The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-09
A CONTEST IN ANGLING.
How Mrs. Hayes and Jay Cooke Fished
Against Each Other at Put-in-Bay.

PUT-IN-BAY, Sept s.--Tbe recent visit OF
Gen. Benjamin Harrison, the Republican presi-
Dental candidate, to this resort for rest and for
the fishing there is here, recalls visit that
Cured about ten years ago. President Ruther-
ford B. Hayes came to Put-in-Bay in 1878. ac-
companied by Mrs. Hayes, then the mistress Of
the White House. MIRA. Bsyes was very fond
of fishing and was decidedly an ex-
pert angler. She boasted q good deal
of her piscatorial contests and victo-
res Jay Cooke, the Philadelphia
banker and the well-known promoter Of the
Northern Pacific railroad was here then.
He had a pretty cottage of the assets that
he retained after his great failure in 1873 jay
Cooke is one of Americas most famous anglers.
He has spent his summers for a quarter Of a
century with the reel and ROD in all the best
fishing waters Of the land. or late years Bar
Eegat bay and Little EGG harbor, down on the
Jersey coast, have been his favorite fishing
grounds Ten years ago, however, he divided
the sport between New Jersey and these North
ern waters.
1t was the proud boast of Jay Cooke that he
had never been outfshed by any angler he had
encountered. He could sit on an easy chair at
the stern Of his yacht and pull in more members
of the inny tribe between sunrise and sunset
than any or his competitors, Some OF his daily
records are remarkable. 1t mattsred not what
the fish might be. or the kind of angling neces
sary to catch them. Jay was always equal TO the
emergency. Mrs Hayes became very well ac-
ouainted with the Cooke family. She heard Of
jays proud record and promptly challenged the
Philadephan to an angling contest. or course
the ex-banker accepted He could not do other
wise. The day was fixed and the deck OF Mr..
Cookies handsome yacht was the scene OF the
encounter. The best spot for fab in the bay
was selected. Soon after sunrise the struggle
began.
Both the contestants were in dead earnest.
The Presidents wife proved foemap, or rather
foewoman, worthy Of Cookies rod and skillful
reel. Up to noon the battle was pretty even.
Mrs. Hayes landed the first fish and was prompt
ly provided with fresh line so that no time
would be lost Early in the afternoon Jay be-
gan to gain and he soon saw that he could win
with ease before the sun went down. But then
II suddenly occurred TO him that il would never
do for him to- win In the first place, IL would
not be gallant. then IL would be compliment
to the administration to have the
fair mistress win. It would be
also compliment for the banker
angling of the wife OF the President of the
United States. Jays mind was suddenly made
UP. Not muscle Of his face moved after the
decision. His basket had plurality Of the FISH
caught. Gradually the majority dwinded
down, and as the last rays Of old Sol crept over
the water for tho night, Mrs. Hayes found half q
dozen more fish TO her score than toe Ph'lacel-
phia fisher had. She had won and she was de-
lighted. Jay appeared to be very much crest
fallen. But there was a suppressed twinkle in
his eye when he acknowledged his defeat
And since then when Cooke tells the story,
and he has told it frequently. there Is ripple OF
subdued mirth around the corners OF his mouth
Only a very few Of his bosom companions. how
ener. know why IL was that Mrs. Hayes won
that day.