davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23

last MONDAY morning Dy Floyd
O'Bier, who found them while en-
route to his home after visiting the
home of Miss Thelma Gray in
BridgeVille.
O'Bier returned to the Gray resi-
dence after his discovery and noti-
fed Miss Gray's father, Frank, who
called state police.
Girl Shot 3 Times
When the Bridgeville troop of
Delaware State Police arrived at
the scene of the shOting, they re-
ported Chafinch was still living but
said later that he died before the
arrival of a doctor.
Police said the girl probably died
instantly, after being shot three
times-Once in the top of the head,
once in the right hip, and once be-
meath the left side of the chest. She
apparently had tumbled through
the open door of the parked car.
Her body was found lying on the
ground nearby.
Deputy Coroner John L. Cannon
of Greenwood, gave a verdict of
murder-suicide, and said an in
quest would be held.
Pistol On Car Seat
Chafinch, who was breathing
with difficulty when police arrived,
had been shot in the back of the
head, behind the right ear. Police
said the bullet had emerged near
the top of his head.
The .38 calibre pistol evidently
used in the shooting, was found on
the car seat near his body, with five
empty chambers. Police are still
unable to account for the use of
the fifth bullet. They said hole
in the top of the car may account
for the shot but that it could have
been caused by the bullet that went
through Chaflnch's head.
A note was found in Chafinch's
wallet by investigating police
which they said gave a partial ex-
PLANTATION for the shooting. The
note said in part, according to po-
lice that Chahinch ''was going to
end it all' but made no reference
to his companion, Miss Lauer
whom, it was understood, he had
been seeing and escorting for some
time.
Had Visited Her Aunt
According to police, the tragedy
occurred some time between 1O:30
O'Clock Sunday night and 1 o'clock
Monday morning. Investigation
disclosed the pair had visited the
girls aunt, Mrs. Ruth Kinder, near
Bridgeville, Sunday night. Accord
ing to Mrs. Kinder, they left her
house about 10:30 o'clock and
there had been no sign of any ar
gument or other trouble indicating
plans for the murder-suicide.
tcontinued on page 50
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Dover Elects
]. 0. Willis In
Record Vote
WOOdfOrd Defeated For
Mayor First Time In "a
Years; Veteran COUn-
Gilman Ousted.

Dover has elected a new mayor, J.
Osborne Willis, who, when he is
sworn in on February 9th, will be-
come the first new chief executive
Of Delaware's capital in "a years.
Mr.. Willis, city clerk for Is years,
and recently associated with Dow
er contracting firm, pOlled a 221 ma
jOrity to defeat the incumbent J.
Wallace WoodfOrd by 1.O43 to 1922
In the heaviest vote at a munich
pal section in DOver's history
which some believe would have
been even heavier but for snow
covered streets-Mr. Willis defeated
Mayor WOodfOrd in the latter's bid
for a twenty-fourth consecutive
term.
In addition, two members of Do
veT's City Council who had been in
Office for a long time, were defeated
by newcomers to the political scene.
Desire for Change Seen
This, coupled with Mayor Wood
fOrd's defeat, was seen by observers
of the election turnout and pre-
Continued on page -
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23

Other officers reelected are:
Main Office, Dover, Gordon L. viii
lis, vice president; Jesse S. Bur-
ton, cashier; Leroy G. Pearson, as
sistant cashier; Miss E. Louise Da-
wilson, trust officer.
Georgetown Branch. Lindale G.
Fisher, president, and vice presi-
dent of the corporation; George II.
Short, cashier; Walter p. Town
send, assistant cashier and trust
officer; Harold d. Hatfield, assist
ant cashier.
Wilmington branches, o. H. p.
Baldwin, president, and vice presi-
dent of the corporation; Thomas B.
DonahOe, vice president; John Nc
MILAN, cashier; Harold ]. Butler,
Charles A. Galloway, p. d. Lyons,
and Edward r. Wood, assistant
cashiers; Mr.. Galloway, trust on
Ger; Edward w. Hagemeyer, in
Vestment officer.
The directors, as reelected by
the stockholders, are: Dover, F. III.
Davis, George M. Fisher, ]. Allan
Frear, Jr., Maurice A. Hartnett, Jr.,
James II. Hughes, and Mr.. Patton:
Georgetown, Mr. Fisher, Nutter ID.
Marvel, Julian z. Townsend, JOS
eph B. NAPLES, Jrv and J. Reese
White; Wilmington, Mr.. Baldwin,
CONTINUED Qn page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Taxes Paid Byron Pepper
State In 1947 OF GEORGETOWN
Show Cain Passes Away
Collections TOtaled &c.
512,834 Compared With
$5,787,17O In Year Pre-
viOus, Report DisclOses.

The 1947 calendar year state tax
receipts totaled $6,512,834.99, COM
pared with $5,787, ,17O.47 in 1916, an
increase of $725, ,664.52, or 12.5 per
cent, it was announced last Friday
by State Tax Commissioner Pierre
S. dupont.
The greatest increase was in the
category of net income tax which
amounted to $1,8SO,7S7.6 for 1947,
compared with $1,464,252.10 in 1916,
an increase of $416,535.57, or 28,4
per cent.
AS in former years the greatest
source of revenue was the fran
chise tax which produced $3,424,-
S88.37 last year, compared with $3,-
141,327.72 in 1916, an increase of
$3.50 ,56O.65, or nine per cent over
the 1946 figure.
Revenue from business licenses
increased to S441, 1920 from $685.
946.13, an increase of $78,786.77 or
217 per cent.
(conJinued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23

theodore il. Harrington, the new
Grand Tall Cedar, presided for his
first ceremonial Needless to say
that he handled the meeting with
precision and the steadiness Of a
veteran.
The report Of 1947, prepared for
the Supreme Forest and read by the
scribe, disclosed that the Forest
was in excellent condition, both
financially and otherwise.
a tribute to the ten members
who passed on during 1947 was
very impressive. In memory of
Past Grand Tan Cedar Warren T.
Moore. Dr. Gilbert M. Wiltbank.
representing some close friends Of
the deceased member, presented the
Forest with a handsome Bible.
Grand Tall Cedar Harrington ac-
cepted the gift on behalf of the
E'orest.
Eight new members were elected
and initiated into Forest member
ship: Robert Gilbert, Seaford: Har-
oi1 Gerdel, Millsb0ro. Lewis NJ
Austin. smyrna; Eugene III. Lank-
ford Seaford G. Emory Webb.
Houston; Alvin Ray Wilkerson.
Milford Elmer D. Simpler. Selbv-
Vile and William BENJAMIN
Shockley Of Bridgeviile. Two mem
Ders who Identified from the forest
Continued On page D
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Guard Association
Reflects Officers

The members of Company G.
Delaware State Guard Association
OF Milford, met at the new Milford
Armory on North Walnut street on
Wednesday evening of this week
and perfected their organization
for 1948.
Former State Senator Robert H
Yerkes who served with the com
pany from the night of it's incep-
ton until it was formally muster
ed out by Governor Walter w. Ba-
con, at the Wilmington Armorv in
l946, serving respectively as pri-
Yate, corporal, sergeant and second
lieutenant, was reelected presi-
dent he was nominated by Major
j. Holland Prettyman, and elected
by acclamatiOn. other officers also
reelected by acclamatiOn were
Vice President, Ebe Savage, and
secretary-treasurer. w. Marshall
Hugg.
The treasUrer's yearly statement
revealed that the association is in
excellent financial condition. with
CONTINUED on page ~
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Masons Carrying Out
Scheduled Program
FellOWcraft, Master Mason Degrees
Will Be Conferred Tonight

Temple Lodge No. 8, Ancient Free
and Accepted MasOns, one of lower
Delaware's progressive fraternal
organizations, is carrying out its
program this season according to
schedule announced last fall. Last
Friday night at a special COmmuni-
cation iIi the Temple the Entered
apprentice degree was conferred in
full form. This Friday evening at
stated Communication, Worshipful
Master Archie A. Feagan has an
nOunced that the fellOwcraft and
Master MasOns degree will be con-
feTred in like manner. Other bust
ness to be discussed is the forth
coming visit to Temple Lodge No.
IL, of Wilmington, on January 28th,
l948. Milford masOns was favored
by a visit of Temple Lodge No. II
members two years ago. The visit
the committee is arranging for the
18th is in keeping with the Masonic
custom of returning a neighborly
call. The trip to Wilmington will
be made in private cars. Plenty of
transportation is available for all
the members. Members who desire
TO attend are requested to attend the
stated Communication on the 23rd
in the Temple in Milford when final
details will be worked out and plans
announced.
Continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
University Agriculture School
Prepares Extension Program

Expansion of the Institutional
wares School of Agriculture will
ment of George L. Schuster of thai
as dean of the School of Agricul-
ture, DR.. William S. Carlson, pres
ldent of the University, announced
this week. At the same time he dis
closed the promotion of George M,
Worrilow as director of the Uni
serlty's Agricultural Experiment
station and of the Delaware Agri-
cultural Extension Service.
Dean Schuster has had the du-
ties OF heading the School of Agri-
culture, the Experiment Station and
the Extension Service since 1889.
President Carlson explained that
by devoting full time to his re-
sponsibilities as Dean of Agricul-
ture, Mr.. Schuster will be able to
implement new IOng-range plans
for promotion of the School of Ag-
rlculture Details of these plans,
such as the development of far
mer short courses at the University.
will be announced subsequently.
the president stated.
This move, and the promotion of
Mr.. WorrilOw from his present post
Of associate director of the Exten-
sion Service and extension profess
or, were termed by DR.. Carlson as
lin keeping with our efforts to
make the influence of the Univer-
sity even more widely felt through
out the State"
(C0ntinued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Program Completed
For Farmers Week
4. II TOmhaVe Promises interest
ing Program

Farmers Week visitors at Wolf
Hall, University. Of Delaware, Jan.
26 through 20, will find plenty OF
ideas and information to help them
in their business, says A. E. Tom
have, head of the department of
animal and poultry industry, Uni
versity of Delaware, and chairman
of the School of Agriculture's Far
mers' Week committee.
Monday, Jan. 26, will be devoted
to egg production, with sessions on
prospects for egg producers in
1948, Newcastle disease, produc-
ton of Matching eggs and poultry
meat, and maintenance of a uni
form Matching egg supply.
Tuesday, Jan q, will feature
eroiler, grain and forage, and vege-
table production. Broiler producers
will learn of the new DEVELOPMENTS
In broiler growing practices. dis
ease control, marketing and the
broiler Of tomorrow.
Growers of grain and forage will
CONTINUED on page q
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Sussex County
Farmers Favor
Rural Roads
Improvements
Better Highways Are Adj
vOcated AT Dinner Ses-
sion OF Farm Bureau
At Georgetown Meet
ing.

A resolution urging the use of
highway funds in improving farm
tO-market roads was adopted at the
annual dinner meeting of the Sus-
tex County Farm Bureau in Jones
Memorial Hall last Friday night.
Other resolutions urged enact
ment Of a law requiring all vehicles
to come to a complete stop when
school buses are loading or unload
ing, and another advocated steps to
be taken to stop the shifting Of the
tax burden to real estate.
New Directors Named
Coulter E. PassWaters of Bridge
vile, county president and secre-
tary of the Delaware Farm Bureau,
presided at the meeting. New direc-
tors were named as follows:
Clyde Belts, Milford; Herman L.
West, Glendale R. D.; Arthur J..
Challman, Georgetown r. D.; Jacob
Banks, Frankford; ]. Edward Nell
vaine, Georgetown r. d. Other d.
rectOrs include: Robbins Webb,
Lincoln; Daniel Galloway, Bridge
vile; Carlton NCannOn, SeafOrd; !;
Fred Wright. Delmar; Dale Work
man, Georgetown; Samuel Sloan,
Paramount; Francis Wilson,
Georgetown r. D.; Molloy c.
Vaughn, COOlspring: Coulter Pass
waters, Bridgeville; Floyd Short,
Georgetown r. D., and Howard
Warren, Georgetown. The present
officers are: Mr.. Passwaters, presi-
dent; Floyd Short, vice-president.
and Carlton Cannon, secretary
treasurer.
II. H. Alp, managing director of
the Poultry Department Of the
American Farm Bureau Federation.
spoke on the general program OF
the group, placing special emphasis
on the poultry program. He said the
foontinued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Firemen Kept Busy
So Far This Month
Most Serious Blaze Was Harry
HllPS Farm Home

Although November set a record
for the Carlisle Fire Company, this
city, when they did not receive
single call, they are not as we'll
pleased with the present month, for
they have been kept busy most of
the time.
Starting with Harry Hills farm
house on the back road to Lincoln,
last Thursday, the local firefghters
nave been kept on the jump. AL
though they used two tanks of wa
ter at the Hill fire, the blaze had
gained so much headway before
their arrival that it was impossible
tc extinguish it and the property
was destroyed. No estimate of the
loss is presently available.
The next day they were called to
the colored church at Fourth and
West Streets, Milford, where a fire
of undetermined origin was feeding
on the framework between the cell
ing and the roof. This blaze was
quickly brought under control. The
loss amounted about $50 to SIS.
Following these two blazes, there
were number of chimney fires,
namely at Ed Webb's, Collins fill
ing station, Harvey Young's at lin
coin, and just for good measure, an
oil stove acted up at one of the
Torsch cannery sbaeks buf tbe
blaze was brought under control
without any extensive damage.
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Vote Was
Cast At Annual
Election
Total Number OF Ballots
Was 757 In Smallest
Turnout In Recent
Years.

In the Milford municipal cleo
tiOn held Monday afternoon of this
week, G. Van Nuis WilkersOn, local
brick manufacturer and civic lead
er, won the mayOralty contest, de-
feating Alex Rosa, incumbent
Fourth Ward councilman, by 1O3
votes. The total count was Will
kerson 416, Rosa 313. The vote by
wards for mayor was: First, Will
kersOn, POI, Rosa, 161; Second, Will
kersOn, 88, Rosa, 27; Third, Will
kersOn, 40, Rosa, 21; Fourth, Will
kersOn, 78, Rosa, 104.
In the lone contest for the seat
in council, formerly held by J..
Brainard POore, in the First Ward,
Percy Rockwell Haughey easily de-
feated three candidates, rolling up
217 votes to Al for Robert c. Ken
nedy; "a for Harry T. Walls, and
23 for r. HarwOOd JamisOn.
John c. Jewell, unoppOsed cOun-
Gil candidate in the Fourth Ward,
received 139 votes.
The voting at Milford was con-
sidered light, only 757 ballots be-
ing cast compared with nearly 1 400
in some years. Edward c. Evans,
mayor for the past eight years, re-
fused to seek reelection. Mr.. Will
kersOn is past president of the Mil
ford Rotary Club, member of the
Chamber of Commerce, and for
mer councilman. Rosa, his OppO-
nent, is a member of council from
the Fourth Ward which is also the
home ward of WilkersOn.
HOldOver members OF Milford
Council are: First Ward, Louis
Ryder; Second, William V. Sipple,
Jr., and Vinal Z. Bennett; Third,
William r. Burke, present vice
mayor, and Clayton Kirby, and
Fourth, Alex Rosa.
During the counting of the ball
lots in Milford, fire broke out in
Nanette's House of Fashion in the
Adkins Building on S. E. Front
street. Firemen discovered electric
iron current had been left on and
a hole burned in the ironing board.
There was no other damage.
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
In Delaware
Banks Show Decrease
Figures Revealed In Report Sub
mitted By Commissioner Darby

Deposits of state banks on De-
cember 81, 1947, showed a decrease
of $32,540,140 or 6.82 per cent from
the total on December 81, 1916, the
report of State Bank Commissioner
John c. Darby revealed Monday of
this week.
However, the total deposits of
$476,936,763 was an increase of
$19,036,O77 or 3.99 per cent over
the June 30, 1947, total.
Current Deposits
Included in current deposit fig
ures are demand deposits of indi-
viduals,- partnerships and corpor-
ations of $296,972,575, a decrease
of $1S,492,256, or 6.22 per cent
from the December 81, 1916 total.
Time deposits show an increase of
$4,535,836 from December 81, 1916,
while deposits of the United States
Government we're $13, 3,907,758 less
than year ago.
Deposits Of state and political
subdivisions show a decrease of
Continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Vets Training School
In Milford, Feb. 9Th
Blue Hen Post VIII Entertain
Statewide Group

Dr. James r. West, commander
Of Blue Hen Post No. 648S, v. F. W.,
this city, has announced that the
local post will act as "hOst post"
for a training school, session to
be held in the Lantern Loft Of the
Southern Grille on Fridsy evening,
Feb. 9Th. This session, of one-night
duration, will bring together here
all the principal officers Of most of
Delaware's thirty-One v. F.. W..
posts; meeting with the group and
acting as Instructors will be
State Commander Lloyd W. Ricards
and the principal officers of the De-
partment Of Delaware, v. F. w.
(eontlnuod on page So
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Action Deferred On Nam
ing Of Committees
Proposed Salary Boost
For City Employees
Until Next Tuesday.
Harvey Davidson Elected
City Alderman Replac-
ing Edward C. Bes-
wick; Tree Commits
sion Named.

The neWly-elected municipal Of
ficials we're sOWrn into Office at
reorganization meeting Of City
Council held Tuesday evening Of
this week in the Council Chambers
on North Walnut street. Magis-
trate Lieutenant-COlOnel William
E. Lank administered the oath of
Office to Mayor c. Van Nuis Will
kersOn and COuncilmen Percy r.
Haughey and John C. Jewell.
The first official act Of Council
following it's organization was the
appointment of Second Ward Coun-
Gilman William V. Sipple, Jr., as
Vice Mayor. Mr.. Sipple succeeds
William r. Burke to this post.
A. 2. Humes was reelected, city
secretary-treasurer and was sworn
into Office by Colonel Lank.
In a three-cOrnered fight for the
post Of City Alderman, Harvey Da-
wilson nOsed out the incumbent,
Edward G. Beswick, to 3, with
Councilman Burke absent. David
A. Clements was the third appli-
cant for the post. The oath of Of
fee was administered to Mr.. David
son by Colonel Lank.
The post of assistant city alder
man was awarded to Magistrate
Lank.
willard r. Hall and Vernon w.
Kerr were renamed auditors for
the new year.
The following we're elected men,
bers of the City Board Of Health:
First Ward, Major ]. Holland Pret-
lyman; Second Ward, George S.
Grier; Third Ward, Harry p. May
hew; Fourth Ward, Dr. william
Marshall Jr. The board will in
turn meet and select a president.
TUnnell and Tunnel. attorneys Of
Georgetown, were rehired as city
solicitors.
Action on the police force was
deferred until the next meeting Of
Council.
City Manager Fleming Hart pre-
sented for the approval Of City
Council, a schedule of salary in
creases for city employees. The
schedule was referred to a COM
mittee composed of Vinal 3. Ben
nett, chairman; William v. Sipple,
continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Funeral Services For
Melvin Hopkins Today
Former Dover City Solicitor And
Kent County Deputy Atty..General

Funeral services for Melvin Hon
kins, city solicitor of Dover. will
be held this afternoon at 2 .O0
o'clock at Wesley Church. Dover
with the Rev. Roy T. Thawlev. pas-
tor. officiating. Interment will he
made in Lakeside cemetery with
Masonic services at the grave in
charge of Union Lodge No. z, A. F.
and A. M. of Dover.
Mr.. Hopkins, former deputy at
torney-general for Kent county
and a member of the Labor Com
mission of Delaware, died Tues
day, January 20 in the Fairview
Nursing Home near Dover. He had
Deen III since September.
Mr. Hopkins, who was born near
FeltOn on June 5. 1899, was the son
OF Romulus A. and Jennie Hon
klns. He was named to the Labor
commission on March 2S, 1914. and
hlled the post of deputy attorney
general for Kent on August 81. 1943
and previously in 1881.
On January of this wear. he
submitted his resignation as Do
Ver's city solicitor after 90 years
OF service, five of which were spent
as acting solicitor and the remain
lcontlnued on PAGE ID
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Fire Recorders
Report for 1947
Carlisle Fire Company Answered
129 Alarms Last Year

Fire Recorder Edward Jester Of
the Carlisle Fire Company, Milford,
released his report for 1947, which
discloses that the local firefighters
answered a total of 129 calls last
year, broken down as follows: Sc
urban, 7S rural. During this same
period there were four false alarms.
The loss for this period is set Of
ficially at $68,795.OO, and three per-
sons, non-fremen, lost their lives.
and three others received minor
burns.
The firemen were in service for a
tconunus0 on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
State Bond Issue
Is Awarded Group
New York Company With Bid OF
$SO4 1882, Successful

An $8OO,OOO bond issue, covering
four state welfare and school pro-
jects, was awarded this week to
Phelps, Fem and Company Of New
York City and associates, at their
bid of S804,332 with an interest
rate of 1.6 per cent.
The bids were opened in the Office
of Gov. Walter w. Bacon by the
Governor, Secretary Of State Will
liam J. Storey, and State Treasurer
Benjamin F. Johnson.
Atty.-Gen. Albert w. James also
was there at the opening of the II
bids. Associated with Phelps, Fem
and Company in the high bid are
Blair and Company; Eastmas, Dill
Ion and Company, and Campbell,
Phelps and Company.
continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Polio Drive Gaining
Momentum Locally
Rally At School Next Wednesday:
Dance Next Friday Night

Dance Next Friday Night
The drive to help Milford reach
its quota of $2,4O0 in the annual
drive against Infantile PARALYSIS
is gaining momentum here. accord
ing to r. HarwoOd Jamison. local
chairman and Edmund F. Steiner
who is an executive of the Sus-
sex county committee.
Wednesday morning of this week
vital message on the need for
over subscribing the local quota
was given at the weekly high
school assembly by Mr.. Steiner.
and the student body of the school
has pledged its support to the
drive.
Next Wednesday evening, Janu-
ary 28 at eight O'clock in the Mil
ford High School Auditorium. DR.
George J. BONES, chief of the Po-
Ito Section, Doris Memorial Hospi-
tai, Wilmington, will lecture dur
ing the showing of a film depict
ing the treatment of polio. A local
youth appears in this film.
continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Mrs. Byron to Speak
To Business Girls

viii Address Dinner Meeting At
Southern Grille On January %
The monthly dinner meeting of
the Milford Business Girls Club
viii be held on Monday evening.
January 26 at 6s45 O'Clock in the
Southern Grille. Speaker for the
evening viii be Mrs. Edna Byron
Of Dover who will talk on the
Alaskan Highway. Mrs. Byron has
recently returned from a trip over
the highway and is a very capable
and interesting speaker. Mrs. Mary
Keller, president of the club, will
preside at the short business meet
ing following the dinner.
Milford chronicle., 1948-01-23
Woman Selected
On Kent anel
Mrs. Helene RidgeIy First Of Sex
To Serve On Grand Jury

The 194S Kent County Grand
Jury drawn by Jury Commission
ers Walker L. Mifflin and Wilbur
E. Jacobs includes for the first time
woman, Mrs. Helene Ridgely.
Camden, Seventh Representative
District.
The other members of the jury
are:
First Representative District.
Harold Carrow; Second, Frank
Lewis; Third, Edward F. Macklin
Fourth, Nathan w. Bickling; Fifth.
Ralph Lord; sixth, Clifford Min-
ner; Eighth, Arley Jackson, Ninth,
William w sharp; Tenth. Ray
mOnd J. Bennett.
Petit jurors, among them 16 Wo-
men, drawn for the February term
of the county courts follow.
First Representative District.
Mrs. Iva David, Vernon a. Westfall.
lqqntlngsd on pags %