Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-11
FEELING REVIVED.
SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN METH
oDIsrs ON THE EASTERN SHORE.
shot at In the Dark-Mr. Hopkins
Determine tion-The Reported Rob-
berries of the PocomoiSe Oyster
Beds-PcrsonaI Mention.

ONANCOCK. VA. February 10.-(spe-
clal.)-For some time past trouble has
been brewing I'm the neighborhood OF
Belle Haven. in the southern part OF Ac-
comac. The feeling is due to the action
of the northern Methodists in establish
ing churches and mission stations in
communities already occupied by the
southern Methodists. The Eastern Shore
of Virginia was for long time debatable
ground between the northern and south
ern branches of the Church: but finally
all the Methodist churches in Northamp-
ton. and all but four or five in Accomac'
adhered to the southern branch OF the
Church The old feeling of antagonism
and anlmosity created by the struggle
over slavery and the civil war was gradu-
ally diving out. but when the New YORK.
Philadelphia and Norfolk railway was
built down this peninsula the northern
ncthodists put forth vigorous ehorts 10
regain their ,ost ground In this part or
the world They built churches along the
line Of the road from the Maryland Dor
der TO Cape Charles and established mis-
sion stations in several out-of-tne-way
places. one of the mission stations was
recently established at GAINESVILLE. pay
side hamlet In the northern part OF
Northampton county, and not far from
Belle Haven, a southern Methodist strong
hold. IL appears that the Rev. j. IL.
BRAY. who has come TO Belle Haven as
the pastor Of the southern Methodise
church in that town, has taken occasion
TO show some ministerial courtesy to the
pastor OF the northern Methodist cnapei
AT GAINESVILLE. This was resented Dy
some persons In the community VINO
threatened to take matters into their OVID
hands IL the Rev. Mr.. Bray should dare
to do the like again.
OFFICIAL ACTION.
The affair created such feeling In the
community that the official board OF the
Belle Haven Circuit, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South. met and adopted
the following resolutions:
81. That we do fully endorse ana com
mend the spirit that actuated our pastor,
the Rev. ]. L. Bray, in rendering the
Christian courtesy that he has to the
pastor OF the Methodist Episcopal church
at GAINESVILLE and while we sincerely De-
lieve that our brethren OF the Methouist
Episcopal Church have made sad mis-
take in prosecuting their work among u.s.
we believe II to DO our bounden CHRIS
tian duty to show them their mistake by
our kindness and love, not by hgntlng
them with firebrands. -
40 That. believing we are but giving
voice TO the sentiment of the entire mem
bership of this circuit. and OF the Memo
dist Episcopal Church, South. at large.
we most emphatically denounce All
threats. demonstrations, ana abusive
language employed by certain persons
against the Rev. j. L. Bray on account
of the courtesy above referred 10; anu
we pledge ourselves TO stand by him with
our prayers for his encouragement, ana
at the same time we pray mat uou
may have mercy on the offending persons.
and move them to do what is manly and
right. But If those persons persist IN
their course, we are determined TO prose
cute them to the full extent OF the
law"
FIRED AT IN THE DARK.
one night last week, while Mr.. J. Frank
Hopkins. who resides near Pungoteague,
was returning home, he was fired at by
some unknown persons from behind large
trees near the roadside. The night was
dark. and Mr. Hopkins had no one with
him to help manage his frightened borse'
and no weapon to defend himself wilh'
and so he was compelled to beat nasty
retreat for home. He has, however, been
investigating the matter, ard thinks ne
Is on the track Of the would-be assassins,
whom, he says, he intends to find out,
If IL takes him the rest of his days. He
Is very certain that they are negroes.
Some time ago a communication was
published in the Peninsula Enterprise,
charging that the Virginia oyster-beds
In Pocomoke sound were being looted
by Maryland pirates, and that the Nlr-
ginia oyster steamer Accomack and the
notice schooner Pocomoke were frequently
absent from the sound. Captain Costin,
of the Accomack, and Captain Thomas,
of the Pocomoke. publish cards in the
last issue of the Enterprise. in which
they completely refute every charge made
against them on the score Of neglect or
duty. and show that the only violations Of
the law in these waters this season have
been committed by Virginia oystermen
residing on Sykes Island from which
the complaints against the Virginia oys-
ter police force came. Your correspond
ent has taken pains 10 inquire OF the
bayside oystermen touching the eficiency
of the oyster police force in Pocomoke
sound. and, without exception, they have
spoken in the highest terms Of Captain
Costin and Captain Thomas, and they
all agree in saying that the Virginia
waters on the eastern side of the Chesa-
peake were never freer from oyster
pirates and marauders than at present.
The Board of Supervisors OF Accomac
has decided to purchase two more road
machines. The county owns TWO already.
and when the spring rains are over an
effort will be made TO put all the high
WAYS Of the county in first-class condi-
ton.
Mr.. John Wise Kelly. principal OF the
churchland Academy. spent Saturday and
Sunday at his home. In Onancock.