From the Jan. 26, 1934 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

For the first time in its history, the Vineyard Gazette publishes a news notice in the Portuguese language, this being the first official notice ordered by William H. Andrews, president of the newly organized Portuguese-American Club League. Written in the Portuguese language, as a graceful gesture to his associates rather than for any other reason, the notice warns of the first meeting of the league which is to be held at Association Hall on Monday evening at 8 o’clock. Colonel George R. Goethals will address the assembly, and ladies and gentlemen are invited to attend. The notice follows:

“Portuguezes: —Todos os Portuguezes desta ilha sau convidados a assistir a reuniao dos Portuguezes-Americanos Civic League que vai tomar logar no dia 29 de Janeiro as oite horas da noit no Association Hall, Vineyard Haven.

“Portuguezes vindo rodos com suas sinhoras e filhos de maior idade.

“Nessa noite vae falar Senhor Col. George R. Goathals. Todos os Portugueze tambem sao bem vindo.

Por ordem do Presidenta, Guilherme H. Andrews, Ernest L. Campos, secretary.

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 Spurred to action by the intensive campaign for intelligent voting as conducted by the women voters of the town, Tisbury male voters made the first step toward organization yesterday, working with a rapidity which insures the completion of an organization within a couple of days. Promoted by an informal group who will call a representative gathering today to elect officers, an enrollment of several hundred voters by Monday is indicated.

It has already been announced by the sponsors that the organization is to be strictly non partisan, as is the women’s organization, and that no particular aims, so far as election results are concerned, are in view. It is the intention of the organization, as soon as formed, to invite the candidates for town office, particularly those for selectmen, to address the male voters, as they have addressed the women.

Briefly, as explained by Raymon G. Paltz, acting secretary for the unofficial committee. “The women voters have heard so much at their meetings, and are so obviously better informed as to the aims and intentions of the candidates, that the male voters of the town feel rather outside of the picture, and that they should take a more personal interest in such an important matter as a town meeting and election.

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Fifty years ago yesterday, the Vineyard Gazette said, editorially, “We devote considerable space to an account of the shipwreck, for the reason that it belongs somewhat to the history of this locality . . .”

With what accuracy these words anticipated the thread which the disaster to the City of Columbus was to weave into the course of Island events for many decades! “It belongs somewhat to the history of this locality” — looking backward from the vantage point of half a century we can say that it looms large in the annals of Martha’s Vineyard. The sense of tragedy evoked in all Vineyarders and conveyed by the long columns of interview and narrative in the Gazette at that time, was to give way to a larger sense of pride in the heroism which Vineyard men and women — particularly the inhabitants of the town of Gay Head displayed.

The wreck of the City of Columbus was one of the greatest tests ever given to Vineyarders, and no people could have met it more valiantly. It led to the establishment of the government life saving station at Gay Head. It became a thrilling chapter in the world’s record of marine disasters. And it is so much a part of Island history that, after fifty years, little can be said of it which is not common knowledge among Vineyard men, women and school children. Oddly enough, in a material sense the City of Columbus liners on in our lives, for the wreckage of the steamer was built into houses which still stand. Panels from the cabins, mattresses from the staterooms, bits of ornamentation and furniture remain with us.

The shipwreck of January, 1884, belongs to our history.

Matthew Hale Mayhew, best known to scores of acquaintances as “Mathew Hale,” observed his 87th birthday on Wednesday by remaining quietly at his West Tisbury home where he received a few friends who came to offer good wishes.

Mr. Mayhew has lived an extremely active life, having been one of the most expert of fox hunters in the day when the sport was actually a business on the Vineyard. He is a carriage painter by trade, and was the first man on the Island ever to paint automobiles, and he has done this work in comparatively recent times.

At 87 he still remains active and with faculties unimpaired. He walks briskly, and in his home, where he has lived alone for years, he ministers to his own wants without assistance. As a matter of fact, Mr. Mayhew’s skill as a housekeeper is a thing to which West Tisbury housewives point with pride and admiration.

Compiled by Hilary Wallcox
library@vineyardgazette.com