At one time while I lived on the island there were several deer supposed
to have come across the ice from the north shore. There was an abundance
of wild duck, pigeons, partridges and wild birds of many different
kinds. Foxes were plentiful, both grey and red, and once and a while a
black fox. Lynx and wild cats were seen, and one old hunter declared he
heard a "panther." These wild animals traveled many times across the ice
in winter time from the north shore, and very often the foxes crossed
from one island to another in the winter. At this date there are no wild
animals, unless there might be some wild cats. I saw a wild cat that was
shot there in 1882. One great reason that made the island so desirable a
place to live at that time was its splendid fishing grounds. No one need
to be without money in those days. Fish always brought a good price, and
at the time of our Civil war brought a very high price. There were many
large cooper shops run. These furnished barrels to the fishermen to pack
and salt their fish in. The cooper trade was followed by a great many
men. They came to the island from the cities to work through the summer
season, then going home again for the winter. The climate being so pure
many recovered their health that had lost it. At the present time the
barrel trade is a thing of the past. Fish are packed in ice and shipped
to the market fresh. Changes have come to Beaver Island as well as
everywhere else. Still it will always be "Beaver Island."