Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-02
OLD DAYS RECALLED
By Visit to fhe Fishing Camps
Along the Rfver-Some Remines-
cences of the Famous Mark
Twain Club.


Along the Rfver-Some Remines-
cences of the Famous Mark
Twain Club.
A Register representative, who spent
almost one week visiting the many
fishing camps between Sistersville and
Cresap's Grove, saw many scenes and
incidents. Wheeling has for many
years past been represented by num-
erous clubs, who devote their time
angling for the finny tribe. Among
the many clubs, most of which have.
boats for the housing of their mem
bers, are the Spike Island, Brunswick.
Uncle Sam, Dark Days, and Monarch.
In years gone by, Krebb's Landing,
short distance below Cresap's Grove.
was the rendezvous Of the once far
famed Mark Twain club, which could
crowd more fun along with their fish
ing, than any other club that ever be-
fore or since fioated down the Ohio.
club ruled the roost, as before stated
at Krebb's Landing, and but few of
the old and original members of said
club row are in the land of the living.
Frank Healy, Jimmy Larkins. Jimmy
Travis, Con. Mcdonald, Johnny Kline,
Sam Lenhardt, Nathan Kuhn, Billy
Bayliss and Joe McGivern still are up
on this mundane sphere. Jim Dixon,
Mike Finley, Harry Hay, Cooper Crist-
well. Dick Mansfield, John Rinehart,
Bob Miller, George Mayer, VIM. Nc
Laughlin and Billy Radcliff have pass
ed away Other and later members of
the famous Mark Twain could be nam
ed as follows: Noah Zane, Billy Fem
Ter and "Tugger" Ryan, all of whom
are still living
At Krebb's Landing can now be
found the Uncle Sam club, and the hui
Jerk. Among the members of the Uncle
Sam are Con Mcdonald. a former
member of the White Elephant, Wind
sor and Mark Twain, while the Sudden
Jerk is held together by many of
Wheeling's well known bushes men,
foremost among whom is Tommy Nc
Keeyer, of the we'll known firm OF Hoe
be- McKeever. II took a second look to
be certain it was Tom. His smiling
countenance is now adorned with a FIVE
weeks growth Of Galway Sluggers,
while his chin is adorned with a tuft
almost similar to bunch of spinach.
Tommy is accompanied by his wife and
little family and if contentment is a
blessing, they are certainly gifted.
While reviewing the old camping
ground, fond memory brought to light
the many happy days spent on that
Mansfield, Criswel. Dixon, Radclff
Hay and Finley were wont to vie with
each other as TO the best mode TO make
it pleasant for visitors. Mayor Sea-
bright, now numbered with the many
who have passed to that bourne from
whence no traveller has yet returned
was an honorary member of the Mark
Twain, and upon one of his Sunday
visits with Chief of Police Delbrugge
was pressed into the function of fining
offenders who may or may not have
been guilty of charges made against
them. On that date 70 persons ate din
ner on the boat, and the many visitors
were each separately fined, as well as
members, the total fines amounting to
500.
The many circus performances and
other sports, among which were the
PNSolil0l CnIOuAGClS IOuSAL WSGhlJ DG-
tween Bob Miller and Jimmy Travis:
game of horse shoes, played for $40
per game between Geo. Mayer, j. G.
Kline and Bob Miller, where over $3.50
was won; skiff racing, and the ever
to be remembered swimming match be-
tween Jim Cahill and Joe McGivern;
the John Dumas and Jimmy Travis
aerial leaps; the ossified man, who
stood the pin piercing operation; and
the attack by the Italians upon the
naptha yacht, while returning from the
camp to Wheeling, for the crime of
Police Chief Deforugge shooting a jug
used as fioater on trot line during
the down trip; adj these are famous
in the stories yet told by survivors OF
the Mark Twain club.
Capt. Bill Prince was the pilot on
said trip and the indiscriminate crawl
ing under cover of John Kline was
amusing. Con. McDonald's bath at
Moundsville while walking d spar from
the empty barge was on that same trip.
Johnny Longpocket and Col. Fish, the
everlasting friends of the Mark Twain
club will ever be remembered by It's
members. as also Sam Krebb and
Charley Brown, an old time negro, who
resided at the mouth of Long Run,
where for many years the Eclipse boat,
Capt John Rodgers in command, laid.
1t would be as an egg without salt to
finish this if John Mark Twain, the
clubs ever faithful turnkey was not
mentioned. Calamity" and Rags"
his ever faithful companions. also de-
cerye r1aptfoD aS we'll as Tohnfe chick
ems and Charley Fishers little odds
and ends.