Public Ledger, December 2, 1892
REST AND RECREATION
Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Lodges
IS BEING SECURED BY MR. CLEVELAND ON BROADWATER ISLAND.
ALSO OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSIDERATION OF GRAVE QUESTIONS WHICH WILL CONFRONT HIM IN THE FUTURE.
UNPLEASANT VISIT FROM A SHERIFF
ANOTHER DAY'S SHOOTING WITH FAIRLY GOOD LUCK.
[SPECIAL TO THE PUBLIC LEDGER.]
EXMORE, Va., Dec. 1. -- The President-elect is getting at Broadwater Island exactly what he went there to get -- recreation, rest and time and opportunity for consideration of the many grave questions which confront him as he approaches the day when he must again assume the many serious responsibilities of public office, which he probably at no time so much as at present regards as a public trust.
Although Mr. Cleveland is in the truest sense a sportsman, fond of gunning and fishing, with all that that implies, chief of which is a strong, virile, sentient love of nature in all its phases, he did not leave New York solely to secure rest and recreation, to shoot ducks, or to take his ease in the Broadwater Club House, as it was first suggested he should do. He loves tranquility, the association of friends, the free, strong breezes from the ocean and bay, the fine drives and beautiful walks through the woods and on the hard beach of the almost tropical island, and the blue sky above it; he enjoys sitting in the blinds on the broad waters stretching from shore to mainland, and he likes the triumph of bringing down his bird, but his outing means a good deal more than mere personal pleasure.
As he sits in his boat, or in the luxurious cottage which the President of the club placed at Mr. Davis's disposal for the use of Mr. Cleveland and his two friends, he is doing a mighty deal of thinking with regard to the future. That which he probably thinks most of all of is the magnitude of the responsibility his countrymen have placed upon him, confident, assured even, that in highest conscience and to the best of his ability, in the sight of God and man, he will discharge it faithfully according to the strength given him.
When, a few days before his departure from New York, Mr. Cleveland intimated to Mr. Davis that he should like a brief holiday, for rest and thought, the latter suggested that the President-elect and Mr. Jefferson should accompany him to Broadwater, where there was a comfortable club house, and where, as a member of the club, Mr. Davis would have the privilege of offering him a welcome and fair bestowment. It was understood then, as it is now, that Mr. Cleveland wanted not only to get away from pressure of visitors and work for rest but for reflection and consideration as well. Upon the arrival of Mr. Cleveland and his friends, the more complete retirement afforded by Mr. Ferrell's private cottage was offered, and was gladly accepted. Mr. Ferrell has been most anxious to make it all pleasant for the President-elect and has admirably succeeded. The weather has not been always favorable, but the shooting has been fairly good and Mr. Cleveland's luck has been good. If anyone has supposed that Mr. Cleveland is not thoroughly strong or well, he should see him rise at 5 in the morning, go out to the blinds, no matter what the weather, sit all day in the nipping wind, and go home unscathed by cold or wet, the hardiest, most vigorous man on the island.
Mr. Cleveland has pretty fairly escaped those who would have interfered with his seclusion. On the first day he was invaded by the enterprising reporters, but they were reasonable folk, and Mr. Davis had no great difficulty in inducing them to depart for Exmore, where they have taken up their quarters, and whence they have sent more or less -- generally more -- accurate reports.
How long Mr. Cleveland will remain here is uncertain. He is thoroughly enjoying himself, is resting, shooting and thinking. He is more than contented, and is having what he deserves to have -- a genuinely good time after his own manly, sensible fashion.
VIRGINIA.
SERVED WITH A SUMMONS.
Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - LodgesTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebirdMoral -- Other violent crime
Issued by the Clerk of the Court of Chancery in Richmond, Virginia.
[BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.]
EXMORE, Va., Dec. 1. -- President-elect Grover Cleveland was interviewed last night. The interviewer was not a reporter, but a wide-awake Virginia Sheriff, who called on Mr. Cleveland in his official capacity to serve him with a summons in chancery, brought by James A. Mason and others at Richmond, Va.
The official who served the papers on Mr. Cleveland's person was Samuel Jarvis, Sheriff of Northampton county. He came here yesterday afternoon from Eastville and took the steamer Sunshine for Hog Island, where the President-elect is staying. He learned that Mr. Cleveland was out gunning and awaited his return in the house of Joseph Ferrell, President of the Broadwater Club. Mr. Cleveland returned in the club coach, entirely unprepared for the surprise that awaited him.
He entered the cottage with L. Clarke Davis, and was introduced to the Sheriff, with whom he shook hands cordially. Sheriff Jarvis at once handed Mr. Cleveland the papers. The latter glanced at them for a moment and ejaculated, "Well, I've been sued!"
"What!" exclaimed his companion and host in chorus.
"Can you tell me anything about this," said Mr. Cleveland, turning to the Sheriff.
"I cannot, sir," he replied. "All that I know is that these papers came to me in the mail from Richmond yesterday and it was my duty to serve them."
Examination showed that the summons was issued by the Clerk of the Court of Chancery in Richmond, Va., and forwarded by William B. Smith, supposed to represent the plaintiffs. A fee of 50 cents for the Sheriff, as required by law, accompanied the documents, but this makes Mr. Jarvis a loser, as it pays but a fraction of his expenses to Hog Island.
He had no other course open, however, but thought the summons should have been forwarded in some other way. After serving the notice, which is returnable on the third Monday in December, the Sheriff left the cottage and spent the night with some friend. Mr. Cleveland held a consultation with his friends after the officer had departed, but the outcome is not yet known.
Off Gunning Again.
This morning the President-elect went gunning with Mr. Davis, and arose in time for breakfast at seven. He was driven to the landing, as usual, and sailed out to his floating blind on the bay, which had been shifted half a mile to the northwest. The weather gave promise of better shooting than on any day previous.
The Sheriff left the island at noon to-day, after serving subpoenas on 18 witnesses in a case of assault and battery against John Higby, charged with pounding another islander, named Bill Philips, with a fence rail because the latter had shot his dog.
Contractor Levering, of Philadelphia, another member of the Broadwater Club, is expected here in the morning.
Seven Ducks and Five Brant.
Mr. Cleveland remained out until 4 o'clock this afternoon, but did not meet with great success. He succeeded, however in bringing down seven ducks and five brant, after moving his floating blind a half mile southward, thus bringing him about two and a half miles from the island.
He excused his poor luck with the remark that the wind prevented him from wearing his glasses. He insisted, however, that he would get a wetting every rough day, and was going to keep his boat moving until he found a place where birds were plentiful. With the exception of Mr. Parvis, the other sportsmen fared no better than the President-elect.
An Incident.
The natives of the island are very proud of an incident that occurred this evening. Among the old inhabitants is Sam Kelley, a retired storekeeper, who was introduced to Mr. Cleveland, and related his many experiences in various parts of the country.
He painted a most glowing picture, however, of the contentment and happiness of Hog Island life. The distinguished visitor was so much impressed with the old man's enthusiasm that he remarked: "Well, suppose you take my place at Washington, and I'll take yours on the island." Kelley was disconcerted for a moment, but, recovering, declared he would agree to the exchange if Mr. Cleveland would give him a hundred dollars a month to boot.