1937 MILTON HOMECOMING

1937 MILTON HOMECOMING EVENT

Milton, Delaware , Sunday , August 23, 1937: 3000 persons jammed the streets of Milton last night for the community parade , the highlight of the homecoming celebration which concluded today with special church services. The homecoming doubtless appealed to not just former residents, but also the descendents of the latter, as well as others who know how hospitable Milton folk are and what an interesting town it has always been.

The parade was headed by the band of the 198^th Coast Artillery under the direction of

Lieutenant J. Morris Robinson, next the Milton Fire Company with 50 members in line, the Ladies Auxiliary with 40 in line, made up the first division.

The second division was made up of floats of the WCTU with a plea for temperance, the old time banjo band, Broadkill Ramblers, receiving a large share of applause, and “Old School Days” float, depicting a one room school class. Many businesses also had floats. There followed a 'comic division' with clowns, then decorated automobiles and bicycles.

The parade moved through the downtown streets lined solid with spectators, to the old Chestnut street school grounds where the program was presented.

One of the features was the presentation of a Masters Chair to the Masonic Order. The donor was Mr. George Hughes, a former Miltonian. William H. Welch, Sr., made the presentation speech and the chair was accepted by Masonic Master, Ralph Snowberger. The chair is unique in the fact that it was carved from a walnut log and has no screws nor nails.

The invocation was given by Charles T. Vent, of Milton, the Rev Howard Mc Dade of Frankford, was principal speaker, and a recitation was by Mrs Bertha Jackson.

Many others spoke, including , Rev. Wells Wilson, John Walsh, Jr., Ralph Smith of Philadelphia, Charles Burros of Camden, New Jersey, the Rev. Richard Green of Christiana, Dr. Robert Hopkins of Milton, and Rev. William Ward of Philadelphia.

Today church services in Milton concluded events, Rev. Richard Green preached at Goshen Methodist Episcopal, the Rev. William Ward preached at the Methodist Protestant church.

Saturday evening the Goshen Church ladies served an old fashioned 'duck' dinner in the Fireman's Hall.

Milton has a honorable history, the Ponders, pioneers and a governor, Hazzards, a governor and a Revolutionary War member, John Hazzard, the Peery Family, pioneers, and Revolutionary War heroes , and many seafaring men and their descendents. Milton has just cause to revere the memory of the past and honor those of the present generation who are keeping alive traditions of worthy ancestors.

Abstract: Wilmington Mormimg News, Monday , August 23, 1937: