July 18, 1902

The School Board met on Monday evening, the 7th inst., and passed a resolution raising the teacher’s salaries to wit: 1st assistant, from $30 to $40; the three other assistants from $30 to $35 per month. On the evening of Thursday, the lot’: inst., the Board met for the election of teachers. The resolution passed at the previous meeting had caused so much indignation among the people of the town, that a motion to reconsider said resolution was offered, and upon a vote being taken, there were four to four. The president of the Board, Prof. W. H Welch, with magnanimous courtesy—although opposed to a reconsideration–cast his vote for a reconsideration. The final vote, however, sustained the action of the previous meeting. There were about forty applications received by the secretary for the position of teachers, from Delaware. Maryland, Pennsylvania, and one from New York. The following selections were made: 1st assistant, Mary E. Raughley, of Denton, Md.,——whether Miss or Mrs. the Board could not inform us—2nd assistant, Miss Martha Calhoun; 3rd assistant, Miss Linda Todd, of Greenwood; 4th assistant, Miss Mollie Hazzard. The second and fourth assistants are from Milton. There were several applications for principal; but as no certificates accompanied these applications, further consideration in that line was postponed until the 24th inst. There were two of the former Milton teachers turned down. One without cause, as the President of the Board informs me. We, however, succumb to the “powers that be” “with charity to all, and malice toward none.[i]” This school fight has been something unprecedented in the annals of the Milton school system. Why was this? The future will answer the query. There have been animosities engendered that will “never” be obliterated. (Not with the writer; for what I have to say, I say it, and am done with it). But there is a history behind that may come to light if necessary. A little spark may blow up the magazine; and-there may yet be some pertinent questions propounded that may require an answer.

W. H. Warren proposes to go into the chicken business. He proposes to establish a hennery that will outdo all henneries since the cackling of the goose saved Rome. He has now on hand 300 chickens (grown), 30 turkeys and I don’t know how many guineas. They are pretty as they gobble up the one and one-half bushels of corn thrown to them daily. They are of various breeds. Mr. Warren has gone into this business with the assurance that young chickens are bringing 35 cents a pound at Cape May.

Rev. L. P. and Mrs Corkran left on Thursday for a few days outing at Oak Orchard and other places along Indian River. Mr. Corkran has been in ill health for some weeks, and takes this time off as a means of recuperation. During his absence—on Sunday last—his pulpit was filled by the Rev. J. A. Buckson of Ellendale.

Theodore Parker, a former resident of Milton, died at his home in Philadelphia on Tuesday, the 3th inst. The remains were brought to Harbeson on Tuesday, where I. Roland Atkins, undertaker, received them and conveyed them to the M. E. Cemetery at Milton, where they were deposited with proper obsequies.

Deceased was 75 years of age, and a man who, at one time, was a flourishing mercantile authority in the city where he died; but like many another good man was unfortunate in business. He and Captain J. C. Atkins of this town, married sisters; and for many years Mr. Parker was a yearly and welcome guest at the home of Captain Atkins. Mr. Parker has friends and many acquaintances in Milton, who remember him with happy memory; his congeniality was proverbial, his death is lamented.

Mr. Fred Ellingsworth, of Philadelphia, son-in-law of J. Dutton Hart, after attending the funeral of the latter on Tuesday, visited Milton and was the guest of his many friends for a short time. This is the first time Mr. Ellingsworth has been to Milton for three years. He was accompanied by Mrs. Ellingsworth and family. The five were compelled on Wednesday afternoon to be transported by private conveyance to Ellendale to make connection with the train for Philadelphia. Nice mail facilities, surely, and passenger arrangements, also.

W. W. Smithers, Esq., attorney-at- law of Philadelphia, visited his mother and many friends on Wednesday, returning to the city via Lewes and Cape May – a more expeditious route than by train from Milton west and north.

Satan appeared to have been turned loose in Milton last week, in the form of drummers. They came from all points of the compass. It is said some of them swam the Broadkiln from Lewes to Broadkiln Beach to get ahead of their competitors.

William C. Lindale died at his home, at Stevensville, Md., Wednesday. July 9th, aged 40 years. The remains were shipped to Milton via Queen Anne’s railroad on Friday, and there taken in charge by S. J. Wilson, and transported to St. John‘s Church, near Springfield Cross Roads, where fitting obsequies were held. After which the remains were deposited in family burial ground.

The tomato crop looks promising in this section, and we are inclined to believe from the present outlook, that growers had better had made some contracts.

Captain Frank Carey was home a few days last week.

Our “Little LeRoy” has a tricycle and is “going through the rye[ii]” in the matter of practicing.

The mad dog scare of Milton is all unfounded. Only a little excitement from a man who had been to Lewes on the Fourth.

The Waples property on Broad Street is being repaired.

Prof. P. Page Atkins celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday. Prof. Atkins has a splendid home; and may be seen on any of these hot days sitting in his front porch passing beautifully and pleasantly down the declivity of life.

One of the foot walks at the bridge has been made new.

A horse ran down one of the streets of town on Saturday causing some excitement, but doing no other damage than breaking up the harness; and the owner thinks this is enough.

The camp ground at Lavinia’s was cleaned off on Saturday by the owners of tents and their friends. This camp will begin August 2nd.

After the 18th inst., all dogs of Milton will be required to wear muzzles; by order of the “powers that be.” This is right.

Water lilies are looking pretty along the margins of the lake.

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[i] Excerpted from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

[ii] Possible excerpt from the poem Comin’ Thro’ the Rye written in 1782 by Robert Burns (1759–96). The poem and its melody was a popular children’s rhyme in the 19th century.