October 23, 1903

Is the world growing better? We think everyone will admit it is. To go no farther back than our boyhood days, we can see a marked improvement in the condition of affairs, men and animals. It is useless to go back to the dark ages, when men were put to the rack for their opinions sakes as in the days of the Spanish Inquisition; nor to medieval history when Superstition rules a majority who in that age were considered enlightened; neither to the witchcraft of a later day when a judge upon the bench could say “to deny witchcraft is to deny revelation,” but we can come down to our own knowledge of twenty or thirty years ago. It used to be no uncommon thing—as I am informed—in the days of the ore business around Milton, and which many may remember for the haulers of the ore to be in town by daylight, waiting to unload their ore. And when they were paid a majority would get a jug of rum, a pound of coffee, and the rest in something else. Now this is all changed. Not that the country is any better for the days of iron ore being passed; but the people have grown better, if not wiser. And why this? It is because education and civilization, twin brothers, are revolutionizing the world. What is it that keeps the grandees off the necks of the lower classes today? It is the civilization of the times. Many of the laymen of today know as much as do their teachers. And were it not for this education among the laymen their leaders now would throttle them with as much impunity as did the leaders of Rome in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. It is said “human nature is the same everywhere.” We believe this. But there is a power that keeps “human nature: under and makes it subservient to the will of others. That power is civilization and education. Need we advance any further proof of our subject? Why, the very animals have become more docile and obedient. I recall when a boy that it was no uncommon thing to see boys going around with a great scar on their head of forehead, and when asked what made that scar, the reply would be, “a horse kicked me.” Now we seldom see a boy or man scarred up by the kick of a horse, and this shows that the horses are getting better. And it is the same with other animals. We shall contend the world is growing better.

At the M. E. Sunday School on Saturday afternoon Miss Eva Smith and Miss Hattie Veasey were elected to attend the Sussex County Sabbath School convention as delegates, which held its session at Greenwood on Thursday. J. BV. Welch attended by virtue of his office.

The little Milton girls, and the older ones, too, are getting to be ladies in every acceptation of the word. This is noticeable, and the question naturally arises: “Is this due to our new Superintendent of Schools?”

Seeing one of our businessmen sweeping the pavements, we inquired, “Is Mrs. ____ sick this morning?” “O, no,” he replied, “she has been attending the W. C. T. U. Convention and she’s got the headache this morning; and you know that inference, when you and I attend a convention and have the headache the next morning.”

Another butcher store has been opened at the corner of Federal and Mulberry Streets. This is a favorable location, but it appears to be short lived with the many who have opened business there. The present occupant is Joshua Gray, the son of B. Frank Gray, and has come to stay.

Ex State Treasurer C. H. Atkins will have a phone put into his home. This is done to keep private business from public business; as everyone who has business of a private character must see the disadvantage a private party is under to keep his business private.

Susan C. Donovan died at Bowers Beach on Wednesday, aged 66 years. Funeral services were held and sepulture made at Barretts Chapel on Friday. S. J. Wilson & Son, directors.

Edgar Lank, Esq., attorney-at-law, of Philadelphia, and one of the finest men that Milton has the honor to send forth amongst her many, is now in town, recuperating from a protracted attack of typhoid fever. Mr. Lank, while a little worse for his severe illness, yet possesses that geniality of disposition and urbanity of manner which are among his many characteristics.

Phebe Lekites died Wednesday Oct. 21, aged 84 years. Funeral services at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Warrington, Thursday afternoon, and interment in the M. E. Cemetery. Rev. H. S. Johnson conducted the obsequies and S. J. Wilson & Son supervised the funeral.

The egging that came off last Thursday night was participated in by many; yet no one knows who did it. A singular thing on the program was the front door was locked “and the key thrown down the well.” Hence the man could not get in the house and had to take the eggs. He took the early train the following morning for a town in California. I think it was You Be-Dam. Mrs. Carey called the Town Council to witness the extent of her damage, and the president is reported to have said: “I be damned!” The girl is doing well.

Lewes National Bank, represented by W. W. Conwell, at Milton, has been a United States Depository.