From the pages of The Smyrna Times
June 14, 1934
Fire Destroys Kenton Cannery
Fire on Friday afternoon destroyed the large canning factory of John W. Arthurs at Kenton, the community’s only large and important industry.
The fire started on the roof and it is thought to have been caused from a spark from the engine of the afternoon train passing through Kenton. The fire was discovered almost immediately after the train had passed but because of the lack of a water supply and the location of the cannery along the D. & C. branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which made it more or less inaccessible for the fire engines to be much good, the cannery was totally destroyed with all its contents.
At the time of the fire, the cannery was in operation, employing a number of people canning asparagus. Between 700 and 800 cans of asparagus were destroyed along with tools, machinery, and other equipment….
Fortunately the cannery is situated off to one side of the town and no other properties were in immediate danger.
The fire alarm brought Smyrna, Clayton, Hartly, and Cheswold companies to the scene of the conflagration….
The fact that the old Hilyard Cannery there is not operated, the John H. Hoffecker cannery at Smyrna is closed, and the destruction several years ago of Brenford cannery owned by the late E.B. Arnold, the loss of the Kenton cannery adds to the shortage of canneries in this section, thus placing many people in upper Kent County out of employment for the summer months.
Lake Como Water Report Is False
The report around Smyrna that water from Lake Como had been sent away and the analysis showed typhoid germs is false.
The water has not even been sent away for analysis yet but will some time in the near future.
Twenty-Six to Graduate Smyrna High
The members of the Senior Class of 1924 of the Smyrna High School are receiving honorable mention this week in the usual four major events, culminating tomorrow, Friday night, with the Commencement Exercises to be held in the High School Auditorium.
The exercises began Sunday morning with the Baccalaureate sermon preached by Rev. James R. Gailey, pastor of the Presbyterian Church….
Class Night, Wednesday, the school auditorium was well filled by friends and relatives of the class as well as the student body of the school to witness the presentation of the Class Night program by the Graduating Class.
The program was as follows:
Music, High School Band;
Introduction of the Class of 1934, Ethel Belle Streets, President;
Song, Class;
History of the Class of 1934, written by Evelyn Wallace, read by Maggie Ann Warner;
Class Poem, by Clara Stark and Alice Council, given by Catherine Davis;
Song, Class;
Class Prophecy, by John Fleming and Franklin Stevens, given by Catherine Sullivan;
The Grumbler, Henry Y. Lower;
Last Will and Testament, by Denney Slaughter and Mable Salter, read by Ernestine Davis;
Song, Class;
Music, High School Band.
The class will be honored guests tonight, Thursday, of the Junior Class at the Junior-Senior Prom given in the school auditorium.
First Grads of St. Andrew’s
St. Andrew’s School, the new Episcopal School on Noxontown Lake, near Middletown, built and founded by A. Felix duPont of Wilmington and dedicated to the cause of education, held its first Graduating Exercises Sunday.
It was a noteworthy occasion and was attended by 500 or more who enjoyed the beautiful layout of the institution and grounds and the ideal summer weather which marked the day.
Mr. duPont, the donor, was there and he received the congratulations of his friends on the auspicious beginning of the institution and best wishes that it will continue to grow in usefulness….
