Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-20
THE EASTERN SHORE.
A RATHER STRANGE SIGHT NEAR
CAPE CHARLES CITY.
bodies Recovered and Buried-TEs
Town of ParLsicy Rebuft-sub-
stsntiaI Brick House&--Duil Matrf-
moniai NIarkct-Pcrsonnl Notes.

ONANCOcK, VA. December l9.-(Spe-
clal)--The Latin poet Horace thought
Il would be monstrous TO paint dolphin
in the woods. or a wild boar in the
waves, but stranger things are some
times seen that poets have dreamed or
painters put on canvas. One DAY during
the past week a large hog swan ashore
at Cape Charles City. coming out OF
tho Chesapeake bay. After a lively
chase through the woods the hog was
caught and carried 10 the railroad
freight-house. where II was Identified as
belonging to Captain Orris a. Browne.
who lives several miles from the town.
1t is supposed that the hog had gone
out into the bay. ana, having lost his
reckoning, made for the nearest land
in sight The unusual sight Of a hog
swimming in the bay attracted a crowd
TO the shore, and many persons joined in
the chase after the rare animal.
Tho body Of Burns Riley, of this coun-
ty who was drowned in ne Potomac
river about two weeks ago, has been
found. brought home, and inferred IN
the family burying-ground. on Chercon-
nessex creek. The body Of Rob Gunter,
the colored man who was drowned at the
same time, has also been recovered ana
buried in Charles county. Nd, near the
place where the sad accident occurred
The business portion Of Parksey. that
was destroyed by fire last June, mas
been rebuilt, substantial and slightly
brick buildings taking the places OF Ihe
wooden ones destroyed by fire. The
painters are now putting the hnishing
touches on tho stores, all OF which VIII
20 filed with goods before the Christmas
holidays begin. BY general consent
Parksley now has tho prettiest row or
observation-disclosures on the Eastern Shore OF
Virginia
Tho prevalence Of hard times has Sc
riously depressed the matrimonial mar
ket in this part Of the world. In past
years from FIVE to ten marriage licenses
we're issued every day during the two or
three weeks Immediately preceding the
Chris mas holidays Messrs. Oldham
and Grant, our popular and accomplished
clerks arc as ready to issue marriage
licenses as ever and on the same terms.
They say, however, that business In this
line is exceedingly dull in Accomac, only
two or three licenses being issued week.
II reports be true old mares on the
Eastern Shore Of Virginia need more pro-
lection than cartridges do from sports
mon. Several DAYS ago q noted hunter
in these parts laid aside his work and
went out to bag some game. After ira
yelling for three days and over more
than fifty miles. he returned nome with
one old hare. and that not nit TO eat.
Foxes. hawks, and hunters have con-
spired to render the race OF old mares
nearly extinct on the Eastern Shore. Tne
General Assembly should do something
TO rsrlerish tho stock Of this useful ana
harmless Attle animal
A LANDMARK UPROOTED.
The stately old sycamore-tree that
stood "a the middle of the road leading
from Dnley TO Acconlac Courthouse mas
been uprooted and removed by order OF
the road officials of this county 1T
stood near the site of an old Episcopal
church. built there more than century
ago, and subsequently moved 10 inc
Courthouse. The tree was the only land
mark left to designate the spot, and
there are not a few here who regret TO
see IL destroyed. 1T measured IL IL rect
in circumference, and four or five men
were employed for about three days IN
digging il up and carrying it away. NO
one now living can tell its age.
The Rev. W. Q. Walden, recently APP
pointed presiding elder Of the Southern
Methodist churches on the Eastern Shore
OF Virginia, has taken up his ABODE at
Bloxom Station, where comfortable
home has been provided for him. He eX-
poets his family to join him there next
week.
Miss Eta Wise, Of Accomac CouI L
house. will leave in q few days for New
York city, where she viii spend the
winter, visiting the family OF her cousin
the Hon. John S. Wise.
The Episcopal and the Presbyterian
churches in Onancock are now without
pastors.
The stores o; the town are dressed IN
holiday attire, and people are making
ready for the coming Of Christmas.