February, 1922
The Washington Herald (Washington, D.C.)
February, 1960
The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Md.)
March, 1958
The Salisbury Times
February, 1962
The Salisbury Times
September, 1964
The Salisbury Times
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The Duncan Brothers dealership was located where the Discovery Center now stands at the foot of Market Street. In those days cars did not have price stickers on the window so they could sell a car for whatever the customer could be talked into. During World War II no cars were manufactured because GM, Ford and others were making tanks, jeeps and other things for the war effort. Used cars were the only thing available and they shot up in price so the Duncans made a tidy profit on those. Duncan stored their excess inventory at the Duncan farm on Dividing creek road. When Toby Hallet and Winnie Williams came to town in the early '60s there were still over 100 used cars at the farm. When Toby and Winnie tried to buy the dealership Mr. Duncan hemmed and hawed and finally said, "Well, I guess we aren't going to have another war anytime soon so I might was well sell the dealership to you."
ReplyDeleteIn the early '50s Clifton Cannon sold Fords at a lot on Market Street Extended, right where the recycling station behind Central Tractor is now. Somewhere around 1960 Bill and Carlton obtained the Ford franchise and opened their dealership where the Market Street Deli now stands. Jack Killmon and Dwight Hoffman were among the salesmen I remember. I think Byrdie Miles might have worked there, too, as did Bobbie Miles but I think he came along later.
In the meantime Duncan had moved to a new location at the end of Big Mill road (now known as Sheephouse Road) and called it "Midway." This was the location purchased by Toby and Winnie. Sales were kind of slow so they hired an outfit called Emphasis Advertising. Emphasis came up with the idea for the General Winnie advertising campaign. They put Winnie in a Confederate general's uniform and had him sitting on a horse, holding a cavalry saber up in the air. Sales took off and the rest is history.
I lost touch with Toby but Winnie prospered and finally sold Midway to Ray Nordstrom. Winnie told me that he sold Midway for a lot less than it was worth because he had already made his money and he wanted Ray to be able to do the same. Winnie was like that, he was a hell of a nice guy and always tried to help people when he could.
Yes, I really am old enough to remember all these people.
Your friend,
Slim
Not really. I's not sure if Bill and Carlton obtained the Ford franchise first then left Duncan or if they had a falling out with Duncan then got the franchise. I do know Miller-Massey Ford was up and running in 1960 but it could have been a year or two earlier.
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Slim
Thank you Slim for your valuable contribution, as always, on things regarding Pocomoke's past.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comments I searched the Salisbury Times for the earliest date for a mention of "Miller-Massey." That date was April 28, 1960. And the mention was in a news article regarding $450 awarded to the "Miller Massey Used Car business" as part of the state's acquisition of the Edgar Taylor property for the new Pocomoke by-pass. Miller-Massey rented space on the property and was asking $3,248.20 in compensation. Co-owner Bill Miller stated it was a $10,000 business at the time the state first began work on the new road.
Edgar Taylor was awarded $49,500 for his property, which included a house and other buildings. Taylor estimated the value of his property at $179,625 prior to the start of the road work, and at $59,000 when the by-pass work began.
Edgar Taylor, now he was a piece of work! I can talk about him because he has no living descendants now. Edgar did have two daughters who were spinsters in every sense of the word. In fact, when the PHS Class of 1946 held their reunion the sisters replied with one sentence, "We do not attend social events."
ReplyDeleteEdgar was a gentleman farmer and part time real estate broker. He was also extremely cheap, even miserly. He had a nice farmhouse situated where the brick "Welcome to Pocomoke" sign is now located. In 1959/1960 the State Roads Commission wanted to build a bypass around Pocomoke and the proposed route ran right through Ed's property. The SRC made a very fair offer for the needed portion of the property and Ed turned it down. The SRC doubled monetary offer to almost $100,000 and also offered to jack up Ed's house and outbuildings and move them further back on the property at no expense to Ed. He, of course, refused this offer, too. The SRC then went to court under eminent domain and the court awarded Ed the original $49,500 with no duty to move the house so Ed was stuck. The Pocomoke Fire Company was contracted to burn down the house and it was a well attended spectacle for local residents.
Ed was also an avid rabbit hunter and sometime-breeder of rabbit hounds. One local fellow purchased a pair of beagles from Ed but returned the next day with the dogs in tow.
"Ed," he said, "These dogs are gun shy. The first time I shot at a rabbit both dogs took off running and it took me the rest of the day to find them. I want a refund."
"Humph," replied Ed, "Get a bow and arrow."
Your friend,
Slim
(A former Pocomoke resident)
ReplyDeleteI had never seen that Duncan Brothers disclaimer, but I do remember hearing - from someone - that Linwood Duncan considered it a personal betrayal that Bill Miller and Carlton Massey went into competition with him. Also - maybe this was just a small town thing - but I remember that the introduction of the new model cars each fall was really a big deal. Duncan brothers had refreshments, music, and door prizes. Especially those years 57 and 58 - when the cars became so much longer, lower, with the fins, dual headlights, - and those cars were huge!! Of course, these days the cars are all designed by computer with primary goal to be aerodynamic and optimize fuel economy. They all look the same - that is boring.
When my parents bought a big red 1960 Ford station wagon, Carlton Massey came over our house one evening after dinner, with a book of charts of models, colors, options, and prices. He and my Dad worked on it for several hours as I remember - haggled somewhat about price as I recall - before reaching a deal and then they ordered the car - it took a few weeks to come in. I wonder if the dealers in Pocomoke still provide that kind of "shop at home" service. I doubt it.
I find it interesting that your parents ordered their car and did not buy it off the lot. The same thing happened with my parents and their 1962 Galaxy 500. They met with Carlton and discussed color, options, etc. and then placed the order. About two weeks later they notified us the car was on the way and invited us to see it unloaded from the transport truck. It was then placed in the shop where the radio antenna was installed and the entire car was cleaned and detailed. That was they way it was done then, at least in Pocomoke City. In my later years I am still shocked that dealers don't do it that way anymore.
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Slim