davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
OBSERVE "OLD
XMAS" TODAY
Twelfth Night" Holiday Fol-
lowing Old Custom Among
Peninsula People
OTHER PLACES OBSERVE

With the regular Christmas holi-
days over, many Delmarva Penin-
sula folk have been looking for
ward to today Thursday to OBJ
serve their Christmas. Church cali
endars record the day as Epiphany,
Many years ago in England it was
known as Twelfth Night" In
French Canada it is known as
"Ip'tit Noel, or Little Christmas. -
In Cuba it is equivalent to Christ
mas and Jan. will be known as
'The Night of Three Kings" In
sections of North Carolina it is
known as "Old Christmas" just as
it is on the Peninsula.
In European Countries
In Italy it is called "Befana," but
celebrations are not likely to take
place in that war-torn country this
year. Ukrainians, even in Dela,-
ware, will celebrate the event Just
as the average run of folk did on
Dec. 25. The Greek Orthodox will
observe the day and in Spain it is
the occasion for the Three Wise
Men" to fill the stockings of the
children with toys, but this will not
likely happen this year. In New
Orleans and other sections of the
southland it will herald the glamor
of another carnival season. Many
residents of Rodanthe, N. c., as
well as many Delmarva Peninsula
folk will make holiday of it. This
day, to many, is held as sacred as
Dec. 25.
Hold Day Sacred
Those who believe that Jan. 6 is
the real Christmas Day instead of
Dec. 25 DO not belong to any Gulf
or special sect. The contention is
that they believe in the Julian cal
endar and claim when the Gregor-
ian change was made it set back
the Yuletide season 13 days. Had
the original Christmas time re-
manned and passed through the
centuries it would have been, they
contend, on Jan. 6.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Gilbert Spruance, So, Native of
SMYRNA. Died saturday

Gilbert Spruance, SO, president of
the Gilbert Spruance Manufactur-
ing Company of Philadelphia and a
native of Smyrna, died Saturday in
Philadelphia. Mr.. Spruance, whose
family was prominent in Delaware
politics for many years was born on
a farm near Smyrna the son of Ed
ward and Martha Voshell Spruance.
Moving to Philadelphia in 1890, Mr..
Spruance founded the Spruance
Company in 1907 for the manufac-
ture of industrial paints and wood
finishing materials. He had been
president of the Philadelphia Board
of Education since 1885. He also
ran for sheriff in Philadelphia on
the Democratic ticket in 1885. Mr..
Spruance was a member of the
Penn Athletic Club, the Methodist
Church of the Advocate, the Ma
sons, and the Philadelphia Manu-
facturers' Club. Surviving him are:
His wife, Mrs. Henrietta Fitzger-
aid Spruance, a former Princess
Ann, Md, resident; a daughter,
Mrs. Henry Mexican Baggs, Mea-
dowbrook, Pa, and one brother,
Harry D. Spruance of Forest Hills,
Long Island, N. Y, and one sister,
Mrs. Nan Sppruance Jones of Phil
adelphia. Funeral services will be
from the Oliver Bair Funeral
Home, 1920 Chestnut Street, Phila-
delphia, this Thursday afternoon
at 1 o'clock. Interment will be in
a Philadelphia cemetery.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
SUNDAY AIR RAID TEST
Drill For This Month VIII Be Dur
ing Afternoon Hours


The January air raid test will
be called on Sunday, probably
during the afternoon SO as not to
interfere with morning or evening
religious worship, Gerrish CASA
way, executive vice-chairman OF
the State council of Defense, said.
The last drill in Delaware, under
the councils one-practice-a-month
program, was held during the
of Friday, Dec. 3, for the
purpose of testing the safety mea-
sures used by schools throughout
the state. This test followed a
month, November, during which
there were no tests for the first
time since June, 1912, when the
council began a program to educate
the public in the air raid rules and
to assist with the training of the
thousands of civilian defense volun-
teers.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
WEDDING ANNOUNCED
OzelIa McRae of Texas Weds Capt.
John nj. Talbot

Miss Ozella McRae, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Sidney w. McRae of
Overton, Texas, and Capt. John
Moody Talbot, Army of the United
States, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Robert
H. Talbot, Smyrna, were married
on Tuesday, Dec. IA, at the main
post chapel, Fort Bliss, Texas, with
Chaplain j. F. Isbell officiating.
The brides matron of honor was
her sister, Mrs. Joe w. Dickerson
iof San Antonio, Texas. Lieut.. j.
K. Spencer was best man. Capt.
Lyle Linder and Capt. Jack Will
kerson were ushers. The bride was
given in marriage by Capt. Joseph
w. Puszynski, U. S. Army. She
attended Texas State College for
Women, Denton, Texas and was
graduated from Stephen F. Austin
College Navogdoches, Texas in
1912 and was a member of the
faculty of the Leveretts Chapel
School, Overton, at the time of her
marriage. She is a member of Beta
Sigma Phi. Captain Talbot was
graduated from the John Bassett
Moore High School, Smyrna in
1887 and the University of Della
ware, class of 1912 and is now sta
toned at Fort Bliss, Texas. Cap
tain and Mrs. Talbot have been
guests of his parents the past week
and after a short trip to New York
will return to Texas where they
will live at 3017 Montana Street,
Ell Paso.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
ASBURY METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. Robert E. Green, Pastor, An
n0unceS Services For the Week


Asbury Methodist Church, Rev.
Robert e. Green, pastor, announces
services as follows: Church School,
10 a. M; Harvey C. Jones, general
superintendent. Important and
helpful Bible instruction for the
New Year. Classes for every age
group. Inspiring devotional SER
vices for each department. Morn
ing service, IL a. M; music by Sem
ior and Children's Choirs; sermon
subject: 1.-THE God of Light in
World of Darkness" Methodist
Youth Fellowship meeting $50
p. m. Evening service, 7:30 p. M
music by Youth Choir; installation
of officers of Woman's Society
Christian Service. Sermon subjects
Christ Challenge to Womanhood
in a Warning World Congrega-
tional hymn sing; beautiful Youth
Professional and Recessional. Mon
day, 7:30 p. M, Training School
for Church Workers, Wesley Col
lege, Dover. Wednesday, 7::30 pm,
prayer service; Friday, $3.50 p. n.,
Children's Choir; Friday, TOO pm,
Youth Choir; Friday, 7:30 p. M,
Willing Workers meeting; Satur-
day, 7:30 p. M, Senior Choir.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
WOMAN HOLDS
STATE POST
Responsible Position as State
Budget Commission Account
ant Held by Mrs.L. l. Martin
NAMED BY GOVERNOR

A woman now holds one of the
most responsible positions in Del
aware's state government. She is
Mrs. Lillian 1. Martin of Dover,
budget accountant for the State
Budget Commission, and her duties
involve the ALLEGATION of about S10,-
100000 of state funds each year.
Mrs. Martin had served until re-
Gently as Delaware's first woman
deputy state treasurer and has just
been named by the budget commits
sion, of which Gov. Walter W..
Bacon is chairman, as its budget
ary accountant-the most response
BILE position involved in that body's
work.
Make recommendations
In addition to studying the bud
gets of the various state depars-
ments and institutions, Mrs. Martin
has the task of submitting recon-
mendations both in connection with
their budgets and in the state ac-
counting system, as well as super
vising audits. Accounts of all state
agencies are audited under her di-
lrection and she submits them to
the Budget Commission. She will
submit reports to the Budget Com
mission from time to time and will
play an important role in the prep
aration of the states burget pro-
posal for the biennium beginning
July 1, 1945. Four accountants and
a secretary are employed under her
direction.
Ability Recognized
Mrs. Martins ability in account
ing was recognized by state officials
following her appointment as dep
uty by State Treasurer John S.
Isaacs of Milford at the beginning
of his term in January. Mrs. Mar
tin is the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Edgar F. Isaacs, Sr., of Milford.
She was graduated from Green
wood High School and attended
Temple University. She is grad
uate of the Peirce Business School
in Philadelphia. Prior to being
named deputy state treasurer, Mrs.
Martin was connected with the In
ter-State Milk Producers Coopera-
tive of Philadelphia. Beginning
Monday, the principal offices of the
State Budget Commission are in
the State House at Dover with a
branch remaining in the State Tax
office at Wilmington.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06

reading of last years report and
the annual election of officers. The
following officers were reelected for
another year: John Hurd, presi-
dent; Clifford Jones, vicepresident;
William Mabrey, secretary; John
Mannering, treasurer; Julian Stats,
fire recorder and fire inspector;
John D. Morris, chief; Wilson Far
les, first assistant chief; Temple
Heinold, second assistant chief;
Rev. F. M. Barton, chaplain; John
Hurd, William Mabrey and Clifford
Jones, trustees; John Hurd, Will
liam Mabry, John D. Morris, Cliff
ford Jones, John Mannering, Tenn
pie Heinold, Julian Stats, John
Mood, Wilson FAIRIES, Harold Huf-
schmidt, Russell Biggs and Rev. F.
M. Barton, Board of Directors. The
entertainment committee, Temple
Heinold and John Mood served ice
cream and cake following the meet
ing.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
Storm Monday Night

Smyrna was lashed Monday by a
northeaster that at times increased
in intensity to a 50-mile-an-hour
gale, and from five o'clock until
shortly after eleven that night, the
town was without lights, due to a
breakdown in the wires on south
Main street. James Wilson and
James Warren, town electrician,
are still working on the repair job.
Few persons ventured out on the
dark, stormy streets, and stores
that kept open at all were lighted
by oil lamps and candlelight.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
FBI Agent Heads Police

Paul w. Haviland, former FBI
agent, has taken over the duties of
superintendent of the Delaware
state police. Retiring Superinten-
dent Walter B. McKendrick, Jr., as
sistant to chief engineer w. w.
Mack of the State Highway De-
partment, was on hand to describe
office facilities and equipment.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
CHURCH SCHOOL
OPENS ATDOVER
Kent County Christian Work
ers School Sponsored by
Methodist Churches
LOCAL STUDENTS TO AID

The Kent County Christian
Workers School, sponsored by the
Methodist churches of the county,
will open in Wesley Junior College
at 7:30 o'clock next Monday night
and will continue on Monday nights
through Feb. IA. All instructors
will be accredited by the Board of
Christian Education of the Meth
odist Church in order that those
who desire may secure credit for
their study. The following will
serve on the staff: The Rev. DR..
Frank Herson, chairman of the
board of managers; the Rev. ]. j.
Bunting, Jr., dean; the Rev. H. N.
Nicklas, registrar; Miss Mary Scot
ten, treasurer; Mrs. Everett Mere
dith, chairman of the promotion
committee.
Courses Offered
The courses offered are: 1.-THE
Church and Alcohol Education" !"
Christian Bases of World Order"
especially for members of the Wo-
mans Society of Christian Service;
Teachings of the Propets," "Un-
derstanding Children" for parents
and teachers of children up to IL
years of age in the church school,
and "Chrisian Living in the World
of oTday," for youth from Is to %
years of age.
Local Faculty Members
On the faculty are: Mrs. Herman
Dam, faculty member of the Smyr-
ma High School, w. B. Simpson,
superintendent of Caesar Rodney
School; the Rev. w. F. Edge, pas
tor of the Peoples Congregational
Christian Church; and the Rev. R..
E. Green, ,Asbury Methodist Church,
Smyrna.
Two Sessions
Each nights activities will con-
sist of two 50-minute sessions with
a chapel period between the two
class hours. Mr.. Herson will be the
chapel speaker on Jan. 10 and the
Rev. DR.. Walter A. Hearn, superin-
tendent of the Dover Methodist
District, on Jan. II. Faculty mem
bers will speak at the other chapel
services.
Smyrna Students on Program
During the chapel service on Feb.
Z, under the direction of Mrs. Dam,
students of the Smyrna High
School who take a course in Bible
at that institution will present
something of what they are learn
ing there. The last night, Feb. IA,
will include one class session, one
worship service, and a period of
recreation at which refreshments
will be served. Churches outside
the county which have been invited
to participate because they are in
the Dover Methodist District, are
Calvary, Milford; Middletown, ,Odes-
sa, and Townsend. The total num-
ber of registrations was 76 last
wear, when the Rev. M. W. Marine
was dean.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
.TONITE 1st GAME
OF BASKETBALL
Smyrna School Team to Open
Season Tonight, Meeting
Dover Air Base
SEASON SCHEDULE

The first game of the basketball
season will be played in the John
Bassett Moore School gymnasium
tonight, with the varsity team
meeting the Dover Army Air Base.
Playing on the Smyrna team this
year are Harold Deakyne, Jack
Garis, Bill Pleasanton, 'Buzzy'
Deakyne, Preston Knight, Vance
Cole, Jim Ford and Robert New
mum. Francis Gebhart is the coach.
Following is the schedule:
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
Engagement Announced

Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Shahan of
near town announce the engage
ment of their daughter, Miss
Helyne Marie Shahan, to Frank E..
Foster, Coxswain, U. S. Navy, of
Baltimore, Maryland. Miss Shahan
was graduated from John Bassett
Moore School class of 1910, attend
ed Goldey Business College, and is
now employed by the War Man.
power Commission at Camden, New
Jersey. The date for the wedding
has not been set.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
RED CROSS REPORT
Motor Corps Reports 600 Miles;
LIZA Dressings Made

A total mileage of 900 miles for
the month of December was report
ed by Mrs. C. L. Harmonson, chair
man of the local Red Cross Motor
Corps. Sixteen workers made 43
calls, four of them emergency calls,
and worked a total of 495 hours.
Total individual workers all corps
was 103, total hours 1,012. Mrs. A.
D. Cole, chairman of surgical dress
ings, reported completion of 1,124
dressings. Sewing and knitting
units completed mems sweaters,
wristlets, watch caps, socks, blous-
es, shirts, and rompers.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
Ornaments
WIZ Celebrate Golden wedding

Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis G. Burris
will celebrate their golden wedding
anniversary on Sunday, January
9th. They were both born in Della
ware and have spent all of their
life in and near Smyrna. Mr.. and
Mrs. Burris are the parents of
twelve children, ten of whom are
living. On Saturday evening, jan
uary' 9th they will be at home to
their many friends from 6 to 10
o'clock, at their home on Union
Street.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
Milford Mayor Seeks Reelection

Mayor Edward G. Evans has an
nounced that he will seek reelection
at the annual municipal election in
January. Since his term as mayor
the taxes of Milford have been re-
duced, the electric service and wat
er rates have been lowered, all city
running expenses and obligations
have been paid, sinking fund es-
tablished, government bonds pur-
chased for the city, and a balance
in the city treasurer's fund. He is
civilian defense coordinator for
Sussex County in addition to being
Milford defense head. This year
Mayor Evans was voted Milford's
outstanding citizen by the Kiwanis
Club.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
MARRIED NEW YEARS EVE
Geo. Bradley Ill, Blackbird, WEEDS
Harriet Ann Cahan, Cecilton

Mr.. and Mrs. William Cahall of
near Cecilton, Md, announce the
marriage of their daughter Harriet
Ann to Mr.. George Bradley III, son
of Mr.. and Mrs. G. Earl Bradley of
near Blackbird on Friday evening,
December 31st at the Cecilton
Methodist Parsonage. The Rev. c.
M. Griffeth officiated. The bride
was attended by Miss Christine
Nabb of Mt. Pleasant, and Mr..
Howard Bailey of Elkton was best
man. The couple will make their
home on North Broad Street in
Middletown.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
LOST RATIONS
SENT OWNERS
Hundreds of Ration Books
Sent to Dead Letter Office
Because of No Name
URGE CORRECT ADDRESS

Hundreds of lost ration books
dropped in the mails by the finders
are being sent to the dead letter
office every month because the
owners failed to fill in their ad-
dresses on the covers, the Office of
Price Administration said. Be-
cause of lack of addresses or in
correct addresses, more than 800
lost books could not be forwarded
to their owners by the Post Office
Department in the last two months.
Instead, these books had to be sent
to the dead letter office, with the
result that applications for new
books had to be made at local Par
Price and Rationing Boards.
Deposited in Mails
Through the cooperation of the
Post Office authorities, lost ration
books deposited in the mails are for
warded directly to the owners
whenever they can be located.
When no address or an incorrect
one is on a book, however, it has
to be sent to the dead letter office,
every effort is made to
trace the address of the ration book
owner. A check by OPA of ration
books recently received at the dead
letter office showed that of 368
copies of War Ration Book Three,
SO per cent could not be returned
to the owners because they lacked
any address whatever, while the re-
manning 7 per cent bore obsolete
addresses.
Inconvenience Caused
Loss of ration books not only
causes inconvenience to the loser
but also adds to the workloads of
local boards at which applications
for replacement are received and
handled. Many more lost books
could be returned if the holders fill
ed in their addresses and kept them
up to date. Every holder of a ra-
ton book, OPA urges, should make
certain that his current address is
plainly written in the space provid-
ed for that purpose on the cover.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
Church Banquet for Men

The men of Asbury Methodist
Church will hold a Fellowship BAN
quet Tuesday evening, $50 O'Clock,
January 18 in the dining hall of the
church. An interesting program is
being arranged for the evening.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
STATE REVENUE.
GAINS S2,2OO,OOO
Collections Total S7,255,943; /;
Cigarette, War Income Tax
es Increase Income
$3,19S,3S0.12 FOR KENT

Pleased with the results gained
by the cigarette tax and the war
emergency tax on incomes, State
Tax Commissioner James t. Truss
has released report which he said
shows an increase of almost ST.
100000 in the state tax depart
ment's collection during the II
months ended Oct. 81 as compared
with the year ended Oct. 81, 1912.
Of this increase $1,904,75 is at
tributed to new sources of revenue
the cigarette tax and the one per
cent war emergency tax on gross
income. The cigarette tax of two
cents per pack of 20 which became
effective June 1, brought in $685.
913, or about S150,000 more than
had been anticipated. The war
emergency tax on gross incomes
produced $1,6O0,84 with one more
quarter remaining to be paid.
S7,255,943 Collected
The tax department collections
for the IL months period totalled
$7,255, ,943, compared with $685.
246 in the preceding period. Col
lections in 1941 were $5,210,589
and in 1910, S5,578,493. The great
est source of income, as in previous
years, was from the franchise tax,
which produced $3,039,858, slightly
lower from the amount of former
years. The franchise tax income
for 1912 was S3,141,717, which in
1941 it was $3,103, 1928 and in 1910
it was S3,109,777.
Income Tax Drop
Revenue from income tax sources
dropped, primarily because of in
creased federal deductions. Income
taxes for the year amounted to ST.
188,051 81, as compared to $1,421,-
1863. .92 in 1912; ST. ,599, ,968.99 in 1910
and 81, 1,745, ,217.98 in 1910, Revenue
from business licenses increased to
$276,899, as compared to $274,3O2
in 1912; $246,587.14 in 1941, and
S226, ,066.22 in 1910. Inheritance
taxes produced $3.50, ,835.92, as COM
pared to S1S1, ,59O31 in 1912; $248,-
753.79 in 1941, and 1921, ,640.89 in
1Q4O EState taxes tOtalled $685.
$685. compared with S36,813.83 in
1912; $376.20 in 1941, and $201,-
260.55 in 1910.
Returns From Counties
A tabulation of the figures by
counties shows New Castle County
produced $3,737, ,35442 of the rev.
enue, with $3,198, ,380.12 from Kent
County and $32O,2O9.12 from Sus-
sex County. Of the Kent County
revenue, however, $3,O39, ,858.63 in
volved the entire amount received
from franchise taxes. While New
Castle County furnished a total of
S1,044, ,255 in income taxes, only
S35,O92 came from Kent County
and $108,703 from Sussex County.
New Castle County produced a to-
tai of $1,427 ,084.81 in the war
emergency tax, with $55,1O9.63
coming from Kent County and
$118,647.81 from Sussex County.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
ON
AAA COMMITTEE
Ernest MattifOrd Named to
Succeed Laurence E. Cain
on State Committee
TWO MEN RESIGN

Ernest S. Mattiford, Smyrna, has
been named to the Delaware State
AAA Committee, succeeding Laur-
ence E. Cain, FELTON,, who resigned
on January LIST. John L. Holloway,
Newark, also resigned on this date.
Mr.. Cain and Mr.. Holloway have
served the farmers of Delaware on
the State Committee since March,
1941 and November, 1910 respec-
lively, at considerable personal sac
rifce.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
KENT GRANGE
INSTALL TODAY
James r. Fleming New PO'
mona Master; Other Local
Members Are Officials
AT CAPITAL GRANGE

The regular meeting of tn Kent
County Pomona Grange will be held
at Capitol Grange, Dover, this
morning (Thursday) at 10 a. m.
with installation of officers at IL
a. m.
Install Officers
officers to be installed include
Master, James r. Fleming, Smyr-
ma; overseer, Gilbert Davis, Ken
ton; lecturer, Mrs. Mary Thomas,
Marydel, Md; steward, Winfred
Gruwell, FELTON,; assistant steward,
Willis Laughery, Pennington, DEL;
chaplain, Edward Willim, Dover;
treasurer, F. Frank Rice, FELTON,;
escretary, Arthur Walker, Wood
side; gatekeeper, George Craig, Do
yer; Ceres, Mrs. Clara Comegys,
Hartly; Pomona, Mrs. Mary R.
Fleming, Smyrna; Flora, Mrs. May
Davis, Kenton; lady assistant stew
ard, Mrs. Dorothy Laughery, Farm
ington.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
Two Men Praised

In announcing the changes on
the Delaware State Committee Mr..
Charles D. Lewis, Director, East
Central Division, AAA, stated that
he considered that the farmers of
Delaware have been very fortunate
to have had the untiring services of
Mr.. Cain and Mr.. Holloway during
these trying years. These two
men," Mr.. Lewis said, "have con-
tributed much toward the farm
program which was designed by
Congress to assure farmers a fail
income for their produce and en-
able them to take better care OF
their land.
Smyrna times., 1944-01-06
Aid to Farmers

''The activities of the Delaware
State AAA Committee are center
ed around securing maximum agri-
cultural production and include es-
tablishment of state, county and
farm production goals for critically
needed crops, price support for ag-
commodities through loan
and purchase programs, maintain
ing soil productivities through soil
conservation practices, working out
equitable distribution of critical
such as farm machinery
and feed and assisting other agen-
cies of the Government in activities
designed to aid maximum agricul-
tural production"
Evening star., 1944-08-31
Fee for Union Organizers
Invalid, Georgia Court Rules
BY the Associated Press.

pS tuC AooOClutcu IlCoS.
o. MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga, Aug. 81.
"A city ordinance requiring labor
organizers to pay a 5000 annual
license fee has been ruled uncon-
stitutional by Superior Court Judge
George S. Carpenter, who said it
was an abridgement of the right
of free speech.
The ruling was given in the case
Of R. E. Starnes, field representa-
tive and organizer for the CIO
United Steel Workers Of America,
who was arrested and fined twice
under terms of the ordinance for
attempting to organize employees of
the Reynolds naval ordnance
plant near here.
Judge Carpenter said he ruled
that the license fee was excessive
on its face, and also held illegal
a provision of the ordinance requir-
Ing a years residence before labor
union representative could obtain
a license.
The judge said there was insuffi-
cient evidence to support Mr.
Starnes' conviction in the Milledge-
vile Court from which the union
representative had appealed.
Mr.. Starnes was arrested May 10
and fined $3.50 and again on June
/ and fined $3.50.
The city council of Newman, Ga,
recently approved similar ordi-
nance