The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-03-06
That Famous Resort, Old Point
Comfort, Va.
BEAUTIES OF THE SEA VOYAGE
From New York Down Place. of His
torls Intsrest-Brllllant Winter Health
Rs.ort-Fortrsss Monroe and Its Attrsc-
aons-Iiampton Road. and Norfolk.

1
terest. Just before the boat is about
to sail from Its dock at New York the
scene is a busy one. After three long
pulls at the whistle the boat slowly
moves from her slip. In thirty minutes
| the vessel is opposite the statue OF Lbs
| erty. In going down the bay you pass
all manner OF quaint and curious craft
-ferryboAts. frelghters, emigrant
boats, ocean liners, gunboats, barges,
fishing smaclSs andeverythlng that sails
| ON the sen. As the city fades from
view the vessel calls for your attention,
and you are impressed with Its strength.
speed and handsome appearance
| About the time the Highlands ara
reached you are called to supper.
The scenes from the deck are OF rap
turous beauty, and the hours slip away
unheeded as you pass In review the
brilliantly illuminated towns and the
shore resorts OF the New Jersey coast
You wish the night and ride might
| continue forever. BY the time Long
| Branch has faded from view most pas
sengers are ready to retire for the night.
| And such sleep! 1t Is Amazing how
| quickly the body is refreshed by the
! soft, sea air, and your comfortable
bed. Indeed, Il Is curious to note the
| change produced In so short time by
tho release from the grind OF every
DAY life and the shifting OF the scenes.
At the pier at Old Point Comfort
all is life and gaiety. Boats are contln-
ually arriving from New York, Balti-
more, Washington and Richmond.
bringing in visitors to the famous re-
| sort Army officers in brilliant uni
| forms and society bellies, together with
| Inverted darkies and wharf roustaoouts,
give a life and animation that Is IN
| charming contrast with the soft ana
balny air to the northern visitor.
Old Point Comfort and the surround
| Ing section offers many attractions
Nature has dealt lavishly with the
great empire state OF the south, ming
her borders with magnihcent mourn
| taIns, fertile valleys. and noble rivers:
piercing her coast with deep inlets and
| harbors. offering safe anchorage to the
nayies OF, the world. And to note her
/ history. Up the James river rev
miles Is the old town OF willlnmsburg
the seat OF William and Mary College,
| the first Institution OF its kind In this
country. Further along up the river
are found number OF old colonial man
sIons, built Of brick brought from Eng
land, and which. with their contents OF
rare pictures. plate ana furnishlnss'
| form Interesting mementoes OF the past.
| In 1890 African negroes were sold at
| jamestown. thus introducing negro sla-
very into America. Upon the soil OF
Virginia was played a leading part OF
/ the war OF independence, and but
generation ago the civil war, in which
| she bore the brunt OF the struggle.
Old Point Comfort Is a place OF real
| delight now as OF old, when the sea
battered colonists landed upon It's nos
| pltabIe shores, Close at hand Is me
| q n. n 1al0 .INIHl
| beyond lies Newport News, named
| after the celebrated navigator. now
n great railway terminus and a
| town OF phenomenal growth. Across
| Hampton Roads. memorable as the
scene OF the conflict between the honi-
| tor and the Merrimac. lies the ancient
| city OF Norfolk, founded In lIOS and
burned by the British In 1176. but now
with Its sister city, Portsmouth, become
one OF the greatest cotton ports OF the
south, and one OF the largest shipping
noInts IN the world. At Portsmouth
also is situated United States navy
yard. ~,
Point Comfort Is pre-eminently ahead
| OF its surrounding sister localities. II
IL 10 society in the winter what LenoS
/ Is 10 society In the fall. Famous IN
| war as possessing the strongest fortress
/ in the land, It is no less famed in peace
/ as n fortress OF health, and the Mecca
toward which fashion and society turn
\ for rest and RECREATION. II Is situated
on the border which divides the north
from the south. and the peculiar sur
roundIngs lend southern coloring to
| the climate and temperature.
One OF the most notable OF modern
hotels is the Hygela, situated near tho
entrance to Chesapeake Bay and IN
sight 81 Capes Henry and Charles. Its
/ wide vernndas, over 1900 square feet
| OF which are encased In glass IN colo
weather, enable the most delicate In
valid to enjoy the sunshine ana me
| winter view without the least danger
nom exposure There is 1000 square
feet OF floor space for dancing. The
| United Stntes army band stationed az
Fortress Monroe plays every afternoon
and evening.
The shades OF night change the scene.
/ Never Is this spot more lovely than
when IL Is etfulgent with the moonlight
| that streams In over the blue waters
| OF the bay. In the distance Is heard
the sound OF music and merry Laughter.
These come from the Hygela, which
IL all ablaze with electric lights. In
the morning there are some tired and
sleepy eyes, but the people ars-here
for rest or pleasure, and they can get
/
one OF the most interesting places at
Old Point Comfort ls Fortress Monroe,
which has been a military post since
1877. Visitors are admitted to the fort
at all times. and the ceremonies OF
guard mounting and evening dress pa
radc are always interesting to those not
familiar with the ponp and olrcunl-
stance OF military observance. The fort
Is one Of the largest and most plctur-
esnue battlements on this continent
There IL about the fortress never
ending charm. Its history, both OF war
and peace, Its beauty, It's romance, all
tend to fascinatc. The molt, 30 suB-
Eestiye OF the days OF chlvalry, Is
crossed by an ancient drawbrldge as In
the days OF yore. but once through the
tunnel, under the easements you find
yourself on the beautiful parade ground
with its Rklrting OF huge live oaks.
Here on pleasant afternoons many vis-
Itors VILE away the happy hours on
the soft turf OF the ramparts, watching
tho whlte-wInged messengers OF peace
pnsslng to and fro on the bay. which
stretches out before the eye In beautiful
panorama. " M'