April 25, 1902

 

“The child that enters life comes not with knowledge or intent;
So those who enter death must go as little children sent,
Nothing is known, but I believe that God is overhead;
And as life is to the living, so death is to the Dead.”[i]

“Death.” wrote Faber, “ls an unsurveyed land, an unarranged science.”

Poetry draws near death only to hover over it for a moment and withdraw in terror. History knows it simply as a universal fact. Philosophy finds it among the mysteries, of being the one great mystery of -being not. All contributions to this dread theme are marked by an essential vagueness, and every avenue to its approach seems darkened by impenetrable shadow. Death is solemn at all times, and when long expected, but when it comes as sudden and swift as the lightning stroke, then the solemnity encircles it as does the coroner, at times, the sun or moon such was the case last Wednesday morning, when the astounding news flashed over Milton that John E. Walls had died suddenly of paralysis, at 4 o’clock on that morning. Mr. Walls was 70 years of age, and leaves to survive him a widow and two daughters, Mrs. John Jones, of Lewes, and Mrs. John B. Barker, of Milton. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a pensioner of the government; also a member of the Caleb Rodney Layton Post G. A. R. at Georgetown. By trade be was a ship carpenter, but during his later years he has been unable to do much work. He was a kind and loving husband and father, and we believe, an honorable man. The funeral services were held on Friday afternoon at the late home of the deceased, by the Rev. L. P. Corkran, and the remains inhumed in the M. E. Cemetery. J. B. Atkins funeral director.

“Thus ‘neath their parent turf they rest,
Far from the gory field.
Borne to a spartan‘s mother’s breast,
On many a bloody shield:
The sunshine of their native sky
Smiles sadly on them here;
And kindred eyes and hearts watch by
The heroe’s sepulchre.[ii]

Mrs. Hettie Holland, wife of John Holland, died at her residence near the Drawbridge on Wednesday, aged 60 years. The funeral, which was-very largely attended, was held on Saturday at the Presbyterian Church, near Midway, in Lewes and Rehoboth Hundred, by the Rev. Mr. Wainwright, and sepulture made in the adjacent cemetery. J. B. Atkins funeral director.

Charles H. Warren died near Staytonsville on Thursday, the 17th inst., aged 36 years, 6 months, and 23 days. Funeral services at Staytonsville M. E. Church on Saturday; interment ln cemetery nearby. S. J. Wilson conducted the funeral.

James W. Sheppard died at his home near New Market on Thursday, of general debility, aged 80 years, 8 months and 8 days. Funeral at Ellendale on Sunday afternoon. Rev. Mr. Buckston officiating; interment in the Clendaniel Cemetery. S. J. Wilson in charge of funeral

Dr. J. A. and Mrs. Hopkins visited Dover on Wednesday returning to Milton on Saturday via Frederica, Mrs. Hopkins’ girlhood home.

Rev. H. S. Johnson visited North East, Md. last week; and in returning home via Baltimore missed the boat, and had to spend another night that was not programmed away from home. Always be in time for the boat, brother.

Walter Hunter, a medical student at Jefferson College, from this town, is visiting his grandparents, Captain and Mrs. Eli Burris.

The citizens on Federal Street are improving their lawns. Many of them have taken up their front fences, bricked up and levelled the former enclosure, and the grass is now growing in profusion thereon.

On Friday morning the time-pieces and whistles that are generally looked on as chronometers, happened to be all alike. It is supposed, someone the night previous, went around and had them set to his time.

Messrs. Coverdale & Welch are painting the dwelling of James Morris on Chestnut Street, South.

For convenience of hitching horses, and to have them from off the street, the proprietor of the “Big Store” has had racks put up in the rear of the store. This is a decided departure from the old routine, and will certainly be appreciated by the customers.

Thomas lngram has an agency for the Economic Insurance Company of Wilmington, Del.

The time has arrived for the Philadelphia papers to kill the Delaware peach crop. The weather of the past two weeks will give them a favorable text on which to base their surmises. But peaches are all right yet.

Wenonah Tribe. No. 4, Daughters of Pocahontas, was organized in Milton on Friday evening, by Waneta Tribe, No. 1, of Wilmington. There were 36 members, from which the following officers were selected: Prophetess, Mrs. Effie Warrington; Pocahontas, Mrs. Lillie Davidson, Wenonah, Miss Edna Coverdale; Powhatan, Mrs. Harriet E. Barker; Keeper of Records, Miss Sallie B. Fields; Assistant Keeper of Records, Mrs. Lora Welch: Keeper of Wampum, Miss Lulu Warrington.

We are requested by the Rev. A. J. Perry, to announce that services will be held at Bennum’s camp ground, commencing on May 4th, at 2 o’clock p. m., and continuing each and every Sunday afternoon, indefinitely. Subject, for May 4th, “The House of Wisdom.“

We do not think there would be much exaggeration it we should say about one man in every five in Milton, is a life insurance agent or trying to become one. A general talent will come here and appoint sub-agents as fast as some of the secret societies raise up chiefs. The field is very inviting, as there is everything to gain and nothing to lose.

C. H. Atkins is having another show window put in the front of the western part of his mammoth store.

Mrs. Cade is having new fences made, and other repairs about her property, at the end of Milton Lane; as is also, Mr. Nathan Williams.

A cannery is about to be built at Harbeson. The building will be in the form of an L, dimensions, one wing 40×60 feet; the other wing 30×40 feet. This will be operated by E. W. Scarborough of Baltimore. There will also be one built at Coolspring. Dimensions: 40×60 feet. This will be operated by Howard Bayards, of Harford County, Md. With four canneries in Broadkiln hundred, it looks as though the demand for tomatoes would be great.

Silas Warrington will build two houses at Harbeson. One is to be finished in a short time, as the intended occupant is waiting.

0ls‘er Moore, of Bishopville, Md., has purchased the property of Levin Moore, at Harbeson. Consideration, $300.

One half of the pear orchard of William Chandler, now in tenure of Thomas Spencer, in the suburbs of town, is in full blossom and presents a pretty appearance. Go look at it, girls, and you will admire its beauty.

On Sunday afternoon the M. E. Sunday School elected Mrs. Mary Lank and Mrs. L. P. Corkran, and the M. P. Sunday School Miss Sallie Fields and Miss Lulu Warrington, delegates to attend the Delaware State Sunday School Convention to be held in Wilmington on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd proximo. Edward Davidson, Secretary of Broadkiln Hundred, will probably attend ex officio.

It is understood the Seaford-Lewes Trolley Line have obtained the “right of way” to within three miles of Milton.

The George E. Megee Company are shipping large quantities of piling from Harbeson to Lewes to fill a contract they have with the Fisheries Company at that place.

George W. Atkins left again on Monday morning on his regular business tour through the Peninsula. Mr. Atkins is selling large quantities of shirts on-his route, while other men are doing nothing. Why is this thus? First, because Mr. Atkins is a first-class salesman. Second, because the Milton Shirt Factory turns out a superior quality of goods, both in make and material, to any other factory known. This is proven by the parties who buy the shirts, and by the persons who wear them.

Contractor Isaac W. Nailor has been awarded the contract to build the game keeper’s cottage and stables at Redden. Mr. Nailor’s bid was $6,345 for the cottage, and $3,130 for the stable. In addition to this he has a building to erect for N. W. White; some additions to make to the house of Mrs. Viva Leonard, and a job for T. H. Douglass.

Rev. L. P. and Mrs. Corkran, left town on Monday, Mr. Corkran for a trip to Baltimore; Mrs. Corkran for a visit to Chester, Pa.

Lydia Warren, wife of Robert Warren, died at her home near Ellendale, on Monday, aged 80 years, 3 months and 17 days. Funeral services were held at Ellendale on Wednesday morning by the Rev. Mr. Bucksom, and sepulture-made in the M. E. Cemetery. S. J. Wilson funeral director.

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[i] Excerpt from The Two Mysteries, Mary Mapes Dodge (1831 –1905), an American children’s writer and editor, best known for her novel Hans Brinker

[ii] Excerpt from The Bivouac of the Dead, Theodore O’Hara (1820 – 1867). He wrote the poem in 1847 on his return from the Mexican War while walking in the Frankfort Cemetery. The poem appears on many military monuments, including one at the Arlington National Cemetery.