Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-02-12


uDscArIus, Isvs, FEB. ssA, 1861.
1Ds. DsnocRAr = News Cent?
/ pickedssp this mqsbing's J.sr"oA, and
almost the frat thing that attracted my
attention, was 6sh story, which was to
the effect, that, on Wednesday last, (the
9th inst, )at three Aauls Of the seine, 80
tons Of 6sh we're captured. Iremarked
to friend, sitting close by, that it were
just - easy to say one hundred tons,
and 1t one draw, and done with it. He
remarked that be had 20 doubt it was
correct, and % he perceived that l was
some what incredulous, he proposed
taking drive down to the celebrated
e hing grounds. Of course | gladly
accepted, and promised myself fine
days sport-nor was disappointed,
unless it was that it 30 far surpassed my
expectations. We we're soon seated
bel. the celebrated trotter, "Fire Fly
and to the jingiug Of merry sleigh bells,
time Tor WEI few SO rapidly that we
we're soon, almost too soon, at the ap-
pointed place, where fish most do con-
gregate. 1t is situated on the slough
that surrounds Muscatine leland, some
three OF four miles below the city. A.
everything had frozen up tight the night
before, the were not quite ready to
commence operations when We arrived,
and - We were opposed TO being idle,
we rendered what assistance We could
to "those who cast their meta in deep
places." The manner Of proceeding is
somewhat a. follows: they cut through
the ice (which 10 about foot thick .
channel about four inches wide, in the
shape Of balloon, the neck or small
part Of which 10 at the mouth Of creek
which emptics in there, and this, no
doubt, il one Of the reasons for FISH A..
scmbllng in such vast quantities At this
place. The whole space cut around is
equal to about quarter Of an Acre.
They then put tho seine through this
four inch channel, and after getting the
floats all under the surface Of the ice,
WITH about half q dozen men At either
end. they then commence to draw. A.
the seine approaches the small part,
which is free from ice, and the floats rise
to the surface Of the water, you can hear
remsrks, both original and unique, for
by this time there is a large crowd
gathered around, composed OF Emerald
Islanders, or ''Greeks," Teutons, and .
fair share Of Young America; for where
can you go and not find the lattep4 they
are extensive and must circulate. BY
this time the water is black with fish. A
Hibernian says, "Bedad there's wale p
A gentleman Of German descent replies,
"Yaw, dat ish a zig wish, while Young
America, unable longer to control him
self, cries, "Spooney, git out Their way till
.peass that bufferlo." Both ends OF
The seine being nov secured, scoop.
shoveIs, baskets, and everything that will
hold fish, are brought into rcquisition,
and they are thrown upon the shore a.
last as fifteen or twenty men can pitch
and handle. While the large fi,h, pike,
dc, which are liable to break through
the net, are speared. In about an hour
the net is cleared, aud ten or fifteen
wagon loads Of fish are laying on the
snow, awaiting purchasers at fifty cents
| per bushel or 100 lbs, which is consid-
cred it's equivalent. The varieties
caught, were, pike (many weighing from
5 TO Is lbs each). buffalo, google eye or
croppys, bass, sun-tish, dog fish, &c, &c.
1t WAS Estimated that there was 42,756
fish caught at this draw. If any one
thinks this too large an estimate, l will
throw off the Il. e. inserting q cipher
in iis steady, but not another fish. The
Go. fish is cousiderea very good food
for hogs-many farmers buying them in
large quantities for that purpose, and at
they prices they get them they
say they are cheaper than corn
The fishermen said it was poor day tor
fishing, and that this was = very small
draw. Ifthis is the case, / wish to DC
excused when they have good one.
There was enc peculiar specimen of fish
caught, which think it were 20 sin to
worship it could be safely done with
out violating the I'd commandment. Its
like | never saw before, and hope never
to see again.
| sec by your paper that your Speet
correspondent is coming somewhat near
er to his senses, although he has not en-
trely recovered them IS yet. Although
Street BY name he is very tart by nature,
and stands as much below par here as 10
Davenport. What a pity that tele.
graphs do not carry passengers, 80 that
he could be put aboard and sent to-well
no matter-Texas.
| Yours, ~ ever, s.
p. ST. did not like to tell the fish
story - large as it real y was,so reduced
it one-hslf. II the reader will double