26 THE ANGLER AND HUNTSMAN 



duce an instrument absolutely reliable under any and all 

 conditions of use and abuse. There was wanting a reel 

 that should be light and compact in form, simple but pow- 

 erful in its makeup and above all, one not easily deranged 

 by the constant "wear and tear" inseparable from its use. 

 With a full recognition of these exacting conditions they 

 started in to make the reel that since has made the State 

 of Kentucky famous. In all the years that have passed 

 by since 1839 they have never deviated from the course 

 originally laid down for its production, namely : the invar- 

 iable use of the best obtainable material and upon such 

 material the bestowment of every resource of ingenuity and 

 painstaking workmanship. As a practical endorsement 

 of this policy it is of record that the first Milam Reel, 

 turned out by them in the year 1839, is still in perfect work- 

 ing order, and still giving a good account of itself on the 

 bass streams of that state. 



The following letters from two illustrious personages, 

 addressed to the maker of this reel, attest its quality and a 

 right to a place in angling history equaled by no other 

 American multiplying and click fishing reel : 



"Executive Mansion, Washington. 

 "B. C. Milam, Esq: 



"My Dear Sir: I have received, through Messrs. 

 Blackburn and Breckinridge, the beautiful reel which you 

 have sent to me, and I beg you to accept my sincere 

 thanks for the same. I think it is the finest piece of 

 work in that line I have ever seen and the sight and hand- 

 ling of it makes me long for the time when I can put it to 

 use. 



I have no doubt that it will be the means of affording 

 me much pleasure, and I hope that my performances may 

 do your handiwork no discredit. 



Yours very truly, 



GROVER CLEVELAND. 



St. Paul, Minn. 



