UNDERSTANDING BIRD BANDING

UNDERSTANDING BIRD BANDING

Banding is an important tool to the science of understanding wild birds and other creatures of Mother Nature. It is used by all wild life rehabilitators, such as the Geological Survey of the United States and Canada's Wildlife Service to address population, hunting impact and effects of the humans on bird habitats, gain information of longevity, migration and breeding. Through the small percent of 'returns' we have learned significant data and lessons from raptors, shorebirds, oiled birds of spills, those birds with cases of interest, such as botulism, finch eye syndrome and other diseases .

Rehabilitated birds have proved they can survive back in the wild for many years. Hatched birds show they can migrate and join into a wide flock ti south America and back. Bands have proven brown pelicans, gulls and herons from the Deepwater horizon spill are surviving today, some sixteen years later.

Source: Tri-State Rescue News Letter, Fall 2014, Newark Delaware

MEN OF LEWES, MATHEW WILSON

MATTHEW WILSON

PROFESSOR, PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHYSICIAN

FROM

LEWESTOWN ON DELAWARE

It is 1778, three years into the American Revolution, Sussex county Delaware was in the midst of control by Tories, those loyal to the British Crown, and Wilson, the pastor of the Lewes Presbyterian Church on Kings Way, also a local prominent physician, a Whig Party Member who was a leader of the Tea Tax boycott, has rallied the residents of Lewes and the coastal region, with the help of Henry fisher, and William Perry, to the Patriot's cause. In July 1778 Wilson made it known to Colonial leaders of Philadelphia of two drastic courses of action. The first plan was to divide the State of Delaware between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and, if that did not happen, to ban all Tories from holding public offices in the state for a long period of time.

Wilson also presented a clandestine effort to identify Tory office holders in Delaware by using already arrested Tories to ferret them out. He advocated to pardon some Tory or two on condition they become a true witness against the rest. On of those who was suggested was James Cooper from Sussex. It is not know if Wilson advice was followed, but the Tories in Sussex began to wane.

Source: Michael Morgan Collection, Delaware Diary, Delaware Coast News.

From sussex Delaware to the sagebrush desert of Idaho

Would You Migrate From Sussex County Delaware to 1872 Boise, Idaho's Sage Brush Desert Country?

In the spring of 1872, a Mr. Cramer of Drawbridge, Sussex County, Delaware, wrote the Idaho Statesman newspaper of Boise, Idaho, with the question “ what can a man do in Idaho, who is willing to work and has a good knowledge of his trade”. Evidently Creamer and several of his neighbors were contemplating a move.

With the answer he received he learned that carpenters and joiners were paid $5 a day in the city, and other mechanical labor was much the same. There was a need for blacksmiths and there was no difficulty in any one making himself useful in this country. Farming and the raising of meat stock , mining, are the principal occupations. Room and board is $10 a week.

The news told that the winters were mild, last winter the temperature did not reach more than 10 degree above zero, the average was about 35 above. The water is good.

There are daily stages which meet the railroad in two to three days as do they cross the Columbia River to the west. Idaho City is north 35 miles and Silver City is 60 miles south.

Grain cost 2-1/2 cents a pound, potatoes 2 cents a pound, butter 50 cents, egg also, beef is 6 to 8 cents per pound.

To reach here from the Atlantic States you take the railroad from Omaha to the top of Utah Territory, then the stage some 240 miles to this city along a route of sage brush desert with few stage stations but upon reaching this valley you will find inviting , well improved and very productive country.

Source: The Idaho Statesman, Boise, Idaho, 7 March 1872.

Farmers Daughter and the Traveling Saleman

DELAWARE ROMANCE

A Story of a Farmers Daughter and a Traveling Salesman

It is early spring 1845, before the railroad's came to the area, when a peddler drove his horse and wagon up to the farm house door of the Johnson's family farm between Milton and Georgetown. Traveling peddlers were popular and most welcome as they brought news, stories of the out side world, items needed for house keeping and farming, and just plain company. This peddler was a fine example of the trade, young, good looking, and looked honest enough to allow in the house.

Upon entering the house with his wares to sell, he immediately noticed the beautiful only daughter of the farmer and his wife, a young twenty year old, who held his attention throughout the most of his visit. It was a case of love at first sight. Before the peddler left he had the opportunity to speak with the young beautiful girl in private and told her he was William Spaudls and that her charm had drawn his attention. When the peddler proceeded on his journey he and Kitty Johnson were betrothed. It was several months before William was able to return to Kitty and after the remonstrating of the elderly mother and father, the lovers were married. During the year following the marriage the Spaudl's gave up peddling and took up the management of the family farm. William,nor Kitty, being real farmers, the farm eventually passed into other hands and Spaudls started a tin shop which barely was able to make business.

One morning in 1857, William Spaudls left Milton on a vessel bound for Philadelphia to make a semiannual trip to purchase items for his tin shop business. After a week or so the vessel returned to Milton but William Spaudls was not aboard. The ship's captain had told the family William has spent most nights on the ship in Philadelphia but he had not seen nor heard from him upon sailing on the return trip. Days, weeks, months, then years passed, Kitty waited for the footsteps of her husband, but they did not come. She became a deserted wife.

In 1867 Kitty started west with the two children and settled in Illinois where they lived comfortably and happily for years, enduring an end to her heartache. Many years later in Delaware, a broken hulk of an old man , dusty from travel, passed through the gate of his former home, asking for assistance. The local farm folk at once knew this was William Spaulds who had returned for a once more glance upon his family. He was told the story of Kitties heartbreak and leaving for the west, of her death, and news that the children now lived far away. The old man wept, bent to pick up his meager little bundle, turned and passed through the gate without a word. How and why he disappeared and what will become of him remains a mystery.

Source: 21 August 1883 San Francisco Chronicle.

CROSSING THE PLAINS IN 1865 FROM SARAH RAYMONDS DIARY AS FOUND IN THE 1880 "ROCKY MOUNTAIN HUSBANDMAN" NEWSPAPER.

12 June 1865 Fort Kearney, Nebraska Territory:

 Here we stood at fort Kearney, a major way station on the trail west, looking at eleven graves of men killed by Indians last August as they were at breakfast in camp on Plum Creek. There were two women, wives of two of the party.  One man who had left camp to get water was the only survivor . The invaders killed and skalped all the men at camp, and took the two women and whatever of the provisions in the wagons, then set fire to them, and ran off with the teams and the women.  The one man who had been at the creek for water went with all haste to the way station for help. There the soldiers chased the Indians, fought them, rescued the women. These folks were from St. Joe, Missouri

Pennsylvania Register
Contributed by Harrison


Description: Get To Know The 1702 Port of Lewes Tariff Collector, Henry Brooke, Aristocrat.
Date: December 19 1929

Newspaper published in: Pennsylvania

Source: Michael Morgan Collection

Page/Column: Delaware Diary

Lewes, Delaware
Henry Brooke was born to an aristocratic English family in the late 1600's, was an Oxford student in the early 1700's but included parties and carousing with his studies. His parents and teachers decided that he needed a dose of reality, so in 1702 he was removed from Oxford, handed a position as the tax collector for Port of Lewes on the Delaware, and so found himself on a sailing ship bound for America. While in Lewes Henry found the hot spot of town was a tavern at the corner of Second and Mulberry by name of Phillip Russells, where illegal card playing and other activities sometimes had the owner hauled into court. However, these activities did not satisfy Brooke and he often hitched a ride aboard a ship bound for Philadelphia where he caroused with other drinking buddies. In Lewes at his station one day in 1709 a French privateer came into Cape Henlopen and upset the towns people for fear of another pirate attack like they suffered in 1698. Unable to secure any assistance locally, Brooks set sail in a small sloop up the bay to Philadelphia for help from the governor but was refused. He then hired two ships and returned to Lewes with intentions to drive the Frenchmen away, however, they had already left for larger spoils. After this incident Henry Brooks seemed to mellow, perhaps growing older, declined his carousing and spent more time in his library, reading and writing and developed a respected reputation of knowledge and became the Speaker of The House of Representatives in the Lower Counties on the Delaware in 1717. In 1721 he was appointed to the Governors Council and five years later was appointed a judge of the colonial Supreme Court.

BEGINNINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

The College beginnings are attributed to Francis Alison, a Presbyterian minister born in 1705 in County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1735. He had been graduated from the University of Edinburg and when in America opened a 'Free School' for the promotion of learning. He formed the Alison's Academy on November 24, 1743 in New London Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The school changed locations several times, eventually settling in Newark, Delaware, became the Academy of Newark in 1769, Newark College in 1833, Delaware College in 1843 and the University of Delaware in 1921. Upon enrollment a student took he following pledge: “I do hereby promise to engage that I will observe and confirm to all the Laws and Regulations made by the government of Newark College for Students, so long as I remain a member of the Institution”.

In 1843, John Parker, age 16, received AB Degree from Delaware College, being th son of Peter S. Parker, Milton business man, one time Delaware State Treasurer, and owner of iron ore mines which shipped the ore to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on the Morris River, to be processed. John Parker died on the 12^th of August 1851 and is buried in Goshen Cemetery, Milton, Delaware. Also in 1843 William T. Russel was a student at Delaware College but transferred to University of Pennsylvania.

In 1849, Caleb R. Paynter, son of Samuel and Sallie Paynter of Drawbridge, Broakdkill Hundred, was a student at the college.

BEGINNINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

The College beginnings are attributed to Francis Alison, a Presbyterian minister born in 1705 in County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1735. He had been graduated from the University of Edinburg and when in America opened a 'Free School' for the promotion of learning. He formed the Alison's Academy on November 24, 1743 in New London Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The school changed locations several times, eventually settling in Newark, Delaware, became the Academy of Newark in 1769, Newark College in 1833, Delaware College in 1843 and the University of Delaware in 1921. Upon enrollment a student took he following pledge: “I do hereby promise to engage that I will observe and confirm to all the Laws and Regulations made by the government of Newark College for Students, so long as I remain a member of the Institution”.

In 1843, John Parker, age 16, received AB Degree from Delaware College, being th son of Peter S. Parker, Milton business man, one time Delaware State Treasurer, and owner of iron ore mines which shipped the ore to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on the Morris River, to be processed. John Parker died on the 12^th of August 1851 and is buried in Goshen Cemetery, Milton, Delaware. Also in 1843 William T. Russel was a student at Delaware College but transferred to University of Pennsylvania.

In 1849, Caleb R. Paynter, son of Samuel and Sallie Paynter of Drawbridge, Broakdkill Hundred, was a student at the college.

Golf Come To Rehoboth 1926

GOLF COMES TO REHOBOTH BEACH

During the end of the 1880's Rehoboth Beach was one of the leading ocean side resorts, railroads were bringing vacationers from cities such as Washington, D.C, Baltimore and Philadelphia to the center of town, within a block or two of the grandiose hotels, the Atlantic, the Henlopen and the Townsend, among other smaller ones, all of which had spacious and airy rooms, and fine restaurants. The wide sandy beach and gentle surf was guarded by hired surfmen or lifeguards which looked after bathing sections which had safety ropes tethered on shore running to an anchored buoy out in the surf . A boardwalk was popular for strolling and enjoying the cool ocean breeze. Other sports or activities were fishing, crabbing, digging for clams or oysters and sailing in the breeze of the sea. A stable of horses was near by and many 'bridal paths' were found through the pine forest for the enjoyment of those who desired more adventuresome sport.

It was well after World War II , 1925 to be exact, that Golf came to Rehoboth. Golf was a British Isles sport and was not popular in America until the late 1890's . Scribner's Magazine in 1894 described golf as being a sport that was fit for the well preserved, the stout, the thin and not too violent. A true sportsman game. At this time there were less than 100 golf links in America but growing at a rapid rate.

In 1926, 'Rehoboth Heights' was being developed by Henry Conant who came up from Chincoteague Island, Virginia and developed land between the south side of Rehoboth and Silver Lake. On the north edge of this development he had the golf course built as were other nearby resorts. The Rehoboth Beach country Club was well kept, had it's own tournaments and even fielded a team which played in a league on the Delmarva Peninsula,

Scribners Magazine wrote “ once seen, golf cannot be forgoten, once experienced it will not be neglected, it has fairly got us now and it may be trusted to keep us”.

Source

Michael Morgan Collection, Delaware Diary, Delaware Coast News

INDIAN RIVER INLET AND ITS BRIDGES

SUSSEX COUNTY'S

INDIAN RIVER INLET

AND IT;S BRIDGES

FROM THE COLLECTION OF MICHAEL MORGAN

DELAWAER COAST PRESS / DELAWARE DIARY

Early on, before the mid 1930's, the inlet to the inland bays of Indian River Hundred and the Atlantic Ocean could never make up it's mind just where it wanted to be and worked it's way up and down the coast between Rehoboth to what is now Bethany Beach, once Cotton Patch Hill. These inlets would open during a storm, then fill in with sand and become useless or just disappear. When the inlet silted shut the coastal bays would stagnate and the bays waters became worthless, no sea life at all could live with the stinking green algae. Sometime about 1920 former Governor John Gillis Townsend was given the task to reopen the inlet. He had a dredge remove considerable sand and then placed 2000 or more pounds of Hurcules black powder to open the barrier. The explosion lifted sand high into the air, opening a 6 foot deep, 60 foot wide channel, that then fell right back where it had come from, the inlet lasting only a very short period. It took federal funds in the early 1930's to dig an inlet with stabilized sides and become a permanent fixture along the Delaware coast, however, the waterway was not yet tamed. Wind blown sand and storm driven wash overs proved to be disastrous. A coastal highway was being constructed between Rehoboth and Betheny Beach in 1933 and the first bridge over the Indian River Inlet was built in 1934. It was a fixed timber bridge, lasting only four years, and named for the then chairman of Delaware State Highway's, Charles W. Cullen, a lawyer and judge of Georgetown. The 1938 bridge replacement was of steel and concrete and was a swing bridge to allow vessels to enter and exit the bay. Heavy ice flow and extra high tides destroyed the second bridge in 1948 with loss of lives. The third bridge was of steel and concrete and was also a swing bridge opened in 1952, replaced in 1965 by a fourth bridge which was a high rise type construction but done in by scoured foundations. To date, no bridge over the Indian River Inlet has reached it's 14^th year birthday and will the inlet have more to say of the fifth elaborate and costly high rise structure now in place?

Delaware Coast Press
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Delaware Coast Press
Contributed by Harrison

Description: 1742 Nanticoke Tribe Made Plans For Uprising Against European Colonist In Sussex On Delaware
Date: 1747

Newspaper published in: Rehoboth

Source: Michael Morgan collection

Lewes On Delaware, 1747

Ryves Holt made it known to the people of Sussex that the Nanticoke Tribe had met with other Native American tribes in the Pocomoke Swamp and laid plans for an uprising against the European colonist on the eastern shore. This uprising was initiated by Shawnee leader Messowan who offered 500 Shawnee warriors and help from other northern tribes. This uprising was to begin with the French-Indian attack at "Apple Time". However, the uprising never came. Leaders were captured and imprisoned in Maryland. Eventually they were released by officials who declared " We are rather desirous to use you kindly like brethren in hopes that it will beget the same kindness in you to us".

---

LAST VOYAGE OF THE QUEEN OF THE SKIES

“QUEEN OF THE SKY”

OVER

CAPE HENLOPEN

April 1933, Lewes, Delaware

The large lighter-than-air “Airship Akron” silently passed over Cape Henlopen on a north bound voyage which proved to be it's last trip. The Akron was almost 800 foot in length and was as tall as a 15 floor building. The large 'hull', covered with fabric, held nonflammable helium bags to keep her afloat, crew quarters for 90 some men, and 8 engines that could propel her to 90 MPH. Also carried were 4 fixed wing aircraft which could take off and land while the airship was in the air. It is no wonder the ship earned the nickname “Queen of the Skies”.

On it;s way north, just off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, heavy winds drove the Akron into the Atlantic Ocean, where the rough seas broke her up, loosing most of her crew. Debris from the accident washed ashore for weeks. The Delaware coast News reported that Mrs. Wilbur Corkran of Henlopen Acres, Frank Tylecki and Dorman Johnson of Rehoboth found parts of the Akron on the beach between Rehoboth and the Indian river Inlet. The U.S. Coast Guard also found scraps of wreckage which marked the end of “The Queen of the Skies”.

Michael Morgan Collection, and Delaware Coast Press, 19 April 1933

1934 March Snowstorm and a Maltese Cat.

1934

MARCH SNOWSTORM

AND

A MALTESE CAT

Lewes, Delaware, March 2, 1934 Delaware Coast News

A topsy-turvy nor'easter coastal storm made a turn for the worst and the sea flooded the street of Lewes and dumped a heavy snow covering the coastal region. It's the same old story, a high pressure system with sub-freezing temperature collided with a low pressure, moisture laden system.

Delaware Bay was mostly frozen from the long winter cold spell and this storm cut communications between shore and the lighthouses leaving the keepers marooned. Supply boats were not able to make their daily trips because of heavy ice packets. Necessities ran short.

The tanker “J. C. Donnell” went aground on Brown Shoal, had a engine room fire which seriously injured a crew member, who was put on board a tug and headed toward Lewes and the Beebe Hospital. Close to Lewes, ice prevented it from landing at pier and the injured crewman was transferred to a small boat which was slid across the ice then pulled to shore, and the man was taken to the hospital and treated.

Then more problems. Temperatures began to rise, rain began to fall, ice and snow melted, and the beach community of Kimmytown was flooded with almost three foot deep waters, hindering the efforts of local residents trying to aid the stranded crew members out in the Breakwater.

On the southern edge of town, near the railroad station, the W. J. Warren Canning Company lost 2300 bushels of pea seed to be planted for precessing in May and June. All over the area cars that tried to drive through the flooded streets were stuck from the water flooding out their engines. The canal reached almost it overflow stage and Lewes Pilots were landed up the bay for the week.

The Delaware Coast News reported a happy story of the flood. “A small Maltese cat, marooned atop a wood fence post in a vast expanse of water” was saved by a fireman within several hours.

Michael Morgan collection:

BLACKWATER NEWS

BROOKE MEANLY COLLECTION

CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND

1978

Blackwater National Wildlife Center , a vast area, 11,000 acres or so, of marsh and pine tree forest is located in southwestern Dorchester county's Hoopers Island District. It was established in 1938 . In the late 1970's it had the largest nestling’s of bald eagles in eastern North America, north of Florida, the largest number Delmarva Fox Squirrel, was a major stop for Canadian Geese along the Atlantic Flyway, a large muskrat trapping area, and the only known nesting area of the red headed woodpecker in Maryland.

Blackwater appears a lot like the Florida Everglades and it has been referred to as the Northern Everglades by some people.

The Blackwater River is the main river flowing through the marshes. Fed from three swamps, Gum Swamp, Kentuck Swamp and Moneystump Swamp. It is said the dark water of the river is because of the swampy source.

Other water sources are the Little Blackwater River, Meeking Creek and Transquaking Rivers, all mostly fresh water. They empty into Fishing Bay.

There is concern that salt water from Chesapeake Bay will eventually be a problem as it seeps through the Blackwater.

DORCHESTER NEWS

LIBERIAN PRESIDENT 1857 TO 1864 BORN 1816

DORCHESTER COUNTY MARYLAND

STEPHEN ALLEN BENSON, (1816-1865), was born a black freeman in Dorchester county, Maryland. At age six, he and his parents emigrated to Liberia, on the African Coast with a movement sponsored by the American Colonization Society, a white resettlement movement of mixed motives.

After several years of native African resistance, in which Benson lost a brother, his father wounded and he and other siblings captured, Liberia formed a government much like the early American's had and Stephen Benson took a seat on the Colonial Council as a Judge in 1847. In 1853 he was elected as Vice President of the Republic of Liberia. In 1856 he became the second president of Liberia's Republic until 1864, then returning to his coffee plantation in Grand Bassa where he died in 1865.

VETERANS HELPING VETERANS

A veteran came to help for the second time, after the 2014 March 1st snow storm, and removed the drifted snow and ice from our driveway in Whispering Pines. This times it was VFW member Ronny Bailey, a Broadkiln Post 6984 member.  It is a large comfort to this 80 some year old member of VFW post in Milton to know that the commander grants this aid to its aged and handicapped veterans and families.

VETERANS HELPING VETERANS

The morning just after the January 21st 2014 snow storm almost every one and everything was covered by drifts of snow. Thank the Lord the electricity did not fail here in the Lewes area and inside the home it was comfortable.  We did have one worry, how were we going to get the cars out of the snow bank built up behind them in case of an emergency or when we needed to use one to keep medical appointments. Several  calls for help did not solve the problem, however, at noon up drove a large grey  Ford pickup and out jumped Post 6984 Broadkiln VFW of Milton Adjutant , Hank Rickard's , a real Godsend, and shoveled both vehicles clear as well as the whole parking area so that this 84 year old Korean War vet and his handicapped wife had access to the world again. Thank you Hank and the VFW at Milton.   .