200 YEARS OF SUSSEX COUNTY TRADITION Return Day There is no doubt it's one of the most unusual events in the nation: people gather two days after the election to listen to returns, support the winners and console the losers. Burying the hatchet – literally – is the overriding theme of the event.

People wait in line for a piece of roast ox in the 1960 Return Day.

Russell Peterson, who served the state as from 1968- PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUSSEX COUNTY RETURN DAY 72, waves to a crowd lining The Circle in downtown George- THIS IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST known photographs of Return Day. Even in 1908, it's easy to see the day was a festive one. town. Peterson changed from Republican to Democrat in 1996.

Festivities start the night before around The Circle with entertainment and food Many happy returns: Burying vendors, and revelry continues through- out Return Day into the night as busi- nesses and lawyers host open houses. Over the years, entertainment, vendors the hatchet for two centuries and an oxen roast have been added to the event. By Ron MacArthur the date can't be confirmed. and bury it in a box of sand brought in State law in 1791 moved the county seat [email protected] There are two accounts about early Re- from Rehoboth Beach specifically for the from Lewes to a town later named turn Days published in an 1860 New York event. Georgetown; that law also required all ith an event as steeped in Tribune newspaper article and in an 1888 Winners and losers ride together in voters to cast their ballots in the county tradition as Return Day, al- book about the history of . Rare carriages and antique cars in one of the seat on Election Day. Many voters re- most no history about the 1900 and 1908 photographs show The longest parades seen in the county. By turned two days later by horse, cart, car- event survives. Most of the Circle filled with people. tradition, winners face forward, and los- riage and on foot to hear the results. In W 1811, voting districts in Sussex County's stories about its history have been passed There is no doubt it's one of the most ers face backward. down by word of mouth. unusual events in the nation: people gath- On Return Day, always the second day hundreds were established, but election Many people even mistakenly call the er two days after the election to listen to after the election, The Circle is closed off, results were still announced two days lat- event “Returns Day.” returns, support the winners and console schools are closed or close early and er in Georgetown. Although 2012 is considered the event's the losers. Burying the hatchet – literally many businesses shut early. In 1965, the In the early days, a gathering of 2,000 200th anniversary, there's a slim chance – is the overriding theme of the event. Delaware General Assembly declared Re- to 3,000 people, including politicians, the first Return Day took place in Lewes, Leaders of each party grab the hatchet turn Day a legal half-day holiday. Continued on page 110 the former county seat, back in 1792, but INSIDE: Delaware tradition has deep roots

Page design by Jen Ellingsworth 108 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012 SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SECTION Cape Gazette RETURN DAY: CELEBRATING TWO CENTURIES

Remembering In their own words

Jim Bowden, president of Georgetown Historical Society, also serves as a director of Return Day. Georgetown history "My favorite Return Day was 1968. I was a junior in high school, and I was let out of school for the day. I remember how much fun I had and it was just the smell of the ox and the Robinson family steeped whole pageantry. That was probably my first taste of Return in Return Day tradition Day."

By Rachel Swick Mavity Angie Townsend, Georgetown town clerk, has attended [email protected] Return Day many times. As a town employee, Townsend also helps organize varied facets of the event, which partners town Retired Judge Battle Robinson and her resources with Return Day committee preparations."It's a husband, retired newspaperman Robert wonderful tradition that brings people to town," Townsend Robinson, have lived in the Judge's House said. "We are the only town left in the that does in Georgetown since 1979. it, and I think that's important." The couple moved into the home of Robert’s mother, who still lived there. They opened the doors to residents and friends Former Georgetown councilman and owner of Chardon on for the Return Day parade that year. The Circle Charlie Koskey has had a front-row view of Return “We really didn’t have a choice to have Day festivities for decades. While he enjoys each parade, people in on Return Day,” said Battle with Koskey's favorite memories are of the night before."All the a chuckle. “It was almost self-defense be- locals come into town. It gives us a chance to catch up and cause you knew they would show up any- RACHEL SWICK MAVITY PHOTOS RETIRED JUDGE BATTLE ROBINSON and news- you really get a feeling of camaraderie," Koskey said. "We all way.” paperman Robert Robinson stand on the front porch listen to the bands and stand around the ox roast." “Every year has been different, but we of the Judge’s House on West Market Street in like to treat it as an open house for our Georgetown. The house has hosted many Return Day friends,” said Battle. “We try to serve local parties over the years. food, including Brunswick stew and pear Did you know... cake.” Robert. The pears are usually picked and pre- When the Robinson children were • The Return Day Office is located at he Nutter Marvel Carriage Museum. For pared by another local couple, Ronnie and teenagers, they would sit on a small sec- information, go to returnday.org or call Rosalie Walls at 302-855-9660. Becky Dodd, who help put on the Return ond-story roof while the adults would sit • The Marvel Museum features not only carriages, but also many historic Day party at the Robinson home. below on the West Market Street porch. buildings such as the Ellis School, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1833. The The Robinson family founded the Sussex Battle recalls one year when former Gov. two barns on the grounds house carriages from Nutter Marvel's collection, Countian in the late 1800s. Robert’s moth- David Buckson was sitting on the porch such as the Queen's Carriage, the Disney Carriage, a peddlers wagon and an er, Mary H. Robinson, was known as the with Mary, Robert and Battle. A horse in 1800s horse-drawn hearse carriage. Other treasures are a collection of ‘militant lady editor’ by many residents, he the parade spooked and was rearing up. Victrolas, ephemera, photographs, telephones and furniture. The museum is at said. “Buckson walked out into the street and 510 S. Bedford St. in Georgetown. For information go to marvelmuseum.com. “We have many great memories of sit- quieted the horse,” Battle said. ting on the porch with my mother,” said And, so the show goes on. RETURN DAY: A TIMELINE 1791 1811-1812 1936 • The state Legislature requires Sussex to move the county • Delaware Legislature creates voting districts, with results • Historical records show this year is a particularly large seat from Lewes to Georgetown, a more central location, announced two days after the election on The celebration as Franklin D. Roosevelt wins the although not much of a town exists at the time. Circle in Georgetown. It doesn't take long before presidential race in a landslide, and the Georgetown is considered no more than 16 miles from hundreds and then thousands assemble to Democrats carry the state for the first time in everywhere in the county. All voting takes place in one hear election results, and the event soon many years. location. becomes a festive celebration.

• The county government hires 10 commissioners to purchase land, build a courthouse and jail, and sell lots in 1942 an area at "James Pettyjohn's old field or about a mile from 1860 • Because of World War II, Return Day is where Ebenezer Pettyjohn now lives.” • Earliest known newspaper story about suspended. Return Day is published in New York Tribune. “It has become an institution of the county, and is inseparably connected with its history; it is essentially the 1792 big day, and cannot be approximated, in point of interest for numbers and notoriety, by any other.” 1952 • Some historians think the first • A group of Return Day could date back to the Republicans and 18th century, but this can't be Democrats gathers to verified. 1888 revive the event. • Into the mid and late 1880s, the event takes on even more of a festive air. According to the “History of Delaware” by J. Thomas Sharff, Return Day is "one of the customs peculiar to the people of Sussex, from time 1965 immemorial...holding a high carnival on the day when the • State Legislature results of the election are announced. Booths, stalls and passes bill making stands are erected near the courthouse, where all kinds of Return Day a legal half- edibles, such as opossum and rabbit meat, fish and oysters, day holiday for Sussex. . can be procured.” Cape Gazette SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SECTION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012 109 RETURN DAY: CELEBRATING TWO CENTURIES

early as 1791, when the county seat moved from Lewes to more than the others. Georgetown. The official date for its beginning is 1811, Growing up near Stockley, Walls married in 1952. She Rosalie, rain which means this year marks its 200th anniversary. said the first Return Day parade she remembers was that The name of the event dates to a time when people year, 1953, when she attended with her family. cast their ballots in Georgetown and then returned two Her late husband served as Return Day director; she days later to hear the results. It is always held on the took over the job a few years after his passing in the and Return Day Thursday following Election Day. 1980s. “It’s not returns to Georgetown; people return to “My son remembers helping with the parade when he By Rachel Swick Mavity Georgetown to hear the returns,” said Walls. was 14 years old,” Walls said. “At some point all of my [email protected] This year, retired Sussex County Administrator Dave sons have had a part in the parade, and now my grand- Baker will serve as grand marshal. Five former gover- children are starting.” Rosalie Walls often gets the same question: Does it al- nors – , , Pete duPont, Walls said she is glad young people are getting in- ways rain on Return Day? David Buckson and Dale Wolf – will serve as honorary volved with Return Day. Her quick answer is to hope for good weather, but Re- grand marshals. “I want there to be someone to take over for me,” turn Day in both 2008 and 2010 took place under cloudy Walls said former governor Sen. will not Walls said. “If I make it to the next Return Day, I will be skies, rain and wind. ride with the governors but will be in the parade as a 80 years old.” Walls has served as president of Sus- candidate. Walls said the parade was called off in 1942 when the sex County Return The parade ambassadors will be 9-year-old Lilly Bar- nation was in the midst of World War II. The parade did- Day Inc. since 1990. nett, who was nearly killed in a car accident, as well as n’t start again until 1952, when J. Caleb Boggs defeated Her feisty demeanor local author and filmmaker James Diehl’s daughters, incumbent Elbert N. Carvel to become governor of and love of Christina and Isabella Diehl of Seaford. Delaware. history are For this year’s event, the ox roast will be moved from “There was a group that brought it back for the 1952 almost as Race Street where it has been located for the past two election,” she said. legendary as events, back onto The Circle. The roast tent will be set “About 70 years ago, storekeepers used to dress up in Return Day up near the Chancery Court building, while the band- historic costumes,” said Eleanor Warrington, vice presi- itself. stand will remain in front of the county administration dent of the committee. “It’s such a building. Walls said residents have always worn everyday nice tradi- The Return Day Committee will recognize the three clothes, but most ladies affiliated with the Return Day tion, and I retiring state senators, Ben Ewing, Biff Lee and George Committee have been dressing in long gowns with hoop want to keep Bunting. skirts for nearly 70 years. it going,” said Walls of her Not-so-distant memories continued Walls, who dresses in historic garb at all Return Day service to the events, remembers many of the quirky, and sometimes event. “It goes alarming, past Return Days. on rain or In her first year as Return Day president, Walls said, a shine.” tent sheltering the ox-roast pit caught on fire and threat- The exact ori- ened historic buildings nearby. Walls said a fire truck gin of Return Day was in the area, and firefighters quickly put out the fire. is unknown, but New oxen to were brought into town to roast, and a new some say the tent was constructed so despite the fire, traditional ox tradition roast sandwiches were served. began Another year, a horse marching in the parade got as as RACHEL SWICK MAVITY far as The Circle when it suddenly dropped dead. Walls THE RETURN DAY COMMITTEE is finalizing details for the said the horse’s untimely death slowed, but did not stop, 200th parade, Nov. 9 in Georgetown. Shown are Return Day com- the event. mittee members (l-r) Eleanor Warrington, vice president; Rosalie For the most part, Walls said, she enjoys every Return Walls, president since 1990; Hilda Parker, director of reception; and Day, but she enjoys the ones with good weather a bit Ann Couch, recording secretary.

1972 Then-State Treasurer was putting out feelers another visit by Vice President Biden, security is so tight, for a run for governor. people find it hard to get to the event. It's one of the least- • Georgetown resident attended events in recent times. Rosalie Walls gets involved with the Return Day Committee. She takes over as 2008 chairwoman after the • In one of the most 2012 death of her husband in memorable Return • Return Day organizers say the event will return to its the 1980s. Dressed in Days of recent more traditional ways, with less security, and booths and her early 19th century times, longtime stalls and entertainment allowed back on The Circle. dress, Walls is the Return Day hands-on director supporter and of Return Day. then-Vice President-elect rides in a white 2004 carriage along the parade route. Heightened • Reliving a tradition of hopeful – and security, complete with usually nonsensical – political campaigns, metal detectors, Ruth Ann Minner for President stickers sharpshooters, police and surface. Minner served as governor from Secret Service adds a new 2004-08 dimension to the traditional event.

2006 • I Back Jack, but not for what office, 2010 stickers surface around The Circle. • With the possibility of 110 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012 SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SECTION Cape Gazette RETURN DAY: CELEBRATING TWO CENTURIES

erns the sport. Horseshoe pitchers and corn- Cornhole is, maybe, some- holers will compete against Return Day festivities to feature what simpler. The object: Toss a teams playing the same game, bag containing 14 to 16 ounces of and competitors can participate feed corn into a 6-inch hole in a in only one sport. horseshoe, cornhole tourneys slightly angled board positioned There is an incentive – cash. 30 feet away. Competitors in both games will A cornholer – bag tosser – be given pieces of paper bearing Games could become a new tradition gets 3 points for bags going into the likeness of well-known the hole and 1 point for bags that Americans no longer with us. By Henry J. Evans Jr. This year, Return Day debuts land on the board. First-place finishers receive [email protected] competitive events that could Like horseshoe, the sport has two pieces of paper featuring become a new tradition: horse- a governing body, American Ben Franklin; second-place win- All who know about Sussex shoe and cornhole. Don’t let the Cornhole Association, that has ners get a single Franklin, and County’s unique Return Day tra- one game’s name give you the established a set of persnickety third place takes a Ulysses S. dition also know exactly what to wrong idea. official rules and regulations ri- Grant. expect – a parade of election “Read the word, don’t read in- valing those of horseshoe. Winners also receive trophies, winners and losers riding to- to the word,” said Bob Lawson, HORSESHOE COMPETITORS will Lawson said horseshoe and plaques and a ride in the Return gether in some form of con- event coordinator. battle for a $200 first-place prize. cornhole are popular, but an in- Day Parade. veyance. Most people are familiar with Cornholers will also toss-off for cash creasing number of people are Entry fee is $20 per person; You can also count on seeing horseshoe. The object is to pitch prizes. playing the latter. the deadline is Monday, Nov. 5. plenty of firefighting equipment, a piece of steel resembling a “A lot of younger people play. The competition is 5 p.m., several beauty queens, vintage shoe worn by horses but signifi- stake or leans against it. Scoring You’ll see them playing at Uni- Wed. Nov. 7, on The Circle at the automobiles, a few marching cantly larger, so that it encircles is actually more complicated, versity of Delaware tailgate par- corner between Citizens Bank bands, an odd assortment of or lands near a steel stake. but generally, this covers it. ties. It’s easy to set up, and it’s and The Brick Hotel. Rain, floats and, not to be forgotten, A player earns 3 points when “There are a lot of rules in safer than horseshoe,” Lawson shine, snow or blow, they will roast ox sandwiches however a shoe encircles the stake – a horseshoe, several pages,” Law- said. throw. For additional informa- you’d like the meat done so long ringer – and 1 point when a shoe son said. The National Horse- He said he needs more teams tion and to sign up, call Lawson as rare suits your taste. comes to rest 6 inches from the shoe Pitching Association gov- of two to enter the events. at 302-745-8428.

Many happy returns Continued from page 107 The Biden connection made for a festive atmosphere around The Circle. In his book about Delaware's history, author J. Thomas Scharf wrote: “Often this crowd presents a motley appearance, some being dressed in costumes which were used in primitive times, and others purposely arraying them- selves in an outlandish manner to give more zest to the spirit of the occasion. “The successful candidates also come to town and are met by a great crowd of admiring friends, who extend their congratulations.....Some of these candidates are tak- en up bodily, and are carried around on men's shoulders when the results are announced from the window of the courthouse to the congregated masses below. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSSEX COUNTY RETURN DAY Joe Biden, with sons Beau and Hunter and wife Jill, attends “Booths, stalls and stands are erected near the court- RON MACARTHUR PHOTO house, where all Town Crier Layton Johnson reads election results from the Sussex the 1984 event. At the time, Biden had been elected to his kinds of edibles, County Courthouse. third U.S. Senate term. such as opossum and rabbit meat, when Democrats got back into power in Delaware, the fish and oysters, event was cancelled in 1942 because of World War II. can be procured. Just when it looked like there would never be another The women, who event, Republicans and Democrats put aside their differ- constitute a con- ences to bring back Return Day in 1952. siderable portion Throughout the next four decades, Return Day grew of the crowd, are in popularity. Among the cast of characters who have generously treat- helped to keep Return Day alive and vibrant is Rosalie Walls, chairwoman of the Return Day Committee. ed to cakes, can- PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSSEX COUNTY RETURN DAY dies and the best A rare photograph from a Return Day in the Return Day 2008 has to go down in the record books the booths afford.” 1960s shows four Delaware politicans on as one of the most memorable events of all time. Sur- Return Day has stage at one time , including (l-r) Sen. John rounded by Secret Service agents, Vice President-elect survived, but suf- Williams, Gov. Russell Peterson, Gov. Elbert Joe Biden rode along the parade route in a large, white fered through Carvel and Gov. Caleb Boggs. carriage. hard times. Ac- In order for that to occur, tight security measures were cording to one published history, interest in the event in place. Everyone who came near The Circle was RON MACARTHUR PHOTO screened. A newly elected Vice President Joe Biden greets the crowd began to dwindle with the advent of the automobile, ra- at Return Day in 2008. dio and then television. There was no need to wait for Even into the 21st century, The Circle in downtown two days to hear election results. Georgetown is the place to be two days following the After a brief resurgence following the election of 1936 election.

“Booths, stalls and stands are erected near the courthouse, where all kinds of edibles, such as opossum and rabbit meat, fish and oysters, can be procured. The women, who constitute a considerable portion of the crowd, are generously treated to cakes, candies and the best the booths afford.”

J. THOMAS SCHARF, author Cape Gazette SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SECTION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012 111 RETURN DAY: CELEBRATING TWO CENTURIES

This year's event will be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, at the old Sussex County Courthouse on Bedford Street, Return Day 2012 Hatchet toss a test next to the Georgetown Fire Hall. Turnout, Wyatt said, usually depends on schedule of events the weather, but he hopes to see many Sussex mayors at the event this year. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Arts, crafts and informa- tional vendors on The Circle in front of Family for Sussex mayors Court. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Food vendors along Wyatt said the event is fairly straight- North Bedford Street. forward. Sticking with the hatchet theme Event slated for 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Music by Familiar Soul of Return Day, he said, each mayor takes a Band, Main Stage on The Circle, in front of turn tossing an ax from about 10-12 feet Sussex County Courthouse. 11:30 a.m. Nov. 8 away at a block of wood. Closest to the By Nick Roth center, or whoever hits the target, wins. 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Sussex County Youth [email protected] “Most of the time it's whoever gets it to Entertainment, Delaware Electric Cooperative stick,” Wyatt said. stage, intersection of South Race Street and East Market Street. The Apple-Scrapple Festival in The winner earns more than just brag- Bridgeville has the scrapple sling, and ging rights; he or she has their name en- 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Reception for Laurel has a watermelon seed-spitting graved on a hatchet trophy which is be- candidates and honored guests, Delaware contest every Fourth of July. stowed to the mayor until the next Return Technical Community College, William Carter At Georgetown's Return Day celebra- Day. Past winners include former Seaford Partnership Center, 18788 Seashore Highway. tion, it's the hatchet-throwing contest. mayor and current state Rep. Danny Short, and former Georgetown mayor 11:30 a.m. - Delaware State University Band, Georgetown Mayor Mike Wyatt started Main Stage, The Circle. the tradition in 2006 as a way to create and state Senate candidate Brian Pet- some friendly competition among his fel- tyjohn. “Everybody gets a lot of laughs 11:30 a.m. - Mayor's Hatchet Toss with may- low Sussex County mayors. The event out of it,” said Pettyjohn, who served two ors of Sussex County towns participating, Old has become a tradition at each Return years as Georgetown's mayor. He said he Courthouse, 10 South Bedford St. Day since. beat Lewes Mayor Jim Ford after a stiff 45-minute competition. Each, he remem- Noon – 2012 Alyssa Murray, “All these other events have something Main Stage, The Circle. that invites the mayors,” he said. “It cre- bers, consistently hit the target before he ates camaraderie; it's a way to get to eventually took the win with an awkward RON MACARTHUR PHOTO 12:30 p.m. - Delaware National Guard 287th know each other. Georgetown didn't have shot that left his hatchet backwards in the JOE CONAWAY, former Bridgeville town com- Army Band, Main Stage, The Circle. anything like that.” log. mission president, hurls a hatchet. 1:30 p.m. - Return Day Parade. Route: Sussex Central Middle School to West Market Street, to King Street to East Pine Street and back to Carriages set the stage for Return Day Sussex Central Middle School. 3:45 p.m. - Ceremonies on The Circle, Main Driver Johnson recalls his many passengers Stage, The Circle. 4 p.m. - Reading of the Returns, Town Crier By Rachel Swick Mavity W. Layton Johnson (former Georgetown railroad tracks and started prancing about mayor), Sussex County Courthouse balcony, [email protected] as the ladies dismounted. The Circle. “After that, I said I wouldn’t drive in the The past 200 years of Return Day can parade again,” Johnson said. “But I still 4:30 p.m. - Ox Roast including free open-pit be separated into two categories: pre-au- do.” barbecue sandwiches on The Circle in front of tomobile and post-automobile. But even The historic carriages of the museum the Chancery Court building. after cars came along, Return Day has are a highlight of the Return Day Parade. Ceremonies on The Circle • 3:45 p.m. maintained its tradition of horse-drawn Many a governor, senator and parade PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRY JOHNSON • National anthem sung by Cathy Gorman, THIS PHOTO WAS SNAPPED during a chilly Re- carriages leading the parade. grand marshal has hitched a ride in one of Sussex County Sweetheart of Song. That’s according to longtime carriage turn Day as Nutter Marvel, left, and Terry Johnson the elegant carriages. waited in top hats for Gov. Mike Castle. driver, Nutter D. Marvel Carriage Muse- “Mr. Marvel and I were friends because • Invocation by Pastor Bruce A. Rogers, um caretaker and passionate historian we both were racing-horse enthusiasts,” for repairs, but it never made it back to Ellendale United Methodist Church. Terry Johnson of Millsboro. said Johnson, who recently retired as England. • Greetings from Steve Hammond, Master of “The official beginning of Return Day is dean of students for Delaware Technical “Forty years later, Mr. Marvel found it Ceremonies, WBOC-TV. 1811 during a time when horse-drawn car- Community College, where he worked and had it restored by a famous Amish riages were common sights around town,” since 1968. Marvel’s love of carriages be- man named John Lapp in Lancaster,” • Introduction of Distinguished Guests – Johnson said. “One hundred years later, in gan when he was a schoolboy. Driving Johnson said. National, state, Sussex County candidates and 1911, the first automobile made its debut.” carriages was Marvel’s passion, one that “I’ve often driven governors in this car- incumbents – by Steve Hammond. While convertible cars are now regular has been passed on to Johnson. riage during Return Day,” Johnson said. “I • “Yesterday's Dreams” by soloist Christina sights at the Return Day Parade, Johnson’s “Every day, Mr. Marvel would drive a remember sitting with Mr. Marvel in this Diehl heart still leaps when he sees horse- parasol buggy to school,” Johnson said. carriage waiting for Gov. [Michael] Castle drawn carriages lining up for the historic Marvel would fasten the horse’s lead to a for a Return Day parade.” • Reading of Election Returns by Town Crier event. Johnson has been working on the post and attend school. One of Marvel’s greatest finds was a W. Layton Johnson, former Mayor of carriages now housed at the Georgetown That same parasol buggy can now be carriage owned by another carriage en- Georgetown. carriage museum since 1980. Then, he thusiast, Walt Disney. Marvel acquired found upstairs in the carriage house at the • “God Bless The USA” by soloist Kassie worked for Nutter Marvel, who collected museum. the open carriage in Silver Springs, Fla., in Warrington. historic horse-drawn carriages. The mu- In the 1950s Marvel’s passion took off, the 1970s. seum is now named in Marvel’s honor. and he started searching the nation for Vice President Joe Biden and his family • Burial of the Hatchet – Jerry W. Wood, chair- “I remember my first job was to drive carriages. sat on the four rows of seats atop the car- man, Sussex County Republican Committee; the Georgetown Historical Society ladies He located and purchased The Phaeton, riage in the 2002 Return Day Parade, David Eisenhour, chairman, Sussex County in the Eagle Hotel omnibus for the Return which is still used for weddings. Johnson Johnson said. Libertarian Party; and Wolfgang von Baumgart, chairman, Sussex County Day Parade,” Johnson said. recalls Delaware historian Russ McCabe When Marvel died in 1988, a funeral Independent Party. After the parade, the ladies wanted and his bride riding in the open carriage carriage took him for his last spin around Johnson to let them out of the carriage at around The Circle after their wedding. The Circle. • Appreciation – Rosalie B. Walls, president, the railroad tracks near Layton Avenue, so Marvel also hunted down a carriage “Mr. Marvel was a collector,” said John- Sussex County Return Day Inc. they would have a shorter walk back to said to be used by Queen Elizabeth of son. “He thoroughly enjoyed raising his The Circle. Johnson said the gray horses England. Johnson said the carriage came hand during an auction.” • “Patriotic Medley” by soloist Greg Fuller, former Sussex County Register of Wills. pulling the carriage were spooked by the to the United States during World War II • Benediction – Pastor John R. Marvel, Special thanks to Jim Bowden, president of the Georgetown Historical Society, for his contributions to this special commemorative section Georgetown Community Bible Church