The propitious weather for the past week has produced an activity amongst farmers that is not unusual at this season. Unlike many localities form which we have heard, the land around and contiguous to Milton is not “drowned out” – neither inundated to any considerable degree. There are some low lands on which the water is standing, but the major part is in a condition for ploughing and manuring. And the farmers and truckers are availing themselves of the beautiful weather to advance their work. Potatoes have been planted, and much work of an early character has been done. The farmers are also taking into account the value of the different kinds of manure and fertilizers, and calculating the work required in the use of each, and drawing their own rational conclusions. As a result, we see quantities of fertilizers hauled from town to the lands nearby.

A church social was held after class meeting on Wednesday evening of last week in the lecture room of the M. E. Church. The ostensible purpose of this social work was to welcome the return of the Rev. L. P. Corkran to this charge for another year. Refreshments, consisting of ice cream, cake, etc. were served free of charge, We suppose there are but few people—if any—but who are delighted at the return of Mr. Corkran; but isn’t it singular how many people will turn out on an occasion when sweetmeats, or something of the kind are furnished free? This social was well represented, and the intellectual caliber of the audience may be gathered by the social conversation of the evening.

Joseph H. Carey, Frederick H. Carey and Charles H. Davidson will soon enter into the lumber business. They will erect a mill near Parker’s bridge for sawing purposes, and a planer for dressing lumber. They intend to work flooring, and do all kinds of mill work required in the erection of modern buildings They will saw framing, shingling and plastering laths, and any lumber that may be required in town or country buildings. The firm will be known as the “Carey Bros. and Davidson Lumber Co.” As these men are to some degree experts in this business, and Milton needs just such a mecyhan8inhcal industry, we bespeak for the prospective firm success.

The weather of the past winter, and particularly of March, has been free from high winds to a greater extent than for many years. We notice this from observing the many old and dried leaves that are yet hanging on the trees, and which the moderate winds of the past months have failed to defoliate.

The National Bank of Milton has been sheathed internally with metal. The design is in mezzotinto, and beautiful; far superior to anything we have ever seen in a country town. We must say the design shows in part the progressiveness of the management of this bank, and Banker Conwell with his urbane disposition and polished manners, musty feel at home amid his new surroundings.

Misses Laura Conner, Lizzie King[i] and Estella Davidson[ii] were the guests of Lewes on Friday and Saturday.

James Ponder, Esq., attorney-at-law of Wilmington, visited his mother Mrs. Sallie Ponder, last week.

Captain Henry Johnson and family, formerly of Lewes, have removed from Milton to their farm in Broadkiln.

The Draper Canning Company, of Prime Hook, is shipping canned tomatoes from the Milton station to Baltimore.

Quantities of piling are being shipped from Milton dock. The schooner Golden Rule is the last to load.

G. W. Atkins returned home on Tuesday from a part of a two week’s tramp in the upper part of the State and in New Jersey. George is a working fellow, and reports big sales. He deserves to make them.

Betts & Collins will put a peddling wagon on the road. The wagon is substantially built, partly of galvanized iron, and is “burglar proof” in

the general meaning of the term.

If one when walking on Broad Street will stop opposite the residence of the Rev. H. S. Johnson, and view the pretty exotics there displayed in his bay window, the feeling of sensuous delight that will thrill through his frame will amply repay the trouble.

Eli L. Collins has a fine field of wheat near town.

The Milton Daughters paid a visit to Ellendale on Friday evening, for the purpose of organizing an “Order of Pocahontas.”

Miss Maggie Ingram has removed her furniture to Camden, N. J. The report is current that before the Easter roses bloom Miss Maggie will be a happy bride. We extend congratulations in advance.

The bank officials of Milton now wear overcoats that come within four or six inches of the ground—and on the wrapper order. All they now need is a Turkish cap, and they loo look like Bulgarian Monks fresh from the Mediterranean, the Dardanelles, or the shores of the Black Sea.

Samuel Burris, of Norfolk, Va., is visiting his parents.

Walter Beardsley had his hand mashed while working in the brickyard last week.

The opening of the millinery department of the “Big Store” will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Much skill and trouble has been spent to make the occasion pleasant, and a beautiful display is expected.

James A. Draper, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Draper of Prime Hook, died on Friday of pneumonia, aged 6 months and 14 days. Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon by the Rev. V. S. Hills at Slaughter Neck Church, and the remains interred in the cemetery nearby. S. J. Wilson & Son undertakers.

At six o’clock on Monday morning, Miss Mamie Lofland, of this town, was united in matrimony with Dr. I. H. Wilson, of Pittsburgh, Pa. The ceremony was performed at the home of the bride’s parents on Union Street by the Rev. L. P. Corkran. The wedding couple left on the morning train for northern parts.

Miss Mayme Conner is taking a course in bookkeeping under Miss Cooper, at Milford.[iii]

Dr. R. B. Hopkins is yet quite ill.

The official board of the M. P. Church met on Monday evening and settled up the business of the past year.

Rev. H.S. Johnson left on Wednesday morning to attend the Maryland Annual Conference, which convened on that day.

Mrs. Letitia Lank died suddenly morning. Funeral services were held at the late home of the deceased on Wednesday afternoon and the remains were deposited in the M. E. Cemetery. Rev. L. P. Corkran conducted the obsequies, and S. J. Wilson & Son managed the funeral. Mrs. Lank leaves to survive her two sons—Captain William Lank, of Philadelphia, and Captain James Lank, of Lewes; one daughter, Mrs. Marianna Black, of Milton; and several grandchildren. Mrs. Lank was about 82 years of age.

Note: The byline on this column is “CRUSADER.” David A. Conner will continue to use this byline for the rest of 1903.

———————————

[i] Lizzie King was a first cousin to Laura Conner and the other Conner siblings, on her mother’s side.

[ii] Estella Davidson was a more distant relative of the Conner siblings, by marriage, through Susan Conner’s husband.

[iii] It appears that David A. Conner’s daughter Mayme has progressed from a correspondence course in bookkeeping to a classroom experience.