Dispatch, June 30, 1889

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African-Americans -- Racial violenceFields -- Canneries

Onancock, Va., June 28, 1889.

The largest and most brilliant meteor ever seen in this section fell somewhere near here Wednesday evening between 8 and 9 o'clock. When first seen it was in the southeastern sky moving rapidly towards the north. It rushed through the air with a hissing noise, leaving a bright track of waving light in its wake. It exploded, making a brilliant light that startled people from their houses and caused not a few to believe that a fire had broken out in the town. A few minutes later three distinct reports were heard as of distant thunder or cannon and the earth shook so that windows rattled. As yet the attempt to locate the spot where it fell has proved unsuccessful.

Several nights ago a gang of drunken and riotous negroes took possession of the village of Pungoteague, in the lower part of Accomack. They were finally driven off, but they soon returned and threw stones and fired pistols into several houses. They were again driven off by the whites, who fired several shots at them. One of the leaders of the gang was overheard to say that they intended to attack the village on Saturday night with a force that could not be driven off. The whites are prepared to defend the town with arms if it should become necessary.

Captain Orris A. Browne, the manager of Hon. William L. Scott's Hollywood property, near Cape Charles City, has established a factory there for canning all kinds of fruits and vegetables.