Not long since, in the history of Sussex County, it required many snow storms, and the snow to cover the fields for a great length of time for the production of a bountiful wheat crop. The old adage has no doubt become obsolete, for the past winter there was but little snow, and what there was lay on the ground but a short time, and the prospect at present for a good wheat crop in the vicinity of Milton was never better.
William Nailor has one of the finest fields—of many acres—of scarlet clover, we have seen and the field is near Milton. W. W. Conwell’s farm nearby has also a good crop of the same provender.
William Warren, who operates the bakery and a confectionary store on Union Street south, has purchased of Oliver Hazzard the property on which these buildings are located. Consideration unknown.
The Bell Town colored baseball team came to Milton on Thursday afternoon with the Milton team of the same complexion. The score was 20 to 8 in favor of Bell Town.
House cleaning is again with us and we are learning what it means. O, my! Bur don’t they come often! The only time we have a chance to laugh is when the girls misses attack!
On Wednesday evening the 5th, a choir was organized at the M. P. Church with the Rev. J. D. Smith as director, W. W. Crouch as leader, and the best singers of the congregation will be the members. The new organization will meet for practice on Friday evening of each week.
Farmers are planting corn.
The honey suckles have become full blown and are much sought by lovers of flowers.
The wharf owned by the Royal Packing Company, and Mrs. Emma Burton, caved in. owning to the rotten condition of the logs. It has been repaired by competent workmen.
Wagamon Brothers have purchased several hundred bushels of wheat from Cedar Neck farmers.
Sand Hill Camp meeting is announced to commence this year on July 30th, and close on August 9th.
J. P. Johnson late of Philadelphia has removed his family and household goods to Milton, and occupies the J. C. Hazzard property on Federal Street.
Mrs. Joseph King has returned from a protracted visit to Philadelphia, Camden, and Swedesboro, N. J.
Eliza Ann Heilen, relict of the late Purcell Heilen, died at the home of Joseph P. Bailey on Tuesday of last week, aged 70 years. Fuyneral services were held at Weigand Chapel by the Rev. J. D. Smithh and sepulture made in the cemetery nearby. J. R. Atkins, funeral director.
Last week while the three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Clifton was playing in the home a cupboard fell on him, breaking the femur of one of his legs. Dr. R. T. Wilson rendered the necessary surgical attention.
On Friday, Martin Chandler returned from a two weeks visit to New York, Brooklyn and other points. During this time he attended the funeral of one of his sons who died in a New York Hospital, and was buried in Little Silver Cemetery, New Jersey.
On Saturday John Robinson and Henry Hood caught two of the largest shad that have been taken from the Broadkiln this season, one of them weight 9 pounds, 1 ounce the other 8 pounds and 5 ounces. On the same morning by another corps of fishermen about 500 herring were caught in the mill hold at the waste gates of the Wagamon Mill Pond.[i]
Prof. Brooks, County Superintendent of Free Schools, had an examination for teachers in the Milton School Building on Saturday. There were 23 candidates.
David L. Clendaniel has bought of David Wiltbank, eleven and one half acres of land, near Zion Church.
Edgar Lank, attorney-at-law of Philadelphia, and John Lank, his brother, spent Sunday with their mother, brother, and other friends.
London Nelson has painted his new residence at Sleepy Valley. The body of the building is white and the trimmings and shutters of a dark green color. The house looks nice and is a decided improvement to that locality.
On Sunday—Mother’s Day—while carnations were scarce but the dogwood blossoms were prominent in the churches and other white flowers were in evidence on the breasts of many ladies and gentlemen, mute witnesses of their affection for their departed dead.
John Barber has one of the finest gardens on Chestnut Street, that it has been our privilege to notice. Four long rows of potatoes about six inches high, every one of which came up; and no bugs. Nice looking cabbage, and other vegetables galore.
James Ponder Esq., attorney-at-law of Wilmington, was a Milton visitor on Friday.
An adjourned meeting of the M. P. Quarterly Conference will be held on Saturday evening next, May 15th.
On Saturday evening Firemen Band commenced its Saturday evening concerts in the front porch of the Ponder House. Free!
Rev. J. Hill of the A. M. E. Church is attending Conference this week in Milford.
The W. C. T. U. held its regular monthly meeting on Monday evening at the home of Mrs. William Clemens, on Bay Avenue.
Rev. J. L. McKim of Milford preached at the church of St. John Baptist on Sunday, and spent Monday also in Milton.
Mrs. Mary Minta Carey has sold her house and lot in the norther suburb of the town to Lee Smith for $309.00.
J. A. Markel is making improvements to his property on Federal Street.
Rev. C. A. Behringer, wife and son of Swedesboro, N. J., are visiting Mrs. Behringer’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph King.
Goodwin Bro. and Conwell are labelling and shipping more of their stock of canned goods.
On Sunday, for the first time since his advent in the M. P. pulpit, we attended services at that church, to size up the new minister. Our conclusions follow: The Rev. J. D. Smith is a splendid specimen of the genus homo; of fine form, noble physique, and pronounced individuality. He has an oratorical voice, a clear and distinct delivery, good articulation, is a first class singer, and appears to be perfectly at home in the pulpit. The sermon of the morning on “Tithing” was well handled and an excellent one, for the subject. Summarizing, we may say: “He’ll pass.”
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ingraham are both convalescing from their recent illness. Mrs. Ingraham from a spell of pneumonia and Mr. Ingraham from a second attack of elephantiasis.
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[i] This is the first instance in which the name Wagamon has been associated with the mill pond in David A. Conner’s news letter.