Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-03-23
Dulling for Trout.
I From the Forest and,Stream.


During the summer of 1857 the Rock
bridge Alum Springs, in Virginia, were
crowded with distinguished visitors
from al, parts of the South, who came
there principally to drink of the health
giving waters The town of Lexington.
seventeen miles distant, always sent its
quota on special occasions, such as ball
nights, concerts and excursion days, to
Jordan Springs, ten miles south. A.
mong the many who represented the
college town at the springs, and who
were sure to be there the latter part of
every week, were John Letcher, a men,
ber of Congress at that time, and T. j.
Jackson, professor in the Virginia
Militsry Institute. These two gentle
men were constant and steadfast friends
then and in the squally days that came
after, and their chief amusement while
at the Rock Alum" was derived from
the pleasure of rolling -pins-ag game
both gentlemen were very fond OF. The
alleys were situated on the edge of a
creek bearing the name of the springs,
and at the bottom of the towering Mill
Mountain; and herein honest John
Letcher and the modest Professor enjoy
ed themselves in an innocent way.
The principal hotel in Lexington was
kept by wag named Mann, Il jolly
good fellow, prime favorite with the
students and most of the townspeople,
and always ready to bet on any point
there was the slightest dispute about
This latter talent of his was the magnet
that drew the young students to Mann's
Hotel; and one evening. while party
subject of trout fishing was broached,
and as it was we'll known that Rock
bridge Alum Creek, two or three miles
above the springs, was alive with those
delicate fish, the conversation naturally
drifted to that spot, and great were the
stories told in regard to it. Among the
many exaggerations, Bill Mann said
that he had caught eighty trout in one
hour in said creek, and could perform
the same feat over again. This was
pooh poohed, of course, and resulted in
student offering to bet dinner for ten
that such fishing feat was impossible,
stating that he was willing to lose the
wager if Mann would bring back eighty
trout, and give him his word and honor
that said fish were taken out of the wa
ter in the space of an hour. Now, the
fact is that Bill Mann never performed
what he said he had, but spelling for a
bet of some kind, he threw out this pro
position as a bait, and getting bite,
was bound in self defense to try and
win.
The following day Bill Mann hitched
up his team of trotters, and after a ride
of a few hours duration arrived at the
Rock Alum Springs, and after register
ing his name he meandered out to make
call on Charley Hunt to whom he re-
vealed the secret of his sudden visit
Hunt said he could not assist him, but
advised him to make call on John
Letcher, who was then in the ten pin
alley. Hither Mann repaired, and was
greeted on his entrance with Virginia
welcome. and invited to take part IN
the game then going on which he accept
ed, and during one of the breathing
spells between ''strikes' and "spares''
Mann told the Congressman OF his mis-
sion, and asked his assistance and RdVlce
in the matter; but John Letcher refer
red him to T. J. Jackson, saying; PRO
fessor, Bill Mann has come over from
Lexington for the purpose OF winning a
wager by catching eighty trout In one
hour, and as you are devoted follower
of Walton, perhaps you may be able 70
tell him in what part of the creek trout
are SO plenty that they will nibble at 8,
hook at the'rate of eighty to the honr."
The modest Professor was very seldom
known to laugh; but this speech, com
ing from his intimate friend Leteher,
made him smile, as he never was KNOW =
to fish, and knew no more about Rock
Alum Creek-except that part near the
springs, where trout would only Iive
long enough to run the blockade on tn Ell
way to the James-thail aman y Ney
York, for fishing was not his forte ano q
believing that honest John intenqeq 9
joke at his expense, he said; "Mr; Mann
as far as my being disciple OF Walton
1 give you my word, sir, that neVe.
read his book in my life; but have
stood On the bridge and gazed on the
water for many moments, expecting &c
see one of those silvery trout nave