The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-07-21

n coITobpouuoht III luo cuhuhy
Star, In referring to tho camping
sharpe, OF No. 1918 Delaware avenue,
writes as follows;
One OF the prettiest and most ap.
propriate places In the vicinity of
Wilmington for camping out is at the
first dan, In the Christlana river. about
one mile from the town Of CGristlana.
From the Delaware river to the dam.
where. OF course. navigation ends,
the distance approximate5 25lmiles.
that ie going by.wateI; by road 1t ID
only about half that distance. When
| speak Of the end OF navigation being
at the dam, mean, of course, nnvi.
CATION for rowboats, AS any other form
Of craft would lind many obstacles II
an attempt were made to reach that
point. The dun is well.bullt wood
en- structure, which serves the pur'
pose OF keeping back sufficient water
to operate the Hour mill at Christlana.
Above the dam lie the picturesque sec
ton OF the country, and picturesque
1t Is. too. -
A few days ago l visited the place
for the first time. A party OF my
friends are In camp there and they
treated me very nicely, and being well
acquainted with the locality showed
me its divers beauties, pecullarlties.
und sublime features, and explained
how the camp life is made successful,
and what nice time they have living
on fish and other game. The party In
clades Joseph Wigglesworth. Willard
Hall Mcdowell and Samuel G. Chad.
wick. all Of this city. They are nicely
fixed with two tents-one large sleep,
ing apartment and smaller one fol
general use--and look US though they
would have a most enjoyable outing.
They have just completed week OF
the sojourn. They expect to remain
there three weeks In all.
The portion OF the stream above the
dam is virtually one big mill pond
with numerous curves and branches
and one small feeder that leads on to
the origin of the historic Christlana.
The pound abounds in pike, mullets,
catfish, and sundry other fresh water
fish. and ms the campers are we'll pro.
vided with nets and tackle and are ex-
pert anglers and all.round fishermen,
the work of keeping the commlssary
department well supplied with tooth.
some specimens OF the tlnny tribe Is a
pleasant feature OF the outing. Then,
too, terrapin OF fine species are to be
found In numbers as also frogs OF
large size. One OF the hosts informed
me that frequently coveys OF wild
ducks were surprised and some game
secured In that way.
In fact, saw one that seemed to be
all alone the day visited the camp. In
addition to Its beauties there are some
pecuiiarlties about this big mill pond.
1t furnishes an abode for a number Of
offers which are frequently seen along
it's banks. Some have been shot there
by the hunters. While canoeing In the
various coves came upon veritable
curiosity. On the left bank OF the pond
rowing towards the headwaters there
are two trees supporting one limb, and
1t is almost i'm possible to tell to which
the branch originally belonged. The
trees lie near the waters edge. They
are both beech. One ls about twofeet
In diameter In the trunk, while the
other is scarcely half that size. The
trees stand about fifteen feet apart
and about the same distance from the
ground limb about three inches in
thickness grows from one tree to the
other.
The same thickness ia maintained
throughout,an as IL is at right angles
with both trunks there seems to be no
clue as to which was tho original own.
or. But it Is no fake, as is evidenced by
the fact that 1t puts forth living
branches and has every appearance
itself Of being in the best health.
Another peculiar feature that attracted
my attention during the cruise on
the placid waters was the sound now
and again of something heavy drop.
ping in the water, as IL a brick had
fallen off come oyerhanglng limb. !
kept my eyes open and presently
saw big turtle tumble Off the limb of
tree that hung over the water and
disappear under the surface OF the
stream. This explained all.
The turtles out there climb trees
and lay on some exposed limb for the
purpose of summing themselves. My
host explained that such was the case
and assigned as reason for rs hear
ing them fall into tho water SO fire.
quently the fact that our approach
frightened them. On the east side OF
the pond is q rich bed OF kaolin that
gives one the appearance OF having
| cen taken out and washed, and then
put nicely back in layers. Tho effect
Ia not only beautiful, but sublime. and
the knowledge .of .the fact that the
ground portion OF tue mime" Is COM
posed of substance that resembles
Quicksands and Is very treacherous
Keeps many visitors from entering. l
thought prudence precluded my en-
trance Into the pit, SO stayed out.
Tho bathing, too. ut that point Is
fine. and the campers can take bath
in Dame Natures raiment at any time
OF day or night without any fear of
molestation. SO. taken all in all. this
Is veritabless tor tho average
sportsman-one who is fond of fish
Ing. boating, bathing. trapping, and
takes an interest In the natural beau
ties of the earth. The party OF camp
ers now located at Chris tiana have
there for number Of years.
Mr.. WigRlesworth told mo that he had
taken an outing at the same place for
the last twelve years. The place GER
tainly agrees with the boys, for they.
IRE all looking we'll.