The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-07
FAMOUS GROUND
For F|SR:I|NGC![|'.LU|.|.B|..
Lands Owned. by the Father
Of Els Country il,
51 Use.
LOCAL CITIZENS OWN Ut.
Many Good FISH, Stories Come
From Historic Gusts
Pond.

There has recently been formed In this
city a cl,ib composed Of some OF the most
prominent and ardent sportsmen in the
state. It has been duly chartered by the
Corporation Commission, and Is called
."The Gusts Fishing and Hunting Club
These gentlemen have purchased from
Captain X. Il. Lee tho property known
as Lees or Cnstis's Pond, In King VIII
liam county, Va, about three miles from
Sweet Hall Station, on the Southern Rail-
way. This property was inherited by Cap
tain Leo from his father. General Robert
Il. Lee, and Is a portion OF the estate OF
Martha Washington. It had never pa $500
out Of the family until this recent SAFE.
1t has long been noted AS one OF the best
fishing ponds III tho. state, being well
stocked with club big mouth bass) and
4 silver and ared-eyu perch. II covers one
hundred and ten acres of land and Is a
y beautiful sheet OF water and an ideal ttt-
uation for a club pond. This was Tor.
1nerly tho Mecca OF thSsc faithful old
lovers OF the sport, John Powell BOD
Munford, Professor Merrill ana othcr KIN
b dred spirits. ..
IT Is a rare treat to lay back In one
OF the great rockers before the glowing
embcrs In the open fireplace OF the CONS
Portable clubhouse, after a; pleasant days
sport ana a good supper. and, under the
5goothing effects OF a sportsman's pipe. to
listen to&thc stories Of one of the follow
4 ers OF s.'afarse Bob" who has been the
miller ana occupant OF the place for thr-
A ty-flve years. K II would make the eyes OF
the average sportsman bulge With aston
Sishmcnt and surprise when Mr.. Cook be-
4 gins to tell OF the fourteen md fifteen
pound club caught BY some lucky sports
tf1y. "a
one hundred and slxty-three pounds OF
the same kind OF fish at one lap at
4 one sitting" or the time he killed five
Il fine wild seese at one shot, when there
were sevetty-five OF them on the pond
4 at one time, or when he saw three hum
dred fine nailard ducks paying him a
q social visit. or tho great number OF gray
squirrels and old hares to be found In the
Il beautiful woods surrounding the pond. f
Pretty Scenery.
There is hardly spot in the State
where prettier scenery of#its kind can
be found, or where the water and sur.
\ roundings look moro .fishy.a5 The old
!, mill. which has been In operation more
4 than century. and which is noted for
grinding the best meal in the country,
cannot supply but a small portion Of tn
4 demand for Its product. The fifty or
sixty acres adjoining the mill (also the
so splendid growth OF timber affordinS
fine shelter forsthe pond and an excellen.
II cover for the many hares and squirrels
which make their homes there Since the
VI club purchased the property y has built
one OF the lmost complete and attrac-
Z tive club houses In the S tate. It is beau
tifGlIy situated on n small bluff over
n looking the greatest distance OF the
pond, . which is two miles in length. It
3 has wide covered porches extending;
around its four sides and a wide hall
which divides the house In the center
s. The dining room. with its open fireplace,
and window. from which a beautiful view
OF the pond can be Ind, is prettily and
comfortably Furnished, and makes q
d delightful place to enjoy a fish supper.
There are three large bed rooms, nicely
furnished with iron bedsteads. pretty rugs
and wood stoves. One of the prctticst
II rooms In the house has been handsomely
Il Furnished and reserved for the ladies'
use exclusively. and aleady quite q num-
* Der OF the wives and daughters Of the
members. accompanied by some OF their
fair friends have spent several pleasant
days at the club. 1t is quite the thing
for the ladies to make up q camping
party and do their own cooking, when
4 they do not care to have their meals
served by tho wife OF the manager Mrs.
b Cook. who is a pleasant and accommo-
dating lady.
Get Bait Easily.
There is attached to the club house q
pretty kitchen. completely furnished
where all meals can be prepared when
the members prefer It. They have also
q -