This Was Doylestown, 1908

Council approves new street lights -

Town Council on Monday night vouchsafed an explanation of its new-born liberality in granting electric lights every time one is asked for, with Councilman Watson, of the First ward, acting as the mouthpiece of the body.

After three new ones had been granted, he said: "I believe in putting lights anywhere they are needed. They are not only a convenience and protection to pedestrians; they are a protection against burglars and other criminals."

Council nodded its consent collectively and individually. A new era was born, one which differs as greatly from the old policy as Mr. Watson's statement differs from that of a former Councilman who declared that "the people are not satisfied unless they can read a newspaper on the streets."

Lights granted Monday evening were these: Arc light at Pine and Court streets; incandescent at Franklin and Decatur streets; incandescent for East street near Court.

It is expected that Council soon will grant an incandescent light on West State street near Arabella street so that it can be used Sunday night to allow church-goers to see where they are walking. On such occasions, when the stores and other business places are closed, the street is quite dark, as the light at State and Main streets is hung so that its rays do not shine out West State street.

Republicans change parade date -

Residents of Doylestown voiced opposition to plans by the Republican and Democratic county committees to hold their respective political meetings and parades in town on the same evening, Saturday, October 31st. [The presidential election was to take place Tuesday, Nov. 3.]

The Republicans of Doylestown and vicinity met Friday in the Republican Club rooms and decided to hold their meeting and parade on Friday night, October 30th, instead of Saturday, October 31st. The Democrats will meet and conduct their parade as scheduled on the 31st.

Every effort had previously been made to effect a compromise with the Democratic committee and come to some satisfactory arrangement in view of the opinion of the people of the borough opposing the holding of two political meetings and parades the same night.

Finding that impossible, the Republicans decided to allow nothing to stand in the way of avoiding any trouble through the actions of irresponsible parties, even if they had to nullify all previous arrangements for speakers for the meeting and preparations for the parade.

Every effort will be made to secure the best speakers obtainable on such short notice and make the demonstration one that will be a credit to the town and county.

St. Paul's church welcomes new rector -

Dr. Daniel G. MacKinnon, the new rector of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church, his wife and son were welcomed at reception Friday evening from 8 to 10 o'clock, attended by about 150 parishioners and friends.

The reception was held in the Sunday school room of the church, which was prettily decorated for the occasion. Dr. and Mrs. MacKinnon and son received in front of a bower of palms, ferns and rubber plants at one end of the room. Members of the Entertainment Chapter of St. Paul's Guild were in charge of the reception, and it was a delightful, informal and pleasant affair.

There was no set program, but during the evening pleasing instrumental duets were rendered by Miss Phyllis Ruth and Howard Barnes. A vocal duet, "Abschied der Vogel," was sung by Miss Elizabeth Alicia Price and Charles Schabinger. They were very much enjoyed.

Ladies of the Guild served ice cream, cake and coffee.

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Doylestown township teachers meet -

The teachers of Doylestown township held their regular monthly meeting at Bridge Point [Edison] on Friday afternoon. The school board president, Prof. A.J. Gayman, called the meeting to order, after which the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Miss Buckman discussed, "Should there be any story-telling in the first three grades; if so, what kind of stories should be selected and why?"

In the first two grades, stories may be told the the children. It means on the part of the pupils deeper interest, closer attention and greater concentration. On the part of the teacher, it means more careful preparation, through which comes a stronger fellow-feeling in the presentation, and the cultivation of the art of story-telling, a power with children.

The stories should be short enough to be told, remembered and repeated in one lesson. Such fables as "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella" may be told to the real little children, while the second grade could appreciate "Hiawatha,' "Song of the Brook," and "Sweet and Low."

Miss Rush discussed, "Which plan is better in the seventh and eighth grades, the question plan or the topical plan, and why?"

The Socratic, or question, method invites the liberty of answering in a parrot-like style.

When a topic is assigned, we expect the children to give a connected discussion on that subject. With a little direction and explanation by the teacher he soon learns to speak connectedly about one thing. Also, the topical method trains the memory. To discuss intelligently and connectedly the child must remember the whole discussion on one subject.

A noted educator, in answer to this question, said; "Use both methods, but with the topical far in the lead."

Directors of the Poor meet -

The Directors of the Poor held their monthly meeting Tuesday at the Bucks County Almshouse [at Neshaminy Manor in Doylestown Township].

Steward James Pollock reported sales of produce amounted to $605.14. At the time of the previous meeting, there were 117 inmates. Since then, one has died, five were discharged and seven have been admitted, making the present number 118.

A requisition for $2,000 was made to the County Commissioners on account of the appropriation. Bills were passed amounting to $1,048.34.

Among the bills approved were: Bell Telephone Co., phone, $3.11; Asher R. Lear, butter, $37.29; P.W. Morris, trousers, $30.00; W.H. Swartley, vinegar, $6.48 John S. Pross, wheelwrighting, $15.60; H.P. White, tobacco, $35.05; Martin Hulshizer's Estate, drugs, $24.70.

Advertisement -

WIRING for Electric Lighting and Burglar Alarms...Drop postal. Orders will have prompt attention. JOSEPH SINE, General Furniture Repairers, Wood St., Doylestown, Pa.

Doylestown Town Notes -

William Bryan, of Mary street, exhibited a monster radish on Tuesday. It weighed 7-1/2 pounds.

Postmaster E. Wesley Keeler bought a handsome two-year-old colt for $100 from A.B. Shelly.

The Doylestown Nature Club met Monday afternoon at the residence of Mrs. Wesley Bunting, on Harvey avenue, and made final arrangements for a canal boat trip from Yardley to Neely's Mills, New Hope, on Saturday.

Edward Vroom, actor-dramatist of New York City, is visiting his brother, Otis A. Vroom, of Linden avenue.

Mrs. William Peterman and daughters, Sadie and Helen, visited her father in South Hatfield on Sunday.

Guests of "Oakland" had a very enjoyable subscription dance Friday evening at that popular boarding resort.

Capt. Hulme, inspector for the State Armory Board, was in Doylestown on Saturday conferring with Capt. Abel MacReynolds, of Company G.

Rev. A.S. Hobart, D.D., professor of New Testament at Crozer Theological Seminary, will preach in the First Baptist Church on Sunday morning and evening. The Lord's Supper will be observed Sunday morning at the close of the service.

Relatives in Doylestown were surprised Friday evening to receive word by telephone that George Shellenberger and Miss Alma Van Benschoten, daughter of Mrs. Mary P. Van Benschoten, of Doylestown, had been quietly married in Philadelphia.

The Bucks County Sunday School Association convention will be held in Doylestown on November 1st.

The Y.M.C.A. relay races carrying a message from the Mayor of Easton to Mayor Rayburn, of Philadelphia, passed through Doylestown at 12:15 o'clock Saturday accompanied by a number of automobiles.

Town Council requests residents to use water as economically as possible - that is, not to waste it, wash pavements, etc. The supply is really quite low.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Oct. 18-24, 1908