26 



Repairing to the locality again, an examination of surroundings 

 was made. A seine was hauled in the lake and all fish taken out, 

 of which there seemed yet a plentiful supply, seemed to be lively 

 and healthy, showing no indications of disease. The fish along 

 the shore were in such an advanced state of decomposition as to 

 make any detailed examination an impossibility. At Galena a sim- 

 ilar state of things existed, and a telegram from Mr. G. W. Per- 

 rigo, Chicago Times correspondent at Galena, said that the river 

 at that point was fairly covered with dead fish. The same trouble 

 was encountered there, however, as at Quincy. The fish came to 

 the surface all in one night, and, as in former case, too badly de- 

 composed to admit of an examination, and as soon as water cleared 

 up the remaining fish were found to be as usual, lively and in 

 good condition. At Carlinville, at Beaver Dam Lake, a similar 

 instance occurred at same time. On going on to the lake no indi- 

 cations of any unusual conditions could be found. The fish had 

 ceased dying, and such as remained were doing well. In every 

 instance a large proportion of the fish were of the larger ones, 

 yet not confined to any variety. 



Prof. Forbes, who promptly gave the matter his time and at- 

 tention, did not give an opinion as to cause of this mortality, 

 owing to the impossibility of making any examination as before 

 stated, and as in no instance could a sick fish be found, and none 

 dying after the one day, the cause could be only a subject of con- 

 jecture. We were also informed that a large number of carp 

 ponds were similarly affected, part of fish dying and only found 

 when in a decomposed condition they rose to the surface. 



PROTECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS. 



An unusual amount of interest taken of late years in the matter 

 of protecting fish and enforcing the laws, has resulted in the 

 forming of a large number of strong and influential organizations 

 in various parts of the State, and the sections of country _ affected 

 . by these organizations have been greatly benefited by their moral 

 infiuence, as well as by their efforts for the enforcement of the 

 laws. 



Fox lake and river have an organization whose membership 

 comprises all those who own property on Fox lake, many of these 

 being influential citizens of Chicago. To Mr. Geo. E. Cole, of 

 Chicago, our commission and the people of Fox river valley are 

 indebted for his energetic work in perfecting such an organiza- 

 tion and carrying out its i3rovisions. The C, B. & Q. Eod and 

 Gun Club, another strong organization, taking in its membership 

 residents of all the territory lying along the C, B. & Q. R. R., 

 from Aurora to Chicago, through its Secretary and Superintend- 

 ent, Mr. Wm. Wright, of Naperville, is doing a splendid work. 



At Galesburg a club, comprising about one hundred members, 

 is in process of organization, w^hose object is the better protection 

 of fish. 



