Oyster War

Down to the edge of the Potomac River marched Sheriff Vernon Cooksey of Charles County, Md. one day last week. "Why, there ain't a conservation agent anywhere around," he yipped as he jumped into a launch.

Over at Popes Creek a fleetlet of oystermen were dredging the river mechanically, in open violation of the Maryland law which, to protect seedlings, forbids oyster gathering except by hand tongs. Sheriff Cooksey and his men sneaked their launches into Popes Creek, surrounded the poachers, captured 18.

In Baltimore Conservation Commissioner Swepson Earle hopefully inquired how many of his men had taken part in the capture. Sheriff Cooksey indignantly replied that just before the raid a conservation crew had taken their boat across the river, had refused to return and do their duty. Commissioner Earle immediately mobilized a fleet of launches, equipped one with a machine gun and a one-pound cannon and prepared to recoup lost glory by catching the next pack of poachers.

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