The Fish Basket The following item from William G. Wolfes Stories of Guernsey County may be of interest to some in the group: Fish Basket Wills creek makes a bend to the right a short distance north of the city limits of Cambridge and almost touches the Newcomerstown road, Route 21. Except in time of flood the water here has little depth and runs more swiftly than it does above or below. This bend in the creek is known as Fish Basket, a name that was given to it by the Indians. Many who know the place may not know why it was so named or that some of Guernsey county’s early history was connected with it. Description of a Fish Basket.—As a device for catching fish in great quantities and with little effort the Indians would construct a fish basket. They would locate it at a wide place in a stream where the water was shallow, and usually where there was a riffle. From opposite points on the shores two walls of loose stone would be built towards the center of the stream, each leaving the shore at an angle of forty-five degrees. The walls would be pointed down stream, and if continued would come together at the center, thus forming an apex. But when brought to a distance of three or four feet from each other they were terminated, leaving a gap instead of an apex. Below this gap, or mouth as it was called, a “close” was built. This was an enclosure several feet in diameter, made by driving large stakes into the bed of the stream so close together that the big fish could not get through. We can now see how easy it was to catch fish. Swimming down the stream, they would come to the wall, between the loose stones of which the water could flow but the fish could not pass. They would nose along the wall, seeking a place to get through, until they came to the gap through which they would pass into the “close”. Here their progress down steam would be obstructed by the stakes. They could turn around and swim out through the opening they came in, but that was neither their nature nor the way they wanted to go. At certain seasons of the year the fish would fill the enclosure within a very short time. The owners of a fish basket would empty it at frequent intervals. The stone walls were built two or three feet higher than the normal stage of water and would remain intact in time of flood. It was often necessary to replace the stakes. A fish basket became a permanent fishing place and, if a good one, an Indian town would be located near by. An Indian Town.—As told in another story in this chapter there was an Indian town four miles north of Cambridge. It was located on the farm of the late U. G. Campbell, in the field south of the residence and west of route 21. The fish basket above may have been a factor in determining its location. At any rate it was the town’s source of fish supply. When the first settlers came here they found the Indian town apparently prospering and the Indians making use of the fish basket. The population consisted of about forty warriors and their squaws and children. They were friendly to their white neighbors and often gave them fish and game. Their chief was doughty who spent only a part of is time at this town. He seemed to hold a ruling power over several Indian towns and camps in this section--one of which was located at the juncture of Brushy Fork and Salt Fork creeks in what is now Jefferson township, one on Indian Camp run in Knox township, and one near the mouth of Bird’s run in Wheeling township. It was only when chief Doughty visited the town that the settlers would become uneasy. He seemed to resent the encroachment of the white men on the Indians’ hunting and fishing ground. That he had an influence over the Indians near Fish Basket was indicated by their attitude toward the settlers at the time of his visits, which was always less friendly. After he would leave, however, they would become friendly again. Indians continued to live below Fish Basket until the War of 1812. In this war the most of the Ohio Indians took sides with the British, having been aroused to war by emissaries who led them to believe that if the British were successful their lands would be restored. (The reader is referred to the story, “Indians in Guernsey County,” this chapter; also to “Last Indian of Jefferson Township,” Chapter XXV.) Pioneers Make Use of Fish Basket.—For many years after the departure of the Indians the pioneers kept the Indian fish basket in repair. Wills creek was full of fish in those days. There were pike, perch, suckers and catfish. The carp, that has proven to be a nuisance, is not a native fish; it was introduced about sixty years ago. Wills creek carried less mud in early days than at the present time. From the ploughed hillsides mud is washed into the stream which, on account of its sluggishness, does not carry it away. When the hills were covered with trees the water was less muddy and a better place for fish. When Wills creek became polluted the fish became less plentiful. No longer was it profitable to keep the walls of the fish basket repaired and the stakes set. Frequent floods over a long period of years have removed every trace of walls and enclosure. As in the past, however, this bend in the creek will always be known as Fish Basket. For more information on the subject, see archaeology.about/od/fterms/g/fishweir.htm
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 21:56:17 +0000
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