Peninsula Enterprise, December 5, 1891
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Weather -- Snow storms
The snow in Accomac, on last Sunday, had an average depth of about six inches.
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Transportation -- Road - Maintenance
Mr. E. W. Wright, tried at this term of court, for failing to keep in order the road in his precinct, was fined $5 and costs of prosecution.
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Farmers -- Farmers' organizations
A meeting of the County Alliance of Accomac, will be held at Onley station, next Tuesday afternoon, on the arrival of the South bound train.
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Disease
Diphtheria of a malignant type is prevalent in some sections in the upper part of the county, and has terminated fatally in many cases. Willie, aged seven years, only child of Mr. Geo. W. Covington, New Church, died Tuesday, and Clarrenda, aged four years and eight months, daughter of Capt. Alsavader Chase Jr., Messongo, died Friday of last week, of the disease. In addition to these the deaths recently from the same cause, of children of Mr. Frank Trader and Mr. Louis Drummond, of Messongo, and of Mr. Payne, of New Church, are reported. There are many other children suffering with the disease in the localities designated above.
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Moral -- Other violent crime
Mr. Duffield Savage, tried at the county court now in session, upon an indictment for unlawful and felonious shooting with intent to maim, disfigure, disable and kill, was found guilty by the jury after a few moments deliberation, and his term of imprisonment in county jail fixed at 30 days and his fine ascertained to be $75. He was sentenced on 2nd day of December by the court in accordance with the verdict of jury.
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Transportation -- Water - FreightTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - HolidaysWeather -- Snow stormsSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : MarketsProfessionals -- Seafood dealersSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Prices
Chincoteague.
Cargo of coal, unloaded from the schooner John M. Price, this week, was sold at $6 per ton.
Our afternoon daily train has been changed to a tri-weekly -- leaving at the usual hour now, only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Thanksgiving day was observed here by the suspension of all business. The stores, schools and all the churches even were closed. It was enjoyed though in feasting, if not in prayers, big dinners being the order of the day in every household.
Sunday was a desolate day with us. The heaviest snow storm for the last five years began here on Sunday, 3 a.m. and lasted to 8 p.m. The wind blew at about 30 miles an hour, and snow fell to an average depth of six inches. The day was so disagreeable everybody seemed contented beneath their "own vine and fig tree." Our vesselmen reported "no storm" along coast a few miles above us.
Capt. John W. Bunting and son have arrived home from a tour of the Northern and Western States, made for the purpose of placing orders for oysters. They are enlarging their business annually, and in addition to their order for barrel stock by rail, load their boat, weekly for the Northern Markets.
The shipment of oysters, from this point, during the recent cold snap, increased from 25 to 30 barrels, daily, to 100 barrels. Some of our shippers have refused $1.25 per bushel for best stock.
The receipts of the Adams Express office here, some three or four years ago did not exceed $20 per month -- during the month of October they were over $300.
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Infrastructure -- Commercial - BrickyardsInfrastructure -- Public : Libraries
Parksley.
Mr. Fred L. Pierce, of Boston, is on a gunning trip to Parksley.
The Parksley Brick & Tile Company if burning a kiln of bricks.
Dr. A. D. F. Ewell and Mr. H. T. Mason have been visiting the cities for Christmas goods.
Mr. W. F. Chadbourne's house on Adelaide street, is receiving a fresh coat of paint by Wm. Joiner.
A meeting to organize the Parksley Free Library, will be held in the M. E. Church, on Tuesday evening, December 8th, 7:30 o'clock. All interested are urgently invited to be present.
A meeting will be held in the school house, Parksley, on Monday evening, December 7th, to take action on the proper representation of Accomac county at the World's Fair. All interested are invited to attend.
Road Meeting in Keller.
Transportation -- Road - MaintenanceTransportation -- Road - LegislationInfrastructure -- Public : Fences
At a meeting of the citizens of Keller and vicinity, which met at Keller, November 18th, to consider the road question, L. J. Hyslop was elected chairman, and L. D. Warren, secretary.
On motion, a committee of four was appointed, consisting of B. W. Mears, H. C. Davis, L. D. Warren and L. J. Hyslop, to devise a plan for the improvement of the roads of Accomac, and said committee was instructed to report the same at a meeting to be held at the same place, pursuant to adjournment, during the evening of November 25th.
In accordance therewith, at a well attended meeting on the 25th, quite a number of road overseers being present, the committee submitted the following:
1. That section 1010 of the general road law of Virginia now in force be repealed and in lieu thereof, that the following be enacted:
Every person subject to road duty, summoned by the overseer, shall appear in person or by substitute acceptable to the overseer at the time and place appointed, and do such reasonable work as is assigned him by the overseer, and for refusal or neglect to do so, shall be reported by the overseer to the county court, and imprisoned or fined at the option of the court.
2. That changes and additions be made in the general road law of Virginia so as to conform to the following:
The county court shall appoint a road inspector for each and every magisterial district, who shall serve two years and receive an annual salary of not less than $75 nor more that $400, the same to be voted by the county supervisors, according to size of district, amount and efficiency of work. The clerk of the county shall furnish each inspector with the numbers and boundaries of each road precinct, and the names of the overseers of the same within his district. It shall be the road inspector's duty to supervise and direct the work of the overseers so as to elevate the centre of the road and grade the sides. He shall go over every road entire within his district four times annually and make written quarterly reports to the supervisors, of the condition of the roads and the work of the overseers. In his first quarterly report each year, he shall name the bad roads and their extent, naming first, the one which in his opinion most needs attention, and so on, in order through the list. He shall recommend to the supervisors appropriations when and where the condition of the roads are such as to need more work than the overseers can render under the law. He shall report incompetency or neglect of duty of overseers to the court. He shall be subject to a call by the overseers at any time to direct work, when and where the roads are rendered impassible by excessive weather or other cause, and he may, in emergencies, provide lumber for bridges, when they occur between sessions of court. He shall report to court such road precincts as he thinks are not equally and properly divided, and recommend a better or more equitable division. He shall recommend to the court suitable persons to be overseers. In his last quarterly report to the supervisors, each year during his term, he shall state the comparative condition of the roads reported bad in his first quarterly report, and if any are not made good roads, shall state why. He shall see that overseers remove all overhanging limbs so low as to touch ordinary vehicles, all dangerous dead limbs overhanging the road, and all trees, the trunks of which have been cut so deep as to render their fall in the road dangerous. He shall, upon application by overseers for tools or implements which they cannot otherwise obtain, by authority of the supervisors, provide the same, and be held responsible for the keeping of them in good condition.
The plan was approved by a unanimous vote, and the undersigned was authorized to report the same for publication in PENINSULA ENTERPRISE.
The sentiment of the meeting being taken on the fence law, the vote stood two-third favorable to no fence.
Respectfully,
L. D. WARREN.
Road Meeting to be Held at Accomac Court House.
Transportation -- Road - MaintenanceTransportation -- Road - LegislationInfrastructure -- Public : Fences
MR. EDITOR -- The ideas advanced by Senator Blackstone, as to the best manner of ascertaining the views of the people of Accomac regarding a new road law, is to the point and in the right direction -- and now that one and all of us are interested, let us act and not longer keep up howling for better roads. Therefore, I would suggest Saturday afternoon or night, December 12th, as a suitable time to meet together at our various voting places and other villages to draft plans and appoint delegates, said delegates to meet at Accomac C. H., Wednesday morning, December 16th. And we respectfully urge all to go out to their meetings and state their views, not to wait until after the meetings are over and then complain at what is done. You as well as I are interested, so please interest yourself and others in the good cause and attend the meetings.
A good number of our people favor a change also in our fence law, and as we think the people of Accomac generally would be benefitted by a "no fence law," that is, every man to fence in and take care of his own stock, we would suggest that the no fence question be discussed at their road meetings on the 12th, and the delegates get the sentiments of the people and that the same be brought up before the meeting at Accomac C. H., December 16th -- with the view of petitioning our representatives to bring the matter before the people, so that they can vote for or against same at the next general election. This will do no one harm, for if the majority favors the present fence law it will so remain -- it will simply give those opposing the present system an opportunity of so declaring themselves. Such a law, of course, would not go in force for two years, and so all could prepare themselves for the change. I simply suggest this, as a good opportunity to get the feelings of the people on the fence question. Much could be said as to the great benefit to be derived from a change. This is an age of progress, and old fogyism, I am glad to say, is playing out in Accomac, and let us do all we can to advance, with other sections of the country.
We will meet at Atlantic, Saturday night, December 12th, and a delegate will be appointed in accordance with our views of a proposed road law, whether any other meetings are held or not.
Respectfully,
S. W. MATTHEWS,
Assawaman, Va., Dec. 2d, 1891.
Reply to Senator Blackstone.
Transportation -- Road - MaintenanceTransportation -- Road - Legislation
MR. EDITOR -- I notice in your last issue a card from Senator Blackstone in regard to the method of framing a suitable road law for Accomac county. If our representatives are not willing to take upon themselves the responsibility of framing what they consider a suitable road law from their present knowledge of what they think the people want, then I think Mr. Blackstone's suggestion is a very proper one, so far as the meetings of the citizens are concerned. But it seems to me that our representatives, Mr. Blackstone and Mr. White, ought to be the principal figures at that meeting. They are chosen and elected by the people to make the laws, and not merely to pass them. They are as "conversant with the road needs of the county" as either the county judge of myself; and are as well acquainted with the present road law and its practical working, and unquestionably have the capacity to draft the law. I see no reason why, and it seems to me eminently proper that the proposed meeting of delegates, (selected at precinct meetings, as Mr. Blackstone has suggested,) shall be held at a time when our representatives can be present, that they present to such meeting a road law which, in their judgement, after an examination of the road laws of different counties in this State and the road laws of other States, is best suited to our county. The law thus presented can be discussed by the delegates assembled, and either approved in toto, or such changes made as the meeting deems proper. In this way our representatives can materially aid the people in obtaining a good road law; whereas if you follow Mr. Blackstone's plan entirely, our representatives will do nothing at all in the way of assisting the people, but simply vote to pass a law that is already framed for them. Let our representatives then fix some day in the early future when they can meet the delegates, and at what place , and I am sure the people will be ready to do their part.
Very respectfully,
J. H. FLETCHER, JR.
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Transportation -- Road - MaintenanceTransportation -- Road - Legislation
The demand for a change in our system of working the public roads is confined to no section of our county. So far as we are advised, there is not a dissenting voice in the matter -- the method of securing what they want seems to be the only obstacle that confronts us -- and Mr. S. W. Matthews, acting upon the suggestion of Senator Blackstone, and speaking not for himself but for the entire community in which he lives, seems to furnish a way out of the difficulty. He has rightly concluded that the way to secure the change desired, is not by folding our arms and whining for it, but to take steps to secure it. To that end he has suggested, that delegates be selected from every section of the county next Saturday, to meet in Convention, at Accomac C. H., the following Wednesday, to formulate a road law in accordance with their needs and their ability to meet the burden it imposes. To refuse to act at once, as Mr. Matthews has suggested, is to defer the matter, perhaps indefinitely. The Legislature will be in session only three months, and there is no time for delay. Now, our representatives have time to hear us and consider our demand, but later in the session matters of graver importance will engage the attention of that body and they could not. If in earnest, therefore, in demanding a better system of working our public roads, let us act, not hastily, but at once -- and it being a matter in which every tax payer in the county is interested, let us see to it, that representative men from every section of the county are present at said meeting.
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Infrastructure -- Commercial - Real estateTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Trespass
TAKE NOTICE -- The undersigned having purchased all that part of Assawaman beach and adjoining marshes, lying north of the dividing lime extended to the Atlantic ocean, which line separates the lands belonging to the heirs of Col. James Northam from the lands belonging to Edward S. Johnson and wife, and which purchase is more fully described by deed on record in the clerk's office of Accomac county, do hereby forewarn all persons from trapping, gunning, fishing, oystering, clamming, or in any wise trespassing on the above named premises. Anyone violating this notice will certainly be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, unless permission to do so has first been secured from anyone of the undersigned.
Richard Walsh, James Walsh, William Walsh, N. W. Nock.