The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1914-06-26
CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT
SILVER MINES DAM
Editor Pennington Times:

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Editor Pennington Times:
During the past three months Of
this year, as well as during the past
two or three years, the undersigned
has done his best by means Of cor
respondence with the State Game
Warden and Deputy Game Warden of
this district, trying to have removed
the Silver Mines Dam across the st.
Francois River, in Madison county,
80 that the various species Of fish
could pass upward in said stream dur
ing all seasons Of the year. Without
wishing to censure either one of the
officials mentioned the fact that no
! passageway such as needed, has been
in said construction according to re-
ports of different individuals, and in
order that the readers of the Times,
and especially those interested in the
sport or rather recreation and avo-
cation Of fishing, may know what has
and what has not been done. The
writer is pleased to give a letter in
answer to one he wrote to Mr.. Ward
of Bismarck recently. MIR. Ward is
a broad minded citizen and joins with
the writer, and scores of others ask
ing justice rendered to the citizens
Of St. Francois county, and in fact
to all others that live above said
| Silver Dam. Mr.. Ward is probably
the champion bass fisherman of South
East Missouri, and here is his letter
without further comments:
Bismarck, Missouri,
June %, 1914.
Prof G. w. Moothart,
Pennington, Missouri.
"My Dear Sir and Friend
| have been so busy of late that
have not had the time to answer your
last letter promptly, but will now try
to write you the facts, as | understand
them.
| | know that you have been cores.
ponding with Mr.. DcLassus, the Dep
uty Game Warden Of this District
in regard to the Silver Mines Dam
and conditions generally regarding
our fishing streams and bodies OF
water in St. Francois county.
Now was down at the Silver Mines
| Dam last week, and made close IN
spection of said Dam, and If any
body tells you there is an open pass
way, just say they are badly mis-
| taken. While they have done some
work on the Dam in the Way of open.
ing a small hole, and on top of the
Dam. on the east end, it is so steer
that there is no chance for fish tc
get up to It.
| think if Mr.. DeLassus would &c
out there and see the work himself
he would be ashamed Of it. There /:
chute about 40 feet for them to sc
up, and at % degree angle, and | un
derstand that about 10 degree an
gle is what bass can really climb
or get over at least not over II de
,rees and then il must have a resting
place. or he will go back. | have beer
at the Silver Dam Mt all seasons OF
the year, and have been familiar will
this Dam ever since it was built.
lived at the Silver Mines when it was
building, and say frankly that there
never was a fish went UP over tina
Dam. for have seen them in the nc
of trying to go over but about 10 fee
was their limit. Surely some way Of
plan should be followed in order Il
remove this obstruction, for once re
moved it will rcrnrit fish to come ~
The river and ali the streams woul'
also be amply rrplenished with var
ious kinds of fish coming from tn,
Southeast Missouri streams.
Count me with you in trying to sc
cure justice, and all fishermen of st
Francois county should rally to you
support because of your trying t.
bring about condition that mean
much to all who enjoy few hours
or days fishing along our beautiful
streams.
Yours respectfully,
ROBERT WAR;
Other County papers please copy.