Saturday, March 30, 2024

 (Re: Today's "When Pocomoke Was Young" column.)

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Alpheus Sidney Stevens may have been a good lawyer but he was a poor geneticist as Colonel Wiliam Stevens, of colonial fame, died without issue in 1687. There have been many locals who claim to be descended from the good colonel, but none have been able to prove it.

Your friend,
Slim

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.

LAWYERS. 

In 1867, Alpheus Sidney Stevens commenced the 
practice of law in New Town; previous to this time we 
never had a resident lawyer in the place. He was born 
in Somerset County, Md., on the 15th day of December, 
1840. He was a regular descendant of Col. William 
Stevens, of colonial fame. His father, who is still living 
at or near the age of 75 years, is no doubt the great great 
grandson of Col. Wm. Stevens. This declaration could 
be corroborated by such a statement of facts were it 
necessary, as would leave but little room for cavil. 

Alpheus Sidney Stevens was a self-made man. He 
only went to school two years, fifteen months of that time 
he went to a country school, which he afterward said was 
time thrown away. The remaining nine months was 
occupied at New Town Academy, during which time he 
made some advancement, enough at least to inspire a 
thirst for knowledge, which never abated during his life. 
At 15 years of age he engaged as clerk in a store and 
continued in that capacity for three years. At 18 years of 
age he obtained a first grade certificate from the School 
Board of Somerset County to teach school, and he 
engaged in that occupation for three years more, at which 
time he was 21 years old. He then commenced merchan- 
dising in Pocomoke City and was a successful merchant 
for six years. On the 3d day of November, 1863, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Truitt. During his 
mercantile life he read law and in 1867 was admitted to 
the bar of Worcester County, after passing one of the 
finest examinations. He practiced law for four years. 
His was a mind of no ordinary cast; indeed, he was a 
genius. Although he made great proficiency in the 
pursuit of knowledge for his opportunity, yet he was called 
away in the morning of life before he had reached the 
meridian of his intellectual manhood. Had he lived, no 
doubt he would have been a jurist of the first order and 
worthy to be associated with his ancestor of colonial fame. 
Mr. Stevens was a member of the Presbyterian Church in 
New Town. On the 19th day of July, 1872, he passed 
away like the blasted rosebud that just began to unfold its 
petals to make its fragrance known. So died Alpheus 
Sidney Stevens, at the age of 32 years, leaving a widow 
and four children to cherish his memory. 

Benjamin Williams, attorney at law, was admitted to 
the bar of Worcester County Court about the year 1871. 
He was a native of Calvert County, Md. but moved to 
Worcester County prior to his study in law. Immediately 
after his admission to the bar, he located in Pocomoke 
City and commenced practicing his profession. He 
continued in the practice of law for about two years and 
then moved to another part of the State. 

Adial P. Barnes, attorney at law, was born in Nassa- 
naddus, (Nassawango?) Worcester County Md., on the 10th day of 
September, 1848. His parents were James A. and Sarah 
E. Barnes. His father was quite an extensive and very 
successful farmer and accumulated a large amount of 
wealth, and is living", at ease, in Pocomoke City, at the age 
of three score and ten years. 

Adial P. Barnes, in his early life, labored on his father's 
farm with the farm hands except when going to school. 
He attended a country school, where only the elementary 
principles of education were taught. In his youth, he had 
an ardent desire to get an education that he might be 
prepared to enter upon a professional life. His father, 
seeing the bent of his mind, sent him to the Public High 
School of Pocomoke City, where he was taught the 
higher branches of education. After attending this school 
for two years he read law in the office of George W. 
Purnell, Esq., in Snow Hill, for one year. He then went 
to the University of Virginia and attended law lectures, in 
that institution, for two years. After which he went to the 
University of Maryland and took his degree in the law 
department of that institution, in the month of June, 1873. 
Upon graduating he opened a law office, in the same year, 
in Pocomoke City, where he followed his profession until 
the month of October, 1877, when he removed to Snow 
Hill, Md., and opened an office there, where he is still 
engaged in the practice of law. Mr. Barnes is a growing 
lawyer and ranks well with his professional brotherhood. 

He is a young man yet, and having an ambition to excel, 
he will, no doubt, with his application make his mark as a 
jurist whose talent will command a lucrative practice and 
secure a name to be envied. 

J. Lloyd Wilkinson was born in New Town on the 13th 
day of May, 1857. His father Rev. William Wilkinson 
was a Baptist minister. Mr. Wilkinson attended the High 
School at New Town until he was eleven years of age. 
After this he entered the Drug Store of Mr. C. C. Lloyd 
as clerk, after being in the drug store of Mr. Lloyd for 
several years he went to Culpepper, in Virginia, to take 
charge of a drug store there. During the time, in which 
he was engaged in the drug business, he read law under 
Gen. J. G. Field of Culpepper, who is at present, Attorney- 
General for the state of Virginia, and in 1878 he was 
admitted to the bar. At this period he was 21 years of 
age. He practiced in the courts of Madison, Green and 
Culpepper Counties, Va. In the winter of 1879 and 1880, 
he returned to Pocomoke City and in 1880 he was 
admitted to the Worcester bar. 

Mr. Wilkinson is a young man of promise, with a good 
mind looming up into brilliancy, and is rising in the estima- 
tion of all who know him, for his legal ability. 

John Glenn Towsend was born in Nassawaddux, (?) Wor- 
cester County, Maryland, on the 25th day of May, 1853, 
and resided, up to his early manhood, in the county of his 
birth. He received a common school education, and 
being of studious habits he prepared himself for a teacher 
in the public schools. He was appointed principal of the 
grammar school at Stockton, Worcester County, Md., 
which position he held some considerable time, during 
which he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
Worcester County, in 1877. He, however, continued 
teaching- school for two years. Afterwards he opened a 
law office in Pocomoke City, where he has since practiced 
his profession. Mr. Towsend is the youngest son of 
Teagle Towsend, deceased, who was a leading man in 
the county, of the old Whig party. 

J. Glenn Towsend is quite a young man and has, com- 
paratively, just entered the arena of public life as a 
lawyer. If a noted family record, with a good mind and 
studious habits, together with a good moral and religious 
character, is any warrant of success, he will doubtless 
honor his profession. 

J. Shiles Crockett, attorney at law, was born in Princess 
Anne, Md., on the 12th day of December, 1858. He was 
educated partly at the Princess Anne Academy and at 
St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., at which latter institu- 
tion he graduated in 1878. He read law in the office of 
Col. Henry Page and was admitted to the bar of Somerset 
County Court in 1880. He then moved to Crisfield and 
practiced his profession until 1882, when he removed to 
Pocomoke City. Mr. Crockett is a young man with a 
good mind and is a graduate at college. He read law 
under one of the first lawyers of the State. With appli- 
cation he has everything in his favor to insure success 
in his profession. 

A history of the legal profession in New Town, now 
Pocomoke City, would be incomplete not to mention the 
fact that many of the lawyers, both of the Snow Hill and 
Princess Anne bar, have practiced law in New Town, and 
chief among those of the Princess Anne bar who have thus 
practiced are John W. Crisfield, James U. Dennis, Col. 
Henry Page and William McMaster. Those of the 
Snow Hill bar are Dennard Williams, Judge John R- 
Franklin, Walter P. Snow, Judge Ephraim K. Wilson, 
William H. W. Farrow, George W. Purnell George M. 
Upshur, William S. Wilson, Clayton J. Purnell and Adial 
P. Barnes. The Messrs. G. W. Purnell, G. M. Upshur, 
W. S. Wilson, C. J. Purnell and A. P. Barnes, have still 
their stated times of visitations to Pocomoke City attend- 
ing to all business appertaining to the law. 
CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Friday, March 29, 2024

Charges in Jan 16 school incident at Snow Hill-

 


(WBOC)

(View news story:)

Six Adults, Six Juveniles Charged in Snow Hill High School Basketball Game Brawl | Latest News | wboc.com

Crisfield's Gordon's Confectionery marks 100 years.

 (Crisfield-Somerset County Times)





(View news article:)
Gordon’s Confectionery hits 100 years.pdf - Google Drive


NASA and Salisbury University sign formal agreement.

 




(WMDT)

 “It formalizes the work that we were doing informally where we would have one or two interns a year to now having a full cohort of students that are reinforcing what they’re learning in the classroom with the work we’re doing at Wallops,” NASA Wallops Flight Facility Director David Pierce said.

(View news story:)

New formal agreement establishes partnership between NASA and Salisbury University - 47abc (wmdt.com)


Time Machine Preview

This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:


PLUS

1985  ..


1914  ..  



1958  ..



1891  ..



1933  ..



Thursday, March 28, 2024

K9 Brina passes.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office regretfully announces the passing of retired K9 Brina. 

K9 Brina was born in Slovakia on December 6, 2014. Her name was originally “Kina,” however, was changed to avoid confusion with two other Sheriff’s Office K9’s at the time, “Kenna” and “Karma.” She was renamed “Brina” which has Slovic roots and means “Defender.”

K9 Brina began her service with the Sheriff’s Office in February of 2017. K9 Brina was a dual-purpose patrol canine and trained in narcotics detection, tracking, building searches, suspect apprehension and handler protection. K9 Brina was medically retired in March of 2019 due to back and hip issues that prevented her from doing her job without pain. During her brief time in service, K9 Brina apprehended a fleeing suspect in Somerset County after tracking the suspect through the woods and assisted with numerous drug seizures and arrests. 

Lt. Katie Edgar served as K9 Brina’s friend and handler. K9 Brina lived a comfortable retired life on Lt. Edgar’s 5-acre farm until her passing on March 27, 2024.


Armory building update from Pocomoke Mayor Todd Nock-

 




Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is no such thing as a "FREE" lunch. Anytime you accept anything of value from the government, be it money, property or real estate, it comes with strings attached.


Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Dismissal reversed in Hit and Run case..

 

      Victim Gavin Knnpp

(WBOC)

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Appellate Court of Maryland has sided with Maryland prosecutors in the appeal of a Worcester County Circuit Court decision to dismiss the case against Tyler Mailloux in the deadly hit-and-run of Gavin Knupp.

(View news story:)

Court Reverses Tyler Mailloux Case Dismissal, Gavin Knupp Hit-and-Run Deliberations to Return to Circuit Court | Latest News | wboc.com


Easter Bunny hops to Pocomoke for Spring Festival plus Easter Egg Hunt!

 The Easter Bunny took a peak at this
 Saturday's weather forecast and placing
 his bet on more sunshine than clouds.
 



Somerset Public Schools-

 

Somerset County Public Schools-

Due to flooding in low-lying areas of the county, and its occurrence on a scheduled early-dismissal day, schools are now CLOSED today, Wednesday 3/27/24 for students & teachers. 12 month staff should report after a 2 hour delay.



Monday, March 25, 2024

Worcester school incident summary-




 Anonymous said...

And this is in ONE WEEK!

Decoys from historic former Ward display coming to Delmarva Discovery Museum.

 (WMDT)


It’s been almost two years since the public has been able to see the artwork from the former Ward Museum in Salisbury, now Salisbury University has announced a new partnership that will change that. SU’s Museum of Eastern Shore Culture is loaning some historic decoys to the Delmarva Discovery Museum in Pocomoke.

(View news story:)
Decoys from former Ward Museum collection headed to Pocomoke - 47abc (wmdt.com)

MEGA learning at PHS


The MEGABrain & MEGALungs were back at Pocomoke High School. Learning about the ramifications of substance abuse, students walked through the giant displays, participated in simulations using goggles, and more!

City Council Candidates Event

 

Pocomoke City Council Districts 4 & 5

Town Hall Event Tuesday, March 26,

  Pocomoke High School starting 6p.m.

90-minute Q&A followed by individual

 Meet The Candidates opportunity.

Organized by Pocomoke City Arrowhead.

View livestream-   

 https://www.youtube.com/c/PHSSports


 


Sunday, March 24, 2024

Time Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 2001, 1942, 1861, 1897.

 











*December, 2001

Salisbury Daily Times


April, 1942

Worcester Democrat


November, 1861
Grant County Herald (Lancaster, Wis.)


May, 1897
The Morning Herald (Baltimore)