Time Machine: At year's end- Predictions, and 1923, 1973.

 

News from Pocomoke City's newspaper 100 years ago will return next week. The newspaper's archived edition wasn't available for this week.  

Pocomoke City

12/31/1923

As I sit at my typewriter as our year 1923 is now coming to its close and I look to the new year of 1924 I give thought, maybe foolish speculation, of what will be in one-hundred years from now when the calendar turns to the year two-thousand and twenty-four. Even the thought of time reaching to the year 2000 strains our imaginations but some of our children, and our grandchildren will be there for it.

I wonder if...

Almost everyone who desires one will own a motor car. Mass production should keep prices affordable although likely higher than the $300 purchase price for a new 1924 Ford Model-T.  

Roadways will continue to improve as will the average motor car speed and traveling 50 miles in an hour will be possible- Pocomoke to Salisbury in less than an hour; Pocomoke to Baltimore or Philadelphia and back easily in the very same day. New paved roadways will be built connecting to many states. A bridge over Chesapeake Bay possible?

Although gasoline supplies seem limitless in our time, increasing demand and questionable availability of supply will result in the price exceeding 50 cents for one gallon. However, wages will be higher than today's and a worker may earn 100 dollars for a week's labor.

Aeroplane travel will surpass that of the railways and the flying machines will transport up to 100 passengers at a time.

Rocket propelled machines will travel high in space possibly even to the moon.

The typical family will be smaller, probably no more than four children, and therefore less dwelling space will be required. Although by the year two-thousand and twenty-four the cost of even a smaller dwelling may exceed $10,000.

College will be a consideration for many if not the majority of students completing the higher grades of public school. (In my 1923 Pocomoke graduating class of 30 pupils who crossed the stage at the Empire Theater to receive their diplomas last May 31st there may have been four or five that I was aware of who were preparing to continue their education in college).

There will be encouraging advances in medicine and medical care. But the cost of care will be higher than today. The cost of today's prescription of 50 cents may well rise to two dollars or more. A visit to your doctor might exceed ten or even fifteen dollars and even more for the typical at-home visit. With better care many persons living to the age of 60 will no longer be considered to be old.

Electricity will be available almost everywhere. Improved devices and new inventions using electricity will prevail. Home receivers will capture pictures, maybe even moving pictures, transmitted over radio waves. Every household will have a telephone and service will connect every state in the union.

Blues and jazz that's overtaking traditional popular music is here to stay and will be preferred over other genres. The younger generation will push for their own likes in music and dance such as today's Charleston to the chagrin of their parents and grandparents. As the growth of urban areas encroaches on the countryside and the nation becomes more cosmopolitan the country music genre will all but disappear.

In sports baseball, our "National Pass Time," will continue to lead in popularity. The best Major League athletes will be paid $500 and more a game! There will be more teams than there are today. Professional football and basketball will still be here but with a lesser degree of popularity while fan interest in those sports on the college level will continue strong.

Politics, unfortunately, will not change for the better.  While some good public service minded people will be elected and serve their constituents well, still prevailing will be those whose self-interests will dominate as now in 1923.

World peace will continue to be sought but not without times (too many) of wars and unrest.

These are some of my speculations about the world a hundred years from now in the year two-thousand and twenty-four.

Yours truly,

1923 Worcester Countian 

We share the following from the December 31st, 1923, edition of Salisbury's Evening Times; and from 50 years later a review of news of 1973 from The Worcester County Messenger. 

December, 1973 

 Anonymous said...

OMG! I remember when John Yankus was hired to be city manager! I think his salary was an astounding $5,500 per year. A few years later Worcester County hired him as county administrator at the outrageous salary of $7,500. John was a true professional and I am honored to say I knew him.

tk for PPE says:

Yankus remained as Worcester County's chief administrator until his passing in October, 1994 at age 49 from a health issue that he faced since earlier that year.  Salisbury Daily Times:

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(Chapter flow:)

ITS ORIGIN AND TOWN LIMITS

TOWN LIMITS

GROWTH, CHANGE OF NAME, ETC.

MERCANTILE ASPECT

MANUFACTURING

TRADES ETC.

SHIPPING INTERESTS

EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT CO.

SHIP BUILDING ETC.

HOTELS, LIVERY STABLES, ETC.

PHYSICIANS

LAWYERS

POST OFFICE

PRINTING OFFICES

SOCIAL ASPECT, ETC.

MORAL ASPECT

TEMPERANCE CAUSE

SCHOOLS

CHURCHES

Note:  In duplicating this material for publishing on The Pocomoke Public Eye we have made minor adjustments to correct some of the spelling, punctuation, etc. We believe the errors were not in Rev. Murray's original writing but occurred in the process of formatting the material to a digital format for viewing online.

MERCANTILE ASPECT (CONTINUED.) 

In 1843, Captain Henry Long commenced merchan- 
dising, in New Town, and continued until 1855, in which 
year he died. His store was considered the poor man's 
store to deal at; he always kept a heavy stock of groceries, 
and sold his goods lower than others. 

It was said by some that there was no chance for other 
merchants in New Town, as long as Captain Long sold 
goods. His eventful life is worthy of notice in this history; 
in many respects he was a remarkable man; he com- 
menced life a poor boy, with but little education, engaged 
as cook on board of a schooner, and continued the life of 
a sailor until he was 63 years of age. He then engaged in 
the sale of goods until he died. He rose from the position 
of cook to be master and owner of his vessel. While 
engaged in the vessel trade he amassed considerable wealth. 

Captain Long, though comparatively uneducated, had 
studied human nature, and had as large a share of the 
knowledge of men as the most scientific. His was a 
decided character; integrity marked the whole course of 
his life. 

He was true to his engagements. No one ever feared 

that Captain Long would not meet his word. He was 

also kind and benevolent. Many a dollar he has given 

to the poor; he took a real pleasure in accommodating 

and helping those who were in need. 

Captain Harry Long, for so we used to call him, was a 
bachelor; and, as a matter of course, his associations were 
with the young folks. He was also quite eccentric; 
would make it a point to go to church at least twice a 
year, when the preacher would come on the circuit, and 
go again to hear his farewell discourse. 

On one occasion he went out to church; it so happened 
that the young preacher had the first appoint. Captain 
Long took his seat as usual near the door. After the 
sermon was over the young men gathered around him 
and asked him how he liked the discourse. Captain 
Long had a by-word, very pat, which he called "By 
Jing," and he was much in the habit of smacking his 
mouth and shrugging his shoulders in conversation. 
When he was asked, "How did you like the discourse?" 
he replied: " O! By Jing, boys," with a smack of the 
mouth and shrug of the shoulders, "that other preacher 
is a big preacher." 

"How do you know, Capt. Long, have you ever heard 
him?" "No, By Jing, I have never heard him, but I will 
tell you what I go by. They generally send them like 
shad — a big one and a little one together." 

Captain Long was full of fun for the young folks. 

Sometimes he tried his talent at poetry, for instance, the 

following as a sample : 

"As she slips she slides along, 
A trusty friend is hard to find." 

He was thoughtful and kind to the poor. He left in 
his will the sum of $2,500 to be appropriated towards 
educating the poor children in and around New Town. 
This sum was appropriated by the Commissioners or the 
School Board of the county, by and with the consent of 
the heirs of Captain Long, to the erection of the High 
School building in New Town. 

As this departure from the will was made, it was but 
just to the memory of Captain Long that the building 
should have been called the Henry Long High School. 

Captain Henry Long was brother to Captain John W. 
Long and David Long, and was the oldest of the three. 

When he died he was by his own request, buried in a 
pine coffin, by the side of his sister, Polly Henderson, in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church burying ground of New 
Town. 

The following inscription may be found upon the 
marble slab that covers his remains: 

" In memory of Henry Long, who was born the 27th 
of April, 1780, and died the 3rd day of January, 1855. 
Kind to the poor in his life, in death their wants were 
not forgotten." 

In 1855, John P. Hargis and William S. Dickinson 
commenced merchandising under the name of Hargis & 
Dickinson, at the corner of Market and Commerce Streets.

(Commerce Street was the former name of Clarke Avenue.)  
Previous to this, however, there was a firm by the name of 
Jones, Hearn & Co., which occupied the same stand, how 
long they did business I am not able to say. 

The store of Hargis & Dickinson was a first-class 
store, comprising dry goods and groceries, liquor excepted. 
This firm continued successfully until 1865, when by 
mutual consent, they dissolved partnership. 

John P. Hargis continued the business in his own 
name about six years and retired. 

William S. Dickinson again commenced mercantile 
life, forming a co-partnership with I. H. Merrill and F. H. 
Dryden, two enterprising young merchants, who were 
already selling goods under the firm of Merrill & Dryden. 
This connection with Merrill & Dryden took place in 
1867. This firm was known as Dickinson, Merrill & 
Dryden, Mr. Dickinson being already in possession of the 
store house, at the corner of Market and Commerce Streets. 
The firm, having an opportunity of renting the store- 
rooms adjoining, previously occupied by A. S. Stevens 
and James S. Primrose, connected the three together, 
having three entrances on Market street and one on Com- 
merce Street, and the buildings being so connected that 
customers could pass from one apartment of the store to 
the other without going out of doors. They arranged 
their stock in trade in three departments, occupying the 
central room for dry goods and notions, with groceries, 
hardware, & liquor excepted, on one side; and boots, 
shoes and gentlemen's furnishing goods on the other. This 
firm did a heavy business from 1867 to 1874, when by mutual 
agreement they dissolved partnership, each one taking a 
department and continuing the business in the separate 
branches so as not to conflict with each others interests. In 
this division, William S. Dickinson the dry goods and 
notion department, I. H. Merrill the boot, shoe and gen- 
tlemen's furnishing department, F. H. Dryden the gro- 
cery and hardware department. Here were three stores 
made out of one, each one doing a good business. 

In 1878, F. H. Dryden sold out his stock of goods to 
H. T. Stevenson and E. F. Gibbons, this firm continued 
business but a short time, when E. F. Gibbons sold out to 
H. T. Stevenson, and Mr. Stevenson then took as a part- 
ner Dr. Sidney W. Handy, the firm now doing business 
under the name of Stevenson & Co. In the fall of 1881 
they added to the hardware and grocery department that 
of dry goods, boots and shoes, and are doing a thriving 
business. 

Stevenson & Co., are the first in Pocomoke City to 
introduce into their business house an elevator. 

At the commencement of 1881, Mr. I. H. Merrill took 
into partnership, with himself, two sprightly young men of 
this place, James P. Plain and William F. King, and the 
business of the house is now transacted by this company. 
William S. Dickinson has associated with the dry goods 
business, that of furniture also, and as I have given a brief 
history of Mr. Dickinson as a merchant, I feel it a pleasure, 
to give a synopsis of his life, as I have known him from 
his infancy. He was born the fifteenth day of March, 
1833. Forty years ago, or more, he was a member of the 
Sabbath School, in this place, and I often call up in 
memory the Sabbath School Exhibitions of those days, 
and the speeches of those who were then children but now 
are the venerable fathers and mothers of the present day. 
Frequently in meeting Mr. Dickinson on the street and 
elsewhere, I think of him on the stage in delivering his 
speech, commencing with, "you will scarce expect one 
of my age, to speak in public on the stage, etc." 

He was always a good boy, thoughtful, studious and 
industrious. 

At the age of thirteen he entered the store of his 
cousin, Joseph Bratton, Esq., at Barren Creek Springs, 
then Somerset county, Md., as clerk. He remained in 
this situation about fifteen months, when he returned to 
New Town. 

After returning home he went to school about one 
year, when he entered the store of Captain Henry Long, 
in 1848, as clerk. He remained in this situation until the 
death of Captain Long, which event took place in 1855. 
It was found by the last will and testament of Captain 
Long that William S. Dickinson, in connection with his 
father, James T. Dickinson, were left executors of his 
estate. 

This was no small amount of confidence which Cap- 
tain Long reposed in Mr. Dickinson, as the estate was a 
heavy one. 

Integrity has marked his whole life, and if it were 
possible that one could be conscientious to a fault, I would 
say that of him. He is a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian 
Church in Pocomoke City. He has three children — two 
daughters and a son, who are an honor to his name, and 
adorn his home with bright sunshine, and are as precious 
gems around his table of plenty. 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Time Machine Preview (CORRECTION: Predictions 100 years ago for 2024)

This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye-

100 years ago..

50 years ago..

PLUS

Predictions for 2024

 that might have been made 100 years ago.

Tidal Health mask requirements

 (WBOC)

SALISBURY, MD - TidalHealth has announced the return of mask requirements at patient bedsides and patient rooms as the US and Delmarva see an uptick in respiratory illnesses.

According to TidalHealth, the rise in respiratory viruses in the community is being monitored on a daily basis and masking rules may change at the hospitals with the infection rates. 

The Hospital says visitors may be asked to wear a mask if accompanying a patient to outpatient services at all TidalHealth locations.

TidalHealth asks anyone with signs or symptoms of an upper respiratory illness refrain from visiting. The latest information on masking practices within TidalHealth facilities can be found at the reception desks and at their website.  Visiting Rules & Hours | TidalHealth

Loss of two Assateague stallions

 (Maryland Coast Dispatch)

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND – Two well-known stallions from Assateague Island’s population of wild horses died this month.

(View news article:)

12/28/2023 | Two Assateague Horses Die Of Natural Causes | News Ocean City MD (mdcoastdispatch.com)

$$$ for Wallops along with ambitious speculation

 (Shore Daily News)

Commercial flights into space are still a ways away from being launched in Virginia. But the industry is weighing the possibilities as operations continue to expand at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island.

(View news story:)

Virginia sends $20 million to space authority to expand launch operations - Shore Daily News

The City of Pocomoke would like to wish everyone a happy & prosperous New Year! 

City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 1, 2024 in observance of New Years Day.

Holiday Trash Route:

Mon 1/1 route picked up on Tues 1/2

 

This Sunday: Back To The Future-

What if on New Year's Eve 1923 someone speculated on what it would be like in one hundred years.. what it would be like in our world of today-

 END-OF-YEAR TIME MACHINE EDITION

Sunday, 12/31/23

 

Snow Hill New Year’s Eve Celebration & Goat Drop

Make plans to get your NYE celebration started early - join us in beautiful Snow Hill for our annual goat drop! This early bird celebration is perfect to get your night started, or for those who want to be snuggled up in bed long before midnight! Our stuffed toy goat for 2023, Polka-Dot, will drop in to signal the beginning of 2024.

✨Festivities start at 5 PM and the official goat drop is at 6 PM on New Years Eve✨

🧸 Sponsored by Snow Hill Toys , this event will take place outside the Old Firehouse on Green St.

🌭 Hot Dogs, Chips and Sodas will be available while supplies last!

🐐 After 6pm, when our new stuffed toy goat “Polka-Dot” drops in to join past years friends “Fluffy” and “Blessing” - explore and enjoy all that Downtown Snow Hill has to offer while celebrating the rest of your New Year’s Eve!

PRINCESS ANNE  MIDNIGHT MUSKRAT DIVE

The holiday season isn’t over until the muskrat drops! We hope you plan to join us in downtown Princess Anne for a New Year’s Eve! We’re throwing the party - so, bring your friends & family! FREE NYE party favors, oyster bar, Smith Island Cake, horse & carriage rides, music & dancing, and a toast at midnight as we welcome 2024!  9PM to Midnight.

Berlin New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Downtown Berlin 14 South Main Street, Berlin, MD, United States

5:00 pm – 6:30pm Kids 10 pm – 12:30am Adults 2 NYE ball drop celebrations! Kids Ball Drop at 6pm on the corner of Pitts and Main Streets. Adult celebration starts at 10pm with DJs Big Al Reno & Schwab on the stage with music and a ball drop at midnight.

Chincoteague- Pony Island Horseshoe Drop & Costume Promenade

The Pony Island Horseshoe Drop is an end of year celebration that culminates in a promenade of crazy costumes just before the countdown to the stroke of midnight. That's when the lighted horseshoe drops just in time to ring in the New Year!
It's not Swarovski Crystal...but it does sparkle!
Wear your favorite costume or just be a spectator.
This year's theme is: Saltwater Cowboy Shenanigans
It's our heritage. We are after all the home of the World-Famous Saltwater Cowboys.
To become totally immersed in the oddest of silly visual spectacles, you should head for the Downtown Waterfront Park around 11:00PM.
Prizes will be awarded in various categories
Bring your camera to capture the spectacle, dress warm, wear a hat and gloves for sure, and comfortable shoes so you can shimmy and dance to the beat, but most importantly; bring family and friends with you to enjoy the grand fun that is all Chincoteague Island!
Time: 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Location: Robert Reed Downtown Park Chincoteague Island, VA

OCEAN CITY NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS

Dorchester Street Beach & Northside Park

Get ready for an awesome New Year's celebration in Ocean City, Maryland! Enjoy dazzling fireworks at two fantastic locations. The main show kicks off downtown on the beach near Dorchester Street at midnight, with music at the Caroline Street Stage starting at 9 p.m. For a more intimate display, head uptown to Northside Park.

And guess what? The Town has your ride covered with free bus service on New Year's Eve! Buses will be running every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. on December 31 and every 15 minutes from 6 p.m. December 31 – 3 a.m. January 1. Plus, after 3:00 a.m., enjoy daily bus service from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m., running every 30 minutes for just $4 'ride-all-day' per person. Let's make it a New Year's to remember!

Salisbury- New Year's Eve SBY

Ring in the new year in Downtown Salisbury with the 10th annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop.

This free event features live music ahead of a ball drop at midnight. The event is Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1. New Year’s Eve SBY Ball Drop is a free, all-ages, family-friendly event. Beer and wine will be available for purchase outside thanks to Mad Hatter Cafe/The Looking Glass. Free parking will be available in the parking garage.

Downtown Salisbury restaurants will be open with great dinner options and live entertainment.

Starlight Anthem, a rock/pop band from the Frederick area, is our headliner and will perform from 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Prior to that, Uprizing and bands from AMP Studio will perform for the audience.

Wear your brightest and sparkliest outfits to see if you'll be named Salisbury's Shining Star. We'll also have interactive trivia that you can play from your phone, and you can put your new year's resolution on a luminary bag to kick off the new year. Get your photos taken in the photo booth, too.

Schedule

9-9:45 p.m.: AMP Studio
9:45-10 p.m.: Trivia
10-10:45 p.m.: Uprizing
10:45-11 p.m.: Trivia
11-11:15 p.m.: Salisbury's Shining Star - Audience voting
11:15-11:55 p.m.: Starlight Anthem
11:55-Midnight: Brief remarks, countdown and ball drop
Midnight-12:30 a.m.: Starlight Anthem

 Twas' The Night Before Christmas in Pocomoke City

Twas' the night before Christmas

And throughout Worcester County

Children were snug in their beds

Awaiting Santa's good bounty.

The Eastern Shore hour was late

When all should be sleeping.

But to no one's surprise

Some sure were peeping.

The jolly ol' elf isn't far away

They all knew.

Maybe he's in Accomack, Somerset,

Or Wicomico, too.

They hoped that with decorations

Making everything pretty,

Santa certainly would visit

Pocomoke City!

Then from Second Street Extended

To Stockton Road,

Santa's sleigh was spotted

With all its good load.

And from the river bridges

To the Virginia line,

He made all his stops

Hoping to make everything fine.

All the children were sure

That when they awoke,

They would find good things

Left by Santa in Pocomoke!

Time Machine: Christmas

 

(Note: archived editions of the Worcester Democrat were not available for the last two weeks of December,1923.  Our feature "100 years ago this week in the Pocomoke newspaper" will resume in January.)

Salisbury Daily Times

The Democratic Messenger (Snow Hill)

1912

 Marylander And Herald

(Christmas Across The USA)

Woodland Daily Democrat (Woodland, Ca.)

"Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day 2023- At last.."