For a few days after our great fire our people knew not what to do. We could hardly realize the great harm that had been done to Milton. Everything appeared changed. We would go down to the burnt district and listen or stand around in little groups, like chickens in a rain with their feathers dropping—discussing the sad event. We are now become more inured to the situation. But, to the writer, the burnt part of Milton will never be the Milton it was before the fire. Doubtless, it will be better.

A citizen’s meeting was held on Tuesday, ostensibly to investigate the cause of, or the origin of the fire. The meeting adjourned without doing anything. On Wednesday evening Town Council held a meeting in School Hall, at which all citizens were invited to be present. Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the building of any property for business purposes except of brick, stone, or concrete In the following described limits: On Federal Street between Mill Street and the dock; on Chestnut and Walnut Streets between Mill Street and their confluence with Front Street; on Front Street from Walnut Street, South Milton, to its confluence with Union Street; and on Union Street to its intersection with Broad Street, North Milton,. The Council also elected a committee of five to straighten Union and Front Streets and widen the same.

Some of the insurance companies have been very prompt in paying the claims against them.

The fire occurred on Friday morning the 13^th, on the evening of that day a representative of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Wilmington, came here, and took in the situation, and on the following Tuesday sent to C. A. Conner, the only one here insured in that company, vouchers to be executed, which was done and returned, and Mr. Conner received a check on Thursday for the full amount of his claim. On Wednesday preceding a representative of the Royal Insurance Company, of New York, came and vied the loss and gave to Mr. Conner, the only man here insured in his company, a check on the ground for the amount in full of his claim against his company. On the same day a representative of the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Springfield, Mass., came here and after viewing the loss gave to Black & Lingo a check for the full amount of their claim. This is prompt work on the part of these companies.

The other companies will send an “adjuster” on Wednesday (today), the 25^th, to adjust their losses. Our opinion of the representatives above mentioned: “There’s nothing for us to do but pay the claim.”

The guards have been taken off the burnt district and the debris cleaned from the sidewalks. People are becoming sane again to a certain extent.

W. W. Conwell has built a bungalow on the site of the National Bank building, southwest corner Front and Federal Streets, and resumed the banking business.

Postmaster Black has a nice post office arranged in a part of his own property, southeast corner Chestnut and Wharton Streets. This building was the post office twenty years ago; and while it is not ventrally located it is the best that can be done under the circumstances. All of the merchants, as stated in last week’s issue have received goods and gone into business. Parenthetically: There have been lots of “drummers: here soliciting orders, and amateur photographers with their Kodaks, for artistic skill.

In addition we note that Stephen McPherson, watchmaker and jeweler, who saved his apparatus and tools, has rented a small room of Curtis Reed on Front Street and gone into business.

Black & Lingo have bought of Oliver Hazzard the storehouse occupied by William Warren and his bakery, also lot to the bridge contiguous to the burnt district, and almost thereto, for $1,575. This may be considered moderate when we take into consideration the fabulous prices to which land has jumped since the fire. Present indications would foretell that no one but an extremely rich man could buy the land at the prices now soaring. But when people get over their excitement, conservation will resume its status quo.

The Ponder Block now owned by James Palmer, Joseph Walls and Mrs. Mary Fields’ dwelling were not burned. C. A. Conner’s residence, Mrs. Emma Hazzard’s residence, William Warren’s store house, owned by Oliver Hazzard, that were damaged, together with William Mears’ property, destroyed, were insured in the Kent County Mutual. The damaged buildings the company will repair. The other destroyed property was insured by New York, Philadelphia, Wilmington and Springfield, Mass. companies.

Many of the ill-fated property owners have received letters of sympathy and condolence from individuals elsewhere, which during the stress and excitement they have not time to answer. We are requested through the columns of the Chronicle to acknowledge en masse the receipt of these epistles, and thank the writer for their interest in our welfare.

It has been said “sympathy is no relief,” it is a relief: “Kind words are more than coronets, and ample faith than Norman blood.”[i]

The sidewalks in front of where Dr. Leonard lives has been raised and repaid. It bears the impress of the doctor’s ingenuity.

The canneries have all commenced work and tomatoes are fine. The Royal Packing Company commenced on the 15^th, Workman & Company on the 19^th, Anderson & Company on the 18^th and Goodwin & Company on the 20^th.

Steamer Marie Thomas arrived on Thursday with a load of empty cans in cases for Goodwin Bros. & Conwell.

The Times says, “It would be an excellent […] to allow those who pay their taxes to have something to say in the matter.” Yes? Surely? And wouldn’t it have been a good idea to put men on the committee to widen the streets who are residents somewhere in that locality?

The following visitors were are pleased to notice. Phildelphia: Captain Charles Megee, Captain George Kimmey, J. Ponder Darby, Edgar Lank, Esq., Mrs. Fannie Warrington, Mrs. Susie B. Davidson, Miss May Fisher, Mrs. Carrie Irwin nee Fisher, Mrs. Emma […]. […], Edward Mears, Robert Hazzard, Arthur Conwell and wife.

From Camden, N. J.: Mrs. Maggie McIlvane, Mrs. Virgie […] nee Musgrove, James Donahoe and family, Mrs. Ida White and daughter, Mrs. Fisher and son, Mrs. Alfred White.

[…remaining paragraphs are illegible…] of Angola. Everybody knew Captain Robinson of Angola.

Ext-State Treasurer C. H. Atkins has said the schooner James M. Carey, thirty-four years old, to William Blocksom, of Little Creek Landing, for $500.00.

Henry Warren is suffering with gastritis.

Leroy H. Johnson has typhoid. The other typhoid patients are convalescing.

“Paul Pry” appears to have been on the warpath last week, and the Chronicle gave him an additional conspicuancy to air himself. Did we not know that “Paul Pry” is not a disciple of Bacchus we should have thought “Paul” was drunk. “Poor old D. A. C.”—Indeed!—The idea!—We don’t like it!—A man is no older than he feels! And yet when we look around on six blooming daughters and two gallant sons, the like of whom, cannot be excelled, anywhere in the “Diamond State,” we are left to believe we are “getting there.” Perhaps “Paul Pry” is right.

Lavinia Camp closed on Monday.

Dr. Joseph M. Conwell, ex-Mayor of Vineland, N. J., was a Milton visitor on Saturday.

LeRoy H. Johnson is quite ill, his little playmates are kind in bringing bouquets to him; many thanks to the little playmates.

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[i] The actual words are “Kind hearts are more than coronets, And simple faith than Norman blood.” This is an excerpt from the poem Lady Clara Vere de Vere, by Alfred Lord Tennyson.