davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Surprise Blackout
Held Wednesday
SO-Minute Test Finds City's De-
fense System 1000 Perfect

A 30-minute surprise blackout
held Wednesday night of this week
found the Milford Civilian defense
set-up functioning 100 per cent
Persons who have been afraid that
the local set-up might be full OF
bugs" and rough spots had their
worries put to rest when the local
units swung into action.
The surprise test was called by
Col. Edgar S. Slayer, assistant CO.
ordinator of defense for Sussex
county. The alert was originally
intended only for Milford, but
Houston, five miles west of this
city, Joined in and reports from
that community were most favor
able. The warning was sounded
at Houston by aerial salutes. which
were plainly heard in Milford.
Casualty stations in both North
and South Milford were opened
and a number of Casualties" were
given emergency treatment.
Auxiliary police and firemen
manned their posts, and wardens
halted all traffic and cleared the
streets.
Following the blackout, the mem
bers of the various Civilian Defense
units gathered at the Community
Building, where they were compli-
mented for their cooperation by
Sussex Coordinator Edward c..
Evans, who pronounced the black
out a decided success. Colonel
Slayer, who was in Milford, also
was pleased with the efficient man
ner in which the units discharged
their duties.
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Berl, Traynor Head
Democratic Ticket
Senator Hughes Loses
1OS To 1O1 On Secret
Ballot; Congressman
Wins Out 10 To SO.

Down state Democrats, revolving
against organization control, Tues
day afternoon renominated u. S
Representative Philip A. TraynoI
after the organization had eked ouI
a 7-vote majority for E. Ennalls
Berl over Senator James H. Hughes
in the race for the Senatorial nOmi-
nation.
The tense, thrill-packed conven-
ton was full of surprises from the
time it was called to order at IL: 15
o'clock Tuesday afternoon until it
adjourned at S:45 o'clock Tuesday
night.
The complete ticket follows:
For Senator, Mr.. Berl.
For Representative, DR.. Traynor
For Attorney-General, Houston
Wilson, of Georgetown.
For State Treasurer, Peter S. Col
Inns, of Magnolia.
For State Auditor, Representative
Thomas N. Stayton, of Pennington.
For State Insurance Commission
er, William w. Conwell, Of Milton.
Ovation for Berl
Mr.. Berl was given an ovation,
after his acceptance speech put an
end to widespread rumors that he
would decline the nomination.
The general tenor of the conven-
tion was aptly described by u. S.
Senator James M. Tdnnelfin one of
the closing talks when he said:
II haven't heard a harsh word
spoken throughout the long delib-
eratiens. We have maintained our
throughout all, the ups
and downs of the session and am
proud of the uniform good humor
shown" ~ 4 ..
The revolt against the organisa-
ton was led by the Kent county del
egation which took complete charge |
Of the fight against the Organization |
slate. About. 20 votes were won ov-
er from rural New Caatle county,
but the deciding ballots came from |
sympathizers ih Sussex county. On
the question of the secret ballot
only one Kent delegate. and one
tTurn to Page'3. Plsassl -
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Sept. IS Closing Date
For Wheat Insurance
Farmers Desiring Protection Should
Act Before That Date

September Is has been set as the
closing date for wheat growers to
secure crop insurance on their 194S
wheat crop according to Hylon G.
Smith, county AAA chairman.
Any farmer desiring wheat in
suranee can secure it by applying
to his local committeeman or at
the AAA Office in Georgetown.
The insurance covers 75% of the
allotted yield for any one farm at a
cost of 4I10 of a bushel per acre
which may be deducted from the
ACP payment check,
This is strictly production insur-
ance and is good throughout the
growing season until the crop is
harvested and threshed. II damage
occurs to the wheat during the
winter months the owner may with
the permission of his local AAA
committeeman plow the crop un-
deri reseed the ground to some
thing else and still be eligible to
collect his wheat insurance.
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
City Decorated
For Opening
.Of Extensive
WarBOndDrive
Salute To Heroes" Pro-
gram Held In Plaza
Monday Evening; Act
ress Due Here Satur-
day, September 26.

With the downtown section deco
rated with flags and streamers the
campaign to increase Milford's war
bond and stamp sale so it will pass
the designated goal opened in Mil
ford Monday evening with a Salute
to Our Heroes" program in the
Plaza Theatre, beginning at 9 p. m.
The program included a short ati-
dress by Houston Wilson, George
town attorney. Mr.. Wilson was in
troduced by Clarence M. Welch, Jr.,
chairman of the drive for Sussex
A color guard, composed of
members of the local State Guard
Company, was present.
county.
The campaign which will contin-
ue through September will be fea-
tured by two important events.
Defense Parade September IS
The first is a civilian defense
parade which is set for Friday,
IS. All local civilian de-
tense units will take part in this
pageant. The 18th Infantry band
will lead the parade, accompanied
by other bands in line, and will give
a concert.
The second feature will be the
visit by a famous movie star on
Saturday, September 26. She will
sell war bonds and stamps.
During the month the firemen's
will be held in Municipal
Park, beginning September and
bonds sold on the grounds.
Three Booths Erected
Booths for the sale of bonds have
1een erected in the First National
Bank and Trust Company, the Mil
ord Trust Company, and the Plaza
Theatre. Patriotic posters have
been posted.
War Mothers Night will be held
It the local theatre every Wednes-
lay evening, when war mothers will
De admitted free,
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Seaford Man Killed
AS Car Hits Truck
ROllin Davis, 81 Years Old, Was
Former Wilmington Resident

Rollin Davis, 81 years old, was
killed instantly lat Saturday night
when the car he was driving. over
turned after crashing into a park
ed. truck at the intersection of
Front street and ths DUPONT High
way in Seaford.
Miss Mildred Mcgee, 20 years old,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Alfred
Mcgee, a passenger in the machine,
suffered broken leg, cuts and
abrasions. She is in the Milford
Memorial Hospital
Police said Davis failed to negoti-
ate a slight bend in the road at the
intersection and crashed into the
truck. He was dead when passers-
by reached the scene. He went to
Seaford from Wilmington three
years ago and was employed at the
Stephany Poultry Company dress
ing plant. The funeral was held on
Monday at p. m, from the Watson
Funeral Home. fnterment in Odd
Fellows cemetery, Seaford.
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
mo State Men fire
Named Commanders
]. Lockwood Pratt, Mil
ford; VIM. G. Fisher,
Harbeson; Are Among
279 HOnOred.

Two Delaware men were among
279 neutenant-commanders of the
regular Navy promoted to the rank
of commander last Saturday.
They are: John Lockwood Pratt
of los West Front street, Milford,
and William GOoding Fisher of
Harbeson.
Commander Pratt is the son of
Mrs, ]. Lynn Pratt of the Milford
address. He graduated with honors
from the U. s. Naval Academy in
1922 and since that time has taken
a leading part in naval affairs.
While in charge of the Navy avia-
tion field, in Pensacola. Fla, he was
chosen to assist Colonel Charles A.
Lindbergh in arrangements for the
inaugural Miami-Panama air mail
flight in 1929.
He adjusted and tested the in
struments that guided Lindbergh in
his three-day flight across the
Caribbean and. forests Of Central
America. Previously he made flights
for the Navy over the devastated
areas in the Mississippi Valley fol-
lowing foods there. Before the war
Pratt was frequent visitor in Mil
ford and in April, 1910, addressed
the Milford New Century Club on
his flying experiences. His wife is
the former Miss Mary o. Grier of
Milford. ~
: Commander Fisher is the son of
Mr. and MRS. William. W. Fisher of
near tHarbeson. Although he lists
Delaware. his home, he has never
lived in the state as he entered the
u S. Naval Academy after gradu-
ating from a Brooklyn high school
where his father was head of the
Department of English. He recently
was stationed on the u! S. S. In
diana. s~
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
State Board Of Health
Urges Pre-SchOOL Tests
Parents Are Requested To
Have Riddles Thorough
Gone Over

The Delaware State Board OF
Health urges parents of children
who are preparing for school next
week to have them undergo medi-
cal and dental examinations be-
fore they begin their studies.
Since doctors and dentists from
Delaware are going in increasing
numbers into the armed forces, it
is especially important this year to
have the work done while there are
still many professional men avail
able. A foundation of physical fit
ness now not only means greater
ability to carry on the school work
but greater resistance to colds and
other communicable diseases this
winter, emphasizes the Board of
Health.
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Maj. Ralph S. Baker
Receives Promotion
261st Coast Artillery Commander
Named Lieutenant Colonel

Promotion of Major Ralph s.
Baker of Georgetown, commanding
officer of the 261st Coast Artillery
at Fort Miles, Lewes, to lieutenant
colonel, was announced this week
by the authorities of the Delaware
Military District.
Colonel Baker, who went to Fort
Miles with the harbor defense unit
of the Delaware National Guard
when it was federalized, has lsft for
Camp Davis, N. c., and upon COM
pletion of anti-aircraft studies, will
be sent to an undisclosed destina-
ton.
During the existence of the Del
aware National Guard, he was cap
tain of Battery B of the 261st. In
private life he was an attorney, and
was a graduate of University of
Delaware and George Washington
Law School.
In November Of 1941, he was
tTun to Page 8. Pleass1
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Delaware allotted $39,395
To Aid It's Farm Tenants

Delaware has been allocated $780,
S95 for the 1942-43 program to aid
farm tenants in purchasing farms.
The allotment is a decrease OF
more than 100000 from the pre-
vious fiscal year.
The 1942-43 ALLEGATION for Della
ware was announced recently by
the Agriculture Department in
Washington after Congress had au-
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04

-shorized sS2,5OO,OOO for this pur-
pose throughout the nation. New
Jersey was allotted s5S,790.
Leonard Soper, Dover, super
visor of New Castle and Kent coun-
ties for the Farm Security Admin
istration, said this week that ell
ready about 1S eligible persons
have applications waiting for these
[rurn to Page Q, Plesssl
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Prominent BridgeviIle
Resident Dies In Vir-
ginia, Was Agricultur-
ist And Fruit Grower.

Funeral services for State SEN
ator Charles Edward Brown, far
mer and fruit grower, who died on
Tuesday, September 1, 1912, in a
Richmond, Va, hospital after a
heart attack, will be held from
the home on Main street, Bridge
vile, this afternoon at 2 o'clock.
The Rev. Howard Davis of Lewes,
former pastor of the Union Metho-
dist Church, Bridgeville, will off
ciate and burial will be in the
Bridgeville cemetery.
Mr.. Brown was taken i'll while
attending a movie in Richmond last
Monday night.
Senator Brown, a Republican,
was elected from the First Sena-
toiial District of Sussex county
four years ago. His term in the
Senate would have expired with
the convening of the next session
of the Legislature in January.
Hiram Lodge, No. 21, A. F. and
A. NJ. of Seaford, of which he was
a member, will hold services at the
grave.
Surviving him are two sisters,
Miss Bessie Brown and Mrs Electa
Goldsborough, both of Bridgeville.
His wife, Mrs. Hattie Covey Brown,
died of injuries received in an auto
mobile accident near ElktOn, Md,
about six months ago.
He was born at Bridgeville, son
of the late Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Brown and was active in many of
the community's interests. He spe-
cialized in growing flowers for the
market and had extensive holdings
near Richmond, where he grew hol-
ly for the market
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
kindergarten Will
Open Here Sept. IA
Mrs. George E. Waters VIII Begin
Third Session In POcahOntas Hall

The Lack and Jill Kindergarten
and Day Nursery, under the direc-
ton of Mrs. George E. Waters, will
begin its third session at the Poca-
hontas Lodge Hall, located at the
corner of Second and Washington
streets, on Monday, September ID.
Children, ranging In age from 8
to years, are eligible for admis-
sion, The school will be open at
$3.50 a. m. and the regular activities
begin at 8 a. MI extending to 4 p.
m. Pupils may attend half or whole
day, according to their parents
needs or wishes. For the benefit of
parents, children of nursery age
may be left, on a per day basis. Ar
rangements may be made with Mrs.
Waters concerning possible trans
portation of your child If you can
not arrange this satisfactorily.
Mrs. Waters may be reached by
telephoning 156-W, Milford.
Parents who have not already
done so, and are interested, please
contact Mrs. Waters at once in or
der that proper arrangements for
your child may be made in time.
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Definite Need Here
For Nurses Aides
Mrs. Charles II. Heisler, Local
Chairman, Has Application Blanks

Chairman, Has Application Blanks
The American Red Cross, in col
laboration with the Office of Civil
ian Defense, has issued a nation
wide appeal for 100000 Nurses
Aides, women who will volunteer
their services, and after completing
the course of instruction, work in
local hospitals and health centers,
as assistants to graduate nurses.
The Volunteer Nurses Aide Corps
is a trained and disciplined service,
and there is no doubt that women
who join it are of real service to
their country. There is definite
need in Milford and in Kent county
right now for such a corps of vol
uhteers. The Red Cross will train
aides in groups of thirty. Mrs.
Charles H. Heisler is the local
who has application
blanks and who is willing to coop
crate with volunteers. The class
will start on September 9 and Mil
ford should be one. of the classes
to have the largest number of ap-
plicants, because the hospital is
so easy of access for those who
will complete the course. Mrs.
Frank E. Conlin heads the commit
fee for Sussex county. Other local
chairmen for the several towns are
as follows: Miss Kathryn Ross, Re-
loboth; Mrs. Irwin Stambaugh, of
tTum to Page Q. Piease1
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Delaware All Club Members
Lend Efforts To War Work

It's not club work as usual, q"
with Delaware All club members,
says C. e. McCauley, All club agent
supervisor for the Delaware Agri-
cultural Extension Service.
Delaware's club members, he re-
ports, are on the front line in their
communities doing their bit in
these days Of war. Some are pro-
ducing more food as part of their
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04

project work-such as eggs, milk,
pork, garden products, and food for
their livestock. Others are seeing
that this winters family pantry is
well stocked with the foods that
will keep their families healthy.
The All club members are also
cooperating in the wartime pro-
grams. In New Castle county the
Turn to page 8, Plsasel
Milford chronicle., 1942-09-04
Weekly Weather
Report For Milford

From Wednesday, August &c, To
Tuesday, September 1, Inclusive
Charles ]. Holzmueller, weather
recorder for Milford, reports the
following thermometer readings for
Milford. from Wednesday, August
26, to Tuesday, September l, in
elusive:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11
Flag Day, To Be Celebrated In Ohio
On Sunday, Dates Back To June IA, 1777

Concentrating the official birth
day of the flag of the United States
ebrated as holiday in many states
is Flag Day on Sunday which is cell
of the union. Ohio officially cele-
brates the day with flag displays.
On June Ia, 1777, the Continental
Congress of the United States passed
a resolution as follows: Resolved: |:
that the Flag of the thirteen United
States be thirteen stripes, alternate
red and white; that the Union be
thirteen stars, white on blue field
representing new constellation. y
This made Old Glory the official flag.
At first there was a great deal
of debate as to what procedure
should be followed. Some thought
that new star and new stripe
should be added every time a new
state came into the union. As a
matter of fact when Vermont and
Kentucky came in, new stars and
new stripes were added in 1795.
1t was this fifteen striped flag that
flew over Fort McHenry in Balti-
more Harbor on that historic night
of September 13, 1814-described in
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11
Eve Treatments Enable BlufftOn Boy
To Meet Visual Standards OF i. S. Navy

treatments over a period of several
months at the Bixel optometric of
fees was able to pass the visual re-
quirements of the navy.
Under the vi classification for
which Gratz is qualified to apply, he
will continue his college work taking
certain prescribed courses in physics
and mathematics. At the present he
is enrolled as a sophomore at Buff
ton college.
In this plan the student is enlisted
as an Apprentice Seaman in the
Naval Reserve. He is officially in
the navy and serving the country
but is on inactive duty until the
college course is completed.
After approximately one and one
half years of college work the stu
dent takes a competitive examination
designated to select the best men fol
training as naval officers. After this
examination is successfully completed
the student is offered choice of two
courses each leading to an officer.
commission with the rank of ensign
The treatments at the Bixel op
tometric offices, that enabled Graf
to qualify for the vi application
consisted of manipulative eye exer
cises in which the muscles wer
gradually strengthened to a degre
sufficient to meet the rigid navy re
/ ouirements
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11

our National Anthem. This flag
continued to be the official flag un-
til 1918 altho five more states had
been added.
1t had then become apparent that
stripe added for every new state
would soon render the flag unwleldly
and unsymmetrical. In view of this
bill was signed by President Mon
roe on April 4, 1878, restoring the
design of the flag to the original
thirteen stripes, but one star for
each state.
Every state has a designated
place in the blue field according to
the time of admission. Ohio's star
is the first one in the third row, the
state being the 18th to be admitted
in the year 1903.
Until 1912 there was no official
standard for the proportions of the
flag. Up until this time square and
oblong flags of every description ap-
peared on the market. On October
20, 1912, President Taft issued an
executive order in which the proper
tions of the flag, regardless of size,
were definitely prescribed.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11
Charles Tripplehorn Broadcasts
Over Findlay Station in
Hobby Program
Is Writing a Book on Turtles
Based on Observations
Of His Pets

Contrary to popular impression,
snakes and reptiles are friends of
mankind and are especially valuable
to the farmer, it was stated by
Charles Tripplehorn, 14-year-old son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Murray Triple
horn, in recent radio interview
broadcast over Findlay radio station
WIN.
In describing his hobby Charles
pointed out that the snakes of this
area, the black snakes, milk snakes
and racers, destroy million of bugs
mice and worms and are a definite
economic asset to the farmer in rid
ding his fields of vermin.
DON'T KILL SNAKES
With the exception of the poison
Gus varieties, snakes should never be
killed. Fortunately in this part OF
the state there are very few poison
Gus snakes to be found. The Massa-
sauga has been recorded in Hancock
county. In the southern part of the
state are found the Massasauga
Timber Rather and Copperhead, all
of which are very poisonous.
If one should be bitten by pois-
onous snake one should lay open the
wound with sharp knife or razor
blade and apply suction. A tourni-
quet should be applied directly above
the wound at the proper pressure
point. The wound should be laid
open with the blade to the depth of
the fang, Charles pointed out.
Stimulants such as whiskey should
be avoided as they force the blood tc
carry the poison faster than ever
Use Of tobacco juice, gun powder,
chicken entrail and smoke are super
stitious absurdities without founda-
tion in scientific practice.
WRITING Book
Charles described a book entitled
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11
Ebert Kohl, Son of Mrs. Eva
Kohl, to Sail On Ship He
Helped Build
Majority of Ship Sinkings Have
Taken Place in Coastwise
Shipping

Sailors on Uncle Sans merchant
marine would far rather take the
longer trips to Russia and Africa
than the shorter coastwise hauls, it
was stated by Ebert Kohl, former
Bluffton boy, now a seaman of the
country's rapidly expending merchant
shipping fleet.
Kohl, the son of Mrs. Eva Kohl
of West Elm street, is spending a
Today vacation here at the home of
his mother. He is a graduate of
Bluffton High school In the class of
1910 and prior to his position with
the merchant marine was employed
in the Bethlehem Fairfield shipping
yards in Baltimore, Maryland.
As soon as his BIuffton vacation
is over Kohl will return to Balti-
more where he has signed out on a
ship he helped to construct while
working in the Bethlehem yards.
Nor IN ARMED FORCES
As a member of the merchant
| marine crew Kohl is not a member
of the country's armed forces and
will not be subject to draft call as
long as he is in this type of service
| The government considers this type
| of work as essential to the war eff
fort and needs large numbers OF
young men for shipping war goods
Kohl stated.
1t is not necessary to sign up il
the merchant fleet for a definite
period and seamen may get tht
choice of ships on which to sail a
the port Many of the officers OF
the ships are also officers in tn,
United States navy but most of the
crew personnel is in the civilian
classification, Kohl said.
! Under this arrangement seaman
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11
West Point Exams
Saturday, June IL

Examination for young men wish
ing to qualify for appointments to
the United States Military Academy
at West Point will be held at 8 a. m.
Saturday. June 13, in the Lima post
office building.
Anyone interested in taking the
examination must report Immediately
to Congressman Robert F. Jones, in
order that arrangements may be
made with the Civil Service COM
mission.
Six and one-half hours will BE re-
auired for the examination. Subjects
to be covered include algebra and
plane geometry, two and one-half
hours; English composition and lit
erature, one hour; u. S. and ancient
history, two hours; English gram
mar, one hour.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11
Life OF Nathan Hale Is Symbolic OF
American Boys Who Fight For Country

words, now inscribed on the pages
of history were: 81 only regret that
/ have but one life to lose for my
country"
The details of this experience are
common knowledge to every school
boy. Nathan volunteered in Webb's
Seventh Connecticut. In the course
of the Long Island campaign the
general was facing the enemy across
the river.
He needed to know two things:
when and where the enemy was go
ing to attack. When volunteers for
the spying job were called for Ma
than imediately offered his services
knowing that the word "spy" was
degrading and was a dangerous task.
Disguised as. Dutch boy he got
the information he sought for but
was discoverel N the way back. In
his last moment they let him say
what was most on his mind and in
all humility made the remark that
has come to be one of the famous
sentences of all history.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-06-11

His application for enlistment to
obtain an officers commission in the
United States navy held up because
of defective vision, Homer Gratz, Jr,
residing west of town, thru continu-
Gus effort over period of several
months has corrected the defect and
is now qualified to make application
for the new vi classification at
recruiting headquarters in Columbus.
Gratz was rejected because of a
weak eye and after a series of so