This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; is has good wide streets, quite clear of that "eye sore," known mostly over the Peninsula by the name of "deep sand"; the houses, though built of frame, are generally built substantially and with some discretion and taste; there are two neat, new, and quite handsome frame churches in it; as for the merchants of the place, suffice it to state that they are very clever and hospitable. F. Mezick, Esq., the landlord with whom I stopped, and his very obliging and jolly assistant, are richly deserving of a passing notice, for the good treatment and the extension of the many civilities to "the stranger."
(Reader-friendly viewing of news archive/historical archive material)
May, 1968
The Capital (Annapolis, Md.)
Teachers Threaten
PRINCESS ANNE- The Somerset County Teachers Association says 85% of the county teachers and school administrators have agreed to sign letters threatening to resign if their salary demands are not met. Jack C. Morgan, association president, said he had received about 155 signed letters and expects more by tonight, when he plans to present them to the county school board. There are about 180 teachers and 25 administrators in the county. The teachers want a salary package which would give starting teachers $6,000 a year and provide a $300 salary increase for each year of experience up to a maximum of $8,700 after 10 years.
April, 1922
The Washington Times (Washington, D.C.)
RICH MAN ACCUSED OF ABANDONING BABY BUYS FREEDOM
Girl Jointly Accused Also Released From Prison by Virginia Authorities.
FINDER TO KEEP INFANT
NORFOLK, Va., April 29.- William E. Thursby, wealthy yachtman, and a young woman posing as his daughter, both of whom were arrested a week ago on a charge of abandoning a baby, placing it in a basket and hanging it to a gate post, have been released from the Accomac county jail through the payment of $800 and the deeding of a half-interest in a costly home to the child.
The money has been paid to J. A. Brasure, who conducts a general merchandising store in Chlncoteague, Va., and on whose gate post the baby was hung.
Lived in a "Pretty House."
Thursby and the woman have been occupying a luxuriously furnished home on Assateague Island. Other inhabitants of the island called it the "Pretty House." Thursby and the woman have spent the best part of a year cruising up and down the Atlantic coast. They always returned to the "Pretty House."
The night of December 7, J. A. Brasure and his wife heard the cries of a baby. While his wlfe held a lamp at the front door, Brasure explored the yard. He found a basket hanging on his gate post.
In the basket was a baby, just a few days old. It was wrapped in costly garments. There was money and a warm bottle of milk in the basket. The baby was taken in by Brasure. The next morning he reported the case to the county authorities. He also assumed the role of detective.
Causes Couple's Arrest.
Ten days ago he caused the arrest of Thursby and the woman. He said he was unable to secure sufficient evidence sooner to cause the arrest. He accused Thursby and his woman companion of leaving the baby on his gate post. Both denied the charge. The woman said she was Thursby's daughter and she threatened to "make it hot" for Brasure for subjecting her to arrest.
Thursby and the woman were placed in jail in Accomac. They had money enough to secure their release on bail, but the authorities decided they could not go on their own bond. They were told they would have to secure some person who owned real estate In Virginia.
The prisoners made no further effort to secure bail. They lingered in jail several days.
By some unexplained method, Thursby and Brasure reached an agreement whereby neither the man nor woman would he prosecuted for abandoning the baby, although such an offense is criminal in Virginia.
The authorities agreed to the compromise.
Thursby agreed to pay and has paid Brasure the money, which Is to be used, according to the agreement, for the support of the baby; a half interest in the "pretty house" at Assateague was deeded over to the baby until such time as it is competent to handle its own affairs.
Case May Be Reopened.
Despite the agreement between Thursby and Brrasure, the authorities may be called to terms for permitting Thursby and the woman to go free without answering to the laws of the State for abandoning an infant. Had the child died of exposure before it was found, those guilty of abandoning it could have been held on a murder charge.
The Accomac county authorities offer no explanation for the release of Thursby and the woman, excepting the compromise reached with Brasure. The case has attracted unusual interest on the eastern shore of Virginia and elsewhere since the facts were published.
Thursby claims his home is in Flushing, N. Y. He is said to be very wealthy. The identity of the woman Is a secret.
April, 1977
The Daily Times (Salisbury)
(Excerpts)
Deal Island Observing Week Of Rediscovery
DEAL ISLAND- This Sunday, designated as Joshua Thomas Day, launches Deal Island Rediscovery Week.
But the big day will be next Saturday when an all-day program will be highlighted by a talk by newly named Puliter Prize winner William W. Warner of Washington.
Each day will have a different designation and special mail cachets will be sold at 50-cents apiece and there will also be a special postal cancellation.
Monday, (is) Heritage On Display Day; Tuesday, Flag Day, when new American and state flags will be dedicated at the Deal Island school; Wednesday, Oral History Day; Thursday, Skipjack Day; and Friday. Family Heritage Day.
Footnote: Mr. Warren's Pulitzer writiing prize was for his book "Beautiful Swimmers, Watermen, Crabs and the Chesapeake Bay." Rediscovery Week was sponsored by the Deal Island Regional Bicentennial Committee, with college student Craig E. Webster as its executive director.
May, 1939
The Cumberland News (Cumberland, Md.)
Heating Asphalt Starts Fire At Snow Hill
Snow Hill, Md., May, 18 (AP)- An attempt to heat asphalt with a blow torch today caused a $16,000 fire which destroyed a tank truck and the State Roads Commission warehouse.
L. H. Steuart, commission secretary, said employees told him Luther Jones, driver of the truck, was attempting to heat the asphalt so it would flow from the truck and the warehouse was soon enveloped in flames.
February, 1953 (Time Machine archive)
The Elks Club of Pocomoke City was sponsoring a big stage show at the Marva Theater featuring The Barter Players of Virginia in 'The Virginian.' "Don't Miss This Fine Entertainment By This Well Known Group Of Professional Players. No Expense Spared In Settings, Costumes, Lights And Music." Ticket price was $1.80 for general admission and $2.40 for reserved seats. Tickets in advance were available at Marva Soda Parlor, Ward's Barber Shop, Pocomoke City Pharmacy, and C.W. Renninger Esso Servicenter.
August, 1902
The Times (Washington, D.C.)
(Conclusion of Tangier Island article from last week)
Sunday, however, is the great day of the week. Not by any means a day given to mirth or sport, for the boats are all anchored and all of the islanders are at home for the purpose of attending church, and there is service of some kind for nearly every hour of the day, from 9 in the morning until twilight. The one street at this time presents a busy appearance for on account of its long, narrow character it seems literally crowded from the time of the tolling of the church bell until the service has commenced. All of the services seem to be well attended and young and old are very constant in attendance upon church.
The final service of the day closes a little after sunset, and at its close the young men take the young women of their choice and promenade the narrow street, the only boulevard of the town. There is noted an absence of the noise and gayety that might be expected from so many young people. As they walk along some of them hum selections from the gospel hymns or converse in a quiet manner. Occasionally some young fellow without a partner stops a promenadlng couple with the inqiuiry, "Who's best?" and if the young lady desires a change of partners she accepts the arm of the newcomer and leaves number one disconsolate, but such affairs are few and far between, and love seems to run as smoothly as it might be expected in Arcadia.
The promenade lasts but a little time and at an early hour the street is deserted, for the men are obliged to be on the crabbing grounds at an early hoar the next morning. The day of the week has passed and life until the next Saturday afternoon will be filled with the exciting struggle of dipping a livelihood from the sea.
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"Somewhere over
the rainbow
Bluebirds fly..."
Flying on for JMMB
