The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-04
.CH|N7O7ERGUi is
A PECULIAR LAND
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citizen of tile island. l was the first
magistrate and the first notary public
ever appointed here. l was deputy coll
lector of customs for this port under
Mr.. Clcvcland's administration.
Have you always been Democratic"
was asked.
Yes" was the quick reply, except
when had to submit to some I'M
pleasant conditions that / did not in
dorse. Even then l was Democrat at
heart, and would have voted the ticket
had there been any to vote
An Original Methodist.
/ What is your religion?'
II am a Methodist. My father was
the first cxhorter of the Methodist
Episcopal Church on the island, and
have always observed my early teach
tngs along this line.
MY last official position was as
registrar under the new Constitution.
When my eyesight began to fail a few
years ago, l gave DIP all connection
with public matters, and l now realize
that 1 shall not be here much longer"
Did you have many educational ad-
vantages?" l asked.
$40, I was never at school as much
as twelve months in my life. All
know gathered from reading, and yet
I have drawn many important Legal
papers as magistrate and notary, and
they all stood the test of the courts ii
they ultimately get there"
The Island MS 1t Is.
Chincotecague Island proper is over
seven miles LONG, and the town. though
narrow, is nearly five miles in length.
1t has population, all told, Of some
thing over 5000 and yet it is not in
corporated. The highest officer on the
island is a magistrate, but there is
talk OF making application to the next
Legislature for charter, So that there
may be a Mayor and Town Council.
Folks Live Long.
The two Oldest native citizens, ac-
cording to Mr.. Wheaton, are Kendall
Thornton and Miss May. Blades, each
aged eighty-two years. Except now
and then, in case of some epidemic, the
longevity of the natives is remarkable,
and the average age seems to have
kept far ahead of that in many other
sections Of the State.
l found the island Inhabited By q
1ober. stu!+iy,.. prosperous and God.
itdI ttlS psODlt, ItoSts !llt'iliS HlNt &c
fines their own rights and bids them
respect those of others.
Wild Horses and Their IIublts.
! The pony-penn!ng which took place
/ here last week is an annual event
which is awaited with great interest By
the ISLANDERS. as we'll as by many
whose residences are on the shore. The
attendance OF Governor and Mrs. Swan
son made this years event of more thar
passing interest and they tell me tina,
the crowd was far ahead of those or
former occasions.
These island ponies run wild from
year to year. and feed exclusively or
tlnarsh or sea grass. They know n,
shelter, save the blue dome o
heaven. and have to make their way
l3n the world much In the same name,
as do cattle on the Western prairies
lOnce year they are rounded up
and the young ones branded by thei
owners. Some are sold. and those tina
are not are again turned loose, running
wild and shifting for themselves unit
the next round up" They are vii
and tough. and live much longer thar
other horses. They are usually regard
ed as treacherous, but it is said tina
after they are well broken, many O
kheil pecolls sblc ana reliable.
Great Goose Farm.
outside Of the pony pennng" tn,
most remarkable sight / witnessed o
the island was the goose farm of NJ
Joshua w. Wheaton This farm
Just, on the outskirts OF the town, an
embraces hundreds Of acres devote
exclusively TO The raising of gees,
ducks and swan. Here one NAV fin
nearly every species of all three trlbaI
ana they make a very pretty sigh
gracefully gliding over the yariou
ponds and lakes that dot the farm her
and there,
Mr.. Wheaton commenced the breed
ing and training of wild geese an
ducks as mere matter of fancy. u,
row inc proportions reached have mad
the farm great big paying tnstitl
ton. and II is operated for profit "A
well as for pleasure. 1t IS rather ga
elusive place. and 1t is necessary to o.
permit In order To enter tho inn,
precincts Of The farm. This is said
be owing to the fact that nearly all IN
fowls are about half wild, and IN
strangers are likely TO excite the old
ones when caring for their young.
A Millionaire There.
The only man on the Eastern shol
whose wealth fairly approaches Il
million mark Is Daniel ]. Whealto
who resides In the town Of Chino
league, and who5i IS a brother OF II
goose farm operator referred TO abov
lie has recently built on tho ma
street handsome dwelling, which &c
him something like $4,000. Ju
across the way is the Wheat
Grocery COMPANY. Which he practical