(If no one's looking go ahead and Spring Forward before bedtime on March 9th. 😇)

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.

HOTELS. LIVERY STABLES, Etc. 

Hotels existed in New Town at an early date in its his- 
tory, the first, however, which I have any information of 
was kept by Josiah Long, my wile's father. How long he 
was engaged in the business I cannot say. He died in 
1813. About the same time, or shortly after Josiah Long 
commenced the business, Bennett H. Clarvoe engaged in 
it also. After Mr. Clarvoe died, the widows of Mr. Long 
and Mr. Clarvoe carried the business on for some time 
and then retired; and in succession the following persons 
kept hotel, in New Town, now Pocomoke City, until the 
present time, 1882: Captain John Merchant, Littleton Cot- 
tingham, Sally Jones, Francis Mezick, Thomas Evans, 
Edward F. Mezick, Robert Silverthorn, Joseph Lankford, 
Henry Dryden, John Allen, Rosa Young, Peter Corbin, 
Robert Marshall, John Adair, L. J. M. P. Broadwater, 
Ralph Ross, Littleton Sturgis, Charles Rider, W. J. S. 
Clarke, William W. Quinn, Titus I. West, Captain Wm. 
H. Comegys, George Twilly, Levin P. Bowland and H. 
1 Powell. Mr. Powell is the proprietor of the Clarke 
House, and is a popular hotel keeper. Report says he 
keeps the best table of any house on the shore. 

The Livery Stable business has been connected with the- 
Hotel business from time immemorial, until 1869, when, 
the Messrs. William and Samuel Twilly commenced it as 
a separate business. As the Messrs. Twilly are the pio- 
neers in this business, it is but right that an extended 
remark should be made concerning them here. These 
gentlemen, having had long experience in the livery stable 
business, have become experts, and are widely known as 
reliable men, and are very popular, it is a real pleasure 
to see the fine teams and splendid carriages which go out 
from their stables. It is thought they can challenge the 
whole Eastern Shore, if not the State, for a successful. 
rival in their line. 

In 1878 and 1879, Emerson Melvin kept a livery stable, 
in Pocomoke City, and in 1880 and 18S1, John J. Jones 
was engaged in the business; both of these establishments, 
however, continued but a short time. 

In 1881, Edwin F. Causey and Herbert H. King estab- 
lished a livery stable, in Pocomoke City, and continue 
the same to the present. These gentlemen are polite and. 
accommodating; they keep constantly on hand a supply 
of horses and carriages, and no one need fear disappoint- 
ment in getting a good team at their stable. 

We now have two livery stables in Pocomoke City, kept 
by the Messrs. Twilly and Causey & King. These two 
stables keep constantly on hand about twenty horses and 
fifteen carriages, and can scarcely supply the demand 
at that. 

NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW: PHYSICIANS

Of the physicians of New Town (now Pocomoke City), 
Dr. John Stevenson was the first that we have any knowl- 
edge of. He settled in New Town about the year 1800, and 
practiced medicine until he died, which event occurred in 
in 1826. He was buried in the family burying ground on 
the farm, which now belongs to Thomas W. Hargis, he 
being at the time of his death 50 years of age. Dr. 
Stevenson had no competition in the practice of medicine 
until a few years before his death, consequently he had a 
large practice and made money. He had a genial spirit, 
was very popular both as a physician and citizen, and was 
highly cultured.

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Remembering "Oldies But Goodies" radio host-

 

       

    (Picture from Eastern Shore Post)

George Edward Bloxom, known as "G.E" on the radio passed away on March 1st.  In years past he had hosted the popular "Oldies But Goodies" show Saturday nights on Pocomoke's AM-540 radio station, taking listener requests and playing music favorites from the 50's and 60's.  George was 76.

View obituary:

George “GE” Bloxom - Eastern Shore Post

Senator Carozza's Fallen Heroes Legislation update-

 

Pocomoke Public Eye note:  We'll publish Senator Carozza's regular weekly update on Monday, 3/11.  

Time Machine Preview

 This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:

PLUS

1931  ..

1977  ..

(Price guess?)

2005  ..

1891  ..

Enough?

(If you choose.. viewable here:)

War of Words Continues in the Saga Over School Safety in Worcester County | Latest News | wboc.com

Worcester County law enforcement hold public address over school safety response from WCPS - 47abc (wmdt.com)

3/9 Job Fair cancelled.

 

IMPORTANT: Due to forecasted budget outlook for the coming year, Worcester County Public Schools has cancelled its job fair scheduled for this Saturday, March 9, 2024. We encourage those interested in working at WCPS to keep an eye on our job board for future opportunities.

March 7, 1962 Headlines

 --1962--

 Anonymous said...

I was in 6th grade at the time. I woke up to moderate rain and a strong breeze and heard that schools were closed that day. It didn't seem so bad but it wasn't long until we learned what had really happened. The weirdest thing was all the caskets floating out of graves on Chincoteague Island. A new inlet was also cut through Ocean City at about 33rd Street.

 

Wallops Visitor Center April 8th events-

 

(NASA)

Solar Eclipse & Multi-Rocket Launch Viewing

Monday, April 8, 1-5 p.m. EDT

Experience an unforgettable afternoon at the NASA Wallops Visitor Center on Monday, April 8, from 1-5 p.m. EDT! Safely witness the awe-inspiring Solar Eclipse, catch the thrilling launch of 3 Black Brant IX sounding rockets for the APEP-2 mission, and explore engaging solar-related activities throughout the visitor center. This event will take place rain or shine!

At the Wallops Visitor Center, the moon will block a maximum of 81.4% of the Sun’s light during this phenomenon. One sounding rocket will launch for each segment of the Total Solar Eclipse beginning approximately at 2:40 p.m. EDT and ending approximately at 4:05 p.m. EDT, yielding about 45 minutes between each rocket. Note: solar eclipse viewing and rocket launch viewing are dependent upon clear skies.

Total Solar Eclipse Timeline:

              Start – 2:06 p.m. EDT

              Maximum – 3:22 p.m. EDT

              End – 4:34 p.m. EDT

Join us for a celestial celebration you won’t want to miss and be sure to follow us on our social media on April 8 for the most up-to-date event information. See you there!

Prepare for SAFE Solar Viewing during this year’s Total Solar Eclipse by checking out NASA’s Eclipse Safety Page.  Safety - NASA Science   Eclipse glasses and pinhole viewers will be available during this event while supplies last.  

 

(Updated) Worcester commissioner head comments on law enforcement-Board of Ed squabble.

(Compiled from information reported on WMDT) 

During Tuesday's Worcester County Commissioners meeting President Chip Bertino called for accountability from law enforcement and the school system after noting that each accused the other of providing misleading statistics and abdicating responsibility.

“We got a lesson in semantics, in math, but I do hope that we find a resolution because regardless of what you call it, a violation takes place behind every one of those statistics that were identified last week,” Bertino said adding “You can call it a crime statistic, you can call it a referral. The bottom line is that we have kids in our  schools and teachers who are being intimidated.”

Pocomoke Public Eye note:  

A letter to the Board Of Education this week from the 14 Worcester County school principals supported the Board's position.

Rain- ENOUGH!

 

      (Shore Daily News picture)

(From media and source reports)

Wednesday's rain added to already standing water on some lower Eastern Shore roads.  Accomack County schools dismissed two hours early due to deteriorating road conditions and a number of evening events in the area were postponed.

In Worcester County Wednesday according to the Sheriff's Department- Due to flooding, these county roads are closed: Porters Crossing; Train Station: Sand Rd/Creek Rd/Redhouse Road intersection, Creek Road (Scotty Road – Sand Road); Redhouse Road (Pennewell Road – Sand Road), and Sand Road (Millville Road – Redhouse Road).  

Golf Course Road at Center Drive in West Ocean City was closed due to flooding.

Votes in the two Virginia shore counties

 (Shore Daily News)

(View news story) 

Trump and Biden win primaries in both counties - Shore Daily News

(News story correction: Niki Haley won in Vermont. -PPE)

Snow Hill discusses Cannabis guidelines.

 (WBOC)

SNOW HILL, Md.- Snow Hill hosted a discussion about cannabis dispensaries Tuesday night. The town’s moratorium on cannabis ends June 2024, so the town will have to make some decisions by the summer.

According to state law, towns cannot ban dispensaries, but it can set guidelines, for example, how far a dispensary must be from a school.

(View news story:)

Snow Hill Discusses Guidelines for Cannabis Dispensaries | Latest News | wboc.com

An opinion from a former Maryland State Superintendent Of Schools.

 

As the founder of Strong Schools Maryland, no one is a stronger supporter of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future than I. It’s the best education legislation in the country in the last half century. But it reflects a glaring omission.

(View Dr. David Hornbeck's commentary:)

David Hornbeck: Culture eats strategy for breakfast! - Maryland Matters

 

Somerset parents- REMINDER

 

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE: BLUEPRINT STAKEHOLDER MEETING ON TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024 FROM 6-7PM

Somerset County Public Schools

SCPS invites the public to attend a Blueprint Stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Somerset County Technical High School (7994 Tawes Campus Dr, Westover, MD 21871) . 

Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) will share the mission, vision, challenges and implementation status of  the Blueprint.  Learn what changes are coming, and the steps SCPS is taking  to meet milestones and take advantage of new opportunities provided in the legislation. 

We'll do it ourselves- Pocomoke's "Comprehensive Plan"

 

At Monday evening's Pocomoke Mayor and City Council Meeting it was decided for the city to develop its own Comprehensive Plan for city improvements rather than accept bids for such projects.

Our online neighbor Pocomoke City Arrowhead reports more about this under their posting:  

MAYOR ADVISES COUNCIL TO REJECT BOTH BIDS FOR UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, REQUESTS STAFF TO DEVELOP IT IN-HOUSE 

View posting:

https://www.facebook.com/pcityarrow/

Will Worcester commissioners assist Board of Ed. with state mandated teacher salary increases?

 

(WBOC)

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. -- As the state of Maryland mandates a pay increase for teachers and staff in the next few years, Worcester County finds itself facing significant hurdles to meet the specified threshold.

(View news story:)

Funding Struggles Could Threaten Jobs in Worcester County Schools | Latest News | wboc.com

 

Two local boards oppose book legislation

 

The Worcester County Board of Education voted unanimously to oppose the legislation during a Feb. 20 meeting. The Worcester County Commissioners also voted unanimously to oppose the Freedom to Read Act.

(View news story:)

Worcester opposes Maryland's Freedom to Read Act | News | oceancitytoday.com

Time Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 1990, 1842, 1953, 1979.

 

January, 1990

Salisbury Daily Times

October, 1842

National Intelligencer (Washington, DC)

*June, 1953

Salisbury Times

*March, 1979

Salisbury Daily Times

(TOP STUDENTS. Honors at Pocomoke High School graduation ceremonies this June will go to, left to right, Susan Bailey and Jill Ashby, who tied for salutatorian, and Katherine Chamberlain, class valedictorian and winner of the Old Home Essay prize.)