Sunday, September 27, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... 1897, 1899, 1908, 1990, 1967, 1943.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it has good wide streets, quite clear of that "eye sore," known mostly over the Peninsula by the name of "deep sand"; the houses, though built of frame, are generally built substantially and with some discretion and taste; there are two neat, new, and quite handsome frame churches in it; as for the merchants of the place, suffice it to state that they are very clever and hospitable.  F. Mezick, Esq., the landlord with whom I stopped, and his very obliging and jolly assistant, are richly deserving of a passing notice, for the good treatment and the extension of the many civilities to "the stranger."


(Reader-friendly viewing of news archives/historical archives material)


September, 1897
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House, Va.)

The Confederate re-union at Parksley next Thursday calls for the earnest encouragement and active support of every Eastern Shoreman, who loves the Lost Cause and the noble heroes who lost their lives in defense of it. It should be a day long to be remembered in the coming years,  and it will be one which we will be glad to recall, if by our efforts and through our aid on that day, the funds now in hand can be sufficiently supplemented for the erection of the monument to our fallen braves without further delay. Their splendid valor and heroic deeds long since demanded that the shaft be raised to commemorate their virtues, and it cannot be postponed longer, if we would not bring reproach upon ourselves of being false to them and untrue to the cause for which they fought and died. The monument, of course, will be erected to our Confederate dead at a later day, if not now, and in sufficient proportions to be worthy of them and to show to future generations the affectionate regard in which they were held by us, and contributions to that end will not be wanting from any who value patriotism, self-sacrificing devotion to duty and the priceless heritage of their honored names to their kindred and their kindred's children. Sufficient funds for that purpose, however, ought to be raised at Parksley next Thursday and we most heartily second the appeal of Harmanson-West camp, for every one is held a success.


October, 1899..
A monument honoring Confederate soldiers of the Eastern Shore of Virginia who lost their lives in the Civil War was unveiled in Parksley.




In the book 'Accomack County' (2009) by Tom Badger, the author states: In the center of Parksley stands a prominent monument dedicated to fallen Confederate soldiers from Accomack and Northampton Counties. The location of this monument is rather surprising considering the town was built by a bunch of "Northern capitalists," but, as often happens, a story is involved. When the railroad was built, a number of businissmen lobbied to have the county court moved from Accomac to Parksley, conveniently located on the rail line. The matter was put to vote, and be a narrow margin, the majority favored keeping the court in Accomac. Shortly thereafter, Parksley, as something of a consolation prize, was chosen as the site for the Confederate monument.   



October, 1908...



Peninsula Enterprise



December, 1990
The Frederick Post (Frederick, Md.)

(Excerpt)

Toll road to skirt I-95 envisioned
 Proposal greeted by sticker shock

NORFOLK (AP) — A transportation planner's proposal for a $2.5 billion, 250-mile toll road from Wilmington, Del., to Rocky Mount, N.C., has received a mixed reaction from politicians and highway officials.

William C. Mann says the proposed toll road would allow motorists to skirt traffic-choked Interstate 95. The highway would start at Interstate 295 in Wilmington, run down the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, through Hampton Roads on existing highways, and tie into 1-95 at Rocky Mount. 

Mr. Mann acted on his own when he sent his proposal to lawmakers and highway officials in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. Although none have made any promises and some are skeptical, many encouraged him to keep pursuing his idea. 

Mr. Mann proposed financing the road by cutting the one-way toll on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for Virginia residents from $9 to $8, but making the one-way fee $20 for all others. Truckers would pay a higher toll. The money could be distributed among four state highway departments for construction of the new East Coast highway.



August, 1967..




Salisbury Times




1943..






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