Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-05-09
NO. 35,
BIG FISH.

The recent catching of some very
fine fish in the Monongahela at this
place has revived "reminiscences OF
big fish and big fish stories sof the
long, long ago. Forty years ago or
more the Panlsley mill stood on the
Palat:ne side OF the river, and OPP
posite Fairmont, where its old moss
covered wheel echoed to the hills
from the action of the waters. But
that good old structure long since
succumbed to the ravages of time,
and the new structure of Springer
Il Barnes now occupies the site.
But this is not the fish story. Near.
~ half a century ago-in IS40-Mr.
NJ. w. Raymond, of this place, was
fishing on the sand-bar just is front
ofthe mill, at which point for several
days a huge fish had been swapping
the bait from the hook as fast as
thrown into the water. This, as
above stated, had been going on for
some time, but ON the occasion Of
which we intend to speak a sucker
nearly foot long was procured and
baited on hook and swung out into
the river. 1t turned and came back
to the shore as rapidly as it could,
followed by huge monster fish
right to the feet of Mr.. Raymond.
1t was a pike and turned over on it's
side and back in its effort to get the
sucker, and did not seem in the
least alarmed at those around. Mr..
Raymond dropped his tackle and
grabbed gaff-hook which he had
with him, and, fastened it in the gills
of the fish, drew it out of the water
some distance. This was no sooner
done than the fish made sudden
bound and broke the handle of the
gatf-hOok. At that moment Mr..
HaymOnd's brother, Jonathan s.
Raymond, sprang upon the fish and
thrust bis hands into its gills, while
the former took a position behind
the latter, getting astride the mon
ster and throwing his arms around
it. Then the fish became desperate,
in fact furious, the man holding on
to it, however, but finally it bore
them both into the river to such a
depth that they we're compelled to
let go and make their way to the
shore. Not long afterwards this fish
was seen floating few miles below
MOrgantown, at New Geneva. 1t
was dead, the gaffhook was still in
its gills, this no doubt having caused
its death. Being pulled to the shore
it was found to he over seven feet
in length, and was estimated to
weigh more than one hundred
pounds. Mr.. Raymond says he has
always regretted that he did not get
that fish. He also says that although
number of persons between forty
and fifty, probably-witnessed that
scene, but two now about here sur
viye the OccasiOn-himself and his
nephew, Judge A. F. Raymond
and that he is almost afraid to tell
this fish story at this late day. We
can say, however, that those who
know the two survivors will not for
a moment question their veracity.
We have another fish story to re.
late, and it will seem incredible, but
when we mention the parties con
nected with it all who know them
well be satisfied as to the truthful.
ness of the narrative. Over twenty
years ago, during the war, we be.
lleye, Messrs. j. r. Fleming and j.
+. earns, of Evansville, were fishing
in the river ashOrt distance below the
mouth Of Buffalo creek, using poles
and lines. One Of the gentlemen
finally got tremendous something
on his hook, but he was unable to
lift it to the surface of the water.
After working with it for some tune
he at last got hold Of the end of the
line, and, putting it on his
shoulder, started up the bank of
the river, and succeeded in pulling
about seven feet of the fish out Of
the water, when it broke the line and
got away. Both gentlemen declare
that halt of it or more was not gotten
out-that it was fully fifteen feet
long and perhaps longer, judging
from the bulk of the body exposed
to view. From the description they
give it is believed to have been a
large eel aud not a fish. If it were
necessary the parties named would
make affidavit to, the above Fair
mont West Viryinian.