Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Fender Skirts and Stuff

I know some of you will not understand this message, but I bet you know someone who might.
I came across this phrase yesterday.
'FENDER SKIRTS.'




A term I haven't heard in a long time, and thinking about 'fender skirts' started me thinking about other words that quietly disappear from our language with hardly a notice like 'curb feelers.'




And 'steering knobs.' (AKA) 'suicide knob'




Since I'd been thinking of cars, my mind naturally went that direction first.

Any kids will probably have to find some older person over 50 to explain some of these terms to you.

Remember 'Continental kits?' They were rear bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental.


When did we quit calling them 'emergency brakes?' At some point 'parking brake' became the proper term. But I miss the hint of drama that went with 'emergency brake.'





I'm sad, too, that almost all the old folks are gone who would call the

accelerator the 'foot feed.' Many today do not even know what a

clutch is or that the dimmer switch used to be on the floor.




Didn't you ever wait at the street for your daddy to come home, so you could ride the 'running board' up to the house?




Here's a phrase I heard all the time in my youth but never anymore - 'store-bought.' Of course, just about everything is store-bought these days. But once it was bragging material to have a store-bought dress or a store-bought bag of candy.






'Coast to coast' is a phrase that once held all sorts of excitement and now means almost nothing. Now we take the term 'world wide' for granted. This floors me.




On a smaller scale, 'wall-to-wall' was once a magical term in our homes. In the '50s, everyone covered his or her hardwood floors with, wow, wall-to-wall carpeting! Today, everyone replaces their wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors. Go figure.



When was the last time you heard the quaint phrase 'in the family way?' It's hard to imagine that the word 'pregnant' was once considered a little too graphic, a little too clinical for use in polite company, so we had all that talk about stork visits and 'being in the family way' or simply 'expecting.'

Apparently 'brassiere' is a word no longer in usage. I said it the other day and my daughter cracked up. I guess it's just 'bra' now. 'Unmentionables' probably wouldn't be understood at all.

I always loved going to the 'picture show,' but I considered 'movie' an affectation.





Most of these words go back to the '50s, but here's a pure '60s word I came across the other day 'rat fink.' Ooh, what a nasty put-down!



Here's a word I miss - 'percolator.' That was just a fun word to say. And what was it replaced with 'Coffee maker.' How dull... Mr. Coffee, I blame you for this.






I miss those made-up marketing words that were meant to sound so modern and now sound so retro. Words like 'DynaFlow' and 'Electrolux.' Introducing the 1963 Admiral TV, now with 'SpectraVision!'





Food for thought. Was there a telethon that wiped out lumbago? Nobody complains of that anymore. Maybe that's what castor oil cured, because I never hear mothers threatening kids with castor oil anymore.





And would someone tell me what do we do with all of our cassette tapes now. Put them in the box with the 8 tracks? And soon the CD's will be there too. You can't buy a tape player anymore...I just tried. The TV's are changing just as fast. We haven't even got an HD one yet and this morning they were advertising some new kind!

SLOW DOWN, YOU"RE GOIN' TOO FAST !!!

Some words aren't gone, but are definitely on the endangered list. The one that grieves me most is 'supper.' Now everybody says 'dinner.' Dinner is still the noon-time meal to me. Save a great word. Invite someone to supper. Discuss fender skirts.



Hat Tip; Kack

Irony

.


The History Of Pocomoke by Murray James (3)

A Brief History of the Author's Life. 23 From the time of my marriage I have always kept an open house for the Ministers of the Gospel, and there was nothing too good to provide, nor any labor too great to perform to make those happy who rested under my roof. When I went on Church Creek Cir- cuit, there was a camp-meeting going on at Old Ebenezer.

I arrived on the ground on Sabbath morning. It was soon known that the young preacher had come to the Circuit. There was a vast congregation on the ground and all eyes were on me. In the afternoon I was put up to preach. This was a great trial to me, for I knew that all that I would say would be criticised. However I did the best I could and after that the time went on pleasantly. In August, I went into protracted meetings and never came out of them till the close of conference year, which was the next March. I formed many very pleasant associations while on the Circuit, and was treated with high respect. This did not puff me up with pride, for I knew for whose sake this respect was given, but it made me feel the greater responsibility resting upon me to conduct myself as one that needeth not to be ashamed, "rightly dividing the Word of Truth." While on this Circuit I had no home of my own, my family still living in New Town, and, as a necessity, I was thrown upon the hospitality of the families on the Circuit. While visiting around I had ample opportunity of discovering the habits of the people, and to my regret I found one habit into which nearly all the people had fallen, it was the use of tobacco.

In some families all the children as well as the parents used it excessively. I used what influence I could to dissuade them from it, but it was hard work stemming the tide. On one occasion, while in company with the Preacher in Charge, and also a Local Preacher, who both used the weed, I got into an argument with them upon the use of tobacco, and was progressing in it very well, and as I thought to a successful issue, when they asked me if I did not sell it. I told them yes. They burst out into a great laugh.

That ended the argument, but in my complete discomfiture, I saw, as I 24 A Brief History of the Author' 's Life. never saw before, the futility of my arguments while I sold tobacco. I told them that if my selling it closed my mouth upon the subject, 1 would sell it no more. When I came home to visit my family, I told my son, who was attending to the store, that we would clear it of tobacco. We did so, and never sold it any more. In 1867, I was again employed, this time, by the Rev. Vaughn Smith, who was Presiding Elder, to serve as Assistant Preacher on Princess Ann Circuit. The Rev. John M. Purner was Preacher in Charge. During the year, by incessant labor, which brought on protracted illness, Mr. Purner succombed to the inevitable, and passed away in holy triumph. Rev. J. T. Vanburkalow succeeded him for the remainder of the year, with whom I labored in harmony until Conference. In reviewing my work on this Circuit, during the year, I will say, although the times were perilous, yet I made many friends, both in and out of church, and I trust I did some good.

At the last Quarterly Conference for the year, I was recommended to the Phil adelphia Annual Conference for Elders Orders, and after passing an examination before a committee who reported favorable in my case, together with the report of the Presiding Elder upon my character and usefulness, I was unani- mously elected to the office, and was ordained by Bishop Janes, assisted by the Elders present, on the loth day of March, in the year of Our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the preceding year I sold out my store house and stock of goods, and I was now desirous to devote my life, exclusively, to the office, and work of the Ministry. In my earlier life I had considered the support of my family and education of my children to be a great achieve- ment.

This I had done without any help save my own native will and energy, and now after accomplishing this most responsible duty, I had enough left to take care of my wife in a small way, and was ready to enter any open door of usefulness in the cause of the Redeemer. In reading the Minutes of the Virginia Annual A Brief History of the Author's Life. 25 Conference, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, I discovered that there was a great want of Ministerial help. I corresponded with the Rev. Elisha P. Phelps, who was the leading spirit in the Con- ference and a Presiding Elder, at that time, of Rockingham District, in regard to joining the Conference. I stated my age, that I was in Orders, and that I could do Circuit "Work. He encouraged me to make application.

The Conference met the following year, 1870, March the 1st, in the City of Richmond. I went to that Conference, and did not know a living man in it, but Bishop Janes, who was presiding. After my name was handed in, I was put under examination, by a committee, upon the following course of study, which is laid down in the discipline of the Church, for those who are to be admitted on trial, namely : Common English, Ancient History, Scripture History, History of the United States, History of Methodism, Rhetoric, Logic, and Disci- pline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The books to be read, preparatory to, and in connection with this examination, were: Wakefield's Theology, Watson's Life of Wesley, Whitney's Hand Book of Bible Geography, Foster's Christian Purity, and Student's Gibbon. I had, however, received from the Quarterly Conference, of New Town Circuit, preparatory to going to the Virginia Con- ference, a recommendation to that Conference as a suitable person to enter the Traveling Connection, and also an individual letter from the Presiding Elder, the Rev. Vaughn Smith, which was of great benefit to me as a stranger.

After the committee reported upon my examination, I was received on trial and my name put in the basket for an appointment, and when the appointments were read out my name was put down for Middle Brook Circuit. After this the Presiding Elder came to me and said he had done the best he could for me, and he did not know how much they would give me, probably not much, but if I pleased them the Lord knew how much they would give for my support. Middle Brook is a small village, ten miles above Staunton, in the great valley of Virginia^ 26 A Brief History of the Author's Life. between the North and South Mountains. The valley at this place is about twenty miles wide. I had eight appointments.

The extremes were from the North Mountain to the top of the South Mountain, and in climbing the South Mountain, the distance from base to summit is six miles. After receiving m} r appointment from the Conference I took the cars for Staunton, and thence, by stage, to Middle Brook. The Circuit was out to the commons. There had been no regular Preacher sent to that Circuit, by the Con- ference, for a year. I was perplexed at this state of things, however, after consultation with my friends, my plans were formed as above stated.

After preaching at Middle Brook, I started for Sherando.a small village at the foot of South Mountain, a distance of twenty miles. It was in March, and there was snow on the ground, in a thawing condition, and this, together with the sticky, red clay, made it very bad traveling on foot, and the roads in some places, for some distance, would be covered with water, so that I would have to go off the road in the fields to find better walking.

Two incidents on this, my first round, I will here record : The first, was one which I often call up in memory with the greatest pleasure. It was on this wise : After traveling the road for about six miles, the noon of day came on. I knew no one on the road nor where to stop to get anything to eat. I knew that I must eat something to enable me to perform my journey. It did not, however, take me long to demonstrate the old adage, "wherever there is a will there is a way." I called up to a well-to-do farmer's house, which stood close on the road.

I asked them if they could accommodate a stranger with dinner. They eyed me, and then said yes, invited me in, and after taking off my overcoat and overshoes, I sat down in conversation with the lady [of the house, who was, as is often the case, the chief speaker. I soon discovered that she was a christian and feared God.

The conversation took a religious turn and soou the silent tear was seen standing in the eye as we conversed on the deep things of God. During my call it A Brief History of the Author's Life. 27 was found out what my mission was and they treated me with the same spirit of courtesy that the Angels received from Abraham. After dinner, which was of the first-class, for they were indepen- dent, I got ready to start, and called for my bill, they informed me there was no charge, save that I call and see them again. I informed them upon those terms I would do so. They filled my pockets with apples, and ordered two horses to be saddled and bridled, and requested their oldest son, at home, who was a young man grown, to take me on my way some distance ; this he did for about six miles.

This call was my introduction to one of the sweetest homes that I had on that Circuit. I was always welcome, and they were able to take care of me and my horse without any inconvenience, and my gratitude was enhanced from the consider- ation that they were not Methodists, but Lutherans. Their names were Baker. I have lost their first name. They lived near Greenville, on the road from Middle Brook to Sherando. The name Baker, to me yet, has a pleasant sound in view of those associations. As I think of them, I think of the memorable words of the Saviour.

"I was an hungered and ye gave me meat. I was a stranger and ye took me in." "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." If this little book should ever fall into the hands of that dear family, they will see, by this narrative, that the kindness they bestowed upon me, for the want of greatful remembrance, has not been lost.

Clean Up By NASA



NASA is preparing to remove contaminated soil from Wallops Island in Virginia.


The plan will include cleanup (and off-site disposal) of two sites where soils have been contaminated with paint by-products and fuels. One sight has been contaminated by paint booth operations prior to the 1980's. The second site has been tainted by fuels used in test operations on jet engines before 1960. Several buildings, paved areas, grass and dirt will be removed..


The agency has indicated that the soil contains polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).


According to NASA both chemicals pose an "unacceptable risk" to animals and humans.


The cost of the cleanup? About $1.5 million.


I'm sure the Environmental Protection Agency and Va. Dept. of Environmental Quality has been consulted


 

NASA Wants To Install Wind Turbines


A public meeting on the proposal is scheduled April 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wallops Island Flight Facility's Visitor Center. April 5 is the deadline to submit comments.

NASA says the wind turbines would generate about a third of the flight facility's electricity. The goal is reduce the facility's utility costs and meet federal energy management requirements.

Two 2-megawatt utility-scale turbines and up to five 2.4-kilowatt residential scale turbine would be installed.

NASA says it studied several renewable energy sources, including solar and geothermal. Wind turbines are the preferred alternative.

More Information Wallops Island draft Energy Assessment


www.shoredailynews.com


Melfa Rotary Club Hosts 11th Annual "Taste of the Eastern Shore"

To benefit the Eastern Shore Food Bank






More than 20 Eastern Shore restaurants will bring out their most tempting edibles on Sunday, April 11 at the Workforce Center, Eastern Shore Community College in Melfa, Virginia to raise money for the Foodbank on the Eastern Shore, a branch of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Presented by the Melfa Rotary Club, this 11th annual event will be an exciting afternoon of food tasting from your favorite local restaurants from 3:00-6:00 pm.

"Our hungry neighbors up and down the Shore depend on our Foodbank," said Charmin Horton, Manager of the Eastern Shore branch. "The Rotary Club and all of the restaurants involved help us make it possible to distribute groceries to those who need it. I encourage everyone to come, eat, and support the Foodbanks mission of feeding the hungry."

The Foodbank on the Eastern Shore annually serves over 29,000 local working individuals, children, and senior citizens struggling to put food on the table. It takes more than 900,000 pounds of donated and purchased food every year to keep them from going hungry.

A limited number of tickets are now on sale on and can be purchased from any Melfa Rotary member; at the Foodbank in Tasley; The Book Bin, Four Corner Plaza in Onley; Rayfields Pharmacy in both Nassawadox and Cape Charles and H & H Pharmacy in Oak Hall and Chincoteague. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Early purchases are recommended. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door (if available). For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Foodbank at 757-787-2557.

Since 1981, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, a member of Feeding America The Nation's Food Bank Network, and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, has been providing food for hungry people throughout Southeastern Virginia. Since its inception, the Foodbank has distributed over 183 million pounds of food throughout its 3,500 square mile Southeastern Virginia service area which includes the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Franklin and Virginia Beach as well as the counties of Southampton, Northampton, Sussex, Isle of Wight and Accomack. During the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the Foodbank distributed over 11 million pounds of food to more than 330,000 individuals. For more information, visit www.foodbankonline.org.

Rotary, an international service organization, has 30,000 clubs in 162 countries with 1,200,000 members worldwide. Rotary is dedicated to providing leadership through club/vocational/international and local community service projects. The Melfa Rotary Club, one of four Rotary clubs on the Eastern Shore, meets Tuesday mornings at Sunrise Restaurant. Taste of the Eastern Shore is one of several community service projects it sponsors each year.


www.shoredailynews.com

Monday, March 29, 2010

PRINCESS ANNE CRIME: Burglary suspect falls asleep on the job

Princess Anne police arrested a burglary suspect after he fell asleep on a bed in an apartment he had broken into.

Officers say 19-year-old Jaimie Goodson broke into an apartment on Saturday and had bagged numerous items from throughout the home and placed them near the entrance.

Officers, called to the scene for a burglary in progress, found Goodson asleep on a bed.

Goodson has been charged with burglary.

VIA: DelmarvaNow.com

Boy, 12, to Be Tried as Adult in Pregnant Woman's Slaying

A Pennsylvania boy who was 11 when he was accused of killing his father's pregnant fiancee with a shotgun blast to the back of her head as she lay in bed will be tried as an adult in the death of both the woman and the fetus, a judge ruled Monday.

Jordan Brown, now 12, is charged with criminal homicide in the death of 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk in their farmhouse in western Pennsylvania on Feb. 20, 2009. Houk was 8 1/2 months pregnant; the male fetus died from a resulting lack of oxygen.

"This offense was an execution-style killing of a defenseless pregnant young mother. A more horrific crime is difficult to imagine," Lawrence County Judge Dominick Motto wrote in his opinion refusing to move the case to juvenile court.

The boy could be convicted of anything from involuntary manslaughter to first-degree murder under Pennsylvania's homicide law. Prosecutors have said they will seek a conviction on first-degree murder charges, for which he could face up to life in prison if convicted.

Cynthia Orr, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, said she's never heard of someone as young as Brown charged with fetal homicide. Brown's attorneys did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the ruling but are expected to appeal.

Prosecutors have suggested the boy was jealous of Houk and her unborn son. Police had said Brown hid the weapon under a blanket so Houk's 7-year-old daughter wouldn't see it as he entered her mother's room. Later, authorities say, he threw the spent shell casing along a path on his way to a bus and went to school.

A state trooper testified that tests showed the shell was fired from Brown's youth-model 20-gauge shotgun.

Brown's attorneys, Dennis Elisco and David Acker, have argued the boy's case would best be dealt with in juvenile court, where he could receive treatment and incarceration specifically aimed at younger offenders.

Under state law, the attorneys had to convince the judge that he was more "amenable" to rehabilitation in the juvenile system -- which would have jurisdiction only until he is 21 -- than as an adult.

But the judge said the testimony of defense psychologist Kirk Heilbrun didn't convince him that Brown was best tried as a juvenile. Heilbrun said that the boy was likely at low risk of offending again -- but the judge noted the assessment did not question whether Brown committed the crime.

Motto focused on findings by a prosecution psychiatrist, Dr. John O'Brien, who found that Brown tended to "minimize" his wrongdoing and to "deny" and "shift blame" for his misdeeds. Brown, specifically, denied killing Houk when examined by both doctors.

Kevin Harley, spokesman for the Pennsylvania attorney general, said prosecutors agree with the decision but stressed that prosecutors could still decide to move the case to juvenile court themselves.

Debbie Houk, the victim's mother, said she doesn't understand why there would be debate about the decision.

"There was no reason for uncertainty in our eyes," Houk said. "We're pleased."

VIA: AOL NEWS

Farmers Leave Strawberry Rotting In Fields


Richard Mullins
Tampa Tribune

Strawberry farmers in Florida are facing such a sharp collapse in prices for their berries that many are deciding to simply leave huge tracts of the berries to rot in the fields.

This only adds to a cold-induced disaster in Florida agriculture this year and spurs some bitter irony for homeowners who suffered sinkholes and water shortages as nearby farmers drained groundwater in hopes of staving off frost damage.

Matt Parke, for instance, looks out at his farm fields, full of strawberries, and just sighs.

 

"Our biggest block of 65 acres, we just had to drop and leave there," said Parke, a grower for Parkesdale Farms in Plant City. The market is already flooded with an abnormally huge wave of berries, pushing prices well below the break-even point for farmers.

All around Plant City, farmers are making the same decision.

"We still owe a lot of money on this year's crop, and we needed to pick fresh fruit at a profit, and that's not occurring right now," said Carl Grooms of Fancy Farms.

Every March, some small fraction of berries will stay in the field, Grooms said. This year, his volume is down 50 percent. Huge areas of his land will go dormant with berries on the plants. Blame the abnormally cold weather in Florida this spring.

Farmers try hard to prevent this kind of disaster. Normally, they plant berries at different times so berries ripen in phases through springtime.

However, the cold weather delayed growth of those early plantings, so all the berries turned ripe at the same time, flooding the market. Plus, berries from California are now coming on the market too, competing with Florida's crop.

Wholesale prices that were $17 to $19 for a flat of eight containers have now fallen to $5 to $6 a flat, Grooms and Parke said. Parke said some farmers have tried shipping berries to stands to sell on consignment, but if they only return $3 a flat on each shipment, they lose money on each deal.

Other crops suffered from the cold. Tomatoes, for instance, were in such short supply that many restaurants only put slices on sandwiches when specifically requested, or told customers tomatoes weren't available.

Adding a sad twist to the strawberry situation, the berries that do show up in grocery stores are abnormally sweet this year, because they spent more time on the plant.

Emily Cooper, of Plant City, said she's fed up with strawberry farmers, especially after they drained groundwater so much that sinkholes opened up.

"I went three weeks without water, and I have sinkholes all around my home," Cooper said. "I can barely get out of my neighborhood."

A lifelong Plant City resident, she's not received any money from nearby farmers for compensation and said she's not surprised prices for berries have fallen so far.

"Nobody wants them," she said. "A lot of people in this community are fed up with them. … I'm not letting another strawberry in my home."

Shootout Saturday In Onley, Virginia


According to Accomack County Sheriff Larry Giddens, on Saturday, March 27 at approximately 5:32 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriffs Office received information regarding shots fired at the Chesapeake Square Plaza in Onley. Further investigation revealed that multiple gunshots were fired by suspects traveling within the plaza. One person was struck by one of the bullets. The victim was taken from the scene by personal vehicle to the Wine Rack convenience store in Onley where he was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and later transferred to another medical facility. The victim is listed in stable condition. Damage to the Food Lion store can be seen in the photograph pictured.


Sheriff Giddens stated that the suspects fled the scene by vehicle prior to deputies arrival; however, two vehicles believed to have been involved in the crime have been confiscated by the Accomack County Sheriffs Office.

Sheriff Giddens also noted that this shootout occurred on a Saturday evening at a shopping plaza where there were many innocent bystanders. The Sheriff's office is seeking any witnesses who are interested in helping to solve this crime. Any available information regarding this crime may not only assist in the apprehension of suspects but may help eliminate any future incidents of this nature. Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriffs Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.

The Accomack County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Virginia State Police, Onley Police Department and the Onancock Police Department.


www.shoredailynews.com

Seal Stranded On Virginia Beach Shore

Katie Collett


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY.com) - Jimmy Hillegass hit the beach in Sandbridge early Sunday morning to snap some quick shots of the sunrise, but his focus quickly changed.

"I noticed something rather large down on the other end of the beach," says Hillegass.


He pointed his lens at the mysterious object near the Little Island Fishing Pier.


"I saw more people kind of walking down. I saw dogs going around this...I thought maybe it was a log."


Jimmy moved closer and he found it wasn't a log at all. It was a gray seal stranded on the beach.


"You could tell it was in trouble. It had those sad, puppy dog eyes."


Jimmy's heart broke for the animal, so he contacted WAVY.com for help. We called the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response team who said they tried to help the seal Saturday evening, but it got dark fast making it dangerous to monitor the seal.


When crews went out after Jimmy left the beach Sunday morning, the gray seal was gone.


"As I was leaving I noticed the tide was coming in I'm thinking, well maybe that's what it would take to ship this seal out," said Jimmy.


However, rescue crews say they actually wanted the seal to stay on shore.


One stranding technician told WAVY.com the seal's behavior was a little off and he looked thin, possibly 200 pounds on his six foot long frame. She wanted to see if he was healthy enough to get back in the water and that's all Jimmy hopes for as well.


"Hopefully it'll live and if not, it'll feed other life."


The gray seal is rare to our area and officials say while it may be cute, it's one of the most aggressive of seals near our shores.


So, if it washes up again, keep your distance, keep all pets on a leash, and immediately call the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response team at 437-6159.

www.wavy.com


~ Have A Wonderful Monday ~

"Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

~ Nathaniel Hawthorne ~

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The History Of Pocomoke by Murray James (2)

In eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, I commenced learning the shoe making trade with my brother. I was then in my fifteenth year. I was very apt, and soon learned to make a boot. During the next year, however, he concluded to leave the City, and he made an engagement with Captain John T. Taylor, of Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland, to act as foreman in his shoe and boot factory, in that place.

This event took place in eighteen hundred and thirty, and to me it was an epoch in my history that I shall never forget. I was then turned out on the world to shift for myself, at the age of sixteen, without counsellor or friend to take me by the hand and direct me in the way I should go. It is true my father and mother were then living, but they were living in New Town and I was in the City of Baltimore. I have often thought upon this part of my early history as being marked by the special providence of my great Heavenly Father who watches over the present and future doings of those that are left destitute. I procured board at the house of a kind humane man, for one dollar and twenty-five cents a week. I could make two dollars and fifty cents a week at my trade, consequently I could have, after paying my board, one dollar and twenty-five cents to buy my clothes, shoe findings, and to pay the laundress, and the balance I could have for spending money. This state of things continued until the latter part of the year when my father moved back to the City, and I was again with the family.

In the latter part of eighteen hundred and thirty-one, my father died and was buried in a Roman Catholic Cemetery, in the western part of the city of Baltimore. Early in eighteen hundred and thirty-two, my mother, with her three A Brief History of the Author's Life. 15 youngest children moved back again to New Town, and I was left in the city. I was then in the eighteenth year of my age. I was ambitious to excel at my trade, and in order to be a proficient, I went under instructions with one of the best workmen in the city, and boarded with him. I soon became master of my own trade and could hold a seat of stitched boots in any of the best shops in the City. But this prosperity at my trade, was attended with a series of wickedness that ought to be truly alarming.

My association was entirely of a vicious character. In those large shoe- maker boarding houses there would be sometimes as high as fifteen or twenty men upon their benches, strewed around the room. In such a company there must be entertainment, and scarcely, without an exception it would be of a vicious character. The bottle of liquor would be in the middle of the floor; the singing those songs and telling yarns which had an immoral tendency. Then theatre going, ten-pin alleys visited, gambling saloons tarried at> frequently, till after midnight. I have, since, often wondered at the alarming progress I was making, in fixing my habits that, without some interposition, would end in my utter ruin. In eighteen hundred and thirty-three, my brother, who had established himself in business in Snow Hill, wrote to me to come and work for him.

This was a providential door opened to me, for which I have, ever since, had great cause to be thankful. I was, by accepting this invitation, lifted out of my old associations, and placed in an entirely new element of society: I held on, however, to my old habits of swearing, gambling and tobacco chewing. In the winter of 1843 and 1844, there was a great revival of religion, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Snow Hill. I was provi- dentially brought under its gracious influence. Before this, how- ever, I would argue Roman Catholicism with the Methodists, yet I believed they were under some blessed influence to which I was a stranger. This conviction was the result of my observation of their godly walk, their chaste conversation, and their acclamations 16 A Brief History of the Author's Life. of joy in their religious meetings. The leading men engaged in conducting that revival were Mathew Sorin and Shepherd Draine. These were the ministers on the circuit. Stephen Town- send, ;t ft envards Doctor Townscnd, of the Philadelphia Conference ; Ephraim Mathews, father of I. T. Matthews, Esq., who is the present clerk of the county ; George Hudson, who was for many years clerk in the office of the Register of "Wills for "Worcester Count}' ; and Levi Nelson, a boot and shoe maker. These men commanded my highest respect. I could not gainsay their Chris- tianity in any particular. I often wondered at their kind and gentle bearing towards me.

Notwithstanding, I attended their meetings regularly, yet I would avoid those men by taking a seat in the rear of the congregation. They would, however, find me out, and by their kindly, gentle course would persuade me to go up and mingle in the congregation. "With unabated love I have often thought of those men, when they would come to me some- times, la} r their hands upon my head, though hot a word would be spoken, and weep over me. This was more than I could bear. I thought if I did not } T ield to such loving entreaties as this, I ought to go to Hell. I determined to make an unconditional surrender of myself to God. I was ignorant of the ways of God and the Gospel plan of Salvation. I submitted to be taught like a child. I bowed at the altar. I deplored and confessed my sins, the more I prayed, and contemplated my condition, the more I saw myself a lost sinner, my feelings became intolerable. I sought the Lord day and night without intermission except when I was asleep. This was a long, dark, dark night of experience to me, but finally in fixing my eyes upon the da3 T star from on high 4 the day-light of pardon, peace and jo} r broke into my soul. Before this I was decidedly opposed to making any ado about religion. I said if I embraced it I would let the people see how decently and in order I could get it. But oh ! how foolish I was. I was as ignorant as a beast before the Lord. "When I received the witness of pardon and my A Brief History of the Author's Life. 17 acceptance with the Lord, I was lost in praise, and thought of nothing but Jesus and his love to ine, and shouted aloud before a large congregation the veritable experience of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Though this experience was realized nearly fifty years ago, yet to this day it is unspeakable, it was Christ in me the hope of glory. I was truly convinced that I was as thoroughly changed in my spiritual nature as that I had a being, and the savor of the good, I then received, I have to this day. A new life then opened up to me. I broke off my old habits at a stroke, excepting tobacco chewing, which I did not then realize to be inconsistant with a profession of Christianity.

I can say, since that day I have studiously avoided all those places in which I previously took delight, places where God was not honored. During eighteen hundred and thirty-four I returned to Baltimore and worked at my trade. An event occurred that year which liked to have cost me my life. There was a mob raised upon the breaking of the old Maryland Bank. The spite of the mob was directed to the officers of the Bank, such as Reverdy Johnson, John Glenn and others. It commenced operations on Saturday night. I had finished my day's work and had eaten ray supper and walked down town. I discovered their aim was at Reverdy Johnson's house, on Monument Square. A guard was already posted across Calvert street, on the North side of Baltimore street. As I came along I was requested to volunteer.

I did so, and about twelve o'clock, while fighting the mob, I was struck in the fore- head with a stone which cut through my hat and cut my head about an inch long. I was knocked down as quick as if I had been shot. My wound was examined and pronounced not dan- gerous, and I was placed on the retired list. No changes occurred in my life, but such as are of common occurrence until eighteen hundred and thirty-six. In the first of January of that year, I established myself in the boot and shoe business, in New Town. I was in the twenty-second year of my age.

Up to this date my 18 A Brief History of the Author's Life. education was of the most superficial character. With the excep- tion of a few weeks, I had not gone to school since I was thirteen years old. I could, however, at that date read, write and cipher some. I understood the multiplication table up to the twelfth line, the four fundamental rules in arithmetic, was somewhat aquainted with the single and double rule of Three, and Practice, and was a tolerably good speller. This was the ultimatum of my schooling until I was twenty-two years of age. During that year, by some casuality, Kirkham's grammar fell into my hands. It was a dead science to me.

I took the book, however, to a friend and desired him to °;ive me some insight of it, he did so, and Ibecranto understand it, and I was so ambitious to improve my education that I went to school two months, to a good scholar. I confined my studies chiefly to English grammar and geography, and with- out any praise to myself, I soon stood at the head of the grammar class.

This was the result of two considerations : first, I had a longing desire for knowledge, and secondly I was at a more mature age to receive instructions than the younger scholars. After this I would carry my book in my pocket as I would walk the street, or have it on the bench while I would be at work, and would parse everything that came under my observation. On the 11th day of January, 1838, 1 was married to Mrs. Mary Atkinson, widow of Thomas D. Atkinson, deceased. Her maiden name was Long, she was the daughter of Josiah and Sally Long. In this instance I assumed a responsibility for which I was scarcely adequate.

I was poor, and to support a large family from the beginning with no other means but my trade was no small under- taking. Yet I succeeded, by good management to provide, in some little degree, things convenient. In the course of a few years my health became so impaired by sedentary life, that I was induced to make a change.

I commenced farming in a small way until 1849 Prior to the above date I had served two terms as justice of the peace, and when the Magistrates Court was established 1 was A Brief History of the Author's Life. 19 appointed chief judge of this district, but refused to accept the appointment. During the time of which I am writing I was serving the Church as class leader, recording steward and local preacher. Up to 1849 all my children were born, and my second son James Henry was dead. At the above date I leased a farm, four and a half miles in the country ; the farm was poor and I was told that I would starve on it, but by careful management, after living on it four years, and living well too, I had gained four hundred dollars. While on the farm I would ride to town of a night, after the day's work would be over, lead class and return home. During my sojourn on the farm, an event occurred, which has ever since been a source of congratulation. It was my aban- donment of the use of tobacco.

This may seem to some persons a very small matter, but to me it was of vast moment. I had had, for many years, misgivings with regard to the propriety of its use. I had sought to justify myself by all possible considerations, chief among them was the example of christian men and christian min- isters, some of the highest dignitaries of the Church in the habitual use of tobacco. I dared not unchristian ize them, some of them were, in other respects way marks to the better land, and if they can use it why not I? This was a powerful argument for me to continue its use. Another consideration in favor of its contin- uance, was the fact that I commenced at such an early day, when I embraced Christianity and knew I was accepted of rny gracious Heavenly Father, I was still using it. But notwithstanding all these considerations, I still had my misgivings when I read the precious word of truth and considered that cleanliness was an attribute of godliness.

I reasoned, also, that in many instances, if not all, tobacco was unhealthy in its use, and that our money was a precious talent to be used in a proper way, and not to be used in feeding a debased and an unnatural appetite. I bad made, probably, a hundred attempts to quit its use, ahd as many times failed. But in this last effort I succeeded, and one great induce- 20 A Brief History of the Author's Life. ment urging me on was the bad example I was setting my children, for how could I tell them not to use it when I was using it myself | Another event took place while I was on the farm, which has been the greatest pleasure to me. It was a revival of religion, at Swansgut Methodist Episcopal Church, in which about fifty persons professed religion, and there was no other instru- mentality employed in it but the Rev. John Hersey, of precious memory, and the writer. In 1852, 1 served as one of the assessors of Worcester County. At the close of 1853, 1 moved back to New Town, and in 1854, 1 embarked in the steam saw mill business, but had not more than got the mill in running order before I discovered that I had made a mistake, and I determined to sell out as soon as an opportunity presented itself It was not long before I had an offer for my interest in the mill, and I sold out with a loss of about three hundred dollars. Some thought I was fickle in this instance, but I had made up my mind to get out of the mill, and the sequel showed the wisdom of the act. I had invested but a few hundred dollais which I had been gathering together for between fifteen and twenty years by hard work, and had I continued in the mill I should have lost all. In reviewing the history of this incident, there is cause for praise to my Heavenly Father, and admiration of this special providence over me. At the close of 1856, 1 removed to Somerset County, on a farm which I had purchased of Hon. Isaac D. Jones.

I now began to think that I should be settled in life. I had moved about so much that I desired that this should be the last time until I would go to my long home. But I had not been on the farm two years before circumstances were brought to bear upon me, which caused a change. I owed one-third of the purchase money on the farm, but I had that all secured, and could have had such time as would be convenient for me to pay it in. But I was in debt to the merchant, mechanic, school teacher, Arc. I had made a good crop of corn and oats, and would be amply able to pay all such bills if I could bold on to my produce A Brief History of the Authors Life. 21 until such seasons of the year in which it would bring the best price. As soon as ray crops were made, the payment of those bills was called for, and, generally speaking at that season, the price of grain is the lowest. It was in vain to expostulate, and the officer was paying me visits. I began to see more clearly than ever before, that what I had was not mine while I was in debt, but that I was simply an agent in the hands of my creditors, to obey their wishes at what time and whenever they said pay. I had always been in debt, from the date of my marriage up to the time of which I am writing, and I thought I could see clearly, if possible, a thousand ways in which I had suffered by the credit system.

I thought it was my only hope of success to abandon the credit system, to get out of this dirty pool. I was resolved upon it if it broke me. I had an offer for my farm at an advanced price and I sold it, sold out my stock and grain, paid all I owed, turned over a new leaf and seemingly commenced life square for the first time. After this I moved back to New Town, and I soon discovered the benefit of such a change. When I would go into a store to buy anything, the merchant knew that he was going to get the money, and with- out any word from me the price of the article would be put down at the lowest figures.

I now began to get along better than ever before. I need buy, now, only such things as I needed and if I could not get them at one place, I could go to another. Whereas under the credit system, I would be compelled to deal at certain places, and pay whatever prices they charged, and if that store at which I was dealing did not have the article I wanted, it was frequently the case that something else would, though not answering so well, have to be taken in lieu and probably at a greater price.

In 1861,1 was appointed post-master, under the administration of Abraham Lincoln, and served in that capacity until 1866 when I was removed under the administration of Andrew Johnson. In 1867, 1 was ordained a Deacon by the impo- sition of the hands of Bishop Simpson, at the Philadelphia Con- 22 A Brief History
For I had often heard the remark that they that own a farm and sell it to goto merchandising would never own another. I bought my goods for cash and was prepared to sell as low as the lowest. I would not go into any ring or form any combination, but sold goods on my own convictions, and as a general thing sold for cash and would not let a customer go out of the store with his mone y if it was possible to reach him in the price of the article and I generally got his money and he got the goods. During the first two years, the price of goods was steadily on the rise, and dry goods went up one hundred per cent, in six months after I made my first purchase, so that I could wholesale to some of the merchants at a lower price than they could buy for iD the city, and still make a heavy profit. During this period I was so fearful that I would become a bankrupt that I would invoice every few months, and the result would show that I was whole footed, and so I became more careless. At the end of two years goods had reached their highest point in price, and the crisis came, and the after part of my mercantile life was like Pharaoh's dream, it ate up pretty much all that I had made in the years preceding, but after all, when I sold out, I came out as good as when I went into the business. In I860, 1 was employed by the Rev. Solomon Cooper, Presiding Elder of the District, to serve as Junior Preacher, on Church Creek Circuit, in Dorchester County.

This may be considered the beginning of my life as a traveling Preacher, although I had preached at different places before and, many times at all the appointments on the circuit where I live, and had served the Church in every capacity, as Class-Leader, Exhorter, Trustee, Recording Steward and Local Preacher.

Massive Federal Raid in Lenawee County

Our Constitution is written to protect a civilian militia, so the FEDS come down on this group but let the terrorist cells that train on US soil continue and say they can't do anything about it because it would be unconstitutional. GET A GRIP!

The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are all involved in raids around Adrian that may be connected to a militia group.

The FBI conducted multiple raids throughout Saturday and into Sunday, with one of them centered on a property where known members of a militia live. The land is owned by a man who lives in a house on the property. His sons live in two mobile homes that are also on the property. Saturday's raids were concentrated on those mobile homes.

Helicopters were spotted in the sky for much of the night, and agents set up checkpoints throughout the area, including in Sand Creek and Clayton in Lenawee County. Witnesses tell Action News that it was like a small army had descended on the area.

A command center, including two satellite trucks and a radio tower, had been set up at the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department in Ann Arbor. It has since been dismantled.

Federal agents will not comment on the investigation, only saying that they are serving a number of search warrants and that the warrants are sealed. Action News has learned that an unknown number of arrests have also been made. An unconfirmed report indicated that at least six people were arrested coming into Michigan from Ohio.

Members of a number of militia groups say that the raids are connected to raids in Indiana and Ohio. However, the FBI has not confirmed that.

VIA: WXYZ.Com

obama Rapes Liberty

Oh boy.... I bet this will get the libs panties all knotted up in a bunch.
But.... what can they say? It's true!






Those 'Pit Bulls' are such normal loving pets. (yea right)

Notice the "normal loving pet" is just watching, I cannot for the life of me figure out why some people are sted fast on thinking that Pit Bulls are like any other dog, they are NOT! and they are very unpredictable and dangerous. How many other dogs would eat a car?



DIRECT LINK

Shots Fired -- Onley Food Lion and Wine Rack

From WESR radio station.......
Shots rang out Saturday afternoon in the parking lot at Food Lion in Onley. Unofficial reports state that apparently someone fired bullets, one of which went through a front glass window at Food Lion. The store was open and there were customers inside at the time but no one was reported hurt. Also we have unofficial reports that shots were also fired in the parking lot at the Wine Rack on Rt. 13 south of Onley.

WESR radio will have more details as they become available.



This is scary. Very scary. This could happen at anytime, anywhere that any of us shop. This is probably some nut with a gun that has "something to settle" with someone else and took it upon himself to wait in a parking lot (possible two businesses) on a very busy Saturday afternoon with the intentions of harming that person. This "brain dead idiot" in his moments of fury could have killled or injured someone other than who the bullet was intended. What a creep. And it happens alot throughout the Virginia neighborhoods.

NASA Rocket Launch A Success




The rocket launch yeaterday at Wallops Flight Facility was a success.


The flights main goal was to test the new improved Malemute rocket motor along with carrying two cubesats* developed by university students in Kentucky, Moorehead State, the Naval Academy and California to collect data as its second goal.


Even with the wind playing a small role the Terrier-Improved Malemute uborbital sounding rocket was launched from Wallops Flight Facility at 10:09:56 EDT. 72 seconds into the launch the cubesats ejected from the rocket and as they fell collected data to be used for research by the students.


The rocket flew lower than expected but Kenutcky confirmed that they were able to get data. At 10:21:35 EDT there was a loss of signal from the rocket which indicated splashdown and success!

I'm not sure what our friends Carrie and Gerald witnessed (or felt) yesturday since rocket launches are very visable from their backyard but from my backyard, eight miles away and unlike some launches) there was hardly any sound and just a vapor trail.

 

*cubesat--small miniature satellite for space research and weighs no more that a kilogram which aides universities with science and space exploration

Be Careful How You Shop in Texas

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Picture For Today

.


The History Of Pocomoke by Murray James

This is a great read, well written and very interesting times of old in and around Pocomoke, Stevens Ferry, New town, and Back to Pocomoke.

It's long a story (book) that tells of City merchants, the ship yard, trading and people of interest from the poor to the well-to-do from the years of old when Pocomoke was first settled.

I will be posting chapter by chapter (somewhat) on at least a weekly basis, maybe more often when I think of it. Keep checking back for the latest on "The History Of Pocomoke" it's a wonderful story.


'To all my fellow-townsmen who feel an interest
in Pocomoke City, is this History
respectfully dedicated by the
Author.



CONTENTS.



Page.

History, Preface of 7

Author's Life, Sketch of 9

New Town, Origin of 40

" " Limits of 44

Growth, Change of Name, Etc 47

Mercantile Aspect 50

Manufacturing 86

Trades 91

Shipping Interests 106

Eastern Shore Steamboat Co 108

^Ship-Building in

Hotels, Livery Stables, Etc 121

Physicians 123

Lawyers 138

Post Office 144

Printing Offices 149

Social Aspect 151

Moral Aspect 161

Temperance 163

Schools 168

Churches 196

Secret Societies 233

5



PREFACE.

In writing a history of Pocomoke City, formely New Town, I wilF
say, the subject never presented itself to my mind until recently,
and then I only contemplated a brief sketch of some of the early
inhabitants together with their business life, the habits, customs
and social bearing of society in "ye olden times." But as the
subject loomed up before me into greater proportions, and as there
never had been written a history of the place, only in scraps for
newspaper publication, and as I have been repeatedly solicited to
write such a history, I have submitted to undertake the arduous
task.

The subjects comprised in this history will, therefore, be the
geographical position or town limits of the place together with a
description of its Houses, Streets, County Wharf and Public
Square. The Mercantile, Shipping, Manufacturing, Steam
Milling, Hotel and Livery Stable Business. The Practice of
Medicine and Law. The Post-Office, Press, Social Life, Moral
Outlook, Temperance, Schools, Churches and a brief sketch of the
lives of its leading business and professional men.

In writing this history I have not aimed at literary display, if I
had, the book itself would expose my weakness. But I have
simply aimed at giving a statement of facts, and chief among my
aspirations has been the rescuing from oblivion, the names and
history of persons living in New Town in the days of yore, names
precious and dear to many who are still living in Pocomoke City,
together with Incidents of Social Life that will be of interest to
read. The whole history covering a period of over two hundred
years.

8 PREFACE.

In giving a sketch of my own life, separately, I must say, in

justice to myself, that the subject never once entered my mind

until I had been repeatedly requested to do so, finally I yielded,

hoping that my eventful life would be both a warning to the youn

not to pursue those paths of vice into which I had fallen, and an

encouragement to all, that it is never too late to turn over a new

leaf, never too late to do good. The, fact of my joining the

Virginia Conference, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, when I

was in the fifty-sixth year of my age, undertaking a four years

course of Conference studies, leaving a loving home and going

among strangers for three successive years, in the valley of

Virginia, and on the Mountains of West Virginia, and traveling

in that Conference for six years, averaging the first three years,

probably, fifteen hundred miles a year on horse-back, is an

adventure of my life, at which I am truly amazed. Although I

was in Orders when I entered the Conference, I was required to

go through the usual course of studies, and I mention, in detail,

the subjects upon which I was examined and the books to be

read, simply to show the amount of labor I had to perform at my

advanced age, and yet by application I succeeded.

J. M.



A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE

AUTHOR'S LIFE



I was born in New Town, Worcester County, Maryland, on the
11th day of August, 1814. My father's name was Michael Murray.
He was born in the town of Armagh, in Armagh County, in the
North of Ireland. He received quite a liberal education in his
native country, and was reared, by his parents in the Roman
Catholic faith. My mother's name before she married my father,
was Nancy Maddux. She was born and raised in Potatoe Neck,
now Fair Mount, Somerset County, Maryland. She received such
an education as the schools of her day were prepared to
impart, and in her religious faith she was brought up a Methodist.
My father came to. America soon after the revolutionary war
ended and engaged in merchandising, at Maddux's Island,
Somerset County, Maryland. How long he continued there I
cannot say, it was there, however, that he married my mother. In
the course of time he moved to Rehoboth and continued mer-
chandising some years, when, in 1803, he moved to New Town
and continued in the mercantile and shipping trade in New Town
for fifteen years. Of my mother were born seven sons and one
daughter, all of whom lived to be grown. All of the boys learned
trades except the youngest, and after their majority they all
pursued other avocations, more or less. Of my six brothers and
sister, I am happy to say, they all had good minds, and some of
them shown with lustre, and of my sister, especially. I would say
if the fair sex would not look at it with an eye of egotism, that
she had an intellect above the ordinary class of her sex* They
have all passed away except my youngest brother William who
lives in Sumner County, Tennessee. I have said my father was a



10 A Brief History of the AiUhoi^s Life.

Roman Catholic. He would bold family prayer on Sabbath
morning, and would teach the children the prayers of that Church,
such as the Lord's prayer, the Salutation and Invocation to the
Holy Virgin Mary, the Apostles Creed, etc. But with these facts
before me I must conclude that he was a broad minded, liberal
man, for he contributed to the building of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in New Town, and had all his children baptized by
Protestant Ministers. I have been at a loss to account for my
early religious impressions, in view of the fact that my father was
but a nominal christian, while my mother, during the lifetime of
my father, did not belong to church. I can recollect distinctly,
when but a child, that I was not afraid to die, and when the good
spirit of the Lord so moved upon my little heart, as to soften it
into tenderness and love.

I can also recollect, when in my early youth, that I was afraid
to die, that I had a consciousness of sin and was afraid of God,
and in view of such convictions, when I would retire to my bed at
night, I have engaged in prayer, repeating the Lord's prayer and
those my father taught me and concluding -with : Now I lay me
down to sleep, etc., until my little eyes would close in balmy sleep
"nature's sweet restorer." I pursued this course under the impres,
sion that Satan would not come after a person while they were
praying, for I was frequently afraid the Devil Mould get me
before morning. The reader will recollect the Cat Story in
relation to myself, which is told under the head of Social Life in
New Town.

I have, if possible, a thousand times reviewed my father's course
in raising his children. While in some instances he was very
strict, yet in others he was remiss in his oversight of them. I
suppose there have been but few families, especially in the days of
my boyhood, but what there would be more or less fighting by the
boys. Sometimes when my brothers and myselfwould be at work,
we would get into a fight, and as I was the youngest, I would



A Brief History of the Author's Life. 11

generally get whipped. I recollect instances when I was not in
fault, I would go to my father and tell him of it, instead of
inquiring into the matter, he would give me another whipping and
send me off to work again. I then had no appeal, and many a hard
fight I have had with my dear brothers. I have said my father
was very strict. If he promised me a whipping I was sure to get
it. I recollect times when I would run from him to avoid punish-
ment and he would say, in his broad Irish accent, "niver mind boy
I will pay you." I felt that moment that my doom was sealed,
and my feathers fell.

My lather whipped his boys with the cowhide. It has been said
of the Irish that they were the greatest people in the world for
whipping the Devil out of their children. But it is a problem for
solution, whether such whipping whips the Devil out of, or whips
the Devil into, the children. I recollect very well my brothers and
myself would get hold of the old cowhide, that had punished us so
severely, and we would take it to the wood-pile and chop it into
mince meat with the axe.

There was no Sabbath School, in New Town, in my little boy-
hood days, and the boys to a great extent, were suffered to roam
about on the Sabbatb day. On such occasions I would learn a
great deal of wickedness. I learned to swear profusely, to play
cards, and as early as eight years of age I learned to chew tobacco.
I was the first one in my father's family to use tobacco, my father
and mother never using it. Many a night, after I would go to
sleep, my father would search my pockets for my tobacco and burn
it ; but it was all to no use, I conquered my father in my wicked
course, and when I grew larger I chewed, with impunity, in his
presence. This one instance of my boyhood life has caused me
many a heartache since, and often times in contemplating the sub-
ject, I have been so mortified and humbled that the tears unbidden
would steal from my eyes. At a very early age I learned to swim
and finally I became quite an expert at it. I was like a duck in



12 A Brief History of the Author's Life.

the water for diving, and several times I have been nearly drowned
by trying how far I could swim at the bottom of the river before I
would come to the surface again. At other times I have been
nearly drowned in playing with larger boys who would hold me
under the water too long. It used to be quite common for the
town boys to take their canoes, and go to the river swamps for
shingle billets and bring them home to burn. Frequently, after
loading my canoe with billets, I have taken the tow line in my
mouth aud swam along with the canoe as it would drift with the
tide.

In eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, my father moved with his family to Baltimore. I was then thirteen years old. Another event occurred in my early history of which I have, ever since felt deeply ashamed, and humbled. After my father moved to Baltimore, for sometime, I had nothing to do, and consequently I would be down at the wharves and on board the Eastern Shore vessels to see those I was acquainted with, and would engage in boyish sports, such as standing on the waist or spars of the vessel and jumping to a rope and catching hold of it with one hand, and exhibiting my activity ; during these visits I became acquainted with a man who had gone from this place. He followed the sea. He took a great liking to me for my activity and venturesome spirit, and persuaded me to go to sea. The pleasures of a seafaring life that loomed up before me, together with the idea of visiting foreign countries, were truly captivating. I determined on such a course at all hazards. I had not consulted my father or mother. I knew it would be of no use, that they would not give their consent and so I determined to act for myself. I had made seme little engagements with a captain of a Dutch Ship bound to Bremen. I was but a boy and had no where to stay of nights and consequently would sceak home at night and run off in the morning. This state of things lasted several days. I have since heard my mother say that my father has walked the A Brief History of the Author's Life. 13 floor wringing his hands and saying, in deep agony : "What shall I do with my boy James." Finally, he overtook me on Fell's Point, I was about to run from him, when he told me he wanted to talk with me, that he wanted to know where I was going, what ship I was going in, and how Jong I would be gone, and the wages I would get, &c. I had had premonitions that I was acting wickedly, but on this occasion I realized the heinousness of my crime. I felt as though the ground ought to open and swallow me up. I think the good Spirit of the Lord was showing me how wicked I was. I shall never be able fully to explain my feelings on that occasion. I was completely conquered. I went home and purposed to be a better boy. There was another event, during my first years residence in the City of Baltimore, which has been, ever since, a pleasurable thought to me. I attended the first Sabbath School that I was ever in, that year. It was at a little frame church called Frog- Eye, in South Baltimore. The Superintendent talked so sweetly about Jesus that my little boyish heart was completely captivated. I was all humility. I went home. It was on Sabbath afternoon, and at the supper table. I could not help weeping. I have often thought since, that if I had had any one to explain to me the nature of Christianity, its blessedness and experience, that then I would have become a Christian. In my fourteenth year, I was thought to be rather young to go to a trade, consequently I obtained work in a brick yard, with a man by the name of George Cline. This man was so illnatured, crabbed and peevish that I hated him. I recollect one day I was on the kiln tossing bricks to him, on the ground, and as he was not looking the bricks struck him on the foot. It was a terrible blow, he took up a half brick and said : "I have a great mind to knock you off that kiln." I had no faith in him, and was ready, if he raised his hand to throw, to jump off the kiln on the other side. I disliked this man so mnch, on account of his disposition .and the small pay I received, 14 A Brief History of the Author^ Life, which was one dollar a week and I board myself, that I framed a lie, and told my father, that he did not want me any longer. I then went to work with another man, in an adjoining yard, by the name of John Reese. This man gave me kind words, treated me like a father, and gave me a dollar and a half a week. The one I love to think of, tbe other I have long since forgiven.

Former 6-Term Va. Congressman Stan Parris Dies

Stanford E. Parris, a former Virginia congressman who served six terms and was an Air Force pilot during the Korean War, has died. He was 80.

Parris' former chief of staff, Dick Leggett, tells The Associated Press that the former congressman died from heart disease Saturday at his home in Mathews County in rural northern Virginia. Leggett says Parris had a major impact on northern Virginia by supporting flood-control projects and bridges, among other things.

The Republican ran for governor in 1985 and 1989. He served in Congress from 1973-74 and then returned from 1981 through 1990. He was a member of the Banking and Finance Committee and cautioned about the looming savings and loan crisis.

He was born in Champaign, Ill.

Do You Support Obama's Health Care Plan?.

The poll results are listed below.
Special note: The poll results may include data for questions that were not included on the poll that you took.

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1) Do you support President Obama's and the Democrat's plan for universal health care?
Yes
No
2) Do you believe the Democratic health plan should include 45 million uninsured, including illegal aliens?
Yes, should include 45 million.
No, should not.
3) Do you approve of President Obama’s handling of health care reform?
Yes
No
4) Do you believe Obama’s health care plan is too expensive?
Yes
No
5) Do you agree that new health care costs should be paid for by increasing taxes on the "wealthy"?
Yes, increase taxes on the wealthy.
No, don't increase taxes.
6) If you were allowed to join the public health care system at rates cheaper than your private insurance, would you join it?
Yes, I would join.
No I would not join.
7) Who did you vote for in 2008?
McCain
Obama
Other
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Do You Support Obama's Health Care Plan? (105,324 Respondents)


Do you support President Obama's and the Democrat's plan for universal health care?
  • Yes
  • 27,960 (26.54%)

  • No
  • 77,385 (73.46%)


    Do you believe the Democratic health plan should include 45 million uninsured, including illegal aliens?
  • Yes, should include 45 million.
  • 20,335 (19.49%)

  • No, should not.
  • 83,981 (80.51%)


    Do you approve of President Obama�s handling of health care reform?
  • Yes
  • 27,045 (26.00%)

  • No
  • 76,983 (74.00%)


    Do you believe Obama�s health care plan is too expensive?
  • Yes
  • 78,351 (75.14%)

  • No
  • 25,926 (24.86%)


    Do you agree that new health care costs should be paid for by increasing taxes on the "wealthy"?
  • Yes, increase taxes on the wealthy.
  • 30,776 (29.61%)

  • No, don't increase taxes.
  • 73,167 (70.39%)


    If you were allowed to join the public health care system at rates cheaper than your private insurance, would you join it?
  • Yes, I would join.
  • 31,802 (30.69%)

  • No I would not join.
  • 71,807 (69.31%)


    Who did you vote for in 2008?
  • McCain
  • 57,234 (55.90%)

  • Obama
  • 29,249 (28.57%)

  • Other
  • 15,900 (15.53%)