Smyrna times., 1902-07-23
TROUBLE AT AUGUSTINE
PARK ESCITES INTEREST
ACTION OF COURT OF CHANCERY IN PRO-
HIBITINd THE BUILDING OF BATHHOUSES.
ExcursiOnists From Philadelphia Have Been
Provided With Bathing Suits on Board
the Excursion Boats.

FEDNuCu WIN DdtutuS OultS Ou DOotu
the Excursion Boats.
The Court of Chancery having called
a halt in the matter of building new
lighthouses at Augustine Park, plan
has been adopted, it is understood,
which enables patrons of the steam
boat Columbia, one of William j.
Thompson's boats, which makes daily |
trips between Philadelphia and the |
park, to baths there. 1t is said that |
bathing suits can be donned on the |
boat and the bathers go to and from |
the beach and the boat attired ready |
for the water. 1t is understood that,
while this privilege was restricted to
the male passengers up to today, the
women and girls are to be accorded
similar accommodations. A goodly
crowd of people came down from Phila-
delphia and Chester on the boat and
visit the park one day last week, and at
one time about 25 people were bathing.
It is said that the Columbia and the
Twilight, the latter making the trip on
Sundays, do a large business, the
number of passenghrs ranging from
1000 to 2,5OO
The controversy between the Thomp-
sen interests, which claim to have
steamboat and other privileges at the
park, and Absalom Cordrey, the owner
and keeper of the hotel and park. is at
traeting widespread attention, part
icularly in that section, and Mr.. Cord
rey has the sympathy of a large pro-
portion of those who are conversant
with the fact.
In conversation with a reporter of
Every Evening, Mr.. Cordrey made the
following statement concerning the
matter: In December, 1900, he arrang-
ed to purchase the farm of 14O acres,
which includes the hotel, park and
some river front, from John Gam, the
the price agreed upon being $4,000.
The sum of 81, 900 was paid to bind the
bargain and the deal was consummat-
ed February 23d, 1902, when the deed
was delivered to him. February 18th,
1901, however, so Mr.. Cordrey has
been informed, William J. Thompson
negotiated lease which entitled him
to the exclusive privilege of the wharf
and the privileges of the park for 10
years, and at about same time DIR.
Thomas o. Cooper of this city. Mr..
Cordrey understands, secured a 10
yeaF.lease on ground sufficient in size
for the erection of one or two buildings
for photagraphing purposes.
Mr.. Cordrey says he understands
the parties mentioned claim also to
have title from the government to
riyer-front land 800 feet square. This,
however, is mere hearsay, so far as he
is concerned.
The present trouble grew out of the
refusal of Mr.. Cordrey to open hii
hotel, lighthouses and amusement
this year. Mr.. Cordrey gives as hi
reason for failure to open the parl
attraction that he was disappointed
last year. He claims that he then sup
posed that the boat running to tn
park was to remain there four hour
each day, and sometimes five hours
whereas the average time was mucl
shorter, and, as a result, the hotel an
park business fell short of Mr.. Cor
dreys estimate, Consequently, h
decided to take no chances this yea
and the park has remained closed
The inability of the boat patrons I
use the lighthouses has been a disaI
pointment to many of them and Dl
Cooper, it is alleged, set about builC
ing new lighthouses, and 6O-foot e.
tension to the wharf was also begun
Injunction proceedings were inst
tuted by Mr.. Cordrey and Chancell'
Nicholson granted temporary r
straining order. Work on the partia
ly-erected lighthouses was stoppt
Immediately and has not been resume
but some work was done on the wha
after that time, the alleged reason b.
ILL. J make the wharf safe and avoi
damage. Now, however, nothing
being done on either project.
According to Mr. Cordrey, the bo
has, until recently, been stopping
irregular periods at the park, pr
sumably spending the remainder
the time on the river and bay. NJ
Cordrey understands that there q
opportunities on the boat for spendi
money and he naturally supposes Il
the longer the crowd remains on t
boat the greater the harvest.
For many years Augustine Parl
Augustine Pier it was formerly call
has been favorite resort for De
ware people living within a connecti
distance, and as is was also larg