BIG MEN AND BIG FISH. 



AMERICAN history is replete with anecdotes of 

 distinguished men, who not only cleared the 

 forests, fought the savages, and established 

 boundary lines as pioneers, but who for scientific and 

 commercial purposes followed the trail, hunted the 

 forests and fished the streams. These citizens of 

 early and modern times have contributed much to the 

 history of our country and the welfare of civilization. 

 It is a great fortune that we enjoy today in being able 

 to hold out to the growing boys the example of their 

 industry, perseverance, hardships and principles as 

 most worthy of emulation. It has become firmly 

 established as a fact that hunting and fishing, the 

 study of nature in mountains, meadows and streams, 

 are prime factors contributing to the betterment and 

 years of mankind. Grover Cleveland, statesman and 

 citizen, embodied those qualities of heart and hand 

 which placed him in the front rank of American 

 sportsmen. He upheld the good there was in it and 

 was always ready to condemn the wrong. High- 

 minded and honorable in the conduct of affairs which 

 effected his country, he was likewise forward in 

 protecting the interests of the game and fish, and in 

 so doing enjoyed the advantage of long practical 

 experience. 



I have hunted in the mountains of West Virginia 

 where the mountaineers laid down to that distin- 

 guished sportsman the law, "if you miss your shot at 

 the first deer which crosses your path, you must 

 suffer the penalty of having your shirt torn into 



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