Newspaper Page Text
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THE SOUTHERN WORLD, JULY 15, 1882.
(Florid* Dispatch.)
THE •* CHANNEL CAT.”
IVlint Ornirnl Spinner Known Abont
till* Fine FInIi.
Jackrokvill*, Florida.
Some years ago, I detected, (as I then ex
pressed it,) our good friend, Colonel Spratt,
fishing for, and catching catfish. Knowing
him to be a good sportsman, I was astonished
at what I then thought his vulgar employ
ment. I laughed at him, and said to him
thateven “our Anglo-Saxon fellow-citizens
of African descent’’ would be indignant if
fishes of thatspecies fastened to their hooks;
and that I had noticed they always killed
them, by knocking them off their hooks
with a club that they carried with them for
that purpose. The Colonel assured me, that
the kind of catfish that he was fishing for
and catching, were salt water fish, entirely
unlike the black cattish that is the common
scavenger about our city wharves; that he
had tried them, and found them a most
delicious article of food. Soon after that,
being at Philadelphia, I went on an excurs
ion on a steamer up the Schuylkill, where I
noticed, as we passed, a large house on shore,
having a sign the whole length of the build
ing, with letters os large as cart-wheels the
legend on which was, "Catfish and Waf-
flkh ! ’* I thought of the Colonel’s experi
ences, aud on enquiring, found that it was
a famous resort of epicures, who patronized
Die pluce on uccount of the catfish delicacy,
and tliut tlie popularity of the place was due
to this kind of cattish, and the manner of
serving them to the guests from the city. I
then recollected liuving eaten, at Vienna, in
Austria, the Silure, or the Sihtrcut yhuait of
Die Danube, which is a cattish, and how 1
relished it, and how highly it was prized all
over the continent of Europe.
More recently, being at May port, with an
empty stomach, I called on “mine host,”
lturrows, for a tisli dinner. Among the fish
that lie hail on hand, he mentioned mil water
catfish. Again recollecting what Colonel
Spratt had told me, and my other experi
ences in regard to this tisli, 1 chose It fried
for dinner. 1 have had reason ever since to
be thankful that I did. Never was a dinner
enjoyed with greater gusto. For the superior
skill in cooking all kinds of tisli, for which
friend Burrows is famous, aud on account
of my keen appetite, I then referred my rel
ish for this tisli. But I have since, after re
peated trials, found this particular kind of
cattish su|»erior, (to my taste.) to any other
fish that is tuken in the waters of the St.
John’s ltiver.
I was now led to examine the wliule sub
ject in regard to the great family of Siluridtu,
and found tliut the generuand species of this
tisli are very numerous—running all the way
up from the most repulsive and disgusting,
to the most cleanly and delicate kind of ull
fishes. The Inst adjective is particularly
applicable to their table quality.
In Johnson’s Cyclopiediu, will he found
under the head Cuttish, the following: “The
sea cuttish (llnlcicthi/'t marlnue,) is kindred
to the above genus and is u fine tisli fur the
table."
(ienio C. Scott, who knows os much of the
goed-for-fuod Italics of our country, saving
always Seth Drccn, as any other man, in his
charming book entitled “ Fishing in Amer
ican Waters,” says, in treating of cuttish;
“There is one called the ‘Lady Cat,’ or
‘ channel cat’-fish, which tenants the Mis
souri ltiver, and is not only a great table
luxury, but one of the most gamy tishes of
the West.” Of the particular catfish under
consideration he says: “ The estuary catfish is
an ovipartu abdominal, and one of the recent
visitants to our coasts and estuaries from the
Bahama Banks. The first rays of the dorsal
and pectoral fins are rigid; second dorsal
adi|iose; head broad and depressed on the
top, with small catfish eyes placed far apart;
lung attenme; two distinct nostrils at end
of nose, with ear vents at the side, below the
eyes. It is without scales, and Its blue back
mellows to pink sides, and white abdomen.
Its colors and brilliant sheen are like the
Spanish mackerel’s, withqpt its spots. It is
leather-mouthed, and the mouth small,
armed with a cushion of fine, needle-pointed
teeth round the borders of both jaws, show
ing that it may forage on cruitacea, and the
inhabitants of the waters generally. An in
dividual 20 inches long weighs scant two
liounds, and it seldom attains to a greater
than ten pounds, and from itagreat delicacy
it resembles the Lady Cat of the Missouri
River, and the Spanish mackerel of the At
lantic coast. Though generally captured in
fykes, it is a bottom-biter to the angle, with
menhaden or shedder-crab baits.”
The fellow who threw away a trout that
had taken his bait, with the remark—"I
want none such—when Igoa-catting, I cat,”
knew more than the thousands who have
laughed at his supposed folly; for the salt
water catfish is vastly superior to the so-
called “ trout" of our waters, and to my taste
more delicate as a pan fish than any other
that visits the St. John's River.
Now, my dear Colonel, wbat I desire is,
that if on investigation you shall find, what,
I feel sure you will, that this peculiar so-
called catfish, is the very best pan fish that
swims in our waters, you will “ write him
up," and give him the good character that is
due. Let our people understand that they
are rejecting and throwing away as worth
less, the most delicious and delicate of all
our fishes, on account of bis remote relation
ship to the common black catfish that patrols
our wharves. The two are no more alike,
than are the savory pike and the gar; or our
delicious mullet and the miserable sucker,
that you and I know, of the Mohawk
River.
Now, before you write one word in favor
of my favorite fish, do you go out to the
“Rock," in front of your place, and take a
mess of these fish. Skin them, place them
in batter, roll them in cracker crumbs, and
fry them in red-hot boiling lard, and then,
on enti ng t hem, i f y ou do not pronounce them
junior
awn Mower
SENIOR
and JUNIOR
“BUCKEYE”
SI.liri.E AM) EASY TO WORK;
Bountiful In Appearance,
Strong mill Durable.
LAWN MOWERS.
Host ReMe Mowers in the Met.
Try one nml you will buy it.
jar* Send for Illustrated Circulars to
MANUFACTURED BY.
AST JOOS fkj^O.
SpringfieldTo.
MAST, FOOS & CO., Springfield, Ohio.
Is » great prettier than the cut shows. It de
lights all who see It. It can lie hung up, or laid down
on Its face, huclc, or side, and will
RUN IN ANY POSITION.
CORRECT TIMEKEEPER.
It Is like a stem-winding watch, and requires
NO KEY TO WIND IT.
The hands can he regulated without being toilet
[n fact the LITTLE FAIRY is Just the clock that
everybody will be delighted with, for it la the most
complete, snug, and best arranged clock to be had
anywhere.
Many have written that it keeps as good time aa
their (IS0.UI watches.
Given its it Premium Tor S Subscribers.
We offer it for Sale for 82.23.
Price, Including ono year's subscription to
Southkhn Wori.ii, 82.30. Postage prepaid In each
case by us.
VIOLIN BOW, BOOK OF INSTRUCTIONS
MO TCIffl CASE,
OTTK, USTETW
AMERICAN LEVER WATCH!
After months of labor and oxporlmcnt, we hare at laat brought to porfoctlon
A NEW WATCH.
n is s Key Winding Watch, with tbo coiobratod Anchor Lover
Movement, Expansion Balance, Fully Jeweled.
They are raado ortho best material, and In the very boat
manner,»o aa to lnauro good time lumping quallUe*.
The Case# are made of our Celebrated ComiMMltlun not *1
known an Aluminum Colde Thl»metnlha»n*ufll«*U)i»t
amount of gold In the composition to give tho watch a gen*
ulnesold oppooronco* Indt'ud It cannot bo mid
from a genuine Uold Watch except by the best Judges, as tho
metal stands tho acid test aa well as pure gold. Thu cases are
finely engraved or engine turned and are massive and strong
and very handsome making It Just tho watch for Railroad
Run, Mechanics, and all laboring men who require a good
strong watch mm* »*> accurate time-keeper.
For trading and speculative purposes.lt Is superior to any
wateh ever beforo offered. Thoy can bo sold readily for lift
and faoeach, and traded so as to ronllxo double thcuo amounts.
Farmers aa well aa agents can handle the*e watches to ad-
tage, aa they can be readily oxchanged for stock or goods.
Wo send the watch free by registered mall, on receipt of
SO. 00. Or wo will sond It 0. O. D. on receipt of $2*00
on account, the balance can ho paid at the express omen.
Wo also hnve very fltio Aluminum (fold Chains at
$I.QO««ch. Iloantlfui MedaUlon Cbarma 50 coins. Wo
Uavo hundreds o( testimonials, but have room for only ono.
Would Manufacturing Co:—Tho Amorlcan Lover Watch
I purchased Item your firm was duly rocelved. it proves a
good time-keeper and I am very much pioasod with It.
Respectfully, A. U Smith, Knoxville. Tenn. May rath, llW.
WORLD MANUFACTURING CO.. .
122 Nassau Street, New York.
'NOTEi~'Hy oa *H1 cut out this advertisement and men*
tlon this paper when you order, wo will seud you the
watch for §7.75.
Poison PURPLE Poison
TRADE
MARK.
MTU nearest dealer haa not got It. write to HKJHM1WAYK LONDON l*l! It 1*1,V. CO. (Limited,) P.
O. Box 000, No. 00 WATER STREET, NKW YORK, who will send prices and testimonials.
The recognised POISON for the extermination ot
TIIB COTTON WORM. *
Constantly on the lookout (or premiums with which
to reward those who send subscribers' names to us,
we have Just made arrangements for a valuable arti
cle that will Induce many new workers to become our
agents. This desirable premium consists ot a Violin,
a How, a Rook of Instructions, and s case to hold the
violin. The violin Is handsome, finely finished, ot
excellent tone, and Imitation ebony trimmings. The
top and back of these violins are worked out Just the
same aa the best that are made, and are also ot tbe
same model. They produce a splendid tone, full, rich,
and brilliant. Tune one ot ttuae Vtullna up to concert
E ltch and keep It there for one week, and we are ready
> compare the tone with that of any violin made.
While examining this low-priced Instrument please
notice tbe manner In which they are trimmed and
strung up-the strings, finger-boards, tall pieces, pegs,
bridges and necks: these are all good, well made and
durable,and are suitable, Juat as they are received to
be tuned up and played upon any occasion. This Is a
great bargain.
«1VEN AN A PRKHIITM FOR 12 NVR.
HCRIRERN.
Wo Offer It for Sale Tor $3.50.
PRICE, Including one year's subscription IoSouth-
k*n Woki.d, $3.75. Muslbesentby express, receive
to pay chargee.
Health, is 'Wealth!
Da. E. C. Wxst’s Nkkv* and Brain Trkatmxnt:
a specific for Hysteria. Dlxslnem, Convulsions, Ner
vous Headache, mental Depression, Loss ot Memory,
etc., which leads to misery, decay and death. One
box will cure recent caaes. Each box contains one
month's treatment. One dollar a box, or xlx boxes
tor five dollars; sent by mail prepaid on receipt of
price. We guarantee six boxes fo cure any case.
With each onler received by ua for six boxes accom
panied with five dollars, we will send the purchaser
our written guarantee to return the money If the
treatment does not effect a cure. Guarantees Issued
by LAMAR, RANKIN * LAMAR, wholesale and
retail agents, Atlanta and Macon, Ua. Orders by
mail win receive prompt attention.
THEY PLEASE ALL!
11EAUTIFCL W15D01T 0RSAKI3T8.
Design* on Tranvpernnt
material to hang in window*.
itrtking through shown
mi lire-Uxe picture# l i
natural color*. On# to twelve
palm wanted In every bonne.
A ca,
(14 Mudtfiou Avenue, (Springfield, Ohio.
RUBBER ROOFING
Coats only gt.M per square, 10x10 feet, and will last a
lifetime on steep or fiat roofs. Send for circular and
samples free.
IND. FAINT AND ROOFING CO.,
Mention this paper.] Indianapolis, Ind.
R. & J. BECK,
MANUFACTURING OPTICIANS,
Fltllndelplila.
Microscopes. Telescopes, Spectacles. Eye-Glasses.
Thermometers, Barometers, Opera-Glssaes,
Field-Glasses, Fhotograpbers Outfits for Amateurs,
Send for Illustrated Price Catalogue, which will be
mailed fbxk, and mention this paper.
a most superior fish, you will not be the man
1 take you to be, and you will not be in
sympathy with your old Mohawk friend,
F. E. Sl'INNKB.
NEXT XKT ORDER!
FRUIT DRYERS,
( IDICK MILLS, CANE MILLS,
FEED CUTTERS,
Evaporators, Apple*ami Poach Grinders, Poach nml
Apple Parers, Peach Stoners. Engines, Kurin
Implements. Turnip Heed mailed at 75 cents
per pound.
PENDLETON’S TURNIP GUANO
Insures large root crops on poor land.
NEEDS AND FEUT1EIZEKN
Always In Order.
MARK W. JOHNSON & CO.,
27 Marietta street, Aflanfa, fin.
mill, get t
Champion Vancleia Self-Regulat-
lng WINDMILL. If you want
the Agency for the beat wind
mill, Investigate the merits or the
Champion. Every mill fully
warranted, and alwaysglves sat
isfaction. 80 years' experience
In the manufacture of pumps and
windmills.
fiend for Catalogue.
POWELL* DOUGLAS,
Waukegan, Illinois.
MOUTH DOWN SIIKKI*.
CASS1VN M. CLAY, breeder of pure BODTH-
DOWN 8BEEP. White Hall, Kentucky.
BY MAIli!
All bought for cash, and told at lowest city pri
es,. Ore,,Goods, Silk,, Shawl, .Trimming,, Hoi-
lary, Upholder,, Fanoy Good,, Ladies’ Dresses,
Wrtps, Underwear,Tie,. Lsosl Gents' Furnish
ing Goods, Infant,’, Boy,’and Girl,’Outfits, Ac.
Correspondence solicited.
8amplcs and Information froo.
"SaOPPlNU UV1DE» mailed froo on
application.
COOPER <C COWARD,
Ninth and Market Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.
l'tease gay where you taw (At* advertIscment.