Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-19
BURNED TO DEATH.
A DISTRESSING ACCIDENT on THE
EASTERN SHORE.
Thieves mt Work in and Around
Wnchapreague-A Law fhat Nee"s
u.xision-Three Couples Made
uappy, and the Pastor Richer.

ONANCOCK, VA, January B.-lspe-
cial)-The S-year-old daughter Of Handy
Parks. a tenant farmer, living near Lee
mont. was burned TO death last Wednes-
day. The mother Of the little girl lett
her alone in the house in order to go out
for some wood. While she was gone the
chlld's clothing caught FIRE. The screams
of the little girl attracted the mother
attention, but before she could extinguish
the flames the child was so terribly
! burned that she died in few hours. This
is the second death Of the kind occur
ring in that locality within the space oil
one week.
Captain ]. T. Tracey, who for the past
twenty-one years has been keeper OF the
Assateague Life-Saving Station, has re-
signed on account OF physical disability.
During all these years he has been one
OF the most popular and efficient men IN
! the service. The shoals off AssateaSue
are among the most dangerous along the
| Atlantic coast, and many a gallant crew
has been rescued from watery graves by
/ Captain Tracy and his brave men. il Will
! he recollected that the United States
! steamer DISPATCH, was wrecked on TINS
coast a little more than four years ago
= when all on board were rescued IN
, terrible storm by the men In the ASA
| league Saving Station, with Captain
| Tracy at their head.
THIEVES At WORK.
Thieves are at work in and around the
seaside village OF Wachapreague one
| night this week they entered the stables
| OF Mr.. \. II. Gordon Mears, stripped one
Of his horses OF a fine blanket ana car
ried II away. On the following night they
stole a orse-blanket and new set OF
harness from Mr.. Patrick Dunton, ana
unhitched a horse and buggy belonging 10
Mr.. Levin j. Hyslop, and rode on. Inc
next day the horse and buggy were found
several miles away in Powelfs swamp
! the buggy being almost a total wreck.
No one seems to have any idea as TO
| who the thieves are.
NEEDS REVISION
The Virginia law regulating the COM
| fiscation OF boats captured for violation
| of the oyster law neeos revision. These
| boats when captured are taken up one
of the creeks on the bay or seaside and
after being dlsmantled. are turned over
to some person, who is paid s25 or $50 per
month for guarding each boat 1t not
unfrequently happens that, after the
] boat has been connScated ACCORDING ~
law, some one turns up on the day OF
sale with lien on the boat. or "A bill
for supplies furnished for equipment, all
of which. according TO the ruling or me
| Federal courts, are 10 have priority
over the claims OF the State. In TINS
way the State loses large amount Oh
money by the operation. As an instance
OF the cost OF executing tho present
law, claim OF $50 was allowed 70 one
man at the last term Of Accomac County
J Court for guarding three skiffs captured
for violating the oyster law. II Is sAio
If these skiffs were put up and SOFA 'ney
would not brig what the state mas
already expended on them. The pest
way 10 deal with such boats Is 10 Sink
them TO the bottom where captured.
HIS HANDS FULL.
The Rev. j. X. Griffith, pastor Of the
Southern Methodist church at Pungo-
teague. had his hands full last Wednes-
day evening. The members OF his nu-
merous flock came in great crowds
20 give him pounding, and while ne
was receiving them and the good things
they had brought three couples drove
up In rapid succession 10 be married.
Mr.. Griffith was equal to the OCCASION