TIME MACHINE ... Memories of Accomac, 1890.

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John S. Wise Jr.. "Memories of Accomac, 1890" Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac, Va.: August 21, 1937)

(PART 1)

A friend recently said to me that after all, our memories remain with us and with many are all they get out of life. Certainly I cherish nothing more than my memories of old Drummondtown and Accomack County in 1890, now nearly half a century ago, when I spent a summer with my dear old cousin, Dr. John J. Wise, at his old home "Woodburn," about a mile north of Drummondtown.

I was then a lad of fourteen and full of youthful vitality and activity and interest and curiosity about all things of the Eastern Shore new to a boy who had spent most of his time in the inland country mountains.

Dr. John J. Wise was then my present age, sixty-one. He was a great soul. He was one of the oldest and best known doctors of the county, practicing all over the county by the old horse and buggy method of transportation of the country doctor no longer known.

There are few of us left, who remember Dr. Wise and his little dark brown, hipped horse, "Snap," when he was a familiar traveler on all country roads and by ways, day in and day out, every morning and afternoon and at night when necessary to minister to the ailments of the people where needed. His price was $1.00 to $1.50 for a visit to the home and 50 cents when the patient came to his office which was where the drug-store now stands. He had served valiantly as a surgeon in the Confederate Army throughout the Civil War. From 1865 until his death in 1895 he served his people. Having no money was no excuse for not calling him. Pay or no pay he wanted nobody to suffer for need of his attention. Nobody knew what charity he rendered to the poor who could not pay.

I have never seen any person derive more satisfaction than the old doctor did when he would give some poor person's child a nickel or a dime where he knew it was helpful — and you can understand that in those days nickels and dimes were not trash — money was a rarity. I know, for I traveled with the doctor on his circuit and held his horse at gates of houses where hardworking poor people had only what they produced off their land — which was the bare necessities of life. The fishermen could sell their catch and get some money.

Don't misunderstand there was no abject poverty. The poor house had long since fallen down and nearly everybody had at least one good horse, a cow, chickens and eggs, pigs. Sweet potatoes and white potato crops took care of their needs. The people were far better provided for than those in many counties I had known on the Western Shore.

They were a wonderfully orderly law-abiding people. There was scarcely any stealing or crime. I have never known better people. However humble or simple, they were kind and polite.

I never recall one passing on the road without the customary nod — the neighborly salutation.

FOOTNOTE: LOOK FOR MORE FROM THIS ARTICLE AFTER CHRISTMAS ON FUTURE TIME MACHINE POSTINGS . 　
　
　
December, 1956
(The Salisbury Times)

POCOMOKE CITY IS COLLECTING GIFTS FOR YULE

POCOMOKE CITY- During a recent meeting of the Pocomoke City Community Civic Council,

the president, Fred Henderson, announced plans for the annual Christmas drive, and called upon the community for cooperation.

The council is made up of representatives from each of the clubs and organizations in Pocomoke, and was set up to serve as a coordinating agency for the charitable activities.

Clubs and organizations of Pocomoke have responded with gifts of new and used toys, clothing and shoes, canned goods, groceries, meats, and gifts of money. But more is needed , Mr. Henderson said. 

The council has prepared boxes and has placed them in most of the Pocomoke stores to receive donations.

Donations may be left at the Pocomoke Firehouse on Fifth Street, or at St. Mary's Parish House on Third Street. Those donating money should make checks payable to the Community Civic Council.

For anyone unable to send donations to the firehouse or the Parish House, a pick-up service is available by calling Mrs. Lee Graff, 476-W, or the Rev. Roger C. Jones, 1023, or the Rev. William M. Reed, 967. 

December, 1883
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac)

Onancock.

The "hardware dealers" are making preparations on a large scale to have a fine line of "Guilford trifle" for the holidays.

　
(Time Machine archive) November, 1887
(The Herald And Torchlight- Hagerstown, Md)

Agents from Farmington, Del., have been in Princess Anne, Somerset County, for several days collecting holly twigs with berries on them. The twigs are packed in small boxes made for the purpose and shipped direct to Chicago, St. Louis, and Canada, and are used for decorating purposes. Those who have holly are making a good thing out of it.

December, 1892
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac)

An excursion train, known as "Santa Claus train," will run at reduced rates from Cape Charles to Pocomoke City, Thursday, December 15th, leaving Cape Charles at 7 a. m., and on its return leaving Pocomoke City at 5 p. m.

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, a Holiday memory? 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!