The new era., 1890-08-28
A Week at sewsll's Point.

1t has been our privilege for the past
three summers to spend week with
friends at this historic point. Those
who wish rest and recreation, free from
the cares and perplexities of business,
may believe us when we say there is no
better spot, to us, on this continent.
On Saturday night, August 10Th, in
company with Mr.. J. F. McWhorter,
we boarded the Norfolk Express for
Old Point Comfort, and arrived at Cape
Charles about A. NJ. on Sunday. We
were met at Clayton by Mr.. John Me
Whorter and daughter, Hattie, of Vir-
ginia, who had been spending some few
days with relatives and friends in Della
ware. The trip over the N. Y, p. &
N. Railroad was devoid of incident,
but at Cape Charles, the hitherto
sleepy, drowsy looking passengers
seemed all alive and keen on boarding
the staunch, new steamer New York,
Capt. w. G. Almy. The trip across the
mouth Of Chesapeake bay to Old Point
and Norfolk, is one of the most pleasant
and enjoyable, as well as healthful and
invigorating sails person could wish.
We arrived at Fortress Monroe few
minutes after 8 o'clock, where a few Of
the passengers embarked. To speak of
the beautiful hotel, the Hygeia House,
suffice it to say, it is hardly second TO
none in the country, and enjoys a re.
putation that any might Justly envy.
The steamer was quickly headed for
Norfolk, distssce about ten miles, but
through the courtesy and obliging dis
position of Capt. Almy, we were landed
on the pier at Sewell's Point, spot
made notorious during the late war.
So great,was our gratitude. so kind was
the handsome young Capt. TO our party,
that we felt very much like taking off
our hat, and if we ourself had been a
!" crowd,n most certainly would have
given him three cheers. Such treatment
from the officers of railroads is rarity,
and goes far in this instance to confirm
us.in the belief that Virginia hospitality
beats the world.
Each day was pleasantly, and to us
most Observation-Disclosures in
rest and recreation, in fishing, bathing,
and in partaking of the hospitality of
Messrs, William and John McWhorter.
These gentlemen are well-known in
Delaware, now owning largo planta-
tion of 400 acres of valuable truck land,
Immediately on Sewell's Point, opposite
Fortress Monroe. They have been sue
cessful farmers, carrying on the early
vegetable business for some years. Two
crops of cantalopes from the same vines
is an advantage they possess over the
Delaware farmer. They grow no
peaches except few for family use,
Fish, oysters and game are plentiful,
and the sport of fishing is no unprofta-
BILE pastime, many of the colored people
making their living thereby. The
waters of Hampton Roads have his
tory that all the world is acquainted
with. 1t is pronounced the finest sheet
of water on the continent, and to gaze
over its vast expanse, glass in hand, at
the large number of vessels passing to
and fro, was our delight. The waters
of the James and the Elizabeth both
empty into it, and on its surface was
fought the greatest naval contest
the world has known, "a contest
that completely demonstrated the
modern wooden vessel as utterly
worthl ess. 1t was here the Virginia
in a brief hour or tYa~aOm-