The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-11-12
z OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ~
t. a.
+ The Red Winged Duck
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
7 EST of old Fort Abercrom-

North llnger in the late fall. feeding.
and over which they fly in the early
spring on their return to British
America. These wild rice marshes
were more attractive eighteen and
twenty years ago than they are to-
day. Hunters were not so frequent
then, water more plentiful and the
fowl not so wary 1t was no unusual
thing for 4 chance sportsman linger-
ing in The vicinity OF Abercrombie to
visit the marshes and from Il morn
ing's shooting to return laden with
score or more of birds. The Indians
had much favored the marshes before
they were driven out of the valley.
Early settlers sought them for the
fresh meat of the ducks. n welcome
change from the canned and sailed
goods carried in the few general
stores.
How many acres these marshes COW
cred probably was never determined.
The lanes which ran through them,
lined on both sides with roads. If
stretched out one after the other,
might have extended TO the Canadian
line. They were treacherous lanes.
one looking just like the other, appar-
emily without outlet. ever twisting and
turning, wickedly misleading in the
dusk Of the evening when the hunter
sought to bring his nat-bottomed boat
to land.
Il wouldn't 90 out in 'em without
l had a guide, said one Of the farm
ers whose land ran down to the edge
of the marshes to one of the surveyors
of the Fargo Southern Road who had
taken a couple OF days from work and
intended hunting ducks. The hunter
regarded the advice us superhuous.
1t was the night before he was TO 20
out, and he sat at the west approach
TO the shack looking out over the
marshes. They seemed to stretch away
to the very horizons edge, yellow
crested now in the light of the setting
sun
III bring Won back the red-winged
duck TO show you l can go it alone"
he said. with a laugh. The farmer
shook his head
mere ain no mar ever chased the
rcd-winged duck in there" he said.
mat ever come out alive You let
that bird alone If YOU see IT,"
Now there was nothing more TO the
"red-winged duck superstition than
this; The first settlers on the edges
OF the marshes were familiar with the
Indians. and these told them that the
rice fields were sacred to the red
winged duck and must not be hunted
over. They said that the winged
duck was special dicty of the entire
duck family. that the red wing was its
| distinguishing mark made by the
spirits of the marshes. that if had the
power Of taking human lie and Of
enchanting enemies 1t is more than
probable that the tale was told for
the purpose Of keeping white men OF
! OF Indian hunting grounds. but rs tho
years passed and fatalities became
numerous among the marsh hunters
the story grew ln proportions until the
red duck became reality in the
minds OF many
Many pro. y-sol TO have seen the
strange bird hUt thcir dissertations
varied, and 81 o.. fowl really existed
there was DO cSac, data at hand with
which TO identity &c.. So the surveyor.
whose name Was Frank Adams.
laughed when warned ANA sought his
ped quite uncouceuel about anything
but getting au early START. lie left
The farmhouse $40 g the next morning.
JUST Dcloie sunrise. and when Inc could