May 1, 1903

The President of the Sussex County Bible Society—J. B. Welch—has had printed certificates, which he will issue to all persons who may become life members of this society during his term of office. Among the other beauties attached to these certificates is a steel engraving illustrating Christ’s “parable of the sower.” It has been alleged that the business of this society might be conducted on a better basis than formerly, or in a manner that the “wayfaring man might better understand.” There are many life members added yearly; and we think the same person many times, at least, in Milton. This certainly can be avoided, if so desired, as there are enough people who will consent to become members be a “little persuasion.” The society being undenominational gives persons of all sects and creeds an opportunity from which many are debarred in other associations. It is a noteworthy fact that upon the subject of the Bible, its propagation and distribution, all persons of any religious mind are agreed, and many others who have no religious belief at all. We saw it stated recently, as a curious and significant incident, that at the one hundredth anniversary of the British and Foreign Bible Society the president was a Jew, the Lord Mayor of London, and the chief speaker was the prime minister of the empire. It was said at this meeting, “that though the Bible is now circulated in 400 [?] different languages and dialects, there still remain more than 500,000,000 persons who have never had opportunity to read any part of it in their own tongue.”

We see by the above statement that Bible Societies, although of many years origin, are yet in their infancy compared with the work done and that which remains yet to be done. But Christendom is at work, and its foes are also busy. There can, however, be but one result: success must “inevitably crown the efforts of the right, and though it may be a long while, the prophecy will be fulfilled, and the gospel will be preached to all nations of the earth.”

Nineteen young Pocohontases escaped from Milton on Tuesday, the 2nd, and went to Frederica and organized a lodge in that pretty little town.

Captain William Pettyjohn is remodeling and repairing the building he recently bought on Chestnut Street. Henry Roach is the boss.

The Draper Canning Company, of Prime Hook Neck, is loading a car with canned tomatoes this week.

The farmers in some parts of Broadkiln, are exercised over their prospective crop of sassafras bushes. They are now in full bloom, and where they are very thick in many fields, they are pretty. But don’t tell the farmer this, or he might say some “cass” words.

Dr. James A. Hopkins is stoning the gutter in front of his lot on Federal Street.

The public schools of Milton closed on Wednesday.

Daughters of America, Sussex Council, No. 6, of Georgetown, visited Virtue Council, No. 2, of this town, on Thursday evening, the 23rd.

Rev. Jesse Taylor returned from Baltimore last week. Since the death of his wife, Mr. Taylor has decided to leave Milton. He advertises his household hoods for sale by way of public auction, on Saturday, May 2nd.

The show is coming! And the youngsters are glad! It is seldom that a circus visits Milton, and the young people are looking forward with bright anticipations to this grand event.

During the recent rains there were ponds of water formed on the lands and along the road-beds. As the water of these ponds is evaporating and drying up, there are numerous fishes found of considerable size for their various varieties. Whence came this fish life? Was it formed from a vegetable germ, or did it spring from a germ formed from the mist and rains that fell? Or is it spontaneous generation? We are aware this subject is not new, for fishes are nearly always found in ponds that are such for any length of time, though they may have no communication with running water.

‘Squire Collins had considerable business before his court last week. An action was brought before him on Thursday evening, which resulted in nothing, at that time, but was the prelude to a disgraceful affair that occurred on the street the nest morning in which considerable swearing was used. This passed. In the afternoon John Goslee was arrested and confined in the lockup for using profane language. He was released a short time afterward. Fine and cost, $2.00. And this ended that case, of which he is said to have been the instigator.

On Saturday Joseph Holland, of Milford, formerly of near Drawbridge, brought suit against Elsey Wilson, tenant of a farm which Mr. Holland last year owned. The suit contained several counts, and appears to have been for negligence of duty, as a farmer, on the part of Mr. Wilson, The damage claimed by Mr. Holland was $73.00. The case was tried before referees, who awarded the plaintiff $2 damage. Another petty case was tried, in which the magistrate reserved his decision.

Dr. Nelia H. Kennedy, of Findlay, Ohio, National Councilor, Daughters of America, has appointed Miss Hettie J. Conner her deputy for Virtue Council, No. 2, Milton, Del.

After many delays in getting material, the National Bank—interior—is completed and presents a fine appearance.

Services were held at the P. E. Church on Sunday, by the Rev. Jesse Taylor.

Hester A. Messick, wife of Joseph Messick, died at New Castle on Thursday, the 23rd, aged 63 years, 1 month and 12 days. The remains were brought to her late home in Milton on Friday, and after funeral services, by the Rev. L. P. Corkran at Slaughter Neck Church, and inhumed in the adjacent cemetery. S. J. Wilson & Son undertakers.

John W. Andrews died in Philadelphia on Friday, of typhoid fever, aged about 30 years. The body was brought to Lewes on Monday and deposited in the M. E. Cemetery in that town. S. J. Wilson & Son performed the last sad rites.

Mrs. Lydia Harrington of Wilmington, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Davidson, of this town, died in the former city on Thursday evening of peritonitis, aged 29 years, A funeral service was held in Wilmington on Sunday evening at 5 o’clock, by the Rev. L. P. Corkran, after which the body was deposited in the M. E. Cemetery, under the auspices of S J. Wilson & Son.

The High School Commencement was given Wednesday evening. The following was the program:

Colors—Purple and Gold.

[…]

Programme

Music—“Jolly Student.”………………………………. Juniors

Invocation………………………………….. Rev. H. S. Johnson

Music—Violin Solo………………….. Miss Delia Simmons

Salutatorian…………………………….. Goldie Warrnington

Oration—“Turning Point”……………… Wm. E. Douglass

Music—Violin Solo………………….. Miss Delia Simmons

Historian…………………………………… Elizabeth M. Black

Oration—“Life Is What We Make It”… Lydia M. Welch

Music…………………………………………………………………..

Class Prophecy…………………………….. Nell Mae Waples

Valedictorian…………………………………… Letitia L. Black

Music…………………………………………………………………..

Address to Class…………………. Rev. Edward Coy Atkins

Prof. Brooks addressed the Class…………………………….

Presentation of Diplomas… W. W. Welch, Pres. Board

Music—Graduation Song…………………………….. Juniors

Benediction…………………………………. Rev. L. P. Corkran

On Sunday afternoon at the M. E. Parsonage, by the Rev. L. P. Corkran, Mr. Benjamin Jones, of Cedar Creek Hundred, and Miss Ada Walls, of near Rabbit’s Ferry, Lewes and Rehoboth Hundred, were joined in matrimony. Mr. Jones has been a school teacher for many, many years; he now proposes to abandon pedagogy, and settle down and try to raise something with which to worry other teachers.[i]

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[i]David A. Conner, as a former schoolteacher himself and father of eight, couldn’t resist an opportunity for a little ribbing