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)
July, 1939
The Cumberland News (Cumberland, Md.)
Young Prosecutor Finds Large Still
Kirbin Stages Raid In Worcester County After Pastors Praise Him
Ocean City, Md., July 26 (AP)- Youthful William G. Kirbin Jr., states attorney for Worcester County, responded to a laudatory resolution from Methodist ministers for his clean-up efforts by raiding one of the largest stills ever found in the county.
The Salisbury District Ministerial Association voted the resolution and sent a copy to the 28-year-old prosecutor. It congratulated him on the arrest of more than 500 bootleggers, gamblers, persons who disturb the Sabbath, confiscation of stills and slot machines since January 1.
A few hours after receiving the resolution, Kirbin gathered his raiders and in a bramble thicket near Pocomoke City they found a 100-gallon still. The squad destroyed more than 20 gallons of mash and whiskey but the operator had fled.
The resolution, presented by the Rev. L. L. Powell, declared:
"We extend our compliments and commendations to you and all other Worcester county officials associated with you in your famous flying squad in your effective enforcement of law, without fear or favor.
As ministers and leaders representing the largest Christian body on the Shore, we not only extend our thanks and compliments, but also pledge you our co-operation and support in whatever way you may call on us in ridding our beloved Eastern Shore of gambling, bootlegging, and other kindred evils... and the social and economic parasites who grow fat on these illicit occupations. Keep up the good work."
February, 1921
The Washington Herald (Washington, D.C.)
Farmer Battles With Bald Eagle In Death Strugle
POCOMOKE CITY, Md., Feb.6.- William Outten, a farmer residing near Pocomoke City, was attacked by a large American bald eagle in the swamps adjoining his farm yesterday afternoon and only succeeded in killing the bird after a desparate battle which lasted thirty minutes.
Outten's attention was attracted by the barking of his dog, and, believing the canine had caught a coon, he started to investigate. The swampy ground in the vicinity of his farm is very treacherous, and to guide his way Outten procured a large stick. This forethought probably saved his life.
As he passed underneath a large tree, the eagle sprang upon him from a limb. The sudden attack caught Outten off his guard. For protection he jumped behind the tree with the eagle close at his heals, clawing at him with all its might.
Regaining his composure, Outten started to give battle to the rapacious bird, striking blow after blow. Each time the eagle would spring back at his antagonist, the blows seeming to have no effect.
Outten, who was becoming fatigued, and very much alarmed at the resiliance of the eagle, waited for an opening and when the eagle rushed toward him the last time he landed a heavy blow upon its head, killing it. The eagle measured six feet, four inches.
August, 1999
Somerset Herald (Princess Anne)
(Excerpt)
Liquor board says no to beer sales on island
A 300-year-old tradition of prohibition will not be broken on Smith Island, whose residents largely opposed general store owner's attempt to change it.
The Somerset County Board of License Commissioners denied Steven Eades' application to sell beer and wine at his Driftwood General Store in the island's largest town of Ewell.
Currently the islanders must have the beer or liquor transported from Crisfield on a ferry for a $1 freight charge.
1900 (Time Machine Archive)
When was the first automobile driven on Pocomoke City streets? Perhaps it was sometime during the first decade of the 1900's for it is said that Salisbury may have had up to a dozen cars on its streets by 1910. The first car to be driven in Salisbury was around 1900 and the driver and owner was Billy Edison, son of famed inventor Thomas Alva Edison. The young Edison had lived in Salisbury for a while and married a young lady from Salisbury. But he encountered the problem of tires on his Stanley Steamer being cut while negotiating Salisbury's sandy oyster shell based streets of that era. Years later when Edison returned to the area in an expensive Pierce Arrow he found that attempting to drive the vehicle on country roads was too hazardous an endeavor. He decided not to attempt a return trip from the country back to Salisbury; he sold the vehicle.
October, 1935
Playing at Pocomoke City's Marva Theater during the week of October 21st, 1935... Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and Wallace Berry in "China Seas," Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; John Boles in "Orchids To You," on Thursday; Joe E. Brown in "Bright Lights," Friday and Saturday. Coming the next Monday thru Wednesday.. Marion Davies in "Page Miss Glory," with Dick Powell and Pat O'Brien.
Matinee Tuesday at 3:30p.m. and Saturday at 3p.m.; shows every weeknight at 7:15p.m. and 9p.m.; Saturday night shows at 7p.m., 8:30p.m., and 10p.m.
In 1903 a visitor to Chincoteague wrote about his observations of the island community of that era in a feature article published in The Times Dispatch of Richmond. Next Sunday we'll have the first portion in a series from that article.
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!
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kept us informed.
