From The Smyrna Times,
Dec. 27, 1934
Fatal accident on the Boulevard
Daniel Lambson, employed by Frank Slaughter on “Woodlawn” farm, was struck by a car on the Boulevard near Smyrna early Sunday morning and died in the Kent General Hospital, Dover, where he was hastened with the hope of saving his life.
Highway Officer Harry Moore arrested the driver, Jonathan R. Willis of Dover. He was placed under $5,000 bail by Magistrate Shorb of Dover to wait the action of the coroner.
A companion of Lambson told the police that Lambson had been drinking and he had warned him several times against walking on the side of the road but his caution was ignored. The accident occurred on the dual highway, two miles below Smyrna.
Willis told Officer Moore that he turned out to pass another car, also going south, when he felt a bump against the front of his car. He stopped and went back and found the man lying on the roadway.
Fire damages Wilson block
Shortly after the stores closed Saturday night, the fire siren sounded an alarm and the attention of the populace was directed to the store properties of John E. Wilson, Inc., corner of Commerce and Market streets.
Coincident with this, another alarm was sent out that there was a chimney fire at the residence of Horace Tilghman on South Main Street.
This double alarm, so to speak, made it advisable to call the Clayton Fire Company out. While one of Smyrna’s fire engines rushed to the Tilghman fire, the other fought the blaze in the Wilson block until Clayton came to their assistance.
The Tilghman fire, caused by a defective flue, was soon extinguished with little damage.
The Wilson fire was much more menacing and for a time threatened not only the Wilson block but the business center of the town. The fire seems to have started in the little one-story building next to the three-story corner property long the residence and business stand of John C. Still. Flames had eaten their way through the roof of the one-story building into the Still building, bursting out through the weatherboarding at several places.
The Wilsons, it might be explained, own from Swain’s Drug Store to Market Street. The main store is next to Swain’s, separated by an alleyway. Next to the Wilson’s main store is a store room, formerly the millinery shop of Mrs. Margaret Conaway Norris, the store formerly the butcher shop of Norris Truax, and the buildings formerly owned by John C. Still. All of those buildings are now used in an enlarged store by John E. Wilson, Inc.
Had the fire gotten beyond control of our firemen, nothing would have prevented a clean sweep of this block and probably other nearby properties….
The damage, it is said, amounts to over $1,500.
Christmas in town spent quietly
Christmas in Smyrna passed off quietly with no untoward incident to mar the day. Those who had hoped for snow with cold, brisk weather, did not realize their wish, for in marked contrast, the weather was clear and unusually mild.
The day was ushered in with carol singing and the merry rounds of Christmas Eve groups that remained up most of the night, some busy trimming trees and decorating their homes, and others out for a jolly lark.
There was the usual midnight Christmas service at St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Church and the six o’clock morning service at Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church….
Christmas day primarily was a day of family reunions, a day mostly spent in carrying good cheer and making everybody happy, especially the children.
The poor were not forgotten by our local organizations. The King’s Daughters and Benevolent Societies carried Christmas cheer as best they could to many families. Even our Fire Company did commendable work. They made up baskets for 20 families which include 70 or more children. They solicited early for donations and obtained in all 125 toys, 30 pounds of candy, 30 pounds of nuts, and 21 dozen oranges….
Out at the State Welfare Home there was a Christmas tree and other decorations and a Christmas dinner was served. The residents were treated to a Christmas program both over the radio and by local talent….
Christmas spirit marked closing of schools for holiday vacation
The spirit of Christmas was not only manifest in songs, recitations, Christmas trimmings, and the like, but was also evidenced in a practical way at the Smyrna school. Articles of clothing were contributed by members of the school who had either outgrown or no longer had use for same, and were fitted to those pupils who were in desperate need of clothing of all sorts. Fifteen were reported to the King’s Daughters by Miss Griffith, a member of the committee. They will be given direct aid from that worthy organization.
The pupils in the first grade made articles for the guests at the Welfare Home, consisting of crossword puzzle booklets, picture books, and Xmas cards.
On Friday afternoon from 2:30 to 3:30, the girls in the Home Economics Department served tea to their parents and friends. There was also an exhibit of fruit cakes, cookies, candies and stuffed fruit which the girls have made during the unit of instruction, “The Girl’s Relation to her Community.” These articles were attractively wrapped and were presented to their families. The girls also presented the Superintendent of Schools with a delightful fruit cake.
Special celebrations were held in each classroom.
Schools closed Friday, December 21 for the Christmas vacation to be open again on Thursday, January 3.
Strand Theatre, Smyrna, Del. (advertisement)
Thursday-Friday, December 27-28, Bing Crosby and Miriam Hopkins in “She Loves Me Not,” with Kitty Carlisle.
Saturday, December 29, Zane Grey’s “The Last Round-Up,” a Paramount Picture.
Tuesday-Wednesday, January 1-2, “Music in the Air” with Gloria Swanson, John Boles, Douglass Montgomery and June Lang. Music by Jerome Keen. Lyrics and Libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II.
See the Mummers Parade (advertisement)
One-day excursion to Philadelphia to see the Mummers Parade. Round trip, $2.25. Tuesday, January 1. Leave Clayton 7:31 A.M.
Pennsylvania Railroad
See flyers or consult agents
