January 19, 1906

It is related in Aesop’s Fables that once upon a time a traveler applied for shelter at the home of a stranger. He was currently admitted, and given a seat by the fire. The traveler being benumbed, he began to blow his fingers with his mouth. “Why do you blow your fingers?” asked as host. “To warm them,” replied the traveler. When supper was announced and they were seated at the table, the traveler began to blow his coffee. “Why do you blow your coffee?” inquired his entertainer. “To cool it,” replied his guest. “Out of my house!” exclaimed he in indignation, “I’ll have no one about who can blow hot and cold, both, with the same mouth.”

The above reminds as somewhat of our Honorable Town Council. When the telephone poles were planted in town and it charged the telephone company twenty cents for each pole they planted, whether in the street or on the sidewalk. But, when the sidewalks are to be repaired, or the snow cleaned away, they then belong to the people. Ah! do they! This is a much complicated question to many people; to whom do the sidewalks of Milton belong?

Richard Davis, for four years a paralytic and living with his wife and two children in a small shanty, near the farm of Dr. David Wolfe, and has been supported by his wife for some time. It has been related, by those who know, that within the past three months, she has cut 70 cords of wood. Three weeks ago she was taken sick with pneumonia, and was compelled to quit work. The neighbors of the locality, hearing of the condition of the family, made a tour of investigation, and satisfied that the family was needy, made a second tour, and this time their wants were relieved by the substantials of life; clothing for the body, and edibles for the stomach were freely given, and the visitors left satisfied with their work, and amply paid for their trouble, by the happy smiles of the family.

On Wednesday evening at the M. E. parsonage, Miss Clara L. Spicer and Mr. George A. Ellingsworth, both of Ellendale, were married by the Rev. Coursey.

Last Wednesday evening, at the home of the bride’s parents, near Harbeson, Miss Estella Rust and Ira Short of near Nassau, were married by the Rev. W. A. Sites in the presence of a host of friends and witnesses.

On Wednesday afternoon, Miss Susie W. Davis, of Seaford, brought suit before Squire Collins, against Mrs. George W. Truitt, also of Seaford, to recover possession of a farm belonging to the plaintiff, and which the defendant was in possession, by virtue of a lease the validity of which was questioned. R. C. Wilson Esq., appeared for the plaintiff, and John M. Richardson, Esq., for the defendant. It appeared that George W. Truitt, husband of the defendant, leased the farm from Miss Davis for five years from Jan. 1st, 1905.

Truitt is now dead. Miss Davis says that the lease when signed ad no seal on it, in which case it would have been valid for one year only. Squire Parks, of Seaford, Constable Colbourn, John Nevins all testified that the seals were there before the instrument was executed, and […]

Truitt and two sons, swore that the seals were on the lease when her husband and father brought the paper home on the day it was executed. The whole case hinged on whether the seals were on the lease before it was signed, or were placed there after. B. M. Collins, J. L. Black and J. C. Lank were referees on the case, and after nearly three hours of deliberation, failed to agree on a verdict, and were discharged.

We noticed on Saturday morning, that some business place had turned loose a lot off waste paper on the street, which was blowing hither and yon. This practice should be abandoned, as it is a great bugaboo to horses easily scared.

The dwelling house in North Milton, the property of the vote late William Robinson, deceased, was sold at public sale on Saturday and brought by his son for $5.00. The house is cold, and built in three sections; it is also on ground rent. It will have to be moved, and it is supposed that removing it will fall fell down. Hence the low price for which it was sold.

George Krebs engaged in the chicken industry, at the corner of Mulberry and Magnolia Streets, near the lake, is having remarkable success thus far. He and his wife, who only commenced business a short time ago, now have 175 chickens in various stages of youth, and some of them half grown, and large enough for market. Mrs. Krebs has 75 young leghorns, about two weeks old, all of one color, and size. These are very pretty; and are kept in a room under her especial care. These chickens are all hatched in incubators, and require great attention, not only during the process of incubation, but after the young are hatched; as it is required to carry them through certain stage of thermal heat before they are able to stand natural air. Mr. and Mrs. Krebs appear to understand the work, and are devoting their time and energy to it. Such persons deserve success, and we hope they may have it in this case.

On Sunday there was an extraordinary time in the Broadkiln; the water being over Magnolia street, and other low places.

Rev. C. A. Behringer is visiting in New York.

Some public papers and private sources, it is learned that the State Building and Loan Bank of Wilmington, Del., is in the hands of a receiver. That this statement is too true can be verified by many persons in Milton, who have money in the concern. We do not know how many, but there are several that have amounts ranging from $300 to $1000 which they now consider lost.[i]

Captain Stephen R. Bennett, died at his residence on Broad Street, Wednesday evening January 17, age 78 years. The captain had been in ill health for a few weeks, of kidney troubles, and his death was not unexpected.

Mrs. Mary Mason, 81 years of age, is very ill at her home.

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[i] Today’s readers should note that in the days before F. D. I. C. and banking regulation, placing one’s saving in a bank was as risky as any other investment in the best case.