Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-22
-sTAUNTON SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADvER
"FIshermen's Luck


EXPERIENCE OF sTAUNToN TROUT FISHING
PARTY ON THE HEADWATERs OF ELK RIVER
IN WEST MISREPRESENTATION ESCAPE FROM
RowNING-HIGH WATERS-HIG FISH. AND
VARIOUS THRILLING INCIDENTS BY FIELD
AND FLoOD-KINDNksS OF THE INHABITANTS,
&C., &C.
The Elk River, which waters the west
ern part of Pocahontas, is as general thing,
as gentle trout stream as flows through the
mountains of West Virginia. 1t is full too, OF
that glorious fish, in great number and of vast
size. Moved by these facts, a party OF gentle
men from Staunton, week before last, in two
horse spring wagon, armed and equipped as
the law in such cases directs, took their way
to this famous water. Things went with them
merrily as cow-bells for the first three days OF
their expedition, but on the night OF yesterday
a week ago, the rains desce nded and the floods
came upon the Ell k in such portentous vastness
that no house. whether built on rock or sand,
could have withstood the violence of the rush.
ing river. The party, having with it the Jonah
Of Staunton, and an Grant New Yorker whom
they captured at Huntersville on their advance,
was on this doleful evening encamped very
costly in the grassy shady, low ground which
lies between the "Bg Spring Fork' and the
''Old Field Fork" of Elk. Although they no.
still falling, they had no idea of any danger.
Supper over, they sat down in their tent I'M
packed their kits, filled their pipes. and began
singing songs and telling tales. About nine
they retired to their restful couches. The rain
still descended gently but steadily, and the
rise in the Elk still went until about IL
O'Clock. A thunder storm of terrific violence
arose, accompanied by rain in torrents. Then
the river began to rise in earnest. All hands
got up, dressed lit the lantern and the pipes,
and.wished for day. About one, a recognsance
being made, it was discovered that the Big
Spring Fork had burst its banks above the
camp, and was running mighty torrent in
the rear, cutting the fishermen off from the
high ground. About this time Mr.. Hartman
Sharp, who lives just below the junction of the
two Forks began firing his gun as warning to
the camp. The first shot determined the doubt
ing minds of the party. They saw that the time
for action had come, and joining hands, the
man with the lantern leading, they struck
through the raging torrent for the high ground
in the rear. There was no time to pack or to
pick-so with only what they had on, the Ian
tern and a bottle OF coal Oil, they went. The
stream was running breast high, was deadly
cold and was full of fioating tiHlbers of all
shapes and sizes from fence-rail to a saw-log
with the roots and branches still on it. With
great difficulty and peril they gained the high
ground lying, as we said, in rear of the camp.
Here they built fire, with the aid of the coal
oil, and stood around it shivering, soaked with
rain, without drop to drink or a bite to eat,
until day. Then they saw clearly what dead
ly peril they had escaped. The water had risen
after they left, so that it would have been i'm
possible to wade out, and, swimming in such
a
was a simple absurdity. The escape was due,
under Providence, to the gun fire of Mr.. Har-
man Sharp, which caused the party to move
out as promptly as it did. A delay of ten min
utes would have been fatal. Once out in the
high ground, the danger was over, but the suf-
fering had just commenced. Two efforts were
made to get around the spurs of the mountain
which jutted over the two forks of the river.
The second successful, and about ten or
eleven in the morning the expedition reached
This good Samaritan, and bis equally good
wife, did everything possible for the comfort Of
the sufferers. There they remained Tuesday
night and early Wednesday morning the Wa
tiers having ST. bsided to some extent they crossed
the ridge to the turnpike to Uncle Billy Sharp's
where they found road wagon, upon which
they crossed the Fork that separated them
from the camper rather the site of the late
camp. The next morning was spent in an in
vestigation oftlle immense Wreck-h eaps which
resulted in the recovery of most Of the impede
menta. But fancy valise half full of mud,
mixed with the pulp OF paper collars, melted
soap, soaked smoking tobacco, and such like
remnants of civilized elegance! The camping
out business was now completely done for, and
the premises of Mr.. Hartman Sharp (the gen.
tleman to whom the party were indebted for
the warning which enabled them to escape
drowning) were invaded. Here they were most
kindly and Hospitality entertained until Fri
day morning, when they took the route for
home, ARRIVING in Stanton at early hour
On Monday morning.
A deer found at o lick near Mr.. Sharp's
on Thursday morning; w1ieh pulled the beam
at the very comfortable figure of Iel pounds net.
Trout are reported plentiful and large in Elk
and its forks
The fishers are happy. and Munchausen will
have to look TO his laurels.