Sunday, November 4, 2012

TIME MACHINE ... An 1834 Heartfelt Appeal From Snow Hill.

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)

 
December, 1834


(The Mail- Hagers-Town, Md) (spelling correct from this era) 

TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND

Fellow Citizens:- The people of Snow Hill have made it our duty to address in behalf of the sorely scourged inhabitants of their unfortunate Village.

The public press will have already apprised many of you that in the night of the 24th ult. (ult.- in or of the month preceding the present one) a considerable portion of the Town, the center of its business, its most valuable section, was consumed by fire.- It's hotels, its public offices, and all, save two, of its houses of merchandise are in ashes. Notwithstanding 100 acres of land are included by its limits, little of the hum of business can now be heard within them, and few and far between, are the shops of its handicraftsmen. If we seek the houses in which but a few days since, cheerful labor earned honest bread or those who heretofore supplied the town and its neighborhood, with the necessities, the comforts and elegancies of life, heaps of ashes tell all the tale. Instead of the industry, the commercial prosperity, the domestic happiness, to be seen two weeks ago, we now gaze upon solitary chimneys and ruined walls. It looks as though the curse of the Almighty had descended in fire. That awful agent has consumed more than ninety houses, of which seventeen were dwelling houses, and has been extinguished forever in fifty-six chimneys.

Where are the men, women and children who lately thronged the site of these ruins, and were then prosperous and happy? Some are sheltered, clothed and fed by charity. Some, whose circumstances two weeks since, were comfortable, must begin the labors of life afresh; younger persons mourn over blighted prospects- older ones, that the results of a life of toil, were consumed in one hour.

Not for ourselves, but for others, would we excite your sympathies fellow-citizens, we would not exaggerate, nor give a single color of the picture, for the accuracy of which our community would not vouch.- We can not estimate our loss in dollars and cents; but in proportion to the whole value of property in the Village, the loss is enormous. We leave you with a statement of simple facts.

The residences, the food, the clothes of children and parents, of young and old, of males and females; the goods of merchants in large amounts of value; the libraries and offices of professional men; the shops, the tools, the working materials of mechanics, are gone forever. Without the aid of our fellow citizens, Snow Hill must continue a heap of ruins, more painful to the eye of the beholder, than any similar sight in Maryland or perhaps in the United States.

We cannot conclude this paper without alluding in this public way, to a City of a sister State. In glowing terms, for our hearts indite them, we would thank Philadelphia for what she had done for us.- The prompt and generous manner in which she has come to our relief, would alone entitle her to her very significant name.

By the order of the Committee appointed by the people of Snow Hill to solicit, and receive for, and distribute to the sufferers by the late fire at that place, donations which may be received from abroad.

John H. Martin, Ch'n.
Irving Spence, Sec'y.
Snow Hill, Dec. 8, 1834
 
 
 
June, 1942
(The Salisbury Times)

TEN NEW SIRENS BLOW AT WORCESTER POSTS

Berlin, June 29.- John I. Timmons, senior air raid warden for Worcester County, yesterday announced that ten new air raid alarm sirens have been purchased by the Worcester County Board Of Commissioners for county towns.

Four of the new sirens have been received and erected in Whaleysville, Newark, Girdletree and Stockton, Timmons said. The other six will be placed in Ocean City, Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke City, with Berlin and Snow Hill receiving two alarms each. 

 
 
May, 1902
(The Denton Journal)

The Citizens National Bank of Pocomoke City will soon be ready for business. 

 
 
June, 1886
(The Daily News- Frederick, Md)

A Town Overrun by Burglars

Princess Anne, Md., June 1.- A successful entrance was made into the store of P.M. Smith, dealer in ready-made clothing and notions on Main Street, this place, some time Sunday night by a burglar, who carried off shirts, collars and clothing, the amount which can not be ascertained. The thief also carried off about 25 cents in money and 75 cents in postage stamps. The entrance was made by boring around the lock on the front door. Many attempts of the same kind have been made to break into private houses of late, and public indignation is effectually aroused. A vigilance committee will be formed to patrol the town at night for the protection of its citizens and property. 


 
October, 1907
(The Denton Journal)

According to the Snow Hill Messenger, Eastern Shore peach growing started about 90 years ago when seeds from Persia were planted on Eden River, Talbot County. One tree flourished and brought forth luscious fruit so bountifully that it was visited by members of Congress and farmers from all around.


 
October,1901
(The Daily News- Frederick, Md.)

Wasps Broke Up Revival

The falling of a wasp nest in the Methodist church at Remsennes, near Greenbackville on the Virginia-Maryland line in Accomac County, Va., one night recently caused a panic and broke up a revival in progress. The nest fell from the ceiling into the center of the congregation, from which point hundreds of insects swarmed all over the church, stinging many persons. Rev. J.F. Anderson was forced to vacate the pulpit by way of a window, and the services were abruptly closed, the wasps being left in possession of the church.



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!

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