SLIDESHOW

The story of the James River island squatters opened a portal to the colorful history of one of the river's islands.

Reader Elizabeth Kambourian, in response to a story and column this week on squatters Tony Borst and J.D. Osborne, sent excerpts from the former Richmond Daily Dispatch about Vauxhall Island.

Borst and Osborne spent summers on the privately owned Vauxhall before moving to nearby Devil's Kitchen Island. Authorities may push them off their island paradise after receiving complaints.

"The squatters should be left alone in the interest of preserving Richmond tradition," Kambourian wrote in an e-mail. "In the Civil War era Vauxhall Island was a haven for bawdy houses, illegal liquor sales, dog-fighting and other entertainments.

"It might be pointed out that conditions on the island have actually improved in the last 140 years, as the island dwellers now seem to be keeping to themselves."

Kambourian sent news clips from the 1860s that can be accessed at http://dlxs.richmond.edu/d/ddr/. The stories put the squatters' plight in perspective and take us back to a rowdier time on the river.

Let's start with a Nov 20, 1860, entry, which foreshadows the Michael Vick saga.

"Sport! Sport!! Sport!!! On Vauxhall's Island. near Mayo's Bridge. There will be a Bear and Dog Fight at Vauxhall's Island, on Thursday, the 22d of November -- fighting to commence at 3 o'clock. After the above fight, there will be a Dog Fight between Messrs. Finn and Wilson's Dogs. Admission, 25 cents; reserved seat 50 cents."

In a Feb. 26, 1861, clip, man, not beast, did battle.

"A personal difficulty, between two white men residing in this city, was settled on Saturday last, by a 'resort to arms,' on Vauxhall Island, adjoining Mayo's bridge. . . . both parties receiving 'severe punishment.'"

On Sept. 9, 1861, the newspaper reported:

"John T. Smith and Charles Riddell were brought up on the serious charge of feloniously stealing a horse and buggy of the value of $150, belonging to Davis & Hutcheson. The property was, when stolen, in the possession of John H. Slater, who drove to Vauxhall's Island Friday evening about nine o'clock, and left the buggy standing near the door of a house into which he went and got supper. When he returned to look for it, it was missing. About 11 o'clock the same evening, he found it in the possession of the defendants and a third person, which last escaped."

Reported on July 10, 1863, among the continued court cases was "Jas. McGee, keeping a drinking-house on Vauxhall island, and selling liquor to be drunk where sold without a license."

The Sept. 21, 1863, edition reported on "James McGhee, a Baltimorean, indicted in eighty cases for selling ardent [spirits] without a license . . . Another case against him for keeping a disorderly house on Vauxhall's Island, was dismissed."

And then, there was this entry on Sept. 17, 1864:

"Thomas Griffin, a free Negro, was fined fifty dollars and costs for keeping a disorderly house on Vauxhall's island, where disreputable and loose characters are accustomed to assemble."

In the context of this island's boisterous history, a few guys drinking beer, fishing and partying on the James seems absolutely tame.
Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or mwilliams@timesdispatch.com.