National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-13
AN ISLE IN THE OCEAN.
SO1LE INTERESTING AND HISTORIC
.--.- FACTS.

S01LE INTERESTING AND HhSToRIC
| .-.-. FACTS.
CoBB-s ISLAND DIMoRTALIzED king
NEPTUNE, LOVE, MARRIAGE AND IN
FIDELITY-soME INQUIRING WASHING
ToRIANs HUNTING UP. THE RECORDS
OF THE sPuT-wHo THEY WERE AND
HOW THEY DID IT.
Correspondence Of the National Republican,
= I'd CoBB's ISLAND, VA, August 10, 1874
The Indians had tradition that Kin9Nep-
tune married the Maid Queen for his first
wife and settled on this island, where he raised
large family Of young Neptunes, and in this
way settled the islands on the Atlantic coast,
and became god Of the sea BY this act Of pepo-
tism. His trident guided the Storm King, and
he made good or bad weather as suited his
purpose. This was many years before "old
probabilities" undertook the job, or made
contract with the War Department 70 manage
heavens artillery. The island, beside this, Is
called TO this day "Wreck Island" because
| liking Neptune" waved his trident and caused
everything to be wrecked on this island, inelud-
| ing the hotilla of mud scoWs, then commanded
BY Pocahontss, with John Smith for second
mate, which traded along the coast, exchang-
ing sweet potatoes for wampun.
King Neptune fell in love with Pocahontas,
and on account of jealousy the Naaid Queen
went for this dusky Indian maiden and d.
vested her Of all her back hair, which fell on a
barren sand bank, and at once sea weed CON-
menced TO grow there in honor Of the event,
and the natives Of the leland point out the
spot as proof of the scrimmRge between these
lovely females. Pocahontas then retired up
the James river, same as the Merrimack did
after she encountered the Monitor. Pocahon-
tas was On injured female, and bore striking
resemblance to Mrs. Tilton, while the Maid
Queen was q more masculine creature, and
looked like Mrs. Woodruff. King Neptune
got disguised with this Amazonisn war and
soon after died of "misery In the epigastrium."
At least It is so recorded by the Board of
Health in those days, and signed by DR.. Fra
Diavolo, as health officer, who was husband of
II Trovatore. These historical traditions were
never doubted by the Indians of those days,
for unbelievers were put to death, same as
they should be st the present time. And be-
sides all this, the Indians were truthful in
those days, for there had been no Indian Com
missioners among them.
After the death Of King Neptune no one was
allowed to live on dhe island, and the "great
spirit" took possession Of It. But nothing was
too sacred for the early settlers of Virginia. and
in the year 1874 patent was granted for II by
the 'grace of God, the great Jehovah, and his
Majesty George H., king of the British realm"
as the venerable old patent now reads in the
possession of the father of all the Cobbs, and
which is written In plain, round hand, on
heavy parchment. 1t is signed by VIM.
Gooch, hColonial Governor of the Dominion Of
Virginia" 1t looks like bandage taken of
an Egyptian mummy.
Thirty-four. years ago disciple Of Neptune,
raised on Cape Cod, where most Of the Nep-
tune family settled, came here and paid $156
for this island, which lie now worth at least
100000. 1t then had but Sc acres, and was
stretched out seven miles long, and has caught |
so much debris that it is now much larger. So |
much for the island trying to spread itself. |
On account of its pre-sdamite history It has |
been the headquarters for the famous sea-ser- |
pert, who is always accompanied here on his |
tours Of inspection by the fairest mermaids the
coral depths can boast. |
Some scientific young men, having very in |
quiring minds, belonging to Lafayette Chapter
Of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, re-
solved TO see the sea serpent and capture few
Of the mermaids, planned out an excursion to
this isle Of the sea. Like everything they do
il was q success. Their novel purpose and
designs were seconded by a
lunber of prominent Masons Of Baltimore,
like Il. L. Emmons, it.. Deputy Grand High
Priest of Maryland; Geo. L. McCshun, Grand
Lecturer; DR.. F. J. 8. Gorgas, c. c. Isaacs.
Chas. +. sisco, Henry W. Marston, Chas. W.
Virtue, ]. P. Tyrrell, and others whose names
are familiar in Baltimore. . ...
This brilliant party swept over Chesapeake
bay in the steamer Louisiana, like the Maid
Queen, as she winged it over Cobb's Island.
IN the gray mist Of early dawn they left
his magnificent steamer, and passed ashore
It Fortress Monroe next morning, feel
ng their way, while half awake, and mis-
.aking -four barrels on the boat for mermaids,
ind begging their pardon for stepping on their
,oes. At the Hygea hotel Mr.. Ph9bus had
breakfast for the party, and what appetites
Ind, Ph2biIS, what q breakfast Then the
steamer N. P. Banks came along to take US to
frelghted with seven hundred
iouls going to camp-meeting, and shouting
he Gospel Ship" while the Lafayette Per-
immon Club sung "Aunt Jemima" with
treat applause, and the "John Brown Song'' in
TeverSo, and 81 feel Like" q pa
hetic ballad, composed and set to music by
Dr.. Charles NJ. Ford, of Washington, and sung
" its distinguished author to the revivalists
With great applause, although BE was laboring
lnder "misery in his throat" and other halu-
fnations. An organization known as the
'Elampus Vitus" made its appearance on board
HIS steamer, with Rev. DR.. Charles W. Virtue,
# Baltimore, as medical director, and at one
ime presented formidable appearance, but
t died OF Q homeopathic dose administered by I
)r. Groot, of Washington, who was in the ;
,arty, and produced asphyIis, in an uuguarded ;
moment, by the "laying on of hands" l.
After participating in the fair and camp
Meeting at Cherrystone, where the white and
lack brethren were alternately singing, dane
ng and "getting religion" the party went on
o Cobb's island, and arrived OF this little gem
# the ocean about p. m.
The main hotel is surrounded by grand old
willows, and large grape arbor is directly in
snrHa ~, 1ava etc ow,1 1lra Co.
figs from the trees around the house
md Watermelons and cantelopes from the
ines. About q dozen cottages surround the
louse, mostly filed with Baltimoreans, al
hough one is occupied by Chief Justice Casey,
# Washington, and Hon. j. a. ]. CresWel,
ate Postmaster General.
A few rods from the house the beach Is seen,
where the surf bathing, for which the island is
70 famous, can be had at all hours. The waves
oil IN from across the ocean, 5000 miles, and
trike land here for the first time. They are
rom six TO ten feet high and as white as snow.
sand bar prevents any underurrent, and
protects it from sharks, who cannot get in,
wen at high tide, over the bar. i
The Lafayette Persimmon Club, !" Of Wash
ngton, followed BY the whole party, were soon
norting In the glorious surf, like lot of Dor
,oises, and wishing that their stay-at-home !
were present to enjoy It. Only
ne accident occurred TO the whole party. A
,eutle youth, named Turner, of Washington,
Weighing two hundred and sixty pounds, was
truck by an immense breaker, which tore Of
lis bathing trowsers, and Brother Lansburg, of ,
Iry-goods fame, had to measure him In the
water with yardstiek for q new pair before
lie could pass in review, from the water to the
Iressing-hous on the beach, past all the ladies
hen present. 20 '-.. .-r....-.
The fishing and yachting Is splendid here,
,ut the cunning Is the wonder Of all our party.
buck, snipe, plover, willetts, aud new bird,
allied the "boat, !" was shot by our young MINI
DDS, We live on game shot the same day,
Ssh just out Of water, soft crabs and oysters {
,ulled from their briny homes an hour before
hey are cooked. Say TO our friends at home ]
hat we feel sorry for them, because they can
lot enjoy these things with Us on this .'isle Of {
be ocean" J.E.M. :
DOWN ON THE CHESAPEAKE. II
The following are the names Of Washington
ans and others sojourning at the Point Look !
ut'resort: Mrs. Chas. Murphy, Mr.. and Miss