The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-06-23
AFISH STORY.
A Iaunt to Stones River Forty Years
Ago.

Ago.
Climax" the well known Nashville
correspondent of the hmerTras Fed
writes up his recollections Of fishing
party that left Nashville for Stones river
forty years ago, that he gives as follows
Meeting, sometime since, Colonel O,is.
Henry Yeatman, James A. McAhster and
William Arms.ead. all i. one afternoon.
leisurely stroll called to mind one of
my earliest fishing experiences. and re-
minded me, also, tia, Parsons Green and
Pitts. who have gone TO the unexplored
regions from whence no traveller returns.
were OF the above party. when was first
in camp life on the banks of Stones
river. no; less than couple Of score years
ago.
|, was the custom of,hese gentlemen to
60 fishing several times during the
spring and summer; they were intimate
friends. and the entente oordiaie which
reigned supreme among them was the
source Of admiration of every one and the
envy of no few. They formed strictly a
corporation, to be infringed upon only by
such men as my father and old Uncle
Nick Hobson. A hearty welcome awaited
them wherever they went, on account of
their strict recognition OF proprie;y and
good pay. To say that their equipments
were perfect. from the model fishing wagon
with boat body to the most trifling de-
tail of an anglers kit. would be super
auous. Well do remember. as seated
in the from, par, of the old warehouse on
Broad street. one brigh, morning in July
IS-. Henry Ieatman coming in with
h "a
and asking:
"Jeems. will you join the boys and
myself in few days eamp-hshing on
stones river. | have Just heard tina, the
water is in tip-top condition, and the hsh
biting like wild"
What glorious times those. were. The
streams had not been depleted by pot
fishers and wholesale destroyers of fish,
minnows were no, only in grea, abund-
ance. BIT, perch and small catfish could
be oaugh, while seining for them. enough
TO supply the table in case legitimate
angling failed. The buckets be-
ing filled the net was hung out 10 dry
and everything was in readiness 10 begin
the sport lointed rods. Conway reels
silk lines and Limerick hooks were scarce
in those days. Blu, the old reliable had
than many Waltonians ofthe present time.
OF course we all caught more or less fsh
this and every day while OCT. but how
many or the particular incidents connec-
ted with their catching. have forgotten
though am certain ;ha; the experiences
of each angler were abou; the same as
those which happen nowadays TO good
spottsmen. when large game fsh and
plenty OF them are the reward Of patience
and scientific angling.
Camp life soon becomes monotcnous
unless relieved by few practical Jokes.
Ga fac, well known TO those sober ard Sc
date gentlemen). and they were OF con-
slant occurrence. Some very good ones
were perpetra,ed on this expedition.
One Of the hTst was substituting paper for
gut snoods on Parson Pitts. He had been
amazingly lucky one day. taking more
fish than all the others together. hence
the necessity of checking his score. Who
made the snoods rem aims a mystery. bu,
they were cleverly manufac,t red, and
given to the cid man as something very
superior lust received from New York
He never suspected any one. though he
could not understand how i, was possible
to have lost so many hooks in one day as
he did, and not a fish to show for them.
Quite an excitement vas created in
camp the second night by the appearance
OF 1--WE or six eountrymen. with guns in
hand. coming up to the cabin. demand
ing satisfaction of the party for having
robbed hen roost OF a quantity OF fowls.
The spokesman was tall. lank. rough
vizored looking creature. who said:
:. Now, look here. We uns on, in
these parts is honest folks. and amt gwine
to stand no darned foolishness from yer
town fellers. We lows you to come out
here and use the place as much as yer
please, but ef yer don't give Us back them
chickens. or hull on, the value Of EN-.
somebody's 6xen up war:
Parson Green. surely YOU do not sus-
Pect US Of theft, do you: We are quiet,
law-abiding people: three Of these gen.
tlemen are leading merchants in Nash
vile, while the little man in the corner
and myself are Methodist preacher. /;
therefore be careful how you make
Charges against US
Thar, Bill spoke up one of the party,
whats the use talkin' any more, kzse
how can yallar legs be kept on a rooss
where SIGH as them's about
Another one OF the gang Joined in, and
said: : | fur one. is willing TO drop the
matter, as nobody's got nigh, TO med
die with church bizness, and dem Meth
odists and yalier legs is all in kerhoots
anywise.s
James McA. interrupted the GROWERS al
this point BY an earnest denial Of their
Srasemerts thor a+Tertru -ha sa-sA