Sunday, September 21, 2014

TIME MACHINE ... 1954, 1927, 1654, 1969, 1892, 1901

"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; 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 archives/historical archives material)


March, 1954
The Cumberland News (Cumberland, Md.)

Princess Anne Has Costly Fire

PRINCESS ANNE, Md., March 25. (AP)-  Flames battled by scores of firemen swept through five businesse places and the postoffice today.

Wrecked by the blaze were two furniture stores, restaurant, theater, pool hall and postoffice.

Some other buildings were damaged. A number of other establishments were threatened by the wind-swept flames. 

More than 100 firemen from six communities were called into action to help save nearby residences and business places.

No injuries were reported.

Fire Chief William Powell, Jr. estimated the loss at $150,000. 

Postmaster J. Earl Morris said he saved all the first class mail and packages.

Morris, who owned all but the two furniture stores, estimated it would cost him $100,000 to rebuild. The movie theater is over the postoffice.

Furniture dealer James B. Green estimated his losses at $75,000. J.W. Donohoe, another furniture dealer, put his losses at $30,000.

1927 (Reprinted in January, 1977)
The Daily Times (Salisbury)

Fifty Years Ago: An unfinished palace, planned upon more gorgeous and palatial lines than any Russian prince ever built, has stood unfinished and empty for eight years on Burleigh Hill, almost in the center of Berlin, Md. The estate has been on the market for several years and the asking price is $40,000. Berliners call it "Etzenger's Folly." Etzenger, believed to be a Russian nobleman, came to Berlin after the Great War and began the building. While living at Berlin's Atlantic Hotel he was investigated by the U.S. Government. Work on the building ceased abrubtly; Etzenger left town and reports of his death in New York City were recieved in Berlin.

Footnote: Anyone have any information on what became of this structure?

October, 1654

Maryland State Archives

Assembly Proceedings, October 1654

Killing of Wolves

It is Enacted and Declared that every one who shall kill a wolfe and bring the head thereof to any of the Commissionrs shall be allowed one hundred pounds of Tobacco from the County where the wolf shall be killed & that such Commissioners to whom the wolfes head shall be brought shall Cutt out the Tongue of the said head to prevent that deceit of twice or oftner payment for the same head.

March, 1969
The Sunday Times (Salisbury)

(Excerpts)

Shakespear's Globe Theater Re-created By Pocomoke Youths

By Mel Toadvine of the Times Staff

POCOMOKE CITY-  Two students at Pocomoke High School have built a replica of the famous Globe Theater of London, the spot where William Shakespear put on many of his plays.

The two boys, Richard Gladding and David Dryden, both 10th graders, built the model for their English class. Their teacher, Mrs. Martha Nutter, says the model theater contains every detail of the original. 

The boys said it took them about two months to construct the theater, working in their spare time after school hours at a cost of about $10.  They used balsa wood, plyboard, dowel sticks and cardboard.

The boys have given the model to the school so it may be used in future classes as a reference.

Needless to say, Mrs. Nutter says the boys will get a big fat "A" on their report cards.

November, 1892
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House, Va.)

F. H. Dryden, real estate agent, has sold to William T. Groten, of Wachapreague, a very valuable farm, near Pocomoke City, for $1,300.

August, 1901 (Time Machine archive)
The Semi-Weekly Landmark (Statesville, N.C.)

Knocked Preacher Down For Kissing His Bride.

Chincoteague, Va., Special, 25th, to Philadelphia Record.

When the minister kissed his bride, Joseph McDuff, the groom, last night knocked down Rev. James Porter, rendering him partially unconscious.

McDuff and Miss Agnes Talley, both of whom reside on Chincoteague Island, drove to the parsonage, and after the ceremony the minister as usual kissed the bride. The next instant McDuff's fist shot out and caught the minister square in the jaw, laying him limp in the corner of the room.

Friends seized the angry groom and explained to him that it was the custom of ministers. McDuff was mollified, and as a peace offering drew forth two $10 notes which he tendered to the dazed and surprised clergyman.



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!



"Somewhere over
the rainbow
Bluebirds Fly.."

Flying on for JMMB.
Her Pocomoke Public
Eye postings (April,
2008 to June, 2014)
kept us informed.

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