Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-10
STORY OF BLOCK ISLAND
A French Navigator Who Passed the Island
by Without Landing
RediscOvery by the Dutchman, Adrian
lily With the Islands History.
Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Block Island has become so well known
of late years as a popular summer resort
that no doubt many will be interested in
learning something of its history. The
French navigator, Verrazzano, who claimed
to have discovered the island in the year
1924. could not have possessed all the quail
tiles of bravery attributed to the French
people generally. If We are to Judge by his
report to his king Francis I. The French
navigator is quoted as reporting as follows:
at was full of hills. covered with trees,
well-peopled, for we saw fires all along the
coast"
1t would appear that the most natural
thing for an explorer to do was to visit
the island. Not so with the Frenchman
He passed by on the other SIDE If any
person has even conjectured a reason for
such an act 1T has never made Its appear
ance. But the most wonderful part OF
Verrazzano's report to his government was
the laughable presumption ne displayed IN
naming the island Claudia" in honor or
the kings mother, when the conditions he
so intelligently portrayed should have sug-
gested to him that such a densely populated
territory must already have a name.
Rediscovcred by Block.
A Dutchman, Adrian Block, rediscovered
the island about century after the french
episode In the year 1914 he launched from
from New Amsterdam. When he reached
the shores of the island he Immediately
made for the Indian headquarters. He was
gracously received by some Indian chiefs,
who dined him on clans. fish and Indian
bread.
be the aborigines, were also supposed to
have been a division of the Narragansetts,
a tribe of the Algonquins. already occupy,
ing some portions of the New England
thAHy
Manisses, by which name the island was
for a long time referred to.
The Indians. always treacherous. con-
spred against certain Pilgrim traders, to
take their lives. When this and subsequent
acts of disloyalty were conclusiyely proven
against them, the chiefs, as nearly as can
be aScertained. were executed. Being de-
prved of their leaders the Indian inhabit-
ants, through assertions and a general
wearing out of the race, finally became ex-
tinct.
Along about the seventeenth century
there was a goodly number of white peo-
pie on the island, of different nationalities.
principally English. And 1t was about this
time matters quieted down and civilization
opened up and broadened out.
The Ball Family.
There are some interesting points in
genealogy among some of the residents.
We will take for instance the name Of
Ball.
The first man by this name to seek his
fortune in this sphere was one Edward
Ball 1t would appear that he reached the
island about the close of the sixteenth
century, as he was holding office in 1907
He was of English descent.
Mr.. John Ball was next admitted free
man on Block Island in 100. During the
same year Peter Ball was admitted free
man. In 1874 he represented the islanders
in the colonial legislature. obtaining, in
1885 an appropriation for pier: Mr..
Isaiah Ball, one of the old landmarks. died
about the beginning of the present century
Then comes John S. Ball, Samuel Ball. ST.,
and Samuel Ball, jr.. who had accumulated
considerable earthly possessions. living
happy and helpful lives, doing good in all
that the term means.
Then comes Mr.. Nicholas Ball. at
present large property owner on the
island, who was born in 1928. During the
year 1854 he was elected a member of the
Rhode Island general assembly serving
four years in the lower branch. In 1858 he
was elected state senator, in which ca
pacity he served almost continuously until
1882. During this long service he obtained
much beneficial legislation for the inhab-
itants-a good refuge harbor, two light
houses two life-Saving stations and a sub
marine cable to the mainland.
Mr.. Ball is the owner of Ocean View HO-
TEL admirably situated on the island. and
1t has become the most popular of summer
resorts. Since the summer when Gen.
Grant visited the island, with his presiden-
tlai party, guests ol MI Dali, the resort
has gradually advanced in popularity. Each
summer brings to the island an increased
rumber of distinguished visitors.
The editor of The Washington Evening
STAR Mr.. Crosby S. Noyes. will remember
Mr.. and Mrs. Ball as companions in a trip
around the world-1s9l-2-a history of which
now occupies a prominent place in Mr..
Balls library.
The conclusion has been reached by the
writer that there could be no more delight
full place to spend the heated term of an
American summer; where the conditions of
nature are so constructed as to admit of it's
being cool and pleasant, no matter which
way the wind blows. H. II. FERGUSON.