The Penn's Grove record., 1891-05-29
FROM THE sTURGEON CAMP.
Bay Side, May 20, 1891

DAY que, MAY 20, 1911.
EDITOR RECORD,
Should Il person from your village,
or a stranger from afar, come to bay
Side they would stop and wonder what
allied the sturgeon fishermen. Such
long woe begone cOuntenances, such
sad, o! SO sad, looking in every way.
Shall l tell you what is the matter2
1t is the sturgeon. Yes, it is the stur-
geOn, and yet they see not the sturgeon.
What promised to be IL bright and
prosperous season, has tarned cut to
the contrary. Firms representing and
fishing 8 to 8 nets, have lished tide af-
ter tide, day after day, and some times
they would be awarded for their labors
with from l TO 4 fish to n firm. Some
large firms not even getting II single
fish. Yet their expenses are going on
just the same, eating up what little
money has been made, Two weeks or
ST. previous everybody was shouting
around, "what a good season the stur-
geon fishermen have had and are hay
ing! Ny, what lots Of money they are
take a trip down here now. 1 think
their tune would turn and they would
give pity and sympathy to the poor fel.
lows, who two weeks ago caught a few
fell, but now see what down cast faces,
as if they had just come from the fun
eral of their best friend.
| saw IA short time ago in your yer
welcome paper at Bay Side that stur-
geon meat was selling at Sc pei pound.
Right here let me correct it. Sturgeon
in the fOrepart of the season for sold
Sc perpound. The price would
have been good save for the Southern
stock coming from James River, Va,
and as far down as Georgetown s. c.,
but the shipment being heavy from the
South, the price went down until they
were sold for &c per pound. Taking out
freight, boxes, ice, commission, &C.,
you imagine what was left for tine
parties who shipped them.
Caviar, which competition caused to
be so high, has taken II tumble, the
bottom almost fell out. Parties who
made contracts with fishermen, based
their prices for fish, on the price of
caviar last year will all be in II hole, as
the season is nearly over for sturgeon
fishing, the prospects look very gloomy
for much money making.
There are located here on both sides
Of Stow Creek about 25 to 80 houses
and cabins besides floats. scOws and
vessels inhabited and commanded by
about 800 who are directly and Indirect
ly interested in sturgeon fishing. About
$50 nets are being lished from this point;
but the number will be less unless
sturgeon come on more plentiful, which
is doubtful. The weather keeps cool
consequently the Jerseymen's enemies,
(mosquitoes) have not annoyed us. l
only make mention OF this OH account
of this place being known as Mosquito
Resort.
All of the shad fishermen have left
Mr.. Frank Walker, Of your place, being
the last to go. The shad season at
this place was, indeed, a good one last
year, but this year-yOu know from the
way the boys did up the river-it was
next to nothing with some of the shad
fishermen located here.
No serious accidents have occurred or
have we had hut II squall which did
no damage save breaking IA boom or a
spirit. Occasionally some one falls
overheard, which causes the boys to
yell, ''yate!" at them. From what l
"a learn the fishing up the river is
about OIL n par with Bay Side fishing.
l trust in my next letter | can report
happy faces, Ii .l,t hearts and heavy
purses, fer all who are engaged in
sturgeon fishing OBSERVER.