Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-05-26
VII.

VII.
Below will be found an interesting
narrative Of an excursion by the cele-
brated but long defunct Night Hawk
aggregation of fishermen to Pike
Island, almost thirty-one years ago.
1t is from the truthful pen of William
Young, and will be perused with pleas
ure by the element taking an interest
in such affairs. 1t is herewith submit
ted from faded and tattered manu-
script:
Twas on the Both day of May, 1870,
that the Night Hawks left Wheeling
for Pike Island 1t was a beautiful
day, and all nature seemed aiive-the
air was alive with insects, the ground
was covered with bugs, and SO were
We. At last we got started, and as the
wind caught Somberos manly form,
our gallant craft went sailing proudly
up the river, until we got into swift
water, and then she didn go SO proud
w. When we left Phillips rapids there
were only two of us, and when we ar
rived at that classic spot called in an
clent history Johathan's Gut we found
the current so swift that we had TO get
out and cordell. We arrived at Slack
town at eight O'Clock, where we were
met by Mons Mathews, the celebrated
French cook. While visiting at this
celebrated watering place, we were met
by the Mayor, who invited us to re-
main for a few hours, which We re-
specially declined to do. At this he
got very angry. He said he had Called
a meeting of the Common Council rhe
evening before, when it was unani-
mously resolved that the Night Hawks
be rendered the hospitality Of this an
Gent and free city, provided they paid
their own and the Councils expenses,
which, of course, we declined TO do, as
it is one of our rules not 10 pay for
anything unless we have TO. We soon
got started again, and made rapid pro-
gress for the next mile. Al Glenns Run
we were met by Crisbenicer and Herr
Fisher, the celebrated crout eater, and
a dog. 1t is not known where he got
the dog. He said 1t was precented to
him by Moses Helfenstine, secondhand
clothes dealer, in old brass and dings,
but we were under the impression that
he stole the dog from some one in
town. We reached our destination
about ten O'Clock, and Immediately
went to work. In half an hour we had
our tent pitched, and all our lines out.
About this time Fishers dog began to
act very strangely, exhibiting rnmis-
taxable symptoms Of the disease called
by eminent physicians. Starvaticus,
Fisher said that one of the internal in
testines had got twisted around the
capillary gymnasticus, causing seqJis-
tration of the diabolical umbilicus,
which. he said would cause any dog to
throw up his anthropopagUs. He gave
it some of Johnny Beut as soothing
syrup, which gave immeilefa relief.
Crisbenicer now commenced to get din
ner, while the rest laid about the
camp. About half past twelve an &C
cident happened that cast gloom over
the entire party, particularly Mons
Matthews, who CRASHED his teeth and
groaned in fearful manner. The acct
dent was this. There were potatoes am
coffee on the stove. Fisher went into
the tent to get something. and during
his absence the top of the stove blew
off, upsetting the coffee and scattering
the potatoes in every direction. When
he came out and saw the wreck OF ali
his hopes his countenanc9 underwent
fearful change. Murder shone in his
eyes. but suppressing the internal
commotion, that agitated his manly
bosom, he proceeded in silence to
gather UP the wreck for the noble pur-
pose of repairing the stove which he
soon did About two o'clock Fisher went
- hnI folyi !, ic with him Mans
Matthews proposed to sing that touch
ing ballad called The Raggediest Man
in Town" He sang it with effect. 1t
affected the dog, so much so that it
came near having an attack of hydro
phobia About nine o'clock we went to
bed, and after considerable growing by
the crout eater we got to sleep and
SLEPT until six the next morning, when
We were awakened by Fisher. who was
singing in splendid style that elegant
song called "The Nobby Cockroach."
He SAYS no one can sing that song but
himself, because it was composed eX-
presSly for him by the celebrated COM
poser B. Thoven. who died about year
ago in the Fulton lookup. He says
that every time he sings that song he
feels like chawing his tongue la the
milkman's boy Mons Matthews has
been engaged for some time in paint
Ing a picture which he intends to pre-
sent to the Medical Society of Deep
Run. as an expression of his gratitude
to them for the valuable aid rendered
by them when he had the jim-Jams
The facts in the case are briefly told:
On Friday evening we had two visit
ors; they were very dry and wanted
something to moisten their parched
lips. Mons jumped at the idea. He said
ne knew where he could get something
in the shape of a beverage if he had
some money. The money was furnish
ed, and Mons started to go UP the run
at once. An objection was made to Mons
going by himself, the boys all know
dng his weakness, and it was thought
best to send some one with him. Ac-
cordingly, Hercules S. was deputized to
accompany him. In about half an hour
they returned. Mons was in a terrible
condition and it was with great diff
Guilty that we got him on the island.
and when we got him there his actions
became ridiculous. They would have
shamed cannibal; the yells and
screecbes that ceme from his throat
would have set p Commanche crazy. He