National Republican., 1881-07-19
AT POINT LOOKOUT,
THE WESTERN END OF MY MARYLAND.
How the Place Was Msde-Tnteresting Residents
"The Peint" During the war-A Winter
Sceuc-The Railroad and Proba-
blllties Of It's Success.

Special Correspondence Of THr REPUBLICAN.
PoINT LOOKOUT, Mp, July 16.-When
the Almighty Creator Of the Universe was done
making the world he had a few csrt-loads Of dirt,
gravel, and refuse LEFT over, which he dumped
down here between the Potomac and the Chesa-
peako Bay. Tho Lookout" was intended to warn
everybody to look out that they never brought UP
here Everybody took the hint except a few low
down Marylandex. I sny Glow. down" because
they live rs low down the Potomac as they can get
without wading into the water Nearly all the
people have lon here, except few who can't
afford to stay and arc too poor to get away. These
latter make hand to. mouth living. They fish
little hunt little. farm very little oyster little,
drink thelrshare Of whisky preforrlng the untaxed
from principle), and talk politics voluminously
aud yooierously. Not that they know any more
about that subject than other men, but because
people Of their grade always talk the most about
what they know the least Of Their interest in the
affairs Of government is the outcome Of
hereditary instinct Their forefathers and fore
mothers were brought over at the
EXPENSE OF THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT
one hundred and lfty years ago as q compliment
to their abilities rs coiuor and clippers, forgers
thieves, pickpockets and other high.mindcd
gentry who were too proud TO work for an honest
living at home in OLD England. once6ver here
they were sold out for term Of years. the proceeds
going 10 pay the expense Of their conviction and
deportation. The purchasers were generally dc.
scendants OF the ancient families who came over
under the direction and patronage Of Lord Balu.
more and other noble founders Of Maryland.
REBEL STAMPING GROUND.
This whole section Of Maryland was emphatically
stamping ground Hundreds of rebel spies came
within the Union lines at and near this point, and
from here made there way to the Capital and the
North Also hundreds Of desorters from the Vir-
gnia army OF the rebellion crossed over here
gave themselves up, and took the oath OF allogi-
ance. l talked with one OF these this morning
who is now n citizen Of Washington A large
number OF Union troops were camped here during
the entire war, and many raid was made into
Virginia. and gunboats were stationed in the bay
and in the river. more forlorn spot cannot be
found anywhere and It Is n wonder to me that
any one can stay here at ALL II is forlorn enough
in summer to say nothing Of the bleak dreariness
Of winter.
THRILLING WINTER SCENE.
On the 2lst Of last January thrilling scene was
witnessed here, which is still the subject of con-
versation among the people living on the Point.
The schooner Ida james, bound from Washington
to Baltimore, sprung leak just before she reached
the mouth of the river, and the captain, instead of
beaching here on the river bank (tho captain and
crew being green) worked his way around into
the mouth of the bay, just in front of the Point
Lookout lighthouse. Mr.. Yeatman, the keeper of
the light, says that ifthe captain had beached his
craft In the river he would have had no trouble,
Tor he and his crew could have walked ashore
without any difficulty Instead, he ran around into
the bay and his boat sank in fourteen feet of
water, right in front of the lighthouse. Tho
breakers were rolling in with sound that
drowned all others. The weather was intensely
| cold and as the boat settled lower and lower
in the water the captain and his crew had
to take to the rigging, where they remained
tho spray dashing over them and freez.
ing 10 their clothing, so that they soon
resembled animated ieices. No ordinary boat
would have lived in the breakers for moment
and there was no life.boat the Point so that the
few citizens hereabout could do nothing more than
! stand on the shore and gaze helplessly at the
| thrilling scene. The unfortunate men, who were
mostly foreigners, were fast succumblng TO the Bit
came @ % along and md rescSsd S them when bronsh msI
ashore they were nearer dead than living men
| They were most Hospitality received by Mr.. Ycat-
man the light keeper, who fed them for some days
| and rigged them all ont In dry clothing and Sc
| cured them passages to their homes. The shabby
fellows went of without saying Thank YOU"
| THE POINT LOOKOUT RAILROAD.
From the point where this Is written the terminus
of the proposed Point Lookout Railroad cap be
seen. The company has driven the piles for q
large wharf which can soon be made ready fol
here and Washington has been done, | am told
and the iron for most of the track is already on tho
1 eIOullu, NOIk. lOT SONIC unknown fpUSOn, rs
| stopped just now, but will soon be resumed. II
| the road is built, predict that this will become
one of the greatest watering places in the vicinity
| of the Capital. The bathing Is superb. the bottom
being smooth, sandy shingle, delightful to tread
nIpon and any depth Of water desired can be had
| When the breeze Is inshore the breakers are Just
| sufficient to make the most delightful
surf. bathing, without any drawback in the
shape of a dangerous undertow. At the
| present there are but limited quarters
for visitors, there being no hotels on or near the
| Point. Two or three private families receive and
entertain visitors for a very moderate per diem
| Among these is Mr.. Jack 0'Leary, formerly noted
| Washington caterer who is in tenancy of Mr.
Frank Hume's cottage. Mr. and Mrs. o. furnish
their guests with good substantial seaside edlblcs
gotten up in very good style. Their prices are yer,
moderate, aud quiet people will find their placi
! a very comfortable one TO stop At present they
have with them several Washingtonians, among
them being Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. D. Helm and two boys
| Mr.. Scott Towers of THE NATIONAL REPuBLIcA,
office; Mr.. Potec, superintendent Of the Washing
cS 1Sh SrST H4SM Mr. I and Iy Mrs Gi e pGI
and Others, who are all well pleased with the sit
uation. MARINER