Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-02-01
,usT NORTH of yirginln,

0WJk nestled i'll the calm Broad
wafer, protected from the
wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean and
almost within sight of the sandy shores
of Maryland. lies the Island of Chinco-
league. insignificant it seems when
viewed from the map, but the little is
land, seven miles III length and only
one and half in width, boasts of 1900
Inhabitants, as prosperous and happy as
any people on this broad continent.
People from every cline have visited
this queen of islands. and have mar
yelled at its glories. The sunniest hills
of Italy cannot surpass i'll beauty its
sandy shores when painted in the colors
of the morning sun.
To comprehend the beauties of the
place one must walk upon the beach
just as the sun casts its first rays
across the great water and watch
the fishermen as they bid farewell to
thsir wives and children. Behold them
as they embark in their canoes and
hoist up the great white sails; watch
the wind bear them across the main and
they disappear beyond the horizon.
Next let the eye return to the rows OF
silent cottages In each door stands a
white form waving handkerchief i'll
adieu Then the spell Is broken and
the days work begins And as the sun
sinks on the other side the multitude of
white sails again appear across the blue
space, and we witness the happy return
of the laden boats.
Nowhere are epicures happier than on
Chincoteague The most delicate of
fish and the fattest of oysters and CLANS
are shipped i'll immense quantities from
this place. Likewise are wild fowl of
every kind found in great abundance.
Thousands have journeyed here to
witness the penning of the famous
Chincoteague pony-one of the most
novel and interesting sights one has
ever enjoyed. The Chincoteague pony
may be surpassed i'll beauty, but
in speed and spirit he outrankS all 9th.
ers All the year round he is allowed
perfect freedom. and he graZes and
romps over the wild marshes until
place. Then comes the sport of horse
back riders who chase the wild little
animals all over the beach uutil the last
one is driven into the inclosure. When
gotten in the pen they are counted and
the owners select the ones they wish 10
offer for sale
The only wild goose farm in the
world is situated on this island. The
industry of raising wild fowl 10
ship to Northern markets was begun
several years ago by Capt. Joshua w.
Wheaton, one of the most wealthy
men of this section. He first began on
a small scale and increased his enter
prise from year to year, until now he
has 200 acres of land and ships annual
ly 500 fowl These besides wild geese.
ducks, and all kinds of wild birds. Capt
Wheaton has made this industry pay
ing one, and derives handsome income
annually from his shipments. The
geese are shipped alive upon special
orders and bring s. pair
About year ago Capt Wheaton
purchased at an enormous figure from
the Central Park, New York, pair of
white swans and proposes to give great
care To the raising of this bird. He is
well satisfied with the progress he has
made up 10 this time. and is confident
that in few years he will produce Il
large number If these magnificent
birds aud expects To derive from them a
large revenue.
Capt Whealton's residence is one of
the handsomest on the island. The
building is very large and is built some
what in the style of the old colonial
mansions. The Wheaton family Is an
old one, and the name has long been
associated with the prosperity of the
island The captain has son-Louis
n. Whealton-who has won distinction
i'll the practice of law i'll New York
City. and is regarded by many as one
of the most promising young lawyers at
that bar