Ten days ago the Rev. G. R. McCready and J. B. Welch while out gunning discovered a hole in the earth which was estimated to be ten feet deep and five feet in diameter. In the bottom of this hole was a profusion of animal life supposed by the discoverers to be young alligators. Subsequently, Prof. Hastings and Edgar Welch went to the place, which is in a woods, on the farm of John Robbin a short distance from town, and secured a specimen; which on colliding with Natural History, proved to be of the salamander species. On Thursday the write, in company with one of the discoverers, went to investigate; and in order to give the “Philadelphia Record Liar” as little chance as possible to interpolate this true story, I took my rule along. When we arrived at the spot, I found a pole and measured the hole or excavation, and afterward measure the hole with my rule, The hole is cone-shaped four feet and a half in diameter on the top, tapering to the bottom; and six and one half feet deep. As had been represented the bottom was covered with live reptiles, which we pronounce, after comparison with Natural History to be salimanders [sic]. There were also two toads in the hole. It has, apparently, been dry of late, as no grass has grown on the dirt that has been removed from the excavation. It is reported that a young man, who left here last March, received a box of alligator eggs from a lady in Florida, and it is assumed by some that he had this place made for alligator purposes. But this theory won’t hold good for several reasons, the most prominent of which is, the excavation is too young to have been dug last March or previously. But this is not the age of theory, but of fact, and we want the fact of the case. Where did the nuisance come from? For nuisance it is; and the owner of the property would like to know.[i]
Chestnut Street north from the colored church to the depot, a street of which there has been talked of, and written about, on account of its prominence has had its sidewalk curbed by the owners. We should be thankful for a little, but this is but part of one stupendous whole. The sidewalk now should be raised to make it passable in wet weather.
There is a depression at the confluence of Manship Avenue with Chestnut Street, where the water stands during a wet spell. The authorities are preparing to remedy this by filling from this point to the branch on the east a distance of about 200 yards. The tiles are on the ground and work will begin as soon as the town corps can be spared from Mulberry Street.
Burton Johnson has built for himself a carriage house and stables on Mulberry Street.
Thomas Brittingham is preparing to build a residence on Bay Avenue, near Union Street.
William Betts has his new building plastered.
Smith & Sons painted the residence of Miss Fannie Russell on Union Street north.
Prof. Fearing has lately painted the front porch of Thomas Ingram on Federal Street.
Another beef store has opened, at the old stand, corner Federal and Mulberry Streets. It is John Robinson again.
Mrs. Joseph Conwell and sister, Miss Maggie Primrose, formerly of Milton, resident of Vineland, N. J., were visitors last week.
The North Milton crop of morning glories appear almost as prolific this autumn as do the asters by the wayside.
C. E. Bacon has bought of P. J. Hart the lot on the corner of Federal and Sand Streets containing 12 perches, for $125.00
Miss Susie Carey of Glenside, Pa., was a Milton visitor last week; and while here the fine granite monument in memory of her late brother, Robert Davis Carey, who died June 8th, 1907, was put down by Gessbys & Sons of Philadelphia.
D. M. Conwell is repairing and remodeling the property he lately purchased of W. E. Manship on Federal Street.
On Saturday Harvey Jefferson shipped a carload of Keiffer pears to William H. Chandler, Scranton, Pa.
A Republican Club was organized on Thursday evening with C. J. Connard, president, C. E. Bacon, secretary, and J. C. Palmer, treasurer. The club room is in the Curtis Reed building on Front Street.
J. H. Davidson completed some carpenter work on the farm of W. P. Tomlinson, between Milford and Frederica, last week. The plastering and brick work was also done by Milton men. William Smith & Sons will go there this week to do the painting.
Frank B. Carey went to the Jefferson Hospital on Monday, to have an operation performed for kidney troubles.
J. P. Davidson is framing the second barge at Carey’s Landing for the Wright Co., of Camden, N. J.
On last Thursday evening the members and friends of the M. P. Church headed by the Rev. G. R. McCready went to the farm occupied by one of their members—John Conoway—a paralytic, and husked out his crop of corn. There is not a great deal of bombast about the Milton Methodist Protestant Church, but there is this be said of the Milton organization. It always takes care of its sick, or […] members. At least, this has been our observation during our acquaintance with it. And this in part, represents the Christianity of Christ.
Anderson & Co. have finished labelling their tomato pack and are shipping them to Baltimore.
Captain James Scull has had the schooner John A. Lingo re-caulked and otherwise repaired. She is now ready to go into commission.
John Marker has built himself a launch. Before this one there were eight steam launches on the Broadkiln. It is thought that soon an association of the owners and captains of these boats will be formed with “Billy” Robinson as read-admiral, and the Emma Chandler as flagship.
The grass in front of the M. E. Church along the gutter looks bad in contrast with that above, and below it, which has been cleared off by the owners.
The town supervision commenced on Monday to straighten Lavinia Street, which will require a great deal of work. It is thought by many there is unnecessary expenditure of money on many of the streets of Milton. And indeed it does appear so, and the only solution is that a superabundance of tax has been levied, and collected, and there is no other use for it than to expend it on the street, and give employment to the town corps which has of late been constantly employed at their work. But no one can doubt that the streets of our town are beautiful; but when these capitalists—retired capitalists—of Milton buy up all the available lots and property, as is reported threatened, and we poor devils vote a tax for more than we now have, won’t they squeal! We shall see!
At the Epworth League Service on Sunday evening, Miss May Mason was elected delegate to attend the Lewes Convention to be held on the 14th and 15th inst.
At the M. E. Sunday School on Sunday afternoon, Miss Mayme Conner was elected delegate to attend the Sunday School Convention to be held at Delmar on the 19th and 20th inst; and Miss Estella Virden, alternate. The M. P. Sunday School elected Miss Goldie Warrington, delegate. Miss Edith Morris, alternate.
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[i] This unusual episode received coverage from at least one other newspaper outside of Milton: The Chicago, IL Inter Ocean. The Inter-Ocean version was considerably abbreviated from Conner’s description. It seems as well that Conner couldn’t resist slipping in a pun: “There were two toads in the hole.” Toad-in-the-hole is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with vegetables and onion gravy. Source: Wikipedia