The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-08-28
VIOLATED GAME LAWS
FOUR MINISTER'S ARREST
ED AT THE BEACH.
Prominent Episcopal Divines
Fishcd For Trout at Night
and Were Caught.

| The firBt capture made by NJ. r. Har-
desty ,the newly appointed game warden
for this county, was certainly a most
remarkable one. for OF five yiolators
OF the law arrested BY him four were
prominent Episcopal clergymen. The
capture was made at Seaside Monday
night ana the offenders were dly ar
lraisned In court and fined.
The story Of the arrest Is very laugh
able. Mr.. Hardesty had been at Sea-
side for several days and was informed
that night fishing was going on In the
INecanicum. The game laws Of Ore
gon make II a misdemeanor for any
person TO fish for trout from one hour
jafter sunset to one hour before sun
rise, the minimum fine for violation
Iof the law being $40 and the maximum
fine being $500 Accompanied by Jacob
Bralllcr, who was made a deputy pro
ITEM. Mr.. Hardesty started on his tour
OF investigation. Arriving at a point
where the road leads TO the Necanicum
bridge. the deputy warden saw In the
moonlight five persons cttting on the
bridge for trout.
Hello. there boys; how are the
fish biting" called out the deputy.
" Not very we'll" came the reply
from one Of the anglers, who after
wards proved to be the Rev. J. T. Simp-
son, pastor OF ST. Marks Episc opal
ichurch. of Portland. Five OF us are
fishing and We only have four fish, and
! caught those
! Not biting very well, eh?' said Mr..
Hardesty, who had by this time reach
ed the bridge.
Not very well. Going to make a
cast?' queried the reverend gentle
man.
Well, yes; l was seriously thinking
Of making cast" said the deputy, as
he Bit his lip to keep from laughing.
Better try it IN her" advised Mr..
Simpson, indicating spot in the
creek.
But IN an officer"
Guess you're a pretty go,d fisher
man, then"
"Oh, fair But do you know that
you are violating the law"
Suddenly 1t dawned on the ministers
that they were violating the game laws
and were talkirg to an officer whose
duty II was to see that the laws were
not violated. For moment they
stood nonplussedi then Mr.. Simpson
Isaid;
Well. II you're deputy game war
den. you've certainly made a great
haul, for Of the five Of us four are
Episcopal ministers"
Determined &c have as much fun as
possible out of the situation, Mr. Har-
desty assumed an air of severity and
commanded his prisoners TO line up.
" Now. Jake tthis to his companion),
i" get out the handouts" said the dep
Iutv, and the look of CONSERVATION that
lcame over the countenances of the
minister's plainly demonstrated that
Mr.. Hardesty's attempt at humor was
bearing fruit Finally, however, he
told them he would expect to see them
in the morning, and they were permit
ted to go to bed.
The following morning the deputy
had long talk with his prisoners. OF
course they We're absolutely innocent
| of intentional violation of the law so
mfr. Hardesty agreed to make COM
lplaint against only one of the four
the Isaac Walton who had caught the
four fish. The minister was arraign-
| ed before Justice Young, Mr.. Hardesty
ofiiciating in the capacity Of prosecut-
ling attorney. Rev. ]. f, Simpson was
the defendant and he entered d plea
of guilty. The court imposes the min
] mum fine, AT the recommendation Of
the deputy warden, and the costs, 50
cents, We're also taxed against him.
The guilty" parsons were Rev. E.
IT, Simpson, pastor of All Saints, Port
land; Rev. J. f. Simpson (brother of
the first-named), pastor Of st. Marks
Portland; Rev. P. X. Hammond, pas
tor of the oregon City Episcopal
lChurch, and Rev. C. II. Lake, pastor
of st. Pauls Episcopal church. The
Dalles. The unfortunate layman was
l., r. Kollock.
"Of course, the ministers were iust
as innocent as children" said Mr.. Har-
desty land was awfully sorry to
be compelled to arrest them. They had
no idea of wrong-doingi and for that
treason We're let off with the light fine.
From a humorous standpoint, l be-
Ilieve | never before enjoyed myself so
much, and am satisfied the ministers
appreciated the Righteousness of the
Situation"