Thursday, May 8, 2014

Letter from Vacationing County Judge A. P. Smith (Part Two)



The Cortland News, Friday, August 3, 1883.
Letter from Judge A. P. Smith.
Hotel Manisses, Block Island, R. I. July 20, 1883.
Editor, Cortland News:
   When I last wrote you we were on the point of starting sword-fishing, and if we caught any I was to give an account. Well we went out ten or fifteen miles in the ocean and "tacked" and "hard up" and "luffed" all day but didn't catch a sword-fish, though we could easily report a tanned face and skinned nose.
   We, however, had all the excitement attendant upon harpooning the sword-fish. The boat with which it is done is a two-masted sailer. About fifty or sixty feet above the deck is a place fixed for the man who "sights" the fish. At the end of the bowsprit is a little iron cage about twenty feet ahead of the main part of the ship. This is occupied by the man who is to spear the fish; while the third man handles the rudder and guides the ship. When the man at the topmast sees a fish sailing through the waves he cries in sailor phrase notifying the others of the location of the fish — either "starboard" or "larboard." Then comes the "hard up," "luff," etc., until the man with the harpoon on the bowsprit is directly over the fish, when he thrusts the harpoon into him and the fun begins.
   The fish resents the insult by rushing away from the boat carrying the harpoon with him. It will not do to attempt to hold him, so a long rope is attached to the harpoon and at the other end of the rope is a barrel which is thrown overboard, and the fish allowed to take its own course, the barrel indicating his whereabouts. It is told that but a few days ago instead of a barrel the rope was attached to a small boat with a man in it and the fish hauled the boat sixty miles. I do not vouch for it. Finally from loss of blood or exhaustion the fish surrenders and is brought in. They weigh from 200 to 500 pounds each and are sold for about five cents per pound.
   On Monday, instead of a sword-fish we espied a good-sized shark, which are quite plenty here. All that can be seen of them is a large fin and the back and now and then their tail sailing along through the waves. We gave him chase, now on one side, then on the other, then nearly over him, when he would dart away. Finally the harpoon man was directly over him, and arising thrust the harpoon into him with great force. The fish rolled upon his back and we felt sure of a capture but by some kind of legerdemain known only to sharks he threw the harpoon out and made his escape. But it was an exciting scene and we enjoyed it very much.
   Another day was spent in blue-fishing. The blue-fish caught here weigh from 30 to 50 pounds and are very fine eating. It is also a great place for lobsters, which are caught in pots; also for cod-fishing in their season, which is spring and fall.
   Block Island is a continent in miniature with its hills and valleys, its harbors, its salt and fresh water internal lakes, and mineral springs. One point "Beacon Hill," is about three hundred feet above the level of the ocean, and can be seen for miles at sea in all directions. We visited the light-house on the north end of the island the other day—fifteen of us, and found a lady there who had been twenty-two years in that light-house. She was an elderly lady and has always lived upon the island. She informed us that this is the fourth light-house on that end of the island. Where the first stood is now quite a distance out in the ocean. The cellar of the last one before this is now in the water, showing that gradually the north end of the island is wearing away. It is lonesome business attending a lighthouse. The old lady was much pleased with our call, saying it was the first call she had received this year.
   On our return we passed a salt lake entirely inland and covering a thousand acres of land, while on all sides of it and within a short distance were little fresh-water lakes, some within twenty rods of and not over fifty feet above the ocean itself. At one place not far from fifty rods from the ocean, at an elevation of perhaps a hundred feet, are two flowing mineral springs, one of iron and the other of magnesia, and they are within twenty feet of each other. I have been industrious since I have been here but have not seen half the points of interest reported to me.
   The hotels, of which there are many, are fast filling up. 1 can only judge of the others by their appearance and reputation, which are good. But of the Manisses I can speak from an actual and very pleasant experience. Here are people from Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and in fact most of the States. They come here as strangers and all vie with each other in their efforts to make the place enjoyable. When one game gets dull somebody has another to suggest, and so between visiting, games, bathing and sight-seeing, the time is pleasantly occupied while the ozone of the atmosphere keeps up a healthy stimulation and the constant sea breezes keep you cool and happy.
   Such is life at the Manisses, which is made still more agreeable by the gentlemanly, courteous treatment of M. Rice, Esq., who has it in charge. They may yet put on airs here as they do at other watering places; but to speak of it as it is, allow me to commend Block Island as a pleasant summer resort and the Manisses as a desirable hotel at which to stop.
Yours, etc.

CHICAGO, N. Y.
[Located between South Cortland and McLean—CC editor.]
Correspondence of THE NEWS, July 30, 1883.
   We, as representing a good respectable majority of the patrons of the Chicago post office, would hereby ask opportunity through the medium of your paper to render our most humble gratitude to the correspondent of THE NEWS for the very useful and valuable bit of information contained in his item of last week concerning that notable institution.
   We were not aware that any material dissatisfaction existed and fear that we might not have learned anything about the occasional closing of the same when there is nothing much remaining in the office, had it not been for the very timely advice of the said agency. However, exceptions always accompany the general rule. We duly appreciate the same, and expect and intend to profit by it, all that is necessary under the circumstances, and much more than we, the P. M., or any body else can afford to for the meager sum of $15 to $20 per year. He shows, too, an entire want of consideration for a lady that has volunteered to carry the mail through mud and rain (if need be), sixty rods to the train free of charge in order that the office here may be retained and that he, as also all of the neighbors and those residing in this vicinity, may have the privilege of getting their mail here in this great metropolis.
[signed] SOME OF THOSE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

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