The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08
Tccpyright, 1903. by z. B. warner.l
MUssEL-FISHING IN THE OHIO.


Correspondence of the indianapolis Journal.
MADISON, Ind, Nov. 6.-During the past
four months the Ohio river has been the
scene Of much attention owing to the new
scheme of fishing for the mussel shells
which lie in beds along the bottom of this
stream. Hundreds of tons of these bivalves
have been caught, and it is the shell which
is the commercial product used in making
the pearl buttons common everywhere.
1t was after the passage of the Mckinley
bill that placed a duty on imported but
tons, when it became well known that
profusion of shells equally as good as those
hitherto brought from the sea existed in
the Mississippi, Ohio, Wabash and other
western rivers. and that large percentage
of them would answer for the manufacture
of buttons; but not until after the Missis-
sippi had been well worked did the fishing
begin in the Ohio. Since then men repre-
senting large manufactures both in the
East and West have been along the shores
buying the product and shipping to their
factories by carloads.
The procuring of the shells Is very inter-
esting. Mussels lie with their mouths
toward the current, so that they can catch
floating particles of food, and when the
hooks from the boats come in contact with
them they close upon them with a vise-like
grip and are thus easily drawn into the
boats. These boats are broad and deep
and have suspended into the water wires
or lines with hooks attached. These hooks
and there may be several hundred for a
single boat-are pulled up frequently heavy
with the tenacious but coveted shells. If
the current is not too swift, one man can
manage the little craft. He rows to the
extreme end of the usual bed, and letting
his boat drift with the current, casts out
his lines, and In little or no time is busy
hauling in the catch by means of the long
rods-one placed on each side of the boat
to which the lines are attached. He is then
kept busy drawing in from one side to the
other until the boat is soon full. The mus
sells are then taken ashore, where is placed
huge steaming oven, into which they are
cast. This cooks the fieshy portion and
allows it to be easily removed so that the
shells come out beautifully clean and free.
This serves as the fastest method of max
ing them serviceable and does away with
the tedious process of opening each one
with knife, which is considered detri-
mental to the value of the product. After
i they are all prepared in this manner and
dried they are loaded in barges and towed
down the river to available freight cars
for shipment or TO the factories direct, sew
eral of which. knowing of this promising
field, have located at convenient places
along the Ohio. After reaching the factory
the shells are cut and trimmed into blanks,
which. being polished electrically. are made
into pearl buttons, great quantities Of
which, now that this new industry has
grown and prospered. being shipped to
Europe, for there is not the least effect
from foreign competition.
This process of turning into beautiful but
tons these common river shells has been
the means of furnishing steady and remu-
nerative employment for many men along
the river banks who might otherwise have
been lolling in summer idleness. And some
of the youngsters gathered mussel shells
ION their own hook" as 1t were, and being
asked what they contemplated doing with
them, replied: Were going to sell 'em to
the button factory
There is still another feature about the