The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-08-31
ON ROANOKE ISLAND
The People are as Intelligent ;.> Any-
where in the State.
Especial Cor STATE CHRONICLkl

Especial Cor. STATE CHRONICLE.
MANTEo, DARE Co, n. c., Aug 20. -
Having spent a few weeks on the famous
island of Roanoke at the above village,
beautifully situated on a bay that makes
in from Roanoke Sound, | will give my
impressions of the many advantages 1t
presents to those de string a home near the
deep blue sea. Surrounded by salt water
the breeZes that constantly blow over the
Island are laden with an Invigoratug tonic
that imparts health to the invalid and Joy
to the seeker after pleasure. Roanoke
Sound is quite shallow and the high sand
hills of Nag's Head break the force of the
ocean winds and thus make it a land
locked sound where Watching and angling
is superbly grand. Just As Aurora IN
latches the pearly gates Of morn, step in a
canoe and in a short while you are at
Ballast Point There are the rock that
were brought over by Amadas and Barlow
as ballast. Bait your hook with crab and
the excitement begins. Trout, blue fish,
croaker, hog fish, pin fish. spot and many
other kinds do not nibble bat grab thrill
ingly. 1t is fine sport.
The waters TEEN with fish OF every de
scriptiOn that are easily taken, thus max
ing this paradise for persons who are
born tired This Island is said to contain
about 1 200 people and at least seven
eight's are engaged in fishing for Il bust
ness | mean the males; females fish on
land but are ust as successful. They
don't nibbla. The fall fishing begins about
the 1st of September. Mullets are the
principal fish caught until November when
numbers of rock, perch and other fish are
taken and shipped in ice to Northern mar
kets where good prices are realized Fish
ing continues through the entire wiuter
when the -iad and herrl are caught in
largt. numbers. Nets and sci of all kinds
are used by these brave, hardy, fat aZy
folks in the perpetual v.ilfare v"-yed
az tinst the fiury tribe !hry all have
splendid boats that can weather almost
any storm; and don't believe there are
brayer or better sailors III tn universe
This Island could be made to yirid rnitS
aud vegetables IN abuni tnce aui much
earlier than the truck farms about Norfolk
or Edenton. Its proximity to the gulf
stream its light, spuugy sol susceptible
of high improvement and its natural alar
tatjon for grapes, figs, &c render IT :,
place where the trucker could invest his
means with the assurance of remuneratlve
returns. The natives only raise a little
corn for bread, scuppernong grapes and
vegetables for family use.
1t is generally believed that the lcop!--
IN this terra lncOgulto are ignorant, I'M
moral and "A hard set This Is not true
They are as intelligent as you Will find
anywhere in North Carolina They have
churches and schools that are well attei4d-
Ell They are behind on politics. There
are great many white Republicans who
do not appreciate the political situation in
this State. that ought to have the scales
rubbed off their eyes by our Democratic
speakers. Kindness and hospitality are
among their redeemiug characteristics ard
the stranger is made to feel at home
among them.
Nanteo, the county seat, is a growing
village: several new buildings are now in
course Of erection. 1t has large trade
that is conducted by Messrs John W
. Evans, Evans & Mann, j. NJ. Gray and
- Hassell. Mr.. John W Evans is the
leading merchant and It is owing in a great
measure 10 his push and enterprise that
the place has grown to its present proper
tions The ''Tranquil House" kent by
Mr.. Asa Y. Evans is a Nerltable haven of
tranquil rest and solid comfort to those
seeking health and real enjoyment The
beds are white and soft and the table we'll
supplied with fish, oysters and CLANS and
! everything that would tickle the palate of
an epicure, unless be or she WIS crank
The hostess is kind woman, s2ho antici-
I pates every want of her guests and makes
/ a fellow feel like he is sitting by his own
/ firesde. This town is certainly destined
to be a place Of Importance when its posi-
! bi!ites are fully known. J. II. f.