Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Keowee Courier
Walhalla, Pickens, Oconee County, Pickens County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
South Carolina State Fisheries Department warns R. B. Clarkson for illegally catching a sturgeon out of season in West Wateree, highlighting conservation needs and a $100 fine, as reported in a September 1900s newspaper.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
GETS A CALL-DOWN
From the State Fisheries Department, Which Wants
to Know Why and Wherefore.
(Columbia State.)
To the Editor of The State:
We have noticed in the State of the 1st of September an account of the sturgeon caught by R. B. Clarkson, of West Wateree.
Enclosed you will find copy of letter addressed to Mr. Clarkson, calling his attention to a violation of law in this case and asking for explanation as to why he saw fit to slaughter this fine specimen out of season. The fine is $100 for catching a sturgeon between June 15 and March 1. This department recommended to the last Legislature, and will again insist at the coming session, that a closed period of ten years be put on sturgeon. We are doing all that is possible to conserve this very valuable fish and are certainly not unmindful of the unlawful slaughter in this case, and wish you to make this letter public, for the reason that it might be a protection to another sturgeon found under similar circumstances. We trust that the next one finding one will give him a push off the strand instead of knocking him in the head.
Trower Cravens,
Chairman State Board of Fisheries.
Beaufort, S. C., Sept. 3.
The Letter to Mr. Clarkson.
"Am enclosing you a clipping from the State of Sept. 1, giving an account of the sturgeon caught by you. Am also enclosing you a copy of the State fishing laws, of which you are no doubt in ignorance. Am very sorry you saw fit to slaughter such a fine specimen at this season of the year.
"Please give me the full particulars of this catch. Was it not possible for you to help this big fellow back into water of sufficient depth for him or her to get away, and thereby assist the department to conserve a species of the very fine fish, which is growing very scarce?
"This department is willing to extend leniency in cases of ignorance of the law, yet we are certainly not unmindful of the wrong done in this case, and until we are in possession of further facts we must hold you in the same class with the hunter who cannot withstand the temptation to shoot when a fine doe or buck, out of season, jumps up in front of him when the gun is handy.
"As above requested, please state to us just how you came to kill this fish."
What sub-type of article is it?
What themes does it cover?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Story Details
Key Persons
Location
West Wateree, Beaufort, S. C.
Event Date
Sept. 3
Story Details
R. B. Clarkson of West Wateree catches a sturgeon out of season, violating fishing laws. The State Fisheries Department, led by Chairman Trower Cravens, sends a letter reprimanding him, requesting explanation, and emphasizing conservation efforts to protect the scarce species. They suggest returning the fish to water instead of killing it and note a $100 fine for such violations.