The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-05-23

APARADIsE FOR sP0RrsMEN.
Fenwick Island n New Resort THAT VIII
No Doubt be Largely Patronixed-A
Grand Place For Fish and Game--A
Ciss House 90 Ne Bniis.
Fifty years ago the lower part of
this State was almost as unknown to
residents Of Philadelphia and New
York as the interior OF Africa, and 1t
ie certain that as far north as Boston
there were many who scarcely know
that such place existed. The traffic
with other places was conducted with
sloops and schooners, the greater
number OF which came from Indiaa
river. In those days IL was no unusual
thing to see a fleet of these craft an
chored near the inlet waiting for days,
weeks. for a fair wind and
favorable tide to Jump the bar" and
proceed toward their destination.
Tho residents of that section were
simple In manner and exceedingly do
mestic In their habits. Hard working
and industrious to a fault, living, as 1t
were In world to themselves, q
stranger was always welcomed. and II
when he was ready TO take bis depart
uro he wished to repay the hospitality
OF his host and hostess, In manner
which they would consider as an In
suit. all no had to do was to offer pay
for his entertainment.
Stoves were unknown, all the cook
inR(and very excellent cooking 1t was)
being done In the mammoth tire
places. that thought nothing OF eating
up q cord Of wood week In furnish
ing heat.
Tho big Iron pot and the Dutch oven
served as cooking utensils, and the
people lived much the same IA their
ancestors did q hundred years before.
Sowing machines were unknown, but
instead, every house had It's spinning
wheel. and many were equipped with
looms, on which the material for
dresses worn by the women and many
|of the clothes worn by the men, was
woven, after which the deft fingers OF
the housewife fashioned 1t into shape
and carefully sewed 1t together.
Equipped with these homemade
clothes the people Of that day were
ready to go anywhere from q church
to wedding. "buryinR" or u wood
The wool for home use
was clipped from sheep grown on the
ancestral farm, carded at home with
hand cards dyed with indigo, fashion.
ell into yarn with the spinning and
woven into stockings by busy wives
Iand daughters. Corn was the prinoi-
pal crop raised. and as money was al
ways scarce, IL possessed q purchas-
ling power OF so cents bushel. Debts
were paid with this cereal, and no one
would think Of refusing to accept 1t
lat Its established value. Hog and
|hominy was the principal diet, and
who is there that has ever set down to
Ia meal consisting OF good hot pone,
fried fitch. fried chicken and eggs,
with probably an accompanying dish
|of home made hominy. who does not
wish TO again enjoy such feast? The
woods ab0unded with game. while the
rivers, bays. inlets and even old ocean
itself. contributed an abundance OF all
kinds OF fish, oysters, clans, hard and
soft crabs. Such were the old time
days In Sussex half a century ago, but
Ia change has come.
The railroad with It's shrieking on.
lgine aud long trains OF cars has taken
the place Of the old stage coach for
passengers and the white winged boats
for freight. The looms and spinning
wheels have been consigned to the
lumber pile to make room for the sew.
ling machine. the old comfortable fire
places, that furnished both light and
heat. have been closed forever, and
The range or improved stove. with tile
best kerosene lamps. perform the
duties once performed by them. The
Iold log school houses have been turn
ed Into stables or demolished alto
|gether, while stately editices that
boast tower and bell have usurped
the sites.
The good old brothers that Sunday
latter Sunday rose in the church after
the minister had announced the hymn
and led the singing, have passed from
labor to reward, and that duty is now
performed by trained choir, accom-
pal MED by an organ. Ground that was
once considered almost useless Is now
covered with peach trees or berry
bushes, which In favorable seasons
bring wealth TO the pockets OF their
owners.
Such are some OF the changes that
!havo been wrought by steam and
electricity, backed by tho enterprise
and go-aheaditiveness OF some OF the
present generation OF the residents oil
sussex. But this Is not oil, for ere long
the southern part of this State vii
have one OF the finest resorts on the
Atlantic coast. which from Its sur
lroundings carnot but prove sports
mans paradise. This will be located
at Fenwick's Island. place which fol
years was not considered Of much i'm
purtance.
In the early days of OF this country
Fenwick Island, which Is located few
miles south of Cape Henlopen, was
leeeded to Lord Baltimore by the ther
King OF England. 1t passed on dowr
from generation to generation, until
some years ago, when 1t was bought
Birch. After holding 1t u few years
the Messrs. Gum sold it to syndicate
in New York for 81, 900, but owing tc
the failure OF Jay Cook In 1873, they
were unable to pay for IL, and the sale
was not confirmed.
The Island again reverted to the
Messrs. Gum. but during the past
winter Clerk Of the House of Repre-.
lsentatives Layton. bought f. M. Gums
share consisting OF one-half the island.
A few days later the remainder of the
land was bought through Charles A.
Moore. The purchase was made In
the interest OF Captain Daisey, Messrs
Layton. Kennworth, Taylor, Hick.
man. HARRINGTON. Senator Records,
General kenney, Superintendent Hol-
llday, Colonel Cooper, parties in Sauls.
bury, and wealthy syndicate In Phil.
Iadelphia, whose names are not given.
A company known as the Fenwick
Island Company was incorporated by
the Legislature. and also q CLUB.
whose object is to improve the island
and make 1t favorlte resort for
Isportsmen. A handsome and COM
modious club house Is being built,
where the members, their families
and friends can enjoy themselves.
4 As the intention OF the incorpora
tors is to have a quiet respectable re-
sort. no Intoxicating liquors will be
sold on the place. neither will gaming
of any kind be permitted. In fact. 80
particular are the corporators In re.
gard to this matter. that they will
claim the right, which being owners
OF the property they undoubtedly
possese. of excluding all improper
characters.
The Atlantic Ocean lie on one side OF
this island. and there Is probably no
better bathing place on the coast.
lxyhila m fha p.har Ia Aaaa woman bay