From the Sept. 4, 1913 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

Although thousands of summer visitors have gone to their homes, thousands yet remain to enjoy the good weather and the pleasures that still remain here.

The crowd at the Tabernacle on Monday evening, Sept. 1., enjoyed the fine concert by the Marlboro Band and showed that thousands of people were here to enjoy the concert, fireworks, illumination and all the other things pertaining to the celebration of the day.

The raising of the flag at the Wesley House, illuminated by red fire, was a most beautiful sight and the fireworks were sent up from the shores of Lake Anthony and a big steamer, brilliantly illuminated passed by the water as the fireworks were being set off, while the band played popular airs.

Manager Herbert Chase of the Wesley House showed every courtesy to the people and his piazzas were filled with chairs for the accommodation of the public as well as the guests of the house. Mr. Chase shows much interest in the affairs of the town and works untiringly for its interest.

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In a fast game of ball West Tisbury defeated Vineyard Haven, 10 to 0. The Tisbury team was composed of several past stars of the game who now reside here. The visiting team was for the most part old high school boys.

The home team took the lead in the second inner and after that were at no time in danger. The batting of Campbell, Clark, Norton and Athearn, and the fielding of Campbell and Athearn, featured the day play.

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On the north shore of Martha’s Vineyard is the ideal place to spend a vacation, according to Joseph Dias. In the New Bedford Standard of August 30, Mr. Dias says:

“The North Shore of Martha’s Vineyard, and particularly Cedar Tree Neck, is his choice for the greatest place on earth to spend a vacation just as long as Capt. Obed Daggett is there to go fishing with and Mrs. Daggett is there to make gingerbread.”

Said Mr. Dias: “North Tisbury certainly is delightful and the finest part of it is Captain Obed’s little farmhouse down near the shore. There is swimming, and above all there is fishing. But it isn’t so much in the things you do as the atmosphere of the place, the spirit in which you go at them. Everything down there is home-like, and quiet and restful. There is not much excitement, but if you want that go over to the Bluffs.

“One of the events of the day is the passing of some big steamer, and regularly every night the lights of the Portland and Savannah boats may be seen. We have an old-fashioned well up the hill from the house and it gives good water. While we may not have exactly all the comforts of home, we have all the pleasures, in a quiet and beautiful spot with congenial neighbors and with lots of chances to go fishing. That is really the big thing, fishing, and there is no kind of fish but what tastes well after you have been out on the water catching it yourself. You have to turn off the main road, which is good now almost to Gay Head, and go up some country roads which are calculated to make the average automobile look pale, but once you get there its good-bye to any desire for the city till the coming of fall.”

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Mr. Chirgwin, the genial host of the Colonial Inn, added new laurels to his crown on Monday night by throwing open his house to the young people for a dance. The dining room was cleared of all furniture, the guests in the house lending a willing hand.

There is a rumor that Mr. Chirgwin is contemplating some arrangement for next season that will enable him to have dancing once a week. We hope this is true, and the cottagers, as well as his house guests, appreciate his hospitality and the trouble he took to give them so much pleasure on Monday night.

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The storm that hovered for some time over the Vineyard last Friday was felt quite severely at different points on the Island. At least six houses were struck, four hundred out of the 750 telephones on the Island were put entirely out of commission, and a barn was burned to the ground. The barn was at Chilmark and was owned by Joseph West.

Over at Makonikey, Ernest Norton’s house was struck and some damage was done. At Gay Head a bolt entered the house of Amos Smalley and split the family organ in two, besides doing other damage about the house, and G. A. Hough’s house at North Tisbury was also struck by a bolt. At Oak Bluffs the rainfall was said by old residents to be the heaviest in years. William Look’s house at Lambert’s Cove was struck twice.

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A fine large muskmelon of the ”live wire stock,” a variety presently to become very famous, reposes today on a Home Club table, the admiration of all beholders. It was grown by Mr. Dutton on Sengekontaket Farm, weighs exactly 11 pounds and measures 27 inches in circumference. We understand it will be auction off at the clubhouse this evening at 8 o’clock, the buyer to cut at once for quick consumption by the members present.

Compiled by Hilary Wallcox

library@vineyardgazette.com