From the Vineyard Gazette editions of August, 1912:

The Chappaquiddick beach illumination and boat parade was a magnificent spectacle. The harborfront was gay with lanterns moving to and fro and the U.S. revenue cutter Acushnet and state steamer Lexington were anchored off the beach, with Acushnet playing her searchlight upon the scene, fireworks constantly being set off from the beach and the band sending sweet music over the water from the Beach Pavilion. Perhaps the spectacle was at its best when steamer Uncatena, gay with lights and playing her searchlight, passed through the harbor to her dock at about 8:30.

Schooner Mabel E. Gross has been fitted out to work about Cuttyhunk in an effort to try to save some of the fittings, machinery, etc., from the steamers Sylvia and Fairfax, sunk on Sow and Pigs Reef, and steamer Trojan further out in the Sound, all three ships having been wrecked some years ago.

A summer visitor writes to the Gazette: “South Water street is in a disgraceful condition, full of ruts and bumps, and covered with a foot of fine powdered dust, which is the bane of all housewives along the road.”

Those new electric lights which have been due for some time for Daggett street are much-needed especially at this season of the year, before and after the arrival of the late steamer. We understand it is up to the Lighting Company. But whoever, give us light now.

A runaway, horse and open carriage, no occupants, started from Main street last evening, ran the length of North Summer to Morse street, down to North Water and along that street south to the bank, when the frightened animal was stopped. The remarkable thing is that in all that distance no damage resulted to horse, vehicle or anything or anybody on the whole route.

Changes in real estate: the Cyrus Vincent farm and buildings located near Great Pond, to S. Prescott Fay of Boston. The William F. Jernegan farm, on the county road in Vineyard Haven, including house and large tract of land to Shubael H. Adlington. Rebecca E. Mayhew also has sold all her interest in certain lands, included in the above to Mr. Adlington.

Houses for sale: Col. Wise house at Starbuck’s Neck, fine view of harbor and Sound. Chester E. Pease, North Water street, large piazzas, fine view of the harbor. Capt. Geo. A Smith house, North Water street, excellent water view. Two fine water lots on Chappaquiddick — will be sold cheap. A. Mellon Real Estate Agency, Main street.

On Saturday, the 17th, the third performance of the Historical Pageant, held at Luce’s Pond, attracted over 400 people. It is one of the most important affairs ever held at West Tisbury.

The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association has settled on August 30 as governor’s day. Governor Foss will be present and the usual program of reception at the Tabernacle grounds and banquet at the Wesley House will be carried out.

It is now expected that President Taft will be present. He agreed to come if Congress adjourned by Saturday last.

A sleek and stately buck deer with an impressive set of antlers, is a startling summer visitor to Martha’s Vineyard. He is the first of his tribe to succeed in swimming across Vineyard Sound from Naushon Island, four miles away. For 50 years no deer stood on Martha’s Vineyard Island until this buck’s arrival.

Hardly so. Deer frequently in the past have swum from Naushon across the Sound to the Island. We can reckon them by the hundreds; many are here permanently and others come across the water to us.

There is seldom a year that it is not necessary to irrigate some. An application of one inch a week during the three summer months to almost any crop would usually prove very profitable. At 30 cents per 1,000 gallons, the cost would be a little over $8 for each application. If one has his own water supply and good economical engine and pump, he can apply an acre-inch for less than $2.

--Compiled by Alison Mead