February 11, 1910

It matters not, neither is a question to the point why the following conundrum is propounded: Why do men who profess to be Christians hate their brethren? This is a part of the gospel of love, that we have never had the misfortune to know anything about. And we do not propose to attempt to discuss it. We have been a student of Christianity for many years, and while we have seen many noble examples of that faith, the question has always obtruded itself on our mind, how can a man be a Christian and hate his neighbor? But perhaps we are “dull of comprehension” on this line. However, the fact exists. We see it even in bonny Milton, Brethren of the same faith—if they have any—and of the same church at enmity with one another. And yet, these are supposed to be the “light of the word,” examples of the Gospel of Truth, to a sin-cursed age. O, shame! Shae! That such conditions exist in our churches, at this day and under the benignant reign of the Gospel of Love! Yet it is all too true and “pity ‘tis true!”

The sale of the canning factory implements, etc. of Workman & Co. on Wednesday, the 2nd, brought many people to the scene. The whole amount of sales was $15,904.00, viz: The canned goods, consisting of 10, 495 cases of tomatoes were bought by Reese of Harrington at 68 cents a dozen amounting to $12,597.60; 3500 empty cans—more or less—were bought by H. R. Draper for $445.00; coal of about thirty tons was bought by the last named part, for $430.00, as was also the safe for $57.00. The building, machinery, quarters and all implements and paraphernalia for carrying on the business, together with a two year lease of the ground, was struck off to ex-Congressman Burton, of Lewes; for the Lewes Nation Bank of Lewes, at $2710. This sale, and the expense in bankruptcy, only shows how to drive a man to the wall. Had the firm of Workman & Co. been let alone they could, and would, have paid every dollar of its indebtedness, and would have had a surprise over.[i]

If the ground hog did not see his shadow on “Ground Hog Day,” it was because he is like some of the two-legged hogs—doesn’t get up in time.

William Vent of near town is suffering with a something in his hand, of an eruptive nature, that appears to baffle the skill of the physician. Town Supervisor Mustard has had a similar affliction for several months. No “buckwheat fish”[ii] in this.

I think, if other parties are like the writer they will witness as great a metamorphosis in the interior of Waples and King’s store, corner Federal and Wharton Streets, as did the writer yesterday. The whole interior has been changed.

George Carpenter is enclosing a part of his property, corner Chestnut Street and Coulter Avenue, with an up and down board fence. This looks nice, and shows the owner has an apprehension of what looks nice.

Proposals are out for the removal of the wrecked schooner Rambo that recently sank in Broadkiln River, and is in the way of navigation.

Several cases of mumps are reported. Leroi H. Johnson is a candidate.

Harry L. Robinson is buying cob corn, and loaded a car last week.

Mrs. Mollie Russell, a former resident of the town, is the guest of David Wiltbank, and many others of her Milton acquaintances.

Captain Hunter and wife left on Saturday, for a stay in Philadelphia and other parts.

In traveling through the country last week, we […] a curiosity, in the form of an old worn fence on what was once the old farm of William Vent. It is of white cypress, and is out of the route of general travel. The whole farm appears to be enclosed within this fence. Some say that in his famous ride from Lewes up the state Caesar Rodney jumped this fence twice. It looks good for a hundred years hence.[iii]

There was an examination for enumerators of the census […] in the school building at Georgetown on Saturday. There were fifteen candidates present, including one Negro man. No […] were there. The examination was held under the supervision of Postmaster Welch of that town.

Stephen Palmer inmate of the Soldier’s […] of Hampton, Va., who has been here on a sixty-day furlough, has disappeared from town. Presumably he has returned to that institution.

Mrs. Thomas Ingram had a serious attack of […] on Saturday. She is now better.

On Saturday evening Miss Lydia […] and […] P. Johnson were united in marriage at the M. P. Parsonage by the Rev. J. D. Smith.

It is thought that Monday was the coldest morning we have had the present winter. The thermometer registered 4 degrees above zero.

The 4th Quarterly Conference of the M. E. Church will be held on next Friday evening, District Superintendent Morgan will preach at the M. E. Church on the following Sunday evening.

Extra meetings will continue at the M. P. Church during the present week.

[…] A. Megee died at her home near Milton, Wednesday evening, […] of heart trouble, […] burial made in the Megee Cemetery by S. J. Wilson.

William J. Prettyman died near Calhoun School house on Sunday morning of typhoid pneumonia, aged 58 years, 3 months and 6 days. Funeral at Slaughter Neck on Tuesday afternoon by the Rev. Cochran and sepulture made in the nearby cemetery by S. J. Wilson & Son.

Wilhelmina Donovan, wife of Asbury Donovan, died near Staytonville on Sunday morning of cancer, aged 41 years and 8 days. Funeral at Oakley M. P. Church on Tuesday afternoon, and burial in the cemetery nearby. S. J. Wilson & Son conducted the funeral.

John M. Thackery died at his home on north Unions Street on Monday morning, in the 70th year of his age. Funeral services were held at his late residence on Friday, and the remains interred in Odd Fellows’ Cemetery by S. J. Wilson & Son.

Mrs. Maggie McIlvane of Camden, N. J. is visiting her sick mother, Mrs. Thomas Ingram.

W. W. Welch, J. M. Lank, B. F. Carey, and E. W. Warren have been elected delegates from the Milton Council to attend the State Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., which meets in Wilmington on the 15th.

The Jr. O. U. A. M. will present an American Flag to the Cave Neck School on Washington’s Birthday Anniversary the 22 inst. If the day should be stormy the presentation will not take place. Prof. W. G. Fearing is expected to deliver the presentation speech.

There is a man living in Milton who has not had a ride on the cars since 1864. Since then, he has not been a patron of the railroad.

—————————————–

[i] All numerical amounts are approximate, as the original newsprint is of poor quality and difficult to read with certainty.

[ii] The spelling of the quoted item is uncertain, as the newsprint is of poor quality; there is no expression containing “buckwheat” that is even close to the quoted item.

[iii] The ride referred to here was made by Caesar Rodney, brigadier general in the Delaware militia and a delegate to the Continental Congress, on July 1 and July 2, 1776. He cast his vote for declaring independence, making it unanimous and allowing it to go forward.