POND DRAININGS

For decades, farm owners and fishermen have drained their ponds in the fall as a way of getting rid of unwanted species of fish, pesty vegetation or as a way of deepening their ponds. The drainings were usually held in the early fall while the weather was still warm enough to wade into shallower waters and capture the remaining fish.  In rural communities, neighbors came from all over to help and join in the usual fish fry which followed.  Pictured with two large fish in his and smoking his cigar is E.B. "Bo" Claxton, Jr., owner and operator of Claxton's Hospital.  The photographs were taken by his sister, Irene Claxton.