Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-31
THE EASTERN sHoRE.
The Captured Dredaers--Narrsw Escapes
Chiuess~ssue Items.

tcorrespondence Of Richmond Dispatch.l
ONANcocK, January 30, 1895. =
Information reached here last night
that the oyster-steamer Chesapeake cap
tured seven vessels last Saturday and
Monday for dredging in forbidden wa
tiers in the bay off Matthew's county.
All these boats, with one exception.
are owned on the Eastern Shore. Ny
informant, who left while the trial OF
the captured dredgers was going on,
said that no evidence had been brought
forward to prove that the men were vi
olating the law, and that the prosecu-
ton was trying to convict the prisoners
for some technical irregularity in their
licenses. The drcdgers openly declared
that the oyster navy is being prosti-
tuted to their exclusion from the drcdg-
ing waters on the western shore Of the
Chesapeake in the interests of the tolg-
men on that side.
Yesterday evening Travis Crockett.
with boy twelve or fourteen years old.
left 0nancock in small open boat for
Tangier island, ten miles out in the
Chesapeake bay. When they had gone
about half way over terrific northwest
wind swept down on them, filling the
boat with water and causing it to sink.
Fortunately a pungy was near enough.
and went as fast as possible to the res
cue of the man and boy, who were
struggling to keep above the water.
The weather was bitterly cold, and the
man and boy were completely benumbed
by the water when they were taken up
by the pungy. A few minutes and they
must have persisted. They were landed
in CheSconnessex creek. and came here
late last night, shiyering and froSt-bt-
ten. in their wet and frozen garments.
a similar accident happened in Chin
colleague bay several days ago. when
William VI. Parker. Government en-
ploye, was crossing from the mainland
to the island during the prevalence OF
high wind. His little boat was capSized
and he was thrown into the icy water.
BY some means or other he rightcd the
boat up, bailed out 4 portion of the
water, and reached the island in half
sunken condition.
Chncoteague island. which used to
be celebrated only for its traditional
ponies. is now one Of the most denSely
populated and prosperous communities
in the State. Its soil being generally
sandy and unproductiyc. the people are
engaged in seaiaringand commercial pur-
suits. 1t has at least $500 inhabitants,
among whom squalid poverty is abb
solutely unknown. The people are in
telligent far beyond those of the average
rural community, and property there
is very valuable, some lots recently sold
bringing on an average $500 an
acre.
Large numbers of ponies are still
raised on the marshy flats. and the an
nual penning is still a regular festive
day among the islanders, but it has lost
much of its old-time romance.
An exciting scene was enacted in this
town few nights ago when Peter Mock,
gay Lothario, attempted to lead to the
altar his third wife. the other two being
still alive and undiyorccd from him.
He procured marriagc-liccu>e
under an assumed name and came To-
Onancock to be married in grand style.
just aS the ceremony had been com
plctcd wife No. appeared on the
scene and made things warm for Peter
and his bride. Great confusion and
excitement prevailed, and it seemed at
one time that Serious trouble would en-
sue. The bride was finally frightened
into rcpudiating Peter. who. fearing ar
rest and prosecution. fled i'll hot haste
from the seat of war and en-
barkod Tor bridal tour on Il
dredging schooner, and it is supposed
that he Is now catching byalves If he
has not been gobbled up by the oyster
navy. The attention Of the authorities
has been called to his case, and he will
be duly presented at the next grand
jury term.
he weather continues very cold
some Of the inlet> and creeks are frozen
20 hand a. to render navigation im9oS,i-
bic. kALLiAS.