408 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



fJtTNE 17, 1888. 



other emetics failed to act; both. died. In another family a 

 father, mother and daughter died from the same cause. They 

 suffered much pain, with swelling of the abdomen, skin purple 

 and benumbed, with greenish saliva from the mouth. Another 

 case is worth giving, because of the symptons, from a work 

 published in the last century. "A Shanghai graduate when 

 on the eve of departing for the Pekin examination, enter- 

 tained his friends at a banquet; being hungry, just before the 

 guests' arrival he partook of some porpoise; when his friends 

 arrived he found himself unable to make the usual salutation 

 with his hands, they were paralyzed ; soon his whole body be- 

 came numb, and then his abdomen distended greatly, and he 

 died quickly. 



It would seem that porpoise poisoning is commoner on the 

 Yangtsze than on the coast, as if the ascent of the great river 

 renders it less fit for food as a like toilsome journey does the 

 shad. It is well known that sailors eat porpoise caught at sea 

 with impunity, and islanders, as the Japanese, rarely suffer 

 from porpoise eating. 



Poisonous Pish.— The Nine^o Gazetteer describes a fish, 

 popularly called "tiger fish," which, by its needle-like tail, in- 

 flicts poisonous wounds on men and kills fish; men thus 

 wounded suffer excruciating and protracted pain, say the 

 people, who also declare that the spinous tail, if driven into a 

 tree, will kill it; however, I have not found it hurtful in that 

 manner. Somewhat similar is the "tiger fish," with hedgehog- 

 like spines, which, piercing men, occasion pain; its bite is 

 oisonous, and so is its flesh. On the coast of Chekiang and 

 uhkien the "swallow-red fish" is found, which resembles the 

 "ox-tailed fish." It darts with extreme velocity, inflicting 

 painful wounds on mussel divers. Yet worse is the poisonous 

 wound inflicted by a species of ray which has three spines in 

 its tail ; the pain is such as to keep the suff erer groaning for 

 successive days and nights. 



"A sort of sturgeon is found at Loyang which resembles a 

 pig ; its color is yellow. Its stench forbids near approach, and 

 it is very poisonous; notwithstanding, when properly pre- 

 pared, it is considered fit food for the Emperor, for it consti- 

 tutes an article of tribute." 



The tedradom or globe-fish, is rejected by costal fishermen, 

 because it is poisonous, but those globe-fish that ascend the 

 river are sought for, and when eviscerated and dried, are 

 edible. 



A silure, or mud-fish, is hurtful, particularly the kind with 

 reddish eyes and no gills. No kind is to be eaten with ox 

 liver, or with wild boar or venison. A small species of shark, 

 called "white shark," having a rough skin and hard flesh, is 

 slightly poisonous. Several kinds of eels are represented as 

 hurtful. Some Ningpo people will not eat eels without first 

 testing them. They are placed in a deep water jar, and if on 

 the approach of a strong light they spring up, they are thrown 

 away as not fit for food. There is a kind of eel that has its 

 head turned upward that is not to be eaten. Eels that have 

 perpendicular caudal fins are to be discarded; also, those with 

 white, spotted backs, those without gills, the "four-eyed" 

 kind, the kind with black striped bellies, and the kind that 

 weigh four or five catties. The Pen-ts'ao shows the fallacy of 

 the popular belief that eels spring from dead men's hair, by 

 stating that they have eggs. 



The "stone-striped fish" is described as causing vomiting. 

 "It resembles the roach (?), and is a foot long with tiger-like 

 markings. There are no males among these fish. According 

 to native report, the females copulate with snakes, and have 

 poisonous roes. In the south these fish are hung on trees 

 where wasps' nests are found, by which means birds are 

 attracted that devour the wasps. They swim on the surface 

 of the water, but on the approach of men dive down." 



A curious accoimt is given of a poisonous lacertian, "It is 

 amphibious, living in mountain creeks. Its forefeet are like 

 those of a monkey, its hinder resemble those of a dog; it has 

 a long tail, is seven or eight feet long, and has the cry of a 

 child, which is indicated by the mode of writing one of its 

 names. It climbs trees, and in times of drought fifls its mouth 

 with water, and concealing itself in jungle, covering its body 

 with leaves and grass, expands its jaws. Birds, seeing the 

 water therein contained, attempt to slake their thirst in the 

 trap, when they are soon gulped down. The poison that it 

 contains is removed by suspending it from a tree, and beating 

 it until all flows out in the form of a white fluid." 



Many crustaceans are poisonous— fifteen kinds are enumer- 

 ated—several of them monstrosities. Antidotes for crab- 

 poisoning are sweet basil or thyme, the juice of squash or of 

 garlic, etc. Crabs eaten in pregnancy cause cross presenta- 

 tion. Crabs are not to be eaten with persimmons. The flesh 

 of the king crab (Limulus longispina) is sometimes poisonous, 

 and is employed as an anthelmintic. Field and ditch prawns 

 are included in the list of poisonous crustaceans. Oysters are 

 hurtful betimes n China as elsewhere. 



POISONING PISH. 



Allied to the subject of poisonous fishes is that of fish pois- 

 oning. At an early stage of their history, anterior perhaps to 

 the legendary period when it is said the Chinese made the dis- 

 covery of fire, and ere they acquired the art of fishing, they 

 probably found dead fishes floating on the surface of streams, 

 and in the course of time observed that the fall of certain 

 seeds into the water was followed by the rise of fish to the 

 Burface. Then commenced the practice, which has continued 

 to the present day, of catching fish by poisoning them. An- 

 other writer, referring to western China, says: "The waters 

 are perfectly clear, and the people do not use nets in fishing ; 

 but in the winter season construct rafts and from these throw 

 on the water a mixture of wheat and the seed of a species of 

 polygonum pounded together, which being eaten by the fish, 

 they are killed and rise to the surface, but in a short time 

 they come to life again. This they call making the fish 

 drunk," 



In eastern Turkistan fish are obtained in a similar manner. 

 "In the spring when the melted snow has swollen the rivers 

 the fish are seen swimming about in all quarters. The fisher- 

 men immediately take a solution of herbs and sprinkle it on 

 the water, by which the fish become perfectly stupefied and 

 are easily caught. Mahomedans do not eat them to any great 

 extent, except when mulberries are ripe, which are eaten 

 always with them." 



In this part of China seeds of the Croton tiglium are em- 

 ployed very extensively for the same purpose. They are pow- 

 dered and cast into the water, and being, like the polygonum, 

 extremely acrid, speedily kill the fish and crustaceans that 

 partake of them; these seeds render them colorless and flavor- 

 less, but not hurtful. Purchasers are never deceived, as their 

 appearance discloses their mode of death; they are bought by 

 the poor because of their cheapness. Similar modes of poison- 

 ing tishprevail also on portions of the Grand Canal adjacent 

 to the Yangtsze, which sometimes call for the magisterial in- 

 terdicts because damaging to public health. One of the dis- 

 trict magistrates of Suchow lately issued a proclamation for- 

 bidding the sale of the "thunder-duke creeper, which mis- 

 creants employ for catching fish, terrapins, prawns, crabs and 

 the like, killing them and injuring men." 



Many centuries before our era, according to the Chou Polity, 

 game laws existed, which interdicted the use of poison in the 

 capture of fish (and of other animals as well) in the spring 

 months; poisoning or capturing them in anyway being re- 

 stricted to autumn and winter, or when the animals attained 

 maturity. 



Wenchow, January, 1886. 



SUPPLEMENTARY. 



The I-pan-lu states that on the Yangtsze, where the waters 

 are brackish, from commingling of salt and fresh water, the 

 porpoise is delicious food in early spring, but later it becomes 

 rank and poisonous. 



An interesting fact is added, which shows that animal to be 

 subject to a disease which is manifested by a peculiar erup- 



tion on the abdomen, which presents a mottled appearance of 

 various colors, smooth and bright like castor oil seeds, vary- 

 ing in number. In this condition the fish is yet more rank, 

 more offensive to smell, very poisonous, but still most tooth- 

 some. Besides rejecting these as food, reject also such as have 

 two pupils to each eye, or such as show blood in stripes on the 

 back : the female containing roe— all these are to be buried, 

 lesfc dogs and poultry eat them, which would prove quickly 

 fatal. Males containing a white substance are innocuous and 

 excellent eating. 



In cooking, remove the prickly skin, cut it up fine and boil 

 together with the other portions. That portion of the tail 

 which has no spines is the best flavored— it merits to be styled 

 Yang-fi's stocking (as the fatty part is called after an imperial 

 beauty of Chinese history). The flesh, liver, gills, fins, are all 

 to be most thoroughly washed before cooking; place lard 

 or oil in the. pot and add wine, soy, onions, ginger, sugar, etc. 

 Boil slowly for half a day, for if insufficiently boiled the pot- 

 tage will surely kill the eater. 



Porpoises disappear with the close of spring. What becomes 

 of them then is not known. In Suchau, every family eats 

 that fish, and for several tens of years I have heard of no 

 deaths therefrom, which is not that as food they are less harm- 

 less, but because they are more thoroughly boiled. 



Several years ago a friend presented me with two porpoises. 

 I prepared them myself, but after making a meal of their flesh 

 my mouth puckered up, and my hands became numb for a 

 short time, eating the same on the following day, my mouth 

 and hands were affected in the same manner, and I felt gener- 

 ally unwell. I took some olive, canarium, which proved anti- 

 dotal. None of my family suffered from the viand that made 

 me ill, which showed either that I was weak at the time, or 

 had eaten more than they. Some days later, however, those 

 who had suffered from previons disorders, experienced a re- 

 turn of their old affections, as I did myself. I therefore caution 

 those who are fond of porpoise, to partake sparingly of the 

 delicious food. 



On the Cheh-kiang coast dried porpoise is sold all the year 

 round by fish-mongers. It requires protracted boiling to be- 

 come safe eating. 



According to the Dictionaire Oorean-Francaise, there is in 

 the Korean coast waters a fish entirely round, a sea-toad, 

 which is seldom eaten ; its liver is a mortal poison. 



Wenchow, February 35, 1886. 



Address all communications to the Forest and Stream Publish- 

 ing Co. ' 



THE TRAJECTORY TEST. 



'TVHE full report of the Forest and Stream's trajectory test of hunt- 

 -■- ing rifles has been issued in pamphlet form, with the illustra- 

 tions and the tabular summary, making in all 96 pages. For sale at 

 this office, or sent post-paid. Price 50 cents. 



THE SHACKER BAND. 



Editor Forest and Stream : 



Last January, Wilber Day, a most notorious poacher 

 of Wesley, Maine, was tried and convicted for burning 

 the house and barn and poisoning the cow, of Fish and Game 

 Warden Fred Munson, of Wesley, in the night time, July 

 17, 1885. 



It was proved on Day's trial that there was a crowd of 

 young scoundrels calling themselves the "Sbacker Band of 

 Wesley," the name in Indian language meaning Deer Band. 

 This organization has been in existence for over fifty years, 

 but under other names suited to the exigency of the time. 

 The purpose of this organization is to break down all law 

 and restraint that should in the least interfere with depraved 

 tastes. This crowd of young villains had been taught by 

 the example of their parents and older companions, polished 

 by the careful perusal of dime novel literature all their lives, 

 and it is not wonderful that the result should be that they 

 are finished criminals. 



At the Supreme Court, holden at Calais in April, Dever- 

 eauxFenlason, another of this band, was tried and convicted 

 for the same offense. The number concerned directly in the 

 burning of Munson's buildings must have been ten or more. 

 I mean the number at the fire the night of July 17, 1885; 

 and at least ten more knew that the building was to be fired. 

 No effort will be spared to bring the whole band to justice. 

 A motion for a new trial was made in each case but was over- 

 ruled by Judge Libby, and exceptions were then filed to the 

 ruling of both Judge Libby and Dan forth and sent up to the 

 Law Term to be holden at Bangor this month. In case the 

 higher court does not grant a new trial these leaders of the 

 Shackers will receive their sentences at the Supreme Judicial 

 Court to be holden at Machias the second Tuesday in October 

 next. These fellows could not have made such afight had not 

 outsiders helped. We know that poachers and marketmen 

 contributed from all parts of the county ; but after the cus- 

 sedness of the crowd was exposed in court there was a great 

 change in public sympathy, and now I doubt if it would be 

 possible for them to get help outside their band. 



That your readers may better understand the importance 

 of bringing this band of outlaws to justice, I must refer to 

 the character of Wesley and its inhabitants during the last 

 fifty years, so that you may also better see the difficulties we 

 have had to encounter the last year in not only maintaining 

 game protection, but in protecting our own persons and 

 property. 



Wesley is situated twenty miles northeast from Machias 

 on the border of the great Machias Woods, the best deer 

 park in Maine. Tradition tells us that a turbulent spirit was 

 early developed in one portion of Wesley, and this spirit has 

 steadily increased with the growth and decay of the town 

 until the present time. One of the first acts of lawlessness 

 was the attack on Sheriff Hapgood by several men dressed 

 as Indians, who fired several shots at him, one bullet passing 

 through his hat, and clipped his horse's mane and tail , and 

 they burned property in his custody which had been taken 

 for debt. Years rolled on, and the better portion of the 

 community formed a church and had good schools, and the 

 town prospered. Smart men and women were reared in this 

 town, an honor to county and State; but many of these 

 sought their fortunes in other lands never to return, while 

 on the other hand, those of the lawless party were sure to 

 return, and in some cases had to be helped to return by the 

 town. The population in 1850 was 783; now it is about 250. 

 This emigration has changed the character of the town, 

 throwing the balance of power, by a small majority, into the 

 hands of the lawless, or as they say, "the Shackers rule." 

 Better families cannot be found in Maine than some of those 

 living in Wesley, but at this time they are at the mercy of 

 their fraternal enemies . It is hoped that a brighter day is 

 beginning to dawn in Wesley now that the heel of the law is 

 upon some of the necks of its wicked citizens. 

 *To return to my subject— this turbulent spirit, which was 



continually warring with the better element of society, came 

 prominently to the surface at the breaking out of our civil war. 

 They formed a company, drilled and prepared to resist 

 recruiting and the draft, to use force if necessary. The draft 

 came, and they resisted, killing Lieutenant Edwards, Deputy 

 Provost Marshall, while in the discharge of his duty, and 

 then they fled into New Brunswick. This was the most 

 cruel murder in Maine during the war and showed a deprav- 

 ity of hearts not equalled or surpassed by any criminals in 

 the United States. Time passed aud no effort was made to 

 hunt out and punish these criminals; officers died or moved 

 out of the State, witnesses were scattered, and finally one 

 by one the outlaws returned; but they were not good citi- 

 zens, for they were ever ready to engage in any pursuit, law- 

 ful or otherwise, that would give promise of remuneration. 

 They made most adroit smugglers and gave much trouble to 

 officers of the Government, they plundered the land owners, 

 taking vessel knees and shingle rift wherever they could find 

 it. They set fire to timberland through malice, plundered 

 logging camps, and whenever offended set fire to mills, 

 barns, houses and such other property as the torch would 

 destroy. This is the history of that lawless spirit as it comes 

 down through the different generations to the present time, 

 and now for the first time has the law stepped in to restrain 

 or quell it. Formerly, whenever^the law was invoked, per- 

 jury would clear the criminals; for that reason honest men 

 shunned the law, and matters were allowed to drift on to 

 destruction, as the rapid depopulation plainly demonstrates. 



When the fish aud game laws were enacted, then this 

 element again came to the surface; but it was of a younger 

 generation, with a few of the older ones to plan and cheer 

 them on. They have up to the present resisted the laws, 

 giving no heed whatever to them unless compelled to. The 

 belter portion of the citizens of Wesley soon found it was 

 for their interests to have the laws enforced, and they de- 

 manded it. Wardens were appointed in Wesley, and then 

 the war commenced. Wardens and all interested in game 

 protection determined to put a stop to this miserable destruc- 

 tion of game in the very midst of our best game region, and 

 our worthy Commissioner, Mr. Stilweb 1 , gave us his most 

 hearty support. 



In the summer of 1884 complaint was made that Wesley 

 parties were killing deer for the market. Wilmot Thomp- 

 son caught Wilber Day and younger brother in the act and 

 made complaint. Day was indicted, but escaped arrest until 

 March, 1885, when two wardens, Pettingall and Munson, 

 succeeded in arresting and putting in. jail this most accom- 

 plished poacher. He was tried at Calais, convicted and 

 fined, and gave bonds for his appearance at the Superior 

 Court to be holden at Machias the following October. This 

 made the Sbacker Band furious, and they determined, to 

 use their own language, to '"clean out the whole thing" at 

 any cost. The two active leaders, Wilber Day and Deve- 

 reaux Fenlason, raved about town like madmen, armed 

 with rifles, pistols and knives, hunting they said, for the 



"d d wardens." Otheis met them at night and made 



plans for mischief. 



Complaint was made in May that parties were hunting 

 and killing deer on the Race Grounds, selling them for otic 

 dollar each to boil for feed for hens and to make into com- 

 post. Wardens Thompson and Munson were sent to catch 

 the villains, and were attacked in the Voods by Fenlason 

 and another Shacker, who is now a good protectionist. 

 The wardens, being well armed, escaped uninjured. These 

 two fellows were arrested, tried before Justice Wilder, of 

 Machias, and put under bonds to keep the peace for six 

 months. This made Fenlason more furious, but his friend 

 left the Shackers. 



Soon after this a demonstration was made on Munson's 

 bouse, next his garden was destroyed in the night and his 

 apple trees girdled. Then more threats were made. On July 

 17 Munson had business at Machias, which would take him 

 from home over night. Mrs. Munson, as usual when her 

 husband was absent, was expected to stop at her father's, 

 Mr, John H. Gray, about one-half mile from her own house. 

 After milking the cow, feeding the pig, and locking up the 

 barn and the house, Mrs. Munson went to meeting and from 

 there to her father's house. This was the opportunity for 

 the Shackers. They put out their guards, and after they 

 were sure all was quiet, Day and Vance broke open the 

 barn, drove out the cow and fed her with Paris green and 

 meal ; then left for home, about three-fourths of a mile from 

 Munson's. Then Fenlason left his beat and touched a match 

 to hay in the barn ; others had previously kerosened the house 

 and shed. It was proven at the trial of both Day and Fen- 

 lason that about one hour elapsed after the fire was dis- 

 covered by the two nearest neighbors before the alarm was 

 given. It is needless to say these neighbors were Shackers 

 of both sexes and most accomplished liars. While the build- 

 ings were burning, Wilber Day at David Vance's house, as- 

 sisted by Vance, wrote this letter: 



"Frind Zine— I rite to inform you we have begun the fun and shall 

 follow our band on E. M. Smith & Son and Hunter the davail aud 

 W. T. and Hill. - From a Frind." 



This note was found the next morning on the doorstep of 

 Warden Zina Pennell, at Whitneyville, sixteen miles from 

 Vance's house. It was proved that Wilber Day wrote this 

 note, and it is known David Vance assisted and J. W. Day 

 placed it on Pennell's doorstep. 



After Munson's home with all its contents was burned, 

 the family being left without a change of clothing, Mr. John 

 H. Gray gave them shelter, and Machias friends assisted 

 by presenting Mrs. Munson with a purse of $100. Mrs. 

 Munson was the only daughter of Mr. John H. Gray, an old 

 and most worthy citizen of Wesley. Elated by the prospect 

 of driving Munson out of town, the Shackers left this note 

 for Mr. Gray: 



"Mr. John Gray- If you keep that damd black Fred Munson 

 round your place you will have roast pig, too. Get rid of bim as 

 soon as" you can, for if you don't you will be burnt out before a month 



Koes by. We have started the tun and we will keep it up. By , 



we mean it. Get the damd cuss out and your all right; if you don't, 



down it burns. We will take some of your cattle as a proof, by . 



— Remember. ' ' 



This convinced all that something must be done; and the 

 best citizens of Wesley petitioned Gov. Robie for aid. The 

 town could do nothing, for the Shackers were in small 

 majority, though they represented but a still smaller part of 

 the propeity in town. Gov. Robie responded at once, and 

 plans were made to hunt out and bring these villains to jus- 

 tice. My property and person being threatened, I assisted 

 the officers as much as my time and means would allow. I 

 was obliged to hire a special watch for my home when out 

 of town for the greater part of the season. Mr. Stilwell 

 directed his wardens to assist in every way possible, and they 

 gave us most efficient aid. 



All was chaos in Wesley. I never witnessed such scenes- 

 frightened women and children, all work nearly suspended. 



V 



