Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-08-21
JUDGE CHENAUL7
Writes From South About A
Mississippi Fish Fry

CnOuSHC SoLHe VI YOUR reduerS
night enjoy reading few lines from
the sunny southland and if you
think so may insert this:
We had with us on the 9th and 7th
inst. Mr.. j. C. Hendren and his SON.
in-law, Mr. Broaddus. You have no
idea how much pleasure it gives US
to have one from old Madison county.
We therefore state to any of the
home folks they are welcome at Ivy,
and we sure will kill a chicken and
churn whoever may come.
l headed this note a Mississippi
Fish Fry. We have nearly every
thing here to- eat that can be pro-
cured anywhere, but | believe we
excel most inland places in the
abundance of fish, 1t is common
thing to hear one talk of being at a
fish fry or saying he is going to one.
On Thursday last we were noti-
fed or in some got word that on the
next day there would be a fish fry at
our flowing we'll in the bottom. Wei
learned in some way or from some
one we were expected, but were I'M
able to learn who was really inI
charge of the affair or expected to
direct proceedings. A Mr.. and Mrs.
Ballard, of West Point, are visiting
in the neighborhood, and it was for
their benefit especially, the fry was
to be had. 1t was evident on Fri
day morning that the fry was to
certainly take place. Seins were inI
evidence and negroes a plenty were
being loaded with wagons preparatory
for transportation to Shuqutonshee
River where the fish were to bel
caught for the fry. / was anxious to
see the catch and therefore mounted
a mule and followed the procession.
1t was certainly interesting to see
about fifteen stalwart negroes with
their ebony colored skin in that, river
pulling a sein that appeared too
heavy to be pulled with a team of
horses. But they certainly got fish
and in short time we had near al
hundred pounds, and off to the well
with them. All who had been with
the seiners were very much sur
prised to see the crowd at the well.
There must have been at least SO
white persons and half as many
negroes.
1t may be interesting and instruc,
tive to tell how the cooking was
done. The neighbors had brought
their cooks and houseboys along to
prepare the fish for cooking. A
large kettle that would hold about
ten gallons was placed on fire
and filled about two thirds full OF
lard. Shortly it was boiling and a
receptacle that reminded me of our
muzzles to prevent our mules from
eating corn while plcwing, was filled
with the dressed fish and lowered
into this boiling lard. In a short
time the fish was brown and emp
tied into a bucket and this was kept
up until we had two water buckets
full. Table cloths were then spread |
on the soft Bermuda grass and other
edibles that the ladies had brought
were nut on these cloths. One dish,
or edible. was absolutely new to me.
In the same pot where the fish was
fried, corn was put and in few
minutes we had fried corn on the
cob. ] must say to you that it was
the best fried corn ] ever ate.
No better fish or corn was ever
eaten, according to my judgment I
am certain the others present thought
the same, for fish, corn and other
edibles that the ladies brought
vanished fast. l feared that the
great crowd of negroes would have to
go unfed, but not so. There must
have been a bushel Of fish after their
heads were removed and after every
white person had eaten there was
quite lot left, but not enough to
feed the negroes. | felt bad about
il for they had done all the work
and wanted them fed. I spoke to
one of the negro cooks and asked her
if she thought she could strech the
remainder so that every negro pres
cnt would get piece. She said to
me, "Why dose niggers will git
plenty" at the same time raising a
newspaper and displaying about a
hundred fish heads ranging in size
from tea cup to saucer, and
continued, "dese goes in de pot last
an de niggers like 'em better dan
any part Of de fish"
Her explanation reminded me of a i5
song | used to hear the negroes
sing when | was child at Old Cane
Spring, two lines of which with the
chorus ran thus:
"Old Massa and Missus killed a
sheep
Hadiddleding, hadiddleing
He gave poor niger head and feet"
At any rate every one got all they
could eat and more enjoyable /
gathering seldom, if
ever, occurred
- JOuN, n CHFNAJTIT