This Was Doylestown, 1935

Lamb appears at Rotary Club's Hallowe'en masquerade -

Mary's little lamb paid a visit to the Doylestown Rotary Club's Hallowe'en masquerade party at the Doylestown Country Club on Wednesday night.

The creature went right up to Rotary Anne [female Rotarian] Starling Conroy, who impersonated Pierrette, settled down comfortably at her feet and let out a plaintive "Ma"--evidently confused and excited by the pandemonium that naturally greeted its unconventional arrival. The lamb gave quite a performance before it was gently led out of the ballroom to quarters more suited for it.

Mary's little lamb was just one of the features of the gift presentations and frolicking of the evening. Other Mother Goose characters did their stunt, including "Hickety, pickety, my black hen," who failed to lay eggs for gentlemen, but instead nestled placidly in the arms of Rotary Anne Belle Mason.

The eggs went to other Rotary Annes, several dozen of them, and a neatly cartoned bushel of potatoes to Mrs. Ray Bitzer. Every lady present received a door prize--bracelets, lamps, vases, hosiery, compacts, electric clocks and a host of other things.

Scores of men and women appeared in colorful, spectacular or amusing costumes. Mrs. Arthur M. Eastburn in quaint Victorian dress, and Dr. C. Louis Siegler as a juvenile in pink rompers, were declared "tops" and received prizes.

The banquet room, in which Rotarian and Mrs. Rudy Hein served an excellent dinner, was decorated for Hallowe'en, with plenty of pumpkins and shocks of corn fodder predominating in the scene.

After the grand march of the costumed persons, the unmasking and the presentation of prizes, there was dancing with music furnished by Pearlman's orchestra, and cards for those who preferred the game.

Boys disrupt town on "Mischief Night" -

"Mischief Night" was observed by Doylestown boys Wednesday night, but in a way that was not very complimentary to the boys and to the parents, who seem to lose control to a great extent over the Hallowe'en season.

At the pretty and well-kept home of the Mood brothers, Court and West streets, four bushels of garbage were dumped in a fish pool that contained at least fifty fish. Shrubbery was wrapped in tissue paper, while tin cans and empty whiskey bottles were strewn about the lawn. None of the shrubbery was damaged.

Door mats galore found new homes in various sections of the town. An old mattress was found by the police in Monument Square, and on it was a borough "No Parking" sign.

Show windows were marked up around town, but in only one or two instances was there a report of broken windows. Sections of the fences in front of the homes of Mrs. T.O. Atkinson and Edward L. Steckel, on Maple avenue, were torn down.

Boys gathered in gangs and spread about the town. The police were kept busy answering about 30 calls from property owners. An effort is being made to reach the gang leaders.

About 350 attend Hallowe'en dance at V.F.W. post -

Approximately 350 persons from the County Seat and other places on Thursday evening attended the first annual Hallowe'en dance held under the auspices of Doylestown Post No. 175, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and its ladies' auxiliary in the recently dedicated headquarters on West Oakland avenue.

Excellent music for the occasion was furnished by Aunt Martha's Plantation Orchestra, of Norristown. Costumes worn by the many dancers were very original and varied. The decorations, which were quite appropriate, included very beautifully colored lights.

The grand march proved to be a very picturesque affair, and during the evening prizes were awarded a number of the dancers. So numerous were the competitors that the judges experienced some difficulty in selecting the winners.

Rose Marie McConnel, of Doylestown, representing a bluebird, and Joyce Falardeau, of Doylestown, impersonating a miniature Uncle Sam, were awarded first prizes for being the best-dressed children. Mrs. Joseph Gouler, of Chalfont, was declared the best male impersonator, and Harry Wilson, also of Chalfont, was awarded a first prize for best lady impersonator.

The judges declared Joseph Feindt the best-dressed man, and Mrs. John N. Rich, of Doylestown, the best-dressed woman. Mrs. Frank Kling, of Doylestown, and Mrs. James Kling, of Carversville, received gifts for being the best-dressed couple.

Mrs. M. Gillmer, of Doylestown, was found to wear the most original costume for women, and Jerry Little, also of Doylestown, was presented with a gift for having the best original costume among the men.

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Two bandits hold up service station -

Two poorly dressed men between 25 and 30 years of age staged a holdup at 9 o'clock Sunday night at the Lehigh Valley Oil Co. service station on West State street, and got away with $25, which the attendant, Richard Souder, of East Court street, had in his pocket. They failed to get $200 which was in the office safe.

Appearing suddenly at the service station, the bandits told Souder to "stick 'em up" and then took the money he had in his pocket. Then they tied him up--and disappeared.

No one appears to have seen them come or leave, or knew whether they had a car.

Police in surrounding towns were notified to be on the lookout for the men, and one was picked up in Willow Grove. Souder was taken to see the suspect, but was unable to identify him.

Some months ago, a similar stickup was staged at a service station on South Main street.

Moving pictures spur interest in novels -

Miss Mary Swartzlander, librarian of the Doylestown Public School, stated that high school boys and girls show great interest in novels which have been made into moving pictures.

Miss Swartzlander reported that among the most popular books in the high school library are "David Copperfield," "Les Miserables," "Call of the Wild" and "Mutiny on the Bounty," all of which were transformed into motion pictures this year.

The high school library contains 3,892 books, irrespective of the volumes in the junior high and elementary schools. The books are made possible by money appropriated by the School Board, the Hugh B. Eastburn legacy and the "fine" money which students pay for books which they have been delinquent in returning after borrowing.

One of this year's accessions was "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck, almost a neighbor of the County Seat in view of the fact that she resides near Dublin. This 1932 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of Chinese life has proved to be one of the most sought-after of the new books. [The film version of "The Good Earth" was released in 1937.]

High school boys prefer sea stories, according to Miss Swartzlander. Leaders in this field include Armstrong Sperry's "All Sail Set", Howard Pease's "Wind in the Rigging" and Joseph Conrad's classic tales of the deep.

High school faculty members and students have been so keen about Alexander Woollcott's "While Rome Burns" that this volume never gets any further than the receiving desk before it is checked out. It is the well-known Town Crier's collection of biographies of the great as well as stories with a fascinatingly brilliant technique of presentation.

Other books which vie for student popularity include Stanley Walker's "City Editor," in which a New York City newspaper editor opens the doors of the newsroom of a metropolitan paper; Maxwell Anderson's poetic tragedy, "Mary of Scotland"; "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" by Rudolf Besier, the play form of the Elizabeth Barrett-Robert Browning romance; and "South of the Sun" by Russell Owen.

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Doylestown Town Notes -

Miss Ethel Landes entertained a few friends at her home at a Hallowe'en party on Tuesday evening. Her home was decorated with autumn leaves, corn fodder and pumpkins. Refreshments consisted of sweet cider, pretzels, doughnuts, cupcakes and candy.

Edward M. Happ, County Seat contractor, is laying a cement floor in one of the cellars of the Doylestown Inn.

Borough Council has received word from the State Highway Department approving the establishment of a traffic light on Main street, which is a state highway, at Ashland street.

Herbert Maughan, 15, of Doylestown R.D. 2, received treatment at the Emergency Hospital on Monday for a fractured toe.

In honor of their daughter Barbara's ninth birthday anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Harry P. Baker, of Cottage street, on Wednesday evening entertained at a costume Hallowe'en party.

Mr. and Mrs. Julian W. Gardy, of Maple avenue, on Monday evening attended a performance of "Pride and Prejudice" in a Philadelphia theatre

Donald Frey has moved his shoe business from West State street to the Schabinger Building on South Main street.

Robert C. Irwin, Doylestown National Bank and Trust Company clerk and one of the County Seat's most devoted anglers, on Friday proved his versatility as a hunter by bagging two pheasants before 8 o'clock.

About 100 persons attended the card party given for the benefit of the Edison Parent-Teacher Association at the home of Mrs. Frank B. Atler, Sr. on Tuesday evening. About 25 people received prizes.

Mrs. Mildred B. Gulick, of Shewell avenue, on Friday morning entertained her kindergarten pupils at a Hallowe'en party. Refreshments were served in the kindergarten room, which was attractively decked with orange and black decorations and a ghost to add a festive note.

W. Lester Trauch, of East State street, attended a lecture on "My Life in China" presented by Pearl S. Buck, distinguished American novelist, before the Philadelphia Forum in the Academy of Music on Monday evening.

One of the most attractive window displays for the Autumnal season is that of W.S. Erdman Jr.'s paint store in the Arcade Building on East State street. With a background of cedar, red dogwood berries and oak leaves to represent a miniature forest, Mr. Erdman has placed in the window a wild goose, quail, woodcock, owl, deer's head and pheasants.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 1935