Delaware, U.S., Marriage Records, 1750-1954
Past In Review from 10-02-2003
100 years ago
Oct. 3, 1903
Narrow escape from drowning
Commissioner Merritt N. Willits, of this town, had a narrow escape from drowning in the Smyrna River Wednesday afternoon. In company with the other members of the Levy Court, he went to Fleming’s Bridge over Smyrna River to look over the structure, in conjunction with members of the Kent County Levy Court.
The latter body was represented by Messrs. Baggs, Fortner and Woodraff, and while the party was about midstream on the bridge, Mr. Willits was stricken with vertigo and fell backward into the river. The water is pretty deep at that point and there are also eddies, which make it particularly dangerous.
Fortunately, when Mr. Willits struck the water, he was revived and appeared to realize his predicament at once. He immediately began to swim and struck out for shore, which was about 100 feet distant, he reached the shore in safety and was assisted out of the water by the other members of the party, who were greatly shocked by the accident.
When Mr. Willits emerged from the water he was fully conscious and a man living in the neighborhood, who happened to be nearby, induced Mr. Willits to go home with him, and after he had reached the house of his friends he was provided with dry clothing and appeared to be none the worse for his unpleasant experience. He returned home with the other members of the party and is now enjoying his usual good health.
The object of the visit was to inspect the bridge. The members of the court were surprised to note the condition of the bridge. The iron work has been eaten through in places by the action of the salt water. The members of the court at their next meeting will discuss the matter.
Dropped Dead At Townsend
Thomas B. Coleman, baggage master on the Queen Anne’s Railroad dropped dead while his train was standing at the Townsend station Thursday evening about 5:30 o’clock. Mr. Coleman was noticed to stagger by a fellow workman who rushed to his side just in time to prevent his falling, and after placing the dying man in a comfortable position, a physician was summoned but life was extinct when he arrived.
The coroner was notified, and he instructed undertaker J. H. Emerson to bring the remains, and the body was shipped to his late home in Centreville, Md., Thursday morning. Mr. Coleman was aged about 64 years and leaves a family. Heart failure was the cause of his death.
75 years ago
Oct. 4, 1928
Townsend
S.M. Boyer of Leipsic, Del., was a visitor here on Saturday.
R. M. Stover of Philadelphia, visited friends here on Monday.
Mrs. Edna Norment spent the weekend with friends at Rehoboth.
Mrs. Francis Marvel is spending a few days with friends in Wilmington.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Layman, of Wilmington, were visitors here on Saturday of the past week.
Mrs. Henry Webb and daughter, of Smyrna, spent the weekend at the home of Dr. and Mrs. J. D. Niles.
E. C. Mitchell, of Lock Haven, Pa., was a visitor in this locality on Monday.
Miss Leilah Money and Mr. Leslie Schofield spent the weekend at Rehoboth.
Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Foraker spent Friday with Mr. and Mrs. Levi Lattomus, of Fieldsboro.
Mrs. W. A. Scott, Mrs. L. L. Maloney and Mrs. Edna Morment spent Wednesday in Wilmington.
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Wells and daughter, Doris, and Mr. Renben Harman motored to Philadelphia, Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Carleton MacSorley and family, of Cambridge, Md., spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hodgson.
The social and business meeting of the Epworth League was held Wednesday evening in the Sunday school room of the church.
Miss Pearl A. Wells, who is employed by the State Highway department at Dover, is away on a week’s vacation, which she is spending at Henderson, N.C.
50 years ago
Oct. 1, 1953
Local Personal Column
Those Who Entertained And Have Been Away
Mrs. Howard Lewis, of Talleyville, spent Sunday with her sister, Mrs. Emma walker and son.
Miss Elizabeth Kemp, of Dover, spent last week with Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Hufnal and family.
Miss Gail White, of Limestone Road, Wilmington, was the weekend guest of her aunt, Mrs. Edna Gibbs.
Mr. and Mrs. William Prebble, of Sonyea, N.Y., are guests of her sister, Mrs. Wilson H. Wilcox and Mr. Wilcox.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Hufnal spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week in Atlantic City, N.J.
Mr. and Mrs. L. Wilmer Williams and son Larry of Wilmington, were weekend guests of her mother, Mrs. Laura Treleaven.
Mrs. John W. Dickinson spent Sunday with her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Gallagher, in Prospect Park, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Donovan and son, Charles, were Sunday visitors of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Roeth in Philadelphia, Pa.
Mr. William Sartin, of near town is recouperating at his home after an operation in the Delaware Hospital, Wilmington on Thursday of last week.
Miss Margaret Riggin has resumed her studies at Wesley Junior College, Dover, after spending the summer vacation here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Riggin.
Mrs. G. Clark Burge, Jr., returned to her home on Wednesday after having been a patient in the Delaware Hospital, Wilmington, where she underwent an operation on Friday of last week.
