It is natural for the people of Milton to be enthusiastic. But often many of them overstep the bounds of propriety, as well as of truth. Start something and immediately, the “overanxious” take it up and build upon it without though of results. This is now the case regarding the new schooner being built at Mount Ararat. Reports are circulated and “authoritative” statements are made of “keels that are to be laid longer that the present one,” until the distant reader will think that Milton has a fleet in embryo, to ply from her docks; and when one tries to find from whence these magnificent reports emanate he is forced to the unwelcome conclusion that Milton has a liar as well as Bridgeville.
William Chandler’s pear orchard is now in a beautiful condition. 800 trees are in full bloom shedding their aroma over nature, and gladdening the hearts and charming the eyes of the beholders.
Bailiff Dickerson has been putting new crosses over many of the gutters in town.
The Behringer—King wedding brought many people—relatives and friends of the contracting parties—from New York and New Jersey to Milton last week. It is so seldom a man marries a king’s daughter that the event may be considered of more than ordinary note.
Charles Walls and John Harmon traded horses. Harmon becoming dissatisfied took the horse he had received back to Wall’s stable on Friday night, left it an took away the one he formerly owned. On Saturday morning Wall had Harmon arrested and brought before Squire Collins for breaking into his stable. Harmon was held under $400 bail in default of which he was committed to Georgetown jail.
A rural free delivery inspector was here on Friday, and, in company with Postmaster Black, measured a route leading from Milton in the direction of Redden with the idea of establishing another free delivery route in that direction.
Last week Charles E. Jones and Thos. T. Moore had Pete Donovan arraigned before Squire Collins on the charge of threatening their lives. This was an emanation of Donovan’s ghost story. Thirteen witnesses were examined, and it is really hard to believe, by any one, that amongst the enlightenment of this community there are yet persons so deeply rooted in ignorance and superstition as to believe that which some of these persons testified. Donovan was required to enter $200 bail for his appearance at court. It is thought Pete Donovan is becoming deranged.
In coming into town on a sulky plow, Frank Johnson’s tram took flight on Union, and ran down to Front and was stopped near the printing office. Mr. Johnson was thrown from his seat and slight braised, and the plow axle bent are the sum of the casualty.
William [Warren] wants the “Lewes Sports” to know he has another Vending chewing gum machine in the old place, subject to their disposal.[i]
It is understood that the recent decision of the U. S. Supreme Court in regard to divorces was brought about by the action of William F. Tomlinson, Esq., attorney-at-law of New York, a former Milton boy, and son of William B. Tomlinson, of this town. Mr. J. H. Haddock sued for a divorce from his wife; both parties not being residents of the State of New York. The divorce was granted. Mr. Tomlinson, one of the attorneys for the defendant, appealed the case to the Supreme Court, which body reversed the decision of the lower court, ruling that a divorce to be legal both parties to the divorce must be residents of the State in which the divorce is applied for. The ruling annuls thousands of divorce suits; renders illegal thousands of second marriages, and makes illegitimate thousands of children.[ii]
General George H. Hall, of Milford, was a Milton visitor on Friday.
William H. Chandler, of Scranton, Pa., visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Chandler last week.
On Saturday the Rev. R. T. Coursey went to Wilmington; and, on Sunday preached the dedication sermon at Trinity M. E. Church, in that city. Mrs. Coursey accompanied her husband and assisted the choir in the services.
Rev. George B. McReady, the newly appointed M. P. Minister, drove from his last appointment to this town. He left Clayton on Friday, and stopped overnight in Dover, arriving in Milton Saturday. He preached his initiatory sermon on Sunday morning, at the M. E. Church, to a large and attractive congregation. The hearers were favorably impressed with the new minister; both with his morning and evening discourse. Mr. McCready has a genial countenance, a pleasant appearance, and a happy smile for all. It is believed he will “fill the bill.” He returned to Clayton on Monday, and will remove his family to Milton this week.
The ornamental work for M. P. Church tower, arrived last week, and has been put in its proper place. The church is nearly completed, and the rededication will take place sometime in the coming year.
Another Shirt Factory girl is gone; another machine is idle; another bachelor is happy! The Douglass White Co. mourn the loss of another operative, while the gladsome smile of a happy bridegroom proclaim him victor in carrying off the prize. There are others in the factory booked for the same market. It is true the Douglass White Co. turn out first-class shirts and drawers; it is, also true it furnishes first-class persons to wear them—although of a different gender.
Lydia Robbins died at her home, near Milton, on Saturday, of pneumonia, aged 80 years, 5 months and 20 days. Funeral services were held at Coolspring, on Tuesday afternoon, and the remains deposited in the adjoining cemetery, by S. J. Wilson & Son. Deceased leaves to survive her, two sons, and three daughters: James Robbins, of Stanton, Iowa, John Robbins, and Mrs. Ellingsworth, of Milton, Mrs. David Nailor, of near Milton, and Miss Maggie, at home.
The machinery of the Coolspring cannery was sold at sheriff’s sale last Wednesday, and was purchased by the farmers of the surrounding country, who already own the building, and will operate it the coming season.
Alfred Lynch, who recently opened a “pool-room” in Milton, has given up the business in disgust.
The foundation for John Coulter’s new building on the corner of Federal and Poplar Streets is being laid. Dimensions of the front building 16×33 feet; back building, 15×30 feet.
We received, last week, from a Massachusetts lady a copy of the “Boston Record” and a marked item in it, about a Felton, Del. Hen being set on 30 eggs and “coming off” with 31 chickens. The latter part of the week we saw this same item in a Georgetown, Del. Paper. We mention this merely to show that we can get news from Felton via Boston, quicker than we can by some local papers. By the way, isn’t 30 eggs a good many for one hen to cover? Eh!
Miss Rehna C. G. Mosler[iii], lectured at the M. E. Church on Wednesday evening, under the auspices of the W. C. T. U.
Mrs. William Conner visited her parents Mr. and Mrs. Henry Warren, at Ellendale this week.
——————————————————-
[i] See the April 13, 1906 edition for the full story.
[ii] Haddock v. Haddock, 201 U.S. 562 (1906) argued December 11, 1905, Decided April 12, 1906. The full decision can be read at http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/201/562.html. William T. Tomlinson (1863 – 1921) was one of three attorneys arguing for the wife (defendant). He was dark haired with dark grey eyes, wore a mustache, and stood 5 feet 5 inches tall.
[iii] The correct name of this speaker was Rhena E. Mosher, a well-known lecturer for the W. C. T. U. She was born in 1873 in Chautauqua, N. Y. and attended Mt. Holyoke College where she received a B. S. degree in 1894. The earliest newspaper account of her activities in the W. C. T. U. appears in the New York Times issue of November 13, 1898, where she is named as a National “Y” organizer (the “Y” denoting the young people’s branch of any organization in those days). Thereafter, she attains some prominence as a speaker across the country, and was selected to fill a vacancy as first secretary of the young people’s branch of the W. C. T. U. in 1907.