TIME MACHINE ... Physicians Rivalry On Tangier Island Ends In Murder!

May, 1884

(The New York Times)

A DOCTOR KILLED BY HIS RIVAL

CRISFIELD, MD, MAY 19- Intelligence has just reached here of a murder at Tangier Island, Virginia, last Saturday, growing out of a rivalry between two physicians of the town. It appears that Dr. Pitts had been jealous for some time of Dr. L.I. Walter, who has become very popular among the citizens, and drawn away considerable practice from Dr. Pitts. The people say that Dr. Walter was the most successful physician of the two, and for that reason he obtained most of the practice of the town. Pitts openly showed his dislike for Walter, though the two were on speaking terms and sometimes had consulted each other in a professional way. As Dr. Walter was passing Dr. Pitts office last Saturday the latter called him in. It is said they had some words about a professional matter, and just as Dr. Walter was about leaving, Dr. Pitts drew a revolver and shot him in the shoulder. Dr. Walter, being unarmed, tried to escape by the window but Dr. Pitts drew him back. They had a desperate struggle but Pitts succeeded in overpowering Walter and fired three more shots, the bullets lodging in his breast. Walter expired instantly. The reports of the pistol attracted a crowd to the scene of the shooting. Serious threats of lynching were made, and when Pitts had given himself up to the authorities the crowd followed him to the magistrates office vowing vengeance. Pitts was taken to the Accomack County Jail. The murder has excited great indignation throughout the county.

　

September, 1884

(The New York Times)

MURDER TRIAL EXCITING INTEREST

Norfolk, Va., Sept. 13- At Hampton, today, argument was begun in the case of the Commonwealth against Dr. J.D. Pitts, now on trial for the murder of Dr. Thomas Walter on Tangier Island in May last. The prosecuting attorney charged that the prisoner was guilty of deliberate, willful, and premeditated murder. The prisoner was defended by some of the ablest counsel in the State. He has entered a plea of self-defense. A number of lady friends of the prisoner were present, and the case is exciting much interest in this section.　

　

September, 1884

(The Daily News- Frederick, Md.)

Dr. Pitts was found guilty yesterday of killing Dr. Walter, at Tangier Island, Va., in May last, and sentenced to eighteen years imprisonment.

　

October, 1960

Although no formal announcement had been made, news was circulating around Pocomoke City that a major downtown business, Montgomery Ward, would be closing. Local management would not comment but a Montgomery Ward district manager said the closing of the Pocomoke store was possible. A published report stated the 25 employees would be offered positions in other Montgomery Ward stores.

Footnote: Montgomery Ward's two story department store was located on Clarke Avenue in the Veasey Building across the street from the Pocomoke City Municipal Building. J.C. Penney occupied the front of the building facing Market Street. Due to the economic downturn following the closing of the Chincoteague Naval Air Base, Montgomery Ward and Penney's eventually closed their doors in Pocomoke City. Other business interests anticipated the cost of renovating the 1922 building would be prohibitive. The City acquired the Veasey Building in 1975 for demolition. It was one of the positive steps that made 1976 a year of many accomplishments in Pocomoke City as a future TIME MACHINE posting will detail.

　

July, 1933

The presidential yacht Sequoia docked in Crisfield and President Roosevelt set out on a six-hour sight-seeing tour of the Eastern Shore, stopping in Pocomoke City for a soft drink. A crowd of several thousand were said to be on hand at the Crisfield dock to greet the president and were back later in the day to see him off.

　

ACROSS THE USA

January, 1920

The New York Yankees purchased Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for $125,000, the largest cash sum ever paid for a player. Reports were that Ruth's Boston salary of $10,000 a year would almost double as a Yankees player.

　

　

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