The legendary Hunter Fisher, of Green River fame and the Jericho Community, had one of the smartest dogs ever.

In Mr. Fisher's lifetime, the community had a local telephone service, which a few families between Fisher's Ford-some folks call it Holmes Bend, some still call it Fisher's Ford-and Happy Valley operated. It worked with a handcrank and the number of rings and manner of ringing-say two longs and a short-would tell folks on the party line who was being called.

In addition to his considerable outdoors skills, Hunter Fisher was an unequalled raconteur. Folks in their 50s and up who heard him will tell you that-but that is too big a matter to get into today.

Mr. Fisher was a great trader. He loved to go to Campbellsville to the stockyards. Sometimes he would ride horseback, sometimes he would walk; in those days, the road to Campbellsville from that part of Adair County was to take what was then and still is the Old Springfield Road-Joe Ballou's road-to Campbellsville.

Mr. Fisher would trade for a lot of hogs or sheep or cattle and drive them home. When he would get to one of the first houses with a telephone on the Jericho system, he would crank up his home and say, "Put Old Raymond on."

Old Raymond would be called to the phone. The answerer would hold the receiver to Old Raymond's ear and then, from the other end, Hunter Fisher would say, "Old Raymond, I'm up at so-and-so's place. You come on and help me. Now!"

And Old Raymond would go to the right place. Then. Regardless of the house Hunter Fisher called from, the dog would go to the right one; whichever house it was. And he'd do his part to get the livestock home and penned.

As might be expected, Old Raymond was a part of the family. He always had his rightful spot in family gatherings, and there never was a time that a family photo was taken but that Old Raymond occupied a position of honor, as should be afforded one of his intellect, loyalty, and uncommon sense.

Mr. Fisher was the father of Flora Parker of Columbia and the grandfather of Arlene Rogers of Louisville and Nina Clubb of Brandenburg.