46 



tive bodies afteu death we will take the chances, and just as soon as the 

 the river is in condition to tish next spring will be on hand ready for the 

 fun. 



I believe the action of the grand jury will have a tendency to stop 

 violations of the law, to a considerable extent, yet fear that some of 

 them will continue in spite of it, but feel sure that in the end we will 

 succeed. The judge assured them that a second offense will insure a 

 heavy fine. 



Fishing has been exceptionally good the past year and many good 

 strings were caught. If we can get the unlawful use of nets stopped we 

 will have as gond fishing as anybody. 



We will want another car load of fish the coming year if you can send 

 it to us. All the boys want to be remembered to you. 



Yours truly, 



Otto Weiss. 



Danville. III.. Mav 21. 1891. 

 Mr. S. P. Barflett: 



Dear Sir — I owe you an apology for not having sooner acknowledged 

 the receipt of your report and the Warden star.' Both were received. 

 Many thanks. I have not been idle this spring. Last summer I heard 

 repeated rumors about seining in the southeast part of this county in the 

 "Little Vermilion," but did not succeed securing sufficient evidence to 

 make a case. In February I tried to have our grand jury sift the matter 

 but the grand jury did not make an honest effort. In March I induced 

 J. F. Eittenhouse to take hold of the matter. I gave him what little 

 positive information I possessed and the names of suspected parties, swore 

 out some complaints and sent him down there. After some scheming 

 "Eitt" induced two of the parties to plead guilty and let the cat out of 

 the bag. The result so far is two parties plead guilty on May 2d: tine. 

 $10; costs, $10.26 each. Three parties plead guilty on May 9th: tine, 10: 

 costs, $1-4.20 each. Two parties plead guilty May 21st: fine. 10: costs, 

 $11.45 each. Total flue and costs for the seven men who have plead 

 guilty to seining last summer amount to $166.02 so far this spring and 

 still there are more to follow from that neighborhood. They will prob- 

 ably quit. In the northwest part of our county we have been seriously 

 troubled this spring by dynamiting, but I am hot on the scent and think 

 I will get some of the scoundrels. If I succeed in catching them I will 

 let you know about it. 



Yours truly, 



Geo. Kamper. 



Elgin, III., jSTov. 29. 1892, 

 S. P. Bartlctt, Secretary State Fish Commission, Qiiincy, 111.: 



Dear Sir— Enclosed please find a letter I received this week. The man 

 who wrote it is one I arrested two years ago for seining and again this 

 last summer, and both times convicted. 



There is a movement now on foot in Chicago to raise a fund to pay me 

 a salary by the year to lorfk after and enforce the flsh laws in Lake re- 

 gion and on Fox river. 



Yours truly, 



F. L. Buck. Wardai. 



Waucoxda. Xov. 12. 1892. 

 Warden Buck: 



There is going to be fishing through the ice this winter. We have got 

 letters from Betts the tishman. He will see no harm is done. Don't you 

 try to stop us or we will make it hot for you. Take my advice and stay 

 away. 



Yours truly. 



(Original letter on file in secretary's office.) 



Seahles. 



