Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-08-08
ON CHINCATEOGUE ISLAND


Chincoteague is one of the unique
ana historic points on the Atlantic
coast, holding as large place in his
Tory as jamestown, perhaps. and there
are many conditions which combine
to make 1t so.
1t Is an island settled IN the seven
icenth century. and It's people live and
are n law unto themselves. l took
occasion last week while here attend
Ing the annual roundup" OF the IA
nous Chincoteague ponies. along with
Governor Swanson's party, to search
out something concerning the history
or the island, and my information ut
once became interesting TO the last
degree.
| found one OF the old natives. Mr..
j. A. NJ. Wheaton, born on the is
land. and now seventy.seven years OF
age. and he told me more in an hour
than could have gathered from geog-
raphies and records in months.
Facts from First Hands.
The poor old man Is now lettering
toward the grave, and is great suf-
ferer from asthma. The sight of one
eye has left him, and yet with all his
afflictions. he is bright and happy.
His Is easily the most prominent FAM
lily on the island. His own record is
filled with interesting Incidents ac-
complished In the course OF long
and honorable life, and he has two
ncphews within n stones throw OF
his home. which is on Main Street,
who have demonstrated to the world
that energy and honesty will count
for much IL studiously carried through
in the race of life. One of these ne
phews is Daniel ]. Wheaton. the rich
est man on tho Eastern Shore OF Vir-
ginia. and the other is .Iosua w.
wheaton, who owns and operates the
most elaborate and productive goose
farm in this section of the country.
Tho wealth OF the one is placed Mt
nearly million of dollars. and that
of the other has to he written with
Mt least five figures.
j. A. M. Wheaton. the uncle of tho
two referred to above, who gave most
OF the data upon which this story is
based. is n most interesting old gen
tleman OF the ante-bellum Virginia
type. He knows the history Of Chin
colleague Island as an apt child knows
tho alphabet. and moro than this. he
understands how to impart II to other
people.
Ancient History.
ITO go back to the first" he said.
when seen by appintment in his
home. hard by tho ocean: con April
90, 1919 the northern half OF what Is
now Chincoteague Island was granted
to William Kendall This grant en-
braced 2,725 acres. Later. the south.
ern half was taken up In 1902 by John
Robins,
II GIN seventy-sevcn years OF age,
and have held about all the public
offices that could he conferred upon
citizen Of the island was the first
magistrate and the first notary public
ever appointed here. was deputy
collector of customs for this mort un.
der Mr.. Clevelands administration.
Have you always been Demo.
crat?" was asked.
Yes" was the quick reply. Tex
ccpt when | had to submit to some
unpleasant conditions that I did not
indorse. Even then | was Demo-
crat ut heart. and would have voted
the ticket had there been any to
vote"
An Original Methodist.
II am Methodist My father was
the first exhortcr OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church on the island and I
have always observed>my early teach.
ings along this line.
MY last official position was rs
registrar under the new Constitution.
When my eyesight began to fail a few
years ago, / gave up all connection
with public matters. and now rea-
iiZe that shall not be here much
longer"
did you have many educational
asked.
NO. was never ut school as much
as twelve months in my life. All ri
know gathered from reading, and
yet have drawn many important le-
gal papers as magistrate and notary,
and they all stood the test OF the
courts II they ultimately get there"
The Island as It Is.
Chincoteaguc Island proper is over
seven miles long, and the town,
though narrow, Is nearly five miles |
In length. 1t has population, al!
told, of something over 300, and yet
1t is not Incorporated. The highest
officer on the island is n magistrate, |
but there Is talk OF making applica-
tloh TO the next Legislature for n
charter, so that there may be Mayor
and Town Council.
Folks Live Long.
The two Oldest native citizens, ac-
cording to Mr.. Wheaton. are Kendall |
and Miss May Blades. each |
aged cighty-two years. Except now
and then. In case of some epidemic.
the longevity OF the natives is re-
markable, and the average age seems
to have kept far ahead of that in many