Peninsula Enterprise, May 12, 1894

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Fields -- Crops - Strawberries

A great many strawberries were shipped from Accomac county this week. The crop will be larger than was anticipated.

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Infrastructure -- Public : Camp meetings

Camp-meeting at Turlington Grounds, near Keller station, commences this year August 10th.

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Transportation -- Road - Maintenance

The Board of Supervisors met last Wednesday to consider the question of keeping in order the public roads and bridges of the county but have not yet formulated a plan as the law requires. They will meet again next Tuesday to further consider the question.

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Forests -- SawmillsInfrastructure -- Commercial - Insurance companies

Belle Haven.

Mr. F. E. Kellam, has located his new saw and planing mill here and will be ready for operation in a few days.

Mr. Charles Wyatt, of Crisfield, who has recently made this his home, is having an office built opposite Doughty's hotel and will open a general fire and life insurance business.

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Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebirdTransportation -- Water - FreightSea -- Shellfish - Crabbing : Seaside

Chincoteague.

Beach birds were never more plentiful in our waters.

The report that Capt. John B. Whealton, of schooner Joseph Foster, died of yellow fever about two weeks ago, and published in Farmer and Fisherman, is incorrect. The captain and his crew are all alive and well, except the mate of schooner who died on his way to Rio. The schooner, after being loaded with sugar, filled with water, but will be reloaded and is expected to arrive home soon.

Our people are enjoying the soft crabs now so abundant in our waters.

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Sea -- Fish factoriesInfrastructure -- Public : ChurchesTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Fraternal ordersInfrastructure -- Commercial - Commercial construction

Harborton.

The American Fish Guano Company has resumed work, but report fish scarce.

The corner-stone of Baptist Church at Harborton, will be laid with Masonic ceremonies on the 4th day of July.

The building committee of the Baptist Church met here last Monday. Work on the new church will begin at an early date.

The corner-stone of the M. E. Church, South, at this place, will be laid on the 24th of this month, by the Masons. An all-day picnic will be held in the grove near the church.

Mr. G. B. Hoffman will move into his new store next week. This capacious building will be stocked with a fine line of goods. The public will be greatly benefited to call on him before going elsewhere.

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Transportation -- Road - MaintenanceFields -- crops - Sweet potatoes : AcreageInfrastructure -- Commercial - Insurance companiesSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PoachingInfrastructure -- Commercial - Real estateForests -- Forest products - Lumber

Mappsville.

A slight change in public road has been made by order of court, in northern part of the village.

More acreage in sweet potatoes this year than ever before. Recent slight showers have cheered up the strawberry growers wonderfully. Crops are looking well, except clover and grass.

Mr. O. Baker has recently put up around his premises here the handsomest and best fence in the place. Mr. John W. Gillespie is a good second in the race of improvement of fencing.

The Mutual Live Stock Insurance Company of this place has just paid Mr. T. L. Byrd for his horse which died recently. The company is growing rapidly, having a membership of about 100 farmers, with about $15,000 worth of stock insured. New members are coming in rapidly, attracted by the cheapness of the insurance and safety of the company.

Many diverse opinions prevail throughout this neighborhood in regard to the recent shooting of Gladding and Trader on or near the oyster beds of Somers and others. Many justify the shooting, if it is shown that the parties shot were taking oysters that were the property of others, while others condemn the act as entirely inexcusable under the most unfavorable aspect of the case as regards the conduct of the wounded individuals. At the writing Gladding is no better and will probably die.

John Shreaves, Esq., has recently purchased the Laws farm near Modestown, belonging to Spencer R. Nelson.

N. W. Nock has now on hand a good supply of building lumber of all sorts, cut from first growth timber, which he is selling very cheap.

James H. Smith has improved the appearance of his lot here by a new fence, and by the purchase from N. W. Nock of a small piece of land -- former site of old blacksmith shop -- which squares up his lot.

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Fields -- Crops - StrawberriesInfrastructure -- Public : ChurchesTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Fraternal orders

Pungoteague.

Strawberries are being shipped quite lively from this place, but the early crop is short.

Rev. J. R. Griffith received 51 members into the M. E. Church, South, of this place, at his last appointment.

Mr. L. J. Turlington, treasurer of Pungoteague Conclave, I. O. H., has paid the widow of Thomas R. Joynes, deceased, $2,000 -- just 12 days from time his death was reported.

Accomac Club Regatta, May 24th, 1894.

Tourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Boat racingTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Lodges

First race -- Batteaux 18 feet and under, open to Accomac county, only. Two prizes.

Second race -- Batteaux 16 feet and under, open to Accomac county, only. Two prizes.

Third race -- Batteaux 16 feet and under, open to Accomac county, only. Two prizes.

Fourth race -- Skiffs, 16 feet and under, open to all the Eastern Shore. Two prizes.

Judges to be selected before the races start by a committee of five citizens of Accomac county. Measurements according to club rule adopted in 1893. At least three boats to enter in each contest, or no race. No entrance required. All are welcome. The club house reserved for ladies as heretofore. Refreshments of the races are furnished.

Camp-Meeting Notice.

Infrastructure -- Public : Camp meetings

A full attendance of the Camp-Meeting Committee jointly appointed by Pungoteague and Wachapreague circuits, is earnestly desired at the Turlington camp-ground on next Monday (14th), at 3 p. m., sharp. The object of said meeting is to further appoint sub-committees and to make all necessary arrangements for the encampment, which will open on said ground on the 10th day of August. All parties desiring boarding tent and other public privileges during the meeting are requested to be present and make application at said meeting of committee. For the benefit of absentees at last meeting a full list of Camp Meeting Committee is given below:

Z. C. Mason, J. E. Mapp, Thomas Styles, W. F. Fleming, William B. Mapp, Baily Bird, Samuel W. Ames, J. H. Hebard, Jr., George B. Mason, C. W. Marsh, J. W. Sturgis, L. J. Hyslop, Thomas H. James, A. T. Mears, John S. Ames, Washington Wallace, J. J. O. K. Walker, Joseph C. Boggs, Henry T. Martin and William D. Evans.

BY ORDER OF COMMITTEE.

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VS. E. T. SOMERS AND OTHERS.

Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Poaching

Defendants Admitted to Bail.

Evidence was heard before Judge Gillet last Monday, on application for bail in case of Commonwealth vs. Edward T. Somers, Samuel J. Justice, William J. Somers and T. B. Mason, charged with shooting "with intent to maim, disfigure, disable and kill," Burwell Gladding and Floyd Trader on Thursday, 3rd inst. Each was bailed on bond in penalty of $5,000 for his appearance at June term of county court, unless the wounds of Gladding resulted fatally before that time, when each would be rearrested and further bail refused. The evidence submitted was substantially as follows:

Floyd Trader, witness for the Commonwealth, testified that he, with Burwell Gladding, left Muddy Creek for Pocomoke Sound on Thursday about dark to look for Buck Gladding, got lost about 11 o'clock and were sounding when they were called to by defendants, about twelve o'clock, to heave to, and that in a few seconds thereafter they were fired upon and shot, he in the hip and Gladding in back, head and arm. He further testified that they did not catch oysters on oyster beds of Somers and others, and didn't have any dredge or anything else to catch them with -- that the oysters were on the boat when they left the landing, He also said, that two of the parties with guns in their hands threatened to kill him if he did not acknowledge that he was dredging their oysters.

Dr. John W. Bowdoin, called by the Commonwealth, gave description of wounds and said the condition of Gladding was very critical -- and had very little hope of his recovery. The same witness, called by defense, testified that Lloyd Trader told him that there were no oysters on his boat when he and Gladding left the landing -- that it was the first time that he had been on the oyster beds of Somers and others and that Gladding must have gone there out of spite.

Mr. C. C. Dix also testified without any essential difference as follows: That they had been informed that their oyster beds were being depredated upon and on Thursday night found Gladding and Trader on their oyster beds, heard the dredges rattle when oysters were dumped in boat by them and when dredges were thrown overboard, but didn't see dredges, but did see where the dredge line was made fast, and that Trader made acknowledgement to them to that effect. They further testified that boat of Gladding and Trader was in about 75 yards when first discovered, and that they didn't shoot at them until they hailed them four times, after which all the defendants except Mr. Justice said they shot at them. That they didn't know it was Gladding and Trader they were shooting at and shot at them because they did not believe they could catch them. They further testified that their oyster have a greenish cast, the same as found on boat of Gladding, and could be further identified by the shells on which they had caught, having different marks from any other shells planted near their oyster beds, in having mouth broken off by opening the oysters. They testified also that Gladding had his knife in hand when he was shot, which they alleged was used by him in cutting dredge line.