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Author: Pennsylvania State Commissioners of Fisheries

Title: Report of the State Commissioners of Fisheries for
the year. . .

Place of Publication: Harrisburg
Copyright Date: 1896

IVIaster Negative Storage Number: IVINS# PSt SNPaAg236.3

REPORT

OF THK

State Commissioners

FISHERIES,

FOR THK

YEAR 1896.

Hon. Henry'C. Ford.

CLARENCE M. BUSCH,

STATE PRINTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.
1897.

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FISH COMMISSIONERS

PENNSYLVANIA.

PRESIDENT:
S. B. Stillwell, Scranton.

SECRETARY:
D. P. CoRWiN, 413 Wood St., Pittsburg.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY:
Jamrs a. Dale, York.

TREASURER:
H. C. Dkmuth, Lancaster.

Louis Streuber, Erie.
Tas. W. Correll, Eastou.

1-18-96

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Official Document,

No. 18.

KEPOKT

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State Commissioners of Fisheries.

»>>.

To His Excellency Daniel H. Hastings, Governor of the Common-
wealth of Pennsylvania:

Sir: The Commissioners have the sad duty to oiticially announce
to your Excellency the death of their fellow member and honored
president, the Hon. Henry C. Ford, which occurred at the German
Hospital, Philadelphia, on the evening of August 17th, 1890. He
had been ill for many months at his summer resort near Egypt
Mills, on the upper Delaware. A week or two before his death he
was taken to the German Hospital in Philadelphia in the hope that
relief might be had, but the disease from which he surtered h;id
progressed beyond the stage when human skill could avail.

During the many months of his last illness Mr. Ford suffered al-
most constant pain, yet while suffering his thoughts were almost
continuously with the work of the Commission and the advance »f
fish culture and fish protection.

For more than nine years Mr. Ford was a member of the Board of
Fish Commissioners and during the entire period was its president.
He was appointed by Governor Beaver, re-appointed by Governoi-
Pattison and again by your Excellency.

When he was first named Commissioner, there were but three
hatching stations in the State, and the total annual output of troul
fry and matui'(^ fish scarcely reached 800,000. The newly-organized
(\)mmissioners, with Mr. Ford at their head, infused new life into
the work, the capacity of the two trout hatching stations was en-
larged, the output of lake fish at the Erie hatchery was greatly
increased and recently a station was erected at Bristol, on the Dela-
ware, for shad. As a result of this work, the annual distribution
of fish increased rapidly until it reached (he magnirtct'nt propor

,.'' .*•

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Official Documeni",

No. 18.

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KEPOHT

«M riiK

State Commissioners of Fisheries,

fo His ExcclNnicy Daniel H. Hastings, (lovernop ©f the Common

wealth of P<'nns\ivania:

Sir: Tin* Conrmlssioners have the sad duty to oRlciallv announce
t« your Exctdlenry the death of their fellow nn-inher and honored
|>residenr, the lion. Henry (\ Ford, which orruned at lli<' < Jcinian
Hospital, I*hilad('I|thia, on the evening of Augiisl ITlli, 1S!H;. He
had been ill for many months at his summer resort near Egypt
Mills, on th«' upppr Delaware. A week or two iH-t'orc his death he
was taken io ihc (Jerman Hospital in IMiiladelpliia in the hope that
relief might Iw had. hut the disease from whirh ho sullVrod had
progressod beyond iho stage when human skill eould avail.

During the many nnmths of his last illness Mr. Ford sulfered ft*»
most roustant pain, yot while sullering his thoughts wet*e almost
continuously with tho work of llu^ Commissic.n and tho advanro ^\^
hsli culture and fish protection.

h\H' mwe than nme years Mr. Feud was a nuMnboi- ol the IJoard of
Fish Commissioners and during the entire period was its president.
Ho was apjfoiFitcd by Governor Beaver, ro-appointed by Governor
I'attiscm and again by your Excellency.

WhiM be was ftr«t named Commissioner, there wei-e but three
hatching stations in the State, and the total annual output of trout
fry and matu!'e tish scarcelv i-earhed SOO.IMMI. The newlv-oriianizefJ
Comniissioijeis. with Mr. Ford at their head, infused n<'w lite into
tte work, the capacity of the two trout hatching stations was eii-
larg(Ml, the output (»r lake tish at th<' Erie jiatchery was greatly
increased and recently a station was erected at l{iist<d. on the Dela
ware, for shad. As a result of this work, the annual distributitm
of lish im-iM-ascH rapidl_\ until it le.nlhMl ili«' magnilimii |ti.ipoi

(3)

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

REPORT OF THE

Off, Doc.

tions of between 75,000,000 and 100,000,000 every year. When death
came upon Mr. Ford he was outlining plans by which even this great
output would be increased annually by many millions of fry.

The Hon. Henry C. Ford was born in Philadelphia July 25, 183(5.
He came of old New York and Connecticut families. His father.
Isaac Ford, was many years ago a well-known wholesale dry goods
merchant in the City of Brotherly Love, and prominently connected
with many corporations. Mr. Henry C. Ford, the eldest son, received
his preliminarv education in private schools of Philadelphia and
graduated froiii Brown University in 1856. Among the classmates
of Mr. Ford were a number of afterward prominent men, of whom
Secretary Olney and General Tourtelote are conspicuous examples.

On the death of his father, Mr. Henry C. Ford succeeded to the di-
rectorship of manv of the corporations with which the former had
been connected. Among these were the Chesapeake and Delaware
Canal Company and the Delaware Insurance Company.

Mr Ford was appointed a member of the International Commis-
sion of Americans and Canadians to effect an adjustment of the
differences in the fisheries laws between the two countries. Al-
though this body was in existence for two or three years, it accom-
plished little good except as regards the laws governing the St. Law
rence river On the death of Colonel Marshall McDonald, United
States Commissioner of Fisheries, Mr. Ford became a candidate
for the place, and was given powerful backing, but owing to the
beginning of the illness which resulted finally in his death, he was
compelled to withdraw. Mr. Ford belonged to most of the promment
angling associations in the country, was an officer of the Fish Pro-
tective Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, president for one term
of the American Fisheries Society, in 1893, and treasurer of the
same organization for the previous five years.

When the State of New Jersey formulated its last set of fish
laws, Mr. Ford was invited by the New Jersey Commi.ssioners to as-
sist in the work.

Mr Ford was twice married. By his first wife he had three sous,
Isaac, Harrv H. and Frank R. The first two reside in Califoini.i
and the last in New York. By his second wife, who survives Inm.

he leaves one son, Ralph.

At a meeting of the Commissioners held in the library of \W
Public Ledger building, Philadelphia, tli<> latter part of August, the
following preamble and resolutions relative to Mr. Ford and his
death were ordered to be prepared:

Whereas, The State Commissioners of Fisheries record with deep
sorrow the death of their president, the Hon. Henry C. Ford; and,

Wliereas. His life was so marked in its simplicity and beautiful m
•(s puritv, his gentleness and geniality of disposition was so great.

No. IS.

FISH rOMMTRSIONKRS

and iiis eainestntss in the cause of tisli culture so deep, that he won
the warmest regard, friendshi]* :in<l admiration of everv member
of the Board; and.

Whereas, The enviable position which Pennsylvania holds among
her sister States as a leader in fish culture work is due, in a great
measure, to Mr. Ford's knowledge of and dmotion to liis duties; and,
Whereas, His memory deserves lasting honor, not only for his
assistance in elevating the Pennsylvania Board to a leading posi-
tion aniong those of other States, but also because it was largely
through his individual etforts that the food fish industry in Lake
Erie and the Delaware river has become cuice more commerciallv
profitable, and also because it was he, chiefly, who, after others had
met with practical failure, demonstrated the possibility of making a
great salmon river out of the Delaware, thus affording a prospect of
an additional source of wealth to the State; and,

Whereas. The Commissioners will greatly miss the presence and
wise counsi'ls of Afr. Ford, but while grieving they bow submissively
before the Supreme Will which shapes the course of human life;
therefore, be it

Resolved, Tluit this preamble and subjoined ^'solutions be spread
upon the minutes of the Board, and be published in full in the Re-
port of the Commissioners for ]81)(»; and b(^ it

Resolved, That w<' express our warmest sym})athy to the mem-
bers of the family of our deceased friend and late fellow numiber
in their bereavement and present his widow a suitably engrossed
copy of the preamble and resolutions.

The (Commissioners regret to annonnee that there was a smaller
output of fish during the year from June 1st, 1895, to June 1st, 180r»,
than was reported as having been distributed between June 1st,
1895. and June 1st, 1805. The fall off i.-j 41,8:50,911. These figures
of course do not include the output of shad by the United States
Fish Commission, which cannot in this connection be added, becaus •
in the Report for 1895 only the shad deposited in the Delaware
river are included, while in the present report the output of the
Xational Commission in the Sus(]u<'hanna river is also given.

An examination of the subjoined tal)le and a comparison with that
of last year will show that the greatest fall off in the output was
due to a diminished numbei' of white fish and pike-perch hatched.
There were 42,(HM).tM}0 white fish hatched in 1.S95, and only :10,000,000
in 189(;. There were 48,020,000 pike-perch incubated in 1895 and
only 13,800,000 in 189t). This greatly reduced output is startling, but
was due neither to negligence on the part of the superintendent of
of the Erie station, nor to disease among the eggs, but to meteoro-
logical and other causes beyond the power <»f the su])eiintendent to
overcome. Indec'd, had it not Ixen for his energy, skill and untiring
industry, the results would have been much |>oorer than they wer<'.

I REPORT OF THE Off. Dor.

The white-fish eggs are gathered at Port Clinton and North Bass
Island, in Lake Erie, by the Commissioners of three States and by the
United States Commission. These grounds are their sole depen-
dence The white-fish spawns in the autumn, and the eggs taken for
Pennsylvania have to be shipped from Port Clinton, Ohio, to Erie
by rail. The colder the weather the more favorable are the chances
for successfully shipping and hatching white-fish eggs, and the
warmer the weather the more difficult it is to preserve the eggs or
spawn until they are brought to the hatching jars.

Last autumn, when the spawning season arrived, the weather
was unusuallv warm, and the eggs of the fish were besides not m
c^ood condition. As the season for spawning is likewise very short,
the e^g takers found themselves confronted with situations which
effectually prevented them from placing anything like the usual
uumber of white-fish eggs in the jars.

The pike-perch eggs are gathered from the lake at Toledo, Ohio,
early in the spring. The United States Commission, those of Michi-
gan' and Ohio also have to depend on this place for their entire
supplv The first run of pike-perch this year were all extraordi-
narily large fish, and as a rule the spawn from these are not so good
as that which are taken from medium-sized fish. So meagre was the
siipply from the first run that scarcely any eggs could be had.

When the run of smaller fish came, there was at the same time
a series of heavy blows on the lake, causing such heavy seas that
Superintendent Buller could not secure even half the usual amount

of eggs.

For two years the Commissioners have not been able to secure
any fertilized eggs of the lake herring, and for a very curious rea-
son Like that of the white-fish, the season for taking eggs of the
lake herring is in the autumn. Last fall when the superintendents
found an immense run of fish, but an examination showed them to
be nearlv all females, there were millions of eggs obtainable, but
there were no males from which to obtain milt which to fertilize
the ova. For this reason and this reason alone with a vast supply
of eggs, the work of taking them had to be abandoned.

The following is tlie output of fish from Juno Ist, 1895. to June 1st,

IS96:

Hrook trout ^'«^1''^^1

Kninbow ^^^'^^^^^

Mvbrid. -^^^'^^^^^

Lake »

Brown 120'350

Small-mouth bhu-k bass ^K^0{)^

Large-mouth black l)as8, ^^'^^^^

Rock bass ^'^'^^

Nu. 18.

FI8H COMMISSIONERS

Strawberry, j^g

Yellow perch, i< 030

Pike-perch, 13,800,000

«un rtsh, 4,190

<^«i'P 735

Shad, 5,950,000

White fish, :i0,000 000

Spotted catfish 285

Making a total of 52,784,249

In addition to this, shad eggs were
hatched and deposited in the Susque-
hanna and Delaware rivers by the
United States Commission to the number

*>f 59,000,000

Making a grand total of 111,784,249

Of the shad fry distributed by the United States Pish Commission.
.':7,000,000 were hatched at Havre de Grace and deposited chiefiy
in the Susquehanna, and 22,000,000 were incubated, at Gloucester,
N. J., and planted in the Delaware and its tributaries.

The Commissioners wish to repeat and emphasize the graritieatiiui
expressed in their last report over the fact that their efforts to stock
the waters of the State with valuable food fishes and to insure for
them proper protection during the spawning season are being met
with wider appreciation and heartier co-operation. For years the
Commissioners of Fisheries were compelled to work almost alon«\
and in the face of bitter opposition from a large part of the jiopu
lation who did not understand the scope of the work, nor the vast
benefits which would result from giving them moral and material
support. On all sides were heard admissions and regrets over the
fast diminishing supply of valuable food fishes in the rivers, streams
and lakes of the Commonwealth, but there was a prevalent idea that
the work of the Pennsylvania Fish Commissioners was directed
solely in the interests of the sportsman angler. Thus many wlio de
plored the depopulation of fish life in the waters of the State held
Jiloof and refused their assistance.

At length it began to be perceived that fully one-half of the
energy of the Commissioners was devoted to restoring tlie comnier
rial fisheries interests in the rivers and Lake Erie, and that their
labors both in this direction and in that of making the trout streams
nnd the mountain lakes once more attractive to s])ortsmen were
meeting with marked success. This brought to their aid the law-
abiding element among the commercial fishermc^n and the sportsman
iingler. The latter began the formation of associations foi- i\w intel

REPORT OF THE

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ligeiit planting of tish, t'oi- the protection of tlie streams against the
lawless element among fishermen and for the strict enforcement of

the game laws.

The oldest and most important of these organizations is the
Fish Protective Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, and to it
as well as the voanger anglers and fish protective societies the Com-
missioners desire to express their appreciation of the important aid
given them. The Agricultural Department is also giving valuable
support to our work by the publication of literature for distribution
among farmers calculated to interest them in the work of stocking
inland waters, and* to arouse in them hearty co-operation m seeing
that the fish and game laws are observed.

The Commissioners also take pleasure in recording a tendency
among certain fishing associations to undertake themselves the
propagation of tish, chiefly of the salmonoid order. The Blooming
Grove Assocat ion is one of these. This organization has a large
and well equipped hatchery and annually it deposits in its own and
free waters more than half a million brook trout and land-locked
salmon. The work of the Blooming Grove Park Association is nt
such a valuable character that a detailed account of it is given m
the article on the "Mountain Lakes of the State," which appi^ars
in another part of this volume.

The Pohoqualine Fish Association, on McMichael's creek, m Mon-
roe conntv, is also performing important services in the direction ot
fish propagation. That it is certain to play a prominent part in the
near future in the flsli cultural work of the State, may be readily
perceived from the following statement of its operations, made to
the Commissioners by one of its members:

'^n 1S9.3 the association was formed as an angling and socml club,
and became the owners of about seven miles of McMichael's creek.
The creek was fished out, and it was necessary to restock it. To d(.
this and also to bring the holding of the club within the protection ot
the game law, it was at once resolved to build a fish hatchery. A
small frame building was erected over a spring on the farm of Daniel
C Miller who was appointed fish warden, and the house was pro-
vided with sup]»lv pipes and four hatching troughs. A small pond
was also built to' keep the trout in. The experiment was helped by
the valuable assistance of tlie late Henry C. Ford, who allowed
Miller to be instructed in hatching at the State hatchery.

^'\ number of trout were placed in the pond in the autumn of 181).i,
but the fall of water from the spring was insufficient, and the fish
laid their eggs in the pond, and the first year's operations was a total
fiilure This fault was remedied in the following year by abandon-
ing the spring as a water supply and h.ying a pipe line up Mc-
Micliael's cro<.k to a distance sufficient to insure a proper fall of water
as well MS an adequate supply.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

"Three or four hundred trout were caught in McMichael's creek
in 1804 and operated on in the fall at the hatchery. About 30,000
t ggs were obtained and successfully hatched out, and the fry planted
to the springs along the creek. After being 'stripped,' the breeding
trout were put back in the creek, entirely uninjured by the operation.

'^Greatly encouraged by this success, the club repeated the experi-
im^nt in the autumn of 1S95, and obtained 30,000 eggs, in the same
manner, and in addition the president of the club purchased and
presented 50,000 eggs more. All these were successfully hatched,
and 80,000 fry were planted in the club property. This year an addi-
tional pond for breeding trout has been built and the hatchery im-
proved, and it will be operated continually.

''Of course, at this rate of hatching, the time will soon come
when McMichael's creek will be in danger of being overstocked.
Therefore, the management of the club, recognizing the valuable
assistance of the State Fish Commission, proposes to continue to
operate the hatchery, and so far as the trout fry are not needed by
the club, will place them at the disposal of the Fish Commission
for fre(» distribution.

"The (piestion of the expense of building and maintaining a small
fish hatchery may be of interest to the Commission. The house and
troughs cost about a hundred dollars. The pipe line cost about the
same, and two ponds another hundred. The cost of repairs, mainte-
nance and feeding the tish and fry — that is, the cost of operation,
apart from the salary of the warden — is about |25 a year. The
cajjacity of the hatchery is about 100,000 eggs."

Undoubtedly, the trend of public sentiment in favor of the work
of the Fish Commissioners has been materiallv assisted bv the in

■ «

fluential newspapers of the State. These have performed yeoman
service in the support and extension of tish culture and fish pro-
tection, and to them the Commissioners desire to express their
appreciation of the extent to which this valuable and welcome as-
sistance was given.

During the last few years a large number of applications were re-
ceived and granted for lake trout and pike-perch for planting in the
"kettle hole" or spring lakes of the State, and when Mr. William E.
^[eehan, of Philadelphia, made a tour among some of the counties,
during the summer, for the i)uri»ose of gathering material for th«'
article which appears in another i)art of this rei>ort, he was re-
quested by the late Mr. Ford to ascertain as far as possible what
success had been met with. Plis report is interesting and on the
whole favorable, and furnishes a basis on which more intelligent and
effective work may be performed by those interested in establishing
these two splendid food fishes in our mountain lakes. The result
'jf his iiMjuirics shows that in a majority of oases no apparent re

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

suits f(,llovved planting lake ti-out and pike-pereh. In a few instances
there was a fair or good measure of success with the lake trout. In
rare instances pike-perch seem to have succeeded. In nearly all the
cases where the fish had been planted, there seemed no reason so far
as the water conditions were concerned why both the pike-perch and
the lake trout should not have succeeded.

In most of the occasions where "no results" were reported further
inquirv developed four facts: first, that the fry had been planted
within three or four years; second, that often no systematic efforts
had been made to ascertain whether any of the fish had become
established; third, that many of the local anglers were unacquainted
with the habits of the two fishes and were ignorant of the most
effective methods of their capture; and, fourth, that one or two
plantings onlv had been made. On the other hand, it transpir.Mi that
where successful results were reported, generally the try had been
planted some years previously; that there had been more or less
persistent annual stocking; and, third, that intelligent effort had
been made to ascertain the measure of result. Only in one case was
it stated to Mr. Meehan that the discovery of mature lake trout was
due to accident. This was at Lake Poyntellc, in Wayne county
where a boy was reported to have caught a four pound lake trout

while fishing for bass.

The results of Mr. Meehan's inquiries, therefore, are by no means
discouraging, although the successful establishment of lake trout
and pike perch in our mountain lakes is nearly always attended
with many difficulties. The chief of these is the extremely tender
age at which the lake trout and pike-perch must be sent out to ap-
plicants. The last named have, in fact, but parted witli their um-
bilical sacs when they are planted in their new homes. Under exist-
ing conditions, the commissioners must continue to so send them
out from the hatching station in this State. The vast number in-
cubated annually and the lack of facilities for feeding them until
they are of a larger size precludes the possibility of adoptmg any

other course. • u i i

The little fish when first liberated in a lake are well nigh help-
less, and fall an easy prey to fish of a larger size. Even yellow
perch and sunfish can devour them without hindrance. It is there-
fore fair to assume that of the pike-perch only a very small per cent
have the slightest chance of reaching an age and size which will
vield self protection. Thus even where the water conditions are
favorable in everv way, success from a single planting of pike-perch
is likely to be verv slow and uncertain. If a dozen or two escaped
with their lives it would be three years before they became of
spawning age. Thus eight or ten years must elapse in the ordinary
rourse of events before there would be any number of pike-perch of
A catehable size.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

The lake trout are a little older and larger when planted and
better able to take care of themselves; thus, the percentage of loss
would be smaller than with the pike-perch, yet not so much so as to
quickly stock a lake.

Taking these things into consideration, together with the results
of Mr. Meehan's inquiries, it would seem to your Commissioners that
where those interested in the extension of our food fishes contem-
plate introducing lake trout and pike-perch into our '^kettle hole"
or spring lakes, they should not suspend their labors with a single
planting, but should continue the introduction annually for at least
three years. This course ought to produce fairly good results in
five or six years from the date of first deposit. During the past two
or three years the Fish Commissioners have found it impossible to
meet the increasing demands made on them for fish fry for planting
in the various water courses and lakes in the State.

For the first two or three 3'ears after the Board of Fish Commis-
sioneis was ( reated, there was little call for fish fry, so little in fact
that fully one-half the annual hatchings had to be planted by the
superintendent of the hatching station himself. But as soon as the
scope of iho work began to be understood throughout the State,
applications for fisli began pouring in. until the full wants of the
people could no longer be supplied. A new hatching station was es-
tablished and for several years all responsible persons who applied
(■<»uld be supplied with trout, but this is no longer the case.

The utmost (■ai)acity of the Western and Eastern stations combined
is but .3,500,000 brook trout annually, and it is only under the most
favorable conditions that these figures can be reached. On the
other hand, the yearly demands of applicants reach more than
7.000,000. It is certain that even this does not more than approxi-
mate the number of brook trout fry desired, for appliiations only
begin to cease after ])iil)Iic notice is given through the various press
associations that no more requests can be entertained. The demand
for trout fry is so great that with the capacity of the stations as
they exist, applications can at most be received for two months.

The utility of stocking streams with artificially hatched brook
trout has been abundantly demonstrated. There is not a doubt that
were it not for persistent and intelligent planting, many streams
which now atl'ord fairly good fishing would be entirely barren. And
there is absolute proof that numerous brooks, which a few years ago
contained no trout at all, now hold a good supply of this great game
fish.

Under existing circumstances, the Board of Fish Commissioners
cannot restore the trout streams to the condition they were in half
a century ago. The utmost they can hope to do is to prevent de-
pletion. There are to-day. perhaps, a hundred trout fishermen to

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

every one who whipped the streams tweutj-five or thirty years ago.
Yet with this great increase in the army of anglers, the well-known
and most freqnent streams, through frequent stocking, continue to
yield fair numbers of brook trout.

The Commissioners are not hampered for a lack of facilities for
hatching brook trout. They have ample room in the two stations
for the incubation of a hundred million trout annually. The difficulty
is that they have not sufficient room in which to hold the fry until
they can be distributed to applicants.

If the young fish could be sent out in March, the Commissioners
might turn out many more than is now possible, but in that month
snow and ice are still abundant on the streams and applicants
do not want the fish at that time, nor would it be judicious to plant
the young then, both on account of their tender age and tlie diffi-
culty they would encounter in securing food. There are many who
doubt the wisdom of depositing fry when only four months old,
although the Commissioners have after many experiments become
satisfied that at that age, if properly planted, they are fairly able
to take care of themselves. It may be imagined, therefore, the dis-
satisfaction which would ensue if fry were distributed in March,
when only three or less months old.

If the troughs in the breeding houses holding the young trout are
overcrowded, they stop feeding and become stunted or die. Every
point of this question has been carefully considered by the Com-
missioners, to meet the problem of an increased output with the
present accommodations; they are convinced that they have reached

the limit.

The Commissioners have dwelt at some length on this subject,
because it is one of great importance and is one causing much com-
plaint from those interested in replenishing the trout streams. A
new breeding house capable of increasing the output of trout by at
least 2,000,000 would cost approximately about |!2.000 or |2,500, and
the annual expense for feeding, shipping and the employment of
labor would be very little more than it now is. The Commissioners
therefore earnestly recommend the favoring of such legislation as
will bring about the building of such a structure.

The Commissioners have been asked many times to undertake the
propagation of pickerel, to the end tliat many of our lakes, which
are becoming depleted of this excellent food fish, may be replenished.
That the pickerel is rapidly decreasing in numbers in many of the
lakes is a lamentable fact, but under presi'ut conditions the Com-
missioners are powerless to take any affirmative action.

In this instance the difficulty lies not in a lack of facilities for
hatching pickerel eggs, for both the Erie and Bristol stations are
;ivailable for the purpose, but in means for securing the eggs. The

N<». IS.

FISH rOMMISSIONERS.

i:',

spawn of i)ickerel could only be obtained at large expense and diffi-
culty from the fish in their native waters, and the Commissioners
have no land under their control on which breeding ponds could be
built. Thus, for the present, the idea of artificially propagating
pickerel cannot be entertained. Moreover, the Commissioners can-
not refrain from pointing out that the remedy for restoring to scmie
extent the supply of pickerel in the lakes of the State rests largely
in the hands of the owners of these sheets of water.

Among a large percentage of those who go fishing, ice fishing is a
favorite pastime. The tending of a multitude of "tilts,-' the exercise
of skating or running over the ice from one hole to another when
the tiny flag shows the hooking of a pickerel may be exhilarating
to the man, but it is destructive to pickerel. There are no devices
more deadly, nor which will depict** waters of fish more rapidly than
"tilt'- fishing through the ice, except fish baskets, dynamite, fyke
nets and set lines. A few years' persistent fishing in this manner
will reduce a well-stocked lake to one inditferent or poor for angling.

If the owners of lakes would regulate the number of tilts used by
each fi.sheririan, and the number of pickerel to be taken by each
person, or if they prohibited ice fishing altogether, and all the fish
laws throughout the year were strictly observed, there would be no
appreciable diminution of the supply of pickerel, for it is a w^onder-
lully prodrctive fish.

The Commissioners do not deem it expedient to recommend that
the Legislature enact a law prohibiting ice fishing altogether, but in
view of the complaints of a diminishing supply of pickerel in the
lakes of this State, they feel it their duty to recommend that the
latter part of the open season for the fish be shortened by one
month, making the close season begin January 1st, instead of Feb-
iiiaiy Isr. as now prevails.

The act of 1S01 which extended the time in which pike and pickerel
may 1);^ cjinglit from .lannaiy Isl lo February 1st lias wrought in-
calculable harm and should, in the o])inion of the (Commissioners,
be am<"!ided as recommended.

The demand for black bass for restocking purposes is increasing
;ilmosi as i*a|»idly a^ Ihal for brook trout, and tlw siipjdy is also far
short of the leipiiremenl . The science of fisli culture has not yet
reached a point where the eggs of the black bass may 1m' expressed,
artificially impregnaled and hatched, but pmid bi<M'ding is feasible
and the Commissioneis are about to ])ut it into ])ra<-tice. The ponds
formerlv used lor breeding (lennan <'ar]> at the Allentown station
will b'-' used for this ])urpose the coming winter and s])ring. 15y this
means ii is hoped to increase the annual output of black bass by
many thousands at a trilling cost. Incidentally with this, the Com-
missioner-? expect to breed yellow pei-ch. as food for the mature brood

RPJPOHT OF THK

on. Dor.

ba.ss, and the surplus, if an.y, devoted to stream and lake stocking,
there having been a sudden and gratifying demand for them during
thi past three or four years.

The problem of granting applications for black bass for re-
stocking is one of much perplexity to the Commissioners. The pres-
ent law permitting the taking of black bass as small as six inches,
except in the Delaware river, is operating in the direction of deplet-
ing the streams, for fish of six and even seven inches are not spawn-
ers. It ii rare, in fact, that a black bass of eight inches has reached
a spawning age. There is urgent need, if the black bass are not to
become exterminated in our smaller streams, that a law be passed
by the next Legislature fixing the minimum size of this species of
fish to he taken at nine inches, the same as is in operation in the
Delaware river, through the concurrent action of Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and New York.

As long a« the present general Pennsylvania law fixing the mini-
mum size of black bass to be taken at six inches stands, nothing
the Board of Fish Commissioners can do will prevent the steady
diminution of this great game fish in streams like the Conodoguinet,
the Perkiomen, Wissahickon, and even in water courses as large
as the Youghiogheny and Lackawaxen.

To illustrate the contention of the Commissioners and render it
more forcible, suppose a stream eight or nine miles long with an
average width of one hundred or one hundred and fifty feet, in which
the black bass are diminishing through steady fishing. Three or
four or perhaps half a dozen men make application to the Commis-
sioners for black bass with which to restock. With the available
supply the Commissioners cannot grant more than a hundred or two
of mature or half mature fish in the aggregate to the applicants.
These fish are sent and deposited. The time is August, September
or October. At the time these fish are planted other fishermen are
on the same stream catching perhaps altogether fifty fish a day. At
this rat(N within a week more fish are taken out than are put in.
With the taking of six inch fish allowable, the planting of the one
or two hundred fish is scarcely a check on the steady decrease, and
it appears like a waste of time and mone^v to attempt the restocking.
Yet the Commissioners cannot conscientiously refuse to aid those
who would attempt to replenish or check the depopulation of the
stream.

Tt is not only with respect to the black bass that the laws are defec
tive. Nearly all which are at present on the statute books need
urgent attention and revision. The law which permits the killing
of a brook trout five inches long, for instance, should be repealed
and the minimum size fixed at six inches. The same argument
against killing a black bass six inches long applies to killing a

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

trout five inches long. The trout does not reach maturity and I he
spawning period until it is three years old. As a trout five inches
long is at the very most but two years old, it has consequently never
reproduced its kind. Its death, therefore, means a direct step
towards utter anniliilation of a stream. The capture of a trout
which has passed the spawning age does not lead to this misfortune,
because tin* chances are that it has left behind it numerous progeny.
The pi (sent act which permits the taking of a five inch trout, there-
fore, adds materially to the difficulties under which the Commis
sionei-4 labor, and besides is of no material benefit to the person
who is permitted to keep such a fish, for it is so small as to be of
litt!-^ use for the table.

The law regulating the size of trout which may be taken is also
seriously defective in another feature, which has given the Com
missioiiers some concern. The wording of the act is so loose, that it
is a sei ious question whether there is a penalty which can be imposed
on a person who takes a trout less than five inches long. The Com
missioners. therefore, earnestly recommend that the whole act be
amended so that in ettV'ct it will read, that no person shall catch or
kill any brook trout under six inches long, under a penalty of ten
dollars fo? every fish so caught.

The general looseness of many of the othei- tish laws are a source
of great anxiety to the Commissioners for they assist in counter
acting the benefits of their work. As many of the laws stand, it is
only with great difficulty that convictions for illegal fisliing cnn b"
secured and witii still greater difficulty can adecpiMte punislinieiii
be meted out to offenders. In most of the laws governing or [m-o
tecting fishes, the measure of punishment is largely discreti(m
ary with the officials before wlioin the olt'ender is haled, instead of
mandatory, as it should be. In (tther acts the wording is so obscure
or loosely worded that t hey are practically inoperative. Again, there
are existing evils for which there are at present either no laws at
all, or where they do exist, the penalties are so absurdly light as to
have absclutely no deterrent eft'ect.

A reconstruction of all the fish laws is therefore strongly recom
mended.

Th? Comup'ssioners urge your Excellency to incorporate in youi
next message a recommendation to the Legislature to take steps tn-
w'dvdi purchasing the site of the Eastern station at Allentown, oi'.
failing in that, to purchase a property in some other locality which
presents th(^ same or nearly the same advantages.

If it is possible to obtain it for a reasonable figure, there can be
no doubt of the advisability of acquiring title to the Allentown
pioperty in preference to any now known to the Commissioners.
To move to another site would entail heavy expense, great labor
and more thnii ;i veor's time.

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

Tlie situation of \ho Allentowu property is very favorable for the
work of the Commissioners. The four miles distance from the rail-
road station i. , it is true, a slight drawback, compelling the super-
interdent and his assistants to be astir earlier in the morning during
the weeks of distribution, but on the other hand, if the distance was
shorter, no more fish could be shipped daily than at present are, for
the railroad company will not receive more in the baggage cars than
they now do, and on account of the mileage charges on some of the
railroads, the lish car of the Commission is not always available.

While ther(» is the slight inconvenience to the superintendent and
his assistant"* of extra early rising during the weeks of trout distribu-
tion, the point is an excellent one for quick transshipment. From
Allentown .nlmost every town or village within the district allotted
to the Eastern station can be reached the same day .the fish are
taken from the breeding troughs. The Commissioners do not know
of another i)lace where this desirable feature is so conspicuous.

The Allentown prope'ty is now under a lease from the Troxell
estate. At one time the State had an option on the property, which
embraces 19 acres, for |15.000. This option expired three years ago.

As matters now stand, it does not seem judicious to make many im-
j.rovements which might not permanently benefit the State, through
the i)<)ssibility of the owners refusing to renew the lease at its ex-
piration, or which might cause them to demand a higher rental ns

the piice of renewal.

There is no better tinu' than the present for favorably considering
this recommendation to purchase, for one of the two hatching houses
is in a great state of dilapidation. It can be repaired to last a few
vears longer, but that is the utmost that can be done. If it is deem d
advisable to seek anotluM- site, in consequence of the dilapidated
condition of the one hatching house and visible signs of approaching
decay in the other, removal can hr done more cheaply at the expira-
ticm of the present lease than at any other time.

The vear's work on the Delaware river has been exceedingly grati-
fving. The run oH anadromous fishes during the spring was phe-
liomenally great and the commercial fishermen in consequence did
a thriving business. It is unfortunate that figures have not yet
been obtainable, but it is believed that the run of shad up the Di-la
ware in the spring of ISOO wii< the largest in tin* century. This
splendid food fish was caught clear to the headwaters oi the river,
passing through the fish ways at the La cka waxen dam by the hun
dreds of thousands. Large hauls were made nightly at Milford.
Dingman's Ferry and other places on the upper Delaware. The fisli
also were of extraordinary size. Shad seven and eight pounds'
weight were common, and numbers were taken which weighed from
ten to twelve pounds. Hoth as regards size nnd numbers the catch

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

of shad in WMi remind the Commissioners of the stories told of the
catches fiom the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers in the early days
of the country's history.

While there are no collected data as yet of the value of the shad
catch in the Delaware river for the season of 1896, it can scarcely
have be^n less than |600,000 or |700,000.

The favorable season, of course, had much to do with the extraor-
dinary numbers and size of the shad taken from this fine stream.
The water became warm quite early in the season, so that the shad
passed up to their spawning beds in huge schools, instead of in small
groups and scattered lots, as they are apt to do when the water is
cold or unfavorable. But while these suitable conditions assistt^d
materially in inducing the great influx, the main causi' is unques-
tionably due to the protection given the fish by the laws of Penn
syivania. New Jersey and New York, and to the work of artificial
propagation carried on by the United States and the assistance in
planting given by Pennsylvania in the past.

The proof of this has been j)resented so often, by comparing the
superior shad catch of the Delaware eveiy year with the poor catches
in those streams where illegal devices, such as fish weirs, exist, that
it appears unnecessary to re-present it. The elimination of fih
baskets, and all unduly deadly devices from the Delaware river, have
raised the fisheries of that great stream from poverty to large finan-
cial profit.

The run of herring in the Delaware river in 1896 was also unpre-
cedently large. As far as Trenton, the limit of the run of this
species, they were caught in such great numbers that for awhile the
market was fairly glutted, and on more than one occasion the shore
fisheries returned thousands taken in single hauls, back into the
water.

The herring industry in ]*hiladel])hia is a very large one, and its
uniform prosperity is due to the wise laws which rigidly proh'bit
the use of nets, except those with meshes of a proper size.

There was jilso a more than usual run of striped bass; one fishery
alone is reported to have taken more of this food fish in one season
than all tlie fisheries in the aggregate in that vicinity had in the
whole season of 1S94.

While the large runs of th(»se tishes have caused th<' Fish Commis
sioners great sntisfaction, their greatest source of gratification wms
on account of the large number of Atlantic salmon which ascended
the Delaware in the spring of 1S96. In the report of the C imniis
sioners for 1895, thev announced ''the almost certaintv" that their
efforts to stock the Delaware^ river with Atlantic salmon had biMMi
successful. They presented as proof that "with the bnginn'ng of the

2-18-96

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

shad season of 1895, large numbers of this great game and food fisli
were taken in the nets between Gloucester and the Delaware Water
Gap, and even above." These fish, it was stated, averaged from ten
to twelve pounds each.

What the Commissioners announced in their report for 1895 as
almost a certaintv they now feel justified in pronouncing that their
efforts to make a salmon river out of the Delaware an assured

success. : i t «

There was probably not a shore fishery along the Delaware from
the head of the bay to almost the head waters of the river that I did
not take one or more Atlantic salmon. There is every reason to be-
lieve that many captured quite a number, but their owners hesitated
to make an avowal of the fact, probably for fear of prosecution.

The capture of large numbers of Atlantic salmon was not confined
to tlie shore net fishermen. There is not the slightest doubt that
considerable numbers were taken in gill nets below Trenton. Above
Trenton Atlantic jtalmon were taken in many places, notably the
Water Gap, Shawnee. Bushkill. Lackawaxen and Milford. One or
two, it is reported, were taken with a rod in the upper Delaware
and one was captured in a net from Big Timber creek, which, it was
reported, had a hook and short length of line in its jaw.

For the first time in the history of Philadelphia, Atlaotic salmon
wen* plentiful in all its large hotels and high grade restauran's.
"Delaware Salmcm" signs were displayed almost daily in the windows
of the latter places, and one well-known restauranteur informed an
inquiring gentleman that he could get more of this fish than he could

use.

As in 1SJ)5, the majority of the Atlantic salmon caught weighed
from 12 to 1.") i>onnds, but there was a marked increas<> in the num-
ber of fish from 2.5 to 'iO ])ounds.

Jt is on this tnidence that the Commissioners b:is«* their declara-
tion of success, and they f(M-l the greater gratification in the out
come because prior to 1870 (here is not The slightest evidence to show
that this, the most eagerly sought for food and game fish, ever had a
liome in the Delaware.

If the Commissioners can for ihe next few years obtain from the
United States Commission, or risewlicre, a liberal supply of eggs,
thev have now no doubt but that thev can in a few years make the
Delaware river as famous for its Atlantic salmon as it now is for its
shad, and thereby add materially to ihe wealth of this great Com-
monwealth.

In view of the encouraging success which has been met with in
stocking the Delaware with the Atlantic salmon, it may not be out
of place to recall the work which was done in this direction.

The first attempt was made in 1871, by a number of Philadelphia
and Eastern gentlemen, when about 2,500 fry an inch and a half
long were placed in the Bushkill creek near Easton. In 1872, 11,000
more were planted in a tributary of the Delaware not far from
Easton, and the following year 60,000 were introduced into the same
waters.

In 1872 a few smolts were caught under the impression that they
were trout and in 1877 a large salmon was caught while seeking a
spawning bed in the Bushkill. After 1873 and until 1890 no further
eflorts were made to plant salmon in the river, but almost every year
from one to five large fish were captured by the shore or gill net
fishermen.

The late Mr. Ford revived the work in 1890, as president of the
Board of Fish Commissioners. In that vear 90,000 frv were hatched
and placed in tributaries of the upper Delaware. Three hundred
thousand were introduced in 1891, and 60,000 more in 1893. In 1894
and 1895 no eggs were obtainable, but early in 1896 the United
States Fish Commission supplied 100,000 eggs in two lots of 50,000
each. The first lot hatched well, but a disease attacked the fi v and
many of them died; the second hatching produced fine healthy fry.

It is impossible to estimate the value of the work accomplished in
this direction. On all sides the Atlantic salmon is admitted to be
the most valuable food fish and the greatest game fish in existence,
and the Commissioners therefore will sjiarc no cttorts to incrcas *
their number in the Delaware.

Early in April the Commissioners having completed the hatching
station at Bristol and began operations in incubating shad eggs,
considering the difticulties they labored under, they consider that
their superintendent, Mr. Creveling. did remarkably well in hatching
5,950,000 young shad. In the beginning of his labors he relied chi-fly
(m the shore fisheries near the station, but met with two discourage-
ments. In the first place, he found comparatively few *'ripe" fish
and in the second, some of the fishermen exhibited a tendrncy
to make unwarranted and extortionate chaiges for the oggs. Snb
sequently Mr. Creveling sought other fisheries, where he found more
^'ripe" fisli and obtained belter ti'eatment. l^^nfortunatcly. the t\m
tance was so great that the greater part of his time was consumed
in traveling to and fro between the fisheri(»s and the hatchinu hou.«<«'.
thus limiting his ability to secure a larger number of eggs.

Next season the Commissioners hope to make sucli arrangements
that will completely overcome this trouble.

In the autumn of 1895 the Commissioners experienced some diit'i-
culty with fish basket men in the upper Delaware. Fortunately, the
trouble was of brief duration, but for a time serious resnlts to the
welfare of the river was threatened.

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

It appears that the New York Legish^lure at its session early in
1895, passed a law, the tenor of which permitted fish baskets to be
placed under certain conditions in the inland waters of that State.
As soon as the law became generally known, a number of residents
of New York about Mart Hope, Callicoon, Matamoias. Milford and
intervening points began the erection of fish baskets in the Delaware.

An immediate protest was made by the Pennsylviuiia Commis-
sioners to those of New Y'ork State, and they further raised the
point that the Delaware river was a boundary stream, and could
not be considered an inland water, and that the law therefore was
not operative.

The contention of the Pennsylvania Comniissioner.s was submitted
to the Attorney General of New York, and that official promptly sus
tained it. The New Y'ork Commissioners, therefore, ordered their
wardens to co-operate with those of Pennsylvania in destroying the
huge number of baskets which had been erected. Messrs. Miller
and Van Gorden were the Pennsylvania wardens, and these with their
assistants and the New Y'ork wardens tore out a large number.
Several of the men who erected the contrivances were arrested and
heavih' tined. The full particulars of this work will be found in
the reports of Wardens Miller and Van Gorden, which appear in
another part of the general report.

For the first time since its organization, the BojumI of Fish Com-
missioners have undertaken along with their report tiie publication
of the work of its wardens or water bailiffs. They were impelled to
take this action from two considerations. In Ihe first place, the
amount of work accomplished by these useful functinnaiies see'uis
to have been underrated and to some extent misunderstood by the
public and that it was only right that what they accomplished should
be brought to your Excellency's attention. In the second place,
the Commissioners believe that ]Miblishing the names of those ar-
rested and convicted of illegal fishing will have a tendency to deter
others from violating the laws. There are few men w ho care to hav(^
their names published as defendants in cases of misdemeanors, and
still few6'r who relish the publication of the punishments meted out
to them.

The Commissioners believe further that there are many persons
who violate the fish laws under the mistaken idea that it is rare
that any one is arrested and convicted for tlie offense, because they
seldcmi hear of such cases. It is hoped that the publication of the
wardens' reports will open their eyes to the serious error they make
in thus reasoning, and cause to reflect twice before running the risk
of themselves posing before a magistrate as law-breakers.

It had been the Commissioners' intention to present at this point
a summarv of the work of the wardens, but. unfortunately, some of

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

these subordinates misunderstood the instructions sent them, and
sent imperfect reports, and others had failed to keep accurate record
of their work for the year. This defect will be remedied in future
reports.

Little has been said in the past concerning tlie work performed
by the Commissioners in the Western part of Pennsylvania. The
task of placing the streams in this section in good condition has been
heavy and at times almost disheartening. There is a large foieign
element here, and this element has exhibited deep hostility towards
the work of the Commissioners, and open defiance against the fisli
laws.

Efforts to bring these miscreants to justice are thwarted in every
way. During the past few years many arrests have been made of
persons charged with illegal fishing, but it is rare that convictions
are secured against them. Generally, this is not from lack of evi
dence, but on account of alleged looseness in the fish laws, and some
times it is believed from overt and seemingly open sympathy with
the defendants on the part of some of the justices before whom the
cases are heard.

Looselv drawn fish laws are a misfortune, but it is a real dis
couragement when the Commissioners and their subordinates find
sympathy in.stead of justice given culprits by those who are pledged
to rigidly and impartially carry out the laws.

It is, however, a matter of gratification for the Commissioners to
be able to say that it is rare to find native born men whi> are per-
sistent violators of the fish laws. These almost without exception
observe the spirit of the statutes. It is the foreign-born element
which explode dynamite in the streams and use other ilh^gal methods
for taking fish.

Notwithstanding the many drawbacks and discouraj^'ements which
the Commissioners have experienced, they have kept steadily at
work, and by so doing have achieved a few suc(<'sses which under
the circumstances are both surprising and gratifying.

One of the successes achieved has been the introduction of wall
eyed pilv<' or Susciuehanna saluKm into the Monongahela rivei'. This
fine food fish, sometimes called pike-perch or jack salmon, were
]dant«Hi in tlie river south of Pittsburg a few years ago, and large
numbers .Mre now caught averaging two pounds each.

The Monongahela ofl'ers many advantages for the successful re;ir
ing of some of our most valuable food fishes if they were afforded
proper protection by the passage of more stringent laws which could
be surely carried out. From Pittsburg to Morgantown, W. Va.,
a distance of 122 miles, the river is slack watered, and locks are now^
under construction which will slack water it to Fairmount, W. Va..
about 14fi miles awav. Wliilo th<' Monongahela is dammed in many

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

places, yet tin- arrangements are such that there are no serious
obstacles to the passage of tisli up and down stream. The passage
ways are through the locks, which are in use from nine to ten months
in the year.

Not only are the pike-perch doing well in the Monongahela. but
white bass are on the increase, and large catfish are abundant. This
last fish is greatly esteemed by the foreigners who mine coal along
the river from Pittsburg to its source.

It is along the Monongahela that the Commissioners experienc*'
the greatest difficulty with the fish law breakers. They have to
contend with the set line, seine and with dynamite ail the yeai-
round. That the Commissioners have succeeded in firmly establi^ii
ing the pike-perch in this river in spite of these illegal devices, is
evidence of the splendid qualities of the waters, and a fine lesson as
to what could be done in the way of umking a magnificent fishing
stream of it, if the law breaker.s were suppressed. If the Commis-
sioners can clear the river of this class of men, and place the river
in the position which it ought to occupy, it would be a sportsmen's
j)aradise, especially along its upper reaches, where the scenery
closely resembles the upper Hudson.

The Commissioners regret to report that with the exception of
the success with pike-perch on the Monongahela, as just noticed, they
have been able to make little or no headway in the other large
streams in Western Pennsylvania, and in some instances on account
of the loosely draw n laws, the indifference and even antagonism of
some of the minor judiciary, and selfish corporate interests, the fish
are rapidly becoming exterminated.

The following are some of these streams and their present condi-
tion:

The Youghiogheny — This river is not now navigable, but naturally
it is in every way adapted to the successful increase of black bass.
A few years ago this fine table and game fish was abundant in the
Youghiogheny, and fine catches were of ordinary occurrence. But
the set-line, the seine, dynamite and coal mine water have done their
fatal work, and almost entirely depleted this noble stream, not only
of black bass, but of all other kinds of fish.

The Castlenian is an attractive tributary of the Youghiogheny.
It is a rapid flowing stream, its waters dashing and hurrying through
a. wild country. Like the Youghiogheny. the Castlenian was once
a fine black bass stream, but its glory, too, has departed. The same
sinister influences have been brought into play witli th«' inevitable
results.

One of the most distressing examples of the combined evil influ-
ences of illegal fishing and pollution is the Allegheny river. The
water of this noble stream was at one time of great purity, and the

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

so-called white perch were found there in great abundance. The
purity of the stream is now, however, a thing of the past. Oil and
vitriol works along the banks cast their refuse and injurious ma-
terials into the river; every method of illegal fishing is carried on, in
spite of the etforts of the Commissioners. The utmost that the latter
can accomplish is to destroy set-lines, baskets and seines whenever
come upon, and enter civil suits against the owners.

The Kiskaminitas empties into the Allegheny opposite the town of
Preeport, about 40 mile.*< north of Pittsburg. Years ago it was a
fine fishing river, but within a comparatively recent date it has
become polluted to such an extent that it is almost worthless as an
angling stream. The Kiskaminitas has received considerable at-
tention from the Commissioners, with the object of getting rid of the
objectionable features and restoring its one-time reputation as a
fishing stream, but they are driven to the conclusion that under the
present lax laws, and those which protect corporate interests, as
against the good of the whole community, there is little use in pro-
ceeding farther.

Beaver and I^awrence rivers are in fair shape for the angler.
There is along these streams a better sentiment with regard to fish
protection, and some little can therefore be done in the way of stock-
ing, but they are not wholly free from fish pirates. There is a large
foreign element near these rivers, and in spite of unceasing vigi-
lance, they commit many depredations, especially on Sundays.

The Shenango creek is still a fairly good stream for bass and pike,
but, like all the other streams in Western Pennsylvania, it suffers
somewhat from many law-breakers.

Although all the efforts of the Commissioners to work a better
condition of affairs in the larger streams of Western Pennsylvania
have not been utter failure, and while there have been certain con
spicuous successes, notably the introduction of pike-perch in the
Monongahela, the results as a whole are such as to render the sub .
ject rather a disagreeable one. The Commissioners, however, feil
it their duty to lay the facts before your Excellency, and ask yon
to recommend proper remedial legislation.

In the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and in portions of the middle
of the State, where the sentiment in favor of fish protection is
strong; where the powerful aid of sportsmen's associations and of
the newspapers are given the movement; where the sheriffs are ener
getic in destroying illegal devices, and where the magistrates as
a rule employ the spirit of the fish laws rather than the strict word-
ing in dealing with violators brought before them, it is possible to
accomplish wonderful work towards bringing the streams to their
one-time fullness of fish life, ;ind the looseness of inanv of th<' acts

RKPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

of the legislature relating to fish matters are uot so noticeable. But
in Western Pennsylvania, where the (\)iun»issioners Itave to battle
alone, with scarcely any resources, the inachMpiacy of tlu' fisli 1 iws
are painfully apparent.

The work along the Susquehanna river during tlu* past year lias
been far more satisfactory, althougli there is still much to be done
before this fine river will be fully restored to its former position as a
fishing stream. As will be seen by a reference to tlie wardens' and
sheritts' reports, an unusually large number of ftsli baskeis have b 't n
destroyed, and many of their owners arrested and fined. That these
fish baskets have not been almost entirely eliminated fi(»m the Sus-
quehanna and its tributaries is due largely to the favorable condi-
tions which the river presenis to the fish pirates for carrying on their
nefarious work with greater or less impunity. Tin* vast number (»f
islands and huge boulders, the great width of the stream, and its
many shallows render perfect supervision almost impossible with
the small force of wardens and sheriffs which the Commissioners can

command.

The sentiment of the people along tiie Susquehanna and its tribn
taries in favor of an observance of the fish laws seems to be steadily
growing, although it is by no means as strong or as universal as the
(Commissioners would like.

One cause for some dissatisfaction which undoubtedly exists in
many quarters among the residents of the Susquehanna river over
the enforcement of the fish laws is the failure of Maryland to take
any final action towards abolishing pound nets in the shallows of
Chesapeake bay, and the prohibition of fish baskets, s-t-lines an4
fyke nets in that portion of the Susquehanna river which flows
through its territory. They argue that since Maryland permits tl.'e
use of all these devices, it is a hardship on the Pennsylvania fisher-
men to r( fuse tliem the pi-ivilege of catching fish in any manner they

choose.

The Commissioners, while they cannot recognize this plea on the
ground that "two wi'ongs do not make a right," feel that the Sus
quehanna river fishermen within the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania
have a real grievance on account of the failure of Maryland to do its
part towards making the stream one of the greatest in tlie world
for fish, as it should be from the natural character of its water,
from its many natural advantages and from its environments.

There is scarcely a fish valuable for food ])urposes which thrives
in river water, except it be the true salmon, that cannot b^ made
to increase witli marvelous rapidity in its waters. Experiments
have been made with the Pacific srlmon, but the results were abso-
lutely nil. Thus, there seems no present ground for belief that its
eastern cousin, the Atlantic salmon, could be suc<-e-Jsfully intro

No. IS.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

duced. otherwise there appears to be no limit to the hopes which
might be held out for the future of the Susquehanna, if it could be
kept as free from fish nmurauders as, for example, the Delaware is.

Many years ago the Susquehanna was the mightiest shad river in
the country. Its vast supply of this superb table fish attracted even
(Connecticut settlers away from the stream of that name, which also
had a great reputation as a shad river. For many years the catch
of shad from the Susquehanna far exceeded that from the Delaware
and that it is not so any longer is due almost wholly to the p:'r-
sistent use of fish baskets.

The Columbia dam also operated somewhat against the shad
industry above that obstruction. Several fish ways of the Rogers
pattern were placed in this dam, and they allowed the passage of
shad to some extent, although they did not afl'ord entire satisfaction,
since for some unexplained cause, they are not now in the direct
( hannels of the river as they should have been, and it was impossible
subsequently to put them where they should be without the ex
penditure of a large sum of money, much more than was available by
the Commissioners.

Last spring and the spring before the dam was ba<lly broken bj
the floating ice, and the breaks were not repaired. As a conse-
cpience, for the first time in many years, there was a large catch of
shad far up the river, for the breaks were so large that the shad
had a free passage on their way up from the sea to their natural
spawning grounds.

As on the Delaware, so on the Susqu<-hanna, the shad season wai
a phenonnmally large one for that section; that it did not yield even
larger returns was wholly because of the reckless disregard of tlie
wholesome laws which are enacted for the preservation of this

splendid food fish.

The sportsmen anglers had an unprecedently fine season on the
Susquehanna. For three or four years past the weather conditions
were very unfavorable for black bass fishing, the waters for the m;ist
part were either too high or too low, too muddy or too clear; but
this year nature was propitious. Very large catches of black b -ss
were made along the whole length of the Susquehanna and its tribu
taries, showing that this great stream still continues to be the lead-
ing one for this great game fish in the State.

Last autunurs returns of ])ike-perch fishing were also very large,
and the prospects for even a better season this year are very bright.

Rock bass and strawberry bass are Jilso very abundant.

Last spring the Commissioners, through Dr. Dale, one of its in«Mi»
bers, dei)osited a large number of mascallange in the Susqui'hanna,
and if this great fish of the more northern wateis succeed, another

REPORT OF THf:

Off. Doc.

element of sport will be added to the already long list for the pleas-
ure of the angler.

Reverting to the grievance which the Susquehanna river fisher-
men feel they have, on account of Maryland permitting the use of
unduly deadly methods of catching fish from that portion of the
stream over which it claims exclusive jurisdiction, the Commission-
ers of Pennsylvania several years ago began to make vigorous efforts
to induce Maryland to take some action which would declare fish
baskets and pound nets unlawful, and adopt measures to enforce
penalties against persons who used them. Several Legislatures re-
fused absolutely to interfere or even consider the question.

Finally, last winter, through the etforts of the Hon. J. J. Sudler,
then one of the Commissioners of Fisheries for Maryland, Ijhe joint
Legislative Committee on the Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries
were induced to consider the question. A day was fixed for a hear-
ing of the whole matter, and the Commissioners of Pennsylvania
were invited to be present, either themselves or through a represen
tative, and present the case of Pennsylvania and the claims of the
Pennsvlvania fishermen.

The Commissioners chose Messrs. Henry C. Ford, H. C Demuth
and Dr. J. A. Dale. When the time came for the liearing, however,
Mr. Ford and Mr. Demuth were both very ill, and Dr. Dale was kept
home through urgent business. They therefore sent Mr. William E.
Meehan, of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, a gentleman well ac-
quainted with the subject, as their representative.

Mr. Meehan met the committee at the appointed time at the House
of Delegates, in Annapolis, and made an earnest plea for the enact-
ment of such laws as would eliminate the fish baskets from the Sus
quehanna river in Maryland, and pound nets from the Chesapeake
bay. He presented facts and figures which proved the destructive
character of these two devices, and contrasted the rapidly growing
commercial value of the Delaware river fisheries with the steadily
declining industry in the Susquehanna.

At the conclusion of Mr. Meehan's remarks the Committee on
Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries unanimously decided to formu
late bills in accordance with the views taken by the Pennsylvania
Commissioners, and endeavor to have them passed by the Legisla
ture. Bills, the Commissioners were assured, were actually drawn
and introduced, but, unfortunately, it is reported the Legislature ad
journed sine die without taking final action on them.

While, therefore, there seems to have been no legislation enacted
to check or abolish the use of fish baskets in the Susquehanna river
and pound nets in the Chesapeake bay within the Maryland State
line, the Commissioners of Pennsylvania feel when the past history
of theii- <'tT(>rts are reviewed that a distinct advance was mad(».

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSION KKS

They obtained at least a hearing and secured the promises of united
support of the Committee on Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries.
This is far more than was ever before accomplished, and they feel
encouraged to continue their work and have strong hopes of ultimate
success.

At the last session of the Legislature, a bill was prepared and
introduced at the instance of the Fish Commissioners to permit the
use by fishermen of a contrivance known as an eel-pot. This is a
device which can catch eels only, and the law to permit its use was
to meet the plea of those who professed a desire to use fish wiers
only for the purpose of catching this particular species of fish. The
eel-pot is a cylindrical vessel of wire or wicker work having a small
round hole in one end large enough only to admit the passage of a
large eel. For use it is baited with offal of meat and set in such
parts of a stream as eels usually frequent. It has been used in
other States with deadly effect, and was known by the Commission
ers to be a device which would meet all the requirements of those
who wish to capture eels for their own or the market consumption.

Unfortunately, many persons along the Susquehanna did not
understand the meaning of the new law. They thought eel-pots and
eel- walls were one and the same thing. ICven some of the country
newspapers misinterpreted the act, and announced in their columns
that eel-walls could be erected. Many j)eople, therefore, began to
erect this device in the river, under the imjiression that they were
eommitting no offense against the law, and for a time the fish
wardens and sheriffs were kept busy, not only tearing them down,
but in explaining what eel-pots really are. Many of the fishermen
are making use of the eel-pot, and the device seems to give general
satisfaction.

The Commissioners feel that as a whole they have every reason
to be satisfied and even gratified with the efficient work performed
by the fish wardens or water bailiffs. As a rule, they are very at-
tentive to and zealous in the performance of their duties. The
smallness of the appropriation for their maintenance of the force,
however, renders it impossible for the Commissioners to command
the entire time of the members. The amount appropriated is suffi
cient only to pay them annually a sum which they should receive
monthly. Thus, while the wardens are diligent in following up re-
ported violations of the law, and even to a considerable extent in
doing patrol duty, it is impossible that they can render the same
service as a guardian of the peace who is paid living wages.

If the Commissioners could i)ay the fish wardens a salary which
would permit the coiiinianding of their whole time, a vast amount of
illegal fishing which now goes unchecked would soon Itc j>nt an
end to.

RKPOHT OF THE

( MT, I)').-

New .lersev pays ^^ach of its wardens in the neijjhboi-lioiMl of |60 >
;i year. New York is equally liberal, but tho appropriation of P.mui
sx'lvania only allows each warden in the State as a rule but $5(» a yai .
Even if the work of fish culture in the great Keystone State was of an
inferior charact«'r or far behind the two Slates named, this great
discrepancy in salaries would be unjust, but it becomes a reproach
in view of the admitted fact that Pennsylvania ranks among the
foremost States in the Union in this particular.

If the wardens were paid a salary commensuiate with their ser-
vices, the Commissioners could use them also to greater advantage
in many instances. Commanding their whoh^ time, thvv could be
massed in particular spots when needed without other expense
ihan mileage and keep, and do effective service in suppressing ilhgal .
fishing where one warden wiuild be helpless.

The Commissioners have dwelt upon this subject at h-ngtli bfcausc
the present appropriation is so utterly inadequate lo the meet she
needs, and because a marked increase in the sum awar«led is so vital
to the interests of fish protection.

If it were not for the assistance which the law requires the sheiiffs
of the different counties to render, the Commissioners would find it
still more difficult to make a creditable showing annually with re-
spect to clearing out fish baskets and other illegal contrivances from
the rivers, streams and lakes of the State.

Under an act of 1871, the sheriff of a county is required, on re
ceiving notice that fish baskets and walls exist within his juris
diction, to issue a proclamation ordering their prompt removal, and
if this is not done at the expiration of ten days, to tear them out
himself or to do so through his deputies.

There have been and are a few sheriffs who do not faithfully obey
the mandates of this act, and many more who do not act unless a
eitizen makes a specific call for the performance of it. But it is a
pleasure to record the fact that a number are zealous in the work
and cheerfully aid the Commissioners all they can.

With each recurring year the Commissioners make strong protest
against the extent to which the streams of the State are polluted.
The culm and stilphur water of coal mines, tlie refuse of tanneries
and chemical works, saw dust from saw mills, and deleterious ma-
terial of all kinds are emptied into our rivers and streams with im-
punity. Attempts at legislation which will deal severely with this
crying evil have vainly been made, for selfish corporate interests
have been hitherto too powerful.

Warden Moyer, of Renovo. in liis rejxjrt. says in effect that the
saw mills and tanneries slaughter far ukum- fisii than the pot hunters.
There is not a particle of exaggeration in this statement or charge.

No. »^.

FISH COMMISSIONKKS.

.Vgainst saw dust, tannic acid, ehemicals, culm, sulphur water and
th^ like, the Commissioners are absolutely helpless. In water
Iieavily impregnated with any one of these materials no fish can live.
Hundreds of streams in which a few years ago there were bountiful
supplies of valuable food fish, there are to-day absolutely no fish lite
at all. Once pure, sparkling streams are now foul to the smell, of-
fensive to the eye, injurious to the health and generally prejudicial
to the public welfare.

The question of water pollution has become a serious on *, in which
the interests of a number of individuals and corporations are in-
volved on the oiw hand and the remainder of the people of the (Com-
monwealth, on the other. The efforts of the Fish Commissioners to
prevent further pollution of the streams deserve united support from
all quarters, if only for the reason that water which will not support
fish life is unfit for domestic purposes, and there are very few streams
in the State the waters of which are not used directly or indirectly
for drinking or household functions.

Fish Warden Houswerth, in his last report to the Commissioners,
.says: "It may seem perhaps surprising, but it is nevertheless true,
that the illegal fishing done even by pirates, in this stretch of the
Susquehanna (Northumberland and Snyder), it to a very great <legre •
encouraged by the masses generally, because, as they say, the fish
might as well be caught alive by the pirates, as to be killed by thou
.sands by the sulphur water which now colors and pollutes the once
pure waters of the Susquehanna. Tlu'y argue that there should be
plain legislative enactments to modify this state of affairs, and that
then reasonable fish protection would easily follow. It ha« tieen
decided bv the lion, James A. Stranahan. Deputv Attorney (jleneral.
under date of July 14th, 1892, 'that the Board of Fishery Commis
sioners have no power to take measures to restrict coal operators in
their opcnations. and that no authority has been conferrea upon the
Board to take such action.' This decision seems to them to be ton
discriminating, and they are of the opinion that the Lt^gislature
should remedy the defect."

Here is a forcible and clearly presented result of the evil of water
pollution. Fish are not only killed by the millions by polluting
material, but its unchecked presence actually incites otherwise law
abiding citizens to express sympathy with and give countenance to
fish pirates and law-breakers.

Fortunately, if Deputy Attorney General Stranahan's opinion ties
the hands of the Commissioners of Fisheries, there are individuals
and other bodies who are not so handicapped, and within the past
year there are multiplying evidences that these will be ]»owerfnl
enough to check if not entirely stamp out the evil of water polhi

RKPOKT OF THK

Off. Do

rion Two of these aie the Corporation of the Bomugh of Port
Carbon et al. against Coal and Coal Washing Companies, and the
Citv of Philadelphia against a number of Coal Companies.

The first action was brought by the borough of Port Carbon in
1892 a-ainst the defendants for allowing coal dirt and other refuse
to flow" into Mill creek, a stream flowing through the borough, to
such an extent that the channel rapidly filled and choked up the
culverts. The case was given into the hands of a maSte*-, h. D.
Smith, Esq., and retently he tiled his report to the court of common
pleas of Schuvlkill county, with the recommendation tiiat the de-
fendants be i^^rpetually restrained from discharging into the Mill
creek, or from permitting to escape into the stream, any coa dirt,
culm or muck, water or otlier refuse from the washings of coal dirt,
and from polluting llie waters of said Mill creek.

The second case has not yet come to trial, but the facts m couner
tion therewith are these: The city of Philadelphia obtains almost its
entire supply of water for drinking and domestic purposes from the
Schuylkill rivei-. For vears after every heavy rain storm, and after
the spring thaws have set in, the water becomes black as ink and
unfit for use through the impregnation of culm and coal dirt. The
storage basins were insufficient for proper subsidence and the people
at last arose in wordy revolt. On the 0th of last January, city
...uncils, through a resolution, requested the city solicitor to render
an opinion whether there were any legal remedies by which the coal
mining companies could be restrained from running culm and other
impurities into the Schuvlkill and streams tributary to it, or from
p.^rmitting washings from the culm banks from flowing therein. The
<.pinion was rendered promptly. It declared positively that the
law was clear and decided against such pra<-tices, and that the city
of Philadelphia had a good legal case.

Thereupon a resolution was introduced and unanimously adopted
directing the city solicitor to prepare a bill and begin proceedings
in equitv against the coal companies and operators.

TTie bill has been prepared and the case set down for trial at an
cirlv date The outcome will be looked for anxiously by all those
who advocate the maintenance of the purity of the water supply,
both for drinking and domestic purposes and by those wh<» earnestly
desire the furtherance of the work of fish culture and fish protection.
The Commissioners cannot close their re]»ort without expressing
their sense of their appreciation of the hearty and effective assistance
rendered bv Mr. ^yillian. E. Meehan, one of the associate editors of
the ''Public Ledger" of Philadelphia. Devoted to the work of the
Commissioners, he has given n.ucl. of his si)are time to the cause,
and has ahvavs been ready to a.ssist the l^oard in its de.ail work.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

He acted as the Com.nissioners' amanuensis in th<* preparation ot
this report and much of the labor of preparing the entire volume was
cheerfully undertaken by him.

The Commissioners wish also to express their thanks to the rail
road companies and all who have in any manner assisted in fish
protective work. Without the aid of friends, the task of the Com
missioners would be h(»avy indeed.

S. R STILLWELL.
H. C. DEMUTH,
JAS. A. DALE,
D. P. r^ORWIN.
JAS. W. CORRELL
LOT^TS STRETTRRK

HEPORT OF THE

Off. Doc .

ERIE HATCHERY.

From an architectural standpoint the Erie hatcherj is the hand-
somest of the stations under the control of the Pennsylvania Board
of Fish Commissioners. It is a story and a half frame building
fronting thirty feet on Sassafras street and about fifty on Second
street in the city of Erie. From the outside there is nothing to indi-
cate the character of the work carried on within except perhaps it
is a weather vane, cut in the form of a fish which surmounts the
roof. Indeed the lines of the structure are so drawn that they give
the impression that it is rather the residence of a man of more than
moderate means than of a place in which to incubate fish eggs.

It is at the Erie station that the white fish and lake herring eggs
are all taken care of and hatched, and nearly all the pike-perch eggs
are cared for. They are incubated in jars of the McDonald pattern,
each of which has"^ a capacity of 150,000 white fish eggs without

crowding.

Mr. William Duller, the efficient superintendent of the Western
station at Corry, is in charge at this station, the chief work of which
is carried on between October and May.

ERIE HATCHERY.

X
>

n
X
X
jc

O
73

1:KIK lIATCHliKV

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Wall Eyed Pike Distributed to June 1, 1896.

Date.

1896.
May U.
U,
8,

8.
8.
8.
8.
8.
8.

fi,

6,
11.
11.

4.
11.
11.
11.

11.

• 11,

Name.

Postofflce Addreu.

H. J. Hays. ...
C. J. Moeeta. .
Wm. Kane

B. Ackley

M. Condon .

J. Condon

S. Sullivan

M. Stock,

Carbon Co. Q. & F. P.

Association

Carbon Co G, & F. P.

AssoclPtlon

J. W. Crlder

E, T. Lashella

W. Q. Sargeant,

C. Blystone

Chas. Fahr

E. W. Schmidt

C. O. Bundy.

I. Chatham

M. Moore,

R. Emerlck,

J. N. Zuber

J. O. Christ

O. L. Morlock

H. B. Geary

J. GrafHus

M. Fredericks

A. Lechmaeler

"W. O. Smith

H. A. Swpney .

Geo. Nattress

Geo, Nattress

E. Butterworth

J. W. Phillips. M. D.,

A. F. Given

H. E. PredanvUle

D. J, Shertzer

J. A. Shrlver

Klttanning. Armstrong county, . .
Kittannlng, Armstrong county,

Ulster. Bradford county

Macedonia, Bradford county,

Towanda, Bradford county

Towanda. Bradford county, , ,.
Wyalusing, Bradford county, ....
Wyaluslng. Bradford county. ...

Mauch Chunk, Carbon county, ...

Mauch Chunk, Carbon county

Conneautville. Crawford county,.

Meadvllle, Crawford county

MeadvlUe. Crawford county

Meadvllle, Crawford county

Cambrldgeboro, Crawford county,
Farrandsvllle. Clinton county, ...
Farrandsville, Clinton county. ...

I..ock Haven, Clinton county,

Lock Haven, Clinton county

Lock Haven. Clinton county

Lock Haven, Clinton county

I-.ock Haven, Clinton county

Lock Haven. Clinton county

Ix»ck Haven, Clinton county

New Cumberland, "umb^rl'd co.,
Curwensvllle. Clet: field county...
Cur\Nen8\il!e, Clearflold county,..
Clifton Heights, Delawarf county,
I'llfton Heights, Delaware county.
Clifton Heiphts. Delaware county,
Clifton Heights. Delaware county,
Clifton Heights, Delaware county.
Clifton Heights, Delaware county,
CHfton Heights, Delaware county,
Derry Church. Dauphin county.
Derry Chnrch. Dauphin county,

Xo.sbipped.

90,000
90,000
90.000
90,000

30.000
90,009
90.000
90,000

18S.O00

90.000
90.000
90.000
90.000
90,000
90.000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90.000
90,000
90.000
90,000
90,000

90,000

I
90,000 I

90,000 {

90.0i)0

PO 000 ;

90,000 '
90.000

pn 000
90,000
90,000 ,
90.000 '
90.000 I

90,000 I

90,000 ]
)
90.000

Total

8-18-96

REPORT OF THE

Wall Eyed. Pike— Gonimued.

Off. Doc.

Date.

1896.
May U,

n.
11.
n,
11.
11.
11.
u.
11.
11.

8.
13.
13.
13.
11.

8,
8.
8.

5.
5.
6.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

C. H. McGrew. Harrisburs, Dauphin county.

H. F. Quickel. Harrlsbuig. Dauphin county.

C. M.. AIcNaughiuii, Harrisbui-g, Dauphin county.

Ed. S. Herman,
Fred. \V. Kbei,
Fred. \V. Ebel,
Fred. \V. Ebel,
Fred. W. Ebel,
Fred. W. Ebel.
Fred. W. Kbel,
A. H. King. ....

\V. McKay

K. S. Church,
G. H. li. Treat,

7,
7.
7.
7.
7,
7.
7.
11,

Harrisburg, Dauphin county

Harrlsburg, Dauphin county

Harrisburg. Dauphin county

Harrisburg, Dauphin county

Er;»\ Erie cuuniy

Waterlord, Erie county

Union City. Erie county

Union City, Erie county

L. WilBon Union City, Erie count\

C. Vuniv, Edlnboro, Erie county

C. Vunu Edinboro, Erie county

C. \ unk Edlnboro, Brie county

J. W. McNaughi Thompsontown, .luniata founty.

A. B. McNaught, Thompsontown. .luniaa county.

E. W. Garrison Shickshlnny, Luzorne county

S. B. Adklnn, J P Shlckshinny, Luzerne county

W. A. Campbell, Shickshlnny, Luzerne county

E. S. Hull Montgomery. Lycoming county,..

J. L. Miller Montgomery, Lycoming ounty...

W. P. Partridge Myerstown. Lebanon county

W. H. Van Gorder New Castle, Lawrence coimty, ..

fl. WoodF Newcastle, Lawrence ctmty. ..

J. Johnston New Castle, Lawrence county. ..

F. Nldhun Newcastle. La wronce county, ..

H. G. Unger Norristown, Mftnteromery county.

C. H. Fisher Norristown. Montgomery county,

G. A. Stomnietz Norristown, Montgomery county.

H. M. Krausor Norristown. Montpomery cotmty.

A. Craft Norristown. Montgomery county,

L. B. Roycr Norristown. Montgomery county,

W. H. Reed Norristown, Montcomery county,

Q. M. Carl, Norristown, Montgomery ccunty.

C. Summera. Frankfort , Montgomery county, ..

8. Sterett Lllleyville. Mifflin county

No. shipped.

»0,000
90,000
90,000
90,000
'.•O.Oi.iO
90.000
90,00<)
90,000
90,00U
90.000
JTO.OOO
90.000
90,000
90,000
90,000

;to.ooo

90.000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90.000
90,000
90,000
90.000
90.000
90.000
90.000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90.000
90,000
Uti.OOO
90 000
90.000
90.000
90,000
90.000
9^.000
B«,000

Total.

No. 18.

FISH CCnVlAliSSIONERS.

IVall Eyed Pike — Continued.

Date.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

189C.
May 11.

11,
H.
11.
U.
11.
11,
11.
S,

7.
11.

H. Miller

W. McCjy

F. McCoy

W. Uubel

O. Chesney, .

J. Dlpp-Jl,

J. Stnitli

D. Mulht-i.-l.uiiKh

i?\ Mllcr

W. B. Pliiiil

J. T. 31 ill

F. W. Hill

H. S. ahrcm

J. T. Bhilr

T. C. Helnen

W. W. Larrabee

Wm. Roush

H. H. Schock .

G. S. Davis

A. Ilassinger

K. Wolfe,

W. E. Smith

Lewlsburg R. & G club,..
Lewisburg R, & .'5 club,..
Lewlsburg R. 1 G club. .
Lewisburg R. & G club,..

C. L. Fry

A. Follmer

T. D. Baker

H. W. Sweeney

J. H. ForbuBh. ..

J. H. Forbush

H. L. McVeagh

.1. H. Crum

C. E. Balr

W. B. Blaney

T. B. Gavin. ...

J. 8. Klein.

Maitland, Mllllin county,

Granville. MiHiiu county

Griinvllle, Mllllin county

Lewistown. Miilliu county,

Lewibtown, MiiUin county,

Lewistown, Mllllin couuty

Lcwlbtown, Mllllin county

LewlBtown. Millliii county

Danville, Montuur cuunty,

JamcsLuwn, Mercer county

Greenville, Meicer county

Greenville, Mercer county

Greenville. Mercer county,

Milton, Northumberland county.
Jackson, Susquehanna county, ..

Sellnsgrove. Snyder county,

Sellnsgrove, Snyder county

Sellnsgrove. Snyder county

Beavertown, Snyder county

Mlllmont, Union county

Mlllmont. Un:on county,

Lewisburg, Union county

Lewisburg, Union county,

Lewiaburg. Union county

Lewisburg, Union county

Oil City. Venango county

Oil City, Venango county

Oil City, \^enango cotmty

Oil City, Venango county

Oil City. Venango county

Oil City, Venango county

No.shlpped. Total.

90,000
UO.OOO

yo.ooo

;)O.OUU
90,000
90.000

uo.ooo

jy.OOO
tfu.OOO
JO.OuO
9J.O0O

uo.uoo

90.000

90,000

90.000

10,000

90,000

UO.OUO

90,000

UO.OOO

90,(M)0

90.000

90,000

ItO.OOO

'.tO.OAO

90.00tt

90,000

RKPOKT OF THE

Off. Doc.

H^'all Eyed /'iAje— Continued.

Iniie.

1896.
May 9,

11,

8.
8.
8.

U,
11,

11.

8.
8,
8,
8,
U.

>iame.

T, M. blatk\vt;ll. ...
OU City }3oat 'J'.ub,
Oil City Boat t'lub.

Poetolhce Address.

Oil City. Venango county,
Oil City, Venango county,
Oil City, Veuango county.

No.ehipped. ToUl

J. HlggiuB Franklin, Venango county,

J. K. Deeis, Franklin, Venango county

M. H. Waters, Wanen, Warren county

1.. M. RiddeispHrgc:-, • Warren, Warren county

Q. A. W. DeForest. Warren, Warren cuunty,

J. ii. Ahet-ler Warren, Warren county

W. B. Weefl Warren, Warren county

J. H. Fu-3lUiart Warren. Warren county,

J. AtUlnson, ' Hawley. Wayne county

E. L. SchlaMt-r. Hawley, Wayne county,

J. Brink Dunmore, Wayne county

J. frlnk. I Dunmore. Wayne county

Jno. McCao- i Meshoppen. Wyoming county. ..

P. Boyce, Tunkhannock. Wyoming county.

S. Evans, Falls, Wyoming county

L. Chase Factoryvllle, Wyoming .ounty,,

; Chfts. Shriner. Paterson, New Jersey

90,000
90.000
90,000
1H),000
'jO.OOO
!K),000
00,000
iH),(MH)

ao.ooo

90,000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90,000
90,000 ,
900,000 i

18,8«0,000

25,

t9,

Apr. 2,

White Fish Planted in Lake Erie in 1896.

3,000.000
3,000,000
8,500,000
4.000,000
6,500,000
5,000.000
6,000,000

30.000,000

No. lb.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

oi
O

X
u

H
<

a£
H

WESTERN STATION.

The VVestein station at Cori.y is one of the two hatcheries of the
commissioners at which the work of hatching salmonoid fishes is
carried on. It is about two miles from the centre of the town of
Oorry, and nearly the whole area of the lot owned by the State is
gemmed with fine springs. The hatching house is a plain structure
but admirably designed for the work. It contains eighty-four hatch-
ing troughs and when run at its fullest capacity can accommodate
about 1,500,000 brook trout. This is less than one-half the number
which is demanded annually from the Corry hatchery for stockmg
the southern tier of the State, but it is the limit which can be turned
out. Indeed it is seldom that as many as a million and a half fry
can be accommodated. This number can only be turned out when
the winters are mild enough to permit the early shipment of fish.

On the grounds of the Corry hatchery are thirty-one ponds used
for retaining and caring for the breeding trout, and for the tem-
porary storage of black bass, rock bass, calico bass, white bass, yel-
low perch and sun fish caught in Lake Erie for distribution to ap-
plicants from all parts of the State.

It is proposed in the near future to establish here one or more
ponds for the natural spawning of black bass and rock bass, in
order to augment the supply of mature fish from Lake Erie. The
matter has not been done before only because of the smallness of the
appropriation and because of some minor difficulties of detail work
which have now been overcome.

N . . 1ft.

I- IS

■( i.\i:\iJ.Si-^i' 'N I :i;s

WE^^TEKX STATION.

The Westei-u statiou at ("oiiv is oue of the two liiilclieiies of the
commissioners at wliicli tlie work of hatcliiug salmoiiuid tislies is
carried ou. It is about iwu miles from liie ceutre of tlie town of
Corrv, and nearlv tlie whole area of the lot owned by the State is
gemmed wilu line springs. Tiie hatching house is a plain structure
but admirablv designed for the work. It contains eight \ -four hatch-
ing troughs and when run at its firUest capacity can accommodate
about 1,500,UU0 brook trout. This is less than one-half the number
which is demanded annually fi'um the Corry hatchery for stockmg
the southern tier uf ihe State, but it is the limit which can be turned
out. indeed it is seldom that as many as a million and a half fry
eaa be accommodated. This aumbei^ can oaly M t«Ptted oet when
the winter* &m mild eaoagb to permit tlie early shipment of fish.

Qu the grounds of the Corry hatchery are thirty-one ponds used
for retaining and caring for the breeding trout, and for the tem-
porary storage of black bass, rock bass, calico bass, white bass, yel-
low i^rch and sun fish catight in Lake Erte tor dittriteiitlon to ap-
{dicants from all parts of the State.

It is proposed in the near future to e«tabli^ ^m one or more
ponds for the natural spawning of black bass and rock bass, in
order to an-mcut the supply of mature tish from Lake T!rio. The
matter has not been done before only because of the smalluess of the
appropriation and because of some minor difficulties of detail work
which baTe now been overcome.

r INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

RKFOHT (»F THK

Off. Dui-

Hrook Trout Fry to June 1, 1896.

Date.

18!H>.
Apr. 2.

13.
13.
13,
13.
13,
13.
13.
13.

la.

13,
13.
13.
13,
29,
29,
May 2^,
25.
25,
36.

Aj.r. 3,

May 2K,

28.

AtT. 'ii.

2,
2.

Name.

Postollice Address.

2,
13.

ChaB. F. iilair Tyrone, lilair counly,

^ John I'Jrmlrf Aliuana, iilair cuuaiy

I .loJm l.loyd Altoona, lUair Cuuuty

T. H. Mailer Altooiui. Iilair ouuiUy,

J. H. I>OUtrherly Alto-ma, iilair dUiUy

A. 1.. Sijaiuiglf. .\J. I'.... Alti.uim. JJlair i.uiily.

A. L. S|.aJiagl. , M l» . Altuuiiu, Ulair cuunty

G. D. fi-»oR.s Altoona. Lilair <ounty

.1. H. Fislve Alio. ilia. Hlair county

T. L. AkeiH Altoona. iJlair county

J. H. Davison Altoona, iilair county

H. I!. Kantner Altoona, Blair county,

C. T. Wiiherovv Altoona, Blair county

VV. D. Canan Altoona, Blair county

\V. K. Bell Altoona, Blair county

\V. \V. Wilson Altoona, Hlair county

J. E. Bard Slippery Rock, Butltr county

I'rank C;utton Slippery Rock, Butler counl>

Geo. K. McAeloo Slippery Rock, Butler county

F. P. Eythe Slippery Hock, Butler county

J. A. Kelly Slippery Kock, Butler county

D. A. Oriswol.l West Leroy, Bradford county

H. \V. lio.iglan.l West Leroy, Bradford county

R. K. TillatP'iii West Leroy, Bradford county

K VV. fJriHwoM West i^eroy, Bradford county

E II. I'hoinas Canton, Bradford county

H. i;. Spalding Sayre, Bradford .oiinty

W. H. Conklin Myersburg, Bradford counly

J. Emery South Branch, Bradford county. . .

Sam. W. Lee Alliens. Bradford county

A. v.. Givler Pine Gmve Furnace. Cunibd ct.. ,

M. K. Park Westovet Clearileld county,

M E. Park Westovt-i . Clearfield county

H. Wilson Westover. Clearfield county

J. A. Rlshel Westover. •r'learfleld county

E. B. Thurston Westover, Clearfield county

Scott Wilson Westover, Cleariield counly

D. W. Foy Westover, Clearfield county,

D \V F'.y Westover Clearfield county

C. F. Sweeny Curuptisvillp. Plf-arflL-ld county, .

No. shipped.

1,500
1 . .Voo
1,jOO
1,500
1.500

i,r)00

1.500

1,5U0

1.500

1,500

1,600

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1 , tkjO

i.500

l.iOO

1.500

."l.OOU

1.600

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

I 500

Total.

So. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout Fry — Ooutiuued.

Date.

Name.

... . , r- ......

Postolfice Address.

No. shipped.

Total.

i.im:.
Apr. 13,
13.
13,

13,

C F. ti weeny

Curwensvlile, Clearfield county,..
CurwensvUle, Clearfield county,..
Curwensvlile, Clearfield county. . .
Curwensvlile, Clearfield county...

1.600
1.600

1.500
1,500

F. E. Hopkins

Dr. H. O. King

Will O Smith

13,
13.
13,
13.

7.
7,

7,
7.

H P. Kirk ! Curwensvlile. Clearfield county.

W. A. Sweeny | Curwensvlile, Clearfield county,

S. B. Smith | Clearfield. Clearfield county

J. C. Smith I Clearfield, Clearfield county,

Fred. Yentzer 'Emporium, Cameron county

Riley Warner Emporium, Cameron county

J. Kaye, Emporium, Cameron county

i
E. E. Forbes | Emporium. Cameron county

J. Howard i Emporium, Cameron county

Jas. Ljngle, , Emporium, Cameron county

J. W. Kaye 'Emporium. Cameron county.

l>r. R. P. Hellman Emporium, Cameron county

W. L. Thomas j Emporium, Camentn county

S. Parks ! Emporium, Camercjn county

M. M. Larrabee Emporium. Cameron county

Renry Auchu Emporium. Camemn county

H. A. Cox. Emporium, Cameron county

H. A Lloyd Emporium, Cameron county

^. Louck.«, ..
J. F. Parsons.

IT.
IT.
17.
17.
17.
\',.
17,
17.
17,

Emporium, Cameron county,.

Emporium. Caineron county..

J. D. I..oKan Emporium, Cameron county..

H. C. Fanestock Emporium. Cameron county,.

Thos. Gnllagher [Emporium. Cameron county. .

E. C. Davir^on , Emporium, Cameron county,.

F. W. Yentzor I Emporium, Cameron county,.

W. O. M.iukey Emporium, Cameron county..

Thos. Gallngher Emporium, Cameron cotmty, .

.T. F. Parsons I Emporium. Cameron county..,

Jno D. I>oKan Emporium. Cameron county..,

F. Edsall Emporium, Camemn county...

Chas. T. Lopan Emporium, Cameron county..,

A. F. Vogt Emporium, Cameron county,..

A. C. Blum Emporium, Cameron county. . .

Carl F. Mankey Emporium, Cameron county. . .

C. H. Sage. Jr Er.iporlnm. Cameron county...

D. W. Felt Emporium, Cameron county, . .

1.500
l.aOte
1,600
1.500
1.200

i.aoo
i.aoo
i,aoo

1,200
1.200

I.aoo

1,200

I.aoo

l.SOO

I.aoo

1.300
1,200
1.200
1,200

1.200
1.200

I.aoo

1.200
1,200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200

1 aoo

1.200
1.200
1,200
1.200
1,200
1,200

»•

UIJPORT OF TJIK

Brook Trout Fr^— Contmued.

Off. Doc.

L»ate.

Name.

Postuffice Address.

' lOini-oiium. Cameron co'.mty

Emporium, Cameiun cuui;iy

Cameron, Cameron county, ....

Cameron, Cameron county

Cameron. Cameron county, ....

Cameron, Cameron county

Liuckvvalter, Cameron county.

1S.J0.

Apr. 17. C. E. Cra.i.Ull

XI, F. Julian,

May Ti. H. H. Kephait.

27, J. A. Dice

27, ' J. A. Dice

27, C. H. Stewart. .

27, E. H. Gregory.

27. I J. G. Nyhort ' Ueechwood. Cameron county.

Mch.20. J. A. Wiiitney

20, T. G. McClausland,

20, H. Hysong

20, James How

20, Frank W. Hess. ..

20. F. G. Copolin

20, R. Custer

20. G. F. Dunkle,

D. W. 'Dunwiddie.
W. S. Harper. ..•
W. A. Burrer, . .

jj Q I^e,vls. PhlHpsburg, Centro county

Phlllpsburg, Centre county
I PhlHpsburg. Centre county

.N'o.sliipped.

S. M. Graham.

W. Flyal

Jno. R. Herd ! Philipsburg, Centre county

Wm Fravel i PhlHpsburg. Centre coumy,

Ptadt ' PhlHpsburg. Centre county,

... Philipsburg. Centre county,

20,
20.
20,

20,

20.

20,

20.

20, E. L. Augi

20, P. Jones

J. T. Hoover

W Stein

C. I> .\mmerman
.Tnn. .1. Orndorf*
.T. L. Kreamer.
S. P Kroamor,
G. W. T^ushman

.T. Rller.

S Harpor.

J. C. Dale

I'hilipsburg, Centre county.

fhiapsburg. Centre county,
i I'hllipsburg, Centre county,

Fhllipsburg, Centre county,
PhlHpsburg, Centre county,
PhiHpsburg, Centre cqunty,
Philipsburg, Centre county,
PhiHpsburg, Centre county.
Philipsburg, Centre county.
PhlHpsburg, Centre county,
Philipsburg, Centre county.

20,

20.

2fi.

2«.

2R.

26.

26. I D. T... r.artgpa.

26,
26
26.

O. R. PtoVLP.
T v.. T/^i-iFf
A W I'M.l

PhlHpsburg. Centre county.

PhlHpsburg. Centte county.

PhiHpsburg. Centre county

Woodward. Centre county.

Woodward, Centre county.

Centre Hall, Centre county.

Centre Hall. Centre county.

; Centre Hall. Centre county.

Centre Hall. Centre county.

Cobum. Centre county,

MiUliclm. r^ntrp <-nnnty
Mlllhehn, <vntre erainty

total.

1,200

1.2U0

I.OOj

1.500

l.&Ou

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500 '

1,500 ,

1.500 I

1,500 '

f.500

1.50l>

1,500

1.500

1,500

t^m

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

l.'-.OO

i.rM
i,.=wo

1.110
!.WI
l.bOn

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout i^ry— Continued.

Date.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

1896.
Mch.2<,
M.
Apr. 2,
2.
2,
2,
2,
2.
2.
2.
2.
2,
2.
13,
13.
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
29.
29,
29.
29,
20,
20.
29.
29.
29,
May 19,
19.
19,
19.
Apr. 2,
2.
2,
2.

C. H. Morris

J. F. Harter,

Jas. L. Neft

W. Weber

W. R. Gardner, .
C. M. Heisler,
J. W. Gunsellins,
a. W. Long, .

J. I. Delong,

J. A. Qulggle

Wm. Woodring.

J, Woodring,

A. Wuodring

H. L Harper

W. L. Harper

C. M. Hirllnger,

J. C. Harding

J. H. Harper,

C. B. French

C. H. Davis

S. S. Crissman,
A. M. Hasson. ...
G. E. Lamb,

A. J. Grelst

B. W. Shipley, ...

Geo. Lucas

H. E. Holtzworth.
P. J. ^7oDonneH, .

Riley Pratt

L, T. Munson

J. J. Walsh

F. Warfleld

E. I. Musser

O. L. Springer, ...
P. H. Musser

1 G. C. Watson

C. .T. Burggraf, ,
C. J. Burggraf. .

F. B. Thomas. ...
C. S. McKee

Millhelm, Centre county

MUlheim, Centre county, —

Roland. Centre county

Howard, Centre county

Bellefonte, Centre county, ...

Blanchard, Centre county

Blanchard, Centre county. ....

Blanchard, Centre county

Port Matilda. Centre county.
Port Matilda, Centre county.
Port Matilda. Centre county.
PhlHpsburg. Centre county. ..
PhlHpsburg, Centre county, ..
Philipsburg, Centre county. .
PhlHpsburg, Centre county. .
PhlHpsburg, Centre county, ..
PhlHpsburg, Centre county, .
PhlHpsburg, Centre county, .
Philipsburg. Centre county, .
PhlHpsburg. Centre county, .
Philipsburg. Centre county, .

Fleming. Centre county

Fleming, Centre county

Fleming, Centre . county

Fleming. Centr.? county

Bellefonte, Centre county. ..
Bellefonte, Centre county. ..
Bellefonte, Centre county, ..

MUlheim. Centre county

Millhelm, Centre county

Millhelm. Centre county

Millhelm, Centre county

Johnstown, Cambria county,
Johnstown. Cambria county.
Johnstown, Cambria county,
Johnstown, Cambria county.

No. shipped.

t.500
l.MK)
l.jQO
l.>00
I.jOO
1.500
1,500
1,300
1,500
fc 10

\.im

1.503

1,500

1,200

1.200

l.iiO

1 20C

l.'M

1,200

1.200

1,200

l.oOO

1.500

1 300

1.500

l,.-00

J.. -01

l.SnO

1 5W

1,:jOO

1.5»

1 o'X)

1 'm
i.wo

l.iOO

1.900

l.bOO

1.500

Total.

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Off. Doc.

Dat«.

Name.

Postolllce Address.

1886.

Apr. 'i,

'»

2,
3.

2.
2.
2,
2.

2.
2.

Mrli.l'J,

19,

19.

AlT. 1,

l»

Nu. shipped.

May IS.
18,
19.
19.

Apr. 7,
7.

T
I .

J. B. Slater Johnstown, Cambria county

.1. H. Schlthaufi, Johnstown, Cambria county

J. E. Hagey Johnstown, Cambria county

W. C. Shifter, Hastings, Cambria county,

J. C. Pattersi.n Hastings, rambrla county

R. F. Notley Hastings, t'ambrla county

H. L.. Van Dusen Hastings, Cambria county,

Jas. H. Allijort, Hastings, Cambria county

W. S. Davis, 13bensburg, Cambria county

Dr. T. M. Richards Ebensburg, Cambria county

R. D. Evans, Vetera. Cambria county

H. E. Patterson Vetera, Cambria county

E. C. Perchard Carroll, Clinton county

A. G. Man Carroll. Clinton county

D. G. Snyder Carroll, Clinton county

A. G. Man, Carroll, Clinton county

T. J. SoJieidt Locic Have». Clinton county

G. VV. Mason Lock Haven, Clinton county

Frank Hartman Lock Havon. Clinton county

B. C. Packer Lock Haven, Clinton county

J. Harris Mussina Lock Haven. Clinton county

B. E. Adams Lock Haven, Clinton county

T. li. Mann Lock Haven, Clinton county

T. M. Stevenson Lock Haven. Clmton county

T. M. Stevenson Lock Haven, Clinton county

T. M. Stevenson Lock Haven. Clinton county

E. C. Perchard Carroll. Clinton county

E. C. Perchard Carroll, Clinton coimty

E. C. Perchard Carroll, Clinton county

John StrecK Beech Creek. Clinton county

.Ino. Hunter Beech Creek, Clinton county

Knos Moyrr Renovo. Clinton county

Howard Terlry Gleasonton, Clinton county

How.nrd Ferloy Gleaaonton. Clinton county

S. '/. Martin Lock Haven. Clinton county

E. J. Israel Lock Haven. Clinton county. ...

P. W. Conrad Berwick, Columbia county

E. C. Teager Roaring Creek. Columbia county.

E. C. Teager Roaring Cre^k, Columbia county,

P. Jacoby Almedla. Columbia county

1.500
1,600
1,500
1.600
1,500
1,500

i,r.oo

1,500

1 . .ViO

1,500

1,600

1,500

1.500

1.600

1,500

1.500

1.200

1,200

1 , 2<M)

i.aoo

1,200

1 200

1,200

1.20O

1,500

1.500

3,000

1,.500

1,500

.",000

3.WJ0

1.200

1,200

lotal.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout i^ry— Continued.

Date.

1896.
Apr. 7,
7,
• .
7.
7.
7.

Name.

Fostofflce Address.

a. W. Kelchner Almedla, Columbia county,

J E. Boone Almedla, Coluoibia county,

J. J). Bodln*^. Catawisaa, Columbia county, —

A. H. Sharplea.s Catawlssa, Columbia county

C. Drumheller Catawlssa, Columbia county, —

J. It. Bibby Catawlssa, Columbia county

7 J. Kostenbader, Catawlssa. Columbia county

7 Geo. Hartman CaLawissa, Columbia county, ...

7 Wm. M. Geiger <.'atawissa, Columbia county, ...

May 16. C. W. Miller, IJlooraBburg, Columbia county, .

15 S. K. IJoonc. Almedla, Columbl.i ( uunty

15 T. E. Hanltr Catawlssa. <oluinbl.i county. ...

ir. H. M. GelLiigt-r, Catawlssa, Columbia county, ...

11 J Conner Orangeville, Columb.u county. .

J. D. Hcnrle Orangeville, Columbia county, .

W. A. Drake Titusvllle, Crawford county, ....

E. V. C. W heeler Titusvllle, Crawford county

J. L. Emerson Titusvllle, Crawford county

C. J. Andrews Titusvllle, Crawford county

U.S.
28,
Al.r- 10,
10.
10,
10,

C. J. Andrews Titusvllle, Crawford county, .

C J. Andrews Titusvllle, Crawford county, .

S. M. Johnson Meadvllle, Crawford county, .

A. L. Henderson .MeadviUe, Crawford county, .

E H Kidder .Meadvllle, Crawfuni county, .

E Huidekoper Meadvllle, Crawford county, ,

E. Huidekoper Meadvllle, Crawford county.

30 Geo. C. Fish McGlnnett, Crawford county,

10,
10.
16,
Ifi.
16,
10,
10.

30.

Geo. C. Fish McGlnnett, Crawford county.

No.shipped.

May 25. Emery Hall j Sprlngboro. Crawford county, ...

26, T. A. Hollenbeak | Sprlngboro. Crawford county, ...

26, M. E. McCullough i Sprlngboro, Crawford county, ...

25 T J Bentley i Sprlngboro, Crawford county. ...

26, P. Carpenter Guys Mills, Crawford county

26 Wash Terry Sugar Lake. Crawford county, ..

26 CO Bundy Cambridgeboro, Crawford county,

26 CO Bundy, Cambridgeboro, Crawford county, |

M Ic A liong Cochranton Crawford county. .,\

86 J K Roberts Cochranton Crawford county

2fi P. M. Whltllng.

Total.

. t

■ i.'hranton Crawford county.

1,200
1,200
1.200
1.200

1,200
1,200
1.200
1,200
1,^)0
1,600
1,500
1,600
1,600
I.SUO
1,500
l.DUO
1,500
1,600
' 1.600
1,500

1,500

1.500

1,600

1,500

1.500

1,500

1,600

l.tfOO

1,600

1,500

l.MO

1,600

REPORT OF THK

Brook Trout /V^/— Coutinued.

oft. JL>uc.

Date.

ibtfti.
May '£(>.

-a.

Apr. II, ,

17, i

17,

IT.

1..

IT.

17,

IT.

XT.

IT,

IT.

17.

23.

1^3,
■>•>

23,
i'i.
'£i.
■m.
'£i.
23,
•^.
23,
23.
29,
29.
29.
May 2,
S,
18.
18.
18.
18.
18.
18,
IS

Xanit:.

FostoHice Address.

lion. V\. H. Andiewti,
lljii. \V. 11. Andrews,..

C. li. i::arliy

Dr. F. G. Kailey

R. A. Park,

'Jituaville, Crawford couuiy,
■Jitutiv ille, Cruwt'urd county,

ludiiv\.ty. Elk couuiy,

liidBWuy, Elk couiili

iiidgway, Elk couniy,

H. A. FaiK Kidgvvay, Elk counly

K. A. Park ! Ridgway, Elk county •

K. A. i-arK Ridgway, Elk county

\V. J. fark Ridgway, Elk cuunty,

-Wm. Earl Ridgway, Elk county

Wm. Earl, Ridgway, Elk cuunty,

W. C. Heanian Ridgway, Elk couniv

Fred. Sclioemng, Ridgway, Elk county,

D. Lobaugh Ridgway, Elk county

^. M. Ent Ridgway, !:ik e .m.ty

J. W. Yorent Ridguay, Elk county

J. C. Merrill, j Dents Run, Elk county

J p Ki^jj I Dents Run, Elk county. ....

J ^ yarr i Dents Run, Elk counly, ... .

J. English I Dents Run, Elk county, ....

Dents Run, Elk county

G. B. Merrill

C. W. Atberton, .

A. Marion.

J. F. Owens

Francis Roan. ...
Hiram Whltcomb.
Wm. Hamilton,

C. R. Rice

D. Hawes,

Fred Schoening,
Geo. W. Rhlnes,

John Drew

Jas. Hanes

Melvin Gardner,
J, Fred. Schaefer

Dents Run, Elk county, .
Dents Run, Elk county. .
Dents Run, Elk county, .
Dents Run, Elk county , .
Dents RUii, Elk county, .
Dents Run, Elk county, .
Dents Run, Elk county, .
St. Marj-'s, Elk county,
Ridgway Elk county, .
Ridgway, Elk county. .
Halton. Elk county, . ..
St Mary's. Elk county,
Ridgway, Elk county. .
St. Mary's, Elk county,

C. H. Heath St. Marys, Elk county,

M. H. Scott 'St. Marys, Elk county,

g T X5arr -" Mary's, Elk county

Andrew Kaul St Mary'.. Elk county,

;. wnaenboerner j St. Mary's, Elk county,

No.sblpped.

3.UUU
i.JUU
1.500
1,000

l,0oo

1,500
1,600

1,500
1.500
1.500
1,500
1,500
1.500
;.B00
1.600
1,500
1,500
1.500
1,500

i,m

1,600

1,500

1,600

U«00

1.500

1,500

1,600

Tola I.

No. 16.

KISH COMMISSION KJiS.

Brook Trout i^^v2/— Continued.

Date.

Nauit^.

PuaLotlict; Address.

i N'O.bUipp'jd.

St. Mary's, Elk county.

19,
la.

1896.
May 18, F. VVilniarth,

IS, J, Kaul Sit- -^iary•s. Elk county

18. C. S. WilmariU ^t. Mary '3, Elk county

IS. G. C. Simons St. Mary's. Elk county

18, I. M. Sheatter St. Maryb. Elk county, ..

18, C. A. Hall St. Mary's, Elk county, ..

J. W. Kelly Uuilc, Elk county

W. C. Myers. ... Ralie, Elk county

19, Jno. Gahu ii^l^^- Elk county

19. .1. Caliiorn i^^^lte. Elk county

19. J. W. Denaas, ; Johnsonburg. Elk county.

19, W. D. Googe , Johnsonburg. Elk county,

19. J. P. Murphy i Johnsonburg, Elk county.

19, M. J. Maxwell, j Johnsonburg. Elk county,

19. T. A. Muryhy, .. ...Johnsonburg, Elk county.

Johnsonburg, Elk county,
Johnsonburg. Elk county,
Portland Mills, Elk cuuniy,
Portland Mills, Elk county.
Portland Mills, Elk county,

Owayo, Elk county,

owayo, Elk county, ,

Urockport, Elk county, ...
Brockport, Elk county, ...

Brockport, I'ik county, ...

Brockport, Elk county, ...

Erie, Erie county

Erie, Erie county.

19,

J. A. Schreiner.

19,

J. P. Martin, .

May 27.

John Krelg,

27,

Jno. Krelg, •

27,

E. G. Beck,

27,

H. S. Say re.

27,

D. S. Hinkley,

27, A. S. Horton.

27, A. S. Horton. . .

27, A. S. Plorton

27, A. S. Horton.
Mc'h.2S, E. S. Roach.

28, Dr. C. B. Chidester
28, W. R. Pawel, M. D....... Erie, Erie county

28, J. E. Ashby Erie, Erie county

28, H. V. Ashby i Erie, Erie county

28, E. W. Constable, Erie, Erie county,

28, H, Tlbbals Erie, Erie county,

28. Lee Mllner

28. 1 R. J. Saltsman. Jr..

28, i C. R. Shlpman, Jr..

28.

E. H. Williamson,

28,

,., Erie, Erie county,
,. Erie, Erie county,
..' MiUsgrove, Erie couniy,
E. D. Crouch I MiUsgrove, Erie county.

..' MiliPRTOve, Erie county.

28, S, E. Sh'.pman.

i
28, Mnrt. lll\>k.>

MiUsgrove, Erie county,
MiUssri've. Erie county.

'1 oial.

1,300 ;

1,500

1,600

1,500

1.500
1.500

1,500

1.300

1,300

1,500

1,300

i.m

1,300

1,500

1,#»

1,»0

1,500

1,300

1,200

1,20'J

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

t.200

1,200

1.200

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Off. Doc.

Nu. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Date.

Name.

PostoHice Address.

1896.

Mch.28.

Frank Hopkins

•^.

T. J. rimedley

28.

A. D. Phillips

'2ii.

O. K. Stebbliis

28.

J. Higgins

28.

Fritz Luke

Apr. 16.

J. W. Sproul

iti,

J. \V. Sproul

lt>.

W. u. Morrow

W. U. Morrow

l«i.

W. O. Morrow

17,

G. VV. Waggoner

17.

C. P. Rogers

17.

c\ A. Pain

17.

A. |{. Usbounie

17.

J. F. Wtstruin

17.

D. K. Smith

17.

C. Swan

17,

J. F. McElroy

17.

C. P. Benilt-y

17.

1. T. Payne

17.

A. F. Westroiii,

T. McMahon. .li

17,

G. W. Knowlton

17.

U. hi. Leach

17,

S. W. Brown

17.

C. R. Pawell

17,

Jno. T. Weatrom

F. T. Babbitt

»,

H. C. Myer

20,

C. Klnneyman

24.

A. R. Taylor

24,

Wm. Laurie

27.

A. D. Craker

«.

C. Swan

«T,

Jno. P. Austin

«r.

Jno. F. Austin,

B. L. Sackett

Bd. Sackett

W .1 KelehfT

No.shipped. Total.

Date.

Millsgrove, Erie county,

Xurtli lOa.sl. Fric county,

.Vi<rtli IJa.'^i. Frit luuniy,

Nurtli lOast, IOri«f louniy,

.Nurih FaM, lOii. cuunty,

Xuril) Fast. lOrii' county.

Union City. Frie couniy

Iniun t'iiy, Frie county.

I'niun City, Frie touniy.

Union City, Fri« uounly.

Union City, Brie i>junl>,

Corry, Frie county

Corrj , iJrie county

Corry. Frit- t'nunty

Corry, Fii.- county

Corry, l-i ii county

Corry, Frie county

1,'orry, Frie county

Corry, lOrie cuuiay

Corry, Frie county

Corry, Frie . ouniy

Corry, Frie county

Cony, Frie county

Corry, Erie couniy

Corry. Frie county, ......

Corry, Frie county

Corry. Frie county

Corry, Erie county

Corry, Frie couniy.

Corry, Erie county.

Corry. Erie county ,

Corry. Erie county

Corry, Erie county

Corry. Erie county

Corry, Erie county

Corry. Erie munty

l.2(M

i,;i00
i.aoo
i.aoo

1.200

i.aoo

1,200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1,200
1.500
I.jOO
l.'iMO
I,fiOU
l.uOU
I.jOO
I.jOO
1,500
1.500
1.500
1,500
1.51)0
1 500
1.500
1,500
1,500
1.500
1.500
1.500
l.SOO

i.eoo

1.500
1,500
1,600
1,500
1,500
1.600
1,500
1 50^

1896.
Apr. 28,

ao.

30,
30.

;!<*,

30,

•ill,

30,

30,
30,
30.
30,
.May 1.
1,
1,
1,
1.
1,
4.
4.
4,
4.
4,
4.
4,
8.
8,
8.
8,
8,
8,
8,
8,
8.

Name.

J. Nusen

J. U. lielilley

Jno. Lambing, .li

N. F. Ames

R. F. Lisernioie,

E. S. Wilson

J. i;. Fitts

W K. Stone

.1. Hageiich

i, l«J. ivrklns, ...:

'I'hos. lint

•las. Richards

IJ. F. Guignou

W. .vr. Weeil,

W. .1. Weed

tj. II. l^lttel

F. S. Wilson

A. IJ. Cracki r.

O. Andrews

C. (.leiger

Tlios. Homer

VV. M. Weed

K. <". Wilson

O. Geo. Olnistead

D, M. Sullivan

L» H. "Fniery,

D. F. Bonsteel

J. I >. RIcktflreon,

i). T. Fleming

L. H. Nichols

F. Laune

L. H. Nichols

F. Laurie

T. M. Pennell

H. Gretzler

F. C. Pennell

M. Mullhem

I J. F. Austin

{ Geo. Holley

' T, \v Raymonii,

Postofflce Address.

Corry, JEGriu county

Corry, Erie county

Corry, Erie couniy

Corry, Frie couniy

Corry. Erie county

(.'oiry, Frii.- county

Curry, Erie county

L'orry, Frie couniy

Corry, Erie county

Corry, File county

Corry, Fiie county

Corry, Fiii- county

Corry, File county

Corry. Frie county

• Joiry, Frie county

Corry, Frie county,

Corry. Erie county,

Corry, Erie county

Corry, Fiie cjunty

('nrry, Erii' county. , ..

( 'oi ry, Erie county

Torry, Frie cuunty, ...

I orry, Erie county

Corry. F'rle county

Cuiry. Frie county. ....

Coiry, Erie county

Corry, Erie county

Corrj . Erie county

Curry. Erie county

Corry. Erie county

Corry, Erie county

Corry, Erie county. ...

Corry. Erie ciiinty. ...

Corry. Kr\^ rounty, ...

Corry. Frif- county. ...

Corry, Erie county, ...
Whcelock, Erie county.

No.shipped.

1.600
1,600
1.600
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,600
1,500
1.609
1,500
1.600
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,'^
1 , ,",00
.1,000
1.500
1,600
1,500

i,r,oo
i.::yoo

6.000
1.500
1.600
l.SOU
1.600
1.600

i.6oe

l.nOO

l.«M

1.600
1,600

1,500
1 500
1.500
1.500
1,600
1.500
1,600

Total.

HfcJFOHT OF THK

Brook Trout /V?/— Continued.

M|t. Dul'

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Date.

1896.
May 18.
la,
19.
19.
:s2,

22.
22.
25.
2o.
25,
25.
25.
25.
25,
25.
25,
25,
25,
28.
25,
25.
25.
Apr. 80,
30.
30.
30.
30,
30,
30.
80.
30,
30,
May 2,
Mch.29,
29.
29,
29.
29.
29.
29,

Name.

Postofflce Address.

N. McArthur Wheelock, Erie county

L>. Connaib Coiry, Erie county

Clyde Wilcox Corry. Erie county

George Spiesman Corry, Erie county

C. H. Wetmore Corry. Erie county

L. E. Gignon, I Corry. Erie county

J.P.Oliver. Corrs', Erie county.

H. A. Bogart Girard, Erie county

W. C. Ivibler Girard, Erie county

Dun. H. WelUs Girard. Ere county

W. T. Kyman j Girard, Erie county

W. E. Wriglit I Platea, Erie county

W, B. Smith j Platea, Erie county

H. S. Barnes ' Platea, Erie county

T. C. Irish ' Platea, Erie county.

G. S. Stone Avonia, Erie county,

W. F. Andrews ! Milesgrove, Erie county,

E. C. Palmer, Albion. Erie county,

P. P. Magraw. Erie, Erie county

E. J. Magraw Erie, Eric- county

P. E. McCuUy, Erie, Erie county

H.F.Watson i Erie, Erie county

R. L. Haslet ; Tlonesta, Forest county,

.A. W. Richards Tlonesta. Forest county

H. S. Sutley ! West Hicliory. Forest county.

G. S. Turner West Hickory, Forest county,

F. E. Suttley,
J. M. Elder, .
Smith Sutley,
J. A. Turner. .

A. F. Ledebur ; Starr, Forest county,

H. W. Ledebur,
John Hyde, ...

Starr. Forest county

alarionvllle, Forest county, ..

Grant Myers [ Connellsville. Fayette county,

Jno. F. Narcross Connellsville, Fayette county.

G. W. Newcomer, ! Connellsville, Fayette county.

G. A. Munson, j Connellsville. Fayette county

A. Johnson Connellsville, Fayette county,

J. C. Moore Connellsville, Fayette county,

I 5 H Dushan Connellsville. Fayette county.

No. shipped.

West Hickory, Forest county,...

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.50O

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

3,000

1.500

1,500

1,500 I

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

ToUl.

Date.

Namf.

Postofflce Address.

vm. I

Mch.2», H. P. Snyder '

Zli. T. 11. Whke \

a>, J. K. iialsley

2S», L. L,. West '

29, C. M. Hyatt

•i'i, J. H. S. Stlmraell

i:i». A. J. Case

•,JH. E. H. Marshall.

a. 1'". K. Marshall

29, K. ti. Paine !

29. J. C. Hamilton I

:i9, H. l->unn

29, J. C. Newcomer i

Apr. 2». Harry lienueii '

:iS>. S. B. Nexell i

29. W. H. Wilsun '

2iJ, J. Wilfcoii

29, H. A. Mumptr

29, W. H. H. McElroy

a. J. A. Newcomer, -M. U.,

3, Frank Truman

3. S. Truman

3, S. Truman

3, J. S. Frost.

3. J. O. Edelblute, Sec'y R.

& G. Club

3, J. O. Edelblute, Sec y U.

& G. Club

3. J. O. Edelblute, Sec'y R.

& G. Club

8. J. O. Edelblute, Sec'y R.

& G. Club

8, H. D. Haugh

May 27. Geo. J. Brltton.

27, Steel & Co

87, Steel & Co

Mch.l9. P. H. Marshall

19, O. M. Marshall,

!'j. K. S. Miller,

No.shipped. Total

Connellsville, Fayette county

Connellsville. Fayette county

Connellsville, Fayette county

Connellsville. Fayette county

Connellsville. Fayette county. ....

Cunnellsville, Fayette county

Connellsville, Fayette county

Mt. Union. Huntingdon county,..
Mt. Union, Huntingdon county...

Barree, Huntingdon county

Barree. Huntingdon county

IJarree, Huntingdon county,

Barree, Huntingdon county

Sigel, Jefferson county

Sigel. Jefferson county

Sigel, Jefferson county

Brookville, Jefferson county,

BrookvUle, Jefferson county,

BrookvlUe. Jefferson county

BrookvUle. Jefferson county

BrookviUe, Jefferson county

Brockwayvllle, Jefferson county,

Crenshaw. Jefferson county,

Crenshaw, Jefferson county,

Hepburn. Lycoming county

Hepburn, Lycoming county

WilUamsport. Lycoming county..

1.500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1,500
1.600
1.500
1.500
1,500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500

1,500

1,600

1.500
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,600
1,500
1.500
1,500

4-18-96

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout jPr^— Continued

Off. Doc.

Date.

1896.
Mch.l9,

19. :

19.
19.

19.
IS.
19.
19.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

No.shipped.

23,

i:r..
2.-..
2.5.
2.'..

24'.,

2.'.,
26.
25.
26.
2:"!,
2J.
-ti.

26,
26.
26.
26.
26,
26,
'J6,
26,
26.
26.
26.
26.
26

W. B. Haines WlUianisport, L.ycoiuint; ouunly, .

W. L. Oarverlcli Jersey Shore, Lycoming county,.

S. G. Updegraft Newberry, bycoraiiig county. ....

J. J. Washam Newberry, Lycoming county

L. B. Thouiaa, Newberry, Lycoming couniy

D. K. Hull Ncwbrny, Lycoming county. . ..

J. Herman Newberry, Lycoming counij

J. L. Thoinat! Newberry, Lycuming cnuniy

Jua. Lunahijf Willianifciiort, Lycoming county,.

E. H. Wright VVillianibport, Lycoming ci.nnty, .

E. 1'.. Westfall Wllliamspurt. Lycoming county,.

W. H. Holter Wllllamsport, Lycoming county,.

G. L5. Lanion WllUum.siiort. Lycuming county..

W. A. Weaver Willlamsporl, Lyo'mini; county..

Sam. M. (juise \S illiam-siiort, Lycoming county..

S. D. Price, VVilliamH|iort. Lycoming (ounty..

Chas. M. Hall WilUamsport, Lycoming county,.

F. li. Clemmons i Williamsport, Lycomin'i county,.

J. M. Cuimlngham | WiUiamsport, Lycoming county,.

H. H. Purdy i Wllllamsport, Lycoming county,.

L. Fousl U'illlamsport, Lycoming couiity,.

G. M. KlsHlnger Wllllam.sport, Lycoming county,.

J. (5. M. Long WiUiamsport, L> coming county,.

C. A. Quiggle Wllllamsport. Lycoming county..

C. E. Mendenhall Fennsdale, Lycoming county

C. I'. BaBtlan Nfuncy, Lyoming county

\\ . K. lias^tian Muncy. Lycoming eouniy

W. K. ('u<ldy Muncy. Lycoming county

A. W. Fallman Muncy, Lycoming couniy

W. J. McCarty j Muncy, Lycoming county

Wm. Fry, | Emilsport, Lycoming county. ...

J. C. Null, ' WiUiamsport, Lycoming r-otmty, .

W. L. Melick Wllllamsport, Lycoming oounty,.

R. B. Str>'ker. ...*. Wllllamsport. Lycoming county,.

R. L. Carpenter ■ Wllllamsport, Lycoming county,.

J J Hartman 1 Wllllamsport. Lycoming county,.

G. Schoefr, 1 WlUlampport, Lycoming county,.

J C. Fnrman Wllllamsport, Lycoming county,.

J -^ MUnor, Jr Wllllamsport, Lycoming county,

,. |.j Rathfuss, illiamspnrt, Lycoming (f,um>

Tcial.

1,600 '

1,JOO

l.oUO

1.500

1.600

1.500

l.SOO

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

L500

1.600

1,500

l.aOO

1.500

l.5on

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1 200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSION EKS

Brook Trout jPr^— Continued.

Date.

Name.

PoBtoffice Address.

1896.
Mch.26,

26.

Apr. 1.

No. shipped.

Of
n

3,
3.
3,
3.
3,

O
**>

3,
3,
3,
3,
3,
7,
7.
7,
7,
7,
7,
7.
•-''' ,
\1nv IS,
IS.
18,
18,
l.s.
18.

F. Fulmer WiUiamsport, Lycoming county,.

A. O. Rathfus, Wllllamsport. Lycoming county,.

G. M. O'Bryan WiUiamsport, Lycoming county..

C. Barnes. WiUiamsport. Lycoming county,.

J. Ulmer WiUiamsport, Lycoming county,.

R.Thomas Wllllamsport, Lycoming county..

C. W. Kolb, WiUiamsport, Lycoming county,.

D. H. Shale Wllllamsport, Lycoming county,.

R. H. RothfuFs WiUiamsport, Lycoming county,.

M, Settel Jersey Shore, Lycoming county,.

W. L. Garverlch, Jersey Shore, Lycoming county..

11. K. Cat-selberry Proctor, Lycoming county

J y_ Lawton Proctor, Lycoming county

T. T Mathew.son. Bodines, Lycoming couniy

Geo. Kno.i <31en Mawr, Lycoming county...

F. C. Con'ey Ralston, Lycoming county

!L HaUey Ralston, Lycoming county

H. t^. Green Ralston, Lycoming county

H. Halley Ralston, Lycoming county

R. M. Kitchen Fields, Lycoming county

C. C. liH.chforJ Grays Bun, Lycoming county. ..

L. G. Kewman Grays Run. Lycoming county, ..

Jno. Gray Grays Run. Lycoming county, ..

P. Dwyer Grays Run, Lycoming county, ..

Jno. Gray | Grays Run. Lycoming county. ..

J. E. WlUlamr, Grays Run. Lycoming county, ..

M. E. Donncl WiUiamsport, Lycoming county,.

G. W. Vanlerverc WiUiamsport. Lycoming county..

I Pierce WiUiamsport, Lycoming county..

WiUiamsport, Lycoming county,.
WiUiamsport, Lycoming county. .

W. L. Fry. .
G. M. Mercer,

H. J. Mene WiUiamsport. Lycoming county..

WlUiamspoit. Lycoming county,.

W'UIamsport, Lycomlns coiwity..

Willlamsporl, Lycoming county,.

North Mountain. Lycoming co...

G C Sw.ink North Mountain, Lycoming co.,.,

C. E. cnadwlck Jersey Shore. Lycoming county,. j

G W Thomas Jersey Shore. Lycoming county,.

W R Flock Jersey Shore, Lycoming county,, j

A. J. Harlran'i
C. M. Irvin. ...
W. M. S'cph^'np.

B. Swisher

Total.

1,200

1.200

1,200

1,X»

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

x,2<)0

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,20<)

1,200

1.200

1,300

1,200

1.200

1 500

1.500

1,500

1,600

1,500

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout i^ry— Continued

Off. Doc.

No. 1&.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout Fry— Gouiinued.

Date.

1899.

May 18.
18,
IS,
18.
18,
18,
18,
18,
18,
18,
18,
18.
10.
19.
28,
15,
15.
13,
15.
IR.
16,
15.
15.
21.
21.
21,
21,
21,

Apr. 7.

Name.

PostofUce Address.

L. P. Van Woert,

I Jos. BuBle!

' J. H. Smith

Joe H Srafh.

Chas. Spr'nR

A.. J. Smith

J. A. R«*t.T

J. A. S Ball

S. Busier

C. W. Burrow?, .

J. Mlncemoyer

J. H. Glrton

a. W. Crawford.

J. E. Mohn

C. A. Quigrglo

J. L. rho: la-j

Dr. A. F. Craus. .. .

C. Mayer

F. Thoinpbon

A. J. Kimrfc'Cin . . . .
M. C. Berber, ..

J. Cole

J. HofEman

E. Hubbard

F. L.. rfmlth

Claude 'I Smith.
W. H. Tldllenbaok.
H. W, Harrison. ..

E. H. Geo! tje,

AV. H. Hedr>n. . ..

W. FaJrchllfls

O. K. Bennett.

W, H. Thomiwon,

Geo. W. Graver

J. Bird

J. H. Opl!n?i'r

C. Wilson

J. H. Harvey

H. H. Monroe

M. n. r>ii;. y

Jersey Shore, Lycoming county,
Jersey Shore, Lycoming county,
Huntersvllle, Lycoming county,
Lairdsville. Lycoming county, .
LairdsviUe, Lycoming county, .
Lairdsville, Lycoming county, .
Lairdsville, Lycoming county, .
Lairdsville, Lycoming coimty, .
Lairdsville. Lycoming county, .
Lairdsville, Lycoming county,.
[ Lairdsville. Lycoming county,.
Lairdsville. Lycoming county. .

Muncy, Lycoming county

Jersey Shore, LycominR '"ounty
WilUamsport, Lycoming o'unty
Olyphant, Lackawanna county,
Olyphant. Lackawanna county.
Scranton, Lackawanna county,
Scranton, Lackawanna county,
Scranton. Lackawanna county,
Scranton. Lackawanna county,
Dunniore, Lackawanna county.
Dunmore, Lackawanna county,
Carbondale, Lackawanna county
Carbondale. Lackawanna county
Carbondale, lAckawanna county
Carbondale, Lackawanna county
Carbondale. I..ackawanna county
Nantlcoke, Luzerne county. .
Nanticoke. Luzerne county, .
Nantlcoke, Luzerne county. .
Nantlcoke. Luzerne county, .
Nantlcoke, Luzerne county, .
Nantlcoke. Luzerne county, .
Nantlcoke. Luzerne county, .
Nantlcoke. Luzerne county. .
Huntingdon Mills, Luzerne co.,
Huntingdon Mills, Luzerne co.,
Huntingdon Mills. Luzerne co. ,
Shickshinney, Luzerne county, .

No. shipped.

1.G00

1,500
l.SOrt
1.500
1,500
1,500
1,600
l,60o
1,500
1,500
1,600
1,500
1,600
1.500
4.500
1,600
1.500
1,600
1,500
1.500
l.SOO
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.500
I.i500
1,600
1.500
1.200
1.200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1,100

Total.

Date.

Name

1896.
Apr. 7.
7.
7.
7,
7,
7,
May 15,
15,
15,
Apr. 10.
10.
10,
10.
10.
10.
10,
10.
10.
10,
23,
29,
29.
29,
May 2.
22.
27,
27,
2".
28,
28,
28,
28,
28.
2S.
15,
15,
15,
15,
1.'.
2.-..

F. H. Shultz

C. R. Stauffer,

C. S. Simpson,

W. A. Campbell

Postoffice Address.

Shickshinney. Luzerne county,...

Shickshinney, Luzerne county,...

Shickshinney. Luzerne county,...

Shickshinney, Luzerne county...

No.shlpped.

W H. Shoemaker I Shickshinney. Luzerne county, ...j

I
H. E. Cain I Shickshinney, Luzerne county. ...j

J. C. Harvey ' HarveysvUle. Luzerne county....

P. L. Bron.?on.
J. L. Pealer, .
Geo. Permar.
F. Nlckum, ...
T. Daryman.
C. E. M-Jiiard,

.1 Pikes Creek, Luzerne county —

1 Shickshinney, Luzerne county.

' New Castle. Lawrence county,. .

.New Castle, Lawrence county, ...

New Castle, Lawrence county —

I New Castle, Lawrence county...

J Anderson i New Castle, Lawrence county....

P Grace New Castle. Lawrence county....

W, Moore .-...New Castle. Lawrence county,...

Geo. Churchncld. New Castle. Lawrence county,...

Wm. D. WalLic". New Castle, Lawrence county,...

H. G Klmmlch. New Castle, Lawrence county. ...

B. D. KoeJor. Wetmore. McKean county

B D. Keploi Wetmore. McKean county.

B D. Keelni Wetmore. McKean county

B D KetUr Wetmore, McKean county

Thomas Keelor : Wetmore. McKean county

R. Dunavcm 'Wetmore McKean county

H. J. Prf-nnan Mt. Je^-ett. McKean county

E W. Long ...Mt. Jewett. McKean county

J. W Bearom j Mt. Alton. McKean county

E. E. Foroe. ! ^e Golia. McKean county

p. S. .\rtley. .
T. F. .."Connelly.
E. F. WUUmifl
E. F. Willlnms
Frank Miller,

' Kendall Creek. McKean county...

Bradford. McKean county

I Bradford. McKean county

Bradford, McKean county

Danville, Montotir county

XV H Case Tobyhanna Mills. Monroe county.

W V. Easton Tobyhanna Mills. Monroe county.

O L vJlalr Tobyhanna Mills. Monroe county,

J g j^^gg Tobyhanna Mills, Monroe county.

G H Rhoads. Tobyhanna Mills. Monroe county.

tl !• r.eaver, Greenville. Mercer county

Total.

1.200
1.200
1,200
1,200
1.200 I
1.2>)'l I

]..';oo I

i.r.oo I

1,500

1.500

1.600 j

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1,600 j

1,500

1,5«J

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.600

1,600

1.600

1.500

1.1)00

1,500

1.500

1,500

3.000

1,500

1,500 ;

1.500

1,500

1.500

RKIMJKT UF THK

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Off. Doc.

iMte.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

1896.
May 25,

25,

26.

W,
.Mch.25.

25.

'^.

25.

2r>,

86.

23.

25.

25,

26,

25.

2:>,

25,
2S.

25.

25,

At.r. 1.

1.
I.
^

1.
I.
I.
1.

H. K lieaver

P. Marshall,

J. U. McConnell. .

Jack Liiit

J. Seidels, .

S. N. liarryhill. ..

J. R. McCy

J. B. Tlicii\.«s

T. .T, FiDW

J. II. Kii-ker

F. Zerbe

J. L. McKinney. .
W. H. Parcels, . ..

J. KenneJy

H. R. /orbe

D. Mutther^bough.
L. H. Rublv>,

G. r.,. Russell, .. .

J. 1 1. '.It

.1. GalHghcr

.J. U. VllUer, . .. .
W. Shlmp

W. 3. rfottl-?.

W. Allison

S. Sternnt,

J. Hoofnaifle. .. . .

J. D. .Snoc.l;

M. Wertz

J. Altkcn

S. McCllntoc

Dr. M. Radrliffo, .

W. .J. n;ept

H. F. !-'.ii' ip ••;. .

J. Ke-v."'

.1. H. .^h .fi I- ....
\. B. Lon,-:. .. .

P. Wertz

J. Mutthersboutjh.
C. Billot

No. shipped. , Total.

Greenville. Mercer county

•Tamestown. Mercer rounty, ..
Milledge Mills, Mercer county.

Stnneborip, Mercer county

L<'\vipf.i\vii, -MifHin I'liunty

l^owi.stown, M;fflin cfiunty

Lewi.stown, Mifflin county

Lewistown, MifTlin county

Lewistown, Mifflin county

Lewistown. Mifflin county,

Lewistown, Mifflin county

Lewistown, Mifflin county,

Lewistown. MifHin county

Lewi.><iown, Mifflin county

Lewistown. Mifflin county

Lewistown, Mifflin county

Li\vi.«town, Mifflin onnity

I.,fwistown, Mifflin county

L'wistown. Mifflin county

Lewistown. Mifllin county

Lillville, Mifflin county

Vira, Mifflin county

Milroy, Mifflin county

Lewistown, Mifflin county

Lewlftown, Mifflin rounty

iLewlstown. Mifflin county . . .

Lewistown, Mlffl'n 'oui.ty

Lewistown, Mifflin councy

Lewistown, Mifflin county

Rooilsville. Mifl'lii county

Burnan. Mifflin county.

Burnan, Mifflin county

1,600
1.500
1.500
1.5(K>
1.500
1,600

l,.70O

1.500
1,500
1.500
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,500
1.600
1.500
1,500
1,500
1.500
1.^500
1,500
L.-iOO
l..''iOO
l.BOO
1,200
1.200
1.200
1.20O
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1,200

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONEHS.

Brook Trout i^r?/— Continued.

Uate.

18U6.

Apr. 1,

May 15.

15.

I...

15.

15,
Muh.l9.

19.

19,

•9.

19,

26.

-6.

26.

Apr. 1.

22,

22.
May 18.

19,
.■\pr. 20,

20,

'.'0

Name.

Postofflce Address.

J. Aitkens IJurnan, Mitllin county.

No. shipped.

J. Hu'jfiiatj!.'.

J. I^Uittliersb'jugli.

U. J. Boyer

J. AnKieiiiey". .. ..

E. S. KoUris

AV. .1. I>u\il.

A. C. l-'i c>

J. (J. l.)sier!j,i.:lv, ..

D. Nun.iiiaolitf

Rev. H. .M. Keiff.r,

T. C. Helneu

J. S. Allen

G. Dai. I'ox

R. .Vluivly

J. VV. Godchaiies, .,

F. Slullon.

D. M. Newer,

H. Gaufc'he-.

A. Fallnier,

T. Haag

E. Davis

W. H. Harris

E. .Sumni«;r8

Human. Mifflin county

Human, Milllin county

Easton, NortlKuniion county

Easton, Northaniitton county

Easton, Nortliampton county

Easton, Northampton county

Eiuslun. Northampton county

Easton, Northampton county

Easton, NorthamiJton county

Milton, Northumberlcina county..

Milton, Northumberland county..

Milton, Northumberlaml county, .

Milton, Northumljeii ind county,.

Milton, Northumbeil ml county,.

Milton, Northumberldnd county..

Milton. Norlhumbcrl md county,.

Milton, Northumbeil md county..

Milton, Northumberland county,.

Milton. Northumberland county,.

Milton, Norlhuinberland county,.

Milton, Northumberland county,.

Milton, Northumlierl.ind county,.

W. H. UaoKenburc Milton, Northumljerlund county,.

E. Fallmcr Milton, Northumberland county,.

J. B. Godcharlcs Milton. Northumberland county. ..

F. Shill.jn Milton, Northumberland county, ..

P. J. Crisie Milton, Northumberland county. ..

R. L. Hatdcld Milton. Northumberland county. ..

A. Krause Milton, Northumberland county. ..

H. R. dinger Milton. Northumberland county. ..

D. Cllnger, ; Milton, Northumberland county. ..

G. J. N. Krause Milton, Northumberland county,..

W. H Harns Milton. Northumberland county..

W. J. Mullln Milton, Northumberland county,.

P. Hipp. Jr Greeley, Pike county

August P. Boucher. .. Rowlands Piko county

August F. Hottcher Rowlands. Pike county

August F. liottihcr, Rowlands, Pike county

1,200

1.5U0

1,5U0

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1,600

1.600

1,500

1.500

l.SOO

1,500

1,600

1.500

1,500

1,200

1.200

1,500

1,600

1.500

1.S0O

1.600

1.500

Total.

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout i^y^— Continued.

Off. Doc.

Date.

1S96.
Apr. 27.
27,
27,
27.
27,
27.
27.
•-'7,

27,
27.
27.
27.
27,
27.
27,
27.
27,
27.
27.
27,
27.
27,
May 21.
21.
21,
21.
21,
21,
21,
21,
21,
21,
22,
22.
22.
22.
2T,
27

Name.

Postofflce Address.

J. Stark.

J. M. SKinner,

E. F. Hoffman

E. F. J.loifrnan

E. F. Hoftn>an,

E. V. Hoffman

E. F. Hoffman

E. F. Uoiiiiian

J. A. FialuT

T. I>osi<;i

A. ChatUUon

L. Chatllli>n

J. P. Van Etter

.) . 1'. Van Etter

vV. Ziirmernian

J. P. Van F.tten

P. Picot

J. P. \'an Etten,

J. P. Van Elt •!!. • •

G. Buy^iresse:-

A. Ben.s;ey,

11. ScayK'r

N. Holden

M. B. Pitney

A. B. Payn«,

H. J. Ramsey

S. Beebe,

C. E. Caly

S. W. tJrltlouden, ..

J. B. Rumsey

C. E. CrittenJen.

T. F. Good

D. N. Rumsey —
' R. N. Klnnoy

H. R. tf tamer,

O. A. Farnswortli,

G. H. Cobb,

P. Urtffham

O. B. LAuer

W. W. Thompsjn.

No.shiyped. Total.

Sawkill, Pike county

M.lfurd, Pike county

Milford, Pike county

Milford, Pike county.

Mllford, Pike county

Mili'ord, Pike county

Milford, Pike county

Milford, Pike county.

Milford, Pike county

Milford. Pike county

Mllford, Pike county

Conashaueh. Pike county

Conashaugh, Pike county

Conashaugh. I'ilie county

Conashaugh, Pike county

Ccnashaugh, Pike county

ConashaugJi, Pike county.

Delaware, Pike county

Dingmans Ferry. Pike cuuniy.

uingmans Ferry, Pike county,.
1 ucwayo. Potter county,

uswayo. Potter county

Ctwayo, Potter county

Oswayo, Potter county. .

Oewayo. Potter county,

Oswayo, Potter county,

Oswayo, Potter county. —

Oswayo, Potter county,

Oswayo, Potter county

Ot;wayo, Potter county.

Ulysses, Potter coun'y

Ulysses, Potter county •■

Ulysses, Potter county

Port Allegany. Potter c.mniy,

Coudersport, Potter county. .:.

1,500
1.500
1.600
1.500
1,600
1.500
I, .'.00
l.JOO
1,500
1,500
1.500
1.500
3.000
3,000
l,oOO
l.uOO
l.&uO

i.r»oj

1,500
1.500
l.&OJ
l.ojO

1.5C3

l.oOO
1,S00

i,;vJO

1.500

l.StH)
1,'00
•..,£•03
1,500
1,500
l.ii*' !
1.500 I
l.ii00 I

1..100 '

12,000
l.SOO

No. 18.

Date.

1896.

May 27,

27,

Apr. 20,

May 21

Apr. 1

1
1
1
I
i
3
3,
3.
3
3
3
3
8.
3.
3,
S.
8
May 18
IS

PISH COMMISSIONERS

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

No. shipped.

N. A. Penny

G. H. tJreei'

W. F. Schua, .

W. Abson

W. I. Lewis

W. W. Larraboe

E. A. Saxion.

A. E. Wheeler,

C. E, Taylor, M. D

F. L. Grauder, M. K., .

D. R. liraman

H. F. Hotrck

W. H. Leek

E. B. Biartlslee •...■■

S. B. Wlney

H. H. taust,

F. E, Specht

H. H. Grimm

Calvin Stetten

Snyder county F. & P.

Association

J. G. Moyer,

R. Miller

A. M. Smith

M. W. Lewis

S. A. McBride

Charles Haas.

F. M. Whitaver,

C. R. Reinbold

Geo. Chapman.

W. T. Hoffman

Jno. S. Morgan

H. D. Chapman

L. B. Speaker,

i G. E. Darby

J, L. Christian,

J. A. Speaker

T. S. La'.rd

J. C. De'nlnger,

Coudersport. Potter county 1.500

Coudersport, Potter county 1.600

Coudersport, Potter county, 1.500

Coudersport, Potter county 1.600

Jaclcson, Susquehanna county, ... 1,500

Thompson, Susquehanna county, 1,500

Forest City, Susquehanna county, 1.600

Forest City, Susquehanna county, 1.500

Forest City, Susquehanna county, 1,500

Forest CUy. Susquehanna county, 1.500

Forest City, Susquehanna county, 1,500

Forest City, Susquehanna county, 1.500

Little Meadows, Susquehanna co. , 1,500

Beavertown, Snyder couniy 1.500

Beavertown, Snyder couniy, 1.500

Beavertown, Snyder couniy 1.500

Middleburg, Snyder county l.SuO

Middleburg, Snyder county 1.500

Middleburg, Snyder county, 1.500

Beaver Springs, Snyder county,. 1.500

Beaver Springs. Snyder county,. 1.500

Beaver Springs, Snyder county,. 1,500

Hlllsgrove, Sullivan county. 1.500

Hlllsgrovc, Sullivan county, 1,500

Hlllsgrove. Sullivan county • 1.500

Hlllsgrove, Sullivan couniy, ..... 1.600

Hlllsgrove, Sullivan county. 1.500

Hillsgrove, Sullivan county, ... 1.600

Hlllsgrove. Sullivan county 1,500

Hillsgrove, Sullivan county. 1.600

Hlllsgrove, Sullivan county 1,500

Hillsgrove, Sullivan county 1.600

Hillsgrove. Sullivan couniy 1.500

Hlllsgrove. Sullivan coanly 1,600

Hlllsgrove, Sulhvan couniy, 1,500

Hillsgrove, Sullivan county 1,600

Hlllsgrove, Sullivan couniy I 1,500

Total.

REPORT OF' THE

Brook Trout, /"r^— Continued.

Off. Doc.

Date.

Name.

Postoffice Address.

1896.
May 18,

IS,
Ai.r. 12.
12.
12.
12.
12.

12,
12.
VI.
12,
12.

12,

12.

ri.

12.
12.
IS.
12.
12,
12,
12,
12.
12,
12,
12.
12,
12.
12,
May 22,
22.
22,
22,
22.
22,
22.
tt.
22,
22

No.shlpped.

M. Peterinan liillsgiove, Sullivan county. ...

M. W. Uatsl'ord Hillsgrovo, Sullivan county. ...

VV. C. Liewis J.awrtnfevilK'. Tiuga (.uuiity, .

H. M. Smith Lawrenceville, Ti^Ku county, .

W. W. Hutchinsiiu Lawrencov;llo. Tiu^ia county, .

W. C. Iffeailt', Lawrenceville. Tit tja couiuy.

A. Flaitz Morris, Tioga county

\V. Webster Morris, Tioga county

F. O. Rtyn"l,lK Tioga, Tiu^a county

VV. T. Urell Tioga, Tio«a county.

10. A. RuMd.-il Tioga, Tioga cuuniy

E. C. Field Tioga. Tioga county,

E. W. Uuiton MitclieHs Creelc, Tioga couuiy

Jno. AyleswMith Blossburg, Tioga county

D. O. Merrick IJlossburg, Tioga county

\V. C. Babcock Blossburg. Tioga county

H. H. Robert.s Blossburg, Tioga county

J. li. Drumader Blossburg, Tioga county.

C. H. ohefter Blossburg, Tioga county

A. C. Batchout Blossburg, Tioga county,

E. M. Haley, M. 1> Blossburg, Tioga county

D. Aylesworlh Blossburg, Tioga county

W. R. Davis Blossburg, Tioga county,

H. W. Babcock Blossburg, Tioga county

M. Davis Blossburg. Tioga county

W. M. Aylesworth Blossbuig. Tioga county.

F. H. Stratton Blossburg, Tioga county

W. H, McCarty Blossburg. Tioga county

W. T. Merrick Blossburg, Tioga county

J. D. Conners Blossburg, Tioga county

R. J. Stllwell Trowbridge, Tioga county, ...

C. E. Grlnnwll Wellsboro, Tioga county

H. C. Cox Wellsboro, Tioga county

D. Z. Swan Wellsboro, Tioga county

T. L. Young Wellsboro, Tioga county

Gen. Geo. J. Magee Fall Brook, Tioga county, ...

A. W. Lugg KnoxvJlle, Tioga county

J. C. aoodspeed Knoxville, Tioga county

j E. G. KeltB Knoxville Tioga county

ic M. Wood Knoxville. Tioga county

l.GOO
1,500

i.r.00

1.500

1,5UU

1,500

l.GOO

1 , 500

1. .00

1,500

l.TiOO

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,^

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1.600

1.500

9.000

1,500

1,600

Total.

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Date.

1896.
Mch.l2,
12.
12.
12.
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12,

ly,

20.
26,
26,
26.

26,
26,
26,
26.
26,
26.
26,
26,

2t;,

26.
2«,
26,
26.
26,
26.
2fi.
26,
26,
26,
26,
26.
86,

Name.

C. S. Miller

A. D. Miller,

J. C. Miller

C. L. Braudei,
C. L. Braudei. .
J. L>. Halfpenn>,
Al. Shiptoii,

E. Braucher

C. L. Braucher,

C. L. Braucher,
R. Catherman, .,

A. E. Grove

R. Dalesman , . .

F. H. Forster, ..
W. D. Reiser, ..
H. E. Berry. ...
Wm. Gould, —
W. L. Hoffman,
L. W. Auspack,

D. W. Sankey, ..

n. M. Wolf

T. M. Getgen, ...
C. H. Dimm, ..
W. n. Hursh. ..
C. Snodgrass, . . .

A. Klose

H. B. Young. ...

M. G. Reod

W. S. Shook

F. E. Badger. ..

G. L. Relsh

W. A. Berry

O. A. Ouyor

E. A. Patesman,

B. F. Kelser, ....
R. Datesman, ..

H. BIckel

S. Datesman, ...

B5, Kelser

W. Quinn

Postofflce Address. No.shlpped.

Lochiel, Union county . 1, 500

Lochiel, Union county 1,600

Lochiel, Union county 1,500

Millmont. Union county 1.500

Millmont, Union county 1.500

Millmont, Union county 1.300

Millmont, Union county 1,500

Millmont, Union county 1.500

Millmont, Union county, 1.500

Millmont, Union county 1,600

West Milton, Union county, 1,600

Mlfninburg, Union county 1,200

Miffllnburg. Union county 1,200

MIffllnburg, Union county 1.200

Miffllnburg. Union county 1.200

MlfHlnburg, Union county 1,200

Miffllnburg, Union county 1,200

Miffllnburg, Union county 1.200

Miffllnburg, Union county l.SlOO

Miffllnburg, Union county 1.200

Miffllnburg. Union county 1,200

Miffllnburg, Union county 1,200

Miffllnburg, Union county 1.200

West Milton, Union county 1.200

West Milton. Union county 1,200

West Milton, Union county 1.200

West Milton, Union county, 1,200

West Milton, Union county 1.100

West Milton, Union county 1.100 i

Total.

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Oft. Doc.

No. 18.

F'tH COMMISSIONERS

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

Date.

1886.
Mch.26,
26.
26,
26.
26.
26,
April 12.
12.
12,
U.
12.
12,
12.
12.
12.

12.
12.

12.

12,

12.

12,

12.
Mny 10.

13.

19.

10,

10.

10,

19.

19,

10.

10,
19.

Name.

PostofUce Address.

A. Fetzer

J. Kelfer

A. Shafer i

B. Bickel.

J. Lfc Fesserden,

A. E. Grove.

F. Steiner

F. Steiner,

Jno. F. Duncan ••

Jno. F. Duncan

I^wlsburg R & G. club..
Lewlsburg R. & G. club, .
LewUburg R. & G. club. .
Lewlsburg R. & O. club, .
LPwlPburg R. & G. club,.

Dr. E. S. Helser

T. C. Thornton. M. D. , .

C. A. Sturgis,

E. Geltilis

T. I). Baker

J. Smith

A. C. Follmer

T. D. Baker

W. W. Musser

J. D. Mufiser

J. S. McCrelpht

R. V. Halfpenny ,

T. Hartman

Dr. O. C. Mohn

S. W. Rutherford

D. R. Smith

A. B. Seller

A. n. Seiler

Jerr>' Anmlller

I G. M. .Tohnson

W. Johnson. Jr

Ruben Kly.

Robt. Ely

a. F. Donehower

West Milton. Union county.

West Milton, Union county.

Glen Iron. Union county, .

MUlmont. Union county.

I^ewisburg. Union county.

Lewlsburg, Union county. .

Lewlsburg. Union county, .

Lewlsburg. Union county. .

Lewlsburg, Union county. .

Jjewisburg. Union county, .

Lewisburg, Union county, .

Lewisbui^, Union county, .

Lewlsburg, Union county, .

Lewisburg. Union county, .

Lewisburg, Union county.

Lewisburg. Union county,

Lewisburg, Union county.

Lewisburg. Union county.

Lewisburg, Union county,

Laurelton, Union county, .

Laurelton. Union county, .

Cohn. Union county

. Cohn. Union county

. Cohn, Union county

Cohn, Union county

. Pohn, Union county,

. Cohn. Union county

. I -ohn , Union county

No. shipped.

Total.

1.200 I

i.aoo '

1.200

1,200

1.200

1.20O

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

l.JiOO

1.200

1,200

i.ax)

1,200

1.200

1,200

l.SOO

l.ROO

1.500

1.600

1.500

l.BOO

1.600

1,500

1.600 J

1.600 I

1,SOO

1,600 1

1.600 I

Date.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

No. shipped.

Total.

1896.

Apr. 3.

W P McKee

Cllntonville,

Venango county

1.500

W. P. McKee

CUntonvllle,

Venango county

1.500

W. P. McKee,

Clintonville,

Venango county. . . .

1.500

W. P. McKee

CUntonvllle,

Venango county

1.500

3.
3.

Ci S Weaver

Scrubgrass. "^

.'enango county,

1.500

G. S. Weaver

Scrubgrass, '^

/enango county

1.500

D. M. Lackwood

Pleasantvllle.

Venango

county. ..

1.500

O. S. Benedict.

PleasantvlUe.

Venango

county, ..

1.500

F. C. Stewart

Pleasantvllle,

Venang, >

county. , .

1.300

W. B. Stewart

Pleasantvllle,

Venango

county. . .

1,500

8.
8,

T C McCaslin

Pleasantvllle.
Pleasantvllle.

Venango
Venango

county, . .
county, .

1,500

C. Noyes

1,500

M. C. Goss

Pleasantvllle,

Venango

county, . .

l.SOO

S. Wilson

Pleasantvllle,

Venango

county, . .

1,500

H. H. Noyes

Pie

ipantvllle.

Venangn

cnunty. - .

1.500

F. G. Giegel

Pleasantvllle.

Venango

county, . .

1.500

W Benedict

Pleasantvllle.
Pleasantvllle,
PJeasantviile,
I'leasantville.
rieasant\ille,
Pleasantvllle,

Venango
Venango
Venango
Venango
^'enango
Venango

county, , ,
county. ..
county,.,
county. . .
county...
county, . .

l.SOO

8.
g

L L Shuttuck

1.500

T? C. Manes

I.'IOO

a K Fa'weli

1.500

(T- "RpTiPfllct ......

1.500

G. R. Ruylen. .....

1,500

I'leasantville,

Icasiantville,

Venango
^■enanc^

county. . .
county, . .

1,500

J. A. Walter

1.600

to,

10.

H R Dunham

Plefjsnntvillp

Venango
inncn f>nun

countv . .

l,S0O

"W H Welele

Citv Vf>i

on City Boat Club

City Wnango county

1.500

10.

Oil City Boat Olub

City, Venango county

1,500

to.

on City Boat Club

City. Vena ng(» county

1.500

10,

on City Boat Club

City. Venango county

1,500

10.

Oil City Boat Clun. ..

City. Venango county

1 soo

10.

J. H. Coum

City. Venango county

1 500

10.

' J, H. Forbuph

City. Venango county

1.500

10.

H. C. Dorworth

City. Venango county

1,500

10.

B. W. Rgan

City. Venango county

1.500

10,

T. M. Bl.ickweli

City. Venango county

1.500

24.

G. J. Hecker

Cltv. Venango county

1.500

;
J S Klein

City. Venango county

1.500

24.

T. B. Gavin

City, Venango county.

1.500

24,

John Darr

City, Venango county

1,500 !

24.

W. K. Blaney

' 'ii

' Uv Venanern county

1,600

Brook Trout Fry— Continued.

Off. Doc.

Date.
1896.

May 26. !

26,

26.

26,

26,
Apr. 14,

14.

14,

14.

14,

14.

14,

May 2.

22,

22.
A|jr. 20.

30.

20,

20.

•:o,

20.
27.
27.
1*7.
27.
27,
27.
May 21,
21.
21.
21,
22,

Name.

Pustofflce Address.

V. S. Sw.sher. Oil City. Venango couniy,

H. C. KoesB on City. Venango county,

W. M. Junes Oil City, Venango county,

J. G. DenningU'u Oil City. Venango county.

^. S. Couch Oil City, Venango county,

E. J. Megge Oil City. Venango couniy.

J. K. Deets ... "iil ''ii> \.n;iii^:.' .■.iiiiu>,

C, J. Hale Warren, Warren county,

F. Morck Warren. Warren county.

Geo. A. W. I'el'oresi. .. Warren. Warren county.

D. M. Howard.
J. A. Hawke, ..
J. A. Schraflcjt,

E. Li. Ensworth

No. shipped.

Warren. Warren county

Warren, Warren county

Warren, VVarr» n iounty

G. R. Wheelock Sugar Grove. Warren count >

G. R. Wheelock Sugar Grove, Warren o-univ

W. 1'. N'ulting Youiigsvllk, Warren .•■>iiiit\

J. C. Good North Clarendon, Warren <>

J. C. Russell Xorih cMav-'nilon, Waiien i"

J. R. Reosp Warren, Warren couiii\

J.C.Hancock, W'arren, Warren county

E. D. Wetmor", Warun, Warren county

J. Dundan Newton. Warren ronnty

Geo. r. Davis Warren. W'arron county

J. Millham Hawley, Wayne county

Dr. J. W. K-fllev Honesdale. Wayne county

Dr. J. W. K.?s:er Honesdale, Wayne county

Dr. J. W. Kosler Honesdale. Wayne county

P. E. Shorwoi.l Homesdalo. Wayne county

F. E. Sherwood Honesdale, Wayne county

E. Teeplc Lookout, Wayne couniy

C. Drak*?, ••• Lookout. Wayne county

J c,. Holliort. Equinunk, Wayne county

.1. G. noU'orl Equinunk, Wayne county

L. A. Mitchell West Damascus

C. M. MUchell We-'t Damascus

M. Fleming Aldenville. Waynp county

J p Ritey Pleasant Mount. Wavne county,,

R. Whpeler npasant Mount. Wayne county.

R. Randall ! Lake Como. Wayne county

R. n. Roberts I Ceres. Alt«»gany. N. T

1,500
1,300
1,500
1,500
1,500
l.'iOO
1. 500
l.aOO

i.m

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

I , .'.O*!

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.500

1.050

1,050

1,500

1.500

1,500

1.,'.00

l.MO

l.Mt

3,tM

:otui.

.No \H

FISH COMMISSION EKS

Brook Trout i^ry— Continued.

I 'atf,

1896.
.May 12,
22.

^I'l. 27.

Name.

Postottlce Address.

R. R. Roberts Ceres. Allegany, N. Y

H. A. Williams Hancock, Delaware. N. Y

Peter s. Miller Calllcoon Depot. N.Y.. Sullivan,

N. Y

Brook Trout One Year Old Distributed in 1895.

1895.

J une 16,

16.

16,

^- *-"o*' j Canoe Creek, Bla:r couniy

P. Moore | Canoe Creek, iilair county

S. A. Hamilton Roaring Springs, Blair county,,

G. M. Shelter j Duncansville. Blair county

16, ! W. S. Suter Ganister, Blair county

16, A. S Marron Holliday.sburg, Blair county

16, S. H. Dean Hollldaysbuig, Blair county

16, \ J. Dean HolUdaysbuig, Blair county

16, ^ G. P. Ross Williamsburg, Blair county

16, 'J. A. Riddle Williamsburg, Blair county

16. ; J. D. Stewart Williamsburg, Blair county

16, W. D. Fluke Williamsburg, Blair county

16, J. W. Mosser, : New Enterprise, Bedford county,

16, , 3. L. Buck New Enterpr.sse, Bedford county.

1«.
16.
11.

P. 13. Furry Loysburg. Bedford county

J. I. Delong I Blanchard, Centre county

J. O. Edelblute Brookvllle, Jefferson county,

U, j J. O. Edelblute I Brookvllle, Jefferson county,

11.
u,
u.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.

t, O. Edelblute j Brookvllle, JelYcr.«on county,

J. O. Edelblute Brookvllle, Jefferson county,

J. O. Edelblute | Brookvllle. JeiTerson county,

J. O. Edelblute Brookvllle, Jefferson county.

J. O. Edelblute J Brookvllle, Jefferson county, ...

r. O. Edelblute Brookvllle. Jefferson county,

r. O. Edelblute I Brookvllle. Jefferson county. ...

J. O. Edelblute Brookvllle. Jefferson county.

J. O. Edelblute Brookvllle, Jefferson county, ...

J. C. Blood I Brookvlllp. Jefferson county

J. O. Edelblute j Brookvllle. Jefferson county. ...

J. O. Edelblute. Brooltvlllp. .Tefferaon oottaty.

C. .Toneti Alexandria Huntingdon county.

?•

76
75
7S

■a

75
76
75
75
75
75
75
75
7S
7S
75
100
IM

no
io»
too

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
76

i,4»s,eou

REPOKT OP THE

Off. Doc

Brook Trout One Year OW— Continued.

June 16.
16,
16,

Sell. 1-.

.luti'.- 21.
21,
21.
21.

;.'!.

21.
21.

21.
21,
18.

Name.

Postofflce Address,

G. HouFtholdt-r, Alexandria. Huntingdon county..

J. l^iniUps Alexandria, Huntingdon county,.

O. n. Mayts Alexandria. Huntingdon county..

L, S'.eepy ...Northumberland. North' d county.

C. Hapton West Pike. Potter coun'.y

K. A. <}.eenRra8.s West Pilte, Potter county

^y IJailey West Pike, Potter county

H. Gibbon West Pike. Potter cunty

F. Stewart ^V< st Krunch, Potter county

L. i^g^i West Bran<l', Potter county. ...

D. Hammond West Branch. Potter county. ...

No.ahipped.

W. Sticum.

Wisl Branch. Potter county.

Wm. Rice. ^^''Si Branch, Potter county.

.\. D. Miller ! T^ewlsburg, T'nlon ounty, .

n
ts
?(•

75
75
75
75

75
75
75

100

I'ofal.

Brook Trout One Year Old Shipped to June /, 1896.

1896.
Apr. 29,

Frank Warfleld,

Bellef.tnte. Centre county.

Brook Trout Three Years Old Distributed in 1895.

European Brown Trout Fry Shipped to June i, lis96.

1890.

May 28.
28,
28,
28.
2S,
28.
28,

Apr. 7,
7.

F. W. Rice, M. D Rome, ISradford county

G. N. Baker Htrritk, Bradford county

M. Frutchey Sugar Ftun. Bradford county, ...

W. H. Rockwell Ulster, Bradford county

Isle Lyons AUicl Hollen, Bradford county,

W. R. Pickerln Allici Hollen. Bradford < uunty. .

N. J. Tyrrin North Orwell, Bradford county.

C H Sage Emporium. Cameron county. ..

O S Wiley Emporium, Cameron county. ..

,T, l». Swoi)p,

Emporium, O:imeron cfiunty.

1,300
],r.00
1,.'.00
1.500
1,500
1 . .-lOO
1,500

2.000
2.000

3.750

1:V)

No. 18.

Date.

1896.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

European^Brown Trou^Fry--Gontmued.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

April 17, Dr. R, P. Heilman Emporium, Cameron county

17. J. J, Hinkle Emporium, Cameron county

17, C, H. Sage, Jr Empoiium, Cameron county

17, J. H. Swain j Emporium, Cameron county

17, Riley Warner ^ Emporium. Cameron county

It. A. P. Vogt Emporium, Cameron county

Mch.26, A. P. Krape Centre Hall. Centre county

26. S. H. E.senberg Centre Hall, Centre county

Ai.r. 22, J. w. Sproul ! Union City, Erie county

May 15, E.P.Payne Wllkes-Barre. Luzerne county...

15. J. A, Bullard Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county...

15. F. D. Hess ^ Nanticoke, Luzerne county

28. J. R. Smith White Haven, Luzerne county...

28, E. Tattershall white Haven, Luzerne county,.

28. J. Scott White Haven, Luzerne county...

28, H. C. Jacoby White Haven, Luzerne county,..

28, W. F. Boyle Freeland, Luzerne county

28, W.J. Beogan I Freeland. Luzerne county

28, S. G. Coffin Bradford, McKean county

Apr. 23, Mr. Hauser Delaware Water Gap, Monroe co.

3, J. A. Morgan Hillsgrove. Sullivan county

3, .J. Gumble Hillsgrove, Sullivan county,

3, S. Darby Hillsgrove. Sullivan county

I Dushore, Sullivan county

No.shipped.

May 28, F. Buck

15. I P. A. Rivenburg Clifford, Susquehanna county.

22. ; E. B. Beardsley Little Meadows, Susque. co.

Apr. 12, Wm. O'Conner Morris. Tioga county,

12, j E. A. Kennedy ' Morris, Tioga county

12. I T. J. Burmingham Morris, Tioga count*-

Mch.l2. jc. L. Braucher ' Millraont, Union countv

! • "I

12. C. S. Miller Lochiel. Union county !

Apr. 20. , J. M. Miller CalUcoon Depot. Sullivan co..N.Y.. I

European Brown Trout One Year Old.

June 22.
24.

J. Sproul. ..
H. A. Cbaae,

6-1^96

I'nion City. Erie county

Philadelphia, Philadelphia co.

1,200

1.500

1,500

1,5U0

1,500

2,UOO

2,000

4.500

1,500

1.500

1,500

l.SOO

1,500

1.600

r,5oo

I.-IOO

1,500

3.000

9.000

1.500

1,500

S.ono

1.500 '

1,500

1,500 I

2.000 !

2,000 I
6,000

100

Tutal.

84,2iH)

160

Kl'Jl'ORT OF THE Ott. Doc.

Lake Trout Fry Distributed to June 1, 1896.

Jjuie.

1896.

Apr. 3D,
30,

Name.

Postoftlce Address.

Nu.sliipijC'd. Total.

Carson Vunk,

Edlnboro, Erie county,

Cansoii Vunk, Edlnboro, Erie county,

May I. I Dr. C. H. Chidester,

Erie, Erie county

21,

Mch.l2.

C, R. Smith Carbondale, Lackawanna co.

S. F. Miller Lochlel, Union county

2.000
2,000
6,0j0
3.000
2.000

Hybrid Trout Fry Distributed to June I, 1S9G.

IbUii.
May 2o,

la.

li,

li,
Mch.26,

26,

26,
May 28,

22,

22.

22.
Mch.l2,

12.

ji". VV. Kice. M. L) i Rome, Bradford county

ut. C. B. ChideBter, Erie. Erie county

^ F. Fayne Wilkes-Barre. Luzerne .uunty...!

J A. BuUard Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne .Munty...

i.i. J. Doebler. ... Selinsgrove, Snyder county j

J. K. Davis ' Selinsgrove, Snyder county

\V. M. Schunre. Selinsgrove, Snyder county

i
^, ^^u^.k Dusiiore, Sullivan county

H. Webster Morris, Tioga county

^ Darti, Morris, Tioga county

R R. Kelts Morris. Tioga county

J C M:iler Lochlel, Union county,

W. E. Smith M:ilmont. Union county

VV. E. smith Millmont, Union county

W. E. Smith ; M;ilmont, Union county

C. L. Braucher Millmont. Union county

j^ Wolfe M:ilmont. Union county

1,500

l,iOO

1.500

1,500

1.500

l,.')00

3.000

1.500

1,500

2.000

2.00)

2.0*^^

2,000

2.000

Hybrid Trout (hie Year Old.

18M.
June 24.

H. A. Chase,

Philadelphia, Philadelphia count>

Rainbow Trovt Fry Distributed to June /, 1S9G.

1893.
June 16.
1«.

W. A. Sweney.
W. A. Sweney,

Curwensvllle, Clearfield county...
l- CtJrwfflsvllle Cl«irfl«ld county..

l.WO
1,100

15,000

SO.OOti

No 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

Rainbow Trout i^ry— Continued.

Dale.

1895.
June 16.

16,

16.

16,
6.
Aug. 1,
1.
1,
1,
1,
July 19,

19,

25.

25,
June 16,

16.
Aug. 16,
Sep. 21.
June 10.
July 19,

19.

19,

19.

25.

2:,.

25.

2S.

25.

llMi*- \f,.

Name.

Postottlce Address.

F. B. Rou,

C. D. Marshall

VV. F. Chambers, ,

0. C. Hall

R. A. Chorpenning,

1. W. Newson,

J. H. Martin

B. F. Sponenberg.

G. Hummer,

W. M. Kline

H. V. Kline

J. S. McHenry, ..

L. P. McHenry

T. A. Hallenbeak,

E. M. Hall

E. H. Kidder

E. Heldekoper, ...

J. P. Wilson,

J. W. De Haas, ..

Steel & Co

f. Henry Beadle, .

C. Fritz

A. Martin

F. Luech

W. F. McCord

Fritz, Luke

G. A. Hampson, ...

J. M. Mills

\V. A. Hellumme, .

B. Q. Briggs

G. T. Taylor

G, H. Cornell

J. n. Sigglns

S. Q. Clark

W P. Slggins

F. E. Sutley

H. S. Hill

Jno. Elder

H. .1. Thompnon. .
W S FHorth*

Clearfield, Clearfield county,
Clearfield, Clearfield county.
Clearfield, Clearfield county,
Clearfield, Clearfield county,
Clearfield. Clearfield county,
Clearfield. Clearfield county.
Clearfield, Clearfield county,
Berwick, Columbia county, ..,
Elk Grove, Columbia county.
Benton, Columbia county, ...
Benton, Columbia county, ..,
Benton, Columbia county, ...
Benton, Columbia county, ..,
Sprlngboro, Crawford county,
Sprlngboro, Crawford county,
Meadvllle. Crawford county.
.Meadville, Crawford county.
South Fork, Cambria county,
Johnsonburg, Elk county, ...
UrockwayvUle. Elk county, .,
Dagus Mines, Elk county, . . . ,

Erie, Erie county

North East, Erie county,

North East, Erie county.

North East, Erie county

North East. Erie county

Edlnboro. Erie county

Edlnboro, Erie county

Edlnboro. Erie county

Tionesta. Forest county.

Tionesta, Forest county,

West Hickory, Forest county.
West Hickory, Forest county.
West Hickory. Forest county.
West Hickory. Forest county.
M.nrion Pentrp. Tndiana county
Wyoming. Luzerne county. ...

•Mo. shipped. Total

l,:!Vu
1.20U
1,200
1,200 j

1,200

I
1,200 I

1.200 I

1,200

l,50i

1,500

1.500

1,500

1,»KI

1.201

1.500

1.50U

i.m

l..=)00

1.500

1,500

L.'^.Oc

L.'iiXi

l.'.0<t

1,!>00

l,50<'

l.-^OO

1.500 '

1.500

1,500

1.500

1,200

1.200

REPORT OF THE

Rainboio Trout i^r^— Continued.

Off. Dop.

No. 18.

l>iUe.

1895.
June 6,

6.
Aug. 1,

1,
June 6,

24.
July 19,

19.
.Inn*" fi

Name.

W. 11. Shoemaker

B. F. Thomas

H. C. Dewty

D. C. Day

H. M. Fasten

G. C. Lewis

J. N. Gittel

E. S. Trimmer

S. \V. Trimmer

G. W. Keck

C. Lines

H. Dendell

H. G. Brown

G. W. Miller

R. K. Wlleox

J. F. Snyder

W. Miller

I. Bush

L G. i'olburn, Ph. G.
S. W. Swortwood. ...

Dr. R. Pealer

J. L. Pealer

C. R. StaufEer

R. W. Heydt

C. Kastaup

VV. S. Roberts

F. Roll

G. R. Leonard

C. E. Whltesell

C. W. Cragle

Thos. Phelps

d. F. Wagner

S. W. Kellumm.

J. C. Hlghfleld

J. M. Gary

A. E. Phelps

IE. T. Wllliam»

[ E. T. Williams

W. R. Eastnn

Postofflee Address.

Xo.sihlpped.

Wyoming, Luzerne county

Nantlcoke, Luzerne cuunty.

Pittston, Luzerne county

Wllkes-Barre, Luzerne county,..
Wllkes-Barre, Luzerne county,..
Wllkes-Barre, Luzerne county,..
White Haven, Luzerne county,...
White Haven, Luzerne county,...
White Haven, Luzerne county,...
White Haven, Luzerne county,..
Mountain Top, Luzerne county,.
Mountain Top, Luzerne county,..
Mountain Top, Luzerne county, .
Mountain Top, Luzerne county, .
Mountain Top. Luzerne county,..
Mountain Top, Luzerne county,..
Mountain Top. Luzerne county,..
Mountain Top, Luzerne county, .
Mountain Top, Luzerne county,.
Mountain Top. Luzerne county,..
Mountain Top, Luzerne county, .

Shlckshlnny, Luzerne county

Shickshinny, Luzerne county

Ashley, Luzerne county,

Ashley, Luzerne county

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, ..
Wllkes-Barre. Luzerne county, ..
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, ..

Prichard. Luzerne county

Prichard, I..uzerne county

Thornhurst, Lackawanna county.
Scranton, Lackawanna county, ..
Scranton. Lackawanna county, ..
Scranton, Lackawanna county, ..
Scranton. Lackawanna county, ..
Thornhurst, Lackawanna county,

Bradford, McKean county,

Bradford, McKean county

Tobvhanna Mills. Monroe ro —

1.200
1,200

1.200
1.20O
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1.200

i,r.oo

1,500
1,500
1,500
1.500
1.500
1,500
1,50C
1,500
1,500
%,&»
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,600
1.500
1,500
1,500
1,500

l.sor?

1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.500
1,500
1.500
1,200

Total

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Rainbow Trout i^ry— Continued.

Date.

1896.
J une 5,
6.
6.

24,

21,

21.

21,

21.

21,

21.

21,

£1.

21,

Auff.26.
26.
27,

July 25,
25,

Name.

Postofflee Address.

No.shlppod^

To till.

I D. C. Yathers, Tobyhanna Mill**, Monroe co.,..

; O. L. Clair Tobyhanna Mills, Monroe co.,.,

; W. M. Burnett ; Stroudsburg', Monroe county

I. Stautt Houser Mill, Monroe county

P. Kinney, Tobyhanna Ml'.Is, Monroe co

Wm. Dent Brookland, Potter county

E. J. Vermllyea Marshfleld, Tioga county

E. E. Vermllyea, Marshfield, Tioga county

E. Phillips Gaines, Tioga county

H. J. Iloff Gaines, Tioga county

M. Dunham Gaines, Tioga county

Dr. T. D. Ritter Gaints, Tioga county

G. M. Rexford ' Gaines, Tioga county

C. H. Rexford Gaines, Tioga county

Clark Rexford Gaines, Tioga county

P. K. Jones Gaines, Tioga county

H. D. Martin Gaines, Tioga county

M. M. Smith : Gaines, Tioga county

J. H. Ruggles I Gaines. Tioga county

Gen. G. T. Magee _ Fall Brook, Tioga county

Rock Baas Distributed in 1896.

1,200

1.200

.,50)

1,500

1,.".00

1,500

1,.'.00

1,500

i,.-.nf

1.50«3
1,500 ,

\,m

1,200

Gen. G. J. Magee

J. R. Deets

Fall Brook. Tioga county

1 Franklin, Venango county,

Grand Valley, Warren county, . .
Torpedo, Warren county

1.200
1,500
1,500
1.500

P. A. Wood

J. Burkhart

ii'i.im

1895.

July 10.

H. Weylman

Klttanning.

.•\rmstrong county, . .

1 50

10,

H. Weylman. ...

Kittanning,

.\rm.«».rong county. . .

10.

P. Simpson,

... fCiltnnnfn&r

.\rrabtrong county...

10,

Dlcon

.,,, fvitffinninftr

.Vivnstrong county, . .

10.

T. Kelley

Kellys. Aimstrongr county

10.

J. Mansfi€l.'l, ......

Neall, ArmstronK county

10.

H. Mateer,

10,

H. Mpti^er

Rosston, Armstrong county

10,

M. fut'hpr.n

... Ford City.

-Armstrong county....

.'■0

10.

R. Petter

Ford rity.

Armstrong oounty. . . .

.^.0

K IMPORT OF 'I'Hi:

Jiock 5ass— Continued.

Off. Doc

L>aie.

June 13,

Naiiie.

G. K. Flnuey

PusluUict: Address.

Bradysville, Bucks county, ...

13. ; G. R. Finney Liiadysviile, Bucks county, ...

U, G. Moody Krause ■ Plumsteadvilie, Bucks county,

13, G. Moody Krause ; plumsteadville, Bucks county.

No. shipped.

13, G. Moody .'.vrause,

13, A. J. Snyde;-

13, A. J. Snydur, .. .

13, A. J. Snyder.

Plumsteadville, Bucks county,

i'lumsteadvme, Bucks county,

riunisteadviUe, Bucks county.

13, L.. S. Clemona Plumsteadville, Bucks county, .

13, K. E. Krai.'. I Plumsteadville, Bucks county, .

13, R. E. Kratri. Plumsteadville, Bucks county, .

13, M. Hulshizer Doylestown, Bucks county

13, S. A. Waltt-'ts I Point Pleasant, Bucks county,,

C. Armur ! Reading, Berks county, ■

13,

Reading, Berks county.

13. O. H. liincoln

13. P. W. Nagle | Reading, Berlts county,

18, H. Hutzler | Carlisle, Cumberland county,..

■^, R. F. Pyers Carlisle, Cumberland county,..

18. G. W. Ilecunian Carllslo, Cumberland county, ..

18, J. Spate : Carlisle. Cumberland county,..

18. G. B. Wetzel ' Carlisle, Cumberland county,.

18. C. K. ShoTTier Carlisle, Cumberland county,.

18. G. D. Wosthopt ..; Carlisle. Cumberland county,.

18
18

L. A. Phillips.
L. A. PhllllpH.

i Hartslone, Cumberland county, .

Hartslone. Cumberland county, .

18 I^ A. rhimp'^ i Hartslone, Cumberland county.,

I
18, F. R. Saylor ' Parkford, Chester county

18. G. Clark 1 Phoenixville, Chester county. ..

18. D. B. PauUng ' Phoenixville, Chester county, ..

18. D. B. Clark Pawling. Chester county.

6. F. Snyder i Pillow. Dauphin county.

6. J. Wltmer ' Pillow. Dauphin county.

fi. D. M. Bouher 1 Pillow. Dauphin county.

6. D. Wilier j Pillow, Dauphin county,

«. W. J. Hoffman i Pillow, Dauphin county,

«, ] W. A. Snyder.

«.

Dr. W. Roker.

Pillow. Dauphin county.
Pillow, Dauphin county.

H. Knorr Pillow. Dauphin cmmty.

J. W Hoffman Pillow. Dauphin nounty.

W Bnfflngton I^lllow Dnuphln county.

4tf

Total.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIUNEKS

Bock Bass — Continued.

Uaie.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

18S6.

June 6, R. M. Noll,

6, C. W. Laue, ...

4, Q. H. Hamilton,

4, a. H. Hamilton,

4, J. A. Hamilton,

Pillow, Dauphin coimty

Pillow, Dauphin county

Chambersburg, Franklin county,,
Chambersburg, Franklin county,,
Chambersburg, Franklin county, .

No.shippe l

4, J, A. Hamilton [ Chambersburg, Franklin county,

4, F. T. Selpel,

Chambersburg, Franklin county.

4, F. T. Selpel i Chambersburg. Franklin county,,

12, H. J. Thompson, | Marion Centre, Indiana county,,

12, L. M. Park

11, J. O. Edelblute

11, J. o. Edelblute

11, J. O. Edelblute,

18, Hon. H. C. Demuth,

10, G. F. Grlgsby

10, J. M. McCandles, ...

10, C. McHurd

Marlon Centre, Indiana county,.

Brookvllle, Jefferson county,

Brookvllle, Jefferson county

Brookvllle. Jefferson county

Brookvllle, Jefferson county

Lancaster, Lancaster county

New Castle, Lawrence county,...
New Castle, Lawrence county, . . .
New Castle, Lawrence county, . . .

10, G. Permar New Castle, Lawrence county,

4, F. Mentz Lewlstown, Mifflin couniy

4, J. Mutthersbough ' Lewlstown, Mifflin county

4, A. Hamelton ; Lewlstown, Mifflin county,

i
4, J. Harris j Lewlstown, Mifflin county

4, Q. Bruce ' Lewlstown, Mifflin county

4. O. C. Chesney Lewlstown, Mifflin county. ...

4, W. Kennedy Lewlstown, Mifflin county, ..

4, J. Seltler Lewlstown. Mifflin county.

5, M. Grose Strads Mills, Mifflin county, ..

5, A. Strode Strads Mills, MIHlln county, ..

n, F. Armor . . Strads Mills, MifTlin county, ..

.=>. W. McCoy Granville MltHin county

5. W. McCoy I Granville Mifflin county

.'). F. McCoy 'Granville Mifflin county

I
5. W. Curns Granville, Mifflin county,

5. S. S. Woods Granville Mifflin county

•I. S. Rlttenhouse Granville Mifflin county

13,

13.

I.'?

C. F. Ehrenport Willow Grove. >Iontgomery co.,,

G. M. Malsberger Pottstown Montgomery county. ..

O M Malsberger Pottstown Mnnteomer>- romitv

5»

40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
H
35
l»
SO
10
80

m
so

«
48

4.-I
40
40
40

40
40

40
40
40
40
40
4S
4r,

Total.

REPORT OF THE

Rock 5as«— Continued.

Off. Doc.

No. 18.

Date.

1895.

June 13,

13. ,

13. '

18,

Dec.

31,

July

24,

24.

Sep.

July

«,

Apr.

12.

If. !

12,

Mny

21,

21.

Name.

Postortlce Addrens.

7,
7,
?.
7.

July 18,
18.
18.

Insane Husi)ital, Norristown. Montgomery county.

Insane Hi)si)ital Norristown, Montgomery county.

Hon. J. 11. Smith Hoyt, Montgomery county, ...

J . B. Long, Narcissa, Montgomery tounty . .

D. L.. Crater Narcissa, Montgomery county..

A. H. Saylor Royersford, Montgomery co. ,..

H. A. Sendaling Limerick, Montgomery county,.

W. M. Hrownback, Bryn Mawr, Montgomery co. ...

J. M. Hill. East Stroudsburg, Monroe co.,.

J. M. lliil East Stroudsburg, Monroe co. ..

M. G. Sellers East Stroudsburg, Monroe co...

M. G. Sellers East Stroudsburg, Monroe co.,.

C. W. Cartwrighl East Stroudsburg. Monroe co...

C. W. Cartwrighl. East Stroudsburg. Monroe co.,.

H. E. Gf'isinger BroadheadviUe, Monroe county.

Hon. J. S. Fruit ', Sharon, Mercer county

G. G. Stage, Greenville, Mercer county

M H. Burk Milton, Northumberland county

S. Silverman Milton, Northumberland county

W. G. Newhardi Milton, Northumberland county

C. L. Dale Milton, Northumberland county

J. M. Correy Milton, Northumberland county

Dr. H. M. Baker Augustaville, NorthumbfTl'd co

Dr. H. M. Baker Augustaville, Northumberl'd co

1. E. Bowman Hebe, Northumberland county,

S. Troutman Hebe, Northumberland county,

C. Ij. Troutman, Hebe. Northumberland county,

J. H. Depiien Hebe. Northumberland county,

S. Snyder Hebe, Northumberland county.

J ppiper Hebe, Northumberland county.

T. \V. Lane Philadelphia. Philadelphia co...

G. \V. Chllds Philadelphia, Philndelphia co.,.

W. K. Meohan \ Philadel|)hla, Philadeli)hia co...

C. AV. Hare Philadelphia, Philadelphia co.,.

F. M. Harold F'hiladelphia, Philadelphia co.,.

Public Ledger Philadelphia. Philadelphia co.,.

H. C. Mlchener I Philadelphia, Philadelphia co...

I J. Moore Philadelphia, Philadelphia co. ,.

i Rev. K. i:. Dagei- Philadelphia, Philadelphia co...

' J. M. Lingle Philadelphia. Philade'phia co. ,.

No. shipped.

50
46
45
41

300
40

40
40
40

40
25
W

50
50
50
50
50
SO
60
85
86
86
85
86
86
50
50
60
60
50
50
■0
45
46
4n

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Hock Bass — Continued.

Total.

Date,

1895.
Sep. 8,
July 24,

24.

24,

1896.
May 3.
3.
Apr. 29,
May 3,
3,
3,
3.
3.
3.
3.
3,
3,
\\r. 8.
S,
8,
8.
8.
8.
8,
8,
8.
«,
8.
8.
8,
8,
8.
7,
27.
7,
7,

Name.

Postoflice Address.

W. C. O'Neill , Philadelphia, Philadelphia co

A'<^erer | Bushkill, Pike county

J. Ottenheimer. Bushkill, Pike county,

J. Ottenheimer, Bushkill, Pike county.

J. Ottenheimer, \ Bushkill, Pike county

J. Ottenheimer j Bushkill. Pike county

No. shipped.

C. Naile,

L,. M. Chllds,
H. G. Auger,

Quakertown, Bucks county,

H. W. Wise I Ridley Park. Delaware county,..

W. W. Barbour \ Ridgway, Elk county

G. H. Steinmetz Norristown, Montgomery county,

Norristown, Montgomery county,
Norristown, Montgomery county.

Wm. C. O'Neill } Philadelphia, Montgomery co

J- T^'^ore ' Philadelphia, Montgomery co

R. N. Burling Philadelphia, Montgomery co

Rev. F. E. Dager ; Philadelphia, Montgomery co

O. C. Robinson Philadelphia, Montgomery co

J. M. Hengle Philadelphia, Montgomery co

C. M. Shull Lewistown. Mifflin county

C. Dalbey Lewistown, Mifflin county

**• I^ow, Lowistown. Mifflin county

O. Ornbarger Lewistown, Mifflin county

R. McCoy Lewistown. Mifflin county

C. A. Long ^ Lewistown, Mifflin county

L N. Slagle j Lewistown, Mifflin county

J. WiUfeon [Lewistown, Mifflin county

W. S. Settle, j Lewistown, Mifflin county

-*• A. Orr i Lewl.stown, Mifflin oounty

D. MutthersbouKh | t,ewi.stown, Mifflin county

D. MutthershouKh Lewii«town, Mifflin county

D. MutthersboiiRh Lewistown, Mifflin county

J. Knepp Lewistown, Mifflin county

W. V. B. Coplln Lewistown, Mifflin county

L. B. Funda Milton, Northumberland county,.!

E. S. Eisenhauer Mil ford, Pike county i

B. F. Gregory Selln.sgrove, Snyder county |

C. B. North Sellnsgrove, Snyder oounty !

Snyder Count.v Gun Cluv. MiiMlebur.irti. .>^nydfr c-iuntv

50
40
40
40
40
40

M
110

«o

«0
CO

«
•o

n
n
n
n
»

7S
7S

n
It

»
n
n

n
n

Touil.

^■■i%i

KKPORT OF THE

Rock Z?as5~ Continued.

Off. Doc.

Dale.

Name.

1 Postofflce Address.

No. shipped.

Tnal.

1896.

Apr. 14,
14.
20.
2U,
20.

M H 'Wiit^rfl •

Warren Warren county

Geo. A. W. Deforest, ...

1 . A rU-inn

Wo rran Wflrrpn OOUntV

Hawlev Wayne county.

G. While

F. E. White

Uawley, Wayne county

2.34.^

Small Mouth Black Bass.

ibyj.

Auk ^.
2,

.1 I fsimeB

New Britain. Bucks county

auo

t\ X. LeFevre

New Britain. Bucks county

200

F. X. LeFevre

New Britain, Bucks county

200

Plumsteadville, Bucks county.

200

A. J. Snyder ...

Plumsteadvllle, Bucks county, .

2.
2,

Plumsteadville, Bucks county, .
Doyitstown, Bucks county

20U
200

.VI. Hu'.i^hizer, ■

2,
2,
2,
2.

Doylestown, Bucks county

20U

Doylestown, Bucks county

»XI

W nrin

Doylestown, Bucks county

200

rl. B. Garron

Readine. Berks county

20,

Readine: Berks county

20.
20.

C. H. Armaur,

Reading, Berks county

C. W. Nagle

20,

C. W. l.agle ..

T? Ao/-11ficr T^PrlfQ pniintv ..•■>.

20,

Readine, Berks county.

20,
13,
28.
28.
28.
28,

O. H.. L^incoin, . .

T TM*-.!^

Bellwood, Blair county

MO
90

f Wfktf 1p - .

Zelienople, Butler county

r TV "RppH

New Brighton. Beaver county....
New Brighton, Beaver county. ..

IT* Tl Simnsnn

W. .T. Saltman

Beaver Falls, Beaver county

ITS

28,

H. P. Hawkins

Beaver Falls, Beaver county

175

21,

W. H. Kunkle

Hatton, Cumberland county

21.

D. C. Hormer. .. ■

Hatton, Cumberland county

21.

J. H. Swarts

West Fairview, Cumberland co..

150

21,

W. C. Comman

West Fairview, Cumberland co..

21.

VfT r* r*nrnmfln

West Fairview. Cumberland co..

O. T? Pwanger.

Craighoad Clearflfid county

21.

r r Crnirhead

CralR-head riparflfld munty

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSION I UtS

Small Mouth Black Bass —Continued.

1£95.
Aug. 21,
21.
21,
21,
21.
21,
23.
23,
23,
23.
2U.

2a.

29.
24,
24,
20,
20.
20.
20.
20,
2.
2.
2.
2,
2.
2,
2.
2,
5,
5,

2S.
Sep. 11,

11.

I
.Fuly 30,

30.

.10.
.1«

W. A. Sweaney i Curwensville, Clearfield county.,

W. A. Sweaney,
11. P. Kerk. , ..

Curwensville, Clearfield county,
Curwensville, Clearfield county. ,

J. H. Schlftam3r Johnstown. Cambria county

J. B. Shater j Johnstown. Cambria county

C. J. Burggraf, ..
G. W. Bircha'd, .,
J. J. Kucz, .... .

C. A. WagiKi

J. It. r.argraf

G. Balllet

J. W. Kohig:

J. I. Ariilreas

E. W. Scnr.iidt, ..

C. O. B'mdy

S. Horten

E. P. Hersh.y, ..

Johnstown, Cambria county,

Lehighton, Carbon county

Lehighion, Carbon county

Lehighlon, Carbon county,

Weisport, Carbon county

Ashlield, Carbon county

Ashtteld, Carbon county

Asntield, Carbon county

MeadviUe, Crawford county

Cambridge, Crawford county, ..

Kennett Square, Chester co

Frazer, Chesier county

G. D. Haines I West Chester, Chester county...

T. W. Baldwin j West Chester. Chester county,..

D. B. Clack Pawling, Chester county

E. V. Einstein | Harrisburg, Dauphin county

J. S. Baum,
S. C. Doyer.
C. W. Foster.
S. B. Trimble,
F. E. Stevlck,
H, F. Cunckle

Harrisburg, Dauphin county

Harrisburg, Daujilin county

HarrisburK, Dauphin county

Harrlsburp, Dauphin county

H. Roat ' Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ..

G. A. Green j Wilcox. Elk county

i
C. W. Speliigul I Wilcox, Elk county

W. C. Lyon,
J. C. Moore,
F. Coughman,

Pennsville, Fayette

Connellsville, Fayette county,
ConnellsvIlJe, Fayette county.

J. H. S. Stimmcll i ConnelLsville. Fayette county.

J. F. Bngers i Wayne.sburg. Greene county,

L. W. .Tones. ..

A. Bort

C. M. Gaye. . .
M. M. Grifflns.

Petersburg. Huntingdon county.
Huntingdon, Huntingdon county
Huntingdon. Huntingdon county
Huntingdon. Huntingdon county

W. S. Hallman ' Huntingdon, Huntingdon county

r-".- W. Stewart ' Huntingdon Hiintintrrl.>n oounfy.

r. T m.noU ' Huntingdon H'lntlncrlr^n r-oiintv

luu

100
lOj
100

100

n
n

K
75

100
100

100
200

sou

100

lOu

20ii

2c to

200

20w

200

201

lOU

2iHJ

20tJ
75
75
75

1
101

100

100
100

100

REPORT OF THE

Small Mouth Black 5aa«— Continued.

Off. Doc

Date.

1S95.

July 30,
30,
3U,
30.
30,

Aug. 12,
12,
12,
12,
12,
12.
8,
29,

May 28,

Aug. 16,
23.
23,
23,
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.
11.

Sep. K .
4,

Aug. 23,

Name.

PostoOice Address.

H. H. Waiter, .,
H. M. Huperi,

A. McKay

E. W. Stewart,
J. A. FleininK.s,
C. P. Halrteld. .

C. Porter

H. \V. Spyker,
J. B. Ream, ...
J. B. Haushuia,
A. W. Kemmell,

C. S. Beck

Wm. Gable, ...
J. L.. Jones, . . .

Hon. H. C. Demuth.

1«.
20,
20,
20,
20,

20.

H. F. Neumeyer, ...

A. P. Balllet

L. Falk

J. G. Stauffer

H. R. Auch

I. L. Bunnetch,

I. L. Bunnetch

J. H. Waltz

C. L. Miller, M. D., .

W. H. Ballman

W. Deitzler

C. F. Wapner

Hon. .S. B. .Stilwell.

R. Satchard

G. W. Shock

Dr. C. Rol)i8on

Dr. C. Robison

E. W. Burling

E. W. Btniing

Norr!stown Hospltnl,

0. N. Malsrerger. ...

^X. M. Shaner

W. B. Shaner

W. S. Royer, ....

A. R. Savior

1. V,. T.nng

Huntingdon, Huntingdon county,
Huntingdon, HuntingUun county,
Huhtmgdon, Huntingdon county,
Huntingdon, Huntingdon county,
Huntingdon, Huntingdon county,
Alexandria. Huntingdon county,.
Alexandria, Huntingdon county, .
Alexandria, Huntingdon county, .
Alexandria, Huntingdon county,.
Alexandria, Huntingdon county,.

Indiana, Indiana county

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, .
Wilkes-Barre, L.uzerne county, .
Falrlield Centre, Lycoming co.,..

Liancaster, L.ancaster oouniy

Macungy, Lehigh county

Coplay, Lt'high county

Coplay, Lehigh county,

Palmyra, Lebanon county

BeistviUe, Lebanon county,

Ceistville, Lebanon county

Lebanon, Lebanon county

I,fbanon, Lebanon county,

Scranton, Lackawanna eounty,..
Scranton, Lackawanna county,..

Lewlstown, Mifflin county

Huntingdon Valley. Mont, co

Huntingdon Valley, Mont, co

Huntingdon Valley. Mont, co

Huntingdon Valley, Mont. co....

N"orrl8town. Montgomery co

Pott.'^town. Montgimiery county,.
Pottsiown. Moiugnnierj- county,.
Pottstown. Montgi-meiy county,.
• Pottstown. Montg'imery county,.
Royersf<ird, Montgomery county.
.Nuni.esa. Montgomery county...

No.shipped.

100

100 i

100

lOU

200

100

35
360

7&
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
200
300
100
100
100
100
109
100

75 I

75
7.^

Tola;.

.Vo. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Small Mouth Black -0as«— Continued.

Date.

18S*3.

Aug. 20,
20.
Sept. J>,
Aug. 20,
29,
29.
Sept. 4,
4.
12,
12,
12,
Aug. 23.
23.
23.
23.
23,
23.
23,
23,
2.1.
23,
Aug. 7,
7,
7,

Name.

Postofflce Address.

No.shipped.

D. L. Crater Narclssa, Montgomery county,

C. o. Br ten | Conahohocken, Montgomery co...

J. N. Carver, .. i iron Bridge. Montgomery co.,..

G. Scholield

E. H. Nllea

G. K. Heddens. ..

Clarkes Mills, Mercer county,..

Danville, Mcntour county

WashingtonviUe, Montour co

H. E. Gelslnger I Broadheadvllle, Monroe county,.

N. A. Geislnger ; Broadheadvllle. Monroe rtiunty, .

J. W. ISrower .. CanadensLs, Monroe county, ....

J. \V. Brower Canadensis, Monroe county

J. \V. Hrower Canadensis, Monroe county

J. J. Roth. ...
O. H. Knecht.

Nazart, Northampton county,...
Nazart, Northampton county,...

E. T. Mack i Nazart, Northampton county...

E. T. Mack

J. R. Relnhelmer

D. C. Kaseman

E. H. Price

W. C. Haumble

It),
2<i,
20.

a«i,

Ser*. 6.
6.
«,
<>.
6.
tl,
«.
C,
0.

Nazart, Northampton county,..,

Nazart, Northampton county,...

Shamokln, Northumberland cO.,..

Shamokln, Northumberland co.,..

Shamokin, Northumberland co.,..

M. H. Kulp Shamokin, Northumberland co.. ..

J. M. Maurer Shamokln, Northumberland co.,..

J- Moore j Philadelphia, Philadelphia co

J. M. Cingle ; Philadelphia. Philadelphia .o

Wm. C. O'Neill 'Philadelphia. Phlla.lelphla c<i

Wm. V. O'Neill ; Philadelphia. Phllaoelphia <A„...

Rev. F. E. Uager ' Philadelphia, Philadelphia no

Rev. 7. E. Dager Philadelphia. Phil u.elphia co

I). M. Slmp.son • Philadelphia, Phil idelphia co

W. S. Hergshelmer Philadelph a. I'hiladelphla lO

T. W. Lane Philadelph 'a. Philadelt>hia co

J. M. Han;on Falls of Schuylkill Phila. co....

M. C. Rowland Rowland. Pik.- lountv

G. W. Donaldson Mllford. Pike county

E. Hopk n«er Milford. Pike county

A. S. Eisenhower Mllford, TMke county

O. M. {Sutler Milford, I'ike county

J. .1. Leeds Milford. Pike county

G. Cavr Milford. I'Ik.- .ountv

G. n.irdson Milford, Pike county

i
G. Carr .Mi'ford. Pike county

150
22S
150
100
100
100
MO
76
7S

100

101

lf»

aoo

200
SOD

7.1
100

10)
100

100
100

100 i

100 I

100 j

100 I

Total,

V*. :!■,.»

7J>

KEPOR'l' UP THE

Large Mouth Black Bass.

Off. Doc

Date.

Name.

Postofflce Address.

No. shipped.

Total.

1893.
Aug. 28.

Nye,

Homewood, Beaver county

Sept. 2,

12.

12,

Apr. 12,

12,

16.

Aug 5,

10.

24.

.^••p. 11.

11.

12,

12.

Anjr.l2.

.lul.v 3'V

rw.

sn.

30.

."to.

AiiR.21.
21

J. S. Wilson

T. S. Peters

J. Fields

I
J. C. Chamberlan,

J. Kelllnger,

G. Rush

D. White

J. MiU^5

L. White

J. Leightz

H. H. Roarabaugh.

W\ M. Figard

H. P. Gaylord

J. N. Callff

H. L. Halcomb,

Jas. Ochs

C. F. Emerson. ..

J. O. C. Dubar. ..

W. C. Hindbaugh,

E. W. Smith

W. H. Hutler

Dr. A. C. Calvin, ..

C. O. IJundy

0. G. Stage

J. M. Held

H. P. Snyder

C. M. Hyatt

W, L.. Allison

A. B. Purman

J. T. Rnsrers

T.. .V. Piirk

.7. H. Hanrk

.1 O StiufTer ....
T. 1> Benneth

1. li. Renneth

J. H. Walt?.

I C. L. Miller

|w H. Ballman .
I W^ PPit7ler

SlipiJery Rock, Butler county, ...
Slippery Roclc, Butler county, ...

Jacksvllie, Butler county

Everett, Bedford county

Bedford , Bedford county

Bedford, Bedford county

Bedford, Bedford, county

Bedford. Bedford county

Six Mile Run, I3edford county..
Six Mile Run, Bedford county. .
Six Mile Run, Bedford county,..

Wyalusing, Bradford county

Towanda. Bradford county

Towanda, Bradford county,

Towanda. Bradford county.

Titusville, Crawford county

Titufiville. Crawford county

Centerville, Crawford county, ..

Meadville, Crawford county

Titusville Crawford county

Meadville. Crawford county,
Cambijilgeboro. Crawford county,
Cambridgpbnio, Crawford (ounty,
Onnellsville, Fayette county,,..

Connellsville. Fayette county

Connellsvllle, Fayette county,...

Wayne.sburg. Greene county

Wayneshurg. Greene county

Waynesburg. Greene coiinty

Marion Centre. Imilan i county..

Palmyra, Lebanon county

Reiatvllle, Lebanon county

Relstvllle, Lebanon county

Lebanon, Lebanon county

Lebanon. Lebanon county

Lebanon, Lebanon county |

Lebanon Lebanon nnunty '

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

too

100
100
100
16
75
76
76
25

310

200

1S5

200

100

100
100
100
100
200

too

100

v>
It,

No. 18.

FJSH COMMISSloNKKS

Large

Mouth Black Bass — Continued.

Pate.

Name.

PostoflBce Address.

No. shipped.

Total.

1885.
Aug. 21.

J. O'Neill

Lebanon, Lebanon county,

Wllkes-Barre, Luzerne county,..
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, . .
Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne county, . .
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county,..
Wllkes-Barre, Luzerne county,..
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county,...
Lancaster, Lancaster county

75
200
200
200
200
200
400
600

W. S. Kelly

J. T. Morgan

8.
8.

B. P. Phillips

E. F. Bogart,

14.

T. J. Wheatlem, ...

14.

Judge Harder

Aug. 16,

Hon. H. C. Demuth,

Sept. 4,

July 30.

Aug. 20,

20.

24,
Sep. 12.

12.

May 9,

2,
July 30,

30,
Aug. 8.

"•

Sept. «5,

fi.

C. Larenz Scranton, Lackawanna county,

G. Opell Scranton, Lackawanna county,.

R. Salchard ' Lewlstown, Mifflin county

Wm. Sheafer, Fort Washington, Mont'y co.,.

Wm. Sheafer Fort Washington, Mont'y co.,..

G. G. Stage Greenville, Mercer county

J. Brown Canadensis, Monroe county

T. Marsh Milton, Northumberland co

J. A. Logan Milton, Northumberland co

D. R. Holtem Milton. Northumberland co

B. C, Simpson Oil City, Venango county

B. C. Simpson Oil City, Venango county

T. Messner Warren, Warren county

G. F. Yates Warren, Warren county

B, F. Noyes Warren, Warren county

L. T. Burns Tunkhannock, Wyoming county.

A. L. Avery i Tunkhann (k, Wyoming county,

H. S. Kellogg ' Tunkhannock, Wyoming county,

G. White I Ilonesdale, Wayne county

L. P. Cork Hawley. Wayne county

A. Atkinson j Hawley, Wayne county.

200

100
75
75

150

100

200
200
200
200 I
200
100 I
100
100

Swan Bass.

1896.
Dec. 31.

Wm. Brownback,

Bryn Mawr. IVfontgomf-ry county.

REPORT OF THE

Strawberry Bass.

Off. Doc.

No. 18.

Date.

Name.

1895.
Dec. 31,

IK96.

May 3,

Postortice Address.

Wm. M. lirownbuck. .. Bryn Mawr, Monigromery county,

I
E. H. Burling | Philadelphia, Montgomery eo...

W. C. O'Neill I Philadelphia. Montgomery co...

Dr. O. C. Robinson Philadelphia, Montgomery co,,.,

J. Moore, ...^ Philadelphia, Montgomery co....

No. shipped.

Yellow Perch.

1895.

Aug. 28,

28,

July 30.

30,

A ug. 2,

20.

20,

20.

20,

AUi<.13,

13,

It,

13,

12.

12,

f->l t. 2.

.\ii>r.12.

E. K. Lee,

H. J. Hays

O. H. Lncoln. ...
C. H. Armour, ...

P. W. Nagle

A. J. Snyder

A. J. Snyder,

A. J. Snyder

R. E. Krantz

G. Moody Krause.
G. Moody KrauBe,
G. Moody Krause,
G. Moody Krause,

C. Steever

A. K. Steever, . . .
I... D. Ramsey, ...
G. MacReynolds.
W. Darlington, ...

J. Perry

S. W. Griswold. ,.
H. \V. Hoagland.
K. W. GriPwold.

T. Tray ton

H. H. Fisher

H. H. Fl.><her

H. H. Fisher

L. A. Phillips

I.. A. Phillips

.1. F. Hunter

Kittanning. Armstrong county, .
Kittanntng. Armstrong county, .

Reading, Kerks county

Reading, Berks county

Reading. Berks county

Plumsteadville, Bucks county,...

Plumsteadville, Bucks county

Plumsteadville, Bucks county,.,.
Plumsteadville, Bucks county,...
Plumsteadville, Bucks county,...
Plumsteadville, Bucks county, . . .

Plumsteadville, Bucks county

Plumsteadville. Bucks county,...
Mechanic Valley, Bucks county.
Mechanic \'alley. Bucks county.
Mechanic Valley, Bucks county,

Doylestown. Bucks county, |

D<iylestown, Bucks county

West LeRoy, Bradford county...
West LeRoy. Oradford county...
West I^eRoy, Bradford county...
West LeRoy, Bradford county. ..I
We.et FjeRoy, Bradford county...

T..(iysburK, Bedford county j

Loyshurg. BedfonI county i

F.,1 ysi>urg. Bedforil county

Harlstown. f'rawford rouiity....
Hart.sto\vn, Orawford county. ..
Beech <^reek. Olinton cmmtv....

12
12
12

200

23
5»
30
50
SO

50
50
50
50
SO

Tift
50
45
45
4S
45

II
M
M
W
100

aoo

Total.

FI&H COMMISSIONERS.

Yellow PcrcA— Continued

Date.

1895.
Aug. 12.
J2,
12,
12,
23,
12.
12,
30.
28.
July 30,
30,
Aug.l2,
12,
8.
23.
23,
Sept. 4,
Aug. 20,
20,
Sept. 8,
Aug. 24,
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
13.
13,
13.
ii,
13,
13.

Name.

PostofRce Address.

E. H. Hastings Beech Creek, Clinton county

B. H. Clark Beech Creek, Clinton county

E. S. Mobley Beech Creek, Clinton county

E. B. Farwell Beech Creek, Clinton county

"W. Strohm Lehighton, Carbon county

W. A. Sweeney Curwensville, Cieartleld county, . .

H. P. Kirk Curwensville, Clearneid county,,.

H. H. Shellenberger Harrlsburg, Dauphin county, ...

M. Storey Brownsville, P'ayette county

D. Gretnawalt Chamt>er8burg. F'ranklln county,

D. H. Tritle Chambersburg, Franklin county,

A. A. Beanes Marion Centre, Indiana county,..

A. S. McGinnity Marion Centre, lndian.i county,..

D. A. Fell Wllkes-Barre, Luzerne county,...

L.. Falk Coplay. Lehigh county

A. P. BalKet Coplay, Lehigh county

Hon. S. U. Stillwell Scranton, l..acka wanna county,..

A. R. Saylor Royersford. Montgomery county,

D. L. Craters Narc'.ssa. Montgomery county,...

Hon. O. Handy Smith Hoyt, Montgomery county

Hon. J. S. Fruit Sharon, Mercer county

J. B. Thomas i Lewistown, Mifflin county

H. Meyers Lewistown. Mitflin county

R, Howe Lewistown, Mifflin county

T. Johnson Lewistown, Mifflin county

C. M. ShuU LewLstown, Mifflin county

O. Uml>arger Lewistown, Mifflin county

R. Broom Lewistown. Mifflin county

R. Satchau Lewistown, Mifflin county,

>•

H. R. Zerb*' Lewi.stowii. Mifflin county

R. Brought Lewistown. Mifflin county

W. Krintz I^ewistown. Mifflin county, .....

C. Henderson Lewistown. Mifflin county

H. ('. Micliener Philadelphi i. Philadelphia co

F. W. Harold Philadelphia. Philadelphia co

C. W. Hare Phila<lelphl,j, Philadelphia co '

G. W. Childs Drexel PhiladelphiH. Philadelphia co J

T. Wakeman Lowe Philadelphi-i. Philadelphia co

F. W. Harold Philadelphia. Philadelphia co ^

I H. <'. Michen^r Phlladelr<hia. Philadelphia co

No. shipped.

Total.

30
SO

100
lOO
s«
100
100

n
ai

n
a
^

35 !
35 I
35 !

REPORT OF THIO

Yellow Perc^— Continued.

Off. Doc

Dale.

1895.
Aug. 7.
7,
7.
16.
16.
Sept. 8,
Aug. 14.
21.
21.
Sop. 12
Aug. 21
10
27.
.luly 30.
30.
30.
Aug. 3.
8,
8.
8,
8.
28.
28.

1896.
May 3,
3.
Apr. 29.
29.
29.
29.
29.
29.
29.
Apr. 22.
9.
12.
12.
12.
12.

Name.

Postoltice Address.

C. W. Hare Philadelphia. Philadelphia co....

VV. E. Meehan ! Philadelphia, Philadelphia co

\V. E. Meehan i Philadelphia. Philadelphia co

G. W. Chllds Drexel, ... Philadelphia. Philadelphia co

C. W. Hare Philadelphia. Philadelphia co

Public Ledger Philadelphia, Philadelphia co

Ed. Mader \ Shenandoah. Schuylkill county...

Hubley G. & F. P. As'n., Sacramento, Schuylltlll county...

Hubley G. & F. P. As'n.., Sacramento, Schuylkill county..

G. A. Jessup : Elk Lake, Susquehanna county.

,1. B. Terry ! N lies Valley, Tioga county

i. C. Simpson Oil City, Venango county

J. HIrgins Franklin, Venango county

F. Merck i Warren. Warren county

F. E. Windsor 1 Warren. Warren county

H. E. Brown 1 Warren.' Warren county

H P. Hunter i Warren. Warren county

H C. Prevost ! Tunkhannock. Wyoming county.

J W Piatt Tunkhannock, Wyoming county.

L. T. Burns. i Tunkhannock, Wyoming county.

A. D. Brundage, M P,.! Tunkhannock, Wyoming county.

L. M. Davles | Burgettstown. Washington co...

L M Davles Burgettstown, Washington co...

.n'o. shipped.

Z. Moore Roberts.

J. F. Fisher.

J. H. Hays, M. D.,

R. L. McCullough.

F. Sanderson

J. W. Fredericks, ..

J. T. Beardslpy. —

H. Hurd

E. H. Hastings. ...

A C Givler

H W Arisr .ir. . .
' Ed. S. Herman. ...
! C. M. McNaughton,

H. F. Quickel

C. H McOrew. ...

Quakertown. Bucks count.v,

Quakertown. Bucks county,

Lock Haven, Clinton county. ...
Lock Haven. Clinton county. ...

Lock Haven, Clinton county

Farrandsville, Clinton county....

Beech Creek, Clinton county

Pine Grove Furnace, Cumb'd co.,
Ridley Park, Delaware county,..

Harrisburg, Dauphin county

Harrisburg. Dauphin county

HnrrlslMirg Dnuphln county

30
3&

3o ,

I
600 I

lOu

35U

7i.

6(1
lOt

5(1

■5

600
4a
«

•6

ISO
tfll

125
125

Toial.

fi.'j2n

No. 18.

FlfcJH COMMISSIONERS.

Yellow PercA— Continue(i.

Date.

Name,

Postofflce Address.

No. shipped

Total.

1896.
May 23.

J. Hoffman.

. Marshalls Creek, Monroe county

• Marshalls Creek. Monroe county

• Narcissa, Montgomery county,..

Philadelphia. Montgomery co

Philadelphia, Montgomery co

1 Narcissa, Montgomery county...

Milton, Northumberland county,.
1 Milton, Northumberland county,.

S5
55

M
HI
10

w
so
«e

125

1
121

23.
May 3.

Apr. 12.

12.

1 '

E. D. Hoffman

D. L. Crater,

R. G. Oellers

Dr. O. C. Robinson

W. C. O'Neill

Geo. H. Foley

J. B. Long

L. O. dinger

Hon. P, J. crlste

0*110

Sun Fish Difitribuled to June /, 1896

•

1895.
Aug.29.

Chas. Ruch ''

AshHeld, Carbon county,

Ashfield, Carbon county

Ashfleld, Carbon county

Lebanon, Lebanon county,

Limerick. Montgomery county, . .
Washingtonville, Montour county
Nazareth, Northampton county..
Nazareth. Northampton county,.
Philadelphia, Philadelphia co.,..
Philadelphia, Philadelphia co....
Philadelphia. Philadelphia co...
Philadelphia. Philadelphia co.,..

Philadelphia, Philadelphia co

Philadeliihla, Phlladelj.hia co

Pine Grove Furnace. Cumh'ri ro

40
40
40
75 i
50
40
50
5t)
50
50
50
SO
75
100

29.

J. Andrews

29.

J. D. Balllet

30. 1

20.

29.^

23.

23,

7, •

16. ]

16, (

16, ■<

Sept. 8. V

E. G. Reinoehl

H. A. Senderling

G. K. Haddens

O. H. Knecht .

J. J. Roth

H. C. Mlchener i

r. W. Lane

P. W. Harold !

>. W. Chllds Drexei

V. E. Meehan

1896.
Apr. 22, A. C. Qivler ]

iMI

9, H. W. Avise, Jr Ridley Park, Delaware county ,,.

22, Hon. H. C. Demuth. ...i Lancaster. Lancaster county

23, Hon. H. C. Ford j Delaware Water Gap, Monroe co.,

23. I W. J. Sellers | East Stroudsburg, Monroe co,,..

23.

23.,

M. Q. Sellers

E. Hagert

J. B. Lesslg. .Tr

W H. WhUaker

East Stroudsburg. Monroe co....
East Stroudsburg. Monroe co...
PottPtown Montgomery county, .
Philadelphia, Montgomery rn

UO
780
150
ISO
150
ISO

REPORT OF THE

Sun Fish — Continued.

Off. Doc.

Date.

1896.
Apr. 9,
9.
9.
9,
9.
9.
9.
9,
8.
8,
8.
20,
8.

14.
12.

Name.

Postofllce Address.

G. H. Stelnmetz

H. G. Unger

H. M. Krauser

W. H. Reed

C. H. Fisher

J. B. Lung

D. L. Crater

J. H. Yofum

D. Mutthersbough.

D. Mutthersbough,

G. Myers

A. F. Boettcher

Snyder County Fish Pro-
tective Association, ...

G. A. W. DeForest, ...
Hon. J A. Dale

No. shipped.

Norristown, Montgomery co

Norrlstown, Montgomery co

Norristown, Montgomery co

Norristown, Montgomery co |

Norristown, Montgomery co

Narclssa, Montgomery county,...
Narcissa, Montgomery county....
Bryn Mawr, Montgomery county,

L.ewiBtown, Mifflin county

I^ewlstown, Mifflin county

Liewlstown, Mifflin county

Rowlands, Pike county

Middleburgh, Snyder county,,

Warren, Warren county

York, York county

Spotted Catfish Shipped to June 1, 1896.

75
76
76
7S
75
75
75
76
75
75
75
150

400

Total.

S.430

1896.

May 14,

Hon. S. B. Stilwell

Scranton, Lackawanna county, . .

110

14,

Hon. H. C. Ford

Philadelphia, Montgomery co

14.

Hon H. C. Ford

Philadelphia, Montgomery co

110

>
w

ySaws. '.

■^^"^

n JIF^

!^i' ,^ -^-^

^5«!^

,^V: ■.>;.

^•^5l^•^:^J^^i;^^

^ S^ 4i^^_;

' ^-

>i=-:tr«,*>'.

* t • •

K .

.if V"

•J^«

f INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

EASTERN HATCHERY.

The Eastern hatchery is situated four miles outside of Allentown
on the Little Lehigh. There are two buildings used in the work of
rearing trout, one of which is used as a nursery or holding house
for the young trout from the time they have absorbed tlieir sacs
to the period when they are ready for shipment to applicants. The
station is admirably located, unfortunately it is located on leased
land, and it is therefore undesirable to nmke any permanent im-
provements thereon. The two hatching houses are in a deplorable
condition. On one occasion last winter after a heavy snow fall, the
weight of the snow crushed in part of the roof of one of the build-'
ings, and broke several rafters. The structure was temporarily re-
paired at the time and is now undergoing further patching. The
other building is if anything in worse shape. The rear wall is fully
four inches out of i)lumb. and has had to be shored up from the out-
side and strengthened by braces on the interior.

If the State owned this property permanent improvements could
be undertaken and the work of the commission greatly enlarged.

The Eastern station is an exceedingly important one, and when
run at its fullest capacity can only supply about one-third the de-
mands wliich are made on it everv vear.

t ■

The superintendent is John P. Oreveling, a man wlio is thoroughly
conversant with his business and who has been superintendent for
the commission ever since that body came into existence.

KEPOKT OF THli:

Brook Trout Fry.

Mir Due

No. 18.

Date.

1&95.

July 12,

12,

June 4,

tuly 3,

23.

23,

28,

2:!.

■'•i,
W.
23.
23.

Aug. 28,
1*8.
28,
28.
28,

June 4

Apr. 23,
23.
23,
23.
23,
23.
23,
23.
2S,
23.

>foh.30,
30.
30.
30,
80,

Name.

J. Miller

W. Rayler, .
L. Clemmens,
John James,

PoBtofflce Address.

No. shipped.

Athens. Bradford county

Athens, Bradford county, ...

Doyleatown, Bucks county

West Chester, Chester county.

a. H. Hepburn ' Avondale, Chester county.

J. S. Molder

N. R. Enterkin. .
E. P. Dickinson.

S. J. Kann

J. A. Lolmes, ...
W. M. Foulk, ...
M. L. Durnall, ...

T. W. Miller

L. D. Miller

T. J. Foulk

S. R. Ross

C. D. Keene. —

J. F. Wall

R. J. Henderson,
J. B. Buckwalter,
W. O. Young, ..
Walter Senior. ..
H. K. Jacobs, ...
W, B, McCaleb,
S. M. Gephart.

A. Enfleld

Geo. Shuck

J. N. Alsep

CoatesvlUe, Chester county, ....

CoatesvIUe, Chester county

CoatesvlUe, Chester county

Collamer, Chester county

Collamer. Chester county

Collamer, Chester county

Phoenixville, Chester county

Phoen'.xvllle, Chester county

Phoenixville, Chester county

Pickering. Chester county

Carlisle, Cumberland county

Bedford, Bedford county

Bedford. Bedford county

H. W Smith I Patience. Bedford county, .

U. F. Rohm I Gapsvllle. Bedford county.

C. G. Masters'. Everett Bedford county, .

C. Howard Everett. Bedford county. .

C. Q. Masters Everett. Bedford county,

S, Houck ! Reading. Berks county. ..

I. Houck I Heading, Berks county. ..

J. J. Houck Reading. Berks county, ..

I Dlckeson i Reading. Berks county, .

I
A. Rothermal Fleetwood. Berks county,

John Slip Birdsboro. Berks county

J. M. Brutzman Birdshoro Berks county

1,500
2,400
1,000
1,000
1.500
V.SOO

i.xm

1,500
1,000
1,000
l.OOO
1,000
l.OOO
1,000
1.000
!.010
',000
l.OOO
l.uO^
l.OOv)
1,.)00

\.'m

1.000
1.200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.201)
1.500
1.500
1.500
1.600
1.500
1.500
1.200

Total.

riHH COMMISSIONERS

Brook Trout Fry — Continued

Dale.

1896.
Apr. 2,
2.
2.
2,
2.
2.
2,

Name.

J. Kessler, . .
F. Kline, ...
C. H. Nagle,

S. Yost

C. Sands,

R. Mohr

V. M. Hows,

Postotllce Address.

C. H. Armour,

6, I J. G. Hawley

6, ' S. M. Meredith, ..

Aug.l8, W. T. Horton

June 4, H. H. O'Keson. ,

4, J. T. Robinson, ...
Aug. 6, G. Bogart

6, S. B. Stilwell. ....
June 19, H. C. Demuth, ...

4, C. M. Gagenhurst,

4. C. E. Wilson

E. C. Korns

H. G. Stiles

F. G. Good

A. Giesemer

E. D. Jeanes

H. I. T. Good

W. F. P. Good, .,

4,
4.
4,
4,
4.
4.
4.

Sept. 2,
2.
2,
2.
«.
6,
«.
IS.
18.

Mohics Store, Berks county, ...

Birdsboro. Berks county

Birdsboro. Berks county |

Birdsboro, Berks county :

Birdsboro. Berks county

Birdsboro, Berks county

Birdsboro, Berlu county,

Reading, Berks county

Ohio Pyle, Fayette county

Pleasant View. Juniata county,..

Waterloo, Juniata county

Scranton, Lackawanna county,...
Scranton, Lackawanna county, .
Lancaster. Lancaster county,...

Alburtls. Lehigh county

Catasauqua, Lehigh county

Catasauqua, Lehigh county,

Allentown, Lehigh county

AUentown, Lehigh county

Allentown, Lehigh county

Allentown. Lehigh county

Allentown, Lehigh county

No. shipped.

Total

3.600

1,200

1.200

M. C. Ebbeche I Allentown, Lehigh county,

H. J, Wilson Allentown, Lehigh county,

A. C. Heinly '• Allentown, Lehigh county.

H. Haas

D. K. NIes

W. Stump

M. C. Deitrlch.

E. J. Sellers. .
S. M. Meredith.

Allentown, Lehigh county.
Hamburg, Berks county. .
Kempton, Berks county.
Kempton, Berks county
Kutztown, Berks rounty
Reading. Berks county.

1.1. !M K. Houok Moselem, Berks county.

U, P. R. Hess Moselem. Berks county.

18. ; r. H. Armour Reading. Berks county,

18. I F. Coller Reading, Berks county,

IS. J. P. Smith Reading, Berks county.

13. J. H. Bennethum Reading Berks county.

1.200
1.200
1,200
1,200
2,4U0
1,200
1.000
1,20C
1,20U
6,400
200
8,000
1,20.'!
1,000
i.oori

1,000
1,0W

I oo»>

1.900

l.OfK)

1,000
l.OOt)
1.000
1.000
l.OOO
2.400
1.200
1,200
2.400
1,200
1.200
1.200
1,200
t.200
1.200
1.200

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout /Vy— Continued.

Off. Doc.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout Fry— Continued.

Dale.

18'j3.
aepl.13,
13,
13,
13.
13,
13.
13,
13.
29,
2,
29.
29,
29.
29,
29,
29.
June 11,
11.
11,
4,
12,
12.
12,
12,
4.
4.
4,
4.
21,
21.

Aug. 16,

.June 4,
4,
4.
4,
i.
7.
7.

July 10.

J\ino 27

Name.

I'oBtottice Address.

J. \V. liuiz Reading, Utrks county,

C Miller I Reading, Berks county.

No.shipped. Total

W. Leighthelser, ..
A. li. Uassler. . . .

H. Roland

J. M. Spechler

P. J. Gelger

W. H. liitler

C. M. Wagenhurst,

J. F. Wentzel

F. G. Spotis

C. H. Itamson,

H. B. Brusston, ...

Reading, Berks county

Reading, Berks county.

Gelgers Mills, Berks county, .

Beckersville, Berks county, ...,

Kutztuwn. Berks county.

Kutztown. Berks county

Blrdsboro. Berks county

Birdsboro, Berks county.

Birdsborc, Berks county

T. 'A. i;ush I Blrdsboro, Berks county

L. H. Reinhart Blrdsboro, Berks county

D. Sander.«5 Dryville. Berks county

G. H. Woolever, Montoursvllle, Lycoming county,

S. M. Ault, Hartley Hall, Lycoming county,.

W. C. Hall Hartley Hall, Lycoming county,.

J. A. McDonald Reedsvllle, Mifflin county

G. H. Humniill Blakesley, Monroe county

J. W. Uiich Blakesley, Monroe county

J. Muckas Blakesley, Monroe county

G. Muckas Blakesley, Monroe county

W. Schaffer Fort Washington, Mont'y co

L. H. Beers Katlllln. Northampton county,..

W. .1. Seiple \ Wind Gap. Northampton county,

i. V. Betts ! Easton. Northampton county....

J. VV. Coryell Easton, Northampton county, ...

Thomas Rlnek i Easton, Northampton county, ...

A. S. t'alvin Roubsvllle. Northampton county.

J, A. Noel New Germantown. Perry county,

W. J. Allen New Germantown, Perry county,

F. W. Delnn New Geimantown. Perry county,

J. S. Kreamer New Germantown, Perry county,

W. r. O'Neill Philadelphia. Philadelphia oo

; W. E. Meehan Philadelphia. Philadelphia co

W. R. .Toralemon Philadelphia. Philadelphia co

iW. E. Meehan Philadelphia. Philadelphia co j

i .T. A. Pale. M. D York. York county

1,200

i.aoo

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1,00»

l.OOi)

1,000

1.000

1,000

1.000

1,000

l.OOS

4,000

),000

1,010

l..)0.)

l.OOO

l.OOD

i.OOO ,

1,003

2. 000 i

2 ,{¥) j

5.000 !

R.OOO I

Date.

1896.

June 11,
29,
29,

May 19,
19,

Apr. 21,
21,
21,
21.
21,
21,
21,
21,
21,
21.
21,
21.
21,
21.
21.

May 20,
?0.
20
?0,
20.
.0,
20.
-.0
26.
26,
26.
26.
26,
26.
26.
26. I
Mch.23. I
23, i

Name.

I'obtotlice Address.

W. Harris, M. D i Hamburg, Berks ...uniy. ..

W. B. Ewing, M. D j Wernei^x ille. Berks county,

W. Bertolet ! Reading. Berks county, ..

J. W. Hagenman Reading, Berks county, ..

S. M. Meredith ■ Reading, Berks county, ..

W. L. Study ; Tyrone, Blair county

M. McCann Tyrone, Blair county

C. R. Reese I Tyrone, Hlalr county

I
H. B. Calderwood Tyrone, Blair county

O. Halmerstron Tyrone, Blair county

M. Long,

Tyrone. Blair county.

F. >(. Woodward
R P. .'-Ijo'll, .

Willi im Co?.

W. Passage.

!• P.«er»

No.shipped.

J. H. Haltzlnger Tyrone. Blair county

J. W. Grafflus j Tyrone, Blair county,

D. H. Hayen | Tyrone, Blair county

T. B. Kellar j Tyrone, Blair county

H. C. Love j Tyrone. Blair county

G. C. Davison j Tyrone, Blair county

F. G. Guyer Tyrone. Blair county

J. L. Waill I Tyrone, Blair county

George Fox ! Altoona. Blair county

G. B. uwen Towanda, Bradford county

C. Mccarty Ulfter, Bradford county

L. y Osborne Towanda. Bradford county

• 1 Wysox, Bradford county

■ • Wysox. Bradford county,

• Rummelfield, Bradford county...

• •I Wyaluslng. Bradford county. ...

Sugar Run, Bradford county, ..

D. English New Albany, Bradford county,..

Paul Jones Luddsburg, Bradford county, ...

H. A. Johnson New Albany, Bradford county,..

W. Watson New Albany, Bradfoid county,..

J. Harris South Branch. Bradford county.

T. Ackley Monroeton. Bradford county, ...[

C. Walborne Monroeton. Bradford countv, ...'

G. Reppkin Monroeton, Bradford county, ...'

J. R. Umsted, M. D Quakertown, Bucks county

H. H. Souder Qmkertown, Bucks county I

i.aoo

1,200

l.WQ

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

2,400

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

l.SOO

1,200

1.500

Total.

SO, 500

REPORT OF THEC

Brook Trout i^ry— Continued.

Off Doc.

!
Date. 1

Name.

Fostollice AdUiess.

.Nu.shippea.

Totul.

1896.

Mcb.23.

Apr. 8,

W P winner ....>•...

Quakertown,
Bridge VaU<

Bucks county

l.&OO

E. P. Caneli, Jr ;

sy, Bucks county, ...

1,200

* 8.

J a Oudvcke 1

iiridee Vallpv Ptunka county. ...

1,200

O H Sf'hp^tz .......•••

Quakertown
Quakertown
Richland C<
Quakertown
Riegelsville,
RiegelsviUe,
Riegelsville,
Riegelsville
Riegelsville

Bucks county. ....

1,20U

"IT Pa vf'nouirh ■ . •

l-iucks county

1.20D

\,\/ V> 'R/^KavtR 1

»ntre Bucks county,.! l,2oO

III OF Heckien

Bucks county 1,200

Mqv & T. S i^lvmer

Bucks county ' 1,200

ft A P Hnnnell

Bucks county ; 1,200

Bucks county ' 1,200

fi l-I WT Inhnsnn

0»

8.
8.

w H Kintner

Bucks county l.SOb

J. S. Johnson, M. D

Bucks county 1,200

29 H B Haroer

Mimsville

Bucks county l,2i)0

•iQ David Tavlor

Mimsvllle

Bucks county. ■ 1,200

•'9 Wharton Hirst

Fallington,
Weiss port,
Weiss port,
Weissport,
Weiss port,
Weissport,

Bucks county 1,200

Mc>h 31 J K LiUtz

Carbon county • 1,500

XI John Hansman

Carbon county, 1,500

Qi \v E Berrv

1
Carbon county 1,600

•>i AG Poke

Carbon county 1,500

31, John F. Zern

Carbon county 1,500

31 TV Tf Rlarv

Weissport,
Lehighton,
Lehigh ton,
Lehighton,
Lehighton,
Lehighton,

Carbon county 1,500

\|.r. 8,

22.

22,

J J Kutz

Carbon county 1,200

Carbon county , 1,800

Carbon county 1,2U0

^V Strohm

T D Plaua-s

A. J. Darliner

22, M. Uetz

Albrlghtsvllle. Carbon county... 2,400

22, E. Getz

AlbrlghtsvlUe, Carbon county, . . 2.400

22 I? TVernot

Albrightsvllle, Carbon county,.. 2,400

22,
22.

J W Harlen

Mauch Chunk, Carbon county,..! 1,200

1 Mauch Chunk, Carbon county... 1,200

H. A. KutlPr

22. H n. ROSP

j Mauch Ch)

jnk, Carbon county...' 1.200

22. T. Searfoss

i Albrlghtsvllle. Carbon county,..' 1,200

'>9 VI W C!f>a rf n<«R

, Albrlghtsvllle, Carbon county,.. 1,200

22. .1. Chrtstman

i Albrlghtsvllle. Carbon county... 1.200

28. Carbon County Fish and

1
1

Game Protective Asso-

ciation

.Mauch Chunk. Carbon county..
' Tjansford. Carbon county.

12.OT0
2.400

.1 V Miilhpnm

2R.

D (J Watklns

. Nesquehonlng. Carbon county,.

1.200

No. 18

FISH COMMISSION EHS.

Brook Trout Z^/-^— Continued.

Date.

Name.

Postottice Address.

No.shipijed.

Total.

1896.

Apr. 28,

W H Obest

Lehighton, Carbon county

1,200

.Mch.23.

A S. Latch

Berwyn, Chester county

1,500

23,
23

.1 o Buchanan

Thorndale Iron Works, Chec. co.,

Leonard, Chester county

Leonard, Chester county,

Leonard, Chester county

1 fiflfi

1 H Stubles

1,.tOO
l,5ijO
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500

23,

C S. Baldwin

G W Baldwin

23,

2;{

C Michener

David ^oue •

23.

H. D. Woodward

S W Coue

Leonard, Chester county

1,500
1,500
1 500

J. A LafCerty

G Scencer

AiJf. 1,
2

J O Frerk

Downlngtown, Chester county,...
Honey Brook, Chester county,...
St. Peters, Chester county

1,200
1,200
1,200

N G Kurtz

G. McCuUy \..

.f aoob Houck

Smedley, Chester county

St. Peters, Chester county,

Parker Ford, Chester county, ..
Avondale, Chester county

1,100
1.200
1,200
1.200

.Tohn Murohv

Milton Shantz

10,

H. M. Carpenter,

W R Shelmire

Avondale, Chester county

Kennett Square, Chester county,
Kennett Square, Chester county,
Kennett Square, Chester county,

K'^^ltirn r^lif»*5ti-"^r f»f>iintv

I soa

10,

C P Pennock

1 200

W S Martin

1 '" 0

J G. Robinson

1 £00

p. G Evans

I 200

U B Evans

1^0ltAn Phpssfpr rfjiintv*

1,200
1,200

E B Evans

K"pltf»n Ohfster countv

May 19,

19,

H W ICraus^r .......

F'nnt Choatpr countv .■

l.iOO

VV. Hamilton

Coatesvllle, Chester county

iSOrv

19.

C. W. Cramer

CoatesvlUe. Chester county

1.200

19.

J. E, Stoll,

Coatesvllle, Chester county,

1,200

19.

W. Daller, Jr

Coatesvllle, Chester county

1,200 ,

19.

E. P. Dickinson

Coatesvllle. Chester county

1,200

19.

J. H. Thorne

Coatesvllle. Chester county

1.2tW

».

W. A. P. Thompson, ..

Coatesvllle. Chester county

1. -m

W. Liemmon

Honey Brook, Chester county

Wagontown, Chester county. ...
Newvllle, Cumberland county. . .
Mt. Holly SpringB, Cumb'd en.
Carlisle. Cumbarland couaty. ...

2.400

N G Kurtz

1,200
1.20«)
l.W?
1.200
\400

W P Ash

Apr. 7.
7

p TTa rman . «

T H Mot'fznn

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout Fry— Continued.

Off. Doc.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout -Pry— Continued.

Postoffice Address.

H. C. Morgan,

15, C. M. bchenck

15, J. H. Curran

20, Simon Smith, Jr

20, G. W. Heckman,

20, J. W. Humer

20, C. S. Heckman,

20, H. Hertzler

20, P. W. Minni3

20. G. V. Johnson

20, H. Wolf

May 27, Geo. A. Freyer

27, Joseph Hosier,

27, W. M. Watts

Apr. 7, C. S. Trace

7, W. K. Alricks

7, W. E. Seel

7, S. Kunkel

7, J. W. Covert

7, H. A. Dill

7, H. Millar

7, C. H. Bergner

7, C. Hanlen

7. V. H. Wiestling

7, J. H. liolton

7, A. J. Fager

7, i J. Smith

7. H. Lutz

7, ; G. W. /;oyd

20, I W. H. Henderson

20. ! A. L. Derr

20, "W. R. Denehey

20. ! A. W. Norrls

20. I G. C. Bent

20. A. Roat

20. H. E. Hershey

Mch.23. F. Haker

23, C. Phlpps

Apr. 10, Je8!«e M. Baker

Ifl. T. K. .Tnhnpon

Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
New Cumberland, Cumb'd co.,..
Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
Carlisle, Cumlterland county, ...
Shippensburg, Cumberland co....
Shippensburg, Cumberland co.,..
Doubling (Jap, Cumberland co.,
Carlisle, Cumberland county, ...
Carlisle. Cumberland county, ...
Harrtsburg, Dauphin omnty, ...
Harrlsburg, Dauphin county, ;..
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrlsburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg. Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ..
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ..
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg. Dauphin county, ..
Harrisburg. Dauphin county. ..
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg. Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg. Dauphin county, ...
Harrisburg. Dauphin county. ...
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, ...!
Brandy wine Summit. Del. co. ,,
Rrandywlne Summit, Del. co.,,

Media. Delaware county

MPdtri, Delaware county

No. shipped.

1,20'J
1.200
1,200
l.2'}0
1.20O
1,200
1,203
1,200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1,200

1.200

1,200

l,2t)0

1,200

2,400

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

4.500

3,000

2 .'■.00

2.500

Total.

Date.

1896.
Apr. 10,
May 27.
27,
27.
27,
27.
27,
27,
Apr. 21,
21,
21.
21,
21,
21,
21,
May 27,
27.
27,
27,
1.
1,
1.
May 1.
1.
1.
1.
15,
15.
13.
15.
15.
15.
20,
20,
Wr. 1,
1.
1.
1.
1.
1

Name.

Postoffice Address.

S- Hill j Markham, Delaware county,...

H. C. Grenewalt Fayettesville, Franklin county,

M. D. Lernaster j Chambersburg, Franklin county.

J. M. Duncan Chambersburg, Franklin county,

F. M. Duncan I Chambersburg, P^anklin county,

P. M, Snyder Waynesboro, Franklin county,

H. C. Smith McConnellsburg. Fulton county..

D. L. Grissinger \ McConnellsburg, Fulton county,.

S. B. Patterson | Warriors Mark, Huntingdon co...

C. Wilson Warriors Mark. Huntingdon co...

J. H. Waite Warriors Mark. Huntingdon co...

B. Waite I Warriors Mark, Huntingdon co...

S- Buck I Warriors Mark, Huntingdon co., .

E. G. Hutchison j Warriors Mark, Huntingdon co...

S. A. Steel Huntingdon, Huntingdon county,

David Beale VVarble Juniata county

F. Vaughn |Peru Mills, Juniata county. ...

R. H. fatterson Peru Mills, Juniata county, ...

W. D. Walls ; East Waterford, Juniata co

S. C. Whltmore Jermyn. Lackawanna county

J. Gardner Carbondale, Lackawanna county.

E- Le^ Carbondale, Lackawanna county,

S. J. Church : Moosic, Lackawanna county. ...

W. Steinmetz j Moosic, Lackawanna county, ...

J. G. Bailer Thornhurst. Lackawanna county.

W. Bailer Thornhurst, Lackawanna county,

A. K. Phelps Thornhurst, Lackawanna county,

S. W. Travis Moscow, Lackawanna county,,..

P. C. Connally Minoka. Lackawanna county

J. W. Houser Taylor, l.Acka wanna county, ...

C. W. Fowler | Scranton, Lackawanna county...

H. W. Huff Scranton. Lackawanna county...

J. Heath Ransom. Lackawanna county

F. Hofford Ransom. Lackawanna county

L. W. Bricker Manheim, Lancaster county \

M. B. Leaman Manheim, Lancaster county !

D. Grelner Lancaster, Lancaster county....

H. M. GIbble ElstenvlUe, Lancaster county. ...

A. B. Groff ; Manheim. Lancatter county

A. E. purkholder Farmersville, Lancaster county..

No.8hli)iied.

1,200

2,400

1.200

1,200

1.200

..200

1,200

1,2(10

1,200

1.200

2.400

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1.20)

1.200

1,200

1.2')0

1.200

1,200

1.200 i

i,at(o I

1,200
1,200

Total.

KEPUKT OF TllK

Brook Trout i^ry— Continued.

ulf. Uoc.

Date.

Name.

Postottlce Address.

No.BhippeU.

Total.

1896.

Apr. 1,

T> Hassler

Mt. Joy, Lancaster county,

1.200

H niHer .-

Ledeer Lancaster county,

1.200 ;

Inh Kbv

Bellemont, Lancaster county i 1.20U

M. Coulter

Bartville, Trfincaster county, ... 1.200

*•

N. Homsher

Bartville, Lancaster county, ... 2,40o

M. Walter

Christiana. Lancaster county 1.20o

H.
Fl

Davis

Christiana, Lancaster county 1.200

G. Bromell

Christiana, Lancaster county,... 1.200

E. Burkholder

Farmersville, Lancaster county 1.200

H.
H.
F.

V Rshplman

Lancaster. Lancaster county,... 1.200

w»

M Hoffman

Voganville. Lancaster county... 1.200
Washington boro, Lancaster co.. 1.20U

C. Wittmer.

3.
3,

J,
J.

f* "Witmpr

■Washington boro. Lancaster co.. 1.200

P. Bowman.

Marietta, Lancaster county 2.400

3,
3.

( Marietta, Lancaster county, ... 1.200

Amos Fendrlch

Columbia. Lancaster county, .. 1.200

S. Jackson

Columbia, l^ancaster county, ... 1.200

3.
May 27,

27,
27,

27.

' Christiana, Lancaster county, . 2,400

Tifi nn •

Gordonville, Lancaster county.. 1.200

Pharlea

Florin, Lancaster county 1.200

rt Plarlv

Intercourse, Lancaster county. .. 1,200

N Woods

Leiiman Place, Lancaster county 1,200

P Pnvvnall

Christiana. Lancaster county. .. 1,200

27,
27.

L Getz

Lancaster. Lancaster county 1,200

M. Townsend

Smyrna, Lancaster county l,*W

27,
27.

i J.

F Reed

i Smyrna, Lancaster county l.WO

Christiana, Lancaster county 1.200

. S. Hastings

27.
27,

T.
Jo

TWpOotvjin

ChrlKtiana, Lancaster county l.JOO j

Christiana, Lancaster county 1.200

hn Borland

27.

Donald C. Duffy

1 Manilla. Lancaster county 2.400

Mch.30.

i ^'

P. Kremer, M. D

Lebanon, Lebanon county 1.500

30.

D. Miller

Lebanon. Lebanon county. l.BOO

30.
30,

N.
C.

Lebanon Lebanon county. l,BW

P. Kreitzer

Lebanon. Lebanon county 1.500

30,
30.

A.
C.

M Filbert

Lebanon Ijcbanon county, i 1,800

L. Miller, M. D

1
Lebanon. Lebanon county

1,500

30.

M. Miller

.Lebanon, Lebanon county

1.500

A. Louser

' Lebanon, Lebanon county

1.600

30.

K. Dienoechter

Lebanon, Lebanon county

1 .500

B Olonlzer.

'Lebanon, Labanon county

i.floe

.\'o IS.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

5*5

Brook IVout iV^— Continued.

Date.

1M«0,
.Mch.30.

30,

30.

30,

30.

•TO.

30.

.!•).

30.

30,

.10,
Apr 6,
May 21,
M.h.Sl.
31,
31,
Apr. 8,

s.
%.

28.
28,
28.
28,
28.
May 11.
11,
11.
M.
U.
11.

**•

15. I

15. I
16.

.N'ame.

Postofflce Address.

No.shipped. Total.

John Bentsun

J. H. Cillt-y

C. 1^. Hf-n.-ion

J. i". Buolier

G. \\'. Kochenour

C. t^, Shaak

J W, Uoss j

M. S KrwldtT

S. Shaak j

N. L Spanglfr

W. B. Means. M. D j

.1. K. LaudenmilPr

N. li. riiegrlst

S. G. V'allentlne I

Henry Moyer

Joseph Ke*»fer

J. W. Eckert

J. Schadt

C. E. Mllson

H. S. Wp.-.v.-r . .
C. R. Horn. .
W. R Thomf.> .».
E C. Koons
J F. Miller

E. German. .,

H. P. Boyer

A. Boyer ,

J. S. Erb

Q. W. Shaffer

J, C, Bltterling

F. J. Stettler

W. A Mentzfl.

F. F. Willenbecker.

L. A. Mink

C. L. Mink

J. A. WllllamB

David Hunt.

Chas. Corwln.

e. N. Wavenliont.

. . I

T.oo TlnkT.

Lebuiiuti. Li'baiion i.ouniy.
Lebanon, I^hLliiioii i.'<iunty.
Lebanon, Lebanon county.
Lebanon, I,eb;inon county.
Lebanon. Lebanon county.
Lebanon. Lebanon ^;ount.v .
Lebanon, Lebanon county.
Lebanon. Lebanon county.
Lebanon, Lebanon county,
Lebaii'in. I.fb.inon county.
Lebanon, Lebatton lounty.
Lf'l>aiioii. Lebanon county.
Lt'l.;in.;n. I ..•lnui.iii oounty,
LebHnon, Lebanon county.

Ney, Lebanon county

Egypt, Lehigh county

Coplay. Lehigh, county. ..
Coplay, Lehigli, county, ...

\ Cata.sauquH. Lehigh county.

I Calasauquii. Lehigh county,
I'alasauquii Lehigh .••■unty,
< 'al.is<uii|Ua. L.'hi^h .•-jiuity.
• ^atasauqua l.fhieh .^ounty.
Slattngton Ijchigh county.
Slatington l.,ehigh county,
Slatington. Lehigh county,
Slatington T..ehigh county. .
Slatington, l^ehigh county .
Allentown, Lf-high county.
Allentown, Lehigh <'ounty. .
Allentown. I.phlgh county. .
Allentown. Lphigh county
Allentown. Lfhlgh rounty.
Allentown. Lehigh county,
Allentown. Lehigh county. ..
Catasauqua. Lehigh county. .
Catasauqua. Lehigh county. .
Catasauqua, Lehigh county, .

AlburtlB. Lehigh county

Alburtls. T^high county

1.60U

1.500

t.&OO

l.&OO

1,500

l.oOO

t.500

l.aOO

1.500

1,500

1.200

1 . 200

1,200

1.200

1.500

1,500

1.600

i.aoo

1.200

i.aoo

1.300
1.300
1,200
1.200

I.aoo

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1.20O

1.200

'.M.

Kiiii'UJtr Ul'" THt:

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

off, Unc

Date.

1896.

Al t. 22.
iZ,
•^,
.iu,
■.\>i.
;!u,
;io,
;{u,
;;ti,
;w.

JO,

:!ti,

■w.

30.

Ji>,
;!u,
::o,
;jo,

o','.

.M.

M,i\ !.
1.
I.
I.

1.
I.

t"..

20.
20.
20.
2i'.

Name.

Postottice Aadrtss.

i>io.shipijea. Total.

I. Dusiit'Ck

J L'utlii 1 1»

w. r. lieta, .

II. U ilLiur, .
L'. C. iJa.N , ., .

!•;. Mooro

I'. JI.ll

J,, ii. I.nllt;.

\: I . Kiiii, . ..

i\. 1/. M. ■. .

A. Illlliii.tii

H. «. BeltrJck.

A Ii Ml • 'litHorK

K. I Alexander.

.\. W Koad^;. .

• ■. H. Ixjugheity.

Li. Hultiiian. . .

11. .><tull

H. Kiiiiie.\

'J'. S. Tucktr, ..

'J'. Tucker

J. H. Edyer, ...

I' . I. Utj@U>«^I', .

< . .N'l l.<()It,

.1. II lludvll. ...

K. W . IJiydt.

K. W . r.uiii'bell,

W . .>-;. r.ariill. .

Fffd. S;t\

I'. .1. Wuf'kii, ...

I'. Mcrsfr'

W <• l^ii..'. .

I Slicrnl;! II .

I< r. Ixohinsi'ii

W llusi.i

S S. Tiipl.s. ..

!■;. r:itiHt>ii.i II

^. A . K ook

J. Srott

i: \\ K»(>k ..

Freciand, Luzerne county

1-ieeland, Luzerne county,

\\ Mketi-Laire, Lui-erno county,
Wiikcb-Uarrf. l.uziiiu ciitim.v,
\\iiki.-- IJaric, i.u/.i uif luuiil.s ,
\\ likts-JIarn-, Lu^ii nif cuuiilj
WilKi .^ IJarr--, l.u.'.'iiH- i.<iuiiii,
W Ukts-liai M , l.ii/.iiii( counly,
\\ Iki^-Karri-. I.UzUiiu < Muiili ,
W ;Mmw-Uim»'i;. \.uv.<v\n- cuunly,
Wilkis r.airc, I.u/.(.'IM<' i.iun(y,

W I \\\i~ I :.i 1 1 ' I .u/,''nii . .iiiiii \
Wiik.s i;,in' I.UiiriiU' • '■iiiii.v
\\ ilK«j. i;,in' Luzi-riii- ruiiiiiN
Wilkea-Harre, Luztine < niiiity,
.-^ti'ildarisvillr l.uzernc cuuuiy,
Si.nl.l.ui.-^v nil Luztrne counly,
i5ii'Udari.--\ l,l< Luzirni' ioUtii>
Liifur t'ri-i-'i^. I^iizi riic i.nijiu.s, ..

Ijtar Crii-1<, l..n/.ci tit iru>-. ..

\\ ilki'h-lJari' , l,ii/.iiiii .■lUiii.v,
\\ IIK'i'.< I '.ai |i I.U/'.iiiii .iiiiniv
.Xani i j'll,.', I.tj'/,)'rn<' <.')Uiily, ...
Wilkes I '■arrt'. I.uzitip I'uunl.v,

.\.'jhiey, LuzeiiH' counly,

Pltt.sti.n, Ijuzirn-' iouiil.\, ....

I'll t.Sl nil. l,U/.ilM<- iMlllll\,

I'll I y\ Mil, I ,ii/,ii I xitiii \

J'il I .--li'h. I .ll/.iMli' 11111111 > .

rtn^ion. I.*j/-u'in- iiMiiiiN.

ill I si . II, I .ii/.i I 111' • .mill y ,
\ 'II I ^ h III I .ll.'.i'll Mill \ .

Wilkes I ".anf l,ir/.<iii( ...iinl'

White lliviii l.uzern'' eount> .

White U.iviii l.ii/.(jrric roiiiity

White Haven. Lu/.i-nic i miiily.

White riavtn. I.u/. i ■ -liy.

Whiti' Ilavili l,n/>Tiii' Miiiilv.

\\ liltf Hav*n. Ijii«<Tne <ounty,

1,200

1,2UU
2,400
1,200
1,200

1 , 2U0
1,200
1,M»
2.1tJ0

2, liMI
1, 2' III

i.ajo

1.2iM)

1.2(10
1 . 200
- , loo
1,20 J
1,200
1 . 20tJ
«.20<J

i,:oj
1,200

i.aoo

1,200
1,200
1.200
1.200
1.200

1 . ■.:o(i

1.21HI

1 . 200

I . "<•!'

I. 201 1
1 . 20(1
I 21)0
1 . 200
1 , 200
1.200
1 l!ilO

No. 18.

I'MSM (M»MMI.SSI< ».M';i:s.

Brook Trout i^r?/— Continued.

;iv

Date.

Manic.

Postollice Address.

I No.shipyed.

1896.

.Ma.\ 20, C. ti. Schumaker, ..

2U, J. J. Liakcr, Jr., ..

20. J. 1{. .Sniilh

20, II. O. Jacoby

-■". J". Walla.'.-

2". ,1. ( '. M. I 'riKK--^.

:•. «;. W. .M.iy.r

Mi\ :' ', c;. I,. < •. i''r,iiii/,, .

\|i :■;, •;. 11. i;.-li

2::. .1. I'.iktT

2;:, 1'. T. Hell

M..> .. J. a Miller

V. \S . A MilUT. .M. i ).

/. 1;. I'. Harp.-

7, J. li. I '.I ixik:^

1, ,1. 1 ). I Uiiiiko

7, .i\. I la iiiliiii ,^11

7, K. F. I'laiiajjaa

7, \\ . .\. l'"i,-iMat; la

V. Jap. X, I'la iiai;.! n

7. J. ].. F'ii.-iiiKlnn.

1. (;. W. hiMiii,.

7. I< . \\ . I'l ii [1

7, H. 1;. .•^111 ih

7. W. Kaiii/,

7. \S'. S. I HiUil

7, I;. 1 >. I'.'iMiy. .1 r .

7. A\ . M. r.iiriioll.

7. ^\■. Xaii.troniiii

7, ,1. J'liliTu;.!-

7. ,\ .1. Il.'ll.r .

7. IVI. KiliriKcr

7, E. i;.ili/.

7. 'J'. 11. Wclicr

7. I'cicr Setzer

7. P. IF.iu.k

7. W. S. Harper

8. I R. J. Sterllngr.

S, I P. K. Wolff, .

8, I A. Hanw

— White Haven, Luzerne county,.

— White Haven. Luzerne county..

■ White Haven, Luzerne county,.,

— White Haven, Luzerne county..,
While Haven, Luz.'riie iiniiil v . . ,

Wliit.i llaviii, l,ti/..Tii,. (..iiiiiy...

W hill' lla\.ii. l.u/..-nii' r.,uiii\. .

• • 'A UK •:. I ;ari e, 1, 11/.. ■in. I'lHiil^

hiwi.'~|i.\vii, Alillljn canity

Vx^ii .Milllii) t.iuiily

\ Isa, Milllin ci unity

— 'fi*tti»«r,sville, Moiir." eoiiiiiy,

r iiiiieis\ili.', Almiri.. cuinay,
T iiuierKviUe. .Mmin,, county.
l-i.Hi .slroud.s|purK, .Monroe c.i

Ea.st Siroudaburg, Monroe co

lOa.^t Sirouikshurs, Monroe co

. Dayt Stroudsliurg, Mnnroe co

lOa.st ."^ii-ouilsburgr. Monme co.,...

jJa.st Slrou.l.sliiirfr, M-'IHu.^co

F.i.'^i Siroii.lsliiiri;-, Miiiir,,e co

.-■iu-iiuij.sliiuif. .Monnie ...unty,

•StniU.l.'iliiirK .Monro.' cuunty

.^triiu.l.sliin-; .Mnnr.if nty

SlroUdsliiiiL- .Monroe loiiniy

SU'oudsburK. .Moiin.e iininiy

.'^iinudslini-K. Moiir.ie .-omiiy

SI iMiidslmiK. .Monroe fomily

lOant Stroud.sliiu^'. M nmo co

. . .^^tnuidsl.ur.^-. Miimn unty

SI riindHhurg-, Mrinroe cottnty

, . Siii.nil liiirtr Monr..o coiinty,

Sirondpbnrp. Monme county

... i5troHd.sbnrK. .Minioo rnniii-.

. .. ^nydersvllle, M.mroe county

,.. Snydersvillo. M.mroe county,
... Snydersviili . Monroe county, ...

.. Scioto. MoiHiH' county

. . ': llprsvllle. M'nroe county, .
,. Snydersvllle. Monro« county, ..,

1.2U0
1 , 20U
l,2iJU
1,200
1,200
l,2oi(
1 ,200
1.2'Ml
1,2*;V
1 . 2(»0
1.20U
1.200

1.200

l,-.:«0

1.2Uli

1,2IM)

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,20'>

1,200

i , 200

1,200

1 . 200

1.2i"»

1.2('0

1.200

1 . 21 HI

1.200

1 . 200

1 . i!iu''

1.20D

»,200

1.200

1 2iVi

1.200

l.flM

Total.

7 1.^-90

KKP<»RT OF 'IHK

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

< XT. Hoc.

No. 18.

FI«H COMMISSIONERS.

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

»9

i »al>-.

1896.
May h,

8.
h.

>>,
8.
h.
b.

S.
11.
11,

11,

11.

II.

li.

11.

il>

11.

11,

11.

18,
It.

Name.

l-*ohlultice Address.

No.shipped. Total.

W . Beiil/"Hi

Ji. K. Sc'tn.-ui.. ...

11. ilulTuutii

J. A. fttiUibi

D. W. lluah,

,1 Antiiuii.s

K. V . SciiNvaiU

\\ . H. Uurkhtttdl, .

D. .S. DctiicK

\N . H. L).?tii<jk

G. NV Rea-ler

H. A. Sfllors,

M. K. Sinitli

\V. .1. Sellers

\V. r.. ThoinimKH, ..
W. W. Huglu'S- ....

M G. Sellers

V. H. .^.'-11

J. A. CaniK.in

W J, Sellers.
J. KisterL'Ock,

E. Hagert.

W \V. Grinipi.
J Brutzman
H. C. Wells.
John Johnsoti
J. K. Wells,

W, C. Henry

Mrs W B Henry

Eugene Arnat

F .V Besbing

E E. Hooker, Jr. ..
T M Mcr.irmicU ..

G. J. Fanseen

James WUscn

J. R. Fanseen,

B. H. Smith

B. Keller

A. Keller.

It O. Loralz.

Keiiersviae, .aobrwe wC>unty, ...

Marshalls freek. Monroe count.v.

Mtii.shaMb <"ief'k, Munru« c«junl> .

Marshalls Creek. Munrue touni.'. .

.Marshalls Creek, Munroe count> .

Analoniink, Monroe county

Aiiuk'niink. Munroe couni> ,

.\naluiiunk. .Monrot (.'Muniy,

Aiialijinink. Muniu.^ uouiuy,

.Anali.'iuiiik, .Munrue LouiUy,

ADaluiiiiiik. Monroe cuuiuy

I'urkside, Moiuue count>

Parkside, Mouro<- county

Paikside, Monroe luuaij

ParksiilH, Munroe county

Parkaide. Monroe county

Parkside. .Monru.- count>

Pa rkside. .Monroe county

Park.siii'-. Monroe count>

I'.irKsi'li'. Monrof iontit\

I'ark«li|p Monroe i i>unt\

ParUsidi' Monroe county

Parkstdu. Monroe county.
Parkside. Monroe county . .

Parkside. Monroe county

Parkside, Monroe county ,,

Parkside, Monroe county

Parkside. Monroe county

Mt Pricono, Monroe county

Mt Pocono. Mfltiroe county

Mt. Pocono. Monroe county,

Mt. Pocono. Monroe county

Mt. Pocono. Monroe county !

Mt. Pocono, Monroe county

Mt. Pocono, Monroe county j

Paradise Valley. Monroe county.
Pararli-o Valley. Monroe county.
Canadensla, Monroe county I

1,200
1.200

1 . 200
1 . -.'(10
!. ')Nl

i.'im

1,200

1.200

i.Wu

\.Vm

1,2U0

1.200

1,200

1.200

1.20W

1.200

1,20U

1,200

1.200

1,200

2.400

1,200

l.SOO

1,200

1,100

1.200

2,400

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

i.aoo

Date.

Name.

Postullice Address.

No. shipped.

May 13,
13.
13,
13.
13.
13.
13.
IS,
13,

18.

13.

13.
13,
13,
13,
13.
13,
13.
13,
13.
13.
13.
13,
18,

18.
-'2.

Moh 2J.
23.
23,

23,

2r.,

2T,.

25,

2r..

26.

Harry Liomix. Canadensis. Monroe county, ..

E. Liomix Canadensis, Monroe county , . ,

P. Faley , Cresco. Monroe county,

J. J. Sheesbaugh Creeco, Monroe county, ...

H. Matthews, Cresco, Monroe county

Q. F. Smith Cresco, Monroe county

James Paley i Cresco, Monroe county . .

W. J. Sellers, | Cresco, Monroe county

O. H. Brocks, Cresco, Monroe county,

R. Roberts. Cresco, Monroe county,

B. Holmes I cresco, Monroe county

F. Flanagan Cresco. Monroe county,

L,. H. Fish Cresco, Monroe county

E. P. Moore,
M, P. Snow,

S. Price

M. D. Price. .
W. J. Price.
C. W^agner.
W. J. Kessler.
J. S. Snow. .
Rufus Snow,

Cresco, Monroe county

Cresco. Monroe county

Cresco, Monroe county, ..
Cresco, Monroe county,

Cresco. Monroe county

<.'anaden8ls, Monroe county,
('anadensis, Monroe county,
Canadensis, Monroe county
Canadensis. Monroe county.

J. Brown. j Canadensis, Monroe county

I. M. Lynch

I. S. Cas-e

Tobyhann.^t Mills, Monroe county.

Tobyhanna Mills, .Monroe cjimiy.

N. D. Brittain Tobyhanna Mills. Monroe county,

Jack.son Stlne j lilakesley, Munroe county

J. Blakesley lilakesley. Monroe county,

J. B. L.unK N'arclspu, Montgomery county,..

I. J. Shejipard Broadaxe. Montgomery county .

D. I... Crater Narclssa. Montgomery county...

B. F. Shaw ; Blue Bell, .Montgomery county..

H. Evans Pottstown, Montgomery county,..

Q. P Gnon Pot'stown. Montgomery county,.

Q. C. Smith Pottstown. Montgomery county,..

W. S. Roy^r Pott .sto wn . Montgomery county, .

Pottstown F!ph and Game
Protective Association,. Pott.stown. Montgomery county,.

M. M. Mosslmer. Jr Pottstown. Montgomery county.

Oeo, H. Stelnmetz Norrlstown, Montgomery lounty

1,200

1,20U

1.200

1,200

1,800

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.1M

1,200

1,800

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.200

1 200

1,200

l.iOO

1 . jO«I

l,.iOO

1.500

3.IJ0<(

1 .'.(lO

:: 000

I... 000

I.SnO
1.50« ,

Total.

100

I 'ale.

Xaiiif

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trout Fry — Ooutinued.

I r.'Hiuiii.i' Aiitii'i/ss.

Off. Doc.

.\'m. is.

FISH (M)IVIMISSIONERS

Brook Trout i'V?/— Continued.

101

1S96.
.M' li.LTi, 11. H. Ziniiiu-iniaii.

'I'. \'. Siiiilli ,.

W . M. I H. Ivill.s,,||.
;:.., II. .M. Ki.nl:-.'!, ..

■_•:., I,. .\l. I I, I. Is

.\. r. .M.i'lmv. ...

z:,, w. II. K''o.i

.\|il. 1, .I.J. Kfl ij;;ui,

::», r'. 11. I'islier

:i!t, .1. 'I'lmiiiii.'^

:::i, .\. ci-.irt

Z'i, VV. H. Reed

I!!). II. <;. AllK'I

.\l.i.\ "J!!, ('. II. olierKO

l!:t. C. A. .1. ShiKt

M.li.ll, 'I' I'. L'h

:!l , II .-^i III Ml nil I

:;i. II K.iii.Uiliih

::i. li. ^^ l'rr.il-.i. .

;;i. A. !■•. .1 I. ..i,>

.;i I !•; I niiil.. .

.;i . .1 . \ III, iriKi'i , . . .

:;i RoUi. Matter

•;i, S. I ». ItiHpv

:;!. i«. w . i'u>i.-i. ..:..

\|.t i:. V .Mil. K

X. il. C. I'.ilil.

S. . •. U. Kii.ilit

S. .1. T. «ii.iin

s, \. KihIi

S. VV. .1 K..|y..l

•S. 'P. Ai'loTiiian

S. L. n. ('.iiihli'ii

s. ( ». Wdirc

K, p. Ross

R. ' A. l>iot7,

9, A. D. SbitiiiT

!1. M. .T. t^. Iilpror

n f. v..i,iii,'

f». TT r> itf..))

No.f-iniJijLii. i'otul.

N'uiTlstdWn. MdiiigiiiiiiTi (•■imity,

.\'.iiiisl ..n. .MiimKiiinoij cuuiity

.\'M risi'iu n, .Vhiiii i;. iiii.i > I'unniy.

\i.i risiiiu ti, Mm!iik"I|' 1 ■Hilly

\' ii I isiciwn, iVl"iii f^iiiiK'i > r.iiirii>.

\i>i 1 i.'-tiiw II .Midii j;i),iK ry miiiily,

Null i.siKwn, .MiPiitKoiiuTy couiiiy.

Ila \ fi iMid, .\foiiiK"ii"'»'y ci)Uiil,\, .

\.ii r isiiiw li. .Muiitgiiliifi y rnuiily.

Xi'i I i.siiiwii, Aldiimtiiiiri y .'.iimly.

.Xmiislfiwii. .MuntL;'i!ii.i> itiiiiil.\,

Nurri^lown. MontKoinory coniily,

.\iii rlsinun, i\lniii^;iiniery cuiinty,

I I.I \ I'l-r.iiil. Miiiit miinei \ i.uiiily..

I"' Mills. MiiMtKiiMli'l .\ -iilllMy

Null lianiiUnn Xui ilKinijituM ci,,

I'l.'isi ■ .11 . .Null li:i inl'i "'M ...iMiiy,...

|-:,l li'M. \i.| I li:i Ml|'l"i|| i.iHIlty, .

i;,i^iiiM .N'liii li;ini|'i .•II 1 iiniils .

I';;i^l..>i. \'. .11 li:illl|'l "Ii i-.'ilMiy.

I'l.i.- I..M. Ni.r I li I Mlpton .iiMiily,

!■'! ••■III. I h: lilll r \..|i ll.HTii|.| ..n 1 . . .

I«'t»'f»mnnsliin>; . .N.^rlhHiMi.t .ti m. ,
l''i ii'iM.i ll^l.ll^•!• \..)l haiii|>i'>ii fii.,
J''ri'i'Mi.i nsliuir , X^iil liuiiii'li'M co..
Na«iircili, ,\«>rthatri|ilua cotuily. .
K:i'/.;ir^-l li . .V'H'I li,Mn)iti>ti •■•.iinl.v..
.\"m/.:i (••■I h .N^iil li.i iMi'lmi 4i.iiiii\
.\'a/..iri'l li. .VirMlia Million i'hiimis

.-^Mlll.sv ill. , .\. Tl ll.l lll|i|iin .■••

lijtiiK. r. \i.tllmw|>lon coiinly

I ifUipnr. N'iM'l li:ilM|l|i>ll (•..iiMly

liatlKul". Niirt li:i Mipln!! iiiiiMly

liaHKnr. Xiiltlia iMpli^h .■•iMlilv.

Ii.'inpr<ir. Noriliam|ii<iM •••intii\
Ujiii^ror. WnthMni|il"ii cnuiii;.
I !.'! hli-lu-m. Xiii-i liimph)!-, vx\..
nelhlf'lirni, X(irlhainii|i»n (••>
^'••iin.tr.'-. N'lirl lri?ii|.iiiii ••••iinly.

l\l>'i!<!lilS-\ i|. \'.i| I linMI|.l(iM en

I )ate.

1 . 500

1,.'.0(I
1..MI0
l..'.no

I . r,o(i

1,-JOO

l,2tMI

•I.Am
l.^l
i.i:oo

l.'JOll

1,200

l,2(HI
•J. 1(M1
l.2(Mt
1,..<M»
l.iUO

I , :.ou

1 . .'.(Ml
I . ."lOO

I . ^m

I . lOtl
1 . .00

1...<MI
1 . .oil

I . im

I . '.!ti0

I . liHIt

I . 'im
I , ;.'i"t

I .l-'IMt

i.aift
I . :^i»ti

1,'JOll

1 . :'iMi
1,200

I . 2lH)
l,2tHI

1.200 I
I. ■'(Ml I

1896.

II.

:i.

'■*,
n,

9.
9,

M.1V

1.^,
I?,,
IS.
ITi,
I'.,
Apr. 2I»,
2!t
20.
20.
2(1,
20.
20.-
I'u,
20.

Nanif.

M" .-^ 'i-n^K' .

.M .1. .Shinior

J. .\ . I .au.linliiM !•■:
r;..lii M. I Till I't'i

i, II .-^hhii'-r

W, II. ll..tYni.tn
i;. W . Wiios.ll. .
I„ W . Snx.ii:.
I :. I iaiUMia Mil,
M I ', l.iirkfiilia -li.
J. I. KicklliH
I ;. !■'. I 'atTLs . ,
.). U .T-.hii'^.ii.
C. F. rianki'V
,r H ILilfniaM.
Tf H |ial, . .

t'. .1 l-;riit--i

C. 'I' .M..sir

C. P. Siiyl.T.

C. H. l''r.ink.;iinoi !.

J. F RaiKh. .

F. .T Klinkor

C. F r?refiPr.
,To.=ppli Searies. .
Joliii K.-^-k.
Petw (tfiuh,
F V. Nfaik
Thom:if: l;iM^ u
Qt. RTnl.\ . .
I^ f\. EilenborKci .

E. HcRuin;

A. «; (Soortwill
\V. f. Smiili
K. T. l!nriRliii.t

.Tdhti I '.imp

TT i; Ititifsmllh. ..
.1 I, M^Mi.

n. W. SJir.in.r

.\ nfisiihi-'

\)nv1<1 Ripo

Postofllce Address.

Baih, N'mihamiitiin county
.•'•'•.'•"'iiiaiisbur-',. X^ii't hamptiin oo.,
'■'fi'i'iiiansliiULC. Xnrtlianiptnn ro.
Bfthli-lu'in. .Vorthamiitrm •••..

'■ ' hloliem, N'liri lianipt.iii •"
, 'i' lili-hfni, .Vi.r, hamptnn ri>.,.

'■; iil.'Ib'lli , .Villi h:i Mlpliin cri...

'.•■•thlfhPin. Xorlliaiiiptiin co...

'. ! (ili'hcm, .Xoilli iniplon fo.,
. '■ Uij.'lii'ni, Xiiithampimi lO...
I'tlilfliiMii. Xoif hainptdii oo.,.
I ;• ■ lil^-iu'Pi . X ill III iiiptiin cct...
':.:hUli>Mi. Niii' haiMphm en...
I !t-tlil<'liiin, XiU'thainptiiii on.,.
I'.' ftilehfin, Xtufh.Tinptoii oo...
i-;olhIfheni, Xoithainpion m...

Rethlehem, Northampton ro

1 ;. ' liliti^Mii N'liii liain|ii(.<M »;o.. .
f^i.lil.litiii ,\'(irthampton i-n .
I'. I hl^hcni, Xorthamplon ••i.. •

iJt'ihlf'heni. Xorthamplon <'o

R'^thlohf Hi, Xorthami.ton on

F^vthlehpni, Xnrthampton ■■.(.. ..

BelviMiTf. .N. .1

Belvldere, X. ,1

Easton, Northampton county,..
Easton. Northampton county,..
Easton. Nirthanipton cminty,..
Easton. .Xnrihanipton cnunly .
M.ninl r.othel, Northampton co.
StoVnt Bethel, Northampton co.
Shamokiii. Northumbcrlfimi oo. ,
.miainokin, Northiimberlaiul co. ,
^hamukin, Nuithumbcrland co.,
I'allinj^ SprlnRs, P«rry county,.
\«.\v niiKiiiilii'ld, Perry <'Onnty,
,\c\v I ;l. .1111 111 111. I'l'i'ry cuiinly..

niain, I'l'i-r-y cicinly

Blain Perry county

I'.lam Perry county

Xu, shipped. Total,

l,aiJo
1 , 200
1 , -100
l,2O0
1,200
1 , 200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1,200
\ , 200
i,2ijo
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1,200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1,200
1,200
1,200
1.200
I.20U
1.200
1.200

\,m

1,200
1,200
1.200
1,200
1.200
2.100
1,200
l.2iif»
1 . 200
l.2tV>
l.?««»

lUL'

REPORT OF THE

Brook Trovi /Vy— Continued.

Off. Doc

No. 18.

KISH CUAlMiSSlONERS

Brook Trout Fry — Continued.

IU3

i^ate.

Apr. 20,

ao.

Mcb.22.
23,
23.
23,
23.

Apr. 6.
6.
10.
10.
10,
JO,
10,
28.
23.

May S,
8,
8.
S.

A|.i. 6,

6.
6,

ti.

(i,
13.
13.
13.

13.
13.

I."..

l.'l.

l«. ,

Hi.

Irt

Name.

PostofUce Address.

S. Woods Wain. Perry county.

\ l^. A. Gutshall. .. 31ain, Perry county

W. K. Meehaii Philadelphia, Philadelphia co....

C. G. Gilmort Frankford, Phlladelphiit county,

H T. Gilmoie, Frankford, Philadelphia county,

E. F. Raul, I Philadelphia. Philadelphia co. , . .

F. W. Cornmun, ...j Roxborough, Philadelphia co

T. K. Schofleld. • • i Roxfcorough, Philadelphia co, .. ..

C. T Jones. Jr.,

T. Weinevag,

VV. E. Meehan

G. W. C. Drexel. ..
Theo. Wernway. ..

R. Wlster

Dr. M. C. Radcllrte,

C. H. Sloane

E. F Beters

H. Peters

C. L. Heller

W. H. Stoddart

Philadelphia, Philadelphia co
Philadelphia. Philadelphia co.,
Philadelphia. Philadelphia co...
Philadelphia. Philadelphia co...
Philadelphia. Philadelphia co..,
Philadelphia. Philadelphia co...
Philadelphia, Philadelphia oo. .,
Philadelphia, Philadelphia co...

Bushkill, Pike county

Bushkill. Pike .>ouniy
Bushkill, Hike ,ouni>
Adamsdale. Sehuylkili

. .<lJMt.\
iplUlt.>

E. K Chappell

M. Poti.s j Adamndale Schuylkill

B. C. Weidniai. Pott.sville. Schuylkill

J. W. Ri.yer i Pottavllle, S»-huylklll

C. Strouse. Summit Station .•^oliuylklll oi...

M. KmerU'k j Summit Station Schuylkill ,....,

F. Sirausi- | Summit Sialiuu. S. huylkill co.,.,

G. W Kiviii.-r ; Summit Station, S.-huylklll .(.,..,

H. Z. KlhslnKei ! Minersvlile. Schuylkill .-..

iiniy

J. McSwetly CJlencarbon, Schuylkill ...uiiiy

H. B. Ruih New Ringtowii. <'arboii onut-ty, .

Daniel Lei.«*er i New RingtOMn. Carbon county,.

C. HIlllbrHnd ! Frackvllle, Carimn county

John \\>Bter Rauch, Schuylkill lounty

Geo. VV. .lohnoon Frackvllle, Carbon county

VV Nftster Rauch. Schuylkill .-nunty '

J W. Reesor Keriler. Schuylkill i-ounty I

.Tohn Robertx .Shenandoah. Schuylkill '..unty. .i

Kfl RolteriH Shenanrlnah Schuylkill .ounty. .

F: K nettexmnri Shenamlnah Schuylkill county..!

1.300

1.200 I

4,600 ;

1,500 '

1,500

x,600

1,500

\,2&i

1.200

l.^O

3.6O0

2.400

1.200

2.400

i.aoo
i.aoo

1.200

1,200

1.200

1,200

l.^

1.200

t 200

1.200

!.200

1.200

I 200

l.L'OO

1.200

1,200

1.200

l,2ii0 1

1.200 ^

1,200

1,200 ;

1 200

Date.

IH96.
Apr. 16,
10.
10,
16.
lb.
10.
16.
16,
16,
16.

22.
22.
22,
22.
Apr. 22.
22,
27,

27,

May 18,
18.
18.
18.
18.
18.
18.
18.
18.
18.
18,
18.
18,
18.
18.
IS.
13.
18.

Name.

Postofllce Addre*

No. shipped. Total.

W. Yarnall

L.ewl8 Ualiuk.

J. M. Reiner

F. Kehier

H. Smith

C. R. Kehier

Jas. Knerr

H. H. Geist

J, D. Keiffer,

Ashland PMsh and Qame

Protective Association,

E. F. Kehier.

O. S. Kehier

J K. P. Schelfley

K. S. Hornberger

\\ . Lutz

John Powell

Tremont Fish and Game

Protective Association.
Hubley Township Fish
and Game Protective
Association

D. R. Dress

N. Brandon

T. H. B. Lyons

Harry Ball

J. F. Becker

A. K. Smith

C. O. Smith

J. M. Kutz

C. M. Daniels

F. Wolff

J. T Quinn

T. Tregellas

C. M Knapp.

H. K, Smith,

W. A. Benslnger

J. H. Stern

E. S. Sllllman

1^' F Sed<1on

Mabel. .Schuylkill county

Mabel. Schuylkill county

Kebler's, Schuylkill county, ...
Kehler's, Schuylkill county. ...
Kehler'js. Schuylkill county, ...

Haas. Schuylkill county

Kebler's, Schuylkill county, ...
Leib, Schuylkill county,

Ashland. Schuylkill county,
Shenandoah. Schuylkill county,
Shenandoah. Schuylkill county,
Shenandoah. .Schuylkill cuunty.
Shenandoah, .Schuylkill county.

Delano. Schuylkill county

Delano. Schuylkill county.

Tremont, Schuylkill county. ...

Sacramento, Schuylkill county,..
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county,
Brandenville. Schuylkill county,.
Mahanoy City. Schuylkill county.
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county.
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county.
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county.
Mahanoy City, Sobuylkill county,
Mahanoy City. Schuylkill county,
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county^l
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county,
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county
Mahanoy City. Schuylkill county.
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county.
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county,
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county,
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county.
Mahanoy City. Schuylkill county,
Mahnnoy City. SchuylKill county

1.20U
1.20U
1.200
1,200
1.200
1,200
1,200
t.200

16.000
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200

10.000

12,000
'..300
1,200
1.200
1,200
1,200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1.200 '
1.200
1.200
1.200
1,200
1.200 !
1.200 I

1,200 '

1.200
1.200

lUJ

Brook Trout /'v^— C'ojitiuuod.

< >ff. Due.

No. lb.

189ti.
May W>.

IS,

16.

18.

16.

18.
18,

18.

21.

2i.

21,

21.

21,

21.

22.

22,

22.

22,

22.

26,

26.

26,

•«. i
I

28. '
26,
2G.
26,

b'lSH COMMISSION i'JIt.S

Broolz Trout Fry — Contiuued.

Name.

l'<'.-iliilliii Aiidl'hei.

No. HliipiiL'd,

Cnaa. lirovviui.iu. I M..imiiuy <iiy, .-^ihuylkill . v/uiily.

J. 1''. WelUz .Mulj.iiu.y CilN . SrIiuylUill .Mimiy,

Ellas Baiikfy i'lHiiUuiivin.-, Schuylkill r..iiiiiy,.

ti. Deeble ... Uraiidenvill.'. .Schuylkill i..uiit\..

Juel Kesk Kepmr, .Schuylkill .uuiit.s, .

N". l.utz Quakake, Schuylkill CMunii,

W. L.utz Quakake. .Schu.\ IkiU cMur.ty,

Isaac Ball Mahanoy City. Schuylkill county.

C. Landig Zionsgrove. .Schuylkill county ..

J. Munuiu-y, Ziunsgi-ovc, Schuylkill cnuiitv ..

John Pelfer Sheppler, .Schuylkill i"U-it.\,

W . G. 1 *ll\vciler Tamaqua, .Schuylkill ,,,unt>, ..

L. Klecknti Tamaqua. Schuylkill county

I'avid l.^imbold Tamaqua. Schuylkill county

\V. Taylor !• rackville. Schuylkill . uuuty

F. .(. Groom Frackvil!. . S. huylkill county

Geo. VV. JohnsG*. I'^mckvilic. .Schuylkill county, .

David Brown Lop.z. Sullivan countN

R. W. While, I.M|.,.-, Sullivan count.v

Jennings Bros I.. .p./,. Sullivan couniy

Deegan & Farrell Lop<:'. Siilln.n: . ,,uiiu

B. W. Jennings, f.opc/,, Sullix.m ..ninf.

John Vuughan Dushoic. Snllix.m .ounis

.Toll n Barry Sattcrtiuld. Siillnan ...uniy

P. Sweeney Du.shorc, Sulln.m . ..unty

\V. H. Deegan Du.shore, Sullivan couniy. .

F. Hunsinger Dushore, Sullivan counts

S. L. Bryan I'ork.svilK'. Sullivan ciunty

Frank Hannan i-ot ksv in. . snilivan . ount\

C. H, Suley Forksville, SnllUan . ..iinty

J. AV. Rogers Forksvilh^ Sulli\an <-.anily

W. E. Miller ForksvMK'. Snilivan counVy

A. L. Plaits Fork.svillc. Sullivan couniv

Frank Ruck . . Dushore Sullivm coimi.v

G. Graham Dundaff. SusquciiMnna ••ounty. ...

H.Spencer Dundaff. Susquehanna •..unty

VV. H. Wildenberger. . F.irest City, Susquehai n.i c.

W. W. AVondrulT Montro.so. .Susquehann i county,..

J. P. Taylor .Montropc. Sin^quehanna .ounty...

P D Morri.e Mi.nti-ny.. Suprpif»|i;j i.t,., ...nniy.

1.2u0
l.MO
1,20U

i.-<to

1.2UU
■ I , 200
I.ZUO
1.200
1.20U
1,200
1.200
-.400
1,20)
1,200
1,200
1,200
.,200
I.2U0
1.200
.:.4U0

I . 3TJ

J. 400

I , vm

l,20ij

1,200

1 , 208

1.20C

1 . 20t

1,200

l,2i.'fl

1, 200

1,200

1 . 2'A)

3.600

1 , 3'>0

i.i'Ot) j

1 200

1,200 j

1.200 (

1 200

Total.

f>,iii-.

May 1, i

1,
1.

I's
1.',
16.

I.'.
Ij,

1,
I.
I.
1.
I,
1,
1,

1,
I'-,

I'.
I ..

M.
*2o.

"0,
I'll,
-".
20,

20,
20,
•-•0,
20.
20,
20,
Apr. 3, 1

Name.

Poiitoltice Addres.s.

Theo. Reynolds,

Cio<i. i'j. VVoodruU

J. r. 'Jay lor

Ili.il ;i(i' Sun.'.liK ,

F I' Walt/.

\j. B. Smith

John W. I'.cchii

W. Walt/

R. ,\. I'looMI

P'. Iv I'ollaiifi

H. •'. .s:. kl-s.

E. ("lunig in

C. H. Marcy

A. f' l^nni'la^;' , M \>.

A. .S. KeclHi

G. Doniblabcr

S, -\. S(ili>l« v.iiil

■V\ II. 1,1111. k

j. K. Kaiih.

1'. .M.i'.iIm'

V <i. Smilli

II ' MKiliaii,

W SI.UI.':.

!•;. I ;. Tn.slcr

J. II. Tiiricl)

•J' |i. Schaiil/,

II. c. Tiexhr

Tn'.Nler .V: Tun< II Liitn

ber Company

i:. Tiirr.'ll ,

J. H. Gunsler

F. O, Kuhns

C. Smith

Frank Riokells

Adam Schoch

J. N. Cross

J. C. Torbat

J. T, BrlggP

F Kvans

I.. C. Frey

AJ(introHc, .Susquehanna county,.
Montio.su, Sii.s.iiichanna county,.
•Montiost, Su.s.piehanna c.iiiiUi, .

Sterling, Wain. ...uniy

N>w Foundlaiid. Wayne coiinl.v,
\' \\ f..uii.|| III. I. \\ .1 \ lit- , .,niil> .
.\i \\ l-'iiini ll.in.l \\.i.\ii.' ...iinty,
.\i'\\ l'"i.uii.ll.iii.|. \\ ;ii nc ...iinly,

t'.l II:., \\ J '.Il> 111 ■ I . .11111 S

b'a ll^<, \\ \ ..niliii.-. . ..Mill s

Falls. Wyoming county,

Falls, Wii.irriing c.unl.v-

Falls, Wyoming cunt v. .
Tunkhannock, WMim tig county,
Tunkhanri..'K. \\\oii) iir. ccniu,
Mcyli'ipp. II, \\ \ i.ii.iiif; ctunty,
M. slii'l'p' n, \\ ymiiitifi; . mnil \
N I. Ii.il.son, \\>oMiin^ ..iiiiiiy,. .
\' jilii'lsi'ii, W.N.iMiiMK c.iinii.\-
\ . -I'lii V \\ \ • lining count \ .
\ .'-1,111 p,-, \S > .iiiiliiL,' <-.iunl.\.
riiiil>li;i iiiiii.'K . \\ \i.iiiMifr .■•iiiiilN
I lit' W.\ I. mill;' .-..uht > ,
I ; I. k-l I '■■ _ \\ \ ..tiling; I '.Mill ,\ ,
i;t. Ki-tl.'^., W.\ -iiiiiii'.-' ..iuiii\, .. ,

Kicketls, Wyoniin;; imuiiI.\

f'iiKclls, W\..niing counl.v

IttfkPtts, Wyoming county,

Rickctts, W\ ■lining count.v.
itjuketts. \\.\Miiiing county,

Ricketts, Wyoming county

Rlckett.«. Wyoming county,
Ricketts, \Vyoniing county
Ricketts, Wyoming county .
Cross Roads, York county.

L.aurel, York county

York, Turk county

Cralcy, York county

N'l w Hridgpville York county.

No.sliipiicd.

l,20tt

1 . 1:011
1.2tM

I , :'(io

1.200

I 'uo

l,2UU
1,200
1 . 'fM
i.2UU
l.XQU
i.^
I , zw
1.200
I 300
l,»M)
1,200
t,20«

\.'im

l.'Ani

I.21MI

1 . 2U0
1, 200

1:200

1 , 200
1,200
l.'ioo

1,2»HI
l.2iH»
1 . 2IHI
1 . 200
1.200
1.200
1.200
1 . 200
1,200
1.200
1.200
1,200

Total.

luu

KKFUHT OF THE

Brook Trout Fry — Contiuued

• 'If 1 '

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Broum Trout Fry.

L'.l.. .

,\unu .

Apr. 3, 11. IJ. Kaulleii, .

J, L, L>. J'"i I'j

.;, l-"iaiik W ilsuii,

,;. I . .\. .M.-.\l.sl 1
I H. .M.<-lt;ii>
I r. ' li um

.., S. M. MinU«'ld. .

3. W . r. .*^tit1-r

11, .luhn HaiUfe':ill. ...

■i, <;. ' '. .-^mith. . .

;;. K. H. H.v^'on, ....

.■?. \V. F. Maniful.!. .

.H, Juhn Urant.

.1. W McW lUanis. .

3, Fred, .\, Ilt-rt^hey.

15, J. \V. An'i'!-"n, .

15, Jno. V> iJunimill

15, L. Hammond

15, J. C. Hammond,

15, B. F. Payne.

15, B C Wright

15. John Flaharty,

15, H KeystT,

15. John Wise,

15, H Delle.

Pueiiollice Adilrcbb.

No. shipped.

15. V K. Kuntz.

15, W. I Young,

15, J. C. Welser.

15. E.' C. Beck

15, A, Wanner

15, Lemon Love.

15. J. D, Keller M D

15. D Y. Britllhart

IS. S D. Fry

15, M. L. Frv. .

Yorkana, York county,

New Briilg.'viUe. Vurk c.iuhin . .

Gatchelvillf, Vurk couuti

Launl. York county

Muddy Creek Forks, York . m

Fi'lton. York i^ouniy

YUrk. Y'ork ( ounty

Brldgeton, York county

Felton. Yiirk cnumy

Bridgetnn, Vurk county

I Bridgetnn. » urk munly

Bridgeton, York <ounty

Brldgeton, York cminiN

Dillsburg, Y'ork unty

Monaghan, York 'ouiity. . ...
Stewartstown, York couiity
Stewartstown. York oount\
Stewartstown, York count>
Stewartstown, Y'ork count>
Hopewell Centre, Y'ork county.
Woodbine. Y'ork county
Sunnyburn Y'ork county
Brldgeton, Y'ork county,

Lame. York county

Larne, York county , .

Seven Valley, York county

Seven Valley, York county ,,

York, York county

York. York county

Glenvllle, York county, . .

Loganevllle Y'ork county

McCall's Ferry. York county, ...
McCall's T'tMTv. Y'ork county.

1,2U0

i.aw

1.200

1,»X)

1.200

1,300

1.300

1.200

1 200

1.200

1,200

'.,200

1,200

1.20O

!,200

I.SjO

1.200

1 200

1,20')

2,400

1,200

1.200

1,200

1.20O

2,400

1.200

1,200

1.200

Total.

\C3J,7O0

Date.

Name.

PoBtoffice Address.

No. shipped.

Total.

1895.

July :2,
June 7,

John OrlfUn

Athens, Bradford county.
Marshalls Creek. Monroe co

14 000

J. Huffman,

2,000

E D Huffman ....

Marshalls Creek Monroe co

"* 000

June 11,

Taylor Kleckner ,

Vlcksburg, Union county,

4.000

24,000

vm.

Apr. 10,

O, L. Robinson , . .

Huntingdon Valley. Mont.

CO.,..

2,J0O

10,

W. C. O'Neill

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

CO, , ..

2.000

10.

J. M. Lingle

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

3.000

».

W. C. O'tCefll

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

CO.,..

•i,m

10.

B. H. Busllng

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

CO,, . .

2.000

29.

Rev. F. K. Dapor,

Philadelphia, Philadelphia

CO , ..

1.009

12,000

German Carp.

1896.
Mch.27,
27.
27,
27.
27,
27,
27,
27,

»,
27.

27.
27.

27,

«f.

27.

27,
27.
27.
27,
27.

A. Banner

H. E. Patterson,

R. D. Evans

E. J. Hughes,

H. G. Emery

Adam Suit.

A, F. Stern

H. D Koons

R. W. Koons ,

A. B. Wilson,

H. Jones

A. S. Stover

A. Brindle

A. Brubaker

C. P. Collins

John Fahler

H. Hease

H. Daugherty

David C. Rupert. ...
R. Hammond & Co.

Lltilestown, Adams county

Vetera, Cambria county,

Lilly, Cambria county

Pomeroy, Chester county

Berwick, Columb;a county,

Dauphin. Dauphin county ,

LInglestown, Dauphin county, ...I
Litnglestown, Dauphin county '

Elm Grove, Fayette county I

Metal, FrantUin county i

Kauffrnan, t<'ranklin county. ...I
Kauffman. Franklin county, ...j

Walnut, Juniata county

Spruce Grove. I^ancaster county

Onset. Lebanon county

Onset. Lebanon county,

Grove City. Mercer county

McVeytown. Mifflin county,

Bolivar. Westmoreland county .

85
05
35
36
36
36
i&
35
36
35
■!3
i&
<a

31
36
16
U

7SS

lOS

REPr>RT OF THR

Off. Doc.

THE BRISTOL STATION.

Tht^ Bristol station was erected during the past year, and is on
the Delaware river at Bristol. It was erected tor the purpose t>t'
hatching shad, and as will he seen the tirst output from this si a
tion was more than live million fry. The work last spring was
.arried on under some ditticulties which it is hoped will be r^unijved
ue.xl spring. One of tiie chiot things ol ihrsr dillicullies was (he
want of a proper boat to transport thr egg takers to the ditl'erent
fisheries and hack again to the station.

I'.esides shad il is the intention as soon as practicable to hatch at
this station slurgeuu. white p^'rch and nilu i important river lishes.

'IMie liristoj hatchery is a pi.-tty structur«' having four gronnd
.ompartments, one containing the eiigijie and pump, a seromi is us.d
;is ;i kitchen, the third ;is an ulVh-e, and I In- fourth as tin> hatching
room. In the front is a seronci story (itt<Ml n|> as a sleeping a|.arl
lit for (he iiM'n «'m|>loy«'<l.

The caj»arily of this hatching hoiis<' is prariirally only liniitrd b.N
the I'ggs rrcrivrd, and the facilities for shipping ilo- fi .\ aua.N h. IIm-
I,,;hI\n'iI<'is of the Delaware.

Mr. .lohn P. nreveling tlir sup«rinl.'nd-nt of the Eastern stathm
at Allentown is in charge of the Ilristol halchtMy.

Dl;;Ti-;n'i f I' '^ ' 'T .silAl>.

l»:il.

Mar 6,

7.
8,
».

.Inni- 1,

Nh IIH!.

Delaware Water Gap,

Lackawaxen.

Easton

Delaware Wat>r 'iiil-
Liackawaxeii,
Uelaware Wai' i 'lap.

EaBton

Harrlsbuig.
DelawiUP Wat. r '!:•!•.

Newport,

HariisburB.

Pmt .IcrviB.

l>(»lawarf VValtr U«^,
Delaware Wat«*r Oap.

i',,. i.,ili. . A<l<lrf-.s:;.

.Ni.i ^liiplM •!.

r.iial.

Delaware river,
pfinware river, ...
I iilaware river,
rt.iaware rlvei-,
I i.lnwaro river.
i:>felaware river.
Delaware river, ...
.•5usf4ur'1innna rlvf'r,
1 1. 1,1 s\ nre I iver. ...
Juniata river

<5ii;'|""'>'"l'^^ ri\i*f.

I »elawarp river. . . .
rKlawiTf river. ...
l»(.l;iw;tro river, ...

450,000
U(i>,00rt
4»M),00«
460,000
44)0, 00(>
400, OM
:{00,000
4fi0.n00
Ktd.oOd
450.000
450,000

450, on»

4f)0.00tl
500,000

5,950.000

No. 18.

PISH C(.>MMissi(>.\i':i;s

f09

SUMMARY OF DISTRIBUTION, 1889 TO 1896.

BROOK TROUT FRY.

!KS!»-92. lOastcrii Ifatchery 1.428,40«

Western Hatchery 1.473,70«

l>i.stril)iit(Ml lS:»l-!<2,

is:t_'-l': IOmskhi Maiili.-r.\ 1,613,980

Wt'Sl.TIi llulrlHTy 1,363,600

niKti )ltuii-.l isicf ;.:;

1.st:'ii I-:.!.-!.-! 11 II ilili.-r\ , - ... I,.'hi:i,7iiO

W.-stHin H.Ttch.-ry, 1,194,700

iJlstributed 18^3 :M. : ,.•;.„;

ISJM-'.*;.. lOii.st.rn ll.ii.lary 1,37:5,000

Wi'.sttm Hatchers' 1,334,100

^^ I »islilhilltM| III Is'.i... , ,..,,

isrt;- !m;. WaRtern llnt.h.My '. 1.114,200

Wostorn lial.hery, 1.493.600

Distribut.d in IS'Jt:

Total •

BROOK TROTJT— YEARLINGS AND THREE YEAR OLDS,

1893-94. Western Hatchery

1894-95. Eastern Hatchery

IRSfi. Western Hatchery

Total ,

L.\KE TROUT FRY.

1S92-92. Western Hatchery •

1S92-93. Western Hatchery.

1S9S-94. Western Hatrhery.

1S94-9.'.. Western Hntchery ••

lS9!i %. Western Hatchery. ■...••

Total

2, 902,100

2,977,580

2,704,400

2,707,100

2,607,800

13,898.980

7,660

300

3.951

11.911

199. JOO

180.000

64.000

16,000

I IS -.mi

IIU

IHtS-M. Bastern Hatchery,
Western Hatchery

Distributed in 1891-92.

l8»2-»8. Eastern Hatchery.

Western Hatchery,

isHi-ni:

18»2-y3.
iS93-94
1894-95.
I89r)-;t6

lH»l-92.
1892-93.
189.1-94.

1894-9S.

JlKrOJtT OF TllK
CALIFORNIA TROUT FRY,

Distributed in 1892-93.

1893-94. Eastern Hatchery

Western Hatchery,

Distributed In 1893-94.

1894 95. Western Hatchery

1895-96. Western Hatchery

Distributed in 1895-96.

Total

HYBRID TROUT FRY.

\\'i!<ieiii Halclit'iy,

Western Hatchery

Western Hatcher>

Western Hatchery

Tnta 1

UROWN TROUT FRY.

Western Hatchery,

Eastern Hatchery.

Weatem Hatchery.

Distributed In 1893-94.

Western Hatchery

Bastero Hatchery

Diitrtbuted In 1894-9»,

Off. Doc

68,600
532,000

22,5U(;
38O,00U

12,200
S7,500

148,000

18,000
357,500

108, SOO
51.000

600,<HMJ

402. 50U

69,700
102,000

148.000

1,322,800

6a, 000

106.000

148.000

58,800

30,100

401,900

123. 5U<)
307,000

375,600

159.30"

No 18.

1.S95-96. Western Hatchery.
Eastern Hatchery.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.
BROWN TROUT FRY— Continued.

Distributed 1893-96,

Total,

LAND-LOCKED SALMON FRY.

1891-92 Western Hatchery,

ATLANTIC SALMON FRY.

1893-94. Eastern Hatchery,

GERMAN CARP FRY

}Syi-y2. Eastern llaicheii,
Western Hatchery

Distributed lS'Jl-92
IS92-93 Easiein Hatcnery
Western Hatchery

Distributed 1S92-93,
1893-94. Eastern Hatchery,
Western Hatchery

84,3."tu
.''.6,000

i.UOO
2,200

J 265
1.015

a, 205
I 000

Distributed l893-»4 ,

1894-96. Eastern Hatchery .- ■•• '--'^^

Western Katclifr> ,.,..... • "•

Distributed 1894-95

1895-96. Eastern Hatchery ••

Total.

SMALL MOUTH BLACK BASS.

1891-92. Western Hatchery

I8H2-93. Western Hatchery

120,350

1,085,650

165,000

40.000

5.800

4,28b

4.205

1.585
735

17.005

2.033

17:'.

345
1,460
3,837

5.817

112 REPORT OF THK Off. Doc.

SMALL. MOUTH BLACK BASS— Continued.

18»a-94 Eastern Hatchery 8,150

Western Hatchery 8,077

Distributed 1893-94 6,427

isitl W \Ve.stern Hatchery .' 10.878

1895-96. UVstern Hatchery 18,300

Total 38,118

LAi;<il.: Mill 'Til I '.LACK BASS.

1SHI-!I2. W.St. Ill H;il.li.Ty

IK!»2-93. WeRltrn I Int. Ik ry

1S!I3 94. W.sleni I l.ilohf ly

ISM !).".. W.'SUrii Ifiilih.iy

■|'..i,il

KOCK BASS

is:il ;»•' \\.;,|.ri. Hat.lieiy 4.332

is'f !i:i. \\. (.Ill MairlH'iy, . . 3.310

I :>:i!H W.;;lt.iii HHl<;hf-ry, 1,725

lS94-9ii. \Vf'8l.in Hatohery 8,645

18<45-9«. ^^ .stHni Hatrhery 8,Ct56

Total 26,677

WHITE BASS.

IS92-9;'.. W«'atern HutclnTy 2S6

IS93-94. Western Hatchery 188

1894-95. Western Hatchery 8,Mfi

1895-96. None.

Total 8.4a

STRAWBRRRY BASS.
1891-92. Western Hatchery 1,888

1892-93. Wpptem Hatchery 8,UCl)

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.
STRAWBERRY BASS— Continued.

1893-94. Western Hatchery. ..

1894-95. None.

1895-96. Western Hatchery. . .

Total

113

3,530

YELLOW PERCH.

1891-92.

1 "!.•-' 'i3.
in:i::-94.

IMt| IC

WoHtern Hatchery.

West em Hatchery,

W«-8tern Hatchery,

Wistcin I l.ilihery,

W.siiiii lliitih*-ry.

Total,

8,880

10.270
8,0S0

2S,4f.r,

.SUN KISII.

ih;.l' :i:: W<'Slfrii II 'i.-liiTy ,

: Vi.; :ii. \\ I :i.-iii llai.-hi T.y.

is91 !tf>. VV(•^ll•lM llulcln'ry,

|s!tr, !«;. \\ .■ (.-Hi ll:i|. h.Ty.

Ti.t .1

IbO

4Ki,
1, 190

ly.'H :)■•

tt93-r'4
l894-9a

I891-!i2.

'iH91 ;t2.
1892-9:5.
1893-94.

CATFTSII. tnMMON.

\V. l.-i II M.il.luTy W

\\. •■,1.111 Hatchery. "^

Wostern Hatchery, , "*

Western Hatchery. • **

T..litl *••

BLUE PIKE.

Western Hatchi-ry •™

PIKE PERCH FRY.

Krio Hatchery •, 49,94O,0«l

Krie Hatchery ^'^^'^

Brie Hatchery ^2,810 O.^^

8-1 8- 96

114

L894-96.
l8!>5-96.

1898-34.

1891-92,
1892-93.
1893-94.
1894-95.
18SI5-96

18H4.

REPORT OF THK
PIKE PERCH FRV- Continued.

1894.

1S94

Erie Hatchery,
Erie Hatchery,

Brie Hatchery.
Eile Hatchery,

Total,

Erie Hatchery,

Erie Hatchery.

Erie Hatchery,

Erie Hatchery.

Er.e Hatchery,

Total.

1894-95. Western Hatchery,
1895-96. Weitern Hatcherv

Total,

WeWern Hatchery,

Western Hatchery,

Weetern Hatchery,

LAKE HERRING.

WHITE FISH FRY.

CAT FISH, SPOTTED

LARGE GRASS PIKE.

LARGE PIKE-PERCH.

LARGE MASCOLONGB.

Oft. Doc.

48,620,000
13.8a0,000

Toi^l 228,930,000

1,540.000
2,500.000

4,040.000

15,000.000
19,800.000
25,000,000
42,000,000
30,000.000

131,800.000

1,140
286

1,426

So. \i>. FISH (JOMMISSIONKliS 115

SHAD FRY.

IS!»»i. Bristol Hatchery 6.950,000

SHAD FRY INTIMI'l CKIi HY U. S

1891-94 45,517.f)fl<)

ll»84-9.-. 14,283.000

isno 59.000,000

Total 118,800,000

RECAPITULATION

Total distribution brook trout. 1891 to 1S96

Total dlBtrlhution lake trout, 1891 to 'S96.

■fnt;tl .listrihution <'aliforni,i trout, IStil to 189t;

Tiital (li.Hir l>uti.m hybrid trout, Ism t^ !S96

I'liinl ili.stribulion Imiwn trout. ls91 to IMtti, ,,

Total illstributluii lHnd-ltM'kf><l srilnmn, !s;u to \'i'M'i

Total dlstribufi.in Ailantir ,-ialri)nn. is:)i t,. 1S!«;

Total dlstribut nil tJcrman rtiv]'. ISIU ti. umi

Total distribution Hin.'ill niMUth bl i.-U l>;i^.'i isdi t" IS:'*;, .
Total distribution lar^f mouth Itlark bass 1S9i t.. mw.

Total distribution rock l.iss 1^91 to 1896

Total distribution white bass, iSftl to i896

Total distribution strawberry hass 1»1 to 1896,
Total dilitrlbution yellow perch, 1891 to 1896

Total difctribution sun fish, 1891 to 1896

Total distribution catfish, common. 1891 to 1896,

Total distribution blue pike, 1891 to 1896.

Total distribution pike-perch, 1S91 to 1896.

"total distribution lake herring, li91 to 1896,

Total distribution white tish, 1891 to 1896,

Total distribution catfish, spotted. 1891 to 1896,

Total distribution shad, Br.stol Hatchery, 1891 to 1S96. ...,

Total distribution, miscellaneous. 1S91 to 1896,

Total distribution shad, United States, 1S91 to 1896

Grand total.

13,910.891

448,50t:>

1.322,800

401,900'

1,085,6511

165,00<i

40.00ti

17. 00.^

38,118

5.81T

26,677

3.42}

3,530

28,465

5,325

584

375

323,930.000

4,040.000

131.800,000

1.425

5,950,000

118,800.000

502,025,617

ik;

KKHoltT OK Till-:

«.■

TRKASdKKirs KKI'OKT.

Laueaster, Pa., July 14, 1890.

liepuil vi' H. <;. fMrnirli, (reasurei- of the Peniisylvania Cornmih
^joii of Fislieii«^s for i\w tisrnl .year from June 1, 1895 to May 31,
18!m. Hs itov voiHlh-i's lihMl in I he uHire ol I lie Auditor General ol
Mermsvlvanin.
To rjisli ie<< iveil for li;ilelieri«'s ;(n<i geuonil «'X|»eMseis,. . |17,475 00

B.v paviiK'nis hi Shad lialeluTV |203 42

ll.v |»j«vtiM'iiis lo KHsferii hatcherv, 1,975 31

B.v pavun'iils In Western hnlfliHvv 5,948 14

Bv [►Mvjueuls to Kv'iv Laclieiv :i,066 74

Kv |»M>ru«'h(s lo jriMU'iHl «'\|Hii,sf.s L,045 65

15,839 26

KalaiMM' on hand .hiiio I, IS90 |i 635 74

To < ash nM-eiv«Ml Cor hsli wardens |5,000 (M)

Bv [Kivinenls (o fish wardons i \)*)\ '»;:

Bahmcc on hand .Inn** I, ISIMI $8 77

To (.ish I'i'coived f<U' en'rliori «d' sh.id hah lioiy, as per

''^'' |.S,000 im

Bv pavnimls as per vouchers (iUmI 2 997 09

Jiahinee returnc^d (o Stale Treasurer Fehruarv

-'■ ™'' '. »2;!i

Slah' of l*emisvlvaiiin. )
<'(Mijifv of Lancaster, \

Personally appeared before me a notary piihlic f(M- the above
county, file al)ove named treasurer, H. C. Demufli. wiio being duly
affirmed accordinjr to law. doth affirm that the above account is true
and correct to the best of his knowledi^'e and belief.

JOHN H. MYERS,

Notary Public.
H. C. OEMUTH,

Treasurer of IViinsylvania Fish Commission.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

117

LIST OF FISH (COMMISSIONERS OF UNITEh STATES AM)

CANADA.

In comj[iiliug fhe subjoined list of Fish Commission.'is of thf
United States and l^anada, it was found impossible to p«'rfornj the
work accurately. A not«' was sent to every stati* rommissioii and in
some instanecs lo secr«'l.iries of state. Se\eral of the stales
failed to resi>ond. In consequence the Board of Fisli < 'ommissioners
think best, where no replies were received, fo publish the list as it ap
peared in their report for LSJI2 9.'{9I. Those stjites whi<'h in conse
<jiience of tile silenre of the commissioni-is oy of tlie seciclarx of shile
render the accuracy of the list uncertain, are marked thus *.

The United States.

dohn J. Brice, <'ommissioner.

Irving II. Dunlaji, Chief Clerk.

Kichard Bathbun, Assistant in rharge hivision of Impiiiy Ifo
specting Food Fishes.

NV. de C. I^ivenal. .\ssis(an( in ('harge hivision of Fish Culfure.

II1114I1 M. Smith, .\ssistant in ('harp' hivision of Statistics and
Methods of the hMslieries.

W. P. Titomub. Disbursing .\genl.

Superintendents of Station.

E. E. Uace, (Jreen Lake, Maine.
rhai'lesiJ. .\ikins. East t)rland. .Maine.
.1. W. Titc<mib, St. .hdinslmry, Neiniont.

, <Jloucester. .Massachii.sel ts.

, Woods lloh', Massaciiuset t.s.

IL D. l>ean. Cape \Mncent. N<nv York.

, Battery Fsland. Havre De (i^race, Maryland.

S. G. Worth. (Vulral Station, Washington, I). C., and Bryan s
I'oint, Maryland.

Rudolph Hessel. Fish Fonds. Washington. D. C.

Oeorge A. Seagle. Wytheville, ^'irginia.

J. J. Stranahan, Put in-T3ay, Ohio.

Frank X. Clark, Norihville and .Mpena, Michigan.

S. P. Bartletf. Quinry, Illinois.

S. V. Wires, huluth Minnesota.

lib

FillfoR r ( ii' I'M l;

I >ff. Doc.

W. F. Page, Neosho. Missouri.
K. A. Tnlian. Jieadville, (.'olorado.
Livingston Stone, Baird, ('alit'oruia.
W. F. Hubbard. (Jlackamas, Oregon.

<'apt. \y. E. Dougherty. I'. S. Army. Fort Gaston. California.
.1. I A Learv, San Morcos. Texas.

In addition to the above, stations have been authorized and are in
course of construction at the following places:
-Manchester, Iowa.
S;nj Marcos, Texas.
Boz<*man. Montana.
THnne.sse«'.

Alabama.

By act of tlie Le<iislatur«' the lionrd of Fish Commissioners have
been abolished.

Arizona.

T. W. Otis, Prescott.
John Howard. Prescott.
C. W. Stearns, Phoenix.

Arkansas.

H. H. Rottaken, President, Little Rock.
W. B. Worthen, Secretary. Little Rock.
Vacancy, death.

Dominion of Canada.

Hon. L. H. Davies, Minister of Marine and Fisheries, Ottawa.

F. F. Gourdeau, Deputy Minister, Ottawa.

R. N. Venning, Chief Clerk, Fisheries, Ottawa.

Prof. E. E. Prince, Commissioners of Fisheries, Ottawa.

Inspectors of Fisheries.

L. S. Ford, Milton, N. S.; A. C. Bertram, North Sydney, N. S.; J. H.
Pratt, St. Andrews, N. B.: (S. F. Pcirv. .icting. Ti^^ni <h. P. E. I.); John
McNab, New Westminster. B. C; G. S. Davison, Qu' Appelle, N. W.
T.; R. Hockin, Pictou, N. S.; R. A. Chapman. Moncton. N. B.; H. S.
Miles, Oromocto, N. B.; W. Wakeham. Gaspe Basin. P. Q. ; R. T>.
Tupper, Winnipeg, Man.

Officers in Charge of Fish Breeding Establishments.

Vacant, Newcastle. Ont.; L. N. Cattelier, Tadoussac, P. Q.; \'a
cant, Magog, P. Q. : A. Ogden. Bedford. N. S. ; Vacant, Grand Falls,

\o. IS.

F^ISH COMMISSIONERS

lit

.V. B.; John McNab, New Westminster, B. C; Wm. Parker, Sand
wich, Ont.; H. Davis, (iaspe. P. (4.; Ah'.\. Mowat,. Campbcllton,
N. B.; Isaac Shesgreen, Miramichi, (Restigouche), N. B.; A. C. Ber-
tram, Sydney, N. S.

Newfoundland.

Hon. A. \\ . Harvey, Chairman, St. Johns.

M. Harvey. Secretary, St. Johns.

Adolph Neilson, Superintendent of Fisheries, St. Johns.

California.

H. F. Emeric, President, San Francisco
William C. Murdoch, San Francisco.
J. M. Morrison, Sacramento.
John G. Babcock, Chief Deputy, San Francisco.
Address all communications to, California Fish Commission, 78
Flood Building, San Francisco, Cal.

Gordon Land, Denver.

Colorado.

< Nmnecticul.

Hubert Williams, President, Salisbury, (Lakeville P. O.), Conn.
Vbltult (' Collins, Secrelaiy, !."< Pie.ston street, Hartford, Conn.
James A. Bill, Treasurer, Lyme, (Bill Hill P. O.), Conn.

(Jonnecticut Shell P'ish Commission.

Christian Swartz, Norwalk. .

Geo. C. Waldo, Bridgeport.

Geo. W . Hallock, Danbury.

F. Bottsford, Clerk, New Haven.

Delaware.

A. Siaiiky Short, Milfortl.

Dr. E. G. Shortlidge. Superintendent of Hatcheries, Wilmington.

Georgia.

K. T. Nesbitt, Atlanta.

Capt. J. D. Edmundson, Superintendent, La Grange.

Illinois.

G«*orjie W. Laiiyford, Havana,
liichard Roe, East St. Louis.
Henry Schmidt, Elgin.

120 REPORT OF THE

Indiana.
l\ P. Kirsch. Coliimhia Citj.

Iowa.

George E. Delovaii, Spirit Lake.
()]o Bjorenson, Snperintendenf.

(>. K. Sihlh'i, Kl Doinilt*.

Kan Sits.

Maine.

hiiand Flslieri<>s a ml Gani*'.

L<*ro> T. Carlelon, VVinthrop,
Henrv O. Stanley, Uixtield.
(Hiarles E. Oak, Caribon.

Seashore h'isTieries.
Oiin H. Whit 1 en. ISirtland.

.lames Taws, < liislield.

Marvlaiitl.

Massaehiisetts.

Off. Doc.

Edward A. Bracket!, Winchester.
Isaiah (l Yonng, Wellfleet.
hilisha D. Biiflfiugfton. Worcesh r

Michigan.

Hnrarc VV. I>avis, Grand liapids. Midi
Fieenian K. Dickersoii, Dei roil, Mich.
Hersrhel Whilakrr, Oetroil, Mi«'h.

Minnesota.

W illiani Kird, Fairnuuuil.
Sainin*! 11. h^illei-lon. hnhilli.
VV. S. TinihrrlnU.', Si. I'anl.
€. S. I Jensen. SI. Cloud,
yred. Von Baunibach, Alexandria.

S. F. Fullerion is ilie excmlive niicnt with an olTice in (he Capiltd
bnilding at St. Panl.

Missonri.

.b»hn T. Trisp, President, rndependence.
Kdnuind A. hnnelan, SI. .Inscph.

►

.Vn. IS.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

.i<)S( ph L. Grisvvold, Si. l^ouis.

r^hilip Koppliu, tir., Superintendent, St. Louis.

•lames \\ . Day. Superinlendent, St. Joseph.

Nebraska.

William L. May, Omaha.

• 1. S. Kirk]»ah i<k, Lincoln. ^

UoIm'I'I OIm'i liehjej', Serrelaiy. Sidney.

M. K. O'lirien, SnperiiitendenI, Son Mi T?<'nd.

Nevada.

Geoi-^«' T. Mills, Garson Gily.
Ki'iiesi llaiiis, Depiil_\, Gaison ('ily.

New Jlainpshire.

.\. Wenlworlh, Gliaiiinan, Hudson Genlre.
W. II. Shnillen, ['"inaiicial Ageiil. Lamasler'.
F. L. Iliiglies. Serielaiy, Ashland.

New .b'lst'y.

Geoij;e I MV'iller .1 1 ., PresidenI, <\nnden, ''

II. I*, h'lol hingliam. Secrelarv, Ml. .\iliniitoii.
I'arker W . I*!<ge, Snniuiil.
\ a«an« y.

New York.

r.aitiei II. Da\is. Presidenl. Palmyra.

Ilendr-ick 11. Hulden, Syracust'.

W illiam U. Weed, rolsdam.

Ghailes II. Itabcoek, Kocliesi-iM'.

lidward Thompson, \oilh[>orl.

L'has. A. Taylor. .\ssis(anl SeneiaiN. (>s\\rgo, \. \.

Edward Thom])Son, Shellfish (Commissioner.

<»hio.

George l*'allo(in. ,\lln'iis.
K. H. Shorb, Van W .rl.
15. F. Seilner. Day Ion.
Alberl Ibewer, Tifliii.
•L W. Owens, Newark.

Oregon.

(21

K. D. Mciliiire. Stale Fish and Game Proleeloi-. I'ortland.

122

RKPORT OF THE

Pennsylvania.

Off. Doc.

S. U. Siillwt'll. I'li'sidciH, ScrantOD.

H. C. Demuth, Treasurer, Lancaster.

D. P. Corwin, Secretary, 413 Wood street, Pittsburg.

James A. Dale, Corresponding Secretary, York.

L« ui.s Stmiber, Erie.

J. W. Con el I. Easloii.

John P. Creveling, Superintendent, Allentown.

William Duller. Superintendent, Corry.

Rhode Island.

J. M. K. South wick. President, Newport, R. L

Henry T. Root, Treasurer, Providence, R. I.

Chas. W. Willard, Westerly, R. I.

W'm. P. Morton, Secretary, P. O. Box 906, Providence, R. I.

.Vdell.eit IX Hoberts, P. O. Box 2()4, Woonsocket, R. I.

South Carolina.

A. W. Jones, Abbeville.

Tennessee.

W. W. McDowell. Memphis.
H. H. Sneed, Chattanooga.
Edward D. Hicks, Nashville.

Utah

John Sharp, Salt Lake City.

Vermont.

John \V. Titcomb. Rutland.
Horace W. Bailey, Newbury

Virginia.

•loliii W. lidwdoin. Blaxuiji.

VVesl Virginia.

The Fish ConnnissiouiTs of West Virginia were abolished Febru
ary 22, 1895, by an jict of tlu' legislature, and there is now nothing of
the kind in the state.

Wisconsin.

The Croveruor, Ex officio.

F^dwiii E. Bryant. Presidenl, .Madisoij.

No. IS.

FrSH <'<iMMlSS10XER,S

123

Calvert Spensley, Treasurer, Mineral Point.

,Ias. J. Hogan, La Crosse.

William J. Starr, P:an Claire.

Ouriie G. l?ell, Bayfield.

Dr. E. A. Birge. I»h. D., Madison.

Henry D. Smith. Appleton.

Jas. T. Ellarson. Secretary. Fish and Game Warden.

•lames Nevin. Superintendent. Madison.

•Wyoming.

Fvouis Miller. Laramie.

12 1

m<:i'ijU'j' UK J' Ml':

« (ff. Ihn-

KKPOKTS OF S1IK1UFF8 AND FISH W AliDhLNS.

Tlic iliilics of the Fisli \\ anU-ns jir<* to sn[4M<'ss ail ill<*j;al lishiuj;,
lo aiif'sl all |HMsoiis cliaij^cd wilh vi(>latiiiji Jlic lisli laws, ami (o
seize oi <l«'.sliov all ill(';;al di'viccs which (Ih-.v iiiav liiid in I he shrams,
livers oi- lake's of (he Slah*. I'lHlei- the law. the hMsli < -oimiiissioiiei s
ol' IIk' Slale iiia\ <a1l immmi ( he siK'riH" oI ;mi\ roiiiil v hMh'Sliov illeoal
devires and aiiesi I hose ehar^^ed wilh iisiiij: llieiii.

Miiiiiiji (he iwelvt' moiilhs between .jnne I, lsnr». ainl -hine I, ISlMi,
hianv ol I he waidons ami shonlTs made nnmeiMMis aiiM^sIs of persons
(•liarj»e«l widi ille^'al lishin*;, and a niimhor of (hem mak<' reporl as
suhjoined, jiivinji (he namos of (huse arresl(-d. (ho rharj;e a^^ainst
I hem. an<l I he narMes <d' Iho oltieials before whom hearin|r was had.

Fish VVartlen nilly, .\])|Mdo
lo Hun. I>. r. Torwin :

I»at>.

X I rill- iif r'«>r8nn Atrestetl.

N'itme of Magiblrate.

I'or Wlial A I rested.

l«9r..

.lull''

.hilv

'J.
;i,

10.
17.

ir.

21?

<»n'

--.

2ri.

is'.m;.
M.iv i:,

.lini.- T--

M.iy

2t:.

II nry IJnyd.
.'•:■■■■•)•> nonmcl ..
' ^'lili < Sabler. ..
August Tref?.«au .

Fred, "ieisp

Joseuli (id

gamiKi MoiHs. .
T1ii)r\ I' llabautii.
llc'TiiA (liinibpi'i,
'I'hoiii.is .^sLon, ..
\\ini;iin CJiifTitlis.
.lack Malibon, ...
I iiiif^c I ;;ille\ , . .
Ibnry Ttcii'cr . ..
<!u.'^tavi> Kiiioiil ,
I'rank <";ivon. ...

'riionias Gabri<.l<'
Tlciity lUiIsar. ...
Thomas lialdwin.

W. II. •'.u-tor. .

Iiiiinpl .lobe

••'rod. .lubf-

Samuel Calvert. .
TlKiiiia.s \Vil.«'nn.
Williain T,inn. ...
t'ooTu-y lU'ock. ..
lOli Hollvwiind, ...
.Iac'>b i;ii!.-;ir. ...
William Kaylor,

\i.i<

M.l.
Al.le

\l.!c
M().'
Ml.'

rman

I'liian
; lij:ili

' 11!. '11 1

riiian
rmati
nn.iii
iiii.iii
riniin
nnan
nnan
II nan
rman
niian
nn.in

Skelly. .
SkPlly,
Skelly.
1 1'ligrlasf?.
I ' 'iielass.
Sli..'ll>.
riouglas.
IMi.iiKlns.
1 >'.iiv;l.i.'i.
I loUKlas.
I'MiiKlas.
Skelly.
Skellv, .,
Sk..ll.v. ..
Pnuplas.
DnuKla.s.

UutlincB.

NMiTMinn Skelly.

Si|iiite T">unn

J^Mniip KickcnKcr,

S lUll'c

s. Hiiro
Squire
S'luiro
Si|ulre
Siiuiro
S>iuire
Stiuire
Squire
Si III f re

Morion, —
MnDrehoUKO.
M'lureliouse.
Moi">r''hou.«p.
Mooiflinuse.
Moorolioufe.

PrinRle

I'rlnfjle

Croueh

Croufh

Illegal

lU^-gal

• •"ishinK

I'i^liiue

I'i^hins

i"i:?lanK

!• ishinp

I i'-liijij;-

I' ir-liin.t;
f 'ishjnfr

! is-Iiiiip
'•■ isiiirif?
' "ishinpr
I ishiriK
I'i.^hiiiK M
irifr arnl
' 'iiL||iie>^.
' Mil lines,
•.'iitllnes.

' Mitlines.
I 'i|' tiet.
I 'i|' net.
I >I|> twi

1 'l(' f!"t.

• Hitliiie.
' '<ii line.
I miliiif.

* luUirie.
Out line.

li.-i
li.-!
uii
• III
i>n

(iTl

(ill

■ ill

nil

on
un

nil
nil
nil

ins-.
tin;;

Sunday.

Sunday

Sunda.v

Smidav .

Suinlav .

Sunday.

Sundn\
niitlines.

ami ^''ii

Romarks— Jiino '^, 1805, Honry I^oyd, of Klizabolli. was ari-ostod.
chars^d witb nsiiijr ouflinos. The rase was hoard by Alderman
-loseph A. Skelly, of McKeesporl. The defeudaiit was found guilty
and tilled $^{H) ami costs. Pending payment senleiice of imprison
•iieiii was suspt»uded.

No. IS.

FISH C JMMlSSlUNEltS.

l2'o

.Inly \K ISl)r>, Angus! Tressan, (d' l»lair connly, was arrested charged
w ith tishiug on Sunday. He pleaded guilty and was timed $25 and
cuHtH. Fine paid.

July 1), 1895, Frederick Geisp was arrested eharged with tishiug on
Sunday. The case was heard before S(|uire Douglas. Defendant
pleaded guilty and paid a fine of |25 and costs.

July 8, 1895, Jacob Demmel, of Dravosburg, was arrested charged
w ith illegal tishiug in the Monongahela river. The case was heard by
Alderman Skelly. The defendant was found guilty and fined f2ri
and costs. Paid.

.Inly S. |S9a, .Joseph tJabler. of Itlaii', was chaigu'd with illegal
fishing befni«' Alderman Skelly. The defendant was found guilty
and Hned 125 and costs. J'aid.

.Inly S, |.s!l.*i. -loseph tJood was aiiesled charged wilh slioo(in;; and
illegal fishing and on Sunday. Ho was foiiml guilty by iMderman
Skelly and fined .f25 and cosls. Pai<l.

June 10, IS!)5, Sammd .Morris, of Elizabeth, Ta., was charged before
Squire Douglas wilh outline fishing on Sunday. Morris was rme<l
*25 and costs. Paid.

.luly 17. 1895. Henry Fellabanm. of Jiell P»ridge. was charged wilh
oullim' lishing before Sijuire Douglas. As he swore he was only
keeping company with three men als(> arrested, and did not own or
operate the outlines, he was discharged.

Harry (Jumbert. Thomas Aston and William Griffith were arrest<Ml
»k. the same tinn* with Fellabauin. Gnmbert was found guilty and
tilled f 10 and costs; .\ston and tlriffith W(*r<' each lin<»d f25 and cosls.
On their promise to pay within a few <la.\ s. (he jM-isoners were a I
lowed to g(K On (he night these men were arrested, F <lestroyed
three outlines.

.luly 22, 18!I5, Jack Malibon, <d" J(mes Station, was charged widi
outline fi«hing before Alderman Skelly. He pleaded guilty, and was
lined flO and costs. Paid.

.luly 22. 1895. Henry lveef(M- was charged lM'for<' .Md<*rman Skelly
with using <Mitlines. This man opeiat(»d three lines which were de
stroyed by me. Defendant ])leaded gnilty and was Hned .f1(M) and
costs.

.Iiil\ 9. I >'!>,■"(. r, II si :i\e Mrnenl. of Ulaii'. was charged wilh spearing
fish on Sunday, hirnenf pleaded gnilly before S<piire Douglas and
was lined 1^25 and costs. ]>ef<'n<lan( refiis<»d to pay and was sen( (o
jail. He was released on a writ of habeas corpus by Judge While.

W^as resentenced to pay the fine and all costs or go to jail for (»()
days. Ernent then paid the fines to tln^ court.

.Inly 17, 1S95. Frank Hover was charged before Squire T^onglns for
fishing with outline on Sunday. He was found guilty and sentenced
to a fine of $25 and costs.

IL'6

Rr':PORT UF THE

Ott. Dor.

Julv 25. KSii"), Tlioiiias (Jjibricllu was .liarjied befoiv Alderiuaii
Skelly with outline fisliinji. fnuiMl <iuill.\ and tiii«Ml .fi'.") and costs.

.Iiilv 25. lSi)5, Heiirv Halsar was charged before Squire Daniel
Dunn, of Sunnyside, with outline tishinj;, found guilty and paid a fine
of |25 and costs.

July 2i'K 1895. Thomas Baldwin, of Kostraven. was charged before
Squire J.. \\ Flickinger. of f'harleroi, with outline fishing. He
pl«*adc(l guiliy and was fined J;filO and costs.

May 15, 1S!m;. W. H. C.irlc;. «»f Millboro. wa> rliargerl before Joseph
Morton. Ks(j.. with ontlliu^ fishing. He picadc<l guilty and was fined
$5 and costs. Paid.

Information was made against Fred. Jobe. Samuel Calvert, Thomas
Wilson, of Woods Run, on May 1(». ISlMi. I caught them in the act
of lifting a laige dip net below dam No. 5. The case was heard by
Edward M<K)i'house, Esq.. of Rrownsville, Pa. They all swore they
only found the net from the river when f came upon them. They
were discharged.

rnformation was made June 21 against William Linn, of Browns
ville, on the charge of outline fishing in the Monongahela river. The
case was heard by Squire Moorhouse. and the defendant pleaded
guilty. He was thereupon fined 1100 and costs, and in default was
sent to jail. Tiinn N\as release! on hal ejis rcrpus ]iroceedings. and
the case w^ns brought before the grand jury at the next term of court,
A true bill was found, but the judge threw th(^ case out because of
informality.

On the same dav infr>rmation was made against Coonev Brock, of
West Brownsville, on a charge of fishing with outlines. The case
was heard by Squire J. L. Pringle and the defendant found guilty
and sentenced to a fine of $W or in default to be confined in jail for
^0 days. It is reported that sentence is suspended.

Eli Hollywood was also arrested on the same day, charged with
outline fishing and taken before Squire Pringle. The defendant
claimed he was only lifting the line from the water for another man.
A request was made that the defendant be held until he would tell
the name of the other man, but the Squire decided that the defendant
could not be compelled to tell w'ho the other man was or punish him
for not telling. Hollywood was thereupon discharged and the costs
put upon the county.

An imprisonment clause should be inserted in the fish laws.

D. J. HILTY,
Armstrong.

No. 18. FISH (JOMMiaSlONEK.S.

Pish Warden T. «. Peters, Slippery Rock.
To Hon D. P. Corwin:

127

Date.

Name of Party Arrested.

Name of Magistrate.

1895.
Sept. 7. William McBride, ...,.

7, David Wilson,

Dec. 12, : Samuel Fox,

1896. I
Mar. 2, William Hellman

For What Arrested.

President Jud^e John M.
Green, of Butler.

^ All for using seines.

The cause of all these suits being before the Judge of Butler county
was that in previous cases or suits I could only secure the name of
one party as being present, and after convicting one party present
and participant in a violation of the law, I would send him before the
grand jury and compel him to tell or give away his companions.
Each of the above pleaded nolle contendre and the court fined them
|20. I have indictments against two unknown parties residing in
Pittsburg, but as yet have not been able to get the man 1 want. 1
am in hopes soon not only to get him, but a number of other vio-
lators of both seining and dynamiting laws.

r ana jm^ abedient servant,

T. S. PETERS.

Fish Warden J. W. Hague. Pittsburgh.
To Hon. D. P. Corwin:

Date.

Name of Party Arrested.

Name of Magistrate.

For What Arrf\tMl

1896.
.fune,
June.
June.
.Tune.
June,
June,
.lune,
June.
June,
.(unp.

Charles Kemper, , Alderman

Robert Hill. Jr Alderman

Henry Dremmel Alderman

Wlliiuin Richenhauph, .. AJderman

Charles Richenbaugh, ... Alderman

Fred, r-ole Alderman

James Thompson Alderman

William Meyers Alderman

Thoma.s Davis Alderman

John Bell Alderman

Reilly.
Reilly,
Reilly,
Reilly.
Reilly.
Reilly.
Reilly,
Reilly,
Reilly.
Reilly,

Seiniiit; ami ifiKgln*?

Information was given to me that these men had\iolated the laws b}
seining and gigging and that ph nty of witnesses would be furnished
me if I would make information against them. Instead r brought
a civil action for the recovery of the penalty, but the witnesses fur-
nished me could not or would not give me the information and the
witnesses upon whose evidence I was to make a recovery, I took to
you (Mr. Corwin) and his witness was not sufficient to warrant a re
covery. The cases finally dropped for the want of evidence.
9

REPORT OF THK

Off. Doc.

I do not think 1 have made any criminal information for several
years past because of the dictum of the court here. I confine myself
to the destruction of the illegal appliances whenever I find them,
and threatened prosecutions, if the violations were repeated.

J. H. HAGUE,

Pittsbnrjj.

Fish Warden I). M. Cannon, Westmoreland County.
To Hon. D. P. Corwin :

Date. Name of Party Arrested.

Name of Magistrate.

1895.
June 18,

Charge.

Case.

18,
18.
18,
18.
18.

Benamin Noel .Tames B. Wanner, Dulling rtsh...

Aaron Adams .Tames B. Wanner Dulling .Ish...

John Wilt James B. W^anner Dulling fish,..

Frank Wilt I James B. Wanner : Dulling fisb...

William Wilt I James B. Wanner | Dulling fish,..

Simon Ripple James B. Wanner Dulling fish...

Dicharged.

Gul!ty.

Gul ty.

Guilty.

The Wilts and Ripple were each fined $10. There have been but
few violations of the law. I have watched the streams closely, but
a few fines seem to have had a very good effect.

D. M. ( ANXON.

Fish Warden A. D. Butzer.

To Hon. H. C. Demuth:

Eight arrests for fish pots, paid costs.

Eleven arrests for nets, $75 paid.

Destroyed 30 fish pots. 15 set nets, 1 stur net, 5 dip nets and wing

walls to the 30 pots.

A D. BUTZEK,

Warden.

Fish Warden B. F. Maun, (Columbia.
To Hon. H. C. Demuth:

The following is my report from May 31, 1895, to June 1, 1890:
Destroyed 11 set nets, 6 outlines, 4 gill nets, 7 wing walls, 12 fish

baskets, made 4 arrests, secured 4 convictions.

The above does not include six arrests that A. D. Butzer and I

made; two were discharged and four were convictod.

B. F. MAUN.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Fish Warden W. M. Graffius, Huntingdon.
Hon. H. 0. Demuth:

Following arc the number of arresis made, amount of tines imposed
and number of fish dams and other illegal devices destroyed, through
my efforts, in the counties of Huntingdon and Bedford, from May 31
1895, to June 1, 1896: '

6 arrests for using dip nets, all convicted, amount of fines, $300.

7 wing walls destroyed in Bedford county.

2 fish baskets destroyed in Huntingdon county.
22 wing walls destroyed in Huntingdon county.

5 fish baskets destroyed in Huntingdon county.

2 set nets destroyed in Huntingdon county.

1 spears destroyed in Huntingdon county.

This covers a distance of 150 miles of splendid public streams, 110
miles of which are in Huntingdon county and 40 miles in Bedford
county.

W. M. GRAFFIUS.

Fish Warden H. T. Frankenfield, Resica.
To Hon. Henry C. Ford:

Within the last year I destroyed seven eel racks in Big Bushkill,
three in Brodheads creek, five in Marshall's creek, one in West
Branch Pocono, and two in Trout creek ; eighteen in all.

r destroyed three set lines along the Delaware, and fimr hoGp-uets.

I found no owner for either lines or nets, and I have not had evi
donee enough to cause any one's arrest. Moral suasi«m sometimes
does a great deal of good. Where I first made enemies I now have
friends. I have broken up several parties going out to fish for pick
evel since February 15. I stopped one party which T heard was on
its way out for this purpose. I (Muglit another on the lake, but for-
tune was on their side, for they had no fish. Another party received
word in some way that I was after them, and they fled by way of
r»ingmans, across the Delaware to New Jersey, to their homes in Al
leu town. Fish and game protection is coming slowly but surely in
this section. T think trout should not be caught for the market.

H. T. FRANKENFIELD,
Warden for Monroe Countv.

Fish Warden Henry Campbell.

I have the honor to report that I have made ten complaints up to
9.18.-fW

13U

KEPURT OF THE

Off. L)oc.

October 7, 1895, against persons tor building eel weirs and illegal

Ashing. Of the ten

3 were tried, convicted and appealed.

2 were not arrested.

5 w^ere discharged for lack of evidence.

Up to February 25, 1800, 1 destroyed wing walls and eel weirs in
Bradford county as follows:

n the Chemung river in Athens township.

n the Susquehanna river at Yates Island.

n the Susquehanna river at Ulster.

n the Susquehanna river near Smith's Island.

n the Susquehanna river at Hemlock run.

n the Susquehanna river at Sugar creek.

n the Susquehanna river near Towanda.

n the Susquehanna river at Rocky Rift.

n the Susquehanna river at Bishop's Ferry.

n the Susquehanna river at Standing Stone.

n the Susquehanna river at the mouth of Durrell creek.

n the Susquehanna river at Kummerticld..

n the Susquehanna river at Hornets' Ferry.

n the Susquehanna river at Quick's Bend.

Those who violate the fish laws here are banded together and assist
each other in suits against them. They get witnesses to go away,
they swear falselv, and consequently it is difficult to convict.

HENRY CAMPBELL.
Warden for Bradford.

2
1
1
2
1
1
4
1
2
3
1
3
2
1

Fish Warden R. C. Douds.

Hon. D. P. Corwin:

On May IG, 181)6, I arrested Harvey Vanlear for having a seine in
his possession. He was given a hearing by Justice J. C. White, of
Collegeboro, and convicted. Defendant was fined |5 and costs. I
also made information against Joseydi Hunter for the same offense
but he successfully avoided arrest.

June 3, 1895, At Economy on the Ohio river, destroyed two set

lines.

June 5, at Sliippens])ort. on Oliio. destroyed three set lines.

June 7, at Grass Island, destroyed two set lines.

June 10, at Industry, destroyed two set lines.

June 12, at Limeton, in Connequessen, destroyed two set lines.

June 1^^ nt Dnrlington. on Little Bi^aver. three lines.

June 15, at Rockport, on Big Beaver, one line

June 18, at Ventport, three line^

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

181

June 24, At Connelton, on Little Beaver, captured seine, the five
men operating it escaped.
June 28, at Raccoon creek, destroyed three set lines.

R. C. DOUDS.

Fish Warden Geo. M. Pennar.
To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

During the quarter ending September 30, 1895, I have lifted and de-
stroyed 57 night lines and 3 seines.

The campers in my district have been very numerous this summer.
I visited 114 of them and found the fishing very satisfactory and that
there has been very little destruction of fish by dynamiting.

GEORGE M. PENNAR,

New Castle, Pa.

Fish Warden John Conway.
Hon. S. B. Stillwell:

I have not found any violations of the fish laws in this (Carbon)
county, nor complaints of any kind. Everything is quiet along the
streams here.

JOHN CONWAY,
Carbon county.

Fish Warden C. T. Ford.

To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

On April 26, 1896, I arrested John Smith and two sons for trout
fishing on Sunday. They were convicted and paid the costs, $3.35.

I also arrested Boss Smith and two sons, also Boss Bradshell for
violation of the Sunday law. 1 settled the suit, as they pleaded
poverty, by their paying the costs, $11.00.

On May 9, I found four outlines in Harvey's hike, but could not find
who the owners were. On the same day I arrested John Loman for
seeing fyke nets in west corner trout stream. He said he would fish
in spite of me or the law. I cut up his nets and took him before
Squire Donvak, who fined him |50 and costs. As the prisoner was
vi.Tv abusive, the squire imposed an additional fine of $ri.OO. Tlie
CMse was appealed to the September term of court.

182

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

1 have had trouble with outlines, nets and seines in the Susque-
hanna. TJp to date I have cut up and destroyed in the Susquehanna
river, 16 nets and the illegal fishermen are becoming scared. Net
fishing in Harvey's lake is about broken up, I think, especially as the
better class of people in the neighborhood are supporting me.

C. L. FORD,
Lake Township, Luzerne County.

Fish Warden B. McDonnell.

To Hon. Henry C. Ford:

T submit as my report for the three months ending October 15.

1S05:

There is some illegal fishing done, of course, and will be, but I do
not think it is nearly as bad as it was. Those who live up the river
suy a good deal of "set cording" is done, but you can't watch those
people, ^\'lu'n I go down the Delaware river they know I will not be
back for a week or so, and feel tliey can do as they please. If the
warden could give his whole time to the work such practices could
be stopped. Around my home \ can watch these people and they re-
spect the law fairly well.

I had the warden from Hunterdon county, N. J., down here, and
he accomplished great good, as the people in New Jersey in this sec-
tion contended thev have a right to fish with short snoods and cord.

B. McDonnell,

New Hope.

Fish Warden J. M. Miller.

[j^ote. — As the reports of Fish Warden Miller, from 1895 to 189G,
are of more than ordinary importance, calling for special mention in
tlie general report of the (Vniimissioners, they are given here in full
as they were forwarded to the Commissioners, together with a letter
to the late ll<in. Henry ('. Fwd, with reference to the case of Edgar
Westfall, and which indicates how a warden may temper justice with
mercy in the perfoimauce of his duty.]

Callicoon Depot, N. Y., October 31, 1895.

To the Honorable the Commissioners of Fisheries:

I herewith submit the following report for the quarter ending Octo-
ber 81, 1895:

September 7, 1895, T was notified that certain parties were putting
eel-racks in the river Delaware near Cochecton. N. Y.. whereupon 1
made search, but found no racks in the stream

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

133

September 14, 1895, I looked over the river as far as Port Jervis,
N. Y., found eel-racks erected on the New York side of the stream,
the owners claiming the right to maintain the said racks under
the act of Assembly of New York, whereupon I drove to Honesdale,
took legal advice upon the matter and reported such advice to the
Fish Commissioners.

September 2G, 1895, 1 met the Hon. H. C. Ford and the Hon. H. C
Demuth at Port Jervis, N. Y., in reference to the fisheries, and on the
30th of September, I went to Port Jervis to remove the eel-racks and
weirs, but received orders from the Commissioners to wait further
orders. I returned to Lackawaxen and destroved two weirs in the
Lackawaxen river. I also cleared out and repaired the middle fish
way at the Lackawaxen dam.

October 4, 1895, I destroyed two eel-racks in the Dyberry river,
above Honesdale, and two weirs in the Lackawaxen river below
Hawley.

October 5, 1895, 1 filed information against Edgar Westfall, of Glen
Eyre, Pike county, for catching bass and other fish with fyke net in
the Lackawaxen river. Justice C. Shannon gave judgment or fine of
fifty dollars, which was paid. [It is to this case which the subjoined
letter refers. Commissioners.]

October 14, 1895, 1 proceeded up the Delaware river with horse and
wagon, tools and one hired man. and we destroyed the racks on the
Pennsylvania side of the river as far north as the monument at
Balls Eddy. I also went up the Big Equinunk stream and destroyed
two racks. This work occupied the 15th, 16th and 17th.

October 21,1895,1 went from C.illiccon wiih hoise and wagon, tools
and one man, destroyed racks on the Pennsylvania side of the river.
Reached Pond Eddy at noon, on the 23d instant, where I received dis-
patches from Fish Protector J. D. Lawrence, of the New York State
Department, who was at Port Jervis. I joined him immediately.

October 24, 1 started in company with said Lawrence and destroyed
every eel rack remaining in the Delaware as far as Balls Eddy, eight
miles above Hancock, reaching that point Saturday evening the 27th.

Summary.

[nformatiou made, 1.

Convictions, 1.

Fines paid, 1.

Amount of fines, $50.

Weirs destroyed in Delaware, 55.

Weirs destroyed in Lackawaxen, 4.

Fyke nets destroyed, 1.

Weirs destroyed in Equinunk creek, 2.

Weirs destroved in Dvberrv, 2.

134

REPORT OF THE

Off. D<H-

In the racks and weirs all kinds of bass and wall-e.ved pike were
found.

Kespeetfull.v submitted.

J. M. MILLEK.

Uallieoon Depot, November 10, 1895.

Hon. Henry C. Ford:

Dear Sir: In reply to yours of tlie 8th would say: The conviction of
Kdgar We.s.f.ill toi- nuiintaiuiiig a fyke net in tin^ Larlcawaxen was
made before Justice C. C. Shannon, in Pike county. One-half the
line, |25, was paid over to me by the Justice, and |25 he retained to
be paid over to the Pike county treasury. I afterwards presented
|15 to the man's family, as I considered them needy and badly hurt.

On October 23, I destroyed an eel rack in the Delaware below
Lackawaxen, and found in it two wall-eyed pike and large catfish.

The day previous I helped Mr. William Hawkins and his boys, of
Ten Mile river, destroy their eel racks in the Delaware river near
Mast Hope. I found in one of the racks black bass, both big and
small-mouth, striped bass and rock fish, rock bass, or red eyes, and
strawberry or calico bass, as many as would fill a large pail. These
were all alive and returned to the river.

In another rack just above the Lackawaxen dam, 1 found the slats
filled with leaves and enough small shad caught to fill a half bushel
measure.

At Hancock I was told by several parties that the Sheppards, who
had a rack near that place, sold wall-eyed pike nearly every day
which they had caught in their rack.

I am very much gratified that we have once more cleared the Dela-
ware of eel-racks.

Very respectfully.

.1. M. MILLKK.

Callicoou Depot, July 31, 189fi.

To the Commissioners of Fisheries nf Pennsylvania:

I herewith submit the following report covering the period from
May 1, to July 31, 1896:

Spent all of the time from May 1 to May 25 at Lackawaxen. I am,
except three days, 14th, IStli and 16th, looking after the fishways.

During nearly all of th''s rime shad were running up the river, and
thousands of them passed ilirongh the fishways.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Large crowds of men and boys gathered there to see and spear
them, and it required constant watching to keep them oil the docks
and fishways.

May 17. Received from Superintendent Wm. Buller a wagon load
of catfish which were planted in the Delaware at the mouth of the
Lackawaxen river.

May 22 and 23. Made the necessary repairs to the two fishways on
the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware.

May 24. Was informed that one. Ira Diiiieson, ten miles up the
Lackawaxen, was maintaining an eel rack in a tributary of that river,
r drove to his place but found the rack dismantled.

June 9. Received at Callicoon from Superintendent J. P. Creveling
some 30,000 salmon which were planted in the Delaware.

Fish and Game Warden J. D. Law rence, of Bloomville. Delaware
county, N. Y., was with me at Lackawaxen the last week of my stay
at that place. He has promised to come next spring as soon as the
shad are running and bring a man with him, and it needs an assistant
with the warden on the Pennsylvania side also to effectually put a
stop to the depredations. We must make some arrests and have the
parties convicted in order to secure peace at that place.

J. M. MILLER.

Fish Warden Frank P. Stephens.
To the Commissioners of Fisheries :

I submit the following report from June 1 to September 13, 1895:
August 16. Information made against Jenkins Williams, David H.
Jones, Morgan Bennett, David Lloyd, Daniel Evans, all of Scranton,
Pa. Charge, dragging a net in the Tunkhannock creek. Heard by
Justice E. L. Baron, of Nicholson. neTeudan s pleaded guilty. Fined
|5 each and costs. Paid. At the same time I captured the net and
destroyed it according to law.

FRANK STEPHENS.
Nicholson, !*a.

Fish VA'arden John Halloran. Jr.

To Hon. S. B. Stillwell :

In June, 1895, the Tioga Tannery Company erected a dam across
Crooked creek, in Tioga county, without a fishway. I immediately
notified them to build such a structure at once, according to law.
This they did.
9*

136

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

July 17. Made complaint against George Field, of Jackson, for
catching trout out of season. Brought him before W. O. Russell,
justice of the peace of Tioga township, who fined him |10 and costs.
Paid.

August 12. Tore out a tish rack between Mill and Lampers creek,
but I did not catch the offenders.

August 28. Tore out fish rack between Tioga and Stevenhouse run.
Did not catch offenders.

Sept. 5. Tore out two fish racks between Ansonia and Blackwell's
on Pine creek, Tioga county.

September 13. Made an arrest upon William Manz for shooting
pheasants out of season. Justice of Peace W. O. Russell sentenced
him to pay the costs.

October 10. Made an arrest on Wells Baker for shooting quail out
of season. Justice of Peace W. O. Russell sentenced him to pay the
costs.

October 10. Arrested William Gale for shooting a pickerel. Jus-
tice of the Peace W. O. Russell sentenced him to fine and costs.

April 5, 1896. Arrested George Spaulding for catching trout out
of season and f(ir lisliing on Sunday and hauled him before Justice of
the Peace H. L. Baldwin. Not hiving any trout in his po-^sesaion he
was acquitted, but was found guilty of fishing on Sunday and fined.

April 21, 1896. Arrested Thomas Lawyer for catching trout under
the size allowed by law. He had two trout four inches long. I took
him before Justice of the Peace H. L. Baldwin, who, when defendant
pleaded ignorance of the law, let liini o^' on tlie payment of costs.

JOHN HALLORAN, Jr.,

Tioga.

Fish Warden J. D. Clark.

To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

June. 1895. Destroyed a nnniber of outlines in the Susquehanna
river.

July, 1895. Destroyed one outline in the Susquehanna river.
There is less illegal fishing in Wyoming county this season than
for years.

J. D. CLARK.

Meshoppen.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

187

Fish Warden John Conway.
Hon. S. B. Stillwell:

Everything is all right here. No violations of the fish laws re-
ported, and no complaints made.

JOHN CONWAY,
Mauch Chunk.

Fish Warden S. J. Hinds.
To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

I herewith submit a report from August 1, to September, 1895:
August 10. Saw E. W. Stark, of West Pittston, and stopped him
from building a rack in the Susquehanna.

August 12. Notified the sheriff of Luzerne county to issue a pro-
clamation to have all illegal fishing stopped in Luzerne county.

S. J. HINDS,
Moosic.

Fish Warden T. S. Peters.

To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

On June 5, 1895, I arrested James Haslet, Edward Falls, Thomas
Patterson and Elmer Fulkerson, of New Castle, Pa., on a charge of
fishing with a seine in Slippery Rock creek. They had a hearing
before E. M. Maybury, justice of the peace of Centreville. Convicted
Haslit, but Fulkerson and Pjittison proved an alibi. I made a com-
promise with Haslit as follows: That he would give me the names
of all the parties that were with him, and where they lived, and pay
a fine of |15 and costs. He concluded to do this, provided I would
not act for six weeks. This was necessary in order to protect him
from personal injury.

Summary.

Information made, 1.
Conviction, 1.
Fines paid, $15.

T. S. PETERS,
Slippery Rock.

188

REPORT OF THE

Fish Warden Moses W. V^an Gorden.

Off. Doc.

To the Board of Fish Commissioners:

1 have the honor to submit the following report of work performed
by me from June 1, 1895, to June 1, 1890:

June — . Destroyed an eel rack and tore out the wing-walls at Mat-
amoras, on the Delaware. I arrested the owner, Mr. Coss, and took
him to Milford, where he was fined |50.

September 24. Destroyed two eel weirs and wing walls above Port
Jervis.

September 25. Destroyed three eel-racks.

September 2G. Destroyed two eel racks.

September 28. Destroyed one rack in Mulliner's rift near Swarts-
wood; could not find the owner of it.

September 30. Destroyed two racks below the bridge at Mata-
moras.

October 1. Took out eel weir at Lackawaxen and destroyed five
other eel weirs. I was two days in performing this work.

October 8. Destroyed two racks between Milford and Dingman's.

October 15. Destroyed three racks above the Port Jervis bridge.

October 17. Destroyed two racks in the Delaware between Bush-
kill and Stroudsburg.

October 20, 21, 22. Met the New York warden and destroyed three
more eel weirs above Port Jervis bridge to Lackawaxen.

October 24. Accompanied Warden Miller to Glen Eyre and up the
Lackawaxen and assisted in taking out and destroying two eel
weirs and wing walls.

May 11 and 12, 1896. Went to Lackawaxen and assisted in keeping
men from spearing shad as they passed up the fishways.

Recapitulation.

Destroyed eel weirs and wing walls, 24.
Assisted to destroy eel weirs and wing walls, 5.
Arrested and had fined, eel weir owner, 1.
Amount of fines imposed, $50.

MOSES W. VAN GORDEN,
Egypt Mills, Pike County.

Fish Warden J. J. Bruce.
To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

The following are my cases from June 1, 1895, to June 1, 1896:
July 27, 1895. Arrested Jesse Oyer, Joseph Rickert and George

Hoffman for fishing in the Bushkill with a drag. Case settled on

pay men t of $40.

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

189

August 3. Arrested Oliver Smith on a charge of fishing in the
Delaware with a set line. The case was settled on the following
day by the defendant paying $50 and costs.

August 3. Arrested Samuel Hess on a charge of fishing in the Dela-
ware with a set line. At the conclusion of the hearing the defendant
was committed to the county jail in default of the payment of $50
and costs. On the 15th of September he was discharged, through
the consent of the Hon. Henry C. Ford, that he pay $25.

September 28. Arrested Harry Roberts on a charge of erecting
wing walls in the Delaware. On the following day Alderman Bit-
ters discharged him on the payment of costs.

September 30. Arrested Highland Warner on a charge of erecting
wing walls in the Delaware river. He was given a hearing and
committed to the county jail in default of the payment of $100 fine.
On October 28 he was discharged on the intercession of Mr. Ford.

March 6, 1896. Arrested Jesse Bell for having in his possession
after he had caught the same four trout. The defendant was com-
mitted to the county jail in default of the payment of $40 fine and
costs. On the first of April he was discharged through the efforts
of Mr. Ford, on the payment of $20.

March 11. Arrested Frank Walters for having in his possession
two trout. He was discharged by Alderman Bitters.

April 9. Arrested Lawrence Bitzer for fishing in the Bushkill with
a dip net. He was committed to the county jail in default of the
payment of $50 and costs. On the 28. h the defendant was discliarged
through the efforts of Mr. Ford on the payment of $15.

April 29. Arrested Jacob D. Ujitegrove on a charge of fishing in the
Bushkill with a gig. The pris(»ner was giv(Mi a hearing before Alder-
man Bitters and discharged.

Recapitulation.
Arrests made, 13.
Convictions had, IL
Cases dismissed, 2.
Amount of fines paid, $190.

JOHN J. BRUCE,
Easton.
[Note. — There were two arrests not published in this report made
on September 18, 1895, and SeptcMuber 28, 1895. on charges of taking
bass under size from tlie Delaware river. There were circumstances
attending these violations of the law whirh after due deliberation
leati the Commissioners to the belief that the interests of justice were
fully served when the defendants paid their fines jimonnting to $40,
and that no further benefit to the community would follow the pub-
lication of the names.

rOMATTSSTONERS OF FT^^HERTES.l

liO REPORT OP THE Off. Doc.

Fish Warden A. D. Ridner.

To the Hon. James A. Dale:

In compliance with your request I report my work for June 1,
1S95, to June 1, 1896, as follows:
Fish baskets destroyed, 6.
Nets destroyed, 21.
Outlines destroyed, 103.
Salmon caught illegally set free, 72.
Bass caught illegally set free, 51.
These were from Duncannon fishermen.

A. D. RIDNER,
Harrisburg.

Fish Warden John Bubb.

Hon. James A. Dale:

I find the river within my territory now in good shape. There
have been no lines nor nets in the waters for some time back. The
fish dams, four in number are all down.

During the summer I took out 33 outlines, and destroyed

9 nets, and

4 fish dams.

It is hard to catch the owners of these set lines. I have taken the
lines from before the eyes of the supposed owners but they declare
they do not own them.

JOHN BUBB,
Williamsport.

Fish Warden W. E. Housworth.

To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

In accordance with your request, I hereby beg leave to submit the
following report of my work in Northumberland and Snyder counties
for June 1, 1895, to June 1, 1896.

During my term as warden,. I made no arrests for illegal fishing,
owing to the fact that it was utterly impossible for me to secure the
evidence necessary to prosecute successfully under the loosely drawn
and contestable acts of Assembly relative to the subject. The illegal
fishing in this vicinity is almost wholly done after night, and many
disguise themselves to evade recognition and detection, which is an
additional impediment in the way of enforcing the laws as thev
oxisit.

^o, 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

141

Under these circumstances, I chose what I considered the wiser
course, namely, to direct my energies towards destroying the nets,
outlines, seines, fish baskets and dams that I found in my searches
in the Susquehanna and tributary streams within my district. This
I did effectually to the extent of large numbers of each of the various
devices — particularly nets and outlines, comparatively few seines
being found. I dismantled a number of fish baskets and threw down
the wing walls, but by far the larger portion of the latter were dis-
mantled by the sheriff of Northumberland county. This course had
a good effect, as it discouraged the setting of nets and outlines, when
the prospects were that they would be destroyed.

In the fall of 1895, John Noriconk, Esq., and Alfred Specht,
Esq., high sheriff of Northumberland and Snyder counties, respec-
tively issued their proclamations against illegal fishing and per-
formed their duties under them.

It may seem surprising, but it is nevertheless true, that the illegal
fishing done even by pirates, in this stretch of the Susquehanna, is
to a very great degree encouraged by the masses generally, because,
as they say, the fish might as well be caught alive by the pirates, as
to be killed by thousands by the sulphur water which now colors and
pollutes the once pure waters of the Susquehanna. Tiiev argu<? that
there should be plain legislative enactments to modify this state of
affairs, and that then reasonable fish protection would easily follow.
It has been decided in an opinion by the Hon. Jas. A. Stranahan,
Deputy Attorney (leneral, under date of July 14, 1892, "that tlu*
Board of Fishery Commissioners have no power to take measures to
restrict coal operators in their operations, and that no authorify has
been conferred upon the Board to take such action." This decision
seems to them too discriminative, and they are of opinion that the
Legislature should remedy the defect.

I received fish twice from the United States Hatchery, and about
as often from the State Hatchery at Corry, Pa., upon my applications,
and carefully distributed them in the Susquehanna, I'enns creek,
and Middle creek.

W. E. HOUSWORTH.
Sclinsgrov<'.

[Note. — Reference will be found in the main report of the Com-
uiissioner io that part of Warden Housworth's mention of Deputy
Attorney General Stranahan's opinion, and the general (]U('stion of
stream pollution.]

l<2 REPORT OF THK Off. Doc

Depiitv SluMitl' Hdhinson.

To H(m. S. JJ. Stillvvell:

The iiimiber of eel walls destroyed by me as deputy sheriff of Lu-
zerne county for the year 1805 was 42. Most of them wt re in Conyng
ham, Nescopee and Salem townships. The total cost of the work
was |1<)7.21.

eJOHN ROBINSON,

Deputy Sheriff,
Wilkes-Barre.
[Note. — In the above, the county commissioners took charge of
the tearing- out of the wall.v They emphn ed the deputy sheriff, John
Robinson, to do the work.]

Work of Sheriff Clemens.

There were three fish baskets removed from the Susquehanna river
where it flows through Lackawanna county, by Fiank Clemens, sher
iff" of Lackawanna countv.

Fish Warden .1. O. Materr.
To Hon. .lanies A. Dale:

During the year I made the following arrests and destroyed the
following baskejs, etc.:

XuiuIhm of baskets destroyed, i:i.

Xunibei- of nets and outlines destrcyed. 10.

Number of wing ^.ills destroyed, 20.

I made one arrest, that of .Tain«\s MrNight. He was lined ^50 and
cost. Tin* Justice before whom he was tried was George Wilson, of
Patterson. The charge was fishing with basket attached to wing
walls.

J. G. MATEER.
Port Roval.

Kish \\aid«n .Milton Fleisher.

Hon. .lames A. Dale:

My report from Jun<' 1, ISO."), to June 1. 189f>, is as follows:
Arrested H. ^L.Minlei-, Rob. rl Ross, Casey, Willis Haverstick.

on a charge of illegal fishing. The first Iwu were fined |2.5 each and

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

14S

costs, and the last two named I could not convict on account of the
extreme darkness at the time they were supposed to be fishing. The
charge was brought before David Smith, justice of the peace of Fair-
view township, York county.

The number of fish baskets I destroved was nine. Four of them
were located near Lisburn and the remainder in the Susquehanna.

I destroyed twenty-one nets and about the same number of out-
lines.

It is almost impossible to secure any help in punishing wrong-doers
from an outside party. The excuse invariably given is that he does
not want to incur the enmity of the fisherman.

Another trouble I have experienced is that the officers of the law
here do not perform their duty. The constables of this place refused
to assist met, and the sheriff' of this county declined to destroy the
fish dams after he had issued his proclamation. His excuse was that
there was no provision of the law to pay him for his expenses.

MILTON FLEISHER,
New Cumberland.

Fish Warden Enos Mayer.

To the Fish Commissioners:

During the year ending June 1, 189G, 1 served notices on the sher-
iffs of Clinton, Cameron, Clearfield, Centre, Lycoming and Northum-
berland counties, to issue proclamations against illegal fishing and
to remove the fish baskets from the rivers. The sheriff of Clinton
county removed a few fish walls and baskets, some of which were
afterwards rebuilt, I understand.

I made no arrests during the year, but I have three unsettled cases
in the courts of Clinton county, to- wit: Jacob Wakeman, charged
with catching game fish with dip nets. He had a hearing before
Alderman Noble, of Lock Haven, and was convicted. Taken to court
on an appeal. "

John Williams was charged with the same offense. He pleaded
guilty before Alderman Noble, but the fines have never been col-
lected.

Robert Meyers, charged with erecting wing walls and basket. He
was convicted before Alderman Noble, but the case was appealed
to court and there has been no trial. I have reason to believe these
parties continue to violate the law, and I feel it would be useless to
cause further arrests until the cas( s above reported are tried and
the offenders punished.

Of course, the arrests have deterred many from committing similar
offenses and to that extent thev were beneficial.

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

I served notice on J. K. Gleason & Son. tanners, at Gleason, Clin-
ton county, for polluting trout streams. I also served notice on
Gleasan & Co., at Driftwood, for the same offense. I also served
notice on Howard & Perley, who operate a saw mill at Gleasonton,
to cease the pollution of Young Woman's creek with saw dust and
shavings. Served notice on James Robins, saw mill owners, oppo-
site North Bend. Served notice on the Lackawanna Lumber Com-
pany, in Potter county, for a second time for polluting one of the
finest trout streams in the State. I served notice on Barklev Bros,
at Sinnamahoning for obstructing the streams. They also pollute
the streams with saw dust and all refuse from their mills.

The saw mills and tanneries have slaughtered thousands of fish,
far more in fact than fishermen.

ENDS MAYER,

Renovo.

Fish Warden Charles Clark.
To the Commissioners of Fisheries:

I herewith submit the following report covering the period from
January 1, to July 1, 1896:

May 18. Information made against Ira Reifsnyder; charge, dip-
netting in Schuylkiir river. Heard by Justice Neiman of Pottstown.
Fined |25 and costs.

June 25. Information made against James Reed and Franklin
Roshong; charge, dynamiting in Perkiomen creek. Heard by Jus-
tice Gotshall, but had no positive proof against them. Therefore
the defendants were discharged.

Summary.
Informations made, 2.
Convictions, 1.
Fines paid, 1.
Amount of fines paid, |25.

I have given the work earnest attention and hope good results will
follow my efforts to 8nj)])rcss illegal fishing.

CHARLES CLARK,
Pottstown.

No, 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

145

THE MOUNTAIN LAKES OF THE STATE.

By WILLIAM E. MEKHA.N,

Aaaociate Killtur of the Philadeliihia Public L'dger, authnr af Finli, Fishinn ami FiHherieg of Ptnns\ilran(a;

b'htiVuUun for Farmers, Trout Culture, etc., etc.

CHAPTER I.

The Great Ice Age. — How the Mountain Lakes Were Formed.

At some period of the world's existence, the greater part of the
northern half of Pennsylvania was buried under a vast mass of
moving ice, like, in every particular, most probably, to the great
mer de glace which covers the whole interior of Greenland and Arctic
America. While there is no contention to speak of over the idea ad-
vanced that the great ice age of North America was, geologically
speaking, of comparatively recent date, there is a heated discussion
over the question of how recent it was. There is also some contro-
versy over the question w hether or not man existed during any part
of the North American glacial period. Very eminent men are to be
found on both sides of the first question, and until very recent years
on the latter al^o,but latterly .t is preity generally admitted that man
was on this earth at least during the latter part of the time when the
great ice sheet poured down from the north into New York state,
much of the New England states and the upper part of Pennsylvania.

Dr. C. C. Abbott, who has given some attention to the matter,
speaks as follows regarding it: "The date of the close of the glacial
period is a matter of considerable controversy, the extremes being
that of Prof. J. W. Spencer, who thinks the culmination of activity
to have been about 30,000 years ago, and Prof. G. W. Wright, who
has given the matter close study, who considers that the last change
of the earth's surface by glacial activity was probably as recent as
10,000 years ago.

"This of itself may not seem of much interest to the people gener
ally, except that it is closely associated with the date of man's earliest
appearance in North America. Much as the matter has been dis-
puted, the weight of evidence favors the view that man was present
in Eastern Pennsylvania and the Valley of the Delavvan* during the
close of the great ice age. The most recent explorations by Ernest
Voulk, under the direction of Prof. W. Putnam, Cambridge. Mass.,
unquestionably demonstrates that man was present in the Valley of
the Delaware when the surface of the country was esseiiiinlly differ
ent from what now obtains. The results of his work show that
10-18-96

146

REPORT OF THE

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before the beginniDg of the soil making period, or tlie present time,
geologically speaking, man lived upon the glacial clays and sand de-
posits and left therein abundant traces of his presence. These traces
of man show that he was far more primitive in culture to the Dela-
ware Indians who were in possession of the country at the time of the
European occupation."*

Professor Angelo Heilprin, who has also given the matter much at-
tention, says:

"There is much controversy between those who hold to a period
removed perhaps to from 75,000 to 100,000 years, and those, like a
large number of American geologists, who assign to the close of the
glacial period an age not much beyond from 7,000 to 10,000 yeare.
It should be said however, that the testimony in favor of the younger
period, which has largely been deduced from deductions based upon
the physiological wear of the land surface, such as the formation of
post jilacijil cjinons, tlie p. isistciue of waterfalls and the obliteration
of surface features generally, has been greatly shaken by some of
I ho nunc rcccnl est iuia less giiv< rniiig tht' evolution of the land sur-
face. Thus the age of the Niagara gorge and falls, instead of being
considered a feature evolved within a period of some 10,000 years,
has an age, according to the very careful determination of Prof. J. W.
Spencer, of at least from 33,000 to 35.000 years. On the whole, the
broader facts seem to favor the longer period.

"Whether all this preceded the appearance of man upon the globe,
positive evidence affords us very little information. While it may
perhaps be denied that any actual remains of man have ever been
found, to absolutely prove his contemporaneousness with the ice
age, the facts of evolution make it almost certain that he was with
it long before the glacial period. Sir Charles Lyell, himself, was
under the impression tliat man has been on the earth from 200,000
to 250,000 years."

Whatever the period may have been, the influences or the forces
of nature which called into being the great inland ice sea, and after
wards banished it, are among the most interesting and tantallizing
of any which dominated the other periods of the world's existence
ro tile sludenl in geulogv. He has outlined the cr.urse of the advanc
ing ice; he has marked its southernmost limits; he has determined
with certainty the character of the ice cap itself and how it was
formed, and he has been able to give an idea of its approximate
thickness in places, but what started its advance and what caused its
recession are baffling mysteries. Doubtless when scientists have
determined tlie forces which impel the advance or recession of
glaciers of the present day in the Arctics, they may find the key
which will unlock the mystery which brought the great ice age into
being on the North American continent and then swept it away.

• fur further (lotnlN ^Kp Tlie Ice Age of XortJi America. " by Prof. (i. V WriKht. fourth edition
I) Api'lPton ± '^(1 lHJblis^ler^•

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

I4t

Nor can any estimate be made of the duration of the ice period;
whether its creation or advance was rapid or slow, or whether its
disappearance was a matter of a few centuries or many thousand
years. One thing is certain, temperature does not altogether influ-
ence the advance or retreat of glaciers, the outlets for the main mer
de glace. WTiile in North Greenland in 1892, the writer saw many
cases of glaciers in close proximity to each other, some retreating,
others advancing their frozen bodies down deep valleys many feet
a day, while others again under the same conditions of temperature
seemed to be comparatively at a standstill. In other valleys he saw
where glaciers had advanced and retreated repeatedly, each advance
and each retreat being clearly marked by a terminal moraine.

One notable discovery made in connection with the movement of
the great North American mer de glace of the ice age, is that the
part which covered northern Pennsylvania did not come from one
direction, nor was it one body, but the conglomeration of a number
of vast frozen rivers, flowing from two directions. One of these en-
tered W^estern Pennsylvania in a southeastern course from the di-
rection of Lake Erie, and the other came down into Eastern Penn-
sylvania from the direction of Vermont. The two met at right
angles in Cataraugas county. New York, and continued southward
until its further progress was stopi»ed by tlu* highlands of northern
Pennsylvania. What got beyond was in the shape of glaciers which
found their way finger like through the valleys and water courses.

The course of these two great rivers and other lesser streams is
clearly marked to-day by their several moraines. The lines of these
are thus given in the second geological survey of Pennsylvania :

''In New Jersey the terminal moraine runs from Amboy northward
to Rockaway, and then westward to iielvidere. These two lines
forming a right angle at Rockaway, show that one stream of the ice
sheet descended the Hudson river vallev as far as New York harbor,
and that another stream (north of the Highlands) flowed more south-
westward from Newburg to the Delaware at Belvidere. and pro-
jected its lobe into Northampton county.

*'A third stream followed the Walkill valley, between the Catskill
mountains and the Kittntinnv mountains from Ronudout to Strouds-
bnrg and beyond.

"A fourth stream roming from the Mohawk vallev across Wayne
county followed tlie water basin of the upper Lehigh, the Wapallopen
valley and the Lackawanna valley as far as Berwick.

"Another stream descended the water basin of the Loyalsock
nearly to Williamsport.

"Other streams followed the valley of Towanda creeU, the valley of
Wellsboro and the valley of Crooked creek into Potter county."

These moraines are tlie debris tarried on the surface or beneath
the huge moving volume of ire, which motion by th(> way may he

148

REPORT OF THE

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compared to the slow tlowing of a river. At the sides aud at the
lower end of every glacier this debris, in the shape of rocks and dirt,
are always to be found. The original return spots of some of the
boulders found at the terminii of glaciers are often traced back for

several hundred miles.

In addition to discovering the direction of the How of the glaciers
and the main bodies of ice, students have practically determined that
its composition was the same as that of the mer de glace and gla-
ciers of Arctic America and Greenland. That it was formed by cen-
turies of snowfall admits of substantially no doubt. This settled,
there is no question but that it was stratified with the thinnest
layers and the hardest ice on the bottom, each layer growing thicker
and softer from lessened pressure until at the surface it was a layer
of hard compact snow. On the inland ice cap of Greenland, which
in parts is estimated to be more than 10,000 feet thick, this top
layer of snow is about four feet deep. Thus the lowermost layer
must be almost infinitesmally thin, but hard beyond conception for

ice to be.

From various signs it may be assumed that the great ice cap of
Greenland and of Arctic America, are the lingering remains of the
vast ice sheet which at some period in the past thrust its chilling
iingvrs far down into IVnnsylvania and buried fully one-half of it
under its deadly white covering. This being the case, and knowing
the uncertainty of its movements. th( re is seemingly nothing in the
present temperatures to prevent another advance at any time, even
to the extent of passing beyond the barriers wliieh before held it in
check. That this is not impossible is indicated by the undoubted
fact that not many eons ago, Greenland itself supported trees of a
similar character to those which now flourish in Pennsylvania. This
is proven by the fossil remains of trunks and leaves abundantly
found in certain parts of that Arctic island.

For many years it was supposed that the mountain lakes of Penn-
sylvania were created through the glaciers scooping out great holes
in the earth on the mountain sides, but later investigations seem
to prove otherwise. It is now pretty definitely determined that the
mountain lakes of Pennsylvania generally were caused by two other
and entirely different means. One cause was the damming of a
stream bv a terminal moraine, or debris from a moraine which fell
into a stream and thus formed the lake. The other causes were
springs opening into natural depressions on the surface of moraines.
The lakes formed by one or the other of these causes are readily de-
termined by the merest tyro in geology. Any lakes having a well
defined stream fiowing into it was almost certainly formed by ob-
struction, and any lake which has no regular inlet but receives its
supply of water .xclusively from springs on its bottom or sides, is
a lake formed by a natural depression in a moraine.

tfl

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

149

A good example of the first mentioned style of lake is Porter's pond
in Pike county, and a splendid illustration of the latter are the Twin
lakes in Wayne county. The latter are particularly remarkable
since here are two sheets of water only a few hundred yards apart,
yet the upper is fully fifty feet above the lower lake, showing that
quite large depressions may exist even on the sides of a moraine.
The springs of these two lakes are so large and strong that the water
remains cold enough throughout the year to support brook trout.

Occasionally a lake is come upon which had its origin as a natural
depression in a moraine, and the waters of which, instead of running
oflf on the surface in the ordinary way, makes its way underground
for quite a distance before appearing in daylight again. A striking
example of this is Echo lake in Monroe county. Here the under
ground stream runs for nearly a quarter of a mile before it comes
to the surface, and when it does it forms into a pretty little body of
water known as Coolbaugh's pond, probably one of the smallest
lakes in the state.

Occasionally in certain lakes long bars or shoals will be found;
there may be shallows in the original depression of the moraine, or
it may be a supplementary moraine of a glacier, but the former is
the more likely to be the case. A good example of a possible mo-
rainic bar is found in rortrighls or TwelveMile pond in Pike
county.

Geologically speaking, lakes are not long lived. Comparatively a
few years ago there were many more such bodies of water in this
State than there are now, and within a generation or two of man
there are certain to be others now in existence which will have
passed away. Those which are particularly short-lived are those
formed bv the obstruction of a former water course, because the
streams supplying them carry therein a greater amount of sediment,
which rapidly fills them.

Not far from Porter's lake, in Pike county, is a vast meadow some
five miles long and one mile wide, which undoubtedly three or four
hundred years ago w;is a lake. Gradually earth and vegetable
matter drifted in, sphagnum moss and cranberry bog stretched
out from the shores until the water all passed from sight except the
channel occupied by Saw creek. Beneath the surface of the meadow
not more than two or three feet iho water still rests, and so flimsy
is the surface that a person jumping violently on it will cause it
to shake visibly for several rods around.

A lake rapidly filling is Number Three pond in Porter township,
Pike county. There are hunters yet aliv<' who can easily remember
when this sheet of water was three times its present size, and the
writer can well remember when a boy, fishing successfully on a spot
where last summer he stood dry shod on a boggy meadow.

i:.o

KKFORT OF THK

Oft. Doc.

CHAPITER 11.

Native Fislies and How Tlu-.v Found Tlieir Way into the LaUen.

There are rather less than a dozen species ot tisb found in the
mountain lakes of Pennsylvania which might be termed natives.
The most important of these are the brook trout, pickerel, cat-
fish or bull-head, eel, yellow perch and sun fish. A species of
roach called shiners, the chub, the sucker and one or two
small species of fish of little importance except for bait go towards
making up the list. It is safe to say that nearly every lake in the
State contains eels, and it is also perfectly safe to assert that every
such body of water received its original supply of this snake-like fish
without the agency of man. It would also be hard to find the lake
in which the speciis of catfish known as bull-head does not exist.
Every one has a greater or less number of sun fish, and there are
few in which the yellow perch are not abundant. And wherever the
yellow perch are there is almost the absolute certainty that the
shiners will be found in large quantities. Most of the lakes, too.
contain suckers, especially those waters which have muddy or sandy
bottoms. Strange to say, the chub is by no means a common fish in
all our mountain lakes, or in fact as far as the writer's observation
has gone, are they as abundant as some of the other fishes in any of

the natural ponds.

In nearly all the coldest and purest mountain lakes, especially in
those of Wayne, Susquehanna and Luzerne counties, at one time
the brook trout were abundant, and oven yet in a few places where
they are carefully protected from lawless fishermen the native trout
are found in some numbers, but as a general thing they have almost
entirelv dissappeared. It has been nearly thirty years, for instance,
since a trout was caught in Porter's lake. Pike county, and it is
doubtful whether there is a fish of that species in that lake to-day.

From the fact that almost invariably the pickerel is found in all
our natural ponds, many anglers suppose that fish has. so to speak,
always been there, and it will therefore be a matter of surprise for
them' to learn that comparatively few of our mountain lakes origin-
ally contained this fish. It is of course impossible to state which,
if any, were stocked in the first place by nature, but there is some
reason to believe that none, at least in the northeastern part of the

ir.tt

HHHl»K'l" t»F THK

( )tf. Doc

CHAPTEK 11.

Niiiivr Fisll.'^ ;iimI IIou Tl.r.x Fouiid TImmp Wav iuio tlH' LaUi'S.

There aie ralhei- leiss lliaii a <lozeH species ot lisli fuiiud in th<'
mountain lakes of IVnnsvlvania uhirh nii-ht fee tenned natives.
The most important of these are tlie brook trout, pickerel, cat
fish or bttll-head. eel, yellow perch and sun tish. A species of
roach called shinerf, the chub, the sucker and one or two
small species of fish of little importance except f<u' bail go towards
making up the list. I( is safe to say that nearly every lake te t^
State contains eels, and it is also perfectly safe to assert that every
such body of water received its original supply of this snake-like fish
without the agency of man. Ti would also be hard to find the lake
in which the species of .aitisl. known as bnll-liead does not exist.
Every one has a greater or less nunibor of sun fish, and there are
few in which the yellow p<'rch are not abundant. .\nd wherever the
vellow perch are Hkmc is almost the absolute certainty that the
shiners will be found in large fpiantities. Most of the lakes, too.
contain suckers, especially those waters wbich have muddy or sandy
bottoms. Strange to say. the chub is by n<. means a conuiion fish in
all our mountain lakes, or in fact as far as the writer's observaticm
has gone, are they as abundant as smne of the oth<'r fishes in any of

the natural ponds.

Tn nearly all the c(ddest and jmrest mountain lakes, especially in
those of Wayne. Susquehanna and Luzerno counties, at one time
thp brook tjoul were abundant, and .v. mi v.-i in a few places where
they are carefully protected from lawless fishermen the native trout
are found in some numbers, but as a general thing they hare almost

eiitirolv dissappeared. It lias 1 n nearly thirty years, for instance.

since a trout was cauglit in Porter's lake. Pike county, and it is
doubtful whether tliere is a fisli (.f that species in that lake to day.

From the fact tliat aluH»st invariably the pickerel is found in all
our natural i»onds. many anglers supj.ose that fish has. so to speak,
always been there, and it will therefore be a matter of surprise for
them to h'arn that com])arativoly few of our mountain lakes origin
allv contained this fisli. It is of course impossible to state which.
if any. were stocked in tho first ]da<e by nature. »>ut there is some
reason to believe that none, at least in the northeastern part of tho

c
a.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

?»'■• ,'Z

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'■ '-y^r

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k>,*';4.

No. 18.

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FISH COMMISSIONERS.

161

State were so stocked. Many, until tliree-quarteris of a century ago,
did not contain a pickerel, and their present existence in those waters
is due to white men. This is particularly the case with many of the
lakes in Wayne county. The majority of those in Monroe, Pike,
Wayne and Susquehanna counties, however, there is strong reason
to believe were tirst slockcMl by tlic Indians, the Hsh being brought
most likely from Sullivan county, New York, or from New Jersey.
Some of the old inhabitants of these sections have declared most
positively that they had received their information concerning the
aboriginal planting of pickerel from their fathers, when they were
boys. Thus is the redskin exhibited in the light of a flshculturist.

For many years it was a source of much speculation, how certain
waters would become stocked with eels. A farmer would, for in-
stance, build a dam on the line of a small spring run for the accom-
modation of his flock of ducks. That he should stock this pond with
fish probably never entered either his mind or of his relatives, yet
perhaps a year or less after, a number of eels, some evidently several
years old, would be found. Thus all sorts of superstitions sprung
up concerning this flsh. Among other things that eels had their
origin in the hairs of horses which accidentally fell into the water.
In later years, however, the mystery of the eels appearance in the
farmer's pond, as well as in any other isolated body of water is fully
explained. It is now known than an eel, not satisfied with the water
it is in will travel at night when the dew is heavy, or the rain is
falling, over wet grass or through thick woods to another body of
water which its instinct informs it is to be found. A friend of the
writer on one occasion caught a large eel in a trout stream which
had its source and entire supply from two or three large springs on
top of a mountain and cut off from access from the Delaware river
by several large falls up wliicli no fish could possibly climb, and there
is no other explanation of the fishes presence there, than by the as
sumption that it had made its way through the woods around the
falls from the river. There is little doubt, therefore, that many of
our lakes received their original supply in this manner. That is,
those of them which did not have streams along which access could
be had from large streams or rivers.

It is .said also that pickerel have the power of making their way
through wet grass from one pond to another, but so far as the writer
has been able to ascertain, this has not been fullv verified. In one
or two cases where such has been stated to be the case, he found the
connecting land to be low and in certain periods of the year more or
less flooded to an extent which rendered it ])ossible for very small
fish to make their way across.

It is possible that by the overland route many of the lakes origin
ally became stocked with cat fish or bull-heads. This fish is remark

No. lb.

FiSH COMAllSfeJiuiSIMKlS

In]

Stale were su slocked. Many, uuiil thiee-quarlers ut a ceulurj aj^o,
did iiul coiilaiii a pickerel, and theii picst-ul exisleiice in those waters
is due to wliile uieu. This is pariicularl^ ilic uase with many ol the
hikes iu W'ayiie coinily. The majority of those in Monroe, i*ike,
Wayne and Susquehanna counties, however, there is strong reason
Ci» bi'lievt* well- liisi sio(k<Ml hy I lie Indians, tin- lish In-ing brought
most likely from Sullivan county, New York, or from New Jersey.
Some of the old inhabiianis of these sections liave declared most
positively that they had received their information concerning the
aboriginal planting of pickerel from their fathers, when they were
boys. Thus is the redskin exhibited in ihe light of a lishculturisl.

For many years it was a source of much speculation, how certain
waters would become stocked witii eels. A farmer would, for in
stance, build a dam on the line of a snuiU spring run for the accom-
modation of his Hock of ducks. That he should slock tins pond w ilh
fish probably never entered eitht^r his mind or of his rehitives, yet
perhaps a year or less after, a number of eels, some evidently several
years old, would be found. Thus all siais of superstitions sprung
up concerning tiiis li.«;h. Among dtiiei ihin.us that eel.-> iiad their
origin in tlu' hairs of liorses whirh arcidcnialiv fell int»» the water.
In later years, however, the mystery of the eels appearance in the
farmer's pond, as well as iu any other isolated body of water is fully
explained. It is now known than an eel, not satisfied with the water
it is in will travel at night when the dew is heavy, or the rain is
falling, over wet grass or thrtuigh ihiek woods to another body of
water which its instinct informs it is to be found. A friend of the
writer on one occasion caught a hirge etd in a trout stream which
had its source and entire supply from two (u* three ]arg<' springs on
top of a niounlain and rut otV fi-om access from the l)i laware river
by s('\( r;il l;iige f.ills ii}) wliidi no \is\\ could j>ossibly climb, and tlien-
is lU) otiier explanation of ilio tlslies pr«*sence there, than by the as
sunjjMion that it had made its w;i\ through the woods around tlie
falls from the river. TluM-e is little doubt, tlierefore. that many of
our lakes re<eived theii- original supply in this manner. That is.
tlio.^e of them which did iioi have streams a]<uig which access could
be had fi'om large streams or rivers.

It is said also that pickerel have the power of mnking their way
thrtuigh wt'i grass fi-om one pond to Miiother. but S(» far as the writei-
lias been able to jiscrrl.iin. this li;is noi licrn full,\ \('?ili<Ml. hi one
or two r;ises where such has been stated to b«^ the case, he toun<l the
connecting land to be low ;ind in cei-tain ])eriods of tin* year more oi-
less flooded to an extent which rendered it jiossiblc for vory small
fish to mak«» iheir w:iy acioss.

It is possible that by the o\cilainl route many of \\w lakes origin
ally became stocked with cat fish or bull-lieads. This fish is retuark

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f INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

152

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

ably long lived, and can exist for an extraordinary length of time
in a stagnant pool. Thus by way of swamp land, streamlet and stag-
nant pool, this ubiquitous fish finally found congenial homes.

There is every reason to believe that the yellow perch and shiners
were introduced from one water to another through the medium of
water fowl. It is a. well known fact that the yellow perch is not an
adventuresome fish, and is not given to unnecessary exploration. It
is often remarked that yellow perch may be found in abundance in a
certain stream, while another tributary to it will not contain any.
Moreover, both the yellow perch and the shiner are not long lived
fishes, neither will they exist for any great period in foul, unsuitable
waler; thus ti e idi a of their emph yiiig a damp meadow or a series of
stagnant pools in order to pass from one body of water to another
cannot be entertained for a moment. Yet, like the eel in the farm-
er's pond, both the yellow perch and the shiner are often unexpect-
edly found, and it is a remarkable fact, that invariably when first
observed they are very small.

This and many other apparently trifling though significant circum-
stances lead one to the conclusion that the transplanting was done
through the medium of water fowl.

All our lakes are frequented by wild ducks and other web-footed
or wading bird-*, which are fond of feeding among the gra.-ses where
yellow perch and shiners deposit their eggs during the spawning sea-
son. In working among the nests of the fishes quantities of the
glutinous eggs would naturally adhere to their feet and feathers,
and be carried to other ponds and washed off. In due time these
eggs would hatch, and so the stocking of the pond or lake be ac-
complished.

Assuming this to be the solution of the problem, it naturally fol-
lows that the sun fish were introduced into many strange waters in
the same manner. We have a right to conclude this because while
the sun fish does not string its eggs from stem to stem of water
grasses and lilies, as does the yellow perch, it does occupy shallow
places in the bottom among such water plants.

I'rom the fact that chubs are comparatively scarce in most of our
lakes, the writer is of the opinion that they owe their presence rather
to the chance and unconscious work of the angler. Frequently when
a disciple of Izaak Walton goes a fishing, he takes with him from his
home stream, a kettle full of live bait, and when he is done fishing
turns those which he has left into the lake where he was angling.
Among them may be a chub or two, and if fate is kind it or they
escape the maw of a large fish, reach maturity and in due time
reproduce their kind. It seems to the writer that if they had been
introduced very many years ago. the supply would be very much
Inrger than it is now.

152

REPORT OF THE

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ablv Jon*' livrd. iiiid run exist loi an rxlraordinarv length of time
iu a siagnaut pool. TJiiis by way of swamp land. stieaml<*t and staj»-
muit pool, this ubiquitous lisli linally found conj;t*nial homes.

There is every reason to believe that the yellow penh and sliineis
were introdueed from one water to another throujih the medium of
watei' fowl. It is a well known faet that the yellow peieh is not an
adventuresome tish, and is not given to unneeessaiy exploration. It
is often remarked that yellow perch may be found in abundani e in a
certain stream, while another trilmlary to it will not contain nuy.
Miueover, both the yellow perch and the shiner are not long lived
fishes, neither will they exist for any great period in f(ml. unsuitable
waler: llius ii «■ i(l< a (if tli<*ir emph yiiig a dam]> meachiw or a series of
stagnant pools in order to pass from one body of water to another
cannot be entertained for a moment. Yet, like the eel in the farm-
er's jMUul. both the yellow perch and the shiner are often unexpect-
edly found, and it is a remarkable fact, that invarhibly wlien first
observed tin'V ar«* verv small.

This and iiiiiny other apjKirently trifling tboi'.gh significant circum-
stances Ic.id one to the conclusion that lii»* transplanting was done
through thf ntedium of water fowl.

All our lalvos are frequented by wild docks and other web-footed
oi- wading bii<N. which ar<' fond of feeding among the gra-ses whei«'
yellow perch and shiners deposit their eggs during the spawning sea-
s<ui. In working jimong the nests of the fishes quantities of tbe
glutiuous eggs would naturally adhere to their feet and featbepft,
and be carried to other ponds and washed otV. In dtie time these
eggs would hatch, and so the stocking of the pond or lake be ac-
comjilislied.

Assuming this to be the solution of the problem, it naturally fol-
lows that the sun fish wore introduced into many strange waters in
the same manner. We have a right to conclude this because while
the sun lish does not string its eggs fiom sttnn to stem of water
grasses and lilies, as does the yellow perch, it does occupy shallow
|daces in the bottom among such water jdants.

From the fact that chubs are comparatively scarce in most of our
lakes, the writer is of the (qtinion thai they owe their presenile rather
to the chance and unconsci<»us w<uk of the angh'i. Frequently when
a disciple of Izaak Walton goes a tishing. he takes with him from his
home stream, a k<'ttle full of live bait, and wIumi be is dcuie lishing
turns those which he has left into the lake where he was angling.
Among them nsay be a chub or tw(». and if fate is kind it or they
escape the maw r)f a large fish, reach maturity and in due time
reproduce their kind. It seems to the writer that if tli<\v had beeh
introduced very many y«snrs ago. the supply would be very much
larger than it is now.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

163

o
S

During the last half century relentless war has been waged against
hsh kind in our lakes by pot hunters, "hog" fishermen and thought-
less people. Owing to their wonderful prolific qualities, very little
impression has been mad© on the yellow perch and shiners, except
in a few cases where other influences entirely were brought to bear
as for instance in Lake Laura, formerly known as Knob pond, a hand-
some sheet of water, owned by the Blooming Grove Park Association,
in the centre of Pike county. It is the general experience that ex-
cept in a few instances of this kind there are as many yellow perch
and shiners to-day in our lakes as there were half a century ago.

In the case of Lake I^ura, many years ago the pond was alive with
yellow perch, shiners and craw fish. Then black bass were intro-
duced. A few years after the property came into the possession of
the 151ooming Grove Park Association, which organization closed it
to public fishing. As the lake was remote from the club house it was
not fished to a great extent, and as a result the black bass increased
with great rapidity. These preyed with such assiduity on the bait
in the lake tliat not even their proliticncss saved them. Conse-
quently at the present time there are very few yellow perch, sun fish,
shiners or craw fish in that body of water.

But while the lawless, hoggish and thoughtless fisherman has
made little impression on the smaller species of fishes, the same thing
cannot be said of their attacks on the brook trout and the pickerel.
Of the passing away of the speckled or brook trout from many of
our lakes the writer has already spoken. The same practical ex-
termination has not been meted out to the pickerel, but the ruthless
effects are apparent, nevertheless. It is safe to venture the state-
ment that there are to-day few lakes in Pennsylvania in which there
are anything like the good pickerel fishing that there were twenty
years ago. Persistent, indiscriminate and unrestricted ice fishin<];,
set lines and other destructive methods are doing the deadly work.

Some have thoughtlessly or ignorantly ascribed the diminished
number of pickert^l in our lakes to the introduction of the black bass
But there is not the slightest justification for this assumption. The
pickerel is well able to take care of itself in a contest with the black
bass. In fact there is every reason to believe they maintain a sort
of armed neutrality. One thing is certain, that in lakes properly pro-
tected against destructive methods of fishing, where both pickerel
and black bass have their homes, there is no appreciable diminution
of either.

To Iny tlie blame of a diminishing sujpl.v of pickerel in our lakes
to the black bass, is like the man who ate a vast supper, including
a whole mince pie. and then topped off with a small apple. Later
in the night when he was taken violently sick, he exclaimed "I was
a fool to eat that apple; T always knew that fruit did not agree with
mo."

No. ]8.

FISH ('(iMMISSloXKrcS

158

3
■■J

During the last half century- relentless war has beeu waged against
tisii kind in oui* lakes bv pol hunters, "hog" li.sliernH-u and Ihoughl-
less people. Owing to their wonderful prolific (lualities, very little
impression has been niado on the yellow p<*r(h and sliint*rs, except
in a few eases where other inlluenees entirely were brought to bear
as for instance in Lake Laura, formerly known as Knob pond, a hand-
some sheet of water, owned by the Blooming Grove Tark Association,
in the centre of Pike county. It is the general experience that ex-
cept in a few instances of this kind there are as many yellow perch
and shiners to-day in our lakes as there were half a century ago.

In the case of Lake Laura, many years ago the pond was alive with
yellow j»erch, shiners and craw lish. Then black bass were intro-
duced. A few years after the jiroperty came into the possession of
tl^ JJlooming drove Park Assf>ciation, which organization closed it
to juiblic lishing. As the lake was remote from the club house it was
not fished to a great extent, and as a result the l)lack bass increased
with great rapidity. These preyed with such assiduity on the bait
in the lake iliui not «*vcu iheir isrulitiiucss s;i\<m1 iIkmii. Couse-
(piently at the present time there are very few yellow perch, sun fish,
shiners or craw fish in that body of water.

But while the lawless, hoggish and thoughtless tishernuin has
nuide little impression on the smaller species of fishes, the same thing
cannot be said of their attacks on the brook trout and the ,pickerel.
Of the passing away of the speckled or brook trout from many of
our lakes the writer has already spoken. The sauu» jiractical ex-
termination has not been meted out to the pickerel, l)ut the ruthless
effects are apparent, nevertheless. It is safe to venture the state-
ment that there are to-day few lakes in Pennsylvania \\\ which there
are anything like the good pickerel fishing that there were twenty
years ago. Persistent, indiscriminate and unrestricted ice fishin<j,
set lines and other destructive methods are doing the deadly work.

Some have thoughtlessly or ignorantly ascribed the diminished
number of pickerel in our lakes to ihe iui ! ndnciioii iy'i ili • bl nk bass
But there is not the slightest justification for this assumption. The
pickerel is well able to take care of itself in a contest with the black
bass. In fact there is everv reason to believe thev maintain a sort
of ainuMl neuti-nlity. One tliing is certain, that in lakes properly pr<^
tected against destructive methods of fishing. wIumv both pickerel
and black bass have their homes, there is no appreciable diminution
of either.

To hiy the bl.MiM' <il ;i d'Hii uishiug su; jiiy w'i pickeicl in our 1 ikes
to the black bass, is like the man who ate w vast supi)er. including
a whole mince pie. and then topped off with a small api>le. Later
in the night wheji he was taken violently sick, he exclaimed '-T was
a fool to eat that apple: I always kn«^w that fruit did not agrei* with

UH'."

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

HE PORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

CHAPTEK 111.

The Introduced Fishes.

The I'euns^'lvania Fish Commission has been engaged in restock-
ing our lakes and other waters with food tishes tor upwards of twenty
years. But as intimated in the preceding chapters, individuals had
been engaged in the work for some years before. Besides Indians,
white men stocked some lakes with pickerel. Later public spirited
gentlemen planted a number of our lakes with black bass, details of
which will be given in the proper place. But it was not until the
Pennsylvania Fish Commissioners undertook the work that great and
widespread interest was created.

During the existence of the Board the main tishes sent out for lake
planting, have been large and small mouth black bass, rock bass,
calico bass, white bass, yellow perch, brook trout, California trout,
brown or Von Behr trout, lake trout, lake herring, pike-perch or Sus-
quehanna salmon, and white fish. Besides these, a little has been
done in planting hybrid trout. Lake Erie sun fish, spotted catfish
mascollonge and a few other fishes. The white fish and lake herring
are of commercial value only, and while the output of these fish annu-
ally by the Commission is enormous, running into the forty millions,
they are planted only in Lake Erie. The pike-perch, or Susquehanna
salmon, is enjoyed equally by the commercial and amateur fishermen,
the first in Lake Erie and the second in the Susquehanna river and
nearly all our large bodies of water. The lake trout also is an object
of prey for both classes of fishermen, though the commercial fisher-
men are restricted in their work to the waters of Lake Erie. All the
other fishes named in the list are sought for almost exclusively by
the sportsman angler, and an abundance of all the successfully in-
troduced species have invariably added materially to the financial
revenue of the State.

Of all the fishes introduced into our mountain lakes, the most sue
cess has been achieved with the small mouth black bass. This*
great game fish seems to have found a congenial home in nine-tenths
of the waters into which it was introduced. Tt is a fish not hard to
suit in its environments. It only demands a moderately pure water.

Vi'

!..4

HI':f»()H'l OF THK

Off. Doc.

CllAJ'TEK 111.

The lutroduced Fishes.

The Peunsylvania Fisli (Joiiiiuissioii lias beeu eiigaj^ed in restock-
iag oiu- kJitiS Olid other waters with food Jishes for upw aids of tweut^'
vears. Ijiit as intimated in liie preceding chapters, individuals had
been engaged in tlie work for some years before. iSesides Indians,
while men stocived some lalies with pickerel. Later public spirited
gentlemen planted a number of our lakes wiih black bass, details of
which will 1^ gh^efl in the proper place. But it was not until the
Pennsylvania Fish Commissioners undertook the work that great and
widespread interest was created.

During the existence of the Uoard the main lishes sent out for lake
planlingv have been large and small mouth black bass, rock bass,
calico bass, white bass, yellow perch, brook trout, California trout,
brown or \'on iJehr trout, laki- trout, lake herring, pike-perch or {Sus-
quehanna salmon, and white lish. Besides these, a little has been
done in planting hybrid trout, Lake Erie sun fish, spotted cattish
mascollonge and a few other fishes. The white fish and lake herring
are of commercial value only, and while the output of these fish annu-
ally by the Commission is enormous, running into the forty millions.
tlicy arc plniilrd <i)ily in Lake Ei'ie. The pike-perch, or Sus«|U('hann;i
salmon, is enjnyt'd equally by tte commercial and amateur fishermen,
the first in Lake Erie and the second in the Susquehanna river and
nearly ;ill our large bodies of water. The lake trout also is an object
of piey for b(>th classes of fishermen, though the commercial fisher-
men are restricted in their work to the waters of Lake P^rie. All the
oijici- tislics nam<Ml in the list are sought for almost cxclusivelv bv
the sjjortsnian aiiglci'. and an abundance of all the successfully in-
iiddu.cd sp(Mies hav«' invariably added mat<'rially to tlw financial
r<*V('iiM«' of llir State.

Of all ilic fislu's introduced into <»ur mountain lal«'s. ilu^ most sue
cess lias Ih'cii .irjiievcd with the small mouth black ba<s. Tin**
gieal game fish seems to have foiind a congenial home* in nine-tenths
of the waters into which it was introduced. Tt is a fish not hard to
suit in its euvironments. It only denian<ls a moderately pure water.

■J.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FiSH COMMlSSiONEKS.

a rock or gravel bottom, and au abundance oi live food. Given tliese
the black bass thrives and multiplies.

The majoiity of sto( k sent out by the Couiniission are nearly or fully
mature fish taken usually from Lake Erie. Thus but few fish are
sent on a single application, but this is not an important matter since
the reproductive powers of the small mouth bla^4v bass are so great
that with a start of say twenty-five fish, an ordinarily sized mountain
lake will be well supplied within five years.

It may not be out of place at this point to caution those who apply
for fish for stocking purposes from the Commission to exercise great
care, and make speed in planting them, when they are received. The
water should be kept fresh and wholesome, or the fish will die en-
route to their new homes. This may be done by icing the water in
the cans, by aeration and by frequent change of water. The first is
the simplest and easiest, but in this case, the water in the cans must
be gradually raised tc the temjierature of tliat of the lake or stream
before the fish are taken therefrom and placed in the waters they
are to stock. The second is performed by dipping the water from
the cans constantly and i»ouring it back from a height of two or
three feet. If the third method is practical, applicants are earnestly
cautioned not to use pump water, as in it the fish will not live long,
because, it is believed, of insutticient natural atration.*

The Pennsylvania Fish Commissioners do not artificially impreg
nate the eggs of and hatch black bass. The secret of doing this suc-
cessfully has not yet been discovered; thus the supply must be re-
ceived from some body of wat« r wheie the ti>;li are iiuli<iinons or v>ere
previously planted with good results.

It seems scarcely necessary lo ins! i net the di-ci|»U' of I/.ank NVallon
how to angle for the small mouth black bass, abundant as the species
has been in our waters for nearly a qunrter of m cent my. Tlieir
erratic ways and capricious desire for different foods have become
well known and all who have engaged in the sport of fishing for
this fish will aver that no one can successfully tdl how to catch them
at all times during the open season.

Although many large mouth or Osw^ego bass have been planted
from time to time, but few are reported to have been caught. This,
however, is probaly due, rather to the average angler's ignorance of
the essential points of difference between it and the small mouth
bass than tojinyscnrc'tyof thefish. But th<Mv is everwons »n to believe
that more are captured than is generally supposed. It is pictt v safe to
venture the opinion that nearly three-fourths of th" black bass caught
weighing five and a half pounds or over are of the large mouth spe-
cies, particulary if they have been taken from situations where the
bottom of the lake is inclined to be mucky. As an illustration the

* For fuller Information on the snoject of plnnflntr fish pop nrtlple'" FlPh Culture for Fftrmera
W. B. Meeban, In Report of Department of Agtrloiiltnre of Pennsylvania. 1805

156

HE PORT UF THE

Off. Doc

proprietor of a certain poud in Monroe county exhibited to the writer
during the summer of this year the outline sketch of an eight pound
black bass which had been caught but a short time before. The
sketch was of a large mouth bass, although the proprietor had no
knowledge that that species of fish had been planted in his waters.
The large mouth bass grows to a great size, but is vastly inferior to
his relative the small mouth, both in game and table qualities.

Next to the black bass, the Pennsylvania Fish Commissioners have
perhaps gone to more trouble in planting lake trout and pike perch
in our mountain lakes. The quantity of fry deposited during the
past five years has been incredibly large, and it must be said that
apparently, with very few exceptions, there have not been encourag
ing results. It will be noted that the word apparently is used, for
it seems impossible that in most of the cases failure could follow, be-
cause the water conditions and environments are in most cases just
what the lake trout and pike-perch require. But it is a fact that
when a tour of the mountain lakes of this State is made, with very
few exceptions, such remarks as "lake trout and pike-perch were
put in the lake, but nothing was ever heard of them," are heard. It
is also a fact tiiat nearly ev< ry one will admit either that there have
been no special efforts made to catch the fish or that there was no
one in the neighborhood who understood the methods of angling for
them.

There is reason to believe that where the lakes of suitable water
have been heavily stocked with lake trout and pike-perch there must
be a fair measure of success. As the fry of both when sent out are
small it is necessary in order to be successful that the number
placed in a lake be large, for, on account of their youthfulness, they
fall an easy prey to the black bass, pickerel or other large fishes
already there. A large percentage must necessarily be devoured,
and it is from the tVw leniaiiiiii^ tliat reach maturity, together with
those placed in the same waters in three or four subsequent years,
that the permanent supply must come.

Both the lake tront and the |)ik<'-]>er( h are what are known as deep
water fish. That is, species which live almost altogether in the deep-
est water. It is therefore to the deepest water that the angler must
go to catch them. Both the lake trout and the pike-perch are most
readily captured by trolling near tlie bottom, ond it is better to fasten
a live bait, separately hooked, attached to the lower [lart of the
trollinff sjfoon. Lnke troit also may be taken by still fishing. In
this case a spot in the deep water should be selected and buoyed,
and then freely baited with fresh cut meat for several days in order
to attract the fish to the spot. When time has thns been given fish
ing can commence.
The legal season for catching pike-perch is the same as black bass.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

157

but unlike the latter, it is essentially a fall fish, that is it does not
begin to take the spoon bait freely until the cool weather sets in,
say the latter part of August or the beginning of September.

Success in stocking lakes with either lake trout or pike-perch can
only be achieved for the reasons previously given, by continuous and
persistent work of several years. By doing this, there is no reason
to doubt ultimate success, provided the water be cold and pure and
with plenty of food for them to live upon.

The rock bass, or as they are often called, red eye or goggle eye,
is another fish to which the Commissioners have given great atten-
tion, and it is a matter for gratification that in this work they have
succeeded fully as well as they have with the small mouth black
bass. Like the bass and the sun fish, the rock bass is a perch, but is
more closely allied to the sun fish in its specific character. It grows,
however, to a much larger size, is readily taken with almost any sort
of bait, and is wonderfully productive. It is a fish which the Com-
missioners earnestly recommend for planting in all our lakes. It is
less particular as to the character of the water it is called upon to
make its home in, and its favorite nooks are near the shore under
overhanging bushes and within easy reach of ladies and children.
It is, moreover, an excellent pan fish.

Calico and white bass are two fishes which the Commissioners
have, comparatively speaking, given but recent attention to, but it
is reported that the nujority of plain iiigs have b 'en successful. The
same baits are used for these fish as for the black bass, and like the
large mouth bass, love sluggish waters and sunken logs.

Little success has been achieved with hybrid trout, and but little
better results have followed the introduction of California or rainbow
trout. But there is reason to believe that the brown or Von Behr
trout would thrive well in many of our mountain lakes. Anglers
have become suspicious of this fish for stream planting for they are
led to the belief that it will quickly drive out the far superior brook
trout. There seems good ground for this suspicion, but this feeling
cannot apply to their being placed in such of onr lakes as do not
already contain brook trout. The brown trout grows very rapidly
under favorable conditions, is well able to take care of itself, and is
among the highest grade of game fishes.

Of the other fishes, little has been done for the lakes, as they are
either not yet widely known in^the State, or 'can be obtained only
in limited quantities, but those which are sent out in great numbers,
are, with the exception of the land-locked salmon, the best fresh
water food and game fishes of the world. They are in fact far su-
perior to most of those which are indiginous in other countries, and
about which glowing accounts are often read. The EnglifJh tench,
for instance.

158

KKPOK'I' <»K rKK

t)lT. U..r

CHAPTER IV.

Wayne Oouuty and Its I^akeB.

Wayue couuiy possesses more lakes than any other county in the
State. These bodies of water are for the most part small but of sur-
passinjj loveliness. In addition to this, Wayne county itself is a
beautiful and picturesque section, and it is strange that it is so little
known to the people of the whole State. The prevailing impression
is that Wayne county is a wild and thickly wooded tract of rough,
stony mountainous country, alive with rattlesnakes, and inhabited
only by rough backwoodsmen. Nothing can be further from the
truth. It is a splendidly cultivated section of the State, with multi-
tudes of well tilled farms and substantial farm houses and outbuild-
ings. The great forests of the county have long since dissappeared,
and good roads, albeit from their crooked character and numerous
intersections rather bewildering to the stranger, are found in every
direction. The county is of course mountainous and possesses many
of the characteristics of the ridges of Pike county, but on account
of their being to a great extent denuded of their forests and the land
tilled for agricultural purposes, they have the appearance of being
much lower than those of the county to which Horace Greeley ap-
plied the name of the "land of hoop-poles and rattlesnakes."

The author of "A History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties,"
thus aptly describes the "beautiful hills of Wayne," as the people
lovingly call their home. "The surface of the county throughout
the greater portion of its area is exceedingly irregular. Viewed from
the highest land, the Moosic mountain range, which extends along
the western line, the succession of hills, as far as the eye can reach,
appears not unlike the billows of the ocean; but if one were to leave
this mountain stand-point and travel across the county in almost
any direct i(»n lie vv<nild find the sulfate resembling a N-hop sea.' The
level stretches are few and far between. This quality or condition
of the country makes the prospect a very pleasing one in almost any
portion of Wayne. As the scene is aimost everywhere diversified
with the sharp contrast of hirrhly ruUivnt^'d fields and lands almost
as uiid as they were before the white man came, varied by long
swf^eping slopes and abrupt decli>'ities. and the whole well watered

>
<

158

i;i;i'' 'J; I < »!• I'M I',

MI l»'

CUATTKli IV

WaviJH ('ountv jmu! Its i^aken.

Waviie coiiiii V pus^esyi-s luoie lakes lliaii anv ullici- touuty in the
^tate. These budies of water ave for ihe most pari small but of sur-
passing loveliness. In additiott to tUm^ Wayne county itself is a
beautiful and picturesque seriion. and it is strange that it is so little
known to the people of the whole State, l^tee prevailing impression
is tbttt Wayne rounty is a wilil and thickly wooded tract ef rough,
stony mountainous country, alive with rattlesnakes, and inhabited
obIt bv rough backwottdsmen. Nothing can be further from the
truth. It is a s{)lendidly cultivated section of the State, with multi
tades of well tilled farms an<l substantial farm houses and outbuild
ings. The great forests of the county have long since dissappeared,.
and good roads, albeit from their crooked character and numerous
Intersections rather Ix^wildering to the stranger, are found in every
ilreetion. The county is of course mountainous and possesses many
of the characteristics of the ridges of Pike county, but on account
of their being to a great extent denuded of their forest >; and the land
tilled for agricultural purposes, they have the appearance of being
much lower than those of the county to which Horace Greeley ap-
plied the name of the "land of hoop-poles and rattlesnakes."

The author of "A History ^ Wayne, Pike and Monroe Cottnties,''
thus aptly describes the "benuttful hills of Wayne." as the people
lovingly call their home. ''The surface of the county throughout
the greater portion of its area is exceedingly irregular. Viewed from
the highest land, the Moosic mountain range, which extends along
the western line, the succession of hills, an far a» tfce eyeean reach,
appears not unlike the Itillows of the ocean: but if one were to leave
this mountain itand-]>oint and travel across the county in almost
any d!i*ecfh»n he would liiid the surfa« e i es; inbling a *chop sea." The
level stretches are few and far betwe(^n. This quality or condition
of the country makes the prospect a very pleasing one in almost any
portion of Wayne. As the scene is almost everywhere diversified
wdth the shar]t contia;-t el hiidily <iill]-;'i"d Delds and lands almost
as \y\U\ as they svere before the while m;iM anie vaiied bv long
s'.v<'epintr slopes and abrupt de» Jiv ities. and th*- whole well watered

3
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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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Coxtown Pond, Wayne County.

Coxtown Pond, Wayne County

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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f INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

Little Hickory Pond, Wayne County.

Independent Lake, Wayne County.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

Little Hickory Pond, Wayne

f INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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Upper Woods Pond, Wayne County.

Spruce Lake, Wayne County.

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Upper Woods Pond, Wayne County,

Spruce Lake, Wayne County

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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Cajaw Lake, Wayne County.

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Cajaw Lake, Wayne County.

, INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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A Picturesque Drive, Lake Ariel, Wayne County.

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A Picturesque Drive, Lake Ariel, Wayne County

i INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

Views on Lake Henry

Views on Lake Ik'in\

/ INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

Lake Henry, Wayne County— "An liour witli pickerel and perch."

Beech Lake, Wayne County.

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Beech Lake, Wayne County.

Lake Henry, Wayne County- "An hour with pickerel and perch."

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

Six Mile Lake, Wayne County.

Jones Pond, Wayne County.

Jones Pond, Wayne (bounty

Six Mile Lake, Wavne Countv

I INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No J 8.

F'ISH COMMISSIONKKh.

159

XT.

by beautiful streams and dotted with lakes, innumerable beautiful
landscapes are afforded. There is scarcely a portion of Pennsylvania
in which the pastoral and the pictnresqu^' arc so intimately com-
mingled as in Wayne county."

If is the boast of the jieople of \\'avn<' fliaf there are no rattle-
snakes in their section, and moreover, that there never have been,
and they attribute it to the beech woods. Wayne county is the
land of the beech. Here this noble tree flourishes at its best, and it
is said that the rattlesnakes of Pike county have no love for the
dark beech forests and keep to the scrub oak and chestnut of Pike.

The line of beech woods of Wayne and the scrub and chestnut of
Pike is clearly marked, so clearly in fact as to be plainly perceptible
to almost any casual observer. The sharpest line may be seen in
Ruckingfham township, for here the road in the neighborhood of
Adams pond, runs on the line of where one ends and the others begin,
although at this point both are in Wayne county, but only a very
short distance from the Pike county line. Driving towards Hones-
dale, the county seat of Wayne, one sees on the left oaks, chestnut
and bircli in vast abundance. On the right large nnmhers of beech
and maples, but very few of the others. And, as the writer has been
informed, two or three miles back, it is rare to come across any of the
frees common to Pike countv.

Wayne county was a favorite hunting and fishing ground for the
Indians. The particular ones were the Minsi, a branch of the Lenni-
Lenape, or Delaware. Their principal seat of power was in the Mini-
sink. The ^finisink proper was in the Delaware valley from Port
Jervis to the Water Gap. The most famous of the chiefs were Tam-
anend and Tedyuscung, the latter the last great head of the tribe.
These Indians had a frail throujilj Wayne county from about where
Milford is now. through Blooming Orove, the line of the old wilder-
ness road, thence through the Wallen Paupack, thence through
Salem, on through Tobbs Gap of the Moosic mountain to Capouse
^now Providence), where there was a little Indian village. This trail
extended to the Wyoming valley, and was substantially the road fol-
lowed by the Connect lent settlers In 1702 wh<-n they first settled in
what is now Wilkes-Barre. It extended through what was then
called the great swamp where the survivors of the Wyoming mas-
.sacre retreated.

On the Wallen Paupack. near Ledgerdale. there was an old Indian
burial ground. Large number of arrowheads have been found in
that vicinity, as well as other Indian articles.

Bidwell lake was very near this Indian trail, and Little Meadows,
on which was formed the old Beaver dam. was a camping place, and
the aborigines undoubtedly fished both Bidwell and Jones ponds in
passing between the Delaware and Wvoming vallevs.
11

i INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

Xo H

FISH

Irtft

Us beuiuiful siieauis and dotted with lakes, iuuuinerable beautiful
landscapes are atl'urded. There is scarcely a portion of Pennsylvania
in wliirh th«' j.astnjal and llic li.i inesiju.- ai-.- s<. iniiniati-iv rdin-
mingled as in Wayne county."

li is ih.' hoasi (.r ih«. iM'opIc ,)| Waynr iliai ili.-rp arc no rattle-
snakes in their section, and moreover, that there never have been,
and they attribute it to the beech woods. Wayne county is the
land (jf the beech. Here this noble tree flourishes at its best, and it
is said that the rattlesnakes of Piko county have no love for th<'
dark beech forests and keep to the scrub oak and chestnut of T»ike.

The line of beech woods of Wayne and the scrub and chestnut of
Pike is clearly marked, so clearly in fact as to be plainly perceptibh-
to almost any casual observer. The sharpest line may be seen in
Buckin.iiham township, for here the road in the neijrhborhood of
.Vdams pond, runs on the line of where (me ends and the otheis bejjin.
althoufrh at this point both are in Wayne county, but only a very
short distance from the Pike county line. Drivinjr towards Hones-
dale, the county seat of Wayne, one sees on the left oaks, chestnut
and biicli in \mh alnmdancc*. On the i ijrht larofo nemlMMs of beech
and maples, but very few of the others. And. as the writer has been
infortued. two or three miles back, it is rare to come across any of the
(rees common to Pike county.

Vrayne county wns a favorite huntinfr and fishiuir i:rnund for the
Indians. The j)articular ones were the Minsi. a branch of the Lennl-
I.enape. or Delaware. Their principal sent of power was in the Mini-
sink. The Mini^ink f>roj)cr was ;?i rlie Oelnware valley from Port
Jervis to the Water Oaj>. The most famous of the chiefs were Tarn
anend and Tedyuscnnir. the latter the last prppnt head of the tribe.
These Ind»ai»*! li.id a iiajl iliiciiuh Wayne county from about where
^Tilford is now. throuirh P.loominir Orove. the line of the old wilder-
ness road, thence through the Wnllen Paupa."k. thence throuixh
J^alem. on Ihroucli Tobbs (lap of the ■>roosic mountain to Capouse
/'now Providenc(»\ where there was a little Indian villaire. This trail
extended to the Wyominjr valley, and was substantially the road fol-
lowed l)v iIm- r.ninefHfWt settlers in 17t:2 when thev first s«'ttled in
what is now Wilkes-Pnrre. It extended throuirh what was then
called the ijreaf swamp where the survivors of the Wyominir mas
sacre retreated.

On the Wallen Paupack. near Tedjiei'dale. there was an old Indian
buri.'il irronnd. Larjre number of arrowheads have been fonnd in
that vicinity, as well as other Indian articles.

Ridwell lake was veiy near this Indian trail, and T.fttle Meadows,
on which was formed the old Peav.M- dam. was a c.impinir place, and
the abori«:ines undoubtedly fished both Pidwell and .Tonesj ponds in
passinp: between the n»dnwnrr> nnd Wvominir \allev«

160

KKFORT 'tl'' THK

( >ff Due

There are 7<> lakes of luuie tliau 20 acres, besides a large miiiiber
of others from two to five and even ten acres, and taken as a whole,
it is doubtful whether any state can present a more beautiful and
varied assortment. They are pretty well scattered throughout the
(county. Nearly every township contains one or more, although
I'restou township has by far the greater number. Here are grouped
with nearly 30 pretty natural ponds, 18 of which are of fair size.

The followinjr is a list of the principal ones as ^\ven in th(^ Geo
logifai survey of Pennsylvania:

NHue.

Township.

'■■iiri'', . Preston

(■pper Twill Preston

I.,ower Twin Preston

Kastern Spruce .,.,, Preston

Sly Preston.

Lontf Preston

.Seven Mile Preston

Coxtown Preston,

\Vestern Spruce, Preston

Big Hickory pond Preston

Little Hickory pon<l Preston

Hone Preston

Independt^nt, Preston

Poyntelle Preston

Five Mile Preston

Belmont Lake Preston

Ohehocton pom I Preston

Henver pond Preston,

Kour Mile pond Scott

fsland pond Scott

Lizard lake Buckingham,

Preston lake Buckingham,

Dillon's lake Buckingham,

Adam's lake Buckingham.

rarrs' lake Buckingham,

High lako, Buckinglumi.

Belmont lake Mt. Pleasant,

Bigelow lake Mt. Pleasant,

Mud pond Mt. Pleasant.

Rock lake Mt. Pleasant,

Miller's pond Mt. Pleasant,

TTpper Woods pond Lebanon ,

I^wer ^^'nnd<! pond Lebanon

Elevation
A. T.

1.47.-.

1,960

i.itr.n
2, 00"
2,000
1,950
1.976
1,975
1.950
1,775

1.819
i.ar.o

1.300

t,42r>

1.&60

l.MO

1,500

l.iM)

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

161

Name.

Township.

I»ii.k Hiiii.ui |„,.hl ' Iiebanon, ...

Rose pond Lebanon

^^'es PO"d Lebanon

Cllne pond Damascus, .,

Galilee pond I Damascus, ..

Swag pond Damascus, ..

Laurel lake Damascus. ..

Oorhani pond Damascus, ..

Spruce pond Oregon

Lovelace pond Oregon

Mud pond, Oregon

Lower Wilcox pond .Oregon

Upper Wilcox pond Oregon

^«>' i'«"d Oregon

Crannier pond Dyberry

First pond Dyberry

Second pond Dyberry

Third pond Dyberry

•Tennings' pond Dyberry

White Oak pond Clinton

^"^ r>ond riinton

•"^'"'^ P""'' Clinton

Marfwicks |„.nd Clinton

I'eirnns- i>.„,d Clinton*

Staiunn pond Canaan

Keen's pond Canaan

Hoadley's pond •^miinn

^"'■''s "0"'l S. Canaan, ..

k'Izer-s pond ^ Canaan, ..

Cadjaw's pond Chorry Ridge.

Clark'spond cherry Ridge,

Sand pond cherry Ridge,

Bunnells pond Texas

Dorflingers pond Texas

Beech pond pgrlin

Williams pund Berlin

Ridge pond Palmyra

Swamp Brook pond Palmyra

Purdy's pond Paupack

''""P PO"'' Paupack

Tones' pond ggjen,

Marsh pond 3^,^^

Hidwell |H,ri.l

11 -18 96

Klevatlon
In A. T.

I, !0''

I.L'G-.

1.460

1,47:.

1 '.ii:,

1,40'»
I.S20

Salem,

1.^'.
1,396

1.100

1,2,S0
1.120
1,28.5
1,'I00
1,100

I a.'io

1.400

1.485
1.400

l,4Sit

162

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

As maj be supposed, all of these lakes are close together. Some,
in fact, are but a few rods apart. Indeed, there are one or two in-
stances where only a few yards of land separate one body of water
from the other. It is a remarkable circumstance that although close
together the elevations are often very different. One of the most
curious instances of this is Upper and Lower Twin lakes. There is
less than a quarter of a mile between the two ponds, yet the upper
one is nearly, if not quite, one hundred feet higher than the lower
(me.

All of these lakes are well stocked with fish, and in order thai
they may have better protection the following special law was passed
for the county in 1870 by the State Legislature.

"From and after the passage of this act, it shall not be lawful for
any person or persons to take, catch or kill, by any means or device,
whatsoever, fish commonly known by the name of black bass, in any
of the waters, lakes, ponds or creeks of Wayne county, during the
months of March, April, May and June in each and every year. *
" * ll was further provided that an.\ iterson (►tTeudiiig should be
liable to a fine of not less than |i'r». nor more than 150, with costs of
prosecution for every such ott'euse.

The idea of stockin«»" the lakes of Wavne touniv witli black bass
originated in ISGT with a Honesdale gentleman named A. W. Mc-
Gown. He associated wirli him sixteen other gentlemen in ihe enter
[U'ise, among whom were Dr. Dusenberry, Miles Tracey, Robert
Smitli, (jrilherl White, and Samuel Allen. The>e gentlemen each c<m-
tribut<*d f 10 ;ind sent a man to White lake, in Sullivan county, where
a large number of bla«k bflss were captured. These were placed in
Sand, Upper Woods, Elk and oilier ponds in ihe county; also in
Lake Laura, or High Knob pond, and one or two other lakes in
Pike.

The pickerel were introduced, it is said, about l.s:iG, through a gen-
ileman named Jones, the former owner of Jones' pond, now known
as Lake Ariel. Mr. Jones is still living on the borders of Lake Ariel.

OMAI'TKK V.

Preston Township an<l Its Lakes.

Preston township is known as the highlands of Wayne, and the
place is wonderfully true to name. It is the culminating point of
the c< unty. and here. too. are some of the most beautiful scenery
in N'ortheastern Pennsvlvania.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

168

The highlands are accessible by the Scranton branch of the New
York, Ontario and Western Kailroad. This branch begins at Scran
ton and follows the liacka wanna river to its veiy source, and crosses
the lowest point of the Highlands through a cut, the surface of which
is 2,103 feet above the tide. It then winds around the southern and
eastern border of the table lands, on a descending grade, and passes
through Buckingham township, to the Junction, with the main line
at Hancock.

The plateau of Preston township is 1,400 feet higher than tie city
of Scranton and 1,100 feet higlier than Hancock. The hills and dales
are gemmed with close upon thirty natural spring lakes, from two to
eighty acres each. The chief ones will be found named in the list in
the previous chapter, and treated in detail further on. All of these
lakes are vast springs of pure water with bottoms as a rule of clean
white sand.

A public highway winds through this region in close proximity to
several of the largest lakes, and this, together with the character
of the soil which makes it a splendid grazing country, renders it one
of the most attractive public thoroughfares in the county.

On the southwest corner of the table lands of Preston township
are the great terminals of the Moosic range of mountains, Sugar
Loaf and Ararat. These tower above the surrounding land from 500
to 700 feet. The Sugar Loaf is the highest mountain in Northeastern
Pennsylvania and yet. viewed from the table lands, it but looks like
a large rounded hill.

The highlands of Preston township form the watershed of the Del-
aware and the Susquehanna rivers, and it is said that the hotels at
Payntelle lake, is so situated that the rain which flows down one side
of the roof makes its way into the Delaware, while that which runs
down the other empties finally into the Susquehanna.

Almost without exception the lakes of Preston township have no
inlets worthy the name, deriving their supply, as previously stated
from springs in their bottoms. But their outlets are wonders to the
visitor. Where three or four lakes are in as close proximity as those
of Preston township are. it would naturally be supposed that they
would constitute a chain, the water flowing from one to the other,
but this is rarely the case. Each lake is, so to speak, in business
for itself and supplies the Delaware and the Susquehanna, or their
tributaries, the Lackawaxen and the Lackawanna by its own indi
vidual stream. There are instances where th(^ outflow from one lake,
rather than empty into another similar body will run the whole dis
lance close beside it and only turn aside when there appeared danger
of running into the lake or its outlet if the same direction be longer
continued.

The air of this region is always in molion, so the dwellers of th*.

164

REPORT OF THE

Oft. Doc.

township say, i-eiideiing it delightful in summer time. The elevation
of 2,300 feet certainly has tlie circct of rarifying the atmosphere and
rendering it more healthful and delightful. The winters are what
the residents call ('anadian, that is, the cold is eoutinuous and dry.
and the ice on the lakes forms to a great tliicknt^ss and lasts until
well into the spring.

The hotel which is only a few yards from Lake I'oyiitelle. and
the railroad station is known as the Poyn telle House, aud from its
roof six close-by lakes can be seen.

Lake Poyntelle.

One of the handsomest of these six lakes is Poyntelle. li is an
oval shaped body, with water so clear and sparkling that the white
sand can be seen at a great deptli. It is nestled between low lying
hills thickly overgrown with tree's, wiiich gives a delightful setting
to the clear, cold water. Here (he lake trout, which were planted
in the lake a few years ago, have found a congenial home. Fish of
this species have been taken from JN)ynteile which weighed as much
as eight pounds.

There are no black bass in this lake, but there is an abundance of
pickerel. The yellow perch also are numerous and grow to an
unusual size. Catfish, eels and sunflsh are plentiful. The waters
were s((M ked with wal' c. cd pike, lul none of them have been caught.
There is no inlet to Poyntelle, but the outlet is quite large and flows
. into the Equinunk, one of the tributaries of the Delaware, and a
stream which, on account of the remarkable purity of its water, is
one in which the l»ennsylvania Fish Commissioners annually place
the fry of the Atlantic salmon with which to stock the Delaware.

Near the western side of Lake Poyntelle, and close to the shore,
and hidden de«-p in the thick foliage are heaps of rocks, tossed and
broken by the action of ihe great ice age. Hetween and under them
are great fissures which form long, narrow caverns, several of which
are many yards in extent, and to explore them candles are necessary.
.\11 are what may be called ''fat men's misery,'' since they are very
narrow. In these fissure caverns, the ice gathers thick in winter
and often it does not all entirely melt until the middle of .Tulv.

Lake I'ndorwood. oi Seven Mile Pond.

Lake Underwood is emphatically a beautiful sheet of water. It is
long and somewhat narrow, but very deep. Although it receives a
large poition of its supply from a stream which flows in from the

No 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

16'

western end, its waters are as clear as crystal. It is a peculiar fad
that the outlet of this lake is also at the western end, though a little
toward the south, and not very far distant from the inlet. The outlet
forms the north branch of the Jiig Equinunk, a famous stream in
Wayne county, and which also, on account of the purity of its waters,
is used by the Pennsylvania F"ish Commissioners as a home for At-
lantic salmon fry. The inlet stream, although it is practically the
same brocdv, with the lake as a huge excressence, is called York
creek, and has its source in two large springs about a mile from
Underwood lake.

The shores of Lake Underwoo*! are bounded bv four hills which
slope gently to the water's edge, and in the back ground, at the west
end, rises a pretty blue tinted and well rounded mountain of small
stature, which forms a striking finish to the scene. Until a few
years ago the hills surrounding the lake were all thickly grown with
decidious trees, but since then on the northwest and southeast sides,
they have fallen before the woodman's axe, and much of the ground
given over to the agriculturist. On the northwest shores, several
pretty cottages have been erected, and close to the water's edge on
the north end is a stylish club house owned by a number of Scranton
gentlemen. These have named their associati«m the Lake Under-
wood Nimrod Club, and their club house is usually occupied during
the whole season.

The lake is full of pickerel, black bass, catfish, eels, yellow perch
and sunfish. It was stocked a few years ago with lake trout, but it
is said none have been caught. The planters of this species of fish,
however, do not feel discouraged, since the lake trout were only in-
troduced about five years ago.

The Lake Underwood Nimrod Club, it is said, control the lake, and
do not allow the general public to fish without first securing per-
mi.ssion.

Lake IndeiwiMMl was discovered by 8amuel Preston, a Philadel-
phia (Quaker, who entered the township from Stockport. Finding
the lake seven miles from the Delaware riv<M'. he named it Seven Mile
pond, and by this it was known until quite recently, when it was
called Lake Und(Mwood in honor of Repiesentative N. F. Tender
wood.

Lake Como. or Six Mile INuid.

On ' mile from Lake LiKlerwood is Lake r'onio. It is a beautiful
sheet of wat<M", broad at the east end, and narrowing almost to a
point in the west. Like most of the other natural ponds in Wayn<*
county, the waters of Lake <'omo are very riear. and possess a pro
nouneed blue tint. In still weathei ihe wo(m1s which clothe the

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc,

south shores are so clearly mirrored on its placid bosom, that everv
leaf and every branch is faithfully portrayed, and the general out-
line of the trees is reflected so sharply that the picture may be
clearly seen some distance away. Lake Oomo, however, has one of
the characteristics of its Swiss namesake; a wind will quickly raise
exceedingly rough water, and while perhaps not so dangerous as
the original Como, is still uncomfortable to experience.

The surroundings of Lake Como, while they show to some extent
the destructive handiwork of man, are still somewhat of a primeval
character. (Jn the north shore the land is flattened, but towards
the west It rises in a series of small hills, and on the south side it
slopes upward into a good sized hill, which, without taking into
account the altitude of IMeston t(»wnship, could be considered a small
mountain.

Lake Como is said to be one of the best bodies of water in the
township for fishing. Pickerel, black bass, suntish, catfish, eels and
yellow perch abound. Other fish, including wall-eyed pike, lake trout
and rock bass have been planted, but so recently that no results have
yet been observed.

Tliose who are on the lookout for good fishing will be pleased to
leain that at this time of writing, the fishing in Lake Como is free to
all who wish to try it, and, the writer is informed, that under certain
(louditions there is no charge for the use of boats

Lake Como is not a "pot hole" lake, but is one which was formed

during the glacial period bv the damming up of a stream. It has

lu ets as well as an outlet, and it is one of (he few bodies of the kind

wh..h ,v,eives at least a portion of its supply from another lake.

Ihe stream which furnishes the waier for it has its source in Spruce

ake, not a^quarter of a mile away. It is better furnished than mos(

akes for Como has a second inlet near the north end, and this creek

has ,f8 or.giu m a large nearby .spring. The outlet is on the south

side, not far away from the slroam whicli ,„nnect8 the two lakes

and runs in an opposite directio, .arallel lines for several Inmdred

yards. ""ici

Like Lake Underwood. Como was discovered bv Samuel Preston
and mnmed Six Mile pond by him. The name Como was given bT"
.\rr A ison who had been to Europe and visited Lake Como and
while here is little resemblance between ,he two. I, was consid^ed
beautiful enongli to bear the name.

Long Pond.

Lon« pond is not far from Lake Underwood, and it rests in ;
.•harming situation on the side of a high hill near its summit It is
about a mile long and in ihe neighborhood of a quarter wide The

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

167

bottom is a mass of huge rocks, and here the black bass in great num-
bers and large size love to lie. Among the water lilies on the sides
pickerel and yellow perch hide and take the anglers' lure with
avidity. Long pond is one of the best lakes in Preston township for
yellow perch and catfish, and large stories are related concerning the
monster size of the eels. There should be good fishing in this lake
for there are few boats on it, and, compared with other lakes, very
little angling.

One side of Long Pond is all cultivated laud, but the other is
<'overed by a narrow wood, which is little more than a fringe, but
still enough to give a decidedly picturesque appearance to tho
whole.

The Twin Lakes.

Not much more than a quarter of a mile from Lake Como are the
Twin lakes, two gems which are so close together that it seems
almost incredible that the land which separates the upper from the
lower should be strong enough to keep the first from breaking into
the second. They are in fact on either of the sloping sides of a once
terminal moraine, and are true ''pot holes." Low lying hills bind
each side, but the beauty of the lower lake has been greatly marred
by the destruction of the trees which a few years ago came down to
the water's edge. When those trees were in their vigor the scene
must have been entrancing beyond description, and when the series
of hills which shuts out the horizon are taken into consideration,
one almost envies the white man who first set eyes on these two
lakes.

The upper lake has most of the surrounding woods still standing,
and even those parts of the shore whUh have been denuded are put
under high cultivation. This is in strong contrast to the dismal
scene on the lower lake, for tliere the tree stumps stand fire scorched
and rotting, pathetic reminders of the noble woods which onco flour-
ished there.

The Twin lal^'s ar«' ownrd by the Prestou Park Association, ft is
an organization of Scranton and (^arbondah* gentlemen, and they
have erected a beautiful club house on a high knoll. bctw<M'n the
two lakes, and overlooking both bodie.*. It is surrounded bv a hand-
some, well kept lawn, and the wlioh* preserve is well cared for.

Upper Twin is jiearly one hundred feet higher than Lowei-
Twin, and it is a curious sight to look upon fhe.we two unicpie rn
suits of one of nature's tremendous fcuccs.

Both lakes have been heavily stocked with lake trout, and thcs.-
fish are said to have succeeded verv well. Brook trout also it is

168

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

Stated, are pleutitul, aud black bass and pickerel are abundant. The
tummonei- tishes like the catfish, eel, yellow perch and siinfiah are
numerous.

Being pot holes there is no inlet to upper Twin, though its outlet
does empty into Lower Twin, and the short stream which connects
them is reported to abound in brook trout.

Coxtown Pond.

Among the lakes within the contines of Preston tpwnship, Cox-
town pond takes a commanding position for attractiveness. Driving
along the road from Lake Como, one comes upon it unexpectedly,
sparkling between a frame of forest trees as only cleai', pure water
can sparkle. It is one of the sheets of water in tlie township where
most of the surrounding trees have been spared by the Avoodman's
axe. The land which girds Coxtown pond is not high, but the
forests which cover it, extend as far as the eye can reach. Only the
south end of the pond is clear, and along it extends the road, one of
the county's good highways, over which mm a bicycler would find
a pleasure in riding.

Coxtown pond has no inlet whatever. Its outlet is at the east end
and is quite large, and forms the headwaters of the Starruca creek,
one of the feeders of the Susquehanna. The hike is close to the
border line of Susquehanna county, less tluin three quarters of a mile
in fact. The spot is one of the wildest in Preston township, and
standing at the roadside near the lake, one can see but two houses
with their accompanying buildings.

The fish in Coxtown pond are black bass, pickerel, catfish aud eels.
There are no trout, and as far as the information of the writer ex-
tends, neither lake trout, wall eyed i>ike, nor rork bass have been
planted. Indeed, the general fishing is reported to be below the
average to be had in other lakes of Preston township. It will there-
fore have little to attract the angler outside of its natural beauty of
Kcenerv.

Spruce IVrnd.
Spruce pond, which lies not more than a quarter i>\ a mile from
Lake Conio, is a typical Wayne county natural pond. That is it
is long and narrow. Its length is fully if not quite half a mile and
less than a quarter of a mile wide, and po^s<'sses (•(m.i>arativelv few
indentations of any size. It is well bordered with trees and is pic
in.vs.pM. in ...11 its Msp.rls. ilk. ('oxh.wn pond. ih. snirnundnMr

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

169

land is comparatively low, though to the south about a mile, rises
Sugar Loaf mountain. The outlet stream flows almost due north
and empties into the Susquehanna, which, is about sixteen miles
away. Spruce pond is entirely formed of springs.

Cattish, eels, yellow perch, sunfish and pickerel are the chief fish
which inhabit its waters, and these are very abundant.

There is no bar to fishing in this pond, and many anglers take ad
vantage of the freedom given by the owner in this respect.

Summit or Bonr Lake.

Almost in a direct line with Spruce pond, aud separated from it
only by a nairow neck of land, is Bone or Summit Lake. It is sim
ilar to Spruce lake in that it is long and narrow, and that its sur-
roundings are neither high nor heavily wooded. The outlet stream
rtows close to the lower end of Spruce lake, and like that sheet of
water empties into the Susquehanna river.

The waters of Summit lake are of such extraordinary purity
that the ice is used to supply the city of Wilkes-Barre. A company
has the ice rights and has established large storage houses on the
shores, and the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad has run a
branch to the lake to transport the ice.

As may be inferred from the name Summit, Bone lake is the high
est body of water of the kind in Wayne county, and its owners are
preparing to make it an jittractive resort for summer pleasure
seekers.

The fish in this lake are similar to those found in Spruce lake, that
is to say, pickerel, catfish, eels, sunfish and yellow perch. Summit
lake is not more than five minutes' walk from Payntelle station.

[ndependent Lake.

There are many who consider that Independent lake is the hand
somest sheet in Wayne county. When the writer visited it last sum
mer— while the sun was shining on its sparkling bosom, and while
a slight liaz<* rested on the rounded heads of old Sugar Loaf and
Ararat, and when the air was full of sweet odors from field flowers
and grass, it <ertainly presented an entrancing effect.

There is a sense of pleasurable surprise on first gazing upon In-
dependent lake when coming from a visit to Spruce and Summit.
These two lakes in such an event lie in the left of the roadway, and
glimpses of them are had through the trees every few feet. At
length coming to the end of Summit Lake, on turninji t<» j-aze across

170

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on the sceiierj oii the right ol tlie liighwav I lie e.ve suddenly falls
delightedly on the dazzling gem-like waters of Independent lake, the
nearest point of which is but a few hundred yards away. The road-
way is a vantage point from which to view this body of water, for
it lies more than fifty feet above, and the land sweeps down to the
water's edge in open fields wherein are growing during the summer
months nothing but a compact mass of ox-eyed daisies and doubtless
earlier, buttercups.

On the south side of the lake, the hmd rolls abruptly up into a
small mountain thickly clothed with timber, and the waters of In-
dependent wide on the north end converge towards the south until
they almost wash the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain, which there rises
in i-ounded majesty, it seems, to the sky.

Independent lake is neither very long noi very wide, but this is
a feature which rather adds to than detracts from its beauty. In this
I»aiticular it is in perfect harmony with its surroundings. With the
landscape it forms a perfect picture, a suitable gem in a harmonizing
setting of green.

Although the lake is not large, it is very deep, and no other similar
body of water in Wayne county has clearer or purer water. It is
moreover, splendidly stocked with pickerel. It is said to be one
of the best in Preston townsliip for this species of fish both in num-
bers and size. The commoner fishes aie also abundant. Black bass,
lake trout and some other fine food fishes have recently been intro
duced.

Independent lake receives its water supply from large springs in
Its bottonj, and its surplus flows away and empties into the Lacka-
wanna river. The lake itself lies even closer to the border line of
Susquehanna county than does ('oxtown pond, since it is separated
from it only by the Sugar Loaf Mountain.

TJttle Hickory Pond.
Little Hickory poml is only a short distance from P<.viHelle lake
I IS as a resident directed the writer, but a -step up the road from
t ie Poyntelle House" I, is a much smaller body of water than anv
of the lakes already described, but what i( lacks in size it makes
up ,n beauty. The shores are fiat but thickly wooded, so thicklv
n. tact that the shores seen, to be a solid wall of verdure The
waters are like crystal, and near the shore bottomed with hard
white sand Little Hickory has a good reputation for its fine'
fish.ng qualities. Black bass, pickerel and the commoner fishes
are abundant, and several other high grade fishes have recentlv been
introduced.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Big Hickory Pond.

A bank of earth nol more than one hundred and fifty yards sepa-
rates Big Hickory from Little Hickory pond. Although they are
so close together the trees and underbrush on the intervening
ground are so thick that unless one knew the existence of both, the
presence of one or the other would be unsuspected.

Although this lake is called Big Hickory, it is in reality a very
small body of water, very little if any larger, in fact, than Little
Hickory. It is longer than the latter, Imt it is not so wide. It is
(piite as good fishing water as Little Hickory, and is consequently
a favorite resort for Wavne countv anglers.

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OHAPTEK VI.

Other Wa.vne County Lakes.

It is a characteristic of most of the Wayne county lakes, that ther<'
are few of the sweet scented white water lilies in them, nor indeed
of any species of the class of water plants to which they belong.
This is accounted for by the generally hard and rocky bottoms.

In the neighborhood of Honesdale, the charming county seat of
Wayne, are many pretty lakes. The greater number of them are
owned or controlled by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company,
that corporation using them as sources of water supply for its canal
and for other purposes. In all the lakes owned by the canal com
pany, the fishing is free.

White Oak Pond.

One of these lakes is White Oak pond, it is situated in Clinton
county, and is one of the largest bodies of water in Wayne county.
There is probably no othei' like it in the whole county, and it is
interesting from many standpoints. It has very little resemblan. <•
in the tirst plare to a reunsylvauia mountain lake, but looks almosl
exactly like one of the southern New Jersey ponds transplanted.

The lake is of an irregular circular form, and possesses two islands.
One, three or four acres in extent, is little more than a piece of
swamp land, such as one often sees in the New Jersey ponds; the
other, however, is of larger area and rises boldly from the water
many feet. About onehalf this island is thickly grown with trees,
but the renmind<*r is under cultivation, the owner living thereon in
a comfortable farm house.

Not only is White Oak pond unlike most of iIk* other lakes in

Wayne county in general appearance, but it is also dissimiliar to

most of them in its depth of water. It is in fact quite a shallow

pond, and, it is said, with a sand oi- partially muddy bottom. Look

ing upon it, it is hard to imagine that it is of glacialorigin, especially

since its damming by the Hudson Canal Company a few years ago

and by which its original size was increased at least three fold. As

a result of this increase in dimensions, the large ishind and in fact

both the islands were created. Where the overflowed land is was

once a forest, and from present appearances little or no time was

spent in cutting away (he liuiber. One by one (he n.»ble trees

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

17:;

sickened and died. One by one their trunks decayed and fell into
the water, until now there are many acres of dead stumps and poles
of vai'jing height. It is this forest of stumps which assists so
largely in giving White Oak lake its New Jersey pond like character.

The surroundings of White Oak are rather pretty. The land is
well cultivated and moulded into a series of small mound-like hills.

White Oak pond is a sheet of water which should be visited by
every angler who happens in its vicinity, for it is well stocked with
fish. Here may be found fine, large, fat brook trout. Here also are
black bass in abundance and of large size. Here also, lurking among
the fallen logs and decaying tree stumps are huge fat pickerel. Here
also may be captured yellow perch, catfish and eels.

Elk Pond.

Many years ago, Mr. Gilbert White, a prominent axe manufacturer,
of Honesdale, became attracted by the beauty of Elk lake, in Clinton
township. He assisted in stocking the waters with black bass from
Deer lake, in Sullivan county, New York, and induced a number of
gentlemen to build summer cottages on its shores. The place be
came quite a summer resort for people of Honesdale and vicinity,
and it is still one of their favorite resorts. And there is good reason
for this partiality, because the lake is admirably designed by nature
to call forth the admiration of mankind. One gentleman enthu
siastically described it to the writer as one of the ''nicest, cleanest
and best ponds in Wayne county. It is scarcely a hundred acres in
extent, much longer than it is wide, with irregular shaped shores
which slope gently towards it in all direction. In the back ground
is a gi'oup of hazy niountains and in the foreground cultivated
ti<*lds.

One end of Elk lake is heavily wooded with desiduou> trees bul
cleared of underbrush, and here it is (hat picnic parties come in
great numbers during the summer season from Oarbondale, Hones
dale and even f^ci'anton.

Elk lake is fed by a small sdeam which has its rise near (he moun
tains at Independence' School. Curiously enough, il.s outlet stream
flows nearly parallel to tin* on«* which furnishes the water supply and
then takes a slight bend and empties into White Oak jiond.

As may be expected, ?]lk lake is a fishing resort. It was slocked
with bhuk bass in 1808 by Mr. White, Mr. McCown and the party
mention(»d in the |)i('vious chapter, and tliis fisli has thrived wonder
fullv well. Pickerel wei-e planted (here in 18:!(;. and yellow })erch
and sunfish are indiginous. Roth White Oak |Muid and KiM-n's pon*!
were naturally stocked with both bass and pickei-el through makiu;:

174

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then- wiiv there bv the iulel and outlef streams. About six years
ago, 3Jr. Rose, a Honesdale gentleman, phmted 3,000 lake trout from
four to six inches long in Elk Lake, but to date none have been

taught.

Keen's l*ond.
Keen's pond is an interesting sheet of water, and is seen on the trip
by the 'gravity railroad" which connects Carbondale with Hones-
da e. It lies on the right in going to Honesdale, and rests manv feet
below the level of the .racks and is in Canaan township. It i^ well
storked ^^,th black bass and the commoner fishes, but is rapidly fall
•ng .n favor with the anglers because, <,n account of its proximity
•<• tlH; «n,vity ro.d, it affords jM.a.hers admirable opportunities for
muluiig .1 and using dynamite and other illegal ui.thods of catch

Upper Woods Ponds,
in visiting Upper Woods pond one is forcibly ren.inded of those
famihar hnes written hv Longfellow as an introduetion to ''Evan,
gelme.

•Tins is tl,e foi-st pHnu-v,,!. The „„„, ,„,^ j,,^^ ,„,,, „,^.

locks,

Hemded witl, mos., and i„ sairaenis «,eon, indistinri iu the twi-

Sta.Kl lik,. Druids of old, with voices smi and prophetic,
ptand l,l<e harpers hoar. will, boards thai rest on their hoson.s
l.o..d Iron, Hs rck.v eavc-rns. the deep-voieed ueiRhborin^. ocean
.^l;™l.s, and ,n accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest "
,.,.;:* :"";';7 ;;' "";-'•'""' - i-'a^ticmiv ..monched ...v the hands

•K ,s «,ld, the roads are rongh and the forests are th ek not
1 I. p.n,.s as ntentioned in I^nKlellow's poetical lin,.s jttst m.oted
-t .s (me. bnt with lordlv decidnons trees, and great tan^ e .,;
v.nes and nnderbrnsh. Nor j, there a neigl, boring ocean but m
»md.v any. there Is the voice of the lake waves beating t'.non th
■•ook hound shores, which, tningling with the murtnnring o^ t r"wav
ng I,e„d.ng trees, produce a tnnsical sound whic,r reaches the
dep«,.s of^eve,,. huntan heart susceptible to the grandeur of ttnt^el

Within a mile and a half or two miles of Upper Wo.mIs nond tl

IS not a dwelling house, except the cl„l, house of .1 1

1 < mil iioiise 01 tlio owners of the

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

176

•place, and there is not a cleared tract within that radius except
where the club house stands, and that is stripped only of under-
brush. The club members have a veneration for a tree, and except
where necessary to remove them, the lordly monarchs of the for-
est have been allowed to stand. So thick is the woods and so de-
vious the road, that one does not see Upper Woods pond until he
comes almost full upon the club house on the shores, and even then
its full beauty is not at once apparent.

The lake differs in many respects from the majority of the natural
ponds in Wayne county. Whih^ its general form is circular, it
abounds in inlets and tongues of land which give diversity to its out
line. The low rocky shores are thickly grown with trees, and their
branches dip almost to the waters, and almost impenetrable bushes
overhang themselves and kiss the cold lips of the wavelets as they
wash the glacial boulders which hold them in check.

Upper Woods pond has no inlet; its whole bottom is a mass of
large springs, which yield such a huge volume of water that the out-
let of the lake is quite a large stream, the source iu fact of the east
branch of the Dyberry creek. Jiefore becoming the east branch of
the Dyberry, however, it empties into Lower Woods pond one mile
from Upper Woods, and in that short one mile of stream brook
trout swarm as thickly as our grandfathers love to say was the case
in mountain streams of their boyhood days. They are native trout
at that; as far as known an artificially hatched trout has never been
planted there.

Brook trout were once plentiful in Upper Woods pond. In 1840
fish of this species weighing as much as three pounds were captured,
but in recent years for some unexplained reason they have entirely
disappeared. It may be because at the entrance of the <mtlel a box
like arrangement has been placed which jirevents the tish from as-
<'ending the stream to the lake, and because the stream for a few
yards below the contrivance mentioned has become choked up witli
fallen timber and fern tussocks. Perhaps if the club were to re
move these obstructions the membc^rs would find the lake once more
occupied by brook trout. Some of the club believe, it is said, that
the introduction of the pickerel and the black bass has wrouglit the
extermination of the trout from the lake, but thev mav dismiss such
a thought, as it has been proven beycmd dispute that trout canned be
so driven out.

The jnckerel were planted in 1836, and the black bass in 186S by
Mr. A. W. MiKrOwn and his associates before mentioned. Six or
eight years ago, rock bass were obtained fr(un the Pennsylvania
Fish Commissioners and introduced. These liave thrived and in-
creased until they are very abundant. About the same time several
thousand fry of lake trout were received from the sanu' source, but

176

REPORT OF THE

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none have been caught. U is believed they have succeeded as the
water is adniiiabl.v suited for them, being almost identical with that
of lakes m which this species of fish has its natural home. Catfish
yellow perch, eels and sunflsh are also abundant.

Upper Woods pond is in Lebanon township, a section of Wayne
county which posseses more lakes than any other township except
1 .eston. Xt belongs to the Wayne Rod and Reel Club, an associa-
lum composed of Scranton, Honesdale and Xew York gentlemen.
Their club house and boat house is at oue end of the lake, with just
enough of the surrounding trees .-enioved to giv,. a good view of
the fine expanse of water. Th,- structure Is beautiful and artistic
and ,n perfect accord with its surroundiugs. Its interior appoint^
ments are comfortable and even luxurious. The members allow no
one except them-selves and guests to fish the lake.

Lower Woods Pond.
Lower Woods pond is but a mile from Upper Woods. It is about
the same size as the latter, and is fully as desirable a sheet of water.
Black bass, pickerel, catfish, yellow perch and eels, are the fish iu
Lower AA oods pond. The fishing here is free. The Delaware and
Hudson Canal Company use this lake as a reservoir with which to
supply Its canal with water during the summer uumths

l-)uck Harb(u> Pond.

i.rrn' ,■ , !' n "■^''' ""'• '"' ""■ •^''"°*^^' ""-J "•«» •'«« the diH
u, ,ou 01 bemg the most isolated. There are no houses on its

borders or near ,t, and there is no publi.. road that leads to it \s
tar as its shmvs are .on.erued. they are in the sau.e .„„diti.,„'prac'
t.cally as when <he Indians were there. Kveu .!:.. fish, with the ex-
ception 01 (he pi,.ker..|. are indiginous, and „o .,«e knows who
planted Ins fish though i, i, «„p„„,„„ ,„ „,,,.^ „^,.„ ,,„„."^,„.^ !
red men them.sehes. Xo attempts have been made, as far as kuowu
to (he wnter ,. stock buck Harbor with black bass or anv of the
great gan„. tishes now so popular. The surroundings of the lake
are not very h,gb, and, as nuiy be supposed, are thicklv wood.-d lu
the back ground of the northwes, corne,- rises Rig R-.-Korv, one 1
the high mountains of the county. .v. on. oi

That Duck Harbor pond is still i„ the undsl of its prim.-val foresl
untouched .n every way is uo, due to chance work. The lake and

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

177

the contiguous land for uiiles an* owned by two or three persons,
who with deep love for nature, believe in keeping the place in its
primitive wildness and beauty, and they are well enough ott" to
indulge in their commendable and worthy whim.

Rose Pond.

Kose pond is about two and one-halt' miles from Duck Harbor
pond, and like it is in the wilderness. It is, however, not very far
from a settlement called Rileyville. But although near the haunts
of man, it is probably less visited than any other lake in the county,
although it is free to anyone who may wish to hunt or angle there in
season. This is a matter of surprise, for although it is a small
pond, the fishing for pickerel and the commoner indiginous fishes is
quite good. There are besides excellent places for camping parties
on its shores, although such parties must take their own boats along,
for there are none kept there.

Rose pond has an attractive name, but its title comes from a com
monplace source, namely a man named Kose. an early settler.

(^H.APTEH VII.

Wayne County Lakes — Continued.

With the usual facility of the average government clerk to mis-
sj)ell names, the postoftice established near Beech lake, in Berlin
township, is officially spelled lieach, much to the natural disgust of
the peoi>le living thereabouts, for the name is derived from the
beechwood tree.

Beech lake is at ]»resenl about oiw mile long but no very remote
period it was of huge proportions. Tt was but little wider than
today, in its original form, but it was at least treble or quadruple
its present length. There is to-day another lake about half a mile
above Beech lake which was once undoubtedly a part of the latter,
but they are now separated by a heavy marsh, into the depths of
which a |)ole can be thrust twenty-four feet without touching solid
bottom. This marsh was caused by the growth of water plants, moss
and other vegetation which lield sand, dust and other matter.

Beech hike is 1,32(» feet above the sea level, and is surrounded by
low rounded hills of ;i highly picturesque character. Some of these
12-18-96

178

REPORT OP THIS

0«. Doc.

Uills have been stripped of trees and given over to agricultural
purposes, and brought to a high state of .ultivation. Others are
covered thickly with timber, the rich verdure of which show the
exceedingly fertile character of the soil. On one shore Mr. Gilbert
u hite, a well known axe manufacturer, has built a pretty villa
Near h,m is a neat hotel for summer boarders. On the other shore is
■Mr I r,.wn Uudd, a gentleman who owns over two thirds of the lake
and who ha.s built a prelt.v summer boarding house on a high hill
over-looking the «ue expanse of lake.

Beec^i lake is a spring formed bod.,, and its «aters are wonder-
ully ,. ear and pure. Its shores are full of graceful curves, inlets
and points. It was a favorite re.s,>rt for the Indians in the early days
when ,t was known to the early st^ttler.. as Tuscarora John's pond'
Juscaron. was a friendly Indian, and the lake was his favorite h»n(-'
ing and fishing grounds.

The indiginous fishes are catfish, eels, sunflsh and yellow perch
-VI these are very abundant, the yellow porch especially growing t.i
a large si.e. Pickerel ha,e been in the lake very many :ye:rs ^e •
were depo,s ted by .Vmbrose Davie, a Oornishman. who was amoni
(he first settlers in the place. among

Black ba.«. are numerous in Beech lake and they have been caught

since 1885, when they were introduced by John H. Cuckingbereer
an" laer by Mr. McUown. .Vbou, 1,000.000 wall-eved pike 7^. '•

lasted bv the ''":r "'"'" '"'*' *'■'■"' '" '"■■«*^ ""-"bers were

hitl h. gentlemen. They also planted rock bass and

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Adams Pond.
In the same (ownship with Beech lake, namely B,.rlin i. V.l-nns
pond. Mor,. particularly located, it is near tJenungtown -i |i h
village ,...( far fr.m, the borders of J'ike countv Hi. 1 .

•rohn Williams, and it is remarkable for its ^^ ' .s,u a ^i -IS
character, although a, ,i,s, glan.e I, has somewhat onghwnylr,
pearance when viewed from th.- r<,ad ' ^

and in the foreground a fringe of ^l^^^^: ^::i:^^T:Z::::;

-f "i • ■'"' i--" .>va, ;;:;;.t t ;:.z : aS ";; ;:;::

so,I ,s known a.s sterile land. The forepar, or the head of the J^

is the result ut backwater, and here and ttiere the trunks ot dead
trees stand grimly from the water, silent and reproachful witnessen
to the destructiveness of man.

About two hundred yards down, a neck of land extends from the
south almost to the north side, leaving but a narrow thread of water
connecting one part of the lake with the other. Low growing bushes
and verdure only cover this long tongue of land. This tongue repre
sents the former limit of the lake before the backwater was made.
On the south side the land is flat and desolate looking, for a short
distance, and then rises gradually into a rolling and broken summit.
On the northeast it breaks into several ridges, and on the north
falls away almost to a level.

It is at this point that the great divide of timber peculiar to Pike
and Wayne counties respectively is most noticeable. On one side
of the little stream which constitutes the outlet are beeches in
great quantity — one of the characteristics of Wayne; on the other
the chestnuts, scrub oak and pines familiar to Pike are clearly pre-
dominant and the landscape shows little or no signs of beeches. It is
las though a huge wall had been built and the trees pe<uliar to each
county had been rigidly kept within its own boundary by the hand of
a mighty gardener.

As far as known, there are no black bass, lake trout, pike perch
or rock bass in Adams pond; but pickerel, yellow perch, bull-heads
find eels are found there in vast abundance.

Open Woods Pond.

Open Woods pond is about one and (me-half miles from Adams
I)ond. It is surrounded entirely by the open woods such as charac-
terize the landscape of IMke county, for here the scrub oaks and
pines have pushed their way a short distance into Wayne. The lakr
is famous for pickerel, bull-heads, eels and yellow perch.

Rlack bass were placed in Optn Woods pond by Mr. Gilbert Wliite
about fifteen years ago, and as it has a rock and .sand bottom, these
noble tisji have increased and muliiplied. As the pond is not widely
known, there is little fishing dime there. Thus the few who do push
their way through the tangled scrub to the lake ar<' rewarded by
splendid sport. 0[)en U'oods pond is moreover a pretty sheet of
water, irregular in shape and covering about I'y acres.

Hoof Pond.

Hoof pond is also in Berlin township. It is ue;ir the summit of a
high hill, about two and one half miles from Honi'sdale. It occupies

180

REPORT OF THE

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about 75 acres of laud, aud is ueaiJy ciicular iu loim. On one side
the ground is marshy, showinf^ evidences of having once been oceu
pied bj water, but at the head is a high, rocky ledge and the remain
der of the hill on which the lake is placed. The pond is, with the
exception of one side, surrounded by thick woods, although bevond
is richly cultivated land. Pickerel, bull-heads, yellow perch and^eels
are plentiful. So also are black bass, which were first planted there by
Mr. Gilbert White on the same day as he placed that species of fish
in Open Woods pond. Since then various other game fishes, includ
ing lake trout and pike perch, have been planted, hut no go<ul results
seemingly have ensued.

Cajaw Lake.
The nearest natural pond to Hone.sdale is Cajaw lake, one of the
reservoirs of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. Originally
a beautiful and picturesque sheet of water, the necessity for in-
creasmg the volume has created a back water and transformed the
one time beautiful pond into a melancholy spectacle. Stumps and
trunks of dead trees dot the waters some distance from the margins
and in spots the grass thrusts itself above the water. Neat farms
surround the lake, and Cherry Ridge road runs on one side onlv a few
rods away.

The lake is good for catfish and fair for pickerel.

Sand Pond.
Nil,, miles fioM, Uon,.«,laIe, in (Jl.e.ry Kidg. lowuship, is Saud
poud, ,, body of water cuinpiising so acres. In tl.e writers' boyhood
day^, ,t was a h.-ibit in idle n.oments (o lub one side of a cliuclied fls(
with ,,onc.l dust and stamp the imp.-..ssion on a slate. This im-
pressmn ,s ahnost an exact counterpart of the sliape of Sand pond.

. „;,"^7'V i '"":i "'"'" ""-' '"'■' ^""^ '"^- "«"<"" *« '^""'PO^ed
.« .nost entuely of hard white sand. The water is said to be the

ch^arest of any lake in Wayne county. So limpid is it, that it i. as-
eKed botton. can readily be seen at a depth of 25 fjet. The lake
IS 5. feet deep ,n places an.l there are few shallow spots anywhere
except near portions of the shore. Th.Me is no inlet, the lake beTnl
one vast spring. The shores are all covered with w;ods xcept one
end which is devoted to farming purposes

Like nearly all the lakes in Wayne county, Sand pond is on the top
of a knoll, but the low hills about it rise .,"ite abrnptlv. giving a
more .l,au usual p,clures.,ue dunac-r („ ,1,. landscape ' *" "*^ **

No. 18.

KISH COMMISSIONERS

181

The fishing in Sand pond is considered better than iu most of the
well known and frequented lakes of Wayne county, because its
owner, Mr. James A. Biggart, of Pink, carefully protects it against
pot and illegal fishermen, and allows only those to fish it who en
gage his boats. It is an ideal spot for camping parties, who may
occupy the ground by securing permission from Mr. Biggart. This
he usually grants when evidences are given of respectability and as
surances are made that there will be no acts of vandalism com-
mitted.

Black bass and pickerel fishing are said to be fine, and a few lake
trout which were planted a few years ago, have shown tht'inselves.
Yellow perch, eels, catfish and sunfish also are plentiful.

Peep or Marsh Pond.

In giving a title to certain places of interest it often happens that
some absurd and utterly inappropriate name is selected. This
charge, however, cannot be made against those who bestowed the
name of "Peep" on the little body of water which rests half hidden
among the hills of Salem township. This miniature lake, almost cir-
cular in form, is like an eye of shet^n, peeping from among the dense
woods and the surrounding hills. Unlike most mountain lakes. Peep
pond lies not on top or the side of a hill, but is nestled in a sheltered
hollow with several hillocks rising on all sides <»f it, and as the road
•extends along the top of these hillocks the ett'ect is very pleasing.
Peep pond is an exceedingly small body of water, about two-thirds
the size it was originally. It now contains only between 15 and 2(1
acres. A thick cranberry marsh has contracted the former area and
is still extending its domain. This it is doing iu spite of the fact
that the lake is very deep. It is one of the few mud bottom ponds
of \V\iyne county, therefore its waters are not remarkable for
clearness, a slight sediment making a perceptible cloudiness. This,
however, is no bar to the felicity of snapping turtles. The mud
bottom and the cranberry marsli are exactly to their liking, and
these chelonians therefore are found in great abundance. Fn fact.
l*eei» pond is famous throughout the county as their favorite haunt.
Pickerel, catfish and eels are also abundant, but as these fish are
|)lentiful elsewhere, and there are no other fish of importance therein,
anglers do not regard Peep lake very high.

Bid well Lake.

Bidwell lake is also iu Salem township, and not very far from
Peep pond. It covers about 75 jiercs and is from M) to 50 feet deep.

182

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No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

183

It is uiie of thuse exquisitely formed and located bodies of water
which impress one with their loveliness at first sight and which
grows in charm the longer one remains in the vicinity.

Starting from a mere point on the west, the lake spreads out as its
lines extend eastward until the diverging points are nearly half a
mile apart. On the east and towards the north the land projects
eastward into the lake tongue-like, forming on one side a pretty little
cove a couple of hundred yards deep, and causing a marked indenta-
tion on the other, leaving a connecting neck of water about a
quarter of a mile wide.

With the e.\«eption of a small spot on tlu' west shore, the whole
lake is bounded by a thick primeval woods. Most of it is like an
impenetrable thicket, but a small portion on the north side has been
cTeared of underbrush and fitted up as a picnic ground. The trees,
for the most part, are deciduous, but on the tongue of land before
mentioned, a number of white pines project their evergreen heads
above the surrounding birches, beeches and maples, their dark green
foliage crmtrasting pleasingly with the lighter foliage of the latter.
The water of Bidwell is very clear and sparsely studded with
lilies. Among these water plants are vast numbers of the fish most
found in the Wayne county lakes, namely pickerel, catfish, yellow
perch and sunfish, but no eels. This is one of the few places where
the snake-like fish has not been able to make a home. The reason,
it Is said, is that they cannot ascend the Paupac falls which is on
the outlet stream, and the banks thereof are so rugged that they
are unable to leave their natural element and make their way over-
land to the stream above.

Black bass were placed in Bidwell pond a few years ago through
the efforts of a company of gentlemen. Tlie fish were caught in Big
pond. Pike county, and planted in Bidwell by George and Jerome
Stockton. The planting succeeded admirably.

The fishing is not free, but permission can be <»btained from the
owner of the lake, Mr. C. R. Spangenburg. There is no hotel dose
to the borders of this pretty sheet. The lake receives its name from
<he family of Bidwells. the founder of which. Ephraim Bidwell.
came to Wayne county from Connecticut in ISCO.

Lake Ariel or Jones Pond.
LaJve t(.wnship has the lumor of possessing a lake, which in the
natural course of events seems destined to become n fashionable
summer resort. There are all the elements which dame fashion de
mands before approving a suninnM- gatlM^ing place in the country
M fine, healthy atmosphere, a beautiful lake of water, a more than
ordinarily picturesque country, thickly wooded land full of ro

mantic nooks, a region pregnant with historic interest and is besides
convenient of access by railroad.

Lake Ariel or Jones pond, as it was formerly called, from an early
settler in that part of the country, is a large body of water for it
covers some three hundred and fifty acres, is about a mile long and
in some places more than a quarter of a mile wide. It is of a
curious shape, being almost the exact counterpart of a long legged
boot, with heel, instep and all clearly marked in outline. It re-
ceives its supply from a small inlet and numerous springs which
bubble up from all over the bottom. Its outlet forms the Five Mile
creek, which flows into the Wallen Paupack near Ledgerdale.

The Erie and Wyoming Valley Railroad, which extends from Pitts-
ton through Scranton, 16 miles away, to Hawley, where it connects
with a branch of the Erie Railroad, passes close to the lake and h^
a station there.

Quite a little village has sprung up at the head of Ariel, composed
of several hotels, summer cottages, residents' dwellings and stores.
Two small steamboats ply on the lake, and a pretty island of about
half an acre in extent is fitted up as a picnic ground.

Around the lake is a romantic drive which cuts through thick
woods in which rhododendrons and laurel grow luxuricmsly.

The historian of the work on NN'ayne, Pike and Monroe counties
thus writes of I^ke Ariel: "It is a little less than a mile in length,
and about a quarter of a mile in width; at its southern extremity
it bows out to the west for half a mile farther. In some spots a line will
run down for sixty feet, but for the most part it is only of ordinary
depth. The shores were formerly wooded down to the very water's
edge, but a few years ago a forest fire got into the timber on the
west side, and destroyed several beautiful groves, while the lumber
man's axe has done much more damage. The east shore is still cov-
ered with a fine growth of hemlock and hard wood, as is too a larg<*
point near the outlet known as Tluiiiley's Point,' a gentleman of that
name having there erected the first permanent lodge for summer
sojourners. The lake is remarkably fre(^ from snags and other ob
struct ions, and a pretty islet dots the western arm. On this were
found many Indian relics."

Lake Ariel is well stocked with fish. Catfish, sunfish, yellow perch
and eels are of course the indiginous fishes. Pickerel were placed
therein by the early settlers, and black bass by the same gentlemen
who were mentioned as having interested themselves in the work
for other Wayne and Pike county lakes. Rock bass were received
from the Pennsylvania Comniission«'rs and they have thrived. Lake
trout have been planted and. it is said, show signs of succeeding.
Wall-eyed pike have also been deposited in this lake, but have not
.showed themselves.

184

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LAKE UENKV

The Lake of the Floating Islauds.

Almost contiguous to the eastern borderland of Lackawanna
county, yet wholly within Wayne county, lies one of the lakes of
Northeastern Pennsylvania that is a veritable fisherman's paradise.
It is a suggestion of a story of dreamland— the lake of the floating
islands. Deep wooded stretches skirt nearly its entire shore line,
giving to it a peaceful calm, a charming solitude and a restful re
pose beautiful and mirrorlike in the forest quietude. Through the
i^irrow outlet of Lake Henry, skirted by the restless island forma
tion of bush and shrub that are never secure of'place, the oarsman
pushes his boat out into a broad expanse of water that reaches
away for more than a mile. From eastern to western shore the
width varies from six hundred to twelve hundred and fifteen hundred
feet. The eastern shore, excepting near the outlet, is practically
free from the "floating island'' formations, but along the westerii
shore from the outlet to the head of the lake, a distance of nearly
two miles, excepting a goodly section just south of the centre, there
are many of these islands. Few of these peculiar "floaters" have
anything like a permanent abiding place, except where anchored by
chains, and a brisk breeze which may at any time come driving over
the surface of the lake may send them out of their latitude. These
"floating islands" are a mass of scrub oak, shrubs, lily, cranberry
and swamp whortleberries, the roots of which are so intertwined as
to make a substantial base, which while not securing a hold upon
the soil of the lake's bottom, taste just enough thereof to give them
vigorous foliage, but hardly foundation strong enough for man to
rest upon without assurance of getting his feet and body wet.
These islands, which range from a quarter to two acres in area, are
h(»w<'vpr, the spots which the zealous fisherman will seek when he
goes to Lake Henry, for beneath them lurk the pickerel and the
perch so plentiful in this jireserve and which needs but the alluring
bait of the true sportsman to bring them forth. This lake contains
upwards of tive hundred acres, the depth varying fiom twenty to
seventy feet a short distance from the shores, and is the propert^y of
Mr. Henry (). Silkman. of Maplewood, a village a mile distant, but
who has a comfortable summer cottage hidden in the edge of the
woods <m the western shore of the lake. .Mr. Silkman guards th<.
lake and lis finny inhabitants with a zealous care, allowing no fish
ing whatevf^r that does noi come within I he bounds of thc^'law and
constantly ivplenishing lis shnk. 11, • Jms within m^rrnl v.-ais placed

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

185

C/l

several thousand pickerel fry in the lake, and a few years ago planted
a number of wall eyed pike, but none of these have as yet allowed
themselves to be allured from tht* deep water in which they have
made their home. It is believed, however, that they have success
fully spawned and will shortly add to the pleasure of the tisherman
who seeks this placi*. Some lake trout and spotted catfish have also
been placed in th«' lake. Lake Henry is regarded one of the surest
fishing grounds anywhere in that part of the State in which it is
located; it is indeed a poor fisherman who does not go home at
night with a basket well filled, and it is greatly to the credit of Mr.
Silkman that he makes this condition possible by his personal super-
vision of its waters. Need one wonder then that Mr. S. B. Stillwell,
the President of the Board of State Fishery Commissioners, has
selected it as the place for his summer sojourn and has erected on
its eastern shore a comfortable cottage where he takes refreshing
rest, or employs his early morning or evening hours in following the
example of Izaak Walton. Others who have cottages on the lake's
shores are Hon. Wm. Connell, congressman-elect from the Eleventh
district; Charles Robinson, ex-sherift' of Lackawanna county and a
former State Democratic committeeman; Mr. T. Cramer VOn Storch,
president of the West Ridge Coal Company, Scranton; Mr. Robert
Innes, the well known leather manufacturer of Bodines, Lycoming
county, and Dr. Montgomery, of New Vork city. Lake Henry is at
an elevation of about 1,650 feet above tide. It is reached easily by
a short walk or drive from Maplewood station on the Erie and Wy-
oming Valley Railroad, a railroad running between Scranton and
Hawley, at the latter place connecting with the Erie Railroad.

One of the views accompanying this sketch of Lake Henry aie
taken from a point directly in front of the cottage of Fish Commis-
sioner Stillwell.

CHAPTER VIII.

Pike County and its Lakes.

If the people of Pennsylvania at large have not made themselves
acquainted with the "beautiful hills of Wayne" as they should have
done, they have become intimate with the "wild woods of Pike."
Pennsylvanians, especially JMiiladelphians, have overrun nearly every
foot of the county during the hunting and fishing season, and many
are large land owners. The great stamping grounds ol" Pennsylvn
iiians in Pike, however, are in Greene. Portei and Delaware (own

'■J

Pi
a;

No. 1«.

PISH nOMMISSIONKliS

IK?,

sfvenil tlinnsand itirkcrel fiy in the Ijikc. jiiid a tVw >ears ago plantinl
a iiuiiiImm- of wall c.vrd pikn. Inn ikuk' of tli«'s«' lia\«* as vet allowed
f Im'1hs«'Iv«'s hi Im- :iIIiii<m1 liuni I In- docjt \val«M in which tiivv liav«'
mad<* lln'ii- Ikhih-. Ii is lM'li«*v<Ml, liowrvrr. thai ihev have success
fnllv sj»awn«Ml and will slioiilv add lo lh«* j»h'asine of the lish«^iman
who seeks this pla«M'. Snnic lak«' iruni and spoiled ratlish havt^ also
been ]>lar<Ml in I In- lake. Lake llcniv is n'jiaided one of ihe surest
fishing jii-ounds anvwhere in iliai i»aii of Ihc Slate in which it is
located; ii is indiM-d a |>ooj- tisheiinan who does not j;o home at
niiihl Willi a basket well tilled, and it is <;i'eatlv to tlie credit of Mr.
Milkman that he makes this cimdilion possible bv his ]»eisoual super-
vision of ils waters. Xeed one wonder then thai Mr. S. B. Still well,
ihe Tresideiit uf the T.oard of Slate Fishery Commissioners, has
^Ia4't4*d it a« the place for his sumniei- s(»jouru and has erected on
its eftsiera sliore a <-omforlabh- rottage where he takes refreshing
i"e»tj 0r employs his «Nirljy^ morninp: or oveiiin«; hours la t'oUowing the
examide of Izaak Walton. (Mhers who have cottapfes on the lake's
chores are IJon. Win. Conuell, congressman-elect from the Eleventh
district ; Charles Kobinson. ex-sheritf of Lackawanna county and a
former State Hemocratic committeeman; Mr. T. Cramer Von Storch,
president of tin* West Kidge Coal Company, Scranton; Mr. l{ol)ert
inaes^ the well known leather manufacturer of Ihnlines. Lycoming
ftounty, and J)r. Montgomery, (d New York city. Lake Henry is at
an elevation of about l.r»,"il) feel aboNe tide. It is reached easily by
a short walk or <lrive from Ma|de\\(H)d statical on ilie Erie and Wy-
omitig X'alley Railroad, a railroad running l)etween Hcranton and
Hawley. al the lalt<'r place ooaneeting with the Krie llailr(»ad.

One of the views accomi»auying this sketch 0I Lake Hcnr? ar«
taken from a point directly in front of the cottage of Fish Conimis-
siftMer Siillwell.

tWAFTKU \ III.

IMke Count V and Its l^akes.

If tho peofvlf of Peunwlvafiia i\\ large ha\e not made iliemselve>
ac<|uaint<'d willi the -beautiful hills of Wayne" as llu'y should have
dom*. the\ have become intiiuale with the "wild woods of IMke."
rennsylvaiiiaiis. es|>ecially rhila<lelphians, haNf oNeriiin nearly every
fool «d' I lie coiiiiiy during lli«' hunting and fishing seasnn. and maii\
are large land owners. The great slampiiig grounds ot reimsyha
iiians in Pike, however. \\vv in <'i!'eene. roiiei .ind l>elawarf town

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

186

REPORT OP THE

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ships. In these are located also huge sporting associations com
posed almost entirely of Philadelphians, who carefully protect their
waters, and labor for the improvement <»f the tishing streams of the
county.

The greater part of Pike couuly is still a wilderues.'^ as dense as
when the Indians had posse^ssion. Many years ago Horace Greeley
owned some land in this section and one occasion he paid it a visit,
and, it is averred, returned to New York with deep animosity against
the county and everything in it. He is reported to have said in his
caustic way that Pike county was the land of rattlesnakes and hoop-
poles, and that its chief agricultural products were rocks and Demo
(•rats.

Whatever may have been Horace Greeley's opinion of the county,
there is no (luestion that it is one of the most beautiful from a scenic
standpoint in the Stat«\ and whatever may be the political opinions
of the people, they are a warm lu^arted, generous and hospitable set.

Deep are the valleys and rugged are the hills of Pike; thick are
the forests, wild and difficult for travel are the barrens, and almost
impenetrable are the swamps; abundant are the rattlesnakes, bears
and wild cats, but all these things have charm for many, and no
terrors for more. Thousands know Pike county and love it for the
glimjjses of long gone days of the country which it affords.

Next to U'ayue, Pike j>robably has more natural lakes than any
other county in the 8tate. Few of these bodies of water are small, the
majority are Iarge,noble sheets of water covering from one hundred to
nearly eight hundred acres. More than half of them are owned or
controlled by sporting associations, but many are free to anglers.
The majority contain vast numbers of game fishes, a few, through the
use of illegal devices or pot hunting are becoming fished out.

Most of the Wayne county lakes have no inlet worthy the name,
their main water supply coming from the springs in their bottoms,
but the greater number of the Pike county lakes have inlets, and
thus were formed during the glacial period by di^bris from a moraine
damming up a natural water course.

Many of the Pike county lakes were visited by the Indians of the
Delaware valley in all probability mon' frequently than those of
Wayne, foi- there are yet to-day distinct Indian trails leading to sev
j'ral of th<Mu from the Delaware river.

When the writer was making the tour of the lakes, he entered the
Pike county region by way of Kimbles, although the usual manner,
except for the extereme northern or western part is by way of
Stroudsburg, or Water Gap, in Monroe county. In many respects he
could not have chosen a more charming entrance. Here the Lacka
waxen is at its wildest, and the mountains are perhaps grander in
outline than in any other part of the county, except perhaps those of

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

187

the Knob. He was received by Mr. Ephraim Kimble and through
his courtesy was enabled to visit many lakes little known and dilti-
cult to reach.

Forest Park Association.

A few years ago a number of gentlemen in New York and Brooklyn
associated themselves into an organization under the title of the
Forest Park Association and purchased several thousand acres of
land in Lacka waxen township. Within the tract are five lakes, the
principal of which are Wolf, Big Gorilla and Little Gorilla. Of the
three, Little Gorilla is the smallest and Wolf the largest. The as
sociation comprises some seventy-five members, with Dr. Haddon,
No. 155 East Fifty-first street, New York city, as its president, and
Charles K. Gregor vice president. It is hardly necessary to state
that the Forest Park Association strictly preserves its property and
allows no one to fish or hunt within its jurisdiction except its mem-
bers and their invited friends. The rules are very strict and besides
ordering a rigid enforcement of the State laws there are provided a
number of other regulations for the benefit of the preserve. This
club permits no gunning or fishing on Sunday, nor any of the noisy
amusements which often are allowed in some backwoods sporting
clubs. As one member put it, "This club was formed for the dual
purpose of giving its members an opportunity of indulging in reason-
able sport or of having a quiet outing in the woods if they desire
it, without having their religious sentiments outraged."

The Forest Park Association has erected a handsome frame club
house on a high hill which commands a fine view of three of its
lakes. Wolf on the northeast. Big Gorilla on the southwest, and Little
Gorilla on the south. Large as the club house is, the association is
contemplating the erection of another wing in the spring which will
cost between f8,000 and f 10,000.

Besides the club house there are several fine cottages owned by
members grouped near by. Mr. William A. Avis possesses one of
these, Oscar T. Marshall another, a Mr. Ronaldson a third, Mr.
Charles R. Gregor. the vice pi'( sident, a fourth, and a fifth is owned
by the estae of a Mr. Ogden, who died recently.

The club house and cottages are four and one-half miles from
Mast Hope Station on the Erie Railroad, and the connecting road
extends through almost an unbroken forest.

188

KEPURT OF THK

W ulf I'oud.

Off. Duf

Wolf Poud is a maguiticeut sheet of water, view fioiii wiiatever
aspect the beholder wills. Deep in the backwoods of pines, oaks
and chestnut, the very waters seem to tai<e on the hue of the ver-
dure. A marked irregularity of its sliores gives ji singular beauty
to the more than 300 acres of water. Thick brush overhangs tlu*
banks, and water lilies plentifully besprinkle tlie shallows near the
shores.

The land immediately surrounding the pond is low, but in the
near background hills rise sharply and tower well above the water,
rt is a spring lake, with no inlet, but its outlet is quite large. The
lake is deep and has a bottom of large rocks anjong whicii the black
i)ass find splendid hiding places. This species of fisli is abundant
in Wolf pond, and they Lave been there for many years. Pickerel
are also plentiful, and so are yellow perch of an unusually large
size. Besides the original stocking of black bass, the Forest Park
Association have made heavy plantings.

No. 18

FISH COMMISSIONKKS

I81»

Big Gorilla Lake.

When compared with other Pike county ponds. Big Gorilla lake is
a small sheet of water, but what it lacks in size it more than makes
up in picturesque features. On the east side there is a low lying
ridge broken into two or three hills. One is thickly grown with de-
('iduous ti'ees, another is a typical Pike county barren covered with
tow growing scrub oak and chestnut, with here and there a scrub
pine thi'usting its distorted limbs a few feet above the tangled
brush. On the west side is a swale of thick underbrush. Club
houses belonging to individual members of the Forest Park Associa-
tion border this portion of the pond.

Big Gorilla is literally swarming with black bass. A few years
ago they were almost completely fished out, but the Association
put a stop to angling for two seasons, with the above noted re-
sults. As an illustration of the abundance of this fish in Gorilla, it
may be noted that during the not more than fifteen minutes stay on
its shores, the writer saw a small boy, under the tutelage of his
father, catch, play and land no less than nine bass. Tt was while
playing one of these fishes that the writer saw a curious incident
worth recording. The boy was reeling a nine-inch bass, when
through the clear water a large yellow perch, j.erhaps a pound and
a half or more, suddenly darted forward and seized the bat, the tail
of which was sticking from the captive's mouth, and made way with
it. The poor black bass thus not only lost the bait but his life as
well, for the boy put it in his basket.

Little Gorilla.

sSmall as Big Gorilla is. Little Gorilla is much more diuiiuutive. It

lies far beneath the hill on which the club house stands, but from the

piazza, the glistening sheet of water shows up with singular beauty.

Like Big Gorilla, this lake is famous for the number of its black

Ijass. Pickerel are also abundant.

Big Tink Pond.

The ownership of Big Tink pond is vested in Mr. U. L. Rowland, a
nephew of State Senator Rowland, and the fishing is fre<^ to any one
who chooses to indulge within the limits of the State law.

Big Tink pond is a large lake full of coves and points, with two
peninsulas opposite each other about half-way down, which nearly
divides the pond in two. One of these points is thickly covered with
trees, the other with scrub. On the west end of the pond is a huge
ridge over which the fire swept during the spring of the present
year (1896) and destroyed a fine forest of trees. Beyond this ridge
the shores are comparatively low. Nevertheless, there are few
natural lakes in Pike county prettier than this. Its surroundings
are wild in the extreme. With the singular exception of the hotel
which is placed among the trees on the east end, not a habitation
is in sight. It is in the midst of the original forest, the home of the
bears, deer and rattlesnakes. Here one can feel he is indeed in close
tench with nature and far away from the centre of humanity.

The choice fish in this lake is the black bass, which were planted
about twenty years ago through the ett'orts of Mr. Ephraim Kimble,
a Mr. McGown and the other gentlemen who stocked most of the
Wayne county lakes. The fish were brought from White lake in
Sullivan county. New York. Pickerel, yellow perch, eels and sunfish
are also abundant.

The most convenient station to Big Tink pond is Rowlands, on the
Erie Railroad. It is about five miles from the lake, and the road
leading thereto is throujrh the thick forest.

Big Tink pond has been re-named Lake Tedyus^cung, but as Por
ters lake in the same county has the same title, it seems likely that
one or the other will have, sooner or later, to abandon the great In
dian <*hief's name for some other.

Little Tink Pond.

Not more than one-eighth of a mile from Big Tink poud is Little
Tink. It is a small body of water, when <ompared with the average
Pike county lakes, for it is not much more than fifty acres in extent.

V V?

190

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

It receives its water supply from Big Tink, aud is romantically situ-
ated. Its surroundings are entirely free from buildings, and it is
altogether surrounded by woods. Black bass, yellow perch, pickerel,
catfish and eels are the abundant fish, and angling is free to all
comers.

Wescolang Lake.

Nothing can be wilder in situation, apparently than a first view of
Wescolang lake from the lower end. It lies low, and much of it is
thickly surrounded by the wild woods. High hills rise from its
shores, and the road which extends along one side is rough and
through great thickets of trees, so dense that scarcely any sunlight
can penetrate.

Wescolang lake is a large body of water in Lackawaxen township.
It is very irregular in shape, but very wide as well as long. Near
the shores the water is shallow, stumps of trees and numerous little
islands of grass project above the surface, but further out it deepens
until bottom is not reached before thirty-four feet of a line are paid
out. There are about 300 hundred acres in Wescolang, but owing to
its peculiar shape it appears much larger.

There are no black bass in this body of water, but to compensate
there is a more than ordinary abundance of pickerel of more than
the usual size. Catfish, eels, sunfish, yellow perch and bait fish are
also plentiful. In fact, it is said, there are few lakes in TMke county
so full of these fish as this one.

There are three principal owners of Wescolang lake, and one or
two are endeavoring to put the land on its borders into the market
for summer cottagers. One of the owners is the Wescolang Club,
a fishing and shooting organization of gentlemen of Middletown,
New York.

White Deer Lake.

In a previous chapter, in describing Upper Woods pond, Wayne
county, the writer compared the surroundings to Longfellow's in-
troductory to "Evangeline," he feels that, fitting as the quotation
was there, it applies with much greater force with respect to White
Deer lake and its environment. The sitiTation of this beautiful body
of water is inexpressibly wild. The road to the water's edge is so
rough that an ordinary wagon cannot be driven to it nearer than half
a mile, without danu:er of its beinj? broken. Not a spot within a wide
area has ever been placed under cultivation, and within a radius of

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

It receives its watei sii|>[)lv t'lnm liig Tink. niu\ is roinaiitically situ
ated. lis siirioiiiidings arc entirely tre«' Ikhii buildiui-s, and it is
altugetiier surrounded by woods. Black bass, yellow peicli, pickerel,
catfish and eels are the abundant lish. and angling is free to all
comers.

Wost'olang Lake.

Nothing f'au t»e wfMei* In situation, apiiai'eiitly than a tirs?t view of
Weseolang lake from the iow<H' end. II lies low, and much of it is
thickly surrounded by the wild woods. High hills rise from its
shores, and the I'oad whieii extends along one side is rough and
through great thkkt*t» of tvvm^ un dense thai scarcely any sunlight
'vnn penetrate.

Wescolang lake is a large body of water in Lackawaxen township.
[t is very irregular in shape, but v( ry wide as well as long. Near
the shores the water is shallow, stumps of trees and numerous little
islands of grass project above the surface, but further out it deepens
iiuiil bottom is not reached bef<u'e thirty-four feet of a line are paid
«uit. TluMe are about oOO hundied anes in SVes.oIang, but owing to
its peculiar shape it appears much larger.

There are no black bass in this body of water, but to compensate
there is a more than ordinary abundance of pickerel of more than
the usual size. Catfish, eels, sunlish. yellow jM-rch and bait fish are
also plentiful. Tii fa* i. ii is s.iid, there ar«* few lakes in IMkc «Miunty
so full of these fish as this one.

There are three principal owners of Wescolang: Take, and one or
two are endeavoring to put the land on its borders into the market
for summer cottagers. One of the owners is the Wescolang Club,
a fishing and shooting organization of gentlemen of Middletown.
Xew Yoi-k.

White r>eer Lake.

fn a [U'evious chapter, in d(\*!ci ibing Upper \\ oods pond. Wayne
county, the writer compared the suiroundings lo Longfellow's in-
troductory to ''Evangeline." h<' feels that, fitting as the quotation
was there, it applies with much greater force with respect to White
Fleer lake and its environment. The situation of this beautiful body
of water is inex|»ressibly wild. The load to ihe water's edge is so
rough that an ordinary wagon cannot be driven to it nearer than half
a mile, witheut (hiiiuer (.f its beiim- broken. \ot a s]M>t within a u ide
area has ever i>een pljNed under cultivation, and wilhin a radius of

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No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

1»1

nearly two miles there is not a habitation of any kind. It is half a
mile at least from the main road which extends between Blooming
Grove and Kimbles Station.

The natural wildness of White Deer lake is intensified by the char
acter of the vegetation which surrounds it. This is mostly of de-
ciduous trees, but numerous pints rear their stalwart forms far above
the other tree tops. While the land is steep, sloping from the water's
edge, it is broken into small ridges, which from the lake do not ap-
pear to be as hijrli as thev really are.

The two hundred and fifty acres of water an' deep, and the lake is
much longer than it is wide. The coves, too, are not of great extent;
indeed, they are scarcely perceptible at a first glance.

The pond is owned by two New York parties, and is free to any one
who chooses to fish in it, and as it is not much more than four miles
from Kimbles Station, this freedom is taken advantage of frequently.

There is probably not another lake, or pair of lakes with such a
vast abundance of sunfish. It is literally alive with them. It is safe
to say that if an angler were to rig out a fly line with half a dozen
flies, and cast them, with every cast he would bring in as many sun-
fish, and keep up the performance until weariness overtook him.
Shiners and yellow perch are also nearly as abundant. A few years
ago there were practically as many pickerel as any one of the other
fishes named, but persistent ice fishing have reduced their numbers,
although they are still abundant.

Four years ago Mr. Ephraim Kimble planted several thousand
land-locked salmon in White Deer Lake, believing that the waters
which come from bottom springs entirely, and singularly free from
sediment, are entirely suitable for the increase of this splendid game
fish. Since the planting no effort has b(H*n made to ascertain whether
the fish have succeeded. As far as the writer has ascertained, no
black bass were ever deposited in White Deer lake.

Big Pond, or Lake Jones.

Big Pond is also known as Lake Jones and Lake Fairview. It is
a grand sheet of water, covering about five hundred acres of land.
At the northeast end, the shore is I'ather flat, with the banks open,
but a few yards back it ends in a thick swale; on the southwest the
ground rises abruptly into a noble mountain, several hundred feet
high, near what is called Paupack Cabin Landing. Around this
mountain the hills take on rapidly undulating lines of foic^^t.

The waters of Lake Fairview are as clear as crystal and cut into
the hills in bays which in themselves constitute numerous small
lakes. Forests cover most of the surrounding country, but a por-

192

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

tioD ou the northwest side has been partially tleaied, and contains
numerous summer cottages owned by gentlemen residing at Scran-
ton, Dunmore and Hawlev.

The indiginous fishes are catfish, sunfish, eels and yellow perch.
Tliere are also a few pickerel, but the principal fish is the black bass.
This species of fish are very abundant. It was one of the first lakes
stocked by the Wayne county gentlemen so frequently mentioned,
and wliich were captured in White lake, Sullivan county, New York.'
The pond also has been stocked with wall-eyed i)ike and lake trout,
obtained from the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, and both, it is
said, have taken kindly to their new homes and increased beyond ex-
pectations. Numerous lake trout of four pounds weight have fre-
quently been caught, so it is asserted, and wall-eyed pike of two
pounds.

The fishing is free.

Mill Pond.

Mill pond is only a few rods to the east of Big pond. It is a pretty
little sheet of water, long and narrow, and completely surrounded
by woods. Many years ago, there was a saw mill on one end of this
lake, and through this circumstance it derives its name. It is also a
natural lake, and contains many pickerel, catfish and eels. It more-
over has a few black bass.

York Pond.

York pond is in Lackawaxen township, and for one who is in love
witli fine scenic effects is worthy a long journey to see. It covers
about 100 acres of land and is in effect nothing more tiian a huge
mountain spring. The lake is about 400 feet above the Lackawaxen
river, and the outlet finds its way to that stream over numerous high
and picturesque falls. Black bass, pickerel, lake trout and other
fine game fish are said to be abundant, but no fishing is allowed
except by members of an organization who have a handsome club
house on the lake side.

liobinson's Pond.

In Palmyra township is Robinson's pond, a lake whirh rests in a
hollow between high hills, and around it there is not a marsh of
any kind, showing that it has not as yet begun the filling up process
which nearly all fresh water lakes sooner or later undertake. The
water is of the purest character and it is said to be one of the best
j»laces for black bass and pirktMel in the countv.

H(»binson's pond is unique in being almost exactly square, al-

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

198

though it is not large, not more than eighty acres being taken up.
The lake is not easily accessible, on account of the rough roads lead-
ing thereto. But once there the lover of camping will find good sites
on which to pitch a tent. The lake is about six miles from Kimbles
Station.

CHAPTER IX.

The Blooming Grove I'ark Association.

Probably nobodv, outside of the I'ennsylvania Fisii Commission
has done as much for fish culture and fish protection in this State
as the Blooming Grove Park Association. It owns 18,000 acres of
land in the wildest part of Pike county, and controls through lease
several thousand more. It owns eight lakes absolutely and is part
owner of a ninth. The eight lakes are Laura, Belle and Ernest, near
High Knob mountains, Bruce, Scott and Westbrook, Giles and Bea-
ver. Laura, Belle and Giles are famed for their abundance of black
bass; Bruce, Scott and Westbrook for pickerel, and Ernest and Bea-
ver for catfish, sunfish and yellow perch. Some of these lakes also
abound in land-locked salmon, brook trout and lake trout.

The association controls twenty-eight miles of trout brooks, some
of which are the best known in the State. These embrace the Upper
Shohola, the lower Blooming Grove, Upper Brights brook, and the
whole of Taylor's creek, formerly known as the Middle branch.

In order to keep up a plentiful supply of fish for its lakes and
streams the association built a lav^e hatching house, and numerous
breeding, retaining and nursing ponds. The water for the hatchery
and the ponds is obtained from a huge spring known as Hazen's, and
the supply is great enough to run all the hatching stations in the
State.

The hatching house has twelve troughs with a combined capacity
of half a million fry, and nineteen nursing troughs. When the
newly incubated trout have lost their sacs, they are turned into the
nursing troughs. Here th(^ superintendent begins tlu' work of sort in,
the weak fish from the strong, the perfectly formed from the mai-
formed. As soon as the weaker are able to care for themselves, they
are taken to the runs tributary to the main trout streams and de-
posited therein. The majority of these undoubtedly find their wa^
throughout the length of the Shohola, Blooming Grove, Brights and
Bushkill creeks and perhaps Saw creek. As what are called the
weaker fish constitute at least four-fifths of the whole, say 450,000,
it can readily be imagined that the benefits which certainly accrue
to the streams of the county are of vast benefit.
13..18--96

194

RaPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

The strong fry luv placed in the nineteen retiiining ponds. These
bodies of water extend in a line along the spring run for a consider-
able distance, and each is about twenty feet in length and six feet
wide. To keep out minks, otter and other wild animals and birds
destructive to fishes, the retaining ponds are each surrounded by a
high board fence and covered by a strong wire netting.

The young trout are kept in the retaining ponds until they become
''breeders," that is, until they are three years old. At this age they
are deposited in the different streams and lakes of ih<? association.
The land-locked salmon, being of a slower growth in the earlier
stages of their existence, are kept four years before being liberat m1
in the lakes.

To feed all the fish in the hatchery and retaining ponds, twelve
hundred pounds of chopped liver and meat are required weekly.

To better illustrate the benefits which the county derives' from
the fish cultural work of the Blooming Grove Park Association it
may be mentioned that while its annual planting of salmonoid fishes
amounts to fully half a million fry and mature fisli, the annual catch
of its members and guests during the last four years was only be-
tween 5,000 and 7,000, while the total catch from 188G to 1895 inclu-
sive was but 37.891, less than the yearly planting of three and four
year old fish.

Tn answer to a query, Mr. Wm. J. Coon, the efficient superintendent
of the Blooming Grove Park Association, furnished the writer with
the following:

Statement showing tish taken during last ten years.

TROUT.

1886.

1887.

650 I 404

1888.

1889.

1890. 1891. ( 1892. I 1893.

1894.

WO.}

815 1,315 1.640 1,440 1,101' 1.564 1,665

902 1.463 1.935; 1.693 1,405 2.395 2.656' 3,211

505 705 1.369 1.072 2,014 1.674

1,676

Lake Giles land
locked salmon

Rainbow trout

i
1

■ * '

125

Lake trout i

Brown trout

Total

...j 1.B15

1.624

1.738

3.014

3,980 1

3.895

3,910 j

5,031 ,

6.460

Grand toUI. IT.WL

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

BASS.

1886.

1887.

1888.

!
1889. i 1890.

1891.

1892.

1893.

1894. j 1895.

Lake Giles 172

202

582

338 125

163

486 , 281

209 356

I^ake Laura 2 448

2,148
502

1,652

2,042 1,934

2,280

1 Kin 1 1')ft 1 1 HAA 1 HH

107

Lake Belle

126

38 128

Lake Beaver,

1 1

.... a. ........

Lake Robinson

ici

I.,ake Jones

ffl

■*

Total 2,620 2.852

2,361

2,418 2,187 : 2,486

2,323 1.417

2,051 1.693

Grand total, 22,408.

The Blooming Grove Park Association was organized by Fayette
S. Giles, Genio C. Scott, Lafayette Westbrook, Dudley Field, Charles
Hallock, Saunders D. Bruce, John Magee, George M. Hagar, John
Nangle, Warren K. Ridgeway and John C. Westbrook. It was
formed into a stock company with a capital of |225,000, consisting
of 500 shares of the par value of |450 for each share. The as^ocia
tion was chartered under the laws of Pennsylvania by a special act
in 1871, with the following laudable objects:

"The objects of the corporation shall be the preservation, importa
tion, breeding and propagation of all game animals, birds and fishes
adapted to the climate, and the affording of facilities for hunting,
shooting and fishing on the grounds thereof by the members thereof,
or by persons licensed by said corporation; supplying the spawn of
fish, or young fish, game animals or birds to other associations or
persons, and selling such surplus game animals or birds or fish as
Uiay be killed, caught or taken on its property; cultivating forests,
and providing its stockholders with an agreeable resort, with a re-
spectable hotel, cottage Jiouses, stables, exercising grounds foi-
horses, and anything necessary or proper for their accommodation."

The association was empowered to make its own game laws
through its board of directors, and to add to, repeal or change them
from time to time. The.se game laws are applicable only to the
land actuallv owned or least^d, or to the territorv over \vhi«h the
corporation obtained tlie right to shoot, fish or hunt.

The charter gives the Blooming Grove Park Association the right
to make its own game laws, but allows it to name the penalties to
be imposed for any infraction thereof. The clause of the charter
giving ihla right reads as follows:

"The laws of the State relating to tish or wild animals shall not
be applicable to any of thr territoiy owned oi' hired bv said <<upora

ISf

RE3PORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

tion, or over which it shall acquire the right to kill or take game
or fish, except that any person not licensed or authorized by said
corporation to take game or fish within the aforesaid boundaries,
who shall take, shoot, or hunt game, or catch fish within its bound-
aries contrary to the game laws of the State shall be liable to the
penalties provided by said laws in addition to the penalties herein
provided."

As violators of the game laws of the Blooming Grove Park Asso-
ciation are given trial before any justice of the peace, alderman, mag-
istrate or other conit having junsdiction of criminal offenses within
the county where otl'ense is committed, the <ulprit is in danger of
being subjected to the unique distinction of being convicted and
sentenced twice for the same offense, once for violating the park asso-
ciation's game laws, and again for breaking the laws of the State.
Thus, poaching on the grounds of the Blooming Grove Park Asso-
ciation becomes a matter of serious consideration before it is under-
taken, particularly as its game laws are unusually severe.

Section 16 of the charter provides that any unauthorized person
hunting or shooting in the preserve shall be fined not less than fit),
or more than |50, for the first oifense and not less than |L'(). or moiN*
than $100 for each additional otfense. In addition, if the unauthor-
ized person enters any part of the preserve which is enclosed ''in a
substantial fence not less than six feet high, and provided there are
signs and placards near such fence, and not more than one-half
mile apart, warning trespassers against entering," he is, according
to another clause in the charter, liable to a fine of $20 for the first
otfense and of |40 for each additional ofl'ense.

It is liable to cost a poacher besides |:{00 to kill a deer, moose or
caribou; |5 to shoot a rabbit. flO for every game bird weighing two
pounds upward, and |5 for birds weighing less, that is slain.

If the poacher is after fish and is caught, it will cost him $2 for
every fish he has, and $5 for every pound of fish in additicm.

It is sometimes the case in endeavoring to enforce State laws
ngainst a disobedient citizen, that the latter gets oft" scott free
through a defect in the indictment, but no such scheme can work
here, for section 18 of the charter says:

"The penalties provided are separate and distinct, and it shall be
no defense to him who is convicted of one offense under this act to
plead or prove that h(> has been found guilty of another ottense there-
under. Every person charged with any of the offenses aforesaid
may be tried before any justice of the peace, alderman or other court
havmg jurisdiction of criminal offenses within the county where the
offense is committed, and upon conviction shall be fined to the
extent aforesaid, etc., etc."

The by laws relating to the taking of fish are as follows:

No. 18

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

197

Black bass may be taken from May 30 to December 1 inclusive.
A member fishing in Lake Giles or Beaver may kill no more than
25 bass each day in each lake, and in lakes Laura or Belle no more
than 50 bass in each day in each lake.

From the streams speckled trout may be taken from April 1 to
September 30 inclusive, and from Lake Giles from April Tto No-
vember 30 inclusive. In one day a member fishing in the Shohola
or Blooming Grove creeks shall not kill to exceed 25 trout, and in
Lake Giles not to exceed seven, including all kinds of trout.

Carp and pickerel are unrestricted.

A member present at the club house may refrain from fishing and
hunting and extend to a guest his privileges, except the hunting of
deer.

Members when accompanied by a guest or guests in fishing or
hunting, may together kill the following number of fish or game ea:'h
day.

Trout from the Shohola or Blooming Grove creeks, not to exceed
35.

I^ake Giles, not to exceed 10.

Bass from Lakes Giles and Beaver, not to exceed 35 in each lake.

Bass from Lakes Laura and Belle, not to exceed 75 in each lake.

Ruffed grouse, not to exceed 10.

Woodcock, not to exceed 10.

Quail, not to exceed 25.

In construing this section, each individual of the family of a
member shall be regarded as a guest.

Members and guests must each day record in the books kept for
that purpose, the number of fish or game killed by them, and the
place where such fish or game was taken or killed, and in the case of
tisli, the kind of bait used. Members or guests hunting or fishing
on property not belonging or leased to the association, shall make
their record the same as though such fish or game were taken or
killed on club property. The allowance which each member may
take or kill shall apply to all fish and gam(\ no matter where taken
or killed, provided the same be brought to the club house or to any
house or camp of the members and no fish ov game shall be kept ur
used at the club house by any one neglecting to observe this rule.

No birds, <>ther than those mentioned in these by-laws, and which
aie protected by liie game laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl
vania, shall be killed.

.Trout may be taken in Lake Giles up to the time of the closing of
the club house.

Stalking (»r still-hunting for bucks in the breeding park, in accord
ance with the by laws, will In- alh^ved fr.>m Septembei 1 to November

198

HEPORT OF THE

Ort. t>oc.

30, inclusive, but no device of any nature shall be used to drive or
chase the deer.

A member killing or wounding a doe, fawn or more than one buck
in the breeding park, shall pay into the treasury of the club $100.

The Blooming Grove Park Association has a magnificent club
house built on the summit of a high hill over-looking Lake Giles.
About it are cottages belonging to members, bowling alleys, livery
stable and numerous other buildings. _ A splendidly kept lawn
sweeps down to the lake, and this lawn is profusely dotted with
noble chestnut trees. It is only a few miles from Glen Eyre station
on the Erie Railroad, six hours from New York city. A splendid
road has been constructed between the station and the club house,
and many other beautifully kept drives lead through different parts
of the park.

The Blooming Grove Park Association was not allowed to estab-
lish itself without violent opposition from some of the backwoods-
men and residents of the county who had previously roamed the
territory and shot and fished at will. They bitterly denounced the
new organization and refused to aid it in any way whatever. When
it was proposed to erect a fence about the preserve, for a long time
no one could be found who would do the work, or in fact to accept
any employment at all. Finally one man who had taken a great
fancy to Mr. Giles, volunteered to do the work and secure the neces
sary workmen, and in this mannc^r the improvements were begun
and carried out. For a long time also the association was annoyed
by poachers, but the arrest, conviction and summary punishment of
a few of these effectually stopped this form of annoyance, gradually
much of the bitter opposition passed away, and to-day, if the
backwoodsmen do not love the organization, they view it at least
with toleration.

OHAPTEK X

Hloomiug Grove Park Association Lakes.
The eight lakes belonging to the Blooming Grove Park Association
are as a whole the best stocked of any similar bodies in the State.
They are the only ones in which the land-locked salmon are so plenti-
ful that an allowance of seven can be made to a rod daily. They are
the only lakes in the State in which as many brook trout may be
taken as from a liberally stocked stream. They are tlio only lakes
from which an aiighM- can Hel coiifidf^nt of taking a good basket of
black bass.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Lake Giles.

One of the finest of this noble group of lakes, from an angler's
point of view, is lake Giles, formerly known as Blooming Grove pond.
Its 300 acres of pure spring water, for the lake which is literally one
mass of vast springs, is fairly alive with the greatest game fish in the
world, brook trout, land-locked salmon, rainbow trout, lake trout
and black bass. It is one of the feeders of the Shohola creek, one of
the most famous of the Pike county fishing streams. The lake is
from 80 to 90 feet deep on the average, and in some places it is 110
feet. Its bottom is wholly of sand and rocks, and the water is so
clear and sparkling that one can pc^er into great depths.

The club house is located on the west side and overlooks almost
the entire expanse of the beautiful sheet of water. Tlie original
fishes in Lake Giles are pickerel, catfish, yellow perch and sunfish.
The last named in fact were so numerous as to be a nuisance to the
fly fishermen for brook trout. This resulted in an offer of a small
money prize to the children of the guests for every sunfish caught.
This made ardent anglers of the youngsters, and the sunfish are now
becoming scarce.

Brook trout were first planted in Lake Giles in 1888, when 40
mature fish were introduced. Of these 40, twelve were captured
in 1889; five hundred and twenty-five trout were deposited; in 1890,
thirteen hundred; in 1891. twenty-one hundred; in 1892, four thou-
sand; in 1893, four thousand one hundred; in 1S04, four thousand,
and in 1895, five thousand. These were all three year old fish. Of
this total of 21,065, only 7,517 were taken from the -year of first
planting to and including the year 1895. The number of brook trout
in Lake Giles therefore must be incredible.

The first land-locked salmon were introduced in 1893. Then 3,500
three-year old fish were put in, and in 1894, 1,700. Of these, 218 have
been caught, 125 in 1894, and 98 in 1895.

Not much success has been met with in stocking with rainbow
trout. Although 540 were planted in 1894 and 350 in 1895, but 22
were taken and these in the latter year. Even less success has been
achieved with lake trout, for out of 1,500 planted in 1894, but three
were captured in the following? year. A large number of brown
trout were also introduced, and but five have fallen victims to the

iinglers' rod.

It is remarkable that although black bass were put in Lake Giles
in ffreat numbers, more than 5.000 in fact, the best anglers of the
association, and some of them are famous for their skill with the rod,
have not succeeded in catching many of them. There is a mystery
about this which none in the association can give a satisfactory ex-
planation for, for there is no doubt that this noble fish exists there
13*

200

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

in great uuiiibers. It cauiiot be otherwise, because the water and
situation are both favorable.

Lake Giles receives its present name from Mr. Payette S. Giles,
the man who conceived the idea of the Blooming Grove Park Asso-
ciation, and whose energy carried the idea to a successful conclusion.

Lake Beaver or Big Mud Pond.

Lake Beaver is about three quarters of a mile from Lake Giles, and
lies a little higher. The original or backwoods name for this sheet
of water was Big Mud I'ond. Although there are numerous other
lakes in the State bearing this latter title, there is no question of its
appropriateness, even if it is not onginal. The shores consist
almost entirely of cranberry bogs; there is in fact but one point
where the approaches to the water are fairly good. Beaver lake
has moreover a deep mud bottom, and its waters are thickened with
sediment. Old timers in the woods clearly remember when Beaver
was fully three times as large as it is to-day, which is but 125 acres.
The cranberry marsh is encroaching on the water space with the
steadiness and relentlessness of a glacier, and it cannot be but a
few years before the lake will have been filled up entirely and be-
come a thing of the past. In this particular it will but have fulfilled
the destiny which nature has decreed for all or nearly all our fresh
water lakes. Taken from a geological point of view, all our fresh
water lakes are comparatively short lived. Throughout Pike county
alone are the graves of many bodies of water that once flourished
in noble proportions. Unsightly cranberry bogs, thick masses of
sphagnum moss, a few scattered bushes, and some straggling bits of
grass mark many a spot where sparkling wavelet dancing waters
once were.

Beaver lake is a famous place for pickerel, yellow perch and cat-
fish. It was never stocked with modern game fish, but for all that
an occasional black bass is captured, a fish which made its way
therein by way of the inlet stream.

l^ake Scott or Old Per<li Pond Number 2.

Few people who know Lake Scott think much of it as a fishing
lake, at least for other than the most commonplace of fishes like the
catfish and perch. For these two Scott lake is deservedly famous,
but it a very poor place for pickerel, and it would be a waste of time
to seek there for black bass or other such fislies. for none were ever
placed I herein.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

201

Lake Scott covers about 150 acres, and as a rule has a mud bottom,
altiiough in a few places there are a few rocks. On one side the
shores are bold and high, but on the other they are low and marshy.
The water was named Scott Lake in honor of Mr. Genio i\ Scott,
one of the founders of the club, and a widely known angler and writer
on sporting topics.

Lake Westbrook, or I^ong Pond.

Of all the lakes within the limits of the hinds of the Blooming
(trove Park Association, the least attractive is that of Lake West-
brook, or Long Pond. It is a mud-bottomed sluN't of water, wilh
long, narrow outlines and marshy shores. The immediate surround-
ing country is also rather low and uninteresting. It is, however, one
of the important lakes of the association, for it is from here
that the main supply of bait for its members is secured. There are
few other fishes than yellow perch, shiners and sun fish in Lake West-
brook, even pickerel are said not to be plentiful. The present name
of the lake is from Capt. L. \\'estbrook, one of the charter members,
and a man made famous by tlie New York Sun as a relator of huge
hunting stories, a rather undeserved reimtation, by the way. since
a more modest and truthful gentleman cannot b<» found.

Bruce Lake, or Boots Pond.

The Blooming Grove Park Ass<Miation does not absolutely own or
control the whole of Bruce Lake. Thus when, about four years ag<>,
a supply of calico, white and rock bass was received from the Penn
sylvania Fish Commission,. the fish were deposited in this lake by
the members of the association, because fishing cannot, even if it was
desired to try, be prohibted there.

Bruce Lake, or Boots Pond, as it was known some years ago, is
a pretty lake of some 200 acres. If has good shores and high banks
flanked by sharp ridges heavily clothed by timber.

It is a great lake for pickerel, but no tests have to date been sys-
tematicallv made to ascertain whether the rock, white and calico
bass have succeeded.

Taylor's Stillwater, or Big Indian Swamp.

Taylor's Stillwater, or Big Indian Swamp, is the site of a lake
which at one time must have been nearly if not quite three miles
long and more than one mile wide. As late as 1810, according to

202

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Edinond Lord, a well kuown resideut of Pikf county, a considerable
portion of the lake still existed. It is now, however, practically all
been converted into a heavy bo;^:, thickly overgrown with a tangle of
willows, alders and rhododendron. All that is left of the lake is a
large Stillwater in places fifty or sixty feet wide. Last year the
Blooming Grove Park Association opened up this Stillwater to its
members for trout fishing. For many years the place was known to
a chosen few as the greatest spot in all Pike county for this beautiful
i^ame fish.

OHAPTER XI.

Blooming Grove Park Association Lakes — Continued.

The majority of people who have seen the lakes of the J^lcHnning
Grove Park Association unhesitatingly pronounce Lake Laura the
most beautiful of all those owned or controlled by that urganiz »
tion. It is unquestionably the most famous of any in the preserve
for the number of its black bass, and it is at the same time the high-
est situated of any in the county. It rests on the top of a high knoll
belonging to the group of what is known as the knob mountains
and practically at the base of High Knob, the loftiest peak in Pike
county.

In the old days, before organizations established preserves, Big
Knob pond, as Lake Laura was then called, was the mecca for
the hardy fishermen who loved black bass fishing and who did not
mind hardships and toil through thick brush and dark swales if they
could but obtain their desires. These bass were stocked by Mr.
McGown, of Ilonesdale, and Mr. Kimble, of Kimble -. They increased
so rapidly that a year or two before the lake fell into the hands of
the Blooming Grove Park Association, the writer and four others-
all then mere boys— caught 85 in one afternoon, the fish running from
a pound to five pounds weight.

At that time also the lake was full of bait of all kinds, crawfish
and "shiners" and yellow perch b:'ing particularly plenliful. Of late
years this bait has become exceedingly scarce. There is no diminu-
tion of the number of black bass: on the contrary if anything, they
have increased in numbers, but they have appreciably decreased in
size. It is nothing uncommon to take three bass at a single cast
with flies, indeed, the writer did this on several occasions during one
day's fishing tltere in the summer of 1890, but they will not av<'rage a
pound in weight. This condition of affairs is causing the Blooming
Grove Park Association some concern.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

203

There seems to be but two things to do, namely decrease the num
ber of bass at least temporarily and increase the supply of bait. The
small size of the fish seems unquestionably to be the result of over-
population and an inadequate supply of food.

It is suggested that the House Committee suspend the restriction
regarding the number of black bass which may be taken with the
rty from Lake Laura daily by the members, on condition that all
under one pound in weight be placed in a live box for distribution
in other waters. It is further suggested that several thousand craw-
fish be placed in the shallows near the little club house and that
the lake be stocked heavily with helgramites, yellow perch and
shiners. The stocking with helgramites is a simple matter, and a
week's work would furnish hundreds of millions of this larvae.

The helgramite fly deposits its eggs during the latter part of June
on rocks in rivers and on the leaves of trees overhanging swiftly
running streams. The rocks in the Delaware and Lackawaxen and
the tree leaves along their banks are often white with the eggs. If
the branches on which these eggs are and the bits of the stones are
chipped oir, and suspended over tanks of water, the little helgramites
as they hatch out, will drop therein and can at once be transferred
to the lake. Once established, there will be little trouble in main-
taining a supply.

It seems also to the writer that there should be more hiding places
for bait fish established. More water lilies might be planted in the
pond and sunken brush placed near the shores. As matters now
stand, there are very few places to which bait can take refuge from
its hungry pursuers.

These suggestions are made in a friendly spirit and because it is
understood that the association invites such.

Lake Laura is certainly a beautiful sheet. Its waters are so clear
that it is possible to see to a depth of thirty feet. It is 447 acres in
extent, and kidney-shapetl. It sels so high that with the exception
of High Knob mountain the surnmnding land seems nearly flat.
Thick woods, the virgin forest, completely bury the surrounding
rocks and land, with the exception of one end, where a small clul»
house has been erected, and the two roads leading IhcM-eto are for
I wo or three miles so rough that it is much easier to walk than
lo ride. Indeed, over one it is not safe to drive a wagon bolted
together with iron, lest the jolting cause a break down. Over such
roads only teams fastened together with hickory pegs are safe.

Lake Laura is one of a group of three ponds which lie close to-
gether, the other two being known respectively as Earnest and Belle.
Lake Laura was named after the wife of Mr. Giles, the real founder of
the association. Lake Earnest was formerly known as Grassy Pond,
and Lake Belle as Perch Pond.

204

REPORT OF THE

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Lake Laura is between seven and eight miles from the main club
house, but on account of the bad character of a portion of the road
the distance seenis much further.

High Knob mountain which, at the base of which Lake Laura is,
is an in.|.osing j>ile, .-nid is a landmark for many miles around. II
rises on tlie south side in sheer precipices, and on Ihe east side is
nearly inaccessible. It is only from the west that an ascent can be
made, jind allliouj»:h difficult, is well worth the effort.

A f<'w years ago, in company with two friends, the writer made the
ascent of High Knob, and subsequently he and one of the friends
under the nom de plume of IMiotius and Bonifacius wrote a descrip-
tion thereof and published it in the Philadelphia Public ledger. As
it is germane to this work, this description is here rej)r(>du((Ml.

Oui' ascent of the Knob practically began hert^ for Ihe road
wound round the mountain into a gorge, through which we worked
our way around to the accessible face on the northwest side. Just
before we reached the base of the Knob we happily came to a little
rill of clear, cold water, and we drank of it, knowing that it would
be the last until we had nmde the ascent and descent, and that we
would have a tough scramble before that could be accomplished.
Turning from the travelled road, an old timber track led upwards
perhaps half a mile. When tiiis no longer availed, a cow trail was a
further assistance, this bringing us to the to]) of the ridge or spur
immediately adjoining the Knob itself.

"While this brought us to a point within, periuips, 200 yards of the
summit, the most difficult portion of the climb was before us. W^e
were inspired, however, by the glorious view, of wirich we were
already getting glimpses, and the close thicket of chestnut, conceal-
ing the roughest kind of stony ground, the low clilfs and rocky
debris, were traversed after another half hour's toil. We stood at
Inst upon the summit, amply repaid for our work.

"We found the summit to be an almost level plateau, 30 or 40 yards
wide and 100 long. Except one or two stunted pines, the place was
Ireeless. wliile the undeibrush was less than knee high, l)eing com-
posed of huckleberries, so thi<k with fruit that the ground was fairly
blue with them. Tlic mountain fell oft' s-o sharply on all sides 1li:H
the effect as we stood in the centre of the plateau was that of being
on the lop of some stupendous tower, lionifacius, in fact, confessed
to a momentary sensation of insecurity, such as one feels in such a
situation. But the contemplation of the wonderful panorama spread
out before us soon drove out all thoughts but those of awe and rev-
erence.

"The view before us was without any doubt one of the grandest in
the State. In no direction was (»ur horizon less than thirty miles
distant, while in some places we could sec a distance over one Inin

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

2or.

dred. Pike, Monroe and Wayne counties lay stretched out like a
map at our feet, and no less than thirteen natural lakes glistened in
the sunlight, like gems of pearls in settings of emerald. The near-by
hills seemed mere dwarfs, and, most impressive of all, we gazed over
what was apparently a trackless wilderness. Not a house was in
sight and hardly a clearing in all that vast territory, while a single
streak at our feet to tlie northward was the only road we could dis-
cern.

"Far away to the southward stretched the blue crest of the Kitta-
tinny, from the Lehigh Gap clearly to the Hudson, immediately in
front but 30 miles away, being the unmistakable outlines of old Tam-
many and Minsi, at the Delaware Water Gap. In the forground,
looking two or three miles away, instead of twelve, was Porter's
Lake; and a little beyond, a faint silver streak was pronounced to be
Cortright's Lake, or Twelve Mile Pond, where we spent two happy
weeks. To the eastward, (-ulver's Gap curiously reproduced the
outlines of the water Gap, but 28 miles from it, while nearer to us
a faint sheen of light revealed Silver Lake, a sparkling sheet of water
near Dingman's Ferrv. A little to the left and north we could make
out the Big Mud Pond, a famous place for pickerel, while like a
silver serpent Rocky Hill creek wound its sinuous course toward the
Bushkill. Overhanging all, to the east and north, the Catskill
mountains, in New York, towered up through their whole extent,
like great masses of cumulus clouds. Walking 1o the northern edge
ol the summit of the Knob the view unfolded to our delighted gaze
was even more wild and rugged tlian the other. The foreground was
much more broken, and Ihe whole country presented an appearance
of rugged loneliness. Much of the forest bears the ugly scars of
fai-est tires, and the outcroppings of bare rocks here and there
(old the chaiacter of the soil. We were now overlooking the
Rocky Hill region. Directly in front of us Ihe yellow

line perceptible now, and then lu'tweeii the tree loi^ showing us
Ihe stage road to Blooming Grove, the only visible pathway in the
a})parently primeval wilderness and our distant view took in the
Moosic range and the more distant hills in the Empire Slate for over
too miles. We were told we could make <»ut the Adirondacks, but
whether this was so or not we have not been able to del ermine.
More to Ihe northwest the North Knob loomed u]» nearly lo the level
upon which we stood, but Ihe plateau behind, and our own elevation,
was such, that directly over it we could make out two aiul three and
sometimes four distinct lines of mountains.

"Through the gap made by the Kn(di and its C(umecting ridge, an<l
beyond a beautiful valley, Wayn(» county was spread out lo our view,
behind Ihe series of knobs and peaks into which the ridjj;('s are
broken. The whole extent of Ihe INuono Mcmntains and plateau.

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

to the west and southwest, completed our view. We were struck by
the rapid succession of precipitous cliffs by which the various spurs
of the Pocono descend toward the valley of the Delaware, their pro
flies outlined against each other and against the sky in silent majesty.
These bold promontories told of the grinding, erosive action of the
glaciers, and marked also the boundaries of the great inland lake
which had found its way to the sea through the great gap to the
southward. At our feet, on the very summit of the Knob, a huge,
rounded boulder of white conglomerate showed us also Ihat the gla-
cial current had flowed over even that high point. And still another
evidence of the Ice Epoch was to be seen in the waters of Grassy
Pond, Perch Pond, Lake Giles, or Goose Pond, all of which were in
full view, and all of which occupy "kettle holes" in the drift deposit.
"While Bonifacius and Photius were standing gazing in the direc
lion of the Pocono High Knob, over toward the southwest, the Squire
wandered off to another portion of the summit. Missing his genial
talk we turaed to look for him, and we found a picture which will
long remain engraven upon our memories. He was standing motion-
lesson the other side of the plateau, close to the conglomerate boulder
before referred to, his rifle resting upon his shoulder, and he was gaz-
ing intently eastward. His homely ontline was seen in sharp contrast
against the sky, and the wild surroundings, the low undergrowth,
and one or two dwarfed pines, combined to give us for the first time
a full sense of the loneliness of our position. He was for us for the
moment "the last man in the world." Photius set up the camera and
exposed a plate on the lonely figure; but the spell was broken in a
moment, for the Squire turned just then. "I was just about to call
.\ou boys," he said, as we came up to him, "for I wanted to show you
something." Pointing to a great open place, he continued: "There's
where we ciime yesterday, through that blamed, great, wide, blessed
barren that had all those plaguey rocks and things, and those big
trees and swamp where that awful bad road was. There is where
we camped last night and killed the rattler this morning, and none of
them seem more than a mile from here. Think what a walk we've
had to get here."

"Then the Squire pointed out other prominent objects familiar to
him and of interest to us. 'Through that deep valley on the south
west, three miles or so away,' he said, 'runs Bright creek, a fine and
well known trout stream. On the east is Saw creek, where you both
have filled your creels with nice fish. That line in front of you marks
the Big Bushkill, where we got those big trout yesterday. One of
those three knobs looking like hogs' backs, beyond Goose Pond is
Goose Knob. It is nearly as high as this mountain. On the top of
it is level ground like this, only more of it, and on that ground some
man has laid out the site of a town.with streets and building lots all
surveyed.'

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

207

"As we talked and enjoyed the view we regaled ourselves with
huckleberries. It seemed that even that diversion was a waste of
time when there was so much to see and when we had come so far to
see it, but Bonifacius expressed the feelings of his companion when
he remarked that he ate the berries, not because he was particularly
fond of them, but because he hated to see edible thins^s go to waste.
.Vs it was, we might have gathered a bushel of them had we had the
time or inclination.

"It was now half-past three in the afternoon, we having spent ex-
actly an hour on the summit, and it was therefore, time to go. We
had been informed that the southeast side was inaccessible, and,
after the fashion of newspaper men, both Bonifacius and Photius
determined to find whether it was true or not. After some expres
sions of doubt on the part of the Squire, he agreed that it w as worth
trying, as, if successful, it would shorten the homeward walk by
several miles. It was a big job that was undertaken, but it was ac-
complished without accident, although low cliffs had to be de-
scended, bushes and rocks and three big rattlesnake dens had to be
be scrambled through and over. A little more than half an hour
brought us to a large swale, into which we, nearly parched for
water, pushed ourselves, but to our bitter disappointment tlu'
[dace was dry. We had a long search through the pathless thickets
before we found the road which connected with the main road which
was to take us home."

Lake Earnest, or Grassy Pond.

Lake Earnest, formerly known as Grassy Pund, is the snjallest of
the group of three lakes of the knob. It lies about midway between
Lakes Laura and Belle, and is a small body of water, quite shallow,
and, as may be imagined from its original backwoods name, plenti
fully dotted with patches of grass. Water lilies are also abundant,
and much of the bottom is deep, thick mud. The lake is completely
environed with woods and is altogether an uninteresting body.
Pickerel and bait fish are abundant, and a few black bass are oc
casionally captured.

Lake Belle, or Perch Pon<l.

Lake Belle, or Perch Pond, is one of the smaller natural lakes of
Pike county, though it contains about !)(J acres. It is about three-
quarters of a mile long, is rather narrow, but very deep, reaching a
depth of 60 feet in some places. It has a rocky bottom, being, as

208

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

most of these ponds are, simply a drift hole in the great mass of
^^lacial deix>sit wliieli covers the ((mntry. The waters i.s exeeedin«»lv
clear and comes from numerous springs in the lake. It is pictur-
esquely situated and very wild. To the right High and South Knobs
loom grandly up, while in the foieground is an <'xtended barren of
scrub oak, enclosed by a group of fantastically shaped hills.

Lake Belle contains a vast abundance of brook trout, lake trout,
blnck bass, pickerel and land locked salmon.

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

209

CHAPTER XII.

IMke County— Continued. Porter's and Cortright's Lakes.
There are perhaps a half dozen natural mountain lakes well known
throughout the whole State and even in New York. Two of these
are Porter's and Cortright's lakes, situated in the centre of Porter
township. Buried deep in the backwoods, hidden among the virgin
forests, reached only by rough mountain roads, they were yet found
out by the enthusiastic angler and their charms and their glories as
tishing resorts heralded far and wide.

Porter township, which contains these two famous lakes, was
named in honor of the Hon. James Madison I'orter, a widely known
judge of his day, who bought a large tract of land, about what was
then known as Goose Pond, in 1849. It is some seventeen miles long
and about fifteen miles wide, and of all the townships in Pike county
it is the wildest. The voters average about thirty, and there are
more offices than (here are men to fill tJiem. Thus some of the resi-
dents hold as many as four or five public positions. It is rare that
|M*oj.le live as near as a mile apart; three, four and even five miles
are usually the nearest neighbors.

To reach IVuler township, the usjial nnite is by Stroudsburg,
t hough the distance from the Water Cap is exact ly tlie same. Theiv
is no more delightful wagon trip to the lover of nature in Pennsyl-
vania than this. The writer cannot belter describe it than he and a
friend did under the title of a "Holi.lay .lannt." published some years
ago. It is thus here given:

'Tive miles bi^yond Water Gaj) is Stroudsburg, where the party
left the train and sought refreshment before beginning the long and
presumably tiiesome wagon journey, over rough mountain roads to
their final destination. Easl Stroudsburg thev found to be wildly
dissipating in lumor of the Fourth of .Inly. Most of \]w stones were
closed and the greatest part of the inhabitants gone d, a ba<e ball

match, 'somewhere up on the hills,' as we were vaguely informed by
some one hurrying along the street, and the rest were busily engaged
in shooting firecrackers.

"A good dinner and a rest much refreshed us, so that when we
and our impedimenta were loaded into a big open buck-board, drawn
by two horses, we were again in higli spirits. The first six or seven
miles of our drive were over an excellent country highway, known
as the Dingman's Ferrv road, and was through scenery m varied and
beautiful as to call forth frequent exclamations of delight, as well
as some complaints from the ladies that they had not the time to
see all the interesting things which one or another of us pointed out.
It seemed as though all the natural treasures of out of doors' had
!»(HMi gathered here. Hundreds of flowers, many showy, all pretty,
Ido.ssomed everv where. (Jhipmunks darted liither and thither, in and
out among the stone fences on each side of the road, or perched them-
selves ui)on the ends of worm fences and gazed curiously at tlie
travelers.

"Clear, spring-like creeks wound through fertile meadows, while
the closely wooded or rocky hills reared themselves boldly against
the sky whichever way we lookc^d. Then the air was so pure and
redolent with the fragrant breaths of trees, flowers and grass, and
the sky was so clear and blue, that it was, as some one remarked, 'a
pleasure to be alive.' Fruit, too, abounded; cherry trees and rasp-
berry bushes fairly lient under their luscious burdens, and not a little
energy and time were spent in the gathering and eating of the fruit
thus invitingly spread out for us. Photius and Bonifacius spent
much of their time scampering along the roadside like boys, picking
up curious stones, gathering flowers and hunting for curiosities in
insect and fungoid life.

"Th» few miles to Marshall's creek passed with great i-apidity.
Here the party paused while the brethren bade farewell to one of
(lie luxuries of civilization, which they scarcely expected t«i <*njoy
a'^ain for two weeks. During this time the ladies made some iuqui-
ries concerning what manner of jdace they were in, and were intro-
duced to the first siiiu of the wild life tliey wei*** going into in the
shape of a deer's head, which was naih'd up over a door in one of the
|)ublic rooms of the inn. liy a curious coincidence we afterwards
heard the story of the capture of this very animal in the wildest por-
tion of the forest up towai'd tlie Knobs, in Pike county, from the lips
of one one of the liunters who had a hand in the sport. While how
we were reminded tliat Marshall's cre<»k is quite a well known summ<M*
resort, named after a prettv trout stream. A short distance above
where we rested \hovo is a picturesque watcM-fall, thirty-five feet high,
the stream tumbling tlirough a narrow gorge, only six or eight feet
14-18-96

210

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Off. Doc.

wide, into a large amuitheatre, hallowed out in the soft shale beds be-
low the overliang-ine: ledjres of harder rock, from which tlie stream de-
scends. In tliis amphitheatre a deep pool is formed, so densely shaded
by hemlock woods that the sunshine rarely penetrates. About the
head of the falls the rocks are filled with fossil remains of trilobites
and other curious crustaceans, shells, crinoidal stems and mosses.
We wanted very much to go there, but the lateness of the hour and
the added distance we would have to cover forced us to deny our-
selves that pleasure.

'Thus far our journey in the wagon had been through a pretty
generally cultivated and by no means poor farming country. A
short distance bc^yond Marshall's creek, however, we turned from the
Dingman's road, which follows the rich bottom lands along the Dela
ware, and found ourselves in a much rougher road and in wilder
country, which grew more hilly and less closely settled as we pro-
gressed. The road wound in and out among the hills and over them,
the distant glimpses which we caught from time to time of the Po-
cono range showing that we were steadily getting higher. The clear-
ings soon began to be the exception, reversing the rule in the valley
below us, and for long distances the road wound in and out through
the woodland, tree-bordered vistas succeeding each other at everv
bend. ^

"After a time the trees opened out a little and we looked down into
the valley of the Big Bushkill and at the nearly deserted village of
Ressaca, having then made about twelve miles of our journey from
Stroudsburg. The valley of the Big Bushkill, at this point, ^is per-
haps two miles wide from summit to summit of the ridges, and the
descent to the village nestled in the bottom, on the creek side was
made by such a circuitous way that it was full twenty minutes after
seeing it before the i.artv crossed the ricketty but picturesque bindgv
which spans the creek and stopped in front of what was at one time
a large general stole, but is now deserted, to rest and view the cata-
ract which forms ujnu.st the only remaining attraction of the place.
Ressaca was once made the c(.mmercial centn* of the region for
miles around by the establishment there of a large tann<M'y. It re
ceived its water power from the head of the falls, llirougl/a water
way cut through solid rock. Thin streaks of coal were found in this
<'Uttiug. but the prospecting for coal which resulted proved as un-
successful as the business of the tannery itself. For some reason or
other it failed, and the place is now a deserted ruin.

The falls there, wliicli ;ne known as the Ressac-a or Big Bushkill
I^alls, are most beautiful. The stream, colored a dark amber by
runnmg through cypress swamps above, makes a vertical plunge
(or rather, a series of them, when the water is low), of over forty feet
into a large pool, and thence, by another s.ries of falls, ten or fifteen

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

feet in height, into still another basin, from which it hurries in its
way to the Delaware, only a few miles away. The effect, as we saw
it, was that of a series of cascades, and the ruins of a saw mill to
Ihe left, the placid waters of the dam just above, the brink refiectiug
the outline of the old bridge over which we had come, combined to
make up a charming picture.

Cortright's Lake.

The first of the two lakes to be reached is Cortright's, about fifteen
miles from Stroudsburg. Twelve Mile Pond, the sheet of water used
to be called, because the distance from Stroudsburg was once esti-
mated to be that many miles. It is owned by Mr. Charles Cortright,
a genial man who was born in the woods, and who inherited the lake
from his father. He keeps a backwoods hotel for the accommoda-
tion of hunters and fishermen, and provides boats gratis to his
guests. There is no postoffice near him, all the mail being brought
by friendly teams from .Frutcheys, in Monroe county. Close beside
his house is the famous Saw creek, and the lake is about five minutes
walk in the other direction, the path leading through the thick forest.
Referring again to the "Holiday Jaunt," the following description
is found of the stream, the path to the lake and the lake itself:

"Those who have never seen such a wilderness as that of Pike
county, even though it may be small when compared with many that
exist, can form no conception of its beauty. Even those of this little
party on their vacation tour who might be termed veterans in the
woods were deeply impressed. But a few yards from the house, and
they found themselves on the rough mountain roads and apparently
in the very depths of the woods. Here and there were breaks in
the trees through which were vistas of large tree-mantled ridges or
deep valleys. So deep is the silence and so dense the woods that but
for their knowledge to the contrary they might have imagined that
there was not a house within miles of them. Indeed, besides the one
at which they were staying, and one other about a mile away, there
was not a habitable dwelling within a radius of several miles.

"Although dark and deep, it must not be imagined that the woods
presented a dreary aspect to our eyes. There seemed to be an indi-
viduality or a beauty in every tree and in every feature of our view.
Some of the trees shot straight up, strong and luxuriant; others were
bent and broken as the result of some contest with the wind ; many
more were of fantastic shapes and grotesque natural grafting. Fre-
quently, too often for our comfort of mind in fact, we would find
monarchs of the forest laid low by some thieving woodman for the
sake of the bark. They lay where they had fallen, slowly rotting

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away, their dissolution, iiowover, being happily hidden by luxuriant
trailing plants and other undergrowth.

"Besides these trees, countless tlowers blossomed in the under-
brush. Wild roses and wild lilies of different sorts commingled their
pink and their orange red blossoms, together with the wild indigo,
with its gorgeous mantle of flowers, the only living thing, except
pennyroyal, that the pestiferous deerfly is said to detest. Several
|)retty orchids, with purple and rosy colored flowers, abounded, and
there were in addition the familiar ox-eyed daisy and numberh^ss
other idant*^, all, strange to say, peculiar to New Jersey. Along the
creek sides were massive plants of rliododendrons, with their pink
white blossoms so sliaped tliat they looked like dainty bouquets on
settings of dark green leaves. At their feet grew Lobelia cardinalis,
with its brilliant spike of scarlet flowers, while deeper in the swamps
were great beds of Osmundii, a graceful fern which sometimes attains
great size, and which have here formed veritable thickets.

''Near the edges of the stream, where the spray could play freely
over them, were large beds of forget-me-not. As we looked upon this
modest little flower among its more showy i^isters, we could readily
conceive how the romance should be thought of, that after the flow-
ers were given their names this lowly plant appeared before th<-
Master, and, with tears glistening in its modest blue eyes, said:
'Dea/ Lord, the name which Thou gavest me I have forgotten,' and
the Father gazed kindly on it and said: 'Forget-me-not.' In marked
contrast to this dainty little flower, but loving wet places just as
ardently as the forget-me-nots, and growing among them, were
plenty of the wild iris, which received its name from a nymph of
Juno, who was thrown out of heaven by her jealous mistress and
changed into a flag by other more pitying gods.

"In the lakes flourish various kinds of water lilies, aiiuuig llient liir
well known nymphia, its large, white, sweet scented petals surround-
ing a golden crown of stamens. Just as flourishing is the vulgar,
<'very-day splat terdock with its pugnacious, club-like flower stem and
blossom. As a flttinu- climax to this floral beaut v, the lakes in this
section are almost completely fringed by the while flowered Clethra
or wild pepper bush.

"The water of the Twelve Mile Pond is of this character, though
It should be said there is nothing unhealthy <.r even unsightly in it.
The pond is almost circular in form, and is nearly a mile in diameter
From the centre, and marking the position of a bar which divides
the two deep pools of which the lake consists, two large rocks, a
hundred yards apart, protrude above the surface.

"As we emerged from the woodland pond upon the lake front it
seemed as though nature, in a gracious mood, had dressed the place
m Its most entrancing garb for our delight. The water was as

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

213

smooth as glass. This was caused in part by a point of land which
sheltered the little cove in which the boat house stands, but very
soon, far across near the other shore, a line appeared on the surface,
which, as it drew nearer seemed to be caused by a gentle breeze. In
ten minutes the whole bosom of the lake was a mass of dancing
ripples that sparkled in the sunlight. This gentle breeze was but the
precursor of a heavy wind which an hour or two later lashed the
waters of the lake into heavy white-capped waves, which Bonifacius
estimated to be tliree feet high. At any rate they rocked the boats
violently, and every now and then broke over us, drenching us with
spray. There was huge enjoyment in the experience, and, while
the wind was too heavy for very free biting, we did not go in to din-
ner empty-handed."

(Jortright's Pond is one of the flnest free lakes in the Slat«*.
Originally the only game fish was pickerel, and there were in addi-
tion vast multitudes of yellow perch, sunfish, shiners, cattish and eels.
In 1874 black bass were planted by the State Fish Commission.
These fish took kindly to their new home and increased and mul
tiplied; by careful protection they have increased to such an extent
that the water is fairly alive with them. When the fish are biting
it is no uncommon occurence for a skillful fisherman to hook and
land from twenty to thirty bass in a single day's fishing — fish that
will run from one to four pounds. As there is a vast abundance of
food these bass are all of extraordinary plumpness and perfection.

In 1894 Mr. Cortright received from tlie State Fish Commission
a good supply of rock bass and strawberry bass. Although but two
years have passed since they were introduced these fish have been
taken in some numbers, but in deference to a request of Mr. Cort-
right, those captured were all returned to the water.

Last year Lake Erie sunfish were planted, and during the coming
year lake trout and wall-eyed pike are to be introduced.

Although pickerel were in the lake prior to the introduction of tlie
black bass, they were not in as great abundance as some other lakes.
Within the last year or two, however, there has been a marked in-
crease in the number cauirht. This seems a refutation of the claim
that whenever black bass have been introduced, the pickerel disap
pear. The probabiliiies are that the disappearance of the pickerel is
due rather to ice fishing than to any particular species of fish.

Porter's Lake.

Porter's Lake is about five miles north of Cortright's, and between
the two there are no dwellings — nothing but a vast tract of wild
woodland and scrub oak barrens with here and there almost impen

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etrable swamps and swal«3. Riding ur walking along the rough
mountain road one gets the first view of Porter's Lake about half
a mill' away on what is known as the "Home Stretch." On a bright
day about one third of the lake is visible at this point, shining like
molten silver in the sunlight. Even this small portion gives the im-
pression of exquisite loveliness, an impression which is confirmed
when the whole length of the lake is opened up to view.

Porter's Lake is one of the largest bodies of water in Pike county.
In fact there are comparatively few in Pennsylvania that are larger.
It covers nearly seven hundred acres, and it is a full mile and three-
quarters long and in places nearly a mile wide. In no place is it less
than a half mile. Though covering a large area, it is a shallow body,
for its average depth is only from twelve to fifteen feet. It has a
soft mud bottom, many feet thick, -and the general shape of the pond
is not unlike the figure 8.

In consequence of this mud bottom, the water is always cloudy,
with a fine green sediment, and when the lake "is working" the water
is quite thick. Because of the shallowness, water lilies, candocks,
and splatterdocks are in vast abundance. A good part of the shores
are overhung with Clethra bushes, a well known New Jersey plant,
and when these and the water lilies are in bloom, their sweet odors,
and the scent from the pine woods, fairly make the pure mountain
air heavy with fragrance.

Nature is prodigal with her gifts of beauty around Porter's Lake.
Situated itself on high ground, and surrounded by heavy woods, the
ridges rise abruptly on the northeast, south and west. On the east,
the ridge with sharp straight line, pine covered, extends north and
south.

A broad, flat barren of srrub oak and scrub pines, extends east
and west on the south side. A group of rolling hills guard the west-
ern end. A similar group of knolls, covered with almost impenetra-
ble woods, hounds the north side. To the northwest High Knob
mountain looms up <rrandly though fifteen miles away.

When Judge Porter bought the lake and surrounding property in
1841), he made a small clearing at the west end and built a small
house for himself and called the place Porterville. This house is
still standing, but since then, a large building has been erected close
by for the accommodation of hunters and fishermen. At present
the place is under the management of John Van Why.

Rich are the memories which cluster about this place. Dark are
tlie stories of trajredv: rich are the stories of hunting and fishing of
days gone by when such backwoodsmen as Abe Heater, Jonas and
Oil Sheaff'er, Squire Rake, "Uncle" Ira Cressman, Harvey Henberg
and Old Mercer roamed the forests, and were knr^wn to thousands of
sportsmen in New York city and T»hiladeiphia.

No. 18.

riSH COMMISSIONERS.

215

Twenty-five years ago there was no better lake in Pennsylvania for
pickerel. It was no uncommon thing for a boatman to go out about
four o'clock in the afternoon and come in at seven in the evening
with from ten to a dozen of this fish weighing from three to six
pounds each. But the glory of the lake in this particular has almost
departed. For many years, unlike Cartright's Pond, little or no pro-
tection was given to the pickerel. Gill netting, set line fishing, ice
fishing, fishing in season and out of season was indulged in with
scarcely any protest. As a result those who go for pickerel fishing in
Porter's with the expectation of catching large numbers of this fish
will be disappointed.

There have been but few attempts to stock with the higher game
fishes. As far as the writer's knowledge goes, the only effort in this
direction was in 1874, when the Pennsylvania Fish Commission de-
posited a number of black bass, but as the water and other condi-
tions were unfavorable they never succeeded.

Many years ago there were brook trout in this lake, but it has
been fully twenty-five years since the last one was caught. With all
the reckless fishing the lake to-day contains vast numbers of cat-
fish, eels, yellow perch, sunfish and shiners. There are also a few river
chubs that got there probably through fishermen who brought them
for bait. Suckers are also plentiful. The snapping turtles find here
a congenial home. The lake is literally alive with them. Many of
them are monsters of from forty to fifty pounds weight.

There is but one way to restore Porter's Lake to its former repu
tation as a fishing lake. The owners should forbid fishing for pick-
erel for the next two years. They should plant rock bass and straw-
berry bass and carefully protect them. They should forbid ice fish-
ing and enforce all the fish laws.

Porter's Lake was the favorite fishing ground of the Indians. At
the northeast end they had a village and a cornfield. Here also they
had a factory for the manufacture of hunting and fishing arrow-
heads. These, and flint chips arc found in vast abundance. In
honor of the Indians' greatest cliief, the lake was named many years
ago Lake Tedyscung.

CHAPTER XIII

Pike Countv Lakes— Continued. The Forest Park Association.

Some years ago Mr. J. Ottenheimer, a New York gentleman, pur
chased some 1(>,000 acres of land in the southern part of Pike
countv and transformed it into a huije ixame park. On one <»f the
four lakes in the territory, about three miles from the villaue of

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IJushkili lie erected a handsome Iiotel, and he improved existing

mountain roads and opened new ones.
The tract is about nine miles long and is from two to three

miles wide. Within tlie limits of the preserve are six miles of the
best fishiny of the famous Saw cieek. This stream is perhaps, too,
the most picturesque portion of liie preserve, for it abounds in large
jK)ols of crystal clearness, short cascades, and Jong rifts and many
alternately open meadows and thick woodland. Ked Rock run, a
tributary of Saw cret^k, also a famous trout stream, is within the
territory of the Forest Park Association. There is also a Ion- stretcli
of the Little Bushkill, and nearly ten miles of other well known
trout waters.

The four lakes owned by the Forest Park Association were for-
merly known as Little Mud Pond, and First, Second and Tliird
Ponds. They are now named Lake Minisink, Dwr Lake, Lake Tami-
nent, and Forest Lake, respectively. It is on Forest Lake that the
Association's hotel is erected.

Forest I»ark is best reached from the Delaware Water rjap or
Stroudsburg as fancy dictates, as the distance is about the same.
From either place to Bushkill the journey is one of twelve miles,
and from thence to the hotel three miles more. The road thither is
almost without exception in splendid condition, although as a matter
of course hilly. The scenery is exceedingly picturesque, and few feel
tired after the necessary four hours' carriage drive.

Forest Lake.

Forest Lake has a surface of nearly 300 acres, and is fcnl bv springs
from Its ro(-k.v bottom. It is a long, irregularly shaped bodv, and
with Its clear, sparkling waters and picturesque environments pre
sents a picture of great beauty.

Unlike many other natural lakes, having no inlet, or rather owing
Its existence to glacial drift holes. Forest Lake, or First Ptuid is
surrounded by liigh hills. In whatever direction one ga/.es these
ridges rear themselves for the most part thicklv clothed with wild
timber, in which chestnut and pine laroelv predominate. On the
northwest hill stands the liandsome hotrl. its outlines half hidden
by the encircling trees.

The lake has been famous for years back on account of the multi-
tude and large size of the pickerel and yellow perch. Later black
bass were planted and this noble game fish is now abundant there
nnd specimens of large size are frequently caught. Trout, rock bass!
and lake trout have also been introduced and a few of tlie first and
the second are occasionally caught. Fishing is free to guests of the
hold.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

217

Lake Taminent, or Second Pond.

Lake Taminent, or Second Pond, is only about ten minutes walk
from the hotel. Many consider it even a more beautiful sheet of
water than Forest Lake. It is considerably larger at all events,
since it occupies at least three hundred and fifty acres.

Gazed upon from the north, Taminent Lake certainly presents a
pretty picture, especially on a clear sunshiny day when there is a
light breeze blowing, just enough to cause a slight riffle on the water.
The broad expanse lying between high hills, with the mountains of
New Jersey in the near distance showing in their misty blue out-
lines, form a scene not soon to be forgotten. Tlie hills surrounding
Taminent Lake, like those of the greater part of Pike county, ai<'
heavily wooded, so that there is nothing lacking to give the impres
sion of primeval wildness.

The bottom of Lake Taminent is composed of vast boulders, and
the waters in places reach a depth of seventy-five feet. Pickerel of
enormous size, and large yellow perch are in great abundance, and
it is not a difficult matter for the angler to make a good basket
almost any day he chooses to try his luck. Recently the lake has
been stocked with other and hijih grade fishes.

Deer I^ke, or First Pond.

Deer Lake, or First Pond, is one of those sheets of water which
is doomed to early extinction. It is in Lehman township, and in the
thick of the woods. Originally of fifty or more acres, it is so rapidly
filling with mud, and the bog shores are encroaching so persistently
that it is now not much more than an acre or so in extent, so it is
said, nor more than four or five feet deep. Furthermore, it is within
the niemorv of some verv old men in Pike countv that this lake was
four or five times its present size, and it is estimated that it has not
been much more than a couple of centuries since the lake had its
full proportions. According to the present rate of closing in, a quar-
ter of a century will find the pond practically gone. Tt rec<Mves its
name. Deer Lake, from the number of deer annually killed on its
shores. Years ago it was a fairly good lake for catfish and pickerel,
but the latter, it is said, have practically disappeared.

Little Mud Pond.

About nine and one half miles from Bushkill. and two and one-
half miles from Porter's Lake, is Little Mud pond, or as it is now
i»a]led bv the Forest Park ;\ssociation. Lake Minisink. It is in the

21 S

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heart of the backwoods, and has no well defined road leading to it.
It is completely environed by thick scrub oaks and tangles, on hills
which slope gradually to the water's edge.

Lake Minisink is small, for it is less than two hundred acres in
extent, but what it hicks in size it makes up in charm. It is nearly
circular in form, and from its peculiar position its bosom is rarely
ruffled by heavy winds. Thus, at almost all times beautiful reflec-
tions, as clear cut as photographic prints are outlined on the sur-
face of the water. Little Mud is so famous for these nature's photo-
graphic pictures that many people brave the terribly rough mountain
road which intervenes between it and the Forest Park Hotel, in
order that they may enjoy the sight.

Those who have been there once and go a second time, if they be
fishermen, take their rods and tackle along, for it is a famous place
for pickerel, albeit they do not run as large as in some of the other
Pike county lakes. They seem, in fact, to partake rather of the ap-
pearance of the New Jersey stream pike, than the pickerel of the
mountain lakes.

CHAPTER XI\'

Pike County— Continued. The Edgemere Club— Silver Lake.

On the ujiper Delaware river, a little more than twenty-five miles
from Stroudsburg and the Delaware Water Gap, is an old time and
widely known summer resort which bears the name of Dingman's
Ferry. Between it and the two above named places are Egypt Mills
and Rushkill village. Of the road to the Bushkill, mention has al-
ready been made. Excellent as it is, it is poor alongside of that
which lies between that point and Dingmans. Practically a natural
highway, it is counted as the best of its kind in the United States.
Every year thousands of wheelmen who have heard of its fame jour-
ney even from outside their own State to ride over it between Port
Jervis and Bushkill. Back of Dingmans Ferry, seven miles, high up
on the mountain is Silver Lake, the home of the Edgemere club, an
organization of Philadelphia gentlemen, which received its charter
in 1895.

Although not one of the largest lakes in Pike county. Silver Lake is
possessed of singular beauty, both in the character of its water and
the nature of its surroundings. Its source is entirely from springs,
and its waters therefore liave that peculiar pollncidity (mlv s.mmi in
thos<' wliirli well directlv from the oarth.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

219

Far beneath the surface ai*e huge rocks, from tlie crevices of
which the spring waters pour, rocks in the shadows of which such
game fishes as pickerel, black bass, lake trout and wall-eyed pike
lurk while waiting for their prey.

Silver Lake is more river-like in its character when looked upon
from an elevation, and with the ends obscured by trees, than any
other lake in Pike county, and this but adds to its charm. It is long
and narrow, its length being one and a quarter miles, and its width
about a third of a mile. It has numerous curves and sweeps that
remind one forcibly of the Schuylkill river in Fairmount Park. The
slope and general contour of the contiguous land and hills also are
similar to those along the Schuylkill in the neighborhood of Girard
avenue bridge. Overlooking the thick forest growth on the east side
and the south end, one, seated on the piazza of the club house, might
almost in imagination be seated on the piazza of Belmont Mansion,
in Philadelphia's great pleasure ground gazing southward. But
when one looks be^'ond the confines of the lake and its immediate
surroundings the picture of the pretty, quiet beauty of the Schuylkill
river fades from the mind, and one gathers the full force of the
stronger, grander scenery of the Blue ridge mountains, and there
comes the realization that it is one of its charming mountain lakes
that the eye has been resting on, and not the ever moving bosom of
a river.

The outlook over the wide expanse of country is of that indescrib-
able description, which without being actually awe inspiring, causes
the beholder to be content with sitting all day long watching its
countless phases. To the east the eye leaps beyond the sparkling
lake, beyond the crowned hills, beyond the great valley of the Dela-
ware, to tlie lonu undulatinjr line of hazy blue mountains in X('w .Iim-
sey. Westward, northward and southward stretch the pine, oak and
chestnut forests of the county, the pungent fragrant breath of which
is so grateful to the senses.

Silver Lake is very deep, and it is claimed there are more varieties
of catchable fish in its waters than in any other similar body in the
State. Pickerel, perch, catfish, eels and sunfish are the indiginous
fishes. Black bass, white bass, rock bass, strawberry bass and large
mouth bass, planted at various tinies by the Pennsylvania Fish
Commission are abundant. Lake tnuit and wall-eyed pike have also
been successfully introduced. Brook trout are also in Silver Lake,
and occasionally one is captured. Land-locked salmon. Loch Leven
trout, frost fish and brown trout have also been deposited recently,
but it is too soon to determine whether they have succeeded or not.
Thus it will be seen that seventeen different food fishes and most of
them of the highest irrade. are here to be found.

The Edgemere Club house stands on a high knoll overlooking the

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lake, and on the western shores it has erected a large and colnmo-
dious boat: liouse for tlie use of its nienifjers. Several of the latter,
among them Mr. Frazit^r, Mr. Sh)au, Mr. Donaldson, Mr. Smith and
Mr. Hort'man, have erected tasty cottages nearby. Mr. Edward F.
Hotl'man, the president of the club, is the pioneer of the organization
whicJi was founded in IHU'2, although the charter was not obtained
until three years later. Among its members are Assistant City So-
licitor (Philadelphia) James Alcorn, Judge Abraham M. Beltler,
Samuel A. Dickson, Richard Dale, Commissioner of City Proi)erty
A. S. Eisenhower, Harlan Page, Jacob J. IxM^ds, and ('olunel Sanni<*l
Goodman.

Although tlie Edgemere club owns and controls the greater part of
Silver J.ake and immediate surroundings, it has not exclusive rights.
There is a boarding house open to any one wh(> wishes to engage
rooms, and the proprietor possesses fishing rights which he can dele-
gate to his guests. The Edgemere Club also, it is understood, will
receive guests on the recommendation of a member when there are
vacant rooms. Such guests, how<'ver, must contoriu to all the club
rules.

CHAPTEK XV.

Ftfce County Lakes— Oottduded.

About one and a half miles from Silver Lake is Mud Pond, it is a
small sheet, and to reach it the visitor tak<'s the road leading to-
wards Portei''s Lake for a mile and a (juarter and then the road on
the right for a quarter of a mile. The lake is about a fourth of a
mile in length and about the same in width. It is swampy, both at
the outlet and inlet. The lake is surrounded completely by fine
hemlock trees, and these, together with its other environments, giv(^
it a wild and desolate ai)pearance, reminding one forcibly of the
lakes of Maine and the Adirondacks. The banks are in places
marshy, and there are patches of grassy shallows and beds of water
lilies. The foinier allords fine food for drer. and on account of this.
Mud Pond is famous for this great game. Scarcely a summer
passes without visitors seeing at least one or more deer feeding
quietly near the shores.

The water is dark and thick, such as pickerel and catfish are fond
of, thus these two fish are found in abundance.

The immediate suroundings <.f :Mud Pond liav<' been untouched
by man. There are no houses or clearings in the vicinitv.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

221

Xichecronk Lake.

If one were to take an air line from Silver to Nichecronk Lake,
the distance would be one and one-half miles, but this is a case where
the quickest way is the longest. This is by the road for two and a
half miles. Nichecronk Lake is on a high elevation, but elevated as
it is, the land on one side is even higher. Sharply this slopes up
directly from the water to a height of from 150 to 2tM) feet. On tlii'
opposite shore, hills also rise, but not to such an extent.

On the higher shore a man named Gross, from Newark N. J., has
built a house, and made a large clearing, which he cultivates as a
garden and pasture.

Nichecronk Lake is a small pond, for its length is scarcely three-
quarters of a mile and its width a quarter. The water is quite dark,
almost wine like, and there is such a volume of it that it forms quite
a large stream at the outlet, which empties into Dingman's creek
about half wav between Silver Lake and Dingman's Ferrv.

The lake is said to be excellent foi- pickerel, catfish and eels.

Rocky Hill Pond.

Rocky Hill Pond is a very small body of water about five miles
from Silver Lake. It is only about a quarter of a mile in length and
less than that in width. Nothing much could be more desolate
appearing than the situation of this lake, it is almost entirely sur-
rounded by swamps and cedars, and the water is dark and thick with
sediment. It has a very irregular shape with many indentations.
The shallow places are heavily grown with grass and lily pads.

There are places whei*e the banks are firm, but these are not
numerous, nor are there any abrupt rises from the shores.

About Rocky Hill Pond there are no clearings, or habitation. It
is truly a lake of the wilderness. It is thus a favorite place for
ducks in season.

Strange to say there are quite a good many brook trout in Rocky
Hill pond, and quite a number are caught by those who know of the
place. It is supposed these found their way there through a plant-
ing made bv the writer in Rockv Hill stream nearlv twentv vears
ago, the fish coining from the Pennsylvania Fish Commission.

Pickerel,- yellow perch and catfish are also abundant in this lake.

There is no boat on Rocky Hill worthy the name, but those who
care to push to the lake side to fish may find an old leaky scow,
hardlv safe to enter.

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Little Log Taveru Poud.

About stiven miles from Milford are two large lakes knowu an
Little and Big Loi- Tavern pouds. In visiting them Little Log
Tavern is the first reached. It lies in a depression, and around it
is a ridge, rising to a height of jibout 100 feet.

Little Log Taveru pond is oval, nearly a mile in length, and almost
half a mile at its widest point. Its shores are very irregular in out-
line, and there is little mud or soft ground connected with the ap-
proaches. There are, however, some very pretty sand beaches in
places, and the water is very pure and beautiful.

There is no habitation at Little Log Tavern Pond, though there is
a small clearing of perhaps ten acres at one end on which there are
the decaved remains of an old house. Otherwise the lake is in the
thick wouds. An overgrown woods road connects the pond with the
road which leads to Milford, and this also joins with the Dingman's
Ferry turnpike. In driving from Milfotd, tln're are three miles of
good highway, but the remainder is very rough.

There are no boats or accommodations whatever for fishermen at
Little Log Tavern l*ond, although the fishing for yellow perch and
pickerel is very good. In4$@d, these two fish are there in extraordi-
iiarv abundance.

Big Log Cabin Pond.

Bff tog Tavern Pond is just about one mile from its smaller name-
sake, and can be reached bv crossing the ridge which divides the twM.
This ridge, however, is very brushy, and any attempt on the part of
an occasional visit(u* to go from one to the other without a guide,
would be very reckless, because the chances are that he would be-
come hopelessly lost, and perhaps it would be a day or two before
a pathway to civilization or a housi? would be found.

Big Log Tavern Pond is a very large sheet of water. It is nearly
two miles long and is very wide. While it covers a great acreage
liowever, it is very shallow, and witli much swamp land around the
edge. The bottom is soft, and the water is dark and cedar colored.

Pickerel, catfish, eels, yellow ]»(»i'ch and sunflsh are here in great
jibundance.

The State Line Lake.

Near Port Jervis, Pennsylvania, New York and New .Jersey come
together at the Delaware river line. On the New Jersey shore, on
the summit of one of the highest knolls, called High Point, is a

f>0«

KKPOIir UF IHK

J.iitle Lou Tnvern Pond.

( >ff. D<»o

Ahoui N«'v«'n mil«'s from .Milford nic two lai'^c lak«*s kno\\u as
Link' jiikI Wiix I-'i: Tavmi i»uu<is. Jn visiiiii*; tlu'in Lilllc Lo^
Tavern is tln' lirsi ifacln'd. It lies in a (ii'juvs.sion, and around it
in a lidj^c, lisin^ lo a ln'ij^lii of alnaii lod fool.

laMlo l.oii Ta\('iii |>ond is oval, nearly a mile in lenj;ili, and almost
lialf a mil«' at its widest poinl. lis slioios aio voiy irregulai' in oul
lini', and iIh-j*' is liiilo mud or soft jiiound connected with the ap-
piMmelies. 'riiei'*^ nvv, lio\\«'V«'i\ sonn- \«'iy jotity sand beaclios in
phu.'es. and tke water m very pure and lieanliiiil.

TIm'I^W no lialdlalion at Litll*' Lo^ Tavern Pond, tliougli tliere is
a sutall eleaiin^ of poi'liaps ten a< r<'s ai ono end on which there aP«
tfcpe #Beay*»d reiimtes **f an old honso. Oiliorwise the lake is in the
(hiek wotids. An oNor^ioNNn woods road connects the pond with the
road wliit h lead» to 3Iilford. and this also joins with tlie Diiignian's
Ferry turnpike* Jfa drivinji fritm Milford, there a^e three miles of
^ood highway, htit the reuminder is very rouj;h.

Thew' are uo boats or accommodatioiis w ha lever lor tishermen at
FiltlJe hog Tavern Foad, althottgh tfce lisliing for yellow perch and
pickerel k vwy gw»A* lM^e4« theiw tmm ^k vtm t^mim extraordi
nary a%tt»iikaoe.

15io Log Cabin Pond.

Big Log Tavern Pond is just about oae mite from its smaller name
sake, and can be r«*a<*hed bv crossing the ridge which divides the two.
This iidge, however, is >or,\ brushy, and any attempt on the part oi
an oeeasional visitor lu go (vmu mm to the other wlthOTtt a guide,
would be ver^ reck^»«, h*»ea«»e the chaaces mm that he would be-
lome hopelessly lost, an4 pephaps it would be a day or two before
a pathway lo civilization oi- a house w<^l# be found.

Big Log Tavern Pond is a very huge sheet of water. It is nearly
two miles l«ng and m very wide. \V'^hHe it covers a great acreage
howevep. it is very shallow, and with mmh swamp land around the
• Mlge. Tln' bottom is soft, a»4 the water m dark and cedar c<dored.

Pickerel, tattish. »'cls. ncIIow jm-icIi and snntisli are here in gretit
abundance.

The State Llite Lake.

.N'ea I poll .ler\is. Peimsyh aiiia. New ^'ork aiid New dei's<'y come
togethef at ihe l>elaware rivei- line, (hi thf New .jersey slou'e. mi
the summit «»f (Uie of the liij;;;liest knolls, r-alled Ili<ih Point, is a

' INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

22X

beautiful lake of clear, cold water, the chief supply for which gushes
from a huge spring about fifty feet above the shore line. Although
there are numerous other springs in the lake itself. The waters are
quite deep, but the surface area is quite small, it being not more
than half a mile lonar. The shape is oblong and its shores* are thickly
wooded. In the waters black bass, pickerel and yellow perch are
abundant.

Not far from the lake is a fine hotel called the High Point Inn, and
it is quite a fashionable summer resort.

CHAPTER XVI.

Monroe County and Its Lakes.

Although the evidences of glacial action are abundant throughout
the greater part of Monroe county, there are comparatively few lakes
within its borders. The southern limits of the great terminal mo-
raine indeed are not far away and to this tact, perhaps, may be due
the scarcity of this class of bodies of water.

"The great terminal moraine enters the county across the crest of
the Blue or Kittatinny mountains diagonally, between Fox Gap and
Wind Gap, and is thence plainly traced by its ridge deposit, in a
northwesterly direction, to the vicinity of Saylorsburg, where it turns
north, by way of Mechanicsville, Broadheadsville and Mc Michael's to
Pocono Knob, back of Tannersville, including the knob on its eastern
and northern sides at about two-thirds its height, thus plainly indi-
cating that in the srlacial asie this knob stood a solitary island in the
edge of a boundless sea of ice; thence to a point near the division
line between Tunkhannock and Tobyhanna townships, where it
turns westward, and crossing Tunkhannock township north of Long
pond, it passes out of the county a little north of the point where
the Little Tunkhannock creek becomes the county line."

Monroe county is better known probably as a resort for pleasure
seekers than any other county in the State. It is here that the Dela-
ware Water Gap is, that vast rent in the mountains through which
tlie Delaware river Hows to the sea. Here it is that Cherry Valley,
the charm of which has won for it national fame, is situated. In
Monroe countj' are MarshalPs Creek, and Stroudsburg, two famed
resorts, and in Monroe county the trout angler also finds a paradise.

There are few lakes of any note in Monroe. Among them are
E<^ho. Coolbnughs, Saylors or Poponoming. Mineola. Deep, and Long
15

No. 18.

FISH rOMMISSKtXRRS

22:-;

beautiful lake of clear, cold water, the chief supply for which gushes
from a huge spring about fifty fei-t al)ove the shore Hue. Although
there are numerous other springs in th^ lake itself. The waters are
(piite deep, but tlie surface area is (|uite small, it being not more
ihau lialf n mile lumi'. The shar>e is oblong and its shores are thickly
wooded. In the wnt«M's black bass. pi( kerel and yellow perch are
abundant.

Not far from the lake is a tine hotel called the High Point Inn, and
it is <|uite a fashionable summer resort.

(CHAPTER XVI.

Monroe County and Its Lakes.

Although the evidences of glacial action are abuudaat throughout
the greater part of Monroe county, there are comparatively few lakes
within its borders. TIk- southern limits of tin- great t<rmiiuil mo-
raine indeed are nwt far away and to this fact, iierhaps, may !«' due
the scarcity of this class of bodies of water.

**The great terminal moraine enters the cotititv acrtiss the ciesi of
the Blue or Kittatinny mountains diagonally, between Fox Gap and
Wind Gap, and is thence plainly traced h} iis lidge deposit, in a
northwesterly direction, to the vicinity of Say his burg, where it turns
north, by way of MeclmMicsville, liruadhi adsville and Ale Michael's to
Pocono Knob, back of Tannersville, including the knob on its eastern
and northern sides at about two-thirds its height, thus plainly indi
eating that in tke dacial aue this knob stood a solitary island in ilie
edge of a boundless sea of ice; thence to a point near the division
line between Tunkhannock and Tobyhanna townships, where it
turns westward, and crossing Tiuikhannoik township north of Long
p«uid, it passes out of the couni\ a linle norlli of tke point where
the Little Tunkhannock creek beconu's the county line."

Monroe county is better known pv^babiy as a resort toi- j.lrasure
seekers than any other county in the State. It is here that the Dela
ware Water Ga]t is, that vast rent in the mountains through which
tlie Delawai'e river Hows to the sea. Here it is thai ("htiix \'a!l<*y,
the charm of which has won Un- ii national fame, is situated. In
Monroe county are Marshall's Cieek. and Stroudsburg. two famed
resorts, and in M(mro<' county the trout angler also finds a paradise.

There are few lakes of any note in Monroe. .Vmong them ate
F<ho. ro<i]b.nnghs. Saylors or Po|>onoming. Mineola. Deei*. and Long
15

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Pond. There are, however, uumerous wide waters of streams which
might almost be termed small lakes, although they generally go
under the name of "still-waters."
One of the best known of these is Hroadhead's Lake.

Broadhead's Lake.

Broadhead's Creek, of which Broadhead's lake or still-waters is a
part, is a spring-water stream about twenty-two miles long, with an
outlet in the Delaware river just above the Water Gap. Brook
ti-out are abundant, chubs, and common fishes are also abundant.
Brown and hybrid trout have been planted successfully. More than
500 cans of rainbow trout have also been introduced but no results
have followed their introduction.

The lake is about half a mile long and only a few rods wide, but it
is an attractive sheet of water, clear as cnstal and well supplied
with fish. On the shores is the Park House, an excellent hostelry
kept by Mr. W. C. Henry. The open stream is cared for by the Park-
side Angling Association, having as its officers President C A
Bryan, New York; Treasurer, W\ C. Henry, Parkside; Secretary,'
C. A. Wright, Newark, N. J. This association will plant from 10 000
to 15,000 brook trout this fall, and they have in the past planted
many more. The association allow no illegal fishing, but permits
any sportsman to fish properly to his heart's content. The lake
and hotel is about three-quarters of a mile from the railroad station.

Lake Poponoming, or Baylor's Lake.

Lake Poi)ouoming, or Saylor's Lake, as it was formerly called, has
the distinction of being the most southern moraine lake in the State.
It lies absolutely on the top of the moraine, and its surroundings are
especially interesting from the fact that large boulders have been
found ©n its shores which originally came from a point not nearer
than the Adirondack region, 250 miles away, and which must have
been transported by the slow moving ice masses of the ice age.

Poponoming is a beautiful lake, one mile long and half a mile
wide, and is near Snylorsburg. There is a fine park of elegant
forest trees extending its entire length and shading the ground to
the water's edge. Dry banks rise from thirty to forty feet above

No. 18.

FISU COMMISSI JXBRS.

226

its surface, and give an added charm to the place. The air is health-
ful and the natural scenery attracts and fills the spectator with keen
pleasure.

The lake has no inlet and is wholly supplied by strong bubbling
springs at the bottom. The entire body of water, which in the middle
is more than one hundred feet deep, is as pure as crystal.

Poponoming is stocked with black bass, pickerel, yellow perch,
strawberry bass, rock bass, and lake trout. The first, second and
the third named are very abundant and of an unusually large size.
The fame of Savior's Lake for the number, size and extra fine qual
ity of its black bass, is widespread and attracts hundreds of anglers
to its waters annually.

The outlet of the lake is a strong stream that passes through a
beautiful ravine, where with little expense a water powiT with a
head and fall of sixty feet could be obtained, which, in the opinion
of an electrician of Philadelphia, would furnish enough electric
power to run all the machinery in Monroe and Northampton counties.

As a summer resort Lake Poponoming is the mecca of northeastern
Pennsylvania. Thousands are attracted thither every season from
New York, Philadelphia, Heading, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton
and other points. As the Lake House at Saylorsburg is the only
hotel in the vicinity, except the Ross Common Hotel, about three
miles away, near the Wind Oap, it may be seen that the accommo-
dations are totally inadequate.

Saylorsburg is the present termiiius of the Lehigh and Lacka-
wanna Railroad, which connects at Bethlehem with the North Penn
sylvania Railroad to Philadelphin, and with the New Jersey Central
to New York.

A branch railroad runs from the station nt Saylorsb^irg t«» th<'
shore of the lake to accommodate excursion trains in summer, and
for the transportation of ice in the winter, of which the lake produces
one hundred thousand tons annually.

A railroad will soon be constructed from Saylorsburg to Sfrouds
burg, a distance of eight miles (four and one-half miles already
graded) to connect with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad, New York, Susquehanna nnd Western Railroad, and the
Wilkes-Barr*' and Eastern Railroad, and ultimately with a railroad
now in process of construction from Stroudsbnrg to Port Jervis,
connecting with the New York and Monticello Railroad to Pough-
keepsie Bridge. When the link from Saylorsburg to Stroudsburg is
supplied it will furnish a railroad route from Stroudsburg and all
points north and east from that town twenty-five miles nearer to
Philadelphia than via Manunka Chunk and Prenton.

The lake and park are owned by Hon. r^harlpton Burnett, of
Stroudsburg, Pa.

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l^oiig Pond.

Long Pond is near the Pocono Mountain. As its name implies, the
lake is a long and very narrow sheet of water, resembling in outline
nothing so much as a worm.

It appareutl^v was formed by the blocking up of the northern
nutlet by drift during the ice age. It lies at an elevation of about
1,920 feet above tide, in a depression in the plateau in front of the
moraine. This whole plateau region in front of the moraine is char-
acterized by a shallow sandy soil, upon which grows a scanty vege
tation of scrub pine and oak, producing scenery like that of southern
New Jersey. It is well stocked with pickerel, catfish, eels, yellow
perch and sunfish.

Deep Lake.

Almost exactly in the centre of Monroe county is Pocono township.
It takes its name from the Pocono range of mountains in the north
west part. The highest of the group in the township is known as
Pocono Knob. Its rugged head is lifted 2,6(30 feet above tide water,
and it stands high above its fellows. From the plateau on the
summit one can overlook the country in all directions for forty or
fifty miles.

High Knob is broken into numerous peaks, some of which are
almost mountains in themselves. On the summit of one of them,
about two miles from the highest peak, is an enchanting body of
water of crystalline clearness, known as D(M'p Lake.

It is nestled in an amphitheatre of drift hills varying in height from
50 to 100 feet above the level of the water. These hills were once
heavily wooded with spruce and pine, but a few years ago a great
forest fire swept this part of the country and destroved all the timber
except a few exlra tough ^'old bulls." A young growth, however, is
springing up and rapidly obliterating the destructive path of the
flames.

Deep Lake is in a wild section, for there are no houses of any kind
within three or four miles, and the country abounds in small game,
and a few bears late in winter.

Compared with the laki s in Pike county, and even those of Wayne
county. Deep Lake is exceedingly small. It is estimated by the resi-
dents of the township to be only fifteen acres in extent, but Mr
George Shafer, a surveyor of Mt. Hope, pronounced it to be nearly
double that size.

Many years ajro the old settlers claimed that the hodv liad no
bottom at all, hence its name of Deep Lake. Surveyors have neverthe-

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONr:RS

trr

less, found bottom, but so far from the surface of the water as to
justify the retention of the name. The average depth is in fact over
100 feet, the only shallow places being close to the shores.

Deep Lake is a true Itettle hole, and its water supxily comes from
numerous springs a few hundred feet from its sides and from springs
below the water line.

To an ordinary observer Deep Lake has no outlet. But those bent
on investigation will find about five hundred feet below the lower
end level, a huge spring which pours its waters forth from among
the rocks and makes a good sized spring. This, doubtless, is the
outlet of the lake.

The indiginous fish is the brook trout, and it is said until a very
few years ago no other fish inhabited the waters of the lake. Thirty
or forty years ago, this great game fish was exceedingly abundant,
but severe fisMng reduced their numbers appreciably. In recent
years the lake has been heavily and persistently re-stocked with
brook trout, with the result that they are becoming once more numer-
ous.

Within the last twenty years land-locked salmon, sunfish and perch
have been introduced by Charles Brown, Tannerville, and Hiram
Kistler, of Stroudsburg. T^vo years ago, the present owners. Sen-
ator McPherson and L. T. Smith, of Mt. Pocono, put in 3,000 lake
trout from eight to ten inches in length. Since that time the fishing
has been of the best.

Although the present owners have gone to so much trouble and ex-
pense in stocking Deep Lake with the very finest game fishes, they
have placed no prohibition on anglers who fish in a legal manner.
The lake is absolutely free to them.

The Wiscasset hotel is the nearest and best hostelry. It is about
five miles from the lako and W is a handsome and well appointed
place. The lake may be reached by I he Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad, direct from New York, and from Philadelphia via
the Belvidere Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad to Mt. Pi^coii!)
Station on the first named line.

Echo Lake.

Echo Lake is on what is known as the stage road between Strouds-
burg and Bushkill village, and about eight miles from the first
named place. 11 rests in a little hollow a few hundred yards to
the w^est of the road and is hidden from view by a thick fringe of
trees. It is an exceedingly beautiful sheet of water covering about

828

REPORT OF THE

Oft. Doc.

flfty acres. Long, narrow and irregularly shaped, its waters are as
clear as crystal and come from a number of large springs at its gravel
and rock bottom.

The ground around the lake is under high cultivation, but the edges
themselves are covered with a thick growth of trees adding greatly
to the charming effect of the water and pond lilies. On one side,
in the near background, rises a pretty range of hills which back into
the wild woods of Pike.

Like Deep Lake in Mt. Pocono, Echo Lake has no apparent inlet
or outlet. Its entire supply is derived, as already noted from
springs, and its outlet is subterranean, and comes to the surface as
Coolbaugh's Pond, about a mile away.

The greater part of the lake is owned by Charles Van Allen, who
keeps a summer boarding house a short distance away. The remain
der is owned by two other parties.

There are few lakes in Monroe or Pike counties better stocked with
tish than Echo. Mr. \'au .Mien is a persistent plauler, and through
his and others' eiloits there are i\u less than thirteen species of fish
there in abundance. IMckerel and stream pike, brook trout, suntish.
yellow percli. (aitlsh, eels, chub.s. suckers and shiners are suppose<l
to be the indiginous fishes. Land-locked salmon were planted about
seven years ago, but no apparent results have followed. Both
large and small-mouthed black ba.ss were introduced twelve or four
teem years a«x>. and both these rtsii are abundant. Large mouth bass
weighing seven or eitrht rnjunds are occasionally <anght. and small
mouth bass which tip the scales at five and six pounds are now and
then captured. Three and four pound fish of this species are often
taken. The fishing is free to the guests or to persons who apply for
peimission.

Echo Lake receives its name from a remarkably fine echo which is
said to repeat distinctly four times.

Ooolbaugh's Pond.

Coolbaugh's Pond is less than a mile below Echo Lake, and derives
its water from the subterranean outlet of the latter named body
It is scarcely large enough to dignify by the title of lake.

Its immediate surroundings are flat, but in the near background
is a fine range of hills which lenders the general effect one of some
beauty. The lake is close beside the road, and there is a pretty hotel
known as the Lakeside House nearby.

Although Coolbaugh's pond is small, it has something of a reputa-
tion as a fishing lake. Pickerel, catfish, yellow perch and sunfish are
said to be abundant.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

229

Hawkey Pond.

Up towards the border line of Luzerne and Wayne counties, and
not far from the famed Paradise Valley is a small kettle hole lake
bearing the euphonious name of Hawkey Pond. It is an uninterest-
ing looking sheet of water covering but a few acres, and with a sur-
rounding country which is flat and dreary looking covered by low
scrubby trees and bare of any attractive features. There are hun-
dreds of lakes no larger than this which would be worthier of a de-
tailed description, and the temptation would be great to pass it by,
were it not for the fact that the eyes of hundreds of thousands of
persons gaze at it annually as they are whirled by in the comfortable
trains of the Delaware, Lackaw^inua and Western Railroad Com-
pany. Lake Hawkey is close beside the railroad track, and is almost
overshadow^ed by a huge ice house which has been erected on its
shores. Unattractive as are the surroundings, the pond has wonder-
fully pure water, and consequently its ice is much prized.

Hav\key Pond is neither square nor round, but presents somewhat
the appearance of a circle which some one tried to convert into a
square. It forms one of the headwaters of the famous Tunkhan-
nock, the little stream which forms one of the latter's originating
veins passing under the name of Hawkey Pond run. The pond is
controlled by olticials of the Delaw^are, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad Company, who permit no fishing except such as they do
themselves. This prohibition, anglers who know the waters may
keenly regret, for Hawkey pond is literally alive with tro-ut, large,
fat and full of game. This is the only speejes of fish in those waters.

Pocono Pond.

About a mile to the south of Hawkey pond, is Pocono pond, a
much larger sheet of water. It is in fact fully five times as large,
but no more interesting in appearance and surroundings. There is
the same flat and monotonous surroundings. The banks of the
lake rise abruptly two or three feet from the surface of the water
and then extends away in unbroken levels, like a South New Jersey
flat for a seemingly interminable distance.

The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company's
road cuts the lake in two, leaving quite a large body of water on
either side of tlie tracks. At one end is Pocono Summit station,
and any one who wishes may get off there and fish to their hearts
content, for the lake belongs to Isaac Sheppard, and he stops no
brother of the rod and reel. It is rather worth while to fish there
too, for there are brook trout to be caught and catfish also.

Pocono pond is, like Hawkey pond, a kettle hole, and it forms the
other headwater of the Tunkhannock.

230

REPORT OF THE

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Goose Pond.

Both Pike and Monroe counties own Goose pond, for half is in one
and half is in the other. It is a large body of water much longer
than it is broad, and comparatively shallow. It owes its origin to a
few large springs in Barrett township, Monroe county, which form
first a stream which widens out finally into the lake. The outlet
which is known as Goose pond run, is at the north end of the lake in
Greene township. Pike county, flows north a few hundred yards
and then takes a sharp turn to the south, runs the whole length of
the lake, and finally empties into the upper waters of Broadheads
creek. Pickerel are abundant in Goose pond, so are catfish, eels,
yellow perch and sunfish.

CHAPTER XVn.

Luzerne County Lakes.

Luzerne county is exceedingly interesting from a geological stand-
point. Within its borders are rich anthracite coal measures. With-
in its boundiiries are found the remains of the gigantic mastodon and
other prehistoric animals of a warmer climate. It seems to have
experienced all kinds and conditions of climate at different stages of
the world's existence, from tropical to arctic. The great northern
ice sheet during the glacial period bore down through this region
with irresistible violence. It filled vast valleys with debris bun
dreds of feet deep. It tore oti the tops of hills and blotted streams
out of existence. Thus Luzerne county possesse.s many bi-;niiiful
natural lakes.

Harvey's Lake.

One of the must interesting as well as beautiful of the lakes in
Luzerne county is Harvey's Lake, in Lake township, about twelve
miles west of Wilkes-Barre, and is among the very largest lakes in
the State as it covers 1,285 acres.

It is a long, narrow, irregularly shaped body of water, the form of
which is something like that of the letter T, and it occupies an old
buried valley in the northeastern corner of the township.

This lake was formed in a different manner, relatively speaking,
than any other lake in the State. It has no marked inlet, yet it is
not n kpttlehole or depression in the terminal moraine; nor, broadly

a
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REPORT OF THE

Oft. Doc

Goose Pond.

Both IMki' and Monroe conn lies own Oooso pond, for half is in one
and half is in the other. Ii is a lar^'e body of water much longer
than it is Iiroad. and comparatively shallow. It owes lis origin to a
few large sjiiings in IJarrett township, Monroe county, which form
first a stream which widens out linally into I he lake. Tiie outlet
w hich is known as Goose pond run, is at the north end of the lake in
Greene township, Pike county, ilows nortli a few hundred yards
and then takes a sharp turn to the soiith, rntos the whole length of
the Iak(', and finally emi)ties into the upper waters of IJroadheads
creek. Pickerel are abundant in Goose pond, so are catfish, eels,
yellow peicli and suJiflsh.

CHAPTEKXVTl

Luzerne County Lakes.

J.uzerue county is exceedingly interesting from a geological stand-
poini. Within its! borders are rich anthracite coal measures. AYith-
in its bouhdarie.H are found tin- n-mains of the gigantic mastodon and
other prehistoric animals of a warmer climate. It seems to have
♦•xperienced all kinds and conditions of climate at dillVrent stagt»s of
the world's existence, from tropical to arctic. The great northern
ire sheet during the glacial period bore down through this region
with iriesi!<tibh- violence. J I filled vast valleys with debris hun
dn'ds of feet deej>. It tore otl the tops of iiills and blotted streams
osi! (.r ^^^:istenf•»^ Thus Luzerne county pos.se.sses man.\ ImmhijIiiI
natural lakes.

Harvey's Lake.

'►iH- of I he niusi interesting ;is w.-Il as JH-autifiil i.f the lakes in
Lii/.erne counly is llaiveys Lake, in Lake township, abcnit twelve
miles west of W ilkes liarre. and is among the very l.irgest lakes in
the Slate as ii covers 1.285 acres.

II is a long, narrow, irregularly shaped bod.v of watei-, the form of
which is something like that of the letter T. and ii occupies an old
Ituried valley in the northeastern corner of the township.

Tliis lake was formed in a diff. ivnt manner, relatively speaking,
than any (.iher lake in the State. It has no marked inlet, yet it is
MO' a U.'tih-lioh' or d^'pression In the terminal moraiiH-; nor, broadh

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

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V

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C/3

speaking, does it owe its origin to a damming up of an ancient
stream. From many evidences tliere was once a huge valley there
and through it coursed a stream. When the ice age came this valley
became filled with debris and completely buried the stream. Through
this debris the water subsequently bubbled up and formed the lake.
There is every reason for believing that the area of the lake was
much greater than now, and that its surface has been lowered more
than 100 feet by the cutting down of its outlet. Tliis is evidenced
by the narrow, jjorge-like character of the outlet without cropping
rocks on either side, free from drift up to 125 feet above the present
level of the lake.

The lake derives its name from Benjamin Harvey, who settled upon
the outlet below Plymouth, and it is supposed by his descendants
that he was the first white man who discovered it. It is supposed
that he was led to search for it by the flight of flocks of wild ducks.
It is supposed that Andrew Bennet was the first white man to launch
a canoe upon the placid waters of this lake. This was in 1800.

The following account of Harvey's Lake is contributed by Mr. J. J.
Molonev, of Wilkes-Barre: The lake is nine miles around. Pedes-
trians make the circuit occasionally, but they are few and far be-
tween. Of late years the lake has become a well known summer
resort. The air is cool and invigorating when the heat elsewhere is
stifling.

Up to within the last five years this fine body of water was more
or less isolated. The only way of reaching it was by foot or car-
riage. T^^en the Lehigh Valley Railroad finally tapped the AA-ild
country which surrounded the lake and built a depot in close prox-
imity to its shores there was a wild rush for building lots. Ground
that was formerly held at $25 an acre took a bound at |5 a foot and
then to |10. Now it is impossible to buy a desirable building lot
for less than $450. Some of Wilkes Barrels leading citizens have
cottages on the shores of the lake. They go over in the evening and
return to the city the next morning.

Of late years Harvey's Lake has also become famous as a picnic
resort and camping ground. During the months of July and
August a picnic party from some of the towns in northeastern Penn-
sylvania finds its way almost daily to the large woodland wliicli
borders the lake. This year the Lehigh Valley Railroad ran ex-
cursions to the lake from as far south as Allentown and as far north
as Sayre.

Visitors to Harvey's Lake generally spend the day in boating and
fishing. Unless when there is a strong wind blowing the surface of
the lake is smooth and placid. In times of severe storms residents
say that tlie watei- in the lake is as angry as tiie (►cean itself, and the
wa\«'s «lasli with great fury against tb^ shore.
15*

So. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONEP.S

231

1>
7}

speakiiifr, does it owe its origin to ;i damming uji of an ancient
stream. From many evidences tlnre was on< *> n liu«i«* valley there
and through it f oursed a stream. When th»' i<<' .ige eame this vallej
became filled wiih dehris and completely buried tlie stream. Through
this debris tho water subsequent I\ bubbled up and formed the lake.
There is txevy reason for believing that the area of the lake wa«
much greater than now, and that its surface has been lowered more
than TOO feet by the cutting down of its outlet. This is evidenced
by the narrow, gorge like character of the outlet wiihoui - i-tppiug
rocks on either side, frne from drift np to 125 feet above the present
level of the lake.

The following account of Harvey's Lake is contributed by Mr. J. J.
Molonev, of Wilkes-Barre: The lalce is nine miles around. Pedes-
trians make the circuit occasionally, but they are few^ and far be-
tween. Of late years the lake has become a well known summer
resort. The air is cool and invigorating when the heat elsewhere is
stifling.

Up to within the last five years this fine body of water was more
or less isolated. The only way of reaching it was by foot or car-
riage. When the Lehigh Valloy Railroad finallv tnpiM'd tli.- wild
country which surrounded the lake and built a depot in close prox-
imity to its shores there was a wild rush for building lois. OtDund
that was formerly held at f25 an acre took a bound at -5.' a foot and
then to .^10. Now it is impossible to buy a desirablo building lot
for less than ^450. Some of Wilkes T'.arre's leading citizens have
cottages on the shores of the lake. They go over in the evening and
return to the city the next morning.

Of late years Harvey's Lake lias also become famous as a picnic
resort and camping ground. During the months of July and
.Vugust a picnic party from some of the towns in northeastern Penn-
sylvania finds its wav almost daily to the largo woodland wliirli
borders the lake. This year the Lehigh Valley Kailroad ran ex-
cursions to the lake from as fjjr south as Allentown and as far north
as Savre.

Visitors to Harvey's Lake generally spend the day in l»oating and
fishing. L^nless when there is a strong wind blowing the surface of
the lake is smooth and placid. Tn times of sovon^ storms residents
-iv thai tlio walor in ili.- laU<- is as .uigrv as lln- or.-ad iisolf. aiu] iIh-
uavt's da>li with great fury against il>^' «hore.
15»

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

RE3PORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

The fishing in Harvey's Lake is very good at times; again it is in-
different and even bad. Still, old fishermen claim they never have
any trouble catching all the fish they want. It is only the novice
who is loud in complaint.

Harvey's Lake is fed entirely by springs at its bottom. There is a
verj' small inlet in the shape of a tiny mountain rill, but it is so in-
significant that it really "cuts no figure" in keeping up the volume of
water. The outlet is via Harvey's creek to the Susquehanna river.
The water of the outlet is used by the town of Nanticoke, which has
a population of 12,000. There is no better water anywhere. When
the question of getting a new water supply for Wilkes-Barre came
up a few years ago, there was some talk of taking Harvey's Lnke.
Everybody was delighted with the idea of securing such water as the
lake would furnish, but on investigation it was discovered that the
supply of water in the lake would not be equal to the demand — at
least the future demand. Thus the project had to be abandoned.

The depth of Harvey's Lake is in places 130 feet, and it is one of
the best stocked waters in the State. It has always been famous
for its fishing qualities, and it was a famous resort for (he Indians
when they inhabited the Wyoming VaMey. The original game fish
is the pickerel, and they are still plentiful and of large size. In 1876,
the State Commission planted a lot of black bass and thev thrived
wonderfully. Trout is also a native fish in these waters and it
thrives unusually well.

Mr. Rhoads, proprietor of the Lake Hotel, says: "I have fished in
many waters, but nowhere do I find bass so gamey as in Harvey's
Lake, and what has been my experience seems to be the experience
of every fisherman."

Most of the bass are caught by casting and still fishing. The trout
found in the lake are not near as gamey as those found in the small
mountain streams. One old fisherman who has spent thirty-five
years on the lake says: "No trouble to *ketch' trout in this 'ere lake!
Why they just wiggle up to your hook and fasten themselves on.
Of course, if ye wants easy fish in' trout is yer game; but if ye wants
genuwine sport, then yer must try and hook Harvey's lake bass."

Bear Lake.

One of the very popular lakes of Luzerne county is Bear Lake. It
is situated in Bush township, and is one mile long by one-half mile
wide. Of late years many cottages have been built on the shores of
this body of water, most of which are owned or occupied by Wilkes-
Barre jK'oph' of means. It is a d<*lighlfnl spot, especially in warm
weather. People who spend the snmm<»r along its shores say they

No. 18.

FI8U COMMISSIONERS.

233

prefer it to the Adirondacks. The ride is only a little over an hour
from Wilkes-Barre.

The lake has its outlet in the Lehigh river. Brook trout is the
original fish and they are still there in large numbers. Pickerel is
also indiginous to the waters, and yellow perch and sunfish abound.
The fish laws are strictly enforced, and it is a proud boast of the
owners that not a fish is ever caught there before or after season.
The result is that whe^n the trout season opens there is generally an
abundance of the speckled beauties to be found in Bear Lake.

The bottom of Bear Lake, like those of most of the other natural
ponds in Luzerne county, is composed of sand and gravel.

Nuangola Lake.

Nuangola Lake, situated in Newport township, is the mecca for the
people of the town of Nanticoke, which is only about four miles away.
The shores are, like those of many of the other similar bodies in
Luzerne, being utilized for the erection thereon of summer cottages,
for it is a cool and inviuorating place during the hot months.

The fishing is excellent, although this is one of the lakes in whicli
there are no trout. Pike and catfish are the principal fishes, and
these are abundant.

Beach Lake.

Beach Lake, which is located back of the little mountain town of
Nocanaqua, is another delightful spot in summer. It is fed by
numerous fine springs and has a clear gravel bottom. Beach Lake is
a favorite resort for wild ducks in the autumn, and hundreds of
sportsmen watch the shores anxiously in the autumn for this fine
water fowl. The lake is a famous plac<^ for pickerel, for here they
grow to an unusual size and fatness.

Lily Lake.

Lily Lake is a large body of water to the southeast of Nanticoke.
It is a shallow sheet, however, its depth only averaging from five to
eleven feet. Its surroundings are pleasant and it is a fairly good
fishing resort. The lake has never been stocked, but has a good sup-
ply of stream pike, pickerel, sunfish and catfish.

as4 REPORT OF THE Off. Doc

North aod South Pond.

The next largest body of water to Harvey'.s Lake is North and
iSouth Pond, as it is now called. This bodv <»f' water is situated in
Ross township and is ditTerent ill nianv particulars from any other
body of water in the county. Its most ittMnlinr rliMi-arioisiir is a
narrow neck of hind which divides the two leaxin^ only a small
stream connection, and thus virtually makes two lakes of it. One
portion is called North Lake and the other South Lake. It is a good
lake for pickerel, catfish and eels. On the township map this pond
is represented as having no outlet, but this is errofteous, since it has
one southward into Hunloeks creek.

Grassy Pond.

In close proximity to North and South Pond, and separated by a
strip of land not much wider than that which divides it in two, is
Grassy Pond. Like North and South Pond, Grassy is fed by natural
springs. The outlet is Pond creek, which empties inio Hunloeks

creek.

In addition to stream pike, pickerel and other and commoner fishes,
black bass were successfully introduced and are now numerous.
Grassy Pond is of fairly uood size, being nearly three miles in cir
cumference, and to it fishermen from far and near are attracted on
account of the fine fishing to be had. It is, besides, beautifully sit-
uated. Nearby there are cultivated fields, interspersed with wood
land, and far beyond the mountain rear theii* iiigged heads.

North and South Pond, and Grassy Pond, are formed by the heap-
ing up of drift materials in the ancient valleys of Hunlock's creek,
into which the lakes now drain.

Cummings and Mill Ponds.

Cummings and Mill Ponds are in Franklin township, and are in
close proximity to each other. They both resi on a thick deposit of
debris which deeply bury an ancient valley, and on two sloping
sides, so that one. Mill Pond, which by the way extends partly into
Wyoming county, empties northward and the other southward into
Sutton or Coray's creek. No information was ob!aiiied of the fishing
qualities of these two ponds, except that there ai'<^ pickerel and cat
lish in them.

No. 18.

FISH COMMTBSIONERS.

286

Lake Minneola.

Lake Minneola is a beautiful sheet of water covering from thirty
to thirty-five acres of land. It is situated about half a mile from
Broadheadsville, in Chestnut Hill township. It is about five miles
from Lake Poponoming. It is fed entirely from springs, having no
inlet. It abounds in pond lilies and is surrounded by heavy wood-
land. It is quite a resort for picnic parties in summer time. There
is a hotel about half a mile from the lake managed by Mr. Edward
Everett.

The only fish in Lake Minneola are sunfish and perch, both indigi-
nous. It is a peculiar fact that so far as known, the Indians over-
looked this lake when they stocked otner waters with pickerel, for
this is one of the few mountain bodies of water in which there are
no specimens of this fish. Neither has Lake Minneola ever been
stocked by the Fish Comuiis.sion or private parties. Thus, as a fish-
ing resort, the lake has few attractions. To the geologist, however,
the place is interesting, for close beside Minneola is a kettle hole of
good size, and by a curious circumstance it is perfectly dry and
bears no evidence of ever having been a lake.

Lake Wiscas>et.

Lake Wiscassel is an artificial body of water, but is worthy of
mention because of its tim^ fl.shing qualities and protty surroundings.
It is fed by runuinji' springs, and is full of brown trout, whicli were
obtained by Mr. 11, A. Chase from the Pennsylvania Fish Commis-
sion,

Lake Wiscassett is about two miles from Wiscassett Hotel Mt.
Pocono.

< HAPTER XVJIL

Sullivan Countv Lakes.

Eaglesmere, or Lewis Lake.— Laki- Ganoga, or Long Pond.
Sullivan county has an area of 4P»:{ square miles, a great part of
which is a great wilderness, with sparse settlements. The popula-
tion is not large and it is not likely to increase rapidly because of
the peculiar geological conditions. The habitations and farms are
principally in the valleys of Muncy creek and those of the branches

236

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc

of the Loyalsock. In the geological survey ul JSuUivan countj' tlie
reason giveu wh} ihc poi>ulatioii is small aud slow of increase, and
why the place remains a wilderness, is that the drainage of the
county is so very simple in its character. According to the survey,
all the drainage is through eight main streams which "flow in deep
and narrow canon like valleys, walled in by steep slopes and almost
vertical clitl's. In these walls, varying in height from live hundred
to a thousand feet, open a iliousand ravines, set with water-falls
through which issues the rain-fall of the general table land above."

But while these roaring, often almost untraversable streams, may
retard the march of settlement, they, together with the magnificent
mountain scenery, tend to endear the county to the hearts of those
who love the manifestations of nature. Many places have with
more or less stretch of the imagination been styled the "Switzerland
of America." This title has been given to Sullivan county, and it
must be confessed that the nickname is better bestowed than it
sometimes is elsewhere, although the scenery of Sullivan county can
well aftord to rest on its own merits. It need not borrow the glories
of the mountainous outlines of a European country to make it fa-
mous and to attract thousands of tourists to its rugged tree-clad
hills; to its roaring cascaded streams, to its deep, dark canons, and
to its crystal-like lakes. It has a beauty, a loveliness all its own,
which can silently speak so eloquently as lo reach the heart direct.

While there are several lakes in Sullivan county, there are two
which stand out far beyond the others in the singularity of their
beauty, the attractiveness of their surroundings, and those qualities
which attract the angler. These are Eaglesmere and Lake Ganoga.

Kaglesmere.

ill 1786 a well to do Englishman, named George Lewis, found him-
self in the wilderness of Sullivan county, and clambering the forest
covered sides of one of the mountains, and reaching the plateau on
the summit, came upon a beautiful lake, to which he gave his name.
He rowed around it and at one end he found a vast bed of pure,
white sand, which he knew to be of the best quality for making glass.
He erected works there in 178!S and conducted them many years.
They are now entirely gone, but in their place is a pretty village
and several splendidly appointed hotels for summer visitors, and an
annual Chautauqua assembly.

Lewis could not have found a more attractive place for his glass
works, apart from the practical reasons, for the lake is in an ideal
and picturesque situation. It rests on the very crest of the mountain
in the midst of a wide st fetching wiideruess. A uature-loving I'hila

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

as7

delphiau once wrote as follows concerning his first impressions of the
lake, and all who see it under the same conditions must feel the ap-
propriateness and force of his pen picture. "My first sight of this
fairy lake was a vision I shall retain for a long time. It was sunset
and had been raining. As the clouds broke up in rifts of snowy
whiteness and the sun hung over the western edge of the lake, the
dying beams touched the rifldes and the reflections in the water
looked like a mammoth topaz in a band of hammered silver, while
all around the shores deep shadows of the majestic hemlocks and
cedars crept upon the path of light that stretched for a mile and a
half, the length of the lake. As the sun sauk below the horizon
the snowy clouds took on a pale pink tint, and assuming fantastic
shapes, played hide and seek with the shadows on the forests.
Across the lake, on the south shore, stood the Eaglesmere, the Alle-
gheny, the Lakeside and the Lewis, surrounded by rows of pictur-
esque cottages, while over on the west shore stood the Raymond
with a guard of cottages ranged on either side. After awhile the
moon came up and kissed the lake. Then the stars came out and
twinkled out away down in the depths of the water. Then a cordon
of light stretched around the south and western shores as the hotels
aud cottages lit up and sent their reflections to sparkle with the
stars deep, deep down in the lake. Suddenly a sound as though a
fairy orchestra were jjlaying, came echoing over the lake; vari-col-
ored lights began to dance over the water; mysterious lights like
glow-worms appeared on the wooded shores, and went down, down
in the water to join the stars. It was a wierd, beautiful scene.
The dancing lights were lanterns on row boats; the orchestra was
a guitar which awoke a thousand echoes, and the glow worms in the
woods were the lights of the boat-landing of the novel little steamer
which traverses the lake."

Eaglesmere is one and one-half miles in length and about half a
mile in width and in many places is more than sixty feet in depth.
Its waters, spring supplied, are clear as crystal, and absolutely pure.
It is so pellucid that the white pebbly bottom can easily be seen at
a depth of thirty feet. Eaglesmere is 2,200 feet above sea level and
within a few hundred feet the water Hows oft" the mountain in all
directions. The old sandy beach which caught George Lewis' eye
for glass making, has been utilized as a resort for bathers. Beyond
this sandy beach, the shores of Eaglesmere are quite rocky and stand
well above the water. The great forests of hemlock, beech, birch and
iiuiples are on the north and east side, forming for many miles an
unbroken sea of green in summer. It is on the south and west sides
on an elevation of from 50 to CO feet that the little village of from
50 to 00 cottages and the four fine hotels before mentioned is situ
ated.

238

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

Few lakes have been more lieavil^ or persistently stocked with fish
than Eaglesmere. The original species are sunfish, catfish and eels.
The first named are rapidly decreasing, the eels have almost entirely
disappeared, but the catfish are rapidly on the increase.

About ten years ago brook trout, lake trout and black bass were
introduced by Mr. E. S. Chase, of Eaglesmere, the fish being received
from the Pennsylvania State Fish C'ommission, and some of these
fish have been planted every year since. The black bass have taken
kindly to the water and increased rapidly, and the lake trout have
also done well, although comparatively few are caught.

While Eaglesmere is not free to any angler who wishes to fish its
waters, the prohibition is only nominal, as it is free to the property
owners and their guests.

Any railroad which leads to Williamsport may be taken to reach
Eaglesmere. At this place the Williamsport and North Branch
Railroad runs cars to Sonestown and connects with the Eaglesmere
Railroad, which climbs eight miles up the mountain to the lake.

This last named road is perhaps one of the most picturesque for its
length in the country. Its route has thus been aptly described: "It
almost completely encircles the mountain and takes in the fairest
spots that could be found. It follows the famous trout stream, the
Occohannock creek, and has two large trestle horse shoes that wind
around most picturesque waterfalls. Half way up is the famous
Geylin Park, at which a station is erected for the accommodation
of picnic parties from Eaglesmere.

"Right within this park and almost within sight of each other,
are four cascades that are visions of loveliness, and one of which,
at least, inspired even an Indian with poetry, for its Indian name—
Neve-Moosha, means "sweet heart." though one unfeeling youth has
suggested that the Indian poet who named it might have had a bab-
bling girl.

"The Laussat Falls, named after H. Laussat Geyelin. of the Phila
delphia Club, are right at this point. * ♦ * * Above are the
boastful but beautiful little falls, breaking in cascades over hundreds
of rocks, and churning the water into flaky foam as it rushes with a
roar into the deep pool beueatii. On either side rise moss covered
giant hemlocks that hjive for centuries guarded the solitude of the
wilderness ♦ • *

"Xot less beautiful than the Laussat falls, though not quite so
demonstrative are the other cascades of this park. Wenona and Min
niska falls. In fact, the whole line is a continuous stretch of rocks
and trees and mossy banks and silvery streams and glistening cas-
cades, which are traversed daily by bustling little locomotives draw
in- liixiiii.Mii.iy furnishrH ((Miches and delightfully cool and breezy
i>hs<'i\at ion cars. • » •

n"
(/)

-1
n

-I

n
v.

238

REPORT OF THF.

Off. Doc .

Few Jakes have been mure heavily m* piisisieiitly stocked with lisli
ihaii J.'aj^lesiiiere. The original spi'iies are suntish, eathsh and eeis.
The lit'sr named are rapidly decreasing, the eels have almost entirelv
disaiipi.ircd, but ilie catfish are rapidly on the increase.

A bom I en years ago brook tront. lake trout and black bass were
inirodiiced by Mr. K. 8. Chase, ul" Eaglesmere, the fish being received
irum liie I'enusylvania State Fish <'omniission, and some of these
fish have been planted every year since. The black bas-j have taken
kindly to the water and increased rapidly, and the lake trftftt have
also done well, although comparatively few are caught.

While Eaglesmere is not free to any angler who wishes to tish its
waters, the prohibition is only nominal, as it is free to the property
owjiers and their giiestg,

Aay rallroa4 wliich leads to \\ illiamsport may be taken to reach
Eaglesmere. Ai this place the W illiamsport and North Branch
Railroad runs cars to Sonestown and «(innects with the Eaglesmere
Kailruad, which climbs eight miles up the mountain to the lake.

This last named road is perhaps one of the most picturesque for its
length in the country, lis route has thus been aptly described: ''It
almost completely encirch-s the muuntain and takes in the fairest
spots that eould be found. It follows the famoas trout stream, the
Occohaunock creek, and has tw(» laige trestle horse shoes that wind
around most incluresque waterfalls. Half way up is the famous
«l« ylin l»ark, at which a station is erected for the accommodatioa
of picnic jiariies from Eaglesmere.

•Kighr within this park and almost within sight of t«ch other,
are four cascades that ar<' visions of loveliness, and one af whlck,
at l(\isi. insj)ired even an Indian with poetry, for its Indian name —
Xeve Moosha, means "sweet heart." though one unfeeling youth has
suggested that the Indian poet who named it might have had a bab
Iding girl.

"The T.aussnt J^\i!ls. named afioi- II. l^anssat ('leyelin. of the Phila
delphia (^lub, are riglil at this point. ' * * Aitove are the

boastful hill beautiful little falls, breaking in cascades over hundreds
of rocks, and churning the water into Haky foam as it rushes with a
loar iiiit. I ill- <K-e[» pool beneath, in eiiln'i- siile ri<e moss covered
ui.int iieiiilocks iliat lia\e foi- centuries guarded the solitude of the
wilderness * * *

"Vol less beaulifiil than th»- l.aussat tails, though not qniie so
d. hioiisiiaiive .ire ill.' other cascaih'S of this park. Weiiona and Min
niska falls. In fact, the whole line is a continuous stretch of rocks
and trees and inossy bunks and silvery streams and glistening cas-
cades. \vhi( h are traver.sed daily b\ bustling little locomotives draw
inu lii\!iii.!nlly furnislie<! ro:irhe. .,nd deliglitfdilv .ool and breezy
iil»s«-r\ at ion cars. * *' *

n
"I
c

77-

r.
'S.

I INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

•T.

:£

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

3
O

c
«J

>•

'a
en

£3

No. 18.

FISH 0OM\aSSIONEPS.

239

"Up bill goes the little train, and up hill it is— Straight np for
eight miles without a break in the grade. By babbling streams and
noisy waterfalls, through deep and rugged gorges and vast dark
forests, it bowls along, until at length, emerging from the shadows
of the woods, there bursts upon the astonished view a vision of Ar
cadia. Two thousand feet above the level of the sea the little sum
mer city stands."

Lakt^ Ganoga, or Long Pond.

Lake Ganoga, formerly Long Pond, is in Colley township, and its
waters drain, not west into the Lycoming nor north into the Me-
hoopany, but southeast into Kitchen creek, by a series of superb cas-
cades through a chasm, with perpendicular cliff walls, affording
rare scenery. The surrounding scenery is of unusual beauty, the
deep gorges of the mountain escarpment presenting some scenery
not surpassed along the whole Allegheny uiountain range through
Pennsylvania. The hike plateau is elevated between 2,300 and
2,400 feet above the sea, and is so broad that the flora of the crest
is ditterent from that of the valley at the foot of the mountain, and is
in fact allied to the flora of a latitude far to the northward. Indeed,
the climate itself resembles that of Northern Maine.

Mr. J. J. Moloney, of A^'ilkes-Barre, has furnished the writer with
the main facts of the continuing account of Ganoga Lake and its sur-
roundings. It i.s situated on the top of the North Mountain and was
formerly known as Long Pond. Hon. Charles A. Buckalew, of Co
lumbia county, had the honor of changing the name to Lake Ganoga.
Mr. Buckalew liked the lake and its surroundings, but he didn't like
the name. One day he said to a party of friends who had accom
panied him on a fishing trip to the lake, "now this is a beautiful sheet
of water; it is too nice to be called a pond; there are any amount of
ponds; suppose we call this a lake. I know there are many lakes in
this country not deserving of the name (pond would be better) but
this body of water is really deserving of a better name." Ever after
that it was known as Lake Ganoga.

"Lake Ganoga is about two and three-quarters miles around. It is
surrounded entirely by woodland, or it would be better to say an al
most unbroken forest, and in some places the water is 100 feet deep.
The bottom is composed of gravel and the water is as clear as crystal.
The lake is fed entirely by springs, and tiie water is unusually cold.

Pickerel catfish, eels, brook trout and black bass are the fish in
Ganoga Lake. Pickerel have always been caught in large quanti-
ties, and trout are also fairly abundant. The black bass are also
numerous, though it is said there are not many of a large size.

No. 18.

FISH '.'OMiViSSTONEPg.

239

If'

"Ip bill gut'S the little lunu. and up bill it is— JStraight up for
c'igbt miles without a hnaU in tlu* grade. By babbling streams and
noisy waterfalls, ibrougb (bep and rugged gorges and vast dark
forests, it bowls along, until at lengtb, emerging from the shadows
of the woods, there bursts upon the astonished view a vision of Ar
radia. Two thousand fe«M above the level of tlie sea the little sum
nier citv stands.'"

Lakr (ijinoga. or Ji<mg I'ond.

Lake Ganoga, formerly Long Pond, is in Colley township, and its
waters drain, not west into the Lycoming nor north into the Me
hoopanj, but southeast into Kitchen creek, by a series of superb cas-
cades througii a chasm, witb peri>endicular clitt walls, affording
rare scenery. The sunounding scenery is of unusual beauty, the
deep gorges of llic mountain <'Scarpmcnt presenting some scenery
not surpassed along iIk- whole Alb'gbeny mountain range througb
I'riinsvlviinia. Tbc lake plateau is cleviited between l',300 and

a- ■*■

L',400 feet above the sea. and is so broad that t be llora of the crest
is ditferent from tbat (»f the valley at the foot of the mountain, and is
in fact allied to the flora of a latitude far to the northward. Indeed,
ilie cliuuile itself resembles that of Xortbern Maine.

Ml. .1. .). Moloney, of \A ilkes llarre. has furnij^bed the writer witb
the main facts of the continuing account of Ganoga Lake and its sur-
roundiusis. Li i> .siiuat< d on ibe lop of the Nnrtb Mountain and was
formerly known as Long Pond. Hon. Charles A. Buckalew, of Co
lumbia couniy, had the honor of changing the name to Lake Ganoga.
.Mr. Buckalew liked tbe lake and its surr(»undings, but he didn't like
the name. One day be said to a party of friends who liad accom
panied him on a tishing trip to the lake, "now tbis is a beautiful sheet
of water; it is too nice to be called a pond; i bere are any amount of
ponds; ssuppose we call tbis a lake. I know there are many lakes in
ibi.'"! ctMintry not deserving of the nanu* (pond would be belter) but
Ibis body of water is really deserving of a better name.'" Kver after
tliat ii was known as Lake Gan«>ga.

'Lake Ganoga is about two and three quarters miles around. It is
surrounded entirely by woodland, or it would be better to say an al
most unbroken forest, and in some places the w^ater is 100 feet deep.
The bottom is composed of gravel and the water is as clear as crystal
Tbe lake is fed entirely by springs, and ilie ualer is unusually cold.

Pickerel, caifisb. «-els. brook trout and black bass are tbe tish in
Oanooa Lake. Pickerel bave always been .aught in large qiianti
ties, and trout are also fairly abundant. The black bass are also
numerous, though it is said there are not many of a large size.

I INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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There are plenty- of trout in the neighboring streams, and for their
continued supply anglers must thank the Lehigh N'alley Kailroad.
That corporation annually stock Bear run, Slaughter run, Shettle
brook, Keper run. Fine Swamp run, and Cherry Kidge creek, all
within a radius of a mile and a half to two miles of Ganoga Lake,
with brook trout obtained from the State Fish Commission. These
streams have their outlet in both branches of the Susquehanna river.
The outlet of the lake itself is Fishing creek.

The outlook from Lake Ganoga is one of some grandeur. On a
clear morning one can stand on its banks and see the Catawissa
mountain thirty miles away acroisjis the fertile Fishing Creek valley.
Between the forest land is spread like a dark green sea, and all harsh
outlines are softened by a thin haze.

Until the opening of the Harvey's Lake branch of the Lehigh Val-
ley Kailroad, Lake Ganoga was reached only with difficulty. The
traveler or sportsman had to take train to Shickshinney, a small
town in the lower end of Luzerne county. Thence he had to take
chances of getting a stage to carry him to lied Kock, the nearest
station to the lake. But it was not always that the stage was pro-
curable when wanted, for it only made two or three trips a week.

The late Congressman D. \\'. Connelly once won a wager on the
conditions surrounding the lake, the story of which is worth repro-
ducing here. Once he got into a controversy with a Congressman
from Michigan over the timber lands of their respective states. The
latter said there was no wilder land in the country nor wilder animals
than in the district he represented; Mr. Connelly happened to know
something about the Michigan man's district and started in: "I will
wager you," he said, "a new suit of clothes that there is a congres-
sional district in Pennsylvania that contains more wild land and
more wild animals than there are in yours, and I will leave you to
be the judge." The Michigan congressman promptly took^up the
wager. Pennsylvania he had looked upon as an old settled state,
with little chance of having mucli wild land, and he thought he saw
a good opportunity to secure a good suit of clothes at Connelly's ex-
pense. Then Connelly took him to the wilds of Sullivan county, he
hauled him through all the roughest parts. He was shown thou-
sands upon thousands of acres of wild woodland into which white
men had never penetrated. He was taken to lakes almost overflow-
ing with fish; he found bears almost as plentiful as razor-back hogs
in Georgia. He saw deer come almost in droves to the lake-side to
quench their thirst.

The Michigan congressman was given a week^s fishing and hunting
in this wilderness and then taken back to Washington. One of his
first acts on reaching there was to send an order to a tailor to fit Mr.
Connelly out with a pW suit oj « loihcs.

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There are pleiil^v uJ. Uuiit in ilie neigh boring sLi earns, and tor their
coniiniicd siiii]»ly jingk'rs i\i\i<i tlKUik ilie Leiiigli N'aliey Uaihuad.
Thai i(.ir]»uraliuu annually siuck Iw-ar run, Slaughier run, fcshettle
brook, Keper run, IMne 8\van)i» run. and Cheiry Kidge creek, all
wiihin a radius ol a mile and a halt lo iwu miles of Uanoga Lake,
with brook iroui itbiained liom ihc JSlaic Fish Commission. These
streams have their outlet in buih branches of the tSustpiehanua river.
The outlet of the lake itself is Fi>hing ereek.

The outlook from Lake Uanoga is one of some grandeur. On a
clear Uioruing one can stand on its banks and see the Catawissa
mountain thiriy miles away across ihe leriile Fishing Creek valley.
Between tlie forest land is spread like a dark guen sea, and all harsh
outlines are softened b}' a thin haze.

Until the opening of the Harvey's Lake branch of the Lehigh Val-
ley liaihoad. Lake Cannga was n ached only with dilticulty. The
traveler or sportsman had to take train to fcshickshinney, a small
town in the lower end &i Luzerne county. Thence he had to take
chances of getting a stage to carry him to Ked liock. the nearest
station lo the lake. But it was not always that the stage was pro-
curable when wanted, for it only made two or three trips a w'eek.

The late Congressman l>. W . ( (mnelly once won a wager on the
conditions surrounding the lake, the story of which is worth repro-
ducing here. Once he got into a controversy with a Congressman
from Michigan over the timber lands of their respective states. The
latter said there was no wilder laud in the country nor w ilder animals
than in the district he represented. Mr. Connelly happened to know
something about the Michigan inans district and started in: "1 will
wager you." he said, "a new suii of clothes that there is a conjrres-
sional district in Peuusylvanni ihat contains more wild land and
more wild animals than there aie in yours, and I will leave you to
be the judge." The Michigan congressman jnomptly took-.up the
wager. l*enns^\lvauia he ha<l looked upon as an old seliled state,
with liiile chance of having much wild land, and he thought he saw
a good opportunity to secure a good suit of clothes at Connelly's ex-
pense. Then Connelly took him lo tl»e w*W» of guliivan county, he
hauled him through all I he roughest parts. He was shown thou-
sands upon thousands of acres of wild woodland into whiefc white
men had never penetrated. He was taken to lakes almost overilow-
ing with lish; he found l.eais almost as plentiful as razor-back ho«^s
in Georgia. He saw deer come almost in droves to the lake-side to
quench their thirst.

The Michigan congressman was given a week's fishing and hunting
in this wilderness and then taken back to Washington. One of his
first acts on reaching there w^as to send an order to a tailor to fit Mr.
Connellv (till wiili a s«;(i swii oi .j.-iii.-^.

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It was iD 1881^ vvlifii the two coiigiesyinen visited the wilds of Sul
livan county. Things are somewhat different now. Tlie railroad,
the advance leader of civilization, has encroached on the wilderness
and the deep forests siirroundinji: Lake Ganoga are being thinned
out. A powerful syndicate, headed by Col. K. Bruce Iticketts, the
hero of Rickett's Battery at Gettysburg, now controls all the land in
the vicinity of the lake. The syndicate has erected saw mills, and
millions of feet of lumber have already been sent to market.

Lake Ganoga is now quite easy of access. A train can be taken at
\Yilkes-Barre, and in a little over three hours, Rieketts Station, at
the foot of North Mountain, is nached. It is only a short distance
from there to the lake. There is quite a large hotel at Rieketts,
and during the fishing and hunting season it is well patronized.

CUArTEK XIX.

Lake of Penn Cave.

One of the most beautiful of the smaller vallies in Pennsylvania
is Penn's valley, lying north of the Tussey, or Seven Mountain range,
and entirely enclosed by a succession of .^mailer mountains, such as
the Brush mountain, Xittany mouutain, etc. At the extreme west-
ern end of the valley is located the State College, now one of the most
tiourishing educational institutions in the State, while at the ex-
treme eastern end lies snugly ensconsed in the forks of the moun
tains the village of Woodward, at which less than six mouths ago
was enacted the famous Etlinger tragedy, the most heartrending
happening since the days of the Indian massacres, on almost
exactly the same spot, one hundred and twenty-five years ago.

Penns valley is the native home of the original Pennsylvania
Dutch, a race of people as distinct from their fellow men as are the
Irish, French or Germans. They are especially noted for their
thrift and handiwork in agricultural pursuits, and the wide scope
of beautiful farms, which dot the valley from one end to the other
like the squares on a chess board, all under ihe best possible state
of cultivation, and invariably owned by the resident, are in full
evidence. Farming constitutes the principal occupation of all in
the valley, while in the numerous towns and villages scattered
throughout are congregated the few trades-people necessary for the
supplies, as well as those who have acquired a competence and re-
tired to a life of quiet that they may end their days in peace. Be
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1 1 was iij INS! \vh»'ij I h«' iwu r()ii;j,r«'ssiiMn visited ih*- wilds oi Siil
livau county. Thiiif;s arc soiin-wliai ditTcrciit now. 'riic railroad,
the advance leader nt ciN ilizatimi. has eiieioaihed im llif wihlerness
and the dee]) foresis suri(>iiiidinil)urg, now controls all ih.- land in
the vicinity of the lake. The svndieale has ercrted s;tw mills, and
millions of feet of lunilxf have alreadv been sfot to market.

Lake Ganoga is now (|uite easy of access. A train can be taken at
Wilkes-iJarre, and in a little over three hours, Kicketls istation, at
Hia foot of North Mountain, is readied. It is only a short distance
from iheve to the lake. Tin re is quite a large hoKd at Ricketts,
and iuring the fishing and hunting seasoa it m well patronized.

cuAi'TKic :u\.

Lake &i PMn €»ve

Dne ut the most beautiful of the smaller valiies in l^enusyivanui
i> I'enn's valley, lying north uf the Tiiss.-y, ur ^even Mountain range,
and entirely enclosed by a suceessinn of smaller mountains, such a»
the Brush mountain. Nitiany mountain, etc. At the extreme west-
ern end of the valley is locate*! the 8tate Colh-ge, now one of the most
flourishing educational institutions in the tState, while at tj^e ex-
treme eastern end lies snugly ensconsed m tlie forks of the mouu
tains the village of Woodward, at which less than six months ago
was enacted the famous Et linger tragedy, the mosr heartrending
happening since the dars of the Indian massaej?es, on almost
exactly the same spot, one hundred and iwenty-liveyem-s ago.

Penns valley is the native liome of the original Peafisylvania
Dutch, a race of people as disiiuct from their felhiw num as are the
frish, French or Germans. Tln^ are especially aoted for their
thrift and handiwork in agricultural pnrsniis, and the wide scope
oC heaatiful farms, which dot the valley from owe end to the <rther
like the sfpiares on a ^ess board, all under the best possible state
of cultivation, and invarialdy owned by the resident, are in full
evidence. Farming const ilutes the principal occupation of all in
the valley, while in the numerous towns ami \illages scattered
throughout are congregati'd the few trades people necessary for tin*
supplies, as well as those who have ac(piired a competence and re-
tired to a life of quiet that they may end their d.iys in (•• ir.'. Ui?
16 18-9fi

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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..ii.uiui. at Leiiiuiit, the Lewi«buig and Tyrone Railroad traverses the
valley through its entire length, passing out through a gap in the

mountains at Coburn.

Such is a brief description of a valley which has for an attraction,
in addition to the beautiful scope of country and scenery above
enumerated, a natural curiosity the like of which is not to be found
anywhere else throughout the eastern slope; and not rivaled by any
other of the many natural pleasure resorts in the I'nited States. It
is in this valley that Penu cave is located, and to any who have
ever experienced the pleasure of a trip to and through this cave,
'twould be unnecessary to say anything further, as all would coin
Cide in the above statement and at once concord in the marvelous
picturesqueuess of its scenery, but the cave has been so little written
about, that it is scarcely known at all outside the boundaries of
Centre county. And the further fact that the cave is in the posses-
sion of one of the slow-going natives of the county, who either lias
not the means or the desire to beautify the surroundings and make
it the place it ought to be, is one more reason for its being so little
known, notwithstanding the fact that its discovery and exploration
dates back almost a score of years.

Penu cave is located on an eminence, one of the highest points in
the county, aside from the mountains, the altitude being about one
thousand feet above sea level, and within three and a half miles
of Spring Mills (Rising Springs), the nearest railroad station, on the
line of tiie Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad, which can be reached
from the east by way of tiie Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, via
Montandon, or from the west by w^ay of Bellefonte. However, the
great majority of visitors to the cave drive there from Bellefonte,
a distance of fourteen miles, the drive being picturesque and delight-
ful, and made mostly over a good road. About twelve years ago a
large hotel was erected at the cave by the proprietors, Messrs.
Samuel and Jesse Long, and ample accommodations are thus af
forded all visitors; but of this, more will be written later.

Penn cave house is located close to the public highway, and on ar-
rival there the visitor surveys the surrounding landscape in vain to
see the cave, or at least smne sign of its location. Nothing but broad
fields enclosed by higli mountain ranges meet the gaze, with the ex-
ception that to the west of the hotel stands a large clump of trees,
primeval of the original forest, all intertwined with a heavy under-
growth of brush and vines. On « xpressing a desire to visit the cave,
Jesse Long, tlie man in charge, and who, by the way, is a genius in
his own peculiai' s'yie. secures a Inige can of gasolene, and leading
the way. heads direct for the clump of trees above mentioned. On ar-
rival there the first sensation is that of keen disappointment, as the
i>iij^. luihg men in view is what seems to be a large sink hole In the

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

ground, all sides completely screened from the gaze by, a dense cov-
ering of small brush and wild vines, with what seems a mere bridle
path leading downward. A desi ent of ten feet brings one to a pair of
steps, down which the way is made to the rtrst landing, where, on
turning an angle, the first glimpse of the cave is Inouglit to view,
away down at the bottom of another long fiight <'f steps, and all
told about sixty feet from the top.

The first sensation that greets the visitor in his descent is the
marked change in the atmosphere. The temixiat urc may be ninety
degrees in the shade at the top, as one goes down the air becomes
cooler and cooler and the atmosphere more bracing until (»nce at the
entrance to the cave, it seems so cold as to actuallv make one
shiver. The temperature varies from W to i:» degrees all the year
through, being the warmer in winter time. Once standing on the large
platform of planks at the entrance to the cave, one cannot help but
be impressed with a longing to enter. The scene is grand beyond
description. Seventy-five feet above, up a perpendicular wall of
rock on the one side and slanting through a maze of vines on the
other, the sun shines in magnificent splendor, while directly before
you is a cavernous opening in the rocks, twenty-five feet high and
forty feet in width. In this vast cavern slumbers a lake of sparkling
water, invariably as clear as crystal, and reaching as far into the
black depths as the eye can see.

While the visitor is taking in all the surroundings, Mr. Long is
busying himself in preparing the boat and the light, the latter a
double gasolene lamp attached to the prow of the boat, and the
former large enough to accommodate a score or more. At the words,
"ready, jump in," the boat is entered and the voyage of sight seeing
in the cave begins. From i\w entrance of the cave to its terminus,
three thousand feet under the rocks, the journey is made entirely in
the boat, on a lake of water which carries a mean depth of from
ten to twelve feet the whole length until near the end, where there
is a depth of fifty feet and over. The width of the cave varies from
twenty to sixty feet in the clear, with numerous hugh chambers
branching way up in the rocks on either side. In height there is a
variation of from twelve to seventy-five feet. If the visitor is im
pressed with the beauty at the entiance, h(^ cannot help but gaze
in awe at the wonders displayed as the boat glides noiselessly along
over the placid waters. The light from the gasolene lamps casts n
wierd, ghostly radiance on all the surroundings, and the whole seems
a perfect maze of fantastic shapes and figures. Long rows and large
clusters of stalactites depend from the roof in every imaginable
form, while up from the depending rocky sides and rooms have
grown just as curious stalagmites. Tracings of fret work, represent-

344

&BPORT OF THE

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ations of animals, suakes, the arts, and human beiugs adorn the
rock walls on every side.

Penn cave is divided into two chambers, the first extending to a
depth of possibly one thousand feet, where there is a narrow chan-
nel, scarcely six feet wide, which is followed by the rear chamber.
In traversing the course, whicli is winding throughout, the first
thing which attracts the eye of the visitor is a huge stalactite, or
rather a group of stalactites, which are a perfect resemblance of
bunches of bananas. A little further on stands a beautiful specimen
of the 'Goddess of Liberty, enlightening the world," the representa
tion being perfect, even lo the rays of light from the taper in the
uplifted hand. Groups of stalagmites are scattered here and there
in exact reproduction of a cluster of Egyi)tian mummies, and one
is led to wonder if at some early day the ancestors of some unknown
race were buried by being embalmed and arranged in this cave.
Large strings of fish, enormous hauls of eels, the tiger head, elephant
tusks, white rabbits, a rhinocerous, the horse, dog, cow and sheep,
and almost every kind of representation in the animal kingdom, are
to be seen. Horticultural designs are also displayed in great
profusion. A sheaf of wheat, a field of growing grain, tobacco in the
plant and hung up to dry, flowers, etc., are all faithfully portrayed.

The arts, too, are not omitted, as the numerous models of various
kinds of sculpture are flashed on the gaze. At one side will be the
image of a tall building surrounded with innumerable statuesque
arrayed with apparently the most elegant taste. These beauties are
scattered everywhere throughout the entire length and breadth of
the cave, as if the whole had been designed by a master hand to
please and entertain the most fastidious. Truly, must one be im-
pressed on a visit to Penn cave, that the liand of the Creator has
fashioned nature more wondrously beautiful than oven the most
renowned artist or sculptor ever dreamed of. Another marvelous
thing must be given mention. It is a cluster of stalactites, very
closely resembling the pipe organ, depending from the roof by a
single huge stem, and by striking any one of the many distinct
pipes a very musical sound is produced not unlike those of the flute;
as every branch gives forth a different sound, it is highly probable
that a master hand could produce some very pleasing music from
this natural pipe organ.

The entire wall of rock is exceedingly vibratory. A loud call or
"hello" will reverberate from one end of the cave to the other, and so
apparently perfect are the acoustic properties that a ])erson at the
entrance speaking in a natural tone of voice can be heard the full
length of the cave. And although the top of the cave is composed
of one solid wall of rock from fifty to seventy-five feet thick, teams
passing tlie road, which runs over the cave, can be heard by a person

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

245

inside with such startling distinctness as to easily tell whether the
vehicle is drawn by one horse or two. On nearing the end of this
cavern a constant roar is heard, which grows louder and louder as the
end comes nearer, until one almost imagines he is being irresistibly
drawn into some infernal machine, but this fact is accounted for by
the rush of water through the rocks from the cave, a distance of per-
haps one hundred and fifty feet, where it emerges to the surface in
two large springs and in suflQcient quantity to furnish water power
for two large saw mills located not a hundred feet from where the
w^ater gushes forth. And this is the source of Penn creek, the first
stream discovered and named in this county.

The lake is such a wonder that it is hard to view it without pic
turing some hidden fountain away down in the bowels of the earth,
from which it draws its constant supply. The water never falls
below a certain level, no dift'erence how dry the season, and always
maintains the same sparkling cool temperature. Very hard rains,
however, will atTect it; the water then raising according to the rain-
fall, and becoming of a murky color. This is supposed to be mostly
from the surface drainage. During the flood of 1889 the water rose
some three feet. While viewing the wonders of the cave the writer
put this qu(»stion to the guide:

"Are there any fish in this lake?"

"Bless you, yes;" said Mr. Long. "Trout, and the very biggest
kind, too. When the water is clear you can se'e them most any
time, and especially out near the opening. I hav(^ seen trout in here
that I know were fully two feet long, and they are always quite
lively and sportive."

On being asked if he ever caught any or allowed fishing in the lake,
Mr. Long said the trout would not bite. He had often tried and so
had others, but never had the success of one bite, although he knew
there were hundreds of trout in the lake. It is more than likely that
they come there out of Penn creek, as the hole in the rocks through
which the water empties out is amj)ly large enough to admit of their
passage, and Penn creek is one of the best stocked trout streams in
Centre county. It is just possible that the trout make this cave their
winter abiding place.

Aside from its natural beauties. Penn cave is a remarkable study
for any student of nature, and especially the geologist. The rock
which forms the boundaries of this vast cavern are composed of
wiiat is known as the calcareous limestone, with a slight mixture of
silicia. Thev are alwavs in a humid condition, the fluid limestone
and water dropping from the vaulted roof to the lake all the time,
and yet so slowly as to not interfere with the pleasure of going
through the cave. As is well known, stalactites are formed by the
trickling of water from the roof, in which there is a goodly per

REPORT OF THE

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cent, of limestone in the liquid form ; and stalagmites are formed in
the same way, only the liquid droi)s to the ground or floor before it
hardens. Knowing this, and also that only about 1-100 of a drop
of this licpiid is liniestoiM', or, in other wor<ls, will solidify, what a
nice problem to compute the ag»' of this lavr. To grow all the stal
actites and stalagmites as are in Penn cave, and of the size they are.
would require ages nnd nges. hundreds ;md thousands of years of
time. Hut whatever the age, Penn cave is ;i wonder not exceeded
bv the famous Mammoth cave iu Kentucky, and well worth the
while of any one to visit.

As stated above, the proprietors are Messrs. Samuel and Jesse
Long, with the latter in charge of the cavp and hotel. Mr. Jesse
Long is one of. the old-time residents of the valley, and though not
always the owner of the cave, came into the possession of it about
the time it was discovered, as for many years it had been solely re-
garded as a sink hole in the ground and had been used as a dumping
place for stones and rubbish. He is now living in a humdrum way,
and has practically done nothing at all to bring the cave to a point
of general prominence, or it might be more universally known what
a beauty spot it is. Free advertising jind the application of other
modern methods would make of Penn cave one of the most popular
resorts east of the Mississippi, and at the same time a fortune for
the ow^ner. Twenty-five cents is the price he will charge to take
one through the cave, no difference if your in but fifteen minutes or
an hour and a half; he will give you bonrding ni 25 cents a meal, if
you eat but one meal or stay a week, and it is the same price for a
horse feed or lodging for yourself. In his work he is assisted by a
sort of man-of all-work, who tak» s care of your horse and will act
the waiter at meal time. However, these things do not militate
against, or detract one iota from the beauty of the cave, and the il-
lustrations here given, which were taken especially for this work,
cannot convey to the reader one-half the grandeur to be seen, or
the pleasure experienced by a visit to Penn cave, in Centre county,
at one time the original home of the aboriginal Shawanese and Dela-
ware Indians, but now th(» might-be famed resort of the beautiful
vallev of Penn.

CHAPTER XX

Crawford Countv Lakes.
Crawford county in the matter of lakes is to the western ])art of
Pennsylvania what Wayne county is to the northeastern section of
the State, that is to say. it contains the greatest number, though

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

247

there are onl}' ajbout half a dozen of them dotted here and there in
that territory. Nevertheless what there are are highly prized by
most of the Western Pennsylvanians, who make popular summer
resorts of them, and see that they are kept well stocked with fish.

In these Crawford county lakes, the great northern pike are found
in great abundance, and growing to a large size. Fish of this species
weighing from fifteen to thirty pounds are caught every now and
then and six, eight and ten pound "kings" are said to be abundant.
That there are not more lakes in Crawford and Northwestern Penn-
sylvania is not because they were not at one time very numerous,
frhe remains of very many are to be seen in all parts o-f Crawford
county, sedement, moss aiid other vegetation have long ago blotted
out these pretty lakes.

Lake Conneaut.

Although the great ice age swept through a portion of north-
western Pennsylvania, there are, comparatively speaking, few lakes
in that section of the State. Jt can, however, lo make up for a de
ficiency in numbers, boast of having the largest body of fresh water
within the borders of the Commonwealth. The sheet which has this
proud distinction is Lake Conneaut, in Crawford county. It extends
through three townships, has a town on its border, a small village
or two, several parks, and a railroad station at each end. It is forty
miles from Lake Erie, and nearly seven hundred feet above that vast
inland sea. Pittsburgh is only one liundr« d miles away. Us length
is nearly four miles, its average width is about one mile, and its
depth varies from ten to one huiMlred feet. It is serpentine in shape,
tlius giving an appearance of being niudi longer than it really is.
Almost its entire water supply is received from bubbling springs
in the deeper portions of the lake, bul there is an inlet, although this
stream is not an ancient water course, Un the lake is a true kettle
hole, and not formed by the damming up of a creek by a terminal
moraine.

The name Conneaut is derived from an old Indian word, Kowne
yaut, meaning the place of snow, because ul th;- snow remaining on
the ice of the lake long after it disappeared fi<»m the surrounding
land. Conneaut, like all the other lakes of the State, is beginning to
end its days. At one time it was much larger than it is now, the
dense Pymatuning swani]) at the north end was once part of this
noble sheet of water. As this swamp comprises more than nine
thousand acres, some idea can be had of what giand proportions
Conneaut lake must have been originally. Somewhere in the re
cesses of this vast swamp, people say, there lies buried beneath the

248

REPORT OF THE

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morass, a liuge boat, stated to be one huudied feet long. Exactly
where it is located no one seems to know, nor is there any positive
information whether it was built and used by white people, by In-
dians, or by a people who occupied the land before them. The last
idea hardly seems tenable, if indeed such a boat really does exist.
If it does, it is irrefutable evidence that, marked by world's time,
it has not been long since the waters of the lake washed the spot
where the craft now lies, decaying or decayed.

No section of Pennsylvania is richer in historic interest than the
neighborhood of Couneaut Lake. For ages it was the favorite hunt-
ing grounds of the Indians, and was held as neutral territory be-
tween the tribes of the Six Nations, and when the white man came,
there were fearful aud bloody encounters for supremacy. The fol-
lowing story is among the many exciting stories told of this section:

"About May 1, 1791, Cornelius Van Horn was attacked by Indians
while planting corn near the creek, where Meadville now stands. It
was a fearful struggle. One Indian put aside his gun and tried to
tomahawk him, but was prevented by Van Horn's activity. A plea
for life, after a conference was granted and the Indians, taking the
horses, started for Conneaut Lake. Here the horses were tethered
aud the captive tied to a tree, the Indians returning. Left alone,
the prisoner, with an old fashioned knife, cut the thongs, ran down
the outlet and worked his way back to the settlement. The tree to
which Van Horn was tied stood until a few years ago, just below the
mouth of the outlet.

Along the shores of Pymatuniug swamp are the remains of several
circular forts erected during the Indian days, and here also vast
quantities of relics are to be found.

Near the edge of this great swamp was where the first salt was
discovered west of the xVlleghenie.s. The existence of salt wells was
first made known through the Indians, who brought it to the white
men.

Lake Conneaut is entirely liemnied in by hills which slope rap-
idly away to lower levels on the north and south. "Ou account of
this peculiar situation," says a writer in the Pittsburgh Dispatch, the
lake witnesses many peculiar storm effects, yet seldom feels the
full effect of any great one itself. During the si'ason it is a common
thing to observe a big tempest approach until the hills a mile away
toward the west and southwest are obscured in the falling rain,
only to see it divide and pass by in two great wings, one to the north
the other to the south, and then unite again to the eastward.

"The altitude is also responsible for the cool nights which follow
the warmest da vs. Immediatelv the sun sets, the waters of the lake
fall into a dead calm, while a refreshing coolness comes from one
knows not where."

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

249

The principal settlement on the lake is the town of Lake Con-
neaut, formerly known as Evansburg, aud it is reached by the Pitts-
burgh, Shenango and Lake Erie Railroad. Close connections are
made at Erie, Pa., Conneaut, O., with the Lake Shore and Michigan
Southern Railway; and New York, Chicago and St. Louis (Nickel
Plate Railroad), for all points east and west. At Shenango and
Meadville, with the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, for
Youngstown, O., Oil City, Franklin, Pa., and Jamestown, N. Y.; at
Mercer with the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad for
New Castle, Pa. At Butler with Pittsburgh and Western Railroad,
and West Penn Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad for Pittsburgh
and Allegheny. There are several fast trains daily making close
connections at the junction points.

A great natural charm of Conneaut Lake is a beautiful beach of
sand which extends entirely around iis borders and which makes a
magnificent driveway for pleasure carriages.

Among the artificial attractions are a number of small steam
boats and a handsome exposition park. This is located at the head
of the lake embraces in all some 160 acres, and a water frontage
of about 100 rods. Here is located a large permanent exposition
and a splendid picnic groimds, and broad, graded avenues traverse it
in all directions. The chief building is an auditorium capable of
seating 1,000 people, with a dome GO feet high, from which a magnifi-
cent view can be had in all directions. Other attractive structures
are Floral Hall, 40 by lliO ieet, aud Mechanics' Hall, T.j by 150 feet.
Here also are Exposition Hotel, and Echo Hotel, formerly the Mc-
<Jlure House. "This," says a writer, ''is the place for those who are
at the lake for fun. There is alwfiys a din and clatter of music
and merry-makers at the Exposition. At one lime the I'resbyterians
of the district held their synods here, but I hey had lo give way to
the dance, the merry-go-round and the toboggan and Ihe other more
worldly and more attractive features of the place. There is a little
of everything at the Exposition grounds, and those who stop at one
of the summer hotels need never be at a loss for amusement."

Mr. W. (1. Kautt'man, an admirer of Lake Conneaut, in an article
published by the Pittsburgh Dispatch, says:

"An interesting and enjoyable way of taking in the lake is to
make the inlet the objective point of a tour commencing at the
town of Conneaut. Following the left bank one passes along an im-
mense field of reeds stretching half way up the lake, aud usually at
this time of the year full of reed birds. All along the edge is a
fringe of the gorgeous "brandy-bottles" or frog lilies, varied with
arrowhead and smaller kinds of flowering plants. In the glorious
sunsets which are more or less peculiar to the lake, on account of
some sort of atmospheric phenomena, the yellow lilies simply ablaze

260

REPORT OP THE

Oft. Doc.

all along the marshes, forming one of the most splendid sights one
can find anywhere.

"In the first stages of the journey one passes a very interesting
landmark, the big pine tree on the property of Squire K. J. Dennis,
one of the oldest residents of the place. 'Lone Pine,' as it has been
called, is the biggest tree in the neighborhood, and is especially to be
remarked as it stands all alone like a gigantic sentinel guarding the
southern bank of the lake. During one of the tremendous storms of
the past summer 'Lone Pine' was the victim of ;i r«'rrific bolt of
lightning. After the stroke the splendid old tree was seen to be in
a blaze, but a dash of rain put the fire ouf, and the tree still stands,
perhaps to remain for years to come, a guiding point for travelers all
around the lake.

"Two-fifths of the way up is a beautiful basin, formed by a tongue
of land known by the picturesque name of Wolf Point. No one
seems to know the exact derivation of the title, though traditions of
pioneer days are much more definite concerning some of the other
points of interest. At one side of the basin is (Mected the beautiful
summer cottage of A. f\ Huidekoper, of Meadvillr. In the eveninj^s
the little bay is a veritable dream of loveliness. Th(' wilhiws an<l
sprays among the lily ponds along the shore. There is a veritable
gathering of all the greens of the universe, from th.- most (h^Iicato
emerald to deepest olive. Fi(»\vers of all shades throw out a delicate
perfume, and kingfishers leap and chatter along tho shore. As the
light: dies out of the sky the little bay gradually .lianiies to a thou
sand delicate colors. It is a beautiful sight.

"Wolf Point is the paradise for lovers. It is half an island, and a
few years ago it was all one. The sloping iMach of j)retty gravel
and little shells has nearly always its gathering of 1 oats of those
who are sweet-heartinc' in the pretty little grove that covers the
I)eninsula.''

The same writer truly says: 'A first glim|»se is not always pleas
ing. Neither station on the little Meadville and Linesville Railroad,
at opposite ends of the lake, puts the traveler olT at a place afl'ording
opportunity of seeing th«- lake at its best. One must get away. from
the Exposition grounds or Tonneaut Lake station, lo find the pretty
places which abound along ih<- shores and in the vicinity. More
than one artist whose home is in IMttsburgh. whose perceptions are
nil without a guide book to assist, has rushed off ime train, sniffed
the air of the lake and waited for the next train away, and have been
thereafter especially zealous in declaring tin* lake without material
for pictures. I am charitable enough to believe that the artist who
has made such assertions has not gone more than 200 yards from the
railroad station. .\n artist with the knowledi-e of a cave-dweller

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

261

could find abundant material for his canvas in the bays, islands,
inlets and fields and woods that hedge Conneaut in.

"I remember asking a Pittsburgh artist to visit Lake Conneaut,
who demurred on account of the reports eoncerning the place he had
Irom other artists. Finally induced to spend a week there, he found
abundant opportunity for his brush, and that of a kind which would
sell, as he learned afterwards. However, this particular painter
was brainy enough to find what he wanted himself, and would have
reached Conneaut I>ake without suggestion, had he net been pre-
\f'nted by others who knew not of what they spoke. However,
enough has been said on this umtter. £ have only to express my pro
foundest pity for the person, sporting the name of artist, who says
Conneaut Lak(? scen<*ry is not possible for painting purposes.

"Beyond all question Conneaut Lake is th<' most attractive place in
the western end of the State. Year after year it becomes more and
more popular. It is an excellent place for the summer outing, being
a particularly healthful spot for women and children, while the fish
ing and — sometimes — the hunting ofl'er the men some attraction.
Pittsburghers are taking very kindly to the lake, thousands being
able to testify to the attractiveness of the lovely body of water.

"Whether in the daylight hours, with its crystal waters wrinkling
into blue, gray and emerald gieen wavelets under a sky of the rarest
blue, or at night with a great round moon reflected in a silver
streak on the mirror-like surface, there is something about Conneaut
that awakens the tenderest and best sentiments. It is good for all
when nature awakens us into moods of the deepest and sincerest sym
pathy, when all thought is held in the contemplation of the beautiful
world that is about us and is for our enjoyment. It is then we are
most grateful and reverent. Then it we are at our best, and Con
neaut has been good to us in putting us in such a mood."

For years Conneaut Lake has been noted for its fine fishing quali-
ties. This is due in a great measure to the immense number of
bass, pike and pike-perch with which the sportsmen of that section
and the officials of the Pittsburgh, Shenango and Lake Erie Railroad
Company have from time to time stocked its waters. These intro
diiced fishes have all thrived, increased and multiplied.

Some time ago the railroad company just mentioned published an
attractive pamphlet on Lake Conneaut, and in this they have the
following regarding the fishing. "A few incidents in regard to the
enormous size of the fish which have been taken may be of interest to
sportsmen visiting the lake. The largest i»ike (Esox lucius), taken
from the lake many years ago, was spean^d in the spring of the year,
before the law prohiV>ited spearing, and weighed over 50 pounds. It
was bought by a Meadville gentleman. The head was preserved and
for many years was on exhibition at the old Peale Museum, Phila-

X6i

RBFOBT OF THB

•j J , . Off. Doc

that renowned fishermaVknown k " '' '"""' "' *'**■ ^'^^ '^"'«^'
and «o well known bv^^" old Z '' "' S*"'«''^«ons of sportsmen,
killed a pike with ^od ^d , T " ^^°'*''"'° °' '^'"^

canal by one of our foe! fio ^ "' ""^ """"^f "^ *'>« »"*

This was at the tin. /he ,al e "T ^'"'^^' ^'"«''^*' ^'^i P""-''.
saw this flsh, and m„ t wt T ?"' " '^^ ''''■ '^"^ "'"*-
took two pike Tears aiowTfh '' '"""f^'- -"'"«■• a"d H-u Barnet,
eight o'clo^ck in-'the .uor'ur i,:? '"h '"" ""' '«'"'^'' *«"• •'^^«"-
ville, and it was certaTnlv? -^ t . "" ^'''*'''' """'^<' f''"-" Mead

n.an-a sigl.rr ^^ l^ottef T' "" 'T "' ""'^ ''^^«"
32i and 34 pounds. The bai nl. "7"'«ghed ■espectivelj

least a pound. The ilZ.t J ,\ """;' "'•"'' '"'='^^'''' "^'S^ing at
pounds. The XroL s Club t f " ''"' "'^'"•' ^^'^''> "«'shed U,
records fron. Ka'^ ea 1.1? ^^f^r.^ T'^ ^"^ -"-^erfu,
from their register shiws ah . "^^ "'"-' "e-" f«kei.

of ST black bass and two nii 1 "'."" ""^■■'' ^^"'"^ ^^ '""■• >-od-^
the largest bass w^.i gsiz S ' T'""'"' '" ^" '^^■' "-"•^«-
have been caught as larfe T/- / '' ''""'^" "'' '''« '"""'t bass

.ear am, «„f dl; Itfh n ,;lrd"S , /I "T"™' '"' "' ^'"'^
ten pound pike. .Another h^,, 1 "''' ""'' ^''een bass, and a

ing 15 pounds, was tak e .:*:;;; 't"f-' "";""^""" ^^^'«''-

"-ith a spear is prohibit J 'V """*'' ""•"'S'' f'e ice

.Some of L i«..er;:fr\r:r"?H?:?:'; t'-r '""^"^'-«-

nual meet of the Iroouois rinh f October. The au

tUe fall is P.obabl tri^ tio,?h/"T' °'' '*"■ •'''■'•^' ««'""g "'
catch before breakfast of In '"J°- "'''" '''^"^"•■e of the .year. The

rod. including a plfe to'Tl" ''7', •"•^ '" ^'^''* *•"- »" »-
sufficient to put them on the stool of ll t ^"'' """^ '""^^ ""•
the year. The calico or s„e,H?H k '^P^"*^°'=^ '"■■ "'« remainder of
perch are very plen tif ,U ' .JS Cs^n'/'/t' '■"'^!^' '"^^ '""' '^'*^"-
children. Strings of 100 or mo e^L re ' iS"";',''"'' ""^ T'' ''"'^
'ng. Large, roomv and good s,-, l,n.,.r f , • " '" " *'?«' '^s''"
and as the waves :,re nev ' tv h k ■'^; '"'"' ""'""'' ♦'^^ '^k''-

spoft^VcoX::; 7h::sr«:, "■'" ^"•"'-"- «-'"-' ^"'- - >ots of

"- in landing a n'sso; ' r^^'lld '" '""^ *^""^

small yellow and green bass or buil-heads The,' ^T' P"'='"'

-weet and dainty a morsel as one cou d w rt foT - °' ""' "* "

c
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No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Oil Creek Lake.

Oil Creek lake, or Canandohta lake as it is now called is the
second sized body of water in Crawford county. It is perhaps some-
what less than half the size of Couneaut lake, and like that beauti-
ful sheet is a popular summer resort. It is in Bloomfleld township
in the northeastern part of the county and its outlet is the west
branch of Oil creek, one of the largest streams in Western Penn-
sylvania. The Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad ex-
tends along the western shores of the lake, and about midway down
there is established a station at a place called Lakeville.

Canandohta lake was once a favorite rendezvous for the Seneca
Indians. Here long ago they held their annual pow wows, and
these interesting yearly proceedings were not discontinued until
long after the advent of the white man.

This beautiful body of water was not formed through the dam-
ming up of an ancient water course, but is a true kettle hole. Huge
springs form the main supply, although there are one or two small
spring runs which add to the quota of water. These little runs are
famous trout brooks, thus it is not surprising that specimens of this
famous game fish are occasionally caught in the lake near its head.
The chief indiginous fishes however are the great northern pike,
green bass, rock bass, sunfish and perch. The first named once
abounded, though in late years they have become scarce. The
largest great northern pike ever caught in Canandohta weighed
sixty-five pounds. It was captured about fifty years ago by a man
named James Hamilton.

Sugar Lake.

Mr. W. G. Sergeant thus describes Sugar lake: "This small sheet
of water is about one-quarter of a mile long and rather less than
this in width. It is fed entirely by springs, and its outlet forms one
of the tributaries of French creek. The indiginous fishes are big
mouth green bass and sunfish. The lake is shallow, the water
averaging only from six to eight feet in depth. Our great northern
pike would thrive there undoubtedly. It is not a summer resort to
any great extent, and there are no railroad facilities for reaching it.
In former years I liave taken some large green bass but now it is not
considered a favorite ground for anglers."

No. IS

FISH COAIMISSIONEK^

Oil Creek Lake.

Oil Creek Inki*, or Caiiaiidolita lake as it is now called is the
second sized body of water in Crawford county. U is perliaps some-
what les.s than half ilie size of Conneaut lake, and like ih.it beauti-
ful sheet is a )Ki]>ular suuinier resort. U is in Blooniiield township
in the northeastern part of the county and its outlet is the west
braneh of Oil creek, one of the largest strcsims in Western Penn-
sylvania. The Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad ex-
tends along the western shores of the lake, and about midway down
there is established a station at a place called Lakeville.

(.'anandohta lake was once a favorite rendezvous for the Seneca
Indians. Here long ag(» they held their annual pow wows, and
these interesting yearly proceedings were not discontinued until
long after the advent of the white man.

This beautiful body of water was not formed through the dam
nn»g up of an ancient water course, but is a true kettle hole. Huge
springs foiin the main supply, although there are one or two small
spring runs which add to the quota of water. These little runs are
famous trout brooks, thus it is not surprising that specimens of this
famous game lish are occasionally caught in the lake near its head.
The chief indiginous fishes however are the great northern pike,
greeu bass, rock bass, sun fish and perch. The first named once
abounded, though in lale years thej have become scarce. TIh'
largest great noithern pike ever caugbt hi (^anandohta weighed
sixty-five pounds. It w«« captured about fifty years ago by a raaii
named James Hamilton.

Sugar Lake.

Mr. W. (J. Sergeant thus describes Sugar lake: "This small sheet
of water is al)out one-quarter of a mile long aud rather less than
this in width, ll is fed enliiely by springs, and its outh't forms one
of tlie tributaries (»f French creek. The indigin<»us fishes are big
iiKMith green bass and suntish. The lake is shallow, the water
averaging only from six to eight feet in dejMh. Our great northern
I)ike would thrive there un(b)ubt('d]y. It is not a summer resort to
any great extent, and there are no railroad facilities for reaching it.
Ill former years F have taken some large gi-een bass bni now it is Tiot
considered a tavoiiie j^ronnd U)V .iiigk'rs.'"

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

Mud Lake.

Mud lake is probably the suiallest body of water of the kind in
Crawford county. It is much less than a mile long, and scarcely a
quarter of a mile wide. East Fallowtield township on the southern
borders of the county is its location, although a few rods more to the
west would hav(? placed it in West Fallowfleld township. Mud lake is
the least interesting of (he Western Pennsylvania lakes, being quite
shallow and with a thick mud bottom. Its outlet is Crooked creek,
a tributary of the Shenango river, as a Ashing resort it is not much
esteemed, anglers preferring Couneaut lake, only a few miles away.

CHAPTER XXI.

Lackawanna County Lakes.

When the ice age tirst passed away, the scene in portions of Lack-
awanna county must have been one of awful desolation. The whole
face of the land thereabouts was changed. Great valleys had be-
come filled up, hills were partly levelled, and the ground torn and
ploughed in every direction. The great ice sheet on its disappear-
ance, left behind it vast quantities of stones and boulders brought
from elsewhere, and this debris so littered the country in parts of
Lackawanna, that numerous ponds or lakes were formed, chiefly by
the unequal damming up of pre-glacial valleys. The greater num-
ber of these lakes are found in Benton township, where the glaciers
of the ice age seem to have been particularly numerous and large,
but there are many dotted throughout the county. Most of the lakes
in Lackawanna are without inlets, their water supply coming from
rail! water which percolates through the surrounding drifts, and
rises as springs along the sides and bottoms of the ponds.

Lackawanna's Lake Centre.

Benton township, in the northwest comer of Lackawanna county,
is abundant with natural bodies of water, all of which are in the
watershed of the South branch of Tunkhannock creek. These lakes
are located in groups of twos and threes, and are easily reached from
either Dalton or La Plume stations on the Delaware. Lackawanna

Baylor's Lake, Lackawanna County

Lake Bassett, Lackawanna County.

I INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

»n-

H wiM^mmu,

No. 18.

FISH COMMCSSIONERS.

o
U

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o

and Western Kailroad, over country highways remarkable for their
excellence. Right up in the very corner of the township are Lakes
Sheridan, St. John, Windfall and Manatako, all pretty bodies of
water, running in area from forty to one hundred and tifty acres;
iu the central part of the township, contiguous to the villages of
Wallsville and Fleetville, are Lakes Bassett and Baylor and Crooked
Lake, covering in extent about seventy-five to two hundred acres.
Lake Worth lies to the northwest of Fleetville, about two miles, and
to the northwest is Hanson Lake, about ninety acres in the former
and nearly fifty in the latter, while several others smaller in size,
but none the less beautiful are faiind scattered here and there, some
with modern appellations, but more generally known as the ponds of
long ago, though each is a natural body of water fed by springs.
These lakes are all open bodies oif water, well supplied with fish —
pickerel, perch and bass abounding — and all have been at times sup-
plied with State Hatchery fry, excepting Lake Baylor. The land
owners abutting these lakes are not as a rule captious concerning
the public use of these waters, but they have rights which they ex-
pect any one desiring to fish to respect, such as the wanton de-
struction of property or unnecessary walking over planted fields in
reaching them.

Bavlor's Lake.

Baylor's Lake, the largest of the Benton township lakes, lies about
three-fourth-s of a mile to the east of Fleetville. It is nearly a mile
in length, its width varying, the widest part not exceeding fifteen
hundred feet, that at the southern end where the lake has a huge
vase-like shape, narrowing down to one hundred to two hundred
feet at the outlet. There is very little marshy shore to the lake,
and its contour on the whole is one that is attractive to the eye. Its
eastern shore is for the greater part skirted by a wooded growth,
while patches of trees dot here and there the western lines. This
lake is a noted pickerel fishing ground, and is to day, but now that is
has become a public waterway by a recent Supreme Court decision
touching the proprietary rights of abutting land owners, there is not
expected to be that same care exercised over it that has for years
marked it and made it a spot where the fisherman could feel sure of
ample return for hi;? day's spni-t. This lake has never received any
supplies from the State Fish Commission, but now that others may
see and realize the need of keeping up the fish supply that agency
in the economy of the Commonwealth may be called upon.
17

2S6

REl'ORT OF THIC

Off. Doc.

Bassett Lake.

Just south of Fleetville, and almost within stone's throw of the
three church spiies that rise out of the village, lies Bassett Lake, a
natural body of water covering almost sixty acres. A fringe of
swamp growth marks much of ihe southern shore, but the other
banks of the lake are almost wholly free of this hindrance, and with
a bottom that recedes easily has an approach that is liked by those
who launch boats from its shores for a day's fishing out in the
deeper water. This lake has been time and again supplied with
wall-eyed pike and bass fry, and many tine matches have been re-
<orded on the porch of the Motel Potter and the Fleetville House,
the two village hosielries. ^'elill\v perch and catfish are also abun-
dant, and despite the lake's ueariiess lo the village, it dees not in any
manner seem "'tished out."

Crooked Lake.

A mile soulheast, just oil" the roadway lea<ling from Fhetville to
Kast Benton is (Jrooked Lake, lying amcmg the hills and with its
largest border line abutting the farm of George Van Fleet. The
lake is rather triangular in form, covers about sixty acres, and has
a tinelv wooded shoie on ils western .ind ncrthern borders. Cleared
fields mark the balance of the siiore line. This lake is fished liber-
ally for pickerel and perch.

Hanson Lake. ' '

Two miles further away to the northeast, reached either by the
ClifTord turnpike from Fleetville oi a fine highway from Wells' Cor-
ners, snugged deep down in the valley formed by deep sloping hill-
sides, that on all the shores (excepting the western, which is heavily
\v(>oded), being cleared farming land, is found Hanson Lake, the
piettiest. though by no means the largest, of the lakes of Benton.
This lake is fed by innumerable springs, and its water is of a crystal
clearness and purity. The lake dips right away from the east and
west shores intf) deep water, which in the centre sounds fifty to
sixty feet in depth. The lak(^ abuts four difT(Tent farm holdings—
those of Murray Kennedy and his brother being the greater. There
are no limitations to fishing in its waters, the only thing to do being
the seenring of permission to do so and the use of a boat from one
of the proprietary holders. Some lake trout hav(^ been placed in this
lake, but nfuie liave as yet been reported as taken. There are yellow

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

257

perch and other smaller fish of the finny tribe, while pickerel are
abundant and are freely taken with live bait. During the season of
1896 there have been many catches here of three to four pound
pickerel. This lake covers about fifty acres, and has also at both the
northwest and southeast ends large pads of water lilies. It is one
of the fairest of the lakes of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and ap-
proaching it the beholder is at once delighted and ready to give him-
self over to a rest upon its shores.

Lake Manatako.

Lake Manatako lies like a calm pool among the hills in the western
part of Benton township, Lackawanna county, about two miles from
Wallsville. Excepting a small clump of trees at one corner, its
shores are barren of wooded growth. The hills gradually recede
away from it in a gentle slope, and at no point is there any abrupt
rise of ground. The lake covers between forty and fifty acres, and is
almost wholly upon land owned by Mr. Walter Davison. It is stocked
with pickerel, bass, lake trout and perch, besides others of the smaller
finny tribe, affording plenty of live bait for the fisherman who comes
to enjoy the lake's fullness. There are no restrictions as to fishing,
boats being furnished by the lake owners. Lake Manatako is fed
by springs that bubble up along a shallow shore, and the water is
remarkably clear and cool. It i« thirty-eight feet deep at the deepest
point. The outlet is a small stream running almost west into the
South branch of Tunkhannock creek. The nearest railroad points
are Dalton and La Plume, on the Delaware, Lackawanna and West-
ern Railroad, from either of which the lake is easily reached by
drives over fine countrv roads.

Windfall Lake.
Windfall Lake is also in the western part of Benton township,
Lackawanna countv, about a mile to the northwest of Lake Mana-
lako. It covei'S about the same area — forty acres — but its shores are
covered for nearly thr<'e-fourths of their line with woods that stretch
away for some rods. It is twenty -eight feet in dejtth at its deepest
point; the shores are more abrupt than those of its near neighbor,
and the woodland rises more steeply. The outlet is marred by a
marshy growth, but otherwis^e the lake is an open and beautiful body
of water. In it pickerel and perch have abundant play. There are
no bass or lake trout, though th(^ eottagers about the lake* contem-
plate the addition of lake trout and wall-eyed pike during the year
l7-.18~9e

268

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1897. The lake is fed by springs, and its outlet is also into the South
branch of Tunkhannock creek. It is owned by several adjacent
farmers, and cottagers who have summer homes along its shores have
the right to its free use such as their holdings give. The lake is
reached by drives from La Plume and Dalton, but is not much sought
excepting by those personally interested in it.

Gravel Lake.
Located almost in the centre of West Abington township, Lacka-
wanna county, is one of the prettiest of the many small natural lakes
which lie scattered all through the northwestern corner of that
county. It is known as Gravel Lake, so called because of the gra-
velly nature of its bottom, and covers about sixty acres. It lies
almost a mile west of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Rail-
road, and is easily reached by a drive of a mile and a half from
Clark's Summit Station, or about the same distance from Glenburn
station. Its outlet is Ransom cret4v, which empties into the Susque-
hanna river above Pittston. It is the property of the farmers whoi?e
lands run down to its shores, but may during the year 1897 pass into
the hands of a syndicate, principally composed of Philadelphia men
of means who have through two Scranton gentlemen— H. N. Patrick,
Esq., and W. S. Mears— taken an option on the lake and a certain
amount of all the land about the l:ik(\ the total purchasing price to
be $60,000. This syndicate has in contemplation the project of mak-
ing the lake a desirable place for the building of summer homes, es-
pecially by Scrantonians. and in connection therewith the construc-
tion of an electric railway from Soranton. The western shore of the
lake is lined with a magnificent stretch of virgin forest ; the eastern
shore is a succession of open fields that rises gradually to a pleasant
elevation, affording a grand view of the lake and its surroundings.
The north and south sliores come to rounded ends. The eastern
bank is a series of curved lines, which give a decided advantage for
a beautiful laying out of cottage sites and for a driveway. The lake
has been a successful fishing ])lac(' for yellow perch and pickerel,
while many others of the smaller fish are found there. Some lake
trout were placed in the lake two years ago, but mme have yet been
caught from it.

Glenburn Lake.

Glenburn Lake, which covers about thirty acres, lies along the
line of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Wostern Railroad in North
Abington townsliip, Lackawanna <onnt>, about one-half mile from

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

269

Glenburn station. Its outlet is a small creek that flows due north
into the South fork of Tunkhannock creek. The south shore of the
lake is a rather attractive one, free from giassy or swamp growth,
skirted by a roadway that leads into West Abington. The north and
west shores are rounded by the railroad, from which a splendid view
of the lake is to be had, and also of the mountains that rise to the
south towards Scranton. The Abington turnpike crosses the outlet
by a stone arch bridge. Along the north bank large ice houses have
been erected, and the ice harvested from the lake is shipped to the
New York market. This lake, as well as Gravel Lake, a mile fur
ther west, is fed from springs which bubble up from the bottom, the
purity of the water being exceptional. Glenburn Lake is owned by
W. H. Palmer, whose mansion is built upon an eminence to the
northeast and from which a charming vista is to be had of the lake
and its surroundings. I'erch, pickeiel and catfish are plentiful in
its waters, but little fishing is allowed.

Lily Lake.

About one and one-half miles to the northwest of Waverly bor-
ough, in North Abington township, Lackawanna county, nestling
down in the hollow of the hills which surround it, is found Lily Lake,
a favorite resort of people in Scranton and other towns of the anthra-
cite coal regions because of the vast pads of pond lilies which cover
a large part of its surface. A heavy woods skirts the southern
shore, the trees upon the banks reflecting their huge heights upon
the clear water when skies are favoring and the sun comes sharply
glinting over the hills of the western horizon. The western end of
the lake is practically free of the lily growth, and offers an open
space for boating purposes. The lake covers between sixty and
seventy acres, and its outlet is a small run that leads into the south
fork of Tunkhannock creek. A day on the shores of Lily Lake is
one of the delights of life, whether the time be passed in fishing,
resting in the quiet shades, or gathering the beautiful blossoms that
grace the water's surface. There are some pickerel in the lake, but
they are shy and catches of large ones are exceptional. Perch, cat-
fish and sunfish are common. No systematic effort at stocking the
lake has ever been made, yet such effort carried on and properly safe-
guarded would make this lake an excellent fishing ground. The pro-
prietary interest in the lake is owned by Mr. George Corey, but th<*
lake is an open one to all visitors under certain restrictions.

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Moosic Lake.

Moosic Lake, like a sparkliiij- ^cm, lies in a bowl ou the eastern
slope of the Moosic Mountain, in Jefferson township, Lackawanna
county. It covers about one hundred and twenty-five acres, and is
one of the most charming of the smaller lakes that abound all
through this corner of the State. The lake is the property of the
Davis and Porter estates, of Philadelphia, but some persons living
in the Lackawanna valley are interested in it. The lake has a sand
bottom and is so free of shore growth and underbrush that a pretty
drive is easily had all around it. It is reached from Paupack Cross
ing on the Erie and Wyoming Valley Railroad, from which point it
is nearly two miles distant. Its waters flow into a run that empties
into one of the tributaries of the Wallenpaupack creek, emptying into
the Delaware at Lackawaxen. The lake has been stocked from the
State Fisheries with lake trout and black bass, but little fishing is
done in the place excepting by those having a proprietary interest
therein, and who have erected handsome cottages there for their ac-
commodation.

Maple Lake.

In southeastern Lackawanna county are two lakes which in the
course of development of water supply for the cities and towns of
the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys have taken ou new names
and new appearances, altogether different to what they were known
by to the old settlers in those sections. Years ago Rattlesnake Pond
was good enough name for what is now Maple Lake. Then stumps
and fallen trees made approaches to the pond a hazardous and
treacherous undertaking; now good roadways lead to the place, the
former dangers are wholly obliterated, and the lake, which covers
about one hundred acres, is almost a fairy spot. It is situated at
the headwaters of Spring brook, about three miles from Elmhurst
on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railrciad, an<rj[ias had
its attractive transformation by the efforts of the Spring Brook
Water Company, at the head of which is ex-Lieutenant Oovernor
Watres and ex-Congressman Amerman. This lake has within the
last few years been liberally stocked with wall-eyed pike and yellow
perch, and while little fishing is allowed there at present because
of a desire of the owners to give the fry a chance, it is expected that
within the next couple years some magnificent catches will be re-
corded, thonph all fishing there will be protected by ample safe-
guards.

No. 18.

FISH COMMlSSlONiCRrf.

Drinker Pond, or Lake Henry.

Drinker Pond was the old familiar name for what is now Lake
Henry, in Lehigh township, Lackawanna county. It always was
an attractive fishing ground, and within recent years has been fairly
alive with pickerel and bass. Last year the Scrautou Water Com-
pany condemned the lake for the purpose of increasing its water
supply for Scranton city, and in making improvements for increasing
its storage capacity, and in clearing away stumps and sunken logs
that were plentiful in the lake, some of the workmen made surprising
catches of fish. Among the fish taken were two lake trout which
weighed twelve and fourteen pounds respectively. This lake natur-
ally covers ninety acres, but with the raising of the outlet by means
of a heavy stone wall, the lake will be nearly doubled in its size.
Fishing in the place will only be by the severest restrictions, but the
man who throws his line in the place is expected to be handsomely
rewarded for his efforts. This lake has had furnished to it at
various times, before its condeumation for water supply purposes,
a large quantity of bass and lake trout. It is reached most handily
from Gouldsboro, a station on the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern Railroad, or from Moscow, a station on the same road, and the
place for getting the proper accoumiodations is at (Jersbacker's, a
hotel not far from the lake, and which is also a famous stopping
place for fishermen during the trout ing season, it being located with
in easy access to most of the best trout streams in the Spring Brook
and Upper Lehigh regions.

Crystal Lake.

Cut squarely in two by the boundary line tiiat divides Lackawanna
and Susquehanna counties is one of the prettiest natural lakes to be
found anywhere in Pennsylvania, Crystal Lake is its name — a name
rightly applied, for nowhere will water be found so clear that can be
pierced like this with the human eye. Almost a parallelogram in
form, running from northwest to southeast by the compass, a mile
long and three-fourths of a mile wide, with scarcely a rod of varia
tion as to its sides, Crvstal Lake presents a field of water that does
not weary the beholder as he passes his eye across and down it. Ex
cepting a grove that skirts about one-half of the southeast shore,
its banks are free from forest growth. The lake is located partly in
Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, and partly in Clifford
township, Susquehanna county, a mile from the village of Dundaff,
and six miles from the city of Carbondale. It is owned by capitalists
from Scranton, Philadelphia and Caibondale. who in the past few

262

REPORT OF THE

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years have greatly improved its surroundings, building a magnificent
driveway around the entire laiie, with approaches to the public high-
ways that lead to ditferent parts of the two counties. These gentle-
men have also erected beautiful summer homes here, and are giv-
ing the lake a personal supei vision which ultimately means its still
greater enhancement. Two hotels, the Ferncliffe and the Crystal
Lake House, both located on the northern or Susquehanna county
side of the lake, are fitted up for the accommodation of a large num-
ber of guests— many city people sojourning liere during the summer.
The lake is well stocked with game and other fish, and black bass
weighing five to six por.nds have been freely taken during the past
season. Dr. White, of Dundaff, took the first interest in securing
fish from the State Fisheries for this lake, and through his aid lake
trout, swan bass, black bass, wall-eyed piUc and yellow perch have
been repeatedly placed in its waters, the result being a plentiful har-
vest for the devoted fisherman who enjoys the sport as it is here af-
forded. Crystal Lake lies at an elevation of over two thousand feet
above the sea. Its water varies in depth, but over the greater por-
tion it runs twenty to seventy feet. Any sort of a lively breeze will
stir its surface into a white-capied fury that makes it dangerous to
the inexperienced oarsman. Several steam launches are to be added
to its flotilla during the season of 1897, and in other ways itsjit-
tractions as a pleasure nsart and a fl-ihing g ound are to b/ added to.
It is most ea.sily reached by a railroad journey to Carbondale, and
thence by stage coach or other conveyance through a country that is
delightful with mountain and farming scenery.

Newton Lake.
Just over the hills, not more than a quarter-mile away from
Crystal Lake, in Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, lies
Newton Lake, one of the largest inland lakes of the north-
eastern section of the State. Its elevation is perhaps one hun-
dred feet less than that of its near neighbor. It lies
contiguous to the Dundaff turnpike, stretching away in an east-
erly direction for fully a mile. Very little wooded growth lines
its shores, which recede gradually in deep water, the greatest depth
of the lake being thirty to thirty-five feet. The t^hores are irregular
in contour, yet alfording pleasant anchorage anywhere and delightful
cottage locations, some few of which are already occupied by persons
desirous of establishing summer homes here. Its greatest width
reaches twelve hundred feet. The outlet of the lake is a stream
which flows west by northwest, emptying into the east branch of

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Tunkhannock creek. The nearness of Crystal Lake with its hotels
and of the village of Dundatt', in Susquehanna county, have obviated
the need of hotels on the shores of Newton Lake, but at the several
farmhouses close by accommodations can generally be had by those
wanting such near the lake. Wall-eyed pike and perch are plentiful,
and the lake is regarded as excellent fishing territory. Boats are to
be secured from any of the adjacent land owners, and there are no
restrictions to the fishing privileges. The lake has also b;*en stocked
with lake trout from the State Fishery Commission, and much prom-
ise is expected from this source in the course of a eonple of years.
Newton Lake is reached best from Carbondale, and the roads in its
vicinity will be found of an excellent nature, affording delightful
drives along highways which in many in.vtanoes are magnificently
shaded, this being the case more so as on - apjiroiches into Susque-
hanna county.

Lake Wahconda.

Lake Wahconda, in Roaring Brook township, Lackawanna county,
is the largest natural body of water within easy access of Scranton.
It is about three-quarters of a mile east of Elmhurst station, on the
Erie and Wyoming VaUey Railroad, and about a mile from the Del-
aware, Lackawanna and Western station at tl:e same place. Elm-
hurst is ten miles southeast of Scranton. The Lil e is on an elevation
above the town, in a valk^y in the highi st part of the eastern portion
of the county. Rising above it on the north is a wood-clad hill. The
lake is pear-shaped, the large end resting against the west, where,
spreading in an almosi perfect semicircle from the south into the
north, an ancient forest stands. From their great height, many
ancient oaks, blasted by the winds of many winteis, look across the
lake. The timber is mostly larch and hemlock, though here and
there a great oak yet reaches toward the clouds. The northeastern
and eastern shores were swept by fire in recent years, while on the
southeast are cleared farming lands which show farth the fr\iit of
the husbandman. The lake covers about sixty acres of surface, and
is supplied mostly by springs from its rocky bottom. Several small
runs originating in springs on the hillsides emjity thiMnselves into the
lake. The outlet of the lake is into the Roaring broik. The lake's
bottom is sandstone covered with several inches of white sand of
which the basic rock is formed. Upon the surface were several
floating islands that, joining toge h -r. lecame attached to the main
land. These are now being detached and removed, and when the
work is completed Lake \\'ahconda will be one of the finest bodies
0f spring water in the State of Pennsylvania The lake is filled

264

REPORT OF THE

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with German carp and all the small species of fish naturally found in
fresh water lakes, but the owners of the lake contemplate the com-
plete eradication of these and the stocking of the lake with the very
choicest fry that the State fisheries can supply.

CHAPTER XXII.

Wyoming County Lakes.

Wyoming county shared to some extent the terrific tearing up
which parts of Lackawanna county experienced through the action
of the ice age. Thus there are many pretty lakes within its borders
as compensation. Like the majority of the natural ponds in Lacka
wanna, Susquehanna and W^ayne counties, those of Wyoming are
without inlets, but receive their water supply direct from springs.

Lake Winola.

JSituated in Uvertield township, Wyoming county, is one of the
largest and most attractive lakes in Pennsylvania. It is called Lake
Winola, but years ago it was best known as "Breeches Pond," and
is still so designated by some of the older inhabitants, because its
formation was quite similar to that bifurcated garment of human
apparel. But as Lake Winola, a name given to it by an Indian tra-
dition which coupled the romancc^of a dusky maiden of the forest
with it, it has become one of the favorite resorts for pleasure seek
ers and summer dwellers. Along its shores there are now no less
than sixty cottages, the greater portion being owned by citizens of
Scranton, and the balance by people of Wilkes-Uarre, Pittston and
Tunkhannock, many of whom live here from early spring until late
in the autumn. Tliese cottages are all of two-story frame construc-
tion and are fitted up with all the conveniences of a city home. Be-
sides these, there is the Lake Winola House, a large three-story
frame building, which has accommodations for two hundred people.
The hotel is located on the southern shore of the lake, on an eminence
of ground sixty feet above the lake and 150 feet back from the shore
line, affording magnificent views of the broad ex]ianse of water and
the fnrminjr country that stretclu s Mway to the north and west.

C/)

C/3

1/1

(72

f INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

jT^^^^^^y^

•

■

'J^H

•':••

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Hr^'Ml

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No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Lake Winola is the property of the Lake Winola Association, char-
tered for the "purpose of the maintenance of a park for the preserva-
tion of fish out of season, and the maintenance of good order." It
is four miles from Falls station on the Lehigh Valley Railroad and
six and a quarter miles from Factoryville on the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western Railroad. Its elevation is 1800 feet above the
sea, the rise in altitude from Falls station alone being over seven hun-
dred feet, down which grade plunges and roars the narrow creek that
leads from the lake, this vast water power practically going to
waste, excepting as it is utilized at a few points for furnishing
power to saw and grist mills. Lake Winola is fed by an innumerable
number of subterranean springs, and its depth in some places ex-
ceeds one hundred feet. The eastern shore is almost a continuous
stretch of woods. About one-half of the south shore is wooded,
and so is the "point" of the land that separates the "legs" of the
lake. The lake is stocked with fish every year, the association plac-
insT 20,000 frv in its waters in 1895, and nearlv the same number the
current year, and the result is a place where the fisherman gets
ample reward for his labor. Bass, pickerel, perch, lake trout and ca t-
fish are abundant, showing that they thrive well in the clear, cool
waters of the lake. There are no marshes or swamp sections about
the lake, and no mosquitoes or malaria trouble the sojourner upon its
shores. There are fine w^alks and delightful drives in every direc-
tion from the lake. Lake Winola covers an area of 475 acres of clear
unobstructed water. It is more than a mile long across tlie southern,
or main end; the eastern "leg" is three-fourths of a mile long and
two thousand feet wide, and the western "log is about five-eighths
of a mile long and 1,500 to 2,000 feet wide. The shore.s along the
"point" dip right off into deep water, but on the northern, eastern
and southern sides stretch away a hundred to two hundred feet with
a sandy or gravel bottom before reaching a depth exceeding six
feet. An electric railroad has been broached lo connect the lake
with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, and when
this is consummated, Winola will become more and more a delight
to I'ennsvlvanians.

Lake Winola was evidently formed, say the authors of the geo-
logical surveys of the State, from the damming up by drift, of a
pre glacial valley, which had been excavated by a stream then
flowing into Osterhout's creek; the dam of morainic material being
sufticiently high to raise the water in the lake to such a point that
it found an exit to the southwest into the valley of Buttermilk
creek. This explains the precipitous character of the present stream
bed.

No. 18.

FISH OOMMISSIONERS

I
I

^ 1

}

Lake Wiiiola is the piupei ty of the Lake Wiuola Asbociatiou, char-
tered l'<»r ilie "puipuse of the maintenance of a park for the preserva
rion of lish out (.>f season, and the maintenance of good order." It
is four mih'S from Fails station on ihe Lehigli N'alley Kailroad and
six and a quarter miles from Factoryville on ihi- Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Weslern Kailroad. lis <*l«'vation is isOlt feci above the
sea, the rise in altitude from Falls static »n alone being over seven bun
dred feel, down which grade plunges ami roars the nari-ow creek that
leads from the lake, this vast water power practically going to
waste, excepting as ii is niilized ai a few points for furnishing
power to saw and grist mills. Lake W inohi is fed by an innumerable
number of subterranean springs, and its depth in some places ex
C€eds one hundred feet. The eastern shore is almost a continuous
stretch of woods. About one half of the south shore \m wooded,
and so is the "point" t»f the land that separates the "legs" of the
lake. The lake is stocked w ith fish every year, the association plac
innr 20.000 fry in its waters in L^Or», and nearly the same number the
current year, and the result is a place where the fisherman gets
ample reward for his laboi-. Uass, pickerel, perch, lake trout and cat-
fish are abundant, showing thai tliey thrive well in the clear, cool
water* of the lake. There are no marshes «n' swamp sections about
the hike, and no mosquitoes or malaria trouble the sojourner upon its
shores. Thei*e are fine w^alks and delightful drives in every direc-
tion from the lake. Lake Wiuola lOvers an area of 475 acies «>f clear
nnobstriitied waier. ft is mme ilian a mile long acros.s ili<- southern,
or main end; the easiern "leg" i> iiii« e-fourlhs of a mile long and
two thousand feet wide, and the western "k*g is about tive-eighths
of a mile long and L50# to 2.000 feet wide. The shores along the
"point" dip right olf into ^ep watei-, but un the norihern, eastern
and southern sides stretefc away a liundnd to two hundred feet with
a sandy or gravel bottom before reaching a d (tth exc«HMling six
feet. An electric lailioad has Immmi bioached m connect the lake
with the Ih'laware. Lackawanna and Western liailroad. and when
this is consummated. Wiuola will Vecome more and more a delight
to iViinsylvanians.

Lake Wiuola was evidently fernied, say the authors of the geo-
logic.il .<ui\eys of the State, from the damming n]i by drift, of a
l>re glacial valley, which had been excavated by a stream then
flowing into Osterhoui's creek; the dam of morainic material being
snilicienfly high to raise the water in the lake to such a point that
it found an exit to the southwest into the valley of Buttermilk
creek. This explains the ])recipltous character of the present stream
bed.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc-

La ke Carey, or Necscoletta.

This pretty little lake lies over 1,000 feet above the sea, on the
mountain tops and nestiinjj among otiier mouiitaius, in Lemon and
Tunkhanuoek township, Wyoming county, in the northeastern part
of the fc?tate of Pennsylvania. The original patent, as of record in
the office of the Secretary of Internal Atfairs at Harrisburg, is in the
name of Jacob Auld, and later in James Baird and Earl H. Carey,
the Carey patent being laid thereon because of the refusal of Baird
to pay for a patent for land covered by water. This body of water,
one and three-quarter miles long and three-fourths of a mile wide,
covers over 860 acres to which must be added upwards of lUO acres
covered by the lower lake. The lake has no inlet, though Hughes
Pond, located some distance to the west, empties its waters therein,
but at no time is there visible any considerable body of water pass-
ing from the pond to the lake. From the Lottom of the lake comes
generous quantities of pure sjjring water, which create and maintain
the lake itself. To more accurately locate Lake Carey the following
distances are given. It is ^iii miles by rail from the city of Wilkes-
Barre, S7 from the city of Scranton, and 2) miles from the city of
Pittston by the same route. Across country it is seven miles to
Caryl station, on the Delaware and Lackawanua Kailroad, from
which point it is but 15 miles tu S< ranti:ih The lake is reached
from Tunkhannock, the couuiy se.it of \\yoiinn,L», by the Montrose
Railroad, in six miles, while l,y road four uiih s cvers the distance
to the west side and five miles to the east side. Bv the s ime railroad
it is 22 miles to Montrose, the county seat of Sus(iu( hanna cdunty, and
four miles shorter by traveled road. The lake has connection with
all the large cities and towns by rail, the Montour Raihoad, which
runs along its western shore, (oiinecting iit Tunkhannock with that
great trunk line, the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The ascent from
Tunkhannock for six miles is iit a giade of iMJ feet to the mile, and
with the narrow gauge railroad and the surrounding country, makes
a trip not soon forgotten. When the lake is reached nearly six hun-
dred feet have been gone up towaids the clor.ds and an altitude of
over 1.000 feet above the level of the sea been attained. Special rates
have been made by the Lehigh \'alley Railroad, and Lake Carey has
been routed in the book of summer tourist.«« issued by that company
and tickets which give favorable terms of travel are on sale to and
from Lake Carey in all of the leading cities. It has only been since
the erection of the Montrosi^ Railroad tliat the attention of the
people of the outer world has been directed and this superb fishing
ground brought into prominence. Until that time it was locally
famous and frequented by the people from the agricultural region
tliereabouts. with an occasional straggler from Scranton, Pittston
and Wilkes-Barre.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

se7

Then the woods ran down to its pebbly beach, and the under-
brush crowded down with the woods. Kow all this is changed for
the better. The unsightly underbrush and ungainly trees have been
cleared out and there remains only a survival of the fittest. Sixty-
eight cottages, or summer homes, with a cash value varying from
fSOO to $6,000 each, grace its shores; boat housis, piers and docks
have been erected and where once the Indian paddled his canoe
in silence the chug! chug! of the steamboat is heard and may be seen
the lightly sunny sail boat or the sculler's canoe. Two hotels now
are open there the year through, for the place is much frequented
in winter by lovers of ice yachtiug, and much prime sport is had in
fishing through the ice. The hotel nearest the railroad station is the
Spring Grove House, so named because of the grove in which it is
built, and because of the excellent spring of pure water which un-
ceasingly flows at its front door. This hotel in 1896-97 is in com-
petent hands, Lamon H. Thompson, an old hotel man being its land-
lord, the property being owned by Dr. E. Diefenderfer, of Wilkes-
Barre. It will accommodate sixty people, has ample grounds sur-
rounding, and with its daily mail, express office and boating privi-
leges, makes it a desirable resting place. Over at the east side of
the lake on a prominence rests the Hotel Fern Cliff, conducted by
Eugene A. Martin, its owner. It contains six floors and has wide and
long porches, ample grounds, a commanding view of the whole lake
and the surrounding country, with all of the modern conveniences,
boating facilities and fish at its door of the kind consenting to be
caught, it has become an ideal place for summer people and has ac-
commodations for 250 guests. Wrigley's Grove, large and spacious,
at the northeast extremity of the lake, is in demand the summer
through for private picnic parties and for the larger gatherings of
farmers at Granger's picnic day, each year on the second Thursday
in August, the annual meetings of the Wyoming County Veterans'
Association and for Sunday schools and societies who come from
down in the Wyoming Valley to this place for an enjoyable day. As
to the climate here in summer, it (Omes nearly to perfection. The
altitude gives this, and the height and rarity of air is enhanced by the
never ceasing lake breezes, unaccompanied by the mnsic or the pres-
ence of that pest of the seaside sojourner — the mosquito. These
things make the use of the words nearly perfection, seem not inap
propria te. The lake is of good depth frcun north to south and from
east to west, the deepest point being sixty feet and at the shores it
gradually lessens, so as to afford safety in bathing to the inex-
perienced swimmer. Aluost all of tie fish popular among fishermen
and which can live in sj»ring water are found here. The natural
or native fish are the catfish (which here attain great size), sunfish,
eels, pickerel and perch. Black bass are famous fish here and they

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

grow to good size. Mores Coolbaugh, of I'ittston, iis credited with
making the largest catch ever caught here, the black bass tipping
the scales at 6^ pounds. Dr. C. S. Beck, during the season of 1896,
made the catch of one weighing 5^ pounds, and in the course of a
season many thousand pounds of fish are caught from the lake. The
black bass were unwittingly introduced here by fishermen who had
secured their small fish for bait from the Susquehanna river and
dumped their bait cans into the lake. Big-mouthed bass were intro-
duced here from New Jersey and are now being caught in large quan
titles in season. The usual output of the State Fishery has been
planted in the lake from year to year with varying success. It is the
concensus of opinion among lake fishermen that from four to six
good-sized fish introduc^'d into the lake is wortli millions of liy, be
cause of the fact that fry are left to the cruel ministrations of the
other fish who are cannibals and eat them up, while with fish planted
there, they retire to the breeding grounds and when they have
spawned they make it their business to protect their young from the
inroads of the other fish. This lake is noted for its never-ceasing sup
ply of fish because of the fact that it possesses large breeding grounds
which most other inland lakes are devoid of. The lower lake or out
let covers an acreage of nearly 100 acres at low water and 300 at high
water, to which the fish have access backward and forward, and to
which they retire at breeding time. Tlien in tln^ past liu»;hest Pond
has proven a great auxiliary in the matter of supplying young fish
who come to the larger body to mature. Back into a time whereof
the memory of man runneth, not to the contrary there was a saw
mill located at the outlet of the lake and it was owned by a man
named Barnum and this gave the water the name of Barnum's Pond
and then the ownership of the mill changed and it passed to a man
named Marcey and the name changed to Marcey's Pond. From the
old blind man. Earl H. Carey, who maintained his title to the land
under the lake at the end of a tedious law suit, came the name of
Carey's Pond, and it came to be changed to Lake Carey when city
people began to frequent its shores. Tradition gives us no Indian le
gend wherein figures a dusky maiden giving up her life in the waters
of the lake because her lover came not, nor has tiie inniginative pen
of the modern scribe peopled this region with a tribe of Indians from
which came out n dusky daughter of the woods with ;i modern ap
petite and more realistically had the maiden aforesaid jnnii)ed off the
''Point of Rocks" into the relentless bosom of the lake for a pint of
whiskey. The lake has many natural advantages, but is sadly de-
ficient in lore of this description. Authentic histoiy places at one
time in her existence an Indian maiden Xeoscoletta upon its shores.
Here a legend is ripe for the easy pen of a versatile and up to date
writer, who by weaving his web of romance around Neoscoletta, can
give added charm to this lovely spot.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Illegal fishing here is infrequent and unheard of, owing to the
vigilance of the cottage owners though the waters of the lake are
free to all legitimate fishing in season. The Lake Carey Fish and
Game Association, with 25 charter members, was incorporated June
2, 1894, and has done a great work during the two years of its exis-
tence. Its officers of record are Dr. C. S. Beck, Wilkes-Barre, presi-
dent; Draper Billings, Tunkhannock, vice president; W. D. Marcey,
Wilkes-Barre, secretary, and W. H. Marcey, Wilkes-Barre, treasurer.
The Lake Carey Park Association is another association of summer
dwellers at the lake and has, according to its charter, an existence
for the maintenance of a private park and for facilitating fishing,
skating and other sports at Lake Carey. Its present board of man-
agers has for members a number of ladies. A. Day, at Tunkhannock.
is the secretary. In passing it may noted that two steamers, "The
Kmpress of tlie Lake," and the "(Mty Charter," are licensed as public
(traft and plow the waters ol the lake for hire, and are reported as
paying investments.

Once where Lake Carey now is, was a wide deep valley, through
which in ancient times the east branch of the Meshoppen creek found
an exit. Then the great ice age arrived. The huge glaciers came
pouring down int« the vaHey, bringing with it vast amounts of
stones and boulders. These filled ih«^ valley, and in one of the de-
l>ressions which are found in all such places. Lake Carev found a
birth.

Lake Piatt.

This is a small body of water located in Northmoreland town-
ship, Wyoming county, and consists of 225 acres of land covered by
water, and is owned by James W. Piatt, Esq., of Tunkhannock, Pa.,
and John Lee, of Falls township, the sjime county. The natural fish
that abound there are "bull-heads," perch, pickerel, snnfish and
suckers. No fish have ever been planted in this water. It has no
inh»t, the watei- arising from natural springs on its bottonj. Any
body who has due regard for the fish laws of the State may fish there
with impunity. It is located about ten miles from Pittston, Luzerne
<*ounty, about four miles from Dallas on the Harvey's Lake Railroad,
branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and from Tunkhannock, the
i'ounty seat of Wyoming county, is about twelve miles. The nearest
hotel is located at Centremoreland — the Shook House.. Jacob Shook,
proprietor — about one mile and m half away,

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The Four Ponds, or Four Lakes.
Sbarpey' Pond, Chamberlain's Pond, Jennings Pond and Niger
Pond are bodies of water located in the township of Windham, Wy-
oming county, which abound in catchable fish and are much fre-
quented by people in that section in season. Sharpes' Lake or Pond
covers seventy-five acres of land, the patent being in the name of
Elisha Sharpe, now deceased, but tlie land U now owned by O. Butler
Sharpe and E. Clayton Sharpe. One mile below and connected is the
Niger Pond, containing 100 acres, and it is owned by Joseph T. Jen-
nings and Wm. N. Jennings. One-half mile below that is the Cham-
berlain Pond, owned by the Jennings brothers and covering about
fifty acres. About one mile below the Chamberlain Pond is located
the Front Lake, or Jennings Lake, containing about seventy-five
acres. They are known as the Four Ponds. They are situated at the
head of the Little Mehoopany creek. They are all artificial ponds or
lakes, and have their origin by the damming of water by Elisha
Sharpe many years ago for saw mill purposes. The natural fish
were catfish, eels and sunfish. The Sharpes' Pond is a feeder for all
the other pond.^, and it acts as a bre^tding pond far the otneis. Pick-
erel, carp, pike perch, yellow perch and Caiifomia trout have been
planted in Sharpes' Lake and the lakes below are well stocked with
pickerel and perch. Loads of fish are caught out of these waters
every summer, and fishing in all of the lakes is allowed when the
fish law is complied with. The fishing in Sharpes' Lake is regulated
by the Sharpe brothers but no one is turned away. The nearest
hotel is located at Jenningsville, about two miles away. It is the
Graves Hotel, T. D. Collins, proprietor, and he has boats and bait
fish for his guests. IMehoopany is seven miles from the lakes and
there the Lehigh Valley Railroad is locattd just over the Susque-
hanna river. Visitors to these waters should take the Lehigh Valley
Kailroad to Mehoopany where transportation can be secured seven
miles to the fishing grounds.

CHAPTER XXIIT

Susquehanna County Lakes.

In many respects tlie topography of Susquehanna county is the
same as that of Wayne. There are the beautiful rolling hills, the
same highly cultivated condition of the fiolds, and the same evi-
di'nces of prosperity which are found among the farmei's of Waynf"-

crq

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

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eiSH COMMISSIONERS

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But, while rbiladelphians do not seem to have discovered the
charms of Wajne, maii>' of them have learned of the lovtliuess of
Husquehanua county, and have come to appreciate the beauty of its
numerous lakes.

The lavages of the great ice age were very severe in Susquehanna
county, consequently the number of lakes is very great. Indeed,
only Pike and Wayne counties exceed in this respect. The Geological
JSurvey of I'ennsyivania gives a list of 51 of these inland bodies of
water, but this does not give more than approximately the actual
number. The list noted is as follows:

Meadow Lake, Apolacon township, 1,575 feet above tide.

Wyalusing Lake, Apolacon township.

Stanley Pond, Choconut township.

Choconut Pond, Choconut township.

Quaker Lake, Silver Lake township, 1,450 feet above tide.

Mud Lake, Silver Lake township, 1,550 feet above tide.

S'lver Lake, Silver Lake township, 1,650 feet above tide.

Cranberry Lake, Silver Lake township, 1.650 feet above tide.

Meaker Pond, Silver Lake township.

Tripp Lake, Liberty township, 85 feet deep, 1,430 feet above tide.

Brushville Pond, Oakland township, 1,'^C5 feet above tide.

Comfort's Pond, Harmony township.

Wrighter's Pond, Thompson township, 1,950 feet above tide.

Butler Lake, Jackson township. 1,C65 feet above tide.

North Jackson Pond, Jackson township.

Page Pond, New Milford township, 1,400 feet above tide.

East Lake, New Milford township.

Tucker Pond, New Milford township.

Hart Lake, New Milford township.

Upper Lake, New Milford township.

Jones' Lake, Bridgewater township.

Brown's Pond, Bridgewater township.

Forest Lake, Forest Lake township.

Bixbee Pond, Middletown township.

Elk Lakes, Diraock township.

South Pond, Brooklyn township.

Middle Lake. Harford township.

Lower Lake, Harford township.

Tingle Lake, Harford township.

Tyler Lake, Harford township.

Blanding Lake, Harford township.

Willis Lake, Gibson township.
Stern's I*ake, Gibson township.
Bnindager's Lake, Gibson township.
Fiddle Lake, Ararat township.
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Duuu Lake, Ararat township, elevation, 2,100 above tide.

Low Lake, Herri ck township.

Lewis Lake, Herrick township.

Crystal Lake, Clifford township.

Long Pond, Clifford lowuship.

Hound Pond, Clifford township.

Mud Pond, Clifford township.

Stillwater Pond, CliToid township.

Robinson Lake, Lenox township.

Loom is Lake, Lenox township.

Patrick Lake, Lenox township.

Tarbell Pond, Lathrop township.

Lord Pond, Lathrop township.

Fields Pond, Lathrop townshijj.

Coys Pond, Springfield township.

Slates l*ond, Springfield township.

Silver Lake township, like Preston township in Wayne, seems to be
a species of watershed. The drainage goes in almost every direction,
that from the western border passing into Chotonut creek; the
southern and central being carried olf south wa id by Silver creek,
while tha.t from the ea^t and north goes east into Snake creek.

Like Preston township also, Silver Lake town.ship is famous for
the number and variety of its lakes. These bodies stud the township
thickly in nearly all its parts. The most important of these are
QuaJvcr, Silver, Cranberr> and Mud. Most of the others are very
small, aud some are without other than merely local names.

All the lakes in Silvei- Lake township are small. Quaker is the
largest, it containing something over 1(10 acres, but Silver Lake is
perhaps the best known, as it is quite a summer resort.

Idlewild Lake.

Nestled at the foot of Elk mountain, whose towering summit rises
to the height of 2,800 feet, is the above named lake— formerly known
as Long Pond. .\t its northern shore stands the broken trunks of
a mighty forest, sombre relics of a once dense woodland, but now
the significant tokens of man's destructiveness. Its outline is regu
lar. being about one mile long and les.«« than one fourth of a mile
wide. Hei-e and there along the banks are clumps of shade trees
which bleak the monotony of appearance and afford ample groves
for excursion parties. It is of spring origin, having but a small
inlet and its shares and bottom :ne both muddy and rocky. Fishing

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

271

But, while Philadelphians do not seem to have discovered the
charms of Wayne, many of them have learned of the loveliness of
Susquehanna county, and have come to appreciate the beauty of its
numerous lakes.

The ravages of the great ice age were very severe in Susquehanna
county, consequently the number of lakes is very great. Indeed,
only Pike and Wayne counties exceed in this respect. The Geological
Survey of Pennsylvania gives a list of 51 of these inland bodies of
water, but this does not give more than approximately the actual
number. The list noted is as follows:

Meadow Lake, Apolacon township, 1,575 feet above tide.

Wyalusing Lake, Apolacon township.

Stanley Pond, Choconut township.

Choconut Pond, Choconut township.

Quaker Lake, Silver Lake township, 1,450 feet above tide.

Mud Lake, Silver Lake township, 1,550 feet above tide.

Silver Lake, Silver Lake township, 1,650 feet above tide.

Cranberry Lake, Silver Lake township, 1,650 feet above tide.

Meaker Pond, Silver Lake township.

Tripp Lake, Liberty township, 85 feet deep, 1,430 feet above tide.

Brushville Pond, Oakland township, 1,305 feet above tide.

Comfort's Pond, Harmony township.

Wrighter's Pond, Thompson township, 1,050 feet above tide.

Butler Lake, Jackson township, 1,C65 feet above tide.

North* Jackson Pond, Jackson township.

Page Pond, New Milford township, 1,400 feet above tide.

East Lake, New Milford township.

Tucker Pond, New Milford township.

Hart Lake, New Milford township.

Upper Lake, New Milford township.

Jones' Lake, Bridgewater township.

Brown's Pond, Bridgewater township.

Forest Lake, Forest Lake township.

Bixbee Pond, Middletown township.

Elk Lakes, Dimock township.

South Pond, Brooklyn township.

Middle Lake, Harford township.

Lower Lake, Harford township.

Tingle Lake, Harford township.

Tyler Lake, Harford township.

Blanding Lake, Harford township.

Willis Lake, Gibson township.
Stern's T-ake, Gibson township.
Brundager's Lake, Gibson township.
Fiddle Lake, Ararat township.

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Duuii Lake, Ararat township, elevation, 2,100 above tide.

Low Lake, Herrick township.

Lewis Lake, Herrick township.

Crystal Lake, Clifford township.

Long Pond, Clifford township.

Koiind I'ond, Clifford township.

Mud Pond, Clifford township.

Stillwater Pond, ( 'liilord townsliip.

Robinson Lake, Lenox township.

Loom is Lake, Lenox township.

Patrick Lake, Lenox township.

Tarbell l*()nd. Lathrop township.

Lord Pond, Lathrop township.

Fields Pond, Lathrop township.

Coys l*ond, Springfield township.

Slates Pond, Springfield township.

Silver Lake township, like Preston township in Wajne, seems to be
a species of watershed. The drainage goes in almost every direction,
that from the western border passing into Choconut creek; the
southern and central being carried off" southward by Silver creek,
while that from the east and north goes east into Snake creek.

Like Preston township also. Silver Lake township is famous for
the number and variety of its lakes. These bodies stud the township
thickly in nearly all its parts. The most important of these are
Qualvcr. Silver, Cranberr\ and Mud. Most of the others are very
small, and some ate witliout other than merely local names.

All the lakes in Silver Lake township are small. Quaker is the
largest, it containing scmiething over 100 acres, but Silver Lake is
perhaps the best known, as it is quite a summer resort.

Idlewild Lake.

Nestled at the foot of Elk mountain, whose towering summit rises
to the height of 2,800 feet, is the above named lake— fonnerly known
as Long Pond. \i its northern shore stands the broken trunks of
a mighty forest, sombre relics of a once tiense woodland, but now
the significant tokens of man's destructiveness. Its outline is regu
lar, being about one mile long and less than one fourth of a mile
wide. Hert^ and there along the banks are clumps of shade trees
which break tin- ujonotony of api»earan«c and atford amjjle groves
for excursion parties. It is of spring origin, having but a small
inlet and its shores and bottom .wo both muddy and rocky. Fishing

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

273

is free, and here are found in abundance pickerel, perch, sunfish,
catfish and bass, the latter being individual donation, having been
placed there several years ago but as yet do not thrive well.

The principal owner on the west side is David J. Morgan, who is
the proprietor of a large boarding house for accommodation of
guests, many of whom spend the summer at this delightful resort.
On the east side also is a house for accommodation of boarders owned
and occupied by W. H. Davis. The address of both parties referred
to is South Gibson, Pa.

The lake has of late become a very popular resort for the people of
the Lackawanna Valley, including the cities of Carbondale, Scranton
and Wilkes-Barre. It is easily reached from Carbondale by Clifford
stage hire.

Mud Pond.

Lying directly west of Idlewild Lake is a body of water covering
about one hundred acres and known as Mud Pond. It being some
distance off from the main highways of travel, is less frequented than
some other lakes of the county. It has a very muddy bottom and is
deep in places, and a peculiar feature of the lake is that at the
eastern end for about 20 rods is a marshy growth of vegetation with
occasionally a clump of cranberry bushes. Around the eastern and
southern shore is a luxuriant growth of swamp huckleberries. The
northern and western shore is surrounded by the sturdv forest whose
interlocking boughs and lesser branches form a festooning of na-
ture's hand around nature's mirror. Here are found the usual lake
fish, such as pickerel, perch, sunfish. catfish, and eels ar<' especially
abundant and noted for their great size. Fishing is free. Pond
lilies grow here in great abundance.

Rvnearson Pond.

In Lenox township, about one-half mile north of Mud Pond, is the
above named body of water commonly called Round Pond on account
of its shape. It is about two miles from the village of South Gibson,
and near the INIilford and Owego turnpike road. The bottom is
sandy and rocky and shores nearly clear of all woods. A road runs
along eastern side of lake, to connect with afore-mentioned pike.
Eldridge Snyder is the principal owner and the only one living near
the. lake. Fishing is good for common species of fish. Public lake.
18--18-96

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273

Quaktn- Lake.

Located near the border line of New York state, yet lying wholly
within l*ennsylvania, in Silver Lake township, is the beautiful body
of water known as Quaker Lake, so named on aecount of a settlement
having: been made there by Quakers in the early part of the present
century. It is fan-shaped in appearance, being widest near the
eastern end. The bottom and sliore are rocky and sandy, and the
water remarkably clear. So clear that the bottom may be seen at a
dej)th of twenty feet. It has been pronounced by nmuy to be the
prettiest lake in Susquehanna etmnty. and with the exception of
Crystal Lake and Hart Lake, it has the great^est number of cottages
along its shores own( d principally by business men of the city of
Binghamton. Its northern shore is entirely fre.' from any woods,
and the white sand strewn shoie presents the appearance of an
ocean beach, (fn the southern side is a lovely grove utilized by pic-
nic goers and alTords seclusion and sliadi' for many beautiful cot-
tage sites. Some of the cottage owneis are U. A. Kent, Binghamton;
John Bayliss. M( scs Stopjn rd and l!ert Bab<oik, all of Binghamton.
B. J. Bomey, one of the principal land owners around the lake has
a large, commodious house for the accommodation of guests who
seek rest and quiet from the lieat and hurry of busy ciiy life. The
lake is on the main stage line f r< ni Binghamton to Brackney and
about ten miles fnmi the tirst named place. The original fish were
lake salmon. Now it is the home of abundant varieties of pickerel,
perch, <attish. eels and sunfish. Lake trout have been introduced
there by one Mr. Kent, Black bass were placed there about twenty
five years ago by B. J. Bomey and do well there.

Wall-eye<l pike were placed in the lake several years ago and are
doing well. Some fine speciments have been caught weighing over
ten pounds each. Fishing free.

is free, and here are found in abundance pickerel, perch, sunfish,
catfish and bass, the latter being individual donation, having been
placed there several years ago but as yet do not thrive well.

The principal owner on the west side is David J. Morgan, who is
the proprietor of a large boarding house for accommodation of
guests, many of whom si)end the summer at this delightful resort.
On the east side also is a house for accommodation of boarders owned
and occupied by W. H. Davis. The address of both parties referred
to is South Gibson, Pa.

The lake has of late become a very popular resort for the jgeople of
the Lackawanna Valley, including the cities of Carbondale, Scranton
and Wilkes-Barre. It is easily reached from Carbondale by Clifford
stage hire.

Mud Pond.

Lying" directly west of Idlewild Lake is a body of water covering
about one hundred acres and knowm as Mud Pond. It being some
distance off from the main highways of travel, is less frequented than
some other lakes of the county. It has a very muddy bottom and is
deep in places, and a peculiar feature of the lake is that at the
eastern end for about 20 rods is a marshy growth of vegetation with
occasionally a clump of cranberry bushes. Around the eastern and
southern shore is a luxuriant growth of swamp huckleberries. The
northern and western shore is surrounded by the sturdy forest whose
interlocking boughs and lesser branches form a festooning of na-
ture's hand around nature's mirror. Here are found the usual lake
fish, such as pickerel, perch, sunfish. cjttfish. and etds are especially
abundant and noted for their great size. Fishing is free. Pond
lilies grow here in great abundance.

Elk Lake.

In the western portion of Susquehanna county the lakes are fewer
in number. Nevertheless the subject of this description is one of
rich and picturesque beauty, situated in Dimock township. The
lake is separated by a neck of land so that its two divisions are con-
nected only by a small strc am, the outlet of the smaller division com-
monly known as Little KIk Lake. This smaller pait of the lake is
nearly round and also surrounded by the native forest which gives
it the look of ancient grandeur and so slieltered that its surface is
constantly smootli and seems like some calm harbor that welcomes
the storm tossed mariner. And, reflected from its placid surface.

Rynearson Pond.

In Lenox township, about one-half mile north of Mud Pond, is the
above named body of water commonly called Round Pond on account
of its shape. It is about two miles from the village of South Gibson,
and near the Milford and Owego turnpike road. The bottom is
sandy and rocky and shores nearly clear of all woods. A road runs
along eastern side of lake, to connect with afore-mentioned pike.
Eldridge Snyder is the principal owner and the only one living near
the lake. Fishing is good for common species of fish. Public lake.
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IRREGULAR PACrNATIGN

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Quaker Lake.

Located near the border line of New York state, ^et lying wholly
within Pennsylvania, in Silver Lake township, is the beautiful body
of water known as Quaker Lake, so named on aciount of a settlement
having been made there by Quakers in the early part of the present
century. It is fan-shaped in appearance, being widest near the
eastern end. The bottom and .shore are rocky and sandy, and the
water remarkably clear. So clear that the bottom may be seen at a
depth of twenty feet. It has been pronounced by many to be the
prettiest lake in Susquehanna county, and with the exception of
Crystal Lake and Hart Lake, it has the greatest number of cottages
along its shores owned principally by business men of the city of
Binghamton. Its northern shore is entirely free' from any woods,
and the white sand strewn shore presents the appearance of an
ocean beach. On the southern side is a lovely grove utilized by pic-
nic goers and affords seclu.<ion and shade for many beautiful cot-
tage sites. Some of the cottage ownei s are G. A. Kent, Binghamton;
John BaylLss. M« ses Stoi»jM rd and Pert IJalx o( k, all of liinghamton.
B. J. Bomey, one of the principal land owners around the lake has
a large. (M»nimodious house for the accommodation of guests who
seek rest and quiet from the beat and huriy of l>usy cily life. The
lake is on the main stage line frein Binghamton to Bra«kney and
about ten miles from the first nnuied place. The original fish were
lake salmon. Now it is the home of abundant varieties of pickerel,
perch, catfish. <m'Is and sunfish. Lake trout have been introduced
there by one Mr. Kent. Black bass were placf <1 there about tweaty-
five years ago by B. J. Bomey and do well there.

Wall eyed pike were placed in the lake several yetjrs ago and are
doing well. Some fine speciments have been caught weighing ove)-
ten pounds each. Fishing free.

Elk Lake.

In the weftern portinn of Susquehanna county the lakes are fewer
in number. Nevertheless the subject of thi-; description is one of
rich and picturcscpie beauty, situated in JHmock township. The
lake [» separated by a neck of land so that its two divisions are con-
nected only by a small stream, the outlet of the smaller division com
monly known as Little Elk Lake. This smaller pait of the lake is
nearly round and also surr<iunded by the native forest which gives
it the look of ancient grandeur and so sheltered that its surface is
constantly smooth and seems like some calm harbor that welcomes
the storm tossed maiiner. And, reflected from its placid surface.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

276

may be seen the divinely painted picture of an autumn tinted forest
in gorgeous apparel. A road crosses the neck of land which sepa-
rates this lake and on the western side of the road is the larger por-
tion whose beauty causes one to pause and meditate if nature did
not attempt to rival herself and make this part handsomer than
the other. This larger lake is nearly egg-shaped and of spring form-
ation.

Its shore, save on the eastern side, is free from woods, making the
scene, taken as a whole, one of transplendant variety and beauty,
which must suggest itself to even the way worn traveler as a garden
spot of beauty. No rugged hills surround it but only gently ascend-
ing land rich in cultivation. It covers about 50 acres in area and
is well known for its good fishing of the common tribes and black
bass, which thrive well, these having been placed there by Andrew
Newman. Wall-eyed pike were placed in its waters three years ago,
but none have been caught as yet. Fisliing free. In the shady nook
at the eastern end is the cotage of George Jessup and others are soon
to be erected. Nearest railroad communication is Montrose and
I) i mock.

Forest Lake.

This name may have been suggestive in earlier times, but now has
no significance as applied to the subject of our sketch. Lying be-
tween a ridge of hills, it is long and narrow. Wider however, near
the end farthe.st from the outlet. It is located in Forest Lake town-
ship, and has no particular features of beauty or of public promi-
nence. But to the people of the central and western part of Susque-
hanna county it is well known for its good fishing grounds. Pick-
erel, though not caught in large numbers, are of very good size.
Perch, bull heads, sunfish and eels are abundant. It has a rocky and
muddy bottom and lies near public highway leading from Montrose
to Birchardville.

Mud T^ke.

This lake, as its name indicates, has a muddy bottom and even the
water, to the eye of the traveler, presents a muddy, troubled appear-
ance. It is located on the main road from Binghamton to Mont-
rose, via Brackney, about ten miles from Montrose and twelvt
miles from Binghamton. It is a long narrow strip of water,
being nearly one mile in length and about 30 to 50 rods wide.
It is crossed by the public highway at its narrowest jiolnt and just

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south ul tile load widens again, and this small pmtion lying south of
the road is called Little Mud Lake. It is principally of spring forma
tion, with a small inlet. On the eastern side is rich farm land and
the fertility of the soil, beauty of the many comfortable rural homes
close by its shores gives to the surroundings tlu» badj^^e of indefat-
igable enterprise. The adjoining land is owned for the most part
by Thos. Rogers, John O Day, Edson Hill, Daniel Sullivan and Thos.
Buckley. It is quite famous for the abundance of common species of
fish, such as pickerel, perch, catfish and eels.
Fishing free to public.

Hunt Lake.

Three miles south of New Milford, at quite an elevation, framed in
by all the intricacies of a forest, overhung by mighty hemlocks and
clinging vines, mirroring in its sparkling depths October varied tints,
reflecting cosy cottages and tiny boats ou which lovers glide, catch-
ing sunbeams as they steal through the overhanging branches, or
whose waves tossed by the gentle zephyrs maketh all thiii-s appear
crooked, rests one of nature's ideal lakes. Other lakes are larger;
others may be deeper, but none more imiting than this. And resting
near the shore of tliis beautiful little lake is Dr. Ballard's fin de
siecle cottage "Loch Eden," occupied during the summer months by
the doctor and his charming family. The water is very deep and
pure and contains a fine variety of bass and pickerel. It is private
property, being owned by the doctor.

Page's I'ond.
This pond covers about eighty acres, and while it is possessed of
little or no beauty, it is one of the most prominent fishing resorts in
the county. It is four miles east of New Milford and is well supplied
by a fine variety of pickerel. Fishing free.

Heart Lake.

The name of this beautiful lake tells its shape, and the beautiful
and artistic cottages that are springing up yearly on its sandy shores
bear evidence of its beauty and growing pojiularity. It is situated
midway between New Milford and Montrose, is entirely formed bv
springs, is rather deep with a fine sandy or rocky bottom The
north shore has a flue growth ol iIhiImm, siniated in rh,. uudsi ,»t

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

275

Its shore, save on the eastern side, is free from woods, making the
scene, taken as a whole, one of transplendant variety and beauty,
which must suggest itself to even the way worn traveler as a garden
spot of beauty. No rugged hills surround it but only gently ascend-
ing land rich in cultivation. It covers about 50 acres in area and
is well known for its good fishing of tlii? common tribes and black
bass, which thrive well, these having been placed there by Andrew
Newman. Wall-eyed pike were placed in its waters three years ago,
but none have been caught as yet. Fisliing free. In the shady nook
at the eastern end is the cotage of George Jessup and others are soon
to be erected. Nearest railroad communication is Montrose and
Dimock.

Forest Lake.

This name may have been suggestive in earlier times, but now has
no significance as applied to the subject of our sketch. Lying be-
tween a ridge of hills, it is long and narrow. Wider however, near
the end farthest from the outlet. It is located in Forest Lake town-
ship, and has no particular features of beauty or of public promi-
nence. But to the people of the central and wr'stern part of Susque-
hanna county it is well known for its good fishing grounds. Pick-
erel, though not caught in large numbers, are of very good size.
Perch, bull heads, sunfish and eels are abundant. It has a rocky and
muddy bottom and lies near public highway leading from Montrose
to Birchardville.

Mud Lake.

This lake, as its name indicates, has a muddy bt)ttom and even the
water, to the eye of the traveler, presents a muddy, troubled appear-
ance. It is located on the main road from Binghamton to Mont-
rose, ria Brackney, about ten miles from Montrose and twelvt
miles from Binghamton. It is a long narrow strip of w\'iter.
being nearly one mile in length and about 30 to 50 rods wide.
It is crossed by \hv public highway at its narrowest i)oint and just

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south of the road widens again, and this small portion lying south of
the road is called Little Mud Lake. It is principally of spring forma
tion, with a small inlet. On the eastern side is rich farm laud and
the fertility of the soil, beauty of the many couifortable rural homes
close by its shores gives to the surroundings th«* badge of indefat-
igable enterprise. The adjoining land is owned for the most part
by Thos. Rogers, John ODay, Edson Hill, Dauiel Sullivan and Thos.
Buckley. It is quite famous for the abundance of common species of
fish, such as pickerel, perch, catfish and eels.
Fishing free to public.

Hunt Lake.

Three miles south of New Milford, at quite an elevation, framed in
by all the intricacies of a forest, overhung by mighty hemlocks and
clinging vines, mirroring in its sparkling depths October varied tints,
reflecting cosy cottages and tiny boats on which lovers glide, catch-
ing sunbeams as they steal through the overhanging branches, or
whose waves tossed by ihe gentle zephyrs maketh all things appear
crooked, rests one of nature's ideal lakes. Other lakes are larger;
others may be deeper, but none more inviting than this. And resting'
near the shore of this beautiful little lake is Dr. Bullard^s fin de
siecle cottage "Loch Eden," occupied during the summer months by
the doctor and his charming family. The water is very deep and
pure and contains a fine variety of bass and pickerel. It is private
property, being owned by the doctor.

Page's I'ond.
This pond covers about eighty acres, and while it is po.^sessed of
little or no beauty, it is one of the mosl prominent fishing resorts in
the county. It is four miles east of New Milford and is well supplied
by a fine variety of pickerel. Fishing free.

Heart Lake.
The name of this beautiful lake tells its shape, and the beautiful
and artistic cottages that are springing up yearly on its sandy shores
bear evidence of its beauty and growing popularity. It U situated
midway between New Milford and Montrose, is entirely formed bv
springs, is rather deep with a fine sandy or rockj bottom The
north shore has a fine growtl, of timlMM', Hitnated in the midst <»f

No. 18.

MSU COMMISSIONERS

fti

which is the popular Spring House, nmnaged by Mine Host Crofui.
Many prominent city people spend their summer vacation at this re-
sort. Among tile prominent people who own cottages at this lake
are J. H. Satford, of New Milford; W. D. B. Aiuey, of Montrose; S.
Goldsmith, of Binghamton; H. L. Beach, of Montrose, and George
Watrons, of Montrose. Harvey GriflSn also has a beautiful residence
in the grove at the west side of the lake, and also owns a fine dancing
pavilion, swings, boats, etc., for the enjoyment of excursionists.
Sail, bicycle and row boats add to the many pleasant features of the
lake. Two small islands make themselves visible during low water.
The Lackawanna and Montrose Railroad connect with this resort.
Pickerel, perch and bull heads are found here in small quantities.
Fishing free.

East Lake.

This lake is situated some four miles east of New Milford, com
prises some sixty acres, and is nearly surrounded by a scrubby
growth of timber. It is rather shallow, with a muddy bottom, and is
the home of a fine variety of bass, pickerel, bull-heads and perch.
The adjoining lands are owned by Chas. Kern and .lamts Lynch.
Two cottages are under way. It is of spring origin.

Klauding Lake.

In the northeastern part of Harford township and comprises about
fifteen acres. Its shape is nearly an ellipse, its banks very regular
and its greatest depth twenty-two feet. It originates from springs
and is the home of pickerel, perch and bull-heads.

Tripp Lake.

Comprises about seventy-five acres; very deep and is nearly sur
rounded by a scraggy growth of timber and precipitous hills. The
water is very pure and clear and is entirely of spring formation. It
is situated about two miles west of Franklin Forks, in a rough lo-
cality, and affords some fine fishing in the line of pickerel, perch
and bull-heads. The rural scenery and the extreme seclusiveness of
the place make it an inviting spot for camping parties. The adjoin-
ing farm land is owned by William Corbett. The bottom of the laVe
Ik vei-y rocky nnd compiiHcH many irdges. The fishing is free.

:;8

REPORT OF THE

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Leach Lake.

The altitude of this lake and the pretty woodland surroundings
makes it interesting and beautiful. It is situated on the Franklin
road, some two miles west of Summersville, covers about tliirtv acres
IS of spring origin and aftord.s some g.;od Ashing. Bass, bull-heads
and perth may be found here, al.hough not exteasive. The adjoin-
ing lands are owned by John Mclnearney and Luman Stuart It has
a very rocky bottom and is exceedingly deep. The bass were placed
m these waters by individual donations and are on the increase The
Ashing is free.

Tingley Lake (Subject of illustration).
For many years this body of water was known as Ellsworth Lake
and comprises about Afty acres. A heavy growth of timber oyer^
hangs Its eastern bank and the great waving branches as they are
mirrored .n its crystal depths form a picture of rare merit, while on
he western banks productive farms and pretty farm houses .-tdd to
the beauty of the scene. It is f.d by a small stream and several
springs and its shores are free from all stumps and rubbish. The
outlet forms the west branch of the Nine I'artners' creek The
bottom ,s well strewn with gravel or rock and the water verv clear.
Pickerel and perch are the principal inhabitants of the l^ke al-
^ough seldom caught to any great extent. Lake trout were also
placed in these waters some years ago, but failed to thrive none
having ever been caught. The adjoining lands are owned by Coe
Stearns and J. O Manson. The fishing is free. Cottages are to be
erected here in the spring.

Butler Lake.
This lake is situated at Lake View, about two miles west of Jack-
son, and comprKses some fifty acres. The shores and bottom of the
lake are verv muddy and nearly the entire surroundings are swampy
and nninvitmg. Pickerel and bull-heads thrive well in its waTers
and afford so.ne good fishing. The surrounding farm land is Iwaed

No. 18.

KISH COMMISSIONERS

277

which is tlie popular Spring House, managed b\ Miue Host Crofut.
Many prominent city people spend their summer vacation at this re
sort. Amon^ I lie prominent people who own cottages at this lake
are J. H. Satford, of New Milford; VV. 1). B. Ainey, of Montrose; S.
Goldsmith, of Binghamton; H. L. Beach, of Montrose, and George
Watrons, of Montrose. Harvey Griffin also has a beautiful residence
in the grove at the west side of the lake, and also owns a fine dancing
pavilion, swings, boats, etc., for the enjoyment of excursionists.
Sail, bicycle and row boats add to the many pleasant features of the
lake. Two small islands make themselves visible during low water.
The Lackawanna and Montrose Railroad connect with this resort.
Pickerel, perch and bull-heads are found here in small quantities.
Fishing free.

East Lake.

This lake is situated some four miles east of New Milford, com
prises some sixty acres, and is nearly surrounded by a scrubby
<'rowth of timber. It is rather shallow, with a muddy bottom, and is
the home of a tine variety of bass, pickerel, bullheads and perch.
The adjoining lands are owned by Chas. Kern and James Lynch.
Two cottages are under way. It is of spring origin.

Blanding Lake.

In the northeastern part of Harford township and comjirises about
fifteen acres. Its shape is nearly an ellipi^e, its hanks very regular
and its greatest depth twenty-two feet. It originates fn.m springs
and is the home of pickerel, perch and bull-heads.

Tripp Lake.
Comprises about seventy-five acres; very deep and is nearly sur-
rounded by a scraggy growth of timber and precipitous hills. The
water is very pure and clear and is entirely of spring formation. It
is situated about two miles west of Franklin Forks, in a rough lo-
cality, and affords some fine fishing in the line of pickerel, perch
and bull-heads. The rural scenery and the extreme seclusiveness of
the place make it an inviting spot for campin- parties. The adjoin-
ing farm land is owned by William Corbett. The bottom of the laVe

verv n.ckv and «-om|. rises mnnv led-es. The lishing is free

278

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doe.

Leach Lake.
The altitude of this lake and the pretty woodland surronndings
make« u ,ntere«tm« and beautiful. I, is situated on the FranklS
.oud, some two miles west of Summer.ville, covers about tltirty acres
.s 01 spring origin and afford, som. g«od Ashing. Bas bull-herds
and perch may be found here, ahhough not exteasive The aSn
mg lands are owned by John Mclnearney and Luman Stuart Itbas
a very rocky bottom and is exceedingly deen. The bass were placed

Tingley Lake (Subject of illustratioD).

For many years this bodj of water was known as Ellswo-th Lake
and comprises about fiftv aorp^j a i,^„ , ^"swo.cn i.ake,

hangs its'eastern bank aL te .reat ""1'''". h"' """" "^^"
mirrored in its crystal depths forCpictr 'of rT^^^^ 1":^ ""

bottom is well strewn wf^'^^^.r^r'^^^^'"; /"■*--; --k- The
i*j 1 1 , »*iiii gia\ei 01 locK and the water vpi'v ni/^ni.

th tr';,:;' '"''\'"' *"« P'-'-'^^^' -habitants otbakea'
though seldom caught to anv urt'if *.vfo«+ t i ^ '"*^ ''^^^^ ^*-

placed in the.e wafers some vtar^aro b .V f , . r\ ^'''' •'"^°
having ever been cantrht Ti, 7 °' "''*''^ *° *'^"*"<'' °on«

Stearn^s and ^0. 111 TheSinT,^ ^'f Zr^' '' '"
erected here in the spring. f^^'ttage., are to be

Butler Lake.

lake are verv muddv and nearly the enr ""'' "'"' *""""» °^ '^''
and uninviting, plc^errn? ^^^ ^ ZZ''^^^:'^ ^^T'
and^afford^.,.., good a...in. The surround^^^far l^nd is r^ed

Nu. 18.

laSXI COMMISSION KRH

279

Three Lakes.

Upper Lake (subject of illustration), Middle Lake and Lower Lake,
situated midway between New Milford and Uarford, comprise some
of the grandest views to be found in the county of Susquehanna.
Upper Lake, the largest of the three, covers something like eighty
acres and is nicely surrounded by a heavy giowth of timber and a
prosperous farming country. Something like thirty-eight years ago
Dr. L. A. Smith, deceased, of New Milford, b.^came interested in the
linny inhabitants of this lake and did much to introduce bass into
its waters, with the best of results, and it is ni>vv one of the best bass
fishing grounds in the county. A cottage bearing the pretty name
of '^dlewild," owned by the doctor's family and occupied during the
summer months by the same, overlooks the lake and helps to keep
the name of the beloved doctor fresh in the minds of a.l who come
and go. A fine line of pickerel, perch and bull-heads a: so assist in
making the sportsman happy. And in the season when water lilies
bloom, no flower garden is more profuse in its garlands than the
bosom of this lake is with its spjtless flowers. (Uant monarchs of
the forest, pretty farmhouses and cottages deck its pleasant shores
and are mirrored in its crystal depths. Lands of John Bennett and
Mrs. L. A. Smith adjoin the lake. Fishing is free.

Middle Lake.

This lake is formed of the outlet of Upper Lake, assisted by a num-
ber of large springs, and is about one-third smaller than its more
elevated neighbor. It is a lovely fishing ground and a great resort
for pickerel and perch. One of tlie inter* sling features of this lake
is the floating islands which are drifted hither and thither by each
passing gale. The shores are deiorated by a fine growth of timber
on the eastern side and a productive farming locality on the west.
Much of the adjoining land is owned by Eugene Gaidner. The fish-
ing is free. The bottom is sandy.

Lower Lake.

This lake is about one-third smaller than its tributary, but is a fine
fishing ground nevertheless. Tickcrel and perch are caught in large
quantities. The surroundings aiv qu'ti^ picturesque. Th- depth is
not great, and the bottom is well strewn with gravel. A large share
of the adjoining land is owned by Marvin Perigs. This lake is in
Harford township.

280

REPORT OP THE

Oil. Doc.

Nu. 18.

l'"ISH COMMISSIONEUS

27*

Tvler l.iike.
>Jearl> a mile west of the village i.estles Tyler Lake, the lareest
sheet of water in Harford township. It is nearly oval in shape and

by a forest that makes a beautiful setting for the lake Boat
Louses are on the northern bank. A favorite resort, both summe

t'ouThte m' °"*" ""^ "' *"^ "■' ^'- P-*°- track pTs"e
through the lake near its northern shore. William Avery was

at"th: rl'lf f ^ "-T" "' ''''■ ^" *"« ""- "' the townsh^
are the result of glacial action. Moraines are very prominent on

he nonhern side; John Tyler purchased the land ab'out the lake
ImL ffT' / . ""'"'• '" '"'" " ^•"^«™ °f '^^t^r -orks for the

rei"thH:rh:r: '""* '^"'" ""^ '^'^^"•'"^- ^"•'^-'' p-- -^

>Jorth I'oud.
This pond or lake covers about forty acres and is situated in the
western part of Brooklyn township. It is exceedingly deep mud
bo om, and well supplied with pickerel, perch and bufl heads Part

South Pond (Ely Lake).
Coniprises about .sixty acres and is located in the western part of
Brooklyn township. It originates from springs and has a sandv
bottom; well supplied by bass, pickerel aad'pereh. T out were
placed m these waters by the State something like fifteen years aeo
but have entirely died out. The adjoining lands are owned bvKod
ney K<.ut and A. Ely. Pishing private '

White's Pond.
Located in Auburn township. Susquehanna countv. This lake
has no special features in contour or outline, but "covers aboSt
thirty.flv.. acres, and is locally well known for its abundance o
common varieties of fish-pickerel, perch, bull-heads and eels John
R.fenbnry ,s pnn.ipal <,wuer of adjoining land. Pishing fte B^t
tout saii.ly and muddy. Partly suriouiided by woods.

IRREGULAR PAGINATION

Three Lakes.
Upper Lake (subject of illustratlou), MidJle Lake and Lower Lake,
situated midway between New Miltord and Hartord, comprise some
of the grandest views to be found in the county of Susquehanna.
Upper Lake, the largest of the three, covers something like eighty
acres and is nicely surrounded by a heavy giowth of timber and a
prosperous farming country. Something like thirty-eight years ago
Dr. L. A. Smith, deceased, of New Milford, became interested in the
tinny inhabitants of this lake and did much to introduce bass into
its waters, with the best of results, and it is now one of the best bass
fishing grounds in the county. A cottage bearing the pretty name
of "Idlewild," owned by the doctor's family and occupied during the
summer months by the same, overlooks the lake and helps to keep
the name of the beloved doctor fiesh in the minds of a.l who come
and go. A fine line of pickerel, perch and bull-heads a' so assist in
making the sportsman happy. And in the season when water lilies
bloom, no flower garden is more profuse in its garlands than the
bosom of this lake is with its spotless flowers. Giant monarchs of
the forest, pretty farmhouses and cottages d;'(k its pleasant shores
and are mirrored in its crystal d.pths. Lands of John Bennett and
Mrs. L. A. Smith adjoin the lake. Fishing is free.

Middle Lake.

This lake is formed of the outlet of Upper Lake, assisted by a num-
ber of large springs, and is about one-third smaller than its more
elevated neighbor. It is a lovely fishing ground and a ^reat resort
for pickerel and perch. One of tlie inten sting features of this lake
is the floating islands which aie drifted hither and thithir by each
passing gale. The shores are decorated by a flue growth of timber
on the eastern side and a productive farming locality on the west.
Much of the adjoining land is own(»d by Eugene Gaidner. The fish-
ing is free. The bottom is sandy.

Lower Lake.

This lake is about one-third smaller than its tributary, but is a fine
fishing ground nevertheless. Pickerel and perch are caught in large
quantities. The surroundings are qu'tc- picturesque. The depth is
not great, and the bottom is well strewn with gravel. A large share
of the adjoining land is owned by Marvin Perigs. This lake is in
Ifarfnid tnwTiBhip.

280

REPORT or THE

Off. Doc.

Tylei- Liilie.
Nearly a iiiile west of the vill.,g.. uestles Tyler Lake, the largest
sheet of water in Harford township. It u nearly oval in shape and
covers about CO a. res. Th. ro.ks on the southern shore are hidden
by a forest that u.akes a beantlfnl setting for the lake. Boat
houses are on the northern bank. A favorite resort, both summer

TjTf ^," ""*"■ ""' "' ^'"^ °"^ ^'"^ Partner track passes
through the lake near its northern shore. William Avery was
drowned in this lake summer of 1880. All the lakes of the township
are the result of glacial action. Moraines are very prominent on
he northern side; John Tyler purchased the land about the lake
194. Hence the name. In 1895 a system of water works for the

h n f H °,'! .'"•^^«« """' f"" f his reservoir. Pickerel, perch and
oiiJl-heads thrive here.

North l»ond.
This pond or lake covers about forty acres and is situated in the
western part of Brooklyn township. It is exceedingly deep mud
bot om and well supplied with pickerel, perch and buU-heads Part
of the adjom.ng land is owned by J. C. Gere. It is entirelv formed of
springs. Fishing free. "-

South Pond (Ely Lake).
Comprises about sixty acres and is located in the western part of
Brooklyn township. It originates from springs and has a sandv
bottom; well supplied by bass, pickerel and perch. Trout vve/e
placed m these waters by the State something like fifteen years ago
but have entuely died out. The adjoining lands are owned bv Rod-
ney Kent and A. Ely. Fishing private.

White's Pond.
Located in Auburn township, Susquehanna county. This lake
has no special features in contour or outline, but covers about
thirty-five acres, and is locally well known for its abundance o
common varieties of fish-pickerel, perch, bull-heads and eels. John
Rifenbury .s principal owner of adjoining land. Fishing free Bot-
tom samly and muddy. Partly Hiirn.unded by woods.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

281

Silver Lake (Subject of illustration).
Of all the beautiful spots in Susquehanna county, far famed for
the picturesque beauty of its rugged hills and lovely vales, none sur-
pass in charming attractiveness and primeval grandeur this lake and
surroundings. Here came the sturdy pioneer. Dr. Robert Rose, into
the howling wilderness and on a site surpassed by none and equalled
by few, on account of its natural scenic loveliness, builded a baronial
mansion about 1811. The hand of the artist added to the native
beauty of the place, but Dr. Rose jealously guarded the surroundings
of the lake and maintained the original woods around its shore.
That stately mansion burned many years ago, but in its stead has
been erected another with all modern improvements and the charm-
ing environments which existed In the early days have been pre-
served and nature's handiwork is augmented and beautified by the
genius of later generations of the Rose family. It is much the shape
of a spear point, being about one mile long and three-fourths of a
mile wide entirely surrounded by the original forest which is pro-
tected from the axe of the woodman by its owner, and around its
entire shore still stands the stately forest. In one space is the gor-
geous varicolored maple w^hose immovable stem makes one feel
almost annihilated; in another a clump of giant hemlock lifting
green symmetrical arms from some rocky cleft whose sides are
twined with climbing evergreens which fringe the rocky shore with
the grotesqueness of nature beyond expiession. And here and there
are shady coves, sequestered nooks where oarsmen rest and chat
while on the crystal bosom of the lake the sun's warm ray doth glint
and gleam. Here, indeed, is variety of scenery to tempt the tourist,
and beauty of landscape to summon the artist. The owners of ad-
joining lands are Col. Jas. West, H. K. Sheldon and the Rose Bro-
tliers, the latter of whom are proprietors of as well equipped a
summer home, for entertainment and comforts of guests and tour-
ists, as can be found in the State. As the altitude of the lake (1,800
feet) insures purity of atmosphere and freedom from mosquitoes,
the tourists and summer excursionists ttock hither, and through the
commendable energy of Henry Rose, whose pleasing manner and
hospitality satisfies the most fastidious, it is fast becoming one of
the most popular resorts in northeastern Pennsylvania.

It is about seven miles from Montrose and thirteen miles from
Binghamton along main stage route from both places.

Bottom is rocky and sandy and lake is formed entirely of springs.
In its waters are abundance of the finest specimens of native fish
and black bass were placed in lake from State Fisheries by Col.
West and are doing well.

282

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

in abundance. It is a pHvate Hk. r T "''^ "°'^ '^^"^ht
and privileges of flsl.iLll^ . !' *"' '"'"'"'"fion as to riglits
Kose'sheldon Pa ^ ""' ™*''' ""' '"'''''-- ^'<-. "''dress Henry

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

281

Jones Liikv.

p.aX:;'::rLTVurrr '';? '-' ^^^ ^-->- -' —^ii-..

name?" Other lakes m,," ''"'''" statement "whafs in a

Tbe hiiis rise from thTs, Le o^hiXh "".*'' "" "''•^'""^ <^'^«'^-
hundred rods i,ack and o er ihn ) ^' *''°"'-' "'^'■*'"t ^o'' several
Hch With beade,,;,de ;;;,!? J "'""" '"'^'"^^ "■••^ -^--lows
ti^e Shape of a foot wit^ the h "V tl"" o. t*! 7T '' "^ '""'''

dear and pure, being almost entTS/LlldK ' ""*''■' '''

source of water supply for tl,. tl *"'''*'"*'' ^-^ springs, and is the

aiong its northwesS a^d t tt^^L: 'Trr ^' ''"'' "-
oughfares. This s,.I,.ndid sheet nT 7 ,' ^ ^"'"^ P"''"^ thor-
borough lin.its and ist easil ,e erh7 Y'"' ''"' "'"^"''^ »' *•»«
and .Montrose and IMy^f^TT I ^"*' "''^ I-«^"<awanna
to sojourn in .he bean ff U ,u .!Lf ''''^ '""'*-" ''""«' '""-ists

enjoy the rich sport ornXe'f 'T"""""' '""' """'■f^'"'''" '"
found in this ll. oon^Sg^ " *r:;T^ •^f'"»1«"ce of fish are
eels and sunflsh; also black b , " V . T ■'"'• ^"■"''-^- b»lll...ads,

laK-e some years ago and te no ca^Siti'r:;" """ """"^"^ "' ''^'^
of good si.e. Fishing is free and Ctn ^ir "'""'"'•'•'' •■"'" -'«

OHAPTEK XXIV

'^'•"dford County Lakes.

It will be remembered that in tlm fi„,* ■

-as stated that one branc o the gren f""T "' ^"'^ "•°'''^' ''

epoch, swept into Pennsylvania from thr^- !• "'^ °' ^''^ S'«'^'"''"

•— ' «heet had ns its practt, 1 s^,,n!.,'''''''''° "' ''«'•'"''■'*• This

"""I jjij irregular

Silver Lake (Subject of illustration).

Ul all tlie beautiful spots in Susquehanna county, far famed for
the picturesque beauty of its rugged hills and lovely vales, none sur-
pass in charming attractiveness and primeval grandeur this lake and
surroundings. Here came the sturdy pioneer, Dr. Robert Rose, into
the howling wilderness and on a site surpassed by none and equalled
by few, on account of its natural scenic loveliness, builded a baronial
mansion about 1811. The hand of the artist added to the native
beauty of the plare, but Dr. Rose jealously guarded the surroundings
of the lake and maintained the original woods around its shore.
That stately mansion burned many years ago, but in its stead has
been erected another with all modern improvements and the charm
ing environments which existed in the early days have been pre-
served and nature's handiwork is augmented and beautified by the
genius of later generations of the Rose family. It is much the shape
of a spear point, being about one mile long and three-fourths of a
mile wide entirely surrounded by the original forest which is pro-
tected from the axe of the woodman by its owner, and around its
entire shore still stands the stately forest. In one space is the gor-
geous varicolored maple whose immovable stem makes one feel
almost annihilated; in another a clump of giant hemlock lifting
green symmetrical arms from some rocky cleft whose sides are
twined with climbing evergreens which fringe the rocky shore with
the grotesqueness of nature beyond expression. And here and there
are shady coves, sequestered nooks where oarsmen rest and chat
while on the crystal bosom of the lake the snu's warm ray doth glint
and gleam. Here, indei^d, is variety of scenery to tempt the tourist,
and beauty of landscape to summon the artist. The owners of ad-
joining lands are Col. Jas. West, H. K. Sheldon and the Rose Bro-
thers, the latter of whom are proprietors of as well equipped a
summer home, for entertainment and comforts of guests and tour-
ists, as can be found in the State. As the altitude of the lake (1,800
feet) insures purity of atmosphere and freedom from mosquitoes,
the tourists and summer excursionists flock hither, and through the
commendable energy of Henry Rose, whose pleasing manner and
hospitality satisfies the most fastidious, it is fast becoming one of
the most popular resorts in northeastern Pi-nnsylvania.

It is about seven miles from Montrose and thirteen miles from
Binghamton along main stage route from both places.

282

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

Lake was stocked with lake trout about four years bko and are
mcreasmg rapidly. Native fish were lake salu.oa aud trtut Pick
.-.ol were .ntrcduced into its waters by Dr. Kose and are nowcauffht
.n abundance. It is a private lake. For iufor.nation as o hSs

Jones Jake.

pla';l'dTtrof'L'r"'L'r"' "^ '"""'^' ^■*-' ""-- '^^'^«>- -^ ""■•■•ounu.ng^,
name. Other lakes may appear more weird by reason of their lo
.at.on .n some forest solitude, but to him who looks for h!ft en
ergy and enterprise, none can appear more beautiful ' "

The fertihty of soil surrounding it has tempted the tillers of the

along its northwestern and southern shore Zn , ■ '""^

oughfares. Thi.s splendid she." oT"ate;,'vh. /"''Tf "^ '^"'■■

borough limits and is so easil ac e» 'bl • ? Tn ""/''*'" "' '""
and .Alontrose and Lehigh \" 11^ R i , ' '"'^ ^^""^"^^'i""''

to sojourn in .he beautli^:, \'I ,f . ... :;';;;''''-; *«-'^^«
enjoy the rich sport of angling in its w er^ V ^ ^ ■^'^-•'«'"«» »»
found in this lake, coasi.^ing , 1 ^o, ,i H..;^ ?';' "'"^ "''''
eels and sunfish- also blaci I Z i , ' ' '"■''■'•'• '"'"''^^^ad.s,

lake some years ag and a"^ow;..;:2ir"" """ '"""**'" "' ^"^
Of good size. Pishing i. Z:Z Sml'an^' """"^'■"- -""^ «-

CHAPTER XXIV.

Bradford County Lakes.

It will be remembered that in fi.« « i. ,

-s stated that one brLlh o ^hj ,rt tT t^' .''^^ ^'"'^^'' ^^

epch, swept into Pennsylvania from the direction ol V ''' f ""^

UJUU) sheer had as itn practir-Ml «n„n ^'"^^^^'^^ ^^ Vermont. This

Picutu.,1 M)iitl,r>nmio8( limit an irrefcnj],,,

No. 18.

FISH GOMM1SSION3RS.

28a

line about the Water Gap. As a result the full force of the great
glaciers were felt in Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Mon-
roe, Sullivan, Lycoming, Wyoming, Luzerne, Bradford and a small
portion of Carbon — the north corner in fact. In those counties
where the glaciers had the greatest number of terminals, are to be
found the most numerous lakes and remains of lakes. This is the
case particularly in Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Luzerne and Wyom-
ing counties.

Strange to say, along the southernmost limit of the great terminal
moraine there are comparatively few lakes or the remains of lakes.
Thus Carbon county possesses very few, not a dozen in all. Brad-
ford county is not well supplied at the present time, nor are Sulli-
van and Monroe. But Bradford county at one time possessed a
large number of these bodies of fresh water, although there were
few of very large size. These fo-rmer lakes may be traced in the
many marshes, meadows and laurel swamps which are found in de-
pressions in the highest part of the county. Two conspicuous ex-
amples are cran]>erry marsh and pine swamp, each of which was
once occupied by many hundred acres of water.

There are perhaps less than a dozen lakes remaining in Bradford
county, and with the exception of two or three, all are so small and
uninteresting as scarcely to be worth mentioning. The latter are
of the class lo which Sunrtsh and Mud ponds belong, and these are
rapidly passing out of existence. The two most important are Lake
Weassankiuff and ^fountain lake.

Lake W^eassanking.

Lake Weassanking is an attractive sheet of water in Wysox town-
ship and is beauiifully situated among the hills not far from the
Susquehanna river. It occupies about one hundred acres, and re-
ceives its water sui>ply almost entirely from the drainage of the sur-
rounding country, which bubble up from the bottom in the form of
sjjrings. The Susquehanna river is about two- miles from the lake
and at that point is about 500 feet lower. There are however many
people who believe that Lake Weassanking receives its water supply
through percolations from the Susquehanna, originating possibly a
few miles further towards the headwaters. Besides the springs
there is an inlet but it is exceedingly small, and contributes but a
small portion of the water supply.

The water of Lake Weassanking is exceedingly pure, and sweet to
the taste, and in many places it is quite deep, a plumb line running
one hundred feet before striking ground. The bottom is mostly of
rocks, with here and there small mud and gravel beds.

KKPOKT OF THE

QtLDoo,

The outlet of the lake is controlled by a Hume and gate, in order
that there may be a regular flow of water with which to run a lar-e
grist mill a mile below. The land surrounding is cwned bv a num-
ber of gentlemen, among them Messrs. Lents, Bulls, Conklin and
Spencer.

Pond Hill was the original name of this pretty sheet of water
but modern ideas and the opening up of its shores to sumnier cot-
tagers caused its change of title to Lake VVeassankiu-

The mdiginous fishes are pickerel, yellow perch and bullheads
but the waler seems so well adapted for black bass that some years
ago this great game fish was introduced. The planting inci^ased
rapidly, until it now outnumbers the pickerel. It has become a
favorite^ hsh.ng lake, for at some seasons of the year it yields the
angler fine returns. The lake is free to anyone who observes the
existing game laws.

Lake Weassanking is reached by way of the U^high Valley Rail-

Z ' :r ffr "' '''^^""" '' '' "^^ "^^''^^ *^- " '-•'- --^' a half
tioni the station by a good country road

There is a hotel at the lake kept by Asa Kennei- and several pretty
cottages ot recent construction dot its shores, and evervthing point;
to Its becoming quite an attractive summer resort. '

Mountain Lake.

Mountain lake, the second body of water of importance in Brad-
ford county ,s in Burlington township. It is almost in the center
of the county and embraces at the present time about eighty acres
Mountain lake was, however, once much larger than it is to-day, the
and closing gradually in upon it. It is not as deep a lake as Weas-
sanking, its greatest depth being not much oyer forty feet It has
a rock bottom. It is howeyer, prettily situated on th^ top of a spur
of the Alleghenies with a thick forest growth coming down to the
waters edge on one side, and one end. The remainder of the sur-
rounding land IS given oyer to farming purposes. X number o.f per-
ons own Mountain lake, and several cottages have been built in
the yicinity The lake has become quite a summer resort, and tl e e
IS a hotel also kept by Mr. Rockwell. To reach the lake the neares
pouit IS Towanda, and thence oyer good conntrv r<n.d L eM
miles. The mdiginous fishes are pickerel, yellow perch and b^l
heads. As far as known no higher jrrade fishev, i..v V I
troduced * ^^° '"

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

283

line about the Water Gap. As a result the full force of the great
glaciers were felt in Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Mon-
roe, Sulliyan, Lycoming, Wyoming, Luzerne, Bradford and a small
portion of Carbon — the north corner in fact. In those counties
where the glacieis had the greatest number of terminals, are to be
found the most numerous lakes and remains of lakes. This is the
case particularly in Pike, Wayne. Susquehanna, Luzerne and Wyom-
ing counties.

Strange to say, along the southernmost limit of the great terminal
moraine there are comparatively few lakes or the remains of lakes.
Thus Carbon county i)ossesses very few, not a dozen in all. Brad-
ford ( qunty is not well supplied at the present time, nor are Sulli-
van and Monroe. But Bradford county at one time possessed a
large numbei- of these bodies of fresh water, although there were
few of very large size. These former lakes may be traced in the
many maishes, meadows and laurel swamps which are found in de-
pressions in the highest part of the county. Two conspicuous ex-
amples are cranbeiry marsh and pine swamp, each of which was
once occupied by many hundred acres of water.

There are perhaps less than a dozen lakes remaining in Bradford
county, and with the exception of two or three, all are so small and
uninteresting as scarcely to be worth mentioning. The latter are
of the class to which Suiitish and Mud ponds belong, and these are
rapidly passing out of existence. The two most important are Lake
Weassanking and Mountain lake.

Lake Weassanking.

Lake Weassanking is an attractive sheet of water in Wysox town-
ship and is beaurifully situated among the hills not far from the
Susquehanna river. It occupies about one hundred acres, and re-
ceives its water supply almost entirely from the drainage of the sur-
rounding country, which bubble up from the bottom in the form of
springs. The Susquehanna river is about two- miles from the lake
and at that point is about 501) feet lower. There are however nmny
people who believe that Lake NVeassauking receives its water supply
through percolations from the Susquehanna, originating possibly a
few miles further towards the headwaters. Besides the springs
there is an inlet but it is exceedingly small, and contributes but a
small portion of the water supply.

The water of Lake Weassanking is exceedingly pure, and sweet to
the taste, and in many places it is quite deep, a plumb line running
one hundred feet bi'fore striking ground. The bottom is mostly of
rocks, with here and there small mud and gravel beds.

RKPOKT OF THlfi

Off. 2>00.

The outlet of the lake is controlled b^^ a Hume and gate, in order
that there may be a regular flow of water with which to run a large
grist mill a mile below. The land surrounding is cwned bv a num
ber of gentlemen, among them Messrs. Lents, liulls, Conkliu and
Spencer.

Pond Hill was the original name of this pretty sheet of water,
but modern ideas and the opening up of its shores to summer cot-
tagers caused its change of title to Lake VVeassanking.

The indiginous fishes are pickerel, yellow perch and bullheads,
but the water suems so well adapted for black bass that some years
ago this great game fish was introduced. The planting increased
rapidly, until it now outnumbers the pickerel. It has become a
favorite fishing lakes for at some seasons of the vear it yields the
angler fine returns. The lake is free to anyone who observes the
existing game laws.

Lake VVeassanking is reached by way of the Uihigh Valley Rail-
road, and aligliting at Wysox. It is not more than a mile and a half
from the station by a good country road.

There is a hotel at the lake kept by Asa Kenner and several pretty
cottages of recent construction dot its shores, and everything points
to its becoming quite an attractive si|.HftJttier resort.

Mountain Lake.

Mountaiu lake, the second body of water of importance in Brad
ford county is in Burlington township. It is almost in the center
of the county and embraces at the present time about eighty acres.
Mountain lake was, however, once much larger than it is to-day the
land closing gradually in upon it. It is not as deep a lake as Weas-
sanking, its greatest depth being not much over fortv feet. It has
a rock bottom. It is however, prettily situated on the top of a spur
of the Alleghenies with a thick forest growth coming down to the
waters edge on one side, and one end. The remainder of the sur-
rounding land is given over to farming purposes. A number o.f per
sons own Mountain lake, and several cottages have been built in
the vicinity. The lake has become quite a summer resort, and there
IS a liotel also kept by Mr. Rockwell. To reach the lake the nearest
point IS Towanda, and thence over good countrv roads for eight
miles. The indigin.nis fishes are pickerel, yellow perch and bull
heads. As far ns known no higher grade fishes J,nve ever been in
troduced.

Vo, IS.

^'ISH COMMISSIONERS.

CHAPTER XXV

Carbon County Lakes.

Carbon county once possessed a lake, the size of which was, per-
haps, unequalled in the State. For more than twenty miles its
shores were extended southward from the northern part of the
county. It formed the headwaters of the Lehigh river, and that fine
water highway to-day receives its first supply from the same springs
which originally fed the lake. The lake itself has long since passed
away and in its place is a hugh dense swamp bordering both sides of
the Upper Lehigh, which bears the name of the Shades of Death,
a title bestowed in the early days of the history of Pennsylvania by
the suffering fugitive Wyoming settlers.

As stated in the last chapter, only the northern part of Carbc-n
county was traversed by the great terminal moraine. This portion
is known as Kidder township and it is here that the few remaining
lakes are to be found.

It must be confessed that viewing the country in its several as-
pects there is little that is inviting beyond its extreme wildness.
The roads are infrequent and of the poorest character. The town-
ship is sparsely settled, and the soil as nearly barren as it can be and
sustain vegetable life.

What large timber once grew there has been cut or burned away
and in its place is a thick scrubby undergrowth of fine and low grow
ing huckleberry bushes and sedge fern. Rocks and boulders of
course abound, making traveling troublesome in the extreme.

This may not be pleasing to the student in political economy, but
to him who loves the poetry of wild outdoor life, without the trim-
mings of civilization Kidder township is something of a paradise,
"The visible forms of nature," in her ruder moods are so entrancing
that "he who holds communion with her" has no feelings of satiety,
no-r a desire in return speedily to the crowded haunts of man. In
some other counties the hills are higher, more rugged and more
thickly clothed with verdure, but this distinction is what gives
Kidder township a charm of its own.

It is wliolly the great terminal moraine whicli has made this part
of Carbon county different from its neighbors. This great mass of
r^pl^r^j, enters the eastern side of the township near its lo-wer ex-
tremity, rrossps tlie Tunkhannook creek, and pursues a western

286

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

I
f

course out of the county. Here the moraine takes on the form of
low rounded hills, and it is among them that the lakes of the county
are located.

Some of these bodies of water are kettle holes pure and simple-
others are probably enclosures in the moraine, and the remainder ap-
pear to have been formed through the damming up of their northern
outlets.

Among the lakes of Carbon county are Lake Harmony, Big pond
Grass pond, Kouud pond, Moses Wood pond and Mud pond.

VO. ]&.

><'ISH C^^AIMISSIOXERS

285

Lake Harmony.

Lake Harmony is not wholly a Carbon county sheet of water Lu-
zerne county claims half of it, for that much of it lies within her' bor-
ders. It is four miles from Albrightsville, in Kidder township, and
twelve miles from the village of Mud Run. Some years ago, the lake
had another name than the one which it now bears, but the Harmony
Boat Club of White Haven fell in love with its many beauties and be-
stowed upon it its own and more fitting name.

Lake Harmony is a kettle hole, and very deep. Its depth is so
great, that it is claimed by many that at the centre, its bottom has
never been found. Otherwise sixty feet is said to be about the
average dei)th. The greater part of the bed of the lake is com-
pos.'d of bouldei-s, but on the western end there is a thick layer of
mud. Here the water lilies have taken firm foothold and in the sum-
mer they grow so thick as almost to hide the surface of the water.
But the brown green of the leaves of these plants present such a
charming effect, together with the beauty of the flowers with their
snow white petals, and golden crown of stamins, and rich fragrance,
that one quite forgives them for cutting off a small section of the
lake.

Indeed the part token by the water lilies can well be spared, for
Lake Harmony is a very large body of water. It is said to be nearly
three miles long, and in places three-quarters of a mile wide. Lake
Harmony is .spring fed, many of them are on the bottom, but there
IS one large one at one end, the water of which is so cold, that on
hot summer days it frosts the glnss or metal drinking cup. Those
^^'ho have tasted of it declare it to be the coldest and sweetest water
they ever drank.

Notwithstanding the large size of the lake, the outlet is verv small

but It forms one of the tributaries of the famous Tobvhanna creek'

the favorite trout fishing stream of the well beloved "Thad Xorris '^

.^ Lake Harmony is an ideal spot for a lake. Its environments are

just what those of a lake ought to be. There are no cultivated

CHAPTER XXV

Carbon County Lakes.

Carbon county once possessed a lake, the size of which was, per-
haps, unequalled in the State. For more than twenty miles its
shores were extended southward from the northern part of the
county. It formed the headwaters of the Lehigh river, and that tine
water highway to-day receives its first supply from the same springs
which originally fed the lake. The lake itself has long since passed
away and in its place is a hugh dense swamp bordering both sides of
the Upper Lehigh, which bears the name of the Shades of Death,
a title bestowed in the earlv davs of the historv of Pennsylvania bv
the suffering fugitive Wyoming settlers.

What large timber once grew there has been cut or burned away
and in its place is a thick scrubby undergrowth of fine and low grow
iug huckleberry bushes and sedge fern. Rocks and boulders of
course abound, making traveling troublesome in the extreme.

This may not be pleasing to the student in political economy, but
to him who loves the poetry of wild outdoor life, without the trim-
mings of civilization Kidder township is something of a paradise,
"The visible forms of nature." in her ruder moods nw so entrancinjr
that "he who holds communion with her" has no feelings of satiety,
iwv a desirr in return speedily to the crowded iiauuts <>f man. In
some other counties the hills are higher, more rugged and more
thickly clothed with verdure, but this distinction is what gives
Kidder township a charm of its own.

It is wliollv the great terminal moraine which has made this part
of Carbon county different from its neighbors. This great mass of
debris enters the ojistern side of the township nenr its lower ex-
tremity, crosses the Tunkhannoik creek, and pursues ;i western

286

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

course out of the county. Here the moraine takes on the form of
low rounded hills, and it is among them that the lalies of the county
are located.

Some of these bodies of water are kettle holes pure and simple;
others are probably enclosures in the moraine, and the remainder ap-
pear to have been formed through the damming up of their northern
outlets.

Among the lakes of Carbon county are Lake Harmony, Big pond.
Grass pond. Round pond, Mcses Wood pond and Mud pond.

Lake Harmony.

Lake Harmony is not wholly a Carbon county sheet of water, Lu-
zerne county claims half of it, for that much of it lies within her bor-
ders. It is four miles from Albrightsville, in Kidder township, and
twelve miles from the village of Mud Run. Some years ago, the lake
had another name than the one which it now bears, but the Harmony
Boat Club of White Haven fell in love with its many beauties and be-
stowed upon it its own and more fitting name.

Lake Harmony is a kettle hole, and very deep. Its depth is so
great, that it is claimed by many that at the centre, its bottom has
never been found. Otherwise sixty feet is said to be about tin-
average depth. The greater part of the bed of the lake is com-
po.s<'d of boulders, but on the western end there is a thick layer of
nnid. Here tlic water lilies have taken firm foothold and in the sum-
mer they grow so thick as almost to hide the surface of the water.
But the brown green of the leaves of these plants present such a
charming effect, together with the beauty of the flowers with their
snow white petals, and golden crown of stamins, and rich fragrance,
that one quite forgives them for cutting off a small section of the
lake.

Indeed the part taken by the water lilies can well be spared, for
Lake Harmony is a very large body of water. It is said to be nearly
three miles long, and in places three-quarters of a mile wide. Lake
Harmony is spring fed, many of them are on the bottom, but there
is one large one at one end, the water of which is so cold, that on
hot summer days it frosts the glass or metal drinking cup. Those
^vho have tasted of it declare it to be the coldest and sweetest water
they ever drank.

Notwithstanding the large size of the lake, the outlet is very small,
but it forms one of the tributaries of the famous Tobyhanna creek,
the favorite trout fishing stream of the well beloved "Thad Xorris."

Lake Harmony is an ideal spot for a lake. Its environments are
just wliat those of a lake ought to be. There are no cultivated

»-

; INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

Moses Wood Pond, Carbon County.

JamiTMh- - ii-t-f-n-\:,iBiJ,

Moses Wood Pond, Carbon County.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

-^^-'^

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

PISH COMMfSSFONERS

287

lands. On all sides a heavy growth of timber sweeps down to the
waters edge. It is a second growth, and is therefore in its full vigor
of health and beauty.

The indiginous fishes are yellow perch, pike, sunfish and catfish.
At various times friends of angling have stocked the waters with
black bass, wall-eyed pike, and it is to be regretted, with German
carp. Of the introduced fishes black bass seem to have thrived the
best.

The lake is owned by several persons who- freely permit any one
to fish. They are indeed too generous with their privilege for from
a one time fine and well stocked body of water it has come to be
one of worse than indifferent for fishing purposes. Illegal practices
are regularly practiced. Fish are caught in set and gill nets, and by
the use of deadly set-line. It is only fair to say, according to (jur
rent report, these nefarious practices are not carried on by visitors
from a distance but by people living in the vicinity.

There is no hotel at the lake and nearest place of accommodation
is at Albrightsville, but the landlord has boats on the water for the
accommodation of his guests. The road from Albrightsville over,
though only four miles, is anything but an ideal one, or one which
would meet with the ai)proval of the League of American Wheel
men. It is in point of fact one of the worst and roughest highways
in the State.

Big Pond.

To reach Big pond, it is best to take the Lehigh Valley Railroad
to Mud Run Station. From this point a ride or walk of ten miles
must be taken over a wild and atrocious road. There are no hotels
or even a cottage as the term is generally understood in many miles,
and the nearest postoffice is Blakslee, three miles distant, where the
mail is carried by stage from Mud Run.

Big pond is a pretty sheet of water vvitii rugged surroundings
and picturesque scenes. It measures about a mile in length and
varies from a half to three-quarters of a mile in width. In general
form it bears something of a resemblance to an outline map of
Africa. Near the western shore of the lake is a sparkling spring
of clear cold water, and a capital spot for camping parties to pitch
their tents, though camping parties are warned if they visit this
place to take their own food along, as except fish they will find there
little else to eat. As Big pond has its origin in springs, its waters
are cool jind even fit to drink on a warm day. The outlet is at the
eastern end and its waters fiow west into Tunkhannock creek, which
runs into the Tobyhanna, which in turn empties into the Lehigh, to-
19

288

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc .

gether formiug the county boundary. These streams, with the ex
ception of the Lehigh are excellent trout streams ami are stocked
annually with this noble game fish.

Toward the outlet the water is clear and shallow, in no place is i1
more than five or six feet deep, but as the centre of the lake is
reached the body of water increases until a depth of from twenty to
thirty feet is reached. In sharp contrast with the limi)id clearness
of the water at the eastern end, the shallows at the western end
contains a growth of splatter do-cks and lily pads so tliick and
luxurient that is only with the greatest difficulty that u boat can be
pushed through.

Pickerel, yellow perch, catfish, eels and sunfish and a fish called
in that region "white perch," are the indiginous fishes. lUack bass
have been introduced and frequently caught, but no one seems te
know wlio placed them there. Of all the fishes in Big pond, the sun-
fish are the most numerous, and black bass are the scarcest.

Fishing is free, too free in fact, for the lake is the resort for mis
creants who use dynamite and slaughter fish by the wliolesale, yet
Much are the resources of the place, that it is possible f(U' a good
angler even yet, to secure a good basket of fish.

Round Pond.

About a mile to the southeast of Big pond, is a small lake known
as Hound pond. As its name implies it is nearly circular in shape,
and it is n<*stled in the heart of the woods. It is not more than three-
(pijtriiMs of a mile in circumference, and it is furthermore very shal-
low. Mud and other sediment an* rapidly bringing Bound pond to
extinction. It is so shallow that almost the entire surface is covered
with splatter docks and water lilies.

The stage which runs daily from Mud Bun village passes within
two miles of Bound pond, and from there to the shores is a so called
road, but a jouiney thither except out of curiosity, or for bait fish
would be fruitless, because as a fishing resort it is worthless.

Grassy Lake.

Grassy lake is another sheet of water doomed to early annihilation.
It lies south of Bound jx^-nd about half a mile and is connected with
it by a stream which forms the outlet at the hitter's western end. It
is ;ibou( a mile long, but is very narrow, for it is litth- more thnn
a hundred yards in width. Like Bound pond it has become so

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

slijillow that water lilies and splatter dock have found a con
genial home in all its parts. Bait fish are all that is found in Grassy
lake. Its outlet is at the eastern end, and the stream flows east-
wjirdly into the Tobyhanna.

Moses Wood Pond and Mud Pond.

North of Big pond about a quarter of a mile is a lake long and
narrow called Moses A\'ood pond, and a few hundred yards to th<'
west and connected by a small stream is a minialnre sheet of water
named Mud pond. These two form the source of Black ereek, which
Hows in an op[)()sih' dirrcrion from the outlets of the other lakes in
the vicinity, as they enici- the Lehigh river below the Lehigh Tan-
nery. Both lakes are shallow and their surfac(^s are covered with
aquatic growth of various kinds.

Black creek, the outlet of these lakes was at one time remarkable
as a trout stream, but of late years, the presence of sulphur
water from the coal mines lias d vnpletely destroyed this fish.

Xeither Moses Wood pond nor Mud pond are attractive fi.shing
resorts.

CILVPTKB XXVI.

Other County L.ikes.

In (lesi-ribing the lakes of Pennsylvania, the writer feels that he
has not given full justice to the subject, that he has overlooke<l
many prominent lakes in counties where su.'h bodies aie abundant,
and given prominence to other and insigniticani lakes which came
iindei' his notice. Ft will be notij-ed howevei that the counties ut
Xortheastern Pennsylvania, and Crawford county in the western
I ait '-ontain tlu- greatest numbei- (►f natural mountain lakes. .\ f.w
nevertheless are scattered here and there throughout the whol-
northern tier of counties from east to west, besides the localities men
tioned. As far as the writei- could gain information c(uicerning
them, he has given them mention in this chapter. \o mention is
ni.ade of Lake Erie because it is given a chapter in Pish. Fishing and
Pishciies of Pennsylvania, a work published in the previous reports
of the Pennsylvania Pish < 'ommissioners.
19 18-96

290

REPORT OF THE

Oft. Doc.

Sandy Lake, Mercer County.

Mercer co-unty, which lies in the extreme western part of Penn-
sylvania, has one sheet of water of noble size, and naturally, of great
beauty. It is known as Sandy lake, and rests half in Sandy and
half in Lake township, and is near the border line (»f Venango
county. The thriving town of Mercer is only fourteen miles away,
and the Western New York and Pennsylvania Kailruad runs to the
lake and has established a station at each end.

Sandy lake is a little more than a mile long and is ab<Hit halt a
mile wide, it rests in a bowl of the great moraine, and the surround-
ing hills, mostly heavily wooded rise to a height of some one hun-
dred anil fifty to t\>o hundred feet. While it is a true kettle hole
and possesses many tine springs in its bottom the lake has several in-
lets, and through these inlets finally came disaster to its waters.
Sandy lake is in the bituminous coal region, and some years ago the
mine operators began turning the sulphur and coal water into the
creeks which empty into the crystal sheet. As a result the waters
soon became so badly contaminated that all the indiginous fishes
comprising ])ickerel, catfish, sun fish and yellow perch were killed.

A vigorous protest was made, with the result that all the sources
of pollution were stopped except that from one rountry mine, and
it is the intention of the owners and cottagers of Sandy lake to at-
tempt to have some early legislation (^nacted whi<'h will completely
put a stop to the evil.

\ow that the greater part of the polluting material has been re-
moved, Sandy lake has become once more a beautiful clear sheet
of water as handsome as any bodv of the kind of similar size in the
State. It has a firm sand bottom, and is entiiely free from stumps,
rocks and other forms of obstruction to pleasur(> navigation. It has
an average dei)th of thirty-six feet and in its normal co-ndition is of
great x>tdlucidity. Thick timber sweeps down to the shore line on
one side of the lake, but the other is given (»ver to farms, summer
cottages and hotels.

Now that the waters of Sandy lake aic in better form, the resi-
dents along its shores have begun <'Xperimenting with the best
foims of fish life for restocking. Pickerel, pike and perch have been
reintroduced and large numb»Ms of black bass have been j)lanted.
The fry of other fish are being considered and doubtless will be
tried until Sandy lake bids fair to become one of the best stocke<l
|)onds in Pennsylvania.

-t

n
W
o
n

•-I

^^ •

Looking Up the Outlet of Lake LeBoeuf, Erie County.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

»1

Lake L*^ Boeuf, Erie Conntj. •

In the lower part of Waterford township, a little sO'Uth of the
centre of Erie county is a beautiful sheet of water known as Lake
Le Boeuf. It is about sixteen miles from the city of Erie, via the
Philadelphia and Erie Railway. About its beautiful shores cluster
the memories of many thrilling historic events in which General
Washington figured. The old town of Waterford is situated on the
inlet, and this place was occupied by the French in 1754, and when
Gei :ei'al Washington visited the fort in the same year, going by way
of French creek from Pittsburg, he found seventy dug-outs and one
hundred bateaux drawn up in the inlet preparatory to the French
starting down French creek to take possession of the then called
Ohio Valley.

Mr. W. G. Sargeant, general passenger ticket and passenger agent
of the Pittsburg and Lalce Erie Railroad Company, from whom the
facts concerning most of the Western Pennsylvania lakes were ob-
tained, furnishes the following description of Lake Le Boeuf:

"Tlic la la' is nearly round and about one mile in diameter. It is
fed by two trout streams, springs and Le Boeuf creek. Its outlet is
a tributary of French creek, and in former years, the lumber rafts
were carried from there to Pittsburg. The old keel boats were
poled up from Pittsburg, bringing various merchandise and their
cargo back was generally composed of salt, which was brought over-
land by wagons from the city of Erie."

The water of the lake is very clear and its greatest depth is about
forty feet.

The fishing in Lake Le Boeuf is superb. The greatest indiginous
fish is the great northern pike. There in the deep cold water he
thrives in all his glory and might and grows to an immense size.
Giant stories are told of the pike fishing in this lake, and of the
monster fish which have been hauled from its pellucid bosom. The
largest fish taken of which there is any authentic record, was cap
tared by a local an^'ler named "Tim" Judson. He captured it with
rod and line (and bass tackle at that), after a long struggle and it
weighed forty-eight and a half pounds.

The big mouth green bass is the most numerous fish in the lake,
though occasionally a small mouth bass is taken. Pike perch are
abundant and attain a size of from sixteen to eighteen i)ounds. The
sunfish grow large, and occasionally some very huge catfish are
captured. It has been stocked occasionally, and is proper water
for all the best food fishes, "I have taken,"' says Mr. Sargeant, "a
number of pike thei-e during the last twenty years, which weighed
over tw«'nty pounds, and I venture to say, there are some old fisli
still there which will weigh between fifty and sixty pounds."

292

REPORT OF THE

Off. noc,

The water of the lake is absolutely pure, and is beautiful in its
pellueidity. Its sunoundinj;s are picturesque, for it is entirely
environed by woods and in tin- <entre is a charming little island.

As Lake Le ]*.(>< uf is fed by two trout streams, occasionally in the
early spring nire sized brook trout are taken from its waters. The
place is not a summer resort, but is a favorite place for lishermen.
Angling is free, but all the flsh laws are rigidly enforced.

Conneautee Lake, Erie County.

In the southern part of Erie county is Washington township, and
a little west of the centre, and at one end of the pretty little borougli
town of Edinboio is Tonneautee lake a pretty body of water which,
wlien Eastern Pennsylvanians hears it spoken of, confound with
Oonneaut lake in Crawford county. Conneautee lake, however, if
deposited in Conneaut lake would be lost so greatly dispropor-
tionate are their sizes. While the latter is undoubtedly the largest
bodv of water in the State, unless Lake Erie, be called a Pennsyl-
vania lake, the former while not the smallest is yet a very diminu-
tive sheet. The natural length of Conneautee lake is but three-
quarters of a mile, and its width one-half mile. Its present size
however is much larger, for in 1803, the outlet was dammed so that
the water was raised fifteen feet, and the length of the lake in-
creased to a mile and a quarter, and the width to one mile.

Conneautee lake is eighteen miles south of Erie city, and seventeen
miles north of Meadville. This close promixity to two thriving
places, to say nothing of Edinboro itself has made the lake a
favoiite resort for Western Pennsylvanians and fishermen. Fifty
feet was the original greatest depth of the lake, but the damming
has of course increased it by fifteen feet.

From a geological standpoint the lake is regarded as a k<stlr
hole, although its main water supply does not come from springs
directly in its bottom, but from two short creeks, which have their
rise four miles to the north in the water shed which divides the
streams entering Lake Erie on one hand and those plowing towards
the Oulf of Mexico on the other. The outlet of Lake Conneautee is
called liis: Conneautee creek, a stream which flows southward five
miles to Fiench creek, thirty-five miles above the tatter's jundinri
with tlie Allegheny river.

The surface of the lake is 080 feet above that of Lake Erie, and
J 2,037 above tide water, and it is beautifully situated. The land
rises gently from the shores, until they reach an altitude of from
100 to 150 feet in a distance of about tw o miles on the east and west.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH ..COMMISSIONERS.

29S

On the south and north the land rises, but not more than twentr
iind forly feet, respectively.

The borders of Oonneaiitee lalve was originally thickly timbered
with sugar mai)le trees, and the place was in early times a favorite
resort for the Indians in the early spring for sugar making. Wood-
men have however been busy among this glorious forest, until now
only a comparatively few trees adorn the shores of the lake. Deer
used to be plentiful, and a few and occasionally some yet come to
that locality. It has not been more than fifteen years since a herd
of twenty-seven was seen within half a mile of the lake.

The waters of Conneautee lake are very clear and well stocked
witii lisli. Pickerel, perch, bhuk bass and sunfish are particularly
:,l>niHlanr. Pickerel to the weight of thirty-five pounds have been
taken on more than one occasion. The shallows along the margins
(if the lak(^ are good feeding grounds for water fowl and many ducks
ar(^ sliot here in the spring and fall migrations.

Official Document,

No. 18.

FISH EATING BIRDS AND MAMMALS.

By B. H. Warren, M. D,. State Zoologist.

(294)

As many of our citizens, particularly fishermen, seem to labor
under the impression that the damage annually done to fish by differ-
ent kinds of birds and mammals is of a serious character, the writer
has durini? the past two years been collecting all reliable data pos-
sible on the subject.

Sometime ago the Department of Agriculture distributed through-
out the State a circular asking for infofmation as to the damage
done by the fish-destroying birds and mammals. In response to these
circulars several hundred answers were received and from them it is
found that the injury, contrary to prevalent impression, is not of a
verv serious nature. In fact, from our investigations, the Mink and
Kingfisher, both of which are quite plentiful, in suitable localities,
throughout the State, may be said to be about the only ones which
commit very noticeable depredations to the finny inhabitants of our
streams and ponds. The Otter, it is true, subsists principally on
a fish diet, but otters are so rare in this Commonwealth, that the
mischief they do is but trifling. The herons, or at least certain spe-
cies, no doubt destroy a large number of fish, but they also are so few
in numbers that the loss annually from their presence, and the same is
true of loons, grebes and several other species of our feathered
fishermen, is certainly not, nor do T believe it ever will be, a source
of danger to the increase of the finny denizens of our waters. The
illegal taking oafish, in various ways practiced continually in Penn
sylvania, by individuals who seem to have little or no regard for the
statutes, which remain inoperative mainly because our lawmakers
do not make sufficient appropriations to enable the Board of Fish
Commissioners to properly enforce the present laws, causes a hun-
dred times over more loss every year than all the fish-eating birds
and four-footed animals that have a permanent or temporary resi-
dence within the boundaries of our State.

BIRDS OF PREY.

Fully twenty different species of eagles, hawks and owls occur
regularly in Pennsylvania. Some, such as the screech, barred and
great horned owls and the red-tailed hawk, are with us during all

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc,

296

seasons, while others, for example the short-eared owl and fish hawk,
are usually present only during a portion of each year.

Birds of prey subsist wholly on animal food. A few species are
detrimental, as they live largely on poultry, game-both furred and
feathered-and manv kinds of small wild song birds; but other spe-
cies of raptorial birds, which are common either as residents or
migrants, are mostly, highly beneficial, as their food has been found,
from careful investigations, to be made up mainly of destructive
rodents, injurious beetles, grasshoppers, etc.

So far as the osprey or fish hawk and the bald eagle are concerned
there of course, is no doubt about their fish-eating propensities, but
neither of these birds are sufficiently numerous in our State to
commit depredations worthy of notice. Few birds have been studied
bv naturalists with more care than have the birds of prey. The
post-mortem examinations of the viscera of hundreds of them, to-
gether with observations in the field, have clearly shown that certain
species, other than the osprey and bald eagle, will sometimes catch
and feed on fish.

CROWS AND BLACKBIRDS.
Investigations have proven that the common crow and his yellow-
eyed relatives the crow blackbirds, both omnivorous in their habits,
will occasionally repair to shallow waters and catch small fry, which
thev devour. As fishermen, however, neither of these species can be
called experts and the number of fish they catch is certainly not
large.

THE GREBES.
Grebes mav be easily recognized by the beautiful silvery-white
plumage of the breast and abdomen, the paddle-like feet, which are
not webbed like those of a loon or duck, and the rudimentary tail
which consists of a small tuft of downy feathers.

Grebes, during the spring and autumn migrations, occur gen-
orallv throughout the State, particularly about the larger streams,
lakes and mill-ponds, and during mild winters birds of this family
are often seen about rivers and large ponds in the southern portion
of the Commonwealth. Although these birds are usually observed
singly or in pairs, occasionally, a good sized flock is to be found. Tii
relation to the grebes in general it can be stated that unless flying,
thev are almost alwavs to be seen in the water. The several species
of this family, owing to the posterior situation of their legs, move
with considerable difficulty when on the ground, over which they go
in a slow, floundering manner. Grebes, like some other kinds of
aquatic birds, when wounded, will conceal themselves in weeds and
.rrasses. which grow so luxuriantly in their favorite watery retreat^s.
where thev will remain for a considerable period of time with only

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

297

their slender tapering, bills above the water's surface. They swim
and dive with the utmost facility; when swimming beneath the
water's surface, either in quest of prey or to escape capture, it is
said they use their wings in the same manner as when flying in the
air. Their well known habit of diving when alarmed, and particu-
larly if shot at, has won for them the common name of "Hell-divers."
The grebe's nest consists of a thick, matted mass of vegetation, such
as reeds, flags, grasses, etc. Sometimes the nest is built close to the
water, but usually, according to Mr. Ridgway, it is to be found float-
ing upon the surface of the w\tter in grassy or sedgy ponds or
marshes." The same authority describes the eggs as follows: '*2-5,
dull white, bluish white, or very pale bluish green, usually stained
more or less (often quite deeply) with light brown, by contact with
decomposed vegetable matter." With the exception of the Pied-
billed grebe representatives of this family occurring in Pennsylvania
breed, generally, north of the United States. Grebes subsist chiefly
on fish, frogs, various aquatic insects— especially beetles— and to a
limited extent on different water plants. They confer no special
benefits, nor are they in any particular detrimental to agricultural
interests. Their flesh, quite tough and disagreeable to the taste, is
seldom eaten ; the feathers, however, are considerably used by mil-
liners, and by furriers for mufi's, etc. For these purposes the silvery
white plumage of the breast and abdomen is taken.

During the past three years the writer has examined the stomach
contents of twenty-seven grebes and found that eight of this number
had in their food receptacles the remains of fish with the other food
materials previously indicated.

THE LOONS.
Loons live almost habitually in the water; they dive with wonderful
rapidity and skill, and are also remarkable for their ability of
swimming long distances under the w\iter. especially when endeavor-
ing to elude their enemies. As divers they are the most expert of all
birds. They retire during the summer season to high boreal regions
1o roar their young, and as cold weather advances migrate south-
ward. During migrations loons are most numerous about our sea
• oasts and on the large lakes in the interior.

Like the grebes, they move over the ground in a slow, floundering
and awivward manner, their flight, how^ever, is rapid, and when mi-
U'raling thev ucnerallv flv at a considerable elevation. The shrill
and mournful notes of these birds can bo heard at a great distance;
it is asserted bv some that loons, like the cuckoos, are more fre-
quently heard before a storm than at other times.

The flesh of these birds is tough, dark colored and "fishy." The
white plnniage of the under parts and the spotted fcath<Ms of the
back are sometimes used bv milliners and furriers.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

.Vn. IS.

FISH '--OMMrSSEONRRS

297

their slendc r rajM'iing, bills above the water's surface. They swim
;iud dive Willi the iitmosi facility; when swiiiimiu^ bciKsith the
water's siiifacc. «'itli<'i- in (|ne^l of [n-ey or lo t'scajte «-a[ttin-e. it is
said fht\\ us*' ilK'ii- winus In ih«' same ina.miei- as wIk-m llyinii in lb«*
;iir. 'rin'ii- well known habii ef divinu when alainicd. and |i;iitiiii
kiilv if sliui at. has wmi for ilioin the < oninion name of ••jb-ll div«Ms."
The lirel'o's ncsi consisis ol a tliiek. mail<'d mass ot \ ruriai iou. such
as reeds. Ilaj^s. «irasses. ctr. Smneiiim's iln* m-sl is built close to the
water, but nsmilly, arcoidinu to ;Mi'. Ilid^way. it is lo be found tloat-
irig ti|»on llie suifare of the wa h-r in <ii'assy oi' srduy ponds or
marshes." The same authority (h'S<iilM.s llio .'^-s as follows: »*2-5,
dull white, bluish white, or very pale bluish ^iHMii. usually stained
mure rv less lofton <inite dee])Iyi with lij-ht brown, by roniac-t with
deenmiioscd vegeiabh' matter." With the GXeeptiou of the Tied-
billed jirebe re])iesentatives of this family oeeurrinpr in Penflsylvatna
bleed, uonerally. north of the United Hiates. rirebes subsist chietiy
ou lisli. froos. various aquatie insects— especially beetles — and to a
limited extent on different water plants. TheA ciuifer no special
b.-notits, nor aro llioy in any particular dotrimental io a^i'rirultural
iuHM'ests. Tlwif tlesh. (piite toujih and disa<iiM'eable to the taste, is
seldom eaten: tho featheis. however, are considernldy used by mil-
liners, and by furriers for muffs, etc. For these pur]Misrs the silvory
wlii(«' i»lunui.ti<' of the breast and abdtunen is taken.

Duiinir the past three year.« Ihc writer has examined tlie sloinaeh
'•onlcn^s of 1 wcrHy-scven uioIm-s and found lliat ciLiht of this iMind>er
had in thoir food reeepfaclcs the remains of fish with the other fond
materials previously indicated.

THE LOONrf.
T.itons livealniost habitually in the wat'-r: th'-y div<' with w<uideiful
ia|iidily and skill, and aio als(t remarkable U)V their abilit\ of
swimuiinii loiiu dislauces uinler ilie wale!-, espciially when nulejiNor-
Wii: to elude theii- enemies. As di\eis iliey are the most export of all
I'tiikv. They retire duriii': the summer season lo liiuh biu-eal regions
Io it;ir ilieir vntinu-. and as rold weal her advances iiiiiii-ale sonih
ward. huriiiLi miui-aiions loons are most nunnMdUs al)ou< oiir s«-a
'•o;isls and on the laiue lake.s in liie inlerioi-.

Like ijie i:rebes. iliey iiio\e ovei" tile <^roiind ill a slow. IbMiiiderin.L:-
and awkwaid mann«'r. tlieir lliulil. howevei-. is I'apid. and wjioji mi
uraiiiiL:- llie\ -enerally lly at a < ensiih'rable elevaii"»n. The shrill
and mtniiiiful notes of these birds can b.- heard ai a uieai distance:
it is asserted by some thai loons, like the cuckoos, are more fre-
(juenlly heard bef(»re a storm than at other times.

The ilesh of these birds is lonuh. dark colored and ••lisli.\."" The
white plnma.L'e of the uiidei' parts .-ind the spoiled reaihtM< ,.|' tiie
back are somi-limes used by milliners and furriers.

298

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

The iiest is described as a rudely-built structure of reeds, grasses,
etc., built on the ground near the water; the dark-colored and spotted
eggs are said to be usually two in number. Bill long, hard, straight,
tapering and sharp pointed, being quite spear-like in appearance and
well adapted to catching their prey, consisting principally of fish.

Two species of this family, namely the Common Loon and the Red-
throated Loon are found in Pennsylvania. It is claimed by some
writers that in former years the Common Loon or Great Northern
Diver, was a regular breeder about several of the lakes in the
northeastern counties of Pennsylvania.

The stomachs of sixteen loons (three of which were the Red-
throated), showed that thirteen had remains of fish in them, two eon
tained seeds and other vegetable matter and the remaining one was
i'mpty. Fall fish, suckers, catfish, carp and also a brook trout seven
inches long have been found In the stomachs of loons taken in this
State.

THE DUCKS, ETC.

The ducks, geese and swans, according to Dr. Cones (Key to N. A.
Birds), are represented by nearly one hundred and seventy-five spe-
cies, inhabiting all parts of the world. Of this large nnmber there
are probably about fifty kinds which occur regularly in different
parts of the United States, as residents or during migrations. Tn
Pennsylvania nearly twenty species are found during the spring and
fall migrations and in winter. But few species are now known to
breed regularly in this State; in fact, the Wood Duck, it seems, is
the only one that may be said to be at all common and fairly well
distributed (in the wooded and thinly populated districts chiefly) as
a breeder. Several species are also found in different sections of the
State as rare and irregular visitants, and occasionally a few^ others,
which have wandered considerably from their common range, are
captured here. The Canada Goose, the Mergansers, the Wood, Ruddy
and Buflfle head ducks, and some few other kinds are met with quite
frequently about the rivers, creeks, lakes and numerous ponds in
nearly all parts of the State. The great majority of the members of
this important family which visit here are, however, found mainly on
the large rivers— especially the Susquehanna — and about the shores
of Lake Erie. The best locations for duck shooting in this State are
at difi'erent points on the Susquehanna, from Harrisburg southward,
and at Erie bay, where several species are quite numerous every year
during the regular migrations. **It is not easy to overrate the
economic importance of this large family. It is true that the Mer-
gansers, some of the sea ducks and certain maritime geese that feed
chiefly upon animal substances, are scarcely fit for food, but the great
majority afford a bounteous supply of sapid meat— a chief depen-
dence, indeed, with the population of some inhospitable regions.

298

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doe.

The licsi IS d«'S(jribed as a riidelv-built strucliu'e of reeds, grasses,
.'tc. I.iiili <»ii iIm' mound near ilie water; the dark cidored and spotted
t.-U'as arc .^aid in !••• iisuallv two in nnniber. Bill lon.if. hard, straight,
tapering and shai j) pointrd. being (piih- si>far lilie in app«'arance and
well adajued h. caleliing tlicli' prt'.v, consisring principally of fish.

Two sp.'ci^s of I his family, nanudy the Comnion Loon and ihe Ued-
rhfoated Luun are found in Pennsylvania. It is elaiiued by some
writers that in former years Ihe Common Loon or Greal Northern
IMver, was a regular breeder about several of the lakes in the
northeasteni counties of IVniisylvania.

The stomachs of sixteen loons (three of which were the Hed
throated), showed that thirteen had remains of fish in them, two con
laiii*»d seeds and other vegetable matter and the remaining one was
.'inptj, Fall tlsh, suckers, catfish, car]) and also a brook trout seven
in chef long have been found i» the stomachs o.f Icons taken itt thm
Stale.

THE DUCKS, ETC.

The ducks, geese and swans, according to Dr. Tones (Key to N. A.
Bir<i8^, are w*pre»e»t-ed by nearly one hundred and seventy-fiv<' spe-
etes, inbabfting sTT parts of the world. Of this larg(^ nutiiber there
are probably about fifty kinds which occur regularly in different
parts of the Tnited States, as residents or during migrations. Tn
Pennsylvania nearly tw^enty species are found during i]w spring and
fall migi'ntions and in winter. "Rut few species ar.' now known to
breed regularly in this StaN": in fact, the Wood Duck, it seems, is
ilio (mly one that may be said to be at all common and fairly well
distributed (in the wooded and thinlv populated districts chiefly) ns
a breeder. Several sj>ecies are also found in diff<'rent sections of the
State as rare and irregular visitants, and occasi<mally a few others,
which have wandered considerably from their common range, are
captured here. The Canada Goose, the Mergansers, the Wood. Puddy
and PuHh' li. ad ducks, and some f«'w other kinds are met with quite
fvequenlly about the rivers, creeks, lakes and numerous ]»onds in
!iearly all parts of the State. The great majority of the members of
this important family which visit here are, however, found mainly on
the large rivers — especially the Susquehanna-and about the shores
of Lake Erie. The best locations for duck shooting in this State are
at different points on tlie Susquehanna, from Harrisburg southward,
and at Erie bay. where several species are quite numerous e\*ery year
during the regular migrations. "Tt is not easy to overrate the
economic importance of this large family. Tt is true that the Mer-
gansers, some of the sea ducks and certain maritime geese that feed
chiefly upon animal substances, are scarcely fit for food, but the great
majority alTord a bounteous supply of sapid meat— a chief depen
dence. indeed, with the population of some inhospitable reirions.

ft
•I

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

^^^ Heron.

No. 18.

tUSH COMMISSIONERS.

29»

{Such is the case, tor example, in the boreal parts of this continent,
whither vast bands of water-fowls resort to breed during the tieetiug
Arctic summer. Theii* coming mark a season of comparative pientj^
in places where hunger often pinches the belly, and their warm
downy covering is patched into garments almost cold-proof.

•The general traits of the anserine birds are too well known to
require more than passing notice. They are salacious to a degree,
remarkable even in the hot blooded, passionate class of birds; a
circumstance rendering the production of hybrids frequent and favor-
ing the study of this subject. If we recall the peculiar actions of
geese nipping herbage, and of ducks 'dabbling' in thu water, and
know that some species, as the Mergansers, pursue tish and other
live prey under water, we have the principal modes of feeding. ;Nid-
iflcatiou is usually on the ground, sometimes in a hollow tree; the
nest is often warmly lined with live feathers; the eggs are usually
of some plain color, as greenish, drab or creamy; the clutch varies
in number, commonly ranging from a half a dozen to a dozen and a
half. The young are clothed in a stiffish down, and swim at once.
Among the ducks and Mergansers marked sexual diversity in color
is the rule; the reverse is the case with swans and geese. A note-
worthy coloration of many species, especially of ducks, is the specu-
lum— a brightly colored, generally irridescent area on the secondary
quills. Most of the species are migratory, particularly those of the
northern hemisphere; the flight is performed in bands, that seem to
preserve discipline as well as companionship, and with such regu
iarity that no birds are better entitled to the claim of weather
prophets."

The M«»rgausers, or Fishing Ducks, are probably the most common
of all *'wild ducks" about our smaller streams and ponds during the
winter season. Mergansers can easily be recognized by the bill,
which is long (two inches or more in length), hooked, almost cylin-
drical, quite slender and furnished with saw-like teeth.

Like the Loons, Cormorants, etc., these birds, when swimming
under the water, employ their wings in the same manner as when
flying in the air. They subsist almost exclusively on fish; their flesh
is dark colored, quite tough and unpalatable. Three species of this
sub-family are found in the United States, and all occur in Pennsyl-
vania.

~ J — ... -

THE HERONS, ETC

Itirds of this family, containing, it is said, about seventy-five spe-
cies, are very generally dispersed throughout all parts of the globe.
A few species wander to cold countries, but the great majority of
these waders inhabit the lower temperate and tropical regions. In
different localities throughout the United States, about fifteen spe
cies and varieties (local or geographical races) are recorded by mod-

iSo. li.

1 iSli CUMMiSSlONEUS

^yy

TiH> H

eron.

Such is tlie case, lui example, in the buieai parts ut this cuiitiueul,
whithei- vast bands ut water-luwls lesort to bleed duiiug the tieetmg
Arctic suiiiinei'. Their cuming inaik a seasuu ot cuuiparative pieuL^
iu places where huuger often pinches the belly, and iheii' warm
downy covering is patched into garments almost cold-proof.

"The general traits of ihe anserine buds ate loo well known to
reiiuire more ihan passing notice. They are salacious lo a degree,
remarkable even in the hot blooded, passionate class ol birclsj a
circumstance rendering the production of hybrids frequent and favor-
ing the study of this subject. If we recall ihe peculiar actions of
geesi' nipping herbage, and of ducks 'dabbling' in iht- water, and
know Ihat some species, as the Mergansers, pursue Jish and other
live yve}' under water, we have the principal modes of feeding. >.id-
itttitttt^ is usually on ttea ground, sometimes In tt hollow tree; the
ttest i« ol'teu warmly lined with live fealhers; tke eggs are usually
of .some plain color, as greenish, drab or cream}'; the clutch varies
in number, commonly ranging from a half a dozen lo a dozen and a
half. The young are clutUed in a stillish down, and swim ai once.
Among the ducks and Mergansers marked sexual diveriiity in color
is the rule; t^e i'everse is the case with swans and geese. A note
worthy colorntion of many species, especially oi ducks, is the specu
lum — a brighlly colored, generally irridescent area uu the secondary
tjuills. Most of the species are migratory, pariicularly those of the
northern hemisphere; the llight is performed in bauds, that seem io
preserve discipline as well as companionship, ;ind with such regu
luritv that no bird* are better entitled to ihe claim of weather
prophets."

The .M«iga users, or Fishing Ducks, are probably tiu- most common
of all ""wild ducks" about our smaller si reams and ponds diiiing the
winter season. Mergansers cafi easily be recognized by ilie bill,
which is long (two inches or more in length), hooked, almosi cyliu-
dricai, quite slender and furnished with saw-like iveth.

Like tlu' Loons, Cormorants, etc., these birds, when swimming
muler ihe water, employ their wings in the same manner as when
flying in the air. They subsist almost exclusively on flsh; their liesh
m dark colored, qalte tcwigh and unpalatable. Three species of this
snl) family are found in the rnited Slates, and all occur in reiinsyl
\ania.

I'.irds of this family, containing, il is said, al»oiii sc\ (•m\ -ji\(. spt-
cies, are very generally dispersed throughout all parts of the lilobe.
A few si>ecies wander to cold countries, but the great majority of
these waders inhabit the lower temperate and tropical regions. In
different localities throughont ihe T'nited States, about fifteen spe-
cies and varieties (local or geographical races) are recorded by mod

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

REPORT OF THE

Oft. Doc.

eiii writers; of tlmae uiiie apecieb have been taken, duiiug receiil
3 ears in JViius^lvauia. Some species occur witli us as regular sum
uier resideuts, while others are observed heie oul^ as irausUor^
visitors iu the spriug aud fall migrations. These birds frequeui
muddy banks, rivers, creeks, lakes and ponds; they are also lound
about swampy meadows and marshy places, particularly if the latter
are well sup^jlied with pools of shallow water, protected by trees and
bushes. They often remain quiet or inactive in daytime, but as even
ing approaches, or in the night, they go out, like the owls, in quest of
food, which is secured by rapid, dextrous thrusts of their long, spear-
like bills.

Birds of this group subsist chietiy on various kinds of hslies (lish
measuring nearly a foot in length are often swallowed by large
herons), frogs and snakes; and they also eat other kind of animal
food, such as large insects, held mice, lizards, cray-lish, leeches, etc.,
and some of the larger herons occasionally catch wood-rats, and
young birds of other species which breed about their favorite feeding
resorts, ^^'ith the exception of the JUtterns, these birds are gre-
garious, particularly when breeding, and in the southein states where
herons and egrets are abundant, they often breed together in great
numbers, frequently in company with cormorants, water turkeys
and ibises. The herons and egrets build rude and bulky nests of
sticks and twigs, in trees and bushes; the bluish or greenish colored
and unspotted eggs vary from two to six in number. The sharp,
rasping cries of these birds are often uttered when feeding, also if
they are frightened, and frequently when flying, either when migrat-
ing or when going to or from their feeding places. Birds of this
family are known by the following characters: Long necks and legs;
bill long, straight tapering, acute and furnished with sharp cutting
edges. Lores naked and usually, particularly in the breeding season,
bright colored; the head is rather long, narrow and flat on the sides.
When breeding these birds frequently have the back of the head, the
lower neck, back or scapulars, beautifully ornamented with long
plumes. ITerons and egrets have three pairs of powder down tracts,
one on lower part of back, the second on lower belly, and a third on
breast. Bitterns have two pairs of these tracts, one on lower back,
the other on breast; toes long and slender; the claws are long and
curved, especially that of hind toe, and the uiiddle claw has a fine
comb or inner edge. The hind loe is insert (h1 on a level with three in
front; outer toes usually connected with middle by a small web at
base. (»thers free. Tail very short, twelve feathers, except in bit-
terns, which have only ten.

KINGFISHERS.
Two species of Kinglishera are found in Kortli America,
these, but one — the Belted — occurs in Pennsylvania.

Nn. 18.

riSH COMMISSIONERS.

301

The Kingfisher family, however, is not a small one, as species are
present in nearly all parts of the world; but they are most abundant
in warm countries. Dr. Coues says: "One would gain an imperfect
or erroneous idea of the family to judge it by the American fragment
of one genus and six or eight species. • * ♦ There are
iu all 125 species, belonging to nineteen genera; the latter appear to
be very judiciously handled, but a moderate reduction of the former
wiir be required. They are very unequally distributed. Ceryle
aloue is nearly cosmopolitan, absent only from the Australian region;
ihe'^ ^rthern portion of the Old World has only two peculiar species;
three genera and twenty-four species are characteristic of the Ethi-
opi m region; one genus and twenty-five species are confined to India;
while no less than ten genera and ftfty-nine species are peculiar to
Australia."

The Kingfisher family is divided into two sub-families, one of
which is chiefly insectivorous and the members of which generally
nest in holes in trees sometimes at a considerable distance fromwaicr,
while the other section of this family subsist almost entirely on fish
and deposit their eggs and rear their young usually in holes iu banks
along or near the streams or other bodies of water where they catch
I heir tinny prey.

Kingfishers are shy and solitary birds, they, or at least the species
found in this region, feed almost wholly on small fish, but occasion-
ally a few aquatic insects or small mammals, such as mice, are, by
way of variety, devoured by them. When watching for food they sit
• motionless when perched on a stake, old stump, or bough hanging
over the water. When their prey is sighted they dart after it and
seize it with the bill when on the wing. The fish or other food is
swallowed whole, when they return to the watching post.

"Kingfishers (sjiys Mr. Gmelin) are seen all over Siberia; and their
feathers are employed by the Tartars and the Ostiacs for many super
stitious uses. The former pluck them, cast them into water and
carefully preserve such as float, and they pretend that if with one of
these feathers they touch a woman, or even her clothes, she must
fall in love with them. The Ostiacs tnke (he skin, the bill, and the
claws of this bird, and shut them in a purse; and, as long as they
preserve this sort of amulet, they believe they have no ill to fear.
The person who taught me this means of living happy, could not for-
bear shedding tears; he told me that the loss of a kingfisher's skin
that he had, caused him to lose also his wife and his goods. I ob-
served that such a bird could not be verv rare, since a countrvman

• «

had brought me one, with its skin and feathers: he was much sur-
prised, and said thnf if lie had the luck to find one. he would give it
to no person."

REPORT OF THfi

Off. Doc.

FISH HAWK OR OSPRBV.

TMs species, although most numerous about the sea coast, is tre-
quentljr to be found along our large rivers and many ol our larger
lakes. During the spring and autumn months these hawks, gener-
ally singlj', but sometimes in pairs, if not disturbed will linger for
several days about mill dams and carp ponds where they can easily
capture fish.

The fish hawk occurs in Pennsylvania only as a summer resident,
arriving generally late in March and remaining until sometime.^ the
middle of November. '*

The Fish Hawk commonly rears its young in the vicinity of the
sea coast, yet it oftentimes is found breeding near the borders ol*
large rivers or in the vicinity of large inland lakes. The nest, a very
bulky structure (from four to eight feet in diameter) composed mainly
of sticks, and lined with sea weeds, mosses, grassefe, etc., is built
usually on a large tree near the water. The eggs, two or three in
number, measure about two and one-half inches in length by one
and three-fourths inches in width; they are yellowish-white, thickly
covered with large blotches of different shades of brown.

This hawk is a regular but by no means common breeder in Penn
sylvania. The nest of this bird may be found almost every year
along the Susquehanna river and about some of the larger lake^
in the northeastern section of the State. The writer has examined
the stomach-contents of twenty-three of these hawks captured in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Florida, and
found only the remains of different species of fish. It may be, as
some writers assert, that the fish hawk when breeding' subsists in
part on reptiles and batrachians, however, inv opinion is that these
birds never touch other food unless they are unable to catch fish.

HORNED GREBE.
This species is recorded as a quite common winter resident tli rough
out the United States, and although sometimes fcnind n<'stiijg within
our northern limits, it retires chiefly north of the United States
during the breeding period (middle of May to middle of August).
Audubon (Birds of America) states that he foujid in Ohio, near Lake
Erie, in the month of July, nests containing eggs in which incubation
was well advanced. Dr. Coues (Birds of the Northwest) mentions
that he has found it breeding at various points in Northern Dakota,
where in June and July he secured both eggs and young, the latter
newly hatched. This species is recorded by Mr. E. A. Samuels as
nesting in more northern latitudes than New England. The Horned
Grebe is an irregular sojourner in Pennsylvania from the middle of
October until early in April. In the montlis of March and April this
diver is usually more numerous than at other times during its resi-

Fish Hawk,

m'i

KiiPOHT UF THJfi

Uft. Doc .

riSH HAWK OH OSPKEV.
Tliis Species, aitliougli mosi uumeruus about liiu sea cuasl, is tie
quentij' to be found along our large liveis and manj- ol our larger
lakes. During the spring and autumn months these hawks, gener-
alij' singly, but sometimes in pairs, il not disturbed will linger ior
several da^s about mill dams and carp ponds where the^ can easih
capture lish.

The lish hawk occurs in I'enns^lvania onl^- as a summer resident,
arriving generally late in Alarch and remaining until sometime, the
middle ol A'ovember.

The Fish Hawk commonlj rears its >oung in the vicinity ul the
sea coast, jet it oftentimes is found breeding near the borders ol
large rivers or in the vicinity of large inland lakes. The nest, a verv
bulky structure (from four to eight feet in diameter) composed mainly
of sticks, and lined with sea weeds, mosses, grassefe, etc., is built
usually on a large tree near the water. The eggs, two or three in
number, measure about two and one-half inches in length bv one
and three-fourths inches in width; they are yellowish-white, thickly
covered with large blotches of diJferent shades of brown.

This hawk is a regular but by no means common breeder in Penii
sylvauia. The nest of this bird nia\ be found almost every year
along the Susquehanna river and about some of the larger lake-
in the norUieastern sectitm of the State. The writer liay examiueu
the stoma eh-contents of iwenty-three of these hawk.s mpmred in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Fimida, and
found only the remains of dillerent species of lish. It mav be, as
some writers assort, tliat tli.- fish hawk when breodin,ir subsists in
part on n-pliles and batracliians, however, my oiHiiion is that thesr
birds never touch otiiep food unless they aiv ui.ahh. i,, r;ii, |, lish.

HORNED GREBE.
This sjiecies is recorded as a quite common winter resident tli rough
out the United States, and altliough sometimes rmind iicsiinti witliiii
our northern limits. It retires chietly ncrth of the Tniied states
during the breeding period (middle of May to middle of August).
Audubon (Birds of America) states that lie foiyid in Ohio, near Lake
Erie, in the month of July, nests containing eggs in whieh metibation
was well advanced. Dr. Cones (Dirds of the Northwest) menticms
that he has found it breeding at various points in Northern Dakota,
where in .lune and July he secured both eggs and young, the latter
newly hatched. This species is recordetl by Mr. E. A. Samuels as
nesting in more northern latitudes than Now England. The Itorned
(Jrebe is an irregular sojourner in Pennsylvania from the middle of
October until <'arly in April. In the ni(.ntlis of Manli ;nid A|tiil this
diver is usually more numerous than at other times during its resi-

"^j^^j.^f-JU

Fish Hawk,

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

KISH COMMISSIONERS

303

No. 18.

deuce with U8. AllUougU geuerallj observed singl, or in pairs, and
sometimes iu parties of four, live, or six, 1 have seeu, on tUree occa-
s^oTs .n the past ten year, ttoeks number from twelve to twenty-hve
of the e birds, during the spring migrations, on the Susquehanna,
lihS and Delawart rivers. Ur. Walter Van Fleet and Burgess
J^H Ferguson, both of Kenovo, Clinton county, I'a., --""^ -
Lm^d me that in the latter part of March or early in April, 1884
a ge numbers of Horned Grebes appeared in various streams and
ponds in central Pennsylvania and remained for two or hree day
before passing northward. Mr. Ferguson says there we.e at least
fwo hundred Grebes in the river at Kenovo, where mariy wer^ U led
by gunners. In a small pool, less than one rod -"•''«^' ^'-J^^J/^*^^^^
secured over twenty. Audubon, writing of the food ot Homed
Grebf sry" "I have observed in the stomachs of almost al have
examled a quantity of hair-like substances rolled together like the
oellets otowU but have not ascertained whether or not these masses
a e dUg rglJ The food of this species while on -^ -'-' ^ --
nosed of shrimps, small fish and minute crustaceu. While on fie^h
wate' they procure fish, insects, leeches, small frogs, tadpoles, an.l

Thrstrs:c:sr^£:?r:rx^^^^^^

eoS:rm^ainly Of sand r^^^^^^^^

rs^i^c^frnriu'Strroti,.... food.stu«s. .... ..^u..

masses of feathers.

DABCHICK.

as a ''moderately common spring and *«", "'f '«;, ;;"^;,;' ;; ,p^„g

Koch, of ^^^f-^^;^^t^. Ttiit ;e:rdLg at u.

^eCSrmpt'n cot tl writes me he has found it breeding In

Pennsylvania. Millersville State N..r..u.l School.

Prof. H. Justin Koddj, ol mc muni ,.„„.,. i'»nnavl-

ing island of decaying vegetation held togemei j

FISH COMMISSION Ki<S

uua

!;
o

■s

■ - J

NO. 18

deuce with us. AllUougli jseuciull, ubseived siugb o. iu pa.is, aud
Ims iu the past teu year, Hocks uumber from iwehe to i«fulj-li\e

72Z t:i autini t..J ..Hu« .i^tatiou. -;;'^^'^->;'-'~

LehiBh and Delavva.e liveis. Ur. W al.fi- \ an i-l«-i ami l.m tss
J H i.Y-tsusou, both of Keuovo, Cliu.ou couuty, I'a., "-■'"'"
ottd uJtUat'iu tUe iattet. part of Match of catl, ,u pn 1-1,
large uuuibers of Horued (Jrcbos appeared a. vano.is M, ..»■» aud
' oud. iu Ccutral IV-uu^yhauia aud rcnutined f.,r two or .hreo d.^
before passiu« uor.hward. Mr. Fer«usou says .l,er.. were at k s
two huudred Grebes iu the r.ver at Keuovo, where --^- «- '^^^^
by guuuers. Iu a su.al. pool, less thau uue rod across. U. au llccl
sectred over tweu.y. Audubou, writ.ug o the ood o Uo ncd
rrebe s.vs- "I have observed iu the stomachs ol almoM al ha .
• ;,„' ,ilv of hair like substauces rolled together l.Ue the
•"iZ: Vw^ 1-1 :L ascer,aiued whether or uot these n.ass^

uiasst's of feathers.

The Pied-billed <Jn'be. .m- l>nlMln,U. is a c-onuncn sprm|j a«d «ttU

spouded on the lUiilUT, to bitiU m j mn ,„.♦h.e^ to siK'h

b-ird is rare, or if it ^^ at a''-«;^;;;>, ,;;.,-, -^I.^.I^ ..
eluded situatums t at ;^; ^;' >- -;,;^^, ,,., ,.,..,,,.d .he species
Orawfoid ana i^nt, mi- ^:reuib .„:„.,..nit" Hid Mr. .\nmwt

a, a "moderately commou spr.u, at>d ' ' ^ ;^.;'„ ,, ,,,„.,

K„c„, of .^Vi'liau-PoH^a; » ;,, J;.':,,,- ;,,,,!„, ,t Beth-

«„dfall visitor. ^'■••'"''" ^^- ' ;;"^,. ,„. |„s r„und il In liu^ iu

leheni, Northampton pouiity, vviiteg iu<

'■'zt'hI. 1...--,^ ... ....• ''''V":'^'*;,'^~:'.':''v;;::;l:

his list Suu,m..r Muds ol a N t < u ^^^^^^ ^^_^^| ^^_^_^^

ing island oi ae(.a\Mi>- >'»-«

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

304

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

which c()n>*titutes the nest of this species, is a veritable ornithological
curiosity. Imagine a 'pancake' of what appears to be mud, measur-
ing twelve or fifteen inches in diameter, and rising two or three
inches above the water, which may be from one to three feet in
depth; anchor it to the bottom with a few concealed blades of ^saw-
grass,' in a little open bay, leaving its circumference entirely free;
remove a mass of wet muck from its rounded top and you expose
seven or eight soiled brownish-white eggs, resting in a depression
the bottom of which is less than an inch from the water; the whole
mass is constantly damp. This is the nest of the Dabchick, who is
out foraging on the marsh, or perhaps is anxiously watching us from
some safe corner nearby.

"The anchoring blades of coarse saw-grass or flags, being always
hmger than is necessary to reach the bottom, permit of considerable
lateral and vertical movement of the nest, and effectually provide
against drowning of the eggs by an ordinary rise in the water-level
such as frequently occurs during the prevalence of strong easterly
winds on the lake. A small bunch of saw-grass already growing is
a suitable situation is evidently selected as a nucleus for the nest,
and the tops bent so as to form part of it.

"During the day we invariably found the eggs concealed by a cover
ing of muck as above described; but as we ascertained by repeated
visits at night and in the early morning they are uncovered at dusk
by the bird wlio incubates them until the morning sun relieve her of
her task."

THE LOON OR GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.

This bird, the largest of all the Divers, is about as large as a
medium sized domestic goose. The Loon, known to many as the
Great Northern Diver, is a regular and tolerably common spring
and fall migrant, frequenting principally the rivers, larger streams
and lakes. In the winter, when streams and other bodies of water
are not frozen over, individuals of this species are frequently to bo
found with us. Although not known to breed in Pennsylvania, ih<*sr
birds are sometimes seen here in the breeding season.

Hon. N. F. Tmderwood, of Lake Como, Wayne county, and hunters
living in Wyoming and Susquehanna counties, have informed me
that solitary Loons are occasionally to be found throughout the
summer months, inhabiting the numerous small lakes in the
northeastern parts of tliis Commonwealth. In Lycoming county,
Mr. August Koch says "the Loon is a common visitor oftener
to be noticed in the spring than in the fall, and occasionally
single birds may be noticed in the summer months." The Loon ever
cautious and vigilant, will dive nt the flash of a gun and proceed
under the water to a very considerable distance before reappearing.
These birds, it is said, when endeavoring to elude their enemies, and

H0&
„ ,„ FISH COMMISSIONEUS.

NO. 18.

al«o at limes, when iu quesl ol tuod, swim uuder the water with
; ^ate. ^^y li^au thej tt, th.ough the ai.. VVHUug "'.t^e -ou
K.^tt.ll savs iu releniug to its voice, "laf out al sea m w.ulei, .
^:dTu h?;;. t :.estet.u1akes, pattieulatly Hufou -d Uicingau u,
«"m ^e 1 have heard, on a hue, calm moruing, the sad aud vvolh

U ::r;he so.itao- Lo'ou, which, lihe a '^^'^^ ^^ ^'^ ^^^
.v.„l,. tlie ear aud lisiug as it proceeds, dies awa^ m the an. iuis
h^m g uud't: mariuers, supposed to be ^^-^^^^^^ ^^^^^^
be heard sou.etimes for two or three miles, wheu the buds itself is
invisiiile or reduced almost to a speck iu the distauct.

TUe t'omach-couteuts of seven Loous, captured duriug the wiulei
H,i, 7 Chester Delaware, Cliutou aud Lehigh couuties, la.,
TsL^euS :f ." boues'aud scales; two otUor sp^^^^^^^^^
,.hased iu the wiuter of 1881 from a game dealer m Philadelphia, we e
luud to la e fed ou small seed, aud portions of plauts, appareut,
:! individuals of this species are, ^1;^;^:;;^^::';^
the Hudson Hay region weighing as much as hfteen "7'-^*;':" P" . ^

one fallen on the liCUigu iivei, ■ > „,,,.!„„ tiDoed the

Warren county, on the Allegheny river, in the spung tipped
scales each time at nine aud three-quarter pounds.

THE BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.

K V. to the Uieen Heron the Night Herou is unquestionably the
^ext to tue uieeu jj-c; o ^i.,,^,, tUp adult birds are

most abundant of the family in this btate. J^^^^^ ^
easilv distinguished from other herons by the black leatuus op
eas 1} ais" = frequently three long, fane, white

of head and back, led eyes, anu 4 j appellation,

feathers, which grow from the ^-^^^ f ^h^jj^^^^s stitly nocturnal

Night Heron, *« '''^'^'y^^f 3;^*:'XS 1^^^^^^^^^^^ i-etive, and
in its habits. During the dajtime the ^>^S^ ■^^

generally is found perched on a log or the '""J^^J '^ *'7„,',.^,,%i,
^ooU about the swamps and streams. ^^ tw U,g U app. oa

drowsy wader becomes, -j™' ^ J,^,,\Tc^;^^^^^^^^^^ plum,
by the pangs of hunger; ^^ f ^^f^^^^ ; ;.^ i,^^,, „ow fits neat and
age, which before seemed ^^ff^^ ^^^ ; „,, d,„„ and de-

Closely as ^^<- --^^^^'y ^''^l^ le ,i do in^. and suddenly with a
cortiated limb on which ''« •'^^ \^^ ' •^; J^^^^ „ ,uort intervals
loud squack launclu^s ^"-^'[^^ ^^ ^l;,^^, ,,;,„,.est, he speedily
'- harsh nolo. -J; ^ ^;.f;^ Vh l.'ds arrive in Pennsylvania

:sr^sr:r:v;:;td™,^n^^

;:Ses :r f^r=::e" rUd. Af.er the breeding
20-1 9-06

s
o

PC
to

FISH COMMJSSlONKliri.

3*1-^

No. 18.

also a. .i".cs. wlK- iu 4Uf«l ol food, «wi.n un.lei- ll.e walt-r will.
::::, , ...HU ..a,. ,!>., U, cl.,ousU t>.e ah-. WHu„« "'/'-;;-•

* 1 K. 1 have l...ud, ou a liuu, .aUn mo.uing, Uu- .sad ^""^ - -''

..,,.„. ,„o ea., and n.iu, as i, p.-occeds d,.. awav '"' - "^ ; ^^-
,„di,„ .ouud to nuumc.., supposed to bo '"^-' '-;, " ' , ''.^^"^
bo licmd sotnetituos for two of Huoo ut.los wh.u U,. b.nU
invixii.k- Of fvducod almost to a sptnU iu llif distaiao.
'"X to:a.U.eou,.u,s of sov.u i.oous, «U>eufod duf.n, the w.t .
„,outU« m Cl^cstef, Udawafo, Cliutou and ^^^ = ^ ^ ' , ;
..ousistoa ontitvlv of tisl. bonos and scales; two " '^ ' J \ ,,^

i,.,«,.,l ill iho wiiiH-f of IS.^1 If""' 'I gauieUualef 111 1 lida.iLipina,

roots individaals of tins species afe, U .s satd, -"'"*-■'!""' ''j^
he iludsou .-.a, fe,iou weighing as ntuch as .iH.-n "'^^^^'^^^^^
nice The fe.i.ale is s.Maewhal siuallef that, the n.ale. ihe wc.,1

:r .m. i l-s taUet, iu renus, ivania iu the eafi, ^P'-^^-X'

;°:r:o;:::! ou''":; uM.:".v .-01.. ^ ..e spfi.. .ipped ....

scales each liuu- at niue aud ,hfe.. quaftef p....uds.

THU liLACK-CBOWNED NIGHT HKRON.

.1 ,■ ., ll,.,„,i Ihe Ni"ht Ueiou is un.iuestioaablj the
Kett te tb« Cueeu lleiou he .M. i ^^

most abuudaut of .he laiuilj lu th,s p'"' ;. . {.^^,. ' ^t^i^^.,,, ^„ ,op
eusilv dis.iuguished f.o.u otUef f--,, ^-^ '^ ; , \ ^f h" e, white
of h..ad a.ul ba.U, fed e,es and '-1 - '^ ^ Tl.e appellation,

feathefs, which grow ffo... .he base ''' ^ '\ ";. ;; ,,'.i^,,,/i,etuftu,l

Ni,„t Heron, is highly '>l'l';'"i;!"'%;'^\t, ' t , ' "-■^'-' """
i„ Us hal.i.s. Dufing the davHu e the ^'t' J" ." ;„ ^, ,;,,

,..„efall> is fo....d pefcUed on a log of the » „ „..,^,,,., ,,is

uooU abo.u ,he swa.ups and **'7''" ;^.f ^;, ,^,,,,,!,L,,, „o doubt.
d.ows, wadef beeontes. as ' 'j -■,.", J ';;.. .},,, .uaggv pluu.
„, „.e pangs 01 ''""^'-•^;':, • , , ; ,i, ,.odv. MOW li.s t.eat au.l

,,,„,,, ^- '.e e, f 1 W 1 ^ ^^ ^^_^,_^^ ^^,,,, ^,„,,,,.„„ „,„ ,

,,„,,„,„„1 l„„b on «l..h h, „,„.,■„,.„ sh,.r. in.efvals

l„„d SM.ia.U launches h..usell 1" m ■ ■ ,.^

>-'-- :••-'•::■ 2;^::^'. ;::;;:.:'. 'nv!. In. v,,,,s!iva„ia

it,r-A:;::v s -'.,01. ,pa.. orse,,

'^^*""' "' - ,..„nr It oTir<. Oil tlu'ii' Mnival ni spnn;^ to

::::l-;;;,:;;-;r;:::;::.""' -■ ■-"""• =

20-1 <= -0<J

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

',m

RBPOKT OF THE

Off. Doc.

seasuu, i.e., about llie middle ol August, wlieii tiie j^ouug are ampl^
able to provide tor tliemselves, tliese biids forsake their nestmg
places and become quite plentiful along tlie liveis, streams and
buslij^^ marshes.

The ^ight Heron rarelj', if ever, breeds singly, but always in large
companies. 1 have visited, on different occasions, two of these
breeding resorts and found from twenty-tive to seventy-five nests,
which, like those of the other species, were built of sticks and placed
usually in high trees. In Berks county, near Blue Kock, for many
years this species annually reared their young in the edge of a large
woods along the margin of which there was a good-sized stream. In
this place many of the nests were built in a bunch of saplings, some
fifteen or twenty feet high and so small in diameter that it was im-
possible to climb them. Wilson has very properly said that the
noise of the old and young in one of these breeding places would
induce one to suppose that two or three hundred Indians w ere chok-
ing or throttling each other. The same writer in referring to exam-
inations which he made, states that the teeth of the pectinated claw
were thirty-five or forty in number, and, as they contained particles
of the down of the bird, showed evidently from this circumstance that
they act the part of a comb to rid the bird of vermin in those parts
which it cannot reach with its bill. The late Isaac G. Darlington,
of West Chester, some years ago had large numbers of gold fishes in
a pond near his residence. One day Mr. Darlington caught twenty-
five of these fish and placed them in a small pool, intending to re-
move them the following morning. About bedtime, Mr. D. said, I
heard a loud squawking, and on going out saw two Night Herons
actively engaged in catching these fish. I shot one of these robbers,
which you there see mounted, on the bookcase, and on making an in
vestigation found only one of the fish remaining. "An incident may
illustrate the habits of the Night Heron, and perhaps of the whole
family. A Night Heron had been noticed for several days sitting on
a tree near a branch of White Clay creek. It was at length shot and
brought to me, with the tail of a large fish projecting four inches
beyond its bill. On removing the fisji (a sucker Catostomus, which
must have been twelve inches long), its head and shoulders, except
the bony portions, were eaten away by the gastric liquor of the stom
ach." — Michener.

I have examined the stomachs of twenty odd of these herons, adult
and young, which have been shot in June at the breeding grounds,
and found in all only the remains of fishes. In two or three imma-
ture birds, taken in August and September, I have discovered a few
grasshoppers and portions of insects.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

307

Belted Kingfisher.

BEIYTED KINGFISHER.
Kingfishers are common along our rivers, streams and ponds,
about which they are found at all seasons, unless forced to migrate
southward by excessively cold weather. The loud and harsh cry of this
bird, as Wilson has properly stated, is not unlike the noise made by
twirling a watchman's rattle. "It is uttered while moving from
place to place, always on being disturbed, and even sometimes
when he is about to plunge into the water for fish. But especially
it is heard at night when the male bird is returning to the nest with
food for his mate and young."— Gentry. Their eggs are deposited
in holes which they excavate in the sides of banks, usually about
the streams and ponds they frequent. On several occasions T have
discovered their nests in high embankments along public roads, rail-
road outs and old quarries. The excavations vary greatly in depth,
but average four or five feet: occasionally you find one straight,
commonlv, however, they are directed to the right or left of the main
opening and terminate in quite a large cavity. The eggs (IM by 1.06
inches) are white and usuallv six in number, although T have in sev
eral instances seen seven. The eggs, accordinsr to my observation,
are invariablv deposited on the bare earth. Mr. Gentry, however,
tells ns that he has "in many instances known them to be deposited
in a warm and cosv nest constructed of dried grasses nnd feathers.''
Kin-fishers feed almost entirely on fish. Their proficiency in catch-
incr small fish is such that that they are in bad repute among the
owners and proprietors of trout and carp ponds. Two gentlemen of
mv acquaintance were so greatly annoyed by the loss of jrold fish
and trout, which had been sustained from the regular visits of several
pairs of these birds, that they adopted the following means for their
destruction: Stakes were driven down about the ponds in several
places- the tops of the stakes were sufficiently large to support steel
traps which were set but not baited. The birds on visiting the
ponds would invariably fly to one of the stakes and alight. In less
than one week ten or twelve kingfishers were in this way trapped
and killed. A friend, some few years ago. informed me that he
caught one of these birds on a hook and line while fishing in the
Rrnndywine, near Chadd's Ford. My informant said he had a live
bait fminnow) on his hook, and as he was winding up his line on the
reel he saw a kingfisher plunge into the water at his bait, which it
not only caught, but at the same time hooked and entangled itself
so that it could not escape.

One dav Mr. B. M. Everhart, of West Chester, Pa., found a king-
fisher lying on the bank of a small stream. On making an investi-
gation,'Mr. Everhart ascertained that the bird was unable to tiy, as
its bill was tightlv clasped in the grasp of a large fresh-water mussel.
I have heard of two or three instances where kingfishers have been

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

807

Belted Kingfisher.

BELTED KINGFISHER.
Kingfishers are common along our rivers, streams and ponds,
about which they are found at all seasons, unless forced to migrate
.southward by excessively cold weather. The loud and harsh cry of this
bird, as Wilson has properly stated, is not unlike the noise made by
twirling a watchman's rattle. "It is uttered while moving from
place to place, always on being disturbed, and even sometimes
when he is about to plunge into the water for fish. But especially
it is heard at night when the male bird is returning to the nest with
food for his mate and young."— Gentry. Their eggs are deposited
in holes which they excavate in the sides of banks, usually about
the streams and ponds they frequent. On several occasions T have
discovered their nests in high embankments along public roads, rail-
road cuts and old quarries. The excavations vary greatly in depth,
but average four or five feet: occasionally you find one straight,
commonlv, however, they are directed to the right or left of the main
opening and terminate in quite a large cavity. The eggs (1.^0 bv \M
inches) are white and usuallv six in number, although T have in sev
oral instances seen seven. The eggs, accordincr to my observation,
are invariablv deposited on the bare earth. Mr. Gentry, however,
fells ns that he has "in many instances known them to be deposited
in a warm and cosv nest constructed of dried irrasses and feathers.''
Kin«-fishers feed almost entirely on fish. Their proficiency in catch-
ing-small fish is such that that they are in bad repute among the
owners and proprietors of trout and carp ponds. Two gentlemen of
my acquaintance were so greatly annoyed by the loss of gold fish
and trout, which had been sustained from the regular visits of several
pairs of these birds, that they adopted the following means for their
destruction: Stakes were driven down about the ponds in several
places- the tops of the stakes were sufficiently large to support steel
traps which were set but not baited. The birds on visiting the
ponds would invariablv fly to one of the stakes and alight. In less
than one week ten or twelve kingfishers were in this way trapped
and killed. A friend, some few years ago, informed me that he
caught one of these birds on a hook and line while fishing in the
Brandvwine. near Chadd's Ford. My informant said he had a live
bait (minnow) on his hook, and as he was winding up his line on the
reel, he saw a kingfisher plunge into the water at his bait, which it
not only caught, but at the same time hooked and entangled itself
so that it could not escape.

One dav Mr. B. M. Everhart, of West Chester, Pa., found a king-
fisher Iving on the bank of a small stream. On making an investi-
gation Mr. Everhart ascertained that the bird was unable to fiy, as
its bill' was tightlv clasped in tlie grasp of a large fresh-water mussel.
r have heard of two or three instances where kingfishers have been

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18

PISH COMMISSIONERS

Belted Kingfisher.

BELTED KINGFISHER.
Kiuj^^fisliers are coininoii alonj,' our I'iveis, streams and ponds,
about wliicli they are found at all seasons, unless forced to migrate
southwaFMl byexix^ssivelycold weather. The loud and harsh cry of this
bird, as Wilson has properly stated, is not unlike the noise made by
twirling a watchman's rattle. "It is uttered while moving from
place to plare. always on being disturbed, and even sometimes
when he is about to plunge into the water for fish. But especially
it is heard at night when the male bird is returning to the nest with
food for his mate and young."— Gentry. Their eggs are deposited
in hoh^s which they excavate in the sides of banks, usually about
the streams and ponds they frequent. On several occasions T have
discovered their nests in high embankments along public roads, rail
road cuts and old quarries. The excavations vary greatly in depth,
but average four or five feet: occasionally you find one straight,
commonlv! however, they are directed to the right or left of the main
openinir and terminate in quite a large cavity. The eggs H.J^n hvl.On
inches) are white and usuallv six to number, although T have In sev
oral instnnces seen seven. The ec<t^. accordincr to my ohservation.
nro invarinblv deposited on the bare earth. Mr. Gentry, however.
tolls us that he has "in many instances known them to be deposited
m a warm and cosv nest constructed of dried nrmsses nnd feathers."
Tvin-fishers feed almost entirely on fish Their proficiencv in catch
In*' small fish is such that that they are in bad repute amonsr the
owners and pr-nprietors of trout and carp ponds. Two gentlemen of
mv acquaintance were so -reatly annoyed bv the loss of -old fi«h
and trout, which had been sustained from the regular visits of several
pairs of these birds, that thev adopted the following means for their
destruction: Stakes were driven down about the ponds in several
places: the tops of the stakes were sufficiently larire to support steel
traps which were set but not baited. The birds on visiting the
ponds would invariablv flv to one of the stakes and alight. Tn less
than one week ten or twelve kingfishers were in this way trapped
nnd killed. A friend, some few years ago. informed me tTiat he
cann-ht one of these birds on a hook and line while fishing in the
Brandvwine. near Chadd's Ford. My informant said he had a live
bait fminnow) on his hook, and as he was winding up his line on the
reel, he saw a kingfisher plunge into the water at his bait, which it
not only caught, but at the snme time hooked and entangled itself
so that it could not escape.

One dav Mr. "R. M. Everhart. of West Chester. Pa., found a king-
fisher Ivinir on the bank of a small stream. On making an investi-
cration.Mr. Everhart ascertained that the bird was unable to tly, as
Ms iMil was tiirhtly chis])ed in the grasp of a large fn'sh water mussel.
1 have heard of two or three instances where kingfishers have been

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

308

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

captured uuder similar circumstances, which would naturally lead
one to suppose that they feed to a limited degree on the flesh of these
bivalves. According to certain writers, this species is said to feed
occasionally, though rarely, on insects. Mr. E. A. Samuels states
that he once shot a kingfisher which had just seized a mouse.

The writer has examined the stomach-contents of thirty-eight of
these birds which have been taken about streams and mill-ponds of
this State during the past ten years. Thirty-six stomachs contained
only the remains of fish; one bird had in addition to a small brook
trout, a large water beetle in its stomach. The viscera of the remain-
ing Kingfisher were empty.

Mr. C. K. Sober, of Lewisburg, Pa., found in the viscera of a single
kingfisher which he shot along Baker run, a famous brook trout
stream in Clinton county, no less than thirteen small trout fry. Mr.
Sober, as well as many other sportsmen, who are familiar with the
habits of the Kingfisher, assert that these birds destroy immense
quantities of trout. It is a fact well known to every man who does
much trout fishing along our mountain streams that Kingfishers are
almost always to be observed in no small number about such places,
and as they are voracious feeders there can be no question but what
they will, during their sojourn in such places, commit great havoc to
trout or other fish.

Some years ago an acquaintance of the writer had a pond in
which he had a large number of goldfish. Two pairs of Kingfishers
had their nests in a sand quarry near the pond. These birds in one
summer made daily visits to the pond nnd destroyed nearly all the
small-sized fish in the place.

MAMMALS WHICH EAT PISH.

Wild cats, raccoons and muskrats all. it is claimed, catch fish,
yet the damage they do in this direction does not, from reports at
hand, appear to be worthy of particular notice.

The greatest damage done by muskrats seems to be caused by the
injury to dams nnd fish ponds caused by their subterranean passages,
rather than to their fondness for the flesh of the finny inhabitants. The
food of the muskrat is, from the writer's observation, chiefly of a
vegetable character. In fact numerous reports are on file in the
writer's possession, showing that in some portions of our State, musk-
rats do considerable damage every year to corn and other crops in the
vicinity of the streams and ponds w^hich they inhabit.

The Mink and Otter, however, are both great devourers of fish, and
the former unquestionably is a serious hindrance at times to fish
culture. The Otter, chiefly piscivorous in habit, does comparatively
little damage because there are so few of these shy and valuable fur
bearing animals in the limits of our State. According to the state-
ments of various fur-dealers in this Oommonwealth. not ovor fifty
ofters are annually captured in Pennsylvania.

No. 18. FISH rOMMIrfSIONERS. 309

THE MINK.

It is not a pretty animal with its long, low, tiat head, small eyes,
ears so tiny as to be hardly longer than the fur, with stiff, strong
bristley whiskers, which grow not only in the ordinary way, but be-
hind the eyes, middle of shin, and on wrists and ankles. His snout,
devoid of hairy covering, is prominent and inquisitive and his feet
are semi-palmate aud broad with palms and soles furry around the
j)ads. His body long and rat-like, covered with '-densely soft and
matted fur, is mixed with long, stiff" and lustrous hairs." This cov-
ering is sometimes a light yellowish brown and changes from this to
a rich blackish, chocolate brown, (or black). A patch of white
usually occupies its under jaw, and occasionally we tind such patch«'s
on its under parts and, in rare cases, the tip of its bushy and some-
what tapering tail is white.

'Tis a wonderfully strcuig animal considering its weight, which
averages in an adult two pounds, ^^'ater is as much its home as the
land, and its depredations in both are of great annoyance and
grievance to fishermen and farmers alike. How they are disliked
by the farmers. The mountain streams are sources of vast revenue to
these pests, for the pretty ganiey trout yield up their lives in number
to them, proving Mr. Mink to be an epicure.

His home is usually to be found along streams and marshy grounds
jnid his voracious appetite is helped to partial satisfaction by the
birds which inliabit such haunts and which nest on and near the
i-i-ound. Ho doesn't confine himself to birds and fish alone, but rep-
tiles are one of the courses of his long continued and frequently taken
meals. Some fifty letters from different parts of Pennsylvania, tell
of his nocturnal wanderings, so disastrous to the poultry yards.
Twenty chickens in one night seems n good many, but from Hon. A.
L. Afartin, Lawrence county, wo hear of a mink (a black one by the
way) who made way with thirty-seven chickens, eight weeks old, in
(uie night. Mr. L. C. Oberlin. of Indiana county, writes that they will
in one niiiiit kill as manv as fortv chickens and turkeys; and
fiumerous are the comphiints and many are the demand-s for bounti<'s
on these miserable, bloodthirsty creatures. They cut the throats
nf llieir i)i*ey, suck the blood and in many cases leave the bodies un-
eaten. A letter from S. S. Thomas. Susquehanna county, shows
their neatness and cleverness. Tlie continued disappearance of a
number of catfish caused their whilom owners to investigate care-
fully, for the cause and under a log piled u]) he discovered the bodies
of twenty of the missing fish. A trap caught the mis<reant and
ended the thefts.

Eggs he eats wholesale and wftdlly, not sucking them, but taking
them in their entirety. Minks are not without their use, however,
for their fine, soft, thick fur has its market value and in ronscqiiciic.-
he is much sought after by fur dealers.

\v,. IS.

rt^^4 .;

riPri ~"^M^rrsSI< iXERP,

THE MINK.

:^09

If is not a pivtty animal with its; lung, low, ilat head, suuill c'}es,
cars !su tiny as In be hardly lonj-er than the fur, with stiff, strung
f)ristley whiskers, which grow not only in the t)rdinary way, but bc-
liind the eyes, niiddh- cf shin. an<l on wrists and ankles. Uis snout,
devoid of hairy ro\eiiiig. is jjroiiiinent and intiuisitive and his feet
aie senii]»alniate and broad with palms and soles furiy around the
ads. His body long an«l lal like, covered with "densely soft and
Halted fur, is mixed wiih long, slilV and lustrous hairs.'

Thi;

eov

fling is sometimes a light yellowish brown and changes from this to
;i lirii bla(ddsh. chocolat<* br»>wn. lor black). A juilch of while
usually oriuj:ies its under jaw. and occasioujilly \v«' tlnd surii ikiicIk's
oil its uiKh'r |»jiits and. in rare cases, the {']\t of its bushy and some
whai tajtering I ail is white.

'Tis a wonderfully sirong auinuil (MUisidering its wcighi. which
.i\<'i;iues in an adult I wo pounds. Water is as much ils Inuiie us liie

lid
lo fisliermen and farmers alike. How tliev are dislikcTj

hind, and ils depredations in both are of great annoyance a

uiicN uncc

by the farmers. The mountain streams are sources of vast revenue to
ijicse pests, for the pretty ganiey tront yield up their lives in number
lu iJieni. prf»ving Mr. Mink (o l>e an epicure.

riis home is usunlly to be found along streams and marshy grounds
;ind liis voijirions appetite is helped to j)arti;il satisfaction by the
biids which inhabii such haunts and which nesi on and near the
uiound. Tic doesn't confine liimself to birds and fish alone, but rep-
tile? are one of the courses of his long continu«'d and frcjjuently taken
riM'Mls. Some fifty letters from different ])arts of Pennsylvania, tell
of his nocturnal wanderings, so disastrous to the poultry yards.
Twcntv chickens in one niuhl seems u good many, but fi'om Hon. .\.

L. ^rurtin. Lawrence conn

jv. we lieMi' of a mink la blnck one bv tin

wny) who made way wilh thirty sev«'n chickens, eight weeks old. in
eiie iiiirhf. >fr. L. C. Oberlin. of Tndiana conniv. writes thai tlicy will
ill one niglii kill as many as foiiy chit kens and inikeys: and
iiiiineioiis ;ire the com|tlaints and many ar<' Ihe (h-mand". for bounties
on these miserable, bloodthirsty ci'eatures. They ciii the throais
of iheii- pi'e\. suck the blof»d ami in nmny cases lea\<' the bodies iin
.Mion. A letter from S. S. Tlnunas. Susquehanna county, shows
iIkmi' neatn<'ss and cleverness. The contimu'd <lisapj»earaTice of a
iiiiiiiber of calfish caused their wliihu!i owners lo iuvesliiiato <are
fully. fr»r the cause and under a log piled up he disco\ered ilie boilies
ef twenty of \]\i' missing fish. A trap caught the miscreau! and
•'Uded the thefts.

Eggs he eats whole.sah* and wholly, not sucking them, but taking
ilieni in llieir eiiiirj-ty. Minks are not without their us<'. howe\er.
for their (iiu'. s<d't. thick fui- has ils market \aiiie ami in < (•iise.|ii<iii-e
lie is much soniiht after bv fur dealers.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

310

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

NOTES ON FOOD OF MINKS.
The following extracts concerning the fish-eating habits of the
Mink are taken from letters received by the writer from farmers,
tishermen and naturalists residing in various sections of Pennsyl-
vania:

MR. PIERSON, DYtSART, PA.:

Minks destroy an immense amount of trout here. They catch them
after they run them under a stone or log when they hare them cor-
nered. I, on one occasion, trailed mink that caugrht from 15 to 20
front in one night and eat part of each.

MR. A. W. RHOADS, WIDKES-BARRE, Pa.:

I have personal knowledge of the catching of fish by mink and
raccoon; they dive for them in shallow waters.

Mr. ARTHUR MARTIN, SANBY LAKE, PA.:

Minks have killed some fish for us in ponds.

HON. GERARD C. BROWN, YORKANNA, PA.r

Minks are still around brooks and are good fishers,
take long to clean out a small trout pond.

A mink won't

Mr. JNO. M. BUCKALEW, FISHING CREEK, COL. CO.. PA.:

Minks destroy fish; sink down in the water to catch and come to
the surface to consume. Minks are numerous and a damage to the
communities where found.

MR. SAML. M. DOWNS. MAUCH CHUNK. PA.:

T have no personal knowledge, but reports of the mink depreda-
tions to fish are common, having a semi-palmated foot and being ex-
pert swimmers and divers, they experience little difficulty In captur-
ing the prey.

MR. FRED. F. WELD. SUGAR GROVE, WARREN CO.. PA.:

T have occasionally seen dead fish along Stillwater creek, killed
and partially eaten by minks, but have never observed their method
of capture.

MR. E. W. CAMPBELL. WEST PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO.. PA.:

Trout have been killed by minks, as they have been caught at it,

Mr. H. C. KIRKPATRICK, MEADVILLE, CRAWFORD CO.. PA.:

I have only seen the mink fishing. Once when duck shooting in
Tonneaut Marsh, I noticed a great commotion in the water just be
neath an oak tree wTiich overhung the water. Thinkingit might be a

No. lb.

blBH GOMMl.SSlONKUtS

311

wood duck, i made a large circle and came out under the treej crawl-
ing up Lo where i could look over the bank i saw a large mink about
ten feet from mej it seemed to be hunting in the weeds for some
thing; in a moment it disappeared under the water; in about tifieen
or twenty seconds it reappeared with something in its mouth and
swimming to shore jumped out on the bank where it shook it as a
dog shakes a rat. After it was apparently dead the mink dropped
it and sniHed around it a few times and disappeared in the under-
brush. Then 1 went to where the object was lying and found it to
be a large species of Salamander about one foot long. Although
they are not a fish it illustrates to a certain extent the mink's manner
of fishing for that kind of game.

OTTO BEHR, LOPEZ, SULLIVAN COUNTY:

Minks are very good fishers, i^aw one come out of an open riflle in
winter with a large trout in its mouth which it had caught across its
back; on another occasion 1 caught one dragging a good sized eel
along in the snow. They sometimes get into chicken coops and kill
a dozen or more fowls in a single night.

W. J. STULL, COALPORT, CLEARFIELD CO.:

Mr. Thomas Millen informs me that a Mink has taken quite a
number of fish from his fish pond by diving or plunging after them.

PAUL SWINGLE, SOUTH CANAAN, WAYNE COUNTY;

Minks are very destructive to fish; they swim through the water
and catch them.

S. S. THOMAS, LYNN, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY:

A few years ago 1 had a large number of cattish and one eel in a
box in my spring drain. Their continual disappearance (the eel
among the rest) surprised me, but 1 one day discovered as many as
twenty of the bull-heads (catfish) piled up under a log nearby. A
steel trap stopped the theft and added half a dollar to the young
sters' pocket money in the way of Mink bounty.

ZIBA SCOTT. SPRING BROOK, LACKAWANNA CO.:

The Mink likes fish; brook trout suits him best if he can gel them.
Ue is an expert swimmer; goes under the water and catihes them
easily. I have shot two within the past year with trout in their
mouths. The last one had a trout eight inches long.

C. p. MOl^. MILFORD. PIKE COUNTY

Minks undoubtedly kill many tish.

312

REPORT OF THE

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GEARY C. BBLL, MAPLEWOOD, WAYNE COUNTY:

A mink got into a carp pond last winter and destroyed a great
many carp, some of which were nearly two feet long.

J. B. O VI ATT, NORWICH, McKEAN COUNTY:

Have often seen where minks have caught fish in winter time and
have brought them on shore and eat or hid them. Minks have no
trouble in catching fish when the water is low.

J, C. HEYLER, NAUVOO, TIOOA COUNTY:

Minks destroy poultry and birds, but the greatest damage done by
them is to brook trout, which is their principal living; they also
catch other fish, but trout is their favorite fish diet.

H. C. DORWDKTH. Oil. CITY. VKXANGO COl^NTY:

Have seen a mink catch a trout in one of our neighboring streams,
in the winter, by diving under the overhanging bank (where the
trout usually stay in winter), and catch the trout as they attempted
to swim past him. Minks two years ago killed all the carp, forty in
number, in a pond in Sage run. As these fish work down into the
mud in winter, the minks had no difticulty in catching them.

GEORGE FRAN€, ARIEL, WAYNE COUNTY:

The Mink destroys fish, particularly brook trout, and he is also
very destructive to domestic fowls, especially chickens.

EMIL ULRIOH, STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY:

Minks destroy fish, particularly brook trout, and they usually catch
the largest ones they find in the deep holes.

JOHN KELLOW, CARLEY BROOK, WAYNE COUNTY:

Minks are at home under the water where they readily capture
fish. They annually destroy great numlMMs of trout.

W. R. PARK, ATHE5NiS, BRADFORD COUNTY:

Minks are expert fishermen. They kill large numbers of trout. I
once shot a mink with a large trout in its mouth.

From these quotations it will be seen that Minks unquestionably
are great destroyers of fish. While it is well known that they will
catch and feed upon almost any species of the finny tribe which they
can secure, these amphibious animals have, there is little doubt, a
preference for the toothsome and beautiful brook trout. The number
of trout which minks annually kill about our mountain strr ams is no
doubt considerable.

No. 18.

^TSH COMMISSIONERS.

313

FISH, FISHING AND FISHERIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CHAPTER I.

Primeval Fishermen and Fisbing.
Less than three hundred years ago the rivers and streams within
the confines of what is now the State of Pennsylvania were fairly
alive with fish. Shad, herring and other migratory fishes annually
ascended the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers and their tribu-
taries in such vast multitudes that, according to one old writer, the
still waters seemed to fill with eddies, while the shallows were
beaten into foam bv them in their struggles to reach the spawning
grounds. As the rivers of Alaska are said to be filled to-day with
Salmon, so were the Susquehanna and Delaware described to have
been with other fishes some two hundred and fifty years ago.

As the rivers were in those days with migratory fish, so were the
mountain and meadow streams with trout. Whenever the water
conditions were at all favorable, thig great game fish lived in count-
less numbers, and like the shad and other migratory fishes, grew to
much larger size than are now commonly found. Even catfish,
suckers and other finny members of life in those early days reached
a greater fullness of growth.

At that time, the Indians, of what is now Pennsylvania, through-
out its whole extent, and indeed, for some distance north, west and
south depended almost wholly on the fish supply for food. These
people could with much truth be called fish-eaters. Proof of this is
found in every ancient Indian village site, where the ashes and char-
coal of primeval camp fires have preserved bones of animal food de-
voured bv the redskinned hunters. In every case, no matter whether
the village was located beside a large water course or at some dis-
lauce from it, bones of fishes have been found among the camp fire
ashes. Bones of deer, elk and bear, the principal animal food of
the Indians, are also discovered in great quantity, but insignificantly
so when compared with the number of fish bones found.

If further proof be wanting as to the great dependence on fish, it
is found in the ancient shell heaps on the sea coast, the accumula-
tions of the Indians who visited the ocean annually from miles in-
land for mollusks which they smoked for winter use. Among these

^- ' — ' " '

This article, written by Mr W E. Meehnn. and Issued In l\>rmer report., is republl.lied at the re-
nuest Hf numerous friends of Ush culture

Nn. 18.

s'lftH COMMISSIONERS.

31 :

FISH, FISHING AND FISHERIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CHAPTER 1.

Piiineval Fishornien aud Fishing.

Less than tliivc- liundivd vears ago tlie rivers and streams within
the coutines of what is now the State of Pennsylvania were fairlv
alive with fisli. Shad, herring and other migratorv lishes aunuallv
ascended tlje Susquehanna and Delaware rivers and iheir tribu-
taries in such vast multitudes that, according to one old writi^r, the
still waters seemed to fill with eddies, while the shallows were
beaten into foam by them in their struggles to reach the spawning
l-rounds. As the rivers of Alaska are said to be tilled to-day with
Salmon, so were the Susquehanna and Delaware described to have
been with other fishes some two hundred and fifty years ago.

As the rivers were in those days with migratory fish, so were the
u.ountain and meadow streams with trout. Whenever the water
coudiiicms were at all favorable, this great game fish lived in count-
less numbers, and like the shad and other migratory fishes, grew to
much larger size than are now commonly found. Even catfish,
suckers and other finny members of life in those early days reached
a greater fullness of growth.

At that time, the Indians, of what is now Pennsylvania, through-
cur its whole extent, and indeed, for some distance north, west and
south depended almost wholly on the fish supply for food. These
I.coph- could witii much truth be called fish-eaiers. Proof of this is
louiid in ev.'iy ancient Indian village site, wli. re the ashes and ihar-
roal of primeval camp fires have preserved bones of animal food de-
voured bv the redskinned hunters. In every case, no matter whether
the village was located beside a large water course or at some dis-
lance fro'in it, bones of fishes have been found among the camp fire
ashes. Pones of deer, elk and bear, the principal animal food of
the Indians, are also discovered in great quantity, bur insi.uniti.antly
so when compared with the number of fish bones found.

If further proof be wanting as to the great dependence on fish, it
is found in the ancient shell heaps on the sea coast, the accumula-
tions of the Indians who visited the ocean annually from miles in
land for mollusks which they smoked for winter use. Among these

It-. 1- i.:'i.ii!(l!*he<! nt Use i l-

•Tl.l^a^i..•le, wriilen l.y Mr W K. Mc.-li Ui. anJ \^»uv>i u. i.,ii...m i>-i
4ue8t i.f nuriieio'.is friends uf tl^h cuUine

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

shell heaps are discovered numerous ttsh spears and hooks, together
with abundant remains of fishes. Thus while mollusk gathering
was the primary object of the ocean visits, the Indians kept well in
mind the value of sea fishes as an article of food.

It is by the remains of bones found in the ashes also that the
great size of the fish of those days, as compared with those of the
present, can be determined. Bones of catfish and suckers of more
than double the size of those now caught are frequently found, skel-
etons of trout, which must have weighed when in the flesh from two
to four pounds are quite common, and there are no lack of remains
of shad which would have tipped the scales fairly at twelve pounds.

As might be expected, depending so largely on this class of
food supply, the Indians were expert fishermen. Men, women and
children engaged regularly in the calling, not only to supply imme-
diate wants, but for future needs, preserving their stock by sun and
smoke curing. John Ogelby, a well-known writer, in treating of
the New England Indians says: "In the trade of fishing they are
very expert, being experienced in all baits for different kinds of
fishes * * ♦ * Since the English came they are furnished with
English hooks and lines, for before they made the latter of hemp,
being more curiously wrought and of stronger material than ours
and hooked with bone hooks ♦ ♦ * ♦ They make likewise very
strong sturgeon nets, with which they catch sturgeon of twelve feet
or more in length. Their cordage is so even, soft and smooth that
it looks more like silk than hemp." The same skill and knowledge
possessed by the Indians of New England, were had by those in and
about the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and undoubtedly both
were the result of long acquaintance and practice.

Another writer says: "The Indians always carry hooks and small
harpoons with them whenever they are on a hunting party; but
at certain seasons of the year they go out purposely to fish, either
alone or in parties. They make use of the neat and light canoes
made of birch bark * • * * and venture with them into spa-
cious rivers."

It will thus be seen that the savages who occupied the soil of
America before the white men, were no tyros in the art of fish catch-
ing. They were learned in all that pertained to it. In the pursuit
they used weirs and traps; seines, gill and scoop nets; spears, bows
and arrows and gigs; hand, pole and set lines. They even knew how
to stupify fish by using intoxicating substances. Besides these
things they constructed pens and preserves in which fish could be
kept alive until wanted. To the children mainly were left the use of
the bow and arrow in fish killing, and in this art, by no means easy
of acquirement, they were, according to Loskiel, a Moravian mis
sionary. adopts.

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

3t5

These youthful hunters appear to have followed this species of
game hunting with the greatest assiduity, for fish arrowheads are
found in great abundance in the valley of the Delaware south of
Trenton on the Susquehanna river shores, particularly near Colum-
bia as well as in and about nearly all the creeks and streams enter-
ing these two rivers. While the youngsters eagerly waded the shal-
low brooks in pursuit of the speckled trout, or sluggish movmg
sucker, their favorite resorts were the creeks which were affected
by the tides. Here, when the water was high the boys and young
men were fond of congregating and shooting the river fishes as they
swam up to feed. The arrow heads were peculiarly adapted to the
use for which they were intended, and entirely unlike in shape those
used for the killing of land animals. The arrow heads were often
as much as five and six inches long and very narrow, and on account
of their slender character only the hardest and choicest stone was

used. -

Wherever the streams were shallow, a favorite method of catch-
ing fish was by the use of drive-ways. As soon as the shad and her-
ring appeared on their annual journey to the spawning beds no
time was lost by the Indians. Large stones were placed close to-
gether in the water so as to make a huge V shaped pen, much after
the pattern of the brush built drive-ways used by them for capturing
land animals. Then every redskin in the village or villages, if
friendly relations were in order, men, women and children fell in
line across the river, and moved slowly towards the open end of the
drive-wav, yelling at the top of their voices and beating the water
vigorously with brush, which each were armed with. Affrighted,
thousands of fish fled straight to the pen built for them, and when
they were well within, escape was barred by a huge net stretched
across the entrance. Thus the fish were imprisoned to be slaugh-
tered at leisure by their captors.

In 1080, Mahlon Stacy, one of the first settlers of New Jersey,
wrote a letter to a brother in England, in which he gave a some-
what similar method used by the Indians for fish catching. The
letter is so interesting that, though it contains some other matters
not germain to the subject of this work, it is herewith given entire:
"But now a word or two of those strange reports you hear of us
and our country. ^ affirm they are not true, but fear they were
spoke from a spirit of envy. It is a country that produ(;oth all
things for the support and sustenance of man in a plentiful manner;
if it were not so, I should be ashamed of what I have before written.
But T can stand, having truth on my side, against and before the face
of all gain-sayers and evil spies. I have traveled through most of
the pi noes that are settled and some that are not, and in .'very place

316

REPORT OF THE

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I il,Kl tUe cuuutii veij apt to auswer the expectat.ous ..t 'he dili-
gent 1 have seen orchards laden with (ruit to admiration, tUoir
verv limbs torn to pieces with the weight and most delicions tc the
taste and lovely to behold. I have seen an apple tree, from a pippiu-
keinal, vield a barrel of curious cider; and peaches in such plenty
that some people took their carts a peach gathering; I could not
but .mile at the conceit ot it. They are a very delicate truit and
hung almost like our onions that are tied on ropes. I have seen and
known, this summer, forty bushels of bold wheat off one bushel
sown, and many more such instances I could bring, which ^vould be
too tedious here to mention. We have, from the time called May
until Michaelmas, great store of very good wild fruits, as strawber-
ries, cranb<.nies and hurtleberries, which are like our bilberries in
Englan.l, but far sweeter; they are very wholesome fruits the
cranberries are much like cherries for color and bigness, which may
be kept till fruit come again; an excellent sauce is made of them tor
venison, turkeys and other great fowl, and they are better to make
tarts than either gooseberries or cherries. We have them brought
to our houses bv the Indians in great plenty. My brother, Robert,
had as manv cherries this year as would have loaded several carts.
It is my judgment, by what I have observed, that fruit trees in this
countrv destroy themselves by the very weight of their fruit As
for venison and fowls, we have great plenty; we have brought home
to our houses by the Indians, seven or eight fat bucks a day, and
sometimes put by as many, having no occasion for them. And fash,
in their season are very plentious. My counsin, Revell, and I, with
some of my men, went last third month into the river ("Ihe Dela-
ware") to catch herrings, for at that time they came in great shoals
into the shallows. We had neither rod nor net, but, after the Indian
fashion, made a round pinfold, about two yards over and a foot li.gh
but left a gap for the fish to go in at, and made a bush to lay in the
gap to keep the fish in; and when that was done, we took two long
birches and tied their tops together, and went about a stone s cast
above our said pinfold; then hauling these birch boughs down the
stream, where we drove thousands before us, but so many got into
our trap as it would hold. And then we began to haul them on
shore, as fast as three or four of us could, but two or three a ime,
and after this manner, in half an hour, we could have filled a three-
bushel sack of as good, large lierring as ever I saw. And as to beet
and pork, here is a great plenty of it, and cheap, and also good
sheep The common grass of this country feeds beef very fat; 1
have killed two this year and, therefore, I have reason to know it;
besides, I have seen this fall, in Burlington, killed eight or nine fat
oxen and cows on a market day and are very fat. And though I

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

317

EARLY INDI.\N METHODS OF FISHING.

speak of lieiTings only, lest any should think we have little of other
sorts, we have great plenty of most sorts of fish that I ever saw in
England, besides several other sorts that are not known
there, as rocks, catfish, shads, sheepsheads, sturgeons; and fowls
plenty, as ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, partridges and many
other sorts that I cannot remember, and would be too tedious to.
mention. Indeed, the country, take it as a wilderness, is a brave
country, though no place will please all. But some will be ready to
say he writes of conveniences, but not of inconveniences. In an-
swer to those I honestly declare, there is some barren laud, as (I
suppose) there is in most places of the world, and more wood than
some would have upon their lands; neither will the country produce
corn without labor, nor cattle be got without something to buy them,
nor bread with idleness, else it would be a brave country, indeed.
And I question not but all then would give it a good word. For my
part, I like it so well I never had the least thought of returning to
England, except on account of trade."

That nets were largely used by the Indians, has been proved be-
yond the shadow of a doubt. Not only do Ogelby, Loskiel, Mahlon,
Stacy, Peter Kalm and other early writers bear witness to having
seen them, but still more ancient signs of their use have been dis-
covered. On all village sites are found remains of Indian pottery,
and this pottery the Aborigines were fond of ornamenting, and much
of it in this connection bears the imprint of fish nets. Besides this,
a few meshes, evidently centuries old, were found in the Mam-
moth cave. These impressions and the meshes found show, cur-
iouslv enouj-h, that the knots with which the nets were umde are
identical with those in use to-day by the whites.

Seines and gill nets had lead lines made of small, circular, fiat
stones, having two deep notches to keep the lines from slipping.
'JUiese ''leads'' have been found by the thousands in the Delaware and
Susquehanna rivers. One of the most curious finds of these relics
was made by Dr. C. C. Abbott, formerly curator of the Archaeolog-
ical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from whom the
greater number of the facts contained in this chapter are obtained.
Some years ago, in a mud deposit on the banks of the Susquehanna,
Dr. Abbott came upon a series of about thirty seine "leads"
stretched in an irregular line about eighteen inches apart. From
their position and other evidence found in connection therewith, it
was apparent that they formed part of a net which had been set and
ilien abandoned.

Instead of by buoys, as now used, nets were anchored by stones,
carefully trimmed and weighing from fifteen to twenty pounds each.
>fany of these are frequently found in the main rivers and their

< *^

s^^V^

l-.AKI.V INDIAN M1;TH0DS Ul- IISHING.

\ « ■ IS

c'lUH i:OMMiB8lONBRS

i$i>uak ut iierriugs only, lest au} should tbiuk we have little of other
sorts, wo have si«'at plenty of most sorts of tish that I ever saw in
England, besides several other sorts that are not known
tbei'e, as rocks, catfish, shads, sheepsheads. sturgeons; and fowls
pleaty, as ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, i>artridges and many
other sorts that I cannot remember, and would be too tedious lo
mention. Indeed, the country, take it as a wilderness, is a brave
country, though no place will pb'ase all. JJut some will he ready to
s;iy he writes of conveniences, but not of inconveniences. In an-
swer to those 1 honestly declare, there is some barren land, as d
suiipose) there is in most places of the world, and nu>re wood than
s<.me would have u[)on tlieir lands; neither will the country produce
rorn without labor, nor cattle be got without something to buy them,
nav bread with idleness, else it would be a brave country, indeed.
And r (juestion not but all then would give it a good word. For my
pari, r like it so well 1 never had the least thought of returning t(.
Kngianri, excei)t on account of trade."

Tlial nets were largely used by the Indians, has been proved be-
ymd l!ie shadow of a doubt. Not only do Ogelby, Loskiel, Mahlou,
Siacy, IVter Kalm and other early writers bear witness to liaving
s(<'n'llM'm. but still mure flttrfent signs of their use have been dis-
covered. On all village sites are found remains of Indian pottery,
and this pottery the Aborigines were fond of ornamenting, and much
of it in tUia connection bears the imprint of tish nets. r.esides this,
a few i»e«l«s, evidently centuries ohl. were found in the Mam-
moth cave. These impressions and the meshes found show, cur-
iouslv enouuh. that tiie knots witli which the nets wen- nta^ ar^
identical wiiii those in use to-day l)y the whites.

Seines ami gill neis had lead lines made of small. cir<ular. Hat
stones, having two deep notches to keep the lines from slipping.
These '-leads** liave been found by the thousands in the Delaware and
Siisipu'hanna rivers. One of the most curious finds of these relics
was made by Dr. C. C. Abbott, formerly curator of the Archaeolog-
ical Department of the Vniversity of Tennsylvania, from whom ih.-
greater number of the facts contained in this chapter are obtained.
Some years ago, in a mud dei)<»sit on the banks of the Sus(pielianna.
Or. Abl»ott came upon a series of about thirty seine -leads**
si ret died in an incgulai- line about eighteen inciies apart. From
tiieir p(»situtn and other evidence found in ccmnection tlien'witli. ii
was a]»parent that they formed part of a net which had been set and
-ihen abandnued.

Instead of by l)Uoys. as now used, nets were anchored by stones,
carofully 1 rimmed nnd weighing from fifteen to twenty |.ounds cadi.
Main of these aic frequently found in the main rivers and their

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

■ilS

REPORT OF THK

Off. Doc.

tributaries of Pennsylvania, miite testimony to the great extent to
which aboriginal fishing was carried on.

Ice fishing with gill nets was also a favorite method with the In-
dians and these were let beneath the ice with wonderful skill and

effect.

The best cord with which the nets and fishing lines were made
was fashioned from what is termed Indian hemp, botanically known
as Apocynum cannabinum. It grew in great abundance in the old
corn grounds, in woods, on hills and high glades. The stalks could
readily be divided into filaments and easily prepared. The hempen
cords made from this material were much stronger and kept from
rotting longer in water than twine made from the common hemp.
The net twine was manufactured almost exclusively by the women,
and in the operation they used neither spinning wheels nor distaff.
They simply gathered a certain number of filaments in one hand and
I'olled them rapidly upon their bare thighs until thoroughly twisted,
locking from time to time the ends with a fresh supply of the
hempen fibre. This cord thus made was strengthened and dressed
with a mixture of grease and wax and drawn over a smooth groove

in a stone.

That gigging and spearing were carried on to an enormous extent
is shown by the countless number of spear heads and gig heads
found by archaeologists and relic hunters every year. The spears
were either tipped with barbed bone or with long slender pieces of
chipped stone of a flinty character. As a general rule, much pains
were given to their manufacture for most of the specimens found
show evidences of beautiful workmanship.

All bone spears, however, do not appear to have been in general
use by the Indians of either Pennsylvania or New Jersey, for they
are almost entirely unknown to relic hunters. Quite recently Dr.
Abbott came upon a fragment of a spear made from a piece of bone,
and it was of such a rarity that it attracted quite a sensation among
archaeologists all over the country.

On the gigs the Indians expended a vast amount of time, care and
workmanship, for these were as a rule much more delicately chipped
than any other implement of their size. Although found in great
abundance along the Delaware and the Susquehanna rivers, almost
without exception they are of exquisite finish. As the gigs were for
the purpose of spearing the larger fish and even sturgeon, and also
for the capture of the larger water turtles like "snappers," only the
finest stones could be used, thus no fish gigs are found except made
of jasper and quartz.

It is interesting to note that gigs seem to have been used almost
pxclusivply by the Indians of Pennsylvania and New Jersey: for.

Indian Implements.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

31»

although plentifully found in both these states, this implement is
rarely come upon elsewhere.

Of the exquisite character of the lines used, mention has already
been made, and the hooks which were used were scarcely less cred-
itable to their skill. These were usually fashioned from bone or
stone and occasionally of bird claws (probably of the hawk). So
effective were these articles, that Peter Kalm, a pupil of the famous
botanist Linnaeus, who traveled in this country about the middle of
the last century, asserted that many white people used them in pref-
erence to their own brought from abroad.

The dipsies for hand and pole lines, were also very carefully and
symmf4rically modelled. The most elaborate and handsome were
fasliioned of hematite and shaped like a common plumb bob. Some
had the upper portion groved and were encased in netting, while
others had holes drilled through them and were fastened to the line
without the precaution of a net to prevent loss.

Harriot, a writer of 1585, thus quaintly describes the Indian
methods of fishing:

"They haue likewise a notable way to catche fishe in their Rivers,
lor whereas they lacke both yron and Steele, they fasten vnto their
fieedes or longe Rodds the hollow tayle of a certain fishe like to a sea
crabb, in steede of a poynte, wherewith by nighte or day they stricke
ttshes and take them off into their boates. They also know how to
vse the prickles and pricks of other fishes. They also make weares,
with settinge opp reedes or twigs in the water, which they soe plant
one with another that they growe still narrower and narrower, as
appeareth by this figure. Ther was neuer seene among vs soe cun-
ninge a way to take fish withall, whereof sondrie sorts as they
fownde in their rivers vnlike vnto ours, which are also of a verye
good taste. Doubtless yt is a pleasant sighte to see the people,
sometymos wadinge, and goinge sometymes sailinge in those Rivers,
uiiicli are shallowe and not deepe, free from all care of heaping opp
Riches for their posterite, content with their state, and lining frend-
lye together of those things which god of his bountye hath giuen
vnto them, yet without giving hyra any thankes according to his

desarte.

"So sauage is this people and depriued of the true knowledge of
Aod. For they haue none other than is mentioned before in this

worke."

Besides telling us how the Indians catch fish, Harriott also tells
us how they cook them. He says:

"After they haue taken store of fishe, they gett them vnto a place
fitt to dress yt. Ther they sticke vpp in the grownde 4 stakes in a
square roome and lay 4 potes vpon them and others ouer thwart the

REPORT OF THB

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No. 18.

WISH OOMMISSIONERS.

321

same, the same like vnto an hurdle of sufficient heigthe, and laying
their fishe upon this hurdle, they make a fyre vnderneathe to broile
the same, not after the manner of the people of Florida, which do
but schorte (schorche) and harden their meate in the smoke only to
Reserue the same during all the winter. For this people, reseruinge
nothinge for store, thei do broile, and spend away all att once, and
when they haue further neede they roste or seethe fresh, as we shall
see hereafter. And when as the hurdle can not holde all the fishes,
they hange the Reste by the fyrres on sticks sett vpp in the grounde
a gainste the fyres, and than they finishe the reste of theire cookerye.
They take good heede that they bee not burntt. When the first are
broyled they lay others on that weare newlye brought, continuing the
dressinge of their meate in this sorte vntil they thincke they haue
sufficient."

CHArTER n.

Early Fishing on the Susquehanna.

The vast abundance of fish in the rivers and streams of the colony
of Pennsylvania excited the astonishment of the early European set-
tlers, prepared as they had been beforehand by tales of the multi-
tude of animal life in the new country. One amazed traveler on his
ret irn to England in 1588 writes: "For foure moenthes of the yeere,
February, March, April and May, there are plentie of Sturgeons and
also in the same moenthes of Herrings; some of the ordinary big-
nesse as ours in England, but the most part farre greater, of eigh-
teene, twentie inches, and some two foot ein length and better; both
these kinds of fishe in those monethes are most plentiful, and in
best season which were founde to bee most delicate and pleasant

meate.

"There are also Troutes, Porpoises, Rayes, Oldwines, Mullets,
Plaice, and very many other sortes of excellent good fish, which we
have taken and eaten, whose names I know not but in the country
language; we have of twelve sorts more the pictures as they were
drawn in the countrey with their names."

William Penn also in a letter from Philadelphia dated January
9th, 1G8.3, to the Duke of York, writes that: "Our rivers have also
plenty of excellent fish and waterfowl, as sturgeon, rock, shad, her-
ring, cod fish, flat-heads, roach and perch and trout in inland
streams.

The fame of the fishing, especially that of the shad of the Susque-
hanna, even reached the hardy and thrifty settlers of Connecticut,

and many of them left their homes in that part of the country and
came to and settled in the picturesque Wyoming Valley, from Wy-
oming to Tioga Point, now known as Athens. They brought their
nets with them and each neighborhood established a fishery for its
own accommodation. For a long time the chief food of these hardy
people was taken from the river. Soon after their arrival trouble
arose between them and the government of Pennsylvania over the
right of possession of the Wyoming Valley, and a war was begun,
which lasted for thirty years, during which buildings, farm produce
and personal effects were destroyed by fire or carried away as plun-
der, and much suffering was caused. For much of this time the Con-
necticut settlers had to live almost altogether on the fish caught.
Indeed it was sometimes difficult to obtain even these, for according
to records, it was a matter of bitter complaint in 1784 that the Penn-
amites had destroyed their seines, and so reduced them to the verge
of starvation. To such destitution were they driven in some in-
stances that, according to one old settler, on one occasion when he
came back from a short excursion with a companion he found
everything destroyed, and the only edible thing they could discover
were two dead shad on the river bank. These they cooked and ate,
and in their famished state they declared a more "delicious meal
was never partaken of" by either of them. In addition to these trou-
bles the Wyoming settlers were great sufferers from other sources,
the terrible massacre by the Indians on July 30, 1778, is a matter of
history with which everybody is acquainted. Notwithstanding
these things, the hardy pioneers persisted in their location, but it
was not until after the close of the Revolutionary war when all
differences were settled that the fishing industries of the Susque-
hanna were allowed to be conducted in peace, and their vast product
made manifest. The bloodshed through which they passed left the
settlements with so many widows and fatherless children that spe-
cial provisions of bounty had to be made for them. In this particu-
lar fish formed the chief article. An arrangement was made among
the fishermen by which one of the hauls at each fishery every year
was given to the widows and the fatherless of the neighborhood,
and to this was given the name of the "widow's haul." By common
consent it was agreed that the widows should have every fish of a
haul made of the first Sunday after the shad-fishing commenced. In
one of these annual widows' hauls, it is given on good authority,
that at the Stewart fishery alone, about midway between Wilkes-
Barre and Plymouth, ten thousand shad were caught and turned
over for the fund.

Some years ago the Hon. P. M. Osterhout contributed to the His-
torical Society of Luzerne county a deeply interesting paper on the
21-18-96

322

REPORT OF THE

Off. Dnc.

eai'lv dsiieiies of the Susqiiehaima. After uoting the arrival of the
Connecticut settlers, he says: "Say ten men (and it took about that
number to man a seine) would form themselves into a company for
the purpose of a shad fishery. They raised the llax, their wives
would spin and make the twine and the men would knit the seme.
The river being on an average forty yards wide, the seine would be
from sixtv to eiglity yards long. The shad congregated mostly on
shoals on^he point of some island for spawning, and there the fish-
eries were generally established. Shad fishing was mostly done in
the night, commencing soon after dark, and continuing till daylight
in the morning, when the shad caught would be made into as many
piles as there were rights in the seine. One of their number would
then turn his back and another would touch them off saying, point-
ing to a pile, "who shall have this, and who shall have that," and so
on^till all were disposed of, when the happy fishermen would go to
their homes well laden with the spoils of the night. Between the
times of drawing the net, which would be generally about an hour,
the time was spent in the recital of fish stories, hair-breadth escapes
from the beasts of the forests, the wily Indian, or the Yankee pro-
dmtion, the ghosts and witches of New England.

This method of dividing fish lasted for many years, for a gentle-
man named H. C. Wilson, in 1881, a resident of Mt. Vernon, Ohio,
and in his bovhood days a dweller on the banks of the Susquehanna,
gives testinionv to the same effect. He also learned to knit nets, the
work being done on rainy and cold days and evenings. The nets he
says were knit in sections by the shareholders, each one owning so
many vards of the net, and each one receiving his share of fish, ac-
cording to the number of yards owned. When the sections were all
done one or two of the most expert would knit them together and
hang them besides, putting on the corks and leads.

The earlv shad fisheries were not common property. The owner
of the soil was the owner of the fishery, and no one was allowed to
fish without a permit. When the owners were not using the seines
they often hired them out to others and take pay in fish. The seiner's
share was always one-half the catch.

In working up the early fisheries of the Susquehanna those mter-
ested in such matters are indebted chiefiy to tlie Wyoming Histor
ical and Geological Society of Wilkes-Barre, who appointed a com-
mittee, with ^Ir. Harrison Wright as chairman, to make thorough in-
vestigation. These gentlemen gathered every scrap of information
pertaining to the subject that was obtainable from all parts of the
vast stretch of six hundred and thirty-five miles of the Susquehanna
and its great branches. In preparing this chapter, a large portion of
the report of this work has been used.

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No. 18.

PISH OOMMISSIONERS.

32.-^

The county' records, according to the report, only go back to 1787.
In that year it was found that one Caleb Wright purchased a half
interest in a fishery between Shickshinny and Nanticoke, called the
"Dutch fishery." For this share he paid £20 in "lawful money of
Pennsylvania," equivalent to |53.33. In connection with this par-
ticular case Is a note which gives an idea of the vast amount of fish
that must have ascended the Susquehanna in those days, it being
related that a son of Caleb Wright once received as his share of one
night's fishing 1,900 shad. From other investigations it is shown
about the same period a right in a fishery was worth from ten to
twen^^y dollars, while once in a while such a right was held at as
much as one hundred dollars. To the holders of these rights the
returns seem to have been very large. One Jonathan Hunlock's
half interest in the Hunloch fishery was considered worth from five
hundred to six hundred dollars per annum. Others ran from three
hundred to four hundred dollars a year, while sometimes from thirty
to forty dollars a night were taken in by each fisherman. These
fisheries, as far as research can determine, netted some $12,000 an-
nually, though some are inclined to place the returns at a very much
higher figure. Even at $12,000 a year, the fisheries of the Susque-
hanna were much more profitable than at the present day.

Early in the present century, according to the finding of the
Wilkes-Barre society, there were some forty permanent fisheries be-
tween Northumberland and Towanda, to-wit:

At Northumberland, or just below, was Hummel's fishery; be-
tween Northumberland and Danville there were eight fisheries in
order from Northumberland up, as follows: 1. Line's Island lower
fishery; 2. Line's Island middle fishery; 3. Smith's fishery; 4.
Line's Island upper fishery; 5. Scott's fishery; 6. Grant's fishery;
7. Carr's Island fishery; 8. Rockafeller's. The next fisherv of
which there is a record was the fishery of Samuel Webb, located
about four miles above Bloomsburg. Above this point about four
miles, and six miles below Berwick, was the fishery of Benjamin
Boon; the next was located just above the town of Berwick, and
about a mile and a half above Berwick was the Tuckahoe fishery
(this last is the same as the Nescopeck fishery mentioned in Pearce's
history); the next was at Beach Haven. Between this latter place
and Nanticoke dam there were three, viz: One at Shickshinny; one
just below the mouth of Hunlock's creek, and one called the "Dutch"
fishery on Croup's farm. Above Nanticoke there was one belonging
to James Stewart, about opposite Jameson Harvey's place; one at
Pish Island, and one at Steele's Ferry, called the Mud fishery. The
next was on Fish's Island, three-quarters of a mile below the Wilkes
Harre Bridge: the next was Bowman's fisheiT, immediately below

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

the Wilkes-Barre bridge; the next was the Butler fishery, a little
above the bridge; the next was at Mill creek, a mile above the
bridge; the next was the Monocacy Island fishery; the next Carey's;
the next was on Wintermoot Island, this last landing on the left
bank above the ferry at Beauchard's; the next was at Scovel's
Island, opposite Lackawanna Creek; this and the Falling Spring
fishery^ next above belonged to parties living in Providence, away up
the Lackawanna. The next above was at Harding's, in Exeter town-
ship; the next above was at Keeler's in Wyoming county; the next
was at Taylor's (or Three Brothers) Island; the next was at Hunt's
ferry, five miles above Tunkhannock; the next was Grist's Bar,
about a mile above Meshoppen; the next was at Whitcomb's
Island, a mile below Black Walnut bottom; a half a mile above this
fishery was the Sterling Island fishery; and the next above was
Black Walnut, and half a mile further up was the Chapin Island
fishery; the next was at the bend at Skinner's Eddy; the next was
at Browntown, in Bradford county; the next was at Ingham's
Island; the next was at the mouth of Wyalusing creek; two miles
further up was one at Terreytown; the next and last that there is
any record of was at Standing Stone, about six miles below To-
wanda.

At the eight fisheries near Northumberland three hundred shad
was a common haul, while some ran from three to five thousand.
About the year 1820, the Rockafeller fishery, just below Danville,
gave an annual yield of from three to four thousand, worth from
twelve and a half cents to twenty-five cents a piece.

The most productive fishery, according to a Mr. Fowler, was the
one just above Berwick. Here, he says, he has assisted in catching
"thousands upon thousands," but does not give the annual yield. The
same gentleman also relates that at the Tuckahoe fishery "many
thousands were caught night and day in the early spring." At the
Webb and Boon fisheries the hauls were immense. Indeed, so many
shad were taken at the last named place that it is said a market could
not be found for nearly all of them, and that they were actually
hauled to Boon's farm where they were used as manure to enrich
the ground.

The annual catch at Hunlock's fishery is stated to have been more
than ten thousand. At Dutch fishery, in one night, thirty-eight
hundred shad were taken, while at the Fish Island fishery it is re-
lated on unimpeachable testimony, that nearly as many shad were
taken once at a single haul as were taken at Hunlock's in a whole
year.

Just before the dam was put in, a Mr. Jenkins recollects having
seen a haul at Monocacy Island of twenty-eight hundred; at Sco-

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

vel's Island the catch was from twenty to sixty a night; at Falling
Spring, fifty to three hundred a night; at Taylor's Island, from two
hundred to four hundred a night; at Wyalusing the annual catch was
between two and three thousand, and at Standing Stone between
three and four thousand. Major Fassett says that at the Sterling
Island fishery "over two thousand were caught in one day in five
hauls."

The Sunbury Beacon of Monday, April 26, 1830, says: "Not less
than from four to five thousand shad were caught on Saturday last
within a quarter of a mile below the dam. Upward of 500 were
taken by one dip net — and several others averaged two and three
hundred each. We understand that several hundred were caught
with dip nets yesterday."

The Perry Forester received a note from Bloomfield on April 2,
1831, that at "no former period within the recollection of the writer
has a greater abundance of shad been caught in the Juniata river
than the present season. At the mouth of the Juniata we are in-
formed on Monday last 230 were caught at a single haul."

From thp foregoing, it is deduced that the fisheries down the river
wore much more valuable than those above. Above Monocacy no
catches were heard of that were over two thousand, while below that
point they were larger, and while from three to four hundred dollars
seemed to be the general value above, the fish* '•y at Hunlock's,
twelve miles below, was worth from a thousand to twelve hundred
dollars per annum. As the river was ascended the shad appear to
have decreased in number but increased in size.

The opinion seems to be general that the great size obtained by
the Susquehanna shad was due to the long run up the fresh water
stream (carrying the idea of the survival of the fittest); that they
were of great size, is beyond doubt, nearly every one who recollects
them insists on putting their weight at almost double that of the
average Delaware shad of to-day.

Mr. Van Kirk gives as the weight of the shad caught at the fish-
eries in Northumberland and Montour counties as from three to
nine pounds.

Mr. Fowler says he has assisted in catching thousands weighing
eight and nine pounds at the fisheries in Columbia county. Mr. Har-
vey, speaking of the Luzerne county shad, says: "Some used to
weigh eight or nine pounds, and I saw one weighed on a wager
which turned the scales at thirteen pounds." Major Fasset, speak-
ing of those caught in Wyoming county, says: "The average weight
was eight pounds, the largest twelve pounds." Dr. Horton says of
the shad caught in Bradford county, that he has seen them weighing
nine pounds; ordinarily the weight was from four to seven pounds.

326

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

The price of the shad varied, according to their size, from 4d. to
25 cents, depending, of course, upon their scarcity or abundance.
At the town meeting held at Wilkes-Barre April 21, 1778, prices
were set on articles of sale, inter alia, as follows: Winter-fed beef,
per pound, 7d.; tobacco, per pound, 9d.; eggs, per dozen, 8d.; shad
apiece, Gd. At one time they brought but 4d. apiece. A bushel of
salt would at one time bring a hundred shad.

At the time the dam was built they brought from 10 to 12 cents.
On the day of the big haul Mr. Harvey says they sold for a cent
apiece (Mr. Dana says 3 coppers). Mr. Isaac Osterhout remembers
a Mr. Walter Green, who gave twenty barrels of shad for a good Dur-
ham cow.

Mr. Roberts says that in exchanging for maple sugar one good
shad was worth a pound of sugar; when sold for cash shad were
worth 12 1-2 cents apiece. Major Fassett says the market price of
the shad was |G per hundred. Dr. Horton says the shad, according
to size, were worth from 10 to 25 cents.

Mr. Hollenback, in calcnlatinj: the value of the fisheries near Wya-
lusing, has put the value of the shad at 10 cents apiece, in 1S20
they were held in Wilkes-Barre at |18.75 per hundred. Mr. Fowler
says they were worth 3 or 4 cents each.

Every family along the river having any means whatever, had its
half barrel or more of shad salted away each season, and some
smoked shad hanging in their kitchen chimneys. But those living
immediately along the river were not the only beneficiaries of this
magnificent food supply. Its vastness and its cheapness was spread
abroad throughout the Commonwealth. Country folks from a ra-
dius of fifty miles came to the Susquehanna to get their winter sup
ply. Even the waters of the Delaware seemed to yield an insignifi
cant number as compared to the Susquehanna, for people journeyed
to the latter river from the New York state line on the north, and
from Easton on the east, at the junction of the Delaware and the
Lehigh rivers. Among the seekers for this splendid food fish that
joined this army were large numbers of residents from and about
Philadelphia.

All these people, or a large portion of them camped on the river
bank, and they brought with them whatever they had of a market-
able nature in payment as well as to partial reimbursement for the
journey. From the New York line and Easton was brought maple
sugar and salt; from Milton, cider and whiskey and a mixture of the
two which when imbibed, even in moderate quantities produced
such violent intoxication that it was called ''cider royal," and was
analogous to a purely American drink known as a "stone fence."
The Quaker City folks l.iuught leather, iron and commodities of a
lilce nature.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

tS7

Sometimes residents along the Susquehanna river took their sur-
plus catches of shad to distant markets without waiting for trade
to come to them. Mr. Isaac Osterhout, an aged gentleman, says he
recollects well when a boy about the year 1822 or 1823, he went with
a neighbor to Salina, New York, after salt, taking with them shad
and whetstones with which to trade. A relative of the same gentle-
man tells of a firm named Miller & McCard trading at Tunkhannock
which did quite an extensive business in shad, sending the cured
ones up the river into New York state and far down the river, pre-
sumably Baltimore.

The two gentlemen who composed this firm were originally resi-
dents of Coxestown — a small place on the Susquehanna, about five
miles from Harrisburg, but as early as 1800 moved up the river to
Tunkhannock in a Durham boat, on which they carried their stock
of goods. They cured large quantities of shad which they bought
from the fisheries in the neighborhood. The difficulties they labored
under in this work of curing must have been very great, for salt
was extremely scarce, in fact, it is said, there was none except what
was brought in wagons from the cities in the way of trade, or by the
same kind of vehicles from the salt works at Onondaga, New York.
So precious was this article that it was not unusual that a bushel of
it would purchase one hundred shad.

Besides the people who traveled to the Susquehanna river for
shad, and the residents there who took them to distant points for
sale, nearly every boat which plied the Susquehanna, took down
shad, paying therefore in leather, cider, whiskey, cider royal, salt,
iron and other material.

Besides that no other deep sea fish appears to have gone up the
west branch in such quantities as they did up the north branch, un-
less it be inferior grade food fishes like the eel.

In the performance of the work of securing data for their report,
Mr. Harrison Wright and his committee interviewed by letter or in
person a large number of the old settlers. Besides this, country
records, files of old newspapers, the numerous printed histories, were
all consulted. Most of the letters and interviews were of such an
interesting character that some are here given. Joseph Van Kirk,
a resident of Northumberland, says: "An incident in connection
with shad fishing presents itself to my mind, related often by my
grandmother: A party of Indians, returning from a treaty at Phila-
delphia, landed their canoes, came to her house to borrow her big
kettle to cook their dinner in. After building a fire and hanging
over the kettle, they put in the shad, just as they were taken from
the river, with beans, cabbage, potatoes and onions."

S28

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

According to Jameson Harvey, the owners of fish houses used
to have arrangements so that when they run out of salt they could
dry and smoke the shad, as they now do herring and salmon. Some
of the shad used to weigh eight or nine pounds. I saw one weighed
on a wager turning the scales at thirteen pounds; above seventy
or eighty would fill a barrel. The shad improved very much coming
up the river, those caught in this valley being very much larger and
finer than those caught at Columbia.

Mr. C. Dorrance, of Scottsville, says: I cannot better illustrate
the value and importance of the shad fisheries at that early day to
the people on the Susquehanna river than to repeat an anecdote
told me long years after by a genial gentleman of New England, who
in 3'outh visited my father at his home in Wyoming.

Leaning on the front gate, after breakfast, as the little children
were passing to school, each with a little basket, the universal an-
swer from their cheery, upturned little faces was "bread and shad,"
"bread and shad" (corn bread, at that).

The cheapness with which shad and other fishes could be had, es-
pecially in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, was not altogether an un-
alloyed pleasure to every dweller in the Commonwealth in the ear-
lier years of the present century. The low prices tempted many
master mechanics to keep their apprentices almost altogether on a
fish diet. To this the embryotic workmen at length objected, and a
bitter, wordy strife ensued, a battle which ended triumphantly for
the apprentices who succeeded in having inserted in their inden-
tures a clause that they were not be fed on fish more than twice a
week. One old gentleman with whom the writer is acquainted says,
however, that he thinks the condition of the apprentices was
scarcely bettered through their triumph for about that time the
"merino sheep craze" swept over the country, and for fish was sub-
stituted mutton and molasses in generous quantities.

CHAPTER m.

Early Fisheries of the Delaware.

To the world the Delaware river is known. On its banks is nestled
<he third largest metropolis in the Union, and one in which its inhab-
itants justly take pride in calling the "city of Brotherly Love" and of
"Homes." On the broad bosom of the stream for thirty miles above
Philadelphia thousands of craft, great and small, are constantly niov
ing. Dividing Pennsylvania from New Jersey, and in part from New

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

329

York, its cuurse is through a country famous in history and in verse,
and for the magnificence of its scenery.

Above Trenton, the capital of New Jersey, shallowing suddenly,
the river speeds its way southward in sparkling wavelets and foam
beaten rifts over a rough, stony bottom, resting frequently in long
reaches of pools, in the depths of which goodly fish love to lie.

To the traveler journeying along the banks of the Delaware in the
swiftly moving trains of the Belvidere division of the Pennsylvania
railroad, there seems to be a contest between the hills and the
meadow lands going on. At the outset the meadows, carpeted with
flowers, grass or grain, appear to have the best of it and to be push-
ing the rolling hills, clothed in evergreen and deciduous trees back-
ward, but as the train speeds along, it is seen that little i5y fittle, the
rugged hills blot out the low lands till below Easton they seem to
dare even to attack the river itself, thrusting themselves in sheer
precipices several hundred feet high at the very water's edge and '^n
their picturesque features rival the famous palisades of the Hud-
son river.

Above Easton there is no handsomer scenery in the State. The
hills become more and more lofty, till at the Delaware Water Gap,
now a famous summer resort, but in the misty past the terminal
point of a vast lake, the river cuts its way through the Blue Ridge
mountains.

The Delaware is to-day among the best, if not the best, of the shad
rivers on the Atlantic coast, and though the Schuylkill has become
barren in this respect, there are many other of the tributaries that
still rank high. Among them, and all in New Jersey, are Cooper's
creek and the Rancocas, above Gloucester city, with Big Timber
creek, Salem creek. Raccoon creek. Old Man's creek and Woodbury
creek, emptying in below that city.

In Big Timber and Rancocas creeks, the shad run up a distance of
fifteen or twenty miles. The former is one of the best shad fishing
streams on the Jersey shore, and has been successfully fished for
many years, some of the fisheries being located eight and ten miles
above its mouth. It is a singular fact in connection with this stream
that shad have been caught at these fisheries a week or ten days
earlier than the nets in the main waters of the Delaware. Many
theories have been advanced to account for this curious fact but none
give general satisfaction.

Big Timber creek is about thirty miles in length, rising in the
water shed between the Delaware and the Atlantic, and has many
sinuosities, with deep holes, from thirty to forty feet of water.

It is unfortunate that, as compared with the Susquehanna river,
but little is known of the early fisheries of the Delaware, though it

330

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

is said that the oiigiual Dutch and Germau settlers either did not
know of or did not make use of the seine for fish catching until long
after the Connecticut colonies in the Wyoming Valley.

While there is no particular reason for making the assertion, it
may be that the English settlers along the Delaware held the same
sentiments towards shad that some of those did who settled on the
banks of the Connecticut river about two centuries or more ago.

According to Judd's History of Hadley, Massachusetts, "the shad,
which were very numerous, were despised and rejected by a large
portion of the English for nearly one hundred years in the old towns
of Connecticut, and for about seventy-five years in those Hampshire
towns above the falls. It was discreditable for those who had a
competency to eat shad, and it was disreputable to be destitute of
salt-pork, and the eating of shad implies a deficiency of pork. * *
''There is told a story in Hadley of a family of that place who were
about to dine on shad when it was not reputable to eat them. Hear-
ing a knock at the door, the platter of fish was immediately hid un-
der a bed."

The brief mention of the vast resources of the Delaware in the
way of fishes was mentioned by Mahlon Stacy in a letter to his
brother in England in 1080, and which has been quoted in the first
chapter of this work.

About this time William Peuu came, and recognizing the import-
ance of the fisheries, one of the first stipulations he made with the
Delaware Indians at a council held in the forest, was that he and
his colonists should have the right to fish in the river Schuylkill.
Whatever may have been the amount of fishing in the lower Dela-
ware in the early days of the colony, it appears certain that as much
attention was not given it as might have been until the middle of the
eighteenth century. Previous to that period the trade in Philadel-
pliia seemed no more than sufficient to support those who sold them
at the shambles east and west of the court house at Second and
Market streets. In 17G4, however, a fish market was erected, but
even then for some time, it is said, not many fish were sold except in
cool weather.

Although the early Philadelphia residents themselves did not
seem to be very heavy consumers of fish, or at least liberal patrons
of the fish hucksters, tlie trade in this article with other sections of
the country appears to hnve been quite large, as for example, Ste-
phen Higginson, of Salem, was in England in the spring of 1775 and
ai)peared before the bar of the House of Commons, in support of a
petition of colonists of Nantucket against a pending bill to forbid
codfishing. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Higginson complained
that the bill would work inexpressible hardships to the people in

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

381

Massachusetts engaged in the fishing business. He pointed out that
there were engaged in the cod fisheries at that time about 700 ves-
sels from 15 to 70 tons, which carried about 4,200 men, and that
somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,100 more found employment on
the shore in curing fish ; that about 350 vessels from 50 to 180 tons
were engaged in conveying the fish to market, and that these boats
employed about 3,000 men, or more than 10,000 in all were engaged
in the fisheries business direct. "Notwithstanding," said Mr. Hig-
ginson, "the large business which is being done Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island do not produce sufficient
for the subsistence of the people and they are compelled to receive
large quantities from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Caro-
lina."

The export of pickled fish from Philadelphia in the early days was
also quite large for the times, and between 1821 and 1839, 519 bar-
rels, valued at f 1,902, were sent to China alone.

Among the very earliest settlers to write concerning the fishings
in the Delaware was Richard Townsend, of Chester. In a letter he
says: "After some time I set up a mill at Chester creek, which I
brought from London, which served for grinding corn and sawing
of boards, and was of great use to me. Besides, I with Joshua
Tittery, made a net and caught great quantities of fish, which sup-
l)lied ourselves and many others, so that notwithstanding it was
thought near 3,000 persons came in the first year, we were so provi-
dentially provided for, that we could buy a deer for about two shil-
lings, and a large turkey for about one shilling and Indian corn for
about two and six pence per bushel."

In Martin's History of Chester appears the following: "In 1G83 it
is stated that they (fish) were 'exceedingly plentiful,' and the early
fishermen could take GOO at a draught. They were proportionately
cheap. Six rock fish could be bought for a shilling; six shad for the
same, and oysters for two shillings a bushel."

In the upper waters of the Delaware the earliest shad fisheries
seem to have been established somewhere about 1751, and presum-
ably was known as the Point fishery, and was a "day" fishery.
That is, contrary to the usual custom, no hauls were made at night.
When it ceased to be a fishery is not known positively, but was cer-
tainly still in existence in 1815, for among some old papers found
bearing that date was one which conveyed a single share, or one-
fifteenth interest in the Point fishery. This deed recites three trans-
fers, beginning with one Roger Clark.

Shortlv after this there was another fishery established, which
belonged to Benjamin Van Crampon, and it was according to Mr. h.
W. Brodhead. of Delaware Water Gap, on "the shore of a tract of

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land formerly Ryerons (Ryersons), in the township of Walpack,
Sussex county, New Jersey." The place is now known as Shoe-
maker's Ferry, and is five miles above the Delaware Water Gap.
The fishery of Van Crarapen joined "the land of Robert Hooper and
others in tenure and occupancy of William Coolbaugh," and the place
for drawing the net was downward from the mouth of Duncan's
Creek. In 1787 Van Crampen leased the fishery to James Brooks,
AVilliam Coolbaugh, Cornelius Brooks, John Van Crampen, Cornelius
Depue and Daniel Labar, Jr., for a period of ninety-nine years for the
consideration of twelve shad a year. Thus it will be seen that Ben-
jamin held his rights at slight value.

Whether the lessees of this fishery used seines is not stated, but
there is a possibility that they did not, but practiced the favorite
method of the Indians of driving the fish into pens. This possibility
is based on the following letter written by an old resident of Port
Deposit, New York.

"In my youth immense numbers of shad came up the Delaware
every spring to and above this place on the east or main branch of
the Delaware, and shad fishing was a regular business among the
early settlers, furnishing an abundant supply of food. About thr
first of June some ten or a dozen neighbors would assemble and se
lecting a suitable place would construct a large pen or wire near the
shore, with an opening for the fish to enter. From this a brush
wing or dam was extended diagonally up and across the river to the
opposite shore. They then went up the river some two miles or
more and constructed what they term a 'brush seine,' composed of
limbs of trees with the leaves adhering and reaching from shore to
shore. The branches were bound together with withes. Tlie men
were then placed at regular intervals in the water, pushing the brush
seine and driving the shad before them into the pen below. In this
way many hundreds and sometimes thousands were secured. The
same process would be repeated below forcing the shad up the river
to an opening made in the opposite side of the pen."

About what time seines came into general use on the upper Del-
aware is not positively known by the writer, but seemingly it was
not much before the beginning of the present century.

Apropos of the use of nets, Mr. William C. Crawford, of Mata-
moras, in a communication to the Milford Dispatch, of November 5,
1891, relates the following method adopted in his early days at the
"Yankee" fishery about 182G and later: "During these years," he

says.

the fishing was done in the davtime and thou-

sands were taken at a haul. The fishermen's nets (with ropes)
reached across the river where they started, a half n mile below
where the Milford bridge now stands. The men on each shore

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

833

walked down, and a canoe that would hold five men, four to pole and
one to hold the rope, was at each end, with smaller canoes to watch
for hitches, and when opposite the point of the Minisink island the
canoes left the shore and met on the point of the island. A haul
over this fishery swept over what has been called the Yankee,
Crooked Billet, Cabin, Streak and Barn fisheries, and covered about
one and a half miles."

From the earliest date of the establishment of the fisheries on the
Delaware to the present time, those engaging in that work above
Easton, with scarcely an exception, fish at night, while below take
advantage of the daylight as well to work their nets. The fishermen
of the upper Delaware give as a reason for this comparatively ex-
clusive night work, that the habit of the shad is to run more freely
during darkness and keep quiet in the deep pools and eddies through
the daylight, and there seems to be force in this reasoning.

In the use of the net in the upper waters of the Delaware also, it
is necessary to use very short dobber lines or generally none at all,
for as soon as the shad gets out of the deep water it rises nearer the
surface relatively than far down the river. In the upper reaches of
the river it is no uncommon sight to see hundreds of shad making
their way upwards with their backs frequently showing above the
surface. " Besides of this tendency of the shad to breakwater in the
upper Delaware, there is another reason, not only for the abandon-
ment of the dobber lines, but for much shallower nets than the south
Delaware fishermen employ. This is, that the water is for the most
part only from five to six feet in depth, though occasionally there
are fisheries where the river has a depth of ten feet or so and boats

must be used.

The early fishermen of the upper Delaware adopted the same
method of dividing the fish caught as those of the early days of the
Commonwealth on the Susquehanna, and it is worthy of note that
the peculiar custom is still in vogue.

Mr. Alexander A. Larzelers, formerly a resident of Burlington.
New Jersey, now Frankford, Philadelphia, in speaking of the shad
fisheries of the Delaware many years ago says: "There was in ISOfi
i\{ Moore's Point, or Biles Creek, Pa., above Perewig Island, a large
fishery owned by the Moore family. The current of the river is very
."Strong here and the lines of the net were drawn by a horse at full
speed to where the windlass is, which is worked by men when the
net is drawn ashore. This has always been a good fishery and is
still operated by the Moore family.

"At Starve Out, Pa., opposite White Mill, is another fishery of
note. This was fished by Daniel Williams in 1833, which season
v\ns considered a remarkable one. On the third day of May, in that

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year, there was caught by Mr. Williams 581 shad at a single haul,
and two days later he caught G42. At the Dutch Island fishery,'
just above, on the same day were caught 2,440 shad at one haul.

Betley's Point was fished by Daniel Williams in 1811, and from
that period for eight years in succession he worked so successfully
that he cleared regularly about $1,000 a year. He also fished the
place again in 1835, but with poor success. It is stated as a remark-
able fact, in connection with this fishery, that about the year 1809
thirteen water hauls were there made in succession, but on the four-
teenth haul 1,800 shad were captured.

«Ivins' fishery in Pennsylvania, opposite Kenkora, N. J., is an old
fishery and has been fished since about 1850 by Barkley Ivins and his
relatives with generally good success.

"Cash Point, on the same side of the river, opposite Florence, N. J.,
has been since 1883 and still is fished by Daniel English.

"Tullytown creek, or Hadley's, Pa., in 1833, was fished by William
Vandegrift and Daniel Vansciver, and is considered one of the prin-
cipal fisheries in above Philadelphia and below Trenton. On the
first of May, 1833, 30,000 shad were taken.

"Upper Dutch Neck fishery was owned from 1812 to 1821 by
Daniel Williams and was at that time a profitable fishery though it
is now abandoned. The last haul made at this place only resulted in
the capture of 75 shad.

"Lower Dutch Neck, another place was from 1810 to about 1834,
owned by Michael Hays, and was a good paying fishery and is still
fished. In the year 1814, 1,500 shad were taken at this' place in one
haul. For some years past this fishery has been operated bv Samuel
Estelow and Elija Brown.

"The Burlington or Matinnakunk island fishery opposite Bristol,
was operated by Daniel Williams and Mathew Force, in 1820. In
that year more than 1,000 shad were taken here every day for eight
days in succession. Daniel Vansciver, William Vandegrift and Jo-
seph P. Deacon also leased and operated the fishery in later years.

"The northwest front of Burlington island was fished bv Daniel
Vansciver and William Vandegrift about the same period, and in
1853 by John Smith, though the fishery was esteemed as of little ac-
count. It has been abandoned for some years.

"Badgers island, Pa., opposite Burlingtdn, in 1812, was fished by
Benjamin Shepherd and a Mr. Turner, and captured large numbers
of fish. About 1829, Charles Vansciver leased the place and fished
it for twenty-two years. In the season of 1833, 2,100 shad were
caught at this fishery on the first day of April, and 54,000 were
caught during the entire season, and one of these shad weighed
13 3-4 pounds. It was purchased by Christian Larzelerp, Esq.. a

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

:{35

judge in Burlington county. After Mr. Vansciver retired, the flsher.v
was conducted by Daniel Dwire, and after his death by his sons,
now residents of Kensington. This fishery is considered the very
best on the Delaware above Gloucester. At this fishery in 1837, a
striped bass, or rock fish was caught that weighed 7G pounds. It
had scales about the size of a Spanish quarter dollar. This huge
fish created much excitement in the neighborhood, and many people
came to see it. It was finally bought by Samuel R. Gummire, the
principal of an academy for young ladies.

"Dunk's Ferry, at Beverly, was a shad fishery previous to 1840,
and during the months of July and August was renowned as a stur-
geon fishery, but of late years the fishermen in the Delaware by the
number and immense size of their nets, made sturgeon fishing in the
river unprofitable.

"At Troy Town, above Andalusia, the river is very deep; in many
places it is said to be more than seventy feet. As a result the shad
fisheries there are hard to work. The herring fisheries, however,
is reputed to be excellent.

"Hawk's Island, at the mouth of the Rancocas creek, was fished
from 182C to 1829 by Daniel Williams and afterwards by John W.
Fennimore. a relative of Fennimore Cooper, the celebrated novelist,
Joseph Adams, Peter K. Heisler. For years this fishery was noted
for its large shad, but the place is abandoned now."

In speaking of the shad fisheries in this part of the river, Mr. Lar-
zelere says, the fishermen at New Hope used to have hard w^ork on
account of the swiftness of the current. Often when I was a boy I
have seen the nets strung in a straight line along the shore by the
time the nets had been laid from the boats, and have seen men go
into the water with boathooks to keep the fish from jumping over
the nets. "The metliod of dividing the fish as pursued on the upper
Delaware," he says, "was not followed in this part except by the
'frolieing parties.'" One of the jolliest of these parties used to
gather at Hayes fishery, generally on the last day of the season, and
it was composed entirely of railroad officials, among them being
General Chirke and Mr. Van Rensslaer. This party would go to
the fishery, and before the last haul was made would bid for its
possible results. Sometimes the catch would be small, and the
fishermen would be benefited thereby. At other times, a very large
haul would give the advantage to the bidders. Whichever way the
matter ended, the best humor prevailed and after a supper, the
members of the frolicing party would return to their homes and dis-
tribute their catch among their friends."

Mr. Samuel Williams, an aged resident of Burlington, says:
"When T was a boy farmers from Montgomery county and even as

No. 18.

h'lSH COMMISSIONEFtS

XSh

judge in KiulingrDii <<)unty. After Mr. Vansniver retirtni, th<^ tislnn
was coiuliicttMl hv DjiiiitO Dwire, aud after liis death b\ his suns.
uow ivsidenls uf lvtii8iii-;tuii. This lisiieiy is considered tlic vciy
liest on the Dchnvaic above Gloucester. At this fishery in 18:57, a
striped bass, or rock flsli was caujrbt that weighed 70 pounds. It
had scah's about the size of a Spanish quarter dolhir. This liuge
tisli created much excitement in the neighborhood, and many people
came to st'o it. It was finally bought by Samuel K. Gummire, the
princiiial of an academy for young ladies.

"Dunk's Ferry, at Beverly, was a shad fishery previous to 1840.
and during the months of July and August was renowned as a stur-
ireon fisherv, but of late vears the fishermen in the Delaware by the
number and immense size of their nets, made sturgeon fishing in the
river uniu'ofitable.

"At Troy Town, above Andalusia, the river l« ve^ de(^p; in many
places it is said to be more than seventy feet. As a result the shad
isheries there are hard t^ work. The herring fisheries, however,
ia repiitei to be excellent.

"H«wk^ Island, at the mouth of the Rancocas creek, was fished
from 1826 to 1821) by Daniel Williams and afterwards by John W.
Penriimore. a relative of Fennimore Cooper, the celebrated novelist.
Joseph Adams, Vetov K. Heislei*. For years this fishery was noted
for its large shad, but the place is abandoned now.''

In speaking of the shad fisheries in this part of the river. Mr. Lar-
z^lere says, the fishermen at New Hope usr<l to have liard work on
aecount of the swiftness of the curr(>nt. ( )tten when 1 was a boy 1
have seen the nets strung in a straight line along the shore by the
time the nets ha4 been laid from the boats, and have seen men go
into the water with boathonks to keep the fish from jumping over
the nets. **The metliod of dividing the fish as pursued on the npper
Delaware." he says, ''was not followed in this part except by the
•frolicing parties,*" One of the jolliest of these parties used to
gather at Hayes fishery, generally on the last day of the season, and
it was composed entirely of railroad olhcials. among tliem being
General Clarke and Mr. Van Rensslaer. Tliis party wonld go to
the fishery, and before the last haul was made would bid for Its
possible results, Sometimes the catch would be small, and the
fishermen would be benefited thereby. At other times, a very large
haul would give the advantage to the bidders. Whichever way the
matter ended, the best hnmor prevailed and after a supper, the
members of the frolicing party would return to their homes and dis-
tribute their calch among their friends."

Mr. Samuel Williams, an aged resident ..f Hnrlington. says:
"When T was a boy farmers from Montgomery rounty and even as

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far distant as Warren county used to drive to the Delaware between
Dunlv's Ferrj (now Beverly), and Trenton to get shad for winter use.
One of their favorite places was Badger's island. These farmers
could not always be accommodated at once, and sometimes they
have had to wait for days and even weeks before their wants were
supplied, although at Badger's island the haul often averaged 1,000
a day. I have often seen several hundred wagons at once waiting at
the fishery to get supplied. The shad at that time sold to the farm-
ers at from seven to fifteen dollars a hundred. There never was any
trouble in selling all the shad that could be caught to the farmers.
"The fish also ran very large in my young days— eight pound fish
were very common, and often they ran larger.

"The fisheries brought good rents. Headley's fishery rented in
1835 for |1,400 a year, and the one at Badger's island brought the
same sum.

"We used to have some trouble between the shore and the drift
net fishermen, but it was rare that any collisions took place as a
result. I remember once in 1824 that some parties ran their drift
net through my father's shore net and destroyed part of it. The
next night my father hired watchers and when the parties tried the
same trick, the watchers shot at them. We had no more trouble
after that.

Mr. Fennimore said, "the shore nets were made out of Calcutta
twine, the material for which came to this country as dunnage. It
made poor nets, for the knots would come open. To overcome this
to some extent the nets had often to be laid on the grass and
stretched by men. The gill nets were made of flax ana the women
were paid a dollar a day for spinning it. The nets were all home
made and knit during the winter. The law called for meshes of six
inches, and often the fishermen made them six and a half inches.

Another old fisherman said that many reprehensible methods were
employed by some to make their catches larger. A favorite means
was "shingling.'' This device consisted of a large number of shin-
gles sharpened at one end and anchored in the river in a line with
the broad end up. These shingles would whirl with the wind and
current and drive the fish to whichever side of the river it was de-
sired. This device was so deadly that severe laws were speedily
enacted to suppress it."

The lower river fishery begins below Marcus Hook and extends to
Trenton, and both shore and drift nets are used. The former are
about 150 fathoms in length and it takes from 15 to 20 men, who
receive from f 10 to $15 a week to handle one.

In the first third of the century Delaware river fish brouglit a very
low price. In this connection in Martin's History of Chester, is the

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

following: "In 1835 we used to get five large shad for twelve and one-
half cents a piece; herring were |2 a hundred; shad from $9 to |12
per hundred." "I remember," says one old gentlemen, "going with
my step-grandfather, John F. Hill, to Effinger's fishery at the mouth
of Ridley creek, to buy shad and herring to salt down for winter use."

While prices in these days were generally agreeably low there
were times when shad at least commanded almost extortionate fig-
ures. As, for example, during the week ending April 4, 1829 when
the first to come into market brought from |1 to 1.25 each. And on
March 15, 1830, when the first specimen sold for $2 and was served
to a party of four epicures at a tavern on Walnut street.

That the fisheries south of Trenton were of considerable import-
ance may be inferred from the fact that in 1818 there were 1,336
men directly engaged in them, and that the capital employed in the
industry in that year amounted to |1G4,610.

CHAPTER IV.

Herring Fisheries of the Delaware.

Burlington, New Jersey, as far back as the last century, has been
noted for its cured hams. Much of this fame was brought about by
a man named James Sterling, who possessed a special receipt for
their perfect curing. For years the pickle which was used in this
work was thrown away as useless, but somewhere in the 30's George
B. Mitchell, who afterwards had a place near the corner of Wood
street and Delaware avenue, Philadelphia, conceived an important
use to which this liquor might be put. Readily securing permission
to take, Mr. Mitchell started a business of curing herring. The in
dustry in a short time became a very large one, requiring many hands,
and quite an extensive establishment, for the work was so well done,
the herring given such a delicious flavor by Mr. Mitchell's process
that, as "Burlington herring," they became speedily well known all
over the United States, and so eagerly sought for that for years it
was difticult to supply the demand.

Shortly after the establishment of this industry, a Mr. Rowland J.
Dutton, a Burlington gentleman, undertook to establish the business
of preserving herring roe. This delicate tid-bit was put under a cer-
tain process and then packed in small tin boxes, not unlike the can-
ned meats of to-day. This industry, although it promised well at
first, soon languished, and Mr. Dutton, after a year or two, aban-
doned it.

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Until the establishment of the curing establishment by Mr. Mit-
chell, the herring was not esteemed of great account as compared
with some other fishes in the Delaware river. Like all other mem-
bers of the finny tribe, their abundance almost surpassed belief.
The river fairly swarmed with them; indeed, sometimes they seri-
ously incommoded the shad fishermen in their work of taking this
greater food fish. To use an expression of an octogenarian, who
lives on the Delaware: "In my young days we did not take much
stock in herring, and when a shad net got clogged with the bony
little things there were more curses than blessings heaped on them.
Whole net loads were often dumped on the shore and left to rot there
unless some farmer came along and carted them away as manure for
his fields. Those my father did sell did not bring more than a fip a
bushel" (six and a quarter cents).

Mr. Larzalere says he has often seen fishermen raise the lead lines
of their nets and allow all the herring to escape — they had almost
absolutely no use for them. At Badger's Island, just below Burling-
ton, millions were caught and carried away by the farmers for ma-
nure annually."

During the last year or two the runs of herring in the river, while
at no time previously was small, have been nearly if not quite as
great as in the days spoken of by Mr. Larzalere and the older fisher-
men in the river. In 1895 for instance, the supply far excelled the
demand, and thousands of fish taken in the nets were returned to the
water.

The rare quantity of herring in the Delaware was sometimes used
by practical jokers as a basis of some of their pranks, as an instance
of this one of these wags, named Ben Turner, ran into a cliurch near
Burlington one fine Sunday morning somewhere in the 20's and witli
a good semblance of great excitement shouted tliat the river was so
full of fish that oars could not be put down in the water. The wor-
shippers thinking, of course, that Turner meant shad, were so borne
away by the news that seimon and everything else was forgotten, and
the church was abandoned in a twinkling by the men who hastened
for their gilling and shore nets, only to discover that the great run of
fish was nothing but a phenomenally large school of herring. What
was done to Turner did not transpire.

Of course, even from the beginning of the fisheries some use was
made of herring as a food fish. A few were smoked or pickled by
the farmers every year; many were consumed by the people of Tren-
ton and Philadelphia, and heavy shipments were made abroad and to
the New England states, Massachusetts particularly; but there were
only a tithe of (luantity used na manure, to say nothing of the myriads
thrown back into the river. Hut the industry' established by Mr.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

339

Mitchell and others of curing the fish in a scientific manner gave
a much larger field for their consumption. As proof of this it is
cited that about 1840 Badger's Island shad fishery was rented for
11,400 and that the sale of herring alone netted the lessee a sum far
in excess of that amount before the season was over. As far as
known the greatest draught of fish ever taken from the Delaware at
one time was opposite the Fish House, at Gloucester, on or about
May 13, 1873. On this occasion over G0,000 herring alone were
taken. These fish were sold for fifteen cents a hundred.

Englishmen, a century and a half ago, looked upon the herring as
a fish created by Heaven solely for their own benefit, and they had
some peculiar ideas regarding its habits. One writer, about 1750,
says: "There have been many Conjectures from whence they come to
England, and most have concluded that it is unknown, but it must
be somewhere very far north; And we may reasonably suppose that
some providential Impulse causes them yearly, and at such a Period,
to send off a Detachment to us for Human Use."

This writer, as with others, set the herring down for a sort of globe
trotter, but with the steady object ahead of pulling up at the British
Isle to transform themselves into food for the Britons. In his work
he gives his ideas as to the route the herring annually take. He be-
lieves they come over from the Greenland coast and appear first at
.Shetland. From this place they proceed in an unaccountable mul-
titude to the Scottish coast. At this point they divide into two
great schools, one going down each side of Great Britain, taking in
all the streams on the way so that the fishermen may reap a rich
harvest. The major part of those that are left, this writer then be-
lieves, cross the Atlantic to the North American coast which they
follow as far south as the Carolina river. As America was then an
English colony this writer does not appear to think this odd, and
congratulates himself on the fact that though many herring visit the
shores of the "Dutch," very few go near the south of France, Portu-
gal or Spain, and as expressing his belief that the herring is a heaven
sent fish for England alone, remarks gravely on this circumstance it
looked "as if they were forbidden to go that Way, on purpose that
we might supply them."

In those days the herring was also looked upon as possessing con
siderable medicinal virtues. A salt herring applied to the soles of
the feet of a patient afflicted with fever would draw the "Humours
downward and thereby relieve the head." When taken inwardly it
brought relief to pestilential fevers since "it is certain that it dries
the stomach exceedingly. Causes an Appetite and Immoderate Thirst
and Settles a subverted and nauseating Stomach." The ashes of the
fish cured sciatica, dropsy and pains of the throat, and the tiesh ap-

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plied to the wound of the venomous "Piester," "supposed" says a
writer of the middle half of the last century, "by the ancients to be
the fiery serpent of the Israelites," a cure would be effected. Even
the bones of the herring finely powdered and mixed with other in-
gredients was a valuable medicine for fully a dozen dangerous mala«
dies.

CHAPTER V.

Sturgeon Fisheries of the Delaware.

Almost without exception the early settlers along the Delaware in
writing home to their friends in England or Germany, remarked on the
abundance of the sturgeon in the river. William Penn made special
note of this fish. Peter Kalm speaks of it and others tell of its cap-
ture and great size. Until comparatively a few years ago sturgeonis
were still very plentiful. Men not yet sixty years old say that even
after they had passed their majority it was not an uncommon sight
to see several sturgeon during a single trip between Camden and
Philadelphia jumping in the river. Mr. Samuel Williams, a resident
of Burlington, N. J., now in his eighty-fourth year, says that when he
was a boy, on one occasion he went with his father on a shad fishing
trip in the lower Delaware and during it he saw thousands of
sturgeon. Once on this trip his father and his companion w^ere
compelled to take their nets in with great speed in order to save it
from utter destruction, as it was many fathoms were badly torn by
this fish. The sturgeon passed their boats in such vast numbers that
in a little while the occupants had killed and secured eleven. This
was as many as they could take home, and as the run continued, they
slew many more on the principle that it was a fish not only of
scarcely any value, but was actually a nuisance in the river on ac-
count of the damage caused the nets. Mr. Larzalere states that
when he was a young man one night, he with a number of young men
and women went rowing on the Delaware, in two boats. While pro-
ceeding up the river only a few feet apart, a large sturgeon six or
seven feet long jumped from the water and nearly capsized one of
the boats, and the occupants were thoroughly drenched and fright-
ened. The same gentleman also stated that William Stockton, the
father of the Rev. Thomas H. Stockton, for a space chaplain of the
House of Representatives at Washington, was one time out boating
when a large sturgeon actually jumped into the boat and was se
cured.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

341

Mr. John Fennimore, connected with the family of which Fenni-
more Cooper, the celebrated novelist was a member, related the fol-
lowing:

Many years ago there was a little steamboat which plied the Dela-
ware above Philadelphia called the "Sally." On each side, near her
bows, were two large round windows, which, in the summer time,
were often open. One day when the "Sally" was on one of its trips
up the river, a large sturgeon in jumping, made such a leap that it
passed clear through one of these windows and landed in the vessel,
where it was killed.

Stories like the foregoing are quite common and many of them are
well authenticated, and they serve as nothing else can to illustrate
how numerous this species of fish were in the Delaware river, for
until recent years the sturgeon seemed to be little esteemed by the
people living along this great stream. Nearly all the old fishermen
say that in their boyhood days few ate sturgeon except the colored
people, though occasionally a family would fry a few steaks and
serve them with cream. The roe was considered worthless except as
bait with which to catch eels and perch or to feed to the hogs. From
three to four cents a ponnd were the best prices that could be ob-
tained retail for the meat, and it was not often more than 25 or 30
cents could be had for a whole fish.

Mr. John Fennimore made a practice of fishing for sturgeon with
nets at Dunk's Ferry, now Bristol, in the latter part of the 20's and
until about 1835. Mr. Vansciver and Mr. McElroy, two other fish-
ermen of that neigliborhood, also carried on the same business; they
used a twelve-inch mesh and drew their nets over the bar near the
Pennsylvania side, a favorite spot for the sturgeon. Sometimes 25
or 30 were taken at a single haul. The fish brought very little
money, however, seldom more than 30 cents apiece and sometimes as
low as 12^ cents. Mr. Williams says that a favorite method with
many fishermen of catching sturgeon in the month of August, prior
to 1835, was with the harpoon, and that the choicest spot for this
method was about Dutch island, near Bordentown. One of the most
skillful users with this instrument was a man named James Douglas.
According to the narrators, this person very rarely missed his aim.
In following this manner of fishing the harpooner stood in the bow
of a boat and when he approached near enough to his prey threw a
heavy harpoon with a short length of line attached. Should the har-
pooner find he could not hold the fish after it was struck he dropped
the rope overboard and a large cork fastened at the loose end saved
it from being lost and materially helped to tire the fish out. A few
sturgeon were also caught by lassoing, but this was very rarely done.

342

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There are no regular sturgeon fisheries in the Delaware now above
Philadelphia, although the industry is a large and profitable one
below.

According to Mr. Martin, in his History of Chester, sturgeon fish-
ing as a regular industry in the river below Philadelphia, at least on
the Pennsylvania side is not more than twenty years old. In treat-
ing of the subject, Mr. Martin says: A new source of industry has
lately (1873) been started in the vicinity of Chester, the catching of
sturgeon. As far as I can learn the first effort in this enterprise was
made by Henry Schacht who, sometime ago, with scant means and
but one boat located himself on Ridley creek, from which place he
removed to Chester creek, and afterwards, with wise forethought,
when more prosperous purchased Monas island, opposite Chester;
there, by means of piles, etc., he erected a pen in which to retain the
t1 sh alive for the most profitable market.

Mr. Schacht was drowned on a dark and dismal night last spring
and a relative, Henry Henry, succeeded to the business which had
greatly increased.

"At the foot of Edgemont street is moored a large scow, well ar-
ranged for the comfort of those employed. There are bunks for
their sleeping arrangements and a cook to provide their meals.
FTere the fish are brought, the meat sent to New York, where it com-
mands a ready sale at about seven cents per pound and is known as
"Albany beef," the head, skin, and back-bone being rendered into
oil passing through a boiling process. Of this, on an average six
barrels per week are produced during the season, netting GO cents
per gallon. Of the roes caviare is made. It is prepared in this way:
The roes are taken from the dead fish and run through several
sieves of graduated fineness, and then treated with the finest of
German salt, an indispensable article in its preparation; it is then
packed in oaken kegs and placed in a cool position until the season
of shipment — the fall — when it is transported to Germany where it
commands, on an average, one dollar per pound.

"Mr. Henry has six boats engaged which are substantially built,
averaging 25 feet in length. They are, in regular parlance, "cat-
rigged." The flsliermen nve paid $1.75 apiece for the sturgeons they
(•apture; they sometimes realize from |20 to $.30 per day. The stur-
geons are taken in long drift nets, made of heavy twine, and man-
aged usually by two persons to a boat. These fish weigh from 50 to
100 pounds each. The flesh, which is shipped to New York daily, is
packed, in ice, and is served in some of the hotels in that city in the
form of steaks. Large quantities of it is smoked, and in some cases
is sold as smoked salmon. The roe or eggs, after having been sent
to Germany and converted into caviare, is often reshipped to this
country and is consumed generally by our German population "

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

U»

CHAPTER VI.

Early Fisheries of the Schuylkill.

Not less beautiful in scenic effects than the Delaware is its great-
est tributory, the river Schuylkill, named by the early Dutch settlers
from the windings and hidden character of the stream. Near Phila-
delphia this river and its surroundings bear a remarkable resem-
blance to the River Rhine. A few miles above, the river dividing
winds its arms like huge silver serpents in and out among mountains
and hills wild and grand.

The Schuylkill was once a famous shad river; William Penn in
one of his letters mentioned that from it "six hundred shad had been
taken with one sweep of the seine" Hut now, through dams and
pollution, its glory in t}.is respect has departed, and since 1830, as
far as known, not a fish of this specie has returned to its waters.

On the banks of this river was founded, in 1732, the "Schuylkill
Fishing Company of the State in Schuylkill," one of those institu-
tions for which Philadelphia is at once famous and peculiar. This
organization flourishes to-day as vigorously as it did one hundred
and sixty years ago, although its quarters have been removed from
its original location. For years the society occupied a building on
the slope of Werner's Hill, paying an annual rental to William War-
ner, the owner of the laud, of three fresh sunfish. Still another
famous fishing club of pre-revolutionary times was that of old Fort
St. Davids, where Falls of Schuylkill now is. This organization,
which was composed of many notable men, after the war for inde-
pendence, was merged into that of the State of Schuylkill.

Mr. Samuel W. Pennypacher, one of the most eminent antiqua-
rians in the State, has been at much trouble in rescuing from ob-
livion the early fisheries of the Schuylkill, and has embodied the re-
sults of his researches in a deeply interesting work entitled Phoe-
nixville and Vicinity." Of the fisheries, Mr. Pennypacher says,
"that in the early part of the last century every spring the shad
came up the Schuylkill in immense numbers, and the inhabitants
along its banks engaging en masse in fishing, secured enough to fur
nish their families with this article of food until the next annual re-
turn. The earliest place for fishing now known was at the Long
Ford, opposite Port Providence. The pond there constructed be-
longed in common to the dwellers upon both shores of the river, and
they united their forces in the pursuit and divided the spoils after
the capture. .\ wall, in the form of a segment of a circle, and an-
swering as a pen into which the fish could be driven, was built in the

344

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middle of the stream witli an entrance towards its sour^ti. From
the edges of this opening, racks were stretched obliquely to each
shore, and were secured in their positions by being tied with withes
to stakes which were driven into the ground at the bottom of the
river. A rope of grape vines and bushes, long enough to reach from
one shore to the other, was made, usually at the mouth of Mingo
creek, about five miles above, and when it was completed the fisher-
men started in canoes to sweep the river. By this means the shad
were forced into the pen, and were caught with a small net. Whole
days were devoted to the work, sometimes as many as forty men
engaged in it, and John Shaw, who a person of veracity and
had frequently assisted, when an aged man told Moses Robinson
that he had seen eight thousand five hundred shad driven in the
pound at one time. The fishermen who were present when this asser-
tion was made accredited the statement.

"Another method of fishing was afterwards adopted. Racks ex-
tending from shore to shore were placed in the stream with their
bars so close together that the fish could not pass, and a pool or basin
was cleared away below. The shad ascending the river to deposit
their spawn, crowded against th-} racks in such numbers as sometimes
to push each other out of the water, and a pole could not be thrust
to the bottom without displacing them. As many were taken as
were wanted, and the rest struggled in unsuccessful efforts to escape
the impediment. This plan, though effectual, was very wasteful
and destructive, and awakened the angry opposition of those who
lived further up the river. In fact, these fisheries, from their com
mencement, were the source of continual jealousies and disputes,
and their regulation was the subject of much early legislation.

"In May, 1724, a bill was passed for 'demolishing and removing
Fishing Dams, Wears and Kedles set across the River Schuylkill,
and was follnwpd on the 15th of August, 1730, by an act to 'prevent
I he Erer-ting of '\A'ears, Dams, &c., within the Schuylkill.' The ef-
fi'cl of these enactments was, howerer, evaded, and among the
Archives of 1732 is found the following deposition: 'Marcus Huling
Saith That as he was going down the Schuylkill with a Canoe
Loaded with wheat, that striking on a fish dam, she took in a great
deal of water into ye wheat, by means whereof his wheat was much
damiified, and that it was in great danger of being all lost; and that
another time he stroke fast on a fish dam, and should have lost his
whole Load of wheat, if he had not leaped into ye river and with
hard Labour prevented ye Canoe from Swinging round, and so suf-
fered very much in his body by reason of ye water & cold; and that
at another time he stroke fast on one of ye Rock dams & with great
hazard and hard Labour escaped with his Life and Load.

NO. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS

84B

"Joseph Jons Saith That in ye month of February, it being Extream
Cold, he stroke fast on a fish dam, and to save his Load of wheat
was obliged to leap into ye River to ye middle of his body and with
all his Labour and Skill could not get off in less than half an hour,
afterwards proceeding on his journey with ye said wet clothes they
were frozen stiff ©n his back, by means whereof he underwent a great
deal of misery.

"Jacob Warren Saith That he with a Canoe loaded with wheat
stroke fast on a dam, where he with his partner were forced into ye
River, and one with all his might was oblieged to hold ye Canoe
whilest ye other digged away ye stones of ye Dam, and with much
difficulty got off.

"Isaac Smally Saith That going down ye said River with 140 bus.
of wheat in a Canoe, they stroke fact on a Rack Dam and in order to
save ye Load from being all lost, he was much against his mind
oblieged to leap into the River, the water being to his Chin frequently
(lashed into his mouth, where between whiles he breathed, and both
he and his partner held ye Canoe with great labour; wliilest a young
man there present ran above a mile to call help to get off.

"Walter Campbell Saith That he hath stroke fast many times on ye
fish dams with his Canoe Loaded with wheat, and been forced to leap
into ye River before he could get off.

"Jonas Yeokam and Richard Dunklin say. That they got fast on a
fish dam with their Canoe loaded with 60 bus. of wheat & ye s'd
Kunklin's Wife and a Young Child in ye Canoe, and were for more
than an hour in great danger of being oversett into ye River, where if
they had, undoubtedly ye Woman & Child would have been lost.

"Barnabas Rhoades Saith That he stoke fast on a fish dam in
Schuylkill for several hours in ye Cold winter Season, destitute of
any help, in which time he underwent a great deal of hardships and
at last gott off, during all which time he was in great danger both of
his life and Load. And that he has at divers times been fasi on \v
said Dams and in great danger.

"George Boone, John Boone, Joseph Boone, James Boone, Samuel
Boone, Say that they have been sundry times fast on ye said Fish
Dams and Rack Dams, and to preserve the Loads of wheat have been
forced several times to leap into ye River, and have very narrowly
Escaped with the lives & Loads."

"In consequence of these and other representations, an act was
passed, in 1734, of similar purport with the preceding. In 1735, peti-
tions were presented by both parties, without any change of legisla-
tion; but in 1730, those who were in favor of the weirs and dama
succeeded in getting the Legislature to give them the privilege of
erecting their racks in April and May. during the fishing season.

346

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

This ought, perhaps, to have obviated the objections of the poor fel-
lows who underwent so much misery from being compelled to leap
into the river in the midst of winter, but it did not meet with the ap-
probation of the Governor and council, and was the cause of some
dissension between them and the Lregislature. The bill was returned
by the Governor with the objection that, instead of being an amend-
ment to previous acts, as it purported to be, it was in reality a re-
peal.

''The assembly endeavored to remove his opposition to it and he
replied in a message in which the whole subject is reviewed. He
said that the policy of the proprietor hath always been against the
erection of the dams and wiers, because they were an obstruction to
navigation, and that the racks were worse than the wiers, for while
the latter w^ere only made of light sticks the former w^ere constructed
of more substantial material, like horse-racks, and were sustained in
their places by large stones carried into the river to support them,
A more serious objection was the threatened destruction of the fish.
The practice followed by those who fished with racks in the Schuyl-
kill was the most ruinous that could possibly be contrived.

"This practice is for Great Numbers of People mostly on Horse-
back for a mile or two or more, with large Bushes, Stakes or other In-
struments that may best answ^er the End, to beat the water with
great Noise, rake the Bottom of the River above the Racks and, to
take all the methods in their Power to force the Fish down into the
Racks; and if this was the Practice heretofore, now w^hen half the
River is to be left open it will follow of course that others in and
about the vacant Part must use equal or greater Industry to prevent
their getting that way by the Racks, by which means those that can
escape must be more frightened and disturbed, the Spawn by the
treading of Horses or other Feet, and by raking with Bushes and
Trees must be destroyed."

"Not only were the people residing on the upper part of the river
deprived of that to which they had an equal right with the other
settlers, but it would result in the extermination of the fish, and the
inhabitants and their posterity would be robbed of this great source
of benefit and profit. He also gave as an objection the moral con-
sideration that the erection of racks was attended with 'tumultuous
Meetings, riotous Behaviour, Quarrels, Contentions and even Out-
rages amongst the Young People and others who assemble as to a
Merry-making or a publick Diversion, at the time of fishing by Racks,
which are so unseemly Returns for the benefits conferred.'

"The opponents of dams and weirs succeeded in preventing the act
from becoming a law, but their views were not enforced without re-
sistence. The fishermen of Long Ford were too stout heartpd and

No. 18.

KISH COMMISSIONERS

347

too tenacious of their privilege they had for years enjoyed to yield
without a struggle, and the use of the racks was continued despite of
the legislators.

"Finally, in 1738, their exasperated adversaries up the river organ-
ized a force of volunteers, as formidable from the numbers and cour-
age of its constituents as possible, collected a fieet of canoes, and
under the command of Timothy Miller, a man of great muscular
strength, set sail on the 20th of April, intent upon desperate deeds
and in the full anticipation of success. Arriving at Long Ford they
commenced a work of havoc among the racks, which they broke
away from their moorings and sent adrift down the stream. A few
(»f the fishermen, who chanced to be there when the fleet appeared,
at first attempted with soft words to stay the destruction which was
being committed, and, finding prayers and entreaties ineffectual,
seized upon the loosened racks and endeavored to carry them away.

"This did not suit the purpose of the assailants, who pursued and
relentlessly dragging the implements from their grasp broke and cut
them into pieces. It was more than could be endured. Abandoning
temporarily the disputed ground, they fied into the settlement,
.s(tunded the slogan and summoned to the rescue every man who
could handle an oar or wield a club. Thus re-enforced they returned
to the encounter, and in their canoes made a furious assault upon
the tleet of the enemy, which still unwisely lingered about the
scene of demolition. The struggle that ensued, whose issue per-
chance depended more upon individual strength than skillful ma-
uoeuvering, became desperate, and for a long time Mars or Neptune
\\ hichever we may suppose to have been the presiding divinity, main-
rained the utmost Impartiality. The scale finally turned by the
valor of Thomas Valentine, the tenant at the Knoll, who leaped into
the canoe of the opposing commodore, Timothy Miller, struck out
lustly upon all sides with a club, and after beating down every man
uf its crew succeeded in etfecting its capture.

"This serious loss dampened the ardor of the assailants, and Miller,
his thumb broken and his companions overpowered, was compelled
to order a retreat. Encouraged by the unexpected advantage, the
victors pressed their antagonists closely and the retreat soon became
a rout. The beaten squadron fled rapidly down the Schuylkill, and
ill order to escape their pursuers, who followed with the utmost per-
tinacity, made the grave mistake of entering the Perkiomen.

"This stream was too shallow for navigation, and the canoes soon
running aground, the crews were compelled to seek the shelter of
till' forests for safety. A complete destruction of the boats and
their contents satisfied the vindictive ire of the fishermen, who re-
turned to their homes elated with a triumph which had been dearly
purchased with many severe wounds and the loss of their racks.

348

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

"This is the description of what was perhaps the only Naval battle
ever fought upon the Schuylkill, as it has been handed down to us
by those who participated in it on the side of the victors. The story
of their opponents was detailed at the time as follows:

"William Richards, Constable of the Township of Amity, in the
County of Philadelphia, makes oath. That on the twentieth day of this
Instant April, he receiveth a Warrant from George Boon, Esq., one of
his Majesties Justices of the Peace of the said County requiring him,
this Deponent, to take to his Assistance such persons as this De-
ponent shouud think proper, & go down the river Schuylkill & re-
move all such obstructions as should be found in the said River, in
obedience to which Warrant this Deponent took several persons. In-
habitants of the s'd County as his assistants, & together with one
Robert Smith, Constable of the Township of Only, who had received
a warrant to the same purpose, went down the said River in three
Canoes to Mingo Creek where tJiey found a Large Number of Racks
& obstructions in the said River, & saw four men upon an Island
near the said racks, that this Deponent & Company removed the s'd
Racks without receiving any opposition, from thence they proceeded
down the River to the Mouth of Pickering's Creek, near which they
found several Racks, which Reacht Across the s'd River to an Island,
which Racks this Depon't & Company also removed, that imme-
diately after the s'd Racks were removed, about the Number of two
hundred Men came down on both sides of the s'd River & were very
Rude and Abusive & threatened this Depon't & his Company, that
the s'd Depon't expecting from the ill Language and threats given
that some mischief or a Quarrel would Ensue, he took his Staff in his
hand & his \Varrant & Commanded the s'd Men in the Kings Name
to Keep the Peace & told them that he came there in a peaceable
Manner & according to Law to Move the Racks & Obstructions in
the River, upon which some of the s'd Men Damn'd the Laws & the
Law-makers & curs'd this Deponent & his Assistants, That one
James Starr Knockt this Deponent down in the River with a large
Clubb or Stake after which several of the said Men Attacktd this
Deponent & Company with large Clubbs & Knockt down the s'd
Robert Smith, the Constable as also of several of this Deponent's
Assistants that one John Wainwright, in company with this De
ponent was Struck down with a Pole or Staff & lay as Dead with his
Body on the Shoar & his ffeet in the River, That this Depon't &
Company finding that they were not able to make Resistance, were
Obliged to make their best of their Way in order to save their Lives,
after which this Depon't, together with the Constable of Only &
some of their Company, proceeded down the River, in order to go
to Philadelphia, to make Complaint of the ill Usage they had re-

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

349

ceived, that as they came near Parkyooman Creek they found an-
other Set of Racks, which were guarded by a great Number of Men,
that this Depon't & Company, Requested the s'd Men to let them go
down the River, & if they wou'd Suffer them to pass that they would
not Meddle with their Racks, upon which the s'd Men abus'd &
Cursed this Depon't in a very Gross Manner, telling the s'd Depon't
& his Comj)any that they should not pass by them. That one of the
s'd Men called aloud & offered five Pounds for Timothy Millers
head, the s'd Timothy being one of the Depon'ts assistants & another
of the s'd men called out to the s'd Timothy to make haste away.
And afterward the s'd Men pursued this Depon't & Company, who
for fear of being Murthered made the best of their way with their
Canoes to the Mouth of Parkyooman Creek & there went ashore &
left their Canoes there with several Cloaths, which Canoes are since
Split in Pieces (as Reported) & several of the Cloaths turn'd adrift
on the s'd River.

"The X mark of William Richards, sworn on the 27th day of April,
1738, Before me Ras Assheton '*

«• * • • Tiiig difficulty was the cause of considerable agita-
tion in the colony and resulted in the termination of rack fishing.

a* • « » After the racks had been removed from the Schuyl-
kill, fishing instead of being an occasional pursuit for the whole
neighborhood, became a regular avocation, and was conducted by a
few skilled persons, who gave their time and attention to it. Pools
\\ere cleared away in the River and the fish were hauled into the
shore by means of seines.

"The Islands, since they contained the best landing places, grew
to be very valuable. Four hundred shad were caught at Long Ford
in a haul, which is the largest upon record. Twenty-three hundred
were caught in one night at the Island opposite Phoenixville."

In 1820 "there were fisheries at Longaker's Pool, where the rail-
road now crosses the Schuylkill at the mouth of the tunnel, at Buck-
waiter's Pool, near Buckwalter's Island; at the mouth of the French
Creek, at Long Ford, Green Hill, Perkiomen and Valley Forge. At
Buckwalters in 1812, one hundred shad were caught in a seine at

one time.

''When Samuel Lane owned the Bull Tavern, he had an arrange
ment with the fishermen at the mouth of the Pickering, that he was
to furnish them each morning with a quart of whiskey, and they
were to give him in return a shad weighing eight pounds. The con-
tract was continued for some years with mutual satisfaction. After
a time, however, shad deteriorated so much in quality that those of
that weight became extremely rare. Finally, one morning the fish-
ermen saw 'Old Sammy' coming along as usual with his quart jug,

350

RKPORT OF THE

O'f. Doc.

and, looking over their captures, no fish of the requisite propor-
tions could be found. In this unfortunate emergency a happy
thought occurred to one of them, and, seizing the largest of the fish,
he held it mouth open while a comrade filled in pebbles enough to
give it the proper weight. The old man carried it olf to his home,
saying it was a heavy fellow, but the whisky contract was afterward
abandoned."

One of the most valuable of the shad fisheries on the Schuylkill,
near Philadelphia, was at Manayunk. Before the beginning of the
present century there had been made in the river, from time to time,
a succession of rude dams from one to three feet high. These dams
extended only a portion of the way across the river and were in-
tended merely to force the water into a particular channel. Between
the island at Manayunk and the western shore was one of
these dams, forcing the water into a narrow channel on the eastern
side. The fishermen at this fishery used to station their boats with
their seine at the head of the island and a man at the lower end to
watch the shoals of shad coming up, and when he saw them he
would give the signal to the party in the boat, who immediately ran
out with the seine, going downward.

Some of the old residents along the Schuylkill river near Philadel-
phia, relate marvelous tales of the catches of fish to be made in
their boyhood days, and some of them almost surpass belief. One
of these who spoke in a more moderate strain was Godfrey Schrout, a
onetime resident of the Falls of Schuylkill. He related to a friend
about seventy years ago, that in his younger days he could often
catch with his dip-net 3,000 catfish in one night; the perch and rock-
fish were numerous and large. Often he has caught 30 to 80 pounds
of a morning with the hook and line. Other i^ersons who were
neighbors of Mr. Schrout asserted that there was nothing extraor-
dinary in a catch of 3,000 catfish in one night in a dip-net. Up to
the year 1817, they say, more than that number were taken repeatedly
in the same period of time. It has been claimed that so plentiful were
this species of fish, that one scoop of the dip-net has brought up
more catfish than could be lifted into the boat by one man. There
were said to have been people at the Falls in those days, who, in the
fishing season which lasted some three months, made enough by
catching shad in a simple scoop or dip-net to support their families
in fish for a whole year. In their work they anchored or fastened
to the rocks in the rapids, the small boats from which they fished;
some of the particular stations were more valuable than others, and
there was much rivalship in the early spring who should first get
possession of the favored spots, which the boat never left during
the whole season; if it did, by a rule among themselves, any one
else was at liberty to take possession.

j^Q j8^ FISH COMMISSIONERS. 351

The catfish were the kind known as the white catfish, a migrating
species that came from the sea annually in immense numbers, so
numerous in some instances as to blacken the narrow passages of
the river. They came regularly on or about May 25, the run lasting
some two or three weeks. They were caught in immense numbers
during the season, put in artificial ponds made for the purposes, and
taken out as wanted during the summer and fall months. They were
delicious eating and the people thereabouts learned the art of cooking
them so well that thousands of people were attracted thither, and the
fame of the Schuylkill's catfish, waffles and cotfee became of more
than local fame.

CHAPTER VII.

Etforts to Erect Dams in the Delaware River.

The residents along the Schuylkill were not allowed a lengthy time
in which to enjoy their well-earned victory over the rack fishermen.
Other intluences were at work which were to utterly ruin their fish-
eries. On March 8, 1815, the Schuylkill Navigation Company was
incorporated, and that concern immediately began the erection of
two huge dams across the Schuylkill, one at Flat Rock, now bhaw-
mont, and the other at Reading, and had them completed by the
latter part of 1818. A few years later the city of Philadelphm con-
structed a third dam at Fairmount for water supply purposes. As a
result the migratory food fisheries above this last mentloued dam
were immediately ruined. The fishing below Fairmount was still
good, however, for a few years, then the gas works were built and
the refuse which was emptied into the river drove the food fishes
even from the still open part of the Schuylkill.

In the meantime so great was the feeling engendered among the
people against the Schuylkill Navigation Company for the part it
Lok in the destruction of fisheries, as well as for other arbitrary
nets that every opportunity was seized for reprisals. For a ong
lime whenever a suit for damages came before a court jury in which
the company was involved as defendant, it was pretty certain to be

'^'^Slmrthrle time, also, the fisheries in the Lehigh river were
d.ltroved bv a dam built near the point at which it discharges into
he Delaware. Almost contemporaneously with this a dam was built
ar 1 . I iwaxon on the Delaware itself. Fortunately this, while it
^^'2:^U the passage of the shad to their spawning grounds
was y;t low enough to allow this fish to surmount the obstacle when-
23

852

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

ever the water was high. Nevertheless, while this was the case,
shad were scarce above in the river after the erection of the Lacka-
waxon dam, as compared to the years before it was built when the
fish had free passajie to within thirty miles of the headwaters in New
York State.

At various times since the erection of the Lackawaxon dam efforts
have been made by citizens of New Jersey to have built similar af-
fairs at other points, for water supply purposes, and acts to permit
the erection of such have, from time to time, been passed by the Leg-
isla^ture of that State. Fortunately these acts have all failed through
the necessary concurrent legislation in Pennsylvania.

Some of the efforts for the erection of these dams are quite inter-
esting from a historical point of view and illustrate how strong were
the efforts put forth for or against these obstructions to fish and
navigation. For a clear understanding of the matter it may be well
to note an agreement entered into by Pennsylvania and New Jersey
in 1783. In consequence of many disputes in that year these two
states appointed commissioners to formulate an agreement concern-
ing a mutual government of the river. This agreement was ratified
by New Jersey in May, 1783, and by Pennsylvania on September 20,
following. The first and principal article of this document recited
that the river Delaware between certain points "in the whole length
and breadth thereof, is and shall continue to be and remain a com-
mon highway, equally free and open for the use, benefit and advant-
age of the said contracting parties."

This clause, it would naturally be thought, would have prevented
any future complications and argument, but it seems not, for it was
not long before there were charges of violations preferred against
both states. This resulted, in 1814, of the appointment by both com-
monwealths of commissioners to endeavor to secure an adjustment
of the difficulties. This measure failed to produce fruitful results,
and before long more charges of violation were made. The first
was bv Pennsvlvania on February 17, 1815, Messrs. Erwin and
Frailey presented a preamble setting forth that New Jersey had
granted, in defiance of the agreement of 1783, to Daniel W. Coxe,
Samuel Wright, Jr., and Peter T. Smith, or their heirs and assigns,
the right to erect and maintain a wing dam in the Delaware to con-
nect Yard's Island with the main land at Bloomsbury, to secure
water for milling purposes. This preamble was followed by a resolu-
tion protesting against this act, and that the protest be sent to the
legislature of New Jersey.

This was followed by a correspondence between Governors Sny-
der, of Pennsylvania, and Pennington, of New Jersey, in which the
latter protested that the legislature of his state never intended to

FISH COMMI6BIONERS.

353

No. 18.

violate their agreement with PennsylvaBia ; that the coneesmon to
build the dam was only granted after it was shown eoDclusuely hat
by so doing none of its interests would be injured. He felt sure that
Pennsvlvania had not be.n correctly informed of all the cucum8t.in.
ces and suggested a commissioner be appointed to get at the truth.
On the advice of Governor Snyder, the legislature authorized him to
appoint William Mitchell and John Ross commissioners.
' These two officials made a careful survey of the case and in a long
report submitted to Governor Snyder strongly expressed their opin-
ion that the dam in question was objectionable in every way and in
direct violation of the agreement of 1783. A similar paper was sent
bv them to the Governor of Xew Jersey, with the intimation such
acts were likelv to endanger the peace and harmony between the
two states, which might involve them in unpleasant controversies

and compel judicial action.

It was then intimated on the part of New Jersey that Pennsylvania
had also been an offender in the matter of erecting dams; bu to this
it was replied that the legislature of that state had uniformly acted
„p to the agreement and had "never passed a law authorizing the
erection of a dam in the river Delaware, although many mdiv.duals
have ventured to do it at their own risk, without authority.

In a message which Governor Pennington sent to the >ew Jersey
legislature on October 10, 1815, he retorts that since these dams were
a matter of notoriety, if Pennsylvania wanted to act in good faith
towards Xew Jersey it would have punished the offenders.

The onlv effect of the protest and the correspondence was to cause
the New Jersev legislature on February 10. 1810, to pass a supple-
menfa'v ct whic^ seemed an aggravation of its earlier action^
This caused Mr. Erwin, of the Pennsylvania '^'S-'"*"-- *» "f jj^
resolution that the matter be "submitted m argument o the de-
terminatian of the circuit court of the United States, for the circuit

includinii the two states." . -,- l ^ ^

"this incident closed for the time being. Almost imu.ediately
..fter the troubles over the river broke out again concerning the mat-
If tie erection of dams for the purpose of supplying canals and
If fmnS.iug water power for Trenton. The agitation was such
nt ." Dec.;.ber, isllo. commissioners appointed by Pennsylvanm
S 'Similar bodv of men named by New Jersey agreed to submit
"Vba Ts of a compact between the two states, that Pennsylvania
could ei-et^a dam at Tliornton-s rift, not exceeding ten oet in height
vilh-i loping apron for arks and rafts; that either state m.ght erect
Td 1 Sow Mi fred bridge, near the house of ^Vill,an, Hrnik Esq.
tl.'itur state might build a dam not exceeding four fe.t ,n height
l; the head S Foul rift; also one at the head of PhiUipsburg rapids.
23-18-96

164

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

of the same height; that New Jersey could build one at the head of
Waiford's falls, also of four feet, and Pennsylvania one of four and
one-half feet high at the head of Wells' falls, and both one of four
feet at the head of Scudders' falls, and that either might improve
the navigation of the river Delaware below the falls of Trenton in
such a way as to create no obstruction to the natural navigation oi*

to the passage of fish.

The commissioners were: For New Jersey, John Rutherford, Caleb
Newbold and Garret D. Wall, esq.; for Pennsylvania, Nathaniel B.
Eldred, John Ross and David Scott. The commissioners recom-
mended that in each dam should be "two fishways, one on each side
of the sloping apron," and that they should be on the principle of
giving such prolongation to the fall as that the current shall be
greatly diminished and at the same time affording resting places. To
prolong the current the commissioners advised that the slope should
be divided by partitions projected from its sides alternately, but not
extending the whole width. If these spaces be three feet wide and
two feet 'deep, they believed there would be room for fish to pass in
c-reat numbers. They also advised that the fishways be planked
over so as to exclude the light.

Naturally these propositions caused violent opposition among
those who ^^It that such dams would, despite the fishways, ruin the
fishing industry, and among the most outspoken of the opponents
was the Rural Record, a New Jersey newspaper, which, in an edi-
torial the latter part of 1829, said: "There is perhaps no subject that
will be brought before the legislature that will more deeply affect
the interests of the citizens of West Jersey, than the Shad Fisheries:
as the clear revenues arising from them is more productive than any
other branch of our trade or commerce. The taxes on them only
amount to about |400 annually, of which the township of Debtford
pavs about $250. There are forty Shad Fisheries in the limits of
Gloucester countv, which employ about 000 men; the wages paid
to the men emploved in carrying on these fisheries amounts to about
90 000 dollars annuallv; these men mostly came from the interior
;nid poorest part of our country, the Pines and Egg Harbour; they
are paid from the sale of the shad, and it is calculated five-sixths of
which are sold in Philadelphia market, thereby deriving a consider-
able source of revenue from a sister state diffusing of it to a class
of our citizens who inhabit our most barren soil (in which our coun-
try abounds, our fishing places afford a good market for the farmers
to dispose of their flour, pork, potatoes, etc., etc. They also afford
u«< a full supplv of a good, cheap and delicate food.

^'We may safelv consider this branch of our trade and commerce
of as much importance, and as productive to the citizens of the

FISH COMMISSIONERS. ^^^

No. 18.

county of Gloucester as auy one branch of trade and commerce in
the United States; see with what care and caution the general gov-
frnment protect is trade and commerce and particularly how they
foster the fisheries, and how zealously they maintain then- r.ghts
where any foreign power attempts to invade them. Surely then,
Ly cmzen of the county of Gloucester, must have very Um. ted v.ews
of political economy, who does not feel interested m -a-ta-mg
our just rights and privileges, which Providence has, as it were, of-
?e" d us for our acceptance, (and which would, if widely ostered
in a measure compensate for our wide extent of barren soil); but on
the contrary, say the fisheries are only a monopoly on the part of a
few TandhoLrs on the banks of the Delaware, and they only are

'"'Tslt t a pretty well established fact that the shad generally as-
cend the river to deposit their spawn, if the contemplated damj^
made at Tienton, so as to prevent the shad from gomg up, it vvill
Tobably expel them from that river. There were some fisheries on
the Schuylkill below the dam, that previous to the erection of that
Ivere worth from *500 to fl.OOO annually, that are not now worth
fishing And in order to show the value of the fisheries in the Dela-
;til rom Trenton down on both sides of the river, the following
rtement is exhibited. It was made in 1818, for the information of
a colittee of the Legislature of New Jersey, who ^^ad under c-
sideration the law respecting shad fisheries; there are a few of them
that are not now occupied: ^ ^^^ ^^^

70 fisheries that employ ... . .^. •_ • ■ - • • • ' • • • ^ ^^

Amount of wages annually paid the men, sim 00

Cost of fishing apparatus, -'^..^ ^^

Taxes,

Capital annually employed in all the fisheries below the ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^

Sitt'Str^aiVdanVsw^
and 0 her ai Scudders' falls. Both were put up -- -egu.>i^
manner and in December, 1831, a bill was introduced luto t le >ew
Jersey leSature which had for its object the removal of all dams in
?he De lawa.; river, erected under the authority of the canal coiumis-
stneifof Pennsv ivauia at Wells' Falls. This, it is beheved was
bv ^'^of reprisals or objections made by I'ennsyUan.a to hcud-

'Tp[""lhe elToct of this was another joint oomniission for
on Dr^ ibe 13, 1S34. there was read before the I'euns.vlvan.a Leg^
L°ature a repor of Commissioners appointed under a resolution of
tie Lei^lat-e relative to the use of the waters of the Delaware, ,n

356

REPORT OF THE

Oft. Doc.

effect that there was a controversy between the State and New
Jersey over the matter. The Commissioners found that the Dela-
ware & Raritan Canal Company were using the waters to supply
their canal by means of a feeder at Bulls island; that the canal com-
missiouers had erected temporary but very inadequate works at
Wells' Falls by means of which the Pennsylvania Canal below New
Hope was partially supplied with water. Both had been constructed
in violation of the compact of 1783 between the two States "for the
purpose of settling the jurisdiction of the river Delaware."

The Commissioners then proposed to obtain the consent of New
Jersey to the erection of such a dam as would at all times supply
the Tennsylvania Canal with water. This they thought could be
done by constructing a dam at Wells' Falls not exceeding three feet
in height, above the surface of low water, with a sluice sixty feet
wide. It was urged that the construction of such a dam would be
a benefit to navigation, since it would enable raftsmen and arkmen
to do away with the necessity of employing pilots at that point, as
under the naturally dangerous condition of the river they were com-
pelled to do. Such a dam would also, the Commissioners affirmed,
provide a means without additional expense, of a communication be-
tween the two canals.

The New Jersey commissioners made similar recommendations
and also stated that an agreement had been entered into by which
the obstructions to the navigation at Scudders' falls which had been
placed there by the Trenton Delaware Falls Co., should be removed
or otherwise obviated.

It looked for a time very much as though the scheme would go
through, liut neither the Governor of Pennsylvania nor the Legis-
lature'were satisfied, and a committee of the latter was appointed
to probe the matter. This committee on January 27, 1835, made an
exhaustive report, in which it was unanimously recommended thai
the Legislature not ratify the agreement entered into by the Com
missioners of the two states.

Other efforts were afterwards made to reconcile the differences.

The most serious attempts against the fisheries interests, however,
were those to erect a large dam by concurrent legislation introduced
to almost every Legislature since those days, the latest attempt
having been made at the last session but one at Harrisburg, when
not only the newspapers unanimously protested, but the city of
IMiiladeiphia itself strongly condemned it. Happily this, as the
lirevious ones, failed of accomplishment.

NO. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

CHAPTER VUl.
Decline of the River Fisheries.

■nature fl.h escaping to the spawnmg « «»"Jf ' ff^Vyear from the

- to the ."-Vt^riTertrr" ^Veuiafe XLucture ot
apper reache o the uver to the ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^

the young shad that the loss oi eve ^^^^

the fish baskets nearly every young shad was forcea t g ,

.auds upon thousands annually P-^JeJ t^^^ t^en from one of

thousand dead young shad, U is said have been auen

these fish baskets at a time and .t.se^^^^^^^ J^ ,.^,

fi.h o, those that suceee^ed^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^,„

through injury to the:r ^^^'^ commission iu 18T4, in making

was at the ^^^"^ "'^.^^^^Jf^'^^.V^g fl,h baskets and tra

his report, speaks as follows conctiug .^^^

"^^ ^" "trn"r::UVu^-n?m ro:e most worthy
have ever been constiuctea oy instruments of

Of condemnation is the ^^^^l^^^:^:^- J^ Hver, with long

extirpation are P»''«^." JJ^^'^^Vn^ng upon either side towards
arms or wings made of stones ««»'''°- ^ ^ j^ ^^vept

tue Shores. Ev.^ "^^f^^hTare^^teK ^eiic A blow

into these baskets, ^"nng shad a p ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^

which displaces a f-^-VsucedsTn going througl> the slats of

rr\:t win Uvl iwi nilU^^^^^^^ ^^oVd upon the basket and
the basket w.lHive, "^le ^^ ^^^ knowledge where,

there allowed to die. Instances aave ^^^

in 18T0 and 1871. parties ownmg ba«Ve « were o^^"* ^^^,,.

with a wooden scoop the J"-.« f' "•^^'i' nln c he owner of the
baskets in less time than one u.ght. In one nstanc ^.^

basket said that he thought .n on mght Je Jad «i ^^^^^^^

fish basket more than a cart load of > oung shad,
that one survived. ^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^, ^,^ destnjction of fls^

868

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

riiit of the stream, sometimes with long arms or wings of stone ex-
tending out simihir to the fish basket, turning the entire current
through the net and sweeping into it every living creature carried
by the current. These nets require no attention and no labor.
They are simply deposited and left to take care of themselves until
the owner is ready to take them up and empty them of their catch.
Occasionally along our large rivers you will find a man owning as
high as thirty or forty of these nets."

The bush seines, eel weirs, and the like, also, were the means of de-
stroying thousands more of shad. So great was this slaughter from
the upper stretches of the river to tide water, that at Milford they
almost entirely disappeared, and in 1872 the fisheries at that place
} ielded only a single shad, where about the beginning of the century
the annual catches had run into the thousands.

All along the Delaware the fishing fell off, until in 1873 the fish-
eries failed to pay expenses, the total yield being the year previous
but §81,000. Of one fishery belonging to the Howell family of Wood-
bury, New Jersey, a record of catches has been kept for more than a
century and a half. From that record it appears that prior to 1825
the average annual returns were about 130,000; from 1845 to 1819,
the average fell to CG,800; from 18GG to 1809, the average catches
were G0,73U; from 1870 to 1873, the yeariy average was less than
25,000.

Since the abolition of the fish baskets under the concurrent laws of
New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the shad catch at this
place during tlie season runs into the hundreds daily.

A comi)any composed of Mr. B. Wilkins and two partners carried
to market and sold the product of sixty-three nets for about thirteen
years prior to 1840. From Mr. Wilkins' statements it appears that
in 1870 and 1871 no single gilling-net approached in the number of its
catch to the quantity formerly obtained, though the length of the
nets had been greatly increased. He instances the case of one gil-
ling seine of 200 fathoms, in the vicinity of Fort Delaware, as having
taken, while he was carrying for its owner, 850 shad in one drift; and
says that at no time for five years previous to 1870 were over 200
taken in the same time, and 100 perhaps would be a high average.

Not only did the number of fish caught fall off thus rapidly in the
Delaware year by year, but their size appreciably decreased. In
1843 shad of seven and eight pounds in weight were by no means
uncommon, and the average run was between five and five and a half
pounds; but in 1873, and for many years before, a four pound fish
was a curiosity. The writer remembers well in 1879 capturing in a
net at Bay Side a shad weighing eight and one-half pounds. On
bi'inging it to shore, from its size, it attracted the fishermen of the

-«■

358

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

li lit uf the streani, sonielinics wiin loiij; anus or winj^s of stone ex-
tt'iidinu uiii .siiiiihu* to tlie lisli basket, turning the oniire i-uriont
rhroiiuh tlie not and swooping into it ovory living croalnio carried
l)_v ihc cniront. Those ntts rccjuiro no attention and no labor.
They are simply deposited and left to take care of ihenisehes until
thi' owner is ready to take them up and empty them of their catch,
Occasionally along our large rivers you will lind a man owning as
liigli as thirty or forty of these nets."

The bush seines, eel weirs, and the like, also, were the means of de-
sti-oying thousands more of shad. So great was this slaughter from
the u[»per stretches uf the river to tide water, tliat at .Milford tiny
almost entirely disaj>iH'ared, and in 187- the tisheries at that jjlaee
uelded only a single shad, where about the beginning of the century
the annual catches had run into the thousands.

All along the Delaware the lishing fell oil", until in 187:5 the tish-
eries failed to pay expenses, the total yit Id being the year previous
but ISLUtU). Of one tishery belonging to the Howell family of Wood-
bury, Hew Jersey, a record of catches has been kept for more than a
centtti'y and a toalf. From that record it appears that prior to ISlM
the averilg© flttimal returns were about 1:»<).(M)(I; from 1845 to 18411,
the avewige fell to (KJ,8J)U; from 18(K; to 1801), the average catches
were 00,739; from ISW to l&>7a, the yearly average was less thau
25,000.

Hince tlie abolition of the fish baskets under the roncnrrent tews of
Xcw Vork, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the shad catch at tWt
place during the season runs inio the hundreds daily.

A company cr)mposed of Mr. !J. Wilkins and two |)artners carried
h» market and sold the product of sixty-three nets for about thirteen
years prior to 1840. Fr«im Mr. Wilkins' statements it appears that
in 1870 and 1871 tio »i»gi^ gilling-net approached in the number of its
calrh to the quantity formerly obtaimd, though the length of the
nets had been greatly increased, lie instances the ease of one gil-
ling seine of 200 fathoms. In the vicinity of Fort Delaware, as ha%4ng
taken, while he was carrying for its owner. 850 shad in one drift: and
says that at no time for five years previous to 1870 were over 200
I a ken IB the saftie time, and 100 perhaps wcmld be a high average.

Not only #d the nnmlwr of fish eawght fall otf thtis rapidly in the
Peteware year by year, %nt their size appreciably decreased, la
184:5 shad ef seven and eight po«Ms in weight were by no means
unccannion. aiid tiie average run was betw'een live and live and a half
pounds: liui in 187:'.. and fnr many y(Nirs before, a four jiound tisli
was a curiosity. The writer remembers well in 187!» caitinring in a
net at Bay Side a shad weighing eight and one-half itounds. On
biingini: it to shore, from its size, it attracted the lislnMinen of flu-

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

t»»

place, and at their request, was hung upon the wall of a building on
the wharf and attracted fishermen from along the shore for several
miles above and below. In 1843 and thereabouts forty shad usually
filled a pork barrel; in 1873 it required over one hundred to occupy

the same space.

Under the wise laws which now prevail, seven and eight pound
shad are common, and fish of this species weighing ten, twelve and
even thirteen pounds are not uncommon.

The story of the devastation of the fisheries on the Susquehanna is
equally a gloomy one. Although fish weirs and baskets and other
deadly devices were practiced for the capture of shad from the earli-
est coming of the whites, yet the river yielded enormous returns
until about 1830. Then the Columbia dam, which belonged to the
Tide Water Canal Company, was erected. Other dams were after-
wards put up above and below this as feeders to the canals along the

Susquehanna. - tt i.

Some years after the one below Columbia, called the Safe Harbor
dam, was carried away by a flood and was not rebuilt. These dams,
unlike the one at Lackawaxon, completely destroyed the shad-fishing
industries above them. It is true that the Tide Water Canal Com-
pany was bound to keep an open passage for fish in its dam, but for
many vears it failed to carry out this portion of its duty.

After the erection of the Columbia dam, the people who dwelt be-
low seemed to think that the future of the shad fishing industry in
the Susquehanna was about at an end, for they threw all discretion
to the winds, and adopted all kinds of outrageous methods of taking
fish. The river for miles and miles below the dam is studded with
innumerable rocks and islands in every form of grouping. Many of
the rocks occur in twins, with a small space between them, through
whieh the water washes, "and,''^ says Commissioner James Worrall in
his report for 1870, "there is no care of the kind which has been
neglected by the kiddlers. Between these twin rocks a fish basket is
cei-tain to be found." As a natural result of such work in 1870 there
were not five shad caught where there were a hundred in earlier

times.

In May, 1829, the run of shad in the Juniata was phenomenal, the
Mitllin Eagle on the 19th of that month says that "it is stated that
the shad are caught in much greater abundance below the dams at
North's island, in the Juniata, than has ever been known at any pre-
vious time. ♦ ♦ * The dam at North's island retards their further
progress and the consequence is that the people further up the Juni-
ata are deprived of the luxury of fresh shad, which so abundantly
falls to the lot of their neighbors a few miles further down." Thus
was ruin brou-ht to a profitable industry in ^he upper waters of the

Jnniata.
23*

390

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

It is well known that shad on their way from the sea will make al-
most preternatuial efforts to reach the grounds on which they were
spawned, there to deposit their spawn in turn. The story told by an
old gentleman, therefore, of a sight he witnessed at the base of one
of these dams has much of pathos in it. Thousands upon thousands
of fish, he said, were in the pools, darting hither and thither in fran-
tic efforts to pass the barrier, sometimes great numbers of them,
their silver sides glittering through the water, could be seen follow-
ing along the base of the dam in vain hopes of finding an opening.

On such occasions as this the fisherman was in his glory. Alvan
Dane, an old gentleman now living at Kansas City, but formerly a
resident on the banks of the North Branch of the Susquehanna, says
that when the Nanticoke dam was built the shad could not come over
it, and men were in the habit of fishing there with a three pronged
hook, sinker, and stout line and pole. This was sunk, and after a few
minutes quickly jerked up. "I caught two in that way; others had
better luck, and it was reported that one man caught seventy in one
day; but I think a large reduction would come nearer the truth."

While the great shad industry in the Susquehanna, Delaware and
their tributaries was being thus ruthlessly destroyed by dams, fish-
baskets, traps and other iniquitous contrivances, the mountain and
other streams and the mountain lakes were being as wantonly de-
pleted of other food fishes just as rapidly. Wherever there was a
body of water that contained trout, pickerel, catfish or in fact any
member of the finny tribe worth having, there were to be found peo-
ple using the most desirable methods for their capture. Every
mountain stream contained numberless fish baskets, set lines were
zigzagged from bank to bank, and under the over-hanging bushes.
Not onlv were seines used to sweep the pools, but lime, cocculus m-
dicus, and other deleterious substances also. In the natural ponds
or lakes, besides all these things, fyke nets, dynamite and other ex-
plosives were used, and excessive ice fishing was indulged in. In
this last particular the writer saw recorded, as a matter to take pride
in, in a registrv book of a backwood hotel in Pike county, that a
party of five, whose names were given, had in one winter's work in
the earlv "seventies," caught from one pond more than seven hun-
dred pickerel; and the same book showed that during the same
winter more than three thousand pickerel had been taken from that
body of water. It was no wonder that in the season of 1891, less
than one hundred of that species of fish were caught in those waters.
But worse even than fish baskets, dynamite, deleterious substances
and unfair fishing, because farther reaching, was another element-
stream pollution. Saw mills were erected in the backwoods on the
banks of trout streams and the sawdust dumped into the water. By

360

rf:por'i- < »f the

Off. Dtir

It is well known that shad on their way from the sea will make al-
most piclernatuial ett'orts to reach the -lounds on which Ihey were
spawned, theit- to deposit their spawn in tnrn. The story told by an
old oentlenian. therefore, of a sij-ht he witnessed at the base of one
of these dams has much of pathos in it. Tlioiisands upon thousands
of fish, he said, were in the pools, dartinj; hither and thither in fran-
tic efforts to pass the barrier, sometimes ^reat numbers of them,
their silver sides glittering through the water, could be seen follow-
ing along the base of the dam in vain hopes of finding an opening.

On such occasions as this the fisherman was in his glory. Alvan
Dane, an old genthiuan now living at Kansas City, but formerly a
resident on the banks of the North Branch of the Sus^piehanna, says
that when the Xanti<-oke dam was built the shad could not come over
it, and men were in ilie habit of fishing there with a three pronged
hook, siuker, and stout line and pole. This was sunk, and after a few
minut. s ciuickly jerked up. "I caught two in that way; others had
better luck, and it was reported that one man caught seventy in one
day : but I think a large reduction would come nearer the truth."

WUile the great shad industry in the Susquehanna, Delaware and
their tributaries was being thus ruthlessly destroyed by dams, fish-
baskets, traps and other iniiiuitous contrivances, the mountain and
other streams and the mountain lakes were being as wantonly de-
pleted of other food fishes just as raindly. Wherever there was a
1 ody of wat. V iluit contained trout, pickerel, catfish or in fact any
luember of the finny tribe worth having, there were to be found peo
pie n<hv> th.- most desirable methods for their capture. Every
mountain stream contained numberless fish baskets, set lines were
zi<T5r.agged from bank to bank, and under the over-hanging bushes.
Not o'ulv were seines used to sweep the pools, but lime, cocculus in-
dicus, aad other deleterious substances also. In the natural ponds
nv lakes, besides all these things, fyke nets, dynamite and other ex-
plosives were used, and excessive iee fishing was indulged in. In
this last particular the writer saw recorded, as a matter to take pride
i„. in a reiristrv bonk ..f a backwood hotel in Tike ctmnty. that a
party ^A»te, whose names were given, had in one winter's work in
the earlv '^eveaties," caught from one ])ond more than seven hun-
dred i.i.'k.Mol: and th" same book showed that during the same
winter more tlian three thousand pick«M-el had been taken from that
body of water. It was no wonder that in the season of 1801, less
than one hundred of that species of fish were caught in those waters.
But wcu'se even than fish baskets, dynamite, deleterious substances
.•;iid unfair tishing. because farther reaeliing. was anidlier element—
strrani polbition. Saw mills were erected in the ba-kwoods on the
banks of trout streanis and the sawdust dnmi>ed into tlie water. Hy

m
X
>

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

„ , 3C1

No. 18.

this means milUon« of fish were killed. Within the coal bearing
area mines were opened and the filthy culm, composed of carbon and
clay emptied into the water; and thereafter pur., sparkling streams
HcWy populated by mountain trout, were emptied of the.r flsU, and
an black, fllthv and malodorous, to the rivers, which thereby became
befouled, and, in many cases, almost absolutely Ashless Two not-
able examples of this lamentable result may be named-the lehigh
river and the upper waters of the Schuylkill.

CHAPTEK IX.

Work of Restoring the Shad Rivers.
From the time of the establishment of regular fisheries there was
trouble between the owners, or shore net fisheru.en and ""^ <">"
ashermen. Only in one particular were they mainly agreed and
hit was in fighting against restricting laws for ^^U.^^ J
shad and herring. Such was the pressure "''ougl t to be. r on the
Legislature of New Jersey session after session '^at « Sa3 tlu^
body passed an act extending the open season, and cutting do^^n
1 weekly period of rest. This was submitted to the Pennsylvania

'"Sfcou'se. this and the other work of destruction did not go on
without protest from the more thoughtful people of the day. Teti-

ons flowed in to the Pennsylvania Legislature to do snn.o hmg to
a rest the evil. Finally, these were referred to a committee of
w" cl a Mr. Oibbin was chairman, and the New Jersey ac, just re^

erred to was -iven at the same time to the same committee. On
i arcJ 13 Gibbon made the following report: "That from an ex-

^nltioVof the statements made by f P^^-'^'-^^Ve .'Iwl^if-
„nl«, well ncnuainted with the habits of fish, and with the laws at
iin. le flshe ies, the committee are of the opinion that the causes
w, h-li'dl^e a dimunition of the quantities of «^ad .nd ot er sh
which periodically frequent our waters, do not arise rom the prac
e of 'fishing with giUing or drift nets, «-»- --- ;°: ^ Jf,
lieve; unless it may bo. that in seasons, -'-" :7 *''^. ''^^ ^ ,," f,
we-ither in the early part of the summer, the fish deposit the r
rpinmlre prompt v than usual, the present law which permits

he fishin" to be continued till the 10th of June may prevent so h^ge
a nifmber^from ascending the rivers, as would otherwise proceed to

„: headwaters to propagate their kind. The great <!-- -^ « fe
ounplv however, seldom allows this practice to be felt '"J""""'^-^-
The committee are not therefore prepared to recommend the adop^
Uon of Te law sent by the Governor of New Jersey for the assent of

302

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

this Legislature, because it provides for a greater extension of the
season for taiving fish, and also proposes to contract the period of
rest in each week, which by existing laws is now insisted upon.

"Tlie comuiittee perceive a disposition in some of the owners of the
land fisheries, as they are called (that is of those who hold land on
the banks of the Delaware, opposite to which there are pools fre-
quented by fish), to interfere with a privilege which is exercised
under certain restrictions by individuals who seek a livelihood dur-
ing the fishing season, by taking shad in drift nets. The committee
are of o])iiiion that such fishing under the present arrangement,
neither interferes with, nor injures the rights or property of anyone;
but it is advantageous both to the individuals and to the public.
They deem the fish, in the public highways of the State, the common
bounty of the Creator, and the common property of the citizens of
the State. It has been alleged in remonstrances signed by a numer-
ous list of respectable persons, who resist any alteration in the laws
to regulate the fishing by drift nets, that "such fishing gives support
to industrious individuals and their families, and is a considerable
advantage and accommodation to inhabitants in the vicinity of the
Delaware, who are thereby supplied during the season with fresh
fish which are distributed in the different . neighborhoods and vil-
lages in a few hours after they are taken, and sold at a reasonable
rate,

''The committee are inclined to believe that the interests of the
community would be advantaged by an act of the Legislatures of the
states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania which have concurrent juris
diction of the waters of the Delaware to offer increased facilities to
the drift nets, having proper care to the just rights of the landhold-
ers on the banks of that river and establishing more moderate fines
or penalties for illegal interference and unseasonable fishing bearing
equally on all persons offending.

<*The article advanced by some of the petitioners that the quantity
of shad in the Delaware has greatly diminished in consequence of
the increase of gilling seines on the river appears correct, when we
consider the great increase of the eaters of the shad in that vicinity.
But to make an enactment to prevent the use of drift nets would
give the exclusive rights of fishing to the owners of the river banks,
to which the committee do not consider them entitled.

"The shad and herring fisheries in the Delaware generally begin
in the middle of March, if the season is early, and should cease, by
the present law, on the first of June, below the mouth of the
river Lehigh, and on the 10th of June above the mouth of that river.
The fish advance in great quantities from the sea, to search, by an
unerring instinct, their necessary food, and to deposit their spawn

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

No. 18.

in the upper branches of the Btream. This process is commeuced
early or later, according to the warmth of the season. It is reported
to the committee that in a genial spring, the spawn is deposited so
early as the middle of June. The female fish selects the eddies and
coves in which to leave the immense quantities of the minute germe
of their progeny, which are eagerly devoured by rock and other fish
yet still the myriads which annually descend the rivers are count-

less •

«A practice exists in the upper branches of the large rivers,

against which the penalties of «^i««°8 '«^« «^« «""f °t.1 th'at
were effectually put into operation for the public benefit. It is that
of erecting fish baskets for catching rock fish in the suin")" and
autumn of the year, when the young shad descend from their birth
places to the sea in quantities as vast as the dry leaves which are
drifted by the winds. These fish baskets are connected with dams
which jut out from the shores to the center of the river-where a
fall of one or two feet throws all the fish into a latticed apartment,
through which the small shad cannot escape. Into these baskets
thousands and millions of young shad from three to six and e.gh
inches in length, are cast and die; for they are so tender in that
tag' of their existence that the slightest blow or resistance cause
thetr immediate death. Some of the representatives of the Legisla-
ure have seen large quantities of these dead fish thrown out frotn
the baskets; floating on the water or offending the senses on the

shore

"The young shad, according to the peculiarities of the season, are
seen to descend the river from the month of August until the ap-
proach of cold weather in the fall. Their wanderings during he
winter are directed by their peculiar sensations, f '^"'•^'IR;;*^";^'
no doubt, by their desire for and the supplies of food. The next
"pring the full grown fish return to search for the place they first
resiirei as is s^en in the well known instances to be the custom of
manv animals, birds and fish. , , ^

"After depositing their spawn we are told that the female shad
grow verv thin and sometimes become blind; they are seen upon the
surface f'eeblv exorcising their powers until they reach the shore or
die on the water. It is the opinion of many that the P"'«n< <» ^
do not return to the sea-although the males are often found late in
the autumn, fat and solid as in their full season. .,,,,„fi„„

"It is considered a matter of importance that proper attention
should be given to the preservation of a fish of such delicacy, and so
highlv valued as the shad, which affords a healthfu and tnnely va-
riety of food to all classes of our citizens. We may also be benefited,
iiety 01 looa I j , , hv the purification of the water, id

in a manner seldom app"t^'<"«^"' 'v •

364

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

the destruction which they cause of a great multitude of insects, and
of the excessive spawn of various reptiles, upon which they are
said to feed, and but for their annual appearance might, by the dis-
turbance given to the original plan of the Great Contriver, cause
deleterious influences which should be guarded against by a due
protection of the fish.

"The committee thinks much more injury is done to the fisheries
by the baskets and other ways, which will be mentioned, than by the
competition between the shore and drift nets, during the proper

season.

"A petition from the inhabitants of the county of Northampton
represents that for some years past a number of persons have made
it a common practice to use cocculus indicus or other "crazy bait,"
for fishing purposes by which means thousands of fish are destroyed
in our rivers and creeks, and that the practice has increased to an
alariiiiu!^ degree. Citizens of Somerset county also state that com-
panies go along the creeks in that county, when the waters are low,
with sledges, and by striking on the large stones which atford a
shelter for fish, kill them, when not one in twenty is a size fit for
use. The others haul out quantities of lime and throw several
bushels in deep holes in the creeks in dry seasons, and by stirring it
up kill nearly all the fish that come down the stream when the mills
above are put into operation, thereby destroying all prospects of a

future supply.

"The eonuniUce lind laws already existing which interdict such
piattice in particular sections of the State, and have thought it ex-
pedient to otter a bill, which shall have a general influence, provid-
ing against all the various means which may be resorted to, to de-
stroy fish at improper seasons."

Nothing ettectual was the outcome of this report, and matters
went from bad to worse.

This was briefly the condition of affairs in Pennsylvania about the
close of the Civifwar: One dam impeded the passage of shad in the
Delaware, and others near the mouths of the Schuylkill and Lehigh
and on the Susquehanna prevented this food fish from ascending the
vviters at all. Through these obstructions, destructive fishing and
water pollution, the shad fisheries of the Schuylkill and Lehigh were
utterly destroyed, the Susquehanna nearly so, and those of the Del-
aware' were run at a loss. The mountain lakes were in a bad condi-
tion and the trout streams generally were either utterly ruined or
vielded poor returns. Pennsylvania was not alone in this deplorablb
situation. Ti.e waters of the other Middle states and the New Eng-
land states were little, if any, better. General alarm was felt, and
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut,

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

365

No. 18.

Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania appointed through the
respective legislatures, commissioners to investigate the extent of
he trouble and report' on the best method of restoring the flshmg
nterests. Pennsylvania's commissioner was Mr. James Worrail, ol
Cisburg. His appointment was the result of a convent.on held
" Harrisburg in the early part of 1866. At this convention a law
based on a Massachusetts enactment of the year previous was drawn
Xreat ere and passed promptly by the ^^^^l^_
sion, and signed by the Governor on March 30. This ^^^'^^^^
citing that by the construction of a dam across the Susquthanua
"hZ salmon" and other fish were prevented from passmg up the
sa'd strel to the great detriment and injury of persons nnd con.-
mitls along said Hver, provided that the several -"P-- ;-;
i„^ or interested in dams on the Susquehanna, or m the Nn.th o.
West b an hes of the san.e, between tidewater and W,lUe«-Ha, .v ou
he West branch should, within six months from the passage of th
.tt erect such under gates, sluices, chutes, or other devices ,n all
dams as wo:m permit'ti... free passage of shad, salnn.n and other

"'11:,;' :rcnr;.f tl. law provided that, if the owners of sani

dams neglected or refused to construct sluices as would al ow th
,.ams nefeiecie ^.^ _^^^j^„,^ ^ft^,. ^^^^

,,,., P--^=^<; °^« \;P;;^„7,\, liable to a flue of two hundred
r^t: l/e'^e:::;;':- ast.b,,s of .i-<e amount are recoverable bv

"as soon as the act was passed and becon.e a law. Mr. Worrail en-
As soon as ^ endeavored to enforce its provisions.

tered »P«" ^'''/"♦^i. '"^^!.";r Canal Company was under obligation

'^■"'^■•'^ ''^1*^1?'; in tl e Colunibia dam. Mr. Worrail notified

to keep an "l*™ «f .^f^;;^,; '^wigation and met with a prompt and
that corporation to fnlflll it^ ob g .^^^^^j^j,, ,„„„e i„ tl,e

.mrmative response, and an openm ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^.^^

dam by the company. «^ «"3^^^^,^ ^ ^ .vorrall met with oppo^i-
With the other --P"^;^;;^;; purchased the dams above Co-
tion. These f "'"^f . X'^'^Ji'^^^L-ance and that the act of the
lumbia from the ^tate fee ot inc , ;„ ,^ „„ their vested

legislature was '—;■'*'; jh refused o' neglected to comply
Hghts. on these grounds "-^ - J^^^^''^^^.^ ^.,, thereupon begun

with the '^-"'»■^'i^"'«^;'rs4e„nd a long and bitter legal battle
against the companies by the State ana a fe ^^.^^^^ ^^

of nearly f-V^'Te^TheTaSwcIe fi led. decided against the
Sr— ;ir;irfp eo-mes U. ..y w^ not com

opinion of the lower court.

366

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

According to Mr. Worrall, in his report for 1870, the result of the
opening at Columbia, for the first two years, appeared to be a com-
plete success. The year 18C7 showed a catch reported from fifteen
to twenty thousand in number, above that dam. In 18G8, however,
the catch fell off one-half and in 1869 and 1870 the catches did not
exceed five thousand in each year. This great fall off in the catches
Mr. Worrall attributed to various reasons, first, probably, because
even the highest number caught scattered over a distance of fifty
miles was no temptation for the number of hands required to man-
age large seines; second, because it was too expensive to clean out
the old fishing grounds for seining; third, because the kind of seines
necessary for shad fishing on anything like a profitable scale were
too expensive and finally because the inducements were insuflQcient
for fishing in the fifty mile reach above the Columbia dam.

The one fish way constructd was from a plan chiefly devised by
the superintendent of the canal company with some modifications
suggested by Mr. Worrall, and was placed about one-fourth of a mile
from the York county shore. In its construction a section forty feet
long was taken from the dam in which a new sub-dam was erected,
so that its highest elevation would about equal the level of the water
below the dam. The lower slope of the sub-dam was placed at an
inclination of one in fifteen, and the sides of the aperture in the main
dam were dentated or framed in a series of offsets so as to promote
the formation of eddies, in the current passing over the sub-dam.
Shad and other fish, in their endeavors to pass up, were expected to
be under the influence of gravity in opposite direction, the lower
water seeking to obtain its level, the top of the sub-dam, the other
water rushing through the aperture would meet and drive it back
with a force considerably impeded by the cushion, so to speak, of
lower water. The fish were expected to find this opening through
which they would endeavor to pass up. If they failed in the first few
trials they would naturally seek the eddies in the recesses at the sides
of the sluices where thew would gather strength for a new trial.

It was soon recognized that this fishway was a failure and aban
doned, the weak point being that the fish met with the greatest re-
sistance at the top where they were expected to enter the dam, when
they were in the most exhausted condition.

Notwithstanding this laudable effort on the part of the State to
improve the fisliing, residents on the Susquehanna, especially in the
neighborhood of the Columbia dam, did all they could to make the
work abortive by using every device, however unfair, which came in
their way to catch shad. The Legislature then passed a law. in 18G8,
making it unlawful to fish with any seine or by any other system of
entrjipping in numbers within two hundred yards of any sluice or

jj^ jg FISH COMMISSIONERS. ^

other device erected for the passage of fish as described in the act, or
upon or about any dam in or upon which such sluice shall have been

erected

"Yet" says Mr. Worrall in his report of 1870, "regularly as the
spring 'comes round, there are dip nets worked by sweeps like well
sweeps, at every few rods, kept in operation perpetually dunng the
whole twenty-four hours in front of the Columbia dam, rising out of
and falling into the reacting water of the dam as it falls over its face.
These dip nets are used for catching mullets, their very operation
precluding the possibility of catching shad in them, for their inter-
mittent motion has a tendency, nay is absolutely certain to scare
away those timid fish from the face of the dam.

"Ten or a dozen such machines working night and day, in a row, in
front of the dam and in its reaction water, at distances no more
than six or eight rods apart, effectually stop the approach o the fish
to the dam to seek a means of passing through it. Jt is w-el l«own
that the shad upon reaching the dam rose along m front of it in the
reaction, seeking some opposing current against which it is their n^
stinct t^ propel themselves. But interrupted as they are by his
constant .ling and falling of these great dip nets, ten or twelve feet
square, the timid fish are baflled and driven away.
^Notwithstanding this first effort to restore the f-Huehanna fi h^
eries was esteemed a failure, there were enough elements of success
to aftlrd encouragement to persevere. An act was therefore passed
and signed, .\pril 2il, 1873, providing for the estabhsliment of a hsh
"imiss on of three persons, in order that the work of restoration
mSht be the more systematically carried out. They were given ex-
Tens ve powers and an appropriation. The three cominissu.ner
chosen nnder this act were Howard J. Reeder, Benjamin L Hew.t
and James Duttv. They made a very careful study of the situation
as it then eSsted and c'une to the coiulusion that the deterionition
:Vs due principally to the following causes: (D.^he pract.ce of ^sh^
in-r with drift nets in the lower porti.ms of the rivers (.) The close
ttae " or the time during which fishing is forbidden in the rivers not
S suttlciently long and not being observed^ (3) The destruction
of the young, when returning to the sea, by fish basket .

Tho nnnnil supplv depends, of course, upon the ability of the
shll to "aci p ojer places for the deposit and hatching of their
eg^ In the r progress up the river they met net after net thrown
acits he c'lamielfor their capture. All the contrivances wh,ch
■ man their most destructive and unrelenting enemy, could devise,
wer^ placedrentrap them, and as a natural result very few of those
whch originally started from the sea reached their spawning
grounds The "close time" commenced at midnight on Satnrdav of

868

HEPOKT OF THE

Off. Doc.

each and every week during the fishing season and continued until
midnight Sunday.

The first act of the commissioners was to endeavor to better the
condition of the shad fisheries. They began operations on the Sus-
quehanna which, at that time, were stated to be in rather a better
condition that the Delaware, through the fact that about that period
the Columbia dam had been partially destroyed by immense quanti-
ties of ice which were swept down the river by the winter and spring
floods, and which formed in a huge gorge immediately upon the crest

of the dam.

The efforts of the commission were first bent in having the deadly
fish baskets removed, but they met a serious legal difficulty at the
very outset. They found that there was a peculiar construction of
the law which required that ten days' notice be given by the sheriff
before proceeding with a posse comitatus to destroy the baskets. As
a result of the law requiring the removal of these wretched contrivan-
ces was rendered practically inoperative. The commissioners there-
upon earnestly recommended that that part in the law requiring ten
days' notice be stricken out, and that the passage of the law should
be in itself sufficient notice, and that in addition to the required
destruction of the baskets, an act imposing a penalty for the erection
or maintenance of fish baskets be passed. With this law upon the
statute books the board believed that in another year they would be
able to announce the entire removal of the destructive fish baskets.

With the question of drift nets also the commission had long de-
bate. Wliile it was admitted that by this means more fish were cap-
tured than should be, yet this interest w^as too large and too valuable
to be swept away by an enactment, especially since the ground is
often inaccessible to shore fishing and consequently the only means
of fishing would bo with a drift or gilling net. They, therefore,
recommended a proper "close time" and that a strict observance of
it be enforced. This they believed would be a great assistance in
repairing tlie losses caused by these nets. The legislature subse-
quently adopted the recommendation of the commissioners, and war-
dens may now seize and destroy fish baskets immediately on being
found. It was soon made manifest that the chief reliance in reviv-
ing tlie shad fisheries must be by artificial propagation. A few years
previous Mr. Seth Green, the distinguished fish culturist of Roches-
ter, New York, had invented and patented a convenient hatch-
inj? box. Marvelous results, it was claimed, had been obtained in
the rivers and other states by the use of this appliance. In the Con-
necticut river, where the fisheries were rapidly being abandoned on
account of the scarcity of fish, the third year after these boxes were
Hist used in the hatching, it is said, the catch exceeded that of any

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

369

No. 18.

vear in Its history. The young shad returned mature fish to the
Hvers when three to four years old. Fisheries which had heen m ex-
len e for nearly a century, and at which records of their annual
nuh were kept, Reported their yield of 1870 as being larger than ever
;Sore R.^(erring to this result, the Fish Commissioners of Connect,-
rnt in their report of 1873 said: .

••The nun.ber of shad running in the Connecticut nver has m-
creased to such an extent that the complaint of the A^^^-^" " "«
longer a scarcity of flsh; but that the market is so overstocked that
thPT do not obtain a remunerative price for them.'

The same desirable result was claimed by the use of these ha chhig
boxe n u Hudson river; but to so marked a degree, owmg to
Jtc-arcitv of ,.v,d spawning grounds upon which to take he shad,
careful? cm. 'idered'what had been accomplished by -^f- P™P-
^^ ion w.d believing that fully as much could be done for the shad
Snms^f Penn^vlvLia, the comn.issioners of Pennsylvania felt jus-
m dTn n.roducing them. They, therefore, entered i^toj™-^^^
•*! M,. f,.p,.n ind ^iuwdilv made arrangements with him ny
ence wi h -Mr. ^ •"' " ,'"; J^f^ ^^^^ ,..,„,,t ,„ „se his hatching boxes
which thev nurchased trom mm luc i i„iil fl..7 nnrt

;.,, VluL Ve'us in the State of Pennsylvania for the sum of $2,000

work was P'*'^<^'-"7'' "" ^,^„=„„tgd Nevertheless Mr. Bhame sue
""i jTTinX' u 1 1 Sinna at Newport in 1873, 2.700,^
ccH^ded in *"» "= 7"n,„ tJ ,i,is Mr. AVelcher, another assistant
000 young shad. ^» •^'l7"'Y?, ' p,.„, spencer Baird, the United
of Mr. Green, and employed ^.^ ^.o • ;^pen ^^ ^^^

,,,es ^J^;;--—-;:riir, hatched and turnedinto

.had, making a total haUOung or ti.e «• U - "^ 1 about a mil-
sion of a little over ^'^'O'l-^" . J;^ ./^ j.„i„t p,;„,ant. Bucks county,
,io„ fry of the same species ' ■;';'-^, V^^„„,,,,,„,,, „f ^ew Jersey,

rt.^j:i:r;h~^,^--^^^^

z =:;;r:f r x;: Sne^rf opiate ...ooo for t.

work :s Pennsylvania had done con^Hionally.^^^.^^^^^ ^^^^,^^^

Besides their work in shad '^"t^"'?^ ."'''' „,.g „„a in the fall of
. to struggle with the problem of P^-^f^^^" i^j.^^^^ jt "ieved would
1873, completed one in 2 «-^^^^ „. „.,,,.

iilliniately prove successtul, ana inuei

S70

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

was high, it looked as though it would be, and it was in fact a great
advance over anything that had preceded it. Its imperfections, how-
ever, are best put in the commissioners' own words ''We are flrmly
convinced," they said in their report for 1874, "that our fishway, as it
stood in 1874, was operative in a liigh stage of water; we are just as
firmly convinced that during a low stage our fishway was inoperative

and ineflScient."

To better this weakness alterations were made at an expense of
some $4,000. But even these failed to give satisfactory results.

CHAPTER X.

Work of Restoring the Shad Fisheries— Continued.

The condition of affairs in 1878 in the Susquehanna river was as
follows: There were no new breaks in the Columbia dam by which
shad could pass up the river. There were, however, first, the State
fishway, about fifty feet wide, with a current through it about seven
and three-quarter miles per hour; second, the old company fishway,
forty feet wide at its mouth and twenty at its head, with a current
about eight and one-half miles an hour, and third, the navigation
chute, forty feet wide, with a current of from five to seven miles an
hour through it, but much longer than either of the others. Besides
these there were two old breaks, one within three hundred feet of the
York county shore, and one within about one thousand feet of the
same shore ,^ the first was thirty-five feet wide, the other twenty feet
across, and both extended to the bottom of the river. Through these
openings numbers of shad passed, but not in satisfactory quantity,
though doubtless more would have done so had it not been for the
persistence with which the avaricious fishermen defied the law and
cast their nets continuously before the lower opening, frightening
the timid fish away. But as the commissioners at the time put it,
"the average fisherman thinks that his right to fish is one of the
original inalienable rights of the Declaration of Independence, the
greatest indeed of them all, and he respects no statute that impedes

his operations."

Thus, while the commissioners were doing their best to restore
the shad fisheries, a large percentage of the people who lived along
the streams were actively practicing that peculiar policy, the funda-
mental principal of which is that to secure the greatest number of
eggs in the shortest space of time, kill the hens. No wonder there
was a discouraging ring in the report of the commissioners of fisher-
ies in the early days of their work, and that their cry year after

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

371

No. IS.

year to the legislature, "abolish Ashing within half a mile of the Co-
\Z2Lm; increase the openings of the flsh-wajs; aboUsh the flsh-
baskets and punish the owneis," was pathetic. , ^u „

In 1879 the Kish Commission was enlarged by the addition of three
members, John Hummell, of Selinsgrove; Robert Dal.el, of 1. ts-
bur-h, and G. M. Miller, of Wilkes-Barre. The legislature at the
Zue time authorized the commission to extend the experimen of
flshwa "in the Columbia dam. Plans and proposals were therefore
SviTed by advertisements in the Harrisburg papers and several we e
submitted on June 28, the day named, and models were ordered to
beTu in trial on July 3. Four models on that day were set in a
S im erected for the purpose in Paxtang, or Paxton --k'.t Har-
risburg, the competitors being H. S. Dimm, of Newport; S. M. Gross,
of Shatokin dam; G. S. Burr, of Lewisbnrg, and Krause and Upde-
grove of Harrisburg. Besides these, G. W. Parsons and Peter
Iraley, of Columbia, each showed models in a second dam, and J.

Ttllse models was accepted, however, but a modification of a plan
subiilted by 0. E. Whitney, at one time a resident of Harrisburg,

'^ Thlfwt simply an opening in the dam one hundred and twenty-
five f^t wide at the face of the dam-the dam itself turmng two Ls
UP stream and converging to within forty feet of each other, and
beingparallel at that width for about forty feet. At the inlet, how-
evlr'the water was shoaled by a platform to the depth of five feet
whic^h platform extended down stream about forty ^-^ whe- U
level was about four feet above the smooth, rock bottom of the
river This plan was chosen because it came nearest to the form
of a break in the dam. and breaks appeared to have been the most
successful fishways known up to that time.

The work was not disturbed by the ice m the winter of 1870 and
1880, but when the season of shad fishing came round, drawbacks to
he access of the fish-ways showed themselves. The dam does no
lie exactly at right angles to the current of the S»sq»ehanna so that
in passing through the fish-way, the water sagged ^^Z^^'^^'
what to the left side. The shoaling platform extended some forty
feet down stream from the mouth of the fishway.

In front of it was deposited the debris from the old coffer dams, con-
sisting of cinder, and this was covered by a pavement of solid stones,
none weighing loss than one hundred pounds and many heavier.
The oblique course of the water disturbed this and produced consid-
erable reaction, which in low water presented an abstacle to the up-
ward passage of the fish. In addition to that, the low water per-
mitted the working of seines on the very floor of the fishway. a cir-

372

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

cumstance which the lawless fishermen were not slow to take ad-
vantage of, and they defied the State authorities placed there to
watch the fishways, and on one occasion destroyed (fie State boat and
ill-treated the crew. The Lancaster authorities were applied to for
a remedy and assistance against this lawlessness, but the State po-
lice were informed that they had their remedy already— that of any
citizen for assault and battery.

As may be imagined, against numerous bands of men united to-
gether, far outnumbering the State police, this was an ineffective
defense. Still, although plainly the commission and their police
were without sympathy from the Lancaster authorities, they deter-
mined pluckily to do what they could, and the latter were instructed
to do their best to fasten illegal acts upon individuals of these bands.
These instructions were faithfully carried out during the season, and
at the end the commissioner had the satisfaction of having secured
the imprisonment of some half dozen or more delinquents for their

illegal acts.

Notwithstanding all this, however, large numbers of shad succeed-
ed in passing up the river. At an island, some few miles above the
Columbia dam, a catch of one thousand five hundred was made, and
at other points between Columbia and Juniata the catch was quite
respectable, reaching at the main batteries to some five thousand.
Below the dam to Turkey Hill, a distance of little less than five miles,
in 1879, 32,000 were taken and in 1880, 47,000.

In the latter year the commissioners addressed a letter to the Mary-
land commissioners, suggesting that shad fishing should be made
free to all comers on the Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in each
week of the season, making the balance of the week a "close time" in
which fishing by all parties should be prohibited. The Maryland
commissioners, however, stated their inability to do this thing, first,
because the Maryland legislature would not meet until two years
later, and in the second place they considered the "close time" im-
practicable. They suggested, however, a shorter one, namely from
Friday night to Monday morning and the total cessation of fishing

on the 10th of June.

After the first two or three years the hatching of shad seems to
have been abandoned by the earlier members of the commission, for,
according to the reports of 1879-80, it was found that the 450,000
shad fry placed in the Susquehanna had been received from the
United States Fish Commissioner at Havre de Grace.

At the last session of the Maryland legislature which began in the
latter part of 1895, the commission made an effort to induce that body
to forbid the use of fish baskets in the Susquehanna river within the
jurisdiction of that state, pnd of pound nets in the Chesapeake Bpy.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

373

No. 18.

The committee on Chesapeake Bay and it« tributaiies held a meetlu|i
nnd invited the commission or its representative to be present. At
that meeting strong representations were n.ade of the evil du^acter
0 the fish baskets and pound nets, and the committee --P'^;:^f^'
unanimously in favor of granting the "reasonab e '•'^<1"«'«; "^ "«
Pennsylvania commission. One of the members subsequently draf^d
bills in accordance with the ideas expressed by the committee but
U is understood that both failed of enactment through the date of
adiournment arriving before they were reached.

i^ 1881 Mr. Howard J. Keeder retired from the fish commission,
and Arthur Maginnis, of Swift Water, was appointed and Hon. B. U
Hewit was placed at the head. Meyond a few attentions to the t.>l •
wa^s alreadv in the dams, nothing was done to this important mat
Ter The hands of the commissioners were tied for lack of funds, and
hey could do little more than make repairs. Strong elforts were
..1.0 made to bring illegal fishermen to justice, but as they had
almosTuniformly the sympathies of the grand juries, be ore whom
hdr cases came, but little was a-'complished. Through he Lnit.d
iates commission there were received and put^ into the Susque-
hanna and Juniata in 1881, .^SOO.OOO shad fry, but none in 1882

In 188:^, there was almost an entire change in the make up of th.
commission, only Arthur Maginnis, of Swift ^^^r. being retained.
.,ohn Gay, of Greensburg. was made president, and "f »;'™ '^.^^^fP'
pointed as associates H. H. Derr, Wilkes-Barre; A M Sp ngU
Philadelphia; Aug. Duncan. Chambersbnrg. ""«'''""•.'•';_ J.^' J.;
Corrv. To these gentlemen must be given the credit of ntrodtuing
the only flshway which has proved eminently successful. For two
years or more they carefully studied various models submitted. 1 ■.,
all which gave promise of eMciency were of such a costly .haracter
as to preclude any idea of their adoption. __

At length their attention was drawn to the Hogers •laddet. a
Nova Scotia invention, which .-.mibined simplicity, durability and
^fflciencv with comparative inexpensiveness. .\ personal •»'<Pe<-ti-'»
of a number of the«e "ladders." or ".ish-ways" in Xova S.otu, wa eis
where up to that period forty-three of them had been in practical
and successful use for a number of years, demonstrated to the com-
mission, without doubt, that they possessed all the m.-rit that was
claimed for them. They had been introduced there by and with th.^
consent and api-mval of the Pominion government and had been
fonnd effective. The gaspereaux and salmon of the Nova Scotia
rivers ascended the "ladders" freely, and It was the deeded opini..n
of the patentee that shad would ascend them as readily as the salmon
• or gaspereanx. So strong was Mr. Rogers' faith on that po.nt thai
he agreed to erect one of his ladders in the dam that spans th.. s»s

174

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

quehanna at Columbia at his own expense and waive all claims for
pay until it was satisfactorily demonstrated that the "ladder" would
successfully resist the destructive action of the ice freshets, and that
shad in reasonable numbers would ascend it.

As the engineer of the first fishway erected in the Columbia dam
was deeply impressed with the importance of having two ladders at
that point, and as the commissioners had every reason to believe it
would prove a success, a second one was ordered to be built at the
State's expense without any guarantee from the patentee.

The building required about four weeks, and while the work was
under way, and before it was completed, and during that period that
the men were at work, two black bass and a sun fish tried the experi-
ment of going up through, the first accomplishing two-thirds and the
last one-half the distance, just from what water collected in the
buckets after they were put in from the leakage from the top end of
the way. It was presumed, and no doubt truly, that many went
through the ladder while the men were away from the work at

night.

The Rogers' fishway successfully withstood the great ice freshets,
and the shad every season passed through them with great freedom.

While accomplishing this great work, the commission were not
idle in other directions in their efforts to restore the shad fishing in-
dustries to their pristine richness. Their fish wardens acting under
orders waged a vigorous warfare on the fishermen who used illegal
devices. In Huntingdon county the sheriff failed to give the warden
support in his desire to have the fish baskets removed, saying that
he was averse to putting the county to any expense on that score,
whereupon the warden acted upon his own responsibility and demol-
ished eighteen fish baskets in the Juniata river. Besides these
nearly two hundred of these illegal fish traps were destroyed in the
main waters of the Susquehanna.

With the expiration of their term of office, the gentlemen who had
accomplished this work, encouraging the first great advance in the
task of restoring the shad rivers, retired and an entirely new board
was appointed. The appointees were Henry C. Ford, Philadelphia,
president; H. C. Demuth, Lancaster, secretary; James L. Long,
Pittsburgh, corresponding secretary; W. L. Powell, Hnrri-burg.
treasurer; S. B. Still well, Scranton, and A. S. Dickson, Meadville,
associates.

The new board found a much more encouraging condition of af-
fairs than its predecessors had done in their assuming office. A sat-
isfactory fishway for dams had been found, and the work of getting
rid of fish baskets seemed to have made some progress. Feeling
sure that there was little use in undertaking the work of shad

„^ -a FISH COMMISSIONERS.

NO. 18.

propagation and river stocking until the illegal devices were entirely
removed from the waters, they started vigorous work in that direc-
tion Hearty co-operation in this was offered by the commissioners
of New Jersey and New York, and the good woik in the Delaware was
begun Hon. L. M. Ward, the New Jersey fish commissioner, for
the upper portions of that state, took an active personal share of the
work and the New York commission detailed their game protectors
to operate in conjunction with Mr. Jesse M. Miller, the efficient war-
den of the Delaware from Hancock to Port Jervis.

Every fish weir that was come upon was destroyed promptly, but
the work was not accomplished without difficulty and danger,
collisions between the wardens and the enraged fishermen were
common, and on one occasion Mr. Moses W. Van Gordon, the warden
from Port Jervis to the Water Gap, was fired upon in the prosecu-
tion of his duties. The would-be murderer was promptly arrested
and punished, and the fish weirs he had owned destroyed. There
had been numerous threats of killing the wardens about this time,
but the summarv and stern manner with which this case was dis-
posed of had a wholesome effect, and the wardens thereafter had
linle trouble. Mr. John L. Bruce, the warden who patrolled the
river between the Water Gap and Trenton was equally vigilant
and cleared the waters of all illegal devices. So thorough was this
patrol work done that by the close of 1888, it is said that for the first
time in a century, the Delaware river was entirely free from fish

baskets, weirs and traps.

Although an equally vigorous policy was adopted for the Sus-
quehanna river, the results, it is to be regretted, were not so en-
couraging. From the nature of the river, with its great breadth and
numerous islands, the work presented many difficulties, besides which
the numerous tributaries and their great length were drawbacks to

complete success.

Although the commissioners succeeded in getting rid of the fish
baskets in the Delaware, they found they had another and serious
trouble to surmount in their efforts to restore the fishing industries.
This trouble was in the laxity of the prevailing laws, the confusion or
conflicting enactments and hindrances in the way of prompt prosecu-
tion. Indeed, the code of fishing laws in some instances seemed
better designed for the escape of the offender than for the benefit of
the prosecutor.

To remedy this anomalous state of affairs the Commissioners of
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware held several meetings in
Philadelphia and formulated a code of laws that would be uniform
for the entire river. At a conference with the New York commis-
sion, a similar bill was submitted and endorsed by them. All these

376

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

inter-state bills were subsequently passed by the legislatures of the
respective states and another big point was gained in the work of
the restoration of the fisheries.

The design of these bills was principally to define a close season
throughout the river for shad; to designate a close season for stur-
geon before unprotected below Trenton Falls; to guard for a limited
time new species of food fish introduced into the Upper Delaware,
and to protect the shad spawning ground of the river above tide-
water.

There remained now nothing to prevent the river from being once
more prolific from one end to the other but a fishway in the Lacka-
waxon dam, and restocking with artificially hatched fry. The first
was accomplished in 1890 and the other was begun at Gloucester by
the United States Fish Commission in 1887, who sent the steamer
"Fish Hawk" there for that purpose at the solicitation of the Penn-
sylvania Fish Commission. In that year 35,000,000 shad fry were
hatched and deposited in the Delaware and its tributaries.

At the same time a similarly large amount of fry was planted in
the waters of the Susquehanna hatched at the station at Harve de

Grace.

While the Pennsylvania Commission was busily engaged in clear-
ing the Delaware of traps, baskets and other illegal devices, and
striving for uniform laws between the states bordering on the Del-
ware, they yet found time to construct six additional fishways of the
Rogers' pattern in the Columbia dam, to open the Juniata so that
sha^d could ascend its waters, and perform other creditable work,
the details of which will be developed later in this work.

In 1889 the fish commission of the State induced r resident of Glou-
cester, New Jersey, to set apart a piece of ground on the river side
and built thereon a structure for a shad hatchery. This was done,
imd on the request of the commission the United States commission
began operations there witli Mr. John Gay in charge. Under his
skillful management many million shad eggs were hatched and depos-
ited by the Pennsylvania commission in the headwaters of the Dela-
ware. For reasons, however, not given, this hatchery was aban-
doned by the government commission after the second year. The
success of the work was nevertheless so great that the Pennsylva-
nia Commissioners determined to establish a hatchery of their own,
and one is to be fitted up for operation next year.

The work of restoration in the Delaware was almost marvelous in
its success. The fishways in the Lackawaxon dam, put in jointly by
the Pennsylvania and the New York Commissioners, gave one hun-
dred miles more of the river to the shad, yielded that much more
area for spawning purposes and enabled the people of the far upper

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

877

No. 18.

valley to once more enjoy a food fish of which they had long been

'to what .xtent the fish passed to the upper waters of t^e J>e»a-
wire is shown by the following extract from the report of Ush Pro-
le or Snder to the New York commission in ISUl. He says: "Smee
Ue building of the Lackawaxon dam, forty-five or fifty >-^.s ago
„of a «ha.l was seen above the dam until the spring ot lh9U, after
the tish-ways were put in, which have proven a great success.

•The narrows dam (in Kew York) is about seventy miles above
Lackawaxon dam. 1 was informed by reliable witnesses that last
spiin.' there were vast numbers of shad below the apron of the dam
and that for many rods the water was a solid mass ot fish.

■'On the East branch ot the river, last spring, the shad ran up to
within about thirty miles of the headwaters.

"At Downsville (in New York) thirty-eight were caught at one haul
with a net made ot coarse grain sacks."

The great success in restoring the fisheries was °f J'^f;^'' J^^ '
liued to the upper Delaware. It was quite as marked beo" J'^;^
ton, where the largest and most valuable fisheries are A" t^^e jay
from Trenton to Cape Henlopeu the fislieries, most of whuh a.e ou
the Jersev shore, though owned principally by Pennsylvanians, be^
!. m?by 1889, profitable, and by 1890, from «81,000 '^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^
leaclied in the aggregate to the splendid figures of half a milUon

'"'Thriiicrease. when the work of restoration was fairly begun was
so marked that many of the fishermen became fY'"'^"°. i!"
old coM.plainls were changed to expressions of fear, lest there
would be such an over production ot shad that they would not be
profitable. Hut the facilities ot modern transportation were so grea
tliat a market was readily found for the surplus in distant cit.es, and
to-dav in the fish markets of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago and
other western cities the signs "Delaware Kiver Shad," are witnesses
to (he returned fecundity ot the river and the value ot refrigerator

""lu 18!!.-, uuuiv fisherman along the Delaware placed a construc-
tion favorable to themselves .m an unfortunate law passed by New
York slate for its inland waters, and built a number of fish baskets
in thai liv.r between Port .Jervis and Miltord. Tlie Pennsylvama
commission protested, and sought legal opinion from the Pennsylva-
nia and New York Attorney Generals. These both declared the in-
troduction of the fish baskets illegal on the ground that the Delaware
river is not a boundarv stream. The wardens of both states were at
once notified and the contrivances taken out, not without threats of
violence, however, on the part of their owners, and one or two slight
attempts to carry them out.

REPORT OF THB

Off. Doo

CHAPTER XL

Marietta Hatchery.

With the formation of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission in 1873,
there arose the necessity for a fish hatching house. To have such
an edifice the new commissioners looked about them at once for a
proper site. In the selection of such a place they were governed by
two considerations, first, that of an abundance of suitable water,
and second, that of accessibility to railroads connecting the different
sections. After visiting and making inquiries in regard to the nu-
merous springs in various parts of the State, and after thoroughly
canvassing the advantages of each place, they decided to locate the
hatching house about two miles from Marietta, Lancaster county, on
Hoover's spring, one of the group of the famous Donegal springs.
The piece of ground selected belonged to Mr. Michael Hoover; the
spring from which the Commissioners expected to get tiieir supply
of water bubbled up almost beneath Mr. Hoover's house. The water
seemed exceedingly well adapted to the purposes of fish culture, as it
rarely varied morJ than two degrees in temi)erature throughout the
entire year. Coming as it did from limestone, the waters welled forth
from the earth clear and sparkling, and of a splendid quality for
healthv fish life. The spring, too, had an enormous capacity, yield-
ing a flow of water equal to 3,000,000 gallons a day.

In the autumn of 1873, therefore, the Commissioners purchased
of Mr. Hoover one acre of ground in the immediate vicinity of the
spring and on the banks of Donegal creek, then a well-known trout
stream, a tributary to Chiques. With the ground they also pur-
chased the right to use from the spring so much water as they might
desire for the use of the hatching house. The price paid for the
property, and perpetual right to use the water of the Hoover spring
for the hatching house, was |2,000. Beyond a few willow trees this

tract of land was bare.

The spot selected for the hatching house was some 750 feet troin
the spring, and the contract for its building was let to B. F. Heis-
tand, the lowest bidder, his price including plumbing and fixtures,
being about 13,700. When the time came for its erection it was
found that the ground on which it was to stand, was some two feet
above the level of the spring, and to remedy this, while construction
was going on, the Commissioners enclosed the spring with a tight,
.impact wall, so as to increase the height of the water in the fonn-
t&in.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

379

No. 18.

Tlie new building was one hundred feet long, and thirty-two feet
wide and in it were seventeen hatching troughs, each eighteen feet
rout' and fourteen inches wide. Owing to the highness of he
ground, it was necessary to place the troughs almost upon the
Sound so that the work of attending to them was anything but plea-
s nr The water which supplied them was brought from the sprmg
0 the house bv means of a six-inch iron pipe. Thence ,t flowed
thrlu'h a trough running the entire length of the bu.ldmg; was
cteansVd by a number of flannel screens, placed at intervals through
tie boxes, and fed into the hatching troughs by iron sp.ggots an mch

'"whuflooking about for a site for the hatchery, the Commission-
ers w re also on the look out for a suitable man to superintend the
0 , era ion of hatching the ova of such fish as might come into their
1. nds an the recommendation of Mr. Howard J. Keeder, Mr. John
P Cr;venu.* was appointed to that position, and he has since re-
m'l^ncr nd bv his sidll in his chosen calling, his strict attention to
duties and hi^ devotion to the interests of fish culture he has won
?or h u^elf the respect not only of the Fish Commissioners of the
State! but of all those who have been brought into contact with

^' John P Creveling was born near Bethlehem, New Jersey and his
fUhe °s farm was separated from that of the genial and widely
U own an" er and fish culturist, "Thad" Norris, only by the Muscan-
tcon"al c:;eek. The buildings of Mr. Norris and Mr. Creveling were
slZe together that their owners could readily converse with one
noi: without stepping out doors Mr. Norris took a great -^^^^
i^ +hp hnv Crevelin- and initiated him into many of the masteries

li g tU. It and when he entered the work of fish culture at
Toutd^le. New Jersey, took the lad into his e-P^;^ f ^^f^ '
Crevelin" laid the ground work of his knowledge of fish culture.
One year after Mr. Norris sold out his fish hatching establishment to
S H. Slack, one of the Fish Commissioners o^ ^^^J^^^^'^^
this sale Mr. Norris said at the time, was made on condition that Mr^
Creveling remained with the new purchaser. This he did for four
years. It the end of that period he entered the employment of the
Pennsvlvania Commission.

As soon as the hatching house on Donegal creek, near Slar etta
was completed the work of hatching eggs was begun. The first spe-
cies put in the troughs were one hundred and fifty thousand eggs of
the California salmon. These had been received from the United
States commission, but owing to several warm days, tothe heat of
which thev were exposed during their journey, they arrived in such
a poor condition that it was only possible to save and hatch from

S80

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

them one thousand fish. These were set at liberty in one of the
tributaries of the Susquehanna.

About the same time the Commissioners purchased from Mr. Seth
Green, the superintendent of the hatching house of the state of New
Yorli, one hundred thousand eggs of the salmon trout. These eggs
were conveyed with little or no loss, from near Rochester under the
personal supervision of Mr. Creveling, and a large percentage were
successfully incubated and the fry placed in the waters of the west-
ern part of the State in the following spring.

The Commissioners at that time did not think it advisable to go
heavily into brook trout culture. They argued that as there were
far more fruitful fish it were better to devote their best energies to-
wards increasing the river supply with such flsh as the black bass,
and shad, leaving the work of trout culture as an extensive opera-
tion, together with the re-stocking of trout streams, to future Com-
missioners.

In order, however, that future commissioners might have a basis
on which to work, trout ponds were built on the grounds of the
hatcherv, and Mr. Dutty, one of the Commissioners, who had some
ponds of his own at Marietta, gave the State Commission the priv-
ilege of stripping his trout of their eggs.

This was done, and something less than one hundred thousand
trout fry were thus obtained. This, when compared with the produc-
tion of trout from the two trout hatcheries in the State in 1804, 3,500,-
000, seems ridiculously small. But few as the numbers seem at this
time, after the Commissioners had used as many as they needed to
stock their own ponds, they had great dimculty in disposing of the
remainder. The work of the commission was not yet known, and,
therefore, no applications were sent in, not even of the unintention-
ally humorous kind such as are now often received, like the follow-
ing, for instance, some time since by Mr. Ford, from a colored mau
in^the heart of Philadelphia: "Dear Sir: Pleas send me some of them
trout fry I hear of as I am fond of fried trout." Most of the young
fish hatched were deposited the first year in various waters by the
Commissioners themselves. Nor was this an easy task for the cans
in which th;.^y were then carried held fifteen "rallons of water-
double what those now in use do— and to the tired men who had to
carry them they seemed as one of them said recently, to "weigh a

ton."

The work was hard, much harder than at the present time, es-
pecially since, sometime after the erection of the hatchery, it was
found that the enclosure built around the spring wliich supplied tlie
water failed to work properly. During the seasons that were wet. the
water would rise to the desired height, but as soon as a dry spell

FISH COMMISSIONERS

...^ 381

No. 18.

came on the water would sink to the level it held before the enolo^

sure was built. Kor some time this was mexplicable, but at

lensth it was discovered that there were cracks in the hmestono

o°k above the normal level, through which the spring water found

u outlet as fast as it flowed, except in long-continued wet weather.

m consequence of this lack of water, the trout eggs were placed ,u

floating boxes in the ponds and kept there until thev had been

brought to a certain stage of incubation and then were « upped '.

, V rrv where a second hat.he.y had been established and there f.^ I,

hatched. The frv were then shipped back to Marietta for dtstr.bu

'with Mr. Cieveliag at Marietta as assistant was William Buller.
uow superintendent at Corr.v, and for two or three years their livs
during the winter were sometimes tin.es of hardship. On one o.^^
..asion in the middle of a winter's night, when the thern.on.eter had
sunk far below ^ero, they both had to hurry fron. then- beds o res-
cue the trout eggs from the floating bo.ws, the water ,n which thev

were freezing solid. ^ • n, i,.,t,.i,

Mr. Diiffv, who lived at Marietta, took a deep interest in the hatch
erv. He was a genial, whole-souled man. who hated and despised
but two clas.es of men. dishonest men and fishermen who plied
their trade illegally. -Vs long a,s the hatchery was at Marietta th^
fish in his ..wn ponds were freely loaned to the State for spawning
purposes, and from them come most of the splendid sto.k whic-^i are
now in the ponds of the other hatcheries of the Commonwealth.

CHAPTER XII.

Western Hatchery.

The work at the Marietta hatchery grew to such proportions with
such rapiditv that the need of another station was speedily made
apparent. The Commissioners, in 1875, therefore, began again th-*
work of ''house hunting." Among the places which attraeted their
attention was one at Corry, on the line of the Philadelphia and B.rie
branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, forty miles from th^ cit^ ot
Erie, on the lake of that name.

The place was owned bv Mr. Seth Weeks, and on it he had been
conducting a small hatchery for brook trout. It was particularly
well situated ; its area was a little more than nine acres embraced
in a compact oblong form. Smith street, a thoroughfare extending
to it from Corrv, divided the property in two parts, one of whicli
the lower, is heavily wooded, chiefly with white pine, one of the most
graceful of American evergreens.

KEFOKT OF THJi:

Olt. Doc.

About two miles from the centre of Corry nearly the whole area of
the lot is gemmed with springs of delicious water, but as the prop-
erty has a gently inclined surface, except on one portion, there was
no extra dampness or moisture. The streams which run from the
springs flow over heavy blue clay; thus the water, though clear as
crystal, appears dark by reflection, a color rarely seen in sprmg
water. So intense, indeed, is this reflection, that, except on very
sunny davs. the bottoms of the trout ponds cannot be seen.

But murckv though the waters appear, they are for the entire year
of a singularly even temperature, varying scarcely a degree in win-
ter or summer, and fishes of all kinds seem to grow rapidly and
thrive, for at the present time there are brook trout in the ponds
wliich, for size, are more like shad than anything else.

Besides the springs and woods a pond or two graced the grounds,
and there were also a very comfortable dwelling house and a large
barn. This barn was an ancient ediflc^e, and had been a one time
a primative saw mill, one of the very first in that section of the coun-
try. The timbers in it are of enormous strength and look as thongh
thev would last for a thousand years.

For the purchase of the property the Legislature appropriated
«2 000, and for its immediate improvement $3,000. With a portion
of" this latter money a first class hatching house was erected It
was sixty feet long by thirty feet wide, and contained troughs of the
n.ost approved pattern, and much better adapted to the purpose tor
which th.-y were intended on account of the n.agn.flcent supp y of
water of the most uniform flow. Owing to the conformation of the
ground also, the troughs could be built high enough from the ground
that the men employed in the building could work without undue

•

'' Tlie°nlw acquisition was named the Western Hatchery on account
of its being on the Pacific ocean side of the Alh-gheny mountains,
and Mr. Weeks, the former owner was made superintendent.

During the first vear there were hatched and distributed from th,
new hatcherv one hundred and fifty-four thousand brook trout and
Seen thousand five hundred saln.on front. Besides tbese there
was planted in the p.,nds on the grounds three thousand adult brook
trout and two hundred and fifty salmon trout. . . „,,

Soon after Colonel Gay became one of the Fish Commissioners.
Mr. Weeks resigned his position of superintendent^ ^ ,'rZ hnd
no diflicuUv in filling his place. For some time Colonel Gay had
heon obser;ing the work of Mr. William Buller, Mr. ^'--Imgs a.
sistant. and it was characterized by so much '"♦''"•j^^"'"^ """l^, " '
fulness that he was at once offered the vacant Pof '''°- .^J J' ^" 7„
however, was nn exceedingly modest man and had but little faith m

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

iS3

No. 18.

his own ability. He would, therefore, have refused, but was finally

iirevailed upon to accept.

Mr Buller, is a native of Maytown, Lancaster county. When the
ha'tchery near Marietta was erected, Mr. Buller assisted in its con-
tructlon, and on its completion entered the employ of Mr. Crevelmg,
he supe intendent. Here he gave such satisfaction that when the
Marietta hatchery was abandoned, and the Eastern or Al entown
hatchery was established, Mr. Creveling took him with h.m and
kept him until Mr. NVeek's resignation as ^-P^^tendent of the
Corry hatchery created a vacancy which he was admirably fitted to
mL which gave to the State two officials of which the commis-
sioners of fisheries of other states exhibit good natured envy, as
bein" among the very best in the country.

VUliough a delightful situation with a good house and barn there-
on', magnificent springs and handsome trees, when the Commis-
sioners first purchased the tract it bore the appearance almost of a
pnmeval forest. Fallen trunks of trees were all over the place,
sound and rotten stumps abounded, not only on the grounds but m
the ponds, where submerged logs were also. The growing trees
overcrowded the place, and tangled vines clambered about at wilL
To the right of entrance the tangle was so great and the mud and
marsh so plentiful that one could scarcely penetrate it.

The appropriation for improvement had not gone very tar beyond
the erection of a hat.hing house, and like necessary matters so that
when Mr. Buller arrived at Corry to take charge it seemed like an
endless task to make an orderly place of it.

Colonel Gav accompi.nied Mr. Buller to the hatchery and the two
undismayed by the .\ugean stable-like appearance of the Pl'J'^e, went
,.ach manlullv to work. They labored early and late. The fal en
timber and underbrush and tangled vines were cleared away, the
overplus of trees cut down to give the rest room to spread the marsh
was drained, logs and slumps taken from the ponds, and the place
generally put in shipshape coudiliou, and a new ottice and sleeping
room was built. Kight additional pouds were constructed, a liand^
some carriage drive built, a number of winding graveled walks laid
out, a good porlion of the property sodded, some fountains erected,
two or three rustic bridges thrown across the streams and ravine,
and the whole place given a park-like appearance, all at a trifling
cost, for b.ing deeply interested in his work, everything was done
either by Mr. Buller himself or under his direct supervision, and the
Sitate, as a result, received all the benefit.

So attractive was the place made that it speedily became a resort
for the people of Corry. Its handsome grove of white pines and
rows of shapely m.iple trees set along the carriage drive made it
•J.".

384

HKPOiiT OF THK

Oft. Doc.

a place for strangers from even distant points to come to. The pub-
lic were made welcome under certain rules and regulations. Picnic
parties, for instance, were, of necessity forbidden, as also was the
feeding of fish or the disturbing of them in any way.

As the years went on and the work of the Pennsylvania fish com-
mission became better known to the people of the Commonwealth
there came constantly increasing demands for fry for restocking
purposes. Of course, the heaviest was for the great commercial
food fishes like the shad, pike-perch and white fish, but a vast num-
ber of trout fry were demanded by farmers and others, with which
to stock streams which had become depleted by illegal fishing and
water pollution. To meet this demand, the Fish Commissioners, in
181)0 enlarged the Western hatching house and purchased several
additional acres of land adjoining that which they had, and on this
new ponds were excavated. Even though this was done, and the
capacity for hatching trout fry was doubled, the demands of the
public are growing faster than the capacity of the plant, and more
property will be needed at Corry before long to meet that demand.

The hatchwav was lengthened to one hundred and ten feet and
raised four. It^outains eighty-eight hatching troughs, forty-four on
each side the building. They are arranged in pairs, with narrow
pathways between them, to enable the superintendent and his as
sistants to watch the process of incubation more closely.

These troughs differ from those in use in the other hatchery owned
by the State, in that they are each twelve feet long, eighteen inches
J\de and seven inches deep. Besides their capacity, these troughs
differ in being higher and much easier to work. Each one has a
capacity for 20,000 freshly hatched fish, although at the end of two
months this number must be lowered to 15,000.

Besides the addition made to the hatchway and to the grounds
through appropriation of the State, Mr. Buller in 1892 erected at
odd tiliies in one corner of the place a meat house and a water wheel,
so that the labor of cutting meat by hand to feed the fish has been
done away with, and is now done better and more expeditiously by

machinery. j' „ «.,„

The Corry hatchery now has thirty-one ponds for breeding pur-
poses One of these are for large lake trout, and there are here fish
which weigh eighteen and twenty pounds, while the average of the
fish will tip the scales at ten pounds.

Two other ponds are for large hybrid trout, some of which weigh
as mncli as five pounds, while there are few under two.
Two ponds are for large brook trout, not one of which will weigh

loss than a pound. .

Two more are for the brown trout of Europe, which was first in-
troduced into the United States from Germany, in February. 1883.

„ ,a PISH COMMISSIONERS

and of which much is expected. The fish in these ponds are Dut
three years old and they run almost uniformly about three-quarters
of a pound, although there are a few of more than two pounds.

One pond is set aside for California trout, of which much was ex
pected some years ago, and the fish in them average two pounds

pach

The other ponds, except three, are for two and three year old fisli
and yearlings, the thi-ee exceptions are generally used for yellow
perch, or as they are better known about Philadelphia, ''yellow

oeds."

While the work of this hatchery is supposed to be for trout of
various kinds only, other fish are sometimes hatched. r>uring
autumn of 1898, for instance, several million white fish eggs weiv
cleaned up and later transferred to the hatchery at Erie, and in 1894
Mr. Buller relieved the overcrowded hatchery at Erie, by hatrhmg
many million pike-perch eggs at the Corry station.

Mr Buller has been verv successful in taking and handling pike
perch eggs and during the past four years has tak^^n and hatched
more than two hundred millicm eggs of that species nt Erie, of which
he is also superintendent.

CHAPTER XIII.

Eastern Hatchery.

For nine years the hatchery near Marietta was maintained by the
Pennsylvania Fish Commission. But for some time previous the
members had been dissatisfied, not with the quality of the water, but
with the quantity. During long continued rainy spells there would
be an ample supply; but as soon as the weather became anyway drv.
scarcely enough could be had to carry on the work of the hatchery.
This was due to its position and the impossibility of raising th«-
water in the Hoover spring to a suflicient height.

An advertisement was finally published in the newspapers, askinu
proposals for a suitable site. Seeing this advertisement Mr. William
Lewis, of Allentown, wrote to Commissioner Hewit that he thought
Mr. Troxell's property and springs in the Little Lehigh river, about
four miles from Allentown, would just suit for the purposes desired.
On receipt of this letter Mr. Hewit and Mr. Creveling paid a visit
to the site proposed. They found it an ideal spot for their require-
ments on the banks of a wide and boiling stream of water, so eold
from multitudinous springs that empty into it and bubble up from it^
bed as to offer a refreshing drink in the hottest day in summer. The
25-18--96

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

386

land sweeps away in a rise so geMtXe as to be almost imperceptible
f„r several hundred yards to the base of a steep hill which rises for
nearly two hundred feet and forms a complete break asainst fierce

winds. . . „.!,:, u

On this little pat.h of land they found an immense spring which
bubbles up from the earth with such force that gravel and pebbles
are thrown to some heisht, and discharges vast quantities of pur,,
sparkling waters daily, far more than enough to supply the needs of

the commission. , , „(.„v

Mr Reuben Troxell, at the time, conducted a small private hatch
iu<v house of his own on the premises. The building was a little old
dilapidated concern, that contained four troughs set upon the ground
and one or two little pools with adult trout thereiu.

Mr Hewit and Mr. Creveling were so delighted wi(h the place that,
with the approval of the Board of Commissioners, negotiations for
securin" the propertv were entered into, and finally Mr. Troxell
agreed to the following terms: That the State should have the prop^
ertv including what trout were in the pond, at an annual rental of
fooVfor five vears. and ?300 thereafter, with the option of purchase
at'the end of five years for 112.000. and at the end of ten years for

This lease was signed January 1. 1883. and the Marietta hatche y
propertv was sold to Hon. Simon Cameron for the price originally
paid for it. Immediate preparations were made to transfer the stock
to the newlv acquired possessions. This was a herculanean task, for
a lar^e quantitv of fish had been accumulated in the ponds, besides
Ihe fixtures on" the place. But it was safely accomplished. Not a
single fish was lost in the journey. For this happy result the Com-
missioners and Mr. Creveling. who superintended the work, were
lar.relv indebted to the Reading railroad. Mr. Wilson, the superm
tendent of the Reading and Columbia branch of that company, was
untiring and ceaseless in his efforts to offer facilities and rapid trans-
portation. He could not have taken greater interest than if the fish
were his own. H.- had all the fish transferred from one train to an
other at Readinsr. and frequently when he knew a batch was coming
over the Pennsvlvania railroad, ho would hold his trains for fifteen
or twenty minutes in order that the cans of fish should not be dela.ved

in any way. j * »i

AVhile not in as deplorable condition as Corry, the grounds at M
lentown. to which was given the name Eastern station, were >-et m
poor shape, and the buildings rapidly running down, and Mr. Crev^
elin" and Mr. Buller found no small task before them. They worked
manfullv. however, began excavating for the new h.atchery and
straightening of things up and to such good effect did they work

. .. PISH COMMISSIONERS.

No. in.

that by September 1 the hatchery was completed, the hatching .
troughs in and the place looked ship-shape.

Hatching work was then begun and since that time the number of
fish that have been there incnbated and distributed is almost incredi-
ble and only once did disaster overtake the efforts of Mr. Creveling.

This was in 1888. . . ,. v

m that year the young brook trout were stricken with disease by
which over 400,000 fry were destroyed. This epidemic resulted from
the overcrowded condition of the fish, in consequence of insuBicient
oond accommodations.

For various reasons after the hatchery at AUentown was estab-
lished it was determined to devote the most of the time to the propa-
gation of brook trout, though large numbers of California trout, .\t-
Uintic salmon, German carp and other fish have been hatched at this

^' The"buildingerected for this purpose contained thirty-four troughs,
sixteen feet in length and eighteen inches in width, affording capa-
city for about half a million fry, with sufficient space to hold the fish
and care for them until they were about four months old.

After having been settled a year or two several trout ponds were
added to those already had, bringing the total number up to twelve,
with 3C 000 breeding trout of the brook and rainbow species therein.
Five carp ponds were also constructed, but little success, compara-
lively speaking, was had from this species of fish on account of the
superlative coldness of the water.

Earlv in 1895 the Commission determined to abandon the cultiva-
tion of the German carp and attempt the raising of black bass by
means of natural propagation. Tavo of these carp ponds were as-
signed to mature bass, and the others to trout culture

The trout ponds were surrounded by graveled walks and neatly
sodded borders, and on more than one occasion Commissioner Derr
■ forwarded choice flowers to be planted for summer adornment.
Handsome willow trees scattered judiciously about the grounds
added charm to the already picturesque place, so that it speedily be-
came a popular resort, not only for the people of AUentown. but for
the neighboring and thriving city of Bethlehem, on the Lehigh ^ al-

"The disaster which occurred to the trout fry in 1888. gave the Fish
Commissioners a strong argument to present before the State egis-
lature for an additional building at AUentown. and the reques was
granted. Its size is twenty by one hundred feet, making with the
old building, a hatching house two hundred feet long.

Unlike the station at Corry, the hatching houses at AUentown
have all their troughs on one side of the building, occupying the
whole interior save what is necessary for pathways. These troughs

388

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

are set lower than strict convenience for working would call for, but
not so much so as to over-embarrassing or weariness to the super-
intendent and his assistants. They are neatly colored black, and
with white graveled bottoms present a pretty appearance besides
bping effective as hatching apparatus.

In addition to the hatching house, Mr. Creveling has had erected
a meat cutting house, and utilized the waste water from the ponds
and springs to turn a wheel which operates the chopping machinery.

It is unfortunate that the State does not own this property. In a
picturesque situation, not far from a railroad which affords facilities
for reaching every part of the State, it possesses all the qualifica-
tions for the work of the fish commission, as has been amply demon
strated during the years it has used it. Considering the location, the
price asked for the place is reasonable, in fact, it may safely be
stated that a property as well fitted for the incubation of trout could
not be secured in the eastern section of the State for the same money.
Although the date of the option is passed it is believed the property
can be secured at or near the figures named.

As long as the State does not own the grounds it would be foolish
to make extensive improvements and develop it to its fullest extent,
and make it what it deserves to be, one of the very finest fish hatch-
\r\sc Stations in the Union.

CHAPTER XIV.

History of the State Fisheries on Lake Erie.

Although Pennsylvania has but about forty-five miles of frontage
on Lake Erie, its interests in the fisheries of these waters are consid-
erable, the city of Erie, a flourishing town on this great water way,
doing the bulk of the trade. The following history of the State
fisheries on Lake Erie is contributed by Col. John Fleeharty, of Erie.

Ever since the appearance of the white man on the shore of Lake
Erie it has been noted for the quantity, variety and fine quality of
its fish. Long before the advent of the whites the Indian was
aware and appreciated this fact, and fish in connection with game
was his whole food supply. In addition to the fish of the lake, all
of the small streams emptying into it abounded with brook trout
nnd other species of small fish. And it is within the memory of
many persons living when brook trout abounded within the present
limits of the city of Erie. The writer when a boy has taken them
within half a mile of the Union depot in a small stream coming down
from the ridge, some place about Liberty street, and emptying into

I— «

388

REPORT OP THE

Off. IKjc.

are set lower than strict convenience for working would call for, but
not so much so as to over-embarrassing or weariness to the super-
intendent and his assistants. They are neatly colored black, and
with white graveled bottoms prest^nt a pretty appearance besides
being effective as hatching apparatus.

In addition to the hatching house, Mr. Creveling has had erected
a meat cutting house, and utilized the waste water from the ponds
and springs to turn a wheel which operates the chopping machinery.

It is unfortunate that the State does not own this property. In a
picturesque situation, not far from a railroad which affords facilities
for reaching every part of the State, it possesses all the qualifica-
tions for the work of the fish commission, as has been amply demon
sirated during the years it has used it. Considering the location, the
price asked for thV place is reasonable, in fact, it may safely be
Slated that a property as well fitted for the incubation of trout could
not be secured in the eastern flection of the State for the same money.
Although the date of the option is passed it is believed the property
can be secured at or near the figures named.

CHAPTER XIV.

History of the State Fisheries on Lake Erie.

Although Pennsylvania has but about forty-five mUes of frontage
on Lake Erie, its interests in the fisheries of these waters are consid-
erable, the city of Erie, a llouiishing town on this great water way,
doing the bulk of the trade. The following history of the State
fisheries on Lake Erie is contributed by Col. John Fleeharty, of Erie.

Ever since the appc^arance of the white man on the shore of Lake
Erie it has been noted for the quantity, variety and fine quality oi
its fish. Long before the advent of the whites the Indian was
aware and appreciated this fact, and fish in connection with game
was his whole food supply. In addition to the fish of the lake, all
of the small streams emptying into it abounded with brook trout
and other species of small fish. And it is within the memory of
many persons living when brook trout abounded within the present
limits of the city of Erie. The writer when a boy has taken them
within half a miie of the Union depot in ji small stream coming down
from the ridge, some place about Liberty street, and emptying into

B '

' V'

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

389

Mill creek in the neighborhood of Sixteenth and State streets. Big
Cascade creeli also abounded with them, and the taking of them
was a source of great pleasure to many a disciple of Walton still
living. And it is a source of unlimited regret to those ardeut
sportsmen that those days have gone forever. Upper Mill cieek,
Walnut creek and Trout run were noted for their fine fishing. In
fact, without particularizing, all of the streams in Erie count.y were
prolific in fish, and all of them contained many brook trout.

W^hen the pioneers located at I'lesque Isle, in 1795, they had to
resort to fishing in their log canoes from the lake and bay tor the
purpose of adding to their food supply, and the soldiers in the forts
east of Mill creek laid in a large supply each season for their own
use. Log canoes for fishing purposes were as much a necessity
to the early settlers along the lake as log cabins to shelter their
families, and each went fishing as his wants required.

In 1796, some twenty or thirty Indian families belonging lo tlie
Seneca tribe, resided at the head of the bay now known as "the
Head," or Massassauga Point. 'After the advent of the white man
thev fished and sold their catch to the whites, and were the lirsi
fishermen on the lake in northwest Pennsylvania. The beach was
then much larger than it is to-day, and a heavy forest covered the
low lands nearest the shore. But they gradually disappeared, rins
was tlu- last Indian village in Krie county.

\fter iheir departure the site was occupied by a half breed negro
named McKinney, who lived by fishing. He subsequently removed
to the upper Laird farm, where he met his death by a fish bone lodg-
ing in his throat while eating. One of his daughters married iJen
Fleming, who was the last survivor of Perrs fieet residing in Penn
sylvania. Following him came Moses Muzzy, and then Ben Flem
ing, both of whom made their living by fishing in the bay lr<»m log

canoes. . .

At that time the bay of Presiiue Isle abounded in all varieties ot
lake fish, particularly the black bass, and all fish were taken with
the hook and line prior to ISm. Then followed David Fowzier, who
was the first seine fisherman. About this time, 18:^0 or '31. Thomas
Horton \\m. Buchingham and Abram Huntsburger, went into draw
ing the'seine. Hen Fleming adhered to the old method of lumk and
line fishing, at which he was remarkably successful, he always
claiming that David Fowzier had taught him the secivt when he
(Fowzier) embarked in seine fishing. At all events he was, and is
still known, as one of the most expert and su<-cessful fishermen thai
ever fished in this vicinity. What success he would hav(^ now in
his old fishing ground, where fish, particnlarly black bass, oner ...
abundant, now so scarce, can only be conjectured, but it is inosi
likelv that he like Othello, would fiml his occnpati<ui gone.

390

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

The ponds in the peninsula, and Pike pond on the south side of th(?
bay near the harbor entrance, were the spawning grounds tor a
large variety of fish. Pike pond was rated for the number and size
of the grass pike. They lay upon the bottom, in about two and a
half or three feet of water and were taken by shooting or spearinj::.
Some of these were extraordinarily large fellows.

But the black bass and lake pike have always been the game tish
of the lakes, and trolling in a school of black bass is the finest sport
for a tour fisherman that can be conceived.

Hon. James Hoskinson, of Erie, contributes the following: ''In
early days the abundance of fish in the bay and lake was beyond
comprehension. About 1826 or 1827, when a boy about fifteen, I
went fishing with David Fowzier in his log canoe. We crossed to
Big Bend on the peninsula, and had just got ready to begin fishing
when it came on to blow heavy down the lake, we were forced to
land and was storm-stayed on the peninsula for three days. We got
out of provision, and the last day 1 was the hungriest, most un-
happy lad ever known. I wanted fo get home, and 1 wanted some-
thing to eat, but I could not keep still and 1 wandered oti" into the
woods to hide my feeling from Fowzier. I had gone 1 suppose two
or three miles from the bend when 1 came across old Mr. Slocum,
who was on the peninsula trapping. It was then the middle of the
afternoon. He asked me where 1 came from and 1 told him and
who my parents were. He knew them well. He asked me if I had
eaten my dinner, I told him no, I had eaten nothing that day. He
immediately produced from his bundle a large piece of corn bread
and a big piece of raw salt pork. I had never eaten raw meat before,
but I think it was the sweetest morsel 1 ever tasted.

"Thomas Horton was the first man to send fish to the surrounding
towns and villages. 1 have seen plenty of four and five pound black
bass sold for three cents each. Moses Muzzy had formerly been an
olticer in the American army in the Kevolutionary war. In addition
to fishing he at certain seasons of the year lived on the peninsula,
trapping for muskrats, foxes and other game. This was as early as
1816 or 1818. He was an eastern man coming from the vicinity of
Boston. Owing to some family trouble, he had not informed them
of his locality since the war. One of his sons embarked in business
in Boston, becoming wealthy, and in some manner learned where
his father was, and his mode of life, came on here and persuaded
him to return home with him. He had always preserved his uniform
and every 4th of July put it on and visited Mr. Hoskinson's fnther,
who had been an officer in the army with him.

"About 1824-25-26 small vessels used to go from Erie to Mackinac
every fall to Hsh for white fish and trout; cured them there, packed

No. IS.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

391

tbem in barrels, and when full loaded brought them to Erie. On
one occasion the^^ came back so late that they had difficulty getting
into the harbor owing to ice. A good market for them was always
found; many of them were shipped to Pittsburgh. There were eight
or ten vessels engaged in this trade every fall for several years.
Hon. Seth Reed, P. S. V. Hamot and Capt. John Dixon, had vessels
so engaged.

"Capt. John Dixon built the first dock and warehouse in Erie and
from there all of the limited fish business was transacted. Grass
pike were plenty in pike ponds, lying in about two and one-half feet
of water. We speared and shot them. Fine turtles abounded there

also.

"I remember on another occasion going fishing with David Fow-
zier, when about twelve or fifteen years of age. We paddled in a
canoe from the old navy yard about the foot of Sassafras street, up
along the south shore of the bay to the "Head," which was then all
forest. We had no luck and caught only two bass. Then we pad-
dled across to Big Bend and thence down the north shore of the bay to
the White banks nearly opposite to where the pumping station of
water works are now located. We got there about 5 o'clock in the
evening, and found eight or ten canoes fishing, all having excellent
luck. Fished for about two hours and loaded the canoe with
fine bass. So many that when we started back (about dark) we
could not carry them home. We took what we could, and left the
remainder in the canoe and went back for them in the morning. In
those times many of the farmers in the vicinity of Erie owned
canoes which they brought in on wagons when they wanted
to fish. I have seen forty or fifty canoes fishing on the
bav at the same time." Mr. Albert Bosburgh. who has been
more or less conversant with fishing and fishing interests since
1830, says he remembers Ben Fleming, Horton, Fowzier, Hunts-
burger and William Buchingham, all of whom fished with seines
except Ben Fleming. He fished mostly in Big Bend from a log
canoe about eighteen or twenty feet long which he propelled with a
paddle. His fishing was generally done by trolling. He used crabs
for bait and kept them in an old coffee pot. into which he always put
a small quantity of asafeotida. He was wonderfully expert as an
angler and invariably had good luck. He started very early in the
morning and usnallv returned between two and three o'clock in the
afternoon with his canoe full of fish, mostly black bass, weighing
from four to five pounds. He would clean them and put five of them
on a string and sell them for twenty-five lents, going from house to
house. The other fishermen drew their seines in the bay or Misery
bav.

2.5*

392

REPORT OF THE

Ott. Doc.

In those days he says, "little or do fishing was done in the lakes,
as the bay abounded in fish and there was no necessity of going out-
side. The catch was bass, perch, cat fish, pike and sturgeon, and
always large. They were sold from house to house, excepting a
portion which was peddled in the surrounding country. Brook trout
were plenty in all of the small streams, as well as rock bass and
sun fish. There were also plenty of grass pike in pike ponds besides
large fine turtles. Misery bay and the mouth of Mill creek has
always been a fine place for rock bass fishing, as well as sun fish and
perch."

From 1830 to 1850 the fishing along the Pennsylvania frontier
was followed in about the same manner. There were no railroads
into Erie and the market for fish was limited, as it always had been
up to this time, and fish increased astonishingly. Erie was un-
doubtedly one of the finest fishing points on the lake, as it is to-day,
notwithstanding the constant depletion which was going on for
years after this.

Regarding the first white fish taken in Lake Erie, the writer be-
lieves he can speak definitely. In 1852 Captain Nash, a fisherman
from Mackinac, took from there to Dunkirk, N. Y., two Mackinac
fish boats with gill nets and complete outfit and began fishing at
that point as an experiment. He set his nets about eight miles
northwest from the harbor, and his first catch was a large one of
white fish. The writer was there engaged in railroad construction
and distinctly remembers the excitement it created. It was men-
tioned in the Dunkirk, Buffalo and Cleveland papers of the day as
the first catch of white fish on Lake Erie, and Captain Nash pos-
itively informed the writer of this. The writer has often heard of
catches at other places about this time, and there was a great deal of
notoriety given to the fact by the daily journals on account of its
opening up a large trade in a very desirable fish.

Previous to finding the white fish it had been the custom all along
the lake for persons who could afford it to send to Mackinac or De-
troit every fall for a barrel, half barrel or kit of sugar-coated white
fish for winter use, which were remarkably fine.

As soon as it became known that white fish had been taken in
Lake Ei ie people began fishing for them in these waters. Barcelona
followed Dunkirk, and then came Erie.

There are no brij;bter men than the fishermen along the lakes, nor
any who can sooner see the advantages of such a discovery as this.
Although these men may not be educated, they are of unusual in-
telligence, and know the ways of the fish as well as the fish them-
selves. Note the way they follow the fish from day to day and from
point to point. The fish, driven from their favorite grounds by the

392

REPORT OF THI-:

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In those days he says, "little or no fishing was done in the lakes,
as the bay aboundid in tish and there was no necessity of going out-
side. The catch was bass, perch, cat lish, pike and sturgeon, and
always large. They were sold from house to house, excepting a
I)ortion which was peddled in the surrounding country. Brook trout
were i»lenty in all of the small streams, as well as rock bass and
sun lisli. Theie were also plenty of grass pike in pike ponds besides
large tine turtles. Misery bay and the mouth of Mill creek has
always been a fine i>lace for rock bass fishing^ ^g well as sun fish and
perch."

From 1830 to 1850 the fishing along the reuusylvania frontier
was followed in about the same manuer. There were no railroads
into Erie and the market for fish was limited, as it always had been
up to this time, and fish increased astonishingly. Erie was un-
doubtedly (me of the finest fishing points on the lake, as it is to-day,
notwithstanding the constant depletion which was going on for
years after this.

Regarding the first white fish taken in Lake Erie, the writer be-
lieves he can speak definitely. In 1852 Captain Nash, a fisherman
from Mackinac, took from there to Dunkirk, N. Y., two Mackinac
fish boats witli gill nets and complete outfit and began fishing at
that point as an experiment. Tie set his nets about eight miles
northwest from the harbor, and his first catch was a large one of
wliiie fish. The writer was there engaged in railroad construction
jiud distinctly remembers the excitement it created. It was men-
tioned in tlie l>unkirk, BulTalo and Cleveland papers of the day as
the first catch of white fish on Lake Erie, and Captain Nash pos
itively informed the writer of this. The writer has often heard of
catches at other places about this time, and there was a great deal of
iicturiety given to the fact by the daily journals on account of its
opening up a laige trade in a very desirable fish.

Trevious to finding the white fish it had been the custom all along
the lake for persons who could atfcud it to send to Mackinac or De-
troit every fall for a barrel, half barrel or kit of sugar-coated white
fish for winter use. which were remarkablv fine.

As soon ;is ii iMiaiiie known that white fish had been taken in
Lake Eiie people beiian fishing for them in tliese waters. liarcelona
followed Dunkirk, and then cann,' Erie.

Tiiere are no biigliter men than llie fishermen along the lakes, nor
any who can s(»on«'r see the advantages of such a discovery as this.
Although those men may not be educated, they are of unusual in-
t<'Iligence. and know the ways of the fish as well as the fish them-
selves. Note the way they follow the fish from day to day and from
[loint to point. Tin* fish, driven fiom their favorite grounds bv the

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PISH COMMISSIONERS.

393

gill nets seek other points. Tlie prey is no sooner there than the
fisherman lias the same nets ready for it. It is not instinct, it is
knowledge. They know every foot of the bottom of the lake in the
locality they are fishing, and can find their nets in the dark, or in a
fog if necessary. They go outside in all kinds of weather, and when
the large steamers are storm stayed the fisherman is on his ground
pulling his nets. He is fearless, and yet cautious; a man to excite
the greatest admiration.

"Captain" Michael Bowman says he commenced seine fishing in
1853. The catch was usually black and white bass, sauger, pike
perch, cat fish, suckers, etc. The fish were very plenty, the catch
averaging fifty pounds per day per man. Mr. George Schaft'er says
the first white fishing at this point was in 1853. At this time Cap
tain Bowman says that only ten or twelve nets were used in a strinj;,
and the fact that white fish could not be taken here created consider
able excitement and gave a great impetus to the fishing industry.

The first shippers were George Witter and John Sutter & Co.
All fishermen, Jake Heidt and Michael Liebel, were of the firm of
Sutter & Co. August Schutte was also actively engaged in fishing
and shipping. The average weight of the white fish at that time was
from six to twelve pounds. About this period the fishermen used
six and six and one-half inch mesh nets, of No. 22 and 25 thread.
About 1856 57 more trout were caught than white fish. We fished
in fourteen to sixteen fathoms from twelve to fifteen miles in the*
lake. There were only thi*ee or four sail boats in all. The cost of an
outfit about that time, about f600. Pound nets fishing was began
at Erie in 1868. At that time there was no sale for herring, and
they were put immediately back into the lake if caught, and they
were abundant in shoal water.

In 1867 there were only nine fish boats fishing out of Erie, and
all were sail boats. The first steam fish boat came to Erie from
Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1874 or '75. Captain Clark Jones says, "com
raenced gill net fishing in 1854 or '55. Began shipping white fish
east and west about 1856. Shipped in barrels and kegs of about
1,000 to 1,500 pounds and 200 to 300 pounds. Also sold to peddlers.
On a gang of ten nets three men. Used jerk floats and jerk stones:
sturgeon twine for nets. Then we introduced snap floats, same
stones as before. Then Daniel Weeks introduced iron rings, from
five to six inches across, in place of stones. Used a five inch mesh
hand-made net. C. Charles & Co., of Huron, Ohio, who were fishiiij:
here, decreased size of mesh to four and one-half inches and cotton
wood bark for floats. This was about 1860. About this time the
catch of white fish and trout was small here for some reason, and
Clark & Co. brought a gill net to fish at thirty feet from bottom of

394

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

lake but it was a failure as the tish would not rise; but soon the
catch improved again. They set trap nets in bay and cauglit cat
fish and sturgeon.

"At that time sturgeon were considered of no use and were taken
to the peninsula and buried. Thousands of them have been buried
there. To-day they are worth two dollars and fifty cents each.
Smoked sturgeon is considered fully equal to smoked halibut, and
the roe is very fine making an excellent 'caviare.' Each fish yields
from twelve to fourteen pounds. Most of the meat is sent to San
dusky, Ohio, f(»r curing and smoking. It is worth from five to eight
cents per pound for smoking. This is mentioned here to show what
an inordinately large number of valuable fish were thrown away as
useless that are now very scarce and valuable.''

Captain Jones continues, and says that in these days (about 18G0)
the largest catch of white fish he remembers were 3,500 pounds
when dressed, averaging five pounds each. This was taken in one
boat, three men and thirty-nine nets. This catch was sold to Butfalo
parties for seven dollars per hundred. The largest white fish he ever
caught was fifteen and one-fourth pounds. They have frequently
been caught at Put-in bay weighing twenty-five pounds.

William Terry says he began fishing in Green bay. Lake Michigan.
He came down to Erie about 1857 or '58. At the time he came her(>
he found them fishing for white fish and trout. The catch was about
equal. At one time soon after he came, R. P. Burke and himself,
eacli with a boat took forty-eight trout apiece weighing forty or fifty
pounds each, btJ^ides all of the white fish the boats could carry. U
was an enormous catch and was taken about twelve miles outside
of the harbor with five and one-half inch mesh, one pound of thread
in each net, twelve nets to a gang. They sold to a peddler named
Burton one hundred dollars worth of white fish and had more than
half of them left. They shipped eighty-eight trout to a dealer in
Sandusky. This was in 1859 or '60. and was the largest catch he
ever saw in those days. In those years fish were very plentiful. At
the head of the bay sturgeon were very abundant, but no sale for
them. When caught were buried or given to farmers for manuring
land. Among the fishermen were Loramer and R. P. Burke, who
came from Green Bay. Dan. Weeks, John Dash. Sr.. Robert Tuttle,
William Oakum and Frederick Dunn, besides others mentioned pre
viously. "I have seen,'^ he says, ''white fish sold for one cent a pound.
The overplus was cured, packed and sold to grocers by the hundred
pounds. These were called slime fish. We also sugar-cured white
fish for families: this was done in the fall of the year. They
were put up in half barrels and sold for five dollars per hundred
pounds. They were not salted much and were nearly tlie same as
fresh fish. They were very fine and always in demand.

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

395

Mr. Teriy is the first man who ever skinned a blue pike in Erie. It
was a hard thing to do and was considered his secret ana was always
done "sub-rosa;" but a boy named Jacob Staub got on the top of a
shed once when he was skinning them, peeped through a crevice, dis-
covered the secret, and afterwards practiced it, much to Mr. Terry's
discomfiture. Now they are skinned when frozen, but it is a very
difficult thing to do when not frozen. The largest white fish Mr.
Terry ever saw was one weighing thirty-three pounds, caught at
Spider Island, near Death's Door, Lake Michigan, and was an im-
mense fish.

In 1857 or 1858, when Mr. Terry came to Erie, they used No. 25
cotton thread for making gill nets. Now nothing but linen thread is
used— Nos. 45 and 50. The year he came here, in July, the fishermen
had not had very good success that season, and could not account for
it, and some thought that the fish were getting scarce, and most of
them had pulled up their nets to wait for fall fishing. He brought
as a pri?sent to R. P. Burke sixteen No. 30 linen thread nets. He and
Mr. Burke went out and set them. The next day they went out and
took them up and brought in a big haul of white fish and trout.
This astonished all of the old fishermen. They began setting the
cotton nets again with no success. When the nets were taken up,
Daniel Weeks, at that time one of the most prominent of the fisher-
men, was very much mystified and after examining tne nets and find-
ing that they were made of fine linen thread, concluded that that
was the explanation of it and immediately discarded his cotton
thread nets and made new ones of linen, and met with good success
in his fishing. This was the first change from cotton to linen thread

nets at this point.

Mr. Terry is one of the oldest fishermen here. He is a man of in-
telligence Jind has kept thoroughly posted on an matters relating to
fishing in this locality from the time of his arrival to the present.

The'^Dash family is a family of fishermen, father, son and grandson,
John Dash, Sr., Adam Dash, John Dash, Jr., and John A. Dash.
Capt. John A. Dash gave to the writer many interesting items relat-
ing to fishing in this locality, the sum and substance of which is very
similar to what Mr. Terry and Capt. Clark Jones have furnished.
Capt. Joseph Wick says that the largest trout ever caught in Lake
Erie was caught by William Johnson in a trout net at Dunkirk, N.
Y., in 1850. It weighed seventy-five pounds. He says he has fre-
quently seen them weighing ^ixty-five pounds. He has been fishing
all along the lake since 1857 and the largest black bass he ever saw
weighed'' five and one-half pounds. He thinks the herring were get-
ting^more scarce every year, but that there were a great many salted
durln<^ the summer seiison nil jilong the lake. Capt. C. W. Pruyn stiys

S96

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doe.

that he caught a gold fish inside of the headwaters at Cleveland, year
before last, weighing one pound and one and one-half ounces. This
fish is probably some of the gold fish put into the lake by Dr. Ackley,
of Cleveland. He has no doubt but that they will propagate and in-
crease in the lake, as he considers them a hardy fish when once accli-
mated.

He relates the following story about sturgeon: About fifteen or
sixteen years ago, the north channel pier at this point canted over,
owing to currents washing out the sand foundation on the north side.
He was engaged on one of the tugs employed by the construction in
making repairs. The tugs lay at the piers all night. Just before
daylight one morning, stepped on to the pier and saw something
moving in the water. It was too dark to see what it was, but after
waiting awhile it became light enough and he discovered that it was
a compact mass of sturgeon (hundreds of them), with their heads just
at the edge of the water sucking the moss from the pier timbers.
He stepped aboard of the tug and got a slack bur (used io firing),
with a hook on it, and himself and two others, landed about twenty
of them on the pier in a few minutes by hooking them in the gills.
He saj's he could have landed many more of them, but at the time
they were very plentiful and there was no sale for them. This was
before they began smoking them and using the roe for caviare.

In Lake Erie, according to the review of the fisheries of the great
lakes recently published by the United States Fish Commission, the
cat fish ranks next to the white fish in numbers of pounds taken.
This may be so in some localities, but it is not so at Lake Erie. They
were formerly very abundant there, but are growing less plentiful
every year. Erie receives her supply from the pound nets and from
the fishermen working between here and Conneaut, Ohio. They
average from eight to twelve pounds, but are sometimes taken at
twenty-five or thirty pounds.

As has been shown the black bass, the gamiest fish in the lakes, are
becoming more scarce every year. Erie used to be noted for its fine
bass fishing, and parties came here from abroad for that purpose.
They are now becoming so scarce that they are seeking other locali-
ties for fishing. Within ten years the writer has seen two men going
through the streets with a string of bass suspended on a pole be-
tween their shoulders, dragging on the pavement, the result of a half
days fishing. The reef at Four Mile creek was a favorite place to
fish for them, and it was customary during the fishing season for the
steam pleasure yachts to make daily fishing parties to their grounds.
The channel and piers wore also fine spots for these most excellent
fish.

Formerly porch abounded in the bay. particularly in Misery bay,
but they were by no means as plentiful as formerly, and yet they are

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396

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

(hilt hr < ;niolii a \iul(] fish inside <»t' the lunulwaters at Cleveland, year
before last, weigLiiig one pound and one and oue-lialf ounces. This
fish is probably some of the gold fish put into the lake by Dr. Acklej,
of Clevehind. He has no doubt but that they will propagate and in-
(lease in the lake, as he considers them a hardy fish when once accli-
mated.

He relates the following story about sturgeon: About fifteen or
sixteen years ago, the north channel pier at this point canted over,
owing to currents wjishing out the sand foundation on the north side.
He was engaged on one of the tugs employed by the construction in
making repairs. The tugs lay at the piers all night. Just before
daylight one morning, stepped on to the pier and saw something
moving in the water. It was too dark to see what it was, but after
waiting awhile it became light enough and he discovered that it was
a compact mass of sturgeon (hundreds of them), with their heads just
at the edge of the water sucking the moss from the pier timbers,
lie stei)ped aboard of the tug and got a slack bur (used iu tiring),
with a hook on it, and himself and two others, landed about twenty
of them on the pier iu a few minutes by hooking them in the gills.
He says he could have landed many more of them, but at the time
they were very plentiful and there was no sale for them. This was
before they began smoking them and using the roe for caviare.

In Lake Erie, according to the review of the fisheries of the great
lakes recently published by the United States Fish Commission, the
cat fish ranks next to tbe white fisli in numbers of pounds taken.
This may be so in some localities, but it is not so at Lake Erie. They
were formerly very abundant there, but are growing less plentiful
every year. Erie receives her supply from the pound n<'ts and from
the fishermen working between here and Conneaiit, Ohio. They
average from eight to twelve pounds, but are sometimes taken at
twentv-five or tliiitv pounds.

As has been shown the black bass, the gamiest fish in the lakes, are
becoming more scarce every year. Erie used to be noted for its fine
bass fisliing, and parties came here from abi-oad for (hat purpose.
They are now becoming so scarce that they arc seeking other locali-
ri(»s for fisliing. ^^'itllin ten vears the writer has seen two ukmi i:oini:
through the streets with a string of bass suspended on a pole be
tween their shoulders, dragging on the pavement, the result of a half
days fisliing. The reef at Four Mile creek was a favorite place to
fish for them, and it was customary <liiring the fishing season for the
steam jdeasure yachts to make daily tishing parties to their grounds.
The channel and piers were also fine sjjots for tlies<' most excellent
fish.

Formerly perch abounded in tin' hay. particularly in Misery bay.
but they were by no means as plentiful as formerly, and yet they are

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

397

not nearly as scarce as black bass in proportion. Rock bass and sun-
fish were some years ago exceedingly abundant. The different va-
rieties of pike indigenous to the lakes formerly were in great num-
bers, but are not now nearly as numerous. The herring are also not
nearly as plenteous as formerly, although they are caught in large
quantities still.

It used to be occupation during the winter months of many per-
sons to fish for them through the ice and as many as five to eight
hundred persons have been seen fishing for them through the ice in
the bay and in the lake near the piers. The catch in the nets during
the summer is large. They are taken from the fish boats, put into
pans and into large refrigerators and frozen. The amount of salt
used is three barrels to two tons of fish. In freezing this amount of
fish about 2,500 pounds of ice is used. In shipping them they are
put in boxes made for the purpose, holding about 250 pounds, and
when taken from the refrigerator come out in slabs, of about thirty
fish weighing about twenty-five pounds each slab, just as they are
taken from the pans when frozen. There is also a large amount of
them put up and salted in half barrels kitts and pails for shipment
and sale in the home market. The amount of white fish put up in
this way is comparatively small.

Within the last few years there have been put into the lake differ-
ent species of the carp, which probably have propagated and in-
creased for several French and German carp have been caught in
pound nets in this vicinity. Mr. Charles Lamb says that the average
catch of white fish in 1888 was about 5,000 pounds per tug. In 1890
one catch was 7,900 pounds. From 1892 the average catch was :i,000
pounds. All of this was with one gang of nets. The pound nets
often caught double this amount with fifteen or twenty nets in a

string.

The white fishing grounds are about eighteen or twenty miles east
oi- west of the harbor and about twelve or fifteen miles in the lake.
Nets are set due north and south, and on the bottom, in twenty-five
or thirtv fathoms of water. Oftentimes good eatrhes of white fish
are made in pound nets near the shore.

The largest while fish ever taken at Erie, so far as known, was
twenty-one and one-half pounds, and was taken by H. M. Tarker, ac-
cordin"" to the Hon. Louis Streiib< r. om- of the Fish Commissioners

of Pennsylvania.

The miisralonge used to be quite plentiful in this vicinity, and is
known as a gain(> fish, atTording the sportsman jdenty of active exer-
cise in taking them. The largest one taken at tliis ])oint was sixty-
two poundstHie n<'xt largest forty-finir poniids. The average weight
of them would be from twenty-five to thirty pounds.

398 REPORT OF THE Off. Doc.

E. D. Garter embarked in the business of fishing and shipping fish
in 1874, and to liim is given the credit of opening up a permanent
market abroad. It is true, there were shipments of fish previous to
this, as has been aheady shown, but it was only at times when there
was an overplus on the market, and it might, therefore, be termed
spasmodic. Hon. Louis Streuber went into the business in 1877.
and the two were for years the only shippers from Erie, and they
have always done a large business. Frank W. Bacon & Co. have also
been large shippers for some years.

On the 24th day of September, 1892, the Erie Fish Association was
formed, by consolidation of the following houses: E. D. Carter, Louis
Streuber, Frank W. Bacon & Co. and E. Knoblock & Co., making a
very strong concern. The first day after the consolidation the catch
of fish was forty-eight tons.

The following is a statistical account of th** fish business on the
Inke, in Pennsylvania, for the year 1892:

28 steam fish boats and fishing gear valued at 1112,000
14 sail fish boats and fishing gear valued at. 7,000

40 pound nets, boats, gear, etc 20,000

Estimated capital employed, 111,000

Estimated total capital invested |250,000

Xuiuber of men emphiyed:

28 steam fish boats, .5 men each 140

14 sail fish boats, 3 men each 42

10 pound nets 150

Otherwise employed i(;s

Estimated total men employed 500

An accurate account of the fish taken for commercial purposes
• luring 1892 has been kept, with the following result:

Blue pike, in pounds 2,9(>8,G5J>

Herring, " 8..300,()33

No. 1 white fisli, " 524,428

Trout, " 131,3:?7

Pickerel, " 130.107

Perch. " 494,071

^I"lJett, *' 03,140

Catfish. " (J 033

Black bass. " 4,286

White bass, " 40,075

Sheepshead, " 0,009

No. 18.

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PISH COMMISSIONERS.

Sanger pike, in pounds 24,633

Sturgeon, ** 90,702

Total pounds 12,786,579

399

CHAPTER XV.

Erie Hatchery— Restoring tiie Lake Fislieries.

From the previous chapter it will be seen to what an enormous
extent the fisheries of Lake Erie were conducted on the Pennsyl-
vania borders, and yet this was but a tithe of the work of this char-
acter that was carried on elsewhere. Here, too, is the same wretch-
ed story of wanton destruction of food fishes and utter disregard
for the future that has been told of the fisheries of the Delaware,
Schuylkill and other waterways of the State. Previous to 1848, and
the introduction of the villainous pound mts, white fish were, as
already noted, abundant, but these destructive traps, together with
the effect of human avarice, disregarding the times and mode of
capture, worked the inevitable disastrous re^alts. Little by little
the white fish industry declined, until about 1885, from a profitable
business the catching of white fish became unprofitable, and as an
exclusive business was almost abandoned. The blue pike fishing,
which had occupied second place, and the herring fishing, which was
still further down on the list, forged to the front and became the

chief industries.

Besides this, bv an almost utter disregard of the spawning season,
piratical fishermen inside the harbor of Erie had quite depleted what
was formerlv an inviting field for black bass and other game fish.
Even at the' present time, in defiance of the laws, and of the knowl-
edge of the evil consequences thereof, there are men who ply their
nefarious trade in the waters of the bay. During a good portion of
the past winter, nets were set through the ice, and it was not an
unusual thing, it is said, to see black bass exposed for sale in the
market freshlv caught. So frequently indeed was this done that
the Erie Herald, on March 18 of the present year, published the fol-
lowing: - ,

"The mayor and councils should do something at once to break up
ille-al fishing in the bay. Now that the ice is disappearing the pi
rates have commenced to set nets and tho hauls have been very
good. Tf the pirates are not run down, hook nnd lino fishing in the
bav will be entirely destroyed.

No. \fi.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

Sanger pike, in pounds 24,<»3.i

HtuiReon. " VMjJOt

Total pounds l-J,T80,57i

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CHAPTEH XV.

1^ fclatcher.v— Kestoiing the Lake Fisheries.

From the previous chapter it will be seen l(» what an euorinous
extent I lie tisluM-ies of Lake Erie were conducted on the Pennsyl-
vauia borders, and yet this was but ii tithe of the work of this char-
acter that was carried on elsewhere. Here, too, is the same wretch-
ed story of wanton destruction of food fishes and utter disrepird
for the future that has been told of the fisheries of tto€ Delaware,
Schuylkill and other waterways of the State. Previous to 18-48, and
the introduction of ih«' villainous pound nets, white fish were, as
alreadv noted, nbundnnt, but these destrn<tive traps, together with
llie elVect of human avarice, disresardin- the times and mode of
capture, worked the in<vitjible disastrous re.-.alts. Little by little
the white fish industry declined, until about ISS.', from a profitable
business the catchin.^ of white fish bec:nue nn])r.»titnble. and as an
.■xclusive business was almost abandoned. The blue pike fishing.
Nvhich had occupied second phn-e. and the iierrin- fishin- which was
still further down on the list. for.u.Ml to tlir front and became the

chief industries.

Besides this, bv an aluK.st utter disre^iard of the spawnin<r season,
piratical fishermen inside the harbor of Erie had .luito depleted what
was formerlv an invitin- field for black bass and other game fish.
Even at the present time, in defiance <tf the laws, and of the knowl-
e'd<-e of the evil consequent's thereof, there are men wh<» ply their
neflirious trade in the waters <»f the bay. During a good pmtion of
tlie past winter, nets were set through the ice. and it was not an
unusual thing, it is said, to see black bass exposed for sale in the
market freshlv cautiht. So frequently Meed was this done that
the Erie Herald, on March IS of the present yeai-. jniblisbed the f^-

lowing:
"The mayor and councils should do something at mm to break uj)

ill(.o-.,l fi<h'inu in the bay. Now that the ice is disappearing th- pi
rates have commenced to set nets and the hauls have b.^Mi ver.N
good. If the pirates are not run down, hook and line fishing m the
bav will be entirely destroy(^d.

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

"A policeman should be assigned to duty as fish warden, and if
the pirates are caught they should be dealt with to the full extent
of the law.

"Fish were ottered for sale on the street market this morning
which were captured with nets in the bay. A 12-pound pike showed
signs of life when exposed for sale, showing that it had been lifted
out of the water only a few hours previous. All lovers of hook-and-
line fishing should exert themselves in order to prevent the illegal
catching of fish."

Colonel Fleeharty says:

In 1882 or '83, it was not a ditticult thing for two persons fishing
from a boat at the mouth of the harbor, just outside the piers, to
load a small boat in a day's fishing. And during the winter months
it was not unusual to see five hundred persons fishing through the
ice for these fish, in and about the harbor. At that time their aver-
age catch would be about twenty pounds each. During the past
winter, taking a concensus of opinion, it is estimated that for sixty-
five days, there has been fishing on the ice, one hundred and sixty
men each day, and the catch would yield five to eight pounds a
man; but nearly all perch."

In 1877 the board of trade and the select and common councils of
Erie extended an invitation to the State Fisheries Commission to
visit the section, in company with a special committee of the Legisla-
ture, to make examination of the operations of the fish industries
there.

At that time the states of Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., border-
ing upon the lakes, were beginning to pay special attention to the
culture of white fish for its commercial value, and were annually
making liberal appropriations for artificial hatching. Up to that
year Michigan and Wisconsin had hatched 18,000,000 fry, while Ohio
was running four experimental stations, and the object of the officials
at Erie was to induce the State authorities to establish a hatchery
in their city, in order that Pennsylvania might contribute \wv share
to the common benefit.

The visit was made, but at that time nothing was accomplished.
On the eighth of October, 1884, four members of the fish commission
again visited Erie for the purpose of consulting with the citizens in
regard to the establishment of a white fish hatchery at that point.
They were warmly welcomed, a meeting of the trade was called and
I he subject thoroughly discussed.

A temporary hatchery was first proposed, the citizens agreeing to
pay one-half the expense, but after making careful estimates of
the cost and taking into consideration the lateness ul the season, the
conclusion reached was, thnt ii would be neither jidvisablc nor

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

feasible to commence operations at that time. In addition to this,
the funds in the hands of the commission were not sufficient to meet
that part of the outlay the State would have been required to as-
sume.

The wiser plan, it was agreed, would be to make application to the
Legislature for an appropriation for $5,000, to be applied to the erec-
tion of such a hatchery as the State should have. This would in-
clude the cost of a lot, frame building of adequate size, a complete
outfit of hatching jars, cans for the transportation of the fry to the
points where they were to be deposited in the lake, and for employes.
The assurance was also given that the city of Erie would furnish the
needed water supply without cost.

Application was at once made to the State legislature for the nec-
essary appropriation, and in 1885, $5,000 was voted for the estab-
lishment of this hatchery, in order that Tennsylvania might fall in
line with Ohio and Michigan, who, by that time, had hatched and de-
posited in Lake Erie hundreds of millions of white fish.

The first step in securing the appropriation was the selection of a
site which should at once be commodious and cheap. Such a situa-
tion was obtained in a corner lot fronting eighty-two and one-half
feet on both Sassafras and Second streets, in the city of Erie. For
this lot $900 was paid the owner, Mr. John Welsh.

Proposals for bids for the erection of the hatchery building were
invited by public advertisement. Several proposals were received,
and the contract for the erection of the hatchery was awarded to Mr.
E. McDonald for the sum of $1,521.70, the designs for the building
having been furnished by Mr. D. K. Dean, a professional architect.
The necessary plumbing was done by Messrs. R. T. & R. Williams.

The new hatchery is a story and a half frame building, fronting
thirty feet on Sassafras street and about fifty feet on Second street.
It is a neat, artistic building, with nothing about its exterior to give
any idea of the character of the work to be done inside. Indeed, its
lines are such as to give one the impression of its being tlie residence
of a man of more than moderate means. To still furth( r bear out
this appearance, a pretty fence was built around the property and
the grounds were tastefully laid out.

Within the building everything was arranged specially with an eye
to the practical purposes for which it was erected. The room de-
voted to the work of hatching is conimodions nnd well-lijrhted, and
the floor is formed of cement.

At first fivf' tables were placed in this room, and upon each was ar-
ranged twenty McDonald improved automatic hatching jjus. witli a
rapacity for 150,000 white fish eggs without crowding.

Adjoinini: the hatching room is a large and well-lighted office for

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the use of the superintendent. On .the second floor is a sleeping
apartment for attaches of the place, and a tank room, which con-
tains a tank with a capacity of 1,200 gallons. This tank supplies the
water to the jars with an even pressure, although in case of neces-
sity the jars could be supplied with water from the city mains direct.
For the first two years the water commissioners of the city of Erie
supplied the hatchery with all the water that was needed free.

The new hatchery, which is among the very finest in the country,
not only in point of beauty, but in perfection of appointments, was
got in operation on December 12, 1885. Between that date and
January 9, 188G, there were received in various lots, 16,000,000 white
fish eggs. Between March 17 and 31, 1886, there were hatched and
set into the lake outside of Erie 14,025,000 young white fish.

Of this hatchery William Buller, the head of the station at Corry,
was given the superintendency, which dual position he yet holds
with credit to himself and the State. Two years later 11,000,000
more white fish were hatched and deposited in the waters of Lake
Erie.

In the three succeeding years 35,570,000 fry were hatched and dis-
tributed.

This work, in connection with that of Michigan and Ohio, had a
wonderful and inspiriting effect, and created a revolution in the fish-
ing industries of Lake Erie. In 1886 the catch of white fish only
amounted to 61,500 pounds, while in 1888 the catch leaped to the as-
tonishing amount of 2,200,000 pounds. The money value of the total
catch of the Erie fisheries in 1886 was but $175,200. In 1888 it was
1304,680, a difference of $120,480. This condition of aifairs has in-
creased and the valuation of the catch was placed at more than half
a million dollars.

As evidence of what is thought of the work of the fi?h commission
in connection with Lake Erie, the following letter to Mr. Ford, presi-
dent of the present commission, from Mr. E. D. Carter, a prominent
business man of Erie, is submitted:

"Dear Sir: I enclose you a statement of the fish industries at Erie,
Pa., and amount of catch for the season of 1888, and I flatter myselr
that it shows our industry at Erie to be in a most prosperous condi-
tion, and I am satisfied that the large increase in the catch of fish is
the result of re-stocking from our hatchery and from the great work
done by the states of Ohio and Michigan.

"Our catch of white fish, you will see, is fully double of what it
was in the seasons of 1883, 1884, 1885 and 1886. Those in the busi-
ness, after the very poor fishing of those seasons had concluded to
give up fishing for white fish, but the increased catch of white fish of
1887 changed the opinion of those engaged in tlie iMisincss and they
continued the work, and from the result of this work the price has

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

403

been reduced fully one-third and has brought this food from a luxury
to one of the cheapest foods that a poor man can procure for his
table, and my opinion is that this is entirely from the work of artifi

cial hatching.

Yours respectfully,

E. D. CARTER."

But the hatching of white fish was not the only work carried on at
the Erie station. Large numbers of pike-perch were also incubated.
At first in this work some difficulty was encountered, but was soon
overcome, and owing to the rapidity with which the eggs of this
species of fish incubate, large numbers were hatched and deposited,
not only in Lake Erie, but in other waters of the Commonwealth. In
1889, 8,900,000 were planted in the Juniata, Spruce creek, Susque-
hanna river, Delaware river and Warden's creek. In 1890 the num-
ber was increased to 13,545,000. Of these 7,000,000 were placed in
Lake Erie, and the remainder in the rivers and mountain lakes of the
State. In 1891 the number of pike-perch hatched and distributed
was 40,600,000; 6,000,000 of these went into Lake Erie, 10,000,000
into the main waters of the Susquehanna, 5,000,000 into the Dela-
ware and the remainder in the important streams and lakes. In 1803
the grand total was 60,000,000. Since then, the average annual
hatchings of pike-perch have greatly exceeded these numbers, and it
is safe to predict that the output every year will soon exceed 100,000,-
000. Sportsmen too are beginning to learn the value of the fish, and
every year the number of applications for the fry are increasing
rapidly.

CHArTER XVL

Trout Streams of the State.

To the majority of anglers, trout streams probably excite the
greatest interest. In the number of water ways containing this
great game fish, Pennsylvania admittedly takes the lead, and through
the etforts of the State commission, seconded by the intelligent work
of numinous fish protective associations, others for many years bar-
ren of trout, are being added annually. It is true that for a long
time this species of fish in the waters of the Commonwealth have been
reputed to be on the average smaller than those caught in some
other states, but this has been due rather to over fishing than to any
defect in either the fish or trouble with the element in which they

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live. Through the etfoits of the lish commission, and through a bet-
ter enforcement of beneficent laws, this slight drawback, not only to
thorough enjoyment of angling, but full value as a food product, is
being removed, and at the present time the average catches compare
favorably as to size with those taken elsewhere. Even were this not
the case, and the average size of the trout caught annually were not
increasing, this slight defect would be more than counterbalanced
by the remarkable brilliancy of their coloring. Those caught in
Maine, New York and West Virginia are far inferior in this respect,
while of the other states only the trout taken from the waters of
Vermont can approach those of Pennsylvania in beauty of hue.

Not only are the streams more numerous and the trout in them
more beautifully marked and tinted, but, taken as a whole, the sur-
roundings of the former are unsurpassed, generally unequalled in
picturesque surroundings. So famous are they in this respect, that
multitudes of anglers are attracted from other states noted for the
prolific nature of their trout streams to the marked financial benefit
of the people of Pennsylvania.

The attention given by the fish commission to stocking the streams
of the State with brook trout is looked upon by many as a useless
expense. They argue that this species of fish is valuable rather for
sporting purposes than for general food uses, though admittedly one
of the most delicious in flavor of the denizens of the fresh water.
But a moment's thought will show how erroneous this idea is. By
keeping the streams plentifully stocked, anglers brought by the fame
of the beauty of the country are induced to come again from the
sport they obtain. These followers of the gentle art leave much
money in the Commonwealth, and take nothing away, except, per-
haps a few fish. Indeed, in many sections of the State the trout fish-
ing, through boarders and incidentals, forms an important part of
the revenue. Apart from this, the sporting goods industry in the
cities and towns of the State by this means are largely increased.

Trout fishing in Pennsylvania, by reason of the picturesque sur-
roundings, tends to instill in the hearts of those engaging, a greater
love for nature and her works than in most sections of the Union.
Even the backwoodsman who loves the "gentle art" for the art's
sake, becomes thereby ennobled.

A good specimen of this class of men is Philip B. Clark, a justice
of the peace of one of the townships of Pike county, and every an-
gler who has beaten streams in that or other sections of the State,
must acknowledge having met many of his type. His mind is
stored with a wonderful amount of useful and out-of-the-way in-
formation. Some of it he gathered from state and government re-
ports, but the greater part came from the woods in which he has

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

406

lived all his life. From generous nature he has drawn his choicest
knowledge, and he delights to impart his gleanings to others. He
has a boundless love for all plant and animal life, except snakes and
noxious insects, which he classes under the general term of "divils."
More than once when the writer has been out with him on a stream,
he has known the 'Squire to drop his rod, even when the trout were
jumping in numbers, to expatiate a moment on the habits of some
woodland flower or the beauties of the scenery.

The trout streams of Pennsylvania are divided into what are known
as the northern and southern tier. Those tributary to the north and
west branches of the Susquehanna river, to the Clarion and the Alle-
gheny, the Delaware, Lehigh and Schuylkill belong to the former, and
the remainder to the latter. Of the trout waters in the northern tier,
those situated in Pike county are perhaps the best known ; no pen
can aptly describe the beauty of this region, the greater part of it
covered by virgin forests, and the whole a mass of picturesque moun
tains of the Blue Ridge range, the tallest of which is High Knob,
near Blooming Grove, a peak which thrusts its bald head nearly
three thousand feet above sea level. On every mountain side in the
county, through every valley flow countless streams filled to reple-
tion with speckled trout, and it is believed that no amount of fishing
could clean the waters of them. The largest stream flowing through
this section is the Big Bushkill, a noble stream which empties into
the Delaware river, and is of such a size that for several miles above
its mouth is considered good rafting waters. It has numerous trib-
utaries, nearly all of which have their rise in deep cypress swamps,
so that the waters are colored a dark brown, and seem much deeper
than they really are. All their tributaries, as well as the Big Bush-
kill itself, are splendid fishing brooks, and many are widely known,
and are famous resorts for New Yorkers, numbers of whom stop at
Porter's pond, and Cortright's, at Twelve Mile pond, where bass and
pickerel fishing are also to be had. The largest and most familiar
of these tributaries are the Little Bushkill, where there is also a
summer resort village of that name. Saw Creek and Red Rock run.
Besides the Big P.ushkill and its feeders, there are Tom's creek,
Decher's and Dingman's emptying into the Delaware; the last, a
particularly picturesque stream with numerous falls, one of which
makes a clean descent of one hundred and fifty feet. Then there is
the Raymondskill, also known for its beautiful scenic effects, as well
as for its fishing qualities, also the Sawkill, near Milford; the Sho-
liola, Paupach, Marthope and Blooming Grove creek, and a tributary
of the Lackawaxen and others in the same vicinity. But above
them all probably, not so much in the beauty of its surroundings,
though grnnd in themselves, but in the plentitudo and size of the fish

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in its waters, is Bright's run, a stream in the western part of the
county. It is singularly free from underbrush, and abounds in long
reaches where the liy can be used without trouble and with splendid
results.

All of the waterways mentioned take their sinuous paths through
the most magnificent country that can be conceived of. They abound
in picturesque falls, some more than a hundred feet high, and fre-
quently the waters have cut their way in boiling rapids through deep
gorges of great beauty. As a contour to these wild scenes deep
pools and long, wide, still waters are common, and in their dark
depths, fringed by alder, clethra and rhododendron brush, lie trout of
noble size.

Adjoining Pike county is Monroe, and like it, is exclusively a
mountainous region, but it has more cultivated land and less virgin
forest. Here, too, are many splendid fishing waters. The largest
by far, is Brodhead's creek, which towards its outlet in the Delaware
cuts through Stroudsburg, on the Delaware, Lackawanna and West-
ern Railroad. Its largest tributary is probably Michael's creek, a
stream which runs from the direction of the well-known Wind Gap.
Near the mouth of Brodhtad's Marshall's creek empties in.
This stream is not only a fine one for mountain trout, but is well-
known for its beautiful water falls, its curious and interesting geo-
logical formations, as well as for the pleasant summering village six
miles from the Water Gap, and which receives its name from the
sparkling stream.

Besides theses among other notable trout streams in Monroe coun-
ty, are Paradise creek, at Henryville, and further up, at Canadensis,
Levis, Bushkill and Middle Branch.

Besides these, the Tobyhaniia and Tunkhanna, and the waters of
the upper Lohiiih. are very tin<' tronting streams, with attiartivc sur-
roundings. The Tobyhanna, indeed, was reputed a few years ago to
have the largest trout of any waterway in the State. Fish of that
species are said to have been caught there that weighed from four
to six pounds, while there are authentic instances of trout
weighing three and three quarters pounds having been taken
therefrom witli the artificial fly. The Tobyhanna was the favorite
fishing stream of that genial and famous old angler. Thaddeus Norris.
Year after year this disciple of Isaac Walton was to be found upon
its waters, and famous were the catches tliat he made. He had his
headquarters at Henryville with Mini" Henry, a local celebrity. He,
too, was a genial, angling-loving soul: a man full of harmless eccen-
tricities that were the amusement of his countless friends, while they
at the same time made him the more lovable. Like the gentle
"Thad," he has passed over to the great majority, but the hostelrie

No. 18.

l^ISH COMMISSIONERS.

407

which he once ran, and where more fish stories were told in one sea-
son than are usually related in other sections in three times that
period, still exists and under the care of "Jim," Jr., a worthy son of
a worthy father.

Next to Pike and Monroe counties, in point of attractiveness, are
the streams of Wayne. Indeed, in the opinion of many anglers,
they fully equal those of the two first named sections. They are
more brushy as a rule, and are not broken into falls such as those of
Pike and Monroe, but they are of a more dashy character, running
and tumbling over huge boulders in foam flecked stretches to the
rivers. They run through mountainous regions, however, quite as
picturesque as their rivals in tlie other counties, though generally
cleared of forest growth and given over to agriculture, and their trout
are quite as large and game desirable in qualities. Some of the lead-
ing streams of this county are the Dyberry, Little and Big Equinunk

and Hollisters.

Passing southwards towards the Bethlehem hills, in Northampton
county, the Monocacy and Bushkill creeks contain many and large

sized trout.

Among the Bethlehem hills themselves and in Lehigh county are
to be found good fishing waters. This is especially the case at Allen-
town, where three good sized streams, the Little Lehigh, Jordan and
Cedar creek run through populous regions, and partly through large
open meadows with scarcely a fringe of brush throughout their en-
tire lengths. Yet in spite of these drawbacks, from their sources to
their mouths, they swarm with trout, large, fat and full of game.
This condition of affairs is due to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission,
one of whose hatcheries is on the Little Lehigh four miles outside of
Allentown, and all three streams are splendid examples of what per-
sistent stocking can accomplish in spite of a close proximity to built
up sections and repeated illegal fishing, such as unfortunately they

are subjected to.

Tioga, Bradford, Potter and in fact all the northern central coun-
ties are full of trout fishing streams. The Sinnemahoning and West
Branch of Pine creek are famous places. In Lycoming, the
Loyalsock, on the West branch of the Susquehanna, Muncy, the
White Deer on the East Branch, Y'oung Woman's creek, which runs
toward Lock Haven, and the headwaters of Clarion river in Elk
county, all afford fine fishing, although they are unfortunately some
of them contaminated by tanneries.

Of one of these streams in Elk county, not far from the line of the
Philadelphia and Erie branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, known
as the Toby, a tributary of the Clarion near Wilcox, a good story is
told. A number of years ago some gentlemen, one of whom was the

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late Colonel Kane, built a small hut on its banks and named it Min-
eral Shanty. Here they invited and brought General Grant for some
hunting and fishing. After a few day's good sport the nation's great
general and President discovered he had been fishing out of season
and had, therefore, illegally killed a number of fine trout. Indig-
nantly he threw away his rod and straightway hied himself to the
nearest justice of the peace, where he lodged complaint against him-
self for violating the game laws. The justice of the peace, it is said,
was disposed to be lenient towards the distinguished offender, but to
his amazement, it is reported. General Grant delivered a short lec-
ture to him for his weakness and insisted on being fined to the full
amount and on paying it.

In recent years Chester and Delaware counties have been affording
good fishing, and this has been due altogether to the work of the
fish commission of the State. Most of the streams of these two coun-
ties run through meadows and rolling hills carefully tilled and kept
clear of underbrush. As a consequence, unless carefully protected,
the trout in waters in such locations must soon disappear. As soon
as the fish commission began work in earnest not only to propagate
brook and other trout, but to secure further beneficial fish laws, and
their enforcement as well as of those already in existence, several
fish protective associations were formed among the farmers and other
residents to give them aid. As a result, fully one-half the water
ways of both Chester and Delaware counties contain large numbers
of brook and brown trout and occasionally the California or rainbow
trout.

Not less interesting to anglers are the streams of the southern tier,
although not so widely known as those in the northern, except in a
few instances.

In this division of the State there is no spot more beautiful per-
haps than the Laurel Hill range, or so little known outside the people
who live thereabouts. Between it and Cliestnut ridge the last of the
kind of the Alleghenies is Ligonier Valley. It extends eastward
twelve miles to the mountain town of Donegal, situated on a lateral
ridge which connects Lanral range and Chestnut ridge, and divides
Ligonier and Indian creek valleys. At the other end of the former
valley is the town of Ligonier and its situation is remarkably pictur-
esque, commanding a perfect panoramic view of natural beauty,
while within its figurative gates and about it reigns such a peaceful
quiet that one is almost convinced of the possible existence of a
Utopia or a New Atlantis. To reach it one branches off from La-
trobe, where the railroad runs through a highly cultivated region for
several miles, then circles about the mountain's base and rushes
through a natural gateway into the valley, named in honor of Ix)rd

No. 18.

FISH nOMMTSSTONERS.

Ligonier, far back when some of our grandfathers' fathers were toil-
ing with axe in hand and watchful eye on their stacked guns, as they
cut a clearing for the erection of their rude log cabins. This en-
trance is enchanting, and well deserves the name given it of Pennsyl-
vania Adirondacks, for rising on either hand are the noble peaks of
those lesser brethren of the Eastern Chestnut range of mountains,
their faces and bodies adorned with a heavy growth of deciduous
trees in garbs of light and dark green, with here and there a large
group of stately pines, that raise their gracefully clothed bodies with
dignity above their leaf-shedding brethren.

Furrowing a tortuous way through the mountain gorge, shining
like a silver cord, and rushing by in rift and cascade in opposite di-
rection to the train is the beautiful Loyalhanna stream, named in
Revolutionary days for a maiden distinguished for her bravery and

loyalty.

The life of the stream is given from a congregation of springs
which bubble its birth from the Laurel mountains whose towering
forms, veiled with sheeny purple, rise in the distance.

A trifle further on is the old Kingston Forge, where mure than one
disastrous Indian skirmish was averted by Colonel Ramsey and his
small body of men, who acted as a bodyguard not only to Ligonier
settlement proper, but were ever ready to lend assistance to their
neighbors. Beyond this fighting ground, framed by a beautiful bor-
der of rhododendrons and mountain laurel, are the mammoth granite
deposits, while directly opposite and across the stream is the park
called Idle wood, where man has figuratively harnessed, with modern
improvements and conveniences, nature's hills, vales and lakes into
a limitless mountain park.

Few localities in the State have played more active or important
parts in moulding its early history, and few have passed through
such bitter and fierce struggles with the Indian, the traitor and the
British. Here it was the first venturesome settlers, to protect their
lives, erected the sturdy fort in which they found safe refuge.

Of the many streams which flow into the Loyalhanna in that sec-
tion the largest is Four Mile run, which takes its rise at the head of
Ligonier valley. Four Mile run has been the mecca of many a truant
school boy who took his first lesson in chub fishing, and not a few of
whom afterward developed into expert fishermen, and extended their
field of operations to the western slope of Laurel hill, which is
streaked with a dozen or more trout streams, emptying into the Loy-
alhanna. All the waters in this locality have been stocked by the
fish commission for years, and they yield a return to the average fish-
erman.

In a southeasterly direction from Ligonier valley, and at the very

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base of Laurel bill, is Laughlinstown, a favorite stopping place for
trout fishermen who desire to commence their tly fishing at daybreak.

The water shed of that section extends as far as Knupp's tunnel,
on the abandoned line of the South Pennsylvania railroad, or to a
point near it. Here, on the southern slope, the headwaters of the
Indian creek valley take their rise. The stream of that name flows
through a rugged and well-timbered region and finally empties into
the Youghiogheny.

On the western or Chestnut ridge side of the valley there is only
one stream known to contain trout, a creek called the Champion, but
the western slope of Laurel hill is celebrated for its trout runs, as
they are popularly called in that section.

Along the summit of the lateral ridge which connects Laurel hill
with the Chestnut ridge, is an old turnpike road running from Mt.
Pleasant to Somerset, passing through Donegal and the hamlet of
Jones' mills. A drive over this picturesque old pike to a point near
the top of the mountain, and three miles beyond the hamlet, brings
one to the property of the Big Springs Fishing Club, an organization
composed of Pittsburgh gentlemen. Here is a club house and four
hundred and fifty acres of worked land, and more than a mile of fine
trouting waters. This is a preserve that has been in existence for
over twenty years and is well known to every one in the western sec-
tion of the State.

Going in a southerly direction from this point one will meet with
many excellent trout streams flowing into the Indian creek, while
just over the crest of the mountain, on the eastern slope, are as many
equally good waters and well supplied with brook trout. In fact the
whole section here as far as the Youghiogheny on both slopes are cov-
ered with a perfect net work of angling streams, though none of
them are large.

This section also is the home of the moonshiners, and in the past
few years many an honest fisherman has been spotted and marked as
a spy in the revenue service. Here the angler is apt to frequently
meet some hardy mountaineer with his hickory fish pole and horse
hair line with hook and worm, and with a large bottle of mountain
dew, a fluid on which we may be sure no tax has been paid, in his
capacious pocket. To the city angler this dweller of the hills will
give a kindly greeting, and when once assured that the former is
there only as a fisherman, and not as a spy, his hospitality is un-
bounded.

At this interesting point, where the lines of three counties, Somer
set, Westmoreland and Fayette, meet with the famous old Shade
creek, are the favorite fishing grounds of the people of the old town
of Somerset, and a great resort of many people from Baltimore, who

No. 18.

FiSU COMMISSION ERiS.

ill

take great delight in whipping the streams thereabouts with much

success.

Years ago, when that veteran angler, George Shiras, of Pittsburgh,
the father of the present Justice of the Supreme Court of that nam.',
tramped over these hills and fished in all the streams there, that sec-
tion was comparatively in a primitive condition. But Mr. Shiras has
lived to see the country develop into a flourishing condition, with
railroads running through it, and large timber interests, and with the
years that have passed, the fame of Mr. Shiras as an angler has in-
creased, until the present day, on the eve of his ninetieth year, he is
the most venerable and respected follower of old Isaak Walton to be
found in the United States. The writer thus speaks of Mr. Shiras
because the latter has almost a national reputation as an angler, and
is yet an annual visitor to the Sault de St. Marie, where he is an
honored guest of the old Chippewa house. There is a great arm
chair brought out on his arrival at this old hostelrie for his special
benefit on every fair day during his sojourn. The old gentleman is
on the alert for trout, and it is not an uncommon thing for him to
bring in several trout from three-quarters of a pound to three or four
pounds in weight. If, during his absence from the hotel, anyone
should be thoughtless enough to drop into the old chair, he is quickly
reminded that it is the exclusive right of Mr. Shiras to occupy it, and
he is politely invited to vacate.

East of this beautiful region in the Cumberland valley is the New-
ville spring, a great flow of limestone water, located at the village of
that name near the line of the Cumberland Valley railroad. This
stream is famous for its fine trout and the number it contains. It is
one of the very finest streams in the State, the banks of which are
lined with eager fishermen on the annual opening day of the fishing
season. It is the natural home of the speckled trout, but it has been
plentifully stocked with California or rainbow trout, and it is one of
the very few streams in Pennsylvania in which that species of fish
has been known to propagate naturally. Newville spring has con-
siderable depth and width and flows through the most beautiful por-
tion of the Cumberland valley.

In il'i.s vjill<'.v is also tlu* Conodoguinet, a stream that has beni
plentifully stocked and is a favorite resort of the local fishermen.

At Shippensburg some years ago a Mr. Dyckman, who had accu-
mulated quite a fortune in business enterprises, located and became
owner by purchase of a large stream similar to that at Newville,
where he engaged in the work of trout culture. On this property he
spent much money nnd made quite an attractive place of it. so thnt
many visitors came to his ponds. His work seemed quite successful,
but whether his fish culture work still continues is unknown to the
writer.

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There is also at Carlisle, which has been mentioned in history and
documents of record ever since the earliest of colonial days, a good
trout stream or two, and others have been lately stocked.

Striking southwest to Westmoreland county, is the neighborhood
of New Florence on the line of the Pennsylvania railroad is Tub Mill
run, a most excellent stream, a tributary of the Conemaugh.

These streams mentioned are but a tithe of those which are to be
found in nearly every section of the State, and which have afforded
good sport for the angler for generations, and which are likely to for
generations to come, if the beneficent laws now in operation con-
tinue to be enforced, and the wise policy now prevailing of assisting
the fish commission in its good work.

CHAPTER XVII.

Mountain Lakes of the State.

The people of Pennsylvania justly take pride in its natural lakes.
While none of these bodies of water are as large as the smallest of
the chain in the central part of New York, yet the greater number
are much handsomer than they, and even rival in beauty and attrac-
tiveness the most famous of those in the great Adirondack region.
The State abounds in these lovely sheets of water. There is scarcely
a county through which a mountain range extends that does not pos-
sess several, and all are fair to look upon, while some have besides
such picturesque surroundings that they have become popular re-
sorts for people beyond the charm they hold for the angler. While
there are lakes scattered all over the State, the greater number are
located in the northeastern part, in Pike, Monroe, Wayne, Susque
hanna, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Carbon, Sullivan and Bradford coun
ties. Of these counties Wayne probably has the lead in point of
numbers, there being some one hundred and fifty within its borders,
but Pike county is a close second in this respect, although in the
opinion of many who have been in both sections, is far in the lead
when inherent loveliness and picturesque surroundings are taken
into consideration. Crawford county, in the northwestern part of
Pennsylvania, is also prolific in natural lakes, and here too is the
largest body of water in the State; it is called Conneaut lake and
occupies nearly equal portions of Summit and Sadsbury townships.
It is more than six miles long and possesses many charms.

All of these lakes are the results of the great ice age which swept
its frozen mantle of unknown depth down into Pennsylvania ages ago.
When glaciers poured their frozen masses down steep mountain

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There is also at Carlisle, which has beeu mentioned iu history and
documents of record ever since the earliest of colonial days, a good
trout stream or two, and others have been lately stocked.

Striking southwest to Westmoreland county, is the neighborhood
of New Florence on the line of the Pennsylvania railroad is Tub Mill
run, a most excellent stream, a tributary of the Conemaugh.

These streams mentioned are but a titiie uf those which are to be
found in nearly every section of the State, and which liave afforded
good sjiort for the angler for generations, and which are likely to for
generations to come, if thr Im nciic eiH hiws now in operation con
tinue to be enforced, and the wise policy imw prevailing of assisting
the Hsh commission in its good work.

CHAPTER XVII.
Mountain Lakes of the State.

tM ^0pJe of Pennsylvania justly take pride iu its natural lakes.
While none of these bodies of water are as large as the smallest of
the chain in the central part of New York, yet the greater number
are much handsomer than they, and even rival in beauty and attrac-
tiveness the most famous of those in the great Adirondack region.
The State abounds in these lovely sheets of water. There is scarcely
a county through which a mountain range extends that does not pos-
sess several, and all are fair to look upon, while some have besides
such i)icturesque surroundings that they have become popular re
sorts for people beyond the charm they hold for the angler. While
there are lakes scattered all over the State, the greater number are
located iu the northeastern part, in Pike, Monroe, Wayne, Susque
hanna, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Carbon, Sullivan and Bradford coun
ties. Of these counties Wayne probably has the lead iu point of
numbers, there being some one hundred and tifty within its borders,
but Pike county is a close second in this respect, although iu the
opinion of many who have been in both sections, is far in the lead
when inherent luveliness and picturesque surroundings are taken
into consideration. Crawford county, in the northwestern part of
Pennsylvania, is also prolific in natural lakes, and here too is the
largest body of water in the State; it is called Conneaut lake and
occupies nearly ecpial ])ortions of Summit and Sadsbury townships.
It is more than six miles long and ])osses«es many charms.

.Ml of these lakes an- the results of the orea< ice age which swept
its frozen mantle of unknown depth down into l^cnnsylvania ages ago.
Wh»ii glaciers poured their frozen masses down steep mountain

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSION EKS.

sides, some uu retiring letl beliiud huge termiual moraines which
banked up small streams into pretty mountain lakes. In other cases
depressions were left in the moraines from the bottoms of which
springs bubbled up when the age of ice had gone and tilled to the
brims the basins which had been made.

The uiost reuiJiiUable jiroup of lakefe, peiliaps iu I lie Stale, is iu
Preston township, Wayne county. Here are gathered more than two
dozen pretty natural sheets of water grouped in two sets. Some
of these lakes are but a few rods apart, and in one place no less than
four can be visited within a limit of fifteen minutes. These are
Poyntelle, Summit, Spruce and Independent. These are all spring
water lakes and are full of tish.

In Pike county every lake is at least one thousand feet above tht
sea and no two of them are alike. Some, such as Porters' pond, or
Lake Tedyuscung, in Porter township, are shallow and cover an
ooze bottom which cloud the waters a pale green ; others, like Silver
lake, near Dingman's Ferry, and High Knob pond, or Lake Laura in
Blooming Grove township, are as clear as crystal. Among the most
beautiful in the county are Silver lake and Lake Laura, the latter be-
longing to the Blooming Grove Park Association. It nestles high
up on the sides of one of several isolated mountains of the Knob
group of the Pocono range and covers 447 acres. It is kidney-shaped
and in many places is said to be more than forty-five feet deep. Its
bottom is covered with huge boulders, some fully as large as a good
sized house, the remains of the glacial epoch. In this water and
among these boulders lie black bass in countless numbers and for-
merly of prodigious size, making it emphatically the best resort for
this species of fishing iu the State. This lake was stocked many
years age by some gentlemen before it came into the possession of the
Blooming Grove Park Association, and before they preserved it it
was visited by illegal fishermen and others to such an extent that it
was rapidly becoming worthless. By carefully preserving the waters
black bass have again become numerous, as in former years, but they
are small in size, as a rule, though occasionally a large one is cap-
tured.

The Blooming Grove Park Association, composed mainly of New
York sportsmen, own and control upward of 25,000 acres of the wild
land in Pike county, where they maintain a rigid fish and game pre-
serve, though they are by no means illiberal towards sportsmen who
desire reasonable privileges. Nearly a half a million dollars have
been expended in this county in fitting up and maintaining this
great preserve, and it has been of much benefit to the hardy wood-
men who live thereabouts. In 1893 alone over |5,457 were spent in
improvements. Comfortable club houses have been erected and a

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large fish hatchery is maintained to keep well stocked the many trout
streams and the lake within the borders of the association property.
At this hatchery, more than half a million trout fry are annually in-
cubated. During the year 1892, according to the score books of the
members, 3,961 trout were taken, and 2,323 black bass killed.

From the top of High Knob mountain, one of the group in the
Blooming Grove Park Association's preserves, on a clear summer
day, no less than thirteen natural mountain lakes are to be seen,
glistening in the sunlight like gems of pearl in settings of emerald.
From the summit of this mountain a glorious view is obtained,
though any one venturing to make the ascent had better be provided
with^'a bottle of water and a club for rattlesnakes, as there is none
of the first and plenty of the latter after beginning the rough climb.

One of the best stocked bodies of water in Pike county is Silver
lake, near Dingmau's Ferry. This enchanting sheet is of consider-
able size, with water limpid as dew and very deep. Originally, it
contained little else than pike, but now, through the Pennsylvania
Fish Commission, there is an abundance therein of wall-eyed pike,
black bass, rock bass, white bass and strawberry bass. Lake troui
were also put in this lake as an experiment and they have succeeded

moderately well.

As Wayne county has the largest number of lakes, the fish com-
mission paid particular attention to their stocking. Pike-perch,
strawberry, black, rock and white bass have been placed in great
quantity in all of them, and in the deepest lake trout have been
planted. In a few instances these fish have done fairly well.

The greatest success that has yet been met with in stocking lakes
with pike-perch has been in Conneaut lake, in Crawford county.
These waters now abound in this valuable food fish, although, but a
few years have elapsed since they were first put in. Black bass
planted in this lake at the same time have also thrived to a marvel-
ous extent.

Eagle's Mere, in Sullivan county, is another lake which has re-
ceived close attention from the fish commission. The waters of this
lake are so deep and clear that they seemed especially fitted for
lake trout, though none were indigenous. Five or six years ago,
however, a number were deposited in this lake, and the results sur-
passed expectation. Lake trout twenty to twenty-four inches long
are frequently taken, while small ones are very jibundant, showing
that they are naturally spawning and hatching.

Besides these lakes in the counties mentioned, there is Long Pond,
in Tunkhannock township near the Pokoko mountains, in Monroe
ronntv. a handsome body of water thnt extends nearly across the
township and att'ords good fishing. Besides this there are Lake

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

Poponoming and one or two other smaller lakes near the Delaware
Water Gap, iu the same county.

Susquehanna county also has within its borders a large number of
pretty lakes. The largest of these is the Stillwater, of great width of
stream, in the township of the same name as the lake. Silver lake,
in the northern part of the county, near Montrose, is also a beautiful
body of water and contains a large quantity of good food fishes, and
lake trout have recently been deposited therein. The best pond in
Luzerne county is Harvey's. For many years this was one of the fa-
vorite fishing waters of the State, and to such an extent was it vis-
ited that finally it became almost depopulated. Then the Pennsylva-
nia Fish Commission had it re-stocked heavily, and with the assist-
ance of the residents thereabouts, laws governing fishing were en-
forced, and the results have been more than satisfactory, for once
more Harvey's lake is holding a prominent place among anglers' af-
fections.

In Lackawanna county is Crystal lake — a body of water worthily
named — that lies partly in Lackawanna and partly in Susquehanna
county. Many people visit here annually and enjoy good sport.

A handsome pond in W^yoming county is Crooked lake, and its
irregular shaped body in Overfield township affords good fishing, as
does also Marcy's pond in Lemon and Tunkhannock townships, the
largest lake in that section.

Nearly all the natural lakes in Pennsylvania have been stocked
from time to time by the fish commission, and there is not one but
has been benefited thereby. In some, certain kinds of fish have been
put in that did not thrive, even though the water conditions seemed
favorable, but a trial with some other sort eventually succeeded.
Black, strawberry, white and rock bass, pike-perch and lake trout
have been the species usually used for stocking purposes, though oc-
casionally some others have been tried with varying success. Of
this last class, the rainbow trout have yielded the best results.

W^hen this far-western game fish was first experimented with in
the east the mountain streams were tried, but for some reason they
did not generally seem to thrive. Van Camp's stream, in Pike
county; Hollisters' creek, in Wayne; Newville, in Cumberland, and
a few others elsewhere, there was greater or less success, but on the
whole the experiment was disheartening, and except on local appli-
cation the work of stream stocking with rainbow trout has been
practically abandoned. The reason for this failure has not been
satisfactorily explained. Placed in waters apparently suitable, they
often entirely disappeared almost immediately to turn up in another
creek some distance away, the waters of which seemed not nearly
as favorable for their habits or growth. A notable example of this
was nnnr Erie a few years ago. Here a certain stream near the city

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of Erie was plentifully planted with rainbow trout and for a time
they seemed perfectly satisfied with their new home, but suddenly
not one was to be found in the waters in which they had been de-
posited. A couple of years later fishes of this species were caught
in great numbers in a stream two or three miles distant, where no
fish of their kind had been placed. Both brooks emptied into Lake
Erie, and it is supposed that not being satisfied with their first home
they' abandoned it for the lake and made their way into the waters
where they were subsequently found. In this connection it is note-
worthy that some of this fish must have remained in the lake, for re-
cently they have been caught there in some numbers and they seem

to be increasing.

When the experiment of stream planting with rainbow trout
proved generally a failure, lake planting with this fish was attempt-
ed. In this, as remarked above, some success has been met with,
probably because in bodies of this character they cannot indulge in
their seemingly migratory inclinations. Many mountain lakes of
the State, therefore, yield fair rainbow trout fishing, though not, and
probably never will, equal the yield that other kinds do.

! CHAPTER XVni. i

History of the Pike-Perch.

The shad was not the only great food fish that inhabited the waters
of the Susquehanna about three-quarters of a century ago in pro-
digious quantities. Pike-perch in countless numbers and of large
size were to be found everywhere from the Chesapeake to the head-
waters of the main river, and in the large tributaries. Although
not indigenous to the river the fish became widely known as the
Susquehanna salmon, and as such is still often offered for sale in the
markets and spoken of by many fishermen. It was under the name
of salmon also that the apprentices rejected it as food in their inden-
tures, more than once or twice a week.

In addition to these names this fish was known by many of the
older residents along the Susquehanna as the swager salmon. It is
also called wall-eyed pike, glass eye, blue-pike, yellow-pike, green-
pike and grass-pike. It is also occasionally called the pickerel and
white salmon. The Cree Indians call it the okow and the French
Canadians dore or picarel. Among the fur-traders of British America
it is called the horn-fish, and in the Allegheny and Ohio it is called

the Jack Salmon.

.Tnst how the pike-perch became an inhabitant of the river is
something of n mystery, especially, ns. until introduced recently by

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of Erie was ph'DtifuUv planted with laiubow trout aud for a time
they seemed perfectly satislied with their new home, but suddenly
not one was t<. be found in the waters in which they had been de-
posited. A couple of years later fishes of this si.ccies were caught
in great numbers in a stream twe or three miles distant, where no
tish of their kind had been i)laced. l*.oth bmoks omptied into Lake
Erie, and it is supposed that not bein- satisfied with their first home
thev abandom d it for the lake and made their wny into the waters
where thev were subseciuently found. In lliis connection it is note-
worthy that some of this lish must have remained in the lake, for re-
cently they have been eaiigUt there in some numbers and they seem

to be increasing.

When the experiment of stfemn planting with rainbow trout
j.roved generally a failure, lake planting with this tish was attempt-
ed. In this, as remarked above, some success has been met with,
probably because in bodies of this character they cannot indulge in
their seemingly migratory inclinat!(»8. Many mountain lakes of
the State, therefore, yield fair rainbow trout fishing, though not, and
probably never will, equal the yield that other kinds do.

CHAPTER XVUI.

History of the Pike-rerch.

The shad was not the only great food fish that inhabited the waters
of the Susquehanna about three-quarters of a century ago in pro-
digious (luantities. Pike-perch in countless numbers and of large
size were to be found everywhere from the Chesapeake to the head-
waters of the mala river, and la the large tributaries. Although
not indigenous to the river the fish became widely known as the
Susquehanna salmoa, and as such is still often otTered for sale in the
markets and spoken of by many isbermen. It was under the name
of salmon also that the a^rentke* reieeted it as food in their inden-
tures, more than once m twice a week.

M addititm to these names this fish was knowtt by many of the
older residents along the gosquehanna as the swager salmon. It i»
also called wall-eyed pike, glass eye, blue-pike, yellow-pike, gr^-
pike and grass-pike. It is also occasionally called the pickerel and
white salmon. The Cree Indians call it the okow and the French
nana<lians dore or piearel. Among the fur-traders of British America
it is called the horn-fish, and in th<' Allegheny and Ohio it is called

the Jack Salmon.

.Iiisl how the jnke-perch became an inhabitant of I lie river is
something of a njystory. "speciMlly. as. until inirndnc<.d ie,ently bv

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INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

417

the commission into other streams of Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna
alone contained them.

The most plausible story of their introduction is related by Hon.
Simon Cameron. He says that shortly after the war of 1812 a Jesuit
priest and an Englishman living on the banks of the Susquehanna,
who had previously seen the pike-perch in Seneca Lake, New York,
conceived the idea of transplanting them to the waters of the river
on which they lived. They accordingly made the journey to this
lake and captured several specimens and brought them safely to Che-
mung river, a tributary of the Susquehanna, where they were de-
posited, at Elmira, then known as Newton, and there set them free.
While the distance between Senaca lake and Chemung river is but
twelve miles, the way in those days was beset by many difficulties,
and considering this the bringing of these few fish successfully from
their native waters to their new home is much more remarkable than
the feat which has been accomplished in the present generation of
(tarrying live fish several thousand miles.

From these transplanted pike-perch, it is said, the "salmon" of the"
Susquehanna have all sprung.

They multiplied so rapidly that in a very few years they swarmed
in the deeper waters and became one of the staple food fishes of the
Susquehanna. Their solid, heavy meat, richer even in flavor than
the striped bass, sometimes called the rockfish, caused the people to
consider them even superior to the shad, and notwithstanding their
number they commanded a much higher price.

They were caught in seines, on hooks and lines, and were the sport
to the gigger at night. Nescopeck Falls, directly opposite Berwick,
near where the Nescopeck creek empties into the river was a noted
place for "salmon" fishing with hook and line. Men standing on the
shore with long poles and lines would often, in drawing out the fish,
lodge them in the branches of the trees, giving them the appearance
of salmon-producing trees. The present generation fish for them by
two methods, by steel fishing with minnows and by trolling. In
tmgling by the first named manner, live minnows are used in prefer-
ence to all other baits, particularly such as are more or less trans-
parent with silvery sides, as the fall-fish or dace, the corporal roach,
the red fin and the gudgeon. When trolling, the favorite method be
tween Columbia and Harrisburg, a small lamprey eel is usually at-
tached to the spoon in place of the feathers, sunk very deep, near a
rocked ledge and drawn through the water much more slowly than
when after other species of fish. When a pike-perch first strikes, it
is not a strong, vicious try that is felt, such as other members of his
family give, but a steady pull such as might be made by a man haul-
ing in a linp with his fpet bracpd. This peculiarity often leads the
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angler to imagine for a time that bis hook is fast on a log. But
when the fish is brought near the surface it abandons the sullen
hang-back policy and begins a vigorous fight for its life, affording the
angler more than fair sport. It is a peculiarity of many of the boat-
men of this section, that when a fish is struck he will begin rowing
as endeavoring to escape from an enemy, and unless stopped very
quickly will succeed in drowning the pike-perch, before the angler
has a chance to extract any sport from his catch. This curious habit
is due, it is said, from their own habit when fishing to get their prey
out of the water as speedily as possible.

Besides the name of Susquehanna salmon, the pike-perch is also
known as the "Jack salmon," though the fish is not related in any
way to the salmon tribe, but belongs to the perch family.

In the report of the Pennsylvania Fish Commissioners for 1892, is
found the following excellent account of this valuable food fish:

"The pike-perch or wall-eyed pike inhabits the Great Lake region
and extends northward into British America, where it has been re-
corded as far as fifty-eight degrees north by Dr. Richardson. It
ranges south in the Mississippi valley to Arkansas, and in Atlantic
streams to Georgia. This species is said to reach a weight of fifty
pounds," though such are rarely found. The largest specimen from
the Pennsylvania rivers was found dead on the banks of the Sus-
quehanna under the Shamokin dam some time ago. This fish weighed
twenty-two pounds and had evidently in life been a trifle heavier
"but the average weight of the nuirket specimens is less than five
pounds." But fishes of ten or twelve pounds are not uncommon.

"The pike-perch feed on the bottom upon other fishes, and has been
charged even with destroying its own young. It prefers clear and
rapid waters, and lurks under submerged logs and rocks, from which
it can readily dart upon its prey. Spawning takes place in April and
May. and in Pennsylvania continues until June. The period of
hatching varies from about fourteen to thirty days, depending upon
the temperature of the water. The eggs vary from about seventeen
to twenty-five to the inch, and a single female has been estimated to
contain from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand eggs.
In a state of nature only a small percentage of the eggs are hatched
out: the greater portion are driven upon the lake shores by storms
and devoured by fishes upon the spawning beds." "Dexter," in
Forest and Stream, August 14, 1890, makes the following statement
about its habits in the lakes: "These fish run up the rivers before or
as soon as the ice is out, and after spawning lie off the river's mouth
feeding on and off the sand flats, as the spring rains bring down
plenty of worms and probably other matter which they feed on. As
soon as the water gets warm they sag off and work along the shores

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

419

ill two to thirty feet of water, preferring cobbly bottom; from here
they go into very deep water, coming on the reefs to feed, and when
the wind blows very hard for a day or so after a big blow, you will
find them right on top of a reef. I think the wind changes the water
over the reefs, making a new current and cooler w^ater, so they come
up to feed. They are a bottom fish, and to fish for them successfully
we must go to the bottom for them. They are nearly as particular
as salmon trout about the water they inhabit, and consequently rank
very high as a food fish, being very white, solid and extremely free
from bones."

The pike-perch is fairly entitled to be called a handsome fish, even
though there is something of ferocity in the appearance of its jaw.
It is long and slender like a pike, with markings somewhat similar:
a general color of mingled olive and brassy yellow, and with the
strong shapely fins of the pearch.

This is the characteristic appearance of the mature fish; the young
are equally striking, with rapidly changing color as they advance
towards maturity. They have, in their earliest stages, oblique dark
bands, very much like the king-fish of the sea. "The eye of the living
fish is like a glowing emerald," so green and fiery is it in its younger
days.

The same reckless disregard uf the rights of posterity and of
others in their generation was observed by the fishermen on the Sus
quehanna with regard to the pike perch as to the shad. As a result,
this noble food fish, like the shad, became more and more scarce, till
from being in those waters in great abundance they were rarely met
with.

While the Fish Commissioners of the State recognized the value
of the pike-perch as a good fish, and viewed with concern its rapid
destruction, not only in the Susquehanna, but iu Lake Erie, one of
its native homes as well, they were so situated that they were unable
to do much towards their increase until 1889. In that year the at-
tention of the United States Commission was also directed to the
matter, and that year the latter body hatched about 12,000,000 fry at
Sandusky, Ohio. These were turned over to the Pennsylvania Com-
missioners, who deposited the greater number of them in the Sus-
quehanna river and its beautiful tributary, the Juniata. Then, be-
lieving that the waters of the Delaware and the Schuylkill were also
well suited for this species of fish, the remainder were planted in the
upper waters of the first and in the other near the city of Reading.
These fry in the Delaware and Schuylkill took kindly to their new
quarters and grew with marvelous rapidity, so mucli so that in
March of the present year one was caught at Dingman's Ferry which
weighed nine pounds and three quarters, while large numbers have

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been caught which tipped the scales at four and tive pounds. For
the nu>st part these pike-perch remain in the upper waters, being
seen most abundantly at Lackawaxen, Hancock and Deposit.

In the same year (1889) the Pennsylvania Commissioners also be-
gan the hatching of pike-perch eggs, using their new hatchery at
Erie, and they distributed nearly 9,000,000 young fish of this species.
In 1890, from the same place, the commissioners sent out 13,545,000
pike-perch fry, and one year later they hatched the enormous num-
ber of 40,000,000, within 3,000,000 of the total number of young shad
that were hatched and placed in the Delaware and Susquehanna
rivers between 1889 and 1891. Not content with this enormous num-
ber, the commissioners redoubled their efforts and last year hatched
out and planted nearly as many pike perch as had been incubated by
them in the previous years combined, the figures being for 1892,
59,000,000, for 1889-91, 03,135,000. Most of these young fry were
placed in the waters of Lake Erie, but a vast quantity were deposited
in the Susquehanna, upper Delaware and its tributaries. Large
numbers were also planted in all the larger lakes of Wayne county,
and some of those of Pike county, notably Silver lake, near Ding-
man's Ferry.

Wherever they have been placed tliey have succeeded. In the Del-
aware, as already noted, many large fish have been caught, and the
stock is increasing naturally; some have been captured in the
Schuylkill river below Reading, and the fish of this species have in-
creased to an appreciable degree in the Susquehanna. So marked
has been the succ^ess of this endeavor, that the Commissioners have
strong hopes, can the present beneficent laws be maintained and en-
forced, that the pike-perch will become next to the shad, one of the
most important of the interior food fishes financially.

CHAPTER XIX

History of the Black Bass.

When a survev of the waters of the State is made, and in everv
river and lake having hard rocky bottoms are found black bass,
sometimes to the practical exclusion of other species of large fishes,
it seems almost incredible that a little more than thirty-three years
ago, not a specimen of this member of the perch tribe was to be
f<»und therein. Yet this is, as far as is known, absolutely correct.
For the introduction of this magnificent game and table fish the peo-
ple are indebted, primarily, to the genial and enthusiastic angler,
"Thad" Norris, and, secondarily, a number of ardent Easton and
Philadelphia fishermen.

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Ik-.'Ji cniiiiht wliicli tippiMl the se.ik's at \\>nv auil the pmiiid«. Fur
ilie iiiusi [Kilt llic'sc piUc pt'icli leinaiii in llic upper waters, being
s( en iiiosi abundantly at Lackawaxen, Haiieock and Deposit.

In ilie same year (is?>t>) the Pennsylvania Coniniission( rs also be-
«^an I he ha telling of i)ike-pereli e.u^s, using their new hatchery at
I'lie. and they distiibuted nearly 1MMM».(MH) youn.u lish of this si)eeies.
hi ls!M>. from the same plaee. the eommissioners sent out lo,545,000
l»ike pereh fry. and one year later they hatched the enormous num
her of l(Kr,(MK(Mi(l, within :J.tKH).(M)0 of the total number of youn.n «had
that were hatched and jdaeed in the Delaware and Sustiuehauna
livers l»etueen 1S8U and 1J?>U1. Not content with tliis enormous num
ber, the commisgioners redo«l>k^ tl^ir eilorts and hist vear hatched
out and phmtod nearly as many i>ike perch as had been incubated by
them in tlie previous years combined, the tij-ures bein«4 for ISDl*,
.V.MMIO.OtMK for Ijsy.i-Dl. (;a,i:J."'>.(H»U. Most of these youn«» fry were
placed in the waters of Lake Erie, but a vast quantity were deposited
in the Susquehanna, upi»er Delaware and its tributaries. Large
numbers were also planted in all ^m lar<:er lakes of Wayne county,
and some of those of Pike county, notably Silver lake, near Ding
man's Ferry.

Wherever they have been placed they have succeeded. In the Del
aware, as ah'eady noted, many large lish have l>eeu caught, and the
stock Is inereasing naturally; scuiie havi* been eaptured in the
Scliuylkill river below Kea^ling, and tlie lish of this si»ecies have te-
« r< ased to ait appreciable degree in liie J^nsqnolianna. So marked
ha> been the sm-cess of this endeavor, that the Commissioners have
stri>ng liopes, can the iwesent beneficent laws be maintain^ and en-
forced, that the pike-perch w ill become next to tlie shad, one of the
most important of the interioi food flshes financially.

CBAPTER XIX

Mistorv of the Biaik liass.

When a s»rvey of th«^ wate»»^ tbe ^#te m ma4e, aa4 i» #v«ry
river and lake having hard roeky bottoms are foand Mnek hass,
Komethnes to th<' practical exclusion of othi*i species of large fishes,
it seems almost incredible that a little more than thirty three years
ago, not a specimen of this member of the perch tribe was to be
luund tiierein. Yet this is. as far as is known, absolutelv correct.
For the introduction of this magnificent game and table fish the peo-
ple are indebted, primarily, to the genial and enthusiastic angler,
•Thad" Xoiris. and. secondarily, a number of ardent Eastou and
Philadelphia fishermen.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

421

Early in 1870 Mr. Norris, who was thoroughly acquainted with the
habits, gauie qualities and table merits of the black bass, feeling
satisfied that this species of flsh would do well in the waters of Penn-
sylvania, broached the subject of introducing a number to Mr. How-
ard J. Reeder and G. W. Stout. These gentlemen entered enthu-
siastically into the project and a considerable sum of money was
speedily raised, Mr. Norris collecting about |1,000 and Mr. Stout
$313.

With one-half the amount collected, about four hundred and fifty
black bass were purchased at Harper's Ferry. These fish were
mature specimens taken from the Potomac river, which was full of
them, the river having been incidentally protected through the civil
war.

The bass thus purchased were taken to the Delaware river, where
they were deposited, October 2G, 1870, just below the Lehigh dam at
Easton. Shortly afterwards a number of other public-spirited citi-
zens residing along the Susquehanna and Schuylkill rivers, pur-
chased a number of fish frotn the same locality on the Potomac,
paying therefore one dollar each, and planted them in those two
streams.

The result surpassed their expectations. The fish took kindly to
their new quarters and multiplied in such amazing quantity that in
three years they were caught in the Delaware, Susquehanna and
Schuylkill rivers in great numbers. Fish four and five pounds in
weight were frequently caught in 1873. The voracity and eagerness
with which they took both bait and fly, the stubborness and vigor
with which they fought for freedom and life when hooked speedily
made them a favorite game-fish among anglers, many old brethren
of the rod, indeed, declaring that the new fish yielded more sport
than the speckled trout.

A welcome surprise to the angler, the black bass was a disagree-
able one to the net fishermen. To the indignant astonishment of
the latter, when caught in the summer and fall, within the sweep or
bag of the seine, the black bass almost invariably made their escape
from the deadly contrivance by leaping out of the water and ovei
the upper or cork line of the net, and it was not until this species of
fish capturer found that the black bass could not escape the in
iquitons fish basket that it arose at all in his estimation.

So rapidly did the bass multiply in the Delaware river that three
years after their introduction the fish commissioners were able to
stock other waters therefrom, and in 1873 no less than two thousand
and forty-four were captured near Easton and distributed through-
out the State. These fish were transported to their new quarters
under the personal direction of Mr. John P. Creveling, and so care-

422

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doe.

fully was the work done that not a dozen lish were lost on the way.
They were conveyed in ordinary fifteen gallon milk cans, the tem-
perature of the water being kept at about sixty-two degrees Fahren-
heit. From twenty-five to fifty fish were contained in each can, and
Mr. Creveling required six men to assist him in the work of caring
for them during the journey. These bass were deposited in the
Lehigh river, the North and West branches of the Susquehanna, the
Juniata and its branches, the reservoir near Hollidaysburg, Yellow
Breeches creek, Chiquesalonga creek, Octorora creek and Codorus
creek.

So great was the demand for black bass, almost as soon as its qual-
ities became known, and so limited were the financial resources of the
Commissioners that in 1873 these gentlemen were compelled to an-
nounce that they could supply but a limited number to each appli-
cant, and then only on the individual paying the freight. This, it is
related was cheerfullv done.

Through not thoroughly understanding the habits of the black bass
the Commissioners, in 1874, were able only to capture 1,085 fish for
stocking purposes. These were placed in Muncy, Swatara, Cones-
toga, Mill, Brandywine, Pine, Conroy, Canton, Buffalo, Pine, Penn,
Wissahickon, Little Conewago, Conodoguinet, Marsh, Big Conewago,
Big and Little Chiquesalonga creeks, Susquehanna, Conoquenessing,
Allegheny and Lehigh rivers; also in Saylor's lake and Porters and
Twelve Mile Lakes, in Pike county. In Porter's lake the bass never
succeeded owing to the muddy nature of its bottom, but in the others
they speedily made themselves at home and multiplied. Twelve Mile
pond, indeed, being now well known as far away as central New
York for its bass-fishing qualities.

As may be supposed the wonderful success met with by the fish
commissioners in stocking the waters of the State with this great
game fish, caused those gentlemen to study them with great
eagerness and devise means to increase the supply by artificial
propagation. This, however, was found exceedingly difficult
and unprofitable; what few were hatched were neither healthy
or suitable for planting. This attempt was therefore aban-
doned. There was, however, little need for artificial propaga-
tion. The black bass may fairly bo put down as one of the most pro-
lific and valuable of our fresh water fishes. Their fertility is won-
derful, a pair of large bass will deposit from 20,000 to 30,000 eggs,
and these are guarded with Spartan like fidelity by both parents, al-
ternately watching all intruders with jealous eyes and attacking
them with great ferocity should they approach too near. Even after
the young are hatched the watchfulness of the parents is still kei)t
up for some weeks, their numerous enemies are battled with, and

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

the little ones are taught to forage and obtain food suitable to their
taste and condition.

The very rapidity with which they increased caused in a few years
fear, lest they would drive out all other fishes, but this fear soon
proved groundless. Discussing this possibility the fish commission-
ers, in their report for 1883-84, say "while all will admit that the
black bass is one of the most prolific, palatable and gamey of our
fresh water fishes, the question has arisen and is being warmly dis-
cussed, w'hether its introduction into the waters of eastern Pennsyl-
vania has been a blessing or otherwise.

"Nearly everybody, but especially sportsmen, anticipated great re-
sults from their introduction. Anglers were especially delighted,
while commercial fishermen, turning their eyes towards the Potomac,
which was producing great quantities of bass, looked hopefulJy for-
ward to the time when the streams of our own State w^ould yield a
like harvest. As the trout streams in nearly every portion of the
State has become practically barren, the black bass were welcomed
with sincere joy. Anticipation ran high and it cannot be denied that
it wa«« fully warranted by the almost immediate rapid increase in
number and size of the newcomers.

"That those bright anticipations were ephemeral, and that they
were realized but for a very brief period, needs not the saying. In
some cases the bass were roundly denounced as nuisances, and
among the loudest and most vigorous complainants were some who,
only a little while before, had been their most zealous champions.
The strangers were charged with not merely devouring other fish
too weak to defend themselves against such powerful assailants, but
that when they had exhausted that source of food supply, with
turning upon and devouring their own progeny; that ultimately they
would have entire possession of the streams, and that, eventually
failing to find the required supply of animal food, would themselves
become extinct. In proof of the latter allegation, the gradual
dimunitions in the annual catches in the Potomac and Susquehanna
were pointed to.

"Now, all this may be true, and it may not. The friends of the
black bass while admitting their ravenous disposition, stoutly deny
that the bass are indiscriminate exterminators of weaker fisli, or
that there is the slightest evidence of dimunition in their numbers,
save such as can be readily traced to the deadly fish basket and other
illicit contrivances for catching and killing them.

"They insist that as far as the Susquehanna and Delaware are con-
cerned, the minnows destroyed by the bass are those which depre-
date n]K)n the spawn of the shad and the perch, or wall-eyed pike.
Moi'.'ov. r. thev contend thnt if the rivers were depopulated of min-
27»

REPORT OF THE

OfC. Doc.

nows, it would pay the State handsomely to hatch shad largely for
the special purpose of supplying food for the bass.

'Trorn this it will be seen that this fish may not be as black as it
is painted. Stronger evidence than has yet been presented is wanted
by the board before determining what course shall be pursued."

About this time a gentleman residing on the Susquehanna, a very
strong friend of the black bass, came forward in defense in a letter
to the Board of Fish Commissioners. In it he says:

"There is a very decided increase of the native salmon, pike-perch,
or wall-eyed pike, in this river. Last year (1878) hundreds were
taken, averaging a foot in length and about three-fourths of a pound
in weight. This increase is accounted for by the fact that the bass
destroyed the small fish that preyed upon the eggs of the pike. If
the laws now on the statute books against fish-baskets and nets are
enforced, these fish, which grow to a weight of ten pounds, will nat-
urally increase. Until that is done, there is no room for the hope
that there ever will be a material improvement in the product. Last
fall, at the dam below Sunbury, there was taken out in a single night
by one of those infernal machines and seines, no less than fourteen
hundreds pounds of bass and salmon. In other parts of the main
river, and in the Juniata, the average catch of each basket at night,
when the w^ater was about three feet above the ordinary height, was
at least fifty young salmon, about twelve inches in length."

Another gentleman reported to the board that he had seen two
bushels of young bass taken from a single basket in one night. An
other, that a man of his acquaintance fed five bushels of young bass
to his hogs in less than one w'eek.

Yet, at the session of the legislature concluded this year, there
were men who came to the members and claimed that no fish protec-
tive laws were needed, and asked that the iniquitous fish-baskets be
legally restored to the rivers.

That whatever fall off there was in the supply of black bass, was
due almost entirely to fish-baskets and other illegal devices for catch-
ing them, was soon after abundantly demonstrated. By vigorous
measures the Delnwan' I'iver was cleared of all fish baskets and traps
but such a laudable result did not follow similar efforts in the Sus-
quehanna. Almost immediately the catches in the former stream
began sensibly to increase, and does to this day, while those of the
latter water course is steadily declining. As long as fish-baskets are
allowed to remain in the rivers just so long may the people expect to
have poor results eitlier for sport or commercial pur])oses. Remove
them, and sec* that all the laws for the protection of fishes are en-
forced, and tlie waters will onc(> moie speedily teem with a valnablf
table food.

424

REPORT OF THE

O^. Doc.

nows, it would juiv tlir Stale handsomely to hatch shad largely for
the special purpuse of supplying food for the bass.

"From this it will be seen that this hsh jiiay not b(^ as black as it
is painted. Stronger evidence than has yet been lueseuted is wanted
iiy the board before (h'termining what course shall be jHirsued."

About this time a gentleman residing on the Sus(iuehauna, a very
strong friend of the black bass, came forward in defense in a letter
to the Board of Fish Commissioners. In it he savs:

"There is a very decided increase of the native salmon, pike-perch,
or wall-eyed pike, in this river. Last year (1878) hundreds were
taken, averaging a foot in length and about three-fourths of a pound
in weight. This increase is accounted for by the fact that the bass
destroyed the snuill fish that preyc d upon the eggs of the pike. If
the laws now on the statute books against flsh-baskets and nets are
enforced, these fish, which grow^ to a weight of ten pounds, will nat-
urally increase. Until that is done, there is no room for the hope
that there erer will be a material improvement in the product. Last
fall, at the dam below Sunburv, there wa» taken out in a sinale night
by one of those infernal machines and seines, no less than fourteen
hundreds pounds of bass and salmon. In other parts of the main
river, and in the Juniata, the average catch of each basket at night,
when the water was about tliree feet abov<» the ordinarv heijiht, was
at least fifty young salmon, about twelve inches in length."

Another gentleman rej)ort«'d to the board that he had seen two
bushels of young bass taken from a single basket in one night. An
other, that a man of his acquaintance fed five bushels of young bass
to his hogs in less tlian one week.

Yet. at the session of the legislatui'e concluded this year, there
were men who came to the members and claimed that no fish protec-
tive laws were needed, and asked that the iniquitous flsh-basketg be
legally restored to the rivers.

That whatever faH oft there was m the safiply of black bass, was
due almost entirely to ftsh-baskets atid other illegal devices for catch
io^ them, was soon after abundantly demonstrated. By viforoos
measures th(* Delaware river was eleared of all fish baskets and traps
but such a laudable result <Bd not fullnw similar efforts in the ftu»-
qaehanna. Almost immediai*% th«- catclies in the former stream
Itegan sensibly to increase, and does to this day, while those of the
latter water course is steadilv dedininu:. As long as flsh-baskets are
allowed to remain in the rivers just so long may the people expect to
have poor results eitliei- for sport or ••ommercial pui-poses. Kemove
them and scm- thai all tli(» laws for the protection of fishes are en-
forced, and llii' watfis will (iiici' iiioi"' sp'MMlilv Ifcm with a valnabl-
table food.

P
O
Q

m
o

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

Oft

CHAPTER XX.

Life History of the Charrs and Brook Trout.

Besides the efforts made by the Peiinsylvauia Fish Commissioners
for the restoration of the shad-fishing industries in the rivers of the
Commonwealth, for the white fish industries of Lake Erie, for the in-
crease of pike-perch and for the establishment of the black bass in all
the suitable waters of the State, they early paid earnest attention to
the re-stocking of the trout streams of the State. In this endeavor
they have been eminently successful. As remarked in a former chap-
ter, the early output of fry was not only small, but the work of the
commission being but little known, there was only a slight demand
for the fry. But the light of the commission w'as not long hidden.
By 1877 the output of brook trout fry had reached 154,000, then con-
sidered an enormous number. The following year 253,000 were dis-
tributed. From 1879 to 1881, inclusive, 595,600 brook trout fry were
deposited in suitable waters in the State, an average of 198,500 an-
nually. In 1882, however, a great leap was made and 449,200 young
trout were liberated in the mountain streams. Through various ad-
verse circumstances, only 110,500 brook trout were distributed in the
next two years, but in 1885 the figures were nearly repeated, 400,000
being planted, and in 1886 it was slightly exceeded, the number
being 490,100. The following year another considerable advance in
the number propagated was made, and 689,000 speckled trout were
sent out from the two hatcheries. This would have been exceeded
in 1888 except for the disease which attacked the fry in the eastern
hatchery, at Allentown, which destroyed over 400,000. As it was.
applications to the number of 560,500 were filled. AYith increased
facilities in the two hatching houses, in 1889 and 1890, 2,694,900 were
planted, and- in 1891, 2,508,000. Altogether, since the work of arti-
ficial propagation commenced, to and including the present year,
over 16,000,000 brook trout fry have been hatched and distributed.
The rich yield of streams which a few years ago had become almost
barren, and the encouraging results of others which had been barren
for many years, are themselves indisputable evidence of the value of
the work done by the fish commissioners at a nominal cost to the

State.

As recently determined the beautiful brook trout of our waters is
not a true salmon but a charr, a circumstance which need not cause
the angler or the lover of this attractive fish any sorrow, since all
the members of this group of salmonoids are noted not only for their

426

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

beauty and grace but their game qualities. No truer words were
ever spoken than those uttered by an eminent ichthyologist when he
declared that "no higher praise can be given to a salmonoid than to
call it a charr. It came by the name of trout through the Pilgrim
fathers who, when they first saw it in New England, mistook it for
the same fish they knew in their own Devonshire streams. Had they
come from the north of England or from Scotland and been more
observing, the error would in all likelihood have never been made.
But brook trout or speckled trout or charr, or whatever name may
be applied to the fish it needs no description. There are few anglers
who are not well acquainted with this most beautiful and graceful
of fishes. It is more eargerly sought for and by the majority of fresh
water sportsmen in the east prized more than any other member of
the finnv tribe, wliilo (epicures regard its flesh as unsurpassed
for delicacy and richness of flavor. Unquestionably, the pure cold
water and the usually picturesque character of the streams in which
the brook trout live has something to do with making this fish a gen-
eral favorite among sportsmen, but undoubtedly its splendid game
qualities and other inherent good points have done more than any-
thing else to achieve this end. The merest tyro in the art of fishing
who has killed but few trout, while he may not agree, will forgive
the angler who dogmatically dechires it to be the gamiest fish that
swims. A well known angler in Pennsylvania once declared that to
play a speckled trout gave him a higher and keener sense of delight
tliau to hook nnd phiy a lordly black bass. "Hoth," he said "make a
glorious nnd intelligent struggle for life. But there the comparison
ends. The trout fights tike a trained boxer, the other like a savage.
One arouses all my admiration and the other my blood. With one
T feel as though I was engaged in a friendly contest, with the other
almost as though it was the life of either myself or the bass."

But there is still another reason why we of the east should take
a particular pride in the speckled charr or trout. It belongs to us.
It is indigenous to our waters as its natural habitat is east of the
Allegheny mountains and the great lakes, with a longitudinal range
from the up])er rivers of Georgia to Labrador. Thus, we can feel
that while we have received from other sections many noble fish, we
have fully repaid by giving in return a gloriously lovely and great
game fish of equal and often greater value.

Like most of the members of the true salmon tribe, the charrs are
truly fresh water fishes, but as with all the salmon, when afforded
opportunities, delight to take excursions into the salt water, where
they seem to thrive and increase in size. It is doubtless this happy
adventuresomeness which caused the development of the speckled
trout, as the brook charr is likely to continue to be called despite
ichchyologists.

No. 18.

PISH COMMISSIONERS.

427

In a recent monograph. Professor David tS. Jordan, an eminent
ichthyologist, gives an interesting account of the origin of the true
trout and its journey to the Pacific coast from Europe, and its sub-
sequent development into the many forms which now exist west of
the great plains. This monograph and many indications suggest an
equally interesting as well as somewhat similar story of the life his-
tory of the charrs which is here advanced, though not stated as a
fact.

Like the true trout, the charr doubtless had as its parent the
salmon, but born as was its relative with pronounced characteristics
of its own. Whether correctly or erroneously, the writer suggests
that its birth place was in the British Isles, where several forms are
found to-day, particularly in Wales, the north of England and Scot-
land. In course of time some venturesome specimens in taking an
ocean journey found themselves in Greenland's fresh water streams,
when the climatic conditions were far different from those which
exist to-day. Changes in environment brought a change of form
and the species known to ichthyologists as Salveljnus stagnalis.

From Greenland, some of the now species, perhaps, made the short
journey to Arctic America, and spread north and south, and as
through glacial, or siesmic action these groups become isolated, they
took new and distinct characteristics, the most northern becoming
Salvelinus Narsei, and arctica, and the moderately southern sub
polar species Salvelinus Rossi, and still lower S. Nitidis. Traveling
still further south into Labrador these adventuresome charrs
changed their form again and became our special favorite, Selvelinus
fontinalis, or speckled trout. Even when reaching the temperate
clime, they made other specific habits in some suitable locations. In
the Rangely lakes, Maine, they transformed themselves into Selve
linus, or blue back charr, and in the great lakes and some other deep
water ponds of Northern America into Selvelinus naraaycush, or
lake trout. Other forms, generally rare, also exist. It is
noteworthy, whether this be a true account of the wander-
ings of the charr or not, that there are but two of the species
claimed to be indigenous in Pacific coast waters, namely the lake
trout and the Dolly Varden trout, the latter of which received its
peculiar but not inappropriate title from the landlady of a Sacra-
mento hotel on account of the fancied resemblance to the gaily
spotted type of dress named in honor of one of Charles Dickens'

characters.

But wherever the charrs have their home, the water must be pure,
and the speckled trout is no exception to the rule. It pre<'ers a tem-
perature of from 50 degrees to 55 degrees, but will live and do well
if other conditions are favorable at 68 degrees or even 70 degrees^

428

REPORT OP THE

Off. Doc.

especially if the water is laij-elj- luani Lusst'd aud otlierwise ver^
rapid running and broken.

Given suitable water and plenty of food, tlie brook trout does not
appear to care much whether a stream be mostly sun kissed, or em-
braced wholly by dark shadows, provided there are plenty of lurking
places from which to watch for the coming of its food. This fish
loves the f:iiiges and tails of eddies; the shelter of rocks or stones in
broiling rapids and at the base of falls; the shadow of half sub-
merged lo?s or overhanging banks and bushes. Only in deep, placid
and dark pools do they wander at all. In the other localities the
largest and strongest fish takes the best lair, the next occupies sec-
ond place, and so on, and in these chosen locations they remain nose
up stream waiting for their prey, seldom going more than a few feet,
except in spawning time, when frightened, or in pursuit of some
thing edible that comes under its marvelous vision. In all these
cases, however, as long as they live, unless some better place chances
to offer, they return to the same spot. This well known characteris-
tic aifords the basis of many an angler's story of the cunning of some
aged speckled monster that for years defied pt^rsistent efforts for its
capture, even when the most captivating lures were offered until
the fortunate narrator came along. While the brook trout some
times reaches the weight of three or four pounds in Pennsylvania
waters the average size taken are from seven to nine inches,
although from ten to fifteen inches are not rare. But the last
named size is seldom exceeded; anything over usually excites gen-
eral attention, and the story of the catch will wander some distance
beyond the vicinity in which it was made.

From October to February or March is the spawning period of the
brook trout, and the eggs are laid in a nest of gravel, and in-
cubate in from 35 to 105 days, according to the temperature of the
water, and in about two years grow to a catchable size. It is in the
artificial hatchingof brook troutthat theFish Commissioners of IVnn
sylvania, in common with those of the other states, have shown a de
cided superiority to nature. By the latter's methods a large portion
of the 800 to 1,000 eggs laid by the female trout are not impregnated,
and of those that are, not over 10 per cent, are hatched. By artificial
impregnation and incubation from 00 to 97 per cent, of the eggs pro-
duce trout fry, and of these practically all live to an age suitable to
be deposited in the different streams of the State.

CHAPTER XXI.
Rainbow Trout and Its Ancestry.

When ichthyologists took the charrs from the true trouts and

placed them in a tribe by themselves under the name of Salvelinus,

p-H

•>1

428

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc

fS|MMi;illv il iJie water is lai-cl> luaui i-.s.s.d and utlierwise ver^
rajtid iiiniiin^ and broken.

<ii\.'n siiiiahl.' waler and }denlv of food, tli<* ln'«»ok Irout does not
aj.pear u» earn iniiili wiietlier a slfeani lie mostly snn kissed, or em
111 ai I'd wlmlly by daik sliadous. ju'ovidiMl iheiM- ait* ulentv of liirkin«»^
lilaees frniii whiili lo watch foi- the coming of its food. This lish
h>ves the f: iii^ies and tails of «'(Mies; the siielier of locks or stones in
hroilinu rapids and at tlie has.- of falls; the siia<low of half sub-
merged lo;;s or overhanjiinji banks and bushes, only in deep, placid
and dark pools d(» they wander at all. In 'he other localities tUe
largent aud -trungesl lisli lakes the Im'si lair, the next occupies sec
ond place, and so on, and in these chosen locations they remain nose
up stream waiting for their prey, seldom goinj,^ nn)re than a few feet,
except in spawuiuu time, when fri«»htened, or in pursuit of som«
thing eiiWe tkat comes under its marvelous vision. In all these
cases, however, as long as they live, unless some better place chances
to offer, they return to the same spot. This well known characteris
tic atl'ords the basis of many an angler's story of the cunning of some
aged speckled monster that for years delied p; rsistent etTcuts for its
capture, even when the most captivating lures were olTered until
the fortunate narrator came along. While the l»rook trout some
times reaches the weight of three or four pounds in Peuu-sylvania
waters the average $ize taken are from seven to nine inches,
althoufh from ten to fifteen inches are not rare. IJut the last
named size is seldom exceeded: anything over usually excites gen-
eral attention, and the story of the ( atch will w ander ww# diataace
beyond the vicinity in w lii( h it was made.

From October to February lu* March is the spawning period of the
brook trout, and the eggs are laid m a nest of gravel, and in
ciibate in from M to 165 day»» according to the temperature of the
water, and in about two years grow to a eatchable ske. It is in the
artificial hatchingof brook trout that tli.'Fish ('(unmissioners of Tenn
sylvania. in common with those of the other states, have shown a de
elded superiority to nature. Ily the hitter's methods a large portion
of the 800 to 1,000 eggs laid by the female trout are not impregnated,
and of those that are, not over It per c««t» are hatched. I3y ariiticial
impregnation and incubation from DO to U~ per cent, of the eggs pro-
duce trout fry, and of these practically all live t© an age suitable to
be deposited in the dillereut streams of the State.

CHAPTER XXI.

Rainbow Trout and Its Ancestry.

When ichthyologists took the charrs from the true trouts and

plac%;d thetu in a tribe by themselves under the name of Salvdinii,-,

m
1

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

429

LliC'^ derfignatLtl ilie roliuwiiig disliiicliuus which led them to take
this action: The charrs, they said, "differed from the true salmons
by a peculiar arrangement of teeth on the little triangular bone in
the roof of the mouth known to anatomists as the 'vomer' from its
resemblance in shape to a plowshare.

"The charrs are also distinguished from the salmon by their very
small scales, and usually by numerous crimson or orange-colored
spots, which are especially conspicuous in the breeding season."

The charrs also, as a rule, take their food from the surface by an
upward rush, while the salmons ordinarily do so on a downward
leap.

According to Professor Jordan, of whom mention in the previous
chapter, in an article published in the October (1894) number of
"Recreation," the trout was "born in Europe on the flanks of the
glacial mountains," and had as its progenitor the lordly salmon.

Professor Jordan then goes on to state that it made its way grad-
ually by streams and salt water to Siberia and thence in time by way
of Kamtschatka across the Bering sea to Alaska, but not before
it had made a radical change in form from any previously held.
This altered character it held in its new home, and is known among
ichthyologists as Salmo mykiss, and the non-scientist as the cut-
throat trout from the curious, inverted V-shaped blotch of scarlet
across the throat, and identical with the sign manual of the Sioux
Indians.

Like the old Norsemen, the trout had a roving spirit, and in course
of time some of the cut throat species ventured into the Columbia
river and its tributaries, and settled and multiplied, and wherever
free access can be kept with the sea, the descendants retain the
cliaracteristic markings of their Alaskian brethren. But a few be-
come imprisoned in Waha lake, Washington, by glacial action. The
progeny of these generally formed into a local race, having shorter
heads, and with black spots gather on the tail. These are called
Salmo Mykiss Bouvierii. Others of the cut-throat worked into iIh-
Platte when there was an open way, and then, like their Waha rela
tives, took new form and become greenback trout. Other colonies
found their wav into the Colorado basin and established a distinct
form, having a tendency to orange, rather than purple shades on
the fins.

One of these colonies became isolated in Lake Tahoe, where the
environments were so much to their liking that they waxed strong
and almost cut loose from their ancestors. They almost entirely dis-
carded the sanguinary mark on the throat, and changed the color of
rhoir bodies to a decided silvery tinge. They also grew to giant pro-
portions, often reaching from 8 to 15 pounds.

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

"Comiug back to the Coloiadu basin," says Professor Jordan in
the before noted number of "Recreation," "we find its trout spread
far and wide in the mountain streams. Between the valley of the
Colorado and that of the San Joaquin stands the great main chain of
the Sierra Nevada, full of trout brooks, separated by rocky walls
which no trout can ever pass. To the southward this great wall
breaks up into detached ranges, now separated by valleys of death;
fiery deserts and alkaline sinks, some of them below the level of the
sea; burning wastes of cactus and grease wood, enlivened only by
the rattle of the 'sidewinder.' In the glacial period this region had
a different climate. Melting ice once filled the terrible deserts of
Ambargosa and Panamint with sweet waters.

"Thus, from the Colorado to the Kern, the trout must have come
into California. In the Kern river, it seems to have lost most of the
red of its cut throat mark, but not all of it. The scales became
somewhat larger, the red band of the side more distinct, and the
spots extended forward. If we recognize two species of trout in
America, as from other considerations we ought to do, we must
place our line of division here. The descendants of all who crossed
the Sierra Nevada from the Colorado to the San Joaquin are the
rainbow trout, Salmo Gairdneri."

Thus, after long travel and many changes in environment, and
consequent evolution of form, a new species appears, for all the
others did not change sufficiently to do more than make them mere
varieties of Salmo mykiss, the cut-throat trout.

Following the custom of its ancestors that came to Alaska from
Kamschatka, the new species traveled indefatigably, and by the
same processes there resulted also a number of variations. One of
these which followed from a settlement in the Sacramento, and
which adopted larger scales and a more pronounced color, has be-
come known as the rainbow trout, or Salmo iridius.

The rainbow trout early attracted the attention of the government
authorities engaged in fish culture, and they felt the desirability of
transplanting the species into eastern waters. While this was a
laudable sentiment they fell into an error which, being spread broad-
cast, for sevtral years and even yet to some extent caused and is
causing much useless labor in stream planting. Finding the rain-
bow trout were abundant and indigenous in streams of a very warm
climate, the government authorities before noted, without giving the
matter dose attention, arrived at the conclusion that this fish would
thrive in waters of a higher temperature than the eastern brook
trout, or cliarr, and so publicly expressed themselves. The result
was tliat as soon as the first lot of fry were ready for distribution,
there was a widespread and great demand for them. Many of these

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

431

little iish were placed iu streams the water of which was as high as
70 degrees, and in which there was not even the compensation of
aereation by extreme rapidity of flow. To the surprise of those who
stocked streams of this character and even many waters in which
speckled trout lived, there were no returns, and a few months after
the planting there was not a vestige of the fish. Of the hundreds
of streams in this State stocked with rainbow trout fry supplied by
the government and by the Pennsylvania Commissioners scarcely
any planted in the early years of the experiment yielded any returns.
At length the secret was discovered.

In taking the climate of California as a basis for the expression of
belief that the rainbow trout would thrive in water of a higher tem-
perature than the eastern brook trout, the authorities made a grave
error. While the climate was much warmer, the water in which the
rainbow trout had their original home were of the coldest and purest
character, having their sources in the perpetual ice and snows of the
mountains. As a matter of fact, instead of thriving in warmer
water, the rainbow trout actually demanded colder water for their
well-being than the eastern trout. Since this discovery the planting
of rainbow trout has been met with greater success, but the work is
still far from being satisfactory.

CHAPTER XXII.

Lake Trout..

The nearest relative of the game and beautiful eastern speckled
trout, the lake trout is a giant among its tribe, and delights only in
the deep cold waters of the great lakes or others similarly consti-
tuted, though smaller bodies of water. It is peculiar to North
America, and like the land-locked salmon, among the true salars, it
has undergone some structural changes from the rest of its family,
the charrs, only in an inverse ratio; and that these changes were
from the brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, seems certain, ridiculous
as this may seem when the smaller size of the latter and the huge
proportions of the former are noted. But when the journey ings of
the charrs from Europe through the Arctic regions to America, as
suggested in a previous chapter, are remembered, and the restricted
area of the lake trout in comparison with the brook trout is consid-
ered, and further that the deeper and the greater the volume of
water the larger the fish usually grow, the idea takes a more sensible
turm. Tht se things taken into account it is only necessary to point

^^Y^€''*

Nu. 18.

FISH COMAllSSloNKHS.

431

w
<

lilllt* li.sii were placed in slieams ihi- water ol uiikli was as liijih as
70 degrees, and in which there was uul even the eompensation ul'
aert alion bv extreme rapidity ut flow. Tu tlie surprist* of those who
stocked streams of this cliaracter and even many waters in wliich
speckled trout lived, there were no returns, and a few montlis after
the plantinji there was not a vesti.uv of the tish. Of the hundreds
of streams in tiiis State stocked with rainhow trt)ut fry supplied by
the government and by the I'ennsylvania Commissioners scarcely
any plant('d in the early years of the expi riment yielded any returns.
At length the secret was discovered.

In taking the climate of California as a basis for the exjuession of
belief that the rainbow trout would thrive in water of a higher tem-
perature than the eastern brook trout, the authorities made a grave
wror. While the climate was much warmer, the water in which the
rainbow trout had th( ir original home were of the coldest and purest
I'haractei', having their sources in the j>erpetual ice and snows of the
mountain><. As a matter of fa<t. instead of thriving in warmer
water, the rainbow trout actually demanded cidder water for their
well-being than the eastern trout. Since this discovery the planting
of rainbow trout has been met with greater success, but tlie work is
still fur from being satisfactorj.

^lAPTER xxn.

Lake Trout..

The nearest relative ot' the game and beautiful eastern speckled
trout, tlie lake trout is a giant anumg its tribe, and delights only ia
the deep cold waters of the great lakes or others similarly consti-
tuted, though smaller bodies of water. It is peculiar to North
America, and like the laud-locked salmon, among the true salars, it
has underg<»ne some structural changes from the rest of its family,
the charrs, only in an inverse ratio: and that these changes were
from the brook trout, Salveliuus fontinalis, seems certain, ridiculous
as this mav seem when the smaller size of the latter and the hugt
proportions of the former are noted. But when thL^ journeyiugs of
the charrs from Europe through the Arctic regions to America, as
sugpfested in a previous chapter, are remembered, and tlhe restricted
area of th(* lake trout in com|>arison with the brook trout is consid
ered, and further that the deeper and the greater the volume oi
water the larger the fish usually grow, the idea takes a more sensible
'•'ini. Thise things taken into account it is only necessary to point

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

432

REPORT OP THE

Off. E>oc.

out that the different character ot the luod in the great laiies from
the mountain and meadow streams, that in place of insects, worms
and minute food, such as are generally found in the latter, the lakes
yield as food small fish of many kinds and in vast abundance to con-
vince the skeptical that the environments have evolved the lake trout
from the beautiful fontinalis.

Probably few other species of fish have caused as much difference
of opinion between anglers and ichthyologists as the lake trout, and
the differences have all arisen over the identity of the many forms
which exist.

Wherever several of a single species of fish from one cause or an
other become isolated from others of their kind, such isolation is apt
in time to lead to at least a variation in appearance or structure, and
if these metamorphoses be continued often enough or long enough
may lead to the evolution of an entirely new species, as in the case of
8aimo Gaiidnori whicli after many slow and numerous changes cut
loose entirely from the variations of Salmo mykiss and became, so to
speak, a nation of its own. To this habit of variation the lake trout
is peculiarly liable, and for this many things are responsible. First
and foremost is the practical isolation of each body or chain of bodies
t)f water in which the lake trout have their habitat. Secondly, th<*
sort of food supply peculiar to the various waters. Third, the char-
acter of the bottoms of such ponds or lakes or of the waters them-
selves and, fourth, the use of the fundamental principle of evolution
itself— the survival of the fittest.

As an instance of the vast number of variations in the lake trout
it may be mentioned that in scarcely two lakes of New York and New
England are this species of fish exactly the same. In some instances
they are dark almost to blackness, in others they are gray and with
markings somewhat resembling a pickerel; again, the crimson spots
are very vivid; in others they are scarcely visible. There are also
many notable differences in form, but all these alterations whether
of color or outline, ichthyologists say, are but variations of the na-
maycush and are not of sufficient definiteness to warrant them in
being conferred with the dignity of a distinct species, with the pos
sible'^exception of one, which some students of fish life allow, namely,
Salvelinus Siscowet, or siscowet salmon. But to this thousands of
anglers refuse to concur and being debarred from the use of scien-
tific names, content themselves with the more popular ones of
"togue," ''tuladi," "lake salmon," "salmon trout," and so on almost ad

infinitum.

While the lake trout in the great lakes are universally looked upon
as a good table fish and one of great commercial importance there
are yet many curious superstitions regarding the edible qualities of

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

433

certain portions of the fish among many commercial fishermen.
Thus, it is held that the offal of the lake trout should never be given
to hogs to eat, since after such a meal the animals are likely to be-
come first crazy and then die. The liver of this fish is also reputed
among the fishermen of the lakes to be violent poison to man and
is so persistent in its effects that should death not ensue it would
be months before perfect health is restored.

With the establishment of the hatchery at Corry, the Pennsylvania
commissioners undertook the incubation of lake trout, and annually
a vast number of fry have been placed in Lake Erie and in the deeper
and colder natural mountain ponds of the State. As an illustration
of the extent of this work it might be noted that between 1800 and
1892 about 1,000,000 of various ages were distributed on application
alone.

CHAPTER XXIll.

Salmon.

There is a tradition that at one time the Delaware was a salmon
river, but of this there is little or nothing on which to test its truth.
It was, however, the almost universal opinion, that whether the tra-
dition was true or not, the waters were suitable for this great game
and king of table fishes, and as early as 1871 it was decided to try the
experiment by planting some fry. A number of gentlemen in Easton
and Philadelphia, interested in fish culture, accordingly raised a sum
of money and purchased 10,000 salmon eggs of a Mr. Wilmot, of New
Castle, Canada, then in charge of the government hatching house of
the British Dominion. These eggs were placed in charge of Mr.
Christie, a pisciculturist, of Duchess county, New York. He hatched
them successfully, and the fry, \vi»f>n about an inch and a quarter
long, were taken by the late Henry A. King, a conductor on the Cen-
tral Railroad of New Jersey, to Easton, which was reached on Deco-
ration day. Although carefully attended by Mr. King and Mr. Chris-
tie, who also accompanied the younir fish on their journey, the
weather was so hot that only about 2,500 survived, and these were in
a very weak condition. A portion of the fry were placed in the
spring of Paul Rader, on the Bushkill, about four miles above
Easton, and the remainder in the springs of Benjamin Lerch and
John Lerch, on the same stream, a tributary of the Delaware river.

In. the following year, the same gentlemen made a purchase of

13,000 more eggs. Mr. Thaddeu;^ Xoiris took cJiarge of these hiinselt

28-18"

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

433

2
m

icj tain portions of tiie lish aiiioiij4 nianv coiiiuieicial tisiiermeu.
Thus, it is lield that the olYal of tlie hike trout sliould uover be ^nvt'U
to ho<»s to eat, since after sueli a meal the animals are likely to be
come first crazy ;ind I hen die. The liver of this lish is also rt putod
amouj; the lisjn rmcii of the iak(^s to be vielent poison to man and
is so persistent in its ellecis that sliould death not ensue it would
be months b( fore perfect health is restored.

With the establishment of the hatchery at Coirv, lie* I'ennsvlvauia
commissioners un<Iertook the incubation of lake trout, and anninillv
a vast number of fiy have been placed in Lake Krie and in the deeper
and colder natural mountain i>onds of the State. As an illustration
of the extent of this work it might be noted that between 181)0 and
1892 about l.OiMi.iioo (»f various ages were distributed ^i application
alone.

t3flAFTEH XXlll

Salmon.

There k ft tradition that at one time the Delaware was a salmon
river, but of this there is little or nothing on which to test its truth.
It was, however, the almost universal oi)iuion, that whether the tra-
dition was true or not, the waters were suital>lc fof tliis gieai game
and king of table fishes, and as early as 1^71 it was decided to try the
experiment by planting some fry. A number of gentlemen in Eastou
and Philadelphia, interested in tish culture, accordingly raised a sum
of nnmey and purchased lU,t)t)0 salmon eggs of a Mr. Wilmot, of New
Castle, Canada, thea in charge of the government hatching house erf
tke British Dominion. These eggs were placed iu charge of Mr.
Cii»l«t4e, a piscicultui ist, of Duchess county. New York. Be hatched
them successfully, and the fry, when about an inch ani a quarter
long, were taken by the late Henry A. K^ing, a conductor on the Cen-
tral Kailroad of New Jersey, to Easton, which was reached <»n Deco-
ration day. Although carefully attended by Mr. King and Mr. Chris-
tie^ who also accompanied the younir tish %% ttotf journey, the
weather was so hot that only about 2.501) survived, and those were in
a very weak condition. A portion of the fry were placed in the
spring of Paul Rader. on the P.ushkill. about four miles above
Easton, and the remainder in the springs of Benjamin Lerch and
John Lerch. on the same stream, a tributary of the Delaware river.

In the following year, the same gi-ntlemen made a purchase of
13.000 more eggs. Mi-. Thaddeus Xoriis took cliaigc ot lin-sc lij.iiself
28-18-96

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

484

REPORT OF THE

Off. Doc.

aud uudertook to have tliem hatched under his ovvu supervision at a
spring about a mile from Easton. Notwithstanding the hatching
boxes were of the rudest description, Mr. Norris succeeded in suc-
cessfullj incubating 11,000. These were also placed in a tributary of
the Delaware.

Noting the efforts of these gentlemen Prof. Baird, the United
States Commissioner, presented the State with 40,000 salmon spawn
taken at Buckport on the Kennebec river, and a like number to the
Slate of New Jersey in the early spring of 1873. Mr. Norris again
put the hatching boxes at Easton into service and brought forth 27,-
000 young salmon, while Dr. Slach incubated 33,000 of the 40,000
eggs given New Jersey, at his private hatching house at Troutdale
in that state. Eighteen thousand of these were deposited in one of
the tributaries of the Delaware along with those hatched by Mr.
Norris, so that in three years no less than 58,500 salma salar were
planted in the Delaware river.

In the meantime while this w^ork was being done in the Delaware,
attempts were being made to stock the Susquehanna with another
species of salmon, the California. In 1873, six thousand of these fish
were presented to the State and deposited in the Susquehanna, near
Harrisburg, and in the fall of the same year 21,000 more were
placed in different cold springs, rivulets and creeks emptying into the
same stream.

These two efforts naturally excited much Interest and a close watch
was kept for results. The young fry were soon heard from, a num
ber of those placed in the Delaware in 1871 and 1872 being caught
by ignorant fishermen and killed under the impression that they
were trout.

In 1877 much excitement was caused by the capture of a large sal-
mon thirty-two inches long in Givetzinger's mill race on the Bushkill
at the foot of Fourth street. In the same year a number of others
were taken in the Delaware, and one "fine specimen," presumably a
Pacific salmon, in the Susquehanna. Between that date and 1879
several other specimens were captured in the Delaware river, some
of them weighing as much as twenty-five pounds, and on May 11,
1879, a female, measuring three feet four and a half inches, and
weighing about seventeen pounds, was captured in a gill net off
Spesuter Island in the Susquehanna river, by Mr. Frank Farr, of
Havre-de-Grace.

But these catches practically ceased after 1879, and the fish com-
missioners were compelled in 1884 to admit that the experiments
were failures, and concluded that it would "be a waste of time and
money to repeat them." "The waters of Pennsylvania," they be-
lieved, "are evidently not suited to this fish, however desirable it
would be to hare it planted and thriving in them."

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONSRS.

48ft

The succeeding board of commissioners, however, were not satis-
tied, that— though the experiments of Thaddeus Norris and others in
planting salmon in the Delaware river, were failures, further work
was hopeless. They saw that the New York commission had re-
ceived a fair measure of success in stocking the Hudson river with
this noble fish, and they felt that the Delaware ought to be equally
as good as that river. Its freedom from artificial obstructions, its
long rifts and splendid pools, the purity and low temperature of its
upper waters, so pure and cold that trout thrives therein for over one
hundred miles below its source, all filled the requirements of a sal-
mon river. Notwithstanding, therefore, the first failure, the present
commissioners in 1880 secured 100,000 eggs of the Penobscot salmon
from the United States Commission and had them hatched at Allen-
town. The fry, all strong and vigorous, were deposited in the streams
tributary to the headwaters of the Upper Delaware, in Wayne conn
ty. Two y<*ars later, 300,000 more eggs were hatched at Allentown
and Corry and deposited in the same streams. There is every
reason to believe that the experiment has not proved a total
failure. The young suiolts were seen in the Delaware in considerable
numbers in 1892, and in 1893 large numbers of the planting of 1891
were observed.

In the lattei- part of 1893 the vigorous fish of 1889 which had
heen observed in the early portion began to disappear, and in 1894
thos;' of rhc |)r<'(eding season's hatching were also no longer seen.

With tlw opening of the shad season of 1895 the effects of the
labors of the commission to stock the Delaware were seen. Soon
after the casting of the first net a salmon weighing nearly fifteen
pounds was taken on its way up the river. In quick succession news
of similar catches were made, until when the shad season closed, the
Public Ledger of Philadelphia had a record of 237 salmon captured
by the fishermen. In addition, Mr. Collins Walton saw a large sal-
mon playing in a pool near Bushkill village, and the writer saw an-
other in a pool near Egypt mills. Others were also reported.
Every indication points to the successful establishment of this lordly
fish in the Delaware, and that in ten or a dozen years, the fishing will
be of great commercial importance and a source of great sport to
aniilers.

In the spring of 1S9G large numbers of salmon entered the river
and there is reason to believe that everv shore fisherv cau<yht a
number. :Many were also taken in gill nets. These fish averaged
from twelve to fifteen pounds. Several salmon w^ere also taken in
the upper Delaware^ with rod and line, so it is reported.

436

REPORT OF THE

Off. I>oc.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Introduction of the German Carp.

The German carp has been so long domesticated in North Euro-
pean waters that its original habitat is somewhat obscured, although
it is supposed to have been central Asia. When it was introduced
into Europe is in doubt, but it is known with absolute certainty that
it was regarded as an important food fish and was extensively cul-
tivated in Austria as early as 1227, and one celebrated establishment
with large, extensive ponds now in existence near the town of Wit-
tingau, Bohemia, can be traced back to the year 1367. These ponds
to-day cover an^ area of more than 20,000 acres, and the proceeds
amount to over 500,000 pounds of carp annually.

The fish is supposed also to have been introduced into Upper Lu-
soatia. Saxony, Silesia, Bavaria and Poland, in the beginning of the
fourteenth century, and in England in 1504. Now, nearly every
river and lake in Europe teems with them. Even the Black and
Caspian seas contain great numbers of carp.

In Germany the carp are cultivated with as much care and indus-
try as any domestic animal or fowl. Indeed, there are some Ger-
mans to whom the fish is the chief source of revenue, and to others
among the most important. Besides the great carp ponds just men
tioned and land owners with hundreds of acres devoted to this pur
pose are not uncommon. By the Germans, Austrians and Russian
Poles the carp is not looked upon as a wild fish but ns a creature as
much domesticated as cows, sheep or fowls.

Among most Americans the fish is not regarded with much favor,
but the Germans and those of some other European countries con-
sider it a fine table fish, ranking with the very best, particularly the
leather carp, although the mirror carp is not far behind in the num-
ber of its admirers. Among the few Americans who were enthusi-
astic concerning the carp was Professor Baird. Many years ago
he believed the day would come when it would i)lay an important
part in our commercial food fishes. He attached much importance
to its introduction, and believed it would "supply an oft experienced
want of a fish for the South, representing the more northern trout,
and at the same time a species capable of being cultivated in ponds."

It is to be feared that there are to-day not many who would be
willing to voice Professor Baird's enthusiasm. On the contrary,
utterly ignoring whatever merits there may be attached to the carp,
it is quite certain that the majority of anglers are more apt to exe-

436

REPORT OF THE

Off. E>oo

CHAPTER XXIV.

IntioductioD of the German Carp.

The German carj) has been so lonu, duiui'stuaU d in North Euro-
pean waters that it.s original habitat is soni.-what ubscuied, although
it is supposed to have been central Asia. When it was introduced
into Europe is in doubt, but it is known with absolute certainly that
it was regarded as an important food tish and was extensively cul-
tivated in Austria as early as 1227. and one celebrated establishment
with large, extensive ponds now in existence near the town of Wit-
tingau. IJoliemia, can be traced back to the year 1307. Tiiese ponds
to-day cover an area of more than 20.«lon acres, and the proceeds
amount to over 500.000 pounds of carp annually.

The fish l« supposed also to have been introduced into Upper Lu
soatia. Saxony, Silesia, liavaria and Poland, in the beginning of the
fourteenth century, and in Enghuid in 1504. Kow, nearly every
river and lake ftt Europe teems with them. Even the Black and
Caspian seas contain great numbers of carp.

In Germany the carp are cultivated with m mmh mre and indtis.
try as a»y doin<^stir animal or fowl. Indeed, there are some Ger-
mans to whom the lish is the chief snurce of revenue, and to others
among the rao§t important. Besides the great carp p{mds just men
tioaed and la»d owners with hundreds of acres devoted to this pur-
pose are not uncommon. P.y the (rermans. Austrian^ and Russian
Poles the carp is not looked upon as a wild ft«h but as a creature as
much domesticated as cows, sh^p or fowls.

Among most Americans the fish is not regarded with uiucli favor.
Imt the Germans and those of some other European countries eoB-
sider it a fine table flsh, ranking with the very best, particularly the
leather carp, although the mirror carp is oot far behin«l In the num-
ber of its admirers. Among the few Americans who were enthusi-
astic concerning the carp wm I'rofessor Paird. Many years ago
he believed the day wonld come when it would play aa knportant
part in oor commercial f(tod fishes. He attached mu«-h importance
to its introduction, and believed it would "supply an oft experienced
want of a fish for the South, representing the more north* m trout,
and at the same time a species capable of being cultivated in jMuids."

It is to be feared that there are today not many who would be
willing fn voice Pi'ofesso?- P,aird's enthusiasm. On tlic contrary,
utterly igiiuiiiig whatever UH'rits thi-ic may Ix- attached to tho carp,
it is quite certain that the majoritv of anglers are more apt to exp

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

437

crate the man who first introduced the fish quite as heartily as they
might Benedict Arnold, or the misguided men who originally im-
ported the English sparrow. In fact, there are few fishes more
heartily anathemized by American anglers. They fail to see a single
redeeming feature in the creature, and charge it with many bad
qualities, the most serious among which is the allegation that it is a
more inveterate spawn eater than the eel. The fecundity of the fish
is so great that it is overrunning all the rivers and streams of the
country, and its enemies claim that since it does not take the hook
readily, on account of its spawn eating habits, will in a few years
practically exterminate all the valuable food and game fishes despite
the eft'orts of the various fish commissions.

While perhaps the views of those who anathemize the German
carp may be as wide of the mark as those of its admirers, there is
strong ground for believing it is not altogether a desirable fish to be
given the freedom of the public waters, or worthy of the protection
accorded it by the laws of Pennsylvania.

Just when or by whom the German carp was introduced into this
country is not known. The first generally accredited importer is
a Mr. Poffe, a Californian, who, somewhere prior to 1870, brought a
few scale carp to his ponds in Sonoma, where they increased so
rapidly that he went into the business of supplying them to the
markets. A little later it was reported that there were carp cap-
tured occasionally in the Hudson and Delaware rivers, but it is gen-
erally believed they were gold fish which had escaped from private
ponds and multiplied in these rivers. In the autumn of 1876 the
United States Fish Commission made its first attempt to import this
fish, but the effort was a failure, as all the specimens died during the
voyage in consequence of furious storms which prevailed. A second
and successful attempt was made in the spring of 1877, and 345
leather, mirror and scale carp were placed in the ponds at Washing-
ton.

Some of the progeny ,.' these were sent to the Pennsylvania Com-
missioners, who distributed the greater number to farmers, a few
only being deposited in public streams. If, as is generally believed,
nearly all the warmer waters of the Commonwealth abound in this
fish, they have for the most part became so through escaping from
these private ponds. It is certainly a fact that the Delaware river
is full of carp of an enormous size, and recently a few fishermen on
that river have devoted themselves almost entirely to their capture.
Near l^urlington is at the present time an important carp fishery
which fre<|uently furnishes the Pliihidelphia and Trenton market
dose upon a ton of this fish weekly, the greater part of which is said
to be consumed by the Germnns, the Hungarians, Russians and

488

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Poles. The method employed in capturing the carp is by nets with
meshes too large to hold the other ordinary river food fishes, and
set as a ''basket" net on the floats during high tide. When the tide
falls the imprisoned carp are lifted to the boats by means of scoop
nets. Carp weighing thirty and thirty-five pounds are, it is said
often t;iken in this manner.

During the summer of 1895 the carp industry— in the Delaware
on the New Jersey shore below Gloucester, was quite a large one.
So large indeed, that many fishermen followed it almost exclusively
as a means of livelihood.

CHAPTER XXV.
The Striped Bass.

Prominent among the fish mentioned by the early Pennsylvania
settlers was the striped bass, or as they are more generally called,
the rock fish. Letters to their friends in the old country often con-
tained mention of this fish. "The waters abound with fish," writes
one, "six alloes, or rock are sold for one shilling." "Shad and rock,"
aflirmed another "are among our most plenteous fish and form an
important part of our food." That the waters of all the rivers of
this State having direct communication with the sea, must have been
literally alive with this striped bass is evident, for notwithstanding
weirs aad other destructive methods of taking fish, the striped bass
are still fairly abundant both in the Delaware and the Susquehanna.
For exaujple, in the spring of 1803 fifteen hundred weight were taken
at one haul of the net at a fishery in the Delaware near Burlington,
and equally good catches are reported from time to time in the lower
Susquehanna. A Marietta paper of June 19, 1829, tells the following
story, which, whether true or not, illustrates the great abundance of
striped bass in the Susquehanna about the first third of the present
century. "Mr. B. ]5rown, of Marietta, caught some fine rock fish
last week in a novel manner. The ark which he was running, in pas-
sing through a sluice, gained so much headway as to dip water on
coming into an eddy, and on her raising from the shock, there were
found on and in the ark eight fine rock fish weighing from one to
four pounds each."

In 1810 in the lower Delaware the striped bass were so plentiful
that fishermen often caught more in their seines than they could
easily find sale for. This led to their erecting pens of pine logs on
the banks of the river where the fish were confined alive until a

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

439

market could be found for them. In 18(50, 7,000 pounds of rock and
perch were talven in one haul from the river near Dover. Even in
1880, the time when the shad fisheries were at their lowest ebb on
account of the greed of fish pirates, more than 100,000 pounds of
striped bass were sold in the Philadelphia markets, the greater part
of which came from the Delaware river and there has been little or
no fall off in the quantity since.

The striped bass may be considered a remarkable fish in every
way. It ranks among the best in the quality of its flesh for table use
and as a game fish for the angler is esteemed by many as ranking
next to the salmon. It divides with this great game creature the
honor of having numerous anglers' clubs devoted almost exclusively
to their capture, and in which the size, weight, time of fight and every
other particular concerning the fish hooked is religiously recorded
and preserved. This fish also has probably been the direct cause of
the drowning of more anglers than any other member of the finny
tribe, and nearly as many books have been written about it as of the
trout and salmon.

Among ichthyologists it has an especial interest on account of its
many remarkable peculiarities, among the most startling of which
is a fairly well demonstrated knowledge that it will hybridize with
fish of a genus widely separated from its own. The matter was
pretty definitely settled twice, once in 1883 by members of the Na-
tional Fish Commission at Havre de Grace, and again by or through
Mr. R. B. Roosevelt, of New York. In one instance the eggs of a fe-
male shad were impregnated with the milt of a male striped bass,
and in the other the eggs were of the latter fish and fertilized with
the milt of the former, and in neither was there seemingly any pos-
sibility of impregnation by the natural methods. In both cases the
eggs nearly all hatched but unfortunately the young were not kept
long enough to determine what their character would be.

Few fish make the wonderfully rapid growth of the "rock." It is
positively known that fry hatched in May will by June be nearly an
inch long, and that often a growth of from five to six pounds is
reached the first year of their lives. It adapts itself with great facil-
ity to the water it is in. Although a salt water fish it appears to
love fresh water quite as well, and travels clear to the headwaters
of both the Delaware and the Susquehanna in search of its favorite
food, and although it is not an every day occurrence, it is not on the
other hand, extremely rare for fishermen to take them far up both
these streams throughout the winter.

The striped bass is without doubt one of the worst enemies that
ihe shad has. As soon as this toothsome fish begins to ascend the
divers to their spawning grounds, the bass also betakes itself up the

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same stream devouring ravenously all the minnows and other small
tish in sight until the more delicate shad fry are born. Then the
striped bass waxes fat, millions of the little things fall victims to the
voracious appetite of the striped cannibal during the summer, and
when the fry begin their autumn journey from the headwaters to
the sea, they are followed by their pitiless destroyers. It has been
estimated that more than one-tenth of the entire natural hatching
are annually devoured.

Almost from the hour it gets rid of its "sac" the young striped
bass preys on other fish. At this period of their lives they enter the
small creeks affected by the tide and pursue the small minnows, and
as soon as they grow large enough they take to the river and live
largely upon young shad. Naturally beginning so young they rapidly
acquire a rare expertness. Dr. C. C. Abbott tells the story of the
perfection at which they arrive in this particular, in the following
interesting manner:

''A rock fish will frequently 'corner up' a small school of minnows,
and then pick them up as rapidly and with as great ease as a fowl
will pick grains of corn; and while devouring the luckless minnows,
will keep them in a small space, close together all the time. There
is no cessation of this murderous work while a fish remains, for after
devouring all that it is possible for him to hold, a mere love of de-
struction keeps him at work. I once had a very favorable oppor-
tunity of watching the rock-fish feed in this way. It was a moderate
sized fish, about a foot long, and as near as I could determine it de-
voured a dozen 'cyprinelles (silver finned minnows) in four minutes.
If I err in my estimate it is on the safe side, and it may be it was
fifteen minnows in that length of time. I subsequently captured a
dozen of these pretty shiners and I found I could by no means
squeeze them into a bulk that was not much larger than the esti-
mated interior of a rock fish a foot in length; and yet it is certain
that the minnows captured by the rock fish were swallowed without
decapitation or other reduction in size, for in that case I should
have seen the fragments of the minnows floating in the clear waters."
Unlike its cousin the black bass, the striped bass may readily be
hatched by artificial means. This work has been successfully ac-
complished to a limited extent by the United States government,
but for lack of proper facilities has never been attempted by the
State Fish Commission.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Habits of the Yellow Perch.

Among the pereh tribe there are none that is a better representa-
tive than the yellow perch, sometimes called the yellow ned. Its

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>aiiu- Stream (iLNuuriiiu ia\ t'liouslv all the niiuuows and other small
ti.^li in .sight until the niuio delicate shad fry are born. Then the
8tri|)ed bass waxes iai. millions of (he little things fall victims to the
voracious appetite ol the striped cannibal during the summer, and
when the fry begin their autumn journey from the headwaters to
the sea, they are followed by their pitiless destroyers. It has been
estimated that more than oue-tenth of the entire natural hatching
are annually devoured.

■

Almost from the hour it gets rid of its "sac" the young striped
bass preys on other tish. At this period of their lives they enter the
small creeks affected by the tide and inirsue the small minnows, and
as sooH as they grow large enough they take to the river and live
largely upon young shad. Naturally bi^ginning so young th<'y rapidly
acquire a rare expertnesfc ^. C. C. Abbott tells the story of the
ptrfection at which they arrive in this particular, in the following
interesting manner:

•*A rock fish will freiiueutly 'corner up' a small school of minnows,
and then piek them up as rapidly and with as great ease as a fowl
will pick grains of corn; and while devouring the luckless minnows,
will keep them in a small space, close together all the time. There
is no cessation of this murderous work while a fish remains, for after
devouring all that it is possible for him to hold, a mere love of de-
struction keei)s him at work. I once had a very favorable oppor-
tu?iity of watching tlie rock fisli feed in this way. It was a moderate
sized fish, about a fool long, an<l as near as I could determine it de
\oured a dozen 'cyprinelles (silver linned minnows) in four minutes.
If 1 err in my estimate it is on the safe side, and it may be it was
fifteen minnows la that length of time. 1 subsequently captured a
dozen of these pretty shiners and I found 1 cotild by no means
squeeze them into a bii^ ttait was ^ much larger than the esti
mated interior of a rock fish a foot in length; and yet it is certain
that the minnows cai)tured by the rock fish were swallowed without
decapitation or other reduction in size, for in that case I sliould
have seen the fragments of the minnows fioating in the clear waters."
Unlike its cousin the black bass, the striped bass may readily be
hatched by artificial means. This work has been successfullv ac
complished to a limited extent by the United States government,
but for lack of proper facilities tos never been attempted by the
State Fish Coramission.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Habits of the Yellow Perch.

Among the perch tribe there are none that is a better representa
tive than the yellow perch, sometimes called the yellow ned. Its

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FISH COMMISSIONERS.

411

No. 18.

characteristics ar. so well defined, and so distinctively till every
structural condition which marks the family, that it almost might be
selected as its head and front. It does not possess the game qual-
ities of its cousins, the black bass and the striped bass, but it makes
a sufficiently good fight for its life when hooked, to warrant its being
placed among the game fishes. Alwig with another relative, the
sun fish, the yellow perch is a great favorite with the small boy and
doubtless the short but savage struggle it makes to free itself from
the deadly hook, does much to give the youthful angler his first pro-
nounced desire to aim for higher finny game than it or the catfish
aud sunflsh or even the almost ubiquitous chub.

The yellow perch and the sunflsh seem to have a partiality for each
other's company and thus whore one is found the other is also soon
discovered to be there also. This is probably due to a liking for the
same kind of water, and like the sunflsh is not much given to wan-
.Icing inio new waters. The yellow perch may be termed a honu--
loving soul, and seems indisposed to move far from the spot in which
it was born, unless driven by influences beyond its control. Thus
except where it has been planted by man, when it is found in vast
quaiitities in the mountain ponds, it may be assumed, without much
fear of ridicule, that it is one of the most ancient species now exist-
ing in those waters. . ■ ^v. „..
This manifest indisposition to travel far will partly explam the ap-
parent inconsistency often noted of one stream containing an abun-
dance of vellow perch, while another not far away, having seemingly
the same' favorable conditions for their living, will be entirely bar-

'^The vellow perch is so easily taken by the hook and the small ones
are esteemed so highly as bait for the larger food fishes that in
some of the streams and smaller ponds of the State they have be-
come nearly exterminated, and in many others entirely so notwith-

tanding they breed with marvelous fecundity. This rtreatened
pJssUig awa/of the yellow ned is greatly to be deplore , because

t is an excellent food fish apart from its other good qualities.

Fo Uinatdy. there is a revulsion i., the prevailing care essness
regarding th^ existence of this fish, as well as of some other sorts
whi'h have been wrongfully despised as lacking game qua it es.
Las vear large requisitions were made on the State Commission
Lr ye low perch and sun fish by a number of Philadelphia gentlemen
wUh which to re-stock the Wissahickon creek, and applications a^e
evJn now in for "more than can be supplied next season of these

fishes, for other waters. It is this demand ^<>^ ^l^f^^.^llZl
nerch which "ives the greatest encouragement to the Fish Commis
sfoners in thel work, as it indicates that a new and important par
oHhe community otker than those whose interest centres in trout

REPORT OP THE

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or a few other noted game ttshes, are becoming interested in the
great question of fish protection and the necessity of restocking the

waters

But while yellow perch are becoming scarce or have disappeared
in some of the streams and ponds through the tlioughtlessness of
anglers and boys, and the ravages of pot hunters and criminals, the
flsh seem to be actually on the increase in Lake Erie and in the other
great chain of inland seas of which it is one. To such a surprising
extent is this true, that a large number of the lake fishermen became
flrmlv convinced that the Fish Commissioners of this and other
states, as well as of the United States government, had confounded
thp identity of the yellow perch and the white fish, and had taken
to hatching and depositing the fry of the former in the waters in-
stead of the latter. ...,,, i„
The yellow perch has a leaning to the company of its kind, in-
stead of wandering about the water in ones and twos like some ot
its counsins, its species have a babit of congregating in considerable
numbers, though not to such an extent as to be classed with school-
ing fishes. Strange to say, this habit of serai-sociability does not ap-
pear to be out of anv special fondness for each other, or for protec-
tion, but according to that close observer, Ur. C. C. Abbott 'more
because the character of the locality is attractive to them. It would
be hard to sustain this stand by any .onspicuous examples. It is
as the genial Doctor states it, "one of those impressions that a close
observer will get without being able to point out any one or more
peculiarities in their habits, which seem to prove it true."

Like all the perch family, the yellow ned is extremely fond of min-
nows, and in common with many of them, these small fishes consti-
tute their chief food. But the yellow ned never becomes so expert
in "rounding up" and devouring a whole school of minnows as its
distant cousin the rock fish. When a perch comes upon a school of
small fishes, instead of proceeding in the scientific and methodica
manner of the "rock," it rushes open-mouthed at them as though it
hoped to take two or three at one mouthful, or at least to take a
second in the same rush if the fish should be missed. It must be
said, however, for the yellow perch, that wild and erratic as its rush
seems to be, it is not often the one aimed at that escapes, but the
others that live for some other fishes maw.

CHAPTER XXVII.
The White Perch.
It is of the white perch in the waters of this State that the aged
fishermen delighta to affirm in his most melancholy tone of voice

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or a few other noted j;auie lishes, aie becomiii- iuleiested in the
..reat (luestion of lish pioteetion and the necessity ,.t restocking the

" Hurwhile vollow peiTli niv l»M-,miiii!; si-Mivc ci- liav clisM|.ii."orcd
iu some ot the st.rMius ,m.l pomU n,n„.f:li tlie HHHiulith'ssness of
im..lei-s and bovs. aiLil li.e nn-n};cs of |.ut lumtws mul nin.niMls, the
flsh seem to be'aetuallv on the iiuTease in Lake KHe .m,1 in .l,e olln-r
oreat ehain of inland s,.as of whirl, it is one. To sn,'!, a suipiis.uj;
extent is this ln,e. (hat a la.Ke nnn.lK-r of ih,- h,ke lisluM-nien iK-came
Ihmlv eouviueed that the Fish Commissicme.s of this and other
states, as well as of the United States govei-.ttnent >'^»1;'"'';'»";'^;^
tho identity ot the vellow pereh and the white tish. and had taken
to'hatehiny and dei.ositinf.- the Uy at tUe tow.'i- in the waters lu-

stead of the lattei-.

The vellow pereh has a h'anin;; to the .onipan.v oi its kind, in-
stead of wandeiinf. about the wate. in ones and twos like some ot
its couusins, its speeies have a babit of conK.efjafiuj,' in considerable
uumbets. thoHKh not to sneh an extent as to be .lassed with sehool-
ing fishes. Sttanfte to sav. this habit of sen.i-so.-iabilil.v does not ap-
p^,,. to be out of anv s,.eeial fondness for eaeh otlier, or tor protec-
Ln, but accorditt, to that ,lose ,d,serve,. l-r. r. f Abbott "niore
beeause the ehara.te, of the locality is attraetiv,. to ihetn. It would
be hard to sustain this stand by any eonspietious e.xatnples. It is

„s the "enial Doctor states it. m- .,f thos- impressions ihal a dose

observer will ^vt without bein, abb- to point out any one or more
peenliarities in their habits, whirl, seem to prove u true

Like all the I.erch famil.v . the yellow ned is extremely fond ot miu
nows. and in eom.non with tuany of them. th*se stuall fishes eonstr
tute their ehief food. Ust the yellow ned nerer beeomes so expert
in -roundin, np" and d.-vourin, a whole school of mtenowg as Us
distant eonsin the rook flsh. When a perch comes upon a school o
small tishes. instead of pi-oeeedinj; in the s.ieniiti- and luethodiea
„,anner of the •rock." It rashes opeu-Hioulhed a. ihem as thoujih it
hoped to take two or three at one mouthf.il. ,„ at least to take a
second h. the same rush if the lisl, should be miss..d. It .imst be
said, however, for the yellow perch, that wild and erratic as its rwh
seems to be. it is not often tfce one aimed at that escapes, but the
others that live for some other fishes maw.

CHAPTER X.WII.

The White IVrcb.
11 is of the white i,erch in the waters of this State that the aged
tishermen delights to aflirm in his most melancholy tone of voice

-W

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

443

NO. 18.

affirmation is beyoud question. It may lately oe sa

ginning of tl>c..p.-esent century tl.ere was ^^^lll' ^^^^f^^l^,,,,,,

waters of the Delaware and «"«'1»«=»'"""^ ""^un unomer stream

y^^^^- . , 1,+ «oT.+ini rlpatruction to the shad in

TUe same ^^ ^,^::^^^:X1^ about the de-
the nvers and tlie ^'''t^/'!^ '° ' h. Pot hunters, in order to

terioration in the sue ot the ^^^^"^ ?;•=;• ^^ f^^ t^e capture

supply the markets, made use of ^™f" -".^/^ff^^f ' '"^r old in fact,
of tU fish, and all but the very ™«> «^^*' '^^^^.f '° ,\ eTlv, the use of
that got Within ^J^ZST^ prohibited altogether. It
rr l^rhVsrse'rS; -rerse of .. of «sh caught

within the past year or two. ..„^ ^^^ a„d haunts all the

The white perch >M>"- ^ «" ^m--- ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^„.

brackish streams on «'« "°^ J^ "^f^ ^;„„g g^me qualities when it«
eral beauty and g--f'=';f''',f";;4\7°tf eagerness to take almost
..omparativelv -" .^ ^".^^ \t ^.ue'pere^x one of the most
whatever bait is offeied it, lenueis ^^

..agerly sought after estuary flshsby^^
a pan flsh it is delicious, for it is hi mi ^^^.^^^,

Latterly the State Comm.ssione s ''"^^ ^\"" .^^';7f,tehing of this

commission to <levoty ^e atte'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

fish, and the matter It IS said IS receg ^^^^^ .^ ^^^ ^^^

Of its own volition the white percn appears to

siderable numbers beyond the reac u. oMhe t^de.^^^ It PP^^ ^^^

prefer the brackish "■-■■•^^;" "'J^j^fl.d with almost any bind of
striped bass which seem «"*"*'• /"''^.f" ^.^ brackish and fresh
unpolluted water, ^^^^:'^ ;S^^:^:^ inlets having
water. «ut while the -^'^^ P^f , f^^ y„, ,„a mutiply in wholly
at least a tincture of the ocean '^'^ environment it takes

f,.osh water. In such --- ^^f^j' :;,„ee to Justify anglers in
nu just enough of an •'"t^'-f °" '" 7,, ^^^ „ot enough to warrant
bestowing on it the name o po^d P^rch, ^^.^^^_ ^^^^^

ichthyologists to dignify it even ju»

444

REPORT OF THE

Oft. Doc.

white percli could be taken from strongly brackish water and placed
in ponds of purely fresh and live, is a question which the writer
has frequently heard discussed but never satisfactorily settled. But
that the fish after havMug been subjected to gradual changes towards
perfectly fresh water, can finally accommodate itself to other than
brackish is beyond dispute. For they exist abundantly in numerous
ponds in Massachusetts and elsewhere. One of the most noteworthy
instances is Burlington sea, near Plymouth. This lake is more than
a mile long and its lower end is about that distance from the ocean.
Its outlet is by a large stream which a century ago was open to the
sea, and not only white perch but alewives, eels and other fish passed
freely up to the lake. As Plymouth grew in size, dams were erected
across the stream and what white perch were in the lake were unable
again to reach the sea. They have evidently accommodated thena-
selves to their new environments for they have increased and multi-
plied to a marvelous extent.

CHAPTER XXVin.

Immigration of the Brown Ti-out.

It has been about twelve years since the introduction of the brown
trout into American waters. The alien has made itself perfectly at
home and has drawn to it a multitude of angling friends and raised
up a host of enemies among those who believe that there is no fish the
♦Mjual of the American brook trout, and who are fully convinced that
the introduction of the foreigner will work injury to their favorite.
As proof of this those who do not have a fondness for the brown
trout point out the marvelous rapidity with which it grows under
favorable conditions; its well known voracity; its reputed strong
cannibalistic tendencies, and the belief that it has an undue fondness

for fish spawn.

As some of the arraignments may be just, even many of the friends
of the brown trout advise that it be not planted in streams in which
our brook trout are plentiful, but deposited in barren or nearly de-
pleted brooks where it will have no opportunity of doing damage.
The utility of following this plan is obvious when the habits of the
brown trout are considered, apart from the expressed objections to
its being associated with the American brook trout.

Where there is plenty of good, pure, cold water and an abundance
of food the brown trout fry grows with almost the marvelous rapidity
of the German carp. It is said that it is not uncommon for the
brown trout to reach a spawning age within two years, and reach a
oatchable size in one year after being spawned.

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

448

As to its great game qualities there is no question. Izaak Walton
alone would have made the fish famous, but for more than a thou-
sand years Englishmen and others have justly sung its praises. An-
sonius, a writer in the early part of the fifth century, wrote
strongly of the beauty of the fish, and Dame Juliance Berners, the
authoress of "The Treatyse of Fysshynge," in 1496, speaks in no un-
certain language of her fondness for it: The gentle prioress says
"The troughte, for by cause he is a right deyntous fysshe and also
a right feruente byter. • ♦ • From Apryll till Septembre ye
troughte lepyth; theune angle to him." So one might quote page
after page from prose writer and poet in praise of the beauty and
quality of the brown trout. Every phase of its swift movements,
its marvelous leaps, its fierceness and cunning when hooked, have
been written time and again, and it must be confessed adopted by
other writers to describe the movements of our own brook trout,
although there is no need for this, as the beauty of the American
streams has graces and charms of its own fully the equal of its for-
eign distant relative.

The brown trout is a conspicuous example of a fish which is af-
fected by the quantity of food and extent of water it is in. The
natural tendency of the fish is, as has been remarked, to grow to a
great size. Fry planted in large, deep pools with an abundance of
food, may grow to a weight of fourteen or fifteen pounds in this coun-
try. Dr. Bean mentions a specimen captured a couple of years ago,
when it had reached the age of seven, that weighed about eleven
pounds. In the rivers of New Zealand, although of recent introduc-
tion, the brown trout caught averages ten to eleven pounds.

While this rapid growth generally results from a planting under
the conditions mentioned, when the stocking is made in shallower
streams, where the quantity of food is restricted or confined to in-
sects, the arrest in growth is as striking as in the other instance the
increase is wonderful. There appears to be no fall off in the fatness
of the fish, but an average size of eight or nine inches is all that may

be looked for.

The introduction of the brown trout into this country is due to
Herr von Behr, late President of the Deutche Fischerei Veiein. and
after whom the fish is sometimes called von Bohr trout. The first
planting was made in February, 1883.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Rock Bass or Red Eye.

How long or by whom the rock bass or red eye was first introduced

into Pennsylvania waters is unknown. But for nearly fifteen years

it was confined to the Susquehanna and somp of its tributaries. It

No. 18.

FISH COMMISSIONERS

445

As to its great game qualities there is no question. Izaak Walton
alone would have made the tish famous, but for more than a thou-
sand years Englishmen and others have justly sung its praises. An-
sonius, a writer in the early part of the fifth century, wrote
strongly of the beauty of the fish, and Dame Juliauee Beruers, the
authoress of *'The Treatyse of Fysshynge." in UOG, spiaks in no un-
certain language of her fondness for it. The gentle prioress says
"The troughte, for by cause he is a right deyntous fysshe and also
a right ft ruente byter. * * '' From Apryll till Septembre ye
troughte lepyth: theuiie angle t<» him." So one might quote page
after page from prose writer and poet in praise of the beauty and
quality of the brown trout. Every phase of its swift movements,
its marvelous leaps, its fierceness and cunning when hooked, have
been written time and again, and it must be confessed adopted In-
other writers to describe the movements of «Mir own brook trout,
although there is no need for this, as tM Iteaaty of the Anierican
streams has graces and charms of its own fully the equal of its for-
eign distant relative.

The brown trout is a conspicuous exauipf« #f m t«fc wWeb to af-
fected by th( ciuantity of food and extent of water it is to. The
natural tendeney of the fish Is, as has been remarked, to grow to a
great size. Fry planted in large*, deep pools with an abundance of
food, may grow to a weight of fourteen or fif(e« n pounds in this coun-
try. Dr. Bean mentions a specimen captured a couple of v.-ars ago,
wiien it had reached the age of seven, that weighed ;il»<uit eleven
pounds. In the rivers of New Zealand, although of recent introduc-
tion. the brown trout caught averages ten to eleven pounds.

\Yhile this rapid growth generally results from a planting under
rhe conditions mentioned, when the stocking is made in shallower
streams, where the quantity of food is restricted or confined to in
sects, the arrest in growth is as striking as in the oiher instance the
increase is wonderful. There appears to be no fall off in the fatness
of the fish, but an average size of eight or nine inches is all that may

be looked for.

The introduction of the brown trout into this country is du«^ to
Herr von Behr, late Presidettt of the Detttrhe Fischerei \'.iein. and
nfter whom the fish is sometimes called von r.ehr tront The tirst
planting was made in February, lSS:i.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Rock Bass or Red Eye.

How long or bv whom the rock bnss or red eye was first introduced

nno Pennsvlvania waters is unknown. But for noarly fifteen years

,r wns contined to the Sns(,n. hanna ;ni.1 son,., of ,i. inbutanes. ll

INTENTIONAL 2ND EXPOSURE

^g REPORT OF THE Off. Doc.

is not believed to be indiginous to the waters of this State, but is
rather supposed either to have been planted in the Susquehanna
with some of the first black bass for that fish, or been brought into
its upper waters from some of the lakes of New York where one of
its natural ranges is. About the Centennial year the State Fish
Commissioners seriously considered the advisability of extending
this fish to other waters of the State, but it was not until 1887 that
any attempt was made to carry the experiment into operation. •

In that year one thousand two hundred mature fish were captured
in Lake Erie and deposited in the Lehigh, Schuylkill, Delaware, Per-
kiomen and other streams. The result was highly gratifying and the
rock bass is now considered one of the staple fishes to be distributed
in large quantities annually.

Almost uniformlv this toothsome game fish have taken as kindly
to their new homes as their cousins the black bass. They have in-
creased and multiplied to a most encouraging extent in the Dela-
ware the upper Schuylkill, the Lehigh, the Conodoguinet, the
Brandvwine and other streams. In the Delaware they are very
plentiful from the New York state line to Dingman's Ferry, the an-
imal movement southward being very rapid and abundant. In some
of the lakes, notably Silver Lake, Pike county, the rock bass are
alm(^st as common as sunfish. At the rate the rock bass have in-
creased in the seven years they have been in the various waters east
of the AUeghenies, it will not be long before the rock bass becomes
one of our commonest fishes. This is a consummation the more to
be desired since it fulfils in every respect the demands for a fish for
all th( people. It is a species which will not only increase rapidly,
but will take either the bait or the artificial fiy with avidity. It
n.akes a vigorous fight for its liberty and exhibits enough cunning
when hooked to make it pleasant sport for the trout and black bass
fishermen, and yet ladies and half grown children, without skill, may
ngle for the red-eye with reasonable assurances of not returning
home emptv handed. Not only is the rock bass a game fish, but it is
excellent for table use, its fiesh is white, firm and palatable, and
while it does not reach the weight and proportions of the black bass,
becomes three or four times the size and weight of a large sunfish.

Unlike the black bass, which travels either alone or at most m
twos and threes, the rock bass delights to gather in large numbers,
thus affording the angler an additional opportunity of returning
home with a creditable string of fish. ^ ^ .^ u

The natural range of the rock bass is from Canada through
some of the New York lakes and the great lakes, and down
through the Ohio and Mississippi valley to Texas, It is a robust
fish, somewhat the color of the black bass, but may be distinguished
from it readily by bright patches of red on each eye, givmg them
the appearance of being blood shot.

No. 18.

'ISH COMMISSIONERS.

447

CHAPTER XXX.

The Calico Bass.

The phenomenal success met with in stocking the rivers, lakes and
streams of the State with black bass, led the commissioners to try
the experiment with other members of the perch tribe. Among the
lirst to be introduced was the calico bass, a fish which loves deep
and sluggish waters, which yet will thrive in streams that are cold
vnd rapid running. In 1876 some two hundred one and two-year-old
lish were captured at the Licking reservoir, about 10 miles from New
aik Ohio, and brought to Pennsylvania. During the next two years
more than 2,000 of this species of fish were shipped from Ohio ana
placed in the waters of the Juniata, near Hollidaysburg. The calico
bass thrived wonderfully well, surmounting all difficulties and soon
found their way into the Susquehanna, where they are quite numer
us, particularly about Harrisburg.

The calico bass, or grass bass, as it is termed in the laws of the
State is next to the brook trout esteemed as one of the most beau-
tiful fishes that swims in our waters. The general color is a pale
olive green with strong silvery reflections, while the sides are plenti-
1 ullv mottled with pale green and black; the fins are also beautifully
mottled. Its shape is somewhat similar to the rock bass, but some-
what more rounded. It grows to a greater weight but rarely ex^
eeeds two pounds. Like the rock bass it is prone to the company of
its kind and is a free biter at the hook.

Professor Kirtland, a well known ichthyoligist, is strong m his
praises of this fish. He s^iid some years ago: "The grass bass has
'»ot hitherto been deemed worthy of consideration by fish cu Iturists;
vet from a long and intimate acquaintance with its merits, I hesitate
;ot to pronounce it the fish for the million. It is a native of our
uestoin rivers and lakes, where it usually resorts to deep and slug-
gish waters; yet, in several instances, where it has found its way into
Told and rap(d streams, and even small sized brooks by ^^^'^^^ '^^
. onstructing of canals or by the hand of man, it has adapted i self
to the change, and in two or three years stocked to overflo^^•lng thes.
new locations. As a pan fish, for the table, it is —^^'^^^^^^
other fresh water species. For endurance and rapidity of increase
it is unequalled. * * • * The grass bass is perfectly adapted
to stocking ponds. It will thrive without care in .^^.-/-^f » |;^^;^^
of sufficient depth. * — * it will in no wise interfere Mih
cultivation of nny number of species, large or small, m tU.. .amc
29

1&.

'ISH fO^JMIHrfl<'Ni:!::

4IT

CHArTEU XXX.

The Calico liass.

The phenomenal success mt-t with in stocking the Hvers, lakes ftud
>ireams of the Htat.- with black bass, led the ctunmissiouei's to ti;v
-he expei-iuieul with other membeis of the peich tiib •. Among the
lirst to be intiuduccd was the calico bass, a fish which lov«8 deep
,nd slii-gish waters, which yet will thrive in streams that are cold
; nd rapid ruiinin-. In 187<> some two hundred one and two year-old
tiiih were captured at the Lickin- reservoir, aboui 10 iniles from Xew
nrk, Ohio, and brought to Pennsylvania. Durin- the next two yearn
more than 2,000 of this species of lish were shipi-ed from ( Muo ana
placed in the waters of the Juniata, near Hollidaysburg. The caheo
bass thrived wonderfully well, surmounlin- all dilliculties a»d mvn
foUBd their way into the Susquehanna, whert^ they are quite numer-
uus, particularly about Harrisburg.

The calico bass, or grass bass, as !t it termed in the laws t^ ih.*
<tate is next tu the brook trout esteemed as one of the most beau-
.•ful fishes that swims in our waters. The general color is a pa^e
olive green with strong silvery relleclions, while the sides are i.len i-
nllv mottled with pale green and black; the fins arc also beauiifully
Miottled Its shap.' is somewhat similar to the rock bass, but some-
what move rounded. It grows to a greater weight but la.vly ex
.eeds two i)0unds. Like the rock bass it is prone to the eomimny ot
lis kind and is a free biter at the hook.

I'rofessor Kirlland, a well known ichthyuligist, is strong ai nus
pnn.es of this lish. He said some years ago: '^The grass bass lm«
I,.,, hitherto been deemed worthy of consideration by ttsh eu turmts;
v.t from a long and intimate accpiaintance with iis merits, I hesitate
'u.: to pronounce it the fish for tte million. It is a native of on.
.<.<tH.n rivers and lakes, where it usually resorts to deep and slug
ish waters; vet, i« ttveral iMtaaee*, wUcre ft has found m way vn^o
"..Id and rapW stream*, aad even small s!.ed brooks 1 y means of tl^
.ustructing of canals or toy the hand of man, It has adapted i s-lf
u, the change, and in two or three years stocked tu -.rtlowtng tl^
new locations. As a pan ftsh. for the table, it is .usurpassed by few
.ther fresh wa.r specie. - ;;n^-nee^a- -;;;;;-- ;—

;::;::r :is. ltwillti.-ivewUhouteareinverysn.alM.nds

- ^ . '^ \ ,, ^ ., ::- * I, »iil in n.. wis.' nt<M-t.'re \wA\ liie

of snlhcient depth. »' ^^'" >" ,, • ,. .,,..-.

..luvation nf :,nv number of species, large er snu.ll. .n t!..- .une

'2\\

448

REPORT OF THE

Off. I>oc,

waters It will live harmoniously with all others, and while its
structure and disposition restrain it from attacking any other but
very small fry, its formidable armature of spinous rays in the dorsal
and abdominal fins will guard it against attacks of even the vora
lious pike.';

CHAPTER XXXI.

The Rodgers Fishway.

The fishway question is one of such magnitude in the work of pres-
t-rvation and propagation of the fisheries to-day, that no history
would be complete without showing the advancement made m this

branch of the art. ^ « i, k

Rivers may be stocked each year with millions of mfant fish by
artificial process, but being obstructed by dams and falls, the young
life is cut off and destroyed before maturity. Provide a free and
easy passage over these obstructions, and the result will be a mar
velous increase of fish. Nature, with little artificial assistance, will
then stock the rivers, which will become a source of great revenue

as well as of noble sport.

The fishway which, after severe and most satisfactory tests, was
adopted by the State Board of Fish Commissioners, is the invention
of William H. Rodgers, of Nova Scotia, for many years identified
with the Canadian fisheries department as commissioner for that pro
vince Mr. Rodgers, being a thoroughly practical man, took advan-
tage of the splendid opportunities there presented for research and
experiment in this branch, which terminated in a perfect solution o
the troublesome problem of the reconciliation of water power and
the fisheries, the value of which can only be understood by a knowr
ed<re of the interest involved. It is not, however, the purpose of
thi'^s sketch to discuss the many phases of this question, but simply to
cnve a brief description of the invention, and together with ilhistra
tions (see engraving) to convey a comprehensive idea of the general
principles of its construction; and to show that besides embodying
all the requirements for the ascent of fish over dams and falls, it
also, overcomes a most fatal objection common to other devices of
this nature, namely, the liability to destruction by freshets and ice,
so common to the rivers of this State, which, during the early spring,
are filled with immense quantities of broken ice, gorging and tearing
onward with the swollen tide, leaving behind vast trails of destruc-

^'Tn the application here shown the fishway is so closely connected

No. is.

FISH COMMISSIONERS.

449

with the obstruction, and has so small a portion projecting above,
that the ice can find no hold upon it. Being on longitudinal lines
with the dam, it simply takes the place of a portion of the apron in
shedding the water and ice. This, however, is but one form of the
many applications, all of wliich are equally staunch and eftective.

As the construction of a dam is guided by the formation and condi-
lions of a river, so must a fishway be located and built to meet the
exegencies of both dam and river, and at the same time it must pro-
vide for the erratic requirements of the fish.

In all the applications., the entrance is located close to the dam,
where the fish, instinctively searching for a passage to the river
above, most naturally linger. This feature is a most important and
commendable one, and to it is largely due its unprecedented success.

The interior arrangement is very simple, consisting of a sluir-e-way
five feet wide by three feet deep, running at a grade of about one foot
in nine or ten, provided with^ series of fences (calUd buckets) set at
acute angles on either side, leaving openings of fourteen inches, al-
lowing for the passage of a sufficient volume of water to accommo-
date the largest river fish. These buckets so retard the water that
its force is reduced to a minimum, and the-arrangement is so perfect
that at whatever the height of the obstruction, or whatever the
length of the fishway, the current is no stronger at the bottom than

at the top.

The fishway proper is built solidly within square timber crib-work,
bolted to the bed-rock and to the dam and heavily ballasted with
stone, the whole being substantially covered with heavy plank, except
the lower side of the crib, through which the light is allowed to enter.
Against the small projecting portion at the head is provided a sub-
stantial ice-head, which is given an easy slope, thus presenting little
resistance to the ice. A breakwater is also provided, which renders
the entrance clear from falling water.

In fact, so perfectly are all the requirements met, and so com-
l»letely has Mr. Rodgers overcome the many heretofore existing ditli-
eulties, that there is nothing further to be desirtd in a fishway.

The comparatively small cost of construction is another commend-
able feature, it being principally guided by the market prices of the
materials used and by the obstruction to be overcome.

llrielly summed up, its strong features are:

1. Applicable to any form of dam or natural fall.

1'. The entrance is near the dam, where fish accumulate in <.Mn li
of a i)assage to the water above.

a. The stream is as near a natural brook as can be produced.

4. The current is easy — just strong enough to be an attraction to
fij^h.

20-1 S -90

REPORT OF THE

Oti. Uuc

45U

« It draws a very small quonitx
,t anv time if found necessary.

7 it is thorougWy i«-'^-P«'°«*- ,,. „,.diuary care, as small

: L liable to clog UP ve^. . «^ j;-;^,. ^,,,,,, eannot enter
.l^bris can ya^s tUrougb \ery »»*>"> c-operlv built at first.
";:: ^.air^ are -^^ -^r, or" ^X power in tbe sli.b.e.

THE CARP SUCKER.

THE BLACK HORSE.

THE NORTHERN SUCKER.

THE BIG -JAWED SUCKER.

THE HED-BELLIEI] MCE.

THE CUT-LIPS OR CHUB

THE TULLIBEE.

THE GRAYLING.

THE STRIPED KILLIFISH

THE CHAIN PICKEREL.

THE PIKE

THE MASCALONGE.

THE COMMON KILLIFISH

THE BANDED PICKEREL

THE LITTLE PICKEREL

THE GUDGEON OR SMELT.

THE RED -FIN,

THE BLACK-NOSED DACE.

THE EEL.

THE CRAPPIE.

THE BLACK-BANDED SUNFISH.

THE GREEN SUNFISH.

THE BLUE SUNFISH

THE LONG-EAREB SUNFISH,

^i|»THE RED-BELLIED BREAM.

iHE COMMON SUN.fi SH.

THE LARGE-MOUTHED BLACK BASS.

THE FR.ESH WATER nRUM

THE MILLERS THDMB

THE BURBOT.

THE SMELT.

THE R-aUND WIIITEFISH.

THE LAKE HERRING:.

THE COMMON CATFISH.

THE MARGINED STONE CATFISH.

THE BIG-MOUTHED BUFFALO FISH.

THE COMMON STURGEON.

THE LAKE STURGEON.

THE SPOTTED CAT-FISH.

THE S AUGER.

THE WHITE BASS.

THE YELLOW BASS.

THE HORNED CHUB.

THE FALL FISH,

THE ROACH

THE STONE TOTER.

THE STRIPED SUCKER.

THE RED HORSE.

THE GOLD FISH.

THE NORTHERN MOON-EYE

THE BRANCH HERRING.

THE BROOK LAMPREY.

THE SEA LAMPREY

THE PADDLE FISH

'HE GREAT CAT-FISH

THE CHANNEL CAT-FISH

THE LONG -JAWED CATFISH

THE TESSELLATED DARTER..

THE LOG PERCH.

THE BLUE PIKE.

Official Docdmenj",

No. 18

IN DEX.

Page.

EASTERN HATCHP:RY 85-l(»T

Distribution of Brook Trout Fry S6-106

Brown Trout Fry 107

Germii n Carp, 1U7

ERIE HATCHl-mV n2-3«i

Distribution of Wall Eyed Pike 3:^3o

White Fish Planted in I^ake Erie U

FISH EATING BIRDS AND MAMMALS 295

Belted Kingfisher 307

Birds of Prey 295

Crows and Blackbirds 296

Dabchick 30:]

Fish Hawk, or Osprey 302

Horned Grebe 302

Kingfishers 300

Mammals Which Eat Fish 30S

Notes on Food of Minks 310

The Ducks, Etc., 29s

The Black-Crowned Xighl Heron 305

The Grebes 296

The Herons, Etc 299

The Loons 297

The Ivoon, or Great Northern Diver 304

The Mink, 309

FISH, FISHING AND FISHERIES OF PENNSYLVANIA 313

Chapter I Primeval Fishermen and Fishing 313

Chapter II— Early Fishing on the Susquehanna, 320

Chapter HI EJarly Fisheries of the Delaware 32S

Chapter TV Herring Fisheries of the I>elaware, 337

Chapter V — Sturgeon Fisheries of the Delaware 340

Chapter VI Early Fisheries of the Schuylkill 343

Chapter VII— Efforts to Erect Dams on the Delaware River 351

Chapter Vlll Dec^line of the River Fisheries 357

Chapter IX— Work of Restoring the Shad Rivers 361

Chapter X -Work of Restoring the Shad Fisheries, continue;! 370

Chapter X [ Marietta Hatchery 37S

Chapter XII Western Hatchery 3S1

Chaptei- XII I -ICastern Hatchery 385

Chapter XIV— History of the ^^tate Fisli-'ri s on Lake Frit' 38S

Chapter XV- Erie Hatchery— Restoring the Lake Fisheries 399

Chapter XVI Trout Streams of the Slate, 403

Chapter XVII Mountain Lakes of tlie State 112

(451)

^.,, INDEX. ^«- I^^«-

Page.

Chapter XVIII-History of the Pike Perch ^Ib

Chapter XIX-Hiatory of the Black Bass

Chapter XX-Life History of the Charrs and Brook Trout 4-o

Chapter XXI-Rainbow Trout and Its Ancestry *-^

Chapter XXII— Lake Trout ^^.,

Chapter XXIII— Salmon, '''

Chapter XXIV- Introduction of the German Carp ^^^^

Chapter XXV— The Striped Bass .

Chapter XXVI-Habits of the Yellow Perch *^"^

(Chapter XXVII— The White Perch -

Chapter XXVlII-Immigration of the Brown Trout «*

Chapter XXIX-The Rock Bass, or Red Eye, ^^^

Chapter XXX-The Calico Bass,

Chapter XXXI-The Rodgers Fishway • -^ • • • •-■•

UST OF FISH COMMISSIONERS OF THE UNITED STATh. AN1>^^^^^

CANADA, ^17

The United States ^^^

Alabama, ^^^

Arizona ^^^

Arkansas, ^^e^

California, ^^^

Colorado, -^^y

Connecticut, ^^^j

Delaware, ^^g

Georgia " ^^y

Illinois ' j2()

Indiana j2o

Iowa, 120

Kansas j.,,)

Maine " yy^^

Maryland ^^o

Massachusetts, j2,i

Michigan \ j2(i

Minnesota, ^2(»

Missouri .^2]^

Nebraska ^21

Nevada, j2i

New Hampshire, ^^^

New Jersey 12^

New York -^2 1

Ohio ■ ■ J21

Oregon, ^22

Pennsylvania, ^22

Rhode Island, '- ^22

South Carolina ^22

Tennessee, ^2>

Utah, J22

Vermont ^o :

Virginia, I2_'

West Virginia ^o ,

Wisconsin ^ o ;

Wyoming, .,. ^

Report of the Board

No. 18.

INDEX.

453

Page.

REPORTS OF SHERIFFS AND FISH WARDENS 124-1 1 i

John J. Bruce, Easton, 139

John Bubb, Williamsport, 140

A. D. Butzer, 128

D. M. Cannon, Westmoreland county, 12s

Henry Campbell, 129

J. D. Clark, Meshoppen isii

Charles Clark, Pottstown 144

Sheriff Clemens, Lackawanna county, 142

John Conway, Carbon county 131

John Conway, Mauch Chunk 137

R. C. Dauds, 130

C. L. Ford, Luzerne county 132

Milton Fleisher, New Cumberland, 14H

H. T. Frankenfleld, Resica, 129

W. M. Graffins, Huntingdon 120

John Halloran, Jr., Tioga, 13.")

S. J. Hinds, Moosic, 137

W. E. Housworth, Selinsgrove, 141

D. J. Hilty, Armstrong 124-12?i

J. W. Hague, Pittsburg, 127-12S

B. McDonnell, New Hope 132

Bnos Mayer, Renovo, 143

J. G. Mateer, Port Royal 142

J. M. Miller, Callicoon Depot, N. Y., 132

B. F. Mann, Columbia, 123

T. S. Peters, Slippery Rock, 127

T. S. Peters, Slippery Rock, 137

G. M. Pennar, New Castle, 131

A. D. Rlduer, Harrisburg 140

John Robinson, Wilkes-Barre, 142

M. W. Van Gorden, Egypt Mills, 138

Frank P. Stephens, Nicholson, Pa., 13.^1

RHF'ORT OF TREASURER 11»>

THE BRISTOL STATION, 108-115

Distribution of Shad 108

Summary of Distribution, 18S9 to 1896, 109-ll.j

Atlantic Salmon Fry, ill

Brook Trout Fry, 10:)

Brook Trout and Yearlings and Three Year {)ld3 109

Brown Trout Fry l Ki

Blue Pike, n :?

California Trout Fry, 11 1 -

Catfish, Spotted, 114

Catfish, Common, 113

German Carp Fry, Ill

Hybrid Trout Fry, 110

Lake Trout FVy 100

Lake Herring, 114

Land-Locked Salmon Fry ill

I^argo Mouth Black Bass 112

Large Grass Pike, 114

Large Pike Perch, 114

INDEX. Off. D.K-.

Page.

THE BRISTOL STATION-Coniinned. ^^^

I^arge Mascolonge ^^^

Pike Perch Fry ^^.^

Rock Bass ^^^

Small Month Black Baas ^^^

Shad Fry ^ j^

Shad Fry Introduced by T. S., ^^ ^

SiravvlKM-ry IJa.-s ^^g

Sun Fish ^^2

White Bass ^^^

White Fish Fry ^^^

Yellow Perch, ^^^

Recapitulation i 4- oq"

THE MOUNTAIN LAKES OF THE STATE '^'-—^

Chapter I-The Great lee Age ^^".

How the Mountain Lakes were Formed • • • •

Chapter II-Native Fishes and How they Fcund their Way ^nto^^^_

the Lakes, 154-157

Chapter III-The Introduced Fishes 158 16'^

Chapter I V-Wayne County and Its Lakes 157.164

Chapter V— Preston Township and Its Lakes => ^^^

Big Hickory Pond, ^^^

Coxtown Pond, ^^^

Independent Lake 165-166

I^ke Como, or Six Mile Pond ' '^^^

Lake Poyntelle 164 !«'.

I^ke Underwood, or Seven Mile Pond 166-167

Long Pond ^^^

Little Hickory Pond 168-169

Spruce Pond, j^g^

Summit on Bone Lake 167-16S

The Twin Lakes, ^^.,

Chapter Vl-Other Wayne County Lakes 176-I77

Duck Harbor Pond 173-174

Elk Pond, ^^^

Keen's Pond ^^g

Lower Woods Pnnd ^^„

Rose Pond, ^.yo

White Oak Pond 174-176

Upper Wood's Pond 1 — 178

Chapter Vll-Wayne County Lakes. Continued • ' J^^"_^^j^

Adam's Pond 181-182

Bidwell Lake ^j^j"^

Cajaw Lake 179-180

H«of ^°"^^ ;•••••, '.'.'.182-18:^

Lake Ariel or Jones Pond • 101 isr,

Lake Henry-The Lake of the Floaing Island- 1«4-J«-^

Open Woods Pond ^^^

Peep or Marsh Pond, 180-181

Sand Pond 185-18T

Chapter Vlll-Pike County and Its Lakes ^^^

Big Gorilla Lake 191-19'J

Big Pond, or Lake Jones

No. 18. INDEX. 455

Page.

Chapter VIII — Continued.

Big Tink Pond 189

Forest Park Association 187

Little Gorilla T^ke 189

Little Tink Pond, 189-190

Mill Pond 192

Robinson's Fond, 192

Wescolang Lake, 190

White Deer Lake, 190-191

Wolf Pond 188

York Pond, 192

Chapter IX— The Blooming Grove Park Association, 193-198

Chapter X— Blooming Grove Park Association Lakes, 198

Bruce Lake, or Roots Pond, 201

. Lake Beaver, or Big Mud Pond 200

Lake Giles 199-200

Lake Scott, or Old Perch Pond No. 2 200-201

Lake Westbrook. or Long Pond, 201

Taylor's Stillwater, or Big Indian Swamp 201-202

Chapter XI— Blooming Grove Park Association Lakes. Continued, 202-207

Lake Belle, or Perch Pond 207-208

Lake Earnest, or Grassy Pond 207

Chapter XII— Pike County, Continued 208-211

Cortright's Lakes 211

Porter's Lake, 213

Chapter XIII— Pike County Lakes, Continued 215

Deer Lake, or First Pond 217

Forest Park 21»;

Lake Tamient. or Second Pond 217

Little Mud Pond 217

The Forest Park Association, 215

Chapter XIV— Pike County, Continued 218

The Edgemere Club— Silver Lake 218

Chapter XV— Pike County, Continued 220

Big Log Cabin Pond 222

Little Log Tavern Pond, 222

Nichecronk Lake 221

Rocky Hill Pond 221

The State Line Lake, 222

Chapter XVI— Monroe County and Its I^akes 223

Broadhead's I^ake 224

Coolbaugh's Pond 228

Deep Lake 226

Echo Lake, 227

Goose Pond 230

Hawkeye Pond, 229

Lake Poponoming. or Saylor's Lake 224

Lake Pond, 226

Pocono Pond 229

Chapter XVII— Luzerne County Lakes 230

Bear Lake 2.32

Beach Lake 233

Cummings and Mill Ponds 234

4:.ii

INDEX.

Off. Doc.
Page.

N... H.

INDEX.

457

Chapter XVII-Continued. 234

Grassy Pond ' * ' 230

Harvey's Lake 236

Lake Wiscasset 233

Lily Lake 234

North and South Pond, 233

Nuangola Lake 235

Chapter XVIII— Sullivan County Lakes, 237

Eaglesmere, or Lewis' Lake, .,39

Lake Ganoga, or Long Pond, .^n

Chapter XIX-Lake o£ Penn Cave, 246

(Chapter XX-Crawford County Lakes, • • 34?

Lake Conneaut 254

Mud Lake, 253

Oil Creek Lake, " ' " 253

Sugar Lake • " " " 254

Chapter XXI-Lackawanna County Lakes, .......•■••• ^56

Bassett Lake, 256

Baylor's Lake 256

Crooked Lake, 261

Crystal Lake 261

Drinker Pond, or Lake Henry • • ' • 258

Glenburn Lake 268

Gravel Lake, 256

Hanson Lake, 254

Lackawanna's Lake Centre '.*"..........■••• 257

Lake Manatako, ' " " * 263

Lake Wahconda, 259

Lily Lake, ^62

Newton Lake, 260

Maple Lake, 260

Moosic Lake 257

Windfall Lake, • • 264

Chapter XXII-Wyoming County Lakes, ^66

Lake Carey, or Neoscoletta, • • 269

Lake Piatt " ' " / ' 264

I^ke Winola, 270

The Four Ponds, or Four Lakes, 370

( 'hapter XXIH-Susquehanna County Lakes ^77

Blanding Lake 278

Butler Lake, 274

Elk Lake "' 277

East Lake, 275

Forest Lake, 272

Idlewild Lake, 282

Jones' Lake 276

Heart Lake, ^76

Hunt Lake, 278

Leach Lake -''^

Lower Lake 279

Middle Lake, " ' ' " * 27.'

Mud Lake,

Mud Pond

Page.

Chapter XXIII— Continued.

North Pond 280

Page's rond 276

Quaker Lake, 274

Ryneai son Pond 273

Silver Lake 281

§outh Pond (Ely Lake), 280

Three Lakes 279

Tingley Lake, 278

Tripp I^ke, 277

Tyler Lake, 280

White's Pond, 280

Chapter XXIV— Bradford County Lakes 282

Lake Weasanking, 283

Mountain Lake, 284

<'hapter XXV— Carbon County Lakes, 285

Big Pond, 287

Grassy Lake, 288

Lake Harmony 286

Moses Wood Pond and Mud Pond 289

Round Pond 288

Chapter XXVI— Other County Lakes 289

Conneautee Lake, Erie county 290

Lake Le Boeuf , Erie county 291

Sandy Lake. Mercer county 290

\Vi:STERN STATION. 37-84

Distribut ion of Brook Trout Fry 38-63

Brook Trout, One Year Old, 63-64

European Brown Trout Fry, 64-65

European Brown Trout, One Year Old 65

Hybrid Trout Fry 66

Hybrid Trout, One Year Old, 66

Lake Trout Fry 66

Large Month Black Bass 78-79

Rainbow Trout Fry 66-69

Rock Bass 69-74

Small Mouth Black Bass, 74-77

Spotted Catfish 84

Strawberry Bass 80

Sun Fish 83-84

Swan Bass ! 79

Yellow Pereh 80-8,3

« t

^S!^

0966

END OF YEAR

«<k

CONTINUED

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Full text of "Report of the State Commissioners of Fisheries for the year 1896"

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