Peninsula Enterprise, May 4, 1882
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Forests -- Barrel factories Forests -- SawmillsInfrastructure -- Commercial - Grist mills
Messrs. Frank T. Stockley, L. J. Hyslop and E. T. Coleburn have recently received a first-class planing, saw and grist mill, which they will locate on the premises of Mr. Stockley, near Dunkirk. A feature of the new enterprise, in which our farmers are more especially interested, will be a barrel factory. They will be able to furnish barrels in limited quantities in time for the shipment of round potatoes, and the supply of barrels will be abundant by the time "sweets" are ready for market.
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Laborers -- Farm
Mr. A. J. Mears, the industrious agent selected by the farmers to secure laborers for them, reports the recent arrival of twenty-five farm hands.
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Other
Chincoteague has a social sensation at this time in the marriage of one Gordon Richards to Fanny Wharton (both white) by a colored diveine. The reason for the selection of our colored brother to perform the ceremony was not reported to us. Our friends on the island, however, describe them as 'nobody married to nothing,' and therein may be the explanation. The license was obtained by the contracting parties and the rite of matrimony which united them celebrated in 'My Maryland.'
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Fields -- Crops - StrawberriesFarmers -- Innovation
IN AN issue of this paper some months ago we gave a short notice of a very early variety of strawberry grown by Mr. L. J. Hyslop, near Locustmount, in this county. We said then that they ripened earlier than the Wilson; and now a correspondent, Dr. John E. Mapp, writes us that they are ready for market this year two weeks ahead of any berry on the Eastern Shore. A few of them were ripe enough to ship on 29th of April, and to-day Mr. Hyslop makes a large shipment of the berries. Our correspondent describes them as "firm, beautifully shaped, nice flavor" -- in fact, a perfect berry in every respect. The berry to which we refer is known as the "Hyslop," and the gentleman who is growing them will reap a rich harvest for his enterprise and industry this season in the cultivation of berries. The history of the berry to which we refer may be a stimulus to our farmers to get out of the "old ruts" in which they have been so long travelling, and for their benefit we give it. It may be briefly told, as follows: When our friend began to grow berries for market, he realized the fact that to make them profitable it was necessary to get a berry that would ripen very early. With that object in view, he sent to the nurseries of the North for different varieties, and his experiment resulted in securing a berry especially adapted to our soil and climate, which at the nursery where found was named for him the "Hyslop." We have but to add that to do as our fathers did in some respects is very good advice, but agriculture, like every other branch of industry, is advancing, and those who do not wish to go behind in the race must go forward, as our enterprising friend has done. The success which he has had in this "new departure" awaits others in the growth of everything to which our soil is adapted.
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Transportation -- Railroad - Construction
The corps of engineers of the Eastern Shore Railroad are now engaged in making the survey for a branch road from the main line to Onancock.
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Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Planting
Messrs. Thomas & Feddeman have recently completed a large store house at Shad Landing in this county. Oyster planting will be another feature of their business at the same place.
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Transportation -- Water - Aids to navigation
Parties wishing to contract for cleaning and repairing the buoys along the coast should notice the proposal presented by the Lighthouse Inspector in this issue.
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African-Americans -- ReligionInfrastructure -- Public : Camp meetings
A camp meeting will be held at the Colored Methodist Church, near Wattsville, Va., commencing Aug 11th 1882. Thos. Pinkett, Pastor.
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African-Americans -- SocietyMoral -- Firearms
A son of the contractor carrying the mails between Accomac C. H. and Locustmount received an ugly wound in the calf of his leg, during last week, by the accidental discharge of a gun, at a serenade given to a wedding party of our colored friends 'moving in the higher circles'.
CAMP MEETING.
Infrastructure -- Public : Camp meetings
A camp meeting for Onancock circuit has been appointed to be held in Mr. Thomas C. Pitts' woods, in front of the residence of Mr. John S. Martin, about four miles south of Onancock, commencing on Friday, July 28th. The pastor and brethren of Pungoteague circuit are cordially invited to camp with us and share in the spiritual profits of the meeting. A number of ministers are invited, and are expected to be present.
J. CARSON WATSON, Pastor.
May 4, 1882.
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Moral -- Murder
The following data furnished by a friend reveals a curious history of crimes and casualties on a farm in the upper part of our county. The premises referred to are located near Woodberry, in a neighborhood noted for the thrift and industry of its inhabitants. Strange to say, too, in no party of our commonwealth are the citizens more law abiding. The place has been 'a dark and bloody ground', as it were; while quiet and good order reigned all around it, except at the intervals designated by the following crimes: On the farm referred to, at the commencement of the late war Mr. James Wessels was killed by an unknown person depredating on the premises. Immediately after the war Asbury Middleton was shot and killed there by one of a party which were then known as 'Simon Brown men.' In 1868 or '69 James East who lived on said premises was killed at Woodberry and carried there afterwards; and a Mrs. Webb, living at the same place, came to her death by poison taken accidentally. Recently, Gilley Bundick, living at or near the same place, was killed by some one lying in wait for him. Ben Young, the party charged with the offence, being tried at this term of the court and sentenced to the penitentiary for eighteen years.
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Tourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - ResortsInfrastructure -- Commercial - Hotels
In this issue of our paper appears an advertisement for the Atlantic Hotel, on Chincoteague Island, and we very cheerfully commend it to the public patronage. We "speak by the card" when we say that the rooms and fare are excellent, and the proprietors of the hotel unsurpassed in the polite attentions they give to guests. As a summer resort, it is delightful. Far from the city's busy hum, its surroundings are nevertheless sufficiently attractive to make a sojourner there always unwilling to leave. It is easy of access, being connected with the busy world by railroads, steamboats and telegraphs, and while one can there enter into the amusements of the place, sufficiently varied to suit all tastes, or live in retirement, if he likes, he is at the same time in a few hours' ride of the bustle of the great cities of our country.
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Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : MarketsSea -- Fish factoriesTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebirdTransportation -- Water - Sailboats
Chincoteague Notes.
Dr. McClellan, otherwise known as "Diamond Dick," visited Chincoteague last week. He excels more as a rifleman than as a physician.
Work at the fish factory located on the island was resumed on the 1st of May.
Jersey vessels are loading with planted oysters to be laid out at Egg Harbor, to supply the summer market at Atlantic City.
During last week the schooner Emma Jane, commanded by Capt. Daines, made a trip from Chincoteague to James river and back in 52 hours, making, in the language of our correspondent, "the fastest time on record."
EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT MATTERS.
reprinted from Baltimore Sun.
The proposed sale of the Eastern Shore Steamboat Company to a syndicate headed by Mr. Cornelius Taylor is exciting comment all over the peninsula. The offer to sell grew out of the organization of an opposition line, of which Mr. Taylor was the leading spirit. The stockholders of the new company were principally farmers and business men in Accomac county, Va. Since the Eastern Shore company has offered to sell out, however, the new company has abandoned its plans for building steamers, it is said, and intends to enlarge upon its first project by including among the stockholders the people of Northampton county, Va., and those interested in such a line in Worcester and Somerset counties, Md. It is not known yet how much money has been raised, but a meeting will be held at Drummondtown on Monday, when some definite action will be taken. If the $210,000 necessary for the purchase cannot be gotten together, then it is probable the new company will start as originally intended on a scale smaller than that of the Eastern Shore Steamboat Company.
The meeting referred to was held, but up to date no one outside the syndicate knows with what result. Outsiders say that they propose buying out the Eastern Shore Company, but what the special hitch is nobody seems to know.
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Laborers -- FarmMigrationAfrican-Americans -- Work - Agriculture
Want of labor with us at this time is a matter of importance, and the question that is most naturally suggested in view of the fact is, how we can supply the deficiency. Our system of labor is a bad one, but it has become a habit, and habits are hard to overcome. Besides, the farmers have not enough of their ordinary laborers to meet their demands. Whence, then, the supply to till the fields and do the tillage? Let us see. Last year the immigration into this country was far over a million, and for this month alone it is estimated to reach 100,000. Herein, lies the key to our position. But let us make no mistakes. In these mistakes have been our utter failure. In seeking foreign immigrant labor we have employed, for some occult reason, men and women who are not only to our habits, but far more to our language, utter strangers. Here we have made a great mistake. In 1881 there arrived in this country 153,714 immigrants from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the islands. Of these, all nearly, if not entirely, except possibly the Welsh and the "Islanders," understand our language, and all easily enter into our habits. This is a very large percentage of the immigrants, and herein we do not include those of and through British America. Now, we propose to fill our deficit in labor, and with people who are alike to us in speech and habits of life. The best for us, we unhesitatingly say, are those of our language. But here comes a very important, almost seriously important point; a point we must learn, and the sooner the better for us. These laborers, although merely laborers, have not been raised on "hog and hominy," and will not live on it. A different diet is essential. They must, in addition to being treated as men, have an entirely different method of feeding. Beef, mutton and other meats. . . . The huts with which our negroes are familiar, and to them are homes, are what these not only do not expect, but will not accept. We must give them a different fare and a better domicile. With all this to offer, labor will come, not only at our seeking, but of its own accord. These are essential points; ponder them. Reject them, and you must go on in the same "old way"; accept them, and your future is secure. Our whole trouble is unreliability of labor -- its correction lies in the suggestions of this article. We shall recur to this subject in the future, elaborating some points further.
ATLANTIC HOTEL (late English's),
Infrastructure -- Commercial - HotelsTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Resorts
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, VA.
W. J. Matthews & Co., Proprietors.
The Undersigned beg leave to inform their friends and the general public that they have leased and refurnished the above elegant and commodious house, and are now prepared to accommodate permanent and transient guests in first-class style.
Large, airy rooms. Home comforts. Fine Sea and Bay fishing, gunning and bathing, etc. The table is provided with fowl, terrapin, fish, oysters, crabs, and all the luxuries of the season.
Pleasure boats of all kinds, guides, fishing lines, decoys, ponies, etc., always ready for the use of guest.
First-class Bar attached. Choice wines, liquors, ales, beer, and cigars.
Passengers for Chincoteague connect with steamer for the Island at Franklin City, the terminus of the Worchester Railroad, morning and evening. Connection may also be made daily at Nashville. All who visit the Atlantic may rest assured that they will receive courteous treatment and excellent fare.
Your patronage is respectfully solicited.
W. J. MATTHEWS & CO.
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Laborers -- Farm
I have made arrangements in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore to supply farmers on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland with all the labor needed. For further particulars address
A. J. Mears,
Pungoteague, Accomac, Va.
May 4, '82.
CAMP MEETING.
- A camp meeting for Onancock circuit has been appointed to be held in Mr. Thomas C. Pitts' woods, in front of the residence of Mr. John S. Martin, about four miles south of Onancock, commencing on Friday, July 28th. the pastor and brethren of Pungoteague circuit are cordially invited to camp with us and share in the spiritual profits of the meeting. A number of ministers are invited, and are expected to be present.
J. CARSON WATSON, Pastor.
May 4, 1882.