Peninsula enterprise. [volume], March 23, 1935, Page SIX, Image 6

About Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965

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$iromania Enterprise
Awarded Rhame CertiBcate In 1934 for Best General
Make Up of All Virginia Weeklies
Member, National Editorial Association, Virginia Press
Association, Virginia Press Circulation
Audit Bureau
Founded by
JOHN W, EDMONDS
June 30, 1881
ALFRED B. G. EDMONDS
JOHN W. EDMONDS, Jr.
Owners and Publishers
ACCOMAC COURT HOUSE, VA.
Entered at the Postoffice at Aceomac C. H., Va. as
Second-Class Matter
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 193b
THE SHORE'S CHANCE TO SAVE
We had a visitor on the shore recently, a
Pennsylvania farmer, who started us thinking.
His forebears came over from the Palatinate
and in time most of us learned to call them
Pennsylvania Dutch. Among the characteris
tics which these early colonists brought from
the Old World was a sense of thrift.
In discussing depression and recovery he
admitted his people had to take a little less
for what they grew, but he said they always j
grew what they needed for themselves, first.
He expressed keen pleasure and interest in
what he saw on the Eastern Shore. He said
he didn’t suppose the depression had hit us
very hard and when we tried to paint the pic
ture of our agricultural losses he doubtfully
shook his head.
“You people can't be so hard up. As 1
traveled along the highway I counted too many
pieces of farm machinery, such as, ploughs,
discs, drags, planters, cultivators and mowing
machines, out in the weather without any pro
tection. People must have money who can af
ford to buy farm tools whenever they need
them.
“I saw barrels and baskets tumbled under
some trees in the barn yard and it looked to
me like rather expensive kindling. In my
country we find we have to put our farm imple
ment and such things under cover when we are
not using them. Otherwise we would not make
enough money* on our farm produce to allow
many to take a vacation during the winter. Of
course, I understand your two Shore counties
once were counted the two richest agriculturally
in the United States. So maybe you don't have
to watch pennies like we Pennsylvania Dutch.’
We wonder if our land owners and tenant
farmers realize that we might save by practic
ing a little of this Pennsylvania Dutch-Thrift
stuff. Business is definitely on the up-grade,
and people will always have to be fed and the
Shore will play its part in feeding them. But
the season ahead does not promise much profit
on our major crop, Irish potatoes, and it might
be well for us to stop and take stock on what
we can do to avoid waste. For the first time
in many years the Scrap Iron Industry is clean
ing up our junk heaps of discarded machinery.
Perhaps we could save some of this stuff
before it goes on the junk heap.
Normal depreciation on farm implements is
high, and there must be replacement, but it is
almost criminal to throw money away at this
time. Lack of care of the containers we use
for our farm commodities increases the cost of
handling our crops. It is probable that a large
portion of the Shore’s potato crop will be mar
keted in sacks or similar packages to meet
modern merchandising needs. Our type of po
tato barrel is not adapted to the rough handling;
which it receives when it is used to convey the
potatoes from the field to the grading and
packing sheds. Bight at hand we have the
means to save this overhead in handling a crop
upon which profits will be slim.
Instead of selling the fertilizer sacks for
next to nothing some of our leading growers
have stated that they will use the sacks to
carry the potatoes from the field to the packing!
sheds. This allows them to save their barrels]
for the proper use of direct shipment and it!
avoids wastage.
Maybe we were the “two richest counties
agriculturally in the United States,” but we
won’t get back there again unless we use horse
sense in our mutual problems and thrift in our
personal affairs.
******
BUILDING UP OUR TOWNS
We can get an idea of how our towns can
be built up, by studying the way our country
was developed. We have a most marvelous de
velopment, of industry, education and govern
ment, and it was accomplished because those
who have gone before us were full of energy,
industry and determination. They were no
loafers and they never worked any short day.
No toil was too arduous for them.
If we want our communities to go on grow
ing and meet their problems and provide wel
fare for the present and coming generations,
we have to show some of that same spirit. We
can not sit down quiescent, and say that every
thing is all right and well enough. We must
toil and labor for good institutions, good or
ganizations, that shall promote the public wel
fare and oppoi-tunities for the youth of the
land. We can’t build up good towns simply by
having good times.
TRAINING FOR DEMOCRACY
l
Educational leaders remark that the Amer
ican people are not training their children for
' democracy, as children are being trained in
Europe. In Fascist and Communist countries,
one of the most important ideas is to mould the
| children so they will co-operate with the gov
ernment. The children of Russia are taught
! to believe in and support Communism. The
1 children of Italy are taught to believe in and
| support Fascism.
But in the United States, what are we
doing to train our children for our democratic
' institutions? There is of course more or less
instruction in patriotism and our system of
government. But in many schools this instruc
j tion is probably so limited that it has not ac
complished much. There is a demand that the
children be taught so very many things, that
it is hard to find time for instruction on their
relation to the government.
All the children who come out of the
schools ought to have a clear understanding
that as soon as they become of age, they must
devote their best energies to make their gov
ernment a success.
They should realize that unless they take
part in the work of government by voting at
elections, unless they study carefully what con
stitutes good government, things will go all
wrong, and they will find it difficult to earn a
living or get anything they want in life.
There should be some way to get them in
terested in the questions of government. Some
schools use newspapers and magazines as text
books, and require the children to learn about
the events of the day, and write essays about
them and discuss political issues. It is one of
the best courses that school pupils can have.
Young people so trained will not be likely to do
foolish things when they become old enough to
vote.
******
SYMPATHY WITH CRIMINALS
Why is it that when some bad man com
mits a dreadful crime, and is sentenced to pay a ■
just penalty for his wicked deed, so many;
people feel such deep sympathy with him, and
want his punishment lightened, and say he has ;
suffered enough?
Some answers to this question can be
found in the recently published book, “Ten
Thousand Public Enemies.” In this volume the
reasons why crime flourishes in America are
discussed. If people want the United States to
be known as the most criminal nation in the
world, all they have to do is to continue these
policies of favor to criminals.
One may well feel an emotion of pity for a
man who has done wrong, and who must be
shut up for a long term of years or his life,
because of his wicked acts. It is a sad and
tragic end to a life which may have had prom
ise at the start.
But we also have to think of all the inno
cent people who have suffered as the result of
such crimes. And also of the many more inno
cent people who will suffer if such crimes go on
without severe punishment. If you turn an
unrepentant criminal loose on society, it is
about like letting some dangerous wild beast
out of his cage.
The more desperate type of criminals seem
destitute of all heart or sympathy. They are
fiercely determined on their brutal ends, and
anyone who gets in their way will have to
suffer, and his family will become mourners.
We shall have to harden our hearts against
such ones, or honest people will not be able to
keep the fruits of their toil, families will be
given over to anguish by brutal kidnappings
and our children will not be safe out of our
sight.
******
UP FROM A NICKEL
The recently ended career of Michael Pup
in, famous scientist, has much to teach us.
This great man of the technical world came to
this country at the age of 15 from Serbia, with
but a nickel in his pocket. He made his way
in our favored land and our country held no
citizen who had a deeper love for it.
Such a career teaches two things, First,
humble origin is no bar to success. The Amer
ican people find a high place for anyone who
will serve their interest.
Second, the people who come to us some
times love our American ideals better than the
natives. It is like the children of some favored
home who often fail to appreciate its advan
tages, while some poor boy of the streets longs
for their privileges. Such careers tell us that
you can never tell what is in the mind and
heart of a humble child.
******
TRANS ATLANTIC FLIGHT
Things are steadily working to realize the
vision of regular commercial flying across the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A new step to
ward such flight across the Atlantic is likely to
be accomplished soon, through efforts made to
obtain an aviation landing base on the Azores
islands. It is only 1170 miles from Newfound
land to the Azores, and 913 miles from the
Azores to Portugal. Such distances, even over
water, do not seem as difficult for aviation as
they did a few years ago.
It took Christopher Columbus 36 days to
sail from the Canary Islands near Africa, to
San Salvador in the West Indies. His descend
ants will cross that great ocean in a few hours.
Would that we could make the same progress
in promoting world peace, that we do in bring
ing the nations close to each other.
******
The American diet is said to be faulty and
anyway the American boy says he does not get
enough pie.
I
Reconciliation
Caroline A. Mason
If thou wert lying cold and still and white
In death’s embraces, O mine enemy!
I think that if I came and looked on thee,
I should forgive; that something in the sight
Of thy still face would conquer me, by right
Of death’s sad impotence, and I should see
How pitiful a thing it is to be
At feud with aught that’s mortal. So tonight
My soul, unfurling her white flag of peace,
Forestalling that dread hour when we may meet —
The dead face and the living — fain would cry,
Across the years, “Oh let our warfare cease!
Life is so short, and hatred is not sweet;
Let there be peace between us ere we die!”
News Of Other Years
Fifty Years Ago
March 28, 1885
Dr. Wm. R. Parramore is quite
sick at this time.
» * *
Mr. G. Welly Coard purchased
last week the fine three year old
Morrell colt of Mr. John J. Hop
kins at the price of S250.
Mr. W. T. Garrett will be on hand
at the next term of our county
court to receive orders for those
wishing to purchase labor saving im
plements.
• • *
Mnay persons have been sick of
late at Locustville and vicinity with
pneumonia. Dr. John W. Kellam, a
few days ago, had eleven patients
sick with that disease.
• • •
Mr. George A. Holt, a useful and
worthy gentleman, died last Sunday
morning at his home on Pungotea
gue Creek. He was a member of
the Central Lodge Knights of Honor.
* * »
Fears are entertained by many in
this vicinity that their potato beds
were seriously damaged by the late
cold weather, and if so, our farmers
will have to send to Jersey for seed,
the supply in the county having been
exhausted.
* * *
The general opinion of the farmers
in this section is, that the round po
tato and pea crops have been in
jured very much by the recent cold
weather.
Capt. David R. Mister returned
home from Florida, last week, very
much pleased with his trip. He says
that the climate there is all that
could be desired.
» * *
Messrs. West & Willis, our enter
prising merchants, have already got
ten in their holiday goods. Pretty
ginghams, calicoes, notions, shoes,
dress goods, etc., now adorn their
shelves and are offered topurchasers
at really very low prices.
.Mappsburg
Our old friend, Wm. Thos. Mears,
who has been unwell for several
weeks, is to the gratification of his
numerous friends, “himself again.”
Mr. John R. Sturgis, claims that
his mare, Maria Bell, can make the
fastest time, by the watch, mile
dash, of any horse on the Eastern
Shore.
Three and one-quarter acres of
woodland, known as the Stratton land
and in a few miles of the courthouse,
were sold at public auction last Wed
nesday by Rev. P. A. Leatherbury,
special commissioner, at the price of
$221. Another piece containing two
acres, with a small tenement house,
sold by same commissioner, brought
$350. Mr. John Walker was the
purchaser of both pieces.
On last Monday afternoon, Betty,
the little 13 year old daughter of Mr.
Thomas Satchell, living near Savage
ville, fell in the passage, fracturing
her right thigh bone just above the
knee. She was attended by Drs.
Charles Harmanson and Geo. T.
Scarburgh, who did what was neces
sary. A serious complication of the
case is that the limb has been par
tially paralyzed for several years.
The committee of the Eastern
Shore Agricultural Association, au
thorize the announcement that “all
public privileges to the Fair Grounds,
this year, such as boarding and con
fectionery tents, photography, horse
pound, etc., will be let to the highest
bidder at public auction, on Tuesday,
7th day of April, at 316 p. m.”
* * *
Keller
Thermometer down to eight on the
24th.
Sleighing was much enjoyed by
our young folks, this snow.
Snow fell here to the depth of six
and one-half inches last Sunday.
“Madame Rumor” says there will
be a marriage in this neighborhood
at no distant day.
Messrs. John H. Bird & Bros., of
this place, have contracted to build
a fine house for Mr. Abel T. James,
at Tasley Station, Va.
There are great attractions in Nor
thampton for some of our young
people and to a casual observer, tbeir
attentions do not seem to be objec
tionable.
Pungoteague grange met at the
Fair Grounds, Thursday, 19th inst.
Mr. C. H. Register with George W.
Judd, commission merchant of New
^ ork, addressed the society, telling'
them how to ship their produce.
Several farmers of this section
[ have lost their potatoes in hot beds
by the cold weather of this week.!
There has been so much said about
potatoes this week, that “How are I
your potatoes, Tank?” has become to
be a familiar slang.
• • •
Belle Haven
Measles and drummers plentiful in i
town at present.
Mr. J. T. Minson, of Hadloek, is
seriously ill with pneumonia and
measles.
Miss Emma Heath, daughter of
A. C. Heath, deceased, is very ill
with bronchitis.
j That ball at the Jacob Hotel so
long promised, has not been aban
doned, but will be given in the sweet
bye and bye.
Miss Barksdale, an attractive young
lady from the vicinity of Lynchburg,
Va., is the guest of Mr. Isma W.
Mears.
The farmers of this vicinity acted
wisely in keeping their seed in their
kilns, until the late cold snap was
over, none have bedded them yet.
Hog cholera is prevailing to some
extent in this community, and the
loss thereby incurred is due to ne
glect — pine tar never fails to rem
edy the evil.
lviah Powell, of “trap-gun noto
riety,” was according to latest re
ports, still going in the direction of
the Cape, and an examination of the
wounds received by him in his ef
forts to pry into the affairs of the
corn house of Mr. T. G. Elliott, has
consequently been denied us. Kiah
evidently is too enterprising a citi
zen to wish to be entertained at the
public expense.
• * *
Leemont
Mr. Maurice Lewis had the mis
fortune to sprain his ankle by jump
ing over a fence last Sunday.
The farmers of this section fear
that their potato beds have been ser
iously injured, and are therefore
much troubled.
The Hunting Creek oyster men say
that the weather for several days
past has been the severest they have
ever known at this season of the
year,
Messrs. J. C. Justice and William
J. Barnes, inspectors, have to say
by way of reply to a communication
in your issue of last week of Capt.
E. J. Corbin, that dredgers were at
work at Island Rock, on the 18 and
19th of March all day and perhaps a
part of the night. The violation of
our oyster law on those days was
witnessed by over 20 persons.
Onancock
Whooping cough is very prevalent
here.
According to the thermometer, last
Tuesday wasthe coldest day this
winter.
There seems to be more life in the
oyster trade here now than anything
else.
Dr. A. Watson is about to build
an addition to the house now occu
pied by Mr. T. Elliott.
• • •
Oak Hall
A young man sixteen years cl
age, named Poppin, died on a vessel
near here, on the ,17th inst., of con
gestion of the brain.
William T. Williams, aged seven
teen years, an upright young man
and a Christian, died at his father’s
residence, near Shad Landing, on
the 23rd inst., of pneumonia.
• • •
The Agricultural Fair
The committee, under whose super
vision the Eastern Shore Agricultural
Fair will be held this year has al
ready been selected, and active steps
are being taken by them at this early
day to make it a success beyond all
previous years. The grounds will be
put in a better condition this year
than they have ever been, and in
many respects greatly improved; the
arrangements made to promote order
will be much better, it being the in
tention of the committee to weed out
every objectionable feature of the
last and previous years, and the
inducements offered to exhibihors will
be much greater pecuniarily. With
the view of securing large and credit
able exhibits in every department, ex
penses are to be curtailed in every
way possible, so as to be able to offer
large premiums, especially on our
staple product the sweet potato,
stock, agricultural implements, etc.
Continued on page 10
HORNTOWN
Mrs. Elijah Justice is visiting her
parents in Stockton.
Miss Cynthia Ewell, of New
Church, spent Sunday with relatives
in town.
Miss Elsie Jane Nock spent the
week-end with her grandparents, at
Hailwood.
Miss Nola Brimer is visiting her
aunt, Mrs. Jackson Townsend, of
Cape Charles, Va.
Miss Willye Evans, who has been
ill with pleurisy, w^' are glad to
report is out again.
Mrs. Sadie Moore, of Greenback
ville, Va., is visiting her daughter,
Mrs. J. R. Hickman.
Mrs. J. L. Bailey spent Monday
night with her brother, Mr. J. R.
Trader, of Stockton, Md.
Mrs. Horace Kelley and daughters,
Misses Margaret and Hortense, visit
ed friends in town, Sunday.
Master Billy Godwin, of Bloxom,
spent the week-end with his grand
parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Otwell.
Mr. and Mrs. William Davis, of
New Church, Va., spent Sunday with
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. T.
Bailey.
Mr. Edward Meelheim and Mr.
Douglass Hickman, of Cape Charles,
Va., spent the week-end in the home
of Mrs.' Libbie Meelheim.
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Nock and
son, Bobby Lee, of Baltimore, Md.,
spent the week-end with her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Otwell.
Mrs. James Davis, of Onley, and
Mr. and Mrs. William Davis, of
Wachapreague, have been guests in
the home of Mr .and Mrs. Earl
Harris, recently.
Mrs. Emma Rowley, of Atlantic,
recently visited Mrs. Grover Row
ley. When she returned home, little
Miss Esther Rowley, her niece, re
turned with her.
Mrs. James Hickman is on the sick
list this week. Mr. G. D. Evans and
Mrs. T. P. Evans, who have been
under the doctor’s care, we are glad
to report, are convalescing.
Mr. and Mrs. King Godwin and
children, Misses Anne Gibb and
Francis and David King, spent Sun
day with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
\V. T. Otwell. Mr. and Mrs. Mason,
of Stockton, Md., also were guests of
Mr. and Mrs. Otwell, Sunday.
The young people of the M. E.
Church will hold a sunrise service, as
their custom is, on Easter Sunday
morning. Last year, they held a
most impressive pageant. The pub
lic is cordially invited to be present
and rejoice in the Resurrection
Story with them.
The Horntown M. E. Church had
seven officers and teachers out of
nine present at the Sunday School
Institute at Accomac, recently. Those
present were Misses Mary Davis,
Dorothy and Aileen Hickman, Willye
Evans, Mrs. John Hickman and Mes
srs. Frank Trader and Philip Hick
man.
Miss Elizabeth Hickman entertain
ed in honor of her guest, Miss Dor
othy Ardis, one evening recently.
Table games were played progress
ively. After the games most delic
ious refreshments were served. Ev
eryone reported a lovely time. Those
present were Misses Louise Marriner,
Dorothy Hickman, Dorothy Ardis and
Willye Evans, Messrs. Weldon Har
ris, Harry Tull, Jr., Harold Hickman
and James Elmer Coulboume.
GREENBACKVILLE
Mrs. Merrill Marshall and son are
guests of Mrs. Bems at Sharon Hill,
Pa.
Mr. W. L. Worrall made a business
trip to Pocomoke City, Md., Fri
day.
Mr. and Mrs. Leighton Joseph are
guests in the home of his parents, in
Lewes, Del.
Mrs. Paul Pollitt and son are visit
ing Mr. and Mrs. Fitzhugh Pollitt in
Allentown, Pa.
We wish to extend our deepest
sympathy to Mrs. Dan Price in the
loss of her husband.
Mrs. Ella Smith, of Baltimore,
Md., is spending a few days with
her sister, Mrs. Julia Melvin.
Mr. Logan Taylor has gone to Jef
ferson Hospital, in Philadelphia, Pa.,
for an operation for cataract on the
eyes.
Mrs. Logan Taylor is spending
some time in Philadelphia to be with
Mr. Taylor, who is at the Jefferson
Hospital.
We wish to extend our deepest
sympathy to Mrs. J. T. Sharpley and
family in the loss of their husband
and father, who died last Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. William Matthews
and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Matthews
spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs.
Harlan Bowden, of Chincoteague, Va.
Mrs. Clara Pollitt, of Wilmington,
Del., Mr. and Mrs. Asa Pollitt and
daughter, Gertrude, of Girdletree,
Md., Mrs. Homer Mason, Sr., of
Stockton, Md., Miss Cynthia Ardis,
Mrs. Sarah Ardis and Mr. Ralph
Ardis, of Pocomoke City, Md., visit
ed Mr. and Mrs. Logan Taylor, re
cently.
It is claimed many adults aren’t
really grown up, hut anyway they
appear fairly aged some mornings
after they have been out with the
boys.
COMMUNITCATION
Editors of Peninsula Enterprise
Accomac, Va.
Gentlemen:
With no desire to ask for too
much space, and with the hope of
hearing from others through the
country press or direct, I am again
asking that you give the following
letters publicity. Among many that
I have received and am still receiving
I am impressed with the idea that
the most concrete suggestion thus
far is a letter from Dr. Lauren B.
Hitchcock, Professor of Chemical
Engineering, University of Virginia.
In a recent letter to Hon. George W.
lvoiner, I had a reply advising me to
take the subject up with Dr. Lauren.
I wrote Dr. Lauren along general
lines, and asked for his reaction to
the whole matter. His reply is as
follows:
“Acknowledging receipt of your
letter of March 7, it is my belief
that economic factors relating to the
production and consumption of starch,
either white or sweet potato, are
reasonably favorable, providing starch
of suitable quality can be produced.
Your territory is ideally suited, and
so far as I know at present you
have no competition nearer than
Aroostook County, Maine, or Min
nesota.
“While attempts to manufacture
salable starch from sweet potatoes is
not new in the United States, I feel
it is probable that the lack of prev
ious success has been due to hasty
action with insufficient technical in
formation. T feel further that your
idea of handling both white and
sweets in the same plants is probably
a fundamental principle to success in
this undertaking.
“Fortunately some valuable devel
opment work has been done lately
by the Bureau of Chemistry and
Soils, thus reducing the preliminary
semi-plant tests essential to any
sound development. I would recom
mend that we arrange a conference
to go over the proposition in more
detail than feasible by correspond
ence, in the near future. If you will
advise when it would be convenient
for you to come to Charlottesville,
I shall be glad to spend whatever
time necessary with you.
“I note incidentally that you speak
of getting underway possibly next
November with a view of going into
production the following May or
June. If you will pardon the sugges
tion my experience has been that it
would be practically impossible to do
it in that time, and that if you
really want to have any chance of
operating a year from this May, you
should lose no time in organizing at
least to an extent which would per
mit putting a small pilot plant to
gether and trying the process out.
Anything less is almost sure to lead
to disaster, as any one will tell you
in this field. At the same time
necessary cost data could be worked
up and the success of the venture
predicted with enough assurance to
readily command backing, or, on the
other hand, figures which would show
that possibly the profits expected
could not be realized. A cost study
of all economic factors involved is
another essential in any such de
velopment, and both this study and
the pilot plant should be initiated at
an early date, if you contemplate
operation at any time like May or
June, 1936.
“The success of your proposition
will undoubtedly depend in large;
measure on whether or not you can
develop a process which will turn out
a starch that competes unreservedly
with that now imported from Hol
land and Germany. It is absurd for
such a situation to exist, and some
one is going to get into this game
soon, I feel confident. With a tariff
advantage of two and one-half cents
to begin with, all that you must be
sure of is a process which will turn
out an A-l product. I believe suf
ficient data is on hand to enable a
start.
By-products possible are moderate
ly attractive, also. With sound back
ing and enthusiastic support, the field
is one which could well lead to profit
able cultivation.”
I have replied to Dr. Hitchcock as
follows:
“Your very highly appreciated let
ter of the 9th inst. in reply to mine
of the 7th received and contents not
ed with utmost interest. You have
given me the most direct, concrete
suggestion thus far received from
any source. I thoroughly agree with
all you state. While the money situ
ation is extremely tight here, yet
with 130,000,000 pounds imported an
nually, and with thousands of cars
of raw material going to complete
waste and loss annually in number
two potatoes and sweets, it does
seem we cannot afford to not pro
ceed to take action in the matter.
Now inasmuch as there is so much
of real suggestive value in your let
ter, I am taking the liberty of giving
it publicity through our County press
this week. I just believe that your
letter will be the cause of sufficient
interest being taken, I hope, as to
lead to a pilot plant being operated
this season. It will be a pleasure
for me to keep you advised with
what action is taken, and we are
going to hope for the cooperation,
interest and all help you can give us
in the matter. For the immediate
present all I can state is that your
letter will be given publicity this
week in County papers out latter part
of this week. If, as hoped for, that
brings some real concrete action on
part of those who can put this mat
ter over in inaugurating a pilot plant
this season, I will at once take it up
Continued on page It