The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-09
JfMESTOWN ISLAND.
The Work of RenovatIng the Historic Spot
Is Progressing.


Mr. W. L. Wilkinson, who Is very close
10 Mr. Il. Z. Barney. the moving spirit
in the new James river steamboat enter
prise. Is ut the Exchange Hotel, and so
| Is Mr.. Barney. He came up with Mr..
| Barney and Mr. Shirley Carte, Of Shirley,
who is TO be connected with the new
scheme, on yesterday, from jamestown
| Island. lately purchased by Mr.. Barney.
| They have been there surveying, pros
pccting. measuring and making ready for
the improvements contemplated there, as
told exclusively In The Times lately
Mr.. Barney expressed his great sur
prise and sorrow at the state OF neglect
i'm which he found the old graveyard at
jamestown Island. The place has been
dispoiled by relic hunters, and the Old
toInb-stones broken and Clipped off by
these vandals. Only one whole tomb
stone was left, and by the almost illegible
inscription it was found 10 be that OF
william Sherwood Mr.. Barney will i'm
medlately order the old church-yard and
cemetery to be enclosed with a substantial
fence. and men will be put on guard day
and night to keep off all trespassers.
Mr. Barney will be glad TO have any
information from all parties Informed on
the question of the old residents OF James
town Island, or their descendants. lie
wishes this information so that the graves
can be located, and the slabs restored
with fac SMILES of their original inscrip-
tions. Any old MSS. Will be thankfully
received. as Mr.. Barney is thoroughly in
earnest in the work Of restoring this very
interesting SPOT Of Virginia.
ANY persons who can assure Mr. Barney
OF their ability to locate any graves, VIII
be transported TO the graveyard and
return, and their reasonable expenses paid
by him.
The plans Of the company for wharves'
cafe, billard-rOoms, bOwliDg-alleys, dane
ing pavilicns, artesian wells ana the sea
wall are under way and VIII be pushed
through the winter, there being no inter-
rrption TO be feared on account Of climate
In thai locality.
1t will be eminently suited for a winter
resort for that reason. The shooting is
fine. as deer, turkeys, wild ducks, geese,
and snipe abound.
The waters are filled with fish, perch
trout, rock, and especially sturgeon. Inc
fisheries for sturgeon which have been
run in a small way for some years, VIII
be continued on a larger scale by the
new steamboat company, and the roe
sent TO Russia for preparation, ana re-
turn as cavare. the great dellcacy' the
secret of preparing which the Russians
alone pOSStSS
The wharf at jamestown Island will
be the longest on the river, planned Tor
POO feet I'm length. built with stone piers
and wooden superstructure, all OF substan-
tial quality Waiting rooms. store houses
and everything accessory TO such piers
are planned for already.
A library and museum Of colonial relics
will be instituted as soon as possible.
An orchestra, run by electricity, VIII
furnish music. and there will be bathing
houses in plenty. A tally-ho coach will
make regular trips to Williamsburg sta
ton. seven miles distant.
The old mansion house on the island
will be put in thorough repair, enlarged
and fitted up as an inn for visitors, until
the new main hotel can be completed.
The dredging 20 reclaim the lowgrounds
will begin January LIST. in charge of Mr.
Shirley Carter. of Shirley. James river.
In a fortnight work will begin at the
island and the place will have busy APP
pearance, with men and teams.
The improvements will be pushed 50
that tourists to and from the Chicago
Exposition can be accommodated. The
advantages of the resort will be adver-
tsed at Chicago.
Messrs. Barney, Wilkinson and Carter
so back to the island this morning for
further preparations for the improve
mcnts at this historic spot, which will
link the past and future together in a
style not before attempted in Virginia.