davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
HOLLY CROP
VERY SHORT
Late Frost Killed Berries and
New Growth of Leaves;
Hundreds Earned Money
FEW PATCHES LEFT

For the first time in many years
there will be no certified holly
available thru the lower part of the
state and Eastern Shore of Mary
land. Because of a severe frost in
the late spring the holly crop both
of the Eastern Shore and in south
ern Delaware has failed complete
ly. Before this frost, the holly had
developed luxuriantly, so the freeze
killed the late flower buds and sub
seqquentuy heavy rainfalls pre-
vented the plants from producing
more blossoms. The crop failure
will be severe blow to rural peo-
pie, thousands of whom usually
earn their holiday money from
making wreaths. In normal years
Delaware's holly business amounts
to approximately S500,000.
Department Filled Orders
For a number of years, the For
estry Department has filled some
500 orders for holly to individuals,
as we'll as clubs and other organi-
cations. This holly, marketed for
private landowners, was certified
by the department to be of the best
grade. While there may be some
small pockets of good holly on
private lands, district foresters
combing the state have been un-
able to locate it. Several small
patches near Smyrna have been
located and in these the berries are
plentiful. Holly from Texas and
Oregon is now being shipped in,
but he predicts the prices on this
imported holly may be two or three
times as high as those for the ma
tive species. AS an alternative for
holly in Christmas decorating,
wreath makers suggest the use of
mistletoe and bittersweet. The
latter, which lends color to decora-
tions, is plentiful this year. The
Christmas tree crop appears to be
good, and that from all indications
farmers and woodland owners will
be in a position to supply the trees
in quantity.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
KENT COUNTY
FIREMEN MEET
F. E. Burke of Clayton Slated
For President For the
Coming Year
18TH ANNIVERSARY

Mayor ]. w. Woodford of Dover
addressed the 10th meeting of the
Kent County Firemen's Associa-
tion held in FELTON, on Wednesday
night, when a dinner was served
by the ladies auxiliary of the local
fire company to more than 100
guests. The invocation was offer
ed by o. L. Hastings. President
Harry C. Tee was in the chair. The
firemen were welcomed to FELTON,
by Edward Sharp and ]. Elmer
Haddaway responded. Chief inter-
est centered around the nomination
of officers for the new year. First
vice-president, F. E. Burke, of
Clayton, is slated to head the or
ganization next year, and the fol-
lowing lineup of other officers is
expected to be as follows: First
vice-president, Roland Parker; Sec
ond vice-presidents, Charles Jester,
Camden, and Newlin Wood, Hart
ly; secretary, John M. Roe, in
cumbent; treasurer, Willard Bar
Gus, Cheswold, incumbent; direct
ors, George Johnson, Frederica;
Ralph Boyer, Dover Air Base;
Harper Jones, Smyrna; Edwin
Olso, Bowers and Edward Sharp,
FELTON,. Among those making brief
remarks were: State president,
Fred Brown; state vice-president,
Caleb Johnson; past presidents,
John Moore and Frank c. O'Neale;
state fire recorder, Layton Bayn-
ard; state secretary, w. w. Petit
john. Among the guests were
Chief Charles Honey, president of
the Del-Mar-Va Association; Norris
Phillips, Middletown; Harper Jones,
Smyrna; and George Johnson. At
ter the county meeting adjourned,
representatives of the Del-Mar-V
Association met and awarded the
1916 convention to Harrington.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
DELAWARE DAY DECEMBER
Proclamation Issued by Governor
Walter w. Bacon

The following proclamation has
been issued by Governor Walter
w. Bacon: Whereas, on Dec. Z,
1887, Delaware became the first
state to ratify the Federal Consti-
tuition; and Whereas, this year, for
the second time in our history, a
worldwide threat to our Constitu-
tional Form of Government has
been eliminated by the united and
heroic action of our freedom loving
people, thus preserving the funda-
mental law of our Republic; Now
Therefore, 1, Water W.Bacon, Gov
ernor of the State of Delaware, do
hereby designate Friday, Dec. Z,
1945, as Delaware Day and ask the
citizens of the State of Delaware
to pay tribute to the part Della
ware played in the establishment
of the basic law of our Nation by
her prompt ratification of the Fed
eral Constitution and also pay es-
pecial tribute to those who have
sacrificed and struggled to pre-
serve this immortal document by
pledging themselves anew to main
tanning peace and prosperity not
only in our own land, but through
the world. I further suggest that
flags of our State and Nation be
displayed and that all schools,
churches and civic organizations
conduct exercises in commemora-
tion of this date in history.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
NEW U. S. ID. A. COUNCIL
Organize to Formulate Policies to
Be Forwarded to State Council

Organize to Formulate Policies to
Be Forwarded TO State Council
In furtherance of the policy of
Secretary of Agriculture, Ander-
son, that each section of the coun-
try should assist in the planning Of
the agricultural program, the 1cl-
lowing agricultural leaders met i'll
the Production and Marketing As
sociation (AAA) offiffice on the
evening of November "a to organ-
ize and formulate policies rega d
ing the type and kind of recon-
mendation that should be forward
ed to the state council. Robert
Jefferson and Robert Carton Of the
Kent and Sussex Rural Electrical
tion Association; Nathaniel Taylor,
National Farm Loan Association;
Paul Hodgson, State Supervisor of
Vocational Agriculture; HI. B. Hen
drick, and r. E. Wilson of the
local Soil Conservation Service;
Ralph Wilson, Secretary of the
State Board of Agriculture; l.. D.
Caulk of the Production Credit As
sociation; R. Harry Wilson, chair
man of the newly formed Produc-
tion and Marketing Associatfon3
and w. E. Tarbell, Kent County
Agricultural Agent. R.Harry Will
son was eleited chairman and w.
E. Tarbell, secretary. This new
organization will meet in the PIMA
office the second Wednesday of
each month. A committee COM
posed of H. B. Hendrick, Nathaniel
Taylor, and w. E. Tarbell was ap-
pointed to investigate the possibil-
ity of central housing for I'll Fed
eral Agricultural Agencies in Do
yer.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
HONOR ADMIRAL sPRUANCE
Admiral Raymond Spruance From
Long Line of Smyrna Ancestors

Admiral raymond Spruance From
Long Line of Smyrna Ancestors
Admiral Raymond Spruance, re-
Gently named by President Truman
as commander in chief of the Pa
cific Fleet to succeed Fleet Admir-
al Chester w. Nimitz who has been
ordered to Washington, comes
from a long line of Delaware an
cestors, most of whom lived in
Smyrna. His grandfather, the Hon.
Enoch Spruance, was a member of
the Delaware Legislature and was
one of three Presidential Electors
for Polk and Clay in 1874. His
great uncle, Hon. Presley Spruance
was U. S. Senator in 1847. Admir-
al Spruance is nephew of the late
Ralph Spruance of Font Hill, .
Smyrna. Admiral Dewitt C. RAM
sey, who was chief of staff to Ad-
miral Spruance when he command
ed the Fifth Fleet, has been named
deputy commander in chief.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
RETURNED VET
GIVES TALK
Sgt. George Thawley, u. S.
Army, Speaks at Asbury
Church Sunday Evening
YOUTH FOR CHRIST

The guest speaker at the Youth
for Christ service Sunday evening
at Asbury Methodist Church was
Sergt. George Thawley, U. S.
Army, who is at home on leave af-
ter serving for two years in Italy.
The service, conducted entirely by
the youth of the church, included
the singing of a Negro spiritual,
"Were You There When They
Crucified My Lord" by a male
chorus; "Incline Thine Heart"
double quartette; piano solo, Rich
ard Mabrey; solo, Christ Is The
Answer" Ruth Gooden and chorus;
and an anthem by the youth chair.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
AT
DOVER SCHOOL
Concert To Be Given By Will
mington Symphony 0rches-
ira December 16
ONE HUNDRED PLAYERS

The Wilmington Symphony Or
chestra will give a concert in the
Dover School Field House on Sun
day afternoon, December 16, at
2:30 o'clock. This is a repetition
of the concert which the orchestra
gives the week before at the Play
house in Wilmington. The concert
is scheduled early enough so that
it will not interfere with the an
nual Christmas program which is
being presented the same after
noon at the Wesley Junior College.
While the Wilmington Symphony
is not a professional group, it has
players from the Philadelphia SYM
phony as first chairmen, and con-
tains the best instrumental talent
in the Wilmington area. Mr.. Har-
ry E. Stausebach is the conductor
of this organization of 100 players.
Two years ago when both the VIII
mington and Philadelphia orches-
ira were in Dover, the Field House
was filled to capacity for both con-
certs. At that time many who
heard the two groups felt that the
Wilmington orchestra made a re-
markably outstanding showing in
comparison with the professional
Philadelphia group. Many music
lovers in lower Delaware have
wanted the orchestra brought to
Dover for another concert. Also
a concert by the Symphony orches-
ira was requested by the music
teachers in the many schools OF
Kent and Sussex Counties who CO.
operated in interesting their pupils
in the Westminster Choir Concert
One thing stressed in school music
is to teach pupils to recognize the
symphonic instruments by sight
and sound, which work must be
carried on with phonogaph records
unless an opportunity of this kind
can be provided. The orchestra
will be seated on risers so that all
instruments can be plainly seen by
the audience. A few of the lesser
known instruments will be shown
and demonstrated separately. The
varied program will appeal to
young people as well as mature
listeners. AS with the Westminster
Choir, advance subscriptions OF
fifty cents each are being collected
to pay the expenses of bringing
the orchestra. The concert is be-
ing presented STRICTLY as a nom
profit educational offering. Tickets
may be secured at the School here
or from the State Division of music
Office in the State House. A Sec
tion is being reserved for each
school and community group that
subscribes.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
SEED CLEANING PLANT FIRE
Southern States Processing Plant
at Baltimore Completely Destroyed

hCoapAsN-h ASs~~sSS - 1~oSSpcAAA6 AeANhe
at Baltimore Completely Destroyed
The Southern States seed clean
ing and hybrid corn processing
plant in Baltimore, Md, burned to
the ground early Sunday morning,
November 25, along with large
quantities of hybrid seed corn, soy
bean, red clover, and alfalfa seed,
General Manager w. G. Wysor,
Richmond, Va, has announced. He
stated that the loss, estimated at
$500, 900, is fully covered by insur-
ance. These facilities and supplies
We're owned by the 178,000 farmer
members of Southern States Co.
operative in Maryland, Delaware,
Virginia, West Virginia, and Ken
lucky. "The building, which was
completed less than a year ago,
and the equipment in it were mod
ern and up-to-date in every re-
spect," Mr.. Wysor said, "but de-
spite the fireproof construction of
the walls, the building burned
quickly. The cause of the fire is
undetermined. Nearby facilities of
the organization remained intact,
so service by them will continue
without any serious interruption"
Fortunately the members of the
organization have a large supply
of hybrid corn and other seeds in
other locations, and arrangements
have been made to secure addi-
tional supplies, according to Mr..
Wysor. The members will be fully
supplied with their hybrid seed
corn requirements for producing
next years crop to help them per-
form their responsibilities in the
production of food for the nation.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
Dedicate Organ

A short service of dedication of
the rebuilt and completely renovat-
ed organ at st. Peters P. E.
Church, took place Sunday morn
ing with the Rev. Benjamin Fish
Thompson of Dover, in charge,
Mrs. Olive Stats, organist of the
church, was at the console.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
ASBURY METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. Robert e. Green, Pastor, An
nOunces Services For the Week

nOunceS services For the Week
Asbury Methodist Church, Rev.
Robert e. Green, pastor, announc-
es: Church School at 10 a. m. We
are living in an hour when many
men are offering solutions of the
worlds ills. Thru Bible study we
learn of Gods own divine and in
fallible solution for the worlds ills
as no other book ever possessed by
men. The Bible introduces us to
the springs of power in personality
and of joy and strength of life. 1t
is the only Book which records the
life, teaching and deeds of the Su-
preme personality of history, Jesus
Christ. Glasses of instruction for
each age group. Mrs. Walter My
ers' class will conduct the worship
service for the Youth Department
this Sunday. Divine worship ser
vice, IL a. m. Special music will
be sung by the Senior and Chill
dren's Choirs. Sermon by the pas
tor.
Evening Service
The evening service will be at
7:30 p. m. The Youth Choir will
sing special music during the SER
vice. Harmony Lodge No. 13, A,
F. and A. M, will attend this SER
vice in a body in keeping with the
day Masonic Go To Church Sun
day." Sermon by the pastor. Cul-
tivate your soul by prayer, Bible
study and church attendance.
Youth Choir rehearsal Thursday
evening at 7 p. m. Children's
Choir Friday, 3:45 p. m.
Youth Choir Banquet
Pre-Christmas Youth Choir Ban
quet will be held Friday evening,
November 30 at p. m. The ban
quet is an annual affair sponsored
by the Willing Workers Bible
Class Of Asbury Methodist Church.
Arrangements for the preparation
and serving of the banquet are IN
charge Of the Choir Guild of which
Mrs. Clifford Burge is president.
Jean Snow, president, Methodist
Youth Fellowship, is mistress of
ceremonies. Carol singing will be
directed by Ruth Gooden with Lor-
raine Donovan at the piano. Fol-
lowing the banquet the rehearsal
of the Christmas dramatization
why the Chimes Rang" will take
place with Mr.. John Herbert di-
recting.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
MISS PIPER HONORED
Elected President of Hall For This
Term at Antioch College

Term at Antioch College
Miss Priscilla Piper, daughter of
Mr.and Mrs. Laroy Piper, has been
elected by her hall mates to act as
president of her hall for the second
fall term at Antioch College.
Through her election Miss Piper
will also become a member of the
Antioch Community Councils Hall
Presidents Committee. This COM
mittee is part of the Antioch
student governing body and is de-
signed to give hall presidents tech
niqque in conducting meetings and
to determine the place of the hall
in the community government at
Antioch. Miss Piper is a freshman
student at Antioch College. She
entered college in September to
major in journalism.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
Fire Company First Air Club

New officers of the First Air
Club of the Citizens Hose Company
have been selected. They are: AL
Ian Moffitt, president; Ralph G..
FAIRIES, Jr., secretary; Robert Far
les, publicity agent; ways and
means committee, Harry Pusey
and David Todd. w. J. Driscoll of
the Wilmington Red Cross, who
specializes in artificial respiration,
was the instructor at the weekly
class.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
FORMER PASTOR TO PREACH
Rev. Samuel j. Thackaberry to Be
at Presbyterian Church Sunday

Rev. Samuel j. Thackaberry,
former pastor of the Presbyterian
Church in this town, will preach at
the morning service in the church
Sunday, December End. Mr.. Thack-
aberry left Smyrna in June 1912
to become chaplain in the U. S.
Army and has served in several of
the European posts. He is now
preparing to take an advanced
course at Princeton University be-
fore accepting a call to any church.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
Masons to Attend Service

Harmony Lodge, No. 13, A. F..
and A. M, of Smyrna, will attend
services in Asbury Methodist
Church Sunday evening in keeping
with the day Masonic Go To
Church Sunday"
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
Card Party Tuesday Night

There will be public card party
in the Parish House of st. Peters
P. E. Church Tuesday evening at
7:30 o'clock. Bridge, 500, and
Bingo will be played. Refreshments
and prizes.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
Death of Mrs. Emma Houston

Mrs. Emma Houston, rs, died at
her home, 506 West Thirty-sixth
Street, Wilmington, Saturday even
ing following long illness. Mrs.
Houston was born near Clayton
CONTINUED on Page Two)
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
Death of Horace e. Joseph

Horace E. Joseph, 70, died sud-
denly while sitting in a car at
Duck Creek, Friday, November 23.
He was the husband of Gertrude
West Joseph, and son of John F..
and Drucilla Hastings Joseph.
Funeral services were held at Far
les Funeral Chapel Monday after
noon at one o'clock with Rev. Ray
w. Kirwan of Clayton officiating.
Burial was in Grace Lawn Memoir
ial Park near Wilmington. Sur
viving, besides his wife, is one son,
Wesley Joseph, and one daughter,
Mrs. Robert Elliott, both of Will
mington.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Wesley Thomas Hawkins, 81, Died
at Home of Daughter Sunday

Wesley Thomas Hawkins, age 81,
died at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Morgan L. Parry, DUPONT
Boulevard near Smyrna, Sunday,
November 25th. He had been in
failing health for more than three
years and suffered a severe heart
attack two weeks ago. Mr.. Hawk
ins was born near Smyrna the son
of James A. and Mary ANN (Davis)
Hawkins. He had spent all his life
on farms in this vicinity. His wife
passed away several years ago.
Funeral services were held yester-
day afternoon at FAIRIES Funeral
Chapel at 2 o'clock with Rev. Rob-
ert E. Green, pastor of Asbury
Methodist Church, in charge. In
terment was in Odd Fellows Gem
etery, Smyrna. Surviving are the
following children, Mrs. Morgan
L. Parry and Miss Amelia Hawkins
of near Smyrna, and Mrs. Charles
E. Sutton of Bridgeton, N. j. Two
sisters, Mrs Emma Kennedy, Ches-
ter, Pa, and Mrs. Christine Lutz
of Merton, Pa.
Death of Mrs. Mary b. Garner, IL
Mrs. Mary B. Garner, II, died at
the Delaware Hospital Tuesday,
November Goth, following several
weeks of i'll health. She was the
widow of Joseph H. Garner and
was resident of Smyrna for many
years. Her parents were the late
Reese N. and Rachel Ann Walton,
near Clayton. Funeral services
were held at FAIRIES Funeral Chapel
Friday afternoon at l o'clock with
Rev. Ray w. Kirwan, pastor of st.
Paul Methodist Church, Clayton, in
charge. Interment was in Odd
Fellows cemetery, Smyrna. Sur
viving are five brothers: Harry A.
Walton of Clayton; William H. and
James r., of Burlington, N. j.;
Robert M. and John H., of De-
laneys, and one sister, Mrs. Anna
w. Woodring of Bethlehem, Pa.
Several nephews and nieces also
survive.
Death of Thomas Frank Lamb, 8S
Thomas Frank Lamb, 83, died
Friday November 23rd. He had
been farmer all his life in the
vicinity of Thomas Corner. His
parents were Thomas L. and Mary
Bowling Lamb. Mr.. Lamb was a
member of Harmony Lodge, No.13,
A. F. and A. M, and that organ
ization was in charge of the SER
vices with Rev. Robert E. Green
officiating at st. Peters Cemetery
where burial was made. Mr.Lamb
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
FIT. DUPONT "GHOST TOWN"
Closing Date Actually Dec. Is;
Civilians Out of Work

Unless a last minute "reprieve"
comes from Washington, Fort Du-
Pont in three weeks will become a
$3,500,00 "ghost town." with Dec.
81 the date set for the complete
shutdown of the 82-year-old mill
tary post Dec. Is is actually the
closing date. BY that time, al
most every one is expected to be
out of the place and it will be TAX
en- over by small civilian detail
of U. S. Engineers District Office,
with possibly one sergeant to rep
resent the Army.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
294 Buildings

Records of the post engineer dis
close that the post has 294 build
ings, including five permanent bar
racks, hospital that could ac-
commodate 1856 patients, and five
hospital barracks fo 151 persons.
Also, the post has an excellent
water and drainage system, a the
atre, IL miles of improved roads
and about a half-mile water front.
Already, the fort-once teeming
with wartime activities-is a for
lorn place as scores of enlisted men
and officers leave every week and
tons of Army inventory are packed
and shipped out by freight cars
and trucks. The post exchange
closes on Nov. 80.
Smyrna times., 1945-11-29
Will Close Mess

On Dec. Is those officers and
men who are left on the post will
move into the headquarters build
ing to live on cots until the final
date. Officers mess will also close
Nov. 80. Only the enlisted mems
mess will be open until Dec. Is.
After tdat date, anyone left on the
post will have to bring lunch or go
into Delaware City for meals. The
peak personnel of FIT. DUPONT dur
ing wartime has never been dis
closed but its peacetime capacity
would be somewhere around $3.50
men-excluding the 1000 prisoners
of war who will be moved this
month to Fotr Miles at Lewes.
Parade Grounds Deserted
The vast parade ground, the
streets fringed with beautiful old
naples, are now deserted. Halls
that were once crowded with men
and equipment are literally emp
ty. Ofificers and men talk Of
nothing but when are we getting
out of here ?" and Where are we
going?" In the meantime, some
300 civilian employees are looking
around for new jobs.
Detroit evening times., 1945-04-22
at Arcadia
Smith S Chance
Petsy TO Fight
Spencer Monday

Charley (Petey) Smith, un-
known in fistic circles here, may
become one of the most hailed
heroes Monday night when he
meets Leon Spencer in the feature
bout in the Arcadia ring.
Smith has all the equipment and
ability 10 become the first to flat
ten Spencer since he took off his
S-ounce amateur gloves TO don the
6-ounce feathers with which he
fights for pay. .---
The invader from Newark has
never fought here before, being
quite content TO display his wares
in Madison Square Garden. He
eliminated Emmett Gier from the
future Of boxing there March 30.
When promoter Orville Godfrey
produced Smiths record in
George Williams gym last
Thursday, the odds dropped from
3 10 l in favor of Spencer TO ] Z
10 | in favor Of Smith.
In addition 10 the victory over
Grier. Smith has defeated host
of other fighters including Vince
Del Orto. Jackie Peters and
George Peters by decision and has
knocked out Hubert Ssmuels,
frankie Leta, Walter "Gabby"
Lewis. Jan Barriere and Lefty
LaChance.
Godfrey, pinch hitting for
Scotty Strachan as matchmaker,
has signed Kuko Ortiz of Mexico
City, tenth ranking featherweight
in the world, with Pete Bolos of
Detroit, who deserves such a
break, in the eight-round semi
windup. Ortiz kayoed popular
Teddy Finley in his first start
here several weeks ago. -
Godfrey also convinced unde-
feated Gene Boland of Detroit 10
try for his eighth straight victory
against slightly heavier Martin
Doyle Of Detroit. They go To the
scales At the official weigh-in at
80 pounds. considerably over Bo-
lands normal fighting weight.
Two four-rounders will COM
plete the card.
Detroit evening times., 1945-04-22
Virgil Trucks Busy in Meriannas

Virgil Trucks who pitched for the Detroit Tigers later
for Mickey Cochranes Great Lakes Marianas
where he is in charge of four sMtba diamonds.
Pfc. William P Hornsby, of the famed Rogers took
part in the invasion PeleIu hit as times by
Jap fire. Because of his he frequently asked if
related to Rogers the greatest all tters His
answer is always, "Yes, he was my favorite player"
S/Sg Tom Hughes 2195 Field avenue is home on 30.
day leave after Is months of south Pacific Hughes
is former st. Joseph football player
Detroit evening times., 1945-04-22

OF war are enjoying furloughs
together in town. They are Pvt.
Paul Fontana, 29, of 5975 Sheri-
dan, who has been in the service
two and a half years. He played
football and baseball for st.
Anthony and more recently has
been in Alaska. At present he
is in Camp Hood, Tex, training
recruits in rife shooting. He
was II months at Dutch Harbor
and Kiska.
His friend, Pvt. Ray Plot
kowski, 27, of 1928 Sheridan,
has been in the army since
June, 1912, and overseas for
more than two years. He was
all through the African and
Italian campaigns. He leaves
the end Of this week to reioin
his company overseas. He has
taken part in three major battl
frira and UieitaJ tba D.. I: \