davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Death of Frank Turner

Funeral services for Frank Tur-
ner, 85, who died in Wilmington
on September 25, were held from
the Chandler Funeral Home, on
Friday afternoon, September % at
/ o'clock. Interment was at Odd
Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna. Mr..
Turner was the husband of the
late Ida E. Turner, father of Mrs.
Castillo w. Jones. He is survived
by a brother, Walter Turner of
Smyrna. Mr.. Turner worked for
the Delaware Power and Light
Company for As or so years.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
FIRE CAUSES
$500 DAMAGE
Flames Destroy Henhouse
and Barn at Smyrna
Landing Last Week
TANNED BY GALE WIND

During the height of the wind
and rainstorm at 2:30 pm. on
Thursday, the volunteers of the
Citizens Hose Company respond
ed to a call to Smyrna Landing,
where flames destroyed a chicken
house and barn owned by Albert
Pierson. No one was in the i'm
mediate vicinity to see how the
fire started, but it was discovered
by Mrs. Joseph George who lives
nearby and phoned in the alarm.
Three homes which were close to
the barn were saved, and a second
barn, attached to the first by
wagon shed was also saved. A
small flock of chickens and ducks
were destroyed and total damage
was estimated at $500. Imple-
ments in the shed were removed
by firemen. The Clayton Fire Com
pany was called to assist and
water was pumped from the
Smyrna River near the scene or
the fire. The Sehger Transporta-
tion Company provided a tank
full of water which was not need
ed due to the river source. Ap-
proximately 80 Smyrna and Clay
ton volunteers worked two and
one-half hours at the scene. Rey-
nolds Bradley, first assistant chief.
was in charge and according to
him the flames were intense, fan
ned by gale winds from the north
east. Flames "belched forth" from
the burning building, driving the
firemen back, he said. This is the
first fire in long time fought in
a heavy rainstorm according to
the firemen, and many hours were
consumed after getting back to
the firehouse hanging the hose up
to dry.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
VIEW NEW CHEvROLETS
staff at Irwin G. Burton's At
tend Pre-Showing in Washington

staff at Irwin G. Burton's At
tend Pre-Showing in Washington
William H. Willis and sales staff
of Irwin G. Burton, Inc, Smyrna,
attended a pre-showing of the
1857 Chevrolet models in Wash
ington, D. c. last week, held for
franchised Chevrolet dealers only.
Mr.. Willis has been enthusiastic
ever since seeing the new line and
reports he will have an entirely
redesigned automobile to offer
when they are placed on the mar
ket. Its not just few changes
here and a few there" he said,
but the entire car, from bumper
to bumper has been changed. The
lines are sleeker, the engine is
better, the colors are new, every
thing about it is new. Just wait
until you see it." The pre-showing
of the new car in Washington was
made before almost 200 Chevrolet
dealers from Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia and West Virginia. Those
attending with Mr.. Willis were
Joseph Passwaters, Robert Scor-
ah, Ralph Billings, and Wayne
Pryor.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Death of william Il. Argo

Funeral services for William T,
Argo, retired Pennsylvania Rail-
road engineer of AZ years were
held from his late residence
Thursday, September 81. The
Rev. Dale Owens of Salisbury,
Md, and the Rev. Van Hersher
of Wilmington, Rev. Grove Tharp
of Henderson, Md, and the Rev.
William Kitchens of Clayton, Of
ficiated. Interment was in Odd
Fellows cemetery, Smyrna. Mr..
Argo, who would have been 20 on
October 5, died Sunday, Septem-
ber % after being bedridden
since early May. He had been
ill for two years. When he re-
tired from the railroad five years
ago, he had completed a 27-year
freight and passenger run from
Clayton to Oxford, Md. He had
been with the railroad since
1910. He was a member of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
men and Enginemen of P.R.R,
Mr.. Argo was also a member
and trustee of Holden's Methodist
Church near Sudlersville, Md. He
also attended Delaney's Church
near Clayton. His daughter, the
Rev. Mabel v. Erskine, is pastor
of both. Surviving besides his
daughter are his wife, Mrs. Ethel
o. Argo; son, Lambert e. Argo
of Dover; stepson, Irville c.
Purse, of Wilmington; and two
granddaughters, Mrs. Verma
Doris Kelley of Clayton, Karen
Sue Argo of Dover, and one
grandson, Wayne Argo, also Of
Dover; also a great grandson,
William Thomas Kelley of Clay
ton; half brother, Frank Davis
of Hamilton Park and half
sister, Mrs. Edith Comiskey of
Ell Monte, Calf. Mr.. and Mrs.
Argo would have celebrated their
50th wedding anniversary Oct, 9,
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
V. f. w. Plan Dances

The Newnam-Lee-Urban Post
8S01, Veterans of Foreign Wars
has scheduled dances on Friday,
Oct. 5, and q masquerade dance
on Friday, Oct. 26. Held at the
post home in Clayton the music
will be provided by Mel Price
and His Santa Fe Rangers. The
post will also sponsor shooting
matches to be held on Oct. ID,
Oct. %, and Nov. 1S at the sand
pit back of the Clayton Ice Plant.
Shells and targets will be furn-
ished, and prizes of hams will be
awarded, with turkeys the prizes
at the shoot just before Thanks
giving. The next regular meet
ing of the post will be on Oct.
IL at the post home.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
TO HEAR MCDOWELL
US. Representative To Be Speak
er at Clayton P.T.A. Oct. 10

Sh ~ tAoS WI AstsRs wv ~
The Honorable Harris B. Nc
Dowell, Delaware's member of the
us. House of Representatives, will
speak to the Clayton School Par
ent Teacher Association on We'd
nesday evening, Oct. 10, at eight
o'clock on the topic, Federal Aid
to Education" Having served on
the Congressional committee which
considered legislation which would
have provided aid, Congressman
Mcdowell is particularly well
qualified to speak on the subject.
In recent years Federal aid has
been a matter of serious discus
sion and consideration due to the
fact that many schools, faced with
large building programs and the
necessity of providing substantial
yearly budget increases, have
found themselves in serious finan-
cial difficulties. The lack of finan-
cial resources, in some states, has
resulted in substandard education.
Following the meeting, refresh
ments will be served by the hos
pitality committee.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
I'D. TO AID IN
WATER SURVEY
Town Signs Agreement With
Department of Geology to
Survey Water Resources
AWARD FUEL OIL BID

Bids were opened at the regular
meeting of Town Council last Fri
day night for furnishing fuel oil
and gasoline for the towns use
for one year, starting october 1.
The low bid of Sinclair Refining
Company, through Julian Dunning,
was accepted by council. Council
also approved insurance coverage
on the boiler at Town Hall, fol-
lowing recommendation taken at
an earlier meeting. A delegation
consisting of Miss Alberta Cornell
ius, Roger Kelsey, and Bruce
Wright, representing the Silver
Eagles, was present at the meet
ing requesting police assistance at
the Saturday night dances con-
Quoted at the Century Club house.
Town Manager Rex D. Gilmore
reported that a cooperative agree
ment with the Department of
Geology at the University of Del
aware for investigation of the
towns water resources had been
signed, and it is expected that
the survey will be started in the
near future. Mr.. Gilmore read a
letter from Chitman, Requardt &
Associates referring to their re-
concentrations for future expan-
sion of the towns electric distri-
button system. A motion that the
Bartlett Tree Company be con-
tracted with for the removal of
seven trees on the west side of
School Lane between South Street
and Commerce Street, was car
ried. Councilman William E.
Jones reported on requests by res
idents that more calcium chloride
be used on the streets which are
now under construction, and coun-
Gil requested Mr.. Gilmore to get
in contact with the contractors
to use more dust controls.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
START CLASS
FOR RETARDED
Class For Mentally Retarded
To Start In Clayton
October 18th
TEACHER NEEDED

A class for mentally retarded
children will open in Clayton on
October Is. This class is being
set up for children in the Smyrna
Clayton area who cannot qualify
for classes in the public schools
or who are not making satisfac-
tory progress in the public schools
due to mental retardation. The
school will stress individual at
tention so that each child will be
able to work at his own level OF
ability. The program of the school
will place emphasis on self-care,
socialization, muscle coordination,
speech development, training in
crafts and domestic skills, and as
much academic learning as the
children are able to absorb. Child
rem from A to 21 years of age will
be considered for enrolment in
the class. Children should be
toilet-trained and able to walk,
but it is not necessary that they
be able to speak. A room for the
class is being provided by Eweli's-
st. Paul Methodist Church in
Clayton. A teacher is being sought
to teach the class, but if one is
not found by october 15 the class
will be taught on a part-time
basis by parents until full-time
teacher is available. While a
teacher with special training or
experience in teaching the men,
tally retarded would have an adj
vantage, any teacher who is sim
cerely interested in this type of
child will be given serious consid-
Grafton. The teacher chosen will
be given an opportunity to OBJ
serve the work being done in the
Kutner-DelARC School for retard-
ed children in Wilmington and she
will be given assistance in plan
ming her program by trained spec
ialists from the Delaware Asso-
citation for Retarded Children. she
will also be encouraged to take
college extension courses while
she is teaching and to attend con-
ferences so that she may better
prepare herself for her work. Per-
sons interested in applying for the
position of teacher or enrolling
their retarded children in the class
should call Mrs. Marshall Cross
ley at Smyrna $3.50 or Mrs. James
Reynolds at Smyrna 3454.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
OUTLINE PROGRAMS
Future Programs Outlined at Ro-
tary Meeting Thursday


James Cooper, program chair
man, outlined future programs at
the meeting of the Smyrna Rot
airy Club Thursday night at The
Wayside Inn, including a Halo
we'en party and ladies night cele-
bration at the Louis Caras Res
taurant, and also affiliation with
the Smyrna Special District School
Parent Teacher Association in
preparing for the future needs of
the Smyrna Elementary School.
Past District Governor William
E. Matthews, Jr., spoke on the
proposed redistricting of Rotary
in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania
and Delaware clubs. The New
Jersey-Delaware District, known
as the 272nd, comprising fifty
five clubs, is under close observa-
ton for division, making it
two-club area, he explained. The
proposition is frowned upon by
the clubs in the district, Mr.. Mat
thews continued, and the issue
is now at a standstill and may
be dropped entirely. Nelson Ever
hart led group singing, with Rob-
ert Reed as pianist. Edward H.
Wilson, Jr. presided. Visitors in
cluded Alden v. Keene, Wallace
Hufnal, E. Earl Shivery and M.
Charles Money, all of Middletown;
Walter T. Massey, Dover; and
Samuel Walker, Camden -Wyom-
ing.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week is being
observed by the Citizens Hose
Company and the activities in
clude visits to the schools, fire
drills and programs at the Smyr-
ma High School, Smyrna Ele-
mentary School, and the Thomas
d. Clayton School. A film is
shown at the movies each night,
and the usual prizes for essays
on fire prevention written by
school children will be awarded.
The committee named for Fire
Prevention Week has as chair
man James Truax, and includes
Henry Dukes, and Alan Robin
son.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
SILVER EAGLES
RESUME MEETS
Present Youth Citizenship
Awards to Renee Stevens,
HI. Price and F. Corso
GLEE CLUB ACTIVE

The Silver Eagles will resume
regular meetings with the follow
ing officers providing leadership:
Fred Corso, honorary president;
Bruce Ennis, acting president;
Roger Kelsey, secretary; Richard
Nelson, corresponding secretary;
Bruce Wright, treasurer; Miss Al
berta Cornelius and John w. Dick
inson, senior advisers. The Silver
Eagles Glee Club have two sing
ing engagements for the month
of October. They will present an
hour of sacred music at the even
ing service at Asbury Methodist
Church on Oct. z. On Sunday,
Oct. IA, the Glee Club will sing
at an afternoon program in the
Methodist Church at Summit
Bridge. The group of older teen
age boys sponsored one of their
group, Barry Pritchard, in the re-
cent Pushmobile Derby, in which
he won a ten-dollar prize. Youth
Citizenship awards for 1856 were
presented to Renee Stevens, Henry
T. Price, and Fred Corso. The
award is made to members of the
senior class of Smyrna High
School who have contributed the
most to youth and the community
during the past year. The award
consists of a certificate of merit,
a cash prize of ten dollars, and
the placing of the names upon the
citizenship plaque which is dis
played in the high school lobby.
The Eagles will contribute ten
dollars each week toward their
1857 scholarship fund for worthy
graduate of next years class at
the school. The group will hold
regular meetings in the basement
of the Youth Center on Wednes-
days at 7:30 pm. Application
forms may be obtained from any
member of the club for boys in
terested in joining.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Police Investigating Accident

The Smyrna police are still in
vestigating and trial has been set
for a later date in the case of
Woodrow w. Williams, Marydel,
Del, on a charge of failing to re-
port an accident, which occurred
at the intersection of us. Routes
13 and 800. The accident hap
pened during a heavy rainstorm
and damages are estimated at
sos to both vehicles. Appearing
before Alderman William nj.
Doughten on a charge of shop
lifting, Hattie Mae Evans, RID.
Cheswold, was fined SIS.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Death of John McFann

John McFann, 68, died Saturday
at his home here. He was the son
of the late Samuel and Mary
ODay McFann, both of Delaware.
Funeral services were held Tues
day at 2 pm. from FAIRIES Funeral
Chapel, in charge of the Rev. w.
L. Beckwith, pastor of Asbury
Methodist Church. Burial was in
Lakeside Cemetery, Dover. The
only survivor is one brother, An
drew McFann, of Prospect Park,
Pennsylvania.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND
SUBSTITUTES NEEDED HERE

anyone at this date, especially in
view of the unusual combination
of subjects which Mrs. Lilly teach
es. They explained that in spite
of letters to almost a dozen place
ment agencies in this area, they
have had a few applications. Their
principal hope now lies in obtain
ing the services of a local person
who will take on this work for a
year in response to the schools
need. Officials pointed out that
they are also in need of qualified
substitutes for the present school
year and welcome any interested
person to contact the superintend-
ent or principal.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
JAYCEES PLAN PARADE
Halloween Parade Being Arrang-
ed by Committee of Two

Plans are going forward for
the Halloween parade to be
sponsored by the Smyrna-Clayton
Junior Chamber of Commerce,
and George d. Wright, general
chairman, has announced the ap-
pointment of the following COM
mittees: Martin Golden and Rich
ard Ennis, in charge of securing
judges, a stand for the judging,
arrange for prizes, and keep the
press informed as to date and
hour. Edward Melvin and Wal
ter Downes will take care of get
ting permission to hold the par
ade and street dance from Smyr-
ma Town Council, and also con-
tact the police to make sure of
the route of parade and assist
ance by the police department.
A committee comprising Arthur
Thomas, Fred Heinold, William
Porter, Thomas Bowers, and Will
liam Marsh was named to line
up the parade, keep the people in
line, start on time, and get addi-
tional men to help, if necessary.
Donald Heinold and George
Moore, Jaycee president, will con-
tact the Citizens Hose Company,
the American Legion, and ar
range for floats from interested
parties; also to get a band for
the event. Robert Bamberger and
Richard Ennis will be in charge
of music and provide a loud
speaker system for the judges.
The contestants will be in three
groups: 1. one to twelve years
of age, inclusive; 2. thirteen to
eighteen years, inclusive; and
nineteen years to unlimited age.
Prizes will be awarded in each
age group in three categories:
comic, fancy, and original.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04

officials of the Smyrna High
School announced this week that
they are in need of teacher of
English, mathematics and social
studies to replace Mrs. Joyce
Lilly, who has resigned effective
October 25 because of maternity.
Mrs. Lilly, formerly Joyce Riley,
has been in the Smyrna School
District for three years. She pre-
sently teahces two classes of jun
ior business training, a class in
9th grade English, and a class in
economic geography, and business
mathematics. School officials have
expressed concern over the possi-
bility of obtaining the services of
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Republicans To Hold Party

The Republican Party of Black
bird Hundred will hold a rally
Tuesday evening, october 9 at s
pm. at the Blackbird Community
Center. Women from the New
Castle County Women's Club will
attend, and county candidates. Re-
freshments will be served. Every
one is welcome to attend.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Appraisers in Northwest section

Appraisers in Northwest Section
Residents of the northwest Sec
ton of Smyrna are hereby noti-
fed that the professional apprais-
er has started work today, Thurs
day, in that area, and will appre-
ciate the cooperation of the peo-
pie. He will ask to see the inter-
ior as we'll as the exterior of the
homes and will expect answers to
questions. The work of apprais-
ing all the properties in Smyrna
is proceeding steadily under the
direction of Richard Keisel, re-
preventative of ]. M. Cleminshaw,
Inc, who were authorized by
Town Council to make the sur
vey.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Homecoming At Delaney,s

Homecoming services at Delan-
ey's Church will be held on Sun
day, October z at pm. The Rev.
Van Herscher will be the guest
speaker. The song leader for the
service is the Rev. John Eastlack
of Carney's Point, N. ]. There
will be special music. Mrs. Mabel
Erskine is the pastor of the
church.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Attended Fire Prevention Meet

Fire Chief Robert FAIRIES rep
resented the Citizens Hose Com
pany at the Fire Prevention con-
ference called by Governor Boggs
on Tuesday at Dover. Howell
Barnes, president-elected of the
Kent County Volunteer Firemen's
Association, and member of the
local fire company, also attended.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
REFERENDUM
MEETING HELD
Local School Needs Explain
ed at Special Meeting Last
Night at High School
PROGRAM A MUST"

The special meeting of residents
of the Smyrna Special School Dis
trict was held Wednesday evening
at the high school for the pur-
pose of explaining to local resi-
dents the need for additional
building space and increased local
funds for operating expenses. The
school board, with the aid of c.
L. Harmonson, legal advisor, pre-
sented the need, the plan, and the
cost relative to the additional
building proposed for the ele-
mentary school in Smyrna. The
taxes of the residents of the Smyr-
ma Special School District now are
the lowest of any special school
district in the state according to
figures released by the Office of
the State Department of Educa-
ton. At present residents Of the
Smyrna School District are pay
ing a total of q cents per each
500 of assessed property and
$500 capitation tax. Other dis
tricts run as high as so cents
per 800 Of assessed property and
$1,000 capitation tax. Twelve of
the fifteen special districts have
taxes on property of 40 cents or
more. The legislature of the State
passed bills during the last BIZ
ennium to provide for about $780,
100000 dollars of school building
in the state. OF this amount, local
districts must provide about S18,-
100000. Some districts in the state
have building programs running
in the millions as S2,500,000 for
Milford, $2,175,000 for Marshall
ton, S3,198,000 for Mount Pleas
ant, $5,500,00O for Alfred l, Du-
Pont, S4,000,000 for New Castle,
S5,750,000 for Newark. Smyrna
has a building program totaling
S240,000 with the local district
paying 40 per cent. Each district
must vote in favor of the building
program before the school may
make use of the funds available
for this purpose from the state.
The Board of Education of the
Smyrna Special School District
has set Saturday, october 13 for
the date for local referendums for
this purpose. The election will be
held from / to pm. Standard
Time e to pm. Daylight Saw
ing Time) in each of the school
buildings of the district. Any resi-
dent of the Smyrna Special School
District who is eligible to vote at
a general election and who has
lived for one month in the Smyr-
ma Special School District, for
three months in New Castle or
Kent County, as the case may be,
for one year in the state of Del
aware and is an American citizen
21 years of age or over at the
time of the election is eligible to
vote at this election. A person
does not have to be registered to
vote at this election. School Off
Gals pointed out again this week
that this building program is an
absolute must if double sessions
and badly overcrowded classes are
to be avoided in the near future.
Increases this year have jumped
total enrolment in the district
from 1,176 pupils in January of
1856 to 1928 pupils as of Sep
tember 31st.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Mrs. Jeanne G. Smith Gets Post

Mrs. Jeanne G. Smith, Smyrna
has been named national COM
mittee woman of the Active
Young Republicans. The ap-
pointment was made at meet
ing held October 1 at Alexand-
er's, Dover. Mrs. Smith is the
former Miss Jeanne Goldsbor-
ough, of Smyrna.
Smyrna times., 1956-10-04
Eisenhower Band Wagon Here

Plans are being completed for
the appearance in Smyrna of the
Eisenhower Band Wagon mid
afternoon of Wednesday, Oct: 10.
The Band Wagon will feature
eight pretty ike girls" in color
full costumes and contingent of
cars which will be touring the
state that day. Local arrange
ments are in the hands of Mrs.
Robert N. Newman, Republican
candidate for the State Legisla-
ture, and Mrs. Albert Northwood,
Leipsic, Kent County chairman,
Citizens for Eisenhower.