Accomack County Grand Jury is Hearing Evidence in the Case of Charles R. Smith III and Tonya Bundick

An Accomack County Grand Jury is hearing evidence in the case of Charles R. Smith III and Tonya Bundick, both accused of arson in the series of fires that occurred between November and early April. 

Investigators say Bundick and Smith are responsible for most of the fires. Each of them is charged with one count each of arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with an April 2 fire near Melfa. 

The two were apprehended after Virginia State Troopers, who staked out the house saw someone set it on fire. 

Smith and Bundick were then apprehended by the Accomack County Sheriffs Department on Lankford Highway shortly thereafter. 

Source:

National Night Out On Tuesday / Step Into The Cash Vault

Hosted by the Pocomoke City Police Department

Kelvin Sewell, Chief

Please accept our humble invitation to come on down to Pocomoke City on

 Tuesday August 6th 

at 6:00 to 9:00 PM 

and enjoy a night filled with fun, games, entertainment and food

The Pocomoke City Police are proud of their community and want to spread the word that 

“Crime has no future in Pocomoke City”.

Also, advanced fundraiser tickets are available at the Pocomoke Police Department for a chance to step into our Cash Vault during the NNO event and win some free cash, see attached flyer. 

 Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to promote our upcoming Back to School Event and the Police Youth Christmas Party.  

We hope that your schedule will permit your attendance and I look forward to sharing our town with you on August 6th.  

If you need any further information, please feel free to contact our office.

Don't Be LATE!!!

OC104 and DJ Str8Up is ready to rock the park!!

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting Tonight

A G E N D A

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 p.m., Monday, August 5, 2013

City Hall

1. Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

2.  Review and approval of minutes from meeting of July 1, 2013.

3.  Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.  City Manager to introduce new Finance Director, Rochelle Taylor.

5.  Mayor to present Robert Givens Certificate of Appreciation for his service on Planning and Zoning Commission.

6.  Downtown Pocomoke Association representatives to request financial support for upcoming Fall Festival.

7.  Brian Garrett, representing the Delmarva Discovery Center, to discuss Community Tax Credit.

8.  Rob Busler, of Standard Solar, to make presentation regarding solar energy.

9.  Dr. Walt Petersen to discuss current rainfall measurement project supporting the N.A.S.A. Global Precipitation Measurement mission.

10.  Discuss recommendation letter from Downtown Revolving Loan Committee regarding matching loan for Lusby’s Appliances building located at 122 Market Street. (see attached support letter from D.R.L.C.)

11.  Authorize Mayor to submit application for Community Parks and Playground for grant funds.

12.  Res. No. 465 to authorize submission of Community Legacy application for grant funding.

13.  Discuss proposal from Card’s Computers for new computer system at City Hall.

Comments from the Audience.

Mayor and Council Items.

Adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel, real estate, and legal matters as permitted under the provisions of Sec. 10-508 (A), (1), (7), (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and to perform executive actions.

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Craig: Obamacare will Stick Marylanders with 83% Healthcare Tax

Harford County Executive and candidate for Governor David R. Craig announced today that Marylanders can expect a dramatic increase in health care insurance premiums under Obamacare, calling it a "massive new tax."    Maryland's least expensive Obamacare plan will be 83% higher than the lowest-cost plan sold in the state this year. The analysis comes from a Government Accountability Office report that compares rates this year to what the Maryland Insurance Administration announced they will be under the new state exchange scheduled to launch October 1.
The state’s insurance agency locked down rates with private carriers last month and the new exchange for individuals is marketed as the “Maryland Health Connection.”

“What we have here is Maryland’s health disconnection,” said Craig. “This entire contraption will fall apart unless untold thousands of healthy people inexplicably decide to go online and buy expensive insurance instead of making a car payment.  Private insurance carriers are not participating and not enough healthy, working people will either, and this is not going to work.”
The Maryland Insurance Administration and the GAO analyze similar policies available to similar age groups.  A young person buying exchange insurance under the so-called “bronze plan” will pay $1368 in annual premiums, according to the state agency.  Yet this year, according to the federal GAO, that person pays just $744 in annual premiums, an 83% difference.
“People are struggling with the worst economic recovery in our lifetimes, have faced down record tax, fee and toll increases, and now they are forced to pay 83% higher insurance costs," said Craig.  “This is a massive health care tax politicians are attempting to brand as something else, and they are forcing people to buy it.”
The dramatic premium spike comes on the heels of the announcement that Aetna canceled plans to sell insurance on the exchange after state regulators drastically cut the rates it could charge consumers for its plans.  Aetna, the nation's third largest health care insurance company as measured in terms of membership, acquired Bethesda-based Coventry Health Care this year.
"It is deeply troubling that Maryland has yet again soured relations with major employers and job creators.  Another company acquires one of Maryland's last remaining Fortune 500 companies and takes their business elsewhere because regulators tell them what to charge.  This irony is lost only on the one-party political machine in Annapolis."
Craig said this is only the beginning of the unraveling of Obamacare.
"These are only the initial, visible cracks in the foundation of the health care law, which like other federal public policy experiments, Maryland rushes into without conducting due diligence," said Craig.  "I’m concerned about the cracks we don’t see yet.”
###

Reception To Support Delegate Mike McDermott

U. S. Coast Guard Birthday Today

Happy 223rd Birthday to the U. S. Coast Guard 

More Video From Crisfield Mud Bog ~ Saturday July 27, 2013

Travis Pruitt

Video-
Travis Pruitt/ Driving "Dirty Dog"

X Class ~ Full Pass ~ 4.407

TIME MACHINE ... 1937.

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)　

　 For many weeks in early 1937 the news on the Eastern Shore centered upon the investigation of the death of the owner of the Stockton Power And Light Company and as the story unfolded it drew attention from across the nation. 43-year-old Clarence J. Trader was fatally wounded in the home of his estranged wife. Jeanette Trader, his 37-year-old widow, says his death was a suicide but weeks later, after extensive investigation, she is charged with his murder. (Refer to Time Machine posting from last Sunday for more details.)

A twist of fate brings an abrupt conclusion to the Trader case!


(Part 2)

Feb. 27 .. A newspaper headline reads "TRADER WOMAN IS VIOLENTLY ILL FROM FOOD." By court order, Mrs. Trader is moved from the Worcester County jail to the new Wicomico County jail in Salisbury where "the welfare of the traverser" would be better served. Worcester County sheriff Ernest C. West, who brought the prisoner to Salisbury, says she became ill after eating supper Wednesday night. John L. Sanford, Jr., of the defense counsel, maintains that Mrs. Trader should be hospitalized for treatment. Mrs. Trader's son, Richard, tells Sanford that a doctor told him his mother became ill from the food she ate. Sanford says, "I wouldn't say my client had been purposely poisoned until I have investigated further. After I talk with Mrs. Trader tomorrow, I may take some action."

March 2 .. Jeanette Trader is moved from the Wicomico County jail to Peninsula General Hospital for an operation necessitated by an intestinal obstruction. Her condition is described as "very serious." A physician says a previous surgery may have caused her current condition. When in her Snow Hill cell Mrs. Trader hinted she may have eaten poisoned food. The Worcester sheriff attributed her illness to food and confections brought to her by her children and friends.

March 3
(The Circleville Herald- Circleville, Ohio)

WOMAN HELD FOR HUSBAND'S SHOOTING, DIES

SALISBURY, Md., March 3- (UP)- Mrs. Jeanette Taylor died in Peninsular (Peninsula General) hospital today after an emergency operation performed while she was awaiting trial on charges of murdering her husband, Clarence Trader, wealthy Maryland utility operator.

Mrs. Trader was brought to the hospital last night after becoming seriously ill in her jail cell of an intestinal obstruction.

An emergency operation was performed, but physicians described her condition as "very unsatisfactory." She died about 11 A. M.

Mrs. Trader, who was 37 years old, had been held in jail without bond since a grand jury at Snow Hill, Md., home of the Trader family, indicted her in connection with the fatal shooting of her estranged husband, whose body was found in Mrs. Trader's home.

She had been scheduled to go on trial on the charges the last week in March. She had persistently denied knowledge of the shooting, telling police she found the body on the lower floor of her home some hours after she had retired after refusing Trader's request that he be permitted to remain overnight in the house.

Summary of follow-up press reports from various newspapers:

March 4 .. Jeanette Taylor's head defense attorney Samuel Liebowitz says the Snow Hill jail "was not a fit place for a woman," and he will ask Governor Harry Nice to for an investigation of conditions there.

March 5 .. Funeral services are held for Jeanette Taylor. She is buried next to her estranged husband.

March 6 .. Mrs. Trader's son, Estel, says he will confer with Godfrey Child and John L. Sanford, Jr., about the advisability of bringing suit against Worcester County authorities regarding his mother's death.

March 14 .. After reviewing autopsy information, a coroner's jury rules Jeanette Taylor died of natural causes. Two local physicians testified that she might have recovered had the operation been performed earlier.

March 24 .. The Grand Jury gives the Snow Hill jail a clean bill of health, congratulating its keepers for its "excellent condition and upkeep."

　　 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Crisfield Mud Bog Night Race ~ OH! What A Night!!

I wasn't able to attend the Crisfield mud bog on July 27.   But keep in mind that doesn't mean that I don't know what happens with most of the drivers and their trucks. With the exception of the last race  I have photographed and videoed them many times.  All of them are special people to me and I take great pride in the photos/video I take.

But I surely missed this video that Saturday evening....I don't know if that's good or not.  Since my husband has never done this before while driving the "Short and Sassy" maybe it was best I wasn't......just don't do it again! And many thanks to Patrick Long for the video.

The video is dark but I think you will be able to see what I am talking about.  Keep in mind that this happens often with other drivers too....keeps us all on our toes and proves what great drivers these guys are.

Many thanks Buddy Ward for those encouraging words.  Will be back again with all of you real soon!



Owner/Driver Barry Wise ~ "Short and Sassy"
MINI OPEN CLASS / TIME: 4.22

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

　 (Part 2)

It's 1937 and 43-year-old Clarence J. Trader, owner of the Stockton electric company, is fatally wounded in the Snow Hill home of his estranged wife. His 37-year-old widow says his death was a suicide but after extensive investigation she is charged with his murder. But a twist of fate brings an abrupt conclusion to the case!

Read about it this Sunday right here at 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Crisfield Mudbog - Mud Boggers Show Up For Night Race

Thanks to all who attended the Crisfield Mud Bog Night Race on July 27th!

Bryan Watson,  driver of  Little Red Dakota won the Gamblers Race running a 3.430.







To find the results from the rest of the day go to www.gumborocrisfieldmudbogs.net.

VIDEO ~
DRIVER BARRY LONG  ~  "SOD BUSTER"
Unlimited Class ~3.973 second pass.

More mud bogging real soon....stand by for dates!!!

Don't Forget To Buy Your Raffle Tickets ~ NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Pocomoke City, 

Are you ready for 

National Night Out?

Come on out to Cypress Park on 
Tuesday, 

August 6th at 6:00 PM 

for a night of community fellowship and crime prevention

good food

 great entertainment 

 kids games

 Hope to see you all there. 

Don't forget to buy your Raffle Tickets for a chance to step into our cash vault for free money. 

Advanced tickets are available at the Police Department for $5.00 each or 3 tickets for $10.00. 

Help support our youth projects today for a better tomorrow.

Snow Hill’s 15th Annual Blessing of the Combines Celebration TODAY

Saturday, August 3, 2013 for Snow Hill’s 15th 

Annual Blessing of the Combines Celebration

Photo/JMMB
Virgil Shockley Combine 

There are opportunities for Craft Vendors along Bank Street, and Information Booths along Green Street.  

Festivities begin on Green Street at 11:00 with live music  and street activities. 

The Parade of Combines sets off down RT 12 to Green Street at 11:15. 

Photo/JMMB 

A “throttle thrust” will signal Steve Hales, master of ceremonies, to begin the program with the presentation of colors by the award-winning Snow Hill High School Junior Marine Corps ROTC.  

After recognitions, a keynote speaker and  the Blessing the afternoon’s lineup of selections featuring area musicians will begin.  

Children can visit a variety of animals at the Petting Barnyard; then hop aboard a wagon for the hay ride.  

There will be a Children’s Barnyard of activities, and the popular Children’s Tractor Pull as well as  a Scales and Tales presentation from the Pocomoke River State Park

THE GREAT POCOMOKE FAIR ~ SATURDAY

THE GREAT POCOMOKE FAIR

Saturday, August 3rd begins with a horse show in the morning at 8am followed by livestock judgings. 

Rides and attractions will open at 11AM.

 A cake and pie auction will begin at the Grandstand area at 12:30PM along with live harness racing on the track.

 A greased pig contest will be held for the kids at 1:30 PM along with kids games and a 'Chicken Scratch". 

The Tractor Pull begins at 5PM 

 FIREWORKS winding up the evening around 10PM. 

Of course, great food, unlimited attractions, exhibits and much more throughout the three day fair! 

The Great Pocomoke Fair is one the few remaining fairs with live harness racing...

 Please come out and support us!

MOTOR SCOOTER COLLIDES WITH LARGE TRUCK

On July 31, 2013, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Ocean City police responded to the area of 84th Street and Coastal Highway in reference to a motor vehicle collision involving a motorized scooter. The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the scooter was attempting to pass bicyclists in the south bound bus lane on Coastal Highway when he veered into traffic in lane three and impacted the side of a large delivery box truck.

The victim, who was struck by the large delivery box truck, is being identified as a 26-year-old male, from California, MD.  He suffered several life threatening injuries and was transported by Ocean City EMS to Peninsula Regional Medical Center and later transferred to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

At the time of this release, the scooter operator is listed in critical condition.  The driver of the motorized scooter was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.  Alcohol use by the driver of the scooter is believed to be a factor in this collision. There are no charges pending against the driver of the box truck.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Coast Guard Rescues Air National Guard Pilot After Mid Air Collision

The Coast Guard says it rescued an Air National Guard pilot from the water after his jet was involved in a mid-air collision and he ejected from his aircraft approximately 35 miles southeast of Chincoteague on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

The Coast Guard says the pilot of the F-16C Falcon jet who was rescued at sea early Friday is in good condition.

The other pilot involved in the mid-air collision around 10:30 p.m. Thursday was able to fly back to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland Both jets were from the 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard.

The Coast Guard says it was alerted to the pilot's ditching by a distress signal from his ejection seat and says the pilot was hoisted from the sea at 12:30 a.m. Friday by a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.


Source:

FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT PIZZA NIGHT

FIRST FRIDAY PIZZA NIGHT

 New Church Volunteer Fire Department

 5 pm to 8 pm

LARGE

 Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza

All proceeds go to support the

 New Church Volunteer Fire Department.

  

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Press Release

On July 26, 2013, at approximately 1255 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy stopped a vehicle on Rt. 13 in the area of Old Virginia Rd for following a vehicle too close. 
       
The Deputy identified the driver as Marquise Obryan Drummond 27, from Gargatha, Virginia, a check revealed Mr. Drummond was wanted through Salisbury Police Department and had a suspended Virginia driver’s license. The Deputy placed Mr. Drummond under arrest.   A search incident to arrest of Mr. Drummond revealed a clear plastic baggie containing powder cocaine. Mr. Drummond was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, CDS paraphernalia, and CDS possession with intent to distribute.

Mr. Drummond was held in the Worcester County Jail on $5,000.00 bond.

On July 27, 2013 at approximately 0931 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to West Ocean City, Maryland for a domestic dispute.  Upon arrival the Deputy met with the victim who stated James Robert Main 37, of West Ocean City Md. physically assaulted her. Mr. Main was located at the Royal Farms in West Ocean City and subsequently arrested for second degree assault. Mr. Main was taken before the District Court Commissioner where he was released on a $25,000.00 unsecured bond.

On July 28, 2013 at approximately 0715 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was in the area of Route 90 and Old Ocean City Boulevard in Berlin, Maryland. When they observed a gray passenger vehicle traveling east bound on Route 90 traveling at a high rate of speed, the Deputy stopped the vehicle for 71 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. 
    
 The Deputy identified the driver as Carlos A Lopez-Rivera 39 of Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Lopez-Rivera did not have a valid license. Mr. Lopez-Rivera was placed under arrest for driving without a license.  
  

 Mr. Lopez-Rivera was taken before the District Court Commissioner for Driving without a license where he was released on his personal recognizance on the traffic charge however Immigration and Custom Enforcement placed a detainer on Mr. Lopez-Rivera for failing to appear for a deportation hearing.  Mr. Lopez-Rivera was taken to the Worcester County Jail pending a disposition with Immigration and Custom Enforcement.

Chincoteague Island American Legion Poker Run

Chincoteague Island American Legion Riders, Chapter 159

Poker Run to benefit the Wounded War

Aug. 3, 2013~ Rain date Aug 4th.

Registration 9:30 AM at Cycle Creations, 

US Highway 13 & Depot St. New Church, Va.

Card stops at Club Car Cafe

 Island House

 and AJ's on the Creek

Last bike out 11:00 AM. Last bike in at 3:00 PM at American Legion Post 159 on Chincoteague Island, VA.

$20.00 Entry Fee-Rider $10.00 Entry Fee For Passenger *$5.00/ extra hands

1st Prize- $100 cash* 2nd prize - $50:00 cash* 3rd prize $25.00 cash
Food, 50/50 raffle and silent Auction
All bikes and riders, cars, trucks etc. are welcome

For more information call Linda Robinson (757) 709-9176* Kat Edwards (757) 894-0050* Al Post 159 (757) 336-9749

Ballistic Shields do Double Duty in Classrooms

Photo/ Bill  UhrcihGeorge Tunis, chairman and CEO
 of Hardwire LLC
in Pocomoke City, Md.

In most mass school shootings that have occurred in the U.S., the gunmen were armed with handguns, shotguns or smaller-caliber rifles and met their first resistance from building staff, not from first responders.

So teachers become reluctant first responders, with typically nothing but their bodies to protect kids from bullets, George Tunis, chairman and CEO of Hardwire LLC, Pocomoke City, Md., told representatives of several Berks County police departments Tuesday.

Tunis, whose company specializes in making armor for military and paramilitary units, sought an answer to this problem and he says he found it in the success of ballistic shields protecting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tunis demonstrated his company's lightweight, durable, versatile ballistic shields that are designed to blend in with other classroom fixtures. The shields can be hung on walls and used as dry-erase boards on which teachers write their classroom assignments.

The company also makes small shields that double as clipboards that can be particularly useful for coaches and physical education teachers or police during traffic stops.

As demonstrated at the Muhlenberg Township police shooting range Tuesday, they can stop a bullet fired from a .44-Magnum revolver from 7 yards away. A slug fired from a shotgun sent the shield flying, but the round didn't penetrate the compressed fiber.

Hardwire first designed its signature lighter-than-Kevlar, laminated compressed fiber shields for use in ballistic vests for U.S. special operations forces, Tunis said.

As troop casualties mounted from roadside bombs in Iraq, the company was asked to ramp up production. It started making shields for armored vehicles, and, as they were rolled out, casualty rates dropped significantly.

Hardwire gradually shifted to making ballistic shields for drug interdiction units such as Customs and Border Protection and even the Los Angeles Police Department, Tunis said.
  
Then the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre happened and the father of two school-age children felt utterly helpless.

"I'm literally watching the events of Sandy Hook unfold," 



 Tunis said. "I'm sitting next to my son and saying, 'Geez, we can do something about this.' We put armor in the hands of our soldiers, and the casualty rate just comes right on down in Iraq and Afghanistan. Armor was that equalizing force."
Tunis donated enough shields to his children's school to

equip every staff member.   


Source

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

　 (Part 2)

It's 1937 and 43-year-old Clarence J. Trader, owner of the Stockton electric company, is fatally wounded in the Snow Hill home of his estranged wife. His 37-year-old widow says his death was a suicide but after extensive investigation she is charged with his murder. But a twist of fate brings an abrupt conclusion to the case!

Read about it this Sunday right here at 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Welcome back, JMMB!

2013 Pocomoke Police Department NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

2013 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Hosted by the Pocomoke City Police Department

Kelvin Sewell, Chief

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

POCOMOKE CYPRESS PARK

6 PM  until  9 PM

Pocomoke City Mayor Bruce Morrison with Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell - August 2012

Guys from OC104

Gun Shot Fired In Home Invasion

According to Sheriff Todd Godwin, on Tuesday July 23, 2013 at approximately 01:03 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report of a home invasion robbery that had occurred on Shell Bridge Road near Painter. Upon the arrival of deputies, it was determined that the victim had been outside of his home when he was confronted by fourSource; masked individuals. The victim was forced to enter his home where he was robbed of undisclosed property. During this incident, the victims dog was injured from a gunshot fired by one of the suspects and received medical attention at a local veterinary hospital.

The suspects were described as being black males wearing dark colored clothing and one having short dreadlocks.

The investigation into this incident is continuing and anyone with information concerning this or any other crime is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriffs Office at 757-787-1131 or 757-824-5666. Tips may also be submitted through our website at www.accomackcountysheriffsoffice.org.
Source:

Girlfriend Arrested for Second Degree Assault On Boyfriend

Sibyl Curran

On July 30, 2013, at approximately 1 a.m., Ocean City police responded to 4709 Coastal Highway in reference to a first degree assault. The victim told police that he got into an argument with his girlfriend, who was later identified as Sibyl Curran, 32, of Coaldale, PA. During the argument Curran, who had recently arrived in Ocean City with her 18-month old child, brandished a folding knife and held it to the victim’s throat.

After the victim was able to wrestle the knife away from Curran, she grabbed her 18-month old child and left the unit. Officers were able to locate Curran and her child nearby and take both into custody. During a search of Curran incident to her arrest, officers also found a small amount of suspected oxycodone.

Ocean City police have charged Curran with first degree assault, second degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure and possession of oxycodone.

Curran was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and transferred to the Worcester County Jail on $2,500 bond. Worcester County Department of Social Services was contacted and Curran’s child was released to a family member.

THE GREAT POCOMOKE FAIR

Want information about this week's The Great Pocomoke Fair?  It's available at this address: 
 
http://www.thegreatpocomokefair.org/ 


Here's the text of an August, 1908, Washington Post news item about the fair:

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.

 
Read about the history of The Great Pocomoke Fair here:

http://www.thegreatpocomokefair.org/history.html


PPE MISSES JMMB.  Hope to see you back soon!

TIME MACHINE

February, 1939
(The Daily Mail- Hagerstown, Md.

CLEANING UP COUNTY

SNOW HILL, Md., Feb. 19 (AP)- State's Attorney William C. Kirbin, Jr. and his "Worcester County flying squadron" have confiscated four slot machines, destroyed four stills, stopped Sunday dancing in 11 Worcester beer taverns and made nine arrests since he instituted his campaign five weeks ago against gambling, bootlegging, and Sunday dancing.

Check for the weekly TIME MACHINE postings each Sunday on The Pocomoke Public Eye.

PPE MISSES JMMB.  HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK SOON!

TIME MACHINE ... 1937

　(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)　

　For many weeks in early 1937 the news on the Eastern Shore centered upon the investigation of the death of the owner of the Stockton Power And Light Company and as the story unfolded it drew attention from across the nation.

(Charlston Gazette- Charlston, W.Va.)

G-Men Aid Asked In Death Inquiry

Want Fingerprints Taken From Gun Found By Body

Snow Hill, Md., Jan. 16. - (AP)- State Police asked the aid of the fingerprint division of the federal bureau of investigation today in the inquiry into the death of Clarence J. Trader, Stockton utilities operator.

Sergt. Marlin Brubaker said the death gun-a small calibre pistol-was "en-route" to Washington. With the gun, Brubaker said, were sets of fingerprints taken from "principals in the case" whom he would not identify.

Mrs. Trader, estranged wife of the owner of the Stockton electric plant, admitted she picked up the pistol when she found Trader's body. The officers said there was no incriminating evidence against her.

Trader was found dead Thursday night.

State's Attorney Johnson quoted Mrs. Trader as saying her husband shot himself. Acquaintances said Trader was despondent over his pending divorce suit against Mrs. Trader and was worried over the affairs at his electric plant.

Summary of press reports from various newspapers:

Jan. 18 .. Police and physicians study autopsy reports. Two local physicians who examined the body of 43-year-old Trader , Dickerson of Stockton and Waesche of Snow Hill, say it was possible for him to have inflicted the wound himself. But a coroner's jury came to a verdict that Trader came to his death from a pistol in the hands of a person unknown to the jury. Trader's funeral was held the previous day with his widow and three sons among those in attendance.

Jan. 20 .. Trader's widow gives straight-forward answers in a 4-hour grilling by State Police, and State's Attorney Thomas F. Johnson says he lacks evidence on which to take any action against her at this time but said his investigation would continue and his findings would be presented to the Grand Jury in late March.

Jan. 22 .. In a surprise move, Trader's 18-year-old son, Richard Trader, is taken into custody for questioning by county authorities.

Jan. 28 .. The Worcester County grand jury is ordered to reconvene in a special session although neither Judge James J. Crockett nor the States Attorney would link the session directly to the Trader case. However, Trader's 21-year-old son, Estel Trader, who has been operating the Stockton Electric plant since his father's death, is among those expected to be a witness. State's Attorney Johnson, after conferring with Judge Crocektt at Pocomoke City, says that since the October Grand Jury session, "several deaths have occurred in circumstances which are rather suspicious."

Jan. 29 .. Trader's 3 sons and two other relatives are summoned to appear before the grand jury. Trader's widow is not included in those to be questioned.

Feb. 2 .. At the close of the first day of the Grand Jury session Trader's 37-year-old widow is arrested on a warrant sworn by State's Attorney Johnson and is held without bond in the Worcester County jail, charged with the murder of her husband.

Feb. 4 .. State Police disclose they are working on a "new lead" in the Trader case. Sergeant Marlin Brubaker states: " We have always believed that someone else is in this case and we have been working along those lines. However, we don't know who he is."

Feb. 5 .. Mrs. Trader pleads innocent in Circuit Court and is returned to jail where she is awaiting the arrival of New York criminal attorney Samuel Leibowitz to aid in her defense. Leibowitz was one-time counsel to the convicted murderer of the Lindbergh baby. Mrs. Trader says the participation of Leibowitz is "without obligation or expense" to herself.

Feb. 7 .. Attorney Leibowitz says proof of Mrs. Trader's innocence is buried in a grave and calls for the digging up and further examination of her late husband's body.

Feb. 11 .. Former State's Attorney Godfrey Child, a member of Mrs. Trader's defense counsel, says the effort to have Mr. Trader's body exhumed will be dropped, following the State's Attorney Johnson's agreement to provide him with a copy of the autopsy report, and that it would not be made public. Child also states he has learned the identity of a third party reported to have entered the Trader home on the night of the fatal shooting but says he doesn't think that person has much bearing on the case and his identify will not be disclosed.

Next week on The Time Machine: A twist of fate brings an abrupt conclusion to the Trader case!　

　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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!


PPE MISSES JMMB.  HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK SOON!

From The Pocomoke Chamber PSA Pocomoke Boat Docking Contest Aug. 18

"Racin on the River"

POCOMOKE

BOAT DOCKING

CONTEST 

Date: Aug. 18

Gates open @ 10        Show starts @ 1

Downtown behind Riverside Grill

Admission:

 3 & under free, 4 - 12 $5, 13 & Up $10

Presented by: Pocomoke Boat Docking Association

Please Say A Prayer

Our beloved writer Brenda (JMMB) is in Johns Hopkins with lung problems. Lets send or thoughts and prayers and hope she comes back writing real soon.