Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-07-02
AsiIley Point.

Piney Point.
As general thing, excursions, especially
when stein boats furnish the transportation.
arc not the most agreeable modes OF spending
time to those vino arc blessed with comfortable
homes or have the necessary means for making
trips in other ways, but The weekly excursions,
| nl the steamer G"nrgcanlIa 10 l'lucy Point form
an exception 10 the general rule, and really al
ford IN opportunity Tor Il thlrty-SlX hour 5 rec
rcatlon that should not be neglected by those
whose business will not allow them to remain
away from the dust and heat Of the city for Il
longer period Last Saturday the second of
these trips was made, and was such Il success
in every PARTICULAR that they will be repeated
regularly every Saturday during the current
summer. The Gcorgclnnl is one Of the most
coninOdeuus and convenient steamers on the
river Her saloons are large and handsomely
furnished, her state rooms all that could be cX-
pcctcd and her decks, saloon and hurrican, are
pleasant places from which to view the often
described beauties Of the Potomac and its banks.
Another aud by no means unaLractlvc feature
Of these trips, Is the excellence of the supper
furnished just about the time that the fresh
breeze from the river has made that meal most
acceptable. The tables are spread with all the
SEA, and the walters are polite and we-traincd
servants. vino anticipate the every Want OF those
they serve Capt. A. b. Fields her cunnlan-
der, is one OF the best and most experienced
pilots aud steam boat men on the rlver-and dc :
votes hlnsclf solely to the navigation of the
boat, leaving to the popular. efficient and ac-
commodating clerk, Mr.. s. b. Davis, the
duties of looking after the comfort of the pas
ScngcrS and that they are entrusted to the
proper hands no one who has ever travelled on
the boat has the least doubt There were over
one hundred on the last trip each of whom
had to sec the clerk about tickets, meals and
state rooms, and ask the numerous and often
annoying questions suggested by such subjects,
yet they were all answered with the courtesy
aud true poltcncSs Of Il gentleman, and even
when necessity compelled requests to be rcius.
cd, the refusal was made in such manner that
tn; applicant was convinced that it had to be
So, and seemed perfectly satisfied; and, though
married, he is such tavoritc with the young
ladies' that many younger man, though in
debtcd to him for numerous acts OF kindness, is
Jealous OF his attractive ways. The boat leaves
here at hall past five 0 clock in the evening,
and after stopping at Leonardtown for few
minutes reaches Plney Polut at three the fol.
lowing morning, and returns to Alexandria at
seven o'clock u. III. the succeeding morning
Some land Immediately upon arriving at the
Point, and after bath in the salt water, obtain
rooms at the hotel, while others remain in their
berths until after sunrise, before they wash and
transfer their baggage to the cosy cottages
Piney Pout IN years gone by was ono Of the
most fashionable, as 1t Is now one OF the most
agreeable summer resorts In the country, and
was visited by the best people of Maryland,
Virginia and District of Columbia, and other
localities. 1t is situated in St. NIary's county,
Md, about fifteen miles from the county seat,
Leonardtown, the Point proper being fiat
pcninsular, containing about fifty acres OF land,
bounded by the Potomac river and a little
creek in its rear called Piney Point Cree k. 1t
is well shaded by trees OF different kinds. the
most noticeable being the tall and rather mel
ancholy looking pines from which it takes it's
name. The buildingS-offce, dining room, no.
tel proper bar room, bowling alley, and bill
lard saloon, connected by long row of COM
Portable and well furnished cottages, face the
Chesapeake Bay, separated from the smooth
white sand beach by green and shady sWard
of one hundred yards in width, attorlIng a
beautiful and delightful promenade ground.
The beach is Que Of the best sea side bathing
places to be found on the Atlantic coast, and
early in the morning aud after sun down Is
visited by many who go down into the water,
and come out, if not better, certainly cleaner,
and con ,iderably refreshed. The place Is kept
this year by MIR. Parker, formerly of the Me-
tropoHtan Hotel, Washington, vino, though at
present indisposed still sees that his guests
have all their wants supplied. Fishing, crab.
bling and boating--thc boats furnished by Cap
tains William Windsor and George Laycock OF
Alexandria afford in addition to those supplied
within the building the principal sports Of the
visitors and are enjoyed with the delight which
long deprivation from such amusements al.
ways occasions The place was wild and weird
spot-its silence only broken by the melancholy
drgcs of the winds as they sang through the
tall old pines, unowned and untenantcd, until
about lily years ago, when an English Sqnattcr
named Sutor took it up, and it is now held
under deed from him, though an attempt has
since been made by the GwilhcrS to possess 1t
under an original patent to their EnslI an
ccstors. During this trip melancholy incident
occurred at the Point. The Captain OF the
schooner Martha NJ. Heath, after long voy-
age and consequent prolonged absence from his
family returned to his New England home last
month, and brought his wife and children with
him on a short trip to this city, for a cargo OF
coal. On his way down the river his little boy,
an only and dearly beloved child, was taken