TO di-
version and merging of funds. IF
we attain these detectives" he de-
clared, "the state, automotive own
ers and the oil industry will bene-
fit substantially"
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
ON THE SUBJECT
OF FRIENDSHIP

LNRIENDSHIP, that much abused
il term, isa relationship that must
be handled with great care if il is
TO endure, says Raymond @. Fuller
in the March issue of Cosmopolitan
Magazine. Too often, people fall
into friendship without giving tha
matter any thought as to the advis-
ability of such action. Later, if the
friendship fails, they are apt to be-
come embittered about the whole
thing, blaming blameless persons
and generally becoming far too
cynical for their own happiness
Mr.. Fuller specifically warns
people against the martyr type of
friend who selects one person "a
whom is unburdened all of ones
woes. Instead of being flattered bv
such friendship, the recipient
should realize that sooner or later
his turn will come and he will find
that the martyred one has passed on
to new friendship. with a new set
of woes.
To be avoided, also, are those who
make of friendship a relationship
that is practically prison. jealousy
and over poSseSSIveneSs are not so
much of a compliment as a nuisance
to the average person. Friends of
that type are usually accompanied
by trail of arguments, accusations
and general trouble that kills the ioy
that should be found in compan-
ionable give and take between two
people.
Last but not least is the ever green
discussion anent the possibility of a
"platonic" friendship between per
sons of opposite sex. According to
Mr.. Fuller, such friendships are
risky always. Entered into in per-
fectly good faith on both sides, the
danger is ever present of at least
one of the participants falling in
love with the other. Therefore, un-
less there is no impediment to mar
riage, such friendships should be
taken warily.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
A THIEVING SERVANT GIRL,


May Sparks, young negro ser
want girl, was arrested on Satur-
day for stealing a new silk dress
from Mrs. Evans, wife of Capt. s.
w. Evans, living near the ''Big
Oak" anG after a hearing before
Esquire Cooper, was committed to
Dover Jail in default of $500. The
articles she got from Mrs. Evans
included silk dress, unmade, cost
ing about $40, and other articles.
A few yards only of the material
was found, the pattern having
been cut to make herself a dress.
Besides a number of articles identi-
he'd as the property of Mrs. Evans,
there were knives, scissors, nap
kins and other articles showing her
to be a general thief wherever she
has lived. At one place she lived
recently, she made a clever inroad
on box of high priced segars. She
resisted officer Grant stoutly, and
ne had to throw her and put his
nippers on her before he could take
her before the justice of the peace.
1t Is said she is wanted for a sim
lar offense at Denton, Md.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
AN HONOR TO SMYRNA

Miss Mary Budd, younge
daughter of II. G. Budd, in bring
ing great credit to herself, also at
the same time honors the town.
A few weeks ago the publishers of
the Youths Companion, Perry Ma
son & Co., of Boston, one of the
most widely read journals, offered
a flag 10 feet long, s feet wide and
containing AZ stars, to the school
sending the best essay written by
one of its pupils, the subject being,
Patriotic influence of the Ameri-
can Flag when Raised over the
Public School" This proposition
was sent to all the States, and
when they were collected in and
examined, the award for the best
was given to Miss Mary Budd, thus
putting Delaware ahead in the con
test of the States, and Smyrna
ahead of the schools in the state.
Miss Budd is of the class of the
public school that will graduate at
the close of this session.
The School Board met in special
session yesterday and appointed
a committee to make arrange
ments for the raising of the flag
on the 16 Of May, when a half holi-
day will be given the children. The
exercises of the afternoon will con
sist of a flag raising, the reading
of the essay, singing and an ad-
dress.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02

lowed to deteriorate. Weeds an6
grass grew in the bitches, limbs
and trees obstructed the flow of
the water, gradually the bitches
filled up with silt and mud. Entire
areas lost all or practically all of
their drainage facilities. Thousands
of acres of fertile Kent and Sussex
/ land had to be turned out" as the
phrase goes locally, because ex-
cessive moisture made them use
less for growing crops. The farm
ers knew they were gradually los
ing their acreage. They were los
ing crops, too. Often, after crop
was grown, heavy rains, the ex-
cess water from which would have
been carried away by the bitches
had they been functioning, flooded
crops and resulted in the loss of
thousands Of badly needed dollars.
Lack of funds prevented their hav-
ing the hundreds Of miles of ditch
es re-dug, cleaned out and improv-
fected areas sought a WPA pro-
ject to fix their bitches. The coun-
ty levy courts sponsored the pro-
jects and put up part of the nee
essary money. The Work Projects
Administration supplied the labor
and the long overdue task was be-
gun. Since that time hundreds of
miles of bitches have been opened
and thousands of fertile acres have
been reclaimed by the WPA. The
work continues with much remain
ing to be done. The State High
way Department, realizing that ad-
ditional drainage was necessary
for the maintenance of roads,
sponsored WPA projects for open
ing bitches to drain excess water.
Hundreds of miles of bitches have
been opened in this manner. The
State Highway WPA drainage pro-
jects and the County Levy Court
projects for the same purpose COM
plement each other in a way that
brings smiles to the faces of high
way engineers and farmers alike.
The road bitches help drain farm
lands and the charter" bitches
help carry away water that would
flood and undermine state roads.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02

and in the rear of the pulpit, open
ed the services in an anthem. In
one of the morning anthems, Wal
ter o. Hoffecker, the leader, sang
baritone solo as leading strain
and in the same anthem was a
trio-tenor, alto and bass, which
was also well rendered. Prof. Dut-
ton, of Carlisle, presided at the
organ. Rev. DR.. Geo. E. Reed,
President of Dickinson College, the
preacher for the day, announced
the first hymn, which the congre-
cation with voices united to that
of the choir made ring out in the
characteristic fervor of Method
lists.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
PERSONALS

DR.. w. t. Collins and wife, Of
Camden, N. J., came down on Sat
urday to join their Smyrna friends
and enjoy the church opening. DIR.
returned on Monday; Mrs. Collins
remained on visit to her rela-
tives.
E. 3. Louderbough of the Senti-
mel, Dover, and wife spent Sunday
and Monday in Smyrna. Mr.. L.
made the Times office a call on
Monday.
Rev. j. II. Wiley, of Chester
town, was in Smyrna a short time
on Monday morning. He is con-
templating and wishes the M E.
Church of which ihe is pastor
there, to undergo improvement
similar to the one in this town.
Mrs. Alice Bailey and Mrs. ]. f.
Clifton, of FELTON,, are visiting Mrs.
and Dr. Clifton.
w. r. Davis and wife, residing
In the Alley, were given a surprise
Continued on Page six)
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
BOTH FEET CUT OFF

Isaac w. Hastings, Of Laurel, a
freight conductor on the Delaware
railroad, had both his feet cut off
at fourth street crossing, Whining
ton. Sunday. He with a number
Of other men attempted to jump
on a moving southbound train. In
doing 50 Hastings missed his foot
ing and fell beneath the front
truck Of the freight car. Both
wheels passing over his feet, cut
ting the right foot completely off
above the ankle, and the left foot
just above the instep. He was
hurriedly picked up and carried to
the hospital room at the P. w. &
p. Railroad station on a stretcher.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
AN EXCITING HORSE CASE

Sussex county was much excited
and interested last week over a
case Of horse stealing which was
decided in court at Georgetown on
Friday last. 1t appears that three
persons, James Owens Isaacs, JOS
eph Hamilton and John T. Owens
were accused Of theft, and the legal
battle was very hotly contested
All three of the defendents were
found guilty, and were sentenced
to pay 5000 and costs, and under
90 one years Imprisonment, to
stand in the pillory one hour and
whipped with 20 lashes.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
III And Alone In Burning House,
Woman Follows Light To Safety
Luminous Spot in Smoke
Guides Her Down
Flaming Stairway

Awakened by thick smoke and
the light Of flames in the upper
story Of country house where she
had gone to recover from an illness,
Mrs. Lillian Pokedoff, of 40 Miller
Avenue. Brooklyn, N. r., escaped
through a hallway and down a
staircase already afire, by following
the beam of a flashlight.
Mrs. Pokedoff, who had just ar
rived in the country. awoke with
the feeling that she was strangling.
She at once heard cries and the
roar Of flames. She struggled out of
bed and searched for the electric
light. When, after some delay, she
located it, she found that the cur
rent was cut off.
Instead of going to the window
and calling for help. Mrs. Pokedoff
tried to escape by way of the hall.
She found the door and pulled it
open, only to walk into a dense
wall of smoke which almost
strangled her. Struggling for her
breath, she began feeling her way
along the hallway to find the stairs.
IL was very weak and nervous"
said Mrs. Pokedoff, "and. of course.
the excitement helped confuse me.
AS ! groped about, with the smoke
getting thicker and the noise of the
flames louder, l began to give way
to hysteria. | felt that ! was lost,
and / was about to drop down and
make no more effort. Just then ]
saw steady beam of bright light
in the smoke.
"Onc of the occupants of the
house had armed himself with a
flashlight and had come back into
the burning building to see If every
body was out. He'got as far as the
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
POOR IIcnsS
FOR HIcBBVI1|
Survey Shows H.,
tific Lighting g : ~
''O'' Of Night lras,l
WOULD REDUCE \ Il

Better Lighting :.
and danger zons. ~ ely \
highways is nssdss q aeag !
tlon and convaniaa 'of tie 4
f. This s ''snlsPss tbe P.t.,9 + pa|
Thompson, trafio Osilef b |
Francisco who j, s&peFt Il
a-li : li[4nsoontinental bgs H. :. II
Era. eaal thousands Of niJ., ii, : ! 4
: sey q BUS traffic for !, Il
ssIIVerllsing q, + agency. as,,,.
AT. Thompson, who bat st'
Iional }l[ opportunity to la- 49, = l
llghting conditions ~, ~ "
avoan+; OoAlmunities ~
an average is ina5a,u. .aaj
iroroo',;.. .iie open highRag u
lighting on tba ~
routes particuIarlv -s'? l
c,,r,,,.sl r,yra ana on the shar, i
- ~ yves Bus drivers h:
Thompson that tbar ~
great relief when tbs,,
'o"n'lnued on Page S
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02

foot of the stairs and stopped He
knew that the supports were burn
ing away and that the steps might
not bear his weight.
"As he stood looking upward, I
emerged from the smoke and al
most fell against him. The flash
light. equipped with fresh batteries,
had made such a strong path of IL
Elimination that | had gone toward
it along the hall and followed it
down the stairs. The steps were
just about to give way, with the
rails already afire. In another in
slant, l was seized and carried out"
Mrs. Pokedoff was scarcely out
of the house when kerosene tank
in theAkitchen exploded. AT once
flames filled the entire building,
which burned rapidly to the ground.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
ATTEMPTED JAIL. BREAK

George S. Dill made an attempt
to escape Dover Jail last week by
filing the iron bar il two which
crosses the narrow windcw in his
cell, but was precented from escap-
ing by the Sheriff who discovered
his plans. A close watch has been
kept over Dill since he and Bob
Allen escaped last winter. 1t is
evident that Dill proposes to make
his term as short as possible.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02

John R. Wilson has put out 10,
600 cabbage plants.
G. B. Taylor is having the inside
of his residence further handsome.
~ decorated.
Supt. Handy examined quite a
large class of applicants for teach
ers' positions on Saturday.
Presley Spruance is having a
new double front door put in his
residence at Font Hall" and other
repairs for comfort.
On Sunday morning next Bishop
Coleman will visit the Episcopal
Church of this town for the pur-
pose of receiving converts into the
church by rite of confirmation. In
the afternoon he will visit Clayton
for the same purpose.
Mrs. Christiana Cloak has re-
moved the fence between her hand
some flower yard and the Metho-
dist Church near where it joined
the latter, and further added to the
general appearance by terracing
the line where the fence stood.
James Potts, who has been the
right hand man of VIM. A. FAIRIES
& Bro. received yesterday notice
that he had been appointed mes
senger in the Treasury Depart
ment, Washington. The appoint
ment comes through Judge Fisher
I. N. Mills has sold to VIM. M.
Todd, of Smyrna, a lot 5Ox1OO feet,
on Alley street, adjoining the lot
of Charles Numbers. Bradford
Murphy has sold the residence
which he purchased from w. S.
Reynolds in Clayton to Henry Seid-
ers, who will occupy it next fall,
or as soon as Mr.. Reynolds builds
on his lot, corner Alley street and
Clayton avenue.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
REOPENING OF THE
METHODIST CHURCH

notwithstanding the threatening
weather with which Sunday morn
ing opened, at and earlier hour
than usual, the people began to
flock to the M. e. Church and
when the 1890 bell rang. the audi
torium was filed and the seats in
the gallery well occupied. At the
appointed hour, the choir having
been seated in front Of the organ
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
MEMORIAL SERVICES IN
MEMORY OF CHAS. p. FORTE

MEMORY OF CHAS. E. PORTER
The Good Templars Hall was
filled to over-fowing last night
with members of the Christian En-
deavor, Good Templars and many
other friends to honor the memory
of our deceased brother, Charles
Porter. The exercises were open
ed promptly at 8 o'clock, with
VIM. T. Beck presiding.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
DEATHS

Ernest In Middletown, April
p, 1890, James M. Ernest, in the
42nd year of his age.
Skaggs - Suddenly in Philadel-
phia. on the 21st inst, of heart
trouble, Ellen, wife of George W.
Skaggs, in her 28th year.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
LEMON JUICE RID
CHECKS RHETN,rII
PAINS QUICKLY

If you suffer from rheunsti. :.
neuritis pain, try this il,aS. simai.
home recipe that THOUSAND, ,-. y.
a package of Ru-Ex ComDop5i nj i. !
It with a quart Of water, All al v
lemons. It's easy. M toaTsI. -aJ I
pleasant. You need onIv S-. ~,
two times a day. Often vi,bis + !
sometimes overnight-spIend5,i
obtained. If the pains d at' pot r-':'I
and if you do not feel betts, 10 Nj i. i
cost you nothing to try as 'i,' # /, =. n
druggist under an absoIT,s a Z.
guarantee. Ru-Ex COMPOUND !
and recommended BY
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
JONES DRUG sTOgj
NOTICE

Dead or disabled hos.,
and mules removed RE
charge by calling DOVER
13. No animals removed aas
is made immediately and |,
imals dying from a contssr.
ease will be removed.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
:. Opening date: May IL.

THE only Federation Internationale des Skieurs
L downhl course in Canada has just been officially
opened at Jasper National Park in the Canadian
Rockies with competitors from western Canada and
the United States taking part in dedication trophy
run over the three and one-haf mile ski from the
peak of Whstlers Mountain to Jasper village, near
Jasper Park Lodge of Canadian National Railways.
The new Whistlers Run begins at point 8,os5 feet
above sea level and finishes at altitude of $500
feet Canada's only downhH course that meets the
standard set by the Federation Internatonae des
Skeurs IS not the only outstanding feature of this
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
SMYRNA DOINGS
OF so YEARS AGO
Notes of Marriages, Deaths
and Matters of Interest
of Half Century Ago
ISSUE OF APRIL 20, 1890

Taken from our old files of
corresponding week, as near
date Of this issue as possible
Fifty Years Ago. This column,
now a regular feature of the
Times, will call to mind people
and events of the older genera
ton.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02
Dover Seniors to Visit Worlds Fair

The senior class of Dover High
School will visit the Worlds Fair
June TO- IL, and II. Mr.. and Mrs,
w "A. McWilliams and Mrs. Frank
Hall Davis have been selected as
chaperons to accompany the group
by bus to New York.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02

The Newark Police Department
is sporting a new police motor
cycle. The machine is painted fire
engine red and equipped with all
the latest gadgets.
Smyrna times., 1940-05-02

John r. Wilson has put out TO-
600 cabbage plants.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1940-09-07
Audience Of 1000
Hears Van Wagner
In Mammoth Rally

Hon. MURRAY ~ Van Wagner.
present Highway Commissioner and
Democratic candidate for Cover
nor. gave his views on state gov
eminent in an address 10 Negro
citizens az an open-air political
rally al Duffield school playground
last Friday evening. August 30.
other speakers were Hon. J..
Everett Harris. housing commits
sioner OF Louisville. Ny. and John
Walker. deputy commissioner Of
the Sinking Fund also OF Louisville
Frank Fitzgerald. candidate for
IT, S Senate and David Martin Of
Flint. candidate for Lieutenant
Governor also addressed the meet
ing
Elder Mortons Flying Clouds
rendered several musical numbers.
The crowd was estimated to
have been over 1000 Emmett s.
Cunningham presided.
This meeting was held under the
auspices OF the First Congression-
al District Civic clubs.
Other guests from Washington
we're: Dr. Robert Weaver. pres
ent Negro Advisor to the new Ma
tional Defense organization: Dr.
Frank Horn. Of tn, Y. s. Housing
Authority and William Trent Of
the Public Works Administration