Peninsula Enterprise, March 26, 1887
Untitled
Fields -- Crops - Sweet potatoes : Quality controlMental illnessInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Police
Atlantic.
Mr. Geo. T. East who has long suffered with a cancer or malignant ulcer on his breast, died Tuesday morning at eight o'clock. He was an industrious and careful farmer and long had the reputation of shipping the best culled and nicest potatoes that were shipped from Pitts Wharf.
Three justices have made an examination as to the sanity of George W. Matthews, who recently attempted to commit suicide, and have found him to be a lunatic. He will be sent to the asylum as soon as there is a vacancy and his physical condition will admit of his removal. His wound is healing but his mental condition is worse.
Mr. George T. Gladding, our very efficient constable is canvassing around among the people. He has developed some of the qualities of a good detective, and has succeeded in ferreting out criminals and bringing them to justice, in cases where the evidence was vague, and unsatisfactory. He seems very confident of his re-election. If the people want a good officer they should certainly retain him in office.
Untitled
Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PackingSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeedSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PricesTransportation -- Water - WharvesMoral -- Property crimeInfrastructure -- Public : Churches
Chincoteague.
Our harbor is full of vessels, and oysters for planting purposes are wanted at 50 cents per bushel. One boatman wants 8,000 bushels. Clams are also in demand. A full force is now at work in Mr. D. J. Whealton's shucking establishment.
A wharf 60 feet wide is to be built near Atlantic wharf, by Col. Lemuel Showell of Maryland.
The pool room of Mr. Geo. R. Coleburn was entered one night last week and four dollars taken therefrom.
The corner-stone laying of the M. P. Church was well attended by citizens here as well as from the mainland, and a success financially and otherwise. The receipts at church was $150, and at dinner table, under the management of Mrs. Sallie Lewis, over $50. Several candidates were present and spent their money freely at ice cream and confectionery stands, presided over by the Buds of Promise.
Untitled
DiseaseSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PlantingInfrastructure -- Public : Churches
Greenbackville.
The measles have somewhat abated, and the mumps have made their appearance amongst the children in town.
The schooner Peter J. Hart, commanded by Capt. Joseph S. Pruitt, arrived here on last Sunday with a cargo of small oysters for plants, for Messrs. Hancock & Co.
The corner-stone laying of the new M. P. Church on Chincoteague Island, came off on last Wednesday, the 16th, as per previous announcement. There were a great many persons present on the occasion. Rev. A. D. Melvin, pastor of the M. P. Church at Pocomoke City, Md., preached the ceremonial sermon in the morning, while Rev. G. J. Smith of the M. P. Church, Snow Hill, Md., preached in afternoon, and Rev. Mr. Norris, of the same denomination, from Leemont, preached in the evening. Everything passed off delightfully to those present, and the occasion has, no doubt, laid the foundation of the M. P. Church on that beautiful sea girt island, so broad, deep and strong, as will render the society in the future so strong that no ordinary enemy will dare to attack or even attempt to make her afraid.
Untitled
Transportation -- Water - WharvesTransportation -- Water - WrecksProfessionals -- Merchants
Hoffman's Wharf.
Hoffman's wharf has been purchased by Eastern Shore Steamboat Co. They propose to thoroughly overhaul and repair it at an early date.
A schooner hailing from Snow Hill was capsized off this place last Monday. The crew was rescued Wednesday after undergoing terrible suffering. The boat will, it is thought be a total loss.
On Monday of last week, Capt. Edward Crockett and Alma T. Evans came near being drowned while crossing Pungoteague creek in a small skiff.
S. K. Martin & Co., are constantly receiving cargoes of lumber and shingles for building purposes, as well as sash, doors and blinds. Their place will be headquarters for berry crates and baskets this spring, which they will sell as low as can be bought elsewhere.
Untitled
Farmers -- TenancyMigrationFields -- Livestock - Cattle Infrastructure -- Public : Fences
Parksley.
Mr. L. W. Crowson is building a tenant house for Miss Booth of New York, on "Savine Hill."
Mr. Harry Joiner of Kent county, Md., will take charge of Callens' fruit farm.
Mr. S. T. Jones has two fine additions to his herd of registered Jerseys since moving to Parksley.
Mr. Ed Wright is putting up a neat board fence around the woods lines of the P. L. & I. Co's land.
Personal.
MigrationTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - LecturesInfrastructure -- Commercial - Residential construction
The following complimentry notice appears in Norfolk Landmark of recent date in reference to Miss Chadbourne, who proposes to make Accomac her permanent home. The Landmark being edited by the gifted James Barron Hope, praise from such source is praise indeed. It is to be hoped that the talented lady upon whom we have a claim by becoming one of us, will favor us with readings at many points in our county. She is entitled to a cordial reception by our people, not only because of her talents, but for the reason also that she has faith in us by investing her means in our midst, as member of the "Parksley Land Improvement Company," and as the purchaser recently also of a tract of land near Parksley. The following is the notice referred to above.
The very large audience which assembled in the rooms of the Northern Club last evening was highly entertained by the silver tongued elocutionist Miss Elizabeth W. Chadbourne, and some local talent. Miss Chadbourne presented a most pleasing programme, and in such manner as to make clear at once to all present that her abilities as an elocutionist is superior, and, in fact, we think we are safe to say, has never been surpassed by any person who has ever visited Norfolk. It is hoped that the charming lady may be persuaded to remain here longer than was her intention, so as to give those who were so unfortunate to miss the entertainment last evening an opportunity to hear the artist before mentioned.
Local Option Anniversary.
Moral -- Alcohol
That the Local Option Law on Chincoteague is pretty generally observed, no one who is acquainted with the facts will deny, and while we admit its violation, the cases are sporadic, and no less can be said of any law on our statute books. We could not expect otherwise when we take into consideration the fact that the adoption of prohibition was carried by an overwhelming majority, almost unanimous saint and sinner, Democrat and Republican, all enlisted in the one common cause.
For fifty years the advocates of this great movement in our midst have been engaged in the fight against the saloon; their time, talents and money have been freely given in defence of their convictions, and the history of their legal battles with the enemy can be found among the archives of your courts; while in the heart of our town stands Temperance hall, an ornament and a monument to the cause, and to the noble heroes who laid upon its altar their sacrifices. To these braves, first, are we indebted for the blessings of prohibition from the rum curse, and the generations that are to follow will rise up and call them blessed.
The first anniversary of our victory is to be celebrated under the auspices of the Good Templars, Saturday April 23d, at Temperance Hall and Sunday April 24th at the Hall and all the churches. The Revs. Robert Todd, J. A. B. Wilson, Alpheus Mowbray of the Wilmington Conference, Messrs. Warner and Snyder the temperance evangelists of Philadelphia and others are engaged for the occasion. Refreshments and meals will be served at low cost, and homes will be provided for visitors who desire to remain over for Sunday services. The friends of this great moral victory are invited to participate. Programme for each day can be had of the executive committee. The news of the presentation of a bill in our Legislature, by the representative from Washington county to repeal our local option law, was received by both political parties with mutterings and threats of vengeance. Such a repeal, if successfully carried, will prove almost the annihilation of the two old political parties here, and result in the organization of the Prohibition party, that will sweep everything before it.
As masters of the situation, we demand a "government by the people;" representing the majority, we propose to drive and not be driven by our servants the members of the Legislature.
Any party that dares ignore the demand of the temperance element of Virginia, when that demand is simply justice, "shalt surely die." Already our people are joining in letters and petitions to the Representatives from Accomac, demanding no repeal. We await the result.
JONIDAB.
March 20, 87.
Proposed Road Law.
Transportation -- Road - LegislationTransportation -- Road - MaintenanceTransportation -- Road - ConstructionInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Taxation
TO BE SUBMITTED TO OUR LEGISLATURE IF THE PEOPLE APPROVE THROUGH PETITIONS NOW BEING CIRCULATED FOR SIGNATURES.
An Act to authorize the Board of Supervisors of Accomac county to contract for keeping the roads and bridges of said county in repair, and to assess taxes therefor.
1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia; That on and after the first day of May, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, it shall be lawful for the county of Accomac to work and keep in repair, highways, roads and bridges as follows:
2. The Board of Supervisors of said county shall take charge of and have worked and kept in repairs all public roads and bridges heretofore and hereafter established, and for this purpose are authorized and empowered to levy a road tax not exceeding in any one year twenty cents upon the hundred dollars of assessed value in said county outside incorporated towns which levy a tax to keep their streets in repair, and to adopt such regulations as may be necessary to secure the proper working of roads in said county.
3. The Board of Supervisors shall as soon after the first day of May, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, as may be practicable, appoint one Commissioner of roads for each magisterial district in said county, who shall qualify before the court of said county by taking the usual oath of office, and shall continue as such until their successors are duly qualified. The term of said Commissioners of roads shall be two years, and shall commence on the first day of July succeeding their appointments; and they shall be appointed at the meeting of said Board of Supervisors next preceding that day; provided, however, that the Commissioners first appointed under this act shall hold office until the first day of July, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine. The said Commissioners of roads shall have supervision of all the roads and bridges, within their respective districts in said county, and all applications to the Board of Supervisors for changes, or opening new roads must be reported on by the Commissioner of the district in which said road is located.
4. The said Commissioners of roads, severally, shall annually, at the May term of the court of said county -- let to contract to the lowest suitable bidder, the work of keeping in repair the roads and bridges in their districts, notices of which lettings shall be posted ten days at each post office, and in the county papers, at the discretion of the Commissioners of roads.
The said letting shall be in whole or in sections, at the discretion of the Commissioners, and for the year ending on the first day of July in each year; provided, however, that the contracts made at the May term of the court, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, shall continue in force until the first day of July eighteen hundred and eighty-eight. -- They shall require bids to be in writing, and signed by the contractors, and shall deliver the same, under seal, to the Board of Supervisors, for their examination, and approval or rejection, at their first meeting thereafter.
Each contractor shall be required to give bond, with good security, in a penalty at least double the amount of his bid, for the faithful performance of his contract, which bonds shall be filed with the clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
A recovery may be had for any breach of said contract, in the name of the county, for the benefit of the road fund, in the county court, by motion, after ten days notice to the contractor and his security and securities.
5. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of roads, to give personal supervision to all the roads and bridges in their respective districts, to see that the contractor is faithfully performing his contract; and for any failure in carrying it out, the commissioner of the district shall at once institute, through the prosecuting attorney, proceedings for the recovery of damages for any breach of said contract.
6. The commissioner of roads shall receive as compensation not exceeding two dollars per day, for every day actually employed, but in no case shall his compensation exceed one hundred dollars per year, to be paid by the county.
7. The Board of Supervisors shall have power at any time, for good cause, to revoke the appointment of any commissioner of roads, and to appoint his successor to fill his unexpired term.
8. The Board of Supervisors shall provide for the payment of all the costs which may be incurred in keeping the public roads in order, and for altering the same, and for opening new roads, including land damages, and for repairing and building bridges, to be levied, collected and paid out, according to provisions of law.
9. No member of the Board of Supervisors or commissioner of roads shall be directly or indirectly interested in any contract made under this act; any participation therein by either shall, under this contract, be null and void.
10. No appropriation by the county court for the roads or bridges, in excess of thirty dollars, shall be binding on the county, or paid unless and until the same shall have been submitted to and approved by the Board of Supervisors.
11. All levies made and collected under this act shall be collected and accounted for by the county treasurer as a special road fund, and shall be paid out on the order of the Board of Supervisors.
12. When the court shall order the opening of a new road or the erection of a new bridge, the work of opening or building the same shall be let to contract by the commissioner of the district in which said road or bridge is located, the contractor giving bond and security, to be approved and accepted by the Board of Supervisors.
13. Each contractor shall be entitled to the services, for not more than one day in any year, of all persons liable to service in working the public roads under existing laws; and any person for failure to attend with proper tools and work the roads on such days as the contractor may direct shall pay to the contractor seventy-five cents for every day in which there may be such failure. If the money be not paid to the contractor within thirty days, he shall make out a ticket against such delinquent, if he be a person of full age, or if he be an infant, against his parent or guardian, for the amount of such fine, and place the same in the hands of the constable of his district, who is hereby required to receive the same for collection, and take a receipt of the officer for the same. The officer having charge of the collection of such fines shall distrain therefor in the same manner as for taxes and county levies, and may sell any property distrained after ten days' notice. Such officer shall have a fee of twenty-five cents in all cases where the money shall have been collected by him, to be paid by the party in addition to the fine. He shall pay over to the contractor all such fines within sixty days after they come into his hands, or return the same to the contractor as insolvent when the fine cannot be collected by levy. If the officer shall fail to make payment of the fine, or return the same insolvent, within thirty days from the date he received it, he and his sureties in his official bond shall be liable for such fine, whether collected by him or not, to be recovered by the contractor upon motion.
14. Such provisions of the general road law of the State as do not conflict with this act shall continue in force in the county named herein.
15. Should the Commissioners of roads be unable to let to contract any road or roads on satisfactory terms -- they may have the same worked as now provided by law, and appoint a good overseer to keep the same in order with the hands assigned thereto, and may appropriate, in aid thereof, a sum not exceeding ten dollars, to be paid out of the road fund. A list of all overseers so appointed, shall be returned to the County Court Clerk's office to be preserved and the overseers shall be paid his allowance under the law, out of such appropriations, as well as all other claims for use of teams, extra labor which may be allowed by the Board of Supervisors.
16. That nothing herein contained shall be construed as to relieve any road overseer from any duty of liability as such, until his road precinct shall have been let to contract according to law.
17. This act shall be in force from its passage.