November 5, 1909

In our eagerness to record the great things that are happening, we are apt to forget the little episodes that make up life. While we are buoyant and enthusiastic over the possible future of Milton, it will be pertinent that we pay attention to the present and let the distant reader know of some of the ethical, aesthetical, and religious life that is ever on the move in our town. The religious event of the past week has been the “week of prayer” inaugurated at the M. P. Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Smith assisted by the Rev. E. T. Liddell, D. D., of Sycamore, N. Y. Dr. Liddell is quite a good-looking man with a charming personality. He is a fine speaker, enthusiastic as all me who are engaged in a great cause, and have any zeal for their work are; and this enthusiasm combined with eloquence, and a knowledge of human nature, and how to make that knowledge impressive has had its effect on a Milton congregation. Dr. Liddell has introduced some innovation at the M. P. Church of Milton: viz. humming and whistling the tunes. The Dr. Is a good singer and is accompanied on the organ by his wife, who sings alto. His little son also takes part in the exercises. The effect on the congregation is operatic, and if some of the fo9llowers of John Wesley could appear they would not stay long. But it has been stated, it takes unique proceedings in these days to get a congregation, and to hold one after it is obtained. And we suppose “Wisdom is justified of her children.” On Sunday the two Methodist congregations united and services were held at the M. P. Church in the morning, and at the M. E. Church in the evening. Dr. Liddell preached powerful sermons on both occasions to crowded houses. On Sunday afternoon, he preached to men only, at the M. P. Church and Mrs. Liddell talked to the women only, on the same afternoon, at the M. E. Church. Both had large congregations. There is a profound interest manifested by a part of the community in these meetings, and a corresponding apathy on the part of others. The evangelist will remain here a few days the present week, and it will depend on the interest manifested whether his stay will be protracted. If these meetings shall have no effect on the unconverted and none of them are caught in the swirl, yet if he shall succeed in unifying the recalcitrant of the churches and fraternizing them into a harmonious whole, the evangelist will have done a good work in Milton.

Dr. Liddell, wife and child are being entertained by Prof. W. H. Fearing and family.

The bicycle nuisance is getting into vogue again amongst the lads of the town. More particularly on Chestnut and Magnolia Streets. And these riders are on the sidewalks and think nothing of hallooing to a pedestrian “Get out of the way!” Now there is a law against this as we tried to impress on the mind of a youth. Can it not be enforced? Cannot riding bicycles on the sidewalks be stopped? That’s the question.

The M. D. V. R. R. Co. is cutting down the embankment on each side of the track west of the station; and it by this means has rendered […] the private road that has been used, and crossing the track midway between the western trestle and Lavinia Wood.

A patron, and a good one of the Milton National Bank, stopped at that institution last week, and there being no place to hitch his horse, we at his requires minded it, while he transacted his business. When he came out said he, “I wish you would give those fellows this for having nothing along here to hitch horses to.” “A word to the wise, etc.”

The canneries have been busy shipping canned goods the past week.

Alfred Lofland has his brick house near town well under way.

W. W. Conwell has the foundation laid, and one of the two buildings he is to build on North Mulberry Street raised.

Bishop Frederick J. Kinsman held services at the Church of St. John Baptist on Sunday afternoon.

Joseph L. Black has bought of Hames Ponder Esq. a lot of ground adjoining C. A. Conner, and Carey & Darby have bought a lot adjoining Mr. Black on Union Street. Mr. Black has commenced to excavate for a foundation for a storehouse 25 ft. x 50 ft; it will be joined to C. A. Conner’s the side wall of Mr. Conner’s store forming one of the sides of Mr. Black’s store.

The ladies of the M. P. Church held a Hallowe’en Social in the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening, and the Century Club held a similar one on Tuesday evening.

Milton Grange was reorganized on Saturday afternoon with a full corps of officers.

Some malicious person or person have been circulating a report that Joseph Walls, one of our butchers, had killed a cow unfit for beef, and sold it to his patrons in Milton. The facts are as follows, as related to us by Mr. Walls: “I bought a cow in Slaughter Neck that had been gored and had a young calf. I bought the cow for one dollar and bought her for her hide alone. I killed the cow and sold the hide to Charles Shears for $4.10, and gave him the flesh. I don’t know what he did with it. On Saturday before Squire Collins, Charles Shears made affidavit to the above and John Blizzard and Earle Lindale, two responsible men, who saw Mr. Shears with the meat, corroborated Shears’ testimony. It would hardly seem necessary to make a statement like the above to vindicate Mr. Walls from an unjust cause, as the people of Milton know him better, than to even think he would be guilty of doing such an act.

Sunday November 7th will be observed as “Rally Day” at the M. P. Church.

Edward Calhoun has his building on Chestnut Street enclosed, and the outside painted.

Laura M. Conner left on Tuesday to visit friends in Philadelphia and New Jersey.

A small brooch was found on the stairsteps of the M. E. Church on Sunday evening the […] ult. The loser can have it by calling on Miss Mayme Conner.

J. H. Atkins is painting the home residence of Mrs. Emma Hazzard on Union Street.

Arthur Conwell and J. Ponder Darby of Philadelphia attended the funeral of William H. Fox on Monday.

London Nelson who has been employed at Lewes all of the summer and autumn has returned to Milton for the winter.

The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to George A. Goodwin, the five month old son of Captain George A. and Mrs. Goodwin, on Sunday afternoon, at their home on Chestnut Street by the Rev. McGilton.

On Monday afternoon as Isaac W. Nailor was coming from Georgetown to Milton, the horse ran away with him and broke loose from the carriage. Mr. Nailor caught the horse. […] himself, a distance of about six miles.

J. H. Markel has abandoned the […] and bought back the property he recently sold to Charles Thackery, and will continue to reside therein.

Prothonotary N. W. White has sold his house […] on North Union Street to Albert Taft of Wilmington.

[…next three paragraphs illegible…] street, on Monday afternoon by the Rev. J. T. McKim of Milford and interment made in the MN. E. Cemetery by S. J. Wilson & Son. The deceased was buried with the honors of Masonry Endeavor Lodge No. 17 A. F. of A. M. of which he was a member attended the general in a body. The floral display was magnificent, and the funeral largely attended. A widow, one son, one daughter, and aged mother, and one brother survive him.

Sarah Hester Robinson, wife of John Robinson, died at her home in Broadkiln, on Sunday evening of paralysis, aged 69 years, 10 months and 26 days. Funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon at Zion M. E. Church by the Rev. A. C. McGilton, and sepulture made in the adjoining cemetery by S. J. Wilson & Son.

Leland A. Steele died at the home of John Reed near Milton on Saturday of brain fever, aged 8 years, 4 months and 11 days. Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, at Weigand Chapel, by the Rev. Bryan, and interment made in the cemetery nearby, by S. J. Wilson & Son.

The leaves are still falling; the women are still sweeping, the star crown of the aster is yet seen along the wayside; a few varieties of the dahlia yet linger.

They’re the last flowers at autumn all blooming alone
their lovely companions are faded and gone
They are the rear guard of autumnal beauty and will soon be nil
.[i]

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[i] The actual quote (at least the first two lines) should read ‘Tis the last rose of summer, left blooming alone; all her lovely companions are faded and gone, from the poem The Last Rose of Summer by the Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779 – 1852),