Feb. 7, 1903.] 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
113 
A Fish Story from the Pension Records. 
Washington, D. C, Jan. 28. — One would think that 
about the last place to look for a fish story would be 
among the Revolutionary pension cases, many of which 
have not been disturbed for fifty years and which, upon 
being opened now, give forth clouds of dust, literally 
the dust of ages. 
No general pension law for the benefit of Revolution-, 
ary soldiers was passed until 1818, so that from the 
deaths of comrades and the imperfection or absence 
of records, proof of service was difficult, hence appli- 
cants were required to give names of officers of low or 
high rank, describe the country through which they 
passed and relate incidents of their various campaigns 
as minutely as possible. In the claim of Job Philhps, 
dated May 23, 1833, he stated that he served in ai 
Pennsylvania regiment during the years 1776-77-78, and 
that Lieut.-Col. Russell, while crossing the North 
River, had both thighs broken by a sturgeon leapmg 
into the boat, in consequence of which he— the colonel, 
not the fish — died. 
That seems rather a robust yarn, but as there was 
no motive for exaggeration, it may be accepted as 
truth, or what the soldier thought to be truth. 
The weight of the fish was not stated. 
P. Ention. 
Artificial Cwltwre of Salmon in America. 
London, Jan. 17. — Editor Forest and Stream: Could 
you or any oE your readers give me authentic informa- 
tion as to where it has been proved that the salmon 
has been successfully introduced into and has stocked 
rivers in the United States in which it has been prac- 
tically or actually extinct. 
I see that Salmo, in the Jan. 10 issue of your delight- 
ful paper, says that the hatching of Pacific salmon in 
the var-ious U. S. Fish Commission hatcheries has 
assumed gigantic proportions. 
I have always understood that the results were also 
gigantic and of immense value, but certain scientific 
gentlemen in this country deny that it can be proved 
that artificial culture of salmon has been a success 
anywhere, as far as the stocking rivers with fish is 
concerned. They say there is gigantic success in col- 
lecting ova, hatcliing out fry and planting by the mil- 
lion, and that is about all there is to it, and they have 
used their influence to prevent the use of public funds 
for salmon stocking purposes in this country. 
It would be a great help to advocates of fishculture 
all over the world if you could publish unquestionable 
proof of the benefit derived from the artificial cultiva- 
tion of salmon in America. 
R. B. Marston. 
Editor Fishing Gazette, London, Eng. 
Old Dog Ponto. 
Fixtures. 
Feb. 11-14.— New York.— Twenty-seventh annual show of the 
Westminster Kennel Club. James Mortimer, Supt. 
Feb. 18-21.— Newark, N. J.— Show of New Jersey Kennel Asso- 
ciation. C. G. Hopton, Sec'y- , ^ , ^ „ 
Feb. 20-21.— Denver, Colo.— Bench show of Colorado KenneB 
'"Feb. 23-26.— Boston, Mass.— New England Kennel Club's nine- 
teenth annual show. W. B. Emery, Sec'y- ^ , ^, ■ /- 
March 4-7.— Pittsburg, Pa.— Show of Duquesne Kennel Club, ot 
Western Pennsylvania. ' , „ , -r- ,^11. 
March 10-13.— Rochester, N. Y.— Show of Rochester Kennel Club. 
March 12-14.— Coshocton, O.— Show of Coshocton Kennel Club. 
March ]7-20.— Uhrichsville. O.— Show of Twin City Kennel Club. 
March 25-28.— Chicago.— Show of Chicago Kennel Club. 
March 30-31.— St. Louis.— Show of St. Louis Collie Club. 
March 31-April 3.— Buffalo, N. Y.— Show of Buflfalo Kennel Club- 
April 1-4.— New Orleans, La.— Show of Southwestern Kennel. 
Club. . . , ^, ^ 
April 1-4.— Victoria, B. C— Show of Victoria Kennel Club. 
April 8-11.— Atlantic City, N. J.— Show of Atlantic City Kennel 
May 29-30.— Hempstead, L. I.— Open air show of Ladies' Kennel 
Association of Am erica. 
A Dog by Express. 
Llano, Tex., Jan. 25. — As Mr. Hough has told a dog 
story, I would like to relate a similar one. While mes- 
senger for the Express Companj' fifteen years 
ago I took on at a small station a genuine "nigger" 
hound valued at $50. He was a vicious fellow, and I 
did not try to cultivate a close acquaintance. We 
traveled all right for 100 miles or so, when all at once 
the dog came tearing out of the crate. Ldid not try 
to stop him, but just let him go. When we stopped at 
a water tank I did not try to close the door, but 
let him "hit the trail." In fact, I helped him alh that I 
could by throwing coal at him (by the way, I was 
on top of the highest pile of trunks in the car), this 
being all that I could pick up to defend myself with 
except my Colt .45, and I knew better than to shoot 
the dog. 
I was drawing only $60 per month then, and when 
that dog left the car I saw $50 of it pinned to his tail. 
Well we pulled out, and I was in a "pock o' trouble." 
I could not afford to pay $50 for a dog, and worse 
still, losing my job, w^as out of all reason. We had 
still to run one hour and fift}'- minutes, and I had that 
time to think it over. So by the time we reached 
S I had made up my mind to make a report of the 
whole matter and pay for the dog. Of course, I was 
blue. When we stopped the agent came to the car, and 
when he saw me he said, "Great Scot! Kid, what have 
you been crying about? Did you bet rattled?" I 
said "No, sir!" At that moment a negro boy came 
along with an exact counterpart, except the biting 
qualities, of the lost dog, and I said, "Say, Bill, you 
want to sell that dog?" "Yas, boss." That made me 
feel good. 
Well, I bought his dog for 50 cents and put him in 
the crate; and until this day that dog man is selling 
full blood "blood hounds" from that 50 cent dog — or 
his get. I have visited his ke-nnels and have heard 
him blow about his fine dog that he paid $50. for at 
P , and I smiled and drifted. 
Old Expressman. 
Springfield, Mass., Jan. 27. — Editor Forest and 
Stream: I take the liberty to .send you- a scrap clipped 
from the Springfield Republican, suggested by a kins- 
man of mine pertaining to the age, habits, training 
and native characteristics of an old worn-out English 
setter belonging to mc. His worth as a first-class 
dog in the field could not have been excelled by any 
dog of his breed. Perhaps you may tliink it not otit 
of place in your highly valued paper as a tribute to 
dogs, the valued companions to all sportsmen that 
are not so selfish as to deny to the brute creation a 
just recognition of worth. 
Henry R. Merritt. 
With Things at Sevens. 
\ • ' With things at sevens, or out of joint, j 
And stale-worn tuns the craze for gain'; : 7 
iOV 'Tis blest relief in fields to jaunt, ! 
■2, Up fill the hours with moments sane. ^ 
! 5 I call ray dog, Forespent — he's old, 
I His years show record in his face; 
% But not for me his love is cold, 
I I Nor lost his lineaments of grace. 
; I From Nature heart he purposed came; 
I I Her pleasure mold— she made him true; 
1 \ No blemish marks he bears of shame, 
i 5 No evil done his dog life through. 
' In field or run, or marsh, or wood, 
He's played his part, to flag nor fail, 
I How well his work he understood, 
f His count may show of grouse or quail. 
I 
I ^ Staunch, kind, and true, by nature wise, 
n- ' Presuming not, nor gross, nor vain, 
.' '■_ A world of goodness in him lies— 
I His life filled out without a stain. 
' ~ And is revealed, when from my hands 
He takes some dainty that he loves, 
5*1^ A will to bide but those commands 
Jl His instinct prompts, or, well approves. 
-''•v^" His work is done. But I caii see. 
When by the' wirtter fire he dreams, 
_ His native traits by sleep set free. 
To match the best in huntsmen's themes. 
' I love liim much, as he loves me; 
~ We're joined in all, as dearest friend;' 
^ His wants now few, the simple fee, 
31' Bed, food and drink, fill out the end. 
' He comes to me; he seems to know 
That I have wrestled some with years; 
; ' Has he a soul? I trust 'tis so, 
So well the fact his love declares. 
Aye, love like his can never die; 
• Immortal 'tis— To live! To live! 
From earth to heaven, it reaches high, 
! Death thralls it not, nor wound can' give. 
Christopher C. Merrit . 
SBiliNGFIELD, Jan. 21. 
Westmmstef Kennel Ciuh Enttfes. 
The number of entries of each of the different breeds, ^ 
and the total of all the entries for the forthcoming show 
of the Westminster ICennel Club are as follows : Blood- 
hounds 17, mastiffs 8, St Bernards 71, Great Danes 93, 
Newfoundlands 3, deerhounds 9, Russian wolfhounds 47,. 
greyhounds 21, foxhounds 11, pointers 119, English setters 
104, Irish setters 39, Gordon setters 17, Griffons 6, re- 
trievers 6, Chesapeake Bay dogs 4, sporting spaniels 183, 
collies 165, old English sheep dogs 61, Dalmatians 8,- 
poodles 63, bulldogs 177, French bulldogs 82. bullterriers 
107, Airedale terriers 53, Boston terriers 177, chow chows 
3, Basset hounds 11, beagles 87, dachshunds ^9, foxter- 
riers 143, Irish terriers 65, Scottish terriers 48, Welsh ter- 
riers 25, black and tan terriers 23, whippets 11, bkye ter- 
riers 6, Bedlington terriers 8, schipperkes 7, Yorkshire 
terriers 17, Maltese terriers 6, toy terriers 9, pugs 28,. 
Pomeranians 30, toy spaniels 102, miscellaneous 7. Total, 
2,346. 
Ifish Setter Club. 
' Chicago, Feb. 2.— The annual meeting of The Irish 
Setter Club of America will be held at the Madison 
Square Garden on Friday, February 13, at four ' o'clock, 
^- M. Geo. H. Thomson, Secretary. 
Work is being rushed on the new boat building for the 
cup defense by 'the Herreshoffs at Bristol, and it is now 
believed that she will be ready for launching by the mid- 
dle of April. The frames are all set up and the work 
of plating has commenced. Some of the interior bracings 
and trusses are already in place, and as all the material 
IS on hand there will be no delay on that score. The 
steel mast is nearly finished, it being constructed very 
much as Constitution's was, and the topmast will hou ie 
mside. Little authentic news can be learned about the 
new boat's design, as the greatest secrecv is being ex- 
ercised m every branch of the yacht's construction. 
The steamer Diamond State has been purchased by Mr 
August Belmont, and she wall be used as a tender to 
Constitution. The vessel, which has been used as a 
passenger and freight boat between Philadelphia and 
Wilmington, will be entirely refitted to meet her new 
requirements. She will be in charge of Captain James 
irice, who has been in command of Scout, Mr Bel- 
monts steam yacht Diamond State was built at Marine 
City, Mich m 1894. She is 172ft. long, 2Sft breadth 
^ J L ^.^^ engines are of 2,6qq l^orse-power, 
3nd she has a speed of 22 knots. *■ > 
The steamer Sunbeam has been chartered by Mr. C. 
Oliver Iselin and she will be used as a tender to the new 
cup defender now building at Bristol. Sunbeam was 
built at Essex, Mass., in 1900 and since that time has 
been in the fruit trade plying between Boston and the 
West Indies. She is 132ft. 6in. long, 30ft breadth and 
loft. Sin. depth. She has a speed of about 12 knots. 
Thames Houseboats. 
As the Thames became more thickly populated, it was 
necessary to increase the regulations for public con- 
venience and for health, and consequently the rules re- 
garding houseboats are now very strict' The Con- 
servancy issue a long list of places where these craft 
may not moor, on account of interference with the traffic 
or with private rights, and sanitary regulations to pre- 
vent pollution of the river have been much rnore stringent 
in recent years, not even a lavatory basin being permitted 
to drain into the Thames. So it comes that houseboats 
arc forced into certain districts, chiefly where there is 
opportunity for obtaining a plot of land, and these 
inclosures are often made picturesque' little gardens. 
This grouping together gives a most charming appearance 
to certain reaches, those, for example, at Molesey, 
Staines, Datchet, Bourne End and Flenley, and there is 
not a great deal of movement during the season, except 
about Henley time, when many craft are taken up or 
down to the famous regatta town by their attendant 
launches or by tug, while some other regattas will attract 
a few houseboats from their accustomed moorings to the 
respective courses. 
Several Thames boat builders have rtiade quite a repu- 
tation for houseboats, one of the chief being James 
Taylor, of Chertsey, and to Mr. W. Bates, the manager 
of the firm, I am' indebted for the accompanying plans. 
This builder is taken pa;rticularly as he introduced a 
distinct novelty a few years since in the center-saloon 
houseboat, and the plans show clearly the difference in 
design of the two types. Little description is necessary, 
as the dimensions and interior arrangements of tvs^o typi- 
cal English boats are shown clearly on the plans. These 
craft are perfectly representative of Thames houseboats 
of the larger class, and are the most useful description to 
purchase, as they are readily sold and easily let. It is 
better to' purchase what one may describe as "self-con- 
tained boats," with kitchen, etc., on board, and then, if 
cooking operations are objected to, a small craft may be 
obtained for culinary purposes, and for the accommo- 
dation' of servants. Boats at permanent moorings, how- 
ever, when there is land available, often have a kitchen 
and domestic offices in their garden plot For those who 
dc not require such large craft as those mentioned above, 
there are numerous small craft to be obtained, say from 
about 35 feet long upwards, with saloon, three bed 
rooms, etc. 
With regard to the number' a;ild sizes of houseboats on 
(he Thames I cannot do better than quote from one of the 
registration lists' of the Conservancy, who for inhabited 
craft charge an amount of £s for a boat of 30 feet in 
length and £2 for each six inches over 30 feet. Boats not 
used are exempt from payment, and those used as dress- 
ing places or storerooms are only charged one guinea each 
per annum. 
A list I have before me is the first issued last season, 
and_ contains the names of 125 pleasure boats. The fol- 
lowing are those of 50 feet and over: 
Athens 55ft, Annie Laurie 63ft, Aida 79ft., Albatross 
St),ft., Arcady 53ft., British' Queen 74ft, Bohemian Girl 
soft. Banshee 50ft., Bedouin 6oft., Balaclava 71ft, 
Cigarette 119ft, Cecil 75ft., Cardinal 65ft., City of Lon- 
don, 69ft., Chez Nous 65ft., Czarina 50ft., Caprice 50ft., 
Dabchick 65ft, Dunottar Soft, Empress 66ft., Eileen 67ft., 
Prog SQft, Folly 78ft, Fair Maid of Perth 119ft,- Glow- 
worm 68ft., Guinevere 63ft, Gloriana 103ft, Golden But- 
terfly 50ft., Golden Grasshopper Soft., Genesta ^sft., 
Geisha 71ft, Hirondelle 6oft., Happy Thought 6oft., H. 
M. S. Pinafore 65ft, Ibis 113ft., Idler 53ft, Kittiwake 
95ft., Kelpie 63ft., Kingfisher 74ft., Kopperty soft.. Kismet 
90ft., Kelpie 66ft., Lazyland 55ft., La Reine 6oft., Lelia 
soft. Lotos 50ft., Lotus soft, Minnehaha 6sft., Mirabelle 
soft. Madcap 50ft., Maid.' of Kent 6oft, Miranda 79ft., 
Nepoo soft:. Nautilus 70ft., - Nightingale 1 11 ft., Rouge ct 
Noir soft.. Red Rover Ssft., River Home 52ft., Rippledene 
S'oft, River God soft. Swan 61 ft, Siesta 91ft, Stella 
71ft, Sunbeam SSft., Syrinx 76ft, ■ Summerholme 74ft., 
Thistle 90ft, Venezia 66ft., Venice 68ft., Yahnehune Soft 
In some cases the extra size includes tenders. A 
further list contains about 40 names of rowing and swim- 
ming club barges, and what are really floating boat- 
houses, the Oxford College bayges, of course, figuring 
largely. - ' . . 
As an instance of the popularity of houseboats on the 
Thames, it may be stated that the registration fees add 
well over £900 to the Conservancy funds each year. 
In the special list of places where houseboats may not 
moor, the Henley Regatta course is included, but this 
restriction is waived during the regatta week, when posi- 
tions are allotted to subscribers to the funds, chiefly 
according to their liberality in this direction. Owing to 
certain unnecessary regulations regarding sub-letting, 
Henley houseboats ' were considerably reduced in number 
for a season or two, but last year there was again a good 
muster, and several' of the accompanving photographs 
were taken during the regatta, wdien every effort is made 
by artistic decoration, floral and otherwise, to make these 
charming craft more than ordinarily beautiful, and Hen- 
ley week on a well-appointed houseboat may be safely 
recommended as an excellent method for disposing of 
superfluous dollars. A good boat will fetch £150 ifor the 
week, subscription to the regatta fund means' an extra 
£2o_ for a good place, and there are no limits to hos- 
pitality for those who mean to do the thing well. 
At ordinary times a good boat will fetch £10 a week, 
so that altogether there are worse investments than a 
houseboat on the Thames; in fact, it* has always been a 
surprise to me that some company has not worked a small 
corner in them. A boat of, sav, 60 feet long with good 
accommodation will cost to build from £400 to £soo 
and furniture, small craft, etc., could be obtained "for 
another £100. On such a craft one would be very un- 
fortunate not to clear £100 for several years, and then 
there would be an asset worth £400. 
There are generally plenty of boats on the Englisij 
