Time Machine Terms
January 25, 1884
The City of Columbus: Details of the Catastrophe off Gay Head
The iron steamer City of Columbus, of the Boston & Savannah Steamboat Company, Capt. S. E. Wright, sailed from Boston at 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon for Savannah, Ga., carrying 80 first-class and 22 steerage passengers, about one-third of whom were ladies and children, and a crew numbering 45 persons. Thursday night the wind blew a hurricane from the northwest, and a tremendous sea was running. At 3:45 a.m., Friday morning, with Gay Head Light bearing south half east, the vessel struck on the reef outside Devil’s Bridge buoy.
August 17, 1883
Vineyard Haven Fire
The entire business portion of the town, as already stated, was totally destroyed on Saturday night, Aug. 11th. Twenty-six stores, thirty-two dwellings, two stables, and twelve barns and smaller buildings were burned. Desolation is abroad in the streets. Some of the sufferers have lost all; others have an inconsiderable insurance. The majority had not their property insured for more than half the nominal value. The heaviest losses perhaps fall upon the Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
The Mansion House will probably be rebuilt.
February 9, 1883
The Rocker Family: How their transfer from Cottage City to the State Alms House was accomplished
The series of endeavors on the part of the town of Cottage City to rid itself of the now notorious Rocker family culminated last Friday in a performance, the true story of which reads more like the report of a riot in a Louisiana parish, or like a leaf from some yellow-colored “Life on the Border,” or like a chapter from Reade or Dickens on the administration of the charity laws in the old country, than like the simple account of the removal of the local authorities of a poor family, located in a New England town, to the paternal care of the government of the State of Massachusetts.
September 8, 1882
President Arthur
President Arthur and party went fishing off Menemsha Bight last Wednesday, in the U.S. Fish Commissioners' steamer Fish Hawk. The report that the President sent a bundle of state docucuments to be mailed at Nope lacks confirmation.
June 30, 1882
Telephone Communication
Telephone communication is now complete from Oak Bluffs via this village to Katama. The first message received at the office here was from an exasperated operator at the Bluffs who wanted to know, “Where in thunder are the Katama folks?”
May 27, 1881
Singular Phenomenon
Mr. E. C. Cornell, who spent the night of Friday last, with a companion at the Caleb’s Pond herring fishery, relates the following:
January 27, 1881
Priscilla Freeman
Mrs. Priscilla Freeman, formerly of Deep Bottom but now of Cottage City, one of the few remaining having Indian blood coursing in her veins, if her story is correct – and we believe it is – is a wronged woman.
January 9, 1880
Dissolution of Copartnership
The copartnership heretofore existing under the firm name of KENISTON & JERNEGAN is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All outstanding accounts of the late firm will be settled by Samuel Keniston, its successor.
August 22, 1879
“The Corn Cracker”
The inclement, sultry weather of Sunday and Monday terminated Monday night in one of the severest gales ever known in this vicinity at this season of the year, accompanied by the highest tide in the memory of our residents, for many years. The gale, which was rotary, blew heavily from the southeast during the first part of the night, then moderated to nearly a calm, next springing up from the northwest with terrific violence, after which it veered to the west and toned down to a strong breeze.
August 5, 1879
Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Grove and Vicinity: Dedication
The new Methodist Tabernacle was formally dedicated Wednesday forenoon, in the presence of a goodly number of the clergy and an immense congregation. Rev. Dr. Morrison had the general charge of the exercises, which opened with singing, followed by scripture readings by Revs. Messrs. Brown and Hamlin. Prayer was the offered by Rev. L. B. Bates, followed by singing, after which Bishop Foster arose and commenced his sermon, taking for his text Ephesians IV, 30: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
