davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15

Residents of Smyrna had the
opportunity to talk over the towns
business with their council at a
public meeting held last night at
Town Hall, at which the bids for
new sewer and water improve
ments on North Main Street were
opened publicly Previous to this
meeting all of the citizens had re-
ceived by mail an attractive book
let which contained a detailed re-
port from Acting Mayor Kruchen,
which included reports from all
town departments, street, electric,
water and police. The report show
ed a balance in bank at end of year
1850 of $12, 1894, with a reserve
fund, in addition, amounting to
$4,638.14. Total receipts for the
year were STA, ,962.56, and dis
bursements, S165,O31.25. The an
ticipated income for 1851 amounts
to $176,222.79. The appropriated
expenditures include a reserve
fund of $50, improvements to sew
er and water extension on North
Main Street, and $1,000 to develop
a beach for use of the Negro citiz-
ems at Lake Como. The police re-
port of Chief John w. Jacobs, Jr.
for the year showed that "a motor
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
SCHOLARSHIP
FOR OFFICER
State Police 1t. c. Preston
Poore, Smyrna Resident,
Wins High Honor :.
ONE OF 25 ELECTED

Delaware State Police 1t. c.
Preston Poore, Mt. Vernon St.,
Smyrna, officer in charge of the
State Motor Vehicle Departments
drivers improvement bureau, is
one of 25 men elected in a nation
wide competition for a scholarship
for a three-week course at the
Traffic Institute of Northwestern
University, Evanston III. 1t. Poore
will attend as student in the first
specialized course for chief driver
license examiners to be conducted
in the nation. The course opens
March 5. 1t is part of a program
of the American Association of
Motor Vehicle Administrators to
raise the minimum standards of
examinations for motor vehicle
drivers license. Presentation of the
scholarship, for $100, was made
Tuesday to 1t. Poore by Cecil r.
Creighton, Washington, D. c., as
sistant executive director, Ameri-
can Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators, at the Delaware
State Police headquarters, near
State Road. Col. Harry S. Shew,
of the state police,
was one of the first to. congratu-
late 1t. Poore on the award.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
ROTARY CLUB DINNER MEET
District Conference To Be Held
At Atlantic City April Ia


At the dinner meeting of the
Smyrna Rotary Club last Thursday
night, birthday greetings were ex-
tended to Stanford C. Marvel, town
manager. Leroy T. Piper presided
and announcement was made of the
district conference of the 272nd
district Rotary which will be held
at Atlantic City April IA. The in
ternational sessions of Rotary will
also be held at Atlantic City on
May 27-31. The local club will be
represented at each session. Pre-
parations are now being made by
the club for active participation.
Announcement of committees will
be made later. DR.. M. E. Boone
and the Rev. Theodore Hafner
were visiting Rotarians from Dow
er, and William Schoolfield was the
guest of Neal M. Oechsler.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
FARMERS AT
DINNER MEET
Smyrna Lions Club Program
Arranged by Edward Scha-
binger, County Agent
DANCE WAS SUCCESS

The Smyrna Lions Club members
had as guests at their dinner meet
ing Monday night the following
farmers: Charles Ewing, Ernest
Mattiford, George Takach, Andrew
Everett, Lee Everett, and Arthur
Short. The program was arranged
by Edward Schabinger, New Castle
County agent, who presented Will
liam Tarbell, Kent County agent.
Mr.. Tarbell in a brief talk paid
tribute to Lincoln, saying that with
study of the life and works of
Lincoln, his stature grows. He then
explained the agricultural extern
sion service of the University of
Delaware. which is ready to serve
individuals or organizations. They
stand ready at all times to help
with programs at meetings of
groups as well as all service clubs,
according to the speaker. The pro-
jects of such clubs as the Lions he
saw as doing good to the commun-
tiles, and stated that between town
and farm the benefits are mutual.
A film, Growth of Nation" was
shown following his talk. Howard
Slaughter made the response. Bur-
rill Mccoy presided during part of
the meeting, and Henry T. Price,
vice president, during the latter
part of the program. The invoca-
tion was given by Robert Dunning,
and group singing was led by
Frank Siekmann. Announcement
was made of the dinner for Lions
of District 22-D, with tickets avail
able from Mr.. Mccoy. The zone
ladies night will be held at Dinner
Bell Inn, Dover on Monday, Feb.
19, for clubs of Zone 1, region 2.
Local members wishing to attend
will notify Joseph Jefferson, secre-
tary. The state TB test unit will
be in Smyrna on Feb. %, located
at Town Hall. Frank Stellatella
reported that the second Saturday
night dance for teen-agers, spon-
sored by the Lions, was successful
with between fifty and sixty young
people in attendance. Charles M.
Gee announced that the first re-
hearsal for the chorus for Antics
of 1851 would be held at Town Hall
on Thursday, Feb Is at 8 pm.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATED
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank McCawley
Celebrate 47th Wedding
Anniversary Feb. 10th
IN DISTRICT 63 YEARS

Mr.. and Mrs. Frank P. McCaw-
ley celebrated their forty-seventh
wedding anniversary on Saturday,
February 10. They were married
in Wilmington, Delaware, on Feb
ruary 10, 1904 by the Rev. J. Edgar
Franklin, pastor of Elsmere Pres
byterian Church. Mr.. and Mrs.
McCawley had no children of their
own but Mrs. McCawley raised two
of the children of her brother,
Christie, whose wife died. They
are Christopher c. King, Jr., who
is now married and lives near An
napolis, Md, and Hazel King Stew
art, wife of Walter Stewart, Jr.,
now living near Dover, Del. Mr..
and Mrs. McCawley have lived in
this one district for SO years, and
have lived at the corner of North
Main Street and Glenwood Aven-
ue ever since they have been mar
ried.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
TOWN MEETING HELD;
ANNUAL REPORT DISCUSSED

vehicle accidents were investigat-
ed, the police car travelled 36,413
miles, and fines collected by the
alderman amounted to $3,006. A
foreword by Town Manager Stan
ford c. Marvel to the complete re-
port stated that "the past year
was one of decision as we'll as of
accomplishment" During 1851 the
vigor with which we implement
previously adopted programs and
the degree of foresight, commun-
ity-mindedness, and balanced
judgement upon which We base our
decisions, may establish irrevoc-
ably Smyrnas position among
American towns and cities" Smyr-
ma can be justly proud of the eff
cient report which has been put
into the hands of it's residents, a
report that in formal compares
very favorably with those made by
far larger towns and cities. The
council is to be congratulated on
presenting the facts about finances
and government to the people in a
concise and readable form. Copies
of the report will be sent to many
towns and will prove to be valu-
able publicity for this community.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
Scouts To Hold Benefit Dance

A benefit square dance will be
sponsored by the Smyrna Boy and
Girl Scout troops, the proceeds to
be used toward buying dishes for
the Youth Center. 1t will be held
at Town Hall on Saturday evening,
Feb. "a from 7:30 to IL 80 pm. Ad-
mission will be fifty cents per per-
son. Refreshments will be on sale.
Music for the square dances will
be provided by the Dover Grange,
Door prizes will be awarded in four
classifications.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEET
Board Approves Use of School for
Stage Show and Fashion Show

DOoiu AppHOfeS use OI SCHOOL IOr
Stage Show and Fashion Show
The regular monthly meeting of
the Board of Education was held
recently, DR.. C. ]. Prickett presid-
ing and all members present. The
board approved the use of the
white school building, by the Cen
tury Club and the Business and
Professional Women's Club for a
fashion show on March 6, and the
Lions Club for the production of
stage show on March 80 and 81.
The board approved the securing
of bids for conversion of the first
floor lighting of the white school
to fiuorescent lights and the retub-
ing of the boilers of the white
school. The application of Harvey
Johnson for the transfer of his
farm between Clayton and Smyrna
from the Clayton School District
to the Smyrna School District, was
approved by the board. The Clay
ton board had previously approved
the releasing of the farm.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
Death of Mrs. Mary e. Hurd

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary
Elizabeth Hurd, 66, who died Feb.
13 after a long illness, will be held
at her late residence in Clayton
today, Feb. Is, at pm. The Rev.
G. E. Leister, pastor of Ewells-St.
Paul Methodist Church, will offici-
ate and interment will be in Odd
Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna. She
was the daughter of Able and
Sarah E. Ross Numbers. Mrs. Hurd
is survived by her husband, Carl
A. Hurd and a number of nieces
and nephews.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
Greenspring Al Club Meet

The February 9th meeting of
the Greenspring All Club was held
at the home of Barbara Parry, with
seventeen members and four guests
present. Morris Fields, club agent
from Newark, showed a film on fire
prevention. Topic for the evening
was Safety" with readings by
Florence Peterson, George Stats
and Barbara Parry. Plans were
made by the club to sponsor a
dance on March 2. Next months
guest speaker will be Delmar,
Young, of Newark.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
SPEAKER AT
PTA MEETING
Robert L. Durkee Tells OF
First Line of Defense at
Smyrna Meeting
SCHOLARSHIP NEED

In the present world conflict of
ideologies, education is the first
weapon of defense, Robert L. Dur
kee, executive secretary of the Del
aware State Education Associa-
tion, told members of the Smyrna
Special District School Parent
Teacher Association last Thursday
night. Stressing the Importance of
education for citizenship" he
cited four points to show what
should be done to improve our pub
lie school program, through the re-
organization of districts, the basic
philosophy of which is to regroup
the small units; namely, provide a
diversified educational program;
meet the pupils interests and
needs; increase the holding power
of the school, and equalize educa-
tional opportunity. He spoke of the
permissive legislation needed to
speed the process. He touched also
on the antiquated attendance law
in this state, the need for new
buildings, the high birth rate fig
ures, the kindergarten program,
which is needed but will probably
have to be postponed; the unit al
lotment law passed in 1949. The
great need for teachers due to men
going into military service, as well
as retirements, he saw as an i'm
portant factor in the need for
teacher training scholarships.
Touching on teacher tenure, he
said that there is a proposal to
amend the continuing contract law,
which will provide for a hearing
before the local board, and with
appeal to the state board as final.
The rise in cost Of living as COM
pared to salaries calls for adjust
ments in all salary schedules now
in effect, he said, continuing with
mention of administrator salaries
for which the recommendation is
to add one tenth for each month
they work over ten. He emphasiz-
ed that the part of citizens is study
and analyze the proposals, tell your
representatives how to vote; "de-
termine what is right, then dc
something about it." he said in
conclusion. The speaker was intro
duced by Mrs. Joseph Ennis. A
gavel and block was presented by
George w. Wright on behalf of the
faculty in evidence of the esteem
felt for the PTA. 1t was accepted
by the president, Edward Scha-
binger. The fashion show held dur
ing the social hour was a "bur-
llesque" of such shows, with the
models all men except the first
Mrs. Lee Slaughter. Mrs. ]. D.
Miles, Jr., was narrator. Mrs. John
Fearon was pianist.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
Smyrna Homemakers To Meet

The Smyrna Homemakers will
meet today (February 15) at 2 p.
M, at the home of Mrs. Harry
Jones on Frazier Street. Mrs. FL
mer Corrie will be co-hostess to
Mrs. Jones. Topic: Freezing Cook
ed Food" The Homemakers Club
is sponsoring the Cancer Clinic
here Monday, February 10, from
10 to IL a. M, and 1 to 8 p. M,
in front of the Health Center on
Commerce Street. For appoint
ment call 1881, Mrs. Ralph Lange.
Time required for examination is
fifteen minutes.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
Queen of Hearts Dance

The Kent County Student Coun-
Gil Association is sponsoring a
Queen of Hearts dance to be held
at the Dover School social hall on
Saturday, Feb. II. A Queen of
Hearts, chosen from each high
school in the County, will be pre-
sent. The dance is to be informal
and dancing will be from 500 to
11:30. The admission is $1.00 a
couple and rs cents stag. Music
will be furnished by the Dover and
Smyrna Schools dance bands. All
students are invited.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
CENTURY CLUB OPEN MEET

Topic of Program VIII Be Public
Affairs in Charge of Mrs. O'Neill
An open meeting will be held by
the Twentieth Century Club on
Friday evening, February % at s
pm. The program will be based on
the topic of public affairs and is
being arranged by Mrs. Francis j.
O'Neill, Sr., chairman of that
phase of the clubs program for the
year. The public is cordially invited
to attend the meeting. The club
members held a very successful
Valentine supper party on Tuesday
night at which they entertained
their husbands and friends.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
Clayton Club To Meet

The regular monthly meeting of
the Clayton Century Club will be
held today, Thursday, at 8 pm, at
the home of Mrs. Harvey Boggs.
A Valentine party will follow the
business meeting.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
4eth Anniversary smyrna Grange

The Smyrna Grange will cele-
brate their 46th anniversary to.
night, Thursday, at $50 p. M, at a
covered dish supper. William Tar
bell, Kent County Agent, will de-
liver a speech and show a film
State Master Harry c. johnson
will be present, and Charles z
Dukes, master, will preside. Nine
teen new candidates for member.
ship will attend.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
SMYRNA FIRST
WITH SURVEY
First Fire Prevention Survey
by State Fire Prevention
Association Held Here
BAD WIRING CITED

Smyrna became the first town in
the state in which a fire survey
has been conducted by the State
Fire Prevention Association when
representatives of the association,
under the supervision of Harry
Gibbs, president, inspected all
places of business, halls, auditor
iums, churches, schools, institu-
tions, and other buildings open to
the general public. This project
was carried out successfully on
Tuesday, under the sponsorship of
the Citizens Hose Company with
Smyrna Town Council cooperating,
and the Smyrna Boy Scouts assist
ing as escorts to the visitors. Chief
]. Harper Jones and Town Mana
ger Stanford c. Marvel, assisted
in the survey, as well as many
members of the fire company.
Certificates for Boy Scouts
The following Boy Scouts who
gave their services were presented
with certificates at luncheon held
in the social hall of the First Pres
byterian Church: David Deakyne,
Richard Nelson, Kenneth Boyer,
Gerald Mood, John Barnes, William
Bullock, Walter Luckowski, Robert
Kellums, Robert Burge, Hal Bod
ley, Alec Wood, Charles Gray, John
Urian, Ronald Still, William HAM
burg, Rodney Shane, Richard Com
eggs, Roland Potter and William
Hill. The boys were under the sup
ervision of Charles Busker, scout
master.
Luncheon at Church
The invocation was given at the
luncheon by the Rev. o. G. Jones,
and the meal was served by the
ladies of the Presbyterian Church.
Acting Mayor Kruchen welcomed
the guests. Harry Gibbs presided
and thanked the Mayor and Coun-
Gil and others who had given their
cooperation. Mrs. Margaret O'Neill
and James Everhart also attended
the luncheon, and representatives
of the State Volunteer Firemen's
Association and the Kent County
Volunteer Firemen's Association,
also fire chiefs and marshals from
nearby fire companies. ]. Harper
Jones, fire chief, gave the greet
ings from the Citizens Hose Co.
John w. Jacobs, Jr., president of
/, the fire company, assisted with ar
rangements for the survey.
List Violations
The list of violations in Smyrna
follows: 81 risks, or places inspect
ed; 80 criticized; 385 criticisms and
recommendations average criti-
cisms per place, 4.69. The criti-
cisms included the following: Z
ashes, 8 chimneys, 1 coal, IL cob
webs, 5 delapidated, % doors, es-
capes and stairways; 43 extin-
guishers out of service; 2 gasoline;
10 heaters; % general house-keep-
ing; paints and oils; 8 plastering;
9 rags and waste; "a rubbish; 5
smoking; stove-pipes; 131 wir-
ing, and A miscellaneous.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
Benefit of Youth Center

The annual production is for the
benefit of the Smyrna Youth Cen
ter, which was built by the Lions
Club, and is now in constant use
by Girl and Boy Scouts and other
groups of young people. In addition
to Mr.. Siekmann the production
committee includes William M.
Doughten, Richard G. Price and
Guy M. Edmondson, Jr John W.
Jacobs, Jr. is property manager
and his aides are Charles Williams
Frank Stellatella, and Robert l.
Everett; the committee on jackpot
prizes has as chairman Francis B
Gebhart, and includes Robert Dun
ming, Walter Eley, Frank Green
well. and Robert Mills. In charge
of program and advertising are c.
Preston Poore, chairman, Guy Ed
mondson, Burrill F. Mccoy, How
ard Slaughter, Robert Jacobs, and
Lex FAIRIES. Ticket printing and
sales will be in the hands of Stan
lev M. Middleton, chairman, assist
ed by all club members and their
wives. The finance chairman and
coordinator is Charles M. Gee.
Smyrna times., 1951-02-15
OF 1851
REHEARSALS
Chorus Rehearsals To Start
Tonight with Frank Sick
mann in Charge
SHOW ON MARCH 3O-31

The Antics of 1851, sponsored
by the Smyrna Lions Club, will be
presented in the high school audi
torium on March 80 and 81. John
F. Simpson has again accepted the
task of producing the Antics and
will also be the director of the
music revue. Rehearsals for the
chorus, which will have to be linn
tied due to the type of show this
year, will start tonight, Thursday,
at 8 pm. at Town Hall. Frank
Siekmann, chairman of the produc-
tion committee, will direct the
chorus. Other groups are rehears-
ing separately for the big produc-
tion. This, will be entirely different
than last years show and Mr..
Simpson has been working on CO.
ordination of scripts for months
and the scripts are now prepared
and the characters are all cast. 1t
is the plan of the producer to use
as many Lions as possible in the
production and every Lion and
Lioness will have a job to perform
at the show, either on or off-stage.
Dress rehearsals are set for March
27, %, and 29, at which time the
show, which has rehearsed in units,
will be put together by the pro-
ducer.
Evening star., 1951-01-27
By Charles E. TroceweH

They have different tastes today. with
their Hopalong Cassidys and the rest.
They have their television heroes, as
we'll as their radio thrillers All these
in addition to the old standard heroes
of the books they read, and many new
ones, too.
But surely boys thrill now to much
the same sort of narratives we thrilled
to: they must like to read books no less
than look at television, or at least some
Of them DO, for readers are born.
scarcely made.
The boys of yesteryear wondered why
their mothers resented their reading
about THE Liberty Boys of TO-" Their
own tastes told them that these were
good stories They saw nothing wrong
about them then; looking back, they
see nothing wrong about them now.
Yet they had to sneak to read em.
It is wholesome to realize at last that
these old stories, written in a hurry
once a week, by everyday workers with
words, are coming into their own in an
exhibit in a great temple of learning
Libraries all over the country will do
we'll to set up similar exhibits, so that
the boys of yesteryear may revive their
youth for few moments
What fun it will be for some of them
to say to Johnny, There, son, is what
you ought to read. not those silly
contest"
Evening star., 1951-01-27
This and That .

There is delightful opening chapter
to one of Joseph Conrad's novels in
which a young fellow fingers outside
such store, hesitatnt to make a
purchase. 1t may be surmised that this
purchase was not to be dime novel.
Our memories of delight over those old
books is still shadowed by the recol-
lection of the reception they received
from parents.
1t was the mothers of that day who
most of all resented the dime novels"
as they were called, no matter what
price they sold at. Some few years
later went for Is cents. but in the eyes
of those dear souls they were still dime
novels.
A dime novel, to them, was something
bad.
1t was a thing to shrink from, and to
reprove one for reading.
Just how they got such an idea is un-
known. The mists of the past offer no
explanation at all.
II mother had taken dinner novel.
and read it from cover to cover, she
could not have held such an idea very
long.
Probably it was just an instructive
reaction from the rather lurid covers.
and the somewhat blood and thunder"
narratives.
Small boys then. as now, liked to
read about deeds OF daring.
Evening star., 1951-01-27
Mr.. Wender for Commissioner

mr.. Wen0ef rOf commissioner
notice with interest your article writ
ten by Jesse c. Suter saying the "only
qualifications for District Commissioner
of value in voteless and unpresented
community such as this are Cd the
required legal residence in the District
of Columbia for three years next preced-
ing the appointment to such Office, CD
good character, go administrative ability
and "a good health
I think that there are far more
important requirements for the job than
the over -simplified list outlined by Mr..
Suter in The Sunday Star. Why are
not more of our really active and ef-
fective civic workers like Harry Wender
given newspaper Endorsement for this
important job? hope that Mr.. Tru-
man, in making his decision. will con-
slider some of the vitality essential quail
fcations for the job-such as long
standing residence in the city, lifetime
of active participation in civic affairs.
an intimate knowledge of civic problems.
a reputation of fearless advocacy of what
is best for the National Capital, con-
sistent and positive stand favoring home
rule for the District, and, above all,
the ability to get things done.
Mr.. Wender has demonstrated his
ability as an administrator through the
outstanding manner in which he is car
rying on the work of the District Recrea-
ton Board. He is not campaigning for
this job, but feel that in the best in
terests of the voteless but not voice.
less citizens Of the District, he should
be drafted by President Truman
Mrs. H. S. Paper.
Evening star., 1951-01-27
New Korean Army Proposed

According to the public discussions
that are going on now in this country.
there is possibility of voluntary with
draWal of the U. N. forces from Korea
in order to save lives and to engage them
in some other area which is deemed more
important in reaching a military deci-
sion, namely. Western Europe.
Whether to evacuate now or later, or
ever is up to the military leaders of the
United States and the other nations to
determine, but if Korea is going to be
abandoned, even if with a view to re-
turning later when the European issue
is settled, there is one consideration that
cannot be overlooked, If realistic think
ing is in order. Right or wrong, we
democratic nations somehow place more
emphasis upon territories and equipment
while the Communists concern them
selves more with getting the people on
their side. BY the same token the Com
munists will integrate all the Korean
manpower into their army and employ
it in fighting the democratic forces
wherever most profitable. Coupled with
this there will be the discouragements
on the part of the democratic elements
and the corresponding supersurgence
with added vigor on the part of the
communistic elements in all the nations
in Asia, and by the time the United
States forces wish to re-enter the field
in Asia. which may possibly be three or
four years hence, the Communists will
have consolidated their position, and the
sacrifice will be much greater then than
if we held the ground now.
Aside from the practical considera-