December 14, 1906

J. B. Welch, who was last week, superseded by the election of Edward Davidson as Superintendent of the M. E. Sunday School, has occupied that position for the last eighteen years. Mr. Welch has borne the burden of this school upon his shoulders and carried the children in his heart, to the throne of God in prayer. The good he has done cannot be measured here, neither can the sneers and contumely that his [opponent] have tried to heap upon him weighed in any other scale that that of malice. But his disposition is such that he has treated all the innuendo thrown at him as indifferently a Venus treats the constellations, as she poses in her pathway down the western sky; or with the nonchalance that a summer stroller, in his morning walk, plucks the yellow dandelion blossom, and tosses it to the passing breeze. Mr. Welch is considered as one of Milton’s best citizens. He has lived here all his life, and expects to live here until his death, notwithstanding the machinations of the church malcontents. And J. B. feels now, like a bird “let loose in the eastern skies.” He is free from the cares and burdens of the Sunday School, and while he expresses the intention to assist in Sunday School work, and aid his successor in every way possible, yet he won’t longer have the anxiety and cares that naturally beset a Christian Superintendent. Mr. Davidson, Mr. Welch’s successor, is a young Christian man, and we believe that no better man could have been found in Milton to take Mr. Welch’s place that Mr. Davidson.

By the breaking of one of the flanges on one of the wheels, the engine carrying the east bound trains on the M. D. & V. R. R. on Tuesday evening of last week was derailed below Overlook. No one was hurt, and the passengers were conveyed to Lewes by teams.

On Wednesday last week while gunning, Wilbur Davis was accidentally shot by a young man named Bennett. The wound is ugly though not dangerous.

Martin Chandler has the lumber on the ground for his new building on Lavinia Street.

The many friends of Dr. W. J. Hearn in this town are sorry to hear of the serious accident of what he was a victim in Philadelphia last week. Dr. Hearn was married in Milton and was a practitioner of the town before removing to Philadelphia.

All of the buildings that have been under construction, are enclosed, and some of them are completed, or will be by the close of the year.

William J. Bozman has opened a grocery store in the Wilson storehouse on Union Street, north.

J. B. Welch, poet and druggist, went to Philadelphia on Friday, returning on Monday.

W. H. Welch, purser on the steamer Major Reybold, was on his vacation last week and spent part of his time in Milton.

Last week Milton Conclave, No. 44, I. O. H., elected the following officers: archon, F. H. Douglass; prow, W. H. Fox; prelate, John Lewis; secretary, J. H. Davidson; financier, S. J. Wilson; treasurer, J. B. Welch; National representative to go to Atlantic City in July, S. J. Wilson.

Lake Fanganzyki was frozen over on last Wednesday morning. On Saturday morning the thermometer was down to 18 degrees, but owing to the wind there was no ice on the lake.

Louis Ellingsworth lost his horse on Thursday from inflammation of the stomach.

Rev. McCready preached a sermon top the “old people” on Sunday morning, and on Sunday evening a sermon to the “young folks.”

For the few weeks, or since the election, dullness has prevailed around town. A state of ennui has been observed throughout. Even Constable Barsuglia appears to have been suffering from collapse.

A mysterious woman appeared in disguise, on Federal Street one night last week. She was followed by some parties in her perambulations through the backyards of property-holders, and at last located herself in a back porch on Chestnut Street. A lantern was procured for investigation, and when approached, she said, “Do you know you are getting yourselves into trouble?” The men then left her. The woman is supposed to be knowing. But what she was doing out in that garb, and performing the strange actions that she did, can only be imagined. Dr. Leonard is reported as having said: “If she is again caught on the street after night, he will have her put in the lockup and examined.”

On Monday “Dora” Reed removed from near Waples Mill to Franklin City, where he will engage in mercantile business,

Mrs. Florence Johnson has removed from Philadelphia to Milton.

Miss May Welch is home on a visit from Philadelphia.

The largest hogs yet butchered were by John Crouch on Monday. Weight […] and 553. Tomorrow the largest ones in town will be killed. William Fosque butchered one on Tuesday morning, one year old, that weighed […] pounds. He has two more to kill.