TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1902.. A visitor from the midwest writes about his trip to the Eastern Shore; 1967.. Spiro Agnew takes office as Maryland's governor; 1894.. (Ad) It's H.W. Callahan in Pocomoke City for boots and shoes; 1958.. Pocomoke's Studebaker dealer.

It's this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!

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This Saturday..

TIME MACHINE ... 1924, 1967, 1941, 1972, 1893.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it 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 archives/historical archives material)

December, 1924 (Time Machine archive)

(The Denton Journal)

Big Revival on the Peninsula

An old fashioned revival and anti-cussing movement is sweeping the Delmarva Peninsula, and swearing, bootlegging, unclean stories and the like are very unpopular, especially among the railroad men, says a dispatch in the Wilmington Evening News.  The reason is that this old fashioned revival is spreading over the Peninsula like a prairie fire.  The movement started at Pocomoke City the middle of September.  Rev. George W. Cooke, the well known evangelist, heard of some bootlegging down that way, and made up his mind that all that was needed was an old fashioned revival, such as was known 50 years ago.  He opened a meeting in the Methodist Episcopal Church, just opposite the spot where the Methodist parsonage had been burned be alleged bootleggers.  It was not long until men all through the community were getting converted and changing their lives.  The most popular subject, on the streets, in the stores and factories and homes, was the revival.  One day the community was stirred by the conversion of one "hard case" and then another until the buildings were packed shortly after six o'clock to hear the evangelist.

There were no spectacular methods, just straight from the shoulder he-man sermons.  Repeatedly Mr. Cooke would say: "This is no revival for a half-dozen old women and a few children- this is for men and for men who will pay 100 cents on the dollar and give 16 ounce to the pound.  Go out and live the way you know a red-blooded Christian ought to live."  Before the meetings were closed hundreds were converted, and money raised to replace the old parsonage with a new one, amounting to $10,000, and the new converts gave a large part of the money.

The work then spread to Delmar and the Evangelist Cooke was called to foster the work.  He began to preach and the people began to come until it was impossible to get a seat in the Methodist Episcopal Church after 630 in the evening.  Nightly the place was packed to suffocation and often they had to have "double headers" in one of the other churches.  Two meetings were going on at once and the whole community was strangely stirred.

The community for miles around was singing: "I have the joy down in my heart," and people in stores and on trains and in the railroad shops and the banks were praying and changing their lives.  Pool rooms were renovated, dark backrooms with liquids of more than 2.75 per cent were cleaned out, foul stories were discontinued and cussing on the streets became almost a criminal offense.

A Pennsylvania Railroad inspector, after making his tour of the peninsula, remarked, he had never known such an absence of cussing before among railroad men.  From one end of the peninsula to the other the chief topic of conversation is religion, and hundreds are being converted, homes are being reunited, and feuds of long standing are being straightened out.  A Jewish merchant remarked, "This is very wonderful, for they are paying me money that has been owing for years."  He afterward made a subscription to the church as he said this religion had been good for him.

James M. Tunnel, prominent Sussex county attorney, and late candidate on the Democratic ticket in Delaware for United States Senator, remarked- "I don't know what has happened on the peninsula, but at least a dozen men have spoken to me about their changed lives, and about the revival in Delmar."

The revival is spreading like an oldtime conflagration and it is sweeping into the churches men who have never been touched before.  The prayer meetings of a handful have increased into the hundreds in many places and it is hard to tell where it will stop.  While the work continues at Pocomoke City and Delmar and other places, Evangelist Cooke is now at Seaford, to which place the work has spread.


June, 1967..

The Daily Times (Salisbury)

March, 1941

George Ewell Dryden, principal of Stockton High School, was elected president of the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department. G. Rex Bromley, the U.S. Postmaster at Stockton, was elected vice-president.  Harold D. Cutright was elected Fire Chief and Preston S. Jones Assistant Chief.  Others elected were C. Merwyn Burgage secretary-treasurer and Estel G. Trader as Marshal.  A new, fully equipped, fire engine pumper was ordered for the department.  It would be the third piece of motor aparatus acquired since the organization of the Stockton Fire Department in 1924.


August, 1972 (Time Machine archive)
Bucks County Courier Times (Levittown, Pa.)

Nixon planning election campaign 

(Excerpts)

By HELEN THOMAS 

WASHINGTON (UPI) President Nixon has continued to assess his personal role in the coming election campaign in a series of behind-the-scenes strategy meetings with top aides.

The President returned Sunday afternoon from a relaxed weekend outing on Assateague Island, a 33-mile strand in the Atlantic on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia. 

He had with him his closest friends, including former Attorney General John N. Mitchell, who remains as one of his chief political brain-trusters; Charles G. "Bebe" Rebozo and New York industrialist Robert H. Abplanalp.



June, 1893..

Peninsula Enterprise

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Halloween Screening..

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1924.. Newspaper article says "An old fashioned revival and anti-cussing movement is sweeping the Delmarva Peninsula, and swearing, bootlegging, unclean stories and the like are very unpopular;" 1967.. Record breaking Black Drum caught off Onancock; 1941.. Stockton Fire Department news; 1972.. Assateague is meeting place for President Nixon and aids; 1893.. (Ad) McMichael Bros. in Pocomoke City.

It's this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!

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Your Turn..

Have some news, an opinion, or other comment to share?

Click "comments" below.

TIME MACHINE ... 1938, 1918, 1990, 1936.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it 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 archives/historical archives material)



October, 1938..  

Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, Ca.)

September, 1918..

The Capital (Annapolis)

October, 1990 (Time Machine archive)

Bringing back a rare opportunity for passengers to ride the rails again on the Eastern Shore, the Maryland Main Street Special was making a day of excursions in 1920's passenger cars from the rail museum in Parksley to Pocomoke City.



September, 1936..  

Bradford Evening Star & The Bradford Record (Bradford, Pa)

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Deer Season Safety..

Remind Those You Hold Dear to Watch Out For Deer

October 23, 2015

(PIKESVILLE, MD) The Maryland State Police want you to remind your loved ones to watch out for deer as their mating season continues through November.

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, more than half of all collisions involving deer occur in October and November. Motorists should be more cautious during this time of year as ‘the rut’ or mating season for deer is in full swing in Maryland.  Deer will cross the roads at any time day or night which can create hazardous driving conditions.

Here are a few driving tips to help prevent crashes:

• Deer are most active at dawn and dusk so be especially watchful during these times.
• One deer crossing the road maybe a sign of more deer about to cross.  Watch for the other deer because they will blindly follow the leaders, mates or mothers.
• Take note of deer-crossing signs and drive accordingly.  Remember, they are there for a reason!
• Do not drive beyond your headlights, give yourself enough time to see the deer and slow down.
• Deer hooves have no traction on pavement.  A deer may fall in front of your vehicle when it is trying to run away.

If a collision with a deer is unavoidable, take your foot off the accelerator and brake lightly.  Keep your vehicle straight.  Steering to miss the deer could put you in a more dangerous position.  You could cause more damage to you and your vehicle by striking a guardrail, pole, embankment or another vehicle. If you do strike a deer, contact your local police department so arrangements can be made to remove the animal.

Radio Personality Remembered.

For those of us who were growing up or were young adults here on the Eastern Shore during the "Top 40" radio days we tuned in to Salisbury's WJDY to hear the latest hit records. John Psota, known on the radio as "Johnny Williams," was on the air there for about a decade beginning in the late 1950's and he also devoted much of his time in promoting  youth activities. John passed away this week at age 91.  Some of the other WJDY personalities were Dick Ireland, "RT" (Roland Twig) and Jim King.

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1938.. Halloween night's "War Of The Worlds" radio drama stirs widespread panic; 1918.. Governor favors ferry crossing to Eastern Shore; 1990.. A train ride to Pocomoke City; 1936.. World Series ticket price complaints.  

It's this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 


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FIRE COMPANY COMMUNITY DINNER!

A Safe And Fun Trick Or Treat Event!

Join us for this safe Trick or Treating event! Local vendors will have goodies to hand out. Kid friendly games will also be offered.  This is a Family Fun event!

Day: Friday

Date: October 30, 2015
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Worcester County Recreation Center just off Hwy 113 in Snow Hill
Open To: Ages 12 & under
Cost: This is a Free event!
Contact: Lea Cataggio for more information at 410-632-2144 x109 or lcataggio@co.worcester.md.us
Additional Information: Wear your Halloween costume! Don't forget to bring a bag for your goodies.

TIME MACHINE ... 1935, 1898-1904, 1969, 1922.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it 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 archives/historical archives material)


In 1935 a young man writes a letter to a newspaper near his Pennsylvania home about his life at a CCC (Civilan Conservation Corps) camp in Worcester County. Little did he realize that his letter would be read again by the public now, 80 years later, as he shares his interesting and informative comments about the CCC experience from that bygone era. ( And is he offering some food for thought about a similar experience that some of today's young people might benefit from?) -tk  


(Wikipedia)  The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. Robert Fechner was the head of the agency. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who provided unskilled manual labor jobs related to the conservation and development of natural resources in rural lands owned by federal, state and local governments. The CCC was designed to provide jobs for young men, to relieve families who had difficulty finding jobs during the Great Depression in the United States while at the same time implementing a general natural resource conservation program in every state and territory. Maximum enrollment at any one time was 300,000; in nine years 3 million young men participated in the CCC, which provided them with shelter, clothing, and food, together with a small wage of $30 a month ($25 of which had to be sent home to their families).

January, 1935 (Time Machine archive)
(The Titusville Herald- Titusville, Pa.)

LIFE IN CCC CAMP

Editor Of The Herald.

Dear Sir:-  I am a CCC boy and my home is in Diamond, Pa. My folks and friends take The Titusville Herald and (I) would like to have you publish this letter.  You may send me a copy of it.

My temporary home is now in the CCC Co. No. 1318 S-62 Snow Hill, Md.  I enlisted on October 8, 1934 for a period of six months, was sent to Fort Meade, Md., for a medical examination and a few simple army and camp instructions.

I was kept at Fort Meade for six weeks and later sent here to my temporary home.

This camp is located in amongst large pines of varying heights, 100 to 150 feet, and off the state highway about 1/2 mile, between Pocomoke City and Snow Hill, Md.

We have a good outfit here, the best in the third corps area, with 250 boys.  Life here is different than on the outside.  It builds up the boys physically and mentally. Every day is something different, so we get some experience here that was never done on the outside,- from dish washing down on the line to cutting trees in swamps and changing clothes after falling in a swamp hole.  Therefore, we are being prepared for everything that gets in our way in the line of work and play.

I am in the CCC going on four months and like it quite well, except for dish washing which I get for Sunday K.P. about twice a month, which means standing over a big tub  3 x 3 x 4 feet, filled with water and soap, standing there for three solid hours except for about a half hour or so of gold bricking, washing 250 plates, knives, spoons, forks, cups and bowls, not to mention what other boys on K.P. have to do with greasy pots and pans.  I mean its fun if you take it that way.

Although we get plenty to eat, some outsiders say that we are being fed too well, for some of the boys look like as if they were over fed.  It isn't the eats, its the G.I. grease.  It gives us strength and health, with lots of fresh air, which we need to cut down those pines which are of varying heights.

Our work here consists of cutting down defective trees, clearing away underbrush, and building fire trails.

One thousand acres of state forest land here have to be cleared and it will take the rest of our two months to put a kink in it. Most of the boys are excellent workers and are rated according to their work.  Now, I mean when we work, it's work.   

We ride to work on trucks and to see us coming resembles a funeral.  Five stake body trucks and ten dump trucks, all loaded with men.  We ride to work and back for we have 1 1/2 miles to go.

We work 40 hours a week, 8 hours a day, rain or shine. Saturday afternoon and Sunday we get off.  Saturday morning until noon we have to work in camp.  In camp- scrub barracks floor, wash clothes, clean windows, stoves and arrange our clothing for inspection.  After dinner is dress inspection.  We line up in front of the U.S. flag on the parade grounds, stand at attention until the captain O. K.'s our dress.  Then we are free to roam anywhere until 6 a. m. Monday morning.  We have to sign in the recreation hall on a book when we come back or leave camp, so as to keep tally on us.  Anyone leaving camp without signing out gets extra duty of 72 hours in the kitchen as K. P.

Monday mornings we must all be in camp.  Reveille is at 6:45 a.m.  The sergeant in the barracks yells out , "crawl out, boys, and push on the mops."  We have to mop the floor every morning besides Saturday, make our bunk, and eat chow at 7 a. m. 7:30 a. m. we polish up the camp area, pick up all match sticks,  paper and cigarette stubs that have been thrown away carelessly over Saturday and Sunday. 8 a. m. call for work detail, line up and be on our way with axes and saws, to the wood, ready to do work and fill the woods with the ringing of the saws and and echoes of our axes, until 4 p. m., when the days work is done.

Hurrah for the CCC, for every boy is a man when he leaves.

Now friends, if you doubt what I've said come down to Co. No. 1318 S-62 CCC Snow Hill, Md., at your own expense and find out.

Your CCC friend,

Steve J. Brenner 

Following the ice cream trail on the Eastern Shore..
 (items somewhat enlarged for better viewing)

May, 1898..

July, 1899..

August, 1901..

February, 1902..

August, 1904..

(Peninsula Enterprise)

October, 1969..

(The Daily Times, Salisbury)

This is New York City's Times Square in 1922.







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TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1935.. A young man writes enthusiastically about his life in a Worcester County CCC Camp; 1898-1904.. Following the ice cream trail on the Eastern Shore; 1969.. Snow Hill's Lauer twins score in soccer victory;  1922.. A view of New York City's busy Times Square.

It's this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!

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Delmarva Discovery Center Gala!

Join us for an evening of discovery:

Find your favorite exhibit or animal as you explore the Center & Museum. Try foods from local establishments. Single out your signature drink. Test out the dance floor. Identify your most coveted items at the loud and silent auctions. Look at some of the fun things you can bid on... a family membership and a bag full of goodies from the Salisbury Zoo, which includes a special wildlife encounter; beautiful pottery, paintings and other artwork generously donated by local artisans; and a bag of cool shark stuff from the National Aquarium!

Support your local Discovery Center; all proceeds from the 2015 gala will benefit the design and construction of handicap accessible touch tanks.

To purchase tickets, $50.00 each, please call (410) 957-9933, visit us at 2 Market Street, Pocomoke City, MD, visit any First Shore Federal location or purchase tickets online at
http://delmarvadiscoverycenter.com/

Must be 21 and over to attend.

TIME MACHINE ... 1921, 1955, 1944, 1896, 1888, 1939.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it 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 archives/historical archives material)


June, 1921 (Time Machine archive) 

A road inspection tour of the "Chesapeake Peninsula" by an official of the Automobile Club Of America reported good progress being made in development of hard surface roadways through Maryland and Delaware extending down to Pocomoke City.  

"Until the roadwork is entirely finished on the Dupont Highway, the completion of which is expected in 1922, motorists who intend to go as far south as Pocomoke City and Cape Charles will make better time and find all hard surfaced roads by going to Elkton and then south through Maryland. These roads, according to Mr. Wells, (head of the Automobile Club Of Maryland) are splendidly kept and might serve as examples to the other States."

However, the stretch from New Church to Cape Charles was described as poor dirt roadway.  Mr. Wells stated, "It is never necessary to erect a sign to inform motorists when they cross the Virginia line, for no other State in the East pays so little attention to public roads.  The result of this neglect is plainly seen in the contrast between the Virginia end of the peninsula and the Maryland-Delaware section."



March, 1955

The Salisbury Times

August, 1944

The Cumberland Evening Times (Cumberland, Md.)

October, 1896
The Baltimore Sun

Snow Hill, Maryland, October 11, 1896:

Dr. Benton Harris Whaley, a prominent physician of Whaleysville, Worcester county, died at his home there Friday, at midnight, of Typhoid fever. He would have been thirty years old today. He had been confined to his bed for about two days. He was a skillful physician and very popular, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College. He was the son of a local merchant and large landowner, the late Judge James Whaley and his wife, Elvira Thomas Green Whaley, Dr. Whaley was well known in Worcester, Wicomico (in) Maryland and Sussex county in Delaware. He leaves his widow, the former Margaretta Staton, daughter of the Worcester county Circuit Court clerk, John W. Staton, and three small children, James B, born 1893, Ella G., born 1894, and John D., born 1995. The doctor is buried in the Whaley Cemetery at Whaleysville.


June, 1888 
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

Excursion to Salisbury.

The efforts of the merchants of Salisbury, long talked of, to secure a portion of the trade of the people of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, have at last taken a practical shape. The committee of the Board of Trade of that town on May 30th last, waited on the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad Company, for the purpose "of seeing if the company would lend some assistance as they could towards the development of the wholesale and retail business of Salisbury and to that end asked that the company make liberal excursion rates to Salisbury and return the entire year, or as long as they could practically do so without interference with other business and at certain seasons of the year to run special excursions." The company complied with their wishes and will begin to sell excursion tickets to Salisbury and return for $2.00 at most points on the E. S. of Va., on next Friday, June 29th, at which time an industrial exhibition is to be held at Salisbury.


Circa 1950's

Footnote: When Ranger Joe cereal first appeared on grocery shelves in 1939 it was America's first sweetened cereal. It was manufactured in Chester, Pa.



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The Worcester House

Thanks to the Pocomoke Public Eye reader who supplied information today on a question posted previously about The Worcester House. 

Not a comment or an opinion but a question that some long time resident of Pocomoke may know. Just over the MD line in VA not far down from the Royal Farms (same side of highway) is an antique store. I think it is called the Worcester House. It's a low, long building. One one end is a large walk in fireplace. Does anyone know when this building was built and what was it's original purpose?  Remove content | Delete | Spam	Anonymous	on 9/17/15

Thelma & Butch Arion, owners of The Worcester House Antiques; acquired the property in the early 1960's. Soon after, they built the center section of the "long, Bucks County Gold" building and that became their original shop in New Church, Virginia. In 1972, they expanded with the current section along with a large walk-in fireplace... a replica in the Williamsburg style. The 12" to 18" boards that surround the fireplace were from an old barn. That's right, it has been an antique shop for almost 53 years. Why the name the Worcester House Antiques? Originally, their shop and house was situated in Worcester County between Pocomoke & Snow Hill. The State of Maryland acquired their shop, house & land to make way for Route 113 North road. So, the name just stuck and there was really no reason to rename the business. The Arions divorced and Thelma Olsen Arion has been the sole proprietor of the shop and acreage. The antique market has changed over the years but she still carries on. Remove content | Delete | Spam	Anonymous	on 10/9/15

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1921.. Automobile Club reports status of Eastern Shore roads; 1955.. Push is on to have a Pocomoke team back in the Central Shore Baseball League; 1944.. 1,000 German POW's end work strike at Westover interment camp; 1896.. Typhoid Fever claims life of a prominent young Worcester County physician; 1888.. Railroad offers Eastern Shore of Virginia residents reduced rates for excursions to Salisbury; 1939.. America's first sweetened cereal makes its debut.   

It's this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!

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More Pocomoke City 150Th Anniversary Activities This Weekend..

This Saturday In Pocomoke City..

Comments Welcome..

This Friday In Pocomoke City..

TIME MACHINE ... Pocomoke City in 1895.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it 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 archives/historical archives material)


September, 1895
The Reidsville Review, (Reidsville, North Carolina)

Footnote: The given population figure of 3,000 sounds high for 1895.  Pocomoke City's 1910 population was listed at 2,309 according to the U.S. Census report from that year. Wonder if Mr. Hopkins had a hand in crafting this article to the benefit of his real estate dealings in Pocomoke City? -tk


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Chief Harden Assumes Duties..

(http://www.cityofpocomoke.com/news.html)

POCOMOKE CITY POLICE WELCOMES CHIEF WILLIAM HARDEN 
Posted October 2, 2015

The Pocomoke City Police Department welcomes William “Bill” Harden to his first day as Chief of Police. Chief Harden was officially sworn in last evening during a ceremony among the Mayor and City Council, City Business and Faith Leaders, Family and Friends. Chief Harden retired from the Maryland State Police after 25 years of service serving as Division Commander for Special Operations. He also worked with the Wicomico County Detention Center as an Investigator.

Chief Harden is ready to put his efforts and knowledge to good use in Pocomoke City. Harden is feeling positive and has dealt with challenging situations in the past and is ready to utilize his expertise to benefit the Pocomoke City Police Department and the citizens of Pocomoke City. “I’m excited,” he said. “I’m ready to start the job.”

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

Pocomoke City takes the spotlight in an 1895 North Carolina newspaper article full of good things to say about our town of that day.

Read the article this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 


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OCTOBER Events Coming Up!

POCOMOKE CITY SESQUICENTENNIAL.. Friday, October 9th.

DOWNTOWN POCOMOKE'S ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL.. Saturday, October 10th.

"A NIGHT AT THE OPERA" at the Marva Theater.. Saturday, October 10th.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL at the Costen House Museum.. Sunday, October 11th.


More info at  http://downtownpocomoke.com/

TIME MACHINE ... 1897, 1899, 1908, 1990, 1967, 1943.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it 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 archives/historical archives material)


September, 1897
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House, Va.)

The Confederate re-union at Parksley next Thursday calls for the earnest encouragement and active support of every Eastern Shoreman, who loves the Lost Cause and the noble heroes who lost their lives in defense of it. It should be a day long to be remembered in the coming years,  and it will be one which we will be glad to recall, if by our efforts and through our aid on that day, the funds now in hand can be sufficiently supplemented for the erection of the monument to our fallen braves without further delay. Their splendid valor and heroic deeds long since demanded that the shaft be raised to commemorate their virtues, and it cannot be postponed longer, if we would not bring reproach upon ourselves of being false to them and untrue to the cause for which they fought and died. The monument, of course, will be erected to our Confederate dead at a later day, if not now, and in sufficient proportions to be worthy of them and to show to future generations the affectionate regard in which they were held by us, and contributions to that end will not be wanting from any who value patriotism, self-sacrificing devotion to duty and the priceless heritage of their honored names to their kindred and their kindred's children. Sufficient funds for that purpose, however, ought to be raised at Parksley next Thursday and we most heartily second the appeal of Harmanson-West camp, for every one is held a success.


October, 1899..
A monument honoring Confederate soldiers of the Eastern Shore of Virginia who lost their lives in the Civil War was unveiled in Parksley.

In the book 'Accomack County' (2009) by Tom Badger, the author states: In the center of Parksley stands a prominent monument dedicated to fallen Confederate soldiers from Accomack and Northampton Counties. The location of this monument is rather surprising considering the town was built by a bunch of "Northern capitalists," but, as often happens, a story is involved. When the railroad was built, a number of businissmen lobbied to have the county court moved from Accomac to Parksley, conveniently located on the rail line. The matter was put to vote, and be a narrow margin, the majority favored keeping the court in Accomac. Shortly thereafter, Parksley, as something of a consolation prize, was chosen as the site for the Confederate monument.   



October, 1908...

Peninsula Enterprise

December, 1990
The Frederick Post (Frederick, Md.)

(Excerpt)

Toll road to skirt I-95 envisioned
 Proposal greeted by sticker shock

NORFOLK (AP) — A transportation planner's proposal for a $2.5 billion, 250-mile toll road from Wilmington, Del., to Rocky Mount, N.C., has received a mixed reaction from politicians and highway officials.

William C. Mann says the proposed toll road would allow motorists to skirt traffic-choked Interstate 95. The highway would start at Interstate 295 in Wilmington, run down the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, through Hampton Roads on existing highways, and tie into 1-95 at Rocky Mount. 

Mr. Mann acted on his own when he sent his proposal to lawmakers and highway officials in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. Although none have made any promises and some are skeptical, many encouraged him to keep pursuing his idea. 

Mr. Mann proposed financing the road by cutting the one-way toll on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for Virginia residents from $9 to $8, but making the one-way fee $20 for all others. Truckers would pay a higher toll. The money could be distributed among four state highway departments for construction of the new East Coast highway.



August, 1967..

Salisbury Times

1943..

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