Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-30
THE EASTERN SHORE.
HOW THE ELECTION WAS CARRIED on
CHINcorEAGUE IsLAKD.
The Ladies' Take Possession Of the Polls
The Young Men Forced
TO Vote Dry.

fCorrespondence Of the Richmond Dispatch. ]
ONAYcocK, April 81, 1886.
The local-option election on Chinco-
league island last Saturday was the
most remarkable ever held in this part
Of Virginia. Mr. John T. Kenney,
Grand Dictator of the Knights Of
Honor of Virginia, spoke to q tempe
rance meeting lin the Southern Metho-
dist church) here last night and gave .
graphic account Of the scenes and Incl
dents that occurred on the island du-
ring the progress of the voting, Mr..
Renney is citizen Of the island, and
led the prohibition forces in the recent
campaign there. The ladies came out
in full force, took possession Of the polls
before sunrise, and remained on the
ground till the voting was over. As the
doubtful voters came up the ladies
would surround them, and, by entreaty
and appeals, endeavor to influence them
to vote the 4" dry" ticket. Smiles wore
freely dispensed and bouquets pinned
on the coats Of young men who were
suspected Of being opposed to local OPP
ton. Sometimes the ladies would sur
round o stubborn voter and sing tenn
perance songs until he was forced to
capitulate, when he was led up to the
polls and his vote recorded for
prohibition. One man who refused
to Weld to the entreaties and smiles
Of the ladies started off to get
his boat and 60 a-fshing in Chinco.
league bay, but the ladies followed
him, and he was finally brought back
and made to vote the "dry" ticket.
The man says that he did it to keep the
ladies from spelling their fine silk
dresses. A pretty young woman threw
her arms around an old topper and thus
brought him to terms. The result was
that out OF 264 votes cast there were
only thirty-eight for license, and there
can be no doubt that this was mainly
due to the women of Chincoteague.
After Mr.. Kinney's recital Of the cleo,
ton scenes on Chincoteague, one min
lister arose and expressed desire to see
the ladies at the polls here in Onancock
next Saturday and another minister,
while declining to advise such course,
gave the ladies to understand that their
presence at the polls would not be I'M
acceptable. Captain W. @. Dutton, Of
Portsmouth, the chief of the Good Tenn
plars of Virginia, made a stirring ad'
dress to the same meeting.
The great open-air meeting at Acco.
mack Courthouse yesterday was one Of
the largest public gatherings seen there
since General Lees visit last August
Rev. F. NJ. Edwards, a well.known
Methodist minister, and Captain Dut
ton spoke, occupying all the time from
noon till nearly O'Clock in the after
noon. In consequence Of this meeting
and the pressing business before the
County Court, it was decided to post
pone the coupon-meetiDg till May court
day. The local.option people were out
in full force, and they chung around
their speakers till the last word
was spoken. Much amusement wa
caused early in the day by ,
local-option bard who appeared
on the streets Of the old town, and at
tracted large crowds Of people arount
him by singing temperate. ballads o
his own composing, which ne sold fol
five cents a copy. The election take'
place in this district next Saturday, anC
in the three remaining districts on thu
18Th Of May. There never was mor'
excitement or feeling over here on any
subject, nor have the people ever been
called on to decide public question
withso little light on the issues at stake
Only one side has been discussed, ant
that in very superficial manner. Tn,
"wet" men seem to be more conf
dental than formerly.
The trial OF l.. W. Cbildrey for as
saulting A. Frank Byrd resulted lat
last night in hung jury. Colonel A
Brown Evans, one Of the counsel il
the celebrated Cluverius case, assiste'
Commonwealth Stationery Fletcher.
| KAMA