June 20, 1902

As this is the season of flowers, perhaps a few words regarding them may not be amiss. In the first place, all eyes that have any application for beauty, are attracted by their lovely variegations and sweet perfume. The various successions of spring, summer and autumn flowers, from the trailing: arbutus, nestling under the decayed leaves along the brooklet bank to the crimson dahlia, which withstands for a time the chilling winds of autumn, are all expected and looked for by the children, the maiden and the connoisseur in the amalgation[i] [sic] of forms and colors. The beauty and combination of their arrangement is so varied in the various flora of the different zones, as to be the admiration of the different populace residing within the isotherms to which they are indigenous. Aside from their attractiveness to the eye, their value to health cannot be estimated at a single look or glance. It is the flowers that absorb and live upon the poisonous gases of the air, disinfecting the atmosphere, and making our stay upon earth possible. As a deodorizer for the sick room, flowers stand first in “materia medica,” and their value cannot he too highly praised. Taken altogether, for beauty, for perfume, as a disinfectant and deodorizer, flowers have no second place in the world’s pharmacopeia. And who does not appreciate them? See the young man and the old bachelor, with a rose or pink in the lapel of his coat! Look at the young maiden, with her bosom aflame with the flora of the field or rose garden! Are they not pretty—the flowers, we mean—surely earth has no more lovely attractions than the flowers.[ii]

The cargo of street sweeping recently brought to this port and landed on the wharf is believed to be a menace to health, and we are called upon by the citizens of the town to bring this matter before the Board of Health. In this load of city refuse are old shoes, old garments of various kinds, and no one can possibly know what germs of disease may he hidden in the nasty mess.-If this was the water closet of some poor man, we are persuaded the Board of health would pounce down upon it, or the owner, like a streak of lightning from a thunder cloud. Why not investigate this pile of refuse, and if it is brought here as fertilizer for some farmer nearby, let them take charge of it and remove it, or require the captain who landed it on the dock to take it away. Public health requires this action, and public sentiment demands it. Can it not be done?

Captain James Bennum left on Thursday to resume his summer position as pilot on the steamer Republic, plying between Philadelphia and Cape May——a position he has tilled each summer for many years.

William Morley, of this town, has obtained a position at 3rd and Race Streets, Philadelphia, at a salary of $30 per month.

It looks as though Milton will soon be depopulated. So many are being called away to accept positions elsewhere. This speaks well for Milton boys-and Milton industry.

Isaac W. Nailor, contractor, has commenced on the work for the Game Association at Redden. The brick work is being done and the carpenters will commence in a few days.

Someone has written that Decoration Day was not observed in Milton, and drew the inference, that it seldom is. The fact of the matter is, Decoration Day is always observed in Milton; but for certain reasons, not so grandly as in some of our sister towns. Last Decoration Day was not observed, because for some unaccountable reason, the flags which were to have been used, did not arrive in town until Friday, June 13th.

The practice of oiling the steps in front of business places appears to not work well; for the loungers are dressing for the new roll, and on Saturday there were plenty of people on the steps. It is proposed to paint them with gas tar next.

Milton bridge in to be repaired. The county is to do the driveway at its expense, and the town is to relay the walks.

Robert B. Conwell died on Sunday afternoon of paralysis, aged 65 years, 1 month, and 1 day. Funeral services were held at the M. P. Church on Tuesday afternoon, by the Rev. H. S Johnson, assisted by the Rev. L. P. Corkran, and interment made in Zion M. E. Cemetery. J. Roland Atkins funeral director.

Theron T. Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Baker, of Ellendale, died on Sunday of diarrhea, aged 16 months and 7 days. Funeral at Ellendale on Tuesday afternoon, and interment in Red Men’s Cemetery. Rev. V. E. Hills conducted the obsequies. S. J. Wilson funeral director.

The Saturday evening socials on the lawn adjoining the M. E. Church are much enjoyed, and are quite remunerative to the management.

On account of the death of Robert Conwell, whose residence is adjoining the M. P. Church, there were no services held by that organization on Sunday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Watson, of Wyoming, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Carey on Sunday. Mrs. Carey is the elder sister of Wm. Watson.

The evening services at the M. E. Church, will hereafter commence at 6.30, and continue at that time until September.

It is desired to keep the camp, which will commence at Lavinia’s Woods on August 2nd, before the public eye. The writer has written much regarding this particular woods, as it place of encampment. Its natural arrangements, combined with its artificial improvements, render it second to none in the State. A species of conference programme, which has not heretofore been in vogue regarding the senders of ministers for this camp, has been left to the wisdom of the President of the Conference. This, it is believed, will prevent any hard thoughts by ministers who were formerly on this charge should they not he called to the camp by the committee. We are indebted to a particular friend for this information, and believe the arrangement to be a good one. For this one reason there are many ministers who have filled the M. P. pulpit with predit [sic], and if the selection of ministers to attend the camp is left to the committee at home, there will be hard thoughts, or thoughts that there have been discrimination used in selecting these ministers. Expenses have to be paid, and all cannot come at the expense of the church. Therefore, we think it wisdom to leave the selection of the ministers to the President of Conference.

The genial face of S. W. Darby was seen in Milton on Monday. “Warren” was here on business, and the storm compelled him to stay all night. He was a guest at the Ponder House.

The storm of Monday night defoliated the shade trees of town considerably. The rain however, was badly needed, and we are glad it “comed.”

Capt. Scull’s vessel Golden Rule, reported ashore last week at Woodland Beach, has been gotten off by the skill and indomitable energy of Captain Scull himself. He went to the scene of the disaster and with knowledge, two jack-screws, and a hydraulic pump, got the vessel up enough to spike-lock two planks that had started. Captain Scull informs the writer “the vessel is all right.”

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[i] The intended word was probably amalgamation

[ii] This Victorian rhapsody on the benefits of flowers has a few factual errors: flowers are sex organs of the plants that produce them – the absorption of carbon dioxide is a function of the green leaves of the plant, not the flowers. And while there is some truth to the claim that flowers deodorize a sickroom, there is no evidence that the blooms have any disinfectant properties.