New York Herald, November 26, 1892
EIGHT DUCKS FALL UNDER CLEVELAND'S GUN.
Transportation -- Water - WrecksTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : BirdTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - GuidesTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - LodgesTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebird
At Last the President Elect Gets a Chance to Show His Marksmanship, but Birds Were Rather Scarce.
LONG WAIT BEHIND THE BLINDS.
It Was Cheerfully Borne, However, as Was a Ducking from the Spray in Broadwater bay.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]
EXMORE, Va., Nov. 25, 1892 -- The sun was shining brightly but the wind was keen when Mr. Cleveland and Charles Jefferson returned to Broadwater Island from the first duck hunting expedition any members of the party have taken since they reached here Wednesday.
No great success attended the trip. Although the sportsmen were out over two hours but eight birds were in the bottom of the boat as evidence of the marksmanship of the two gentlemen. This evidence is not conclusive, however. The weather yesterday was stormy and the fowl were flying thick and fast; this morning early the sky still looked threatening, while the breeze piped through the trees around the cottage as yesterday. Later on the wind subsided, which fact induced Mr. Cleveland to attempt to get some ducks. But the clearing of the weather and the disappearance of the birds were events which succeeded each other in rapid sequence.
"That's the trouble," observed a grizzled oysterman, viewing the dwindling flocks with disgust. "They are birds that fly thick when the weather's rough and you can't shoot 'em, but when the weather clears up they clear out," and the oysterman laughed at his little witticism.
Mr. Cleveland's trip was the absorbing topic of conversation on the island to-day. A respectful group of young and old people gathered under the trees near the cottage and watched the preparations for departure. They breathlessly noted the bringing out of the guns by the servants, the driving up of a hack at the front door and finally the appearance of Mr. Cleveland, closely followed by Charles Jefferson.
OFF FOR THE BEACH.
All the paraphernalia was piled into the vehicle, the gentlemen climbed in and the driver started his horses, while the group of spectators followed the party down to the beach.
There the crack boat sailor and duck gunner of all Hog Island, George Doughty by name, was waiting with his small sloop, the S. B. Robbins.
Mr. Cleveland and his companion stepped into the sloop, which was immediately pushed and pulled by willing hands into deeper water. The sail was set by Doughty's assistant, another local sporting celebrity named "Cut" Hargis, and a blind a mile and a half out in the bay was made for.
When it was reached the small boat behind was pulled alongside, Doughty jumped into it, the guns were passed down to him and the President elect and Mr. Jefferson followed, Cut Hargis remaining on the sloop. The rope was loosed and the small boat was rowed into the blind. The blinds in Broadwater Bay are triangular in form, the base being left open and the sides reaching a length of twelve feet. Sedge and a plant locally called eel grass are used to make the blinds. The boat and its occupants are entirely concealed, and the hunter pushes his gun through the transplanted growth and fires at the wary birds attracted to the spot by the sedge and the presence of a half hundred decoy ducks, which have previously been anchored outside.
DUCKS WERE SCARCE.
Despite all the skill and precautions taken by the enthusiastic Doughty and Hargis, ducks were scarce around Mr. Cleveland's blind. Hargis sailed away in the larger boat for the purpose of scaring up some flocks in the hope that they would alight amid the decoys.
Mr. Cleveland was patient, and after a half hour a few brant flew lazily down to the decoys.
"Bang!" went Mr. Cleveland's gun, and two plump fowl dropped with a splash. The boat was rowed out to where they rested on the water. Doughty picked them up and the boat returned to the blind. In the course of the next two hours the President elect shot two more brant and four red heads. The tide grew favorable shortly after, and when the sailboat came within hailing distance it was signalled.
The party did not escape, however, without a thorough wetting. The wind had come in several sharp gusts while Mr. Cleveland was in the boat, and in trying to bring her round the spray dashed in vigorously.
After this had happened several times everybody in the boat was dripping. The precaution Mr. Cleveland had taken in providing himself with thick clothing was shown to be wise. The creases of his waterproof overcoat ran tiny rivulets of salt water, but no moisture penetrated.
When the party reached the beach Mr. Cleveland expressed himself as delighted with the trip. He said he felt well, and when riding to the cottage in the hack was cheerful and chatty.
The programme for to-morrow has not been decided upon. If in the morning the conditions are bad for duck hunting, a party for partridge shooting on Upshur's Farm may be made up. This farm is on the main land, but accessible by the steam yacht from the island. Several hundred acres there offer good opportunity for shooting partridges. They are said to be in excellent condition, and very thick.
WILL GO TO CHURCH SUNDAY.
No decision has been made as to when Mr. Cleveland will return North, but it is certain he will not leave before next week. He has promised to go to church next Sunday on the Island. The Rev. John R. Sturgis, a Methodist minister, presides at this church.
An amusing incident occurred at the cottage last night. Two young women -- Mrs. Hargis and Miss Doughty -- requested permission to meet the President elect. The request was conveyed to Mr. Cleveland, who laughingly remarked he would be glad to see them. The ladies were ushered into the private sitting room, where Mr. Cleveland sat.
He greeted them pleasantly. They were much confused, and, when they replied, called Mr. Cleveland Mrs. Cleveland. The President elect affected not to notice the slip, but some one present repeated it outside. Much merriment was the result, and when the ladies returned home they found the news had preceded them. To-day the mistake is the source of gossip in every household on the island, where it is regarded as a remarkable piece of humor.
The going ashore to-day of a large three-masted schooner on Cobb's Island, lying immediately south of Broadwater Island, interested Mr. Cleveland greatly. It was from the North, but from what port it came or to what port destined, is not known.
No lives were lost.
It is believed Mr. Cleveland's mail to-day consisted of but one letter addressed to "Hon. Grover Cleveland, Hog Island, Va."