Pocomoke Fire Company and the Community Center have windows on Christmas past & present

Stop by the Community Center at the  Pocomoke Fire House and see the charming Christmas windows created for the season.  These are created with lots of nostalgic charm, artistry and creative thought, sure to delight viewers of any age.  I was impressed with the interesting antiques, including an original sign from the soda fountain of the old F.W. Woolworth's store of years ago!

Remember the days when shoppers would descend on downtown Pocomoke to socialize and shop to make the little one's wishes come true?  Did you get a soda at the "dime store" or Clarke's Pharmacy?   Do you have a story to share with our readers about those wonderful days when downtown was bustling on a weekend evening? Make sure you see the collection of nostalgic toys in this window depicting Christmas past!

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads!"  From the favorite Christmas story, "A Night Before Christmas", written by Clement Moore, this window shows a quiet Santa filling the stockings in front of a fireplace.    Did someone read the story over and over and over again when you were young?  Can you recite it from memory today?  

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, are you?  Winter wonderland!  Icicles and snowmen , lights and a train, give this window some sparkle and evoke those memories of going "Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house" for the holidays.  In our case, we took the kids and dog over the Bay Bridge-- but you get the idea!


Put the kids in the mom mobile and stop by the fire house to see these windows!  They tell me that a "right jolly old elf" is arriving by helicopter today at 4 pm!  Come and see!  Get your picture taken with Santa!  Give him your wish list!  

Pocomoke City Police Department Christmas Party and Award Ceremony

Friday night Chief Kelvin Sewell hosted the annual Christmas party and award ceremony for the Pocomoke City Police Department.  About 100 people attended the function held in the beautiful Community Center at the fire house.   After a meal of Eastern Shore favorites, Chief Sewell announced that Sgt. Arthur Hancock was this year's Officer of the Year.  On receiving the award, Sgt. Hancock spoke briefly and acknowledged that his award was possible because of a great team of fellow officers.  Last night's event  had another reason for celebration, Chief Sewell's daughter graduated from UMES in the morning, with family members present from Baltimore!

Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell, Pocomoke City Councilmen Rob Clarke & Rev. George Tasker, Councilwoman Diane  Downing, Mayor Bruce Morrison joined Chief Kelvin Sewell & Lt. Craven in congratulating all the officers and support staff for a job well done in 2014.

Sgt. Arthur Hancock was named Officer of the Year by Chief Sewell.

Chief Sewell had a few words to say about the good job done by his officers in the last year.

Sgt. Arthur Hancock said a few  kind words about the Chief.   Hancock and Craven then gave a unique gift to Chief Sewell, recognizing his police service here and in Baltimore City.  The shadow box has badges dating back to 1988 when Sewell first served as an officer on the Baltimore City Police Force.

This display will be an attractive addition to Chief Sewell's office wall.  Thank you for your service, Chief.

December General Membership Luncheon to be Postponed

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, the Hartley Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center will be unable to host our December General Membership Luncheon next week (Dec 17). They have rescheduled it for Wednesday, January 21, 2015.
At that time our PACC officers will give a short presentation.
There will be NO General Membership Luncheon for December.
More info to follow.

Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1968.. Big giveaway in holiday promotion by Pocomoke businesses; 1883.. A popular holiday item on the Eastern Shore of Virginia; 1894..Train excursion to Pocomoke City for Christmas shopping; 1908.. View this Christmas ad by a leading Pocomoke City merchant; ; 1885.. A new hotel in Girdletree; 1968.. She served Pocomoke City for 30 years; 1916.. Sears Catalog Christmas decorations.

Although you may not find all of these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye.   

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about?  It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Ferguson Rioting and Looting; Michael Brown

Salisbury Md Christmas Parade Protest

Post by Heather Williams.

Post by Heather Williams.

LAST DAY TO RSVP FOR DECEMBER 11th BAH!

Do you know some deserving individuals?

Please take a moment and consider nominating a person for one of the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce's three awards recognized yearly at our Annual Dinner.  This year the event will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015 and will have a Mardi Gras theme.

The three award categories are Business Person of the Year, Community at Heart Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Nominations are due at the Chamber office no later than Monday, December 8, 2014.  

Thank you!

Nomination applications can be downloaded at

pocomoke.com

Annual Reverend Tom Wall Memorial Pancake Dinner

The dinner is held annually to honor the memory of Rev. Thomas Wall who was active in making the Samaritan Shelter a warm and protective temporary home for persons who need a warm bed, a hot meal and some companionship during a hard time.  Life is not always easy.  Now managed by Ms Shelly Daniels, the dinner is still an annual event where you see all your neighbors and friends, out for a good meal, and great conversation.   At this year's dinner, Mayor Bruce Morrison presented a check for $3000 to the shelter for their continued expenses.  Shelly Daniels accepted the check from our mayor.  Other funds were raised here through donation cans on the tables and proceeds from the ticket sales.

TIME MACHINE ... 1941,1967, 1887, 1974, 1933, 1885, 1900.

"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 archive/historical archive material)


Prior to this week's Time Machine items let's take note of December 7, 1941.

December, 1967
Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

Holly Auction Set For Dec. 13 In Fruitland

The holly auction at Fruitland will be held Wednesday, December 13, beginning at 10 a.m.

Louis Carey, one of the main buyers, said there will probably be about 50 people show up with wreathes. Maybe there will be 3,000 wreathes offered.

"It's a long way from what the auction used to be," he said.  "It's just about done."

In recent years the number of wreath makers has dwindled to a point where only one sale day is necessary. At one time there were three of more sale days.

Mr. Carey said that this year may have more wreathes than last because of the abundance of holly berries this year. Trees are beautiful, just hanging with berries, he said.

At one time most of the wreathes were sent to city markets. Last year he sent only one small lot to the city.

The Fruitland holly wreath auction is the only such auction known in the world. It is the only place where natural wreathes are sold.

Footnote: From the City Of Fruitland website.. The Fruitland logo incorporates the holly on each side. That is because (the) holly tree is native to the moist woods of Somerset, Worcester, Wicomico and Dorchester Counties. Fruitland held the first (and largest) holly auction every year for three days in December, from the late 1890s until December 1968. The demand for homemade wreaths decreased as artificial wreaths were manufactured. Besides holly, mistletoe was also sold by the bushel basket at the auctions. Wreaths were sold and shipped to brokers in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, but sometimes were shipped as far west as Chicago.


 November, 1887 (Time Machine archive)

The Herald And Torchlight (Hagerstown, Md)

Agents from Farmington, Del., have been in Princess Anne, Somerset County, for several days collecting holly twigs with berries on them.  The twigs are packed in small boxes made for the purpose and shipped direct to Chicago, St. Louis, and Canada, and are used for decorating purposes.  Those who have holly are making a good thing out of it.

 August, 1974
(The DailyTimes- Salisbury)

(Ad)

AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1974, THE MARVA THEATER IN POCOMOKE CITY WILL SLIGHTLY INCREASE ITS ADMISSION PRICES...

For many years, the Marva Theatre has boasted of the lowest admission prices on the entire Eastern Shore. Now, due to higher expenses of films, film delivery, supplies, maintenance, electricity and heat, a slight increase in prices must be made .. New prices, starting September 1st, will be Adults $1.50, Children 75c, with R rated pictures at all seats $1.50. These new prices will probably still be the lowest on the Shore . . Service charge on all passes will increase from 25c to 50c each ... No X rated pictures are ever shown, a fact that has brought many fine comments to the management. All the best G, PG, and a few R rated will be shown to continue the policy of a "family type old fashion movie house" with a friendly greeting to everyone. 

Footnote: Word around town was that theater operator J. Dawson Clarke would remove snips of film that he felt were not suitable for family viewing. 

March, 1933
The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Md.)

Assembly Must Act Quick Or Many Sections Of State Out Of Luck

BALTIMORE, March 22 (JP) Unless there is quick action in the state General Assembly before its adjournment April 4, more than half of Maryland will be unable to take advantage of legalized beer. 

So intricate are the liquor laws of the state that they present the appearance of a jig saw puzzle.

Eleven of the 23 counties are bone dry; eight have restrictions on importations; two others are wet in spots and only two counties are wide open. Baltimore City, which is a distinct sub-division and not in any county, is wet for the most part but forbids sale of beer or liquor in certain sections.

Baltimore City has already prepared a bill for presentation in the Legislature repealing all old liquor laws and enacting a new law with a new scale of license taxes and new regulations as to sale. Counties are taking steps to repeal their laws. 

The two counties now wide open are Montgomery, which is adjacent to the District of Columbia and includes many of Washington's more exclusive suburbs, and Allegany.

Cumberland, the state's second largest city, has wet and dry spots. Annapolis, the state capital, located in Anne Arundel county, is wide open. 

Most of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, on the Delmarva peninsula, has a "gallon a month" law. These counties are Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester, Kent, Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot and Queen Anne's.

Garrett, Prince Georges, St. Mary's, Harford, Washington, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Howard (with the exception of Ellicott City) and Charles counties are bone dry.

January, 1885 
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

The Eastern Shore Mails.

Reprinted from Baltimore Sun.

The petition to the Postmaster-General that the Eastern Shore Steamboat Company be allowed to retain the contract for the mails between this city and Somerset and Worcester counties, Md., and Accomac and Northampton counties, Va., sets forth that the steamboats are necessary for the prompt delivery of mail at points inaccessible by rail; that the shipments from the section of country indicated are largely perishable in their nature; that the proposed change to the railroad service would operate disastrously both here and in the country, and requests that definite action be withheld until the business men here can be heard further in the premises. 


 For Christmas, 1900!

                                                             

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about?  It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!


"Somewhere Over The
Rainbow Bluebirds
fly.."

Flying On For JMMB.
Her Pocomoke Public
Eye postings (April,
2008 to June, 2014)
kept us informed.

Mayor's Old Fashioned Christmas a Success!

Annual Christmas Cantata at Salem United Methodist Church

"The Mystery and the Majesty" A Cantata by Joseph M Martin
Directed by Brittany Lewis and presented by the Salem United Methodist Choir
Sunday December 7, 2014
7 pm at Salem Church at the corner of 2nd & Walnut Streets in Pocomoke City

The annual performance of a Christmas cantata is quite a long tradition at Salem.  The music in this performance comes from varied genre of Christian music and the effect is quite magical, setting a mood for the Christmas season.  Come and join us in this year's version of a long standing tradition of well performed Christmas music.  Soloists are Lauren Leonard, who performed with the Holly Grove Choir for many years, also Frank Henry, a well known musician from Pocomoke.   Doug Gifford also performs a solo in this cantata.  Brittany Lewis, a graduate of Pocomoke High School, is a gifted muscian, vocalist and conductor.

Come and join us at Salem on Sunday evening!   The last number is the familiar Hallelujah Chorus where singers in the audience will join the choir,  There is no admission fee.  Refreshments will be served after the performance.

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1967.. Fruitland holly auction may have been unique in the world; 1887.. Somerset holly going to the midwest and Canada; 1974.. Marva Theater ticket price changes; 1933.. Maze of liquor laws may leave half of Maryland without legalized beer; 1885.. Alarming concerns on proposed swtich from steamboat to rail delivery on lower Eastern Shore.

Although you may not find all of these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about?  It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting! 

Would you consider helping The Pocomoke Public Eye as a contributor of current local items of interest?  Please contact pcitypubliceye@gmail.com

Santa Clause is coming to Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum!

Reminder! THIS WEEKEND!
Santa Clause is coming to Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum! We are all excited! So Moms & Dads bring the kids and don't forget your cameras!! And don't miss our hymn sing on Sunday afternoon with Charlie Paparella!
The Holiday Season will be ushered in at Furnace Town Living Heritage Village on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th. Between Noon and 5:00pm Furnace Town artisans will welcome you to their workplace as they weave, make brooms, and pound iron at the forge.
Join us on Saturday evening at 7:00pm for the 19th Century Christmas Service by the Snow Hill Ministerial Association & Rev. Sherwood McGrath in the historic Old Nazereth Church. The evening church service is free to all! Doors will open at 6:30.
Furnace Town’s daily admission will apply both days, 12-5. $6.00 for adults / $5.00 over 60 & AAA members / $3.00 children ages 3-18, and children under 2 are free. Furnace Town members & their guests with passes are free. The Evening Church Service is Free! Contact Furnace Town at 410-632-2032 for more information.

Old Pocomoke School

This larger 1877 map will add some context to the detail of Market Street just posted. The mapmaker did not go beyond 7th Street in delineating the Pocomoke City of 1877. Am I correct in assuming that "Public School No. 2," upper left, is the old school still in use in the 1940s? If so, it was erected in 1867, ten years before this map was made, 40 feet by 56, the lot being about 3 acres in size. It lasted for 82 years. My brother Dale was a pupil there for some months in 1946 when our parents lived briefly in a rental behind the barn on the Duncan Farm [Ellen Barnes] on Dividing Creek Road. I suppose there is no other group member who attended school there?

Bob Jones‎Worc. Co., MD, History, Bob Jones, Coordinator

December 11th Business After Hours/Holiday Social Invitation

Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce

 The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Shore Defense Alliance and the Pocomoke Chamber of Commerce invite you to join them at The Jackspot Restaurant, 6262 Marlin Street, Chincoteague Island, on December 11, 2014 from 5-7 PM for a time to relax during this busy holiday season.  Enjoy fabulous hors d'oeuvres served overlooking the Chincoteague Bay while networking with colleagues from the small business sector, government agencies, government contractors, military branches and Virginia, Maryland and U.S. legislative representatives.

 For planning purposes, please RSVP by Dec 8 by calling 757 336-6161 or by email to chincochamber3@verizon.net

See more pictures [CLICK HERE]

VIA: http://www.pocomokechristmasparade.com

Pocomoke Christmas Parade Winners

POCOMOKE CHRISTMAS PARADE TONIGHT! 7 - 9 PM

Monday night, December 1st, 2014, We will celebrate our 42nd year as Pocomoke City will be transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” as Pocomoke City plays host to one of Delmarva’s largest nighttime Christmas parades. 
Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the Pocomoke parade has become an Eastern Shore tradition and will attract over 100 units from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia along with thousands of spectators.
Each year the parade features marching bands representing high and middle schools from seven counties in three states. Also featured will be beautifully decorated and lighted floats entered by schools, civic organizations, churches, and commercial enterprises.
Clowns, marching units, fire departments, equestrian units, and of course Santa Claus will round out the two-hour event, slated to kick-off at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The route will take the parade north on Market Street beginning at 14th Street and ending at the Pocomoke River.
Professional judges, including members of the National Judges Association (NJA), will score entries in 10 different categories. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded immediately following the event to the top entries in each category.
A special thanks to the community of Pocomoke City and surrounding areas for the recent support given to us to continue this great tradition that has been a part of the town for over 40 years.

Visit our Facebook page and join the community!
VIST THE PARADE WEB PAGE [HERE]

TIME MACHINE ... 1947, 1977, 1913, 1910, 1774, 1903.

"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)

August, 1947
The Cumberland News (Cumberland, Md.)

10 Fined For Operating "Slots" In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, Md., July 31 (AP)-  Ten persons, including the daughter of a city councilman, were fined $50 and costs each yesterday for operating slot machines in this lively summer resort.

Magistrate James B. Robins imposed the fines after all the defendants pleaded guilty.

And while the brief hearings were held in the magistrate's office here, the Salisbury Times published a story quoting mayor Daniel Trimper:

"If there are any slot machines here I don't know where they are. I don't go into night clubs and places like that."

All ten defendants were named in warrants sworn by Worcester County Sheriff Arthur W. Duer after he and a flying squad raided the resort boardwalk Monday night.

February, 1977
Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

(Excerpts)

A Bit Of The Past

Established in 1767 under the name of Somerset Academy, the school today, known as Washington High School, is presently awaiting its new location on Route 13. This will be the fifth location for the school system. A magnificent structure it will house many students from throughout the County, and as they anxiously await their new home, they can look back and recall the history associated with it and the names of those who played a major part in its earliest days, Luther Martin, Phillip Breckenridge, Ephraim Bravard.

Recalling this history of the Washington Academy, I became anxious to learn more of the "forgotten tunnel" that seemingly has been overlooked.

Many of you today traveled the pathway to the tunnel which housed its own "electric bulbs." It provided the "short-cut" as you went to school, carrying your school books and "munching an apple," and must bring back many fine memories.

The tunnel stretched from Beechwood Street, under the railroad track and over to the third Washington Academy, then known as the Washington High School, and now the location of the auction block.

Today there is no evidence the tunnel, as we shall call it, or walkway, if you prefer, ever existed.

November, 1913
Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

(Excerpts)

MAIL CARRIER USES AUTO

Mr. Edward Teas, who is the rural delivery carrier for the U.S. mail on the Deal's Island route, uses his automobile very frequently in his delivery of the mail.

Mr. Teas says after the winter sets in he will not be able to use his machine much because of the bad condition the road usually gets in, and will have to fall back upon his team.

The automobile, eventually, will become the most satisfactory mode of a carrier, not only for the rural delivery man, but for the farmer as well.

In some sections of Virginia farmers own their automobile with which they convey their farm products to market. A woman, living in Fredericksburg, motors into that city every morning with a load of milk and country produce.

Times are changing and the antipathy with which the majority of farmers have looked upon the automobile, is rapidly passing away, and it will not be surprising if not before long several of the enterprising tillers of the soil, in the vicinity of Princess Anne, will be using the automobile, or the autotruck, to carry their farm products or heavy loads. 

March, 1774

Acquiring an acre of land was authorized at Sandy Hill (renamed Stockton in 1870) for the purpose of constructing a church, "Chapel Of Ease."  A tax of 45,000 pounds of tobacco was to be imposed on area citizens, with the Sheriff to receive 5% for collecting the levy.

November, 1910 (Time Machine archive)
(Gettysburg Times- Gettysburg, Pa.)

CARRIE A SUFFRAGETTE

Saloon Smasher Can Find No Good In Political Parties

Delmar, Del., Nov. 7.-  Carrie Nation drifted into Delmar and rented the opera house Sunday evening before but few persons knew she was here.

Her lecture was attended by a large audience who heard how she smashed saloons, and her views on cigarettes.  Mrs. Nation announced herself to be a suffragette.  She denounced both the Democratic and Republican parties as crooks and grafters. Theodore Roosevelt was referred to as a man who mixed in with everything except cigarettes and whiskey.

Mrs. Nation has been on the Eastern Shore for about a week in different towns, but has attacked one place she considered a "hole."  At Parksley she entered the local billiard and pool parlor with the cry "This is a hole," and started to smash things in general, but was taken bodily out before much damage had been done.

Footnote: (Source: PBS- The American Experience)   Standing at nearly 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, Carry Amelia Moore Nation, Carrie Nation, as she came to be known, cut an imposing figure. Wielding a hatchet, she was downright frightful. In 1900, the target of Nation's wrath was alcoholic drink. Nation, who described herself as "a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what he doesn't like," felt divinely ordained to forcefully promote temperance. A brief marriage to an alcoholic in the late 1800's fueled Nation's disdain for alcohol. Kiowa, Kansas was the setting of Nation's first outburst of destruction in the name of temperance in 1900. Between 1900 and 1910 she was arrested some 30 times after leading her followers in the destruction of one water hole after another with cries of "Smash, ladies, smash!" Prize-fighter John L. Sullivan was reported to have run and hid when Nation burst into his New York City saloon. Self-righteous and formidable, Nation mocked her opponents as "rum-soaked, whiskey-swilled, saturn-faced rummies." 

While Carrie Nation was certainly among their most colorful members, the members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1874, left more in their wake than strewn glass. Once the largest women's organization in the country, the WCTU concerned itself with issues ranging from health and hygiene, prison reform, and world peace. 


(A visitor to Chincoteague writes his observations)

August, 1903
The Times Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)

PART 7 (continued from last week)

Mr Whealton says that Chincoteague was first granted to John Jennifer in 1670. The grant was allowed to lapse, and once or twice after that people who received grants of the island allowed them to lapse also. On the 29th of April, 1692, the island was granted to William Kendall and John Robbins by Lieutenant Governor Robinson on condition of their paying the passage of thirty-five emigrants from England to Virginia. Robins took the south end of the island, consisting of 2,765 acres, and Kendall the north end, 2,725 acres.

Robins and Kendall lived on the mainland and put stock on the island, sending over negroes and whites to care for them. Mr. Whealton thinks the ponies on the island at present are descendants of the horses which Robins and Kendall put here over two centuries ago. The long main and tail and fetlock he thinks due to exposure, and and the small size due to interbreeding. There is a theory that the ponies are descended from horses that escaped from a South American ship which was washed ashore here two hundred years ago. Mr. Whealton's seems much more plausible. I have neglected to mention that there are no commons on this island. All the land is held by deed or will, but the owners do not fence the grazing land, and the ponies run together, the drove often having forty or fifty owners.

A number of Quakers bought  500 acres on the north end of the island about 1800, but in 1828 they sold to Mr. Whealton's father and settled in Delaware, having become greatly dissatisfied with slavery as it existed in Virginia. Delaware slaves could not be sold outside that state.

The population of Chincoteague in 1840 was 540. Mr. Whealton does not remember the numbers for 1850; the census was taken in 1860 but the war came on and he never saw the returns. By the census of 1870 there were 1,100 people on the island. 
.
"I saw the flrst oysters planted in the United States and maybe in the world," said Mr. Whealton. "In 1838 two steamers loaded here with oysters for Philadelphia. The weather got so foggy the boats couldn't get out and after waiting several days the oysters were placed in shallow water rlght here in front of the town. When the owners took them up the next fall the oysters were so fat that all of us began planting, seeing that the oysters were so much better by being moved. Now oysters are planted everywhere."

So Chincoteague has the distinction of having given the world the most important fact concerning the oyster that has ever been discovered. 

Chincoteague does not know much of the war between the States. There was very little war so far as she was concerned. When the question of the adoption or rejection of the ordinance of secession was submitted to the people in 1861, there were only two votes for secession cast in the island.

(This concludes our excerpts of the article which we've posted during the past couple of months. The writer of the article was signed as Walter Edward Harris. There's still more to this article from 1903 and if you'd like to read it you may access the article in its entirety at this address:

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038615/1903-08-09/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1836&sort=date&rows=50&words=Assateague&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=18&state=&date2=1922&proxtext=Assateague&y=9&x=18&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=7

There's also a separate article devoted to pony penning on the same newspaper page.) -tk


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about?  It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!



"Somewhere Over The
Rainbow Bluebirds
fly.."

Flying On For JMMB.
Her Pocomoke Public
Eye postings (April,
2008 to June, 2014)
kept us informed. 

Would you consider helping The Pocomoke Public Eye as a contributor of current local items of interest?  Please contact pcitypubliceye@gmail.com

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1947.. Ten people charged with operating slot machines in Ocean City; 1977.. Recalling a tunnel short-cut to school in Princess Anne; 1913.. Help for delivering Deal Island mail- it's an automolbile!; 1910.. Carrie Nation, nationally known for her vigorous campaign against alcohol, stomps through the Eastern Shore;  1774.. Tobacco levy on citizens will pay for new Worcester County church; and a final portion of the observations written by a visitor to Chincoteague in 1903.

Although you may not find all of these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!  

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about?  It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' ON THANKSGIVING, 2014..

November, 1882

The Denton Journal (Denton, Md.)

Thanksgiving Day

The following Thanksgiving proclamation has been issued by President Arthur:

  "In conformity with a custom, the annual observance of which is justly held in honor by this people, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do hereby set apart Thursday, the 30th day of November, a national day of thanksgiving.  The blessings demanding our gratitude are numerous and varied. For the peace and amity which subsist between the public and all the nations of the world; for the increasing friendship between the different sections of the land; for liberty, justice and constitutional government; for the devotion of our people to our free institutions and their cheerful obedience to mild laws; for the constantly increasing strength of the republic while extending its privileges to fellow-men who come to us (legally); for improved means of internal communication and the increased facilities of intercourse with other nations; for the general prevailing health of the year; for the prosperity of all our industries, the liberal return for the mechanic's toil, affording a market for the abundant harvests of the husbandman, for the preservation of the national faith and credit; for wise and generous provision to effect the intellectual and moral education of our youth; for the influence for the conscience of a restraining and transforming religion, and for the joys of home; for these, and many other blessings, we should give thanks.

  Wherefore, I do recommend that the day above designated be observed throughout the country as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, and that the people ceasing from their daily labors and meeting in accordance with several forms of worship, draw near to the throne of Almighty God, offering to him praise and gratitude for the manifold goodness which he has vouchsafed to us, and praying that His blessings and His mercies may continue.  And I further recommend that the day thus appointed be made a special occasion for deeds of kindness and charity to the suffering and the needy, so all who dwell within the land may rejoice and be glad in this season of national thanksgiving."

TIME MACHINE ... 1963, 1962, 1892, 1891, 1944, 1903.

"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 archive/historical archive material)


August, 1963
The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Md.)

Tawes Still Uncommitted On Future Of Assateague Island

SNOW HILL, Md. (AP)-  Gov. Tawes, still publicly uncommitted on the future of Assateague Island, says he's giving the problem close consideration.

That was about as far as the governor would go last night in indicating his views on the sand island after a second hearing on how it should be developed.

About 200 persons jammed the Worcester County Courthouse Thursday night to hear the case argued before the Board Of Public Works.   

Tawes and Comptroller Louis L. Goldstein, board members, heard 19 speakers, 16 of them expressing a preference for private development of the island, to a U.S. Interior Department proposal for federal development.

Goldstein has expressed an opinion favoring the federal plan for making the sparsely settled island into a national seashore park.

State Sen. John L. Sanford, D-Worcester, made an apparent reference to this in addressing the board Thursday night when he said he felt like a lawyer facing three judges- one of whom had already made up his mind about the case.

Sanford urged Goldstein to reconsider his stand.

Dels. Mark Pilchard and Russel O. Hickman, D-Worcester, also opposed the Interior Dept. plan advanced by Secretary Stewart L. Udall.

Pilchard urged the board to "do some soul searching before recommending federal development" and Hickman called Udall's plan the "most brazen socialistic scheme ever forced down the throats of Worcester Countians."

September, 1962 (Time Machine archive)

Pocomoke area residents were in shock on learning of the death of Dr. C. Stanford Hamilton.  The Pocomoke City physician, who was in his mid 30's, died in a violent single vehicle crash on Route 50 west of Salisbury when the car in which he was a passenger left the roadway and struck an abutment.  Two others, including Salisbury physician William Fisher Jr., were also killed and Donald Ramsey of near Pocomoke was critically injured.  The four were returning from Baltimore where they had attended a Baltimore Colts game.  

Footnote: Dr. Hamilton came to Pocomoke in 1955 when Dr. Lewis Llewelyn left to practice elsewhere.  Dr. Hamilton's daughter Linda, who was six years old at the time of his death, is Hollywood actress Linda Hamilton. In later years Dr. Llewelyn's son Doug was host of the original "People's Court" TV program.

August, 1892
Juniata Sentinel And Republican (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.)

A Maryland newspaper says:-  Down in Somerset county Maryland, the other day. The farmers have been in the habit of working on the roads, not when the roads needed it, but when it suited the convenience of the farmers. To destroy the absurd custom, a Maryland law authorizes the road supervisors to summon the farmers to work when work needed to be done. Supervisor McDorman tried this plan, but the farmers refused to obey his summons. He called the Sheriff, who tried to arrest the sluggards, who hit the deputy on the head and otherwise despitefully abused him. Forty farmers then gathered around the Sheriff and his deputy and drove them out of the community.

May, 1891
The Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)

ONANCOCK GALA-DAY

A GRAND CELEBRATION OF ITS BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIES

Procession, Banquet, and Fire-Works in Progress, An Attractive Programme and Fine Prizes.

(Correspondence of The Richmond Dispatch.)

ONANCOCK, May 23.-  Next Tuesday will be a big day in Onancock. Extensive preparations are making to celebrate the occasion in a becoming manner. In the afternoon several hundred mounted men, all masked and clad in gay costumes, will ride through the streets of the town, following will come floats representing the business houses and industries of the town, and at night there will be a sumptuous banquet and a musical concert at the Town Hall. The celebration will close with a grand display of fireworks. The Onancock Brass Band will furnish music for the occasion. It is confidently expected that this will far surpass anything of the kind ever witnessed on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  

November, 1944
The Salisbury Times

(Ad)

THANKSGIVING At The WILLIAM PENN HOTEL In The Center Of Salisbury.

DINNER MENU

Cream Of Chicken Soup or Tomato-Grapefruit Juice

ROAST TURKEY with Fixings.. $1.25

Celery Hearts and Olives..Pickle Chips.. Cranbury Sauce..Candied Sweet Potatoes..Peas..Turnips..Corn..Cole Slaw..Mashed Potatoes..Ice Cream And Cake. 

Come. Let Us Join Together In Thanksgiving.

DINNER SERVED 12 NOON TIL 8P.M.

WM.PENN HOTEL & GRILL

North Division Street, Salisbury, Md.


(A visitor to Chincoteague writes his observations)

August, 1903
The Times Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)

PART 6 (continued from last week)

It was deeply interesting to hear John A. M. Whealton, who was born on the island seventy-three years ago, tell of his struggles to obtain education enough to enable him to get along in the world. If I could convey to the reader's eye a true picture of the old gentleman, and could reproduce his language as he told me of his life, I am sure the recital would be as interesting at second hand as it was to me.

 "When I was six years old I went to work with the women helping my father pick up oysters," he said. "The women folks worked in that day and time. I never went to school but three months in my life. But I saw that a man had to have some education if he was going to get along in the world. I studied my speller at home and worked all the sums in Pike's arithmetic until I got to the single rule of three. That was so tough I sent to Philadelphia and got another arithmetic-Bennett's-and in that I worked until I got so I could understand fractions, and could work out percentage and fellowship. Then I got Mitchell's geography and atlas, and it didn't take me so very long to learn the names of all the countries and the States and capitals and rivers. I read Goldsmith's history of England and a history of the United States. I have always liked history, and have read histories of old Greece and Rome." 

Mr. Whealton's language is, as a rule, that of an educated man, though he occasionally drops into the careless speech of the waterman. "I belong to the universal church of God," said the old man solemnly when I asked him regarding his church preferences. "I do not go to church often. But I read the Bible and God is good. 

Mr. Whealton's wife, two years his senior, is still living. He is in very comfortable circumstances, though in 1867 he saw all his property swept away through his having to pay a security debt. He is the authority on all matters pertaining to the history of Chincoteague.

"The old people in Chicoteague used to have the habit of handing down traditions like the indians," said Mr. Whealton, "and I used to love to listen to them."

 He has a most remarkable memory. Frequently he gives the year, the day of the week, and the month of an event, and will then remark in an interjectory way:

"I remember the wind was blowing nor'west," or "nor'east," as the case might be.

(A final portion from this article next Sunday.)


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about?  It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish.  Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

"Somewhere Over The

Rainbow Bluebirds

fly.."

Flying On For JMMB.

Her Pocomoke Public

Eye postings (April,

2008 to June, 2014)

kept us informed. 

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1963.. The Governor is undecided, Worcester officials oppose it; what's the issue?; 1962..  Pocomoke City physician dies in auto accident; 1892.. Somerset County farmers snub state roadwork law; 1891.. Onancock holding a grand celebration; 1944.. Thanksgiving Dinner at a popular Salisbury restaurant; and more of the observations written by a visitor to Chincoteague in 1903. 

Although you may not find all of these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!  

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about?  It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

NOT GUILTY

 I-N-N-O-C-E-N-T

The Judge said that I am "argumentative" and I agreed, in fact I said "yes your honor I am 'VERY' argumentative. When you go to court and you are a defendant isn't it your or your attorneys job to argue? 

I told the judge that I removed the tags and why I removed the tags and that I didn't think that it was anyone's business why I removed "MY" tags from 'MY' car, in 'MY' yard etc. etc. and he agreed. 

The judge also caught Morgan in a lie (somewhat) and you could tell that did not go over well.

Oh well, anyway the judge agreed with me that I "had a reasonable expatiation of privacy",     

The verdict of me VS Morgan and PCPD. NOT GUILTY!

PLEASE Register Today!

PLEASE

Register Today! 

for the November

General Membership Luncheon

TOMORROW

Wednesday,

November 19

$12.00

Location:

Don's Seafood & Chicken House

1344 Ocean Hwy

Pocomoke City, MD

21851

12 - 1 PM

Featured Speakers:

Mary Brad Lambertson

Branch Executive Director

Lower Shore YMCA

Pocomoke 

and 

Dr. Jerry Wilson,

Superintendent

Worcester County

Public Schools

A Follow-Up:

Progress & Programs

Register at

pocomoke.com or

email Deb at pocomokechamber@gmail.com

Bob Jones‎Worc. Co., MD, History, Bob Jones, Coordinator

November 12 ·

 

"USS Pocomoke" received two battle stars for World War II Service: 

 

 

We see her here, 3 February 1943, location unknown. Note that her maintenance deck is crowded with single engine fighters.

Worcester County took pride in lending the name of its only river to a ship commissioned as the "USS Pocomoke," 18 July 1941, with John D. Price in command. It had a length of 492', a beam of 69' 6", and a draft of 21' 2". During the Second World War, both the American Navy built a number of seaplane tenders to supplement their aircraft carrier fleets. 

the Sweepers who kept the decks clean

 

The tenders allowed the aircraft, generally for long-range reconnaissance patrols, to be rapidly deployed to new bases because their runways did not have to be constructed, and support facilities were mobile much like supply ships for submarines or destroyers.

 

Relief from military tedium and war-time anxiety

During World War II, the "USS Pocomoke" was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

Bougainville operation

Supporting air actions, 27 October 1943 to 1 May 1944 Western Caroline Islands operation

Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September to 14 October 1944

Marianas operation, Capture and occupation of Saipan, 17 June to 10 August 1944 

Christmas at sea

 

The photos taken aboard the "USS Pocomoke" come from the collection of Anthony Martiliano, who served on the ship. Here is the link: http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/41/4109c.htm I do not know if anyone from Worcester County was ever part of the crew though I am sure it would have been mentioned in our Worcester newspapers of the period. I add this particular post as part of our observance of Veterans' Day and our salute to those who gave up part of their lives so that we could keep ALL of ours.