The Crab Orchard lake refuge is a big place, but there are only seven caretakers – who find it a mighty tall order trying to keep order in a place 126 miles around. These seven do their best, but they can do very little without your help. Hence, they write. “we are pleading that you, as an owner of this wealth, will take it upon yourself to protect your interest in the refuge.

“You probably don’t know that during 1948 your fellow citizens:1) set fire to and burned 250 acres of your refuge

2) vandalized your bathhouses, picnic shelters and latrines to such an extent it cost you (the public) $3000 to put them into operating condition.

3) destroyed every picnic fireplace on your refuge.

4) burned, chopped up, and otherwise destroyed 118 of your picnic tables

5) that six of your fellow citizens were drowned in your lake through carelessness in boat operation, being in unsafe boats, and swimming at unguarded places.

6) that twelve of your fellow citizens were such poor sportsmen that they were apprehended shooting your waterfowl in the closed area set aside to allow the birds to rest.

“You as an individual, are going to have to help us and help yourself if you want to protect this property of yours . By your actions show your fellow citizens that you take pride in your refuge land. Report fires, actions of destruction of property, and game violations to your refuge caretakers – Phone Ordil 250 . Report immediately – not 2 hours or 2 days after your displeasure.”

Eugene E. Crawford, Refuge Manager