The Worcester Democrat was a weekly newspaper published from 1898 to February 22, 1973, in Pocomoke City, Worcester County, Maryland.[1][2] It was founded by Samuel M. Crockett, a Democratic politician who served in the Maryland House of Delegates for two terms, 1920–1922.[3] Crockett had learned the newspaper business as a young man working at the Somerset Herald in Princess Anne, Maryland,[4] and was also owner of another local paper, the Peninsula-Ledger.[5] In January 1921, the publication changed its name to the Worcester Democrat and the Ledger-Enterprise[6] after it absorbed the successor of the Peninsula-Ledger,[7] the Ledger-Enterprise.[8] This remained the title until September 24, 1953, when it was changed back to its original Worcester Democrat.[9] On March 1, 1973, the Democrat merged with nearby Snow Hill's Democratic Messenger to form the Worcester County Messenger.[10] This newspaper remained in publication until at least 1980.[11][12]
 Cover page of the January 8, 1921 issue of the Worcester Democrat | |
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Samuel M. Crockett |
| Founded | 1898 |
| Ceased publication | February 2, 1973 |
| Relaunched | March 1973, as Worcester County Messenger |
| Headquarters | Snow Hill, Maryland |
| OCLC number | 20135210 |
The Democrat reported mostly on local industry and events, with the yearly Pocomoke Fair running from 1901 to 1917 becoming an anticipated event.[13][14] On October 17, 1933, the paper reported on the lynching of a local man by a mob in Princess Anne; this would be the last known lynching in Maryland.[15][16][17][18]
References
edit- ^ "About Worcester Democrat". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Miles, Norma; Chandler-Miles, Robin (2008). Pocomoke City. Arcadia Publishing. p. 104. ISBN 978-0738553498.
- ^ Papenfuse, Edward C. (1990). Archives of Maryland, Historical List: House of Delegates, Worcester County (1790-1974). Vol. 1. Annapolis, MD: Maryland State Archives.
- ^ "S. M. Crockett Died in Norfolk". Democratic Messenger. 26 August 1922. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "The Peninsula Ledger". The Baltimore Sun. 8 January 1895. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "About Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "About Peninsula ledger". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "About Ledger-enterprise". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ "About Worcester Democrat". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Preston, Dickson J. (1986). Newspapers of Maryland's Eastern Shore. Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0870333364.
- ^ "About Worcester County messenger". Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
- ^ Wennersten, John (1992). Maryland's Eastern Shore: A Journey in Time and Space. Centreville: Tidewater Publishers.
- ^ Heland, Victoria (1984). Worcester Memories, 1890-1933. Snow Hill, MD: Worcester Heritage Committee.
- ^ Murray, James (1888). History of Pocomoke City, Formerly New Town. Baltimore: Curry, Clay and Co.
- ^ Ifill, Sherrilyn A. (2007). On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the Twenty-First Century. Beacon Press. ISBN 978-0807009888.
On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the 21st Century.
- ^ Jacob, John E.; Carter, Janet; Wainwright, Ellis (2000). Worcester County: Images of America Series. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738505773.
- ^ Matthews, Katie Gaskins; Matthews, William Russell (1985). Worcester County: A Pictorial History. Norfolk: Donning Co.
- ^ Truitt, Reginald V.; Les Callette, Millard B. (1977). Worcester County, Maryland's Arcadia. Snow Hill: Worcester County Historical Society.