The Monroe journal., 1921-05-17
LATE JOHN KIICHIN WAS
FAMOUS "COOTER" HUNTER
In single Season His Catch Would
Number Several Hundred
Relates Hunting stories.
HE DIED IN THE COUNTY HOME
BY &. T.. HINsOy.

NANA
year one OF the most exceptional men
IN this part OF the state. He was
John kitchin. the "cooter hunter"
and he fully deserved the sobriquet
that was attached to his name.
Uncle John loved the meat of the
Logerhead turtle, or "cooter." better
than most people love their money.
and he sought them more than the
Jew does riches. He was quite sue
cessful. He kept an accurate record
OF the number he had caught. and
could without hesitation tell YOU the
number OF seasons catch. Frequent
ly the number ran into the hundreds
and when We remember that he was
nearly seventy-five years of age when
he died and had caught them practi-
cally all of his life. you can easily
imagine that the total was large.
Did he like the "cooter meat?
should say so. Even in his old days
II one had the temerity to ask him
If he was fond of 'cooter" he had
to run or fight. and stranger so
bold usually got off with terrible
tongue lashng.
There Is an old adage that II a
cooter bites YOU he will not turn loose
until it thanders. but Uncle John
evidently did not believe il for his
manner Of catching them was grab
bing with his naked hand, and that
he got results when he went hunting
is putting II rather mildly.
Uncle John would interest one by
the hour telling stories of how long
he kept on the trail of certain large
"cooters," and how he finally caught
them. But one thing he never under
stood and that was how "cooter"
lived after Its head had been dis.
and why its heart refused
to stop beating--and blamed If I can,
either!
Tax-Listing and Judgment Day.
IF judgment day occurred after
lax listing time hell would have TO be
enlarged to meet the demands for
space" was how a citizen expressed
himself after hearing several men
give in their taxable property. And
le was not far from right. ! have
that the average citizen will
lie as quickly about the value of his
when giving II in as he will
when trying TO sell crippled mule
o negro No. not all do it. but II
s wonderful how property depreci-
ites. The average poor fellow will
give in his property at more than the
ash value because he knows that his
AK will be small and that most ev-
'rybody knows what he owns. There
ore. venture the assertion that the
enters, or "hoboes." as one of our
itizens so politely termed this class,
,ay Is per cent more tax than any
'ther class according to the amount
VI property owned
There are exceptions, of course.
The other day overheard a man give
II pig at So. The lister refused to
Iccept it at such price and listed
{ at IS. but gave the citizen four
ents with which to pay the tax.
thew the fellow was "hobo." so
fter he was through listing | struck
Up conversation with him and found
hat he was not real bright. or in
ther words. an idiot | thought 1t
vas unusual that poor man under
alued his property.
News Notes OF Prospect Section.
The heavy rains OF last week did
considerable damage TO land in this
ection where cotton was recently
,lanted. II undoubtedly will have
o be replanted and in some cases
his will be the third time. All corn
hat has been recently planted will
ave to be replanted
Mr.. Fred Walters OF Cassett visited
riends and relatives In the Bethel
ection for few days. Mr.. Walters
eports considerable damage to cot
on which was chopped to a stand In
he recent cold snap.
Mr. Hoyle Aycoth has returend 10
is post at Camp Bragg. Fayette-
lille. after ten day visit to home
Dlks.
Mr.. Frank Broom is home for a
ew days visit. He is a patient at a
overnment hospital at Greenville.
Children's day exercises were held
Tabernacle last Sunday. The mu-
ice. recitations. etc, was up to the
Ugh standard that they have at
abernacle. and special emphasis
hould be put on the music. The dec
rations were especially beautiful
nd the children were well trained,