March 12, 1909

Sometimes romance will creep out in everyday life, the material for which may have lain dormant for years. This time W. G. Fearing, of this town, is one of the factors to the case. Epitomized. It will read as follows: In August 1897 W. G. Fearing accidentally saw the name of one John D. Fearing of Elizabeth City, N. C., in a newspaper. Now the finding of a man’s name in a newspaper is by no means an unusual occurrence; but Mr. Fearing of this town, having no known relatives in the wide, wide world, the name of “Fearing”—his own name—struck him as a singularity. He concluded to write to Mr. John D. Fearing of Elizabeth, N. C., and did so. The matter was afterward forgotten. On Monday, March 1st, 1909, Mr. Fearing received a letter from John D. Fearing of Elizabeth, N. C. in answer to his letter of August 1897; nearly twelve years subsequent. In this letter Mr. Fearing of the second part stated his parents were natives of Wareham, Mass., where he was born, with several other children, etc. Wareham, Mass., is also the native place of Mr. Fearing of the first part. Now Mr. Fearing of Milton has again written to Mr. Fearing of Elizabeth City, N. C., detailing as far as known his genealogy, and requesting further correspondence, which may, perhaps, lead to a knowledge of relationship between the two. Mr. Fearing, of the first part is somewhat of a [facetious] gentleman, requested his correspondent to be more prompt in answering his last letter, for should he procrastinate so long again he, for whom the letter would be intended would not be in this part of the country.

A severe electric storm passed over town on Wednesday night, the 3rd; the wind blew a hurricane; amongst other demolitions, a familiar willow tree on Chandler Street was blown down. The rain descended in torrents, and the next morning the ground was covered with snow, and yet snowing. Regular Taft weather and he got there!

I saw an individual whose contour looked familiar, and reminded me of the Rev. Nehemiah Bennum, coming into town in a buggy, and driving a mule. “Brother Bennum is that you?” I hailed. “Yes, it’s me what there is of me,” a voice replied. “O! There’s always plenty of you!” And the cortege passed on.

The Royal Packing Company is making some contracts for tomatoes at 12 cents a basket.

Some young persons or perhaps “boys of a larger growth” are committing acts of vandalism on Lavinia Camp ground. We notice a communicating door in one of the tents has been broken from its hinges, and other acts committed contrary to law and decency. Better look out boys, or somebody worse than the “Jersey devil”[i] may be after you!

Last week Firemen Band held its annual election, and chose the following officers: President, W. W. Crouch; secretary, W. B. Wagamon; treasurer, J. Leon Black.

The Fourth Quarterly conference of the M. P. Church will be held on Friday evening the 12th inst.

James Reynolds of Dover has purchased the good will and fixtures of the barber shop of George Wright, on Union Street, north.

E. Schrum had an attack of heart trouble at the Hotel Jester last week; and for a time his condition was considered dangerous. He is now convalescing. Mr. Schrum came from near Ellendale to Milton a few weeks ago.

The Douglass White Shirt and Overall Factory is handicapped in its work by the need of operators. This place is such a good matrimonial market that when a girl become proficient in her work, and a man wants a good, smart wife, he goes there after her. And he gets her to the joy of him, and the detriment of the firm. Hence, the need of more girls, or women, in the factory.

On Saturday Josiah Culver went to the Pennsylvania Hospital to be treated for intestinal troubles. Some time ago Mr. Culver was operated on for an abdominal complaint at this hospital, and most likely will be obliged to undergo another ordeal of the same kind. He was accompanied by Mrs. Culver. Mr. Culver is one of the proprietors of the shirt and overall factory.

At the town election held on Saturday there were three tickets in the […] and a spirited time was had. John C. Jones was elected mayor to serve for one year, J. […]. Outten and A. H. Lofland were elected councilmen to serve for three years. The named officers were elected by majorities ranging from 23 to 83 over both of the opposing tickets.

On Saturday evening Town Council met with the newly elected officers and perfected an organization, The Mayor is president of Council ex officio; George Sharp was re-elected secretary and J. H. Davidson was re-elected treasurer. W. H. Fosque was elected town assessor.

The Milton Methodist Ministers have been hors du combat during the past week. Rev. G. R. McCready has been confined to his home with throat troubles and was unable to fill the Methodist Protestant pulpit on Sunday. The services were conducted by the lay members. Rev. A. C. McGilton has been unable to be about for several days. The services at the Methodist Episcopal, on Sunday were under the charge of J. B. Welch. Rev. J. L. McKim of Milford preached at the Protestant Episcopal Church on Sunday to a full congregation. Rev. Hill of the A. M. E. Church was so far recovered as to be able to fill his pulpit on last Sunday.

In speaking of the Rev. McGilton’s illness S. J. Wilson said: “He’s the best preacher we’ve ever had in the Methodist Church since I’ve been around. He’s the only preacher that could ever keep me awake. I’ve not been asleep in church since he’s been preaching here.” Sam’s church somnolence is well known; and the above confession is remarkable.

Steamer Marie Thomas left Milton on Monday to take the scows that have been used in building the jetty at the mouth of the Broadkiln to Wilmington. She will also take a deck load of sand, from the beach to the same place; and bring back a load of stone for the jetty.

One of the front windows in J. L. Black’s store was broken on Sunday evening. As the deed was done early in the evening it is supposed to have been an accident.

Mrs. George Coverdale of Ellendale was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Warren and family over Sunday.

W. T. Parker of New York is visiting his sister and other Milton friends.

Rev. J. L. McKim of Milford will preach at the Church of St. John Baptist, this town on next Sunday, the 14th, both morning and evening.

Goodwin Brothers & Conwell will open their books for contracts for tomato acreage on Saturday next, the 13 inst.

Joseph W. Shockley fell form a car from which he was unloading railroad ties at Harbeson, on Wednesday the 3rd inst, landing on his head near the track. He walked to his home in company with a fellow laborer and died two hours later. The funeral services were held at St. John’s on Friday afternoon, by the Rev. G. S. Thomas and burial made in the nearby cemetery by S. J. Wilson & Son. Deceased was 35 years 5 months and 28 days old; and leaves a widow and one child.

Lillian A. Fisher, daughter of Samuel G. Fisher of Ellendale, died at her house on Sunday morning, aged 29 years, 6 months and 22 days. Funeral services were held at her late residence, on Tuesday morning by the Rev. Kelso, and interment made in Barratt’s Cemetery, Kent County, by S. J. Wilson & Son.

The Missionary Anniversary of the M. E. Sunday School will be held on Sunday evening, the 14th inst.

A part of the Noble Ellingsworth Fox Club went on a hunt Monday night. The dogs jumped on one on Lewes Carey’s farm in Cave Neck, and caught and killed it, in John Reed’s Poultry yard. On Tuesday morning it was on exhibition in town and weighed 9½ pounds.

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[i] See the posting on the Jersey devil