This Was Doylestown, 1940

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of June 2-8, 1940

Doylestown Fire Company revives fire police -

Reviving a practice which was abandoned for some years, the on Wednesday evening had eleven men sworn in as fire police by Burgess [Mayor] John J. Sweeney.

Burgess Sweeney administered the oath to Wilmer A. Lownes, Clarence Irwin, Harold F. Hellyer, Gus Zarka, Paul and Nick Petrillo, William A. Bertles, Louis Moerman, Jr., Richard Linsemaier, Jay Richar and Frank Cope, all of whom were approved by Doylestown Borough Council. Because of absences, several more will be sworn in at a future meeting by Burgess Sweeney.

"Fire police are something the Doylestown Fire Company should have had a long time ago, because it is impossible to expect the borough police to attend to their own duties and also serve as fire policemen," said Burgess Sweeney.

Outlining the duties of the fire policemen and asking them not to exceed their authority, Burgess Sweeney urged them to crack down on the motorists who persist in following the fire apparatus to the scene of a fire about two feet behind the fire engines.

"Some day, someone will be killed and then it will be too bad, but I want you to break that practice up before there is a loss of a life. It is one of the most dangerous practices I know, but every time the siren sounds there are certain motorists in this town who jump into their cars and dash after the engine. Those are the birds I want you to get," said Burgess Sweeney.

Davis portrait presented to American Legion -

[Editor's note - William W. H. Davis (1820-1910) was editor and publisher of the Doylestown Democrat weekly newspaper when the Civil War broke out in 1861. Davis organized the 104th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and led it in battle, rising to rank of brigadier general. After the war, Davis wrote books on military, Bucks County and Doylestown history. He founded the Bucks County Historical Society in 1880.]

Presentation of a greatly appreciated gift, in the form of an oil painting of the late General W.W.H. Davis, took place at the meeting of the in the Legion home on Monday evening.

The painting was presented to the post by its creator, Miss Marion C. Darst of North Main street, Doylestown. The portrait closely resembles General Davis, who gained wide distinction as a soldier during the Mexican War and the Civil War, when he was commander of the 104th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. In his later years, he was one of the most public spirited citizens of the community.

Briefly, Miss Darst paid tribute to General Davis, whom she characterized as a good soldier, a writer of note and an individual who took a keen interest in the affairs of his community.

The gift was accepted on behalf of the post by its commander, Captain George C. Butler, after which Miss Darst was given a rising vote of thanks.

A guest at the meeting was J.C. Davis, a son of General Davis. He was introduced by Captain Butler.

Residents upset by noisy motorcycles -

With sleeping conditions at their most skittish during the heat of Summer nights, Hamilton street residents are up in arms about the nuisance of mill workers operating their motorcycles at full blast when leaving their employment at midnight or 3 o'clock in the morning. The mill is located at the foot of North Hamilton street.

One well-known Hamilton street resident has been protesting about one motorcyclist in particular, who drives up and down the street with his cut-out wide open. The resident has gotten the names of 25 people who live on the street on a petition to be filed with the Doylestown Police Department.

"I don't know whether the police have taken any action or not, but the noise still continues," said the taxpayer. "It is too bad that residents, including a number of small children and sick people, have to put up with the noise when the shifts change at midnight and at 3 o'clock in the morning.

"The motorcycle cowboys are making a regular speed track out of Hamilton street, and Borough Council should do something to stop it," he said.

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School board to pursue delinquent taxpayers -

At the meeting of the Doylestown School Board on Monday evening, Tax Collector Russell B. Gulick submitted a list of 1,100 taxpayers who are delinquent on the $3 per capita school tax.

The amount of unpaid personal school taxes is $3,335, which means about 1,100 delinquents. Last year, the amount of exoneration due to death, removals and inability to pay, amounted to $2,919.

Tax Collector Gulick, who has been doing an excellent job, was urged by the school board to attach the wages of every delinquent taxpayer who is on the list. Gulick has collected $45,215 out of $52,369 on the tax duplicate. The sum of $3,819 has been entered in the office of the County Treasurer and represents real estate taxes which have not been paid.

The board also elected two teachers to fill two vacancies.

Miss Virginia Billmyer, of East Court street, who has been teaching for the past 12 years in the Warrington township schools, was elected a teacher of the sixth grade, filling the vacancy caused by the retirement of Miss Gertrude Johnson. Miss Billmyer, who was enthusiastically recommended by Supervising Principal [Superintendent] J. Leonard Halderman, will receive a salary of $1,200.

Miss Melba Lukens, who has been serving as the substitute teacher in art, was elected art teacher to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Warren Evans Fairbanks, at a salary of $1,300.

Hospital seeks to raise $8,000 -

The annual canvass for an $8,000 maintenance fund for the Doylestown Emergency Hospital and visiting nurse service will start June 11 and continue until July 11.

Current expenses have exceeded income by about $6,700 in the past year. This item, with the necessary replacement of equipment, will be met with the goal set at $8,000.

The canvass will open June 11 with a concert by a band of fifty pieces of the Musicians Union of America in the Bucks County Court House at 8:30 p.m. During the concert intermission, talks will be given on the value of the hospital and visiting nurse service to Doylestown and nearby communities.

Quite a few new residents of the community, a number living in Solebury and Buckingham townships, moving here from New York, have expressed interest in this year's campaign. Some of them have used the hospital during the past year, and in every instance they have highly praised the management and care received at the institution.

The Doylestown Emergency Hospital has now completed its first full year in the new building [on Belmont Avenue]. In the past year, it has treated 1,361 patients, 761 having been admitted to the hospital and the rest treated in the out-department.

In addition to bedside nursing, the visiting nurse has carried on a full program of Child Health Clinics in various places as well as the follow-up work necessary in the correction of physical defects. During the year, 2,069 visits were made to 307 patients.

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Doylestown Town Notes -

Councilman George F. Smith, of Clinton street, was given a real surprise Saturday afternoon when he found a five-foot blacksnake in a tree on his lawn. Mr. Blacksnake shortly afterward left to join his ancestors in snake heaven. It is believed the reptile was making a raid on a bird's nest.

Miss Ellen Scheetz and Erwin Scheetz, who were sojourning in St. Petersburg, Florida for the past six months, have returned to their home on East Court street.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Roy Johnson, of East State street, on Saturday attended a fashionable Spring wedding at high noon in St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Allentown.

County Agent William H. Greenawalt, who has been confined to his home on North Main street because of an attack of neuritis, was able to be downstairs on Monday and is recuperating nicely.

Miss Constance Geil, daughter of Mrs. William E. Geil, The Barrens, Doylestown, is among the candidates for graduation at Scripps College in Claremont, California on June 14.

Led by S. Alton Wismer as the captain, a married men's baseball nine defeated a single men's team by a score of 12-8 on the Burpee Playground on Tuesday evening. Most of the players on both teams are members of the Doayapo Club.

Mrs. and Mrs. Fred Dietz and sons, Jay and Fred, of East Court street, are spending ten days at Brettonwood, N.J.

Miss June Cloud recently purchased the Juvenile Shoppe business from Mrs. Frank K. Pilson in the Gardy Building at 80 North Main street. Miss Cloud moved from Hartsville to an apartment at the same address.

Five members of the Doylestown Nature Club--Mrs. George E. Willard, Mrs. Harry J. Shoemaker, Miss Mary Paxson, Mrs. Warren S. Long and Miss Alma L. Barrett--on Monday represented the County Seat clubwomen in the Flower for Flowerless parade in Philadelphia.

Max Pearlman is much improved after his recent illness. He will return to his home Saturday afternoon.

Miss Joan Andre, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Andre, of Lower State road, graduated Thursday from Marymount College, Tarrytown-on-the-Hudson, N.Y. Miss Andre will enter Cornell University in the Fall.

Paul LaRue, of Maple avenue, one of the County Seat's most enthusiastic flower lovers, has 21 varieties of peonies, and had one in bloom in the middle of May.