Peninsula Enterprise, February 2, 1884

Untitled

reprinted from Snow Hill Democratic MessengerTransportation -- Railroad - ConstructionTransportation -- Water - Freight

In a short time another bridge is to be placed across the Pocomoke at Pocomoke City by the N. Y., Phil. & Norfolk R.R. Co. We have been informed that the draw in this bridge is to be only 50 feet wide -- the width of the present bridge spanning the river at Pocomoke City. This draw will not be near wide enough; it should be at least 60 feet wide. It is highly probable that the E. S. Steamboat Co. will in a short time place the steamer "Eastern Shore," whose width is 56 feet -- or even a larger boat -- on this route. Would it not be better for the Railroad Company to build the draw of a suitable width in the first place, and save the trouble and expense of having to enlarge it in the near future? The E. S. Steamboat Co. have given us passenger and freight accommodations which have proved of incalculable benefits to our county, and our people will not tolerate the abridgment of any of their present privileges, nor, indeed, the erection of any structure which will interfere with the commerce of the Pocomoke River. It is to be hoped that the officials of the railroad company above named will give the matter the attention which it merits.

Untitled

Infrastructure -- Commercial - Real estate

Seventy acres of land sold at public auction, last Saturday, by Mr. J. T. B. Burton, at Powelton, was bid off to Messrs. John E. Watson Jr., and Golden F. Watson, at the price of $1,905.

Untitled

Infrastructure -- Public - Government : Lighthouse service

Mr. Francis E. Wilkins has been appointed, and qualified as Assistant Light-house Keeper of Watts' Island Light Station, Va., vice N. J. W. LeCato, resigned.

Untitled

Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Law enforcement

Accomac C. H.

A six pound cannon which, had been lying around our streets for years, and occasionally used to celebrate a Democratic victory or to salute a newly married couple, was removed by Inspector Hindman to Messongo, last Monday, and will hereafter "do service" in the oyster wars on Pocomoke.

Untitled

Infrastructure -- Public : SchoolsSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PricesTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Rabbit and squirrel

Atlantic.

The Baptists intend to have a parsonage building erected here at an early day. Contributions have been made for that purpose by Mr. J. S. Johnson, $100; and by Dr. Thos. T. Taylor and Mr. Jeter Savage respectively of 500 and 5000 feet of timber.

Oysters shipped to New York from this point are worth $3.50 per barrel nett.

Rabbit hunting is a popular diversion with our people now, young and old.

Untitled

Tourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - OtherInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Life-saving serviceMigrationProfessionals -- Doctors

Chincoteague.

There were rather strange proceedings at the Hall last Wednesday night -- a prayer meeting above and a dance below. If our dancers had a little more respect for Christianity, they would select other nights for their reel than those on which prayer meetings are held.

Keeper John B. Whealton of Cedar Island Station, and Superintendent Rich put in their appearance last week. The new stations are completed and furnished, and the question is asked: why not name them?

Dr. John Fields, who returns from Missouri, will locate on Chincoteague for the practice of his profession. He comes not as a stranger, but known here from boyhood.

Untitled

Transportation -- Railroad - ConstructionInfrastructure -- Public : SchoolsSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideTransportation -- Water - Freight

Modestown.

A large quantity of "trucks" of all kinds will be planted by our farmers this year than ever before. The prospective railroad is stimulating them.

Under the excellent management of Miss Nannie Higgins, our public school is progressing finely. She is popular with both parents and pupils. The number of pupils in her school is 56.

The schooner of Capt. W. T. Bundick was loaded with a cargo of fine oysters in our waters last week, for the northern markets.

Untitled

Infrastructure -- Public : SchoolsMigration

Pungoteague.

Several gunners from the Northern cities, arrived by steamer this week at Bogg's wharf, en route to Belle Haven.

Several gentlemen from Wisconsin will visit this locality in the Spring on a prospecting tour, for the purpose of buying our lands and making their homes in our midst. They come not as speculators, but as farmers, and deserve a hearty reception.

The public schools in this locality are in a thrifty condition. Mr. Geo. Holt, principal, Miss Martin, assistant, are teaching about eighty of "the young idea how to shoot."

An Improving Village.

Infrastructure -- Public : Towns

Messrs. A. J. Mears & Sons have recently had carriage, wheelwright and blacksmith shops erected in that thrifty section of our county, known as the "Railroad," at a point about a mile below Dunkirk. A new store is to be built there very shortly also, and the establishment of a postoffice has been ordered, by the Postoffice Department. In "ye olden time," the place was called Lastshift, and was celebrated as a meeting place for those who wished to invoke the God of justice. Now the name has been changed to Grangeville, and promises through the efforts of the enterprising firm which have established themselves there to again become a place of business importance.

On a Tour.

Tourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Music

Mr. E. M. Remsburg, of the well known piano house of Chas. M. Stieff, Baltimore, was in our town last Thursday on business for the firm. He has carte blanche to sell you a new piano or make an exchange with you for an old one, and does not object to turn his hand even to tuning your instrument.

A Change of Base.

Professionals -- Doctors

Dr. G. Fred Floyd, of Locustville, has concluded to locate at Bridgetown, Northampton county, Va., for the practice of his profession. In making the announcement, we have to add that there is no young physician whom we could commend more highly to the people of that section. With his intelligence, industry, good habits, fondness for and proficiency in his profession, he deserves to succeed in his chosen field of labor and will do it.

Real Estate Transfers.

Infrastructure -- Commercial - Real estateTransportation -- Railroad - Construction

The following transfers of real estate were recorded in the Accomack County Court clerk's office, during the week ending January 30, 1884:

Wm. S. Mills and wife to Nathaniel F. and Geo. S. Walter, 1-2 of an acre at Onancock; $500.

Upshur B. Quinby, special commissioner, to John O. Selby, 1 acre at Oak Hall, (Adair land); $320.

Benjamin T. Gunter, special commissioner, to Upshur B. Quinby, 41-735 of an acre at Belle Haven (Ward land); $726.

Annie W. Boggs to Benjamin T. Parker, 1-5th interest in 30 acres in Slutkill Neck; $175.

John Brittingham and wife to N. Y., P. & Norfolk R.R. Co., route of road across grantors' lands; $250.

John M. Coleburn to same; $1.

C. H. Coleburn and wife to same; $1.

Richard D. L. Fletcher et als., to Eleanor A. F. Fletcher, 80 acres arable and 54 acres woodland, near Jenkins' Bridge; $2000.

Richard P. Reynolds to Wm. J. Kolock, 1 acre on Chincoteague Island; $10.

Thomas Bundick and wife to Richard J. and Wm. P. Bundick, grantors' interest in 96 acres known as "Powell land" near Alms-house; $250.

Mary S. White to J. T. Ackley et als., school trustees, 3-4 of an acre in Modestown; $150.

Robert T. Hall and wife, &c., to Jones F. Terry, 8 acres of Freeschool land near Messongo P. O.; $42.

New Court-House and Better Roads.

Architecture -- CourthousesTransportation -- Road - MaintenanceTransportation -- Road - Legislation

MR. EDITOR -- Dear Sir: If there is a single citizen of the county who is not entirely in favor of the building of a new court-house at an early day I have yet to hear of him. That the present building, with all its adjuncts, is unworthy so rich and proud a county, not even the most thorough stickler for all that was "feyther's" will deny. It is entirely too small for its purposes, and to judge, jury, counsel, and parties to a cause, and the public, there is little of comfort in any respect. Let us by all means have a new court-house at the earliest day possible. The good people of this county who pay so readily and so willingly their taxes are entitled to what they may wish in this regard -- or any other upon which they may determine. And there is another upon which they have determined -- and so far as the farmers, at least, are concerned in stern earnest. That the new court-house is a well-required want, is freely conceded -- but the other, to the great majority of the people, is one that should have their immediate attention. I mean the care of our roads. To the great body of our people this is of infinitely vaster importance than the rearing of new public buildings, and being so demands the first attention. Whatever may be the cause the present road law is with us almost entirely valueless. With a soil so readily and easily drained that, save in exceptional stretches of heavy sand, our roads might almost compete with a race track in smoothness if properly worked. We suffer the immense expense of wear and tear and waste of carts and teams in hauling, and in addition almost entire lack of comfort in carriage riding -- an expense great enough, if the true value of lossage were summed up, very nearly to keep our roads in far better condition than they are. As they are now they are simply a disgrace to the county. To say nothing of the impression upon strangers who might desire to "occupy the soil;" who might come to "spy out the land" for others, we sustain a heavy loss in the wear and tear and waste of teams and vehicles of all sorts. We do not see these losses in debit and credit accounts -- but we are feeling them terribly in loss of newcomers and in cash paid out. Because for so many years we have suffered the lossage, discomfort and disgrace of such fearfully bad roads, instead of being a reason why we should bear it yet a little longer, is on the contrary a grave reason why we should at once take steps to remedy this great evil. One thing is certain -- the present law is a dead failure. Under the existing system any roadmaster who does his duty brings upon himself the ill will of his neighbors, and in the end accomplishes (very nearly if not quite) -- nothing. As at present framed, the law bears unequally and unjustly. A woman, simply because she is a woman, is exempt from road duty, no matter how much property she may own or how many teams she may plough the roads with; a man arrived at the age of sixty is exempt, because he is sixty, although he is in the full tide of money-getting, owns largely in "lands and tenements," and his teams are always cutting the road to pieces; and there are other exemptions, by courtesy or law, of less consequence. Now, all others must either work upon the roads -- or pay. The law is unjust and unequal in all this.

Now, how can this and other defects be remedied? I do not pretend to speak as an expert or by authority, but I offer my suggestion. Let our people require of our representatives in the Legislature to ask a bill for us to work our roads by taxation; either upon property real and personal, or poll, and when the tax be not paid (save by order of court as in case of physical disability,) let the penalty of personal labor be imposed; and require the road precincts to be let to the lowest bidder, who shall give bond for the faithful performance of the duty. Some such course would assure what is so necessary to us, and so easily had if properly sought, the best roads. This need is imperative. Let us have our new court-house by all means, but, before the tax is laid even to build it, let us provide decent roads for the contractor to haul his material upon, and to permit the supervisors occasionally to be able to get from home to inspect the work. If pride in our county does not influence us, we have the great lever of self interest to back us up to the work. With the roads in the condition they should be, the saving to our farmers would be immense. A team hauling a ton now might then easily haul, at least, half a ton more. Yes, give us the new court-house, but, first give us the roads that we may go to inspect our work without getting stalled on the way in mire and mud, or lost in ponds.

V. B. ROADS.

January 30th, 1884.

Peninsula Enterprise
Accomac Court House
February 2, 1884