432 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Dec. I, 1900. 
the entertamment. The hospitality was so genuine and 
extended so gracefully by President Alex. Starbuck and 
his associates that every one appreciated the welcome and 
felt perfectly at home. The important part played by Max 
Basse, the official chef of the club, was at once patent 
*°As"a whole the entertainment was most delightful, and 
the Cuvier Club more than maintained its enviable reputa- 
tion. 
Black Bass in the Potomac Trough. 
RoMXKY, W. Va., Nov. 24.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
I will endeavor to write vou a short and interesting ac- 
count of our hunting and fishing, and a description of 
the famous Trough of the South Branch of the Potomac. 
This year has been a fair one for the fishing, and a 
good many nice bass have been caught, but as there is 
no protection on the fish there will probably be no fish- 
ing in this river in a few years. The mill dams near 
the mouth of the river, without fishways, preventing the 
fish from getting up stream, the tie raftsmen catching 
them in the spring, gigging in the summer and fall, fish 
pots in the fall, so many people fishing and no restocking 
of the stream,' together with the unfortunate placing of 
carp in this stream, have been the factors that have prac- 
tically destroyed what was at one time the finest black 
bass stream in the United States. 
Those who have made the trip down this stream from 
Moorefield. Hardy county, through the famous Trough, 
say that it is not excelled anywhere in the country. This 
Trough is simply a stretch of water running between 
two m.ountains, a distance of eight miles, and consists 
of beautiful pools of very deep w-ater, to which the bass 
resort in colder weather. As no one lives in the Trough, 
of course fishing is better there than any place else._ A 
person desiring to fish there has to come down the river 
or go up in a'" boat. One of these pools is called Blue 
Pool, on account of the water being so deep that it 
looks, blue. The water at its normal stage in thi,S' pool 
is twenty-five feet deep. Last fall a man caught a bass 
belo.w this pool, in a fish pot, weighing 7 pounds i ounce, 
and sold it to a Mr. Taylor, of Wheeling, W. Va. 
I spent a week this fall with Mr. Owings, of Maryland, 
at the hospitable home of Mr. John D. Miller, who 
keeps a fishing resort near the lower end of the Trough. 
The" fish were not biting very well, although we had the 
finest bait that could be securel. But a night or two 
before we left there came a rain which raised the river, 
and we secured one beautiful 4j/2-pound bass out of an 
eel pot. among about three hundred eels. A crowd of 
Wheeling gentlemen were there at the same time, and 
one of their number caught a nice 4K-pound bass with 
hook and line. ' This gentleman's brother killed a nice 
18-pound wild turkey the day before his brother caught 
the fish, and they went back to Wheeling perfectly satis- 
fied with their trip. 
Elisha D. Buffington. 
C0MMIS.S10NER Elisha D. Buffingtok, of the Massa- 
chusetts Commission of Inland Fisheries and Game, died 
at his home in Worcester, Nov. 19. Mr. Buffington, says 
the Worcester Spy, was one of the best known men in 
central Massachusetts. The pharmacy which he founded 
and built up to its large proportions was known all over 
the country. The " medicines which the company sup- 
plied to druggists and physicians are recognized in hun- 
dreds of cities and towns. 
He was widely known in other ways than as a business 
man. He Avas a great sportsman and spent much time 
in fishing. So great did his prominence become as an 
angler that Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge selected 
him as a member of the Massachusetts Commission of 
Game and Inland Fisheries, and when his term expired 
he was reappointed by Governor Wolcott. 
He was a man of quiet tastes; he was methodical and 
businesslike; he had deep interest in many subjects. He 
was fond of flowers. He loved good pictures, of which 
he had some of the very best in Worcester, having re- 
ceived an offer of $15,000 for one alone. His beautiful 
residence on Chestnut street is a veritable curiosity shop. 
There are trophies of his many travels, in all parts of the 
world, everything arranged tastefully and to bring out its 
greatest interest. Mr. Buffington was a charming host, 
and delighted to show his curios and to tell the stories 
attached to each. 
Mr. Buffington was born at Swansea, on Cape Cod, 
Nov. 4, 1836. After attending the village schools he 
went West, in 1854, making the trip across the plains to 
California in a wagon train. . It was when the gold craze 
was at its height, but he did not stay in California long, 
returning home by way of Nicaragua. 
He was an expert pharmacist himself and kept abreast 
of the profession for years after his services were re- 
quired only in general supervision of the business. He 
made a specialty of homeopathic remedies, and of herbs 
and simples. When he was away in the woods he often 
availed himself of the opportunitj' to gather a little, stock 
of some especially fine si^ecimens of nature's remedies. 
M^;. Buffington had captured in his day more kinds nf 
game fish than any man in central Massachusetts. He 
had taken great trout and salmon in Maine and Canada. 
He had landed the giant tarpon over Florida reefs. He 
had fished the streams of Norway. Russia and other con- 
tinental countries, and landed Scotch salmon and English 
trout and graylings. The fish of Japan had been be- 
guiled to his hook. He had fished on the highest moun- 
tain in the island. And when he was on his way home 
from a trip about the world he whipped streams flowing 
from the Sierra Nevada and Rocky ^lountains. He was 
an expert with the rod and line. He was a great traveler. 
There is hardly a country of the northern hemisphere 
which he had not visited. He went to Europe a num- 
ber of times. Each winter he went to Florida, generally 
for the fishing. Occasionally in Florida, as in other 
climes, he handled a gun, and was no mean shot. 
He was a member of the Oquossoc Club, whose club 
house is in the Rangeley lakes. He was a member of 
the Woi-cester- arid ■ Commonwealth clubs, the Tatnuck 
Country Glub and grf the Massachusetts ■ and Home 
Ma fket clubs. 
Massachusetts Association. 
Boston, Nov. 26.— Editor Forest and Stream: By the 
death of Hon. E. D. Buffington, of Worcester, whose 
burial occurred on Thursday last, the sportsmen have 
lost a conscientious worker for fish and game protection. 
The question asked by many sportsmen I meet is "Who 
will be appointed by the Governor to fill the vacant 
place?" 
Inasmuch as for many years one member of the board 
has been from the western section of the State, and 
Governor Crane is himself from the town of Dalton, near 
Pittsfield, it is more than likely that he will feel called 
upon to weigh carefully the qualifications of candidates 
hailin.g from Worcester or further west. 
I have heard that a former member of Congress from 
New Bedford is not umviUing to serve as a commis- 
sioner. I understand that the gentleman is a sportsman, 
but I presume his chances would be better if he were 
a resident of one of the western counties. 
I hear that Mr. J. M. Stevenson, of Pittsfield, who has 
served acceptably on the Fish and Game Committee of 
the Legislature, would not be unwilling to accept the 
appointment. A clipping from the Worcester Telegram 
sent me by some friend, mentions three names, Messrs. 
Osgood Plummer, E. S. Knowles and A. B. F. Kinney. 
The article is from the paper of Nov. 24, and speaks in 
detail of the several candidates, and quite fully of Mr. 
Kinney's labors last winter as chairman of the Central 
Committee. 
We in Massachusetts have great confidence in the 
judgment of Gov. Crane, and expect he will make a good 
selection. 
Last Friday afternoon I visited Representative Hunt 
and President A. C. Sylvester, and the Sportsman's 
Show at N. Attleboro. Mr. Sylvester showed me over 
the extensive factory of which "he is in charge, and Mr. 
Hunt accompanied me to the Wamsutta Opera House, 
where the show was held. T found there a good number 
of iUongolian pheasants, provided by the State board, 
Belgian hares, from nearby, several tanks of trout of 
various ages, from Mr. Handy's hatchery, at S. 
Wareham, several handsome foxes, coons, one of the 
largest I ever saw — I think it would weigh 50 to 60 
pounds — squirrels, quail, carrier pigeons, wood and other 
kinds of ducks, beavers, muskrats, etc. There were 
also mounted specimens of game animals and birds, and 
a fine display of photographs of hunting scenes sent in 
by the B. & M. R. R. I have attended the shows in 
New York and Boston for several years, and considering 
the size of the hall, I am compelled to say the N. Attle- 
boro show was excellent, and the club is entitled to 
great credit for its ability to hustle, and its show of enter- 
prise. 
The sum of $2,000. lor fish and game uses, is expected 
to be netted from the show. 
Mr. Louis E. Morse is Vice-President, Edward E. King, 
Secretary-Treasurer; John E. Tweedy and C. C. Peck are 
denominated '■Representatives," whose duties as pre- 
scribed by Art. 5, Sec. 4 of the Constitution are "to repre- 
sent the interests of the Association in the Massachusetts 
Fish and Game Protective Association, and to present to 
that body the wishes of the local associations." 
On Saturday evening I had the pleasure of meeting 
the members of the East Weymouth Fish and Game 
Association, at the Masonic Hall, in that place, and of 
giving them a detailed account of the labors of the Massa- 
chusetts Fish and Game Protective Association from the 
date of the first conference of sportsmen's clubs, held in 
this State in November, 1898, to the enactment of the 
bird bill last June. 
Chairman Collins spoke of the organization of the 
force of State fish and game wardens, and the working 
of the bird law and others recently enacted. 
A letter just received from Dr. J. T. Herrick, president 
of the Springfield Club and an active member of the 
Central Committee, informing me that he leaves in a 
few days for North Carolina. 
Another letter from Geo. H, Palmei?, Esq., of New 
Berdford. is very welcome, as furnishing proof that this 
veteran of the good cause is still on deck. 
H. H. Kimball, Secretary. 
New Yofk Leagftie Meeting. 
New York, Nov. i. — The annual meeting of the New 
York Fish, Game and Forest League will be held at the 
Yates Hotel, Syracuse, N. Y., at 10:30 A. M., on Dec. 5. 
1900. and a full attendance is hoped for. 
Application for membership should be made tO' the 
secretary, who will gladly give any further information 
which may be desired. 
Robert B. Lawrence, President. 
Ernest G. Gould. Secretary, Seneca Falls, 
Mentt^t 
Fixtures. 
FIELD TRIALS, 
Nov. 30.— Newton, N. C— Continental Field Trials Club's sixth 
annual field trials— Members' Stake. Dec. 3, Derby. Theo. 
Sturges, Sec'y, Greenfield Hill. Conn. 
Dec. 10.— Paris, Mo. — Fourth annual field trials of the Missouri 
Field Trials Association. L. S. Eddins, Sec'y. Sedalia, Mo. 
190L 
Jan. 14.— Greenville, Ala.— Fifth annual field trials of the Alabama 
Field Trials Club. John B. Rosenstihl, Sec'y. 
Jan. 21.— Benton County, Miss.— Tenth annual field trials of the 
Tin ited States Field Trials Club. W. B. Stafford, Sec'y, Trenton, 
Tenn. j i y 
BENCH SHOWS. ' 
Nov. 28-30.— Philadelphia, Pa.— Second annual bench show of the 
Philadelphia Dog Show Association. M. A. Viti, Sec'y. 
Dec. 6-10.— Cincinnati, O. — Annual bench show of the Cincinnati 
Fox Terrier Club. J. C. Trohliger, Sec'y. 
1901. 
Feb. 26-March 1.— Cleveland, O.— Cleveland Kennel Club's annual 
bench show. C. M. Munhall, Sec'y. 
March 6-9.— Pittsburg, Pa.— Duquesne Kennel Club's annual 
-bfr.ch show. F, S. St?.dm^n, S^c'y. ~ 
Eastern Field Trial Club's Trials. 
The trials of the Eastern Field Trial Club this year 
evoked greater interest than has been manifested in sev- 
eral preceding years, so far as new attendance of visitors 
is considered. Mr. George Crocker, of San Francisco, and 
his guests, Mr. Chris. E. Worden, also of that city, and 
Mr. Hawkins, of New York, were in attendance, all 
missing the comforts of St. Hubert's Inn by living in 
their private car. Dr. G. G. Davis, of Philadelphia, the 
staunch friend of the Irish setter, was present during the 
Members' Stake. Messrs. Edm. H. Osthaus and E. L. 
Jamison, of Toledo; F. Andreas, F. R. Hitchcock, P. 
Lorillard. Jr.. Ansel Phelps, Wm. Duane, Miss JuHa 
Phelps, A. T. Fletcher, New York; E. M. Beale, Lewis- 
burgh, Pa. ; Capt. C. E. McMurdo, Charlottesville, Va. ; 
Edw. A. Burdett, Radnor, Pa. ; Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Dur- 
yea. Red Bank, N. J. ; Geo. Fox and Chas. E. Thomas, 
Philadelphia ; James E. Orr. Brooklyn ; Dr. J. S. Brown, 
Montclair. N. J. ; S. C. Bradley and daugtiter. Miss Eliza- 
beth, of Greenfield Hills, Conn. ; D. F. Pride, Cincinnati, 
O. ; A. Booth. Paterson. N. J., and numerous others. 
There were about forty horsemen following the trials on 
the pleasant days.. 
The judging in the open stakes was' dotie by the ex- 
perienced sportsmen. Messrs. A. Merriman. of Memphis, 
Tenn.. and Theodore Sturges. of New York. 
The grounds were not easily worked. Large areas were 
sowed with wheat, and such grounds were useless as a . 
preserve, and riding on them was prohibited. 
The annual meeting of the club was held in the St. 
Hubert's Inn, Nov. 20. President Lorillard presided. The 
members present were Messrs. Lorillard. Sturges, Orr, 
Burdett. Hitchcock, Duryea. Bradley and ^fown. The 
minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The 
old Board of Governors were re-elected. The officers 
were elected as follows : President, P. Lorillard, Jr. ; 
Vice-President, Theo. Sturges; Secretary and Treasurer, 
S. C. Bradley. 
The weather, although warm and pleasant part of the 
time, was unfavorable for good work, it being either too 
warm or too stormj'. Still, there was time lost unneces- 
sarily. The trials could have been ended on Saturday 
night had the trials been conducted with reasonable dili- 
gence. 
Members' Stake. 
The Members' Stake was run on Friday, Nov. 16. 
Clear, cold weather with a stiff eastern breeze were the 
weather conditions. Mr. S. C. Bradley acted as judge. 
Owners handled their dogs. 
The entries were: 
P. Lorillard, Jr.'s, b. w. and t. setter bitch Lenabelle (Sam- 
Minnie B.) with T. Sturges' b., w. and t. setter bitcll L^rk (Cin- 
cinnatus Pride — Antonio). ' 
P. Lorillard, Jr.'s, b., w. and t. setter dog Jean (Gleam's Pink — 
Dell V.) with Dr. J. S. Brown's b. and w. pointer bitch Nana B. 
(Ned B.— Callie Croxteth). 
Dr. J. S. Brown's b.. w. and t. setter dog Joe Gumming. Jr. 
(champion Joe Cuming — Laura) with Dr. G. G. Davis' Irish 
setter dog Jim Signal ( Lou). 
Prof. E. PL Osthaus' liv. and w. pointer dog Paladin (Rip Saw 
—Cricket) with P. Lorillard, Jr.'s b., w. and t. setter bitch Clara 
( )■ 
First Round. 
Lenabelle and Lark were cast oft at 9:14. Lena drew 
to a point on scattered birds in heavy cover, and others 
flushed wild as she was drawing on them. Next she 
flushed some birds, dropping to wing and holding a point 
on some remaining birds ; both steady. This bevy was 
followed, and she pointed again. Lark pointed a bevy 
just after the brace was ordered up. Lena was a bit the 
better ranger. Both were diligent, speed about equal. 
Up at 9:51. 
Jean and Nana B. were started at g -.56. Nana was 
difficult to handle. Jean was given to false pointing. 
Range and speed were fair. Jean pointed a single, which 
Nana flushed and chased. Nana next flushed a bevy ; Jean 
was steady to wing. Jean pointed a single and Nana 
flushed one. Up at 10 150. 
Joe Gumming, Jr., and Jim Signal were started at 10:57, 
On a marked bevy Joe pointed, Jim backed and both were 
inclined to unsteadiness. They made a very ordinary 
showing. Up at 11:34. 
Paladin and Clara were cast off at 11:58. A bevy was 
seen to flush near both dogs in heavy cover. They were 
followed into woods, but could not be found. Range 
and speed were good. Up at 12 :38. 
Second Round. 
Three brace were continued in the running as follows : 
Clara and Lark were started at 2 :03. Clara flushed a 
single near the edge of the woods. A bevy, seen to leave 
the woods close by, was near to where Clara was working. 
None found when followed. Lark pointed some scattered, 
birds ; Clara backed ; both steady. Lark was better in 
judgment in ranging and ground covered, but was more 
difficult to manage than was her competitor. Up at 2 -.46. 
Lenabelle and Paladin were cast ofif at 2:50. Lena was 
found pointing a bevy in heavy cover when found after a 
search, and was steady to shot and wing. On scattered 
birds. Paladin stopped to a flush on a single. Lena was 
the better in some good speed and range. Up at 3 -.ij. 
Jean and Joe Gumming. Jr.. were put down at 3:29 and 
were taken up at 3:51; nothing found. Their showing 
Avas very commonplace. 
The winners were announced as follows : P. Lorillard, 
Jr.'s, Lenabelle was first ; his Clara third, and Theodore 
Sturges' Lark was second. Mr. Lorillard waved his claim 
to a pitcher, donated by himself to the winner of first, and 
this prize went to second. Mr. Theodore Sturges donated 
a silver cup to the winner of third. Mr. Lorillard thus 
won the painting donated to the winner of first by Prof. 
Edwin H. Osthaus and the silver cup. 
The Derby. 
There were nineteen starters in the Dreby out of a total 
of fifty nominations. 
The competition as a whole was of a low order of 
merit. The apparent scarcity of birds undoubtedly aggra- 
vated this wearisome feature of the running, but had they 
been ever so abundant, still the grade of the work would 
have been mediocre or commonplace. There was no part 
of it that approached brilliancy in respect to the seeking 
of the birds or the work done on them when found. 
By f?ir the greater part pf the time was consttttied in 
