From the August 20, 1926 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

The sale through R. E. Laidlaw real estate agency, is announced of the W. Chauncy Coles house on North Water street, Edgartown, at a record price of $25,000, said to be the largest sum yet paid for a summer dwelling in Edgartown.

In perhaps one or more instances newly constructed places have cost more when completed, but for an out-and-out sale of residence property it is believed this transfer leads the list.

John Colt of Morristown, N.J., is the purchaser, and he and his family have been guests at the Harbor View Hotel for several summers past. The house was many years ago the residence of the late Capt. Littleton C. Wimpenney, and was occupied for a long period after the captain’s decease by his widow, Mrs. Isabel Wimpenney.

After its purchase by Mr. Coles, who is a New York broker, he spent a number of thousands of dollars in enlarging and improving the property, which included the moving back of the house some 40 feet further from the street.

Today, while perhaps not the most valuable estate on the most desirable street, still it is one of the most attractive and delightfully located of the many fine houses along the waterfront.

The Gazette is privileged to announce, through the courtesy of J. H. Miller, Jr., of Boston, that plans are pending for the filming of a motion picture on Martha’s Vineyard that will rival Down to the Sea in Ships. Mr. Miller, who is the sectional sales manager of New England, Fasheen Knitting Mills, further states that the writer of the scenario is none other than John. L. E. Pell, author of the famous whaling picture.

Mr. Miller had the good fortune of being included in a gathering of some of the leading citizens of this state at a dinner a few days ago. Mr. Pell, also present, was called upon to relate some of his experience to the party. During the course of his talk, the author of Down to the Sea in Ships — considered one of the ten best pictures ever produced — vouchsafed the information that he had written two new stories, one of which embraced the lobster fisheries and scenic charm of Martha’s Vineyard, and the other written around the fishing fleets of Gloucester.

“Being a lover of the Island and a loyal booster,” says Mr. Miller, “I took the opportunity to question further regarding this particular picture concerning the Vineyard and Mr. Pell told me that plans were being laid to create this production on the Vineyard during the months of September and October.”

Mr. Miller goes on to state that this particular story has been endorsed by leading directors and producers of motion pictures and claims to have seen letters from critics and authors who express a belief that the proposed picture will be a great success. The story has also been endorsed by the Bureau of Fisheries of the United States.

The Second Annual Mid Summer Carnival held last week for the benefit of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association was a great success. As a result of their labors the ladies of the Carnival organization cleared over fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars.

The weather prophet predicted fair weather for Thursday, the day set for the carnival, and the day was fair — until the latter part of the afternoon. The tabernacle grounds which are, by the way, especially beautiful this year, made a lovely setting for the booths which were in themselves things of beauty.

Mrs. S. Woodruff was General Chairman and her untiring efforts at Oak Bluffs brought wonderful results. A special feature introduced by her this year was the “In Memoriam Scroll,” a memorial gift of $5.00 enrolling the name of any minister, layman or woman, who during his or her lifetime loved the Association and was urgent for its welfare. Mrs. A. H. Wheeler was the publicity committee. At 2:30 and 4 P.M. there were Punch and Judy Shows for the children given by Alton B. Paull of Fairhaven. Frank Mitchell rendered several pleasing Xylophone Solos. He was accompanied by Miss Alice G. Anthony of New Bedford. There were generous sprinklings of adults at these shows and for some of them it was the first “Punch and Judy” they had seen.

The tables were prepared for the supper which was to be served under the trees near church and Chapel. Mrs. Forest Lunt was responsible for the flowers. A band of red crepe paper ran the length of the tables, on these were delicate fern leaves. There was dainty baskets of sweet peas and vases of other flowers. As supper time drew near a threatening thunder storm drew nearer so it was thought best to transfer the tables from the lawn to the church. This was quickly done thanks to the helpful hands of the men.

At 6:30 (the time announced for the “Chicken Salad Supper, tickets limited”) about two hundred people were seated at the tables. With rain descending and midst occasional bursts of thunder the waitresses wearing their slickers ran back and forth between Chapel to Church to serve the hungry two hundred.

Compiled by Hilary Wallcox library@vineyardgazette.com