The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-06-25
JOHN C. PARKER IS A
FISHERMAN OF NOTE
Went Fishing, May 1st, on Clearwater
River, Says E. H. Reff.-Had De-
Iightful Experience.

John c. Parker, vice president of
the Donald Land & Lumber COM
pany, is not much of a fisherman,
but we have it from the best author
ity that he makes it 4 practice to go
fishing on the first day of May in
each year (the opening of the hook
and line season., whether that day
be hot, a cold day, or Sunday.
Ever since the latter part of last
winter Mr.. Parker has been on the
Clearwater river, over in Itasca
county, and at Plummer, over on
the 500, where Charlie Latta runs a
newspaper.
We haven't heard much concern
ing what J. C.. has been doing over
there, but E, H, Ref of Bagley,
clerk of court of Clearwater county,
says of ]. C. and his fishing:
The first day of last May, Parker,
equipped with provisions and a fur
coat, sailed forth to the banks of
the Clearwater river, secured fiat
boat and put out upon the turbulent
waters. Placing his coat on the
back seat, he Immediately COM
menced operations, casting his spoon
this way and that as the boat drift
ed with the current down the
stream.
Colonel Parker is not much of
fisherman, from a scientific stand
point, but he can cast a spoon
fairly we'll, and he knows how to
place an angleworm on a bullhead
hook, right side up.
The boat was triAe rickety,
which made it difficult for it's occu-
pant to maintain he equilibrium,
and once or twice he in consequence
sat down unexpectedly. 1t was
not, however, until he had hooked
monster of the deep that he sat
down on the outside instead of the
inside of the boat, and it happened
this way. His line snapped in two.
Parker plunged about in the
stream in an endeavor to catch the
boat, but the little craft lodged him
and kept on it's course towards the
deep blue sea. Being poor swim
mer, Col. Parker could not reach
the bank and had just commenced
to say his prayers when friendly
log came bobbing past. He grasped
the log and by mighty effort Sue
ceeded in getting astride, and as
together they went sailing forth he
finished offering up his prayers.
Down stream they went at a
rapid pace until they struck an eddy,
where the log commenced a series of
gyrations, which would have made a
whirling dervish turn peagreen with
envy. Around and around went the
river horse, increasing the speed un-
til Col. Parker became as dizzy as a
fellow who had been drinking boot
leg He managed, however, to
retain his seat until assistance came,
and at that time he had been on the
merry-go-round two hours and
twenty minutes.
Two farmers on the hilltop who
were working in the fields observed a
peculiar object spinning in the water
and hurried to the river bank.
Grasping the situation, they secured
long pole and thrust it out to the
dilapidated fisherman and he was
speedily pulled ashore. So weak was
he from the immersion that his legs
did not sufficiently timber up to en-.
able him to walk for nearly an hour
after his rescue.
Should any one find fatboat
containing fur coat, between here
and the Gulf of Mexico they will
please express the coat to Col. J. C.
Parker, Bemidji, and retain the boat
as reward for their honesty"
Card of Thanks.