Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-05-18
JOTTINGs BYTmEwAYsIDE.
HAvnE DE- GRACE, Md, May s, 1877.

HAvRE DE GRACE, Md, May 8, 1877.
Ed. JOURNAL - During my rambles
last week called at the celebrated fishing
battery Of Cole n Bailey, near Wilson's
Island, in 3he Susquehsnna River. Capt.
Cole is about go years Of age, was reared
fisherman, consequently an old veteran in
the business and perfectly Mt home in the
command OF such battery. The battery
consists Of a monster platform on timbers
with n row Of cabins on one side. / found
the Captain very kind and social, and
ready to give all the information he could
relating to his business. by order of the
Captain was taken by one of the hands
and carried few yards through the water
and placed in the fishbont ms it was about
starting out to set the net. Twenty muscu-
lar men constituted the crew for rowing
the boat, who applied their strength with
hearty good will. One.half mile Of rope
was run out over revolving shaft ut the
stern, as we glidcd swiftly over the water .
then the monster seine and another half
mile Of rope, and we were safely moored
ut tho starting point, having been out three
quarters Of an hour. Then the hauling in
was commenced, which was done with Il
capstan and horse nt each end Of the bat.
terry. An hour or more elapsed and the
semi circular net was narrowed down to
very small compass in shoal water. The
6nny host, thus encircled, dnrted around
in wild confusion, making vain attempts TO
get back into deep water. A few minutes
later and some 10000 Of the scaly tribe
were lying high and dry on the platform.
The shNd, some three or four thousand,
were then taken in n sort OF fish basket to
one Of the shanties; the herring are scooped
up in net with M iron rim and taken Oh
shore in boat to supply the Ash mongers
who come many miles to replenish their
stock, or are dressed and sated for future
use. Shad we're selling at from $l5 to $50
Four hundred herring on an average will
ill barrel, and it is not uncommon to
take in one hundred barrels ut single
haul
The first day of May was sort of holi-
day at the fsh grounds. Carpenters Point,
on north East River, owned by Washington
Barnes, Is the largest fishery in Maryland.
Two seines are used here, each being one
and ne-hnli miles in length, and over one
hundred hands are employed to operate
them. Long trains of vehicles, with thous-
unds Of occupants, were seen enroute for
the "Point." Your humble correspondent
joined the moving throng. Flags were
unfured, bands Of music filled the air with
their melodious strains, and glee clubs with
their choruses gladdened the occasion. The
day which appeared so bright in the morn
ing proved to be prototype of one OF the
"lionized" days OF March. The wind blew
fercely and cold, and the frequent rain
squalls added much to the discomfort Of
the assembled multitude. Notwithstand-
ing all this, the crowd seemed in good spir.
it's and il some did lack this necessary nat
ursl quality it was more than made good
by the enlivening spirits from divers casks
and bottles. Everybody who came seemed
desirous of n good time and were bound
to win, let the weather clerk shape it as he
HlIbHt. llu uutlCC DIue ElUDOnS,
the emblem worn by the renowned Muir
ply soldiers, nor did any display their
cards to identify themselves as his follow
ers. But do think, at Carpenters Point
on this gala day, there was grand field
for operation by the indomitable Murphy
and his apostles.
May 5th.-At West Chester, Pa Cold
weather, requiring overcoats and shawls to
make market-goers comfortable; yet spring
is growing in strength of beauty and luxu-
riousness, as the market in this little city
clearly demonstrated this morning. Green
provender in the shape Of lettuce, spinach;
asparagus, &c, proves that nature is no
sluggard, and in spite of Winters reluctance
to yield its ice-bound sway to Maiden
Spring, she will be on hand in due season
with the viands to tickle our palates with
early vegetables.
Potatoes here retail at l5c per quarter
peck apples, 25c half peck; eggs, 20c per
doz, and butter from SOC 10 40c per pound,
according to who makes it.
Must close for the present and prepare
for my exit to other localities.
RAMBLER