Delaware, U.S., Marriage Records, 1750-1954
Past In Review from 02-24-2005
100 years ago - Feb. 18, 1905
THE GAME SUFFERED
The Weather Conditions Have Killed Birds and Rabbits
WILL PAY FOR THE FEEDING
The condition of wild game all over this section at this time is deplorable. As a rule, thousands of birds and rabbits can find shelter and sustenance in the deep pine woods when heavy snow covers the fields, but they cannot find that shelter now.
The last two snows have been unusually heavy, and they have been accompanied by high winds, which drove the snow into the deepest recesses of the forests, and even under the heavy underbrush the ground is thickly covered with frozen snow. This renders the condition of the little denizens of the wood and field absolutely helpless, and they simply huddle together where the last snow banked around them and freeze or starve to death. It is estimated that thousands have perished within the past week, and woodsmen who have been forced to break their way into the woods state that they have found both rabbits and partridges frozen stiff alongside of wood piles and underbrush.
The snow which fell last week was unusually heavy and packed closely where it fell. Coming on top of that which fell the week previous, and the entire mass in turn being converted into almost solid ice, has imprisoned the birds that had managed to keep shelter dup to that time.
Hunger has also driven birds, rabbits and other game into barns, poultry yards and other places around the farms and one farmer reports that he found two large coons in his hog pens the other day. Turkey buzzards have also become desperate through hunker and they have to be driven away from garbage receptacles in back yards even in the towns. Old sportsmen say that the present conditions are the worst and most fatal that the game of Sussex and the eastern shore has had to undergo for thirty years.
The Game Protection Association is taking steps to alleviate the conditions as far as possible, and as will be noticed in the local columns the Association is willing to pay those who feed the birds - The State Register
EVERETT HAS SOUND MOVIES
NEW RCA EQUIPMENT IS A SUCCESS IN EVERY RESPECT
BEST PICTURES BEING SHOWN
The Middletown community has been fortunate in the matter of entertainment now for a number of years. Under the present management of the Everett Theatre, it has been treated to the best and latest pictures and often some of the best performers in person that were obtainable. The management has gone to great expense and effort to give the theatre-going public the kind of entertainment that it wants - and its success has been noteworthy.
In keeping with that policy, Mr. Lewis recognized the passing of the silent drama and the popularity of the new talking moving pictures. Local patrons were going elsewhere to witness this newest innovation in the field of entertainment and the acquisition of such new equipment in The Everett was inevitable, if it was long to continue in business.
Consequently, The Everett has just had installed an RCA talking equipment that is recognized as the best obtainable. The company that manufactures these units is a subsidiary of the Westinghouse, General Electric, Victor talking machine and American Telephone and Telegraph Companies and this is the first installation made in Delaware south of Wilmington. The Opera House in that city is a previous installation, and the only one in the state to date.
This talking equipment is the very best manufactured today and is the only one that will record clearly the natural voices of the actors, both singing and speaking. It records Vitaphone pictures, which is a disc turntable system, and Movietone, which is recorded on the film through a sound head. The RCA installation handles both systems perfectly . An added feature is a special contract where by the local theatre is guaranteed that its equipment will be kept up-to-date for the next ten years. All improvements will be immediately installed as they are perfected and a weekly inspection will be made to assure a high type of picture presentation.
No expense has been spared to give patrons of The Everett perfect natural sound and pictures. Two horns have been placed in back of he screen, one to bring the movie voice to the auditorium audience and the other to carry it to those seated in the balcony. These horns are so designed as to do away with hitting the side-walls, which often causes worrisome vibration. They are placed behind the new screen, one of the famous Walker silver sheets which is perforated to permit the sound reproduction to pass through naturally. The acoustics of The Everett were found to be ideal for throwing sound to every part of the theatre. The entire equipment is driven by a complete generator set and its allied units. It has been aptly called by many “The golden voice of the silver screen.” The government has just placed an order for 458 sets, of the same type to be used in the various navy departments and on the nation's battleships. The largest ocean liner clearing the port of San Francisco is also equipped with such an installation.
In acquiring one of these instruments the management of The Everett had several things in mind. The principal one was to represent the best sound pictures possible. Another was to keep our theatre patrons at home. And still another was to help stimulate home business thereby.
While one or two minor adjustments were found to be necessary the entire installation is in every way a success and the pictures being presented are modern and of high quality. Audiences this week have expressed their elation that Middletown is so fortunately accommodated and their patronage has proven an evidence of heavier appreciation.
Dramas, comedies, musical comedies and revues will be on the regular weekly programs, many of them in Technicolor. Price s will be no higher than those prevailing for the same quality pictures in other towns of the state. matinees will be run on Saturday afternoons at 2:30 and two shows ill be given nightly at 7 and 9 p.m. Thousands of dollars have been invested in this new apparatus for whose benefit? The public demands and the public gets the best at The Everett.
Feb. 20, 1930 - THE SMALL TOWN IS LEADING AMERICA
Not long ago the nation was stirred by the drift of population away from farms and rural areas into the great cities. Young men, attracted by the high wages paid by industry and what appeared to be the superior social and economic advantages of urban life deserted the soil or the city.
In the past quarter-century rural America has made tremendous progress. Better schools, good roads, the automobile, telephone and radio have created a rural civilization greater than any in history. Industrialists, attracted by such factors as lack of labor difficulties, low taxes and un-congested pleasant living and working conditions, were bared from entry into the small town only because of lack of power.
Then rural electrification on a large scale was inaugurated. And now, according to authorities, the smaller towns are on the road to industrial leadership of America and the countryside is staged for the next scene of our industrial progress. The drift of population has turned. At present the only pronounced gain in industrial wage earners is taking place in the country. It is safe to say that many towns which are almost unknown today will be the great industrial centers of the future. The industrial revolution of the eighteenth century apparently doomed rural progress - now the electrical revolution of the twentieth is reversing the process.
50 years ago Today - Feb. 24, 1955
New Fire Truck to Arrive Here Next Week
It'll be here next week! That big new Ward La France fire truck which will bring Middletown's equipment right up to the peak once more.
Replacing the 25 year old Autocar, the new truck was designed in close cooperation with Civil Defense authorities and is considered the last word in both regular fire fighting and Civil Defense protection. The cost of $21,502.00 will be reduced somewhat through Civil Defense allowances.
This latest fire fighter will be on display in Cochran square Cochran Square and at the fire house after its delivery. please make it a point to see for yourself this important addition to our community.
In the very near future you will be solicited by mail for a donation to your fire compan.y. You may give to the general fund or designate that your contribution is to go to the Ambulance Fund.
No door to door or personal campaign will be made so please do not put your letter aside. Give as generously as possible and be sure to take your tax deductions.
You may never have called for either the fire trucks or the ambulance - but your neighbor has.
Messrs. Norris C. Phillips, Leland Sinex, G. Clark Burge, Jr., and Arthur J. Pennewill, Jr., members of the local fire company motored to Elmira, NY., the past week-end to inspect this new truck.
No Contest in Town Election This Year
The filing date for candidates seeking the offices of Mayor and two Councilmen, at the annual election to be held here Monday, march 7th, expired at noon Monday. Thomas R. Newnam is unopposed for the office of Mayor as is also John N. Sparks, Jr., Councilman and there will be no contest this year. Mr. Newnam has served four terms as mayor and this will be Mr. Spark's second term.
Mr. Wilson H. Wilcox, filed his name as a candidate for councilman, succeeding B. Franklin Watts, who was not a candidate for re-eleciton. He also is unopposed .The two holdover councilmen are Clifford S. Keck and Harry A. Jeffcott. The election will be held in the town offices on South Broad Street between the hours of two and six p.m.
