July 17, 1903

There were several days last week that the thermometer registered in the nineties, and on Saturday afternoon quite suddenly, an ominous cloud came from the northwest and for a short time a regular storm of dust prevailed. It was impossible to see, and those who were walking on the street were obliged to close one eye and peep out of the other one. Quite a nice shower of rain fell, continuing at intervals into the night, cooling the […] sphere and withering vegetation.

The picnic held at the Zion M. E. Church on the 11th was of the old style Methodist variety. It is of no use to talk, to wink, to criticize, or to howl, but if you want a thing done in right kind of order, go to the country people to […] if you want to have a happy and pleasant time, go and associate the country people, and you will have it. The picnic referred to was gotten up by what we may call contribution, i.e., some people bought sugar, some people bought lemons, some bought confectioneries, and others contributed […]. Twenty-five gallons of ice cream and a table loaded with confectionery and refreshments was spread before the people, and “come and help yourselves” said the invitation. It is said that over one hundred children were made happy, and all were delighted. The poor, who were not able to buy, shared equal with those who were. All was free. There were no pretty ladies standing by the table gaping for some little one to come up and spend five cents, or all it had; but those who had the matter in charge, rather went out and compelled them top coma and be made happy. Commenting on this picnic, some of the members of the Milton churches are led to contrast the management with the management of socials of their own. With the latter, it is the money they want, and all they can […] of it. And the Milton venders of ice cream are think pretty hard, and talking very loud of the action of the church in holding its socials and selling ice cream, conflicting with their business. It is said that the church does not need to do this to raise money, as its finances are in good condition; it is simply the work of a grasping few. It will be understood that the writer does not take any stock in this muddle. He is merely trying to write the sentiments of a part of the community regarding the action, leaving the leaders of the socials and the vender of ice cream to do as they please.

Fred Welch has opened an ice cream garden near his residence. The locality and natural surroundings are attractive, resembling somewhat a grotto, though not of a subterranean structure. A large maple tree gives chase throughout the entire day, and various genera of shrub […] exclude the sun’s rays in its afternoon […]. The place is nicely fitted up with tables and seats on a ground floor, and in the evening when lighted with Chinese lanterns, looks graphic and picturesque, wild and beautiful. A pet crow welcomes visitors, and Mr. Welch does the rest.

The “Milton Times” is said now to be under a new management, “The Times Publishing Company.” We are requested to inquire whom “The Times Publishing Company” are? The people want to know.

Ex-State Treasurer C. H. Atkins left on the 5th, and joined a party from Dover and Wilmington for a trip to the Pacific Coast and other points.

“Simp,” who was sentenced at the last term of court to a period of imprisonment, has completed his stay with Sheriff Steele and is again in Milton, awaiting pastimes new.

The school assessment for the town was made last week.

Miss Mayme A. Conner has completed her studies in bookkeeping with Miss Cooper, stenographer, bookkeeper and type writer, of Milford, and is now ready for an engagement.

A special agent of the Rural Mail Delivery System was in town last week, and was also looking over the country around Milton. He was non-communicative but from what we can gather, there is a possibility of two rural routes from Milton, and a certainty of none.

Martin Chandler lost his pocketbook containing $7.00 and some receipts. He subsequently found it in his wood yard; the money gone, and the receipts in the book. Mr. Chandler, who is an industrious man of about fifty years of age says he made the most of this money […] corn, and he hopes it may do the one who got it as much good as it would have done himself.

K. C. Beardsley threshed his wheat crop near town on Saturday afternoon.

Anderson & Co. received another carload of cans last week.

Otis M. Church, infant child of Mr. and Mrs. William Crouch, died on Thursday of cholera infantum, aged 7 months and 17 days. Funeral services were held on Friday afternoon by the Rev. H. S. Johnson, at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. […]. Interment made in the M. E. Cemetery, S. J. Wilson & Son, undertakers.

The colored baseball team of Belltown and the Milton team played a game in this town on Saturday afternoon. We must compliment the Bell Towners as being a quiet, orderly and peaceable company. There was no riot, no fuss, nor no [sic] disputes.

When we interrogated Jester, the […], about the arrival of trains, and how he kept posted on their schedule, he replied: “I don’t try to keep up with them; I meet all I can, and let the others go.”

Mr. Benjamin, father of the Rev. H. S. Johnson’s wife, is very ill at the M. P. Parsonage. Another daughter and a son arrived on Saturday evening to visit him.

Some repairs have been made of late on Chestnut Street.

Dr. Douglass and family, who have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Douglass, returned to Baltimore on Monday.

Notwithstanding the heavy rain that prevailed on Monday morning, G. W. Atkins started with his team into Kent County, on his regular rounds, as salesman. George is in a hurry, and wants to get up with his work, so as he may have a pleasant time at Lavinia’s Camp.

The shade trees along the street of the town need trimming. On a wet and rainy day when persons are walking along the sidewalks, their umbrellas will telescope with the lower limbs, and give them a disagreeable wetting in the face. “A word to the wise, etc.”

Beardsley & Lofland will, in a few days, fire a kiln of 130,000 bricks; and are at work on material for another one.

The town was billed on Monday for a production of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” It will take place, under canvas, on Monday evening next.

In the heavy rain of Monday, we saw a man going along the street with an umbrella under his coat. When asked the reason why he carried it there, during the rain, he replied “The handle’s broke; I am going to mend it, and don’t want to get it wet.”

John Stewart, of Seaford, State Councillor O. U. A. M., met Milton Council No. 14, on Monday evening and installed officers. After the installation, the Council retired to the ice cream garden of Fred Welch, and participated for a while in the pleasure of sociality.

Thomas Spencer, tenant for W. H. Chandler, is making heavy shipments of blackberries, There are a few pears of the Kieffer variety in Mr. Chandler’s orchard.

Capt. Henry Johnson, recently hurt while loading piling, is so far recovered as to be able to hobble around with the aid of a cane.

The old schoolhouse at Beaver Dam, that was to have been sold on Saturday evening at nine o’clock, was not sold on account of the storm of that evening.