Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-08-16
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Special crrespondenee or hs Journal ond S'dit'maA
.CAPEvILLE, NORTHAMPTON Co., VA,
Aupugt r 1897

Special CrrespondeHcc Of he Journal ofd Sdietmhh
,CAPEvILLE, NORTHAMPTON Co., VA, I
August 8, 1867.
DEAR JouRNAL:-After week OF rain
we are emerging out again on dry land.
We have had a continuity OF showers last
week, that surprises the oldest inhabitants.
More water lay on the land last Saturday,
than at any time last Spring. Fortunately,
II was n dead calm most OF the time, or, the
| land being so thoroughly saturated, corn,
and indeed the trees, would easily have been
blown over, and a great deal OF damage done.
at is an i'll wind that blowns no one good;''
so the rains have freshened up the water OF
the bay and sea coast streams, so much that
they are literally swarming with fish, such
as sleeps head, trout, spratts and taylors;
and such fish you never get in your market
They are the best ever saw caught any
where. The fishing grounds around Smiths
Island are the best fishing here, and II old
Capt. John Smith was a disciple OF lack
Walton, don't wonder at his naming the
island after himself, for better fishing grounds
are not to be found anywhere. The island
LAYS off about two miles to the east of Cape
Charles in the ocean, and with beach
about seven miles long, as hard as paved
street, a gradual and easy slope out into the
water, making IL the finest bathing shore to
be found. The island has first order Light
house, 176 feet high, and said to be the best
OIL lHo IOhht. Hb blhhn III lnO ihhtoih NSnN
: twelve thousand dollars, and the machinery
that turns the lamp, for il is revolving one,
! is the finest that can be imagined, and II is
kept in the finest condition, by lis intelligent
= and trusty keeper, Dr. John g. Pats. The
l engine room OF first class man-of-war is
/. not in better trim than the tower of this
5 great Light house is always kept. Visitors
: are always cordially received, and view
: from the top, 1870 feet above the ocean, Ia
n grand beyond description; the breakers
c rolling in at your feet IN one continuous
l. foam, for seven miles; Cape Henry, on the
e opposite side of the bay, the vessels and
IS steamers going IN and out, as II it were
It under your feet; while away out on the
n horizon, countless vessels OF all sizes art
r seen rocking with the swels of the broat
Is Atlantic. Ii YOU want, Friend Eckel, I
Y breath of pure air, come here and go Will
II mt up in the tower, and II II dom repay yol
" for the trouble, l will stand treat for as mani
sleeps head fish as you can carry home
m We see the steamers of the Annamessl
or line out in the bay every day, but they rul
a, on such time as II is impossible for any on
r. here TO get on them, without laying over il
r. Norfolk twenty-tour hours We are tryin
nj to get wharf at the mouth OF Cherryston
nc river just opposite the Lighthouse, wher
n there is plenty of water and all the roor
re they want for the boats of this line to sto
of at. 1t is not more than one or two mile
Nh out of straight line from Old Point 10 Cri
10 held, and then, until the Railroad is mad'
mr. we would be in close connection with yot
its city and Philadelphia, and the amount {
, a trade and travel at the place named thi
lv would patronize the line would pay for u
i'd wharf a dozen times year; it will be
II short wharf, easily made, and ftom what
la. have seen of the boats patronage in Norfol
we can and will double it. Every day
this time she would get from one to two hui
or dred bushels OF sweet potatoes, and fruit al
tel vegetables IN any quantity, so that at lea
", one or two extra cars would be required
II Crisfeld every day, to take up the trade
ds, this County. Sheep and lambs are he
ent abundant, and very low, because there is
er, direct communication with the Northe
ere cities. Beef cattle can be had here at fl
=. dollars nett per 100 lbs, and good fat on
nlt' ut that, simply because we have no dire
We outlet. We have to ship TO Norfolk, and j
ed, over there one day, which won't do WI
was live stock. All this can be done away wi
if we can induce the line to build and 81
ot at the wharf spoken of. The land ownt
wn, here agree to furnish all the stuff on I
Dy ground, free of charge, so that the c0mpa
rty- will only have the labor to find and pay +
the wharf will be at the place the Rallro
ot will some day terminate at as it is onl.
are, question OF time its remaining at Crishe
; of 1t is only temporary halting place, i
this Seatord was in the early days of the DE
eles ware Railroad. A good wharf at the mo,
h in OF Cherrystone River would put more lreil
low on the road than all that Is now put OF
,Ilar from Crisield TO Laurel. Tho country h
Med is such that it can raise freight, while d
the from Crisfield to Laurel, Del, cannot do
her unless il is pine wood or mosquitoes; of
former we have plenty here, while OF
lslin your city far worse than here, II thew
2o3 up concert here puff or 80 of old DC,
she sends them over the Bay to York River
was we don't require mosquito bars around
she bed at any time. Now, Mr.. Editor, if .
ihen have any wish TO see Northampton trade
TACT. your city, use your influence to get the C
AIKEN panv 10 construct a wharf al once. and
the ia done promise Won. bv the first boat
and stops, barrel of the hnest Cherrysl
. the oyslera vou ever saw 7
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