Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-12-04
A VISIT TO Block ,slANp.

~tooktuk 70 the STATE OF RhO0,
islsnd, situated Ia the Atlantic Ocean
about thirty miles from Newport, IL tn,
beautiful island, called by thousands O
her admirers, 1.-The Bermuda OF IN,
NORTH but known to us ~ Rlocl
Island. Being this distance At sea, NJ
land breezes can ever reach the island
making II truly . mid-ocean resort
"fsnned by ocean breexes and washet
by. ocean swells." The air Ia,
u mildness almost unknown to IN,
mainland, and the mercury varie,
but q few degrees during the summer
months.
As you approach the island you may
be surprised to find it, not the desolat,
sandy tract that fancy may have painted
it, but succession Of hills and valleys
cut into farms, thickly dotted with fine
houses and cottages and large hotels
its valleys containing beautiful, clear
fresh water ponds, fragrant with water
lilies and filed with fresh water fish
The island Is crossed in every direc.
ton by the many country roads, giving
besutiful Views of land and ocean
scenery. Green hills and valleys, crystal
lakes and ponds, dot the Island here and
there, until the green slopes are Lost Ia
the ocean beyond. In the distance,
beautiful scenery OF mainland and ocean
bound the horizon as far as the eve can
reach, while TO the east the expanse OF
the ocean stretches away unbroken until
IL meets the sky.
Pleasure yachts aud fishing boats lie
In the quiet harbor. Many guests come
to this place solely for the pleasure
offered by the fishing. Bluensh. mack
erel, cod, sea bass, Holsters and others
abound. Fishing Is one Of the leading
industries Of the place. A great philos-
opher has said: life Is neither pain nor
pleasure, Il Ia serious business Too
many 60 out In the morning who ego
down TO the sea in ships" but alas !.
some never come back.
There are five churches on the island
The largest and strongest IL the Hsrbor
Chapel. This has q membership Of
nearly five hundred. Rev. II. A.
Roberts, the former pastor Of the Baptist
church on Paris Hill. Is now the pastor
OF the Hsrbor Chapel, the first Baptist
church on Block Island. The relation
between pastor and people il very
pleasant, Both he and Mrs. Roberts
have the rare power TO win and hold the
affections Of the people. Mr.. Roberts
Is actively interested in the moral and
political welfare of the people. He very
remembers ''The Old Church
on the Hill" aud the academy children.
On the island. think every man,
woman and child looks to the minister
rs the leading man. The parsonage Is
. very pretty white house with green
blinds, aud French roof. IL has big
and two broad piazzss. IL is
situated on hill surrounded
BY green fields, and overlooking the bay,
while just beyond Is the ocean.
Near the parsonage Is the old wind
mill, used In days gone by to grind corn.
The huge stone grinders and the long
arms were, 10 me, great curiosity. 1t
3 very picturesque and one OF the
SHOW places" OF the island, West OF
his Ia the building used for the high
'chool, public library aud town hall.
This coming winter Block Island sends
% Providence q representative 10 the
legislature.
There are two doctors on the island.
One Is the proprietor Of the beautiful
'snitsrium known rs The Hygiea. There
IRE about thirty hotels, accommodating a
srge number OF people. The largest Is
he Ocean View, and will accommodate
i've hundred guests. IL Ia said that
turing the past season some six thousand
quests were on the island. There IL q
Inc bathing beach nearly three miles
oug, free from undertow and currents.
rhe harbor has been protected by the
breskwster, costing $685.
90. II stretches Its huge arm fifteen
hundred feet into the ocean, as IL In de-
lance Of the breakers which dash against
Is base.
Everything Is done TO protect life and
property. There are two life saving
tstions, one on the beach and one on
he west side. At the mouth OF the
lsrbor the bell-buoy swings to and fro,
,eeping time with the waves. On the
vest side is the whistling-buoy. The
south Light, on the edge Of the cliffs, is
Tisible 10 incoming vessels many miles
,ut to sea. Here are the Mohegan
Bluff, rising over two hundred feet
.boye the sea. IL Is said that in the
ong ago, when the island was inhabited
" Indians, one tribe. rushed another
ribe over these dark cliffs into the sea.
At the north, on Sandy Point, the
North Light illumines the deep waters
,eyond. Near here saw, lying at the
,sse of the cliffs, the wreck of large
chooner. named "The Vsmoose." This
vas driven ashore one stormy night
our years ago. The captain and others
we're drowned. think eight were
sved.
On the island there are no jails, no
ramps, no policemen, no lawyers and
10 foreigners. All are American born
nd a large per cent. were born on the
he island. They are q refined, intelli-
rent people, and the social life is very
pleasant. AS a summer resort II brings
o this people the very best American
ociety. There are no wild animals, not
wen q rabbit or n friendly squirrel.
There are many domestic animals, and
heir kind faces remind one OF home.
IL YOU have never visited this lovely
STAND let me assure you, you will have
nsny Of the advantages, and some OF
he disadvantages, Of an extended sea
,oysge. Among them may be = whole
,ome dread Of the terrible ses-sickness
which attacks large msJority Of those
go around Point Judith. And yet
% me, the name OF Block Island will
awaken pleasant membranes OF q
,erdsnt island, surrounded by the deep
,lue sea, aud beautiful In all It's varied
moods.
This is the Block Island ofto-day, and