The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-21
FEARS. OF A BLOCKADE.
THE ICE THREATENING THE De-
ATTRACTION OF PROPERTY.
Light House In Danger Of Being i~~e" ~
sea-A Field Office Breaks S"'''"s
with it . Qusntity Of OYSTERS

CAPE CHARLES. VA, Jan. D.-Spe-
clsl.-The ice is threatening us nouriy'
and there is expected a blockade az th's
part OF the bay that VIII damage '"e
property of the Government, az wen
a. that OF individuals. It Is thought by
many who have witnessed the oafnase
done by ice that II the ice should oreah
suddenly with q strong wind the hsnf
house known as Old Plantation, situated
about two miles south Of Cape Charles
City, would be in immediate danger VI
being taken 10 sea. -,
the range light for the guidance Oh
steamers and vessels into this haroor ~
the south entrance and half miie irohi
shore was taken away yesterday. Inc
.-aat aeld Of ice which was so much
feared broke In Cherrystone creek yes
to-day and took away with II twenty
norreis OF Rolley & Ames oysters, when
had been tonged the day previous ana
we're IN barrels marked 70 J. A. Ehshsh'
PHILADELPHIA When Mr.. Rolley by chahce
looked out into the bay yesterday morn
inc n, saw his oysters and tonRs vnlch
no baS lert on the ice. moving towards the
eca with great rapidity. He followed the
ov.t.rs until they had reached the Capes'
r,bon all hopes for their recovery were
abandoned. o-,.,.,.
CAPTAIN George Kitchens, OF Smiths
Island nfe-saving station, reports the
ocean froze as far as he could see from
the dome on the lighthouse, ana great
icebergs line the shore ten to hfteen ieet
high. T.,
The most beautiful sight to behold IN
this great frigd region Is for one 10 see
the powerful and magnificent steamer
New York making her daily run between
bsre and Norfolk. The way the steamer
plows through the ice, which is ten 10
Twelve inches thick. is wonderful. There
were several pictures made OF the steamer
while she was leaving here to-day by
noted photographer from New York city
He saws II was one OF the grandest sights
that ne had ever witnessed.
Suffering Among Islanders.
BALTIMORE. Jan. "a special com
missioner Of tho Baltimore Sun has made
the triD over the ice from Franklin Clty'
VIZ. TO Chincotsasue Island about seven
and one half miles from the former place
and separated from the mainland by
Chincoteague bay. Tie island is cut Off
from the outside world II has A poula-
ton Of 1000. The main Industry is the
cultivation OF oysters. Under ordinary
circumstances a visitor 10 the island VIII
find the male population away from nome
carly In the morning until late at nisht'
The duties Of home are left to the hands
Of the women. At night the men pack
their catch Of oysters and send them 20
market. To-day there is a different pic
| ture to be drawn. The cold weather has
| closed up the water. The men are found
| about the stores, in the public houses
ana the harbor is lined with idle vessels,
| covered With snow, while the decks are
| riled Sigh with tee, forced on board by
| The shifting winds and str0rg current.
| The mail for the island has been carried
| across the bay twice. Each Il ne the
| PENNSYLVANIA road has given the carrier
| 81 for the trip.
| The coal supply Is exhausted The store
! keepers have agreed 10 sell only fifteen
! pounds of -four TO each customer day,
| hut at this allowance It is Impossible for
| The supply TO hold out longer tha1 Mon
| day.
Those who have cattle or hogs have al
| ready begun to slaughter them. Owing 10
| the scarcity OF provender owners have
been compelled TO turn the ponies loose
Upon the marsh in hitch they get only
what they can find by pushing the snow
| of the ground. Assateague Island, when
| Hes southeast Of Chincoteeeue, has a pop
ulation Of from 70 to 100. The people have
come to Chincoteague for food. The cat
tie which are numerous on both islands,
are suffering for food and water, and
| their bellows can be heard at all times.
They move In herds and show that they
are suffering.
Beside the trials caused by the cold
weather on the leland, there is an cpl
demic Of measles. Nearly every family
has someone sick. and in many cases the
| disease has proved fatal.