A Short History of Cape Charles, Part 4

In September, 1885, the first public school was started in the Northern Methodist Church with Jeter Haley, 18 years old, as teacher. Messrs. Harry Russell and Henry Kellogg are the only two now living in Cape Charles who attended the school. In 1886 the town erected a one-room frame building on the lot where Mrs. Tucker Wilkins home now stands and the Rev. Jimmy Crowder was the teacher. In 1887 Miss Dolly Whittington taught this school. A few years later the town built a two room brick school building on Monroe Avenue and later added two more rooms. For lack of space a class was taught over the jail for one year and then a two-room frame building was erected on the same school property. In 1912 the Cape Charles High School was moved to its present location.

In February, 1909, the corporate limits were extended to the beach, several ponds were drained at the cost of $800. In 1910 the Baltimore Dredging Company filled in the ponds, blowing sand from the north side of the jetty, costing $35,000. Where the sand was blown from now forms the swimming hole. The sand hills facing the beach were leveled; the pines cut, and lots offered for sale in this section now known as the Annex and the first home erected was owned by Willie Milligan at the corner of Madison and Harbor Avenues.

Previous to the recent death of Mr. Charlie Travis he was the oldest person in Cape Charles from the standpoint of residence. That distinction now lies between Mr. Harry Russell and Mr. Henry Kellogg, each moving here in 1885.

Cape Charles was especially fortunate in having among its early citizens men with progressive ideas and the good of the town at heart. Besides those previously mentioned I would call attention to Mr. John Carroll, a former mayor, and I. J. Burbage, mayor for several terms.

Cape Charles was the last place on the Eastern Shore of Virginia where legalized whisky was sold. On January 5, 1905, an election was held and the town voted dry by 46 majority. Dr. Garland Moore, who was then living in Cape Charles, several days before the election predicted that the town would go dry by about 45 majority. Mr. Jennings Waples, now living in Onancock, was one of the judges; he is the only judge or clerk that I can now recall who served for that election. The saloons were given 90 days in which to finish their business; therefore, on April 4, 1905 all saloons had to be closed.

I am often asked questions about the beginning of Cape Charles, therefore, I have written the above with the hope that it may be of interest to those who love this place and revive some of the pleasant memories dimmed by the passing time. I have never kept a "Diary," but have relied on my memory, with the assistance of two or three friends who told me of a few events I had forgotten. There may be a few mistakes but in the main this is a true history of the early Cape Charles.

Dr. W. D. WILLIAMS.

June 1st, 1946.

(THE END.)