Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-03-18
ANGLING FOR TUNA.
Largest Fish Taken with Rod -Spo
in California.

Lar &esL IT ISM Aakeu Win ROu-SpOT.
in California.
In California they do some remark
able things, one of which is the max
ing of towns and cities to or'er, so to
speak. Along the beaches of Southern
California can be found little cities,
with hotels, stores, dwellings, and 9th
or buildings, which have sprung into
existence witain year or so, standing
on sites which were formerly mere
patches of sand or woodland. One of
the most remarkable of these towns is
located on Santa Catalina Island. which
of Los Angeles. The ocean in the vi
entity of the island is noted as being
the home of the tuna, one of the gami-
est fishes which are taken with the rod,
while the water is so clear that the
wonderful marine growth on the bot
tom can be distinctly seen at depth
of from forty to sixty feet The island
also contains one of the finest bathing
beaches in the world while the water
is of such temperature that it can be
enjoyed while people in the Eastern
States are wrapped in furs-in mid
winter.
A few years ago the norther1 end of
the Island was bought by company,
which finally decided to establish full
fledged town, although only one or two
buildings stood upon the site Within
one year the valley selected for the
community was built up along the
beach front with n score Of hotels and
payilions, while back of them were
erected hundreds of tents. giving the
place the appearance of military en-
campment.
AS already stated. the town site Is
owned by one company. and this cor
poration has absolute control of the
community, enaeting its own laws, pro-
viding the necessary police force and,
as it owns the principal structures, it is
also theatrical manager and general
amusement provider. The president Of
the company has as absolute dominion
oven the people as the Gar has in Rus
STA, but thus far the system Of govern
ment has been satisfactory and the
place is steadily increasing in popular
ity.
The tents are used principally in the
summer time The town is nearly de
serted In the spring except for the fish
ermen. About May the company sends
a gang of men to the island and in a
few days they have erected the long
rows Of tents, changing the appearance
of the place as If by magic This part
Of the town IS slowed away during the
spring in a large circus tent. which
contains not only the canvas. but fur
niture, carpets oil stoves, dishes, and
other household art cles which are rent
ed by the company with each tent
They are equipped and are ready to be
hired by the day or the season, so that
the visitor can 30 10 Catalina with
merely the clothes ON his back and
what he can carry N a gripsack or
trunk Everything else is provided for
him, There is a general store where
provisions dry goods aud other neces-
stiles are sold ut the ordinary prices: a
poStotiice and telegraph office. while the
town supports q newspaper during the
! principal season. In addition to sum
mer opera band concerts are given
daily at the expense Of the company
| The tuna are caught both from sail
boats aud rowboats Immediately on
shore. and some wonderful specimens
of this fish. as well as others Of the
| nnny tribe, have heen taken. Tun w.
| tuaily weighing ovr 400 pounds have
been caught with the hook and lire. al
though IA some cases the fishermen
| We're obliged to play" them three or
| four hours before the fish became SUI.
| flcienuy exhausted 10 be draw up to
the boat and gated Freqlltly.3y Speci-
mems are caught which are twice the
weight OF and actually larger than their
| captors.-New York Tribune