The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-24
GUILE IN THE TURTLE f.
n BurEinr-The Other Turtles OF Hts House,
hold and Their Knowing Wnys-The BIg
snapper That Drowned Pat Tracy.

snapper That Drowned Pat Tracy.
TRENTON, n. j.. Oct 23.-There is a big
! crop of swapping turtles in the creeks along
the Delaware River this fall and the fishermen
are reaping n rich harvest. The fishing for
snappers began last month and will last until
the creeks are frozen over. That is the time
when the turtle, having buried itself in the
mud along the banks, takes u nap shat con-
tinues until spring.
The favorite method of catching snappers at
this season Of the year is with hook and line.
1t sometimes happens that the angler passes
an entire day without catching a turtle, but
he usually brings one home with him., and some
times three or four. When the sna pper fish
erman starts for the fishing ground he goes In
IL boat and takes along with him half a dozen
strong lines, TO which are fastened large,
strong hooks. The lines are tied to small
stakes. When the haunt Of the turtle Is
reached the stakes ARE driven into the bottom
OF the creek and the hook baited with a piece
of eel about three inches long, from which the
skin has been stripped. This makes a juicy
Inorsel for the snapper to roll under its tongue,
and il one happens to be within a quarter Of a
mile of bait Of this kind il quickly ferrets 1t
out and settles its teeth into it.
The fisherman sets the lines along the shore
in shallow water, several hundred feet apart,
and then leaves them for two hours. Then he
returns and pulls up stakes. Getting a good
sized snapper into the boat is not an easy
matter. A turtle can be handled all right
when clear of the creek bottom, but as soon
as it feels the prick of the hookSand finds it.
self fastened to the line it quickly buries itself
in the mud and muscle and patience are
needed to get it out again. Here is where the
stake comes in. The end is thrust under the
shell and the turtle is pried out of the mud.
Getting the hook out of the snapper's mouth
! ia Iapunrnua hnainaea Tho turt1a 10 kaap1v
alert and ready to close its powerful jaws on
the first thing that comes within reach.
The first thing a fisherman does when a
snapper has been hauled into the boat is TO
bride it. That means the taking OF a short
piece OF hard wood, with a strong cord tied TO
one end, and Offering it to the turtle, which
promptly grabs it in its jaws. The cord Is
passed around and under the rear end of the
shell and tied to the other end of the stick.
In this way the jaws OF the snapper are pricd
open and held open until the hook is freed.
Barge's Creek, named in honor of Jake
Barge. the best known and most accom-
plishcd turtle fisherman in New Jersey. is a
favorite spot for snapper hunters. Some very
big turtles have been taken out of that creek,
and one man came to his death there while
struggling with a 75-pound snapper. That
was three years ago. Pat Tracy. a we'll
known character along the Delaware River.
from WHICH nc IpOk usu enough 10 keep MN
alive the year round, went to Barge's Creek
one morning and set his lines for snappers.
He was in the habit of taking frequent and
generous nips Of applcjack, a supply Of which
he always carried on n fishing trip. On this
particular morning, while he was waiting TO
haul the lines, he drank more from the little
black bottle than was good for him, and VIII IN
the time anne for taking in the lines his legs
were not at all reliable. One of the lines
wouldn't como up, and Tracy knew that he
had hooked a snapper. He tried his best to
haul it out, but the turtle wouldn't bulge,
and Tracy decided to go overheard after 1t.
which he did. The water was about four
foot deep. With the stake Tracy finally
d%islodged the turtle, which immediately
hi. feet, and, being unable to swim, he drowned
before two fishermen n half a mile away could
T With r h,%;, t body. sHfip II p%ctH Sss 7 hs%l1 pou nShoFe
Barge Is a unique character. He Is said by
his aequaintancos to know more about trr'
) ties than any other person living. His habi.
|, tation is a canalboat that has lain on the bank
Of Barge,s Creek for many years. Barge has
rounded the boat with land. SO that it is high
and dry above the waters of the creek even
Here Barge keeps bacheior's' hail With no
H Hayn t GHomp pam af t Kan ons dozen Sea y turtles E !ha1
turtle has f a name IN md pS ON it's i back as' 1t carrie n:ri,e
. ne initials y. b" cat into the shell. It some,
al%Ss h tES pisca mt L VIII MRG wander ru AWAY, Is but neE !;
, generally Is picked up by somebody in the
ncighborhood and returned TO Barge.
When Barge has had the handling Of the tur
ties a few weeks they are not disposed TO leave
, the premises. He feeds them high, and they
seem TO have affection for him. Ia rgc'H
. special pet is a 25-pound snapper that he has
: had ten years. lie calls this turtle sam. The
9 pei is, n rusty looking creature. hut is full OF
life. II does not do for n stranger TO 20 into
, Bargc's and make himself familiar with thC
A contents without keeping one eye on Sam,
sam, Is always looking for an opportunity. IL
/. lay hold Of a foot or leg, when II happens 10 be
\ long TO II %stranrcr. Barge says Sam Is as good
d as, a watchdog. sam DISTINGUISHED himself
two years ago. when he caught u burglar. One
night Barge went to bed forgetting 10 faster
the door Of tho house. About midnight h,
was aroused by u howl from the adjoining room
He lit a lamp and went out. He found "a negro
leaping around the apartment with Sam hang
ing to his heel. The fellow had got into til,
Q HOUSE, to rob 4, and had taken off his shoes Sc
that he would make no noise. Sam, Away
looking for Il quiet nip, had set his jaws on tin
. negroes heel, and let go only when barge tappet
@ him on the head and ordered him OIL. tn,
negro. landed in Jail and subsequently, In prison
When barge sits down in the house an,
V whistles sharply two or three times the tur
K Hes come out OF the dark corners whore the!
t like to lie and crawl around their masters feet
= where they arc sure to find something agreoa
II bic tO.their palate. They lie there as long a
o Barge remains In the chair.