The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-11-12
A FISH STORY.
OF Course It's True, For q Fisher
man Told 1t.
The Great Catch of Finny Beauties Made
by n Sunday School Excursion on
Lake Superior-Eight Tons
Landed In One Day.
nouisvllls Courier. Journal

"What Is my ideal OF summer Vhca-
tionf" inquired Judge Burnett the other
day, while discussing the pleasant modes
of passing the dog days. "Why, a gun and
dog, good camping outfit, a servant to
take care of It, and last, but not least, plen-
ty of good fishing -tackle and bright days
passed among the forest streams. That,
gentlemen, Is the acme Of primitive enjoy
ment."
His audience gave him glances Of ap-
proval as he concluded his remarks, and
then followed anecdotes of the mighty hunt
from different members of the party, as
well as some most marvellous fish stories,
as each member warmed up with crowding
memories Of bygone pleasures, found in
pursuit Of the favorite pastime of Sir Izaak
Walton. During the recitals Mayor Jacob
sat slightly apart, an attentive, listener,
but taking no part in the conversation. At
last question arose as to the best kind of
bait for certain fish, and 1t was referred to
him for decision. ."e
"Gentlemen," he said, In sad tone, II
am unable to decide for you, for have
never had the pleasure Of catching fish In
my life. 1t has been my unhappy lot not
only never to have landed a fish, but in
deed have never been able to get bite.
Ihave tried often enough, and spent valu-
able time and much money in the vain hope
of inducing one of the finny tribe to nibble
my bait, but alasl my efforts to hook fish
have always been attended with failure,
and have about become resigned TO my
fate, and suppose will live and die unsat-
isfied."
Looks of incredulity were exchanged by
his hearers, and at the conclusion of his
original confession there was a spontane-
Gus chorus Of: "What never caught fish?
Poor fellowm and glances full Of COM
passionate sympathy were directed toward
His Honor. Then an unaccountable silence
fell upon the hitherto social group, and 1t
was becoming positively painful, when an
ex-sailor, who was in the party, elected
about quart of tobacco juice toward
neighboring cuspador, and thus delivered
his opinion:
"Nr Mayor, a man who never caught
fish is in my estimation unworthy the con-
tidence of his fellow beings. But there is
q chance for you to retrieve your past,
that you may henceforward be able to
look all men in tho eye when this vital
question is brought up in any conference,
and be able to exclaim, Il too have shared
such joys, l have experienced the tri-
umph."
"Alasl fear that happiness is forever
denied me, for have lured the finny tribe
in oil climates and all countries" replied
the Mayor, shaking his head despondently,
"Did you ever try for fish in Lake Supe-
rior, Mr.. Mayorp
"No, but have tried deep-sea fishing
and fly fishing among the rapids Of the Up
| per Columbia" ...'
"Well, you take my advice, go to Mar
! uuette, charter yacht and go out to
Stannard's Rock, where you can troll for
lake trout, and II you don't get as fine a
catch as the luckiest fisherman in the pro-
| fession, you may nominate me for Con-
gress as a rival Of Tom Ochiltree! Why,
| the fish are so thick and ravenous around
that rock that all you have to do is to tie a
| silver spoon above your hook, throw it over
board and pay out a few fathoms Of line,
| when there will be nibble and then q
! jerk, and in five seconds you will be able
10 land fish ranging in weight from three
I TO thirty pounds. Why, party Of US
went out there once, and in about five
hours we caught little over eight tons"
IncredtSous looks were exchanged by the
auditors, and then some one asked, quiet
ly:
"How many were in the partyW
"Oh! this Is no Josah and -the-whale
story" replied the sailor, somewhat an
moved, "but a bona flde fact. There were
about 100, old and young, for it was Sun
day school excursion, and we had thir-
teen boats, besides six belonging to the
steamer"
"Well, tell us about it," said the Judge.
"Well, gentlemen, Stannard's Rock Is
one Of the most peculiar places in Lake Su-
perior. 1t Is located about thirty miles
due east OF the end of Keweenaw Point,
and sixty five north by west from Mar
quette.
"Only about twenty square feet project
above the surface Of the lake; It Is nearly
square In form, fat as a table, and ex-
tends but two feet out Of water. From this
strange platform submerged reefs extend
out in the shape Of a crows foot. for various
distances, some Of them exceeding a mile
and half in length, and are mere narrow
ridges rising abruptly from the bottom Of
the lake. The peculiar formation is one
that attracts the attention Of every one
that visits the place. A large round bea-
con OF massive stone surmounts the plat
form to the height Of ten feet, from the
center OF which arises large iron column,
which supports great ball Of iron basket
work, visible In clear weather at distance
Of eight miles. The place has long been
the terror Of lake navigators, lying as IL
does near the course OF vessels steering
their way from Duluth to Sault Ste. Marie.
Numbers Of shlpwrecks have occurred on
the dangerous rock, among the most no.
table Of which, II Is supposed, was the total
loss of the brig Enterprise away back In
the "forties,n with every soul on board,
valuable cargo and $500, 900 In gold belong
ing TO the Government, which was being
sent TO pay of the Indians on the reserva-
tions at the western end Of the lake. Ex.