Worcester Democrat Explained

Worcester Democrat
Type:	Weekly newspaper
Founder:	Samuel M. Crockett
Foundation:	1898
Ceased Publication:	February 2, 1973
Relaunched:	March 1973, as Worcester County Messenger
Headquarters:	Snow Hill, Maryland
Oclc:	20135210

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]}

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]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: About Worcester Democrat.. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 17 December 2018.
2. Book: Pocomoke City. Miles. Norma. Chandler-Miles. Robin. Arcadia Publishing. 2008. 978-0738553498. 104.
3. Book: Papenfuse, Edward C.. Archives of Maryland, Historical List: House of Delegates, Worcester County (1790-1974). Maryland State Archives. 1990. 1. Annapolis, MD.
4. News: S. M. Crockett Died in Norfolk. 26 August 1922. Democratic Messenger. 17 December 2018.
5. News: The Peninsula Ledger. 8 January 1895. The Baltimore Sun. 17 December 2018.
6. Web site: About Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 17 December 2018.
7. Web site: About Peninsula ledger.. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 17 December 2018.
8. Web site: About Ledger-enterprise. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 17 December 2018.
9. Web site: About Worcester Democrat.. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 17 December 2018.
10. Book: Preston, Dickson J.. Newspapers of Maryland's Eastern Shore. Queen Anne Press. 1986. 0870333364.
11. Web site: About Worcester County messenger.. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 17 December 2018.
12. Book: Wennersten, John. Maryland's Eastern Shore: A Journey in Time and Space. Tidewater Publishers. 1992. Centreville.
13. Book: Heland, Victoria. Worcester Memories, 1890-1933. Worcester Heritage Committee. 1984. Snow Hill, MD.
14. Book: Murray, James. History of Pocomoke City, Formerly New Town. Curry, Clay and Co.. 1888. Baltimore.
15. Book: Ifill, Sherrilyn A.. On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the Twenty-First Century. registration. On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the 21st Century.. Beacon Press. 2007. 978-0807009888.
16. Book: Worcester County: Images of America Series. Jacob. John E.. Carter. Janet. Wainwright. Ellis. Arcadia Publishing. 2000. 0738505773.
17. Book: Worcester County: A Pictorial History. Matthews. Katie Gaskins. Matthews. William Russell. Donning Co.. 1985. Norfolk.
18. Book: Worcester County, Maryland's Arcadia. Truitt. Reginald V.. Les Callette. Millard B.. Worcester County Historical Society. 1977. Snow Hill.