The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1913-01-17
COMMUNICATED.
TOnasket, WASH, ia

Tonasket, WASH, Jan. 3, 1918.
Friend Dallam:
Spokesman Review re prairie chickens,
which states that OkanOgan chickens are
to be trapped and sent Free to Spokane
county. l want to call attention to thp
talked of trying quail in this county, the
late Captain Ruger, to whom all the cred
1T is due. took the subject up with a
number of citizens of whom I was one, to
shipping point was at that time Green
wood, b. &C., and to get the birds from
the middle west was great expense and.
as it later proved the cause of great loss
of birds. The Captain made arrange
ments. on account OF this cost. with some
person in Spokane county whom he knew
to pay Spokane county enough SO that
the birds could be replaced to Spokane
county. at our expense. Matters pro-
crossed until the Captains. friend was
sports who now want our chickens free
made us turn the quail loose and we were
the quail From my own shipment, there
was a loss of SO per cent of the birds with
| an expense Of $50 for those which reached
us alive. My sole object in importing
these quail was to help my crops, not by
any means for slaughter, and have the
same telling about all other game birds.
At the present time, l believe there could
be found at least estimate 100 prairie
of the year this number is doubled and
trebled. There are also great numbers OF
and the protection to my crops afforded
by these birds Is beyond estimate.
Residents of the valley and lower bench
es along the Okanogan river will recall
that a few years ago We were greatly
troubled by pest of grasshOppers which
in some cases caused complete loss of
crops and great damage. in some cases.
swarms upon my ranch, only to be at
once destroyed by the prairie chickens
and quail. SO that l was at not single
dollars loss from the unusual pest. Dur
ing the seven years l have resided upon
this ranch, | have never killed but three
chickens and have not allowed others to
XII them. ! consider them the farmers
blessing. My orchard of fourteen adres
has never shown wOrmy apple or any
of the numerous orchard pests which gen.
largely. / am sure, to the presence Of
these birds During the entire winter
season, l feed grain as regularly to the
chickens, quail and pheasants which win
and at about as great expense.
:. l have spent a. great many years OF my
life IN and around Spokane. and I have
that destroy birds and to my mind the
very worst Is a pack In Spokane. Their
but when they make their killing every
farmer and every farmers friend near can
near their squeal and grunt even in ad-
joining counties.
! Our. county has paid large amounts in
bounties on wild animals to protect our
birds. and In importing game birds also.
Are we to allow thes people to come now
and: trap and ship out our prairie chick
ems without a protest? If there is a law
to stop us from buying their quail. will
not the same law protect our chickens
from being shipped to these cannbals Z?
The Rod and Gun Club are trying right
now to lengthen the season during which
prairie chickens may be killed. II they
are short of chickens and ready to rob
our county, why not protect their chick
ems for five years or longer instead of
frightening their season.
Mr.. Editor, l know your heart is with
me and | believe this matter should be
brought before every Grange and farmer
In the county by means of the press, and
that our lawyers shout join in protecting
our birds; PersonP..y, I am willing to
give $50 for the enforcement of the law
for prosecution. II it becomes necessary
and believe other farmers feel as I do
in the matter.
Sincerely yours,
CLAY FRUIT.