October 31, 1902

I am not acquainted in all of the towns of Delaware, but I think it will be conceded by every citizen of this town, and most certainly by every stranger who may visit here, that we have some of the roughest and most uneven pavements of any town on the Peninsula. The bricks which make these pavements, are some of them soft and some of them hard. The soft ones have worn out, making little holes alongside of the hard ones, which stand up as “toe stumps.” In the nighttime a person going on the street will find what he is not looking for. He will skip upon one of these pavements, and the first thing he knows his heel is in one of these holes, and the rest of his foot fetches up on one of these “toe stumps” alias hard bricks, and it he does not fall he will go richochetting [sic] like a ball when fired from a cannon strikes the water horizontally. Nothing along the streets can be meaner, nor more unpleasant than these sidewalks; and the mechanic who could make anything to compare with them, might receive a diploma as an adept in crazy work. A good hard dirt sidewall is, by all means, preferable to such brick ones as disgrace the town of Milton; and if nothing better can be done, we say take up the worn-out bricks and level down the walk, and give people something fit to travel on. We do not wish to be understood as applying the foregoing to all of the pavements in town; for there are some very nice ones that have been recently put down, but many of them are in a very bad condition, and these upon the most public thoroughfares. The time will doubtless soon come when this matter will be attended to; until then, we will wait.

President Boslee, of the Q. A.’s R. R. Co., was in town last week, and in company with him came a gentleman from Baltimore, who is engaged in the brick and clay combination. They visited Beardsley & Lofland’s brick yard, just below town and on the line of the railroad. The gentleman from Baltimore was favorably impressed with the quality of the clay, which obtains here, and it is understood that the managers and owners oi these works have a fine offer to form a co-partnership. It is hardly likely, however, that they will do so; as they have made a decided hit in securing this land for the purpose for which they are using it. They have already burnt many bricks, for which they have had an immediate market; and have this week fired another kiln of 60,000. They have dug down many feet, and the lode of clay appears to be practically exhaustless. This firm is equipped with all of the modern appliances and machinery for the conduct of their business: and while their capacity for manufacturing is large, the demand for the bricks is equal thereto. This establishment of business of Messrs. Beardsley &: Lofland, is doubtless now in its infancy, and larger developments may be looked for as the work advances.

We hear a great deal of complaint made on account oi the lack of conveniences around the railroad station. It does appear that the Queen Anne’s Company ought to recognize the Milton station enough to put water-closets there, if it will make no other conveniences. It gets enough freight and passenger traffic to warrant this, we should think.

A man from the country came into town a few mornings ago, to have some repairs made, and was much surprised to find the workman had not opened his shop; and it was then after 7 o’clock. The Milton people love their morning nap.

We don’t vouch for the truth of the stingiest man living in our town, but, it is said, this man’s wife boils one egg for breakfast and he cuts it in half for himself and wife. This is not because he is unable to provide more, but from downright stinginess.

Burton M. Robinson, who is employed as a carpenter in the government department at Washington, is at home, and will remain during the winter months.

A disciple of the Salvation Amy was in town on Thursday. He walked along the streets with an umbrella hoisted, and upon its white cover were many quotations from scripture. Wherever he could gain the attention of any one he talked. In the evening he talked to quite a number along the street, and left Milton that night on foot. He appeared to be equipped for “camping out,” which he doubtless did.

Some people in town, and many people near town, are setting out onion sets for advanced spring gardening.

The train was very late on Wednesday evening. This is attributed to the presence of the bridal party on board. The freight was too precious to take any risks.

On the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Conwell at that future home on Wednesday evening, the callithumpians[i], according to time-honored custom, gave them a rousing serenade. The wedded pair are now fairly ensconced, and the trials of life are begun.

Mr. Theodore Neal, after an absence of many years, paid Milton a visit last week

  1. Frank Grey, Lewis Benaro, C. A Conner and John Wilson, were in Philadelphia last week.

Farmers were complaining last week that the weather was too warm to house their corn; perhaps this week is better.

Lew White was arraigned before Squire Collins on Thursday, charged with stealing money front W. B. Tomlinson. After hearing the evidence, the justice held the accused in $300 bail for his appearance at court. It was furnished. This boy is a brother of the one who was arraigned the week previous on a like charge.

Robert Warrington, aged about nine years, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Warrington, ran away from home on Monday, occasioning much anxiety to his relatives. He was located at his grandmothers, about ten miles from town, and brought home by two of his uncles.

Mrs. Roland Atkins was also the victim of much anxiety on Monday by her little girl getting beyond the bounds of home. The mother after much search found the little pet at a neighbor’s, and was happy.

When we see a man walking along the street with his pantaloons turned up, because they are too long, we take it for a fact that be is either a single man, or if married, he has a very lazy wife.

On Sunday last, the Misses Elizabeth and Mayme Conner, were elected delegates to represent the Milton M. E. Sunday School, at the Seventh Annual Convention to be held at Greenwood on the 11th proximo.

Mr. J. M. Lank, trust officer of the S. T. T. and Deposit Company, has been spending several day in Philadelphia and at other places.

The culvert at the intersection of Magnolia and Union Streets, broke through on Monday night, and was repaired on Tuesday.

Mrs. Mary Martin, relict of the late John D. Martin, was stricken with paralysis at an early hour on Monday morning, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Oscar Carpenter, near Beaver Dam, from the effect of which she soon died. Rev. Frank Holland officiated at the obsequies, at Beaver Dam M. P. Church, on Thursday afternoon, and S. J. Wilson conducted the interment in the cemetery nearby. Deceased was 69 years, 7 months, and 7 days old.

 

 

[i] Callithumpian refers to a band of discordant instruments or a noisy parade. It was first noted in America in 1836.