Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-02-20
A Pssassr rlsh Hatchery.


Being in reminiscent mood, I am
wondering how many Of the older citi-
Esns OF DIxdeld recall the fact that about
forty-three years ago my uncle, the late
Henry o. Stanley, owned and operated
private 6sh hatchery and breeding pool
on small stream about mile from DIX.
field village, In the town Of Mexico, not
far from the residence Of the late Oscar
r. Trask.
AsI remember IL the Matching house
was located In the woods short distance
from the breeding pool, and contained
several hatching troughs, about ton or
twelve feet long, one foot wide, and four
or five inches deep. The troughs were
covered on the bottom to . depth OF two
or three inches with small pebbles and
gravel, on which trout eggs were spread,
and covered with running water allowed
to remain until hatched. Nothing but
trout eggs were hatched here. believe
the artificial propagation of salmon In
this state had not then been attempted.
I think Uncle Henry was the pioneer of
artificial trout Matching In Maine. His
hatchery was one of the first, II not the
first, In operation at that time.
As remember 1t, Uncle Henry and
my father, the late John 2. Stanley, In
the spawning season In the fall, used to
20 TO trout pool on Bemis Stream In
the town of Byron II think), and from
this pool net trout from which they took
the eggs, and after fertilizing them car
ried them to the hatchery at Mexico.
They also for several years, In the fall,
bad line of mink, sable and fisher traps
on this stream. They had q log cabin
somewhere on the trap line, and packed
their supplies 10 from Houghton's.) The
eggs were kept In the hatchery until
Matched In the spring.
What was done with the little fellows
after Matching I do not remember.
this part OF the story, Is he has always
been an enthusiastic fisherman and we'll
informed on all matters In relation there
to. Col. Eustis will also recall that at
that time there was good pickerel fishing
In the eddy below the bridge which con.
meets Dixfield and Mexico. Also an &C.
casional trout was caught in little
stream running from the grist mill under
the Dixfield end of the bridge. Many
times have watched Uncle Henry, with
envious eyes, with long bamboo pole,
standing on . plank supported by the
bushes on the edge Of the eddy, fishing
for pickerel. The refuse from the tooth
pick mill on the Mexico side of the
bridge, which was put In operation about
this time, soon spoiled the pickerel fish,
ing there.
At this time lived on farm In Mex
leo, about one and one-half miles from
DiIfisld village. Near by was q small
trout stream, which emptied into the
Androscoggin River near what was
known as the Marsh White place. On
lowery days in the summer, when school
was not In session, my cousin, George P.
Stanley, and I, could usually be found,
each armed with q can of angleworms,
hook and liue and alder pole. Uncle
Henry used to pay me cent for each
trout I caught and put In his fish pond
alive.
After few years q heavy rain carried
away the dam which formed the pond,
and presume the trout all went into
Webb River, q short distance below.
This put an end to my uncle's operations
In this particular location, but he was &C.
lively interested in this line of work up
to the time of his death few years ago.
ISAAC N. STANLEY.
So. Portland, Feb. 10, 1917.