Harriet Tubman coins are released

 

(View news stories:)

Harriet Tubman coin hitting the Eastern Shore - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Harriet Tubman Coins Are Released by U.S. Mint - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(Chapter flow:)

ITS ORIGIN AND TOWN LIMITS

TOWN LIMITS

GROWTH, CHANGE OF NAME, ETC.

MERCANTILE ASPECT

MANUFACTURING

TRADES ETC.

SHIPPING INTERESTS

EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT CO.

SHIP BUILDING ETC.

HOTELS, LIVERY STABLES, ETC.

PHYSICIANS

LAWYERS

POST OFFICE

PRINTING OFFICES

SOCIAL ASPECT, ETC.

MORAL ASPECT

TEMPERANCE CAUSE

SCHOOLS

CHURCHES

Note:  In duplicating this material for publishing on The Pocomoke Public Eye we have made minor adjustments to correct some of the spelling, punctuation, etc. We believe the errors were not in Rev. Murray's original writing but occurred in the process of formatting the material to a digital format for viewing online.

MERCANTILE ASPECT (CONTINUED). 

Upon the dissolution of partnership of Clarke & 
Clarvoe in 1852, William H. T. Clarvoe and James Merrill 
united in copartnership, under the firm of Clarvoe &. 
Merrill, in the sale of goods, occupying the same stand 
that Clarke and Clarvoe occupied. 

This firm continued two years, when Mr. Merrill sold 
out to Mr. Clarvoe. 

Mr. Clarvoe conducted the business by himself until 
1858, when he sold out to William W. and James A- 
Melvin, acting under the firm of W. W. & J. A. Melvin. 

This firm transacted business for a while in the store- 
house formerly occupied by Mr. Clarvoe, after which they 
purchased the wharf and ground upon which they built 
the storehouse, which is at present occupied by Smullin 
& Brother. 

They did a heavy business from 1858 to 1866, when 
they sold out their stock in trade, together with their 
storehouse and wharf, to Stephen E. Mason. 

Stephen E. Mason conducted a heavy business from 
1866 to 1870, when he sold out his stock of goods to John 
W. Selby and Julius J. Smullin, two enterprising- young 
men, who did business under the firm of Selby & Smul- 
lin until 1877, when Mr. Selby sold out his interest in the 
store to Julius J. and Albert Smullin. Smullin & Brother 
keep on hand a general assortment of dry goods, grocer- 
ies, boots, shoes, hats, etc., and are doing a thriving 
business. 

These two young men are worthy of great praise for 

their business qualifications and fidelity, and it is said that 

they stand number one in business circles in the cities. 

In 1878, John W. Selby purchased the ground at the 
north-east corner of Market and Front streets and erected 
a large fine building for store and town hall purposes; the 
store room is a spacious one, the upper room is used for 
town hall purposes. This is one of the finest storehouses, 
and for such a purpose is an ornament to Pocomoke City. 
Mr. Selby has a well assorted and well arranged stock of 
dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, etc. 

In 1854, Benjamin F. Ulman commenced merchan- 
dising in New Town, and sold goods for some time, after 
which he moved to the City of Baltimore where he is still 
doing business, and report says he has a bank of his own 
and is worth $500,000. 

In 1862, Major T. and Jerome B. Hall commenced 
merchandising in New Town, at first dealing altogether in 
the hardware line; after a while they branched out more 
at large in a general dry goods, grocery, boot and shoe 
house, under the firm of Hall & Bro. 

In 1863, they added to their mercantile trade that of 

steam saw mill business; in 1868, that of ship building; 

and in 1872, the Marine railway business. In 1878 they 
took into copartnership L. Fuller Hall, son of Jerome B. 

Hall. The company now doing business under the firm 

of Hall, Bro. & Co. This firm with this heavy business 

resting upon them, employ sixty men annually, repair about 

seventy-five vessels annually, and have built during their 

business life, about twenty-five new vessels. Their annual 

business aggregating $30,000. 

They own two steam saw mills, a Marine Railway. 300 

acres of land and 23 houses and lots, some of the houses 

are fine buildings. 

In thus giving a brief outline of the business life of 

these two brothers it will, also, be of interest to the reader 

to learn something of their general history. 

In view of their success in life, this will be given with 

the greatest pleasure, for I knew them when they were 

little flaxy headed boys. 

Their father, Benjamin Hall, was a highly respected 

man, a carpenter by trade and a captain of militia; he 

died when these gentlemen were little children, leaving a 

widow and six children, without any assistance, to get 

their living as best they could. It is true the family lived 

on their own place, but that was very little more than a 

staying place, the little boys worked like little giants. I 

have seen them coming to town with a load of pine wood, 

which they had cut, when you would think they were 

scarcely large enough to come to town any way. 

Their mother, with the children, struggled against 
adversity until these two boys were old enough to go to- 
a trade ; then they commenced to learn the blacksmith 
business with George W. Landing. They served an 
apprenticeship with Mr. Landing, and when he retired 
from the shop they took charge of it in their own name, 
and worked hard and continuously at the business until 
they entered mercantile life, as before stated. 

The reader, probably, is already thinking about their 
school advantages. They lived in the country and could 
only go to school, occasionally, in the winter time; what 
little learning they got in this way was of very little 
advantage to them, as they experienced in the commence- 
ment of their mercantile life, in trying to use the pen and 
in calculating figures. They, however, learned to use the 
pen and calculate figures, and how to make money, also; 
and their record shows the character of their intellect and 
business capacity. 

They are both members of the Baptist Church, in 
Pocomoke City; Major T. Hall being a deacon. Their 
ages are, respectively, forty-eight and fifty-six years ; 
Major T. being the eldest. 

In 1856, C. C. Lloyd opened a drug store, which 
was the first ever established in New Town; in addition 
to drugs he kept oils, paints, stationery, jewelry and 
variety store. 

He has, during his mercantile life, closely applied 
himself to business, always at his post, he is polite. 
obliging and accommodating, and has made money. He 
has been sheriff of Worcester county. During 1881, he 
united in partnership with Edgar Fontaine, who was also 
in the drug business, thus the two stores became one; they 
are now doing business under the firm of Lloyd and 
Fontaine, and are prospering. 

In 1862, Dr. D. J. O. Truitt commenced the apothecary 
and variety business, in New Town, and has conducted it 
successfully to the present. In 1862, Dr. Samuel S. 
Quinn and Albert S. Merrill commenced the drug busi- 
ness, and continued it until 1864, when they retired. In 
1866, Dr. John T. B. McMaster opened a drug store in 
co-partnership with Ashton Milbourn, which firm con- 
tinued until 1869, when Dr. McMaster sold out his interest 
in the store to Ashton Milbourn. 

In 1869, Ashton Milbourn and William T. Broughton 
united in the drug business and conducted it until 1873, 
at which time they sold out their stock in trade to Messrs. 
Fontaine and Turpin. This firm continued for two years, 
when Mr. Turpin sold out to Mr. Fontaine. From 1875 
to the present, or until Mr. Fontaine united in business 
with C. C. Lloyd, he has been quite attentive to business; 
has built up a good trade, and has become a popular 
merchant. 

In 1860, William W. Quinn & Brother opened a 
general dry goods and grocery store, which they con- 
ducted until 1873, when they closed out. In 1855, W. S. 
C. Polk commenced merchandising in New Town, and 
in 1863 he took as a partner his brother, Emerson G. 
Polk. This firm continued until 1866, when he sold out 
his interest in the store to his brother Emerson. 

From 1866 until the present Emerson G. Polk has con- 
ducted a dry goods, clothing, boot and shoe store of 
quite an extensive character, and keeps on hand a general 
assortment of first class clothes for gentlemen's wear; and 
none need fear in going to him for a good article and of 
getting what they want. He is polite, obliging and 
attentive to business. 

In 1868, Henry King commenced merchandising, in 
New Town, and conducted the business until 1875, when 
he closed out. 

In 1864, John W. Mezick commenced merchandizing, 
in New Town, and continued until 1866, when he retired 
from business, and removed to the State of Missouri. 

In 1863 or '64, the Messrs. Bachrachs were engaged in 
the sale of goods, in New Town, about one year, after 
which they settled in Baltimore, where they are still 
doing business, and have become wealthy. 

In 1864, Littleton T. Clarke, Thos. J. Blain and Thos. 
N. Williams, formed a co-partnership in merchandising 
in New Town. They kept a first class dry goods and 
grocery store. They continued in the business until 
1866, when they closed out. 

In 1867, Captain Robert Henry engaged in mercan- 
tile life in New Town. His store is a first class dry goods 
and grocery store. Captain Henry not only owns his- 
stock in trade, but three schooners, seven houses and 
several building lots and two farms. Some of the houses 
rank among the finest houses in the town. His 
entire property may be safely estimated at $30,000. In 
thus describing his wealth, the reader may be anxious to 
learn something of the man. 

Well, as I have known him from his infancy, it will give 
me pleasure to show him up as a wide-awake, sagacious 
business man. Let me say in the first place, however, 
that he is a man of color, and was raised to work. When 
but a boy he became a sailor, and was hand before the 
mast, and after he became his own man he laid up $1,400, 
the result of his hard labor on board of vessels. 

After this he joined Ashcraft & Risley in the vessel 
trade, and here was the mine of wealth which he struck. 
After some years this partnership dissolved, and since 
then he has operated by himself. 

Captain Henry has no education. He can neither read 
nor write, but although he is without this necessary quali- 
fication, yet he studies men and business; and there are 
but few more shrewd business men than Captain Henry. 
He has six children, and he is over 50 years of age. 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

THANK YOU Chief Gladding!

 (Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company Facebook)

After serving 18 years as the Fire Chief and an additional 5 as a company officer, Chief Edward “Dicky” Gladding has ended his tenure as Fire Chief. Chief Gladding has been a shining example of what a dedicated public servant is during this time. 

Chief Gladding helped to move the PCVFC forward during his tenure and has certainly left the Department better than he found it. Chief Gladding was integral in helping to upgrade the apparatus fleet by adding a new tanker, rescue engine and rescue boat over his time as Chief.

Don’t worry though, he will not be going far as he has joined our Board of Directors to start 2024 and will continue to have an impact on the PCVFC. Please join me in congratulating and thanking Chief Gladding for his many years of service and sacrifice to the PCVFC and citizens of Pocomoke!

Please join us in congratulating our administrative and line officers for the 2024 year.

Administrative 

President- Noah King

Vice President- Tyler Fairman

Treasurer- Mike Shannon

Asst. Treasurer- Adam Howard

Recording Secretary- Deyton Dean

Chaplain- Mike Dean

Board of Directors- Dicky Gladding, Marion Butler Jr

Operations

Chief- AJ Miller

Asst Chief- Eric Denston

Captain- Lucas Holland

1st Lieutenant- Tyler Fairman

2nd Lieutenant- Jimmy Englishmen

Training Lt- Chip Choquette

Chief Engineer- Bobby Ayres

1st Asst Engineer- Josh Weichman

2nd Asst Engineer- Mark Speta

Thank you to our outgoing officers for their contributions to the Department over the past year and beyond!

Time Machine Preview

 This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:

PLUS 

1990  ..

Mystery and Concern- 

Powerful explosives found

 in ditch near Princess Anne.

Feature Article:

Secure Protocol briefly at Snow Hill High Thursday

 

(1/4/24- Worcester County Sheriff's Office)

This morning at 10:05am, Snow Hill High School entered into the secure protocol due to police activity in the vicinity. Within minutes, local law enforcement was on scene and determined that the incident was isolated to the location of the call for service and the scene was secure with no one at-large. This information was provided to Worcester County Public Schools and normal operations resumed.

The incident is being investigated by the Snow Hill Police Department with the assistance of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.

Senator Mary Beth Carozza: regarding historic Henry's Hotel restoration:

 

Future museum- Grant will start restoration to link in Ocean City's African American history.

 (Maryland Coast Dispatch)

OCEAN CITY – A $250,000 grant will allow a local nonprofit to begin the restoration of the historic Henry Hotel.

(View news article:)

01/03/2024 | Henry Hotel Foundation Scores $250K Grant For Restoration Efforts | News Ocean City MD (mdcoastdispatch.com)

WORCESTER COUNTY OFFERS CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING TO RESIDENTS

 

The Solid Waste Division of Worcester County Public Works will host its annual collection of Christmas trees now through January 15, 2024. Area residents can drop off Christmas trees at the Central Landfill in Newark and the Berlin, Pocomoke, and Snow Hill Homeowners Convenience Centers at no cost.

Businesses and organizations that sold trees will not be permitted to drop off trees at the convenience centers, but may take them to the Central Landfill where applicable tipping fees will be assessed.

The trees will be ground into mulch for use at the Central Landfill. Remember, you can make a difference by recycling. For more info, contact Recycling Manager Bob Keenan at 410-632-3177, ext. 2405.

Riverside Shore Memorial's latest visitor info

 

(View visitor info issued 1/2/24)

Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital - Visitor Information | Riverside Health System (riversideonline.com)

Parksley Town Office closed due to COVID

 

(Town of Parksley Facebook)

The Parksley Town Office & DMV Select will be closed Tuesday, January 2nd through Friday, January 5th due to COVID. Normal hours will resume Monday, January 8th. 

If you need immediate town assistance, please email: town@parksley.org. If you need DMV assistance, the full-service DMV located at 20 North St. In Onancock is open. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please everyone be safe and stay home if you’re sick.

 

Time Machine: At year's end- Predictions, and 1923, 1973.

 

News from Pocomoke City's newspaper 100 years ago will return next week. The newspaper's archived edition wasn't available for this week.  

Pocomoke City

12/31/1923

As I sit at my typewriter as our year 1923 is now coming to its close and I look to the new year of 1924 I give thought, maybe foolish speculation, of what will be in one-hundred years from now when the calendar turns to the year two-thousand and twenty-four. Even the thought of time reaching to the year 2000 strains our imaginations but some of our children, and our grandchildren will be there for it.

I wonder if...

Almost everyone who desires one will own a motor car. Mass production should keep prices affordable although likely higher than the $300 purchase price for a new 1924 Ford Model-T.  

Roadways will continue to improve as will the average motor car speed and traveling 50 miles in an hour will be possible- Pocomoke to Salisbury in less than an hour; Pocomoke to Baltimore or Philadelphia and back easily in the very same day. New paved roadways will be built connecting to many states. A bridge over Chesapeake Bay possible?

Although gasoline supplies seem limitless in our time, increasing demand and questionable availability of supply will result in the price exceeding 50 cents for one gallon. However, wages will be higher than today's and a worker may earn 100 dollars for a week's labor.

Aeroplane travel will surpass that of the railways and the flying machines will transport up to 100 passengers at a time.

Rocket propelled machines will travel high in space possibly even to the moon.

The typical family will be smaller, probably no more than four children, and therefore less dwelling space will be required. Although by the year two-thousand and twenty-four the cost of even a smaller dwelling may exceed $10,000.

College will be a consideration for many if not the majority of students completing the higher grades of public school. (In my 1923 Pocomoke graduating class of 30 pupils who crossed the stage at the Empire Theater to receive their diplomas last May 31st there may have been four or five that I was aware of who were preparing to continue their education in college).

There will be encouraging advances in medicine and medical care. But the cost of care will be higher than today. The cost of today's prescription of 50 cents may well rise to two dollars or more. A visit to your doctor might exceed ten or even fifteen dollars and even more for the typical at-home visit. With better care many persons living to the age of 60 will no longer be considered to be old.

Electricity will be available almost everywhere. Improved devices and new inventions using electricity will prevail. Home receivers will capture pictures, maybe even moving pictures, transmitted over radio waves. Every household will have a telephone and service will connect every state in the union.

Blues and jazz that's overtaking traditional popular music is here to stay and will be preferred over other genres. The younger generation will push for their own likes in music and dance such as today's Charleston to the chagrin of their parents and grandparents. As the growth of urban areas encroaches on the countryside and the nation becomes more cosmopolitan the country music genre will all but disappear.

In sports baseball, our "National Pass Time," will continue to lead in popularity. The best Major League athletes will be paid $500 and more a game! There will be more teams than there are today. Professional football and basketball will still be here but with a lesser degree of popularity while fan interest in those sports on the college level will continue strong.

Politics, unfortunately, will not change for the better.  While some good public service minded people will be elected and serve their constituents well, still prevailing will be those whose self-interests will dominate as now in 1923.

World peace will continue to be sought but not without times (too many) of wars and unrest.

These are some of my speculations about the world a hundred years from now in the year two-thousand and twenty-four.

Yours truly,

1923 Worcester Countian 

We share the following from the December 31st, 1923, edition of Salisbury's Evening Times; and from 50 years later a review of news of 1973 from The Worcester County Messenger. 

December, 1973 

 Anonymous said...

OMG! I remember when John Yankus was hired to be city manager! I think his salary was an astounding $5,500 per year. A few years later Worcester County hired him as county administrator at the outrageous salary of $7,500. John was a true professional and I am honored to say I knew him.

tk for PPE says:

Yankus remained as Worcester County's chief administrator until his passing in October, 1994 at age 49 from a health issue that he faced since earlier that year.  Salisbury Daily Times: