The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-08-03
REELFOOT LAKE.
Memories of Pleasant Visit to This
Sportsman's Paradise.

What q pleasure it Ia to break
away from the monotony OF the bust
ness world, and spend a few days
amid the quiet scenes OF country
life! To take the wings of an early
morning train and fiv TO some peace
full spot, where, amid sylvan haunts
and beside cooling waters, we may
drink In the balmy freshness of the
fragrant air and revel amongst the
beauties of nature; to lie down at
night in sweet repOse and dream.
perchance, of work hours and busy
cares, and then-to awake with the
dawn to the glad realization that it
Is only dream.
But Time. alasl speeds all too
swiftly on, and such pleasure as
these must soon be laid aside, to re-
turn again to the beaten path Of
duty.
What food of happy recollections
comes crowding into the writer S
mind as he looks back over a week
spent In Obion county, near beauti-
full Reelfoot Lake. The charm of
rural life, the long drives over
wooded hills and through shaded
wales, the delightful boat-rides over
the limpid waters of the lake. the
rest and quietude, and, withal, the
cordial hospitality with which he
was met on every hand, are pleasures
that memory has stored safely away
in her cells, and which will not soon
be forgot.
Reelfoot LAX is most picturesque
and unique body of water. It is said
to be nearly forty miles long, and in
son places is more than ten miles
In width. The method of its forma-
ton in 1911 and 1912, resulting as the
effect of earthquakes, makes 1t a
natural wonder, and place of more
than usual interest. Great Plumbers
of naked trees, OF stumps-where
once magnificent forests stood, but
which were sunken by the earth
quakes-may vet be seen sticking
above the surface of the water,
Many of these trees have been
broken off just below the surface,
rendering it quite dangerous for
boats, which frequently get hung on
the stumps, requiring great deal OF
shaking and pulling before they can
be extricated. Experienced boat
men, however, have become ac-
quainted with the dangerous places
and have little difficulty In getting
aboutover the water.
Astounding as 1t does with fresh.
water Ash of almost every kind. Reel
foot affords an ideal resort for fisher
men. In the fall and winter seasons
the lake is also alive with wild
ducks and geese, and there the
huntsman may find Veritable nara
disc and bring down the fowls to his
hearts content. SO renowned has
IL become as a huntsman's and fish
erman's resort that many wealthy
sportsmeu spend the entire season
there, angling and shooting, and
they have erected two well-appoint.
ed hotels for their convenience
Some time ago storm of protests
was raised when it was proposed &c
drain the lake and thereby destroy
this marvellous work of Nature. This
idea, however, has about been aban
doned, and il Is pretty certain thai
Reelfoot's natural beauty will re.
main undisturbed by such rude
hands.
During the writer's visit TO ths
lake, he had the great pleasure oi
attending fish fry" given In tn,
woods that border around the shores
These fish fries" are of frequent &C
currence, and are the source o.
much wholesome delight aud amuse
ment. The day before the FRY,
great hampers OF good things-eg,
bread ito 20 with the fish,, pies, Gus
tards, cakes, etc.,-are prepared 70