davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-08-07
Soldiers in Normandy
Find Mud Is Only
Similarity 10 1918
BY HAL BOYLE,

Associated Press War Correspondent.
WITH AMERICAN TROOPS IN
FRANCE, July 23 DelayeO -
Many a soldier fighting in France
is wondering how the country could
change so much In q quarter Of a
century.
From listening to the old man tell
about the palmy days back in 1918
they had an idea it was dough-
boys paradise with tasty wine at
every farmhouse and a beautiful
mademoiselle waiting by every rose
bush.
So far. CT Joe has seen a lot Of
hedgerows - something infantry
men in the last war didn't have to
battle throughput very few made
moiselles. Those he has come across
are more interested in milking COWS
or doing his laundry for a few
francs than engaging in any fiirta-
tions.
AS for that wine about which
American Legionnaires reminisce at
annual conventions - Normandy
farmers nowadays keep their good
wine out Of sight and thirsty
doughboys has to take his chances
on stomach ulcers If he imbibes too
much Of the native drinks Of cider
or calvados.
Distilled Apple Brandy.
The cider is harder than the
plating on a Mark v tank and tastes
like vinegar fortified with denatured
alcohol and alum. The calvados is
distilled apple brandy that makes
Jersey lightning seem as gentle as
buttermilk.
Also floating about, at 400 to 800
francs a bottle ($8 to $50, is
quantity Of raw German Army
cognac which usually has been wa
tered to take off the curse. Even
so, 1t revives prohibition memories
of bathtub gin and a heavy slug of
it gives man the same sensation
as If an SO had hit about 10 feet
away.
But if the wine and made moi
selles don't quite come up to 1918
standards the disillusioned dough-
boys are ready to admit there has
been no decline in the quality of
French mud. It has the same time
less, sticky affection for soldiers
boots and ears it had when dads
address was a pup tent in France.
Strapping Farm Girls.
Most soldiers are surprised at the
size of Normandy peasant girls who
aren't at all sprightly, petite pack
ages they expected. They are
strapping farm girls able to do a
mans work in the fields and they
are much more buxom and up
holstered than the English girls
across the channel. They are a
little suspicious, too, and when
Johnny Doughboy comes courting
with packages of cigarettes, a bar Of
chocolate or a cake of toilet soap,
he has to pass an inspection by papa
and mamma before he gets to take
Janet for a stroll across the pas
ture.
Soldiers who thought this would
be land of quick romances found
that the War Department picture
in the pocket guide was more ac-
curate. This guidebook warned the
soldiers that France has been rep
resented too often in fiction as a
frivoulous nation where sly winks
and coy pats are accepted forms of
address, and they had better get
rid of such notions If they were
going to keep out of trouble.
Evening star., 1944-08-07
Five Programs Planned
By ChiIdren's Museum

The Children's Museum Of WASH
ington, 42l5 Massachusetts avenue
NV, will be open evenings for five
special programs this month, in
cluding two performances by the
creative dramatic clubs.
The museum will be open next
Friday night to view the anticipated
shower of meteors, which astrono-
mers predict will occur this week
end. Saturday, August 10, the
French exhibit will open at 8 pm,
while the dramatic clubs will pre-
sent their performances Tuesday
and Wednesday, August % and %,
at the same hour.
Donald E. McHenry, park natu-
ralist, will give an illustrated lee
ture on the STORY of Rocks"
Wednesday night, August 80.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
HEALTH OFFICIAL HERE
r. c. Beckett, State Health Board
Before Smyrna Rotary Club

Richard Beckett, Dover, of the
State Board of Health, was guest
speaker at the meeting of the
Smyrna Rotary Club. Talking on
Postwar Workers." he told of
the plans now being made toward
the solution of the problems of alb
sorbing labor after the war. He
stressed the Importance of the war
on unemployment and told of the
plans for removing restrictions on
food and other things Immediately
on the signing of the peace. His
talk touched upon economics, post
war planning, as we'll as unem-
ployment. Response was made by
Nelson Everhart. Presiding was
George w. Wright, past president,
and the Rev. Robert E. Green was
chairman of program. Visitors in
cluded DR.. John E. Thomas, Mid
dletown, AMI Walter T. Massey, Do
yer.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24

the line or emergencies. Smyrna
women who are interested in this
service may contact Mrs. Cullen.
Previous training or courses in
Red Cross Canteen work are I'M
necessary for this duty, Mrs. Gull
len stated.
Work Called Fascinating"
Mrs. Cullen, who was on duty
the first day, Monday, with Mrs.
Andrew Cole, Smyrna, and Mrs.
Mary G. Slaughter, Clayton, de-
clared that work at the Hut will
prove fascinating because it in
wolves morale as well as food. The
Hut, she declared, is neat, clean
and attractive and is already vast
ly popular with the customers.
Lit. Colonel Edwin M. Dixon,
base commander, officially opened
the Canteen Hut on Monday in the
name of the officers and enlisted
personnel of the air base. The
colonel, in presenting the key to
Mrs. Forest c. Noble, state can
teen chairman, commended the
volunteer women's group for their
initiative and generosity in under
taking and manning the refresh
ment center. Women from Dover
and surrounding communities will
man the hut next week.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
GYPSY WOMAN ARRESTED
Fraud Alleged in Old "Cure" Trick
at Dover

Mrs. Rachel Taylor, Al, a gypsy,
accused of getting approximately
$40 from Mrs. Emma Mosley, u,
was held in $4,000 bail for court
by Magistrate w. D. Burton Tues
day. In default of bail, she was
committed to the Kent County Jail.
According to allegations, the gypsy
appeared at Mrs. Mosley's house on
Kirkwood Street last Friday and
assured she could cure the aged
woman's headaches.
Uses Old Trick
Mrs. Mosley, in accordance with
instructions of the gypsy, produced
her family's savings and was told
by her visitor to place the money
in a package, Mrs. Mosley con-
tends. A stocking was then need
ed to wrap the package of money
in and, according to the story, Mrs.
Mosley left the room to get a
stocking, and into it was placed
the money packet. The next move
in the "cure" was for the woman
to place the stocking and it's con-
tents of money and leaves from a
Bible provided by the gypsy on her
chest for three hours, according to
the woman's story. However, she
later discovered that in the wrap
ping in which money had been
there were only small sheets Of
worthless paper.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
WHOLE NO. 1890
PARENTS SEEK
KINDERGARTEN
Group of Smyrna Parents
Meet to Discuss Starting
of kindergarten Here
NEED ROOM, EQUIPMENT

Ten Smyrna parents of pre-
school age children met Tuesday
night with George w. Wright, SUI
perintendent of schools here, to
discuss the formation of a kinder
garten group this fall. Meeting at
the home of Mrs. Walter Ely, the
following attended: Mrs. ]. B. Hop
kins, Mrs. Richard Long, Mrs.
Howard Kemp, Mrs. George Eas-
ley, Mrs. Gilbert Lurty, Mrs. l.. F.
Uhlendorff, Mrs. Raymond Cook,
Mrs. Ely and Mr.. Wright. In adj
dition to this committee there are
approximately 25 other parents
who are interested in having a
kindergarten in this town. The
group was told by Mr.. Wright that
since over 70 first-graders were en-
tering school this year, the kinder
garten room at that place would be
needed. At previous meeting
last week, the group of parents ex-
pected to have use of the school
room and equipment.
Seek Town Council Aid
Representatives from the group
will present their problem before
Town Council at the next meetingl
of that body. The parents will
provide the kindergarten teacher
and the tuition, but feel that the
room and the equipment should
not be their responsibility, a
spokesman for the group stated.
The young children would be given
guidance and training during the
morning hours only. The parents
feel this kindergarten training
would greatly aid children enter
ing school in the first grade the
following year.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
KENT COUNTY TICKET
One Replaced, 2 Added For COP
Primaries Yesterday

The list of candidates for county
and legislative offices voted at the
Kent County Republican primaries
Wednesday afternoon were the
same as voted at the first, but
since nullified, primaries on July
Is, with the exception of the can
didate for coroner, together with
candidates for two other offices for
which no candidates had filed be-
fore the earlier primaries. Norris
Lee Remley, Cheswold, was the
candidate for coroner in place Of
John T. Benson, Dover, who did
not file again, D. D. Wharton,
Chairman of the Kent County Re-
publican Committee, announced.
William Thomas Ross, near FELTON,,
was the candidate for representa-
tive from the Sixth Representative
District and William P. Jensen,
was the candidate for Levy Court
commissioner from the Second
Levy Court District. No one had
fled for these places on the ballot
prior to the earlier primaries.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
CHURCH WEDDING HERE
Miss Ruth Gene Kirby and Mr.. FL
bert w. Garrison Married Thursday

Miss Ruth Gene Kirby and Mr.. FL
bert w. Garrison Married Thursday
The marriage of Miss Ruth Gene
Kirby, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Leighton Kirby of this town, and
Mr.. Gilbert Wingate Garrison, son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Roland Garrison
of near Dover, took place Thursday
evening at s o'clock in Asbury
Methodist Church with Rev. Rob-
ert E. Green, pastor of the church,
officiating. The church was decor
ated with white gladioli, ferns,
palms and white candles cleaned
at the altar. The wedding music
was played by Mrs. Marion Cover
dale. The bride was given in mar
riage by her father. Her gown
was of white mousseline de sole
made with high round neckline and
long sleeves. Her finger tip veil of
illusion was held by coronet of
orange blossoms and she carried a
bouquet of white roses and steph-
anotis. Miss Janet Pyle was maid
of honor and only attendant. She
wore a gown of light blue with
lace bodice made with sweetheart
neckline and bouffant skirt OF
marquisette. She carried pink
roses and blue delphinium. The
bridegroom had as best man his
brother, Mr.. Gamaliel Garrison OF
Dover. The ushers were Mr.. Frank
Reichelt and Mr.. Walter Adams
both of Smyrna The brides
mother was gowned in orchid crepe
and wore a corsage of yellow roses
The groom's mother wore a rose
crepe dress with corsage of white
gardenias. Following the cere.
mony a reception was held at the
home of the brides parents for the
immediate families and close
friends. Mr.. Garrison and his
bride will live in Dover.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
SMYRNA WOMEN ASKED TO
VOLUNTEER FOR CANTEEN DUTY

The opening of the Canteen Hut
sponsored by Red Cross at the Do
yer Army Air Field this week
found volunteers of the Smyrna
Clayton area the first group on
duty. Mrs. w. Bateman Cullen,
Clayton, chairman of the local
group, stated yesterday that more
women from the Smyrna area are
needed to volunteer for this work.
The Hut will be manned every
third week each day including Sum
day, and Mrs. Cullen has arranged
for three women to be on duty
each of these days. clayton wo-
men have responded generously to
the call for volunteers" Mrs. Gull
len stated, "but more Smyrna wo-
men are needed to complete the
schedule and take care of emery
encies."
Transportation Provided
Transportation is provided by
the Red Cross Motor Corps of the
two towns, and hours are from
$3.50 a. m. unit 4 p. m. The Hut,
located in the hangar area, will
service a variety of refreshments
free of charge to transient pilots
and crews, and to officers and en-
listed men of the Dover field who
miss meals because of duties on
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
KENT DRAINAGE
is DISCUSSED
Plan Survey to Estimate Cost
of Cleaning Tax bitches
in Kent Area
INVOLVES lis FARMERS

Plans were discussed at a recent
meeting whereby the Soil Conser-
walton District might be in a posi-
ton to conduct preliminary en-
cheering survey leading to an es-
innate of the cost of performing
the necessary reconstruction and
cleaning operations on tax bitches.
Much interest in this proposed pro-
ject was shown by managers of or
ganized tax ditch companies, who
decided to contact the farm owners
in their respective communities for
the purpose of obtaining an opin-
ion as to whether this proposed
work on certain tributaries could
be undertaken and financed by the
farmers. After these contacts
have been made, these managers
plan to meet again to decide which
tributary of the Culbreth Marsh
ditch will be given first considera-
ton in this drainage program.
lis Farmers in Watershed
At the recent meeting of the
board of supervisors of the Soil
Conservation District of Kent
County an application for this
drainage assistance was filed by
the Culbreth Marsh Ditch Com
pany, and indicated that approx
imately lis farms are included in
this watershed involving several
thousand acres of crop land. Many
of these farms cannot be properly
drained until the main bitches are
opened, so this project is of great
importance to large number of
farmers.
CONTINUED on Pags four)
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
j. A. FINLEY DIES
Odessa Real Estate Man Well
Known Here

Funeral services for James
Archie Finley, Odessa real estate
man and president of the trustees
of the Friends of Old Drawers,
will be held at o'clock Thursday
afternoon at his home. Interment
will be in Old Drawers Cemetery
Mr.. Finley, who died at his home
on Monday, was 65 years old. He
is survived by his wife, Mrs. Franc
es A. Finley; three sons, Maj. JAM
es A. Finley, Jr., Jonathan A. Fin
ley, and Leonard w. Finley; and a
daughter, Patricia Finley, all of
Odessa. A director of the Odessa
National Bank and of the Odessa
Building and Loan Association, he
had been in business for the past
six years. Previously, he had been
in the lumber business at Media,
Pa, for several years. He was a
native of Townsend.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
Asbury Methodist Church Notes

Asbury Methodist Church, Rev.
Robert E. Green, pastor, announces
the following services: Church
School on Sunday, 10 am; Harvey
c. Jones, general superintendent;
Divine worship service, IL a. M;
anthem by Senior Choir. The
preacher for this service will be DR..
John L. johnson. II was glad
when they said unto me let us 60
up unto the House of the Lord"
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
READY FOR
SOLDIER VOTE
Dover Field Personnel Given
Application For State
Absentee Ballot
VETS TEACH PILOTS

Every soldier at the Dover Army
Air Field received an application
for a state absentee ballot for the
Fall Presidential Election this
week-and the Army made certain
not a soldier was missed! Thus
the Army has completed its singu-
lar rect-contact with the men in
connection with the election, ac-
cording to Lit. Col. Edwin M. Dix
on, commanding officer at the Air
Base.
No Check-Up Made
Whether the soldier mails the
application to his home state or
whether he later uses the absentee
ballot, is strictly tn soldiers own
business and the Army will make
absolutely no attempt to check up
on the men or permit any type of
canvass among the personnel. The
soldier must mail personally the
application and later the ballot.
Veterans Teach Pilots
First-hand information and prac-
tical tips on combat flying in the
various theaters of war are pro-
yided for advanced student pilots
of the Army Air Forces in training
at the Dover Field, where the staff
of instructors is composed primar-
lily of combat veterans of World
War II. Fourteen of the pilot
training staff gathered the other
day for a formidable" session of
their own, and the inquiring re-
porter came up with these sta
tistics concerning the officers: 200
months total overseas service-or
an average of Ia months and s
days each; 81 enemy planes to
their credit; 2 Purple Hearts; II
Distinguished Flying Crosses; IA
Air Medals; SO clusters for their
medals; 13 unit Presidential Cita-
tions; Average age: rs years.
Advanced Gumery Training
Advanced gunnery training for
pilots of P-47 Thunderbolt fighter
planes is the primary activity of
the Dover Field program, with the
overseas being detailed as instruc-
tors, to pass on what they have
learned in actual combat with the
enemy in the various theaters OF
war. Chosen because of their skill
and achievements, these highly
experienced combat pilots have in
creased materially the salibre OF
training for the new flyers, accord
ing to Col. Dixon.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
COLLAPSES ON STREET
Mrs. Orda Davis, Smyrna Dropped
Dead on Dover Street

Mrs. Orda Davis, 81, of Smyrna
collapsed and died Tuesday night
at the corner of South State and
North Streets. Coroner w. Milla-
way Broadway, Smyrna, who had
been at theatre nearby, was sum-
moned and said that death was due
to heart ailment from which she
had been suffering for some time.
She was pronounced dead by DR.. E.
Richmond Steele. Mrs. Davis, who
was accompanied by Claude Prit-
chett of near Dover, is survived by
five children.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
Mrs. Helen Huxley Breaks Leg

Mrs. Helen Huxley Of Whining
ton, we'll known in Smyrna as a
visitor with Mrs. Howard r. Jones,
had the misfortune to break her
leg while on the landing of the
stairs at the home of Mrs. Jones
and about Is minutes after her ar
rival for q weekend visit, last Sat
urday. DR.. Pritchard was sum-
moned and after making the pa
tient as comfortable as possible the
Harrison Post Ambulance took her
to Memorial Hospital in Whining
ton where she is. doing as well as
could be expected.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
AT
QUIET FARLEY
Nominate McCollum, Traynor.
at State Convention in
Dover Tuesday
ADOPT PLATFORM

In leisurely-pacekd state con-
vention on Tuesday the Demo-
cratic Party of Delaware nominal
ed its ticket for the November
election without a single battle on
the convention floor, and heard u.
S. Senator Samuel D. Jackson of
Indiana cite Republican precedent
for the argument that the nation
should not change Presidents in
war time. The ticket follows: For
Governor: DR.. Isaac ]. MacCollum
of Wyoming, now lieutenant-gov-
ernor. For U. S. Representative
Former U. S. Rep. Philip A. Tray
nor, of Wilmington. For lieuten-
ant-governor: Ebert N. Carvel of
Laurel. For state treasurer: Jesse
S. Cooper of Wilmington. For
auditor of accounts: Wilbur E.
Jacobs of Harrington.
Presidential Electors
For presidential ELECTORS: Henry
T. Graham, Wilmington; John B.
Hutton, Dover; and J.Reese White,
Millsboro. The convention also
elected the following party offic:
ials: National committeeman: U. S.
Senator James M. Tunnel, George
town. National committeewoman:
Miss Marie T. Lockwood, Middle
town. Ex-officio members of the
state committee: Mrs. Anne B.
Gray, Wilmington; c. Fred Helm
old, Townsend; former Senator
James M. Hughes, Dover; and Mrs.
Delma B. Jones, Bridgeville.
Platform Adopted
! In addition to the nominations
and the keynote address, high
light of the convention was the
adoption of the party's platform
The convention struck from the
platform draft published yesterday
the plank recommended by the
state committee, calling for the re-
turn to the taxpayers of funds col
lected through the one per cent
war emergency income tax. The
party's platform draft was read to
the convention by Houston Wilson
chairman of the resolutions COM
mittee. who said the committee
recommended omission of the
plank. He explained that the COM
mittee believed that the pledge
should not be made unless we
know funds are available" With
out discussion the convention
adopted the draft sent to it by the
state committee, emitting the re-
fund plank.
Praises Administration
In accepting his party's nomina'
ton, DR.. MacCollum promised ar
honest and efficient administration
of the states affairs. eff Demo
cratic administration is elected il
Delaware, I shall recommend thai
our social laws be liberalized, thai
laws be passed for the benefit o.
our schools, for the war veterans
for the aged and debilitated, anc
for those who earn their bread by
the sweat of the brow" he said.
MacCOllum Hits G. o. p.
1--WE in Delaware have not re
ceived the full benefits of fedora
social legislation because we have
had hostile and belligerent Re
publican controlled legislature" hi
declared. He praised the party
platform as a liberal one designed
for the benefit of all the people
and said that he is in accord will
it, and will carry it out if elected
DR.. MacCollum lauded the othe
candidates as men of outstanding
ability and declared ut is my earn
est conviction that the United
States can ill afford not to cleo
Franklin D. Roosevelt for a fourth
term. The United States, and thu
world need his leadership, his coun
sci, and his knowledge"
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
william Collins Breaks Leg

William Collins, well known loc-
ally for his work with farm an
imals, suffered a broken leg Satur-
day when a horse, for which he
was caring, kicked him. Mr.. Col
Inns was able to return yesterday
from the Kent General Hospital,
Dover.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24

DEATH TOLL
DeIaware's Toll Last Year in
City, Rural Areas, Outstrips
Nation As a Whole
MOTOR DEATHS HEAVY

Delaware's pedestrian death toll
last year in city and rural areas
was far above the pedestrian fatal
tiles in the nation as a whole, the
Delaware Safety Council has re-
ported Of the SO persons who died
as a result of auto accidents in the
state last year, 45.3 per cent were
pedestrians killed on city streets.
Another 7.3 per cent were walkers
struck on country roads. National
accident figures show only 20 per
cent of all deaths as occurring to
urban pedestrians, and only three
per cent to rural ones.
Smyrna times., 1944-08-24
FAIR CLOSES
WITH SUCCESS
Firemen Pleased With Pro-
ceeds From 11-Night Fair;
Bond Goes to Newark Man
BOY WINS FURNITURE

The Firemen's Fair, sponsored
by, and for the benefit of, the Cit
liens Hose Company of this town,
closed Monday night after one OF
the most successful IL nights stand
in the carnival history of the fire
company. One of the contributing
factors to this success was the fact
that firemen were fortunate in hav-
ing clear weather each night. A
number of amusements and conces-
sions also added to the attraction
of visitors, not only from the
Smyrna-Clayton area, but from
many areas throughout this state
and Maryland. John w. Jacobs,
chairman of the Fair committee,
expressed the satisfaction of the
firemen in the success of their ven
ture, and stated that proceeds
would be used for badly needed
new equipment" to be decided
upon at a later date.
Newark Man Gets War Bond
The $500 war bond, one Of the
biggest features of the Fair, was
won Monday night by Clifford
Reamer, Newark. The suite Of
furniture was won by Robert Jones,
Smyrna, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Now
land Jones. Reynolds bradley was
chairman of the war bond booth,
and Homer Downes was in charge
of the furniture booth. There was
one commercial exhibit by the Will
son Cabinet Company. Other chair
men of booths included Russell
Foxwell, Gil and Lex FAIRIES, Mill
ard Passwaters, Allan Moffitt, Har-
old Hufschmidt, Wilson FAIRIES,
John Morris, George Boehmler,
Mrs. Vernon Ford, John Hurd and
Vernon FordI