December 23, 1904

Certainly no one will contradict if we write “last week was a week of winter weather.” Last Thursday it commenced snowing on a surface already 10 inches deep; and during that day and that night, 8 inches more of this “beautiful stuff” covered its predecessor; and on Saturday night 2 inches more fell. We have become surfeited with shoveling snow, and have asked ourselves the question whether we had better telegraph to the meteorological department of Washington and ask the weatherman to hold on for a while, as we have not room for any more snow around “our house.” However, winter has its pleasures to some, as well as its sorrows to many; and while some families have been out of wood, and have been compelled to haul from the wharves on improvised sleds, other persons have been driving the streets amid the jingle of sleigh bells, the young misses and young men have been skating on the lake, and the little boys and girls had been coasting down the hillside. Of course no one expects anything to be done at such times as these, except what cannot be avoided.

The ice harvesters have been getting to their work; although the ice is much impregnated with snow, and not so good and some would be without it.

The steamer started down the Broadkiln on Wednesday, but on account of the ice returned to her dock on Thursday.

The approach of Christmas is making some bustle around town, particularly amongst the young, who are expecting much. The stores and shop windows have been trimmed and made to look pretty. The windows at the “big store” of Markel & Hartman are trimmed the nicest and present the most beautiful display of any in town

The real estate of Elzie Holland, of near the Drawbridge, has been sold at sheriff’s sale; and in three allotments. Elbert Davidson was the purchaser, and the price paid $1,450.

Dr. Will Hearns’ yacht has been laying near the Milton Bridge for some time. Part of this time she has been on the bottom and careened over, and at other times partly filled with ice and snow. Her condition is subject to the tides. She was cleaned out by a colored man on Friday.

Steamer Mary M. Vinyard has “laid up” for the winter.

Georgetown jail has received an unenvied name in the past for prisoners breaking out. We note recently that persons have been breaking into that institution trying to steal the sheriff–or his property.

The chief of the Hog Bureau reports the following: Jas. Collins’ hog weighed 680 pounds; Elias Lofland’s two, 601 and 540; Captain Darby’s two 860 and 800; and several more of less of weight.

Edna burns died at the home of William Short, near Ellendale, on Monday of last week, of membraneous croup, aged 13 years. Funeral at late residence on Wednesday, and interment at New Market Cemetery. Rev. Taylor performed the last sad rites, and S. J. Wilson & son conducted the funeral.

Ernest Armstrong Draper, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Draper, died on Wednesday of brain fever, aged nine months and three days. Rev. H. L. Bunstein, of Milford, conducted the funeral at the parents’ residence and interment was made in Slaughter Neck Cemetery, by S. J. Wilson & Son.

James H. Warrington, a hardware merchant of this town, died on Saturday morning at his residence, on the corner of Federal and Wharton streets, age 54 years, seven months and 24 days. The immediate cause of death was dropsy. There was no funeral, the burial service alone being read at the grave. Interment was made in the M. E. Cemetery on Monday afternoon by S. J. Wilson & Son.

After a lingering illness of many weeks, Elias Lofland died at his home on Union Street, north, on Sunday morning, of pulmonary complaints, aged […] years. Funeral services [were] held at his late home on Tuesday afternoon, and sepulture made in the M. E. Cemetery, Rev. L. P. Corkran conducted the last sad rites, and J. R. Atkins inhumed the body.

Rev. F. H. Mullineaux, of Kent Island, Md., will give a lecture on “Palestine and the Holy Land,” in School Hall on the evening of December 26th. Admission for adults, 25 cents, children, 15 cents.

J. B. Welch has returned from the city with a stock of jewelry for the holidays. The decorations at his store present [an] attractive appearance, and are much admired by the ladies.

A lot of half-starved dogs are prowling around the back yards of town residents, and at night one can seldom go out of the house without hearing the yelp of one of these animals. It is a pity the dogs are in such condition, but where is the remedy?