Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1942-11-20
''Chirps'' ~
from the
Democrats Pen

field way, who calls himself Loire T.
Quinn, ST., will have to add one or
more Sr.'s to his name, if he goes to
recalling much more of the ancient
history of Pocomoke City, from which
Mace he removed many years ago,
and thereby proved his senility before
his time.
This patriarch has written for the
Crisfield Times, two articles-maybe
more, about "Newtown", as he men
toned it in time long gone before
He recalls many points of interest
that are probably beyond the ken OF
the oldest living resident, and thereby
proves his length of years. For IN
stance, he calls to the attention OF the
modern day reader that, once IN 'ye
anciente dayes" there was bridge
at the foot of what is now Willow
Street, spanning the Pocomoke River
and connecting the two counties OF
Worcester and Somerset.
You know, it's a pity that bridge
was ever removed-just how 1t dis
appeared, deponent saith not-but, for
some time, there has been discussed
the project of a bypass for POGO
moke. along which heavy traffic
might roll and, thereby, relieve the
congestion on Market Street. TINS
bypass would necessitate another
bridge across the american Rhine"
This bridge at the foot of Willow
Street, would have come In mighty
handy. Alas! it shared the fate OF
wanton destruction if the historian IS
right in his statement that one was
ever there. An account of it would
be a most important and interesting
contribution to the archives of New |
town"
Reminiscing still further, this same
Loire C. Quinn, ST., and yet Sr., says
that one of the distinguished citizens
of his time, confessed to the name OF
Jim Abbott, and that he lived on
Willow Street that led to bridge at
it's foot that spanned the beautiful
stream, that was called "Pocomoke."
You see, l can't forget the little ron
do, "The House that Jack Built.
Well, have inquired among the
nonagenarians of this burg, and some
of them are not ashamed to confess
they do remember that far back, and
also recall an Abbott but he answered
to the name of "Clate", cut from the
more dignified moniker-"Clayton.
Was it old Clate Abbott you remem-
Der Mr.. Loire? or was it his grand
father? Anyhow, the "Times' con-
tributor goes on to contribute that
this man died, statement no one is
ready to dispute. And he died on that
same Willow Street, that, ETC., ad lib.
Now, "Jim" CD was, according to
Loire, a convivial old soul, and he had
some pals of like proclivities. Out of
these, his pail bearers were selected.
When the funeral procession started
for the church-yard cemetery, one
would have received the impression
the time antidated the horse and bug
CIV era, because, as related, it left Will
low under entire man-power and pro
ceeded up "Main" street, the last re-
mains suspended by the strong arms
of his pals in his days on earth.
note there was street called
"Main" in them days. That is under
standable I suppose the name was
changed to Market" when "New
town" became "Pocomoke City" I'll
takes these old fellows to dig up these
long-forgotten data.
was wondering why, tho the body
was carried from Willow Street up
such a public thoroughfare. I reckon
it was to show off the crepe hat bands,
and the flowing shoulder drapery that
used to adorn the selected few to per-
form the last duty to the dead. But, |
Lo! and Behold! the old hotel, corner
main" and Clarke Avenue was the
objective. This ancient tavern was
kept by one "Bob Marshall" Now,
another visit to the aforementioned |
nonagenarians gave me the informa
ton that Mr.. Bob kept the Clarke
House, not the house in question. Mr..
Quinn, I believe, is relative of the
Clarke family, and he should have
known better
One of the pail bearers was Mr..
George Landing. 1t seems he knew
what to do when he reached the inn.
He halted the procession, headed the
sextet of bearers inside, treated all
hands to a glass of beer, returned to
the bier, and proceeded as fast as the
temperature of the day would permit
to the church-yard of st. Mary's Epis-
copal Church, where, with appropriate
(Cont;nuad on paoe ~