Letter from Accomac, Va.
[Correspondence of the Baltimore
Drummondtown, Va., June 7, 1882. Circuit Court Proceedings -- Objects of Interest at the County Seat -- Rare and Beautiful Trees and Pines -- The Height of the Trucking Season, &c.
The June term of the Circuit Court commenced here Monday, Judge Wm. T. Fitchett, the newly-elected readjuster judge of the Eastern Shore district, presided, it being his first session. Though every member of the bar is bitterly opposed to him in politics he was treated with courtesy, and there seemed to be no effort to take advantage of his inexperience, but, on the contrary, there seemed to be rather a feeling of pity, for his honor looked quite feeble and aged, and not a little embarrassed. The first case argued before the new judge, and probably the most interesting of the term, was that of a suit for damages brought by Mr. A. Frank Byrd, traveling salesman for a Baltimore hardware house, against the Old Dominion Steamship Company, and in which Judge Gunter, the presiding judge's predecessor, appeared as counsel. The plaintiff claimed $1,000 damages for being thrown into the water from the gang-board of the Chincoteague steamer last January, receiving sundry bruises, &c. The plaintiff's case was ably argued by Messrs. Neely and Quinby, but the jury found for the defendants.
This place, although the county seat, is not the most important town in the county. It has some pretty residences, however, and a considerable trade, and its importance is much enhanced by the location here recently of the "Peninsular Enterprise," a live country paper, which, though only a year old, has, through the good management of its editor, Mr. John W. Edmonds, acquired a circulation and influence which many journals do not attain to in a career of years.
One of the objects of interest here is the courthouse, a building of very antiquated style, which is nearly one hundred and fifty years old, and a very ancient clerk's office, which contains some curious old records. Another is the grounds of Mrs. Eliza Garrett, who is said to have the largest collection and greatest variety of shade trees and evergreens in the State. Many of them are very rare and beautiful, the late owner, Dr. Satchell, is quoted as having said that they cost him $10,000.
This is the busiest trucking week of the season for Accomac county. On Monday the shipment by steamer Tangier from Onancock to Baltimore of peas alone was estimated at 1,000 barrels, of strawberries 25,000 quarts, and almost as many more from Finney's wharf, a short distance below on the same creek, and today 15,000 quarts of berries, with peas in proportion were, it is said, shipped from Bogg's wharf. In the early morning the fields are alive with busy pickers, and later in the day all the roads are crowded with carts loaded and making for the most convenient landings. But the farmers complain that they cannot get hands to gather their truck as fast as it ripens, and much is wasted from overripeness.
Onancock is claimed to be the largest shipping point known for sweet potatoes raised in the neighborhood, and averages 5,000 barrels a week during the season. Many farmers are busy planting now, while a large acreage is already well set and growing off nicely, though the cold spring is against the crop and it will be several weeks later than usual this summer. About the first shipment of Irish or, as they say here, "round" potatoes was made today for Baltimore, and in ten days that branch of the trade will be very brisk and the Accomackers will have a plenty of money. The bug, however has been very troublesome in some sections, and your correspondent is informed that in Northampton county fields were entirely ruined by them, plowed up and planted in corn. An Accomac farmer now announces that he has discovered a new way of getting rid of the pests. He turns his guinea fowls in upon them, and reports that they begin systematically every morning taking row by row and soon rid the vines entirely of the villainous little bug. The plan is worth trying.
Yesterday afternoon the fine residence of Mr. Jas. H. Fletcher, a wealthy citizen of this county, was consumed by fire. He resided about six miles from Temperanceville, near Pitt's wharf, and is said to have lost nearly all of his household goods, &c. The fire is reported to have been accidental, and there is no insurance.