The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-10
WARFARE OF FISHERMEN
Reported Battle Between Tyler and
Tangier Islanders.
Mary Ianders and VIrglnians said to
Have Fought Desperately in Cbes-
Hpeai<e Bay-The Encounter the
Result of an EIopement-sad Blood
Between Natives for Many Years

RICHMOND. Va. Dec. 10--AGother bat
tie is reported TO have taken place Sat
urday between forces of rival fishermen
who inhabit Tangier and Tyler Islands. in
which many were injured on either side
These islands le in Chesapeake Bay on
the Yirginia-M Maryland line. and fer years
there has been bad blood and many en-
counters over fishing and oyster rights.
either side being quick TO resent with ire
arms the slightest infringement on its ter
ritory, and as the lines are unmarked the
disputes, generally ending in a fight, have
been frequent
This ill-feeling has been intensified @
late by the arrest by the MaryIand-yir-
GINA oyster police Of trespassers from
either side and the trial of the captured
invaders by magistrates from among their
long-standing enemies. Thus deadly
feud, the growth of years. exists be.ween
the two islands thickIy populated with a
hardy race. Both islands are greatly ex-
cited. and 1t is said the end has not been
reached
Despite the intense hatred that for years
has existed between the fishermen of the
two islands, Joseph Draper, a. young man
from Tang.er, found opportunity to meet
and fall in love with Carrie Brander q
fair Tyler islander, the daughter of the
head man Of the island. Had Draper been
discovered OF Tyler Island he would have
been roughly handled, if he had not paid
the forfeit with his life. so bitter is the
feUd. Consequently the couple met at
nightfall in the sequestered spots where
Draper could sail his boat in and out of
the coves without detection Not even
the girls parents knew OF the meetings
At a late hour a few nights ago Draper
rowed across the still waters Of the sound
In a small boat His sweetheart met kim
on the shore and they returned to Tangier
lsianG in the early morning light and we're
Immediately married Scarcely had the
nuptials been performed. when a boat FILL
ed with irate Tyler Islanders was seen
coming swiftly across the sound and head
ing fer the rival island. The men wene all
armed and led by the girls father. who
had been apprised of his daughters elope-
ment by note which she left on her ia
bic.
AS the boat neared the wharf the fisher
men began to fire at every person in sight,
and several Tsngier men were wounded by
the first shots. Recognizing their assafI-
ants as Tylerites, the Tangierites fed to
cover and. securing shetguns. returned the
fire with telling force. a number of
women Joined in the battle. Again and
again the Tylerites attempted to land their
boat below the wharf but such a steady
FIRE was directed at them BY the Tangier-
ties from behind oyster houses that they
were forced to turn about and go back 10
TYLER Island. Many of the Tan gierineS
wers wounded, though none was seriously
hurt That several of the Tyierites were
wounded is a certainty as number were
seen to fall and were unable TO man the
boats when the party retired The Battle
reported on Saturday is the outcome of the
first encounter, and it Is said q number
were wounded on each side