Peninsula Enterprise, December 2, 1893
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Infrastructure -- Public : Churches
The revival services at the Baptist Church, Accomac C. H., continued during the past week and the interest seems to increase nightly. So far there have been about 26 conversions.
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Infrastructure -- Commercial - Real estate
The farm "Rural Felicity," belonging to the heirs of the late George W. Kelly, and situated near Accomac C. H., was sold last Saturday, at public auction, to Isaac B. Clark, of Parksley. The price paid was $3840.
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Infrastructure -- Public - Government : School administrationTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Holidays
Many of the public school teachers of Accomac, in a spirit of reverence for the occasion and actuated by patriotic impulses, dismissed their schools on Thanksgiving day, after reading the proclamation of the President of the United States and Governor of Virginia, and a chapter in the Bible -- the County School Board of Accomac to the contrary not withstanding.
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Tourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Horse racingMoral -- Vandalism
Belle Haven.
The race which took place near here on Thursday morning between Beckie belonging to Mr. John W. Read and a horse owned by Mr. McCleary, of Norfolk, was won by the latter.
Mr. Thomas Walter's storehouse on the road from Craddockville to Pungoteague, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday night about midnight. Mr. Walter was sleeping in the store at the time and was awakened by the intense heat -- jumping from bed he had only time to pick up his books and pants which were laying near the bed and escape. The fire was supposed to be of incendiary origin. Loss of about $2,500. Insurance $1,200.
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Infrastructure -- Commercial - Commercial constructionTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Fraternal ordersProfessionals -- Commission merchantsTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Resorts
Chincoteague.
Capt. John W. Bunting is having a storehouse built, to be occupied by Burton Dennis as a shoe store.
The order of Red Men have bought the town hall of this place and will have it thoroughly renovated and repaired. The price paid was $850.
Capt. John W. Bunting & Son left for Philadelphia, this week, to open a commission house there. They have capital, with which to conduct the business, and with their push and experience its success is ensured.
Mr. T. L. Disharoon has resigned as manager of "Wallops Island Club House" and Mr. B. F. Scott succeeds him in the position.
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Infrastructure -- Public : Churches
Onancock
Rev. E. C. Atkins is conducting an excellent meeting in our town. There have been may converts. Rev. Mr. Wilson left him last Monday. Rev. A. J. Reamy, of the Baptist Church, preached Tuesday night for him.
The parsonage of the M. E. Church, South, is being much improved. Mr. William Rogers has enclosed Kerr St., and High school fronts with a handsome fencing and is having same tastily painted. Mr. T. C. Kellam has improved his residence on Poplar street -- paint and piazza.
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Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PricesTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebirdInfrastructure -- Public : Camp meetings
Tangier Island.
Oysters are in fine order here now are bringing 45 to 50 cents per bushel.
Five sportsmen from Philadelphia spent several days with us last week, duck shooting. They found plenty of game in the sound and left well pleased with their trip.
The body of a negro man was found on the bay shore, just below Capt. Richard Spence's factory Sunday morning. He had probably been dead some time, as the face was unrecognizable and all the flesh on both sides of the head was gone, while the arms, which were exposed, looked like those of a man in health. In his pocket was found a letter, which was illegible, and a pair of steel knuckles. He was about 6 feet tall and probably 35 years old. It is the general impression that he was killed, as the corpse does not resemble one that was drowned.
Mr. Seeker Shores, a young man of this place, while walking on the beach last week, found a crescent shaped gold pin and 3 silver coins, a dime bearing date of 1835, half dime of 1838 and a small Spanish coin, date not discernible, also a small gold escutcheon with the monogram M. H. W. thereon. Many years ago there used to be great camp-meetings held there and it is supposed they were lost then.
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Infrastructure -- Commercial - Residential construction
Temperanceville.
Mr. E. S. Oldham our popular painter is engaged in putting the finishing touches on some of our new buildings.
Meeting of Eastern Shore Game Association.
Natural resources -- Conservation - Game
A meeting of this association was held at Accomac C. H., last Monday, according to announcement. Dr. George W. LeCato resigned as president of same and Dr. John W. Bowdoin was elected as his successor and Thomas W. Blackstone as secretary and treasurer. On motion a committee of five, one from each magisterial district, was appointed to meet at Bloxom Station, Saturday, December 9th, an arrival on north-bound train, to consider such changes in our laws as they deem best for the preservation of game and to make by-laws for the association. The committee was as follows: O. M. Jones, Henry E. Byrd, Dr. John W. Bowdoin, Thomas W. Blackstone and N. B. Wescott. To said meeting every one feeling an interest in game is invited, and all who cannot attend, having suggestions to make, are requested to communicate with the secretary. The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the chairman.
Thomas W. Blackstone,
Secretary.
The Senatorial Question.
Transportation -- Railroad - Rates and fares
MR. EDITOR --
I have read, with satisfaction the editorial in your last issue in regard to the election of United States Senators, which will be one of the first acts of the Legislature, which meets on the 6th of December. I admire the article and think it voices the sentiments of the people. I also think you should have been more candid. You must know, and should have stated who it is the people do not want. I have lately visited every section of Accomac, and have learned the opinions of the people. I have also received letters from leading Democrats of this Shore, expressing their views on this subject, and found that although the people prefer no particular man for Senator, they are united in their opposition, to Mr. Thomas Martin, except in the vicinity of Accomac C. H., where he seems to have a small following. All who have heard of him believe him to be in harmony with cliques, in fact he is regarded the keenest politician in the State.
They have been informed that he is identified with corporations, being an employee of several railroads. Furthermore, it is stated, he is being "boomed" by the Chesapeake & Ohio, Atlantic & Danville and other railroad.
The farmers of Accomac have learned from the failure of their suit in the United States Court what to expect from railroads, and do not want as their representative any one in sympathy with them. It is perfectly useless to call a "mass-meeting." Our present Legislators, having so recently canvassed the county cannot fail to know the wishes of the people in this matter, and those wishes they have pledged themselves to respect. I know these men, whom we have elected to represent us, and do not think it necessary to remind them of their promises.
DEMOCRAT.
Attention, Virginians.
Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : LitigationInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Maryland-Virginia boundary
Final hearing of the case of Maryland vs. Virginia as to Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds.
TO EDITOR OF ENTERPRISE --
I wish through you columns, to call attention of the people interested in the oyster industry, whether directly or indirectly, to the importance of the cases that will be argued before the United State Supreme Court on the 8th of next January. I do not believe that our people fully appreciate this matter. These cases decide finally and conclusively whether or not Maryland has equal rights with Virginia in the waters of Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds; and the Honorable Attorney-General of Maryland in his argument of these cases before the United States Circuit Court in the city of Richmond last summer even went so far as the claim that under the Compact of 1785, Maryland had equal rights with Virginia anywhere in the Chesapeake bay. These cases were decided by the Circuit Court, Judges Goff and Hughes presiding, in favor of Virginia; but the scales may be turned in the Supreme Court, and then our victory in the Circuit Court would go for nothing. I could not help being struck when these cases were argued in Richmond, at the difference in the interest shown by the two States. Each State was represented by the Attorney General, but Virginia went no further. I went on and argued the case with Mr. Scott upon his invitation, but at my own expense. Maryland on the other hand had, through its legislature, appropriated a considerable sum of money, and there was also raised a considerable amount by interested citizens of Maryland to employ counsel to assist the Attorney-General and as a result, Maryland was represented by General Bradley T. Johnson and Hon. Thomas S. Hodson in addition to its own Attorney General. And I understand now that the Marylanders are not leaving a stone unturned in their efforts to have these cases presented to the court in as strong a light as possible; and what are our people doing? It will not do to trust solely to the efforts of our Attorney-General -- we all recognize his ability and faithfulness, but I doubt very much whether he is able to spare the time from his many other public duties that is necessary to properly investigate this subject; and no one that has not looked into the matter can appreciate the vast amount of research necessary to a proper presentation of these cases. Maryland has an able Attorney-General, and she thought it necessary to employ additional counsel, and likewise did those citizens of the State that are interested in the oyster business. Of these cases are decided against Virginia, within twenty-four hours, Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds will be filled with Maryland dredge boats, and what will become of the people that are dependent upon the oysters in these waters for a living? And not only are the oystermen interested, but everyone with whom an oysterman spends his money, the merchant from whom he buys his supplies, the farmer from whom he buys corn and other provisions, the physician that practises in his family &c.
Now, Mr. Editor, the only thing in my opinion to be done is to raise a sum of money sufficient to employ the ablest counsel that can be obtained and to do this without delay, for it would be money thrown away to employ counsel, and not give him sufficient time to properly prepare the cases, and there is only little more than a month before the cases will be argued. I would suggest that a meeting be held at Parksley, on Monday, the 4th, at 1 o'clock, and that all people interested in this matter be present, and every oyster section be represented, to take some steps in this matter. There was a meeting held there a short while ago to consider what additional laws were necessary to be passed to protect the oyster industry. If these cases are decided against Virginia, you will have no need then to consider the question of protection, for you won't have any oysters to protect -- Maryland will have relieved you of further trouble about that matter.
Yours very respectfully,
J. H. FLETCHER, JR.
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Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : LitigationInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Maryland-Virginia boundary
The Attorney for the Commonwealth for the county of Accomac through us speaks to the people of the Eastern Shore in this issue, and we cannot too strongly commend the letter to their perusal, or too urgently insist that they profit by the suggestions therein contained. The question submitted is not a debatable one and admits no alteration, addition or amendments. Whether Maryland shall have equal rights with Virginia in the waters of Tangier and Pocomoke sounds cannot he answered by any Virginian but in the negative and should be done so emphatically, that all of us will feel that prompt action is necessary on our part if we would not have Virginia further despoiled of her territory, if we would not have rights wrested from us, so long vested, that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. In submitting the question for the consideration of our citizens, we need not tell them what an answer by the Supreme Court of the United States in the affirmative means -- in the loss of revenues to the Commonwealth -- in the loss, absolute and irreparable, of the means of livelihood to the citizens of many sections of our county -- and in the injury which thereby would be afflicted upon all of us, almost beyond computation. With the occupation of our oystermen "gone," as it would be, if the thousands of oyster crafts of Maryland are permitted to swoop down upon us, who could estimate the loss to them in being deprived not only of the means of a livelihood, but in their lands and houses as well? -- and what farmer, or merchant, or mechanic or professional man is there who would not suffer by their loss?
The question indeed is one of such grave importance not only to the citizens of this county, but of the whole Commonwealth, and so practical in all its bearings, that it need not be elaborated further by us, to be brought within the comprehension of anyone, but seeing our duty is one thing and doing it is another, and the query therefore is pertinent, will we act and act at once? If we will, let us profit by the suggestion of our attorney for the Commonwealth, and meet at once not only for the purpose of talking about it and making suggestions and petitioning to the Legislature for help, but for the purpose of putting down the cash necessary to secure additional counsel if the State of Virginia will not help in the fight other than through our Attorney-General. The State of Maryland has an able Attorney-General, but the question to her citizens is one of such importance, that an appropriation of $2,000 has been made by the Legislature, for the purpose of securing additional counsel to assist him and not only has this money been appropriated, but we are credibly advised, that a house to house canvass at this time is being made in some sections of Maryland for the purpose of securing additional funds with which to make the fight against us: Will we be less vigilant than they are? When efforts are thus being made to rob us of our possessions, will we "lay supinely on our backs" trusting to luck and the justice of our cause? Citizens of Accomac what say you? If you would still retain the exclusive right to the oyster beds in Tangier and Pocomoke sounds, and your answer is that you will act at once, then we suggest further that additional counsel be secured without delay. In conclusion, in securing counsel, we suggest that first of all, if possible, the services of Hon. John W. Gillet be secured, of all men in the State the best posted in the matter in controversy, and secondly that our attorney for the Commonwealth, Mr. Fletcher, who is thoroughly conversant with the question be engaged to assist him. With our able Attorney-General backed by them, even if the State refuses to secure additional counsel, we believe, there can be no doubt, as to the decision of the Supreme Court on the question. With the lights which it would have before them justice could not be so perverted, that a decision could be rendered by that august tribunal, favorable to the unjust demands of Maryland
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Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Trespass
NOTICE
Is hereby given forewarning all persons from trespassing in any way, under the strict penalty of the law, upon that portion of Assawaman beach belonging to the heirs of Col. James Northam, deceased, commencing at Assawaman Inlet and running south to a line made by William Wigton, dec'd, during his lifetime across said beach, the said Wigton line running east to the Atlantic Ocean. George J. Northam, trustee for William R. and Mosby Northam.
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Tourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Trespass
NOTICE TO TRESPASSERS
We do hereby forewarn all persons from gunning, hunting or otherwise trespassing on any of the lands belonging to the farm known as the "Allen Farm" and the marsh belonging thereto, lying on Nandua and Craddock creeks, and we further forewarn all persons from taking from said premises any oysters, terrapins and maninoes. Any person or persons known to trespass upon said lands or the marsh, or waters belonging thereto, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Any person giving information that will lead to conviction of trespassers on same, will be liberally rewarded. Alfred J. Lilliston, owner, John H. Tindle, Henry T. Davis, Harry Drummond, tenants.