The Robesonian., 1910-02-17

NOBODY'S BUSINESS.

A Veteran Fisherman, an Ex-
Lumbertonian, Wants to
Know.
To the Editor of The Robe sonian
Being an old Robesonian I very
naturally have still in my system
considerable interest in all that
pertains to the good of the people
of Robson county, but this arti-
Gle will deal particularly with
that portion adjacent to Lumber
river.
Robson is endowed with a
great many things of which she
should justly feel proud; not on
ly the things which are constant
ly being accomplished by the
tireless efforts of the good peo-
pie within her borders, but her
natural resources.
1t is more particularly the lat
ter to which | wish to call atten-
ton than the former, yet there
will necessarily be a blend of
the two in order to bring out the
point have in mind.
Not long since l read an article
on the subject IF draining Lum-
ber river, and | am at a loss for
words adequate to express the
feeling caused by the realization
of what this would mean. A
few years ago [ should have been
very much opposed to any such
project; not because I haven't t
always realized the good that
this would bring to the people
owning property adjacent to this
river in the reclamation of real
estate Of untold wealth, but if
this were done it would result in
the destruction of the most pala-
table fish that ever swan and
of the finest fishing grounds in
the State of North Carolina. I'm
der the wheels of progress con-
ditions are continually changing,
and what was probably at one
time for the good Of a people
may now be to their great detri-
ment. The inventive mind has
not only been busy with war
ships and rapid-fire guns, but
with fishing tackle as we'll.
1t can therefore be readily un-
derstood, when, at this season OF
the year, the much-prized and be.
loved Red Breast can be pur-
chased at the fish markets in
towns over one hundred miles
distant at considerably less mon
ey than will buy them on the
banks Of the Lumbee during
fishing season, that it is we'll for
the people of that community to
have the dear old stream drained
to the bottom, so that the vast
acres OF land adjacent thereto
may be made available for agri-
cultural purposes; for, it can east
| ly be seen that the reputation of
Lumbee for Red Breast will soon
vanish, and will only be-to a
! few old lovers of the fishing
sport-a fond recollection. A
few days ago, when walking up
the streets of the town in which
| now reside, my eyes fell upon
| a beautiful bunch of fish at one
of the markets, and the recogni-
ton was instant. Where did you
get those fish?' l asked the
market man, and he replied
From Lumberton."
The writer of this article has
had the pleasure of holding the
large end Of the rod on a gooc
many occasions when there was
monster Red Breast making the
line sing through the water
, music that cannot be described
. in words; but never in his recol
lection did he know of such {
thing occurring at this season o.
the year.
Yet, as the law forbids, and a:
we all know there are no traps
or nets in this beloved stream
may ask Of you, Mr.. Editor, i.
the times have so changed alone
the banks of the Lumbee as t
make it possible for an old veter
an to enjoy a few days of the ole
sport were he to get his tackle il
order and drive in on the mex
train?
Elk Lumbertonian