MOREHOUS, Clinton Philo
MOREHOUS, Clinton Philo (1845-1913), 19th century member of the Santa Catalina Island Tuna Club
333 South Orange Grove Avenue, Pasadena
In the News~
August 9, 1896 [LAH]: “Mr. Willard Barnhart of Grand Rapids, Mich., and C. P. Morehous of Pasadena, with Harry Elms as expert boatman, landed with rod and reel fourteen yellowtail, one barracuda and three rock bass off Goat Harbor.”
June 25, 1901 [SFCall]: “Woman catches second biggest tuna killed at Catalina Island. Mrs. E. N. Dickinson [Dickerson] lands a two hundred and sixteen pound fish, after forty-five minutes of fighting. Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, June 21. — All Catalina was drawn to the beach today soon after 11 o'clock, when the launch used by Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Dickinson [sic] steamed to its moorings. The tuna flag, the emblem indicative of a catch, was flying from the masthead and Mrs. Dickinson [sic] was waiving a blood-stained handkerchief to those on shore. All wee she might, for to her lies the honor and the credit of having landed single handed the largest tuna of the last to seasons and the second in size ever caught off Avalon. The battle with this sea fish is a story in itself and shows what a game fisherwoman who is stout of heart can do with a six-foot rod and a strand no thicker than an ordinary piece of string. When put upon the scales the sea fighter weighed just 216 pounds. Mrs. E. N. Dickinson [sic] is visiting Catalina for the summer. New York City is her home, but so fascinated is her husband, Captain Dickinson [sic], with the sport of tuna catching that he visits Catalina yearly, and Mrs. Dickinson [sic] accompanied him to the coast on this visit. Both left the beach early this morning armed with implements of tuna warfare. About three miles off Avalon they rode into a school of leaping fish and before Mrs. Dickinson [sic] realized conditions her reel began to sing its merry song as a tuna took yard after yard of line. Then began a battle between the game sea fish and a gamer sportswoman. Reeling in, giving away line and the same double process over and over again for forty-five minutes, until her arms cramped from the severe physical strain, Mrs. Dickinson [sic] fought her first tuna to a successful finish. She conquered without assistance from boatman or husband. Now Mrs. Dickinson [sic] is the happiest woman on the island and tuna fishers, whether they be past masters, present devotees or professional boatmen, are all doing obesiance to the most successful fisher of them all. The Santa Catalina Island Tuna Club, many members of which are on the spot doing active service, is contemplating many important changes. At a meeting last night the suggestion was made for the club to incorporate under the laws of the State. This will be done and a handsome clubhouse will be built at Avalon for members and guests. Another suggestion which met with popular approval is in regard to the election of officers. Heretofore the presidency of the club was dependent upon prowess with the rod allied with chance. The member who secured the biggest catch of the season — May 1 to October 1 — was by virtue of his deed the president for the ensuing year. Election will be the determining method under the new order of things. As the members of the Tuna club come from all parts of the world, proxies or mail ballots will be allowed. Fishing at Avalon: General John Barrett, Thomas Manning, Philadelphia; Colonel R. A. Eddy, F. S. Schenck, Brooklyn; C. C. Paine, Cleveland; Captain W. H. Burnham, Orange; F. V. Rider, New York; W. A. Baldwin, Buffalo; N. F. Wilshire, C. F. Holder, Pasadena; Joseph Chambers, Cincinatti; Macomb G. Foster, New York; C. P. Morehous, Pasadena; E. N. Dickinson [sic], New York; D. C. Pixley, Orange; O. O. Orr, Avalon; J. Francis, Los Angeles; W. J. Landers and M. J. Connell.”
November 20, 1904 [SBMP]: “Tuna caught in the channel. The fact that large tuna can be caught in the channel canue of ch early this morning armed with implements of tuna warfare. About three miles off Avalon they rode into a school of leaping fish and before Mrs. Dickinson [sic] realized conditions her reel began to sing its merry song as a tuna took yard after yard of line. Thshing at Avalon: General John Barrett, Thomas Manning, Philadelphia; Colonel R. A. Eddy, F. S. Schenck, Brooklyn; C. C. Paine, Cleveland; Captain W. H. Burnham, Orange; F. V. Rider, New York; W. A. Baldwin, Buffalo; N. F. Wilshire, C. F. Holder, Pasadena; Joseph Chambers, Cincinatti; Macomb G. Foster, New York; C. P. Morehous, Pasadena; E. N. Dickinson [sic], New York; D. C. Pixley, Orange; O. O. Orr, Avalon; J. Francis, Los Angeles; W. J. Landers and M. J. Connell.”
