Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1894-04-05
A BLOODLESS BATTLE.

u .
Monday ---SOme Halt Dezen
Boats ordered Off by Sher, fl
Sbinr, but They Offer NO Re-
sfstanee.
tstaf Correspondencel
On BOARD THE MAURICE" APRIL
2ND.
The first days battle at Fortescue Is
over and no blood has been spilled
not even q spar broken or sail split.
The concerted raid upon the valu-
able oyster beds failed to pan out, and
the eight or nine captains who ven-
tured upon the grounds, readily &C.
ceded to Sheriff Shinn's authority and
Immediately left the grounds when
that official requested them to.
The Sheriff had gathered about him
when he arrived at the depot in Mil
vile Sunday night, the following
posse: Robert F. Ayars, John Wood
ruff. John Elwell, Simon Gerson, Paul
j DAVIS, II. L Tyler, Moses Atkinson,
William Fowler, Samuel Pancoast, and
Frank Bullock. He also had Justice
William B. Ireland with big roll Of
legal documents under his arm.
The party took the Maurice River
accommodation from Millville, arriv-
ing at the mouth of the river about
ha!f-past seven. The trip down was
decidedly interesting to a PIONEER re-
porter. At all the stations along the
line large numbers of oystermen came
on the train with their white canvass
bags filed with clothing, ready to take
their berth upon the boats. The smok-
ing car, where the Sheriff's party were
sitting was black with tobacco smoke
from the short clay pipes of the oyster
men. The men were discussing the
situation, and there seemed to be con-
siderable uncertainty what was to oc-
cur In the morning.
All the men were of one mind, and
that was that the oyster beds about
Fortescue were natural, and those
who held Riparian claims, we're bank
ing upon title that the State had no
right to give them. The appearance
of the Sheriff and his Officers created
some excitement, and the authority Of
the Sheriff to act in the premises was
disputed by those on the train. The
oystermen seemed to think that a
Deputy United States Marshal must
act In the premises. From the con-
ver sation in the car, it seem ed that the
men were determined to 60 upon the
grounds, and resist any attempt to be
driven off.
When the station was reached the
Sher If conducted his. posse to the tug
Maurice" which lay at one of the
piers. Capt. Lou Shaw was in the
pilot house, and he courteously er.
ceived his guests, and made them as
comfortable as possible, considering
the advantages of his smart little craft.
Sheriff Shinn had an inter view with
the captain who declared that it
would be impossible to leave the piers
before three O'Clock, which time
would give him ample opportunity
of reaching Fortescue before daylight.
The posse then went over to the
somewhat pretentious boarding house
OF John Grouse, where supper was or
dered, and accommodations for the
night asked for. The coming of the
party was a hig surprise to Mr.. and
Mrs. Grouse, but the latter accepted
the situation, and began bustling
about to prepare what she was pleased
to term light lunch. But the supper
was most magnificent one. The
twelve big men simply had all and
more than they could do to keep pace
with the movements of the culinary
department, most hearty meal being
the result of the hours sitting about
the table.
After supper cots were prepared In
the various rooms, and about ten
O'Clock most of the party retired, but
sleep seemed impossible In that salt
air country. and during the time
elapsing previous to three o'clock,
there was considerable confusion. The
Sheriff managed to get about three
hours sleep, but he was the only one
so fortunate. The others was obliged
to get along with less.
Promptly at three O'Clock Captain
Shaw, OF the tug, sounded the stem.
torian whistle of his boat, and the Of
ficers OF the State were guided to the
pier through devious paths, In, around
and about the oyster shipping houses.
Finally all were on board the little
steamer, and the nose of the boat was
turned down stream. 1t was dark
morning the stars being hidden be-
hind dark Olouds huk forturotolp