Between Topaz and Indian Creek 1990

This pictures is one of my favorites. It was taken in autumn 1990 about 1/2 way between Topaz and Indian Creek at dusk on the North Fork after a few days of rain. Click to enlarge.

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft explores the North Fork in November 1818

Thursday Nov. 5, 1818: “I begin my tour where other travelers have ended theirs, on the confines of wilderness…”

Schoolcraft called the North Fork “the Limestone River” because of all the limestone in the river valley. He wrote that the river was “wholly composed of springs” flowing pure, cold, and clear water. Schoolcraft visited Topaz Spring, which feeds the North Fork River and later became the site of a water mill for settlers. Schoolcraft called it Elkhorn Spring because he found an elk horn there.

Saturday, Nov 21, in the valley of the North Fork: "The bottom-lands continue to improve both in quality and extent, and growth of cane is more vigorous and green, and affords a nutritious food our horse. The bluffs on each side of the valley continue, and are covered by the yellow pine." Schoolcraft and his companion saw flocks of turkey and ducks, as well as a great many deer, squirrels, and beaver. Bear and elk were also common. And the rivers were deep. Once, they found a place to cross the North Fork that they thought was only two or three feet deep. The water was so clear that what looked easy to wade turned out to be so deep that their pack-horse fell in and had to swim across. The water spoiled or damaged much of their provisions of meal, salt, sugar, tea, and powder for their guns. Soon after they were lucky to find a trail that led to a cabin where a settler family gave them food. The diet of the settlers they found was composed of meat from wild animals and meal ground from corn grown by their cabins.

Autumn Caddis hatch in 1990 on the North Fork

Pretty good numbers of adult caddisflies here as they climb up my shirt. On the North Fork in  autumn 1990. I have never seen this many since.

North Fork Stone Fly from below the Falls

A fair picture of a medium sized golden stone fly I caught below the falls; released unharmed. Obviously, these are much liked by wild trout in their nymph stage.

North Fork above Hale in late September 1985

Some pictures I took over 20 years ago in late September of the North Fork above the Hale crossing and near Indian Creek; and a picture of an upper river spring on the same trip.

Old days of hunting before game laws in Missouri

The days before the Missouri Department of Conservation and statewide game laws lead to an abundance of commercial hunting for profit and fun. The is a picture of Raithel's Meat Market in downtown Jefferson City, Missouri about 1900. Look closely; you can see deer, bear, and cougar or bobcat. (Courtesy Missouri Secretary of State office).

West Plains to Dora Road in 1964

Looking down at Hammond Camp in the old days. The foundation of the old mill was still there on the early 1960's. The mill was torn down the the mid 1930's.