Smyrna times., 1897-06-16
THE EASTERN SHORE.
Justice Done to a Much Misunderstood
Section.

Rev. DIR. F. I. Tagg, editor of the
Methodist Protestant, and who knows
all about the Eastern Shore, is some
times annoyed by the criticism he hears
about this peninsula, made by men of
course who know nothing about it, and
he has written for his paper the follow
ing sensible and very truthful article.
He thereby does justice to this impOr-
tant and healthful portion of the State
and places the people here under Obl-
cations to him for his frankness and
candOr:
This is a section of Maryland and
Delaware that is bounded by the
Delaware and Chesapeake bays, the
Sassafras river and the Atlantic ocean.
A stretch of level country, fertile and
productive, and inhabited by some of
the most generous, refined and hospit-
able people on earth. It is abundantly
supplied with oysters, fish, terrapin
and other savory marine life; its fields
are covered with grass, grain and fruits
in almost every variety, and III the
main the climate is healthy, salubriOus
and invigOrating- country that has
as large a percentage of old people as
any country in the world. So frequent
ly we hear a fear of going there ex-
pressed by people who are afraid of
chills, mosquitoes and other imaginary
horrors. We hear of preachers who
"cannot live on the Eastern Shore, "
and of laymen who make themselves
believe that every Whit of air from
that section is loaded down with mi
crobes and disease germs, that pounce
upon them with fatal and devOuring
effect. We confess to very indignant
impatience with such statements and
such unfounded fears There are some
swamps where mosquitoes are bad, and
where people will have fever and ague,
if they are not very cautious but such
swamps exist in any country, and mos
quitoes are infinitely worse in Balti-
more, Philadelphia, New York and
other cities than they are on the higher
lands of the Eastern Shore. The pei
cent. of sickess is quite as great IL
Garrett or Allegheny as it is in Kent,
Queen Anne's or Talbot counties. A
few years sgo DR.. Chancellor, who haC
means of great information and wide
observation on the subject, pronounced
portions of the Eastern Shore thu
healthiest places in this country. Ye
every year we hear this unjust anC
gratuitOus assertion that people can
not go there without taking the chill
and fever. Perhaps all that we cal
say will not abate this foolish fear, 0
lessen the groundless prejudice, but
is a satisfaction to state that, take
all in all, the Eastern Shore is tn
grandest country that we have eve
been in. It's people are more generou
and hospitable, their homes are NOR
refined and inviting, their moral ton
is more excellent and elevating, thei
lands are more varied and prolific /
their productiveness, their roads al
better, and their social relations MOI
natural and courteous than any Othe
I country that we have seen. We wer
z not asked to write this editorial; the
need no apOlogism. We simply spea
what we do know, and testify to VIII;
our eyes have seen in expressing tn
appreciation of a section of cOuntr
that speaks for itself to all who Wi
= avail themselves of the privilege to vi
: it its people, learn their courtesy al
enjoy their unstinted hospitality.