Public Ledger, November 28, 1892
MR. CLEVELAND'S HOLIDAY.
Infrastructure -- Public : SchoolsTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebirdTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : BirdTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Lodges
HOW HE ENJOYED HIS REST ON BROADWATER ISLAND.
EFFECT OF EXERCISE AND SOUND SLEEP.
L. CLARKE DAVIS HIS SOLE COMPANION AT PRESENT.
DUCKING PROSPECTS IMPROVING.
HE WILL PROBABLY VISIT CAPE CHARLES CITY THIS WEEK.
EXMORE, Va., Nov. 27 -- Notwithstanding that the Sabbath is considered a day of rest, President-elect Cleveland arose at 5.30 o'clock this morning and took a brief walk in the vicinity of Mr. Ferrell's cottage. He afterward breakfasted and remained indoors until afternoon. It was decided not to attend divine services at Rev. Sturgis's Island Church at 11 o'clock, as had been previously planned.
About 2 o'clock this afternoon Mr. Cleveland accompanied by Messrs. Jefferson and Davis took a drive along the beach in the club-house undercut carryall. The party were out driving for over two hours. After their return the regular 5 o'clock dinner was served.
No unusual number of natives from the mainland visited Broadwater to-day and the customary quiet of an ordinary Sunday prevailed.
In the evening the little steamer Sunshine came over to Exmore Landing for the purpose of bringing three young Philadelphians, who have had three days' shooting on the island, their fathers being members of the Broadwater Club. Charles B. Jefferson also came over in the yacht and took the 10.21 train to-night for the north. This leaves the island entirely free of visitors except the President-elect and L. Clarke Davis.
To a reporter who presented his card Mr. Jefferson strenuously declared that it was a case of mistaken identity. He asserted that his name was "Smith." It is understood that Mr. Jefferson has gone to New York on business connected with his theatrical combinations. It is said that he will probably not rejoin the party on Broadwater Island.
EXMORE, Va., Nov. 27 -- Mr. Cleveland has promised to visit the little island school during the coming week. He is expected on the first bright afternoon, and Miss Florence Hudson, who superintends the rather primitive institution of learning, has placed everything in order for her distinguished visitor.
The school building is a small frame structure situated a stone's throw from the little white church. It will accommodate some 40 pupils, and is fitted up with old-fashioned single desks, a drum-head wood stove and regulation blackboard.
There is considerable rivalry among the islanders in the matter of bringing in delicacies for the President-elect's table. A bountiful supply of fresh and select clams, oysters, terrapin and water fowl of every description is daily presented in the hope that it may furnish the basis of a palatable dish for the visiting party.
In the absence of Private Secretary O'Brien, Mr. Cleveland attends to his own correspondence. Almost every afternoon when the conditions are unfavorable for shooting, the President-elect seats himself at Mr. Ferrell's private desk and faithfully devotes himself to answering such letters as require immediate and personal attention.
Mr. Cleveland sleeps remarkably well, seldom awakening during the night. The perfect quiet which prevails, together with the invigorating air, are well calculated to both cure and prevent insomnia.
The bay to-day is literally alive with flocks of water fowl. The red heads, brant, broad bill and black duck are everywhere seen in large numbers. The tide is rapidly setting into its bed, and hourly becoming more favorable for ducking.
The prospects for sport now appear better than at any time during the present season. Floating blinds have been constructed, and when Mr. Cleveland again goes gunning he will have better opportunities for bagging game than heretofore.
During Mr. Cleveland's residence on Broadwater Island he has given practically no attention to the daily papers. Arrangements have been made, however, by which he will to-morrow have an opportunity of perusing the leading metropolitan sheets.
The agent at this station has been commissioned to buy copies of each New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington paper which arrive on the 4.18 train to-morrow afternoon. It has been found necessary to daily transport cream and milk from Willis Landing for the table of Mr. Cleveland and his party. An attache of the club house sends over from Broadwater every morning especially for this purpose. An extra can of milk is also sent over for the dog of the President-elect.
When out gunning for duck, Mr. Cleveland is dressed in a suit of heavy gray cloth, with a double-breasted sack coat. When the water is sufficiently rough to dash spray over the boat he adds a water-proof to his heavy overcoat. The outfit is completed with a black slouch hat and a pair of thick felt shoes.
Since Thursday evening the little steam yacht Sunshine has not touched at any point on the mainland. Her regular trips have been temporarily discontinued in order to discourage the passage of strangers to Broadwater Island, who might intrude upon Mr. Cleveland's privacy. During this time the only means of transportation has been by small sail boats called "batteaux." These little craft will carry from two to five passengers. The trip each way requires from three to five hours' time, according to the conditions of wind and tide.
Although nothing definite has been determined regarding the final departure of President-elect Cleveland for the North yet, it is understood to-night that he will leave about the middle of this week for Cape Charles City and spend a couple of days upon the estate of his old friend and spokesman, the late Congressman William L. Scott, of Erie, Pa.
If this intention should be carried out the party would start homeward on Friday or Saturday from Cape Charles. According to this programme Mr. Cleveland would not return to Broadwater Island after his visit to 'Squire Upshur's plantation, where he will shoot partridge, but take a south-bound train at Nassawadox, a small station three miles below Exmore.
The estate of the late Representative Scott contains about 1000 acres, and is situated one mile from Cape Charles City, and is known as the largest and most productive truck patch in the country. The estate is under the management of Orris A. Browne, who was the Populist candidate for Congress at the recent election from this, the First Virginia District, which is now represented by Congressman Jones. There are many favorable places for hunting and fishing in the vicinity of the Scott estate, and Mr. Cleveland will there find both excellent entertainment and good sport.