Showing posts with label Local History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Local History. Show all posts
Thursday, August 11, 2011
TIME MACHINE Preview ... The Word War II Era On The Eastern Shore
The war brings concerns and changes to life on the Eastern Shore. A glimpse of some of these.. this Sunday on 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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... The Lighter Side!
October, 1943
"Gone With The Wind" was playing at Pocomoke City's Fox Theatre. Admission for all seats was 55-cents.
August, 1953
The Pocomoke Drive-In Theatre, two miles south of Pocomoke City on Route 13, was advertising $1.25 a carload admission with opening night features.. Jeff Chandler in Bird Of Paradise, and Fred MacMurray in Smokey, two big features every night. "No Need To Dress Up - Come As You Are- Bring The Entire Family" -- "Enjoy Movies In Your Own Car - Eat- Relax- Smoke"
January, 1975
"The Sting" with Paul Newman and Robert Redford was playing for six nights at the Marva Theatre in Pocomoke. Admission: Adults $1.50, Children 75-cents.
July, 1896
(Peninsula Ledger)
Dr. W. H. Walters, Surgeon Dentist, Pocomoke City, MD. prepared to do all kinds of dental work, and guarantees satisfaction. Teeth extracted without pain by the use of ---troas Oxide Gas or Cocaine. Crown and Bridge Work a Specialty. Prices Moderate.
----
The cheapest place to get your Spectacles and Eyeglasses is at Wm. Sartorious. Eyes tested free of charge.
---
W. Ulysses Schoolfield, Surveyor, Pocomoke City, MD. special attention paid to adjusting disputed lines.
December, 1972
In a "Scratch Pad" column about Salisbury's old water standpipe, Daily Times editor Dick Moore included the following:
We got a postcard from the Rev. R. Cephia Perdue of Pocomoke City who recalled hearing the great orator, William Jennings Bryan, speak on that very site in 1897. He (Bryan) was a candidate running against President William McKinley. The standpipe was not there then. But in 1908 the Rev. Mr. Perdue recalls going with a cousin, A.W. Perdue, to the standpipe and the latter climbed to the top of it.
Footnote: A.W. Perdue was the father of Frank Perdue of poultry industry notoriety.
January, 1941
(Abilene Reporter-News [Abilene, Texas])
Pocomoke City, Md., Jan. 1-
(AP)- It's been a mild winter, but two local residents hadn't figured as too unusual until:
Young Billy Ross and Clifton Dennis, out hunting with new Christmas rifles, bagged a three-foot, nine-inch allegator- about as common in Maryland as patting a polar bear.
The gator is believed to have escaped from a circus visiting here last year.
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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
"Gone With The Wind" was playing at Pocomoke City's Fox Theatre. Admission for all seats was 55-cents.
August, 1953
The Pocomoke Drive-In Theatre, two miles south of Pocomoke City on Route 13, was advertising $1.25 a carload admission with opening night features.. Jeff Chandler in Bird Of Paradise, and Fred MacMurray in Smokey, two big features every night. "No Need To Dress Up - Come As You Are- Bring The Entire Family" -- "Enjoy Movies In Your Own Car - Eat- Relax- Smoke"
January, 1975
"The Sting" with Paul Newman and Robert Redford was playing for six nights at the Marva Theatre in Pocomoke. Admission: Adults $1.50, Children 75-cents.
July, 1896
(Peninsula Ledger)
Dr. W. H. Walters, Surgeon Dentist, Pocomoke City, MD. prepared to do all kinds of dental work, and guarantees satisfaction. Teeth extracted without pain by the use of ---troas Oxide Gas or Cocaine. Crown and Bridge Work a Specialty. Prices Moderate.
----
The cheapest place to get your Spectacles and Eyeglasses is at Wm. Sartorious. Eyes tested free of charge.
---
W. Ulysses Schoolfield, Surveyor, Pocomoke City, MD. special attention paid to adjusting disputed lines.
December, 1972
In a "Scratch Pad" column about Salisbury's old water standpipe, Daily Times editor Dick Moore included the following:
We got a postcard from the Rev. R. Cephia Perdue of Pocomoke City who recalled hearing the great orator, William Jennings Bryan, speak on that very site in 1897. He (Bryan) was a candidate running against President William McKinley. The standpipe was not there then. But in 1908 the Rev. Mr. Perdue recalls going with a cousin, A.W. Perdue, to the standpipe and the latter climbed to the top of it.
Footnote: A.W. Perdue was the father of Frank Perdue of poultry industry notoriety.
January, 1941
(Abilene Reporter-News [Abilene, Texas])
Pocomoke City, Md., Jan. 1-
(AP)- It's been a mild winter, but two local residents hadn't figured as too unusual until:
Young Billy Ross and Clifton Dennis, out hunting with new Christmas rifles, bagged a three-foot, nine-inch allegator- about as common in Maryland as patting a polar bear.
The gator is believed to have escaped from a circus visiting here last year.
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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
TIME MACHINE PREVIEW ... The Lighter Side!
Some items from the lighter side of Pocomoke City's past are coming your way this week. Take a look this Sunday on 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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... The Wild, Wild East!
January, 1911
(The Washington Post)
FEARS FOR HER LIFE
Mrs. J. L. Sturgis Of Pocomoke City
Asks For State Aid.
RECEIVES BLACK HAND LETTER
Wife of Bank President, Ordered to Leave $100 "Under Doorsteps," Calls Upon Thomas Ewell, State Fire Marshal, for Protection- Friends of Men Sent to Jail Suspected.
Special to The Washington Post
Baltimore, Jan. 23- Fearing that life and property are in danger, Mrs. John L. Sturgis, of Pocomoke City, Md., wife of the president of the national bank of that town, has appealed to State Fire Marshal Thomas Ewell for protection.
Col. Ewell received a letter from Mrs. Sturgis yesterday, including a missive written in a disguised hand, and which Mrs. Sturgis believed was sent to her by "Black Handers." The letter reads:
"Mrs. Sturgis: You are here bye notified to leave $100 under the door steps Sunday night or you died with all property burnt."
Factions in the Town.
A skull and crossbones were roughly drawn under this, while the name "Secretary" was signed to the note. Mrs. Sturgis found the note under the door last week, and has been very much frightened ever since.
Col. Ewell is of the opinion the letter was sent by friends of the five men who were sentenced to jail about a month ago on charges of arson, at his instance. Pocomoke City, he says, is divided into two factions, and one of the factions is continually annoying the other. The incarcerated men belong to one faction, while Mrs. Sturgis lives in the part of the town where the other faction is located.
August, 1923
There was concern in Pocomoke City that at least several of six escapees from the Eastern Penitentiary in Philadelphia had been retained by lawless bootleggers to terrorize Pocomoke citizens. The escapees had reportedly been seen in the Pocomoke area while at the same time there was an increase in threats and fires around town. The home of Rev. J.R. Bicking, one of the leaders of a citizens committee waring against the bootleggers and crime, was burned. Many Pocomoke City citizens were carrying guns, raising prospects that there would be a clash between the vigilantes and the bootlegging lawbreakers.
October, 1923
(The Tyrone Daily Herald [Pennsylvania])
Barn Wrecked By Explosion
Pocomoke City, Md., Oct 11- Bootlegging vengeance was in evidence here again when another building was totally wrecked, this time the barn of Sylvester Messick, a retired lumber merchant, living on Walnut Street. A terrific explosion shook the neighborhood. Messick's barn had been blown to atoms. He is one of the special officers sworn in some time ago, and has been active in the apprehension of those who have been arrested for illicit liquor traffic. The barn contained nothing of special value. There is no clue to the perpetrator.
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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
(The Washington Post)
FEARS FOR HER LIFE
Mrs. J. L. Sturgis Of Pocomoke City
Asks For State Aid.
RECEIVES BLACK HAND LETTER
Wife of Bank President, Ordered to Leave $100 "Under Doorsteps," Calls Upon Thomas Ewell, State Fire Marshal, for Protection- Friends of Men Sent to Jail Suspected.
Special to The Washington Post
Baltimore, Jan. 23- Fearing that life and property are in danger, Mrs. John L. Sturgis, of Pocomoke City, Md., wife of the president of the national bank of that town, has appealed to State Fire Marshal Thomas Ewell for protection.
Col. Ewell received a letter from Mrs. Sturgis yesterday, including a missive written in a disguised hand, and which Mrs. Sturgis believed was sent to her by "Black Handers." The letter reads:
"Mrs. Sturgis: You are here bye notified to leave $100 under the door steps Sunday night or you died with all property burnt."
Factions in the Town.
A skull and crossbones were roughly drawn under this, while the name "Secretary" was signed to the note. Mrs. Sturgis found the note under the door last week, and has been very much frightened ever since.
Col. Ewell is of the opinion the letter was sent by friends of the five men who were sentenced to jail about a month ago on charges of arson, at his instance. Pocomoke City, he says, is divided into two factions, and one of the factions is continually annoying the other. The incarcerated men belong to one faction, while Mrs. Sturgis lives in the part of the town where the other faction is located.
August, 1923
There was concern in Pocomoke City that at least several of six escapees from the Eastern Penitentiary in Philadelphia had been retained by lawless bootleggers to terrorize Pocomoke citizens. The escapees had reportedly been seen in the Pocomoke area while at the same time there was an increase in threats and fires around town. The home of Rev. J.R. Bicking, one of the leaders of a citizens committee waring against the bootleggers and crime, was burned. Many Pocomoke City citizens were carrying guns, raising prospects that there would be a clash between the vigilantes and the bootlegging lawbreakers.
October, 1923
(The Tyrone Daily Herald [Pennsylvania])
Barn Wrecked By Explosion
Pocomoke City, Md., Oct 11- Bootlegging vengeance was in evidence here again when another building was totally wrecked, this time the barn of Sylvester Messick, a retired lumber merchant, living on Walnut Street. A terrific explosion shook the neighborhood. Messick's barn had been blown to atoms. He is one of the special officers sworn in some time ago, and has been active in the apprehension of those who have been arrested for illicit liquor traffic. The barn contained nothing of special value. There is no clue to the perpetrator.
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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
TIME MACHINE Preview ... The Wild, Wild East!
The TIME MACHINE takes a look at some rough and tumble times in Pocomoke City's past... this Sunday on 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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
TIME MACHINE Preview ... The Wild, Wild EAST!
There were some rough and tumble times in Pocomoke City's past.
The TIME MACHINE takes a look this Sunday on the Pocomoke Public Eye!
The TIME MACHINE takes a look this Sunday on the Pocomoke Public Eye!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
TIME MACHINE
May, 1971
17-year-old Becky Culp was named Miss Pocomoke for 1971 with Peggy L. Richardson placing as first runner up in the annual competition sponsored by the Pocomoke Junior Woman's Club. Five-year-old Sharon Yvonne Daugherty was crowned Little Miss Pocomoke and Terri Anne Christian was runner up.
March, 1977
17-year-old Joy Laureen Dooling was crowned Miss Pocomoke 1977. First runner-up was 16-year-old Lisa Ellen Maddox, and her piano solo won her first place in the talent competition. 17-year-old Susan Patricia Reese was named Miss Congeniality. 5-year-old Tracy Lyn Worth was crowned Little Miss Pocomoke; 4-year-old Laura Lyn Santiano was first runner-up. The pageant was sponsored by the Junior Woman's Club and held in the Pocomoke High School auditorium.
July, 1977
Bob Frostrom of Pocomoke City drove his Porsche Carrera to victory in the "production" sports racing event at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia in the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series.
For those who followed the postings this past week of the trial and verdict in the 1879 murder case against Lillie Duer of Pocomoke City an additional post-trial item was located.
TK for PPE
July, 1879
(Salt Lake Daily Tribune)
Thief as Well as Murderess
Miss Duer, who killed her school-mate and intimate friend in Maryland, and was recently acquitted of murder, has come to grief after all. Within a fortnight of her acquittal she had the enterprise to sell a sensational paper a novel entitled , "A Love Story: They Parted and Met Again". "By Miss Lillian Duer, lately on trial for the murder of Miss Ella Hearn." In the first installment of that romance she thus describes a death: "They had been boarding but for five months when her father was taken seriously ill. Medical aid proved of no avail. The baleful breath of death infused itself into his body and rendered it inanimate." This is certainly bad enough to be original, but now a Washington paper declares that the story, with slight changes, is copied from an English novel called "Catherine." So the sensational paper has lost its $500, and serves it right.
Footnote: A comment left to a previous posting on this case:
Anonymous said...
So if they had cable networks and tv back then do you think this would be like the Casey Anthony thing?
For sure.
17-year-old Becky Culp was named Miss Pocomoke for 1971 with Peggy L. Richardson placing as first runner up in the annual competition sponsored by the Pocomoke Junior Woman's Club. Five-year-old Sharon Yvonne Daugherty was crowned Little Miss Pocomoke and Terri Anne Christian was runner up.
March, 1977
17-year-old Joy Laureen Dooling was crowned Miss Pocomoke 1977. First runner-up was 16-year-old Lisa Ellen Maddox, and her piano solo won her first place in the talent competition. 17-year-old Susan Patricia Reese was named Miss Congeniality. 5-year-old Tracy Lyn Worth was crowned Little Miss Pocomoke; 4-year-old Laura Lyn Santiano was first runner-up. The pageant was sponsored by the Junior Woman's Club and held in the Pocomoke High School auditorium.
July, 1977
Bob Frostrom of Pocomoke City drove his Porsche Carrera to victory in the "production" sports racing event at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia in the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series.
For those who followed the postings this past week of the trial and verdict in the 1879 murder case against Lillie Duer of Pocomoke City an additional post-trial item was located.
TK for PPE
July, 1879
(Salt Lake Daily Tribune)
Thief as Well as Murderess
Miss Duer, who killed her school-mate and intimate friend in Maryland, and was recently acquitted of murder, has come to grief after all. Within a fortnight of her acquittal she had the enterprise to sell a sensational paper a novel entitled , "A Love Story: They Parted and Met Again". "By Miss Lillian Duer, lately on trial for the murder of Miss Ella Hearn." In the first installment of that romance she thus describes a death: "They had been boarding but for five months when her father was taken seriously ill. Medical aid proved of no avail. The baleful breath of death infused itself into his body and rendered it inanimate." This is certainly bad enough to be original, but now a Washington paper declares that the story, with slight changes, is copied from an English novel called "Catherine." So the sensational paper has lost its $500, and serves it right.
Footnote: A comment left to a previous posting on this case:
Anonymous said...
So if they had cable networks and tv back then do you think this would be like the Casey Anthony thing?
For sure.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... Preview For 7/24
Tomorrow the TIME MACHINE brings back a few items from the 1970's!
For those who have followed the accounts this past week of the trial and verdict in the 1879 murder case against Lillie Duer of Pocomoke City, I've located an additional post-trial item of interest which will be included.
For those who have followed the accounts this past week of the trial and verdict in the 1879 murder case against Lillie Duer of Pocomoke City, I've located an additional post-trial item of interest which will be included.
Friday, July 22, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... Jury Verdict
For those who have been reading the recent postings regarding the alleged 1879 murder incident in Pocomoke City, the jury verdict is below.
TK For PPE
June, 1879
(The Denton Journal)
Snow Hill, Md., June 19.- The jury in the case of Lillie Duer for the homicide of Ella Hearn agreed upon a verdict this morning at 9:15 o'clock. The foreman said when called: "Guilty of manslaughter with recommendations to the mercy of the court." The court fined her $500, not sentencing her to any imprisonment.
Footnote: Friends paid her $500 fine, the maxium prescribed by law, and she was released from custody.
July, 1879
(The Daily Constitution- Atlanta, Ga.)
- When it is borne in mind that whether she meant to shoot her friend Ella Hearn or not she certainly did shoot her, Miss Lillie Duer has returned from Snow Hill, Md., where she was tried and convicted of manslaughter, to Pocomoke City, her place of residence, in a jaunty and self-complacent frame of mind. A letter says "She is at home to almost everybody who calls, and chats in the most lively and attractive manner." But worse is to come. Miss Lillie Duer has announced her intention of going on a lecture tour, which she thinks the public interest in her trial will make very successful. Of course, she is mistaken. It is not probable that she would make her expenses, much less her fortune, but her entertainment for the moment of the notion shows what a flippant and shallow young woman she must be. Somebody ought to tell her that with no qualification save temporary notoriety, lecturers generally hold forth to a beggary array of empty benches.
Footnote: Information was not found as to whether the above mentioned lecture tour occurred. Sketchy internet information indicates that at some point Lillie Duer authored romance writings that were published in some newspapers.
The Maryland State Archives Guide To Special Selections lists the availability for viewing (not online) of the following:
1879/06/28 Mysterious Duer-Hearn Murder at Pocomoke City, Md.: Miss Lillie Duer, alleged Murderess. (sketch); Miss Ella Hearn, Murder Victim. (sketch); View of Market Street. (sketch); House in which Hearn was shot. (sketch); Bedroom in which Hearn died. (sketch); A group of citizens. (sketch); Hallway where shooting took place. (sketch); Woods where first attempt took place. (sketch); Court room during trial. (sketch); Miss Duer leaving court room. (sketch). Accession No.: MSA SC 1579-1-44 Location: 0/20/05/
TK For PPE
June, 1879
(The Denton Journal)
Snow Hill, Md., June 19.- The jury in the case of Lillie Duer for the homicide of Ella Hearn agreed upon a verdict this morning at 9:15 o'clock. The foreman said when called: "Guilty of manslaughter with recommendations to the mercy of the court." The court fined her $500, not sentencing her to any imprisonment.
Footnote: Friends paid her $500 fine, the maxium prescribed by law, and she was released from custody.
July, 1879
(The Daily Constitution- Atlanta, Ga.)
- When it is borne in mind that whether she meant to shoot her friend Ella Hearn or not she certainly did shoot her, Miss Lillie Duer has returned from Snow Hill, Md., where she was tried and convicted of manslaughter, to Pocomoke City, her place of residence, in a jaunty and self-complacent frame of mind. A letter says "She is at home to almost everybody who calls, and chats in the most lively and attractive manner." But worse is to come. Miss Lillie Duer has announced her intention of going on a lecture tour, which she thinks the public interest in her trial will make very successful. Of course, she is mistaken. It is not probable that she would make her expenses, much less her fortune, but her entertainment for the moment of the notion shows what a flippant and shallow young woman she must be. Somebody ought to tell her that with no qualification save temporary notoriety, lecturers generally hold forth to a beggary array of empty benches.
Footnote: Information was not found as to whether the above mentioned lecture tour occurred. Sketchy internet information indicates that at some point Lillie Duer authored romance writings that were published in some newspapers.
The Maryland State Archives Guide To Special Selections lists the availability for viewing (not online) of the following:
1879/06/28 Mysterious Duer-Hearn Murder at Pocomoke City, Md.: Miss Lillie Duer, alleged Murderess. (sketch); Miss Ella Hearn, Murder Victim. (sketch); View of Market Street. (sketch); House in which Hearn was shot. (sketch); Bedroom in which Hearn died. (sketch); A group of citizens. (sketch); Hallway where shooting took place. (sketch); Woods where first attempt took place. (sketch); Court room during trial. (sketch); Miss Duer leaving court room. (sketch). Accession No.: MSA SC 1579-1-44 Location: 0/20/05/
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... June, 1879 (Part 4 of 5)
Please note: Due to its length the postings for this article which began on Sunday will continue during this week.
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md.
(PART 4)
The following statement of the circumstances comes from a lady well known here, and who attended Miss Hearn during her illness. During a long lucid interval Miss Hearn talked to the lady a good deal about the shooting, and related how it all came about.
As soon as the door to the sitting-room had been closed Miss Duer, turning about, looked at her intensely for a moment and said Ella, why will you not walk out with me? Do you not love me? "Oh, yes I love you" said Miss Hearn, "but I am afraid of you." Do you love Mr. ____? To this question she received no reply, when she became very much excited and spoke again quickly, "Do you love Miss Foster better than you do me?" The answer was "yes." This appeared to terribly excite Miss Duer, and she rushed wildly about in a terrible state of excitement. "Don't say that Ella; don't say that." she kept repeating, while Miss Hearn stood rooted to the spot, by the vehemence of her manner. Presently Miss Duer came close to her and said, "If you say that again I will shoot you," and took out her pistol and cocked it. Then she appeared to become more calm and seemed to want to make up with her now thoroughly frightened friend. She attempted to kiss her but was repulsed by Miss Hearn, who put out her arms to warn her off. This caused her to slip and fall upon her knees. "She was then furious and gave me a fearful look I should never forget to my dying day," said Miss Hearn in relating the circumstances. "She pointed the pistol right at my head. I held up my hand to ward it off," and cried out "oh, don't shoot me, please Lillie; don't shoot me, I will go with you, I will love you." But it was too late, and the next second the pistol was fired and the ball had done its deadly work. Miss Hearn lingered between life and death for a month, and at one time seemed in a fair way of recovery, when on December 6, she became rapidly worse, and died peacefully from nervous prostration caused by the shock to her system by the shooting. The Coroner's jury returned a verdict that Miss Hearn came to her death by "nervous depression caused by a shot from a pistol in the hands of Miss Lillie Duer." Miss Duer gave bail in $2,500 for trial.
(To be continued... the reporter's interview with Miss Duer, and the defense presents its case)
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md.
(PART 4)
The following statement of the circumstances comes from a lady well known here, and who attended Miss Hearn during her illness. During a long lucid interval Miss Hearn talked to the lady a good deal about the shooting, and related how it all came about.
As soon as the door to the sitting-room had been closed Miss Duer, turning about, looked at her intensely for a moment and said Ella, why will you not walk out with me? Do you not love me? "Oh, yes I love you" said Miss Hearn, "but I am afraid of you." Do you love Mr. ____? To this question she received no reply, when she became very much excited and spoke again quickly, "Do you love Miss Foster better than you do me?" The answer was "yes." This appeared to terribly excite Miss Duer, and she rushed wildly about in a terrible state of excitement. "Don't say that Ella; don't say that." she kept repeating, while Miss Hearn stood rooted to the spot, by the vehemence of her manner. Presently Miss Duer came close to her and said, "If you say that again I will shoot you," and took out her pistol and cocked it. Then she appeared to become more calm and seemed to want to make up with her now thoroughly frightened friend. She attempted to kiss her but was repulsed by Miss Hearn, who put out her arms to warn her off. This caused her to slip and fall upon her knees. "She was then furious and gave me a fearful look I should never forget to my dying day," said Miss Hearn in relating the circumstances. "She pointed the pistol right at my head. I held up my hand to ward it off," and cried out "oh, don't shoot me, please Lillie; don't shoot me, I will go with you, I will love you." But it was too late, and the next second the pistol was fired and the ball had done its deadly work. Miss Hearn lingered between life and death for a month, and at one time seemed in a fair way of recovery, when on December 6, she became rapidly worse, and died peacefully from nervous prostration caused by the shock to her system by the shooting. The Coroner's jury returned a verdict that Miss Hearn came to her death by "nervous depression caused by a shot from a pistol in the hands of Miss Lillie Duer." Miss Duer gave bail in $2,500 for trial.
(To be continued... the reporter's interview with Miss Duer, and the defense presents its case)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... June, 1879 (Part 3 of 5)
Please note: Due to its length the postings for this article which began on Sunday will continue during this week.
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md.
(PART 3)
.....(an earlier shooting incident) When asked why she (Miss Duer) shot the only reply was that if she (Miss Hearn) had not halted then the next shot would have been more effective than the previous ones.
From that time Miss Hearn began to be seriously alarmed when in company with her friend, and on one occasion it is related when she, with strange vehemence, asked Miss Hearn if she did love her and went so far as to actually propose that she should get married, she fled from the parlor, where they had been talking, and locked herself in her room. These little difficulties were gotten over finally, however, and the intimacy was renewed, but not so warmly as before. Miss Duer was constantly complaining that her "passionate love was not returned," and sighing over her "lost hope of bliss with her dearest friend when they would be always together." There was a young man of the town, who about this time began to pay marked attentions to Miss Hearn, about which Miss Duer remonstrated with her in the most passionate manner, telling her that she would shoot the man that took her friend from her. A Miss Foster was also a friend whom Miss Hearn was very fond of, and the two began to be very close friends. On the morning of the 4th of November Miss Foster and Miss Hearn had taken a walk together, and upon her return home she found a note from Miss Duer requesting her to call at her house, as she wished to see her urgently. Late in the afternoon she went with her little sister, and when the two met, Miss Duer asked Miss Hearn to take a walk with her the next day in the woods. With the fear of a possible repetition of the former shoot in her mind, she very decidedly refused. This appeared to arouse all the fire of jealousy of Miss Duer's nature, and she passionately, and upon her knees, begged that her request might be complied with, but in vain.
The next day at an early hour, Miss Duer called at Miss Hearn's house and was shown into the sitting- room where the latter was sitting with her mother. The conversation that occurred in the room was of a general nature, and nothing was said there of the walk. When Miss Duer was about to go Mrs. Hearn requested her daughter to accompany her to the door, and the two girls passed out in the passage. After a few moments had elapsed a shot was heard and Miss Hearn rushed back in the room with the blood streaming from a pistol shot to the mouth. She was immediately placed under medical treatment, when it was discovered that the ball had entered the mouth and lodged about an inch deep near the right upper jaw. Miss Duer had followed her in with a smoking pistol in her hand, but did not remain long. A young man named Clark was near the house and heard the shot, and when he appeared Miss Hearn was lying upon the sofa in the sitting-room, while Miss Duer in a frantic manner, was rushing about crying wildly: "I have shot her; oh my God, she will die." Miss Hearn lingered for a time between life and death, being at times delirious, and raving. She would hold up her right arm before her face in her moments of mental derangements, calling out nervously, "Lillie, don't shoot me; I will go with you and always love you." The arm had been bandaged on account of a severe burn, supposed to have been caused by the flash of powder when she was shot. Much has been said and written about what really occurred at time of shooting.
(To be continued)
Footnote: Lillie Duer was from Pocomoke, not Newark as the newspaper article had stated in error in a previous posting.
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md.
(PART 3)
.....(an earlier shooting incident) When asked why she (Miss Duer) shot the only reply was that if she (Miss Hearn) had not halted then the next shot would have been more effective than the previous ones.
From that time Miss Hearn began to be seriously alarmed when in company with her friend, and on one occasion it is related when she, with strange vehemence, asked Miss Hearn if she did love her and went so far as to actually propose that she should get married, she fled from the parlor, where they had been talking, and locked herself in her room. These little difficulties were gotten over finally, however, and the intimacy was renewed, but not so warmly as before. Miss Duer was constantly complaining that her "passionate love was not returned," and sighing over her "lost hope of bliss with her dearest friend when they would be always together." There was a young man of the town, who about this time began to pay marked attentions to Miss Hearn, about which Miss Duer remonstrated with her in the most passionate manner, telling her that she would shoot the man that took her friend from her. A Miss Foster was also a friend whom Miss Hearn was very fond of, and the two began to be very close friends. On the morning of the 4th of November Miss Foster and Miss Hearn had taken a walk together, and upon her return home she found a note from Miss Duer requesting her to call at her house, as she wished to see her urgently. Late in the afternoon she went with her little sister, and when the two met, Miss Duer asked Miss Hearn to take a walk with her the next day in the woods. With the fear of a possible repetition of the former shoot in her mind, she very decidedly refused. This appeared to arouse all the fire of jealousy of Miss Duer's nature, and she passionately, and upon her knees, begged that her request might be complied with, but in vain.
The next day at an early hour, Miss Duer called at Miss Hearn's house and was shown into the sitting- room where the latter was sitting with her mother. The conversation that occurred in the room was of a general nature, and nothing was said there of the walk. When Miss Duer was about to go Mrs. Hearn requested her daughter to accompany her to the door, and the two girls passed out in the passage. After a few moments had elapsed a shot was heard and Miss Hearn rushed back in the room with the blood streaming from a pistol shot to the mouth. She was immediately placed under medical treatment, when it was discovered that the ball had entered the mouth and lodged about an inch deep near the right upper jaw. Miss Duer had followed her in with a smoking pistol in her hand, but did not remain long. A young man named Clark was near the house and heard the shot, and when he appeared Miss Hearn was lying upon the sofa in the sitting-room, while Miss Duer in a frantic manner, was rushing about crying wildly: "I have shot her; oh my God, she will die." Miss Hearn lingered for a time between life and death, being at times delirious, and raving. She would hold up her right arm before her face in her moments of mental derangements, calling out nervously, "Lillie, don't shoot me; I will go with you and always love you." The arm had been bandaged on account of a severe burn, supposed to have been caused by the flash of powder when she was shot. Much has been said and written about what really occurred at time of shooting.
(To be continued)
Footnote: Lillie Duer was from Pocomoke, not Newark as the newspaper article had stated in error in a previous posting.
Monday, July 18, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... June, 1879 (Part 2 of 5)
Please note: Due to its length the postings for this article which began on Sunday will continue during this week.
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md.
(PART 2)
It seems strange that she could love such an unsexed being as Miss Duer appears to be, from what is told of her. She would smoke with the sang froid of a Frenchman, and was even fond of tobacco in its other forms. Her dresses were always worn short, and a little jacket with inside pockets, like a boy's, filled with tobacco or licorice, and a boy's hat, which she tipped when acknowledging a salute, composed the most striking articles of her usual costume. The young girls with whom she associated tell numerous stories of her idiosyncrasies. She never cared for the society of the sterner sex and would make hot love like a Romeo to her female friends. Sometimes they laugh these strange fancies away, at others she would frighten them with her vehemence, and they would run away from her. She was always a mystery and a young lady who knew her well says it was a favorite theory of hers that two women could be quite as happy and get along quite as well married as a woman and a man. In all outdoor sports she excelled her lady friends, and could jump, shout, and play base ball as well as any young man in the town. She always carried a pistol and was an expert shot. It is said that all of her dresses were made with a pocket for her pistol, and it is certain that she always carried one and was fond of using it. But with all these peculiarities she was looked upon in Pocomoke as a bright, intelligent woman, with queer notions, to be sure, but which time would most likely correct. I watched Miss Duer closely as she sat talking quietly but with animation with me in her father's parlor yesterday for some indication of the strange characteristics she is said to possess, but in the somewhat melancholy cast of her countenance and the calmness with which her eyes met mine, there was nothing to suggest anything peculiar about her.
The tragedy occurred on the 5th of November last. The professed friendship of Miss Duer had become very unpleasant to Miss Hearn, and every effort was made to break off the acquaintance. Miss Duer chafed at this, and would frequently upbraid her "dearest friend" for the coldness of her manner and the evident weakness of her affection. The truth was that Miss Hearn had reason to fear that her life was not safe with her. Upon one occasion while the two girls were in the woods gathering leaves for decorative purposes, Miss Hearn started home some distance ahead of her companion, who called upon her to wait. Not obtaining instant obedience to her somewhat abrupt command she called again quite sharply. This second summons was not heeded, when without any warning Miss Duer pulled out her pistol and shot twice at the now thoroughly frightened girl. When asked why she shot the only reply was that if she had not halted then the next shot would have been more effective than the previous ones.
(To be continued)
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md.
(PART 2)
It seems strange that she could love such an unsexed being as Miss Duer appears to be, from what is told of her. She would smoke with the sang froid of a Frenchman, and was even fond of tobacco in its other forms. Her dresses were always worn short, and a little jacket with inside pockets, like a boy's, filled with tobacco or licorice, and a boy's hat, which she tipped when acknowledging a salute, composed the most striking articles of her usual costume. The young girls with whom she associated tell numerous stories of her idiosyncrasies. She never cared for the society of the sterner sex and would make hot love like a Romeo to her female friends. Sometimes they laugh these strange fancies away, at others she would frighten them with her vehemence, and they would run away from her. She was always a mystery and a young lady who knew her well says it was a favorite theory of hers that two women could be quite as happy and get along quite as well married as a woman and a man. In all outdoor sports she excelled her lady friends, and could jump, shout, and play base ball as well as any young man in the town. She always carried a pistol and was an expert shot. It is said that all of her dresses were made with a pocket for her pistol, and it is certain that she always carried one and was fond of using it. But with all these peculiarities she was looked upon in Pocomoke as a bright, intelligent woman, with queer notions, to be sure, but which time would most likely correct. I watched Miss Duer closely as she sat talking quietly but with animation with me in her father's parlor yesterday for some indication of the strange characteristics she is said to possess, but in the somewhat melancholy cast of her countenance and the calmness with which her eyes met mine, there was nothing to suggest anything peculiar about her.
The tragedy occurred on the 5th of November last. The professed friendship of Miss Duer had become very unpleasant to Miss Hearn, and every effort was made to break off the acquaintance. Miss Duer chafed at this, and would frequently upbraid her "dearest friend" for the coldness of her manner and the evident weakness of her affection. The truth was that Miss Hearn had reason to fear that her life was not safe with her. Upon one occasion while the two girls were in the woods gathering leaves for decorative purposes, Miss Hearn started home some distance ahead of her companion, who called upon her to wait. Not obtaining instant obedience to her somewhat abrupt command she called again quite sharply. This second summons was not heeded, when without any warning Miss Duer pulled out her pistol and shot twice at the now thoroughly frightened girl. When asked why she shot the only reply was that if she had not halted then the next shot would have been more effective than the previous ones.
(To be continued)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
T I M E M A C H I N E ... June, 1879 (Part 1 of 5)
Please note: Due to its length the posting for this article will be in five sections, today and during the coming week.
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
(PART 1)
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md. The case excites extraordinary comment, which is not alone confined to that section of the state. A correspondent writing from Snow Hill states that the town is rapidly filling up with strangers and that the trial is the sole and absorbing topic of conversation. Public sentiment is divided, with the majority of the opinion that Miss Duer will be acquitted. She is now a prisoner in the National Hotel under surveillance of officials. Since her removal to the hotel she has borne her imprisonment with comparative cheerfulness, and is allowed the companionship of her intimate relatives and friends under certain restrictions. Her sister is her constant and devoted attendant. Miss Duer spends her time principally in reading, preferring books of a romantic or poetic character. Byron is her favorite poet. Her friends do not think that she fully realizes the gravity of the charges for which she stands indicted.
The sad tragedy of last November, in which Miss Ella Hearn, a beautiful young girl, just blooming into womanhood, lost her life by the hand of Miss Lilly Duer, is again the paramount matter of interest in this quaint little Eastern shore town. Miss Ella Hearn, the victim, rests peacefully in the old Episcopal churchyard. She was originally from Laurel, Del., where she spent most of her youthful days, and where her pretty face and sweet ways are remembered by a large number of friends and acquaintances. That she was the fairest and most lovely girl in all the county about was the testimony of all who knew her.
At the time of her death she was scarcely seventeen. She was a girl of high spirits, and was gay, cheerful, and dashing, in her disposition. She was highly esteemed among her friends and those who knew her as a young girl of sweet and pure disposition. Although her education was limited to the acquirements possible at the high school at Newtown (Pocomoke) she was fairly accomplished, without any brilliant attainments or pretensions.
For some years during the last of her school days she had permitted rather than encouraged a growing intimacy with Miss Lillie Duer, whose affections and passion at last resulted in her death. The families of the two girls, while very respectable, do not belong to the aristocratic society here. Miss Lillie Duer is about twenty or twenty-one years of age and she has lived all her life in Newark. She is not at all pretty, and is somewhat awkward in her movements, as though her female habiliments trammeled her, and she would better get about in male attire. Her eyes are large and unflinching; she meets your gaze with a steady, firm, somewhat defiant, stare. The face is thin and clearly cut, and her forehead is strikingly high and broad. Her thin lips close tightly, which causes the firmness of her expression to strike the observer at once. With short and very dark hair parted at the side, she wears a roll at the top of her head. Altogether the face is one which would not fail to excite interest anywhere. She talks quite intelligently and with ease, appears to have entire confidence in herself and acts as though she would much prefer to be a man than a woman. Her intimacy with Miss Hearn began some years ago, and during last spring and summer the two girls were constantly together, much like brothers. Miss Duer appears to have obtained a mastery over her more womanly, but weaker minded companion, and it was an affection more mixed with fear than love that controlled Miss Hearn's actions.
(To be continued)
TK For PPE
(As published in the Warren Ledger, Warren, Pa.)
POCOMOKE'S TRAGEDY
Details of the most remarkable crime on record.
A Woman Who Wanted To Marry One Of Her Own Sex.
(PART 1)
Baltimore, May 27.- The trial of Miss Lillie Duer on an indictment for fatally shooting her once intimate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn, is fixed for tomorrow, at Snow Hill, Worcester County, Md. The case excites extraordinary comment, which is not alone confined to that section of the state. A correspondent writing from Snow Hill states that the town is rapidly filling up with strangers and that the trial is the sole and absorbing topic of conversation. Public sentiment is divided, with the majority of the opinion that Miss Duer will be acquitted. She is now a prisoner in the National Hotel under surveillance of officials. Since her removal to the hotel she has borne her imprisonment with comparative cheerfulness, and is allowed the companionship of her intimate relatives and friends under certain restrictions. Her sister is her constant and devoted attendant. Miss Duer spends her time principally in reading, preferring books of a romantic or poetic character. Byron is her favorite poet. Her friends do not think that she fully realizes the gravity of the charges for which she stands indicted.
The sad tragedy of last November, in which Miss Ella Hearn, a beautiful young girl, just blooming into womanhood, lost her life by the hand of Miss Lilly Duer, is again the paramount matter of interest in this quaint little Eastern shore town. Miss Ella Hearn, the victim, rests peacefully in the old Episcopal churchyard. She was originally from Laurel, Del., where she spent most of her youthful days, and where her pretty face and sweet ways are remembered by a large number of friends and acquaintances. That she was the fairest and most lovely girl in all the county about was the testimony of all who knew her.
At the time of her death she was scarcely seventeen. She was a girl of high spirits, and was gay, cheerful, and dashing, in her disposition. She was highly esteemed among her friends and those who knew her as a young girl of sweet and pure disposition. Although her education was limited to the acquirements possible at the high school at Newtown (Pocomoke) she was fairly accomplished, without any brilliant attainments or pretensions.
For some years during the last of her school days she had permitted rather than encouraged a growing intimacy with Miss Lillie Duer, whose affections and passion at last resulted in her death. The families of the two girls, while very respectable, do not belong to the aristocratic society here. Miss Lillie Duer is about twenty or twenty-one years of age and she has lived all her life in Newark. She is not at all pretty, and is somewhat awkward in her movements, as though her female habiliments trammeled her, and she would better get about in male attire. Her eyes are large and unflinching; she meets your gaze with a steady, firm, somewhat defiant, stare. The face is thin and clearly cut, and her forehead is strikingly high and broad. Her thin lips close tightly, which causes the firmness of her expression to strike the observer at once. With short and very dark hair parted at the side, she wears a roll at the top of her head. Altogether the face is one which would not fail to excite interest anywhere. She talks quite intelligently and with ease, appears to have entire confidence in herself and acts as though she would much prefer to be a man than a woman. Her intimacy with Miss Hearn began some years ago, and during last spring and summer the two girls were constantly together, much like brothers. Miss Duer appears to have obtained a mastery over her more womanly, but weaker minded companion, and it was an affection more mixed with fear than love that controlled Miss Hearn's actions.
(To be continued)
Saturday, July 16, 2011
TIME MACHINE PREVIEW
************************************************************
STARTS TOMORROW ... It's 1879 and Pocomoke City's attention is on the trial of Miss Lillie Duer, a young woman indicted for the fatal shooting of her 17-year-old "dearest friend" Miss Ella Hearn.
Look for a facinating original newspaper account in postings beginning this Sunday and continuing throughout next week on the Pocomoke Public Eye!
*********************************************************
STARTS TOMORROW ... It's 1879 and Pocomoke City's attention is on the trial of Miss Lillie Duer, a young woman indicted for the fatal shooting of her 17-year-old "dearest friend" Miss Ella Hearn.
Look for a facinating original newspaper account in postings beginning this Sunday and continuing throughout next week on the Pocomoke Public Eye!
*********************************************************
Thursday, July 14, 2011
TIME MACHINE PREVIEW
***************************************************************************
It's 1879 and Pocomoke City's attention is on the trial of Miss Lillie Duer, a young woman indicted for the fatal shooting of her 17-year-old "dearest friend" Miss Ella Hearn.
Look for a facinating original newspaper account in postings beginning this Sunday and continuing throughout next week on the Pocomoke Public Eye!
**************************************************************************
Monday, July 11, 2011
TIME MACHINE
August, 1908
(The Washington Post)
Amid a mass and jam of fully 15,000 people the third day of the Pocomoke Fair passed off without the slightest hitch to mar the pleasure of those who attended. Twenty-three carloads of visitors were hauled from the eastern shore of Virginia, and several thousand came from Delaware, in addition to the Maryland contribution. The races, while not divided up as much as in previous days, were close in every heat, and down the stretch it was a battle royal for honors.
November, 1914
(The Denton Journal)
The gaps in the State Road between Delmar and Berlin and between Snow Hill and Pocomoke City have been completed, and it is now possible to make the run in an automobile from Delmar to Princess Anne and Pocomoke City, Snow Hill, Berlin and back to Delmar by way of Parsonsburg and Pittsville without getting off stone roads, a distance of 85 miles.
May, 1917
The Worcester County Medical Society, meeting in Pocomoke City, passed a resolution regarding county physicians who were called to serve on the war front. The resolution stated that if a Worcester County physician was called to the front to serve his country, another society member designated by him would take over his practice and give a third of the fees collected to the military physician's family. The physician's former practice would be restored to him upon his return.
(The Washington Post)
Amid a mass and jam of fully 15,000 people the third day of the Pocomoke Fair passed off without the slightest hitch to mar the pleasure of those who attended. Twenty-three carloads of visitors were hauled from the eastern shore of Virginia, and several thousand came from Delaware, in addition to the Maryland contribution. The races, while not divided up as much as in previous days, were close in every heat, and down the stretch it was a battle royal for honors.
November, 1914
(The Denton Journal)
The gaps in the State Road between Delmar and Berlin and between Snow Hill and Pocomoke City have been completed, and it is now possible to make the run in an automobile from Delmar to Princess Anne and Pocomoke City, Snow Hill, Berlin and back to Delmar by way of Parsonsburg and Pittsville without getting off stone roads, a distance of 85 miles.
May, 1917
The Worcester County Medical Society, meeting in Pocomoke City, passed a resolution regarding county physicians who were called to serve on the war front. The resolution stated that if a Worcester County physician was called to the front to serve his country, another society member designated by him would take over his practice and give a third of the fees collected to the military physician's family. The physician's former practice would be restored to him upon his return.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... December, 1924
(The Denton Journal)
Big Revival on the Peninsula
An old fashioned revival and anti-cussing movement is sweeping the Delmarva Peninsula, and swearing, bootlegging, unclean stories and the like are very unpopular, especially among the railroad men, says a dispatch in the Wilmington Evening News. The reason is that this old fashioned revival is spreading over the Peninsula like a prairie fire. The movement started at Pocomoke City the middle of September. Rev. George W. Cooke, the well known evangelist, heard of some bootlegging down that way, and made up his mind that all that was needed was an old fashioned revival, such as was known 50 years ago. He opened a meeting in the Methodist Episcopal Church, just opposite the spot where the Methodist parsonage had been burned be alleged bootleggers. It was not long until men all through the community were getting converted and changing their lives. The most popular subject, on the streets, in the stores and factories and homes, was the revival. One day the community was stirred by the conversion of one "hard case" and then another until the buildings were packed shortly after six o'clock to hear the evangelist.
There were no spectacular methods, just straight from the shoulder he-man sermons. Repeatedly Mr. Cooke would say: "This is no revival for a half-dozen old women and a few children- this is for men and for men who will pay 100 cents on the dollar and give 16 ounce to the pound. Go out and live the way you know a red-blooded Christian ought to live." Before the meetings were closed hundreds were converted, and money raised to replace the old parsonage with a new one, amounting to $10,000, and the new converts gave a large part of the money.
The work then spread to Delmar and the Evangelist Cooke was called to foster the work. He began to preach and the people began to come until it was impossible to get a seat in the Methodist Episcopal Church after 630 in the evening. Nightly the place was packed to suffocation and often they had to have "double headers" in one of the other churches. Two meetings were going on at once and the whole community was strangely stirred.
The community for miles around was singing: "I have the joy down in my heart," and people in stores and on trains and in the railroad shops and the banks were praying and changing their lives. Pool rooms were renovated, dark backrooms with liquids of more than 2.75 per cent were cleaned out , foul stories were discontinued and cussing on the streets became almost a criminal offense.
A Pennsylvania Railroad inspector, after making his tour of the peninsula, remarked, he had never known such an absense of cussing before among railroad men. From one end of the peninsula to the other the chief topic of conversation is religion, and hundreds are being converted, homes are being reunited, and feuds of long standing are being straightened out. A Jewish merchant remarked, "This is very wonderful, for they are paying me money that has been owing for years." He afterward made a subscription to the church as he said this religion had been good for him.
James M. Tunnel, prominent Sussex county attorney, and late candidate on the Democratic ticket in Delaware for United States Senator, remarked- "I don't know what has happened on the peninsula, but at least a dozen men have spoken to me about their changed lives, and about the revival in Delmar."
The revival is spreading like an oldtime conflagration and it is sweeping into the churches men who have never been touched before. The prayer meetings of a handful have increased into the hundreds in many places and it is hard to tell where it will stop. While the work continues at Pocomoke City and Delmar and other places, Evangelist Cooke is now at Seaford, to which place the work has spread.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... January, 1880
(The New York Times)
Baltimore, Jan.7. - Advises from Pocomoke City note a curious sequel to the sensation caused a fortnight ago by the scandalous charges brought by Mrs. Polk against ex-State Senator Aydelotte, of entering her house during the absence of her husband and attempting to violate her person. Aydelotte is a conspicuous pillar of the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Mr. Brown is an eloquent speaker and popular Pastor of the Presbyterian flock, having accepted a call from the West to take the Pocomoke City charge. The congregation has been violently agitated by the charges against Aydelotte, and a split is threatened. On Sunday the church was crowded, but in place of a sermon the Rev. Mr. Brown gave from the pulpit a scathing diatribe, denouncing Aydelotte and the whole community. He came there, he said, supposing he was coming into a Christian, moral, community, but found himself among a people without principle or morality, lost to all sense of shame, rotten to the core. He was ashamed to acknowledge his residence there, and recently in Philadelphia he could not acknowledge to a brother clergyman that he belonged to Pocomoke. He ended by resigning his pastorate, and the congregation dispersed in high dudgeon. The excitement throughout the county is intense.
Next time on the TIME MACHINE: In 1924 a movement against bootlegging, swearing, unclean stories and the like were part of an old fashioned revival that started in Pocomoke City and was sweeping the Delmarva Peninsula.
Baltimore, Jan.7. - Advises from Pocomoke City note a curious sequel to the sensation caused a fortnight ago by the scandalous charges brought by Mrs. Polk against ex-State Senator Aydelotte, of entering her house during the absence of her husband and attempting to violate her person. Aydelotte is a conspicuous pillar of the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Mr. Brown is an eloquent speaker and popular Pastor of the Presbyterian flock, having accepted a call from the West to take the Pocomoke City charge. The congregation has been violently agitated by the charges against Aydelotte, and a split is threatened. On Sunday the church was crowded, but in place of a sermon the Rev. Mr. Brown gave from the pulpit a scathing diatribe, denouncing Aydelotte and the whole community. He came there, he said, supposing he was coming into a Christian, moral, community, but found himself among a people without principle or morality, lost to all sense of shame, rotten to the core. He was ashamed to acknowledge his residence there, and recently in Philadelphia he could not acknowledge to a brother clergyman that he belonged to Pocomoke. He ended by resigning his pastorate, and the congregation dispersed in high dudgeon. The excitement throughout the county is intense.
Next time on the TIME MACHINE: In 1924 a movement against bootlegging, swearing, unclean stories and the like were part of an old fashioned revival that started in Pocomoke City and was sweeping the Delmarva Peninsula.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
TIME MACHINE
September, 1971
High School football was set to make its debut in Worcester County with teams in Snow Hill and Berlin but Pocomoke would not yet be fielding a team. The county commissioners had approved approximately $33,000 for each of the three High Schools for a football program. Pocomoke chose to use its first year funding for improvements to its athletic field, while continuing with its soccer program. Snow Hill and Berlin would continue their soccer programs as well.
High School football was set to make its debut in Worcester County with teams in Snow Hill and Berlin but Pocomoke would not yet be fielding a team. The county commissioners had approved approximately $33,000 for each of the three High Schools for a football program. Pocomoke chose to use its first year funding for improvements to its athletic field, while continuing with its soccer program. Snow Hill and Berlin would continue their soccer programs as well.
February, 1930
J. Nelson Jester of Chincoteague, an 18-year-old free agent signed by the Washington Senators, was being mentioned as a prospect to bolster the team's 1930 line-up. However, an injury during minor league play forced an early end to Jester's professional career.
Footnote: Jester was a coach and teacher at Pocomoke High School in the 1950's, and later he was high school principal at Chincoteague.
September, 1953
In Central Shore League baseball play at Pocomoke City's Parker Field, 45-year-old Roscoe Bailey pitched the first four innings in a 7-2 win for Pocomoke over Cape Charles. Tommy Kellam's double brought in three of the runs. Colby Ashley finished the pitching chores for Pocomoke.
August, 1891
Pocomoke baseball fans were treated to a memorable experience when they witnessed their hometeam pitcher William V. Hawke strike out 26 players in a 13 inning game with an opposing team from Virginia. Hawke pitched for amateur teams in Delaware and Maryland before playing on the professional level in Reading, Pa., St. Louis, and Baltimore.
January, 1971
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Ed Watt was scheduled to be guest speaker at a Pocomoke Little League meeting designed to generate enthusiasm among parents and eligible players. Little League president Louis H. Kragler Jr. said plans were for eight Little League teams and four Senior League teams in Pocomoke involving 180 players for the 1971 season.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... August, 1884
Real Life Soap Opera Near Pocomoke City
(The Denton Journal)
SHOT DEAD IN THE ROAD
Murdering His Sweetheart's Father Because He Prohibited A Drive
Princess Anne, Md., July 27.
This county of Somerset and the adjoining of Worcester are in a tumult of excitement over the brutal shooting of Captain L.Q.C. Davis, a respectable and wealthy resident of Pocomoke City, in the last named county. For the past two years Mrs. Mary E. Ross, daughter of Captain Davis, a beautiful young widow, has been residing with him and receiving the attentions of Irving J. Mills, a drummer for the Baltimore firm of Williams G. Bansemer & Co. Mrs. Ross is about 28 years old, and both before and since her marriage has been quite a belle in the lower peninsula. Her father some time ago, finding that she continued to accept the attentions of young Mills despite his protests, forbade the latter to come to his house. The lovers, however, frequently met clandestinely and yesterday, Mrs. Ross, during the absence of her father, went out driving with Mr. Mills. As they were returning home and were about to cross a small bridge in Dublin district near Pocomoke City, they were seen by Captain Davis, who was standing talking to his niece, Mrs. Marcellus Dickerson, in the latters yard near the bridge. Captain Davis ran out into the road and called to Mrs. Ross to leave the carriage. Mills objected to this and when Mrs. Ross tried to get out he whipped up the horse. Captain Davis sprang forward and seized the animal by the rein. Mrs. Ross then jumped out, when Mills, in a frenzy of rage drew a pistol and fired. When the daughter's feet touched the ground she almost fell over her father's corpse lying in the road.
Mrs. Ross sprang toward Mills and began to wrestle with him for the possession of his weapon, for he was preparing for a second shot. Mrs. Dickerson went to her aid and the two finally succeeded in making Mills desist. Mrs. Ross then fell fainting on her father's body. Mills glanced at the body and turned away muttering, without offering any explanation. He left the scene and went to the residence of his uncle and requested to be sent to Princess Anne jail. Unable to get a conveyance and fearing that the community would take the law into its own hand he started to walk to jail. He proceeded this way eight miles and then got a friend to take him to his destination. When called upon in jail to-day he appeared perfectly cool and refused to make any statement.
Mrs. Ross, in speaking of the affair today, denounced Mills in bitter terms and cried and sobbed piteously. She states positively that she saw no attempt at violence on her father's part and that he never carried a pistol in his life. Mill's bullet passed directly through Captain Davis' heart. The son of Captain Davis married the sister of his father's murderer about eight months ago.
Footnote: When the case was being heard in court in October the sudden death of a juror resulted in postponement of proceedings until a new jury could be be seated. The case was concluded in November with Mills being sentenced to eight years in prison.
(The Denton Journal)
SHOT DEAD IN THE ROAD
Murdering His Sweetheart's Father Because He Prohibited A Drive
Princess Anne, Md., July 27.
This county of Somerset and the adjoining of Worcester are in a tumult of excitement over the brutal shooting of Captain L.Q.C. Davis, a respectable and wealthy resident of Pocomoke City, in the last named county. For the past two years Mrs. Mary E. Ross, daughter of Captain Davis, a beautiful young widow, has been residing with him and receiving the attentions of Irving J. Mills, a drummer for the Baltimore firm of Williams G. Bansemer & Co. Mrs. Ross is about 28 years old, and both before and since her marriage has been quite a belle in the lower peninsula. Her father some time ago, finding that she continued to accept the attentions of young Mills despite his protests, forbade the latter to come to his house. The lovers, however, frequently met clandestinely and yesterday, Mrs. Ross, during the absence of her father, went out driving with Mr. Mills. As they were returning home and were about to cross a small bridge in Dublin district near Pocomoke City, they were seen by Captain Davis, who was standing talking to his niece, Mrs. Marcellus Dickerson, in the latters yard near the bridge. Captain Davis ran out into the road and called to Mrs. Ross to leave the carriage. Mills objected to this and when Mrs. Ross tried to get out he whipped up the horse. Captain Davis sprang forward and seized the animal by the rein. Mrs. Ross then jumped out, when Mills, in a frenzy of rage drew a pistol and fired. When the daughter's feet touched the ground she almost fell over her father's corpse lying in the road.
Mrs. Ross sprang toward Mills and began to wrestle with him for the possession of his weapon, for he was preparing for a second shot. Mrs. Dickerson went to her aid and the two finally succeeded in making Mills desist. Mrs. Ross then fell fainting on her father's body. Mills glanced at the body and turned away muttering, without offering any explanation. He left the scene and went to the residence of his uncle and requested to be sent to Princess Anne jail. Unable to get a conveyance and fearing that the community would take the law into its own hand he started to walk to jail. He proceeded this way eight miles and then got a friend to take him to his destination. When called upon in jail to-day he appeared perfectly cool and refused to make any statement.
Mrs. Ross, in speaking of the affair today, denounced Mills in bitter terms and cried and sobbed piteously. She states positively that she saw no attempt at violence on her father's part and that he never carried a pistol in his life. Mill's bullet passed directly through Captain Davis' heart. The son of Captain Davis married the sister of his father's murderer about eight months ago.
Footnote: When the case was being heard in court in October the sudden death of a juror resulted in postponement of proceedings until a new jury could be be seated. The case was concluded in November with Mills being sentenced to eight years in prison.
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