davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15
LOADED

come from the western shore Of the
bay, from the region of the Kappa
hanock river. 1t takes about twenty
four hours to run to Washington, and
the usual freight charge is 2 cents
melon, besides the wharfage fee of 25
cents a hundred, paid to the city.
There is a good deal of haste to load
and dispatch the melon boats, and, usu-
ally, some keen racing to reach the
wharf, in order to secure the favor
class sailing meant more a few years
ago than they now do, for speed de-
ponds more and more upon the excel
lence of the motor. After the holds are
by plank frames. are piled up to the
boats full carrying capacity.
The Martha A. Shores, at one time
one of the feetest sailors on the bay.
was lying next the dock. Her captain
lamented the advent of the auxiliary
engine.
at has taken all the pleasure out of
handling good boat" he said, "and
it also takes many dollar out of the
owners pocket. Gasoline and repairs
and wear and tear of the engines eat
up the money, but when the other
boats get them you must get them.
too. or fall behind the procession, and
In this business you must have smart
boat and get a good position at the
dock or you won't get away in time"
The Martha. which is not a very
large schooner, still carries the long,
raking spars and shows her full bows.
with that easy entrance and the long,
smooth run aft which made her able
to lead the fleet. But now tanks for
gasoline on her deck fill her shippers
heart with disgust. In her snug little
cabin are accommodations for the cap
tain and crew of two men.
One of the great advantages Of the
berth near the dock Is that no extra
hands are needed to pass the melons
from the hold, an doften the eharpest
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15

so that it falls broadside into the re-
ceiver's hands. He. if he knows his
business, repeats the operation. and
SO on to the truck. But the green hand
is very apt to pass it end first, and
then there Us trouble, for the receiver.
when II comes this way, is not sure
of his catch. and If he drops ii he says
things which are apt to start trouble
Some of the men who stand in the
cart receive and pack them carefully,
others pile them up in any old way
But an unusual sight is a short-armed.
fat man carrying off to his automobile
a single melon. OF course, he selects a
ponderous one, modelled after his own
shape, short and big around He tries
elevating it to his shoulder, but the
danger of dropping ii is too great. He
makes a shelf for it with his waist
line and cradle of his arms. but the
thing is smooth and hard and pudgy
fingers slip. His face grows red, il il
hot, and the perspration starts. He
might put it down and roll it. but
amused glances from the people about
prevent. Then comes a happy thought.
With good-natured grin he beckons
to a skinny boy who. for a welcome
nickel, totes" the burden to the
vehicle.
The melons when taken aboard are
supposed to be sorted-only sometimes
they become mixed-inte three classes.
made according to this classification.
The prevailing prices this week are for
the respective grades. S25, SIS and IS
a hundred; but they vary according to
the demand and the urgency of the
captain to get back to the bay for an
other load
When the warm weather is over and
the juicy melon is no longer in demand
the wharf is not deserted. By that
time the 'R" months appear. and vari-
Gus posters and natural instinct tell
us that the festive oyster has again
come into its own. Different people,
different boats and different buyers
will be there, but with the new people
will be the old activities.
The wharves are well managed, the
market masters are considerate, but
strict, and the police maintain perfect
order. The docks are kept as clean as
possible, and bathing from the pier is
not permitted. Surrounding conditions.
however, will be very much improved
when the new wharf few hundred
feet north and now under construction
is completed.
But no change will improve the
mingled humor and picturesquesness
of the present scene, with its old
mingling of men. mules, masts and
melons.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15
51HE watermelon season is on,

-7HE watermelon season is on.
And if any one thinks that in
these days the municipal wharves
& are not a busy place all he has
20 do is to go there at O'CLOCK IN the
morning to see the hustling which is done
TO dispose of that days portion OF the
100000 melons which by the middle OF
next month will have been brought up the
Potomac to supply Washingtonians. 1t
really is not necessary to go as early as
that. for the rush lasts until 10 o'clock
each morning and business continues all
day.
People of all classes are attracted there
the marketmen, both heavy and small
dealers people in automobiles. those VINO
come in the trolleys and those who come
afoot, those who carry off single melon
and those who buy them by the hundreds.
folk in working clothes and folk in store
clothes. Last Sunday over 1000 persons
visited this active working place.
4
The District market wharves at this sea-
son of the year are given over almost eX-
clusively to the handling of melons Work
is under the supervision of market mas
ter. and no tainted or spotted melons are
allowed to leave the dock. AS soon as
one such is found it is broken and thrown
aside, to be removed with others like it
in metal wagons.
The season began with the arrival of
the first load, July IS, and will continue
until the middle of September. The crop
this year is said to be light, but it is eX-
pected that fully $4,000 melons will en-
ter Washington through this route, and
this means something more than melon
apiece for every man, woman and child in
the city.
The most noticeable thing to one ap-
preaching the wharf is the great COL
lection of raking masts of the twenty
odd schooners gathered in rows five or
six deep along the two sides and the
end of the pier. The boats next to
the dock sell out their loads first. and
as soon as empty are pulled out, and
the next one in order is warped into
its place. The latest arrival takes the
outside position and awaits it's turn to
reach the 1&VofeF position. i--.
The carg0ea are all consigned to one
of the local agents, who conducts the
sales and receives the money. renting
1t through the schooner captain to the
farmers who ship the melons.
In the early hours there arrive the
buyers for the various markets
throughout the city. They usually
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15

kind of maneuvering is practiced to
secure the coveted position.
Many of the men in the crews regard
a trip on the melon schooners as some
thing of an outing, as it affords an
easy trip to Washington. The sleeping
space in the little cabins is small, but
the decks, although hard, are large
enough for a big crew, and on the wa
ter the nights are COOL
BY day awnings spread over the decks
afford shelter from the glare of the
sun, and at midday, when the sunlight
is pouring down, the swide rows of
boats. with their maze of spars, their
spread awnings, their crews lounging
under them. form picture not soon
to be forgotten.
The way the melons are handled by
different persons is interesting. When
chain ia formed to pass out lot of
melons an old handler turns and passes
or losses one easily to the next man
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15
A Good AIibi.

Id RESIDENT ELLIOTT of the New
u Haven road was talking in Boston
about a southern line that was badly
run.
There's a story about this line" he
said. "a man, suspected of arson, was
said to him:
"'You admit that on. the day of the.
fire you were at the railroad station.
What were you doing there from in
the morning until 1880 in the even
ing"
".Your honor the suspect replied, 4
was waiting for the 1920 am. ex.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15

know just about the number they want
and the quality which their customers
require. Their bargaining is quickly
made. lire of boatmen is formed and
hand and piled up in the waiting
wagon. the boatman and the driver
keeping the tally.
Any dispute as to grade or number
is usually settled amicably, but If the
parties cannot agree. question
promptly decided by the market mas
ter. The reckoning is quickly made,
the bill is promptly paid and the mel
ons are ratified of to be exposed for
sale and to be pressed. thumped.
knocked, stem-twisted and tested in
any otfled way which the purchaser fan
cies. The connoisseur can tell a
good one every time-how. he cannot
explain: but he knows by the "feelin'
of it,"
Street vendors come and wait and
haggle to get the wares at the lowest
possible price: for. as their market is
uncertain, the cost must be low to
have to take for the tail end of their
purchase.
Some buyers for hotels and special
trade want only the best quality, and
quality for them counts more than
cost. Fancy fruit brings fancy prices
is the rule, and a slight decrease in
grade brings an appreciable depreci-
alton of price. These fastidious buy
ers go from boat to boat to select
their purchases.
Many individuals go to the wharves
to select what they want for their own
tables. This is not for the saving of
few cents on what they buy, but
they have the pleasurable sight of the
busy market and the opportunity to
pick from $4,000 melons - the usual
supply on hand-the very one which,
after being chilled in their ice box,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15

shall lie before them on their own
table, shaded from rich green to light
green and white and pink and red.
marked with dark seeds, ripe and
f1aky, inviting to the feast.
Boys row up the river in their skiffs
and bargain with the men on the
schooners. They always manage to
get a good melon cheap. They know
how to open one without a knife. Bang!
it goes across the handle of an oar or
on the bottom of the skiff, and that it
breaks into a lot of good pieces is suf-
ficient proof that it lis quite ripe. They
also know how to eat it without knife,
fork or spoon.
Talk of iced, spiced, wine-fil1ed melon,
They are not in the class with the
ripe, sweet melon which the boy has
dived into with his face-especiallyr if
it came a little-just a little-surrep-
titiously.
But the true artist for the water
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15
Eat35O, OOOWatermne1ors Season

Where the Melons Come From-How
They Are Handled-True Artist for. the
Watermelon Must Be Born Under the Sun.
The Captain and Crew of the Melon Boat.
The Fat Mans Burden-Men, Mules,
Masts and Melons Make Picturesque Scene
When Boats Anchor to Unload-The
Wholesale Dealers and the Man Who
Selects His Own Particular Melon.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15

melon must be born under the sun.
Have you ever seen musician-an ar
tist-place his beloved violin softly to
his cheek while his fingers gently
ately did the lad whose tattered cotton
suit became white in contrast with his
complexion handle a particularly fine,
long watermelon. Holding it on his
arm, he pressed it SOFTLY to his cheek.
tapped its bullying side daintily with
the tips of his fingers. as he murmured:
"Ah loves 'em. 1 knows 'em. All
loves, 1 do"
His instinct had been true. for, on
cutting, that melon was found perfect
Capt Harrows Of the good schooner
Nicholas tells how the melons are col
1ected right from the soil. They are
raised in patches varying from one to
fifteen acres. on the farms on the
shores of the Chesapeake. They are
planted in hills seven feet apart, one
vine in a hill. That makes about 900
vines to the acre, and each vine should
yield one melon; but. as always some
vines fail to bear. owing to bugs, bad
weather, too much rain or not rain
enough, the farmer feels that he Is
doing well If he gets 500 melons to the
acre. The great difference between
good crop and poor one is that good
crop gives better and larger melons.
The bay schooners in this trade are
beautifully modelled. swift boats. and
nowadays are all provided with gaso-
line engine to help them along when
the wind fails or is too light. The
melons, when cutting time comes. are
gathered and drawn by the farmers to
the shore. and either placed directly
in the schooner's hold or in scows or
f1atboats and towed out to the schooner.
Sometimes a whole boatload, which
runs from 1880 to $500 melons, will
be gathered at one landing, and some
times the schooner will run to several
stopping. places to pick up its. cargo
The earliest Of the Chesapeake melons
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-15

Over One Hundred Boat Loads of
Juicy Melons Consumed by Residents of
the Capital During the Nine or Ten Weeks
of Real Season-Busy Scenes at the
Wharves, Where the Unloading Often Be-
gins at 4 O'Clock in the Morning-A
Melon for Every Man, Woman and Child
in the City-The Fleet Of Schooners.
Visitors at the Wharves.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
FORESTRY OFFICE
MOVES TO ELKO

DIR. :. Il. Arthur, supervisor OF the
Humboldt forest reserve is IN Elko
and he announces that the govern
mcnt forest office is tn be removed
from Gold Greek TO Elko. Offices are
being fitted up over the SimcoX Ga.
rage and the first load OF furniture
and tiNtuieS are expected this even
ing. The new Office will BE- complete.
ly fitted about the first of December
The announcement of the change
will be gladly received by the pub.
lie having business with the Office.
The old location was inconvenicnt and
on account of the poor mail service
the transaction of business was slow
and unsatisfactory. TO reach the scv-
cral rangers in the district il was nee.
Cssary for all mail TO come by way
Of Elko. Four days at least will be
saved in communicating with subUTdi.
nate officials from here.
We extend hearty welcome TO DR.
Arthur, During the three years that
he has been in Elko county he has
made many friends here. not only
among those doing business with his
office but the public generally
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
GETTING ANOTHER START

T. Kabayashi, the Japanese who
formerly ran the Violet laundry but
which was burned during the summer,
has started the Elko Laundry and is
an example of what the freaks of for.
tune will sometimes do for the human
family. One day hc was prosper,
Gus merchant. his laundry was in full
blast and be was fast paying for his
machinery. when at noon the cOnna
grafton came anu no lost all he had
But he does not seem TO he discOurag.
cd. hc and his little wife have gone
to work TO build up again and have
opened the ElkO Laundry. They are
doing their own work, but believe
when business gets better that they
will have to add some employees.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
THE NEWS THAT
REACHES THE PEOPLE

Last week the Independent printed
the exclusive story of the finding of
body OF antimOny ore near Tusca-
rora. The find was Il real one. and
We knew ii before the story was
printed. Yesterday gentleman came
into The office saying that he had
heard Of this story through the col
ums of the Independent, and wished
to know the details of the find, as he
already mad the prospect OF an early
market for all that Tuscarora can pro.
duCe.
Antimony is one OF the most Use
full of metals, and is used in the print
Cr's work. SUCH as type, linotype met.
al. etc. and is used in the manufac-
turc of bullets and the making of arms.
so this is lucky time indeed for it
to show-up in this neighborhoOd, and
chances are that II will be grabbed
and shipped almost Immediately, for
a large manufacturing concern on the
coast Is on its trail. and il will prob.
ably not be very long until Tuscaro-
ra's antimOny ore is going through
here in sacks.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
THAT ANTIMONY LEDGE
NEAR TUSCARORA

Roy PrlmeauX is down from TUs-
carora, and he wears that smile
which wont come of. for hp il ihe
party who discovered The antim,ny
ore near TusCarOra, and the assays
that have been returned have proved
that his find is a great OH. coming
as II does with war on b, ,.n..n the
belligerants in Europe. and with a
big preparedness program on at the
next session of congress. # will make
every ounce of anIimOny in the nation
sought for. and IN" man who has
n couple of hundred tons of rhr metal
is well fixed indeed.
PrimeauX just concluded u contract
to haul $50 tons Of ore from the mines
al Bullion to ElkO. where il will be
shipped TO the smeltcrs. II was sup.
posed that automobiles would haul
most of this ore but this winter il
viii be carried by wagon
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
POPE TO RENOUNCE
TEMPORAL POWER
5y Pac. and lngI rews Service.

LONDON. Nov. I7.-Frum Rome
dispatches il is is understood that
Pope Benedict, al the approaching
consistory. will substantially rcnounce
all temporal power in order to guar
antee his liberty TO pursue his spirit
a.! work. and to be able TO attend
the general conference following the
war. III" Pore has held the nomi-
nal power over the paZtl states, when
arc incorporated into the kingdom of
Italy. and these he now proposes to
rcnunciale. This temporal possession
has been drawback 10 the papaI
plans for many years. and in renounc.
ing them The Pope will probably gain
freedom that his predecessors have
not been abb" 20 know
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
BRITISH GROWING
VERY SUSPICIOUS
Unable To Account For Some Mysteri-
Gus Things They Blame Wire
less Station
BY Pac. and Int'l News Service.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Nov. IL.
The British embassy has made inform
al representations TO the state depart
ment regarding the powerful wireless
station AT Portland, Maine The Ger
mans seem to be in possession OF
ahout all the information which they
need, i'll regard to when Canadian
troop ships sail. what ships carry mu-
nitions. and many other items OF in.
formation which il is impossible" to
understand how they learn.
The wireless station at Portland is Il
very powerful one. and the British
have begun to believe that they are
sending out many messages giving
the Germans information that they
could not get elsewhere. The Uni
ted States will investigate fully and
if ii is found that the station is over
stepping the laws OF neutrality ii Will
be stopped.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
FILM OF NATIONAL
FAME HERE TONIGHT

In very few Of the smaller towns,
did Gaby DE Lays stop. when she
made her world-famous tour last year.
and many people regretted that they
could not see the famous danscuse.
who with a party oi celebrated artists
toured the United States. playing to
packed houses everywhere
But the picture makers hired her,
and some of her leading artists to
stage play for them, and those who
were unable TO see her actually on
the stage, will be able TO view her in
films, which are said To be- very fine
ones. She wore very costly ward
robe when she posed for the pictures
that are 10 be shown tonight at the
Bradley, and there will doubtless be
capacity house there, for these
things come but once in life time
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
RAILROAD MAGNATES
GO TO CARSON
Trial of Western Pacific On CHARGE
of Rebatine Starts-Rochon
Case Delayed

Attached to the Virginia ~ Tru,.l,ce
train this morning was special car
carrying officials oi the Western Pa.
ctiic Railroad company vino are Oh
their way 10 Carson City to attend the
trial OF their company on Il charge of
rehating. which will be called this
morning in til" federal court before
Judg" FarringtOn. Deputy United
states district attorney. George Bart.
lett. who went to Carson this morn
ing. says the case probably will occupy
week. There are about 20 counts
against the company in the 1O0.page
complaint filed by the government.
The railroad company is represented
by large corps of expert legal talent.
and in addition TO United States At
torncy Woodburn and his assistant.
George Bartlett, the governments
case will be presented by Special
Prosecutors Elder and Duncan who
were sent OUT by the department of
justice.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
GOVERNMENT CAN
BUILD SHIPS CHEAP
BY Pac. and InvI News Service.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.-In order
TO test whether the government navy
yards can compete with the CONNER
cial shipbuilding yards. the govern
menU has required the navy TO csti-
mate what ii will cost the government
yards to build two new dreadnaughts,
about the size and displacement of the
battleship California. The Philadel.
phia navy yard bid $6,9l6,i27 for the
hull and machinery of turbine pro-
PEELED battlcship or $6.774,244 for an
electrically propelled ship: and Mare
Island bid $7.413,l56 for the former
class. II is believed that the turbine
propulsion will be successful. Three
commercial shipyards also competed
in the bids. but they hedgcd their con.
tracts around with so much red tape
that the navy yards will probably be
given the preference.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
HEAVY TEMBLOR
THIS AFTERNOON

AT three twenly-ti Ills afternoon
there was or" of the heaviest ucmb.
lors fell in Elko in vars. II was OF
very short duration and some thought
that it was an explosion instead oG an
earthquake. Court was in session al
the time and there was considerable
commotion in the court room. In
order 10 allow the nervous tension to
relax ,IIIdge Brecn declared recess
for ten minutes
one of the beg ceiling globes in the
hall way OF the cOurthous" broke aud
pieces fell TO the floor.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
PROTESTS PATENT ON
MINERAL LAND

Altomcy.Gcncral Thatcher filed
nine contests TO patents yesterday
with the state land office at the re-
quest of Attorney Il. f. Curler. against
the issuance of patents 10 town lots
in the camp of Divide in Elko county
The land on which the lots are
situated is said TO be mineral bearing
ground and the owners of the prop.
crty are to protest the issuing OF pat.
ents 10 the lots on that ground-Car
son News
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
ENJOYS HAVE
SECRET SESSION
BY Pac. and Intr News Service.

ROME, Nov. l7.-While the rest OF
the country is wondering whether il
snail be peace OF war, while the al
lies and the Germanic powers are
striving in Serbia and Greece is yet
muddle Of mixed emotions, the
Greek minister of the marine slipped
away yesterday and few knew whence
he had gone. But upon investigation
II was found that he had gone TO
Switzerland, and IN route to have Il
secret conference with the German
government officials there.
In the meantime. Constantine has
sent for Kitchener indicating that he
wishes 10 either adopt Il more friendly
attitude. or else that he really wishes
10 spar for time until the envoy gets
his mission accomplished at the Ger.
man court.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
MASTER DIPLOMATS
OPPOSE IN GREECE
Germany and England Sending Their
Best Schemers To
Constantine
BY Pac. -nd Ir.r News Service.

ATHENS. Nov. l7.-Non Mackenson
has been sent TO command the Ger
manic fighters, including the Turks.
in the regions of the Dardanelles. Won
MackcnsOn arrived ut Constantinople
on Sunday and ut Gallipoli on Tues
day. between Sunday and Tuesday he
has spent much time with Constan.
tine and it is believed that Constan-
tine will favor Germany more strong
l. than ever if he dares
II is believed that the Kaiser heard
the Kitchcner is TO lead the fighting
in the region of the Dardanelles. and
that he has sent Won Mackensen TO
oppose him. The kaiser Is reported
to be personally conducting the cam
paiGn in the Balkans.
Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-11-17
UNCLE SAM GUARDS
MANY WOMEN ABROAD
BY Pac. and InrI News Service.

LONDON, Nov. IL. Lord Cecil an
nounces that the United States has
been asked TO safeguard tn" many
British women captured by Bulgarians
while they have been doing red cross
work in the late war in Serbia There
are many of them captured. and it is
the intention of the English govern
ment to have the United Statrs get
for them the rights that should be
guaranteed to any hostages in civilized
warfare. especially women.