Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-08
| ing been seen, but such reports have been
generally discredited The fish taken today
eclipses the stored Ones and establishes

ing been seen, but such reports have been
generally discredited The fish taken today
eclipses the stored ones, and establishes
new record.
To two women fishing enthusiasts came
the glory of the discovery of the unique
monster, and to a couple of sturdy boat
men the fight to subjugate 1t and the colos-
sal task of getting the prey ashore.
Mrs. A. w. Barrett and Mrs. Nellie Hall
of Rochester N. Y. were out after Jewish
with Skipper George Farnsworth in the
launch Nestella. While gazing over the
placid channel about mile of shore the
two women almost simultaneously discern
ed a great, black, wriggling mass on the
surface Of the water about a thousand
yards aStern. 1t was whale-like In size, but
was black and rough, SO Farnsworth put
his boat about for an investigation. The
mammoth sunfish was approached as noise
lessly as possible. and closer views showed
1t to be laZly lolling about in enjoyment of
the sun. Close approach was known to be
perilous counting of shipwreck, but a con-
sultation of the trio showed the women
stout hearted. 1t was decided to engage
and snare the monster If possible. FARMS
worth armed himself with his stoutest gaff
hook and full steam was thrown on for a
rush alongside
When within reach Farnsworth swung his
gaff with all his might, and the hook sank
deep into the flesh of the sleeping monster.
Then began one Of the most terrific fish
fights ever heard of in this home Of gamy
sea prey. The hook took firm hold, the
pam dWdhculHs tAc SullllSu duu SOdutHS IL
to fury. The fish threw its huge form about,
pulling and beating in Its struggle to get
free from the painful hook. Its big fins and
tail dashed the water to foam and repeat
edly drenched the trio from head to foot.
The little launch rocked and plunged, sew
eral times careening over to the danger
point. Farnsworth braced his feet clench-
ed his teeth and just held on. The women
offered him such assistance az they could.
For a mortal hour this exciting combat
continued. Then help came to the drenched
and tired trio. From distance Harry Elms
saw that battle extraordinary was on and
hurried to the scene in his launch. Elms
sunk his gaff into the wounded fish and by
taking turns they held on until 1t had
fought itself into complete exhaustion. 1t
arrived that the sunf1sh stopped fighting,
which made it close to three hours from the
time 1t was first gated until it was con-
quered
The task Of bringing the catch to shore
was then begun. and 1t proved a difficult
and tiresome one. 1t was impossible to get
1t aboard so a rope was made fast and 1t
was towed to the beach in the bay. 1t took
a score Of strong men to drag 1t ashore,
and although the appliances for handling
big fish are ample the creature was too big
for them ALL No scales could weigh 1t, but
conservative estimates place 1t between
15OO and 800 pounds.
In Avalon the capture created a sensa-
ton greater than would the capture of a
whale. The whole population turned out to
photographs were made Of 1t. After being
drawn up to one of the racks the great
mass of flesh Quivered with life for a long
time