Smyrna times., 1941-09-11
The
What Not Shelf

What Not Shelf
People in this vicinity rarely see
such complete destruction as was
caused by the truck which crashed
into the house at Jimtown Crossing
Tuesday. Bricks and chairs and
grandfather's picture and plaster,
a broken table and crushed stove
all in one miserable heap. 1t is
just very small example of what
bomb can do. The driver of the
truck, who escaped with few cuts
and shock, is now a firm believer in
miracles.
George Thawley must have been
ratified Sunday night. During spec
ial services at the Clayton Meth
odist Church, Stimpy Carrow and
Bernie Grier were to provide a mu-
sical solo each-Bernie on his trum-
pet and Stimp on the piano.
George was told that Stimp would
play Tschaikowski's Concerto in B
fiat minor, and Bernie an old hymn
by Martin Luther. George, little
ratified, announced to the audience
that Simpson Carrow would now
play Tschaikowski's Concerto by
Martin Luther.
Today is our birthday, so if any,
one wants to send us any presents,
do so today All gifts are well
come. So are surprise parties. We
swore to broadcast this happy
event to all our friends in the fu-
ture, after our disappointment last
year. Jsut to see who would re-
member September 18th last year,
we kept mum. So did all our
friends. Nobody remembered, and
what should have been a heyday
and holiday was spent in gloom,
wallowing in self-pity. There will
be absolutely no excuse this year
for any friend saying Why, 1
didn't know it was your birthday
or I'd have baked a cake!"
- -
Labor Day was celebrated in Del
aware for the first time fifty years
ago. An article in the old Times
tells about the crowds at Woodland
Beach, explaining that this day had
been Labor Day, Pennsylvania
holiday.
SO many of the stories picked up
in the old Times files are priceless.
The copies issued at the time of
the civil war are facinating-par-
ticularly the one announcing Lin
coins death with somber black
borders. Grants victory at Rich
mond was heightened by a large
picture of Old Glory, and big head
lines, Richmond is Ours!" Stories
of bravery and treachery were
alike unhampered by the present
day newspaper style and conserv-
atism.
In all the reporting of happen
ings in the "old times" there was
no beating around the bush, no
guarded phrases apparently libel
suits were rare). In reporting ac-
cidents or tragedy of any kind, the
reader took the gore along with
everything else-right from the
shoulder. A spade was a spade in
those newspaper days = and the
editors own private opinions were
mixed freely with the facts.
The ads in the old files are inter-
esting. Patent medicines were in
their glory, and advertised good
advice and grim warnings, with ap-
propriate illustrations. And of
course, the obituaries were long
and f1owery. Those were the days
when Smyrna was full of budding
poets and authors-for the old is
sues are chuck full of contributed
local talent. Long poems and short
stories-and it's worth the sore
sides you get from laughing to read
them. They were mostly the heart
rending, emotional, Virtue Tri-
umphs kind-many without rhyme
or reason. The stories are deep
and ponderous, with long words
and little meaning.
But best of all are the letters to
the editor. People didn't hesitate
in those days to say what they
thought by way of a letter to the
poor editor. Each issue contains
many letters, expressing the opin-
ions of the readers on variety of
subjects. And with few exceptions,
they were signed. The present
editor of this paper wishes this
habit were in effect right now, so
we were told.