June 27, 1902

As a person becomes aged, the practices he indulges in become noticeable to those who are younger. More so than to his associates. These practices are many. Perhaps the one most peculiar to aged people is that of carrying the head to the right shoulder. Our attention was called to this form a few years ago, notably the man who was the pioneer of the paper, bearing the name of the “Times” published by he, in Milton. It was thought by many, and we were at that time often asked the question, if the business of type setting did not make this peculiarity in the man’s contour? What our answers may have been at that particular time, we cannot now recall. But we are persuaded that the trade of a printer is not the only one that develops the peculiarity of carrying the head to one side—or more correctly speaking, “onesidiness.” We know men who are the paragons of all that is admirable, when taken in their general mood, but where different manners are so great, at times, that we scarcely know how to understand them. These men we have had to pass us on the street, head on one side and their whole body swinging like a crab, i. e., to one side; they give a leer from the right eye as much as to say, “I‘ll remember you farther on.” These are the men if you touch with a forty foot pole, you’ll get bit. Sam Patch said he could jump over Niagara Falls. He did it; and what was the result? There are other men who can do the same thing, and the result might be the same.

We have repeatedly called the attention of the county officials to the condition of the road at Lavinia’s Bridge, near the woods. This is not on the town. The Levy Court should see to this matter as it–the road—needs repairing.

Under the supervision of Mr. Peter Welch, a foot-walk has been made in front of the P. E. Church, and new steps have been built. These improvements were much needed, and add to the appearance as well as enhance the convenience of the patrons of the church.

The Baltimore merchants gave a free excursion to the Milton merchants and friends on Thursday to Rehoboth. This was largely patronized, and would have been more so, but a storm came up a short time before the train was due, and this occurrence deterred many ladies from going.

The sidewalk in front of Curtis Reed’s building, near the “Times” office, is in a deplorable condition during wet weather and should be repaired.

Dr. James A. Hopkins is making quite a commodious building out of the old one recently purchased by him on Chestnut Street. He is giving it a general repair, and when completed it will be quite a respectable addition to that part of the town.

The school election will take place next Saturday, and the contest promises to be a hot one. Prof. W. G. Fearing, Harry Robinson, and Harry Taylor have been nominated by the old board; and E. W. Warren, Clarence Lank, and Josiah Culver, by the people. There may be other tickets in the field as the election approaches.

E. N. Lofland and Harry Taylor, have built a pleasure boat to ply on the Broadkiln. Length, 16 feet, breadth of beam 3 feet 8 inches. She is a propeller, and was launched on Saturday under the name of Lloyd Taylor. Her speed will be given at a future date.

Isaac W. Nailor left Milton on Monday morning with the men, to begin the work on the building or the Game Association at Redden.

Burton M. Robinson, who has been visiting Milton for five weeks, returned to Washington on Thursday, where he is engaged in the government service at carpentry.

George W. Atkins, the Milton hustler, whose name will often appear in these columns, not only on account of his business sagacity, but as being one of the pillars of the M. P Church, left town on Monday in his business capacity. He will visit Chincoteague and other parts of Eastern Virginia this week.

At the entrance to Lavinia’s Woods, east, may be seen a note of warning. It is raised high, and attached to two poles. It reads as follows: “No more rubbage[i] [sic] here in this woods.” It has been a common custom for persons to haul all refuse matter around the branch on Lavinia’s. This notice is supposed to mean, that the nuisance must be stopped. And it should be. It is useless and uncalled for, to make even the small part of the beautiful woods of Lavinia’s, a catacomb for animals.

The question of getting the Philadelphia mails due at Milton by the way of Cape May, when the steamer is put on, is being agitated in town. We can get it quicker by this route than by the Queen Anne’s Railroad. Our Saturday evening mail we now get via Lewes and the D. M. and V. Railroad on Monday morning via Queen Anne’s from Lewes up. Nice arrangement, isn’t it?

We are having it very seasonable at present. The splendid rains are fructifying vegetation and becundation [sic] is more apparent than a few weeks ago when the prolificity of every growing thing appeared to be backened by the drought.[ii]

While his vessel is unloading at Philadelphia, Captain John Fisher has paid a visit to his family in Milton. Captain Fisher is one of those wholesouled men we like to meet; always affable and genial. He returned to his vessel on Tuesday.

That wash out at Lavinia’s had better be attended to. The writer was there on Monday morning. The recent rain has made it so bad, that it is impossible to cross the bridge without driving into the wash on both sides. This is the last time we expect to call the attention of the Levy Court to this matter. The next time we write of it we expect to record an accident, for which the county will have to pay.

The schooner Golden Rule, reported ashore at. Woodland Beach, is now all right. Capt. Scull, the owner, informs us she landed her cargo in Philadelphia. The vessel is now in Milton dock reloading. A little “gumptlon and goose grease go a great ways” sometimes–and some other times.

Miss Mary Fisher, sister of Capt. John Fisher, is quite ill.

—————————–

[i] The misspelling of rubbish as rubbage is perhaps forgivable and certainly humorous. However, no apparent notice was taken by Conner or his editor of that misspelling.

[ii] This paragraph cries out for an editor’s attention. Becundation is probably meant to be written fecundation, and prolificity (not in the dictionary) would better be said as abundance. Backened (not in the dictionary) could very well have been said as retarded.