HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                      81

    In the earlier history of the county Eel river abounded in the numer-
ous varieties of fresh water fish native to the streams of this latitude, of
which the catfish was the largest, specimens of which were caught as
far up as the middle course of the stream weighing from fifty to seventy
pounds. Though this stream is not recognized as the home of any of
the pearl~bearing species of mollusks, yet pearls have been found in the
mussel-shells strewn along the sandbars and other exposed points, at
time of low water stage, which have been sold at from $5 to $10 apiece.
    No steam craft is known to have ever plied on Eel river. However,
it is said that the small boats which used to be operated on White river,
between Point Commerce and Spencer, for light local traffic, half a cen-
tury ago, were frequently moved up the mouth of Eel river to the mills
operated there.
    In the extreme south part of the county, near Howesville, is a body
of water known as Muir’s Lake, which is believed to be a section of the
old river bed, Eel river having at some time changed its channel and flow
through this part of the bottom, or valley. Other sections of the original
channel, which are not filled with water, are easily traceable. This lake is
about a mile and a half in length, extending, in the main, eastward, and
was so named because of William Muir’s lands bordering upon it and
the family residence standing near it. This body of water is narrow and
correspondingly deep at places. The bed of it at places is said to be rock,
and at other places coal. The supports of the original bridge at the
crossing near the Muir residence are known to have stood upon a solid
body of coal. Early in the hi story of the county D. A. Hill used to take
out coal on the banks of this channel for home consumption. It is fre-
quently visited by picnic and fishing parties.



























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