March 25, 1904

Possibly there was congregated together at Ellendale on Wednesday evening, as pretty a set of ladies as ever left the sunny shores of the Broadkiln. The event was the organization of Enterprise Council, No. 8, Daughters of America. This little town now numbers amongst her female sex the grandest organization of a sisterhood extant. “Paul Pry”[i] will tell the reader, in language better than can the writer, the history of this installation. It comes under his jurisdiction.

Ancient history tells us that Diogenes lived in a tub[ii] and when Alexander was about to be [….] of his famous Macedonian campaigns, he went to see the philosopher, and inquired if he could do anything for him. As Alexander’s horse and paraphernalia were between Diogenes and the sun, the old man merely said “get out of my sunshine.” The experience of a week ago shows the philosophy of the tub and one of the town lawyers proved his attachment to the tub by taking a bath in a backward position. The evening was cool and when he came out he was not wanting any ice cream nor refrigerator process. Friends took care of him.

At an adjourned meeting of our Town Council, held on Wednesday evening, Walter Crouch was re-elected mayor and David Dickerson for the rest—“the rest” embraces much—Town supervisor, bailiff, lamp lighter, collector of taxes, adjudicator of compositions, supervision of quarantine, general manager of vaccination, and an attentive watch over all tramps or persons supposed to be impregnated with small […].

Mrs. May Lab run, National Vice-Councillor D. of A., and Miss Lillie Johnson, secretary of the Funeral Benefit Association, of the same Order—both of Baltimore—visited Virtue Council No. 2, of Milton, on Tuesday evening, and also attended the organizing of Enterprise Council No. 8, at Ellendale, the following evening of last week. On the occasion of this installation, Enterprise Council No. 16, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Milton, presented—in honor of its name—the Ellendale Council with a national flag. This recalls the incident of ten years ago when Joseph E. Lank, no deceased, suggested the name of the Milton Lodge.

Joseph M. Lank has been appointed chairman of the Finance Committee of the State Council Jr. O. U. A. M., of Delaware, and Deputy State Councillor for Enterprise Council No. 16, Milton, Del. It is remembered that Mr. Lank stands A t for the position of State vice-Councillor next year. We wish him success in these offices of honor, trust, and responsibility. The membership of the Jr. O. U. A. M., in this sState, is about 6,000.

Mrs. Olivia B. Draper, wife of Thomas B. Draper, died aty her home in Prime Hook on Saturday, aged 41 years, 1 month and 6 days. Funeral services were held at Slaughter Neck M. E. Church on Wednesday by the Rev. V. E. Hills, and sepulture made in the cemetery nearby. S. J. Wilson & Son funeral directors.

W. W. Smithers, attorney-at-law of Philadelphia, spent Sunday in Milton.

Schooner Rambo, that has been tied up at Milton docks all winter while Captain Rogers has been at his home in Pennsylvania, left last week to engage in her spring trade.

Captain Zadoc Dutton, late commander of the schooner Annie Russell, has gone to New York to take command of a vessel in the Jacksonville trade.

Our sick people are mostly convalescing from their various complaints, yet there is a strange malady breaking out amongst our aged people, and confined, almost exclusively, to the male sex. It appears to be an affection of the lower limbs, and has thus far baffled the skill of our medical men.

An item in the Philadelphia Record of Monday would lead one to believe that the former Bridgeville “liar” had removed to Seaford. It was something about one dog chasing a whole town up trees and around the country, etc.

The “Aid Society” of the M. P. Church held a “social” at the Masonic Hall on Friday evening. Recitations, and all of the many acts that characterize a gathering of this kind were rendered. One of the most entrancing features was a millinery contest engaged in by four men, who were required to trim ladies’ hats; the one who trimmed his hat the prettiest is receive a prize. Charlie J. Davidson was awarded the emblem.

Blanche R. Carpenter, the young daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Carpenter, died at the home of her parents in Broadkiln Neck on Friday, aged 1 year, 1 month and 23 days. Rev. H. S. Johnson, M. P. minister of Milton, conducted the funeral at Slaughter Neck M. P. Church on Sunday, and interment was made in the cemetery nearby. S. J. Wilson & Son conducting the same.

The firm of Bailey and Carey, restauranteurs, have closed their doors and gone out of business.

Farmers are complaining of the backwardness of the spring. They claim to be behind with their work, and the condition of the weather will not allow them to catch up. Notwithstanding all this, many of the “early birds” of Milton and nearby have planted potatoes, and a few of them some […].

Special—Walter Crouch resigned his position as Mayor of Milton on Tuesday evening. The reason alleged is dissatisfaction with the minority of Council over its election but possibly “a faction.” No one has yet been elected.

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[i] “Paul Pry” was the pen name for the Ellendale correspondent of the Milford Chronicle; his real name was Willard Saulsbury Dickerson (1847 – 1923), and he remained the correspondent of that town for 40 years. David A. Conner was well acquainted with his Ellendale colleague, and the two often engaged in friendly sparring through their news letters. “Paul Pry” is English slang for a nosy person, and was also the title of a three-act farce produced in London in the 1830’s.

[ii] In actuality, the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope (404 BCE – 323 BCE) slept in a large wine jar to inure himself against the weather. This was in keeping with his simple lifestyle and behavior, which were direct criticisms of a corrupt society he lived in.