Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1899 — FARMERS DUCK A DEPUTY. [ARTICLE]

FARMERS DUCK A DEPUTY.

Fish Commissioner Having Hard Time with Violators of Gamp Laws. Oscar Welty, of Kokomo, who, since the resignation of J. J. Hildebrandt, of Logansport, as deputy fish commissioner, has been looking after violators of the fish and game laws, is not finding his lot an easy nor a pleasant one. At Burlington, a few days ago, he was roughly handled by some farmers who do not believe in the new fish law, which prohibits fishing in any manner in the running streams of the State during the months of May and June. The farmers decided to make it warm for Welty, who had been keeping an open eye in their neighborhood, and they blacked themselves up with burned cork and proceeded to Wild Cat creek to fish. One of their number was detailed to let Welty into the secret for half he might make out of the case. The officer made his way to the place and at the point of his revolver placed the men under arrest and lined them up upon the bank of the creek, but the violators of the law watched their chance and disarmed the deputy, who was dragged into the water and made’to promise, after being almost “ducked” to death, that he would not molest them again.