American Fisheries Society. 71 



For five years Mr. Ford was Treasurer of the American Fish- 

 eries Society, and in 1893 was its President. He was also a mem- 

 ber of a number of angling and fish protective associations, on al! 

 of which he left the stamp of his energy and enthusiasm. 



When the United States and Canada determined to make an 

 effort to adjust the differences which existed between the two 

 countries over the fish laws, Mr. Ford was made one of the Com- 

 missioners. The international body was in existence for about 

 two years, and it was one of the disappointments of his life that 

 little of value to the two countries was accomplished. 



Mr. Ford never became a candidate for any public office but 

 once, and that was shortly after the death of Col. Marshall Mc- 

 Donald, "United States Fish Commissioner. He then stated 

 frankly that he had an ambition for the office and made an effort 

 to secure it. He was backed l^y many powerful friends, but long 

 before President Cleveland came to any decision in the matter, 

 a sudden and alarming turn in the condition of Mr. Ford's health 

 compelled him to withdraw as a candidate. This was in the be- 

 ginning of the winter of 1895-96, and less than a week after his 

 withdrawal as a candidate for the United States Fish Commis- 

 sionership, he was confined to his house by what proved to be the 

 last and successful onslaught of an illness from which he had 

 suffered more or less for many years, Between December and 

 May, Mr. Ford was able to leave the house but two or three times. 

 In the latter month he was taken to Egypt Mills, where he was 

 at last beside his beloved river, which, through his fostering care, 

 had become famous for its commercial and game fish. He died 

 on the 17th of August, a few days after an operation at the Ger- 

 man Flospital in Philadelphia. Six weeks before his death he 

 visited the river and fished for the last time, and there was some- 

 thing pathetic and deeply touching in his behavior on that occa- 

 sion and which illustrated forcil)ly how deep a hold fish culture 

 and angling had upon him. 



I had been through a large portion of the State, engaged in 

 investigating some fish cultural work and other matters for the 

 Commission, and one evening in the latter part of June went 

 to visit Air. Ford and to report the results of my investigations. 

 For a week or more before my arrival he had been bedfast and 

 low-spirited, and his family thought it best to keep from him 

 knowledge of my arrival until the next morning, fearing the ex- 

 citement of it would be injurious. Their precautions were in 

 vain, however, for he heard me C(uiie in the house and 

 would not be satisfied until I had been brought to him 



