[3] DISTRIBUTION OF CARP DURING SEASON OF 1881-^82. 1123 



miles from WashiDgton. The weight of the shipping packages was thus 

 reduced from GO pounds to about 8 pounds, with corresponding reduc- 

 tion in express charges. 



At the time I was placed in charge of the work of distribution mes- 

 senger shipments were in progress in the South Atlantic and Gulf 

 States, portions of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and 

 all of Florida being at that date (December 15) still unsupplied. The 

 messenger lists necessary to regulate the distribution were at once pre- 

 pared, and the fish destined for the supply of Southern Georgia and 

 Florida sent forward in charge of Mr. Newton Simmons. Mr. George H. 

 H. Moore and Mr. F. L. Donnelly were then in the field, one in Ala- 

 bama, the other in Mississippi. They were directed not to return to Wash- 

 ington, but to await instructions at Meridian and Jackson, Miss. To 

 these points messenger lists and explicit instructions and the number 

 of carp necessary to complete the distribution were forwarded by ex- 

 press from Washington. These bucket shipments reached them in ex- 

 cellent condition, and by December 24 the distribution in the sections 

 referred to had been completed. Texas, with 950 applicants, Arkansas, 

 Indian Territory, Western Louisiana, and Missouri, with an aggregate 

 of 150 widely scattered applicants, still remained to be supplied. It was 

 planned to accomplish this work by one movement of our refrigerator 

 car No. 1. All details of the distribution were arranged before we left 

 Washington, the route to be traversed definitely determined, and no- 

 tices forwarded by mail to each applicant informing him at about what 

 date to expect his fish. So far as practicable, arrangements were made 

 by which each should receive his fish either from the car en route or 

 from one of the messengers temporarily detached for the purpose of sup- 

 plying those remote from the route traversed by the car. It was not 

 thought safe to attempt to carry more than 12,000 fish in the car. It 

 was therefore arranged to have the additional number needed forwarded 

 by express in lots of 2,000. Arrangements were made to have the fish 

 rested and the water changed at Saint Louis. As these methods were 

 novel, and the results considered doubtful by the most experienced mes- 

 sengers, it was thought best that I should accompany the expedition in 

 order to enforce the observance of the necessary conditions of success 

 and to take the responsibility of whatever failure there should be. It 

 was thought prudent to make use of both methods of transportation. 

 The complement of the car was therefore made up as follows : 40 large 

 caus containing each 100 carp ; 7 large cans containing each 150 carp j 

 18 crates containing each 320 carp ; 3 crates containing each 400 carp. 

 This made a total of 12,000 fish in the car. 



The crew of the car consisted of Mr. J. F. Ellis, messenger in charge ; 

 Newton Simmons, George H. H. Moore, M. S. Thompson, messengers ; 

 and the cook. 



We left Washington at 4 p. m. January 3, 1882, going through to 

 Saint Louis on the fast express of the Pennsylvania Eailroad. I did 



