The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-11
FISHERMEN TURN
To GRABBING \
Catching Soft Crabs a Big In
dustry in the Wi
colnico.
A new QUESTION RAISED
A NEW QUESTION RAISED
Court Dealing With Right Of
Landowners to Prevent Crab
bling On His Water Front.
fsncclal 10 The rImes.Dispatch)

Especial to The Times Dispatch)
HEATHsv1LLE. VA, June 1o.-The
soft crab business along the Wicomlco
River in lower Northumberland, has de-
velopcd in the past few years into quite
q profitable business, only few years
ago the season lasted only few weeks
and the returns were 80 small that only
few vcnturcd to engage In the busi-
ness. For the past few years, however,
buyers from Crisneld, Md, have been
on the river daily during the crab sea-
son, buying up crabs and paying good
prices.
Last year one buyer paid out on this
river alone above ten thousand dollars.
In fact, the Grabbing business" may be
looked upon now as the best paying OF
all the different branches of fishing.
Now that people have found out how
1 well 1t pays, nearly every one within
reach OF the river is engaged IN inc
business. In fact, 1t may be said that
there are more people engaged IN II
than in any other one industry IN this
entire section.
This season crabs are bringing good
nrices. and nearly all the watcrmcn who
have been engaged in trap fishing are
now taking un their nets. preparatory 10
y engaging in the new business
This sea son has been very disas..
tro1s one for trap fishermen, very few:
having made anything outside OF actual
expenses. and many having gone into
debt.
,rhere Is n case pending in the court Of
this county now whIchtis exciting wide
snread interest, as p1any important points
are involved. It seems that land owners
residing along the water courses claim
that they have a right to keep anyone
from Grabbing on the shores adjoining
their land. Robert blackwell. Of sunny
bank. who has posted the shore adJo'n,ng
his land. had Lucius Hudnall arrested lor
u catching crabs on his land the case
u,as tried in Justices court and went
against IIudnall. who has taken an q p
neal. The point involved Is whether or
rot farmers really own these shores,
and the crabbers are awaiting the de-
ctsion Of the court with much lmpa-
thence.
- POOR BOAT SERVICE.
Truckers in tie lower part OF 1ne
Northern Neck are making much com.
n1aint about the steamboat service. ~
secms that Boats do not arrive Promptly.
and sometimes, 1t is claimed. trucks have
40 wait on the wharves days at time.
and when they reach market are IN sucn3
damaged condition as to bring hardly
ANYTHING. Owing TO tthis ands tos other
dissatisfaction wifi the steamboat SER
vice. the people along the Rappahannock
are again ngitating the old question::
"Why cannot the people operate nm In
dependent line Of steamcrs?" Many ways
are being suggested. and it is probable
that In, the near future there will be
meeting OF the business men to consider
the question.
GOOD WHEAT.
4 The outlook for the wheat crop in this
section now is very encouraging. Wheat
is nearly done making, and farmers can
now form some estimation of how the
crop will turn out" Owing to the dry
weather during the early part offspring,
there is very short growth of straw.
but this shortness Of straw only adds to
the yield OF grain. according to some OF
the most experienced farmers.
y Wellford's Wharf. IN Richmond county.
which was damaged by Ice last winter.
is being put into thorough order
The pea crop is about over. The yield
in this section has been good this season,
hut prices have been poor and transporta-
ton inadequate. The acreage sowed IN
peas Is growing smaller year by year.
Mr.. John Rice and wife, of Baltimore,