Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-09-18
SENATORIAL FISH STORIES.
Seasonable Yarns Told BY Distinguished
Legislators---Catfsh That Telescoped
Each Other.

cNs>
Legislators---Cathsh That Telescoped
Each Other.
Washington Star: Senator Vest, who
has from the inception Of the project
felt and manifested great interest in the
Yellowstone Park, by special invitation
accompanied President Arthur ara
General Sheridan on n tour through
that extensive reservation year before
last. The senator is a genial compan-
ion and a superb story teller, and it
was admitted by the party after their
return that he was the life of the ex-
cursion.
just after congress adjourned Sena-
tor Vest was n Of the group that was
engaged in a discussion of angling and
in relating fish stories.
Senator Kenna had just related An
incident showing the voracity of the
catfish, which came '.nder his immedi-
ate observation.
Accompanied by several other sena-
tors-amongthem Mr.. Vest-Mr. Kenna
was fishing in West Virginia. A sud
den rain had muddlcd the water and
bass were not feeding. One OF the party
had caught three catfish. each a size
larger than the other. He strung them.
putting the largest fish on the string
at the bottom, then the next in size,
and the smallest on top. and then tied
them in the water. intending to take
them in the boat on the return home.
Several hours later, when the parties
returned, they found that while upon
the string the second fish had attempt
ed to swallow the small one, and sue
ceeded in taking him up TO the fins. and
the largest. al the bottom of the string,
had e~ndeayored TO make a meal of his
next neighbor,
Now. Vest saw that" concluded
Senator Kcnna. land can vouch for
the truth of the story
Senator Vest asserted that he saw
and examined the string Of catfish, one
swallowing the other, and then said:
president Arthur is the most expert
and graceful angler | ever saw handle
a rod, and ] have seen some of the
best. While VT were doing Yellow
stone park, one Sunday, the
president. and several others
beside myself, rode ahead of the main
party. and reached our camping place
quite early in the day. 1t was a beau
tiful spot, well shaded, with IA splendid
spring at hand and near the bank of a
river. After we had ~dismounted |
strolled to the edge of this stream. and
on the opposite side in Il hole just be-
low a little rill ! saw q splendid trout
playing. He was n magnificent fellow,
and seemed to be disporting himself in
the clear water-it was rs clear a.
crystal-for his own amusement. |
called to the others to come and have IA
look at HIM, and expressed my regret
that | had left all my rods and tackle
with the pack mules. One of the party
remarked that he had brought his rod
along, and he at once returned TO the
horses for it. In a few moments he
placed it in my hands and | rugged it
and attached IA fly. The President. with
AIMS folded cross his breast, was
quietly watching the trout.
''As soon as | had the fly properly
secured | extended the rod to the Pres
ident, SAYING, j want you to catch the
fellow
No, no. he responded earnestly,
half turning away from me, i never
touch a rod on the Sabbath
II was determined continued SEN
ator Vest, ''that the president should
have that trout; so | stepped 10 the
edge of the brook. which was high and
almost perpendicular, and pretended to
make a cast or two. Im no SLOUGH
with the fly, and could have made the
east had | wanted to. After several
Intellectual efforts | again turned to the
president, who by this time was eagerly
alive TO the whole proceeding, and
said: Mr.. president, you must make
the cast it is too far for me-
The keen instinct of the sportsman
was fully aroused in him, and his eyes
were fairly swapping. He replied:
"Well, Vest, I'll consent to hook him,
but | will not land him on the Sabbath
| said very well, and passed the rod
over to him. He stepped forward
to the spot on which | had
stood and made a cast. 1t fell n little
short; but the next time he put the fly
within two inches Of the trout's nose
and with n swift dart the fish seized the
lure. The president hooked him and
turning toward me he extended the
butt of the rod in my direction and
said hurriedly: Take it, Vest; take it
quick; quick. | won't land him on
Sunday
Il grabbed the rod" continued the
senator, land after playing the fish for
awhile landed him. He weighed three
pounds and a quarter and the presi-
dent ate part of him for supper"
The latest arrival of the London
Economist, August p, estimates the
WELD of wheat i'm the British isles at