Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-25
EASTERN SHORE STIR
OVER THE MONUMENT AND COURT
HOUSE QUESTION.
A HISTORY OF The NATTER.
Action OF the County Supervisors
Bitter Feeling stirred Up-Cfrcu-
i"'inS Pcutfons-Dragged Into the
Legislative Canvass.


Jest between the towns Of Parksey and
Aecomac Courthouse for the monument
70 the Confederate dead of the counties
ot Aeeomac and Northampton TO be
erected by the Harmanson-Wes Camp
Oh Confederate Veterans, and which has
ehoed IN victory for the pretty little
railroad town OF Parksloy. has created
quite stir throughout the Peninsula
some Of our most prominent and inlu-
entail citizens have been drawn into the
heated newspaper quarrel in regard 10
the matter the end of which is not now
apparent The trouble seems to have
had its origin in a misunderstanding on
the part Of the people OF the Courthouse
town OF the terms set forth In an adver-
| usement inserted in the local press by
the committee OF the camp having the
matter IN charge, announcing the condi
uohs upon which the monument could be
secured by the towns contesting for IL
The people of Parksley, ii seems, under
stood thoroughly the requirements set
Iorth in the committees announcement.
ana in their zeal not only complied with
the published terms in p.edgng the maxi.
mum amount OF money required, but went
much farther in this respect, and in ad-
dition offered one OF the best located and
most valuable lots of ground Ia the town,
with pledge TO its establishment in an
appropriate manner as q site Tor the
monument.
Accomack Courthouse II seems, only
onefed the minimum sum Of money re-
qulred by the Committeeman which
they thought met fully both the needs
of the situation ha
uce-together with site upon the
courthouse yard for the monument. The
committee met at Parksey, in accord
ance with the notice given. and upon
hearing the representatives, of the con-
testing towns and receiving from them
the offers Of money and land referred
TO. decided in favor Of Parksley. and so
reported 10 Il meeting of the camp held
at HallwOOd. At this meeting a large
crowd OF veterans from all parts of the
Shore were present, drawn thithor by the
controversy excited by The report of The
| committee. a motion vas made in the
meeting by the Hon. Thomas Scott Of
Eastville. TO allow all eX-Confederates
present TO VOTE whether members Of the
camp OF not. This motion was declared
! 10y the commander of the camp TO be
out of order as it was contrary 10 the
! BY laws Of the camp
WARM SPEECHES.
The report of the committee being then
| read. several hot" speeches were made
TOR and against its adoption, j. w. Ed
mouds, Hon. Thomas Scott, and a. j.
/ Lilliston leading the opposition, and j.
! c. Weaver, eX-Superintendent Of Schools;
! John Rev. Esq, and j. W. BroushtOn,
| speaking for the report. The report was
| adopted by the very narrow margin of one
| Il4rlrsl4A- the mOnl-
/ ment. The monument is 70 be of granite,
and upon its base will be carved the
names of those from the Shore who lost
/ their lives IN defence Of their country.
/ This granite work VIII be surmounted by
a figure of a Confederate soldier Of heroic
| size with arms and accOutrements, the
| whole costing about 5000.
As a result Of the fight over the
location of the monument, it is claimed
by the people of Parksley a majority Of
! our County Supervisors, under The in
nuence Of the people Of the Courthouse
| town decided at their last meeting, on
| the 18th instant, TO build AT once, ana
upon the old site, a new courthouse, thus
forestalliug any effort on the part OF
I Parksley 10 secure the new court house,
! which il coveted so much. This action
by the board was il seems, very uneX-
pected, and created great surprise and
severe criticism from many throughout
the county. And IT Is alleged by some,
was had at the instance Of friends of
Drumondtown in retaliation for its de-
feat in the monument matter
The fight now on between these two
towns Tor the new courthouse Is much
more exciting than was that over the
location of the monument. Partsans OF
each town are riding night and day
throughout the county, securing sigma
lures TO petitions, the one endorsing the
action of the SUPERVISORS, and the othei
asking for a stay of proceedings until an
election can be held as TO the location
Of the new building.
The desire for new courthouse al
this time is entertained mainly by the
people of DrumondtOwn, and few IN
dividuais scattered here and there over
the county. Fully three fcurths OF the
people in the county are opposed TO
new building at present convinced lhat
the old one recently repaired at an eX-
pense of several thousands OF dollars, Is
ample for al legitimate public require
ments The people generally are strongly
opposed 10 bonding the county Ior none!
win which to build the house, no matter
where located, and If they are cohsuiteu
in the matter, as they hope TO be, there
win certainly be no new courthouse for
several years. either at Parksley nor at
DrumOndtOWn.
The courthouse question has assumed
such vast proportions in The public view
as 10 completely Oyershadow all other
issues now before the people, and threat
ems 10 affect seriously the canvass nov
being made by the several candidates for
the LEGISLATURE. AT this writing no one
can fortell the fate Of any candidate.