Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-31

They frequented the river, the creeks
and the running brooks within hun
bred or more miles of Wheeling, even
in the old days of three-score and ten
years ago venturing as far as the
E branches of the Potomac, and what
they didn't know about successful
angling would make an exceedingly
thin pamphlet They were genuine
disciples of Izaak Walton, well
grounded in the art piscatorial, and
they having for the most part long
since departed from the flesh, have long
been deserving of record in print, as
they hold permanent place in the
hearts and memories of those of us who
survive that life not always falling to
the fittest, Darwin to the contrary not
withstanding.
Many of these old-timers are still
well remembered. For instance there
was James H. Forsythe, c. p Brown,
w. w. Shriver, VIM. L. McAfee, Col.
Baker and Ham Forsythe, all of whom
used to fish in the Tuscarawas river at
what was called the State dam, more
than thirty years ago, bringing home
great strings of fine bass for distribu-
ton among their friends. They would
always exhibit their catches at the Of
fee of w. w. Shriver, then under the
Mcclure House. Then there were ia
cob Rhodes and Rev. J. T. Mcclure,
who used to fish a generation ago
along Wheeling creek, at that time
teeming with bass. They invariably
brought back decided evidences of their
prowess.
Another coterie consisted of James
F. Barnes, Capt. o. w.
IHeiskell, DR.. R. w. Hazlett, George
w. Jeffers, John H. Hobbs, Morgan l..
OFT, and Henry O. OFT, who fished in
Hanging Rock, also a generation ago,
and were invariably most successful.
Alex. Laughlin and Major Wright also
used to fish on the Potomac about the
same time. Thomas P. Shallcross,
Thomas Campbell, Smith Mcdonald,
John Butterfeld, Capt. William AS
kew, John Scarborough, Col. William
Miller, Moses Ray, Joseph Bedillion,
William STEELE, Sr., DR.. James Cum
mings and others, remebered by the
anglers of the present day, usually
fished at Cold Springs great many
will also remember John Brown, Jen1-
tor at the postoffice in the old days.
Nearly every fine day he could be
seen with minnie sein and bucket, on
his way to the fishing grounds up
Wheeling creek. Henry B. Miller,
Frank Johnson, George o. Davenport,
Dana l.. Hubbard, William F. Peter
son and a few other congenial spirits
also used to fish on Fish creek in the
late sixties and early seventies with
great success, and another party in
cluded ]. B.Sheppard and Peter Bosley.
who frequented the same stream. The
late Benjamin Fisher was also fond
of angling.
Nearly every middle-aged angler of
the present day will remember John
Davenport, who justly prided himself
upon his ability. He was often with
Henry B. Miller. Sam Norton and
Captain Asa Booth, on Fish creek and
Captina creek, and on Big Wheeling
creek Edward Robertson was also
noted fisherman along these streams.
R. G. Barr, George Swift and Dr. Bates
used to fish in the South Branch OF
the Potomac with great success.
Benjamin Bloomfield, DR.. #, E. Ham
mond, John r. Hubbard, Captain Will
liam Askew, Moses Ray, William Rob-
ertson. Sam Carter Sam Fleming,
William H. Stell, Sr., and others
belonged to the school of anglers OF
half a century ago. their usual hunt
ing ground for tinny victims being
Big Wheeling creek. More recent
were Hon. J. J. Woods and Major John
W. Mitchell, who loved to camp out
in rough style, but who invariably got
lots of fish.
A reasonably complete list of these
old-time anglers is as follows:
James H ForSythe, r 3 Shepherd