Dispatch, December 2, 1888

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Moral -- AlcoholInfrastructure -- Public : ChurchesWeather -- Northeast storms

Onancock, November 30, 1888.

Deputy-Sheriff Melson, attended by Commonwealth's Attorney Fletcher, swooped down yesterday upon the witnesses from this town who failed to appear before the grand jury during the first part of the week and tell what they know about the violation of the local-option law in this town. Many of the witnesses had just returned home from visits to distant friends and were not a little surprised to hear that the grand jury would meet them at the courthouse to-day to hear what they had to say about the violation of the liquor law. It had been taken for granted that the matter would go over till the December term of court, but the local-optionists seem bent on pushing the case to a speedy termination in the hope of securing a verdict against the suspected parties. Judge Garrison has fixed Saturday, January 5th, as the day for holding the election in this district to decide whether the local-option law now prevailing here shall stand or be repealed. The local-optionists think the conviction of the liquor-sellers would greatly assist their side in the election, but it looks now as if the district would go for license by a good majority. Certain it is that many who voted for local option in 1886 will now vote the other way. It is estimated that the local-option law has cost the county from seven to eight thousand dollars every year it has been in operation in the loss of the license-tax and in abortive prosecutions. Matomkin district repealed the law after giving it a trial of two years.

The Southern Methodists had a church thanksgiving sociable here last night. A large crowd was in attendance, and there was an abundance of good things to eat, some fine music, and several well-rendered selections in elocution. The occasion was greatly enjoyed by all who attended.

Reports received here from all parts of the county show that the storm that swept over this region the first part of the week was one of unusual severity, yet no serious damage was done. Two schooners which were washed ashore at Finney's Wharf have been gotten off again. There have been unusually high tides all along the bay shores, but no damage has been done except the washing away of some fencing and the destruction of a small house on Mr. John W. H. Parker's marsh near the mouth of Onancock creek.

Another Lightship Adrift.

Infrastructure -- Public - Government : Life-saving serviceInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Lighthouse serviceNatural resources -- Shoreline migrationWeather -- Northeast storms

Onancock, Va., December 1.

Information has been received here that the lightship stationed at Winter Quarter shoals, off Chincoteague island, parted her chains during the recent gale and drifted away before the wind. At last reports nothing had been heard of the lightship, and it is supposed she was driven to the southward. All the crew with the exception of one man were on the ship when she parted her chains.

During the same gale the waves undermined the life-saving station on Hog Island and carried it out on the shoals, where it now lies badly damaged.