Peninsula Enterprise, March 12, 1887

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Infrastructure -- Commercial - Real estateTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - ResortsTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Second homes

A portion of Hog Island has been purchased by a Philadelphia capitalist who proposes to have summer houses erected thereon at an early date.

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Fields -- Crops - White potatoes : Acreage

Accomac C. H.

The acreage of round potatoes with us is larger than ever was known before. Many of our truckers have planted from 8 to 10 barrels.

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Infrastructure -- Public : Fire companiesInfrastructure -- Utilities - Water

Our sister town Onancock, is being aroused to the importance of being ready to fight fire whenever it occurs, and at a town meeting recently held, resolutions were adopted urging the council to have artesian wells sunk and to purchase force pumps and other necessary apparatus.

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Transportation -- Water - Strandings

The North German Lloyd steamship Rheim of 1,875 tons net register, 345 feet long, 40 feet and 5 inches beam and 33 1-4 depth of hold, is ashore on Hog Island. She was bound from Bremen to Baltimore -- has on board large cargo, 900 steerage passengers, and is manned by a crew of 80 men.

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Moral -- Other violent crime

George Phillips, colored, was arraigned before a justice for an attempted assault on a white woman named Emma Shay last Wednesday, and in default of security was sent to jail.

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Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PricesSea -- Market huntingInfrastructure -- Public : SchoolsTransportation -- Railroad - FreightTransportation -- Water - Aids to navigationInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Lighthouse service

Chincoteague.

Schooner Goolick was loaded here on last Monday with oysters at 50 cents per bushel. Her captain reports that our oysters will be in demand with planters in northern markets this season.

Mr. Timothy Hill, aged 65 years, killed on 5th inst., 31 pairs of ducks, which netted him in Philadelphia, $62. For one not accustomed to gunning, this we think will be considered a good day's work.

Prof. E. S. Murray makes following report of attendance and scholarship of Chincoteague public school, high and grammar department for January and February, 1887: Enrollment: boys 27, girls 20, total -- 47. Average attendance; boys 25, girls 17, total -- 42. Percentage of attendance: boys 92, girls 83, total -- 88.

The agent of the Del., Md., & Va., R.R. reports an increase in freight from this point last year. In 1886, $142.76 more was paid on shipments made by us, than in 1885.

Since the 8th of March "no weather forecast" has been stuck up here for the information of boatsmen in consequence of the failure in Congress of an appropriation for Signal Bureau, and naturally they complain very much.

Capt. Geo. B. White visited the Killick Shoal and Assateague Lights on Monday. He states that at a suggestion made by him to the Light House Board, assistant keepers at Assateague get 20 per cent more salary than formerly. The 1st and 2nd assistants now are paid $480 and $468 respectively, at that Light.

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Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeedTransportation -- Railroad - FreightWatermen -- Personal injuryMoral -- Property crime

Greenbackville.

Schooner Peter J. Hart, J. S. Pruitt, Capt., arrived here on Friday, the 4th inst., with a cargo of seed oysters from Chesapeake Bay, for Messrs. Hancock & Co.

Large shipments of oysters and clams are still going forward to the different city markets, from here and other points along the line of the D.M. & V. R.R.

The body of the young man, E. Chapman Marriner, accidentally drowned in Chincoteague Bay near here on the 29th day of last November, was found floating in Maryland waters near "George's Island Landing" on the 4th last. His brothers being notified, together with others, went for his remains and brought them to this place in the afternoon of that day. At an inquest held over them by Justice Stant, the verdict of the jury was that he came to his death by accidental drowning in Chincoteague Bay in the morning of November 29th, 1886. The body was in a bad State of preservation and could only be identified by his apparel.

On Friday night, the 4th inst., some sneak thief or thieves, entered the cabin of Capt. John W. Marshall's sloop, then lying in the harbor at this place, while he was on shore with his girl, and carried off a lot of flour, meat and other ship stores found on board, together with a pair of hip rubber boots. X.

A Young Man's Desperate Deed.

Mental illness

Mr. Geo. W. Matthews, son of Rev. Geo. W. Matthews, of Arkansas, attempted to commit suicide on the 3rd inst., at the residence of his uncle, Mr. S. W. Matthews, near Temperanceville by shooting himself with a 32 calibre pistol, the ball entering just below his left ear. The wound inflicted, at first it was thought would prove fatal, but it has since been discovered that the ball in its course ranged downward, touching no vital part, and while painful is not now considered dangerous. The cause of the rash act is not known as he has not lived in the county until recently since he removed with his father to Arkansas some twenty years ago, but it is thought that it is due to a "diseased brain" -- he says that one side of his head is paralyzed and the other side gives him a great deal of trouble. When asked by his physician why he did it? his reply was, "that what is to be will be and he could not help it and was satisfied." On the day of the shooting in a note to his uncle, he requested him to "take off his head and send it to some prominent surgeon in New York saying that it might prove a blessing to the world."

Mr. Matthews is about 24 years of age, well educated and belongs to one of the best families on the Eastern Shore. He is very pious and when discovered by his uncle after he had shot himself was praying to the Lord to have mercy and forgive him. His rash act has cast a gloom over the entire community.