Time Machine Terms
May 7, 1937
Lot Rogers Laid The Ghost
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
It seems a pity to spoil a good ghost story, but it so happens the favorite story of my childhood was one of how my great grandfather, Lot Rogers, laid the Crying Swamp ghost. None of the neighbors would go near the place at night unless it were a matter of urgent necessity, so great grandfather decided to do something about it.
I do not know whether he took with him a Bible or a stout oak stick, but out to the Crying Swamp he went on one of the wild windy nights that the ghost seemed to favor.
April 23, 1937
Led Eventful Life: George A. Smith, Dead at 79, Visited Most of the States
Death came to George A. Smith of Oak Bluffs yesterday morning in the house in which he was born seventy-nine years ago. He was the son of Elisha and Elizabeth Wilbur Smith.
His travels took him to nearly every state in the union and thus entitled him, perhaps, to be called the greatest wanderer of the Vineyard since whaling days.
March 12, 1937
Baptist Temple Sold to Highlands Property Trust
The Baptist Temple on the Highlands has been sold by the Massachusetts Baptist Association to the Highland Property Trust, thus bringing the historic structure and its site to possession of the group of summer residents who a few years ago took over the old Vineyard Grove company holdings.
February 26, 1937
When Gay Head Was Still Just a District
A collection of old documents dating far back in the last century has been unearthed in the old Jeffers house at Gay Head by Lorenzo D. Jeffers, the present owner of the estate of his ancestors. These documents consist of letters, ledgers, bills and notations kept by Thomas Jeffers, grandfather of the present owner.
August 11, 1936
Edgartown Plans Due Honors for New York Fleet
The New York Yacht Club fleet which first came into Edgartown harbor in 1858, fourteen years after the founding of the club, will again resume its visits to Edgartown harbor this weekend. According to their schedule, the fleet will be at New London, Conn., tomorrow, will spend the following two days at Newport, and then will race to Edgartown. After the weekend in Edgartown, the fleet will set out at 9:30 on Monday for Mattapoisett, and will return to Newport for Aug. 19 and 20.
May 8, 1936
Huge White Whale Makes the Woods Hole Passage
A white whale was seen by Capt. Harry L. Peakes last week while running through Woods Hole. The monster, which was of huge size, showed parts of its body several times, exhibiting a skin that was milk white.
White whales have been seen around the Cape Cod shores on many occasions in the past, but it has been many years since one was seen this close to the Vineyard.
April 3, 1936
Colter Becomes Sole Owner of Kelley House
Transfer of the equity in the historic Kelley House, Edgartown, to Richard L. Colter, proprietor of the Mansion House, Vineyard Haven, was made this week, a change of ownership that still retains the ancient inn in the family of its beloved proprietor, Mrs. E. A. Kelley, who conducted the house for years after the death of her husband, William Kelley, famed in his day as a host.
February 28, 1936
Plan Extensive Changes at the Marine Hospital
The United States Marine Hospital at Vineyard Haven is to be partially remodeled and enlarged, the grounds are to be relaid out and beautified, and the roads and drives altered extensively, according to information received by the Gazette this week. Federal funds have been appropriated for the purpose, and already one contract, for the building of an incinerator, has been awarded to the A. Durso Co. of Haverhill. From this fact it is concluded that the remaining contracts may be awarded at any time and the work begun.
August 23, 1935
Hundred Years of the Camp Meeting History Filled with Countless Episodes
The hundred years of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting are filled with countless episodes which link the Island with the great figures or great events of other periods; or reflect in some colorful way the atmosphere and manners of the times; or supply in their own right some flavorsome item of history.
August 23, 1935
These Were Founders
A circumstantial account of the selection of the site of the Martha’s Vineyard camp ground - which was the equivalent of the selection of the site for the town of Oak Bluffs - is contained in a communication which the Vineyard Gazette published in 1885. Jeremiah Pease of Edgartown was the prime mover; but the communication did not mention that the pastor in Edgartown a few years before this first meeting at the grove had been Rev. Frederick Upham. Mr. Upham was probably at the first camp meeting; he was certainly at the second.
