Public Ledger, December 1, 1892
A GREAT DAY FOR SPORT
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LARGE FLOCKS OF WILD DUCK AND BRANT
FLYING ABOUT BROADWATER ISLAND
A FLOATING BLIND FITTED UP FOR MR. CLEVELAND AND FRIEND.
BUT THE DUCKS KEPT WELL AWAY FROM IT.
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED WITH THE ISLAND.
EXMORE, Va., Nov. 30 -- Broadwater Inlet rang from shore to shore to-day with the continuous reports of shot guns, as Grover Cleveland and his fellow sportsmen from the Broadwater Club fired at the enormous flocks of wild duck and brant which wheeled about in surprise and terror, only to be met by renewed volleys of death-dealing shot from another direction.
It was a great day for sport, and the President-elect entered into it with a spirit that showed his appetite for the slaughter had only been whetted by previous disappointments. He was out of bed at daybreak, and was delighted to find that all traces of yesterday's storm had disappeared. After an early breakfast, he left the cottage of his host, Mr. Ferrell, who remained at home, while L. Clarke Davis and Mr. Parvin, of the Broadwater Club, took charge of the expedition, which included four visitors from Philadelphia beside Mr. Cleveland.
The latter was well fortified against the cold north wind, which was dashing the white-caps outside into spray. A pair of high rubber boots reached well above his knees, where they were met by a heavy top-coat of dark gray cloth, buttoned to the chin, with a soft felt hat to match.
Accompanied by a dozen attendants, the gunners were driven to a little cove on the shore of the inlet near the club, where a small fleet of sail boats were moored. These conveyed the party to the blinds, where they could hide unseen by the sharp-eyed and swift-winged water fowl.
Here Mr. Cleveland found another evidence of his host's forethought. Instead of the stationary shelter which he had used last week, a floating blind had been constructed by fastening bushes about the gunwales of a comfortable 16-foot scow, which could be towed to any desirable shooting ground. This furnished accommodation for Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Davis, who were attended by two experienced islanders, George Doughty, a bright young man, loading for the President-elect, and Cut Hargis performing a similar service for his companion.
An Associated Press reporter went to Hog Island last evening, in company with a number of visitors, who had been waiting for the storm to subside. Among these were several Virginians from the mainland, who came to pay their respects to the distinguished guest of the Club, including Superintendent B. S. Rich, of the Life Saving Service; Dr. J. W. Bowdoin, Chairman of the Accomac County Democratic Committee; Dr. G. W. LeCato, and Editor N. B. Rich, of the Farmer and Fisherman. Mr. Cleveland received all with great cordiality, but declined to be interviewed.
He had just alighted from the Club coach, in which he had been driving on the beach, and his cheeks were aglow from their contact with the ocean breezes. He carried a gun in his hand and a bunch of sand snipe on the coach attested that he was not averse to gunning for this small game, which he had picked up along the shore in the absence of something larger.
With the exception of the gunning party who accompanied Mr. Cleveland, the visitors at the island returned home to-day. Before leaving they learned that the stay of the President-elect would depend upon the weather largely. He will decline the invitation of the Old Dominion Club to try the sport in their neighborhood, and may remain at Hog Island until the end of the week, if the present fine weather continues.
An event of great importance to the occupants of the island occurred to-day, in the opening of telephone communication as far as Cobb's Island and Smith's Island, to the south. In a day or two a line will be completed to Cape Charles, where a telegraph office is located, thus enabling the islanders and their guests to send messages in any direction. The cable which will afford this communication belongs to the Life Saving Service, being one of the chain of 135 miles which will connect all stations on the coast from Lewes, Del., to Cape Charles, Va.
Superintendent Bolton, in charge of the telephone service, succeeded in laying the cable this morning to Cobb's Island, after one or two attempts, and an instrument was placed in Hog Island Station.
Many of the natives of the island had never seen a telephone, and viewed the innovation with wonder. They can hardly believe the story when told that Captain Johnson, of Hog Island, rung up Captain Crumb, over at Cobb's Island, this morning, and remarked that "it was a long time between drinks."
As a matter of fact, however, the two men conversed with ease, and the telephone is a life-saving auxiliary that has come to stay.
The floating blind containing Mr. Cleveland and his friend was first anchored four miles from the club house, but the lucky star which is said to shine over the successful candidate seemed to have deserted him.
Although he had the scow removed to another spot a mile and a half south, the game flew shy of it, and the pair of gunners had but six ducks and one brant to their credit. The latter Mr. Cleveland wounded and captured, bringing it back alive to grace his triumph at the club house.
Other gunners were more successful, Mr. Parvin bagging nine brant and nine broadbill, and others a smaller number.
An oil stove, which had been concealed in Mr. Cleveland's blind without his knowledge, was brought out during the afternoon and proved a welcome friend, owing to the chilling temperature.
The sportsmen returned just before 5 o'clock for dinner, and will probably go out again to-morrow.
PLENTY OF DUCKS.
Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - GuidesTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebird
[BY UNITED PRESS.]
EXMORE, Va., Nov. 30 -- The chief incident of the day on Broadwater Island was the arrival of Sheriff Samuel Jarvis, of Northampton county, with a summons which he sought to serve upon President-elect Cleveland.
The ducking party, which went out in the channel opposite High Shoal, returned shortly after 4 o'clock and reported excellent sport. Mr. Cleveland occupied the floating blind alone with George Doughty, who loaded his gun. He bagged nine brant, six red-heads and five butter balls.
Mr. L. Clarke Davis occupied a stationary blind and killed a total of 14 birds. Hargis picked up the game for both Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Davis. Tom Doughty took out Thomas Parvis, a member of the club from Philadelphia, who was also successful in shooting water fowl. Each party was entirely independent of the others.
The programme for to-morrow will be practically the same as to-day, although it is likely that another location will be selected for using the floating blind.