I
Ten _
SWeet
Little
F
St. Paul, Minn, Is the Leading City
' in the Business.
The Best Furs Come from the North-
western Stateerany of the Far-
Bearlng Animals Have Been Al-
most Totally Exterminated.
Perhaps incredulity will sit in the
eyes of the readers, but it is neverthe—
less a fact that in St. Paul every year
there are upward of 225,000 dogs out up
for the manufacture of fur coats. In
the last year or two there has been a
scarcity of dogs, and theprices natural-
ly have advanced. The dogs come from
China, and are that peculiar animal
with the black mouth and black tongue. .
They are a queer animal, and are known
in China by the name of “the monks.”
Nobody is prepared to believe, per-
iaps, that in this city annually about
450,000 coonskins are cut ‘up and made
into coat-s, but it is true, for we have the
word of a prominent fur man who deals
extensively in all kinds of skins, from
the skunk to the seal. In 1803 his firm
cut up 163,000 coonskins alone, and will
keep it up so long‘as the animals exist.
There are certain animals that have
survived civilization, as, for instance,
the skunk, the raccoon and the opos-
sum, while the wolf, the bear and ani-
mals of their nature have almost en-
tirely disappeared.
In Louisville there lives an old fur
buyer by the name of John White, who
has followed the business of buying and
selling furs for the past 50 years. When
asked a short time ago by' a St. Paul fur
man what difference he noticed in the
business now from the first time he
went into it, \Vhite replied that the
people are getting more eoOns, opos-
sums and skunks now than ever before,
. proving conclusively that these animals
are not affected by civilization, and go
ahead multiplying without stint.
The vast. majority of the. otter, beaver,
mink and other skins of that ilk are
captured in the northwest, throughout
Manitoba and the northwestern states.
The wombat of Australia was for many
years a drug on the market, and dealers
found it impossible to dispose of them
until the coat manufacturers of St.
Paul took them up! They were found
very excellent for the purpose of coat—
making, and the hunters who had pre-
viously become discouraged and refused
to kill any more found their occupa-
zion renewed and profitable. In the last
two years the stock has been cleaned
out, the wombat has become scarce and
the prices have advanced proportionate-
Iy. Everything seems to be declining in
quantity but the raccoon, the skunk
and the Chinese dog or monk, and these
constitute the bulk of furs from which
the coats are manufactured to—day.
The buffalo coat at one time was the
most popular of them all, and it was the
prevalence of the buffalo that gave St.
Paul such a start in the industry of fur '
coatmaking. At the time the buffalo
were plenty on the “'(‘ffiifil'EL ruins fully
00 per cent. of the fur coats manufac—
tured were made of buffalo skins. It
was a great industry, not alone for the
Indian, but the white hunter, who
flocked to the buffalo swamps by the
hundreds. The decline of the buffalo
was so rapid as to almost exceed belief.
When the industry first started the
plains fairly swarmed with the animal,
and it was the easiest thing in the world
to kill all thatwere'desired, but in three
years this noble animal was almost en-
tirely extinct. When the Northern Pa-
cific road was put through to Miles
City, Mont, in 1883, there’were 225,000
or 250,000 buffalo hides shipped out of
that town. That was in 1883 alone.
All that number had been killed by
white hunters, while the Indian collec-
tion amounted to 20,000. The Indians,
of course, were not possessed of the im-
proved firearms and other methods of
destroying the restless creatures, and
that accounts for the size of their e01-
lect-ion. So that in 1883 the collection,
all told, amounted to about 270,000 hides
and robes. .
In 1884 there were not over 20,000 col-
lected by the Indians and white hunt-
ers, and in 1885 there were less than
5,000, In 1886 there were none, and now
the only buffalo that exist are the prop-
erty of the government and live under'
its protection in the Yellowstone park.
Previous to 1883 all the southern herds
were killed off, then the northern herds
were attacked, and they disappeared, ’
it seemed, in the twinkling of an eye.
One fur that is not used extensively
in St. Paul is the seal,'although a great
many 'ladies’ garments, coats, muffs and
the like are made from this most desir-
able of furs. Strange to say, every seal
that is captured in Canadian or Ameri-
can waters must be shipped to London,
England,for dressing and dyeing. They
are theta returned to the United States
and made up. Naturally, all this trans-
_ portation adds to the cost of the gar-
Ciaporal
ment, and that explains why seal is so
much higher than the other furs. Raw
skins, of course, have no duty on them,
and most other skins can be made up
in this country, but all efforts to dress
and dye the seal successfully in this
country have failed—St. Paul Dispatch.
Doctors Starving in .France.
In the British Medical Journal a
Paris correspondent says at least 2,500
physicians in France are battling with
starvation, and he adds that physicians
themselves are largely responsible for
this state of affairs. They “have taught-
lady patronesses of different societies
to diagnose diseases, to dress and band-
age wounds, to vaccinate their pwn
children and those of their neighbors.
Medical science is vulgarized in every
way. Doctors write to important daily
papers explaining 110w bronchitis and
cramps of the stomach are to be cure I,
and in fashion journals they teach how
tocure pimples and avert headaches.
Five hundred thousand gratuitous con-
sultations are given yearly in Paris dis~
pensaries, and in this _way a large
amount of fees is diverted from the
medical profession.” -— Chicago Jour-
nal.
‘ ABOUT PERFUMES.
Attar of rose is worth $100 an ounce.
The Empress Josephine was fond of
orange water.
Schiller enjoyed the odor of decayed
apples. -
Incense was almbst invariably used
in all heathen sacrifices.
The principal animal perfumes are
musk, civet and ambergris.
Shakespeare mentions perfumes as in
common use in his time.~.
The “Perfumers’ street” was un-
earthed some years ago in Pompeii.
Marie Antoinette preferred Hungary
water to any other kind of perfume.
I’erflimes have been held in the high-
est esteem from the most ancient times.
Perfumes are‘ extensively used in all
Chinese sacrifices and devotional offer-
lugs.
Hippocrates prescribed the oil of
roses as a medicine for several kinds of
disease. _
From the gas tar has been extracted
an oil identical with that of bitter al-
monds.
Crito considered the oil of cinnamon
to be a very efficient remedy imall dis-
eases of the stomach. '
WRITING MATERIALS.
For very minute writing pens made
from crow quills have been found to do
excellent work.
Graphite suitable for making lead
pencils is found in almost every country
on the globe.
The basis of old-fashioned litho-
graphic ink was lampblack, shellac,
wax, tallow and soap.
Red ink was fermerly made of a sol u—
tion of Brazil wood, combined with
alum, tartar, water and gum.
After being cut, steel pens are an-
nealed and tempered with oil to insure
great springiness to the pens.
' ‘he ancients, according to Pliny,
made a very excellent sympathetic ink,
using new milk as the basis.
' Inexhaustible supplies of superior
graphite, almost pure and eminently
suited for pencils, are found in Siberia.
The Egyptians used pencils of col-
ored chalk, and several of these ancient
crayons have been found in their tombs.
MUSICAL NOTATIONS.
Massenet’s symphonic poem, “Vi-
sions,” written for the Leeds musical
festival, was a dismal failure. .
Hubay’s opera “Le ~Luthier de Cre~
mone” has been performed with great
success at Leipzig.
Queen Victoria was so much pleased
with the singing of Miss Clara Butt, the
contralto who has been engaged for the
Cardiff festival, that her majesty has
been defraying for her the expense of a
course of tuition at Milan.
._—_.___.
RQYAL NICKNAM ES.
Alphonso XI. of Castile was surnamed
The Avenger. He was never known to
forget or forgive an injury.
Henry I. of England was surnamed
Beauclerk. He was one of the few
kings of his time who could read and
write.
Horush of Algiers was famous among
his subjects as The Red Beard. A Moor
with red hair and beard was a great
curiosity.
Henry III. "of France was surnamed
The Minion, it is said, on account of
his compliance with the wishes of the
emperor.
Edward VI. of England was The
Pious, on account of his personal char-
acter. Also Eric IX. of Sweden, Ernest
I. of Gotha and Robert of France.
Alexander I. of Scotland was desig-
nated The Fierce. His impetuosity in
battle almost invariably struck terror
into the hearts of his enemies.
Henri II. of France was entitled
The Bellicose. He was an exceedingly
warlike king and constantly engaged in
campaigning against his neighbors.
To
Remove
That Tired
= .:. ONLY woman’s Inn:
$arsaparllla
(Iver Half a Century
Old. WhyNot ‘ 0'
(let the Best? .
.moment they 9-1 them.
.will
AYER’S PILLS cure Headache. '
.‘I . ._ '1‘
BRIDGEPORT,
was
, D. 1‘1. Read
‘ COMPANY.
q
EASTER DISPLAYS
IN
EVERY DEPARTMENT.
The whole store one big
bower of brightness. Palms,
flowers and birds everywhere.
Pleasing to Sight andliearing.
' Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday will be gala days in
trade circles; good buying
with happy surroundings——
low prices with big values.
Days preceding Easter that
we have turned into Annual
Festival Titties.
Everybody is
EVERYBODY.
White Skirts, choicest sorts,
in muslin, cambric and lawn,
from 50 cents to $8.00. One'
in particular, an umbrella
shape six yards around, for
$1.00, that we think is the
very pick of all the bargains
in this line. But maybe
you’ll see others that you
like better, there’s so many.
invited-—
Infants’ pretty little duds
for l-Daster, at most any price.
Puff boxes, satin shoes, cream
silk caps, nice little reefers
and white cashmere sacques,
hand embroidered. Things
that will make-the little pets
throw up their hands and
exclaim ‘oc-a—Iloo’ the very
It’s
Easter for babies as well as
grown-folk. '
Ladies’ Shirt \Vaists, at
all prices. 'i‘hose that appear
to give the greatést amount of
satisfaction in the long run,
are the ‘Monai'cli’—a little
more costly perhaps, but
they wear better. '
The Dress Goods section is I
showing something “grand in
Broche Novelties, 50-i1i. wide,
specially adapted for the N01“-
folk jacket and skirt, which,
combined with a silk Waist,
_ make a delightfully
jaunty spring costume.
Then there’s Oriental
dress novelties—P e 1' si 21. n
weaves, coloriugs and pat-
terns—With Persian goodness
to increase their popularity.
Anything you have a. mind
to ask for these days.
I
. \
. ’- ‘ .
\ . \
Ill Llli'S Sill "Nil-Y,
W J J. , b a
The Er-Consul Tells His Own Tale of
Sufi’cring and Insult.
SUE FRANCE FOR DAMAGES.
-, - .33——-—"
He Declares That Hep‘vVaived No Rights
\Vlien He “'as Released Frmn Prison.
Says He Was Starved In a. Dungeon
and Then Unjustly Condemned.
LONDON, April 6.—-Mr. John L.’ Waller,
formerly United States consul at Tama-
tave, island of Madagascar, arrived in this
city a short time ago after his release at.
the instance of the United States govern- '
meat from the French prison, in which he
had been'Eonflned under the sentence of
20 years’ imprisonment imposed upon him
by a court martial for having corresponded
with the Hovas.
He has been living in retirement since
his arrival, and upon the advice of his
agents, who are formulating a claim
against the French government, has not
received any representatives of the Eng-
lish press. However, Mr. Waller, who has
sailed for New York, made the following
statement to a correspondent. It is the
flirst time he has told his story for publica-
t on:
“You will remember that Tamatave
was bombarded by the French in Decem-
her, 1894,” he began. “I was than living
at Tamatave. Shortly after the horn bard-
mcnt I wrote to my wife, who was living
up country. In my letter I merely describ-
ed the event, referred to the sanitary con-
dition of the town and the number of
French soldiers there, but I did also de-
scribe some of the barbarities I witnessed,
particularly the ravishing of the Hova
women by French soldiers. ,
“On March 5, 1895, I was arrested at
Tamatave and summoned to appear before
a naval court martial. I asked for time
to obtain Witnesses and to know on what
the charges against me were based. I was
told they Were two in number.
“First.——For violation of an order' of
Jan. 18, 1893, regarding the sending of any
letters except through the French port.
“Second. -'-Violation of one of the arti-
cles of the French military cede by corre-
sponding with the enemy regarding
French operations in Tamatave. _
“I was at first refused counsel. but after-
ward obtained the services of M. La Gray,
a Frenchman, with Whom Iwas acquaint-
ed. He had , only 48 hours in which to
look into my case. The trial was held on
March 20, 1895, and only lasted one hour._
My lawyer frequently told the court that
such charges as were adduced would he
laughed at in a civil court trial. How-
ever, I was condemned to 20 years’ soli-
tary confinement. ‘ '
“0n the 23d of March I was placed on
the steamer Djemnah, bound for Mar-
seilles. I was told that I would be given
a stateroom for the voyage, which occu-
pies four weeks. However, when I reached
the boat, I was conducted to the hold and
made to sit down on the platform, whic
is just underneath the hatchway, for low-
ering freight. My guard, who was a
brutal French soldier, simply said in re-
ply to my question regarding a room,
‘You sit; there.’ A few moments after-
ward a huge iron bar was brought and '
placed on the floor in front of me. To
this my ankles were chained. I was then
unable to change my position,
Spat Upon by the Rabble.
“The rabble of Tamatave had followed
me from the jail to the steamer. They
came on board, and, standing on the deck.
spat down upon me. I was soon com:
pletely covered with their saliva. I ap-
pealed to my guard and to several of the
French soldiers, but they only laughed at
me. As- night came on it began‘ to rain,
and I lay, powerless to move, with the
tropical rain beating down upon me. Be-
ing wet in that climate, is always follow-
ed by fever unless one’s clothes are im-
mediately changed. In the morning I
was trembling with chill. At 8 o’clock
some breakfast was brought me. It con—
sisted of soup, with rice and curry in it,
and a piece .of bread. I could not eat and
begged for a cup of tea. One of the sol-
diers drew his saber and exclaimed, ‘Eat
that!’ ' ‘
“I Was only released from my chains
twice a day—ten'minutes in the morning
and ten in the afternoon. I was given
but two meals a day. All my effects had
been taken away from me and 1 was ill
provided with clothing. I had but 1 %
francs with me. After leaving Zanzibar
I gave this to a soldier and told him to
buy me some oranges. He took the mon~
ey, and when I saw him the next day said
he had lost it. '
“A few French officers came on board
at Zanzibar. One of them remonstrated
with my guard, and I was released from
my chains. Another officer, seeing me re-
leased, said: ‘You are an enemy to France.
Tonight, when you are asleep, I will cut
your throat and throw you overboard.’ I
had been given a room, and my guard
slept in it near me. That night I was
aroused by a noise in my room and saw
this officer standing at the foot of my bad.
I got up, dressed and started to go on
deck. He followed me and struck me on
the back of the head as I was ascending
the. stairway, knocking me down.
up, and, fearful for my life, struck him in
the face, cutting it open. The officers of
the ship came, and I appealed to them for
protection. I was assured by them and
by the French officers who had befriended
me that nothing would be done to me for
my action in defending myself. After
this episode the Frenchman kept away
from me. Going through the Suez canal,
I was again chained and again as we ap-
proached Marseilles. At Marseilles I was
conducted to a dirty, filthy prison. I only
remained there a few days, and then,
handcuffed to two other prisoners, Was
taken to the military prison at Claravaux.
Here the food was so bad that I could not
retain it on my stomach. I appealed to
the governor ‘of the prison, and he sent the
doctor to examine me. After this myvdiet
was better. ' '
“From Claravaux I«was transferred to
the prison at Nlmes. Here I was kept in
a solitary cell, but was allowed four hours’
exercise in the open by myself per day.
I was not treated with any hardship
While here.‘ On Feb. 20 a prison official
arrived and told me that my .pardon had
been received. With it came a message
from Mr. Eustis. in Paris, directing me
to draw on him for money.
“I wish particularly to state that in
making my application for pardon I made
no agreement whateVer to waive my
claims for damages against the French
government. ” i ‘
Mr. Waller is a. tall, intelligent looking
colored man, 51 years cf age. His face
shows evidence of the hardships he has
undergone, and his hair has turned gray
under the strain. He speaks with great
fluency-and is a man of more than ordi-
nary education.
~Advertise in tle GAZETTE.
I got»
.r;.=.f-rss EvENINo GAZETTE
Reasons ‘
run REASON- WHY.
Every, Why’Has a. Wherefore and
’Tis Well to Look for itat Times.
In these days people want to know
the whys and wherefores.
The 19th century man is a natural
skeptic. ‘ '
The why and wherefore of such is
plain. .
He reads statements of supposed facts.
He is told that every ailment of man-
kind can be cured. '
lle has an ailment and tries some pan-
808".
It fails; he tries another with the
same result.
Such experiments make him look
askauce at future claims.
Often the fault is his, but he don’t
see why. -
He may have a backache or perhaps
a lame or weak back.
. He used plaster or Ilniments, they re-
lieved him for a time, but faiiled to
cure the trouble. ,
'This is his fault; the why is that he
did not know the wherefore of his
aches. '
Had he known that the kidneys were
the cause,
That backache generally means kid
ney ache,
That the kidneys mutt filter the
blood constantly ?
That failure to do so immediately. ef-
fects the back. ‘
'l‘hatbnckache is only the first step
toward many kidney disorders.
Urinary troubles follow.
Retention of urine.
ExcessiVe urine.
Diabetes—Bright’s disease.
Dean’s Kidney Pills are a Specific for
all kidney complaints.
Plenty of Norwalk proof of this.
Mr. G. S. Parttic, Notary Public,
No. 127 Minn St. says. ‘ My wife got a
box of Doan’s Kidney Pills at Hale’s
drug store, for a severe backache she
was suffering" from. She found quick
relief and she thinks Doan’s Kidnev
‘Plllfl are a good thing. ” .
For sale by all dealers. Price 50
cents per box, or six boxes for $2 50
Sent by mail on receipt of price, hv
Foster—Milburn 00., Buffalo, N. Y.
Sole agents for the Unitednmtes.
Put an end to misery. Dean’s Oint-
mentwfll cure the worst case of Itch-
ing Piles there ever was, and do it al-
most instantly. Years of suffering re-
lieved in a single night. , Get Doau’s
Ointment from your dealer. '
J. D. Jennings.
UND ERTAK'F R
4 Knight street. opposite
Street Railway Depot
NIGHT BELL AT OFFICE.
IDAVID . w. RAYMONT)
Funeral Director and Emlalmer.
,K‘mqiwa m-th'
39 Washington Sirmt’b’ouih Nomalk
' Residence . Mahackemo Hotel.
The: GAZETTE {I
PRINTINGM‘
W080 I I
TO
THE ’
WISE
Merchants, Manmactur—
ers, Lodges and Social its
will consult their own inter-
ests by giving us a call.
RE’MEMBE‘Ré—lf ypu have
work to do, write to us. ‘
l, Became none but first-class workmen
are employed.
u
Because an experience of forty years
counts.
5 ,
Why
Schleicher’s
Pianos
Lead.
Because for years we have given
special attention to designing im-
proved features Which none~but our
pianos have.
Because they‘are low in price and
high in artislic beauty.
Because uheu Schleicher says it’s
OLD
PIANOS
TAKE II
III
EXGHAHGEI
wm'rE
TI
us.
so, it’s so.
Ilaiflflflffice
land I a
(Factory, '
Piclrlc st.
' Stamford,
Norwalk Chronicler