Evening star., 1920-06-13
THE RAMBLER WRITES OF BLACKSTONE
ISLAND AND OTHER OLD RIVER RESORTS
The Steamer Jane Mose1ey.
Founders of the Blak-
istone Island Summer Re-
sort-Concernine' a Well
Known Actress of An
other Day-The White
Fishing Shore.
I N the preceding chapter mention
was made of the steamer Ar

Tn the preceding chapter mention
was made of the steamer Ar
menia and Blackstone Island.
In 1884 a summer resort was
opened on the island by Edward Abb
| ner. whose garden on f street was
well known. Many of the Washing
tonians whom the Rambler knew
| found pleasure there and very
large proportion of the people of the
city thought it good place in which
to pass a pleasant evening. Ed Abner
gave the name of Monte Cristo to his
Blackstone Island resort. 1t is not
likely that he hit upon the idea OF
| remaining. Blackstone Island after
that Italian island in the province of
Leghorn. twenty-five miles south of
Elba which was made famous to the
world at large by the elder Dumas
in his novel. The Count of Monte
Crsto." The suggestion of the name
proba bly, originated with Count Nit
kiewicz. who was associated with Mr.
Abner in the enterprise. The count
was a man of large acquaintance In
Washington and there will be many
of the older readers of this story who
will smile a reminiscent smile and say
to themselves: We'll, Well. Count
Mitkiewicz, l haven't thought of him
for years.
The association of Eo Abner and
the count seemed not to have long en-
dured and to have ended unhapplly,
for in The Star of Wedn esday, october
20, 1884, you may have read what fol-
lows:
Mr. Abner Answers Count Mitkiewicz: Mr..
Edward Abner made answer yesterday 10 the
bill against him for an Injunction and account
ing led Monday by Count Mithkiewicz. who was
! associated with Mr.. Abner in conducting
summer resort at Blackstone Island. Mr.. Alb
ner denies violating any agreement ana says
| ar accounting will show that Count Mitkiewicz
! is at least 81. 900 in debt to him. lie says
| Count Mitkiewicz never contributed dollar 10
He saws that Count Mitkewicz's interest in
the concern has been sold out by the sheriff
| on Judgment for private debts. but offers to
consent to decree transferring the Whole
property to Count Mitkiewicz payment of
! any amount found due defendant on condition
| that Cont Mitkewicz deposit 5000 IN court to
| be applied TO the payment OF the debts OF the
| concern. He says the count was addicted to
drink. was quarrelsome with guests and em-
! ployes and gave the defendant exclusive man
| agement in order 10 induce him not to with
draw from the business.
! A few days later Judge Cox made a
decree denying the injunction and dis
| solving the partnership and requiring
! Abner to give $4,000 bond to secure
! the safety of the property of the part
nership. and referred the case to the
auditor. The Jane Moseley was the
! Blackstone Island and Monte Cristo
steamboat and the following adver-
| tisements appeared in The Star in the
! summer of 1854: Grand Family Elk
| cursion to Monte Cristo.-The safe. sea-
worthy and swift steamer Jane Nose
| ley leaves the companys wharf at the
! foot of 9Th street at am, return
[ ing at $3.50 pm. Select family excur-
sion to Blackstone Island and Colo
! nial Beach by steamer Jane Moseiey.
i Fare, round trip. so cents: Ed AoneI;
Iuly. 1884, The Star carried this ad-
.rtisement: Monte Cristo.-Fourth OF
JaIy excursion on the swift, safe ana
! seaworthy steamer Jane Moseley. Sait
/ water bathing, music. dancing ana
!, fishing For information apply 10 Ao-
ner's Summer Garden.
| In the matter of the history OF tne
| lane Moseley it has been told that
| she was built at Brooklyn. y. L :, III
| 1S72 and the following bit OF informa :
+! ton concerning her was TAKEN "u'
! of The Star Of June 3. 1857
! The steamer Jane Moseley. owned by the In
/ land and Seaboard Coasting Company. VIII soon 900,
I've taken off the Washington ana Nor1oik iihe
| for the summer The steamer nns nu.e.a Cn,n
n,ny for seventy days from the 2Oth instant
and will run from Baltimore TO ray h'uGe
The staaruP- has recently Oeen Hceuseu W 'Ai
| 900 passengers The Jane Moseley formef!
| ran from New York to Long Branch ana thef
carried 200 passengers.
Rearing on the history of the. Jane
Moseley and the Inland and Seaboard
ICoasting Company, the Rambler takes
the liberty of quoting the following
1 from DR.. William Tindalfs History
iof WASN'T, gton":
I'm September, 1859. the New York
land Washington Screw Steamship
ICompany placed the steamer Mount
Vernon upon the regular run between
New York and Washington This
Vessel continued to make her trips
until the outbreak of the civil war
with the close of the war steamship
TRANSFORMATION facilities received an
limp etus similar to that which attend
ed the railroads. In 1865 the New
York end Washington SteamshiI
icompany put the steamers Baltimore
iRsbecca clyde and Empire on the rur
Ihetween Washington and New York
with two boats each week leaving the
comuany's wharf at the foot OF Higf
street in Georgetown; and the Az
iIantic Steamship Company placed the
screw boats John Gibson. E. c. knight