Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-17
F A M o U S FtS N G
The Waters Of the St. Lawrence Teeming
With Bass.
Some of the Pieaxures and the Won
derful Growth OF. a Famous
Resort.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
ALEXANDRIA BAY. N. Y,

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
ALEXANDRIA BAY, N. Y,
Thousand Island House, June H. 1899.
Just as soon as the chill of winter leaves
the great st. Lawrence the season at the
Thousand Islands opens. This year it was
about the middle of March that the first
signs of activity were noticed among the
islands, and before the April showers came
many of the cottages owned by the wealthy
New Workers were ready to open. 1t was
not, however, until the latter part of May
that any of these were occupied, and not
until the early part of June that the ISL
ands really took on scene of activity.
Last Wednesday visitors found all of the
hotels open and well patronizcd. The ex-
cursion steamers which make trips about
the islands are in commission, all the
yachts are running, and altogether it may
be said that the season is at its height.
1t has been truly said that there are few
places in this world that possess the attrac-
tons of the Thousand Islands. For scenery,
climatic conditions and accommodations the
islands stand in the foremost OF the sum-
mer resorts of the country. There are nj
teen hundred of these islands stretching all
the way from Kingston to BrockVllie All
Of those large enough to contain dwell
ing are ornamented by beautiful homes,
some representing an outlay of many thou-
sands of dollars. 1t has not been, however,
islands have been fully appreciated, indeed,
If they are yet. 1t took the foresight OF a
Washington man to develop them as
summer resort. Mr.. o. G. Staples of that
city some years ago obtained free gift OF
a piece of land at Alexandria bay occupy
ing commanding view of the river for miles
each way. With rare foresight he erected
here the Thousand Island House, a mann
moth structure of 600 rooms, containing all
the modern conveniences of the nineteenth
century hotel. His first guests We're Wash
ington people. and gradually the fame of
the Thousand Islands grew. Wandering
tourists on their way to Montreal and QUE
bee by way of the st. Lawrence river be-
gan to stop at Alexandria bay. The beau
ties of the place SO commended 1t that be-
fore year had passed several Of the ISL
ands had been purchased by wealthy New
Workers and elaborate plans commenced
for handsome villas. The late George NJ
Pullman was among the first to settle
among the islands. and his place, known
as Castle Rest, Is one of the most beauti-
full and picturesque among the islands.
Since that time the fame of the islands has
steadily grown, until now 1t is known
throughout the civilized world, and travel
ers from abroad always make it point to
visit the place.
Famous Fishing.
The islands are located in the St. Law
renee river between two great nations and
mingle like brothers in the aZure-blue wa
tiers of the river. They occupy a position
also that has gone down into history as
one of the most important in early years.
1t was here that the fierce fights between
the Algonquins, Hurons and 1riquo!s took
place Here in this region the noted bat
ties of the French and English also took
place. 1t was Frenchman who named
the Thousand Islands, and on the old
French maps of the western hemisphere to-
day can be seen this appellation of the
islands in the st. Lawrence, Les Mile
Isles r. .s
To the disciples of Isaak Walton there is
place like this river. On my first trip
out fishing, much to my surprise after we
had caught a nice string of fish, the guide
carried to a beautiful spot. and there
unloaded basket that recalled Pandora's
box, and dished UP dinner fit for the gods.
| want to say word here about the cook
a Canadian who had spent his life among
the islands and knew more about cooking
in one minute than any French chef in
Washington does in a day. His speciality
was flapjacks, and what he could do with
little flour and water will always be an
occult mystery to me. And the way the
fish were fried, and the coffee too and
those potatoes-Wcll, it makes me wish to
be out there right now, if only to get that
meal. These guides are typical set. They
are for the most part gentlemen, and hide
beneath d rough exterior warm, sympa-
thetic heart and a desire to make every
one have a good time. There is only one
thing against them that / know, and that
is their purpose to keep from you as long
possible the favorite haunts of the black
bass and the willy pckerel. 1t is only after
you have engaged them for several days
and tipped them generously that they VIII
take you to those spots, where with rod
and reel you forget all else on earth Do
not understand me by this that it is nee
essary to have this knowledge to get good
fishing in the ST. Lawrence. 1t is almost
impossible to go out and return with an
empty basket.
The fish are plentiful and well protected
by laws which prohibit seintng night nets
and trot lines, but, of course, like every
thing else, there IS a place where the best
can be had. l could dwell in columns upon
the fishing of the St. Lawrence and never
tire. for it is kings sport among the is
lands, and there is absolutely nothing to
mar the enjoyment. There is shade for
those who want their ease; there is swift
water for those who prefer the gamey bass:
there is still fishing and fly fishing and. lest
of all, it is all good. There are no tides to
wait for, no muddy water to interrupt no
bad winds. Nature seems to have fitted
out this one place as the place par excel
lence for the fisherman. 1t is said that the
very air breeds the fishing fever germ, and
one has but to look into the cool. clear
depths of this beautiful stream to get the
vigor which eliminates in tfat insane de-
sire to catch something.
l have referred briefly to the Thousand
Island House, and Mr.. Sta pies AS the MO
neer among the islands. Let me say word
concerning the location of Alexandria bay
1T occupies one of the most northern points
In New York, right on the river, and is a
nourlshing little village. Before the islands
became pleasure resort it was a sort of
jumping off place and scarcely any business
was done. Now 1t is a railroad center and
an the boats plying up and down the St.
Lawrence stop here. 1t is the home of the
Cornwalls, who had title to many of the
Islands, and are today the f1ourishing busi
ness men of that community Alexandria
bay, further is the center of the Thousand
Islands, or perhaps 1t would be better To
say the headquarters, for it is here all of
the islanders repair to get their sunnIies
Tor the summer, and there is everythinp to
be had. from needle to diamond ring.
FOR LOvEJOY SCHOOL.