Time Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 1952, 1976, 1896, 2000.

 

June, 1952

Smyrna Times

February, 1976

Baltimore Afro-American

December, 1896

Sunday Herald (Baltimore)

December, 2000

Salisbury Daily Times

Pocomoke Police Dept. will post monthly crime info.

 

In our endless attempts to remain open and transparent with our citizens. Each month my office will post monthly crime stats and incidents that occurred within our jurisdiction. We are currently revamping our website to accommodate these postings. Monthly crime stats and incidents will be posted on our website not the social media page. This feature is live now, but note there may be changes in the future. Thank You.

-Chief Hancock

(PPE reminder of previously announced Feb. 28 public meeting)

NOTICE:

In an effort to constantly remain transparent with our

citizens and our community, the Pocomoke City

Police Department will host a public emergency

services meeting with our community. This meeting

will take place at the Community Center (Fire

Department building) on February 28, 2024, at 6:30pm.

We will have a variety of topics to discuss from

experienced law enforcement officers. These topics

will include but not be limited to Police K-9, Traffic

Stops, Community Policing, and other topics. We

encourage citizens of our community to attend and be

involved with our emergency services. Thank You.

-Chief Hancock

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(Chapter flow:)

ITS ORIGIN AND TOWN LIMITS

TOWN LIMITS

GROWTH, CHANGE OF NAME, ETC.

MERCANTILE ASPECT

MANUFACTURING

TRADES ETC.

SHIPPING INTERESTS

EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT CO.

SHIP BUILDING ETC.

HOTELS, LIVERY STABLES, ETC.

PHYSICIANS

LAWYERS

POST OFFICE

PRINTING OFFICES

SOCIAL ASPECT, ETC.

MORAL ASPECT

TEMPERANCE CAUSE

SCHOOLS

CHURCHES

Note:  In duplicating this material for publishing on The Pocomoke Public Eye we have made minor adjustments to correct some of the spelling, punctuation, etc. We believe the errors were not in Rev. Murray's original writing but occurred in the process of formatting the material to a digital format for viewing online.

SHIP BUILDING, Etc. 

The shipbuilding, steam milling- and marine railway 
business is carried on quite extensively in Pocomoke City. 
Shipbuilding has been carried on in New Town from time 
immemorial, but the steam milling and marine railway 
business is of more recent date. 

The first steam mill ever erected in New Town was by 
a man by the name of Hutchinson in 1839. This mill was 
employed at first to make shingles, but afterwards turned 
into a saw mill. 

It was severally owned by Hutchinson, Dr. Geo. S. D. 
Shipley, Ricaud, then E. S. Young and Geo. Blades, 
under the firm of Young & Blades, then E. S. Young and 
and James H. Young, under the firm of Young & Brother, 
then Capt. James T. Young by himself, who carried on 
the business until 1866, when he sold out to Polk & Powell. 
They conducted the business about ten years, when they 
sold out to James T. Young and Lewis W. Young, doing 
business under the firm of Young & Brother. Finally 
James T. Young bought out his brother Lewis, and is now 
conducting the business by himself. 

I have been thus explicit in running out the history 
of this mill simply because it was the first ever established 
in New Town. 

But the year I844 was marked as the beginning of a 
series of successes unprecedented in the history of New 
Town. The circumstances which brought them about 
were as follows: During that year Ezra B. Risley hap- 
pened to be in a certain port in the State of New jersey, 
when a vessel loaded with cypress fence rails arrived- He 
saw the rails and enquired where they were from, etc. 
The cargo of rails belonged to Jas. Daugherty and Levin 
P. Bowland. In this case, like thousands of others, the 
door of wealth was opened by the merest accident, and 
the old adage holds good, "one sows and another reaps." 
In as short a time as possible alter this two strangers were 
seen in New Town; no one knew who they were or what 
was their business. They prospected awhile in the cypress 
swamps, made some purchases and went away. The 
strangers proved to be John Ashcraft and Ezra B. Risley. 
During the next year, 1845, they established a large steam 

saw mill at Harry Henderson's landing, the place now 

owned by Littleton Waters. Here they commenced 
operations. They brought down Jersey wood choppers and 
employed our own men also. Like an electric shock, 
they aroused the citizens of New Town and the entire 
surrounding country to the idea of business which has 
never died out. They infused a spirit of industry and 
enterprise in all, from the day laborer to the merchant 
behind the counter and the farmer at the plow. They 
raised the price of labor, paid their employees the money 
for their work, and produced an entire revolution in busi- 
ness life. 

They engaged in ship building also, and built some 
large sea vessels. They purchased all the cypress swamps 
below New Town, and sent to market all their timber and 
lumber in their own vessels, which they built. They 
operated about twenty years, made about $15o;ooo and 
retired. 

With them originated, in a great measure, if not entirely, 
the practical idea of the steam mill business in this sec- 
tion of country. 

In 1854, John W. Quinn, Jas. Murray and John Ashcraft 
established a steam saw mill in New Town. In 1855, 
Murray sold out his interest in the mill to Nicholas N. 
Bosley; the mill now being run by the firm of Quinn, 
Bosley and Ashcraft. This firm continued two years, when 
they sold out to Thomas W. Hargis and Ambrose Dixon, 
doing business under the firm of Hargis & Dixon. They 
continued two years and then sold out to Captain H. H. 
Husted. Captain Husted conducted the business three 
years, when in 1862 he sold out to Captain James H. 
Young; Captain Young, having already a fine mill, bought 
this mill of Captain Husted to get it out of his way. 

As history is always repeating itself I wish to present to 
the reader a case illustrative of the fact, in which we have 
an example of one, who, from the poorest walks of life 
has attained, by hard work and good management to the 
position of wealth and independence. 

I allude to Captain James H. Young, who, I am sure 
will not take exceptions to this statement, for he takes a 
pride in the knowledge of the fact that he has made his 
mark in the world. While he seems to say to the youth 
of the present day, by his independent step as he walks 
the streets: boys go work as I have done and take care of 
your labor, and when you get old you will have something 
to lean upon. 

Captain Young's father died quite a young man, and 
left a widow and three children to support themselves as 
best they could. It is true they had a little home but it 
was merely a staying place. 

The mother and elder son Edward would work at any- 
thing they could get to do. She at the spinning wheel, 
hoeing corn, and sometimes in the fodder field saving 
fodder at twenty-five cents per day, and he tending the 
gardens in town and working on the farms for twelve and 
a half cents per day. 

After a while James grew old enough to work, also, and 
would work, sometimes, for five cents per day. At the 
age of sixteen he was put to the tailoring business; he 
continued at the trade two years, when his future pros- 
pects seemed to be beclouded, and as sitting on the board 
did not agree with him, he concluded to make a change. 
At the age of eighteen, he engaged with Captain James 
Riggin as cook on board a small vessel, similar to that of 
a ship's long boat, at four dollars per month. 

This was the day of small things, but it was the begin- 
ning of a successful course of life. At this period he was 
very destitute of clothing; he had saved, however, as he 
thought, three months wages with which he intended to 
clothe himself. When lo! the tailor with whom he had 
been living, had by some means collected his wages, and 
he was still left destitute. This was a terrible blow to the 
little fellow, for he was very small for his age, however he 
continued persevering and became a hand before the mast, 
in the bay and coasting trade. Some time after his 
maturity, by his industrious habits and temperate course 
of life, he won the respect and sympathy of John U. 
Dennis, who one day told Captain Young that he ought 
to buy a vessel or part of one. Captain replied that he 
was not able. Mr. Dennis told him that he would make 
him able, he would lend him the money, and did so. 
Captain Young then joined Thomas W. Hargis in the pur- 
chase of a schooner. Mr. Hargis at that time was keeping 
store at Wagram, Accomac County, Va. How long this 
partnership lasted I cannot tell, but after their dissolution 
he joined Col. Wm. H. Merrill in a schooner called the 
Sarah Ellen. Finally he bought out Col. Merrill and run 
the vessel in his own name until 1854, when he engaged in 
the steam mill business. 

Although Capt. Young had made up to this time $8,000 
or $10,000, yet here was the gold mine which he struck. 
The first few years of his milling life, however, were not 
so successful, but after the war commenced the tide of 
success set in, and money poured in upon him like a 
flood. 

In 1866, after making money enough to satisfy his 
ambition, he sold out to Polk & Powell, as before stated, 
and retired. 

In making a few desultory remarks relating to Capt. 
Young, I will say he has been a great worker and has had 
a constitution to stand it. He has been unyielding in his 
perseverance until the prize was gained. 

There is one feature of his business life which is spe- 
cially worthy of record, and that was, Captain Young 
never did business on the Sabbath day. This is worthy 
of all praise and should be an example to other business 
men to act likewise. He owns ten farms aggregating two 
thousand acres of land, which cost him between forty and 
fifty thousand dollars, he also owns about twenty houses 
and lots, some of them valuable ones, besides his private 
securities and other personal property. 

Captain Young has been a member of the Methodist 
Protestant Church, in Pocomoke City, for many years, has 
been twice married; has eight children living, four by 
each wife. He is now living in a green old age at about 
three score and ten years, and looks back upon his life- 

work as master of the situation.

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Important local presentations for students and their parents

 

What is Sextortion? Human Trafficking? Grooming?

Sextortion is a form of blackmail aimed at obtaining sexual content from a child, coercing them into sexual activities, and/or extorting money from them. If you aren’t familiar with the terms, a group of six students from Worcester Technical High School are conducting informative presentations on sextortion, human trafficking, and the grooming process victims often experience. Their goal is to educate students, parents, and other members of our Worcester County community to help them avoid falling victim to these rapidly growing crimes. The presentations cover the risks associated with being connected to the internet through electronic devices, emphasizing that anyone with such a device can be a potential victim, with school-aged children being particularly vulnerable.

Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli expresses pride in these students for their collaboration with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the CRICKET Center, Life Crisis Center, and Worcester County Public Schools. Together, these students are working to raise awareness about these issues and to provide guidance on reaching out for help in case you or someone you know becomes a victim. If you would like to know more about these presentations, please contact the CRICKET Center: 410-641-0097.

 

Time Machine Preview

This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:

PLUS

1952  ..

(WHAT, WHERE?)

1976  ..

(Princess Anne native)

1896  ..

(Colorful Captain Veasey was a native of Newtown)

2000  ..

Worcester County must make 'tough decisions' on education spending this year

 

State officials offer grim details on Blueprint funding plan

State officials said the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan would require difficult decisions at the local level as officials will have to prioritize spending.

(View news article:)

Worcester County must make 'tough decisions' on education spending this year | News | oceancitytoday.com

(UPDATED) Cellular outages reported

(View news story update:)  

Multiple Cell Networks Experience Outages | Latest News | wboc.com

(Previous)

(From media reports)

Cellular outages were reported early Thursday among AT&T and other providers.  Locations affected were nationwide including some areas on the Eastern Shore.

Prayer at public meetings?

 

(View full article:)

02.22.24-Bayside-Gazette.pdf (baysideoc.net)

Cypress Park flooding issue

 (WBOC)

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. -- Pocomoke City is collaborating with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address the persistent issue of flooding in Cypress Park.

(View news story:)

Pocomoke City Targets Cypress Park for Flood Mitigation Efforts Latest News | wboc.com

 Anonymous said...

What did they expect when they decided to build a park in a cypress swamp? I'm surprised the EPA has not cited the City for building structures in a tidal wetland. This park was illegal when it was built and is illegal now.

Here they are- Downtown Pocomoke 4th Friday events!

                

Rocket Lab announces next launch from Wallops

 

Rocket Lab to Launch NRO Mission from Wallops, Virginia

The mission will be Rocket Lab’s first NRO launch from Wallops, Virginia, following four previous successful launches for the agency from New Zealand.

(View press release:)

Rocket Lab to Launch NRO Mission from Wallops, Virginia | Business Wire

(UPDATE) Closing leaves Snow Hill without a grocery shopping outlet

(View update:)

Snow Hill Community Rallies to Support Local Grocery Store, Owner Announces Plan to Stay in Town | Latest News | wboc.com

(Previous)

 (WBOC)

SNOW HILL, Md. -- Neighbors in Snow Hill find themselves grappling with the sudden closure of Food-Rite, the sole grocery store in town. The store's last day of service was Sunday, February 18th. 

(View news story:)

Snow Hill Faces Retail Void as Food-Rite Closes Amid Online Harassment | Latest News | wboc.com

Calander reminders

 

Reminder- Public meeting with Pocomoke City Police

 

NOTICE:

In an effort to constantly remain transparent with our

citizens and our community, the Pocomoke City

Police Department will host a public emergency

services meeting with our community. This meeting

will take place at the Community Center (Fire

Department building) on February 28, 2024, at 6:30pm.

We will have a variety of topics to discuss from

experienced law enforcement officers. These topics

will include but not be limited to Police K-9, Traffic

Stops, Community Policing, and other topics. We

encourage citizens of our community to attend and be

involved with our emergency services. Thank You.

-Chief Hancock

Worcester Sheriff's Office app is available.

 

Download the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office app today. Why? It’s a great way to receive News & Alerts, submit a general tip or a Safe Schools Tip, or register for a Residence Check. It is easy to quickly look up Sex Offenders in your area and view our “Most Wanted”. You can Meet the Sheriff and view our contact information.

This app serves as an innovative way for the Sheriff’s Office to connect with Worcester County residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone. It is a great way to connect with those who don’t have Facebook or other social media outlets.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office app now is available for a free download in the App Store and Google Play by searching “Worcester County Sheriff, MD” or by clicking here: https://apps.myocv.com/share/a87521863  Tell your friends and family today!

 

(Work Session follows the Open Meeting)

Pocomoke's Costen House Museum $$ help from City has ended.

 

View the Pocomoke City Arrowhead's posting- 

COSTEN HOUSE PLEADS FOR SUPPORT FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL

(View post:) https://www.facebook.com/pcityarrow/

Dr. Nevins Todd-

 

TidalHealth and its healthcare family deeply mourn the loss of Nevins Todd, MD, who passed on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the age of 92.

Dr. Todd was TidalHealth’s oldest living surgeon and the only doctor until his retirement in 2000 to personally know every surgeon to ever practice at the Salisbury hospital, including its first, Dr. J. McFadden Dick, who was hired on the one-year anniversary of the hospital in 1898.

(View full statement regarding Dr. Todd on the TidalHealth Facebook page:)

https://www.facebook.com/MyTidalHealth/

TidalHealth relaxing mask requirement

 

TidalHealth, today, is changing its masking policies making it no longer mandatory to wear a mask at the patient’s bedside while inside either of their two hospitals.

(View more:)

Change in masking practices/Feb. 19, 2024 | TidalHealth

Funds secured for new Wallops Island Bridge

 

(WBOC)

WALLOPS ISLAND, VA - A new chapter in the future of Wallops Island may soon take flight as NASA receives federal funding to construct a new bridge onto the island.

(View news story:)

NASA Secures Funding for New Wallops Island Bridge | Latest News | wboc.com

Reminder to Virginia residents-

 (Shore Daily News)

Virginia’s 4 PM Burning Law is in effect from February 15 through April 30 each year.

The 4 PM Burning Law bans open-air burning prior to 4:00 p.m. if the fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass which could carry fire to the woods. Burning is allowed between 4:00 p.m. and midnight as long as the burner takes proper precautions and attends the fire at all times.

It is critical that burners take precautions before using fire, as there may be legal and financial implications. Even if a person takes all proper precautions and obtains any locally required permits, whoever started the fire is responsible for suppressions costs should the fire escape. Violation of the 4 PM Burning Law is a Class 3 misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500.

(Pocomoke Public Eye note. See Maryland open air burning regulations:)

Open Air Burning (maryland.gov)

(UPDATED) "Lefty" Driesell dies.

 (View updated article:)

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/02/17/maryland-honors-lefty-driesell/

(Previous article:)

Joyce Driesell accompanies her husband, former Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball head coach Lefty Driesell, who acknowledges the arena during a halftime acknowledgement of an ACC game between the Maryland Terrapins and Clemson Tigers Saturday, Feb 23, 2013. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)

(2/17/24)

Charles Grice “Lefty” Driesell, the brash, folksy Hall of Fame coach who elevated the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball program by collecting 348 wins after promising that he would turn the program into the “UCLA of the East,” died Saturday, his family said.

He was 92.

Driesell died at the Virginia Beach, Virginia, home where he had lived for years overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. His health had been declining since his wife, Joyce, died in 2021, said his daughter, Pam Driesell.

“While our hearts are heavy with grief, we also give thanks to God for the 92 years Dad stirred up excitement, laughter, and fun in this world,” said a statement from his four grown children.

“From coaching on the basketball court to recruiting on the road to boating on the Delaware Bay to body surfing at Bethany Beach — there are endless stories and memories of Lefty adventure and antics. True to form, Dad took his life into OT and eventually went out just the way he wanted to – in his home overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and the beach where he courted his lifelong sweetheart, our mom, Joyce Gunter.”

Driesell coached Maryland for 17 seasons, amassing a win total that ranks him second in school history behind Gary Williams.