Photograph (not included here), captioned "Falls of Catfish Creek"

Reprinted with Permission
of the
Watertown Daily Times

Catfish Creek
Attractive at Depauville

Old Indian Burying Ground
Is Located Opposite
Them

By Frank D. Lowe

Catfish creek, it is said, derived its name from the abundance of catfish found in the stream by the first settlers in the locality. A dear friend of mine, the late William Dorr, used to say that the headwaters of this creek came from "out back of Lafargeville."

In early times at least four mills were dependent for their power upon this stream. There was one or more at Lafargeville, near the (?blurred) Schneider's place and there was a grist mill and a saw mill located at Depauville where the water passed over a fall (sic) of about 15 feet and there unites with Chaumont river.

On the west bank, opposite the falls, the old Indian burying ground is located. At times of high water these falls make an interesting picture as shown by a photo, the original of which was taken by my old schoolmate, S. A. Devendorf, and a reproduction is herewith presented.

This stream extends from Lafargeville to Depauville, a distance of about seven miles. The saw mill at the latter place is now owned and operated by Fred Sternberg, who also conducts a manufacturing business in connection with the mill for which purpose water power from the streams is used.

At times of low water, there was insufficient power for the operation of the grist mill and under the management of Harry Fox electric power was installed and is now successfully used at all periods of the year.

The catfish of early times were caught out and nearly disappeared. However, big mouth bass still exist there in quite large numbers and many are caught each season. In the year 1916-17 the state stocked the creek with pike-perch but it was not a success for they went downover the falls into the river. The stream should now be restocked with big mouth bass which have thrived there for all these years.

Mr. "Hub" Rogers, who was in charge of the grist mill along about 1882, called me one time to see the fish in the flume. He had shut down the headgate and as the water went through the rack it kept the fish in the flume, where we picked out a panful of big mouth bass.

During the fall of 1878, I attended a select school at Depauville and boarded with my uncle, William C. Atwood, who resided at that time under the bluff, on the place now owned by E. J. Johndrow. That fall an Indian by the name of Peter Cole came in his log canoe or dugout on a trapping expedition and camped on the creek almost directly in front of the house, where the glimmer of his camp fire could be seen in the distance each night.

Under the above circumstances it was a pleasure for me to make the acquaintance of an Indian trapper, and to see him handle the log canoe with his paddle was a thrill not to be forgotten. He was about 35 years of age and knew well the art of trapping the "Musquash," as he called the muskrat. Also he caught several mink during the season. For some time I thought of joining him and becoming a mighty trapper. However, my people did not approve of the idea and I remained a student at the "Depauville hillside Academy," as we called it at that time, and I lost out on my special course of training with the Indian.

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Where is Catfish Falls in respect to Depauville?

A Clayton native, Pauline Zach, responded to my question about the location of Overbluff Road and Catfish Falls (Creek), written about in this story. Pauline wrote:

“My husband has explained it all. Check dictionary for bluff. That helps. The bluff is the edge of a plateau. Regarding Overbluff Road, once you get to the top of the bluff, the land levels off. Overbluff goes by the Depauville Cemetery. Leaving the cemetery, you go up a steep hill and then you are on the top of the bluff. Catfish Creek is on the left, but you cannot see it. The road continues along the foot of the plateau and the hill is on your left. Catfish Creek is on your right.

To get to the Overbluff Road in LaFargeville go toward Watertown on Rt. 180. Approximately two miles. Take the 2nd right hand turn which should be marked Overbluff but is now County Route 12, we think.

Thank you, Pauline, for your help.

Shirley Farone

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