New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-29
E. @. BLACKBOARD DEAD.
Vas WeU Kporn IchthyoIogiSt-
President of Bedford Bank.

Eugene G. Blackford, president OF the BEDFORD
Bank, of Brooklyn, and a well known ehthyoio-
gist. died from apopexy at his home. No 10
St Mark's-ave., Brooklyn. last night. MI
Blackboard had been Commissioner Of Fish and
Fisheries of the State OF Network and haa
published many papers on fish. he was an e
peecially successful fish merchant He was
president Of the commission for the improve
nent OF Atlantic-ave. in Brooklyn
Eugene Gilbert Blackboard was born IN Morristowr
y. j. in 1899. His father. Gilbert L Blackboard was
a carriage manufacturer. While lad he came 10
New-Tork, and had lived either here or in Brook
lyn since. When fourteen he found employ
4 clerk with Captain Asa w weldon,
ship broker in South-st. The experience was dis
agreeable, vet he endured it three and half years
Then his mind was conclusively made up that ne
did not Ike the business well enough 10 learn any
more Of it. For several years he was freight
clerk with the Hartford Steamboat Line, and after
ward with the Camden and Amboy Railroad Com
pany until satisfied that this service suited him no
better than ship brokerage. Then for two years
he employed in A T Stewards store. at Broad
and Chambers-st. The drygoods business
failed to satisfy him. but he derived from it strict
business training and discipline
From A. T. Stewards he went to work as a book
keeper for Middleton, CarInan & Co., fish merchants
In Fulton Market Here at last he found congenlaI
occupation. IchtayOiogy stirred his scientific inter
est and the profits of the fish business appealed to
his commercial instincts. Soon stand in the mar
ket was offered him favorable terms and he was
enabled 10 start in business for himself From that
time his career was one OF uninterrupted pros
perity. His one stand grew to thirteen; and the
small retail trade which he started developed TO
such proportions that he became known as the
largest fish oyster, crab and turtle dealer III TINS
country, his annual sales amounting TO millions OF
pounds While shrewd and energetic IN the en-
ployment Of the ordinary methods OF trade ne also
brought TO the service 4 genuine enthusiasm ana a
deep scientific interest in the subject OF his trade
In 1873 Mr. Backford originated the idea OF sig
rallizng the opening day Of the trout season NprI
y by splendid exhibition of trout on marble SLABS
and in the glass tanks Of his stands From year 70
wear that exhibit grew in magnitude and conpEe-
hensiveness.
In 1873 MI BIackford's well known interest IN
fish led to his appointment by Governor ROBINSON
as one Of the four Commissioners Of Flsn ana
Fisheries OF the State Of New-York' TO these
duties he brought much enthusiasm besides wide
knowledge In 1852, =sthroush ms mn 80
Board of Fish Commis5ioneTs esta Psheo H "a vas
through Mr. Backfords instrulneptahfy also Ina ina
lakes Were stocked with carp and black bass. Join
ing forces with the Inlted states Flsn GoL1 ex
he was successful In enecting Il system OF eA-
= fargo room in one of the towers OF Fulton
about two thousand specimens. with large, IL
brary and laboratory and here elaborate lnvestga-
tons were carried on as to food supplies OF nSh'
their spawning seasons and their dlseaSesL com,
Mr. BIackfcrd served two terms as a F!Sn ON ON
missioner of New-York State, and was Tor Jnlr5
teen years preSipenI OF tfg from he french
Dutch and German governments for services IN
the cause Of piscicultuTe, and the governments
of JaDan Fra nce Sweden. Norway, Germany. ttol-
land and Great Britain sent commissioners 70 nm
for information. He was president OF the Arnerl-
can Fisheries Society for several years.
he perfected system Of cold storage Tor nsa. ny
which they may be kept fresh an almost indef0lte
time He established a freezing station IN CANADA
Mr. Blackboard besides being president or the
Bedford Bank, Of Brooklyn, was v1ce-presldenL OF
the Union Typewriter Company president and d.
rector OF the Blackboard hsh concern and a d.
rector of the Automatic Coalng and Weighlng
Barge Company. He was third ytce-president and
n trustee of the Brooklyn Institute OF Arts ana
Sciences. Mr.. Blackford had been chairman Of the
executive committee of the Peoples Trust COM
PAM director of the Hide and Leather Bank. OF
New-York, director of the Schermerhorn Bank
and president OF the Baptist Social Union OF BT9ok-
lvn He belonged to the following clubs: Mon
tauk Hamilton. Brooklyn and Union League, OF
Brooklyn the West Side Republican ana the Lake
wood Country. He was also a member or the
Chamber of Commerce.
Of New-York and had two children Miss Harriet
Blackford and Mrs. Ward Olney OF providence