Milford chronicle., 1940-11-15
GEORGETOWN
- nnrs 4 - -


Sussex county more than q century
ago, hundreds Of people from all sec
ti0ns Df lower Delaware and fht
state brsved the chilly blasts 81
winter On Thursday Of iRst week and
came e hear aud Witness the hien-
ial celebration of what e known az
Return Day Il b the only sec
ton ln the country where such a.
bserFance Of the results OF the
election are held on the Thursday
following Long before aphic
and telephone Communication with
this section Of the state, 0f The adj
vent Of the railroads, people came
here 10 get the election results, ma
ti0nal. state and county. III those
days prior to the Civil War, there
were no daily papers conink into the
county, because Of the tact that mail
came down from Philadelphia and
Wilmington about once each week BY
stage coach. Therefore, there was
but little communication except by
the stage coash or messengers on
horse back.
In modern times. the day serves
as one of the gathering OF the poll
tic.ans and Sussex folk to greet
their friends whom they have not
seen in many mnnths.
Nearly all Of them, when they
came here last Thursday, knew that
the Democrats had elected the state,
national and county tickets with the
exception Of the governor, one state
senator and six of the Representa-
tives in this county.
A century ago the court crier
would stand on the balcony Of the
old court house. facing the public
square, and in u loud voice announce
to the hundreds, some times ten
thousand the election results. In
addition, the names Of the successful
candidates were painted on long
strips Of muslin and stretched around
the court house In order that all
might read the winners in the event
that they could not hear the crier.
In olden days. the victorious party
always had a demonstration. usually
a parade Of bareback riders with
Their horse bedecked with flags, bum
ting and wreaths Of chrysanthemums
aid running cedar about their necks.
Several bands would be in line, even
ox-carts and covered wagons, which
were used as modes Of travel, were
seen in the parade, decorated with
flags and bunting and carrying a
large number OF pretty girls dressed
m their homespuns. Dotted about the
public square an dalong Market
street were aged women with booths
selling oysters, cakes, corn bread
ard sweet ciaer, much like some Of
the modern carniVals. Ox-roasts
were nearly always held as we'll as
oyster-roasts These treats usually
we've given by the victorious candi-
dates, sometimes as many as three
hundred bushels OF oysters being u.s.
ed. Old time apple jack was free
i dispensed, and the people in those
days thought little about taking a
drink in public.
On Thursday ehere was an OK
roast on a vacant lot on the public
sqllaFe. Sandwiches were given away
to the crowd by the hundreds. There
also was a parade. The Georgetown |
and Laurel High School Bands were
in ffne. Brief addresses were made
from a speakers stand by all of the
successful state and county candi-
dates who thanked the voters for the |
support given them. Governor-e |
Walter w. Bacon, the only Republic /
can to be elected on the state ticket,
was not present
Because of the cold wind, which
caused the crowds to shiver, they
sool dispersed after the parade and
speeches.
In the meantime, Resident Judge
Charles S. Richards and Houston
local attorney, we're can
vassing the vote in the court room.
Mr. Wilson had been named Judge
AID Litem by Governor MeMullen to
take the place Of Judge Richard S. I
Rodney, who was unable TO perform
The duties because of recent Oper-
,tion
Mrs. c. 4. HiIyard Dead
Mrs. Corrinne Tolson Hilyard, n |
1ears old, widow of Walter B. Hil-
yard, died last Wednesday morning
It her home on North. Race street,
Ifter being in poor health for several
months.
Funeral services were held at the
ate home on Sunday afternoon, at
2:45 O'Clock. in charge Of the Rev.
)maT E. Jones. pastor of Wesley
aethodist Church. Interment was /,
made at MiIlington. Nd.
She is survived. by. one daughter,
irs. Aleine Royal, wife Of Prof
'hayer Royal of the Geprgetpwn !,
high School faculty; two sisters,
irs. A. G. Bonsall, DoVer; Mrs.
leonard Wilson, Millington, Nd; !
wo brothers, Harry TOlsop. Ches-
er. Pa. and Frank Tolson, Whining
On. y
Irs. annie Hudson Dead
Mrs. Annie Hudson. 81 years old, {
1dow Of Robert H. Hudson. Of
Iillsboro, died at the home Of her Il
aughter, Mrs. Horace ]. Rogers, Il
n East Pine street, last Wednesday, z
fteInoon. d
Funeral services were Aelq on
uuday aftern0on at o'clock atttl
Hickory Hill Methodist Church, up Il
er Dagsboro district, with inter- 3
lent in Mechanics cemetery 81
Iillsboro q
She Is survived BY the following 9
lildren: Mrs. Rogers, with whom j,
le made her home; Mrs Rittie Too b
ey. Dagsboro; Joseph, Robert and a
ee Hudson. Mtllsbotp HI
She is also survived by one sis II
II, Mrs. Emma Hastlligs. Ocean
lew; one brother, Philip Mitchell, i;
illsboro, and one half-brother. q
,hn Parsons. this city. ,.s II