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Sunday, January 15, 2012
TIME MACHINE ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.
March, 1888
A presiding Elder.. "Mr. Ayres made stinging references (to) the liquor traffic still going on at Berlin, Snow Hill, Pocomoke City, and Salisbury, all in his district."
(Excerpt from a Denton Journal article on the twentieth meeting of the "M.E. Conference" in Wilmington attended by 112 ministers who were clerical members of the conference.)
June, 1890
(The Daily News- Frederick, Md.)
A Model Church
The Crisfield Md. Leader says that a prohibition church will be erected in that town and $600 has already been subscribed. The minister will preach in favor of prohibition party from the pulpit, advocate the party on the stump, manage prohibition conventions and primary meetings, and admit none to church membership except those who truly repent of affiliating with the other parties in the past and promise to henceforth and forever vote the prohibition ticket.
July, 1893
A prohibition mass meeting was held in Pocomoke City, according to The Daily News in Frederick.
September, 1900
(The Denton Journal)
(Excerpt)
Rehoboth, which is having the most prosperous season in its history, is to have three great days for the people of Maryland and Delaware. The first- Thursday, September 6- has been set apart as "anti-saloon and Prohibition Day," for the discussion of this question by the most capable speakers on the Peninsula.
November, 1910
(Gettysburg Times- Gettysburg, Pa.)
Saloon Smasher Can Find No Good In Political Parties Delmar, Del., Nov. 7.- Carrie Nation drifted into Delmar and rented the opera house Sunday evening before but few persons knew she was here. Her lecture was attended by a large audience who heard how she smashed saloons, and her views on cigarettes. Mrs. Nation announced herself to be a suffragette. She denounced both the Democratic and Republican parties as crooks and grafters. Theodore Roosevelt was referred to as a man who mixed in with everything except cigarettes and whiskey. Mrs. Nation has been on the Eastern Shore for about a week in different towns, but has attacked (but) one place she considered a "hole." At Parksley she entered the local billiard and pool parlor with the cry "This is a hole," and started to smash things in general, but was taken bodily out before much damage had been done.
Footnote: (Source: PBS- The American Experience) Standing at nearly 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, Carry Amelia Moore Nation, Carrie Nation, as she came to be known, cut an imposing figure. Wielding a hatchet, she was downright frightful. In 1900, the target of Nation's wrath was alcoholic drink. Nation, who described herself as "a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what he doesn't like," felt divinely ordained to forcefully promote temperance. A brief marriage to an alcoholic in the late 1800's fueled Nation's disdain for alcohol. Kiowa, Kansas was the setting of Nation's first outburst of destruction in the name of temperance in 1900. Between 1900 and 1910 she was arrested some 30 times after leading her followers in the destruction of one water hole after another with cries of "Smash, ladies, smash!" Prize-fighter John L. Sullivan was reported to have run and hid when Nation burst into his New York City saloon. Self-righteous and formidable, Nation mocked her opponents as "rum-soaked, whiskey-swilled, saturn-faced rummies." While Carrie Nation was certainly among their most colorful members, the members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1874, left more in their wake than strewn glass. Once the largest women's organization in the country, the WCTU concerned itself with issues ranging from health and hygiene, prison reform, and world peace.
Note to "Your Friend, Slim" who commented a few days ago on this week's preview posting... "This should be interesting! If there is anything near and dear to my heart it is liquor!" Slim- Give thanks you weren't around in Carrie Nation's time! Thanks, as always, for your comments. - tk for PPE
March, 1912
(The Evening Post- Frederick, Md.)
President Price, of the Senate, brought from Salisbury a bottle of Jamaica ginger, which is kept for sale in the stores in Wicomico County. On the label of the bottle there is a guarantee that it contains 94 percent alcohol. Wicomico is a prohibition county and whiskey not being available many persons, Mr. Price says, have taken to drinking Jamaica ginger as a substitute. He introduced a bill prohibiting its sale in Wicomico County, as well as the sale of "Turlington's balsam." "picnic ginger," or any similar preparation except by druggists upon the prescription of a physician.
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!
Justin Hadel Gets Extra Year For Attempt to Escape
Hadel, 20, of College Station, Texas, was found guilty of first-degree murder in June for the beating death of Christine Sheddy, a 26-year-old Delaware woman reported missing in November 2007 from a farm in Pocomoke where she had been staying with friends. Hadel was found guilty in June and sentencing was set for September. However, while awaiting sentencing, Hadel attempted to escape from jail.
On July 12, jail officials learned Hadel had removed a 12- to 14-inch steel hinge pin from the door of the Administrative Segration 4 area and attempted to use the new-found tool to pry open an exterior window, according to charging documents.
Hadel removed the hinge pin and placed paper in the hinge area to conceal the removal of the hinge pin. Hadel then used the hinge pin and pried the security window casing in an attempt to escape confinement through the window. Last week in Circuit Court, he entered an Alford plea to the first-degree attempted escape charge and was sentenced to an additional year in jail.
Source;
Legislative Updates by Mike McDermott
Jan. 4th, 2012
The rebounding of the Striped Bass is a great success story. The fishery is healthy and robust at a time when news coming from the Bay has been a mixed bag. In an effort to “protect” the fishery, the Department of Natural Resources is going beyond what many would consider “reasonable” when it comes to quota enforcement.
Quotas for species are set prior to the beginning of a season and commercial watermen adjust their budgets accordingly (as any business owner would do). When the quota is reached, the fishery is closed. Only within the past few years has an illegal catch (poached) discovered by officials been counted as part of the total catch quota. This makes sense as it is the fishery that is being depleted and the resource should be protected and counted as part of the quota.
What is disturbing is the recent action taken by the DNR and Secretary Griffin to limit the quota to 95% of the original set catch amount. This was said to be done in response to the presumption that thievery and poaching is occurring, though it may not be detected. This anecdotal response by Sec. Griffin is not the scientific, thoughtful estimates that the General Assembly has come to rely upon and, as such, is troubling and offensive on many fronts.
The 5% reduction will cost our commercial watermen about $300,000.00 out of pocket in lost revenue. This is multiplied in our local economy to represent a loss of approximately $1 to $1.5 million when you factor in losses faced by the processing and support industries. This at a time when we need every dollar for jobs to be maintained on the shore.
Removing actual tonnage of fish taken illegally is not based on an assumption...it is actual, proven loss to the fishery. To claim a 5% presumed loss through theft by the commercial watermen and punish them based on that assumption is ludicrous. How would we accept it from our employer if they docked our pay 5% based on their assumption that some of their employees may be stealing from them? We would cry foul and demand those wages be restored!
The Watermen approached the Eastern Shore Delegation and requested our assistance. I crafted a letter and submitted it to the entire delegation for their concurrence and signature. Only a couple elected not to sign onto the letter. I spoke with Sec. Griffin and listened to his reasoning, but I found nothing scientific in the decision. I asked him to rescind the order and allow the original quota to be harvested or at least consider a modification to the 5% figure.
I have supported much of what Sec. Griffin has tried to accomplish, but it is prudent to demand that these decisions be based and supported by science and not anecdotal evidence to the contrary. I hope his decision will change, but if I were a commercial waterman, I’d budget for the 95%.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Legislative Updates By Mike McDermott
Week 1 January 11-13, 2012
It Begins...
Opening day of session involves much pomp and circumstance coupled with historic traditions. The work of the day involves the election of presiding officers. These actions are all staged and predetermined by the Democratic Caucus. The first vote is for the Speaker Pro Tempore who then presides over the body until the election of the Speaker of the House is conducted. With this session, Michael Busch becomes the longest serving Speaker of the House in Maryland history.
All committee Chairmen are reappointed along with committee assignments formalized. No changes were seen this year over recent years. It is not unusual to have most of the congressional delegation present for the opening ceremony along with the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Comptroller. This year was no exception.
I found some of the comments made by the Governor and Speaker very interesting. Both mentioned how important it was to have the views “of the right and the left” expressed in the General Assembly and how we were made better by this diversity of thought and approach to government. On the heels of these fine sentiments came the Governor and Democrats Legislative Redistricting Map which seeks to destroy and eliminate many districts currently held by Republicans. They could not even get through the first stanza of “Kumbaya.’
Changes to the map are possible during the next 45 days but it seems more likely than not that many Republican lawmakers will have some decisions to make in the coming months. Del. Otto and I have seen our districts altered by well over half and now find ourselves together in a single member district. These are the actions of a ruling party that has little interest in hearing from those representing the values of the Eastern Shore.
Thursday
Judiciary Committee:
A hearing was conducted to review the use of phone contracts and collect call charges made by inmates in the prisons and jails throughout the state. In order to provide the specialized phones and recording services, the state and local jurisdictions contract with various companies to furnish all of the equipment needed along with billing services. It is a lucrative business whereby the state collects a profit/commission of roughly 42%. The companies themselves have a profit margin of approximately 5%. In some jurisdictions the profit is used for providing inmate services while in others it is simply placed in their general operating budget.
An advocate for reducing the cost to the inmates of making these types of calls questioned what she referred to as the “kickbacks” being received by corrections officials for providing these services. That term was a misnomer as she was actually referring to the negotiated commissions received by the state. It was pointed out that Maryland is among the lowest in terms of cost to the inmates for local calls. In fact, only Alaska came in lower due to their local calls being free. It was good to see that Maryland State government was competitive in something with surrounding states, even if it is the cost of inmate phone calls.
Friday
Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:
Secretary of Planning
We met with Secretary of Planning Richard Hall to discuss Plan Maryland. The plan provides for increased state oversight of local planning and zoning land use issues. It seems clear from the discussion that the state can and will use state money as the lever to gain active compliance from resistant local governments. The Secretary skated around a lot of the issues that were addressed to him, predominately because the plan is so broad based, no one has any real notion how the implementation will affect local governments and Maryland citizens. The delegation expressed consternation with the plan not coming through the General Assembly and being back doored by the governor. The Secretary offered that the plan was authorized in 1974 and simply had not been acted upon until now.
I was particularly concerned over the private property rights which will be jeopardized by such a broad, centralized plan. It is clear that the governor wishes to expand state control over an additional 300,000 acres of farmland in the next 20-years. I asked if the administration would support a bill I am working with that would require the state to compensate land owners when they create laws and regulations that prohibit that same land owner from being able to develop or utilize their property as they may desire. Secretary Hall said they would take a look at the bill but could not express any support.
There was much concern expressed about the future of poultry on the shore if Plan Maryland continues to move forward with the adoption of additional rules and regulations that only serve to restrict farming activities or make them cost prohibitive. I mentioned that this type of system where rules and regulations are imposed on business create a de facto moratorium on any growth or development of an industry.
It was quite clear that we are at polar ends of the specter with the O’Malley administration when it comes to Plan Maryland, but the concerns expressed were bi-partisan in nature. Maryland has operated for decades with a State Department of Planning that has worked to provide guidance to local government. This plan will turn that “guidance” into direct oversight. Yet another layer of government bureaucracy to overcome. We met with the governor as a delegation last year to express our concerns over his proposed septic bill (which went down to defeat). It seems the governor has decided that the General Assembly is not needed when it creates a stumbling block for his programs. It was suggested that we meet with the governor again, but the governor appears to have dug his heels in on Plan Maryland.
TIME MACHINE Preview ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.
Liquor traffic cited in Pocomoke and other towns.
Controversial anti-liquor crusader (she was known as a saloon smasher) visits Eastern Shore.
It's 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!
POCOMOKE CITY RESIDENTS DAY ~ Delmarva Discovery Center
Friday, January 13, 2012
Planning Commission Says NO To Atlantic Sewage Plant
Atlantic Properties LLC contended that according to the State code that public utilities could by right build sewage treatment plants in agriculturally zoned areas and that their proposed sewage treatment plant which would serve their proposed planned unit development in Wattsville, was in fact a public utility as defined by the state code.
Dozens of speakers from the Atlantic area and as far away as Melfa , New Church and Greenbackville spoke and almost all were opposed to the change. Among the reasons for opposing the change were that putting the treatment plant in Atlantic would destroy property value and property rights. The speakers also told the Commission that passing the text amendment would allow developers to build anywhere and any time and the County would give control over development to the developers. They feared the change would open the door to private development without public input.
Meanwhile others felt that the proposed sewage treatment plant might pollute water wells and water ways and at the very least, the sewage treatment plant should be contained on the property of the planned unit development itself. One speaker feared that the sewage treatment plant could damage the water quality of the Columbia aquifer itself.
Speaking for developer Atlantic Properties, attorney Mark Baumgartner defended the proposal stating that the local areas could connect and that doing so would actually benefit the environment because , he contended, septic tanks and drainfields or non point source pollutants do damage to surrounding waterways and water sources would be reduced.
Baumgartner countered arguments that public utilities should not be privately owned by citing that A& N Electric is a perfect example of a privately owned public utility. He cited several counties, 27 in all in Virginia that allow these types of utilities. He said that the need for waste water treatment facilities on the Eastern Shore is urgent and serious.
In the end the members of the Commission voted not to recommend the change in wording to the text amendment tothe Board of Supervisors. Several members spoke against the amendment with Commission member George Parker citing his concern that there wasn't a clearly defined service area for the sewage treatment facility.
A motion was made not to recommend the change and it was unanimously passed . The recommendation will be passed on the Board of Supervisors which will hold its own public hearing at a later date and then will vote on the matter at a future meeting. The public will be notified when the public hearing is scheduled.
Source;
Shore Beef and BBQ
Alleged Pocomoke Arsonist Deshields Not Guilty
Nancy Powell
Staff Writer
(Jan. 13, 2012) The 43-year-old Pocomoke man who was found not guilty last week of arson and other related charges found it impossible to obey the judge’s order to be quiet in the courtroom.
When Judge Thomas C. Groton III admonished him, Deshields said, “I’m excited. You have to excuse me.”
“Just his general height and weight and clothing,” said Corbin, who admitted he did not see the suspect’s face.
Corbin also testified that he “really had not much experience with him except for the past two weeks and he wore the same clothing the entire time.”
Photos: Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company
Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office
**NOTE: The Pocomoke City Police Chief's correct first name is Kelvin.**
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Pam's Story
Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn't think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.
While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to
consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we'll name him Timothy and we'll make him a preacher.
Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and
eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam's
youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father's ministry in the Philippines . He also plays football. Pam's son is Tim Tebow.
The University of Florida 's star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football's highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah.
Tim's notoriety and the family's inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women's centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!
Hat Tip: Kack
Pocomoke City Police Chief Makes USA Today News.....
I received an autographed copy for Christmas and haven't completely finished it yet but I will tell you this: The book is a MUST read and I just can't say enough about it.
I'll report more on this wonderful book when I have finished reading.
City police find new challenges as small-town chiefs
TIME MACHINE Preview ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.
It's 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!
SHORE BEEF and BBQ
Hostess Bankruptcy 2012:
A spokesman for the privately held Irving, Texas, bakery company declined to comment on the report.
The Wall Street Journal said people familiar with the matter said the company is facing a cash crunch with more than $860 million in debt, high labor expenses and rising ingredient costs.
When the company, then called Interstate Bakeries and based in Kansas City, Mo., filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004, it blamed low sales and high fixed costs. It emerged in February 2009.
Hostess Brands employs about 19,000 workers and operates in 49 states. Annual sales are about $2 billion, according to the company's website.
Source:
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Virginia Beach Victim-Witness Program Receives Award for Service to Crime Victims
Presented annually since 2004, over 100 Victim-Witness programs throughout the state were candidates for the award.
Reimbursed expenses included medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, personal property, moving expenses, temporary housing, and transportation costs.
“Virginia Beach has undergone quite a few changes in recent years, and the improved services to victims are evident all of the way to Richmond,” said Ware. “You all have a lot to be proud of.”
MORE
Handmade Greeting Cards
But those are the days that seem to be almost gone having been left behind because of modern technology and email making it more "convenient". An emailed card never put a smile on my face like getting a card in the mail did.
If you send cards quite often or if you are bored with the cards sold in the stores today take a look at this website www.handmadecardsbykaren.com
The cards you see on the website are ALL handmade by Karen Rees Freiberg. Name sound familiar? That's because it is. Karen, known as Karen Rees grew up in Pocomoke and graduated with many of us in the class of '71 from the Pocomoke High School.
Karen makes each and every card by hand. There's a card for every occasion and most times 2 or 3 designs for any occasion you can think of. And if you have an occasion she hasn't thought of and you need a special card send her an email with your idea. She will be more than glad to hand craft a card that will put a smile that special someones face.
All the information you may need is on the website.
Karen is also available for fundraisers.
Handmade Cards by Karen
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sounding Rocket Launch ~ Wednesday
Based on the approved range schedule, the rocket is set for launch between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. EDT. The backup launch days are January 12 and 13. The rocket will be visible to residents in the Wallops area.
The NASA Visitor Center will open at 6:30 a.m. on launch day for public viewing.
The mission will be web cast beginning at 6:30 a.m. on launch day at: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast
Mission status on launch day can be followed on Twitter at: http://www.Twitter.com/NASA_Wallops
Launch status also is available on the Wallops launch status line at 757-824-2050.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/jan11la.html
Wednesday Night ~ Public Hearing on Atlantic Sewage Plant
The Accomack County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing Wednesday night at Metompkin Middle School.
The meeting is slated to start at 7:00 PM and the public hearing will begin at 7:30.
The public hearing will give Atlantic area residents and others the opportunity to speak concerning plans by a developer to create a planned unit development in the Wattsville area and build a sewage treatment plant near Wisharts Point Road.
In anticipation of a larger than usual crowd the meeting was moved from the Board Chambers in Accomac to the cafeteria at Metompkin Elementary School in Parksley.
Source; shoredailynews.com
Monday, January 9, 2012
Pocomoke City Police Department ~ Press Release
Arrests – January 3, 2012 to January 9, 2012
1-03-2012 Kevin D. Fisher, 48, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged with "Driving on the Highway without a required License". Fisher was released on a Citation pending trial.
1/05/2012 Dwight A. Sampson, 40, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged on a Bench Warrant for "Theft". Sampson was taken before the District Court Commissioner and incarcerated in the Worcester County Jail pending Bond.
1/06/2012 Omar A. Williams, 28, of Pocomoke City was arrested on a Federal Warrant from the US Marshalls Office and has been extradited to Baltimore for prosecution. At the same time, Williams was arrested and charged with Burglary 1st Degree and Theft of a television on a Pocomoke City Warrant for a December 2011 B & E. Williams will be prosecuted after he serves his time with the US Marshalls.
1/06/2012 Diane Mills, 52, of Pocomoke City and Sabrina Trader, 41 of Pocomoke City were arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree stemming from an altercation between the two females. Both Mills and Trader were taken before the District Court Commissioner and released on their own recognizance pending trial.
1/06/2012 Shawn A. Brown 41, of Pocomoke City was cited on a Civil Citation for "Hampering Free Passage" of customers at the Wal-Mart Plaza. Brown was released on Citation pending payment of fine.
1/07/2012 Chico D. Kenney, 39, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged with Domestic Assault. The victim has an active Protection Order. Kenney was released on a Criminal Summons pending trial.
1/07/2012 Markeshia R. Ballard, 31, of Snow Hill was arrested and charged with "Knowingly driving an uninsured vehicle" after a traffic stop alerted Officers to an active Tag Pick-up Order. Ballard was released on Citation pending Trial.
1/07/2012 Jeremy W. Douglas, 19, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged by Citation with "Driving on a Suspended License". Douglas was released pending trial.
Christmas Tree Recycle
Businesses and organizations selling trees will not be permitted to drop off trees at the convenience centers, but may take them to the Central Landfill where applicable tipping fees will be assessed.
The trees will be ground into mulch for use as cover at the Central Landfill. For more info, contact Recycling Manager Ron Taylor at 410-632-3177.
Good Luck, Courtney!
Courtney and Becky haven't been without support. It takes a mighty stong family unit to hold it all together and that's what they have. Courtney is blessed to have such a loving and caring brother and sister. And it always makes me smile when I read from Becky's daily writings that Courtney's has made noises prompted by no one else but her Father. - Yes, a daughter will do that for a dad.
Friends, family and extended family have kept close watch on Courtney through the many months. Many prayers have been said and still contiue to flow. Though so much better now than she was a few months ago Courtney still has that long road to travel. She's much stronger now than she was back in May of 2010 and her Mother has just as much determination now as she ever did. We are all hoping that this trip to Baltimore is the last major step for this family to take before Courtney can go home.
Crime Watch Meetings To Be Held
January 13, 2012 at 6 p.m. Bishopville area Crime Watch meeting at the Bishopville Fire Department.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
TIME MACHINE ... Eastern Shore Clay Eaters?
(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)
( In searching newspaper archives I occasionally come across an item that raises a flag as to its authenticity. It makes one wonder if such items were, in their day, like hoax items that flood the Internet today. The following item made its rounds in more than one newspaper, and was a front page news story in the 1885 publication mentioned below. Was it legend..hoax..or fact?)
December, 1885
(Reno Evening Gazette- Reno, Nevada)
Eastern Shore Clay Eaters
Of the "clay eaters" on the eastern coast of Maryland, it may be said that they are not reptiles or animals, but people- real human beings, most of whom have never seen a railroad, heard a locomotive whistle, or voted the Democratic or any other ticket. It is hard to understand the appetite that craves clay as a diet. Some people refuse to believe that people can live and eat clay, but a reputable and truthful physician who recently contacted a severe case of the shaking ague in making a tour of eastern shore swamps, declares that these peculiar specimens of the Maryland population do eat clay and have a passion or habit of chewing it like lovers of hasheesh. There is a kind of clay in that section that is oily, like putty, with little sand or grit in it. Dr. S. P. Denisen, the physician referred to, says that clay-eating swampers are miserable specimens of humanity. With legs that are mere sticks, narrow hips, depressed chests, pot bellies, and blush-yellow complexions, they present about the lowest type of the white race found in the United States. The swampers who acquire the habit of eating clay are generally short lived, but the other inhabitants of the Eastern Shore swamps are as hardy as others and as ignorant as Hottentots. Their morals are lax, and a man and woman will live together and rear a family without troubling themselves about a marriage ceremony. Many of their houses are built on piles, and they reach them in boats through the lagoons. Though they shake with the ague half a year, and have skins the color of saffron, they seem to be insured against any other disease, for it is rare to hear of any other sickness in the swamps than ague. It is astonishing what quantities of quinine and whiskey are consumed by these people. The women, who are not clay eaters, chew tobacco and drink corn juice the same as men. In the summer the women and children gather huckleberries, which are plentiful in the vicinity. The men go off in the woods and make shingles, which they sell to the nearest country stores for cheap wearing apparel, corn meal, bacon, quinine, and whiskey. These people are never reached by the tax collector, the preacher, the book agent, the politician, or the lightning rod agent, and when they are not shaking with chills they are happy and contented.
May, 1938
(The Daily Mail- Hagerstown, Md.)
Flags Down Train,
Water Stops Fire
POCOMOKE CITY, MD., May 20 (AP)- Opportunity blew a whistle for the Pocomoke City volunteer fire department.
Battling a lumber yard blaze four miles south of here, the department ran out of water. Undaunted, firemen flagged down a Pennsylvania railroad freight train, drew water from its boilers, and brought the fire under control with but one shed destroyed.
April, 1956
Jerry Miles was assigned by the Baltimore Orioles to the Thomson team in the Georgia State League. The 18-year-old Parksley, Va. righthander was a standout pitcher on Pocomoke City's 1955 Central Shore League team.
Footnote: Miles was in an automobile accident during the winter of 1957 and he later requested the Orioles to place him on the voluntary retired list for the upcoming season. No Information was found about his future activity in baseball.
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!