Delaware, U.S., Marriage Records, 1750-1954
Past In Review from 01-09-2003
100 years ago
Jan. 10, 1903
Damaged by Fire
An Early Morning Blaze at the Middletown Academy
Good Work by the Firemen
The blowing of the fire whistle at 5 o’clock Thursday morning caused many of our people to rise much earlier than usual, and when they were told the academy was on fire, there was much excitement. Mr. John R. Brown first discovered the fire when he went to fix the furnace in the basement, and after making brief investigation as to the location off the flames, lost no time in reporting his discovery to engineer Foraker at the electric light station.
The Volunteer Hose Company responded quickly to the alarm, and Chief Suydam and his assistants had but little difficulty in finding the best position from which to combat with the flames. At first it looked as if the fire would be a stubborn one to fight, but the fire laddies used excellent judgment in their work, and although the flames had reached the third floor before the first stream of water was turned on it was only a few minutes before the historic school building was thoroughly saturated and the flames extinguished.
Prof. William J. Bickett and wife who occupy rooms on the second floor were absent at the time, Mrs. Bickett being on a visit in Pennsylvania, and the Professor during her absence had been rooming with Mr. A.M. Chamberlain, consequently the building was unoccupied, although the firemen were not aware of the Professor’s absence, and while some of them were engaged in fighting the flames, others quickly ascended a ladder and smashed in the windows of his bed room, thinking he had possibly suffocated from the smoke, but they were soon informed of his whereabouts.
Narrow escape
Team Collided With Train at Railroad Crossing, Will Sue For Damages
Mr. Elias Shallcross, who resides near Odessa, had a narrow escape from instant death at the railroad crossing in the town early Wednesday morning. When he approached the railroad he noticed the passenger train which arrives here at 12:40 a.m., standing at the station, and after waiting for it to pull out attempted to cross the track.
As soon as the train passed, a freight train which had been lying South of the crossing pulled out and before Mr. Shallcross noticed it approaching, the collision occurred, and in his attempt to jump, clothing was caught in one of the wheels of a freight car, which drug him quite a distance. His cries for help were heard by the conductor, and after signaling to the engineer to stop the train he pulled the young man from his perilous position just in time to save his life fortunately he was not seriously hurt.
When the crash occurred the horse broke loose from the vehicle, and was not found until late in the morning, and was only slightly hurt but the carriage was reduced to splinters.
During the past few years several similar accidents have occurred at the crossing and a night flagman is badly needed.
We are informed Mr. Shallcross has retained counsel and will bring suit for damages.
50 years ago
Jan. 8,1953
Local Personal Column
Those Who Entertained and Have Been Away
Mrs. Jane Nichols, of Philadelphia, is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Leroy E. Mahle.
Mrs. Carlton Draper, of Milton visited her mother, Mrs. P.L. McWhorter, this week.
Mrs. N.C. Lockwood spent the week-end in Wilmington with Miss Lucy Brinkly and sister.
Miss Louise D. Buckworth spent New Year’s Day with Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Lamm in Elkton, Md.
Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Walls, Sr., left on New Year’s Day for a three-month vacation in Miami, Fla.
Miss Louise D. Buckworth was the recent weekend guest of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hutchison in Collins Park.
Miss Rae Besso, of New York City, was the weekend guest of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Sadoff and family.
Mrs. Ernest W. Brown, of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is visiting Secretary of State and Mrs. Harris B. McDowell, near town.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Berg were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eisenman and son, Steven, in Wilmington.
Mrs. Harry Smith left on Tuesday to spend a week with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Smith in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mr. and Mrs. William L. Cole, of Wilmington, have returned after spending the Christmas and New Year vacation with her parents, Secretary of State and Mrs. Harris B. McDowell, near town.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Littleton returned to their home in Lewes on Saturday after spending the holidays with their son-in-law and daughter. Mayor and Mrs. Thomas R. Newnam and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Weiner, of West Oak Lane, Philadelphia, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eisenman and son, Steven, of Wilmington, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Berg during the holidays.
25 years ago
Jan. 12, 1978
Fire Co. and Active Crew Elect Officers
The annual election of the Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown, Inc., was held in the fire hall on Friday evening, January 6th.
Directors elected for a three-year term were Arthur J. Pennewill, Charles E. Price and David D. Chillas.
The officers re-elected were Arthur J. Pennewill, president; Charles E. Price , vice president; Kenneth L Branner, Jr., treasurer; W. Charles Money, secretary.
Fire Chief Franklin H. Bailey, Jr., was re-elected. Kenneth Branner was elected first assistant chief and Andrew R. Rokita was elected second assistant chief.
Following the general election the Active Crew elected its line officers for the coming year.
Elected were: Fire Captain – Max Wallis; Ladder Captain – David Chillas; Rescue Captain – Gary Collins; Fire Lieutenant – Teddy Price ; Chief Engineer – John Mullen.
Personal Notes
Those Who Entertained and Have Been Away
Mr. and Mrs. A. Claude Fouracre were dinner guests of Mrs. Patricia F. Willey and Miss Melissa Willey in Dover on Sunday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Shevock of Odessa vacationed in Puerto Rico, Venesezula and the Carribean over the Christmas holidays. They were joined by Mrs. Shevock’s twin sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin DeLozier of Detroit, Mich.
Mrs. George Hardy entertained Mr. and Mrs. John Garton and son, John, of Hockessin, and Mr. and Mrs. Malvin Larsen and son, Ted, at dinner on Sunday in honor of the wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Larsen.
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Stafford and family, of Alburtis, Pa., spent New Year’s weekend here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. I. Stafford.
Mrs. Mildred Hill returned to her home here on Friday after having been a patient in St. Francis Hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Middleton, of Smyrna, were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Wilds.
Mr. and Mrs. John Gross, of Hyattsville, Md., were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gross and family.
