Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-08-13
INSPECTOR LAWSON ASKS
FOR STATE POLICE FLEET
Between Thirty-five and Forty White
Men from Isle of Wight County Are
vate Stakes Of public Rocks at Any
Cost.
Daily Press Bureau.
Hampton. Va, Aug. Il.

ndHlptCH, va, Aus. -
Declaring that they intended tearing
and pulling up every stake in the
James river. crowd of between 30
and 40 white oyste,men went 20 the
river on the Isle of wight county side
Thursday and made things lively with
he big private planters for several
hours
According to Capt J. T. Mills. WIG
came to Hampton today To report
the depredations 10 Oyster Inspector
william F. Lawson, the oystermen are
making things lively and serious riots
are expected TO take place unless the
men desist in their determination TO
clear the river of all private stakes.
Capt. Mills said that the party,
which came from Rescue and Jones
Creek, tore away the stakes on his oys-
ter grounds, as well as on the grounds
of Jack Wilson and Dawson, Mench q
Holloway and that the intruders were
insolent and insulting in declaring
that they intended 10 defy the local
planters. the State Fisheries Commits
sion and the local civil authorities
Capt. Mills further told Inspector Law
son that the men were in an ugly
mood and that the conditions were
close to rioting. The intruders had
pulled down all the private stakes in
sight and it is The opinion OF Capt.
Mills that within the next thirty-six
hours t entire section will be robbed
of the stakes along the private
grounds.
Telcgraphs MIR. Lee.
After ..s,ening to the story of the
near riots from Capt. Mills. Inspector
Lawson sent q hurry telegram 10 Mr.
Donald Lee chairman of the Virginia
State Fisheries Commission, advising
Mr.. Lee of the condiiSns in James
river and suggesting that the oyster
navy police fleet be immedi-
ateIy ordered to the scene of the
disorder in Isle of Wight county. Mr..
Lawson says that the law covering
such disorder as brought TO him is
stringent and that the perpetrators
of the stake tearing up can be heavily
fined and sent tO prison.
Mr.. Lawson is of the opinion that
the fisheries commission will immed-
lately take steps to have the riotiny
party arrested, as Capt. Mills has the
names of most of the oystermen in he
party. Although Mr.. Lawson had not
heard frcm Mr.. Lee last night. he is
of the opinion that the steamer Com
modore Maury is now on its way to
the place.
Mr.. Lawson said yesterday that the
grounds were allotted TO Mills. Wilson
and Dawson. Hench & Holloway by the
State Fisheries Commission and that
the state authorities will have TO see
that the men are net interferred with
by depredators. The grounds were
surveyed bv the state surveyors and
found to be outside Of the Baylor lines.
Don't Like the Awards.
Il Is said that the oystermen along
the Isle Of wight SIDE have been sur
" ever since the commission awarded
the three firms the grounds and that
he trouble Of Thursday is he out
come Of a feeling that the commission
has transgressed its powers BY permit
ting private planters TO take up public
rocks. However. Mr. Lawson says
there i no question IS 20 the grounds
in dispr;c being outside o. the Baylor
survey.
CAPT. Mills and Oyster Inspeci ors
A. p. Arnory snd p NJ Powell we're
given instructions by Inspector Law
son. who = the chief Of police Of ;he
ravy oyster force. 20 qucil the disorder
Il all hazards and to arrest every man
found participating in the spcrt Of
tearing up oyster stakes along Tue
James river.
Il & feared TIA: serious trouble viii
result from the attacks Of the men.
a. the cvsiermen are said 10 BE- dc.
termiued in their decision 20 pun 10
the stakes in heir section Of ,hc river
Others Will Join Fight
A man coming 70 Hampton from
Battery PARK today said that The IN
iuriated oystermen bad torn % every
fCoatirued on Tourfh Tnxsl