Smyrna times., 1955-02-24
Townsend


bank and a few other business
places. A number of farmers came
to town to visit friends during the
holiday. A number of get-togeth-
ers of various families was anoth-
er enjoyable feature of the day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Louis d. Hurd, of
Wilmington, spent the weekend
with her parents. Mr.. and Mrs.
w. P. Wilson of Townsend; also
with Mr.. and Mrs. Louis Hurd, of
Clayton, parents of Mr.. Hurd.
George c.. Clayville of Claymont
was visitor here on Saturday.
Mr.. Stanley Townsend, of Odes-
sa, visited his father, Mr.. Howard
Townsend, here on Sunday.
Harvey K. King, of Philadel-
phia, was visitor here on Mon
day.
Elmer Heating, of Chincoteague,
Va, called upon friends here on
Monday.
The new diesel engines, as they
pass up and down the Delaware
Railroad daily attract much at
tention, but not nearly as much
as the first engine to go over the
Delaware Railroad back in 1855.
Then the people would run out to
see if any train was coming and
if they spied one approaching they
would hurry back to where they
came from. The sight of the first
engine in 1855 nearly scared some
folks to death. Evidently they
thought that the devil or a great
evil monster like him was about
to leave the rails and kill them.
For, weeks after the first train
went south the frightened people
are said to have gone into hiding
and stayed away from the rail-
road as far as possible for days
and days.
How far can a person throw a
baseball? In April, 1896, a local
pitcher threw a baseball for dis
tance of g12 feet. He was John
Townsend of the local baseball
team. Later on George Tyson tried
his skill, but his throw fell IL
feet short of Mr.. Townsend's ac-
complishment. So far we do not
know that the peak pitch of 512
feet has ever been equalled, but
perhaps, this record will be brok-
en- some day.
Deep with mud the dirt roads
are again a pull back to the mot
orist or the seldom seen wagon
rider. Some of the cars going
over them have been stuck and
had to be pull out by team of
horses. Not so many of these old
time highways exist today, and
many think the sooner all of them
are changed the better.
A good sermon always gives a
commendable impression and last
ing benevolence to the listeners,
whether at church or in public
hall. Each Sunday the desire to
hear fine discourse grows great
er among the church goers. 1t all
makes an inspiring picture to see
so many Christian people out to
hear an able sermon, and this oc-
ours every Sunday, too. Wish that
we could see more of them at
every service.
Delaware was first in peaches
back in 1870; In those days about
every farmer had a nice peach
orchard on his farm and as soon
as possible would cash in by sell
ing the output of the whole orch
ard to a thrifty buyer. This kind
of profitable business grew until
every farmer was in the peach
business to full capacity later.
George Lukens wanted to build
a railroad from Townsend to
Flemings' Landing, but his efforts
only went as far as planning. He
found the cost of ties and rails
too hign. Besides he had not esti-
mated on the cost of an engine
and cars, so the plan was drop
ped after a few months agitation.
The tomato crop will be enlarg-
ed the coming season account of
the bulk demand for the product
from the canneries, big stores and
other sources of distribution
Every year the demand for this
product grows greater and great
er.