The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-07-07
MAT FISHING QUESTION.

There has been for some years past =
great deal Of talk about the rights claim
cd by Alexander and Forrest to tho fish
In Alexander. Ward and other lakes on
Grand mesa, and later a. to the rights
Of their successor. w. Radcliffe. tho
present owner OF the Alexander lakes
hotel and such rights as the former
parties possessed. On behalf Of the old
settlers it il claimed that Ward and Alex
ander lakes contained trout long before
the Surface Creek Ditch & Reservoir Co.
began the work Of reservoiripg and rails
ing the water in these lakes. They claim
that neither this company nor anyone
els could legally cIaiu these 6sh % de-
bas othss froa the frs privilege q
catching them In Q legal manner. and
further that whom the lakes ters rsssr-
voired the company doing that should
have built 6shwsys over their daws. in
compliance with the state law. instead
of putting in screene to keep the trout
that were in the lakes from getting out
OF those in the stream from getting into
the lakes.
On the other hand the Surface Creek
Ditch 1 Reservoir Co., Alexander and
Forrest, claimed the fish in these lakes
because they established . hatchery
there. and they sold this alleged right to
w. Radcliffe. Before purchasing these
rights, and since doing %, Mr.. Radcliffe
has consulted attorneys here and in Den
yer who all assured him that his title to
the fish was good and that he had the
exclusive right TO all the Hsh in these
lakcs. Under these circumstances it was
but natural that Mr.. Radcliffe should
enforce his rights and he last year re-
quirod that all who wished TO enjoy
Rshing there should take out permits.
for which no charge was made. the same
requirement being followed this season.
Several parties who objected to Mr..
Radcliffe taking this course stated that
they would go there and fish without
permits and take the matter into court,
where Il could Be righ fully determined.
It was said by many that the money
could readily Be raised by subscription
10 cWry on their side Of the case. When
1t came TO pinch al Of these parties
Aunked out, took their permits and used
them. There was considerable talk made
that Mr.. Radcliffe was desirous Of avoid.
ing suit until by use OF the permits he
had more armly established his rights.
This talk and all further delay aud un.
certainty in this matter 10 an injury to
Mr.. Ra dcliffe aod 10 the entire county,
and it ought to be settled 10 speedily a.
possible just what the rights are either
way. Mr.. Radcliffe has arranged to
speod comfortable money 10 road build
ing. busts. advertising snd otherwise
improving this fine summer resort and
eaking il . great sdvertisement Of the
county. He has been asked to assist in
building road 10 connect with the
present roed 10 Deep Creek. with the
eOUrsnce that line of stages will b
pat on from De Beque, taking the travel
svsy from Delta and putting Il ovsv that
way. He does not feel like encosraeiux
oatside lines. bot u the psopss Of DeIt.
ars going 10 fight his interests Il . only
natusal that b would favor spug other
place.
He = soxious to settle the matter IN
court aad writes - - foIlovs:
gill gisdIy plscs every facility ia the
Vay a sayoss Who wiII test the affair by
- sctioa, in any osthod in ny power. %
- 10 save expsees u ssy coolics - re-
gnssle svideocs a The act a 6shiag, etc,
IN fact towards gsttieg . decision a the
y. g. eDUsts h Dssvss O. PuebSo, u .
civil setioa a. poists a Isw. sus fset. I
a. writing Svss fseste gsos vsst3snl
~ sane eject, % Aese.fter bnpe yos