Very Pretty Island
Virginia is not a very large State, and yet, with a range of mountains on the west and the seashore on the east, her industries are so varied that one half the Virginians know little of how the other half lives. What do your readers west of Richmond know of the islands within our boundaries?
The Atlantic side of the Eastern Shore is fringed by a long, low chain extending from Cape Charles to the Maryland line. We first hear of these islands in connection with John Custis, of Arlington, more familiarly known as the father-in-law of Martha Washington. Queen Anne rewarded his distinguished service at the battle of Blenheim by creating him Captain-General and Chief Governor of the Leeward Islands, and when he died, in 1710, this title was considered of sufficient importance to be inscribed upon his tombstone.
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND.
Most of us have heard of Cobb's Island and mourned over its untimely submergence; of Hog Island, recently made famous by the footprints of Mr. Cleveland; but what do we know of Chincoteague, the largest of the group, and deserving of more careful interest than any of the others?
Driven from the mainland, this was the last resort of the Accomac Indians, who so kindly welcomed Captain John Smith and his little company. They finally disappeared, leaving only a few shell mounds to tell their story; and now for two hundred years the white man has been in possession.
Early in the eighteenth century it was included in a grant to William Kendall but it was considered of so little value that now his descendants look in vain for some title to secure their right to it. Only within the past fifteen years has the settlement assumed the importance of a town; but now with its 4,000 inhabitants on a little strip of ground seven miles long and one mile across at its widest, it is the largest town on the Eastern Shore, the Democratic stronghold of Accomac county.
VERY ACCESSIBLE.
A branch of the Pennsylvania railroad runs down to the opposite shore, six miles off, making Chincoteague its terminus by means of a large steamer. Another steamer and stage route towards the south makes connections with the New York. Philadelphia and Norfolk road.
The prosperity of the island is due to its large trade in fish, clams, and oysters. By skillful management it has grown to be the largest oyster market on the coast of Virginia. With its waters teeming with fish and the marshes alive with wild fowl to "maKe a living" is a small item here, so that the lot of the working man is an easy one, compared with that of our toilworn farmers. Indeed, these fishermen are the happiest people in the world, living in this present moment and literally taking no thought for the morrow, knowing how bountifully old ocean will supply their daily need.
TWO GREAT HOLIDAYS.
There are two great holidays in the year -- the sheep penning, in June, and the pony penning in August. The whole island turns out for a picnic, while the animals are brought in from the pasture lands, where they run wild all the year, inspected and branded and then turned loose again. I am assured by the oldest inhabitant that the Chincoteague pony is not a peculiar breed, but that he gets his small size and rugged strength from his rough pasturage and constant exposure for generations. The whole island is shut in from the ocean by Assateague a narrow strip of land extending as far north as Delaware. This is the home of the pony. The little fellow swims across from Chincoteague and here lives on land all his own, save a life-saving station and a light house.
THE ISLAND INCORPORATED.
Chincoteague has not escaped the sharp eyes of the curiosity hunter, and more than once has its people been "written up" to amuse magazine readers. This spring the island has been incorporated as a town, a Mayor and Town Council elected from the best men -- men who, for integrity and sterling worth, would do credit to any municipality. They are laying the foundation of a good, strong government, which will establish the reputation of this little republic wherever it is known. The town itself is built up on the western side, facing the mainland, and protected from the violence of the east winds by a heavy belt of timber. A beautiful shell road runs along the shore, marking in an irregular line the main thoroughfare. There are two excellent hotels, a handsome town hall a public school building, five churches and the greatest of wonders, not a lawyer of a lawyer's office from Ragged Point to Land's End. However, there is no lack of good doctors.
NEAT AND THRIFTY.
Enter the churches and you will find as well-dressed and attentive audiences as in any other town in Virginia.
Many of the citizens are in good circumstances, and have handsomely furnished houses. But go where you will -- into the poorest cottages -- always the most beautiful neatness prevails, and the most delightful good temper.
For persons who wish a quieter seaside resort than those generally frequented by the outside world, this is an ideal place. A number of visitors come every summer to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the delights of bathing, fishing, and sailing to various points of interest on the neighboring islands.
There are very few native Virginians here. Most of the people are Marylanders, or from farther North.