From the July 31, 1913 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

And what would you say if in time the South Beach should become the potato paradise of the Vineyard — one long fifteen mile stretch of fine growing “spuds.” And this may be, for Sylvanus Norton is making a great success this season at South Beach growing potatoes in seaweed — has grown one crop and now has another started. And it is all very simple. Scatter your seed potatoes directly on the sands, cover with seaweed or kelp or both, occasionally throwing on a little more, and in a wonderfully short time pull out as fine a lot of potatoes as one could wish. Mr. Norton does not claim to be the discoverer of this 20th century manner of raising this valued vegetable, and who was the first it is impossible here to state, but various persons on Chappaquiddick, we are told, have tried the experiment, notably Moses Jeffers, who had great success. With our Vineyard beach sands given over to potato culture, famous Aroostook will have to look to its laurels.

The electrical storm about 2 o’clock yesterday morning was very severe as it passed over this vicinity.

The lightning struck in several places about the town, but did no serious damage except at the Congregation church on South Summer street, which was struck at 1:49, according to the clock in the auditorium which was stopped at that time.

A blinding flash of lightning with an instantaneous crash told the people all over the town that a bolt had done damage somewhere in the immediate vicinity, but as no fire resulted, only a very few people knew until some hours after that the church had been struck.

The church steeple was split open and the boarding on the north side was stripped off. The lightning on its passage down, and the explosion which apparently followed in the vestibule, damaged badly the north center of the edifice, and filled the vestibule with a mass of wreckage. Clapboarding was torn off in numerous places and on the southeast side of the church quite a large hole was made. Other marks of damage appear at different points.

The auditorium seems not to have sustained serious damage, and it is hoped the organ has not been materially injured. The face of the clock in the rear part of the auditorium was torn off.

South Summer street presented an animated scene all the forenoon yesterday when hundreds of residents and summer visitors visited the church to view the destruction caused by the lightning.

The church is 85 years old, having been built in 1828, Frederick Baylies, architect. It was dedicated Dec. 24, 1828, Rev. John Codman of Boston, preaching the sermon.

The church is the home of the First Congregational Society of Edgartown, which in July 1892 celebrated 250 years of church history, with appropriate ceremonies.

Two “young” men from town, one a popular Main street grocer and the other the enforcement of the local shellfish laws, went to Cape Pogue on Sunday last for a few hours indulgment in the simple life. During their stay on the Cape it was suggested that they “go in swimming,” and so, arrayed like they did when they were boys in the last century, into the water they went, with not a person in sight for a mile around. But Cape Pogue’s ever watchful and vigilant “mayor,” who is also chief of police, it seems had his eye on these violators of the garb section of the bathing laws, and at the proper moment swooped down upon them in all the majesty of his official position. It is related that after no little persuasion Chief Barrus consented to overlook for this once their grave indiscretion, but with the promise that when they used Cape Pogue Pond again for a bath-tub, rubber hip boots and coats will be worn and all due respect will be paid to the conventions.

The Eagleston Tea House is certainly a most attractive and popular place to visit. Words of praise can be heard spoken of the beautiful way in which Mrs. Eagleston provides for the patrons of the house. Beside the dainties of the table one cannot help but appreciate the dainty linen and beautiful china. One notices that the silverware is all marked with the letter “E.”

The three distinct rooms for serving people, each has its individuality, seating capacity one hundred and twenty-five. Lovely hanging jars of flowers all about makes one think of fairyland.

The food served here is of the best, and everything is made only as the order is given. You can order a chafing-dish supper, a salad, planked steak, broiled chicken or lobster dinner served to order.

Its the opinion of the writer that when the Eaglestons do things they do them in the correct way. They are the leaders in all they undertake.

Compiled by Hilary Wallcox

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