The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-06-07
Deputy Go, fden Lands On
W ssed Offenders.
FAST RIDE IN AN AUTOMOBILE
Wise Experts Discuss Difference Be-
tween Fish; Finally Yardstick Is
Brought Into Play
From Wednesdays Daily.

SWOOplng down upon them in an
auto, Deputy Game Warden Con
Johnston last evening took charge Of
two fishermen and their "catch" at
Ra pidan dam. The game warden in
company with his brother and j. H.
Macbeth drove out to the dam in
a car, Mr.. Johnston having received
instructions from the state game and
fish commissioner to watch the dam
pretty closely, reports having been
circulated that there were several
alleged violators of the fish laws.
Mr.. Johnston had no particular
idea whom he would find there,
leaving that until the time he reach
ed the dam, but when the machine
drew up near the place, he found
couple of gentlemen quietly rest
ing near the roadway, after making
nice catch of what the game war
and bullheads.
Measured Fish With Eagle Eye.
The game warden went over to
the young men. He looked them
over; also measured the fish
with his eagle eye Almost half
of them were condemned as being
too small, and the young men were
informed that they were under ar
rest, at the same time being told
that the entire mess of fish which
they had caught, were confiscated
and belonged to the state game and
fish commission.
The fishermen stared blankly at
the game warden for moment, not
fully realizing that the results OF
their fishing trip were to be taken
away, and at the same time be COM
PEELED to pay fine if convicted.
But Mr. Johnston was obdurate and
at first wanted the young men to ac-
company him to Mankato at once.
However, he was assured by the
friends who were with him, that the
word of the two men who were I'M
der arrest was as good as their
bond, and thatthey would appear in
court today if so instructed.
Mr.. Johnston then let them go on
their own recogniZance, with instr'i"-
tions to appear in court today. He
then took the mess of fish, placed
them in a sack, and the party left
for Mankato.
Fish Were Measured.
When the party reached this city.
the fish were taken to the police sta
ton and there measured with
ruler. County Attorney Schmitt
happened along about that time, and
upon being told of the "haul," ex-
amined the fish. He said that they
were sand pike and therefore not
exempt by law Game Warden John
ston was not to be moved so easily,
and stated that they were wall-eyed
pike. An argument followed, in
which the county attorney took re-
course to the law books, and light
ing the lamps in the council cham
bers, sought out the dusty legal
lore to see what the statutes had to
say about the matter.
Experts Called In.
Mr.. Johnston then explained that
wall-eyed pike and sand pike were
the same, and that the law does not
mention sand pike. Others thought
that they might possibly be blue
pike or saugers. The law did not en-
tighten them as to the species taken,
and it was decided to call up Ex-
ecutive Agent Rider at st. Paul this
morning.
But the opinions as to the species
did not end there. The discussion
continued until late hour, and bets
were made and called off, opinions
regarding the education Of the vari-
Gus persons and their qualifications
and disqualifications to Judge fish
properly, were aired, Mr.. Johnston
still holding to his first opinion.
well, anyhow, We'll bring 'em
up for having that little bass" said
the game warden, before leaving,
and pointing to short bass that
would be sufficient evidence on
which to arrest person.
There Was CONSERVATION.
There was CONSERVATION at the po-
lice station this morning. For a
time it was believed that the bass
had escaped during the still hours
of the night. Rather than go through
the ordeal of a court session. the
bass had taken a sneak back to the
water, so it was suspected. But
there was a sigh of relief when it
was later learned that the bass was
in the custody of John Macbeth, and
"deader than a smelt."
Deputy Game Warden Johnston did
not make a formal complaint against
the men. They claimed that the
Continued on Page Six.