Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-04
A PRIMITIVE SP OF.
Interesting Features of the
Island Where Mr.. Cleve-
land Is So BuSily
DEMOLISHING THE DUCKS.
Queer Incidents Attending the Pres
ident-EIect's Scjourn.
ONE BAD CASE OF STAGE FRIGHT.
The Little Yacht Grounds on the Way to
the shooting Grounds
DEMOLISHING THE DUCKS.
ONE BAD CASE OF STAGE FRIGHT.
The Little Yacht Grounds on the Way tt
the shooting Grounds
SIMPLICITY OF TIE INHABITANTS


ExNoRE, VA, Dec. while President
elect Cleveland and his friends, Mr.. Davis
and Nj. Jefferson, came to Broadwater
Island it'll the avowed intention Of rough
ing it, the most formal amenities of soci al
life have been entirely forgotten. Although
politicians have been tabooed there have
been many pleasant lAtle gatherings at the
For-elI cottage which lave had no connec-
ion with duck shooting. During his stay
Mr.. Cleveland has always been accessible to
those who make their home on the Island
and also natives who come on pilsrimages
from the mainland. There have been al
most daily informal receptions accorded
these people.
Albert Duncan, an unusually intelligent
gentleman, who has achieved quite reputa-
tation for bravery in connection with occa-
sional service at the United States Life Saw
ing station, headed quite little party of
Eastern horsemen who called on Mr. Cleve-
land one afternoon. They were received
with courtesy, and local topics formed the
basis of quite an animated conversation.
The President-elect took particular pains
to see that each member of the party was
provided with fragrant perfecto, and the
little reception was practically turned into
genuine smoker"
APeculiar Pastorate.
Rev. John R. Sturgis, pastor of the little
Methodist Episcopal Church located on
Broadwater Island, also brought a party to
pay their respects to the distinguished visi-
tor. Mr. Stargis has for years conducted
what might be called q missionary work
among the islands, which form a sort of
Archipelago along the coast of Virginia
and dcaden the force of the ocean waves
which would otherwise beat upon q more
inhospitable aad desolate shore. On
alternate Sundays he visits Broadwster and
Cobbler Islands, where the simple natives
are instructed in the word of God. The
little ones are not neglected and Sunday
School services are held every two weeks
for their benefit.
Mr. Sturgis lives at Birds Nest on the
mainland, a small village situated 16
miles south of Exmore. In winter and
summer, through rain and shine he makes
the 25 miles sail in his small batteau, re-
turning to his home on Monday. He often
takes his little son with him on these trips.
Many times when Mrs. Sturgis has been
visiting on the island she has gone up into
the lighthouse tower, and, with the aid of q
powerful glass she has watched the progress
of her husbands trail craft throug h fierce
storm.
The violent gale would lay the boat upon
fits side ard the maddened, white-capped
waves would dash over it causing it to dis
appear entirely from sight The faithful
wife often gave up in despair, believing
that her husband and son had certainly
been overwhelmed and lost, but they al
ways succeeded in outriding the storm and
landed in safety. Nh. Cleveland talked
with the minister for some time and mani
Tested much interest in the work which has
already been done and that which Is sought
to be accomplished on the island.
The Only Formal Reception.
Aside from these irregular little gathsr-
ings there has been but one real event on
Broalwater which might be considered as
approaching the dignity of formal recep-
tion. This was the occasion when Presi-
dent-elect Cleveland paid his respects to
Mrs Ferrell at the club house. The large,
comfortable sitting room was frightened
up for the occasion. A sparkling fire of
resinous pine knots was kindled in the
CRATE. The vases upon the mantel over
the hearth were filled with house flowers.
The lace curtains were pulled back from
the windows and admitted more than the
usual abundance oflight
Mrs. Ferrell, who is a handsome, cul-
tured and refined lady, was dressed in an
elegant black Henriette costume, made
with plain skirt and having one plated
rufie around the bottom. The bodice was
cut plain and elaboratelv trimmed. She
stood In the center of the large room and
received her distinguished caller. The
President was attired in regulation full
dress suit. After a pleasant interchange
OF courteSies he returned TO the cottage
which has been set apart for his use.
The usual train OF incidents which do not
obtain general publicity have not been
wanting during Mr.. Cleveland's visit to
Broadwater Island. While trivial in them
selves, and of no consequence on matters of
interest, they have nevertheless been an un-
failing source of amusement and gossi p
among those who know no world beyond
the environments of the narrow peninsula.
These occurrences have been endlessly re-
vamped and passed from mouth to mouth
with succession of additions and variations
that would be simply astounding were it
not perfectly harmless.
A Case of Stage Fright
On one occasion when two ladies, who are
permanent residents of the island called on
Mr. Cleveland at the cottage they suffered
sadly from stage fright, and for time lost
their presence of mind. While in a condi-
ton which could not be better described
than bv the word ''rattled," the President.
elect addressed query to one of the ladies
which required an affirmative answer. The
ladv, however, in her hopeless confusion,
made 4 miscalcuiatio1 in the matter of gem
der, and replied, "Yes, ma a'am." This little
error still continues to be the source of
much merriment in this vicinity, and is
gradually travelling overland in the same
way in which prehistoric happenings are
said to have been transmitted to posteritv
IRON father to son, and IRON neighbor 10
neighbor.
Another stock item of gossip 10 the
grounding of the little steamer Sunshine.
While conveying Mr.. Cleveland to the
blinds for a days sport shooting waterfowl
the Yacht entered shallow water too near
the shore and stuck fast in the mud. There
was not the slightest possibility of personal
danger. and Mr. Cleveland forsook the
steam launch and entered q small boat
which was rowed to the blind He suffered
not the slightest inconvenience, and re-
garded the mishap in the nature of little
diversion.
The Captain of the Sunshine, Fred Marsh,
a bic. bronzed, good-natured mariner who
belongs to q class Of people known through
ont the country as ''Pennsvlvania Dutch
men {" IL said tn have literally torn his
auburn hair and distractedly pulled his red
mustache and appealed, in choice broken
German, TO all the gods which are supposed
to have composed the autonomy of the Gre
clan mythology. The vessel was soon re-
leased from her ridiculous rather than dam