The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-21
ISLAND CITY NEWSITE
Pilot Fight Has Been Carried Into the
Federal Court
COAST COUNTY IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE
February Term of the Federal Court
IL I'm scssion--suit for $4,000
Damages,

Galveston, Texas, February cc.-The
members OF the Pilots association went
into the Federal court with suit today
in their fight to maintain for themselves
all the pilotage business OF this port. On
tho 14th Of February the British steam
ship LiDstield was brought into port by
Gus Christensen, one OF the independent
pilots. The action which was begun in the
Federal court this morning lis brought by
James Mcdonald William Scrimgeour,
George Wilson. 0. wachsen, Louis Best,
Lawson Luth, Joseph b. woolford, II.
Jobst, aud A. d. Smith against the steamer
Lingfeld, Its tackle and appliances, etc.
Tho petition recitcs that as the vessel
above named was approaching this port
Pilot Luth was out in the schooner
Eclipse and rendered his services to Cap
tain Ruthen to bring the Lingheld safely
into harbor. His services were declined.
1t is then alleged that the vessel is now
loaded and is about ready to proceed to
sea; Pilot Luth again offered his services,
which were declined a second time.
The libellants make the claim In their
petition that they are the only lawful
pilots here and that under the law they
are entitled to half pilotage They made
demand on the master of the vessel aud
also on her consignees for half pilotage
fees, which demand was refused. The fees
sued for amount to S60.5Q
II is noticeable In the petition that Pilot
Luth did not make the demand for HIM
self alone, but for all the regular pilotsi
The petition In fact says that tho libel
lants have formed themselves into an as
sociation, the expenses of which are borne
by all alike.
rha l,inptiplI WI coiyad hy
Marshal borough. but subsequently res
leased by giving bond.
COAST COUNTRY IN GOOD SHAPE,
NJ. NJ. Cox. editor of the Texas Coast
Promoter, published at League City. is
here today In company with c. l.. Roberts,
a farmer, late of Goodhue county Mime
sofa. MIR. Cox says the coast country
farmers are whole lot better off than
they thought they were. The freeze
knocked out all the early garden stuf,
but other products are in fair shape.
Strawberries are In much better shape than
expected. Some have been set back con-
siderahly but. he says, by the middle OF
March strawberry picking will begin. Many
of the strawberry patches were covered
and escaped serious injury: The farmers
are replanting potatoes and tomatoes.
II rather wei UP uui way tohuS, suiu
Mr.. Cox. but the country around League
City Is well drained, and with good weather
we will be right in the swim this season.
Our farmers are now preparing to plant
Rocky Ford cantaloupes. About 250 acres
will be put to cantaloupes, and there are
fifty carloads under contract at a goud
price. Some new people are coming in
now and then-here's one of them. Mr..
Roberts. He can tell you what he Is do
ing"
Mr.. Roberts said he had purchased a
farm of IT'S acres on the south side OF
Clear creek, near Seabrook, on the bay
shore.
I'm from the wheat fields of Mime
sota," said he II came down here not to
raise cotton but TO grow potatoes, melons
and other things Of that sort. I'm going
to raise coach horses too, My place is
about five miles east of League City
Mr.. Cox remarked that Mr.. Roberts is
building home that cost $500 and that
his place was worth visiting. The coun-
try around Mr.. Roberts farm Is very
pretty and picturesque.