Evening Star Newspaper, April 2, 1892, Page 13

MIGRATION ROUTE oF THE PRIBYLOV FUR SEALS IN THe NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN. (AFTER ELLIOTT.) (Leaving Pribyiov Islands 'n No- vember and returning in July.) PELAGIC SEALING, Methods by Which a Remarkable Industry is Carried On. RIFLES Blanghter on Scientific Prin: ‘Track of the Seal Herd«—How the Animals Are Murdered —Frightful Kiske Which the ‘Munters Take. F THE TEMPORARY agreement for protect- ing the seals of Alaska, | known as the “modus | vivendi,” is not re- newed the whole pirati- cal fleet of sealers will enter Bering sea next July and wipe out in| one season the entire Pribylov herd, destroy- ing the sealing industry in those waters forever. | To make this under- | Stood it is only necessary to explain the aston- | ishingly scientitic system of slanghter adopted by | the pelagic sealers. Suppose that there were a Bingle great herd of 1,000,000 valuable fur- bearing beasts which traveled continually over @kite-shaped track many thousands of miles ¢ireuit on the great plains of the west. | Imagine that these animals devoted eight jonths in every year to traversing this route, er varying from it, so that their entire com- sure to be at a given point on road at @ certain date, though halting | together in an isolated spot for four months manually to breed and rear their young. How | mg would it be before the greedy huntera | ‘wogld have wiped them all out? If the latter permitted to surround them st their reeding place asingle season would suffice their extermination. THE ANNUAL JOURNEY. ‘That is precisely the situation of the seala The berd—there is only one—leaves the Priby- Islands about November 10 each year to 1d the winter in warmer waters. Passing athward through the Aleutian chain and out Of Bering sea the animals swim in a southeast- erly direction toward Santa Barbara, about 400 miles south of San Francisco, on the Pacific vast. There they turn and go northward— nearly a million stroug—hugging the coast, past Oregon and Washington and along the Southern shore of Alaska into Hering pea, reaching the Pribylov Islands | by July 10. Upon those in [onely rocks they brted and nurse their young for four months, at the end of which time the | pupsare weaned and big enough to accom-| any the annual migration. ‘The track they | jollow is never varied from and each week in the year finds them at the same stage of | their route, so that no difficulty in discovering herd is experienced by the hunters, who Pursue the poor beasts relentlessly month after Plonth, killing, killing, killing, until they get into Bering sea again and are eafe for awhile. No present project for putting a stop to this iy entertained. The “modus vivendi” and the seizures of vessels have merely related tothe exclusion of the pelagic sealers from Bering sea itself, @ they are anxious to go | and wipe out the breeding Lerd while 1t | } the rocks. | BRITISH jAmMeRicw craft and more than 2,000 Canadian, American, Japanese and Indian hunters are devoted to the indiscriminate slaughter of this herd of valuable creatures, which are today almost 90 per cent females.” They wre at this ting passing up the coast by Vancouver's Island. Of those which are now being killed 80 per cent are heavy with unborn young. ON THE BREEDING ISLANDS. By July 10 the entire herd will be on the two islands in Bering sea, breeding and nursing their young. The pups are all born by July 20, and up to November 10 the mother seals are | constantly going out to the ocean fishing banks They nurse their offspring at inter- | vals of from one to four days, and travel in | search of fish 59 to 300 miles away from the ‘islands. The fleet, entering Dering seain July, would draw « cordon around the islands, prac- ticaily annihilate ail the mothers before the helpless young are weaned in November, and leave the infant seals to starve by myriads on While not Jiterally exterminating the species the result of this, it is argued, would be to destroy the sealing industry for- ever. True, the pelagic sealets would ruin their own business, but they belong to a class of people who care only for today and do not look forward to the morrow. IF LORD SALISBURY COULD SRE one of these Canadian sealers thrust his gaff- hook into the carcass of a nursing female seal and drag the body over the gunwale into the boat: af, as this ruthless destroyer cuts the hide from the animal, he could watch the milk spurt on which a poor little family of baby seals depend for sustenance, how quickly would he cry shame upon such beastly, barbarous batehery! How long would it be before he signed an agreement with the United States for the protection of the persecuted creatures? THE WORK OF THE INDIAN HUNTERS. The Indian hunters carried by the sailing vessels take an important part in the chase. They are turned loose on days when calm Weather has succeed a storm. At such times the seals, which have been so tossed about in the water as to have had no sleep for a con- siderable period, indulge in the luxury of sound naps on the ocean billows, lying on their backs at the surface with only their noses and “heels” showing. Thus rocked in the cradle of the deep they peacefully repose, doubtlessly enjoying pleasant dreams, while the savage in his canoe approaches silently from the leeward. When within striking dis- tance the hunter drives a toggle-headed spear into the unconscious animal, drags the prey to the boat and knocks it on the head. This y of slaughter, though not less indis- ci than that adopted by the white men, has the advantage that no seal that is struck is josh. ONLY THE PRIBYLOY SEALS. The pelagic sealers have assorted that the breed of seals hunted off the Straits of Fuca and Vancouver's Island is not the same as that of the Pribylov Islands, and that the Alaskan is frequent more or less the Russian seal islands on the other side of Bering sea, scals from the latter, known as the Commander Islands, sometimes joining the Pribylov herd. Asa matter of fact, every seal which journeys through the eastern waters of the aorth Pacific was born and bred oa the Pribylov Islands. Never within historic times have the animals composing the Pribslov herd “hauled out™ to breed anywhere else than on these islands, which they donbtless selected because they were uninhabited, not being discovered until 1786, while the mainland and the islands of the Aleutian chain were overrun very anciently by savage man. That | no Russian seal was ever taken on the Pribylov Islands, or vice versa, is proved by the records of market sales of the skiusin Londoa. The Russian pelts are readily distinguishable from the Alaskan, being much lighter in color. Pre- sumably the warmer water about the Com- mander Islands, the temperature being about is assembled on two small islands, thus making an end of the species at once and “for good.” PELAGIC SEALING. Before explaining in detail the remarkably effective method by which this result would be accomplished some very interesting points may be mentioned respecting the extraordi- nary business of pelagic sealing. For the pur- suit of this industry small schooners of from forty to sixty tons are equipped. Each such Yessel starts out on a voyage with three or four months" provisions, a quantity of salt, a supply of repeating ritles and fifteen or twenty men. Usuaily the crew includes a few Indians from Vancouver's Isiand and Neeah bay, Wash- ington. The schooner sails out into the path of the herd of seals. She has no troubie in discovering when the right point is reached by the popping up on all sides in the water of the Buimals’ heads Then she lies to, unless the Weather is too rough, aud lowers into the sea a umber of small dories. Each boat is occupied by two men. One of them sits in the bow, with « Winchester rile or fowling piece loaded with buckshot across his lap, while the other rows. The effort is to ex- tend from the vessel a line of from seven to ten dories, which shall be within hail of each other, so that they cad find their way back in ease of @ fogor storm. Having taken theit itions, they wait for the chance of a seal’ ead popping up within range. The animal while traveling, only appear on the surface the intervals necessary for breathing, take a ick aud cautious look around and imme- Gintely dive again to awit and fish. ‘They do ail their swimming and fishing under water. Now THEY ARE suor. ‘When the bunter sees a head pop up, if he is quick enough, be may have time to aim and ire before the seal bas taken an instantaneous survey of him and dived. Usually, when the ‘animal comes up close alongside the boat, its fright ig so great that it disappears too sud- deuly tor a suot, but if it pops up at a distance | of fifty or one hundred yards perhaps it may pause for two or three seconds and afford an opportunity to the marksman. At best the aim is necessarily very uncertam, inasmuch as both boat und seal are tossing about in the lumpy water. AFTER THE PREY 15 HIT. No matter whether it is hit or not the seal disappears instantly. If killed out sinks, but if the marksman by keeping his eye on the spot where the carcass went under €an so direct the boat as to get there quickly enough he may be able to see the Body of the animal going down in the crystal- Clear water. In that case he whips out bis gaff Pole and fishes it up. To succeed in this, how- r, he must arrive in time at the exact point where the game sank, since it is only from just ten degrees higher. has made the difference in the course of generations. The Russian skins are only worth about half as much as the Alaskan. ‘THE COMMANDER ISLANDS SEALS. The herd which breeds upon the Commander Islands is about as large numerically as the Fribylov herd at present, comprising some- what less than 1,000,000 individuala. It spends the winter in the Japan sea and in the neigh borhood of the Kurile Islands. Thus far it ha- not been attacked to any extent by pelagic sealers, simply because their attention has | safe been centered upon the more valuable Alaskan animals. However, as soon as the Pribyioy herd has been wiped out, the Russian seals will be attacked. Russia claims no jurisdiction over Bering sea beyond three miles trom shore, and she can only save her seals by joiving the United States and Great Britain in the inter- national agreement which constitutes the only hope for the preservation of these useful creatures. If ten-mile or thirty-mile zone of protection can be estab- lished, there ie no reason why a zone of 300 or 500 miles should not be maintained. Such an ‘agreement once made, the seals would be saved. Some notion of the rapidity with which they are being extermi can be got from the report of United States Commissioner Elliott, who in 1874 counted $8,000,000 seals on the Pribylov Islands. In 1890 he found there only 959,000 old and young. In 1874 there were 1,200,000 “bachelor seals”—males under six years old, which are not allowed by the bulls to come upon the breeding rocks. A liberal esti- mate in 1590 placed the number of bachelors at 100,000, ‘THE LIFE OF A SEAL HUNTER is as dangerous and exposed a calling as human ingenuity hasever devised. In the north Pa- cutie the skies are nearly always overcast and gales blow continually. Fogssettle down with- outa moment's warning, not to rise again, perhaps, for days or weeks. Yet from the deck of a schooner two men will launch a small dory, with oy a keg of water and @ bag of hard tack, and pull out to windward into the ocean waste, s0 as to be just in sight of the vessel or within bailing dis tance of a boat between themselves and the vessel, taking their chances of getting back safely. Very often they are lost. Death in its most frightiul form—from thirst—is the fate always to be looked forward to as more than possible by the pelagic sealer. The fog suddenly descends like a curtain, damp and impenetrable to the strained ‘vision: the answering hail comes not It is the old story, so oft repeated. Iwo human beings adrift in skiff, lost in @ desert of stormy waters. No hope that is worth mentioning ex- iste for them. What use to row when all is above that it will be visible through the choppy ‘Waves, which show not « bubble for a guide. A dead seal will sink from six to teh feet whiie skiff is rowed fifty yarda There ia more | skill in finding the prey after it is hit than m shooting it. Supposing that the seal is slightly or mortally wounded it dives and ims away, in most cases to perish later. If merely stunned, it dounders about on the sur- face aud is easily taken; but that seldom occurs. From this brief description some notion can be formed of the enormous waste of life in this Bind of bunting, which. according to the testi- mony of the sealers themselves, destroys filteen euimais for every one secured. MEADINO OFF THE HERD. After afew days the herd thus intercepted by the schooner will have passed by. This is Giscovered from the fact that no more heads Of seals are seen popping up inthe water. Have the unfortunate beasts agth made e blindness and there is no guide to steer by. Days of agony on short allowance of water, then madness and finally — & THE SLIGHT REWARD. Bat why pursue the horror farther. Noone who bas never sailed upon those wind-ewept seas nor stared into those frightful fogs cau realize the risks which are taken every day of their lives by these hunters or understand, in view of the small reward they receive, why they pursue such an occupation. The gunner is paid for the skins he gets from $2.50 to 5 apiece, according to size and quality. ‘The boat puller is paid from 40 cents to $1a skin, though sometimes he works for $30 a month. Ten skins make very big day's catch, and to get so many the hunter will usually expend from 150 to 200 cartridges, That would signify about $40 for the hunter, whose labor is highly skilled, and $4 for the puller. the vessel provides ammunition, Indians have their own spears and canoes. They get the the white men, but do for skins Y- oon erate re ae ‘are rul It to preserve them. Enough of the fat i left upon thom to hold ‘the salt. ‘This fat has an ex The owner of | there. ’ THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C. SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1892-SIXTEEN PAGES. ACTORS OF WEALTH | Thespians Who Have a Goodly Pile of This World’s Goods. MAKING AND SPENDING. | No Millionaires in the Profession of Acting. but = Number of Well-to-Do Comedians— But One Wealthy Tragedian—Joseph Jef- ferson and Joseph Murphy Both Rich. Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. New Yor, April 2, 1892. VERY PROFESSION known to us today ha its millionaires—excep' the profession of act- ing. There are million- aire lawyers in plenty; there are half a dozen millionaire doctors, without going away from Gotham to name them; there are mil- Hionaire editors, strange as it may seem, and, if Politics be a profession, the millionaires who manipulate party wires are numerous enough, in all conscience. But there is no actor strutting his fretful hour who can count a million dollarsas his own. There isno manager, fixed or transitory, who can quite o'ertop the million mark. In all the history of theatricals, here or in any other Jand, no millionaire player has ever appeared. The fact may or may not have significance; it is certainly not eapable of successful denial. Yet there are plenty of rich men and women on the stage, and this country contains all save « very few of them. A QUARTER OF A CENTURY has produced the majority of these Incky ones. Thirty years ago there were scarce half a dozen actors who were able to reckon their wealth at $100,000 or over. There are at the lowest cal- culation a hundred actors and actresses who are worth more than that today. One of the very rich ones, whose head has silvered as his purse grew golden, whose genial wit and gentle manners have never failed to charm his audi- ences,and whose private life has been singularly pure and unobtrasiv ough the other day to talk for alittle while about the finances of acting, and more especially about the earnings of those who have been the most fortunate. He was in many instances speaking by the card, and in all cases his calculations wore based upon a long personal acquaintance d accurate knowledge of those whom he re- ferred to. ‘THE TWO WFRALTHY JOSEPHS. “Tt will be as difficult to say, ex cathedra,” he premised, “who is the very richest actor in America as it would be to tell who is the wealthiest man in the whole world. But this point { make, and it is worth considering — that all save ono of our confexsedly ‘wealthy actors are men who make iaughjer for our audiences instead of tears. ‘The comic players are almost invariably our prosperous ones. At any rate, you will find among them all the ficancial sinews of our profession. I don’t know whether Joseph Jefferson is richer than Joseph Murphy, but I do know that Murphy is worth $450,000 at the lowest calculation, and ifavy actor in America can show a larger figure than that to his credit he will be the king pin of our rich Thespian, “I doubt if Jefferson is quite so well fixed Murphy. Not that he couldn't have been, any means, but thers this vast differen between the pair—that Jefferson has been prodigal spender, after his fashion,and aluxuri- ous liver, while Murphy has been’ exceedingly economical all the fifty-three years of his life Jefferson has been something of a speculator; Murphy has never made a monetary hazard and probably never will make une. | Jefferson jas lived like a lord of the manor, with a Lou- isiana plantation and a New Jersey villa to eat up lots of his earnings year after year: Murphy has roughed it in summer; trout fishing is his one delight in life, and it does not cost much to kill trout in these days. So in warm weather this semi-miilionaire comedian disappears from the haunts of men actors, aud weare out his old clothes beating through thick woods with a guide for « chum and a blanket tor his covering at night. He likes it and he surely 18 entitled to enjoy it se much as he desires. In winter time he travels comfortably bu’ not luxuriously, and it i a famous fact among actors that Murphy's hotel expenses are paid from the sales of his song books. INVESTING EARNINGS. “Jefferson, I say, could have been the richer of the pair if he had bent his mind toward the accumulation of vast wealth, but he has never exhibited the slightest tengency in that direc- tion. He has been liberal ‘# br acteen, paying generous wages always; and the salary drawn from him by the late Florence ot 1,500 or more s week was the largest ever paid in America to any supporting actor. Besid: Jefferson has been chiaritabie in an unostenta tious way, and he has reared a trio of sons who have been a credit to him. His money is partly invested in real estate, first mortgages and government bonds. Murphy's eccentricity is manifested again in his investments He believes only in government bonds, and deposit vaults, real’ estate and mortgages uve’ no charm. for him. He docs not loan gnoney at interest. Bonds, and only bonds, attract him, and if he lives many years longer bis coupons, his song books and the $40,000 yearly profits from his tours will make him # miliionaire, and the first American actor to hold that distinction. Jet- ferson’s wealth, I think, will accumulate far leas rapidly, but he will leave his three sons enougn to keep them in profitable leisure all their lives. ‘THE ONLY WEALTHY TRAGEDIAN, “The American actor who has not grown rich in comedy is Edwin Booth. The tragedian's wealth is an unknown quality. He has proba- bly never revealed the exact figures to any liv- ing person. He never talks of money to his intimates, and Idoubt if he could tell you ns the instant just how much he is worth, anyhow. But there are signs not easily misinterpreted which lead to believe that he is not so rich as Murphy and probably not worth more than Jefferson. Thatisestimating Booth'sfortune at about $300,000. Shrewd lawyers have helped him to increase his holdings by judicious invest- ments in real estate, Hi in first mortgages he is in several good pa; thanks to the tips of a Wall street intimate, But Booth cares little for riches, and, 80 long as he continues in his present apathetic mood, his fortune will increase paratively slowly. ‘The bulk of it will go to his married daughter, Mrs. Edwina Gross- man of Boston—though, by the way, there are rumors that of late she and her moody father have bad a serious falling out. ‘The Players’ Ciub, founded by Booth’ at an expense of $100,000, and the Actors’ Fund Orphanage will undoubtedly receive handsome bequests when Booth passes away. THE LIST OF SUCCESSYUL THESPIANS, “Stuart Robson, ‘Billy’ Crane, Neil Burgess, Billy’ Hoey, ‘Charley’ Evans, ‘Nat’ Goodwin, Sol Smith Russell, Edward Harrigan, ‘Den’ ‘Thompson, Oliver Byron, Jas. H. Wallack and Richard Mansfield make up a rather diverse roup of actors who are well fixed. All of rom? unless it bo Mansfield, are worth @100,000 or more. Burgess owns an $30,000 apartment house in {this city, and he has other invest- ments paying from 7 to 10 percent. He is 5 op d ‘ing dividend stocks, richer still, if health fined to become , a As dy joderate extent. Reed 160,000 in the past halt dozen years. “He isn't married, he believes in New York real estate and he behaves him- self. Therefore he'll be rich yet one of these days, for he is young and hes that advantage over Crane, Robson and Burgess. Sol Smith Russell is well to do jnst now, because land is booming in the west and Russell is a land- owner there. His yoarly profits have always been handsome, and, save during one season, when he lost $25,000’ on one of Dion Bouci- Cault’s plays, ‘Bussell has never had a drawback since 1880. “Oliver Byron is easily worth $150,000, most of it made ‘Across the Contintnt,’ which was positively one of the worst plays ever acted on the stage. But Byron's red shirt and vocifer- ous heroics did part of ‘the business, and his fight with Indians to save the Union Pacific train accomplished the rest. Byron owns be- sides a handsome residence in Long Branch. He is married to Kate Rehan, a sister of Ada Rehan, and they bave a son who isa better actor than his dad, aud will get most of the latter's fortune. “Richard Mansfield is beginning to make money fast. The only danger is that when he has grown moderately rich in comedy he'll tr; tragedy again and lose everything, as he di when ‘Richard III’ and ‘Nero’ fascinated and nearly bankrupted him. Mansfield, too, spends more money ina week that Joe Murphy does in a year. He is a prodigal in his mode of livin, while in New York, though of late he has toned down somewhat. But still, Robson, Craneand Burgess, who are ‘old timers,’ would. th: their hands in dismay if they could hav into Mansfield’s check book. “Ned Harrigan will be very rich in year or two. He is never likely to want, of course, but when he has paid for Harrigan’s Theater—and he is gradually effecting that one object of his Inbors—he'll bave an income of about €40,000 assured him for the rest of his life, and that income will represent a pretty solid invest- ment, too. «J. H, Wallack, whom I have named in this list, is the sensational wtar in the list repre- sented by the late Frank Frayne, by young ‘Nick’ Wood and others equally familiar. Waliack owns a big stock farm and is steadily earning from $20,000 to €30,000 a yeur. RICH ACTRESSES. “The rich actresses in America are Lotta, Fanny Davenport, Maggie Mitchell, Clara Morris, Aunie Pixley and Mrs. John Drew. Lotta is the shining star in this galaxy. Her mother, Mrs. John Ashworth Crabtree, looks after the little scubrette’s purse, and the strings have always been held tight, you may be as- sured. seal estate investments have consider- ably increased Lotta Crabtree’s fortune, which I think is not a cent less than €400,000. It may be more. Maggie Mitchell is worth at least $250,000, and : Morris and Fanny Davenport are probably good for $200,000 each. Annie Pixley's wealth is represented at about the same figure. All four stars bave their husbands as their man- agers and three of them have been divorced prior to their last marriage. Mrs. Drew's for- tane is the result of years of severe and patient industry, alike as actress and manageress.”” toe GASTRONOMICS AND STATESMANSHIP. The Relation of « Man’s Food to His Useful- nese as a Legisiatur. DIET OF SOME OF THE GENTLEMEN WHO MAKE THE LAWS—IF THEIR DIGESTION I8 GOOD ALL RIGHT—IF THEY ARE DYSPEPTIC BAD LAWS RESULT—HOW TO MAKE THEM STATESMEN. The study of the relations of a bill of fare to statesmanship is a thing that is entirely too much neglected. The people of this great | o food-producing country do not full appreciate the importance of this matter, and scientists have too long neglected it. The peanut policy whichis sometimes used with relation to statesmanship does not refer to the eatable quality of the nut, but rather to its size. The question of gastronomics is not as- sociated with the result of a vote on ilver or the tariff, and the association between the quality of a dipner and that of a speech is not closely drawn. Now, there are johnny-cake statesmen, milk-and-pie statesmen, raw-oyster statesme: codfish statesmen (not relating to th tocracy), statesmen who draw their insp from corn beef and cabbage and champagne and terrapin statesmen, not to mention the many others that might be named by carefully following out the bill of fare. THOSE OF LEAST #ERVICE TO THE COUNTRY. Of all these, the ones less apt to be of service to their country, linble to be defective in rea- soning, undiplomatic in method and lacking in wisdom as to policy,are the milk and pie states- men and the terrapin and champagno states men. Both suffer from indigestion, and the one is irritable, while the other is flighty and inattentive. It is a matter of great importance that the machinery of the mighty brains which run this government in divers and uncertain ways should be properly supplied with motive power 80 as to be quick of motion. The lobbyists about Congress have discoy- ered long since that one way of affecting a statesman’s judgment was through his stomach, but they have failed to dixcover why it is that upon practical test this methoa often fails to produce the desired result. ‘Ihe trout le is that their menus are not usually well selected and they often find that the morning after a big dinner they have to deul with a very irritable man with indigestion. GASTRONOMICS AND STATESMANSHTP. It can be very easily shown, by careful exami- nation and comparison, that most of the bad jaws on the statute books are traceable directly to the manner of meat the statesmen fed upon who passed them. During the Congress Tom Reed managed to keep very well up, and always to keep his brains sufficiently supplied with phos- phorus on a midday repast of alfa dozen raw oys nd a‘bottle of beer. Hoe cake and hominy would probably have kept his digestive organs in as good condition and with more economical results. The oyster, while very digestible in a statesman’s stomach, is a lux- urious creature, and as a diet is not calculated to inspire that sentiment of economy which comes from a diet of johnny cake, such as Mr. Holman is fond of This whole matter has been talked over with Murray, the great authority on cookery, who has been placed in charge of the House res- taurant, and who expects to make a great statesman of every man in Congress before he gets through with him. WOW TO MAKE STATESMEN. “Why, pshaw!" he said, “there is no reason in the world why every man in Congress should not be a good deal of a statesman. The chief element is that of eating. On a proper diet a taan may develop to the fullest extent his mental faculties and unless he does observe the proper rules his career will be short and not brilliant. If I could have my way about it I would make this Congress worthy of record. It is @ mistaken idea that men engaged in brainy work must eat fish and other phosphorescent food. It is not phosphorus they want, it is digestion. A Con- gress suffering from indigestion will make the worst body ot legislators on earth. Proper food will mako a man patriotic, sagacions, wise and even cloquent. “all the loftier things in a great man are subject to the influence of thestomach. Heavy foods that lielike lead, depress the brain, make a man stupid and incapable of work. Too rich foods, however delicious soy f may be, a statesman indigestion, make him irritable, and result in discord and squabbling and poor legislation. By acareful selection of food, if they will take good advice, I could cultivate simple statesman who would be an honor to the country, and one of the best thingsin thie world to develop a man’s mental capacity on are good, tender, rare roast beef, Boston baked beans and country corn bread.” INTIMATIONS OF GREATNESS. Itis evident that this Congress hos decided easily worth $250,000, and he will double that ‘open ut amount if he lives a few years longer. is good for $200,000° or he is not & speculator, ‘pile’ will grow rather ‘spender, though, a respectable fortune. His wife, May Waldron, will get her just share of and his daughter, Mrs. Alecia Crehore of Peepen will not be bavi — spa er frisky papa’s second marriage bitterly art, at the tit costs money. spend to be great. One by one the New England Yankees have broken themselvos from pie and gone back to Boston baked beans, a luxury ey have heretofore been unable to get only athome. Itis commonly known that Boston ‘than elsewhere. men are greater at home ‘This will no longer be true, for the brain-producing bean is now cooked in the ben — where they legislate. ‘The bean bakes down stairs and the Boston brain bubbles and flashes on the floor above. THE SLAVE CATCHERS How They Searched Vessels Going From the South. THE CAPTAIN’S EXPERIEN He Had to Submit to Their Examination, but No Runaway Was Found on His Ship—He Also Tells of the Wreck of the Vessel Jane. HE CAPTAIN TOLD another story recently, taking up the incidents that occurred just fol- lowing the difficulty he bad in getting his ship out from Richmond Just at the breaking out of the war, After he thought he had been freed from further molestation through the intervention of, ex- Gov. Wise he pro- ceeded on his course, but he changed his moor- ings several times between Craney Island, Sewell’s Point, Newport News andthe “Roads, till at last fair weather appeared, and soon the weather-bound fleet—for there were several other vessels beside his—making preparations for ah outing. One after another weighed anchor, but before they had proceeded far it became apparent that they must submit to e an ordeal. The captain continued: fe found that we would have to encounter a well-equipped and terrifying looking oreft, in those days commonly called ‘negro catchers.” Finally our turn came, as the blank shot across our bows from our challenger soon indicated. Rounding to our vessel we were boarded by the search officer and his attendants, with no little misgivings on our part. You see, in the days of yore the south, while owning their slaves, were not by any means in quiet enjoyment of their property. They not only had to contend with the inclinations of the slaves to free them- selves, but also with the unscrupulousness of some persons who were aiding them to secure their escape. Hence, in the course of events— asa means of better security and protection against this contraband traffic—the south en- ‘acted what was generally termed. “search law.” This simply meant that all vessels leaving a southern port, bound north, should be thor- oughly searched, and tor each runaway found on board the guilty party or parties were linble to a term of seven years’ imprisonment, and in some cases the penalty was no less than im- prisonment of captain and crew and confisca- tion of vessel. HOW HIS FATHER GOT CAUGHT. In this connection I am reminded of an ex- perience of my father, happening many years ago. He had loaded « cargo in Richmond, Va., the usual care being taken as to “stow- The hatchcs were closed, decks cleared and the vessel started down the river. In “Trent's Reach,” not many miles below the city, the light wind or change of tide neces- sitated anchoring the vesse!. While walking the deck and hearing a rather singular noise, exclaimed to ‘Sis ‘mat ‘I hear a noise below decks. I believe we have @ runaway on board.” He directed the forehatch to be ned. No sooner was it off, and before one could realize the situation, out jumped a ‘con- traband,” and over the vessel's rail into the river he plunged. Discovering that there were others on board the hatches were put in place, and, with all possible dispatch, my father left his ‘vessel in charge of the mate and repaired to Richmond, Feporting the facts of his tind. he authorities sent a “tug” and bad the vessel towed back to the city, and, after a thor- ough search, some three or four negroes were brought to ‘light, their tan-colored faces and wearing apparel being additionally beautified b their floundering in the cargo ot “bituminous,” after which the hold was thoroughly fumigated. That there had been “contrabands” on board my father’s vessel was a settled question. The next thing was to prove how they came there and to establish the innocence of captain and crew, which was no easy matter to do at the best.’ Fortunately, after a trying ordeal and detention of vessel and crew, they were finally released and allowed to proceed on their voy- age. f ‘So much for slavery and its accompanying terror-inspiring laws protecting it(which main- tained even in times of peace). So some con- ception as to the real state of affairs at the out- break of the war, which, precipitating the bar- riers to a certain extent, thereby opened many avenues of escape to fugitive slaves. can be formed. I ask, is it to be wondered at that (as the search officer planted bis foot on the deck of my veusel) I should feel just a trifle diseon- certed? SEARCHING BIS OWN SHIP. The salutation was: “Hello, old captain, you are here again. Guess you had better stay this time, as you will hardly get into theso waters again. I would just like to find about a dozen niggers on board this time, as I will not get an- other chance at you soon.” Treplied with’ the question: “Why do you make me such a wish?" “Oh, I thought you now that you are here. “By the way,” (said he, “captain, have you heard the news “What news?” I asked. “Why! [tell you things are getting lively. The Massachusetts troops, on the way to Wash- ington, were attacked in Baltimore and badly cutup’ So by the time you get home yon will want to come down and help whip us ‘rebs,” wont you?” While all this apparent jesting wasin progress the search was being made in evory nook and corner for the “contraband” that, luckily for us, was not there. This search resulted in our obtaining a clean bill, which, however, called for @ fee of $10, the imposition of which was always a source of much annoyance to sailing muster, and, unjust as it doubtiess was, was always reluctantly paid. “Well, as we cannot find @ coon on board I guess we will have to let you go,” said the searcher. “Good-bye, old fellow. If I don't ee you that other time I will meet you down in ‘Dixe, * I told him I would certainly be around and take particular pains to single him outase mark. “Iwas then up helm, and, full sail set, we ‘Were soon on our journey seaward. Indignation? don't tall We had taken our several doses of the same medicine before like men, and this last sond-off made us even more enthusiastic than ever—why, we just felt as though we could wipe out the confederacy in ort order. In duo time we reached New York to find the wood market glutted and things generally de- Se “war cry” matters were at ver After some consultation with my consignees ight as well us not stay as to the disposition of my cargo I told them that T would leave the same in ¢ of them and my mate, as contem| @run over to Philadelphia (my Homey Iwas asked. “Captain, you're not going to enlist, are you?” Having given my mate a line of general in- structions I took the train for home. U; arrival there I found things booming The boys were all being drilled, and as my en- thosiasm had been thoroughly aroused it ts needless to add that I was along with them and Soing for soldie® Our company was in fair Gouaition and about to be sworn in and equipped when a from my consign: ges summoned me to Now York. uate found at my ma one on & spree. If being essential that the vessel should reseivo prompt attention in order to dispose of the cargoIhad no other alternative than to as- sume my former station and don my accus- | © tomed nautical rig. ‘TEE WRECK OF THE JANE. Another story the captain told, not relating to the war, butof the wreck of the Jane, of | ™*, which he was the mate. He said: 5 among the last of the fleet to get un: When asked, ‘Captain, are you the invariable asower' ‘would beet ge hang on awhile and see if the wind stand.’ Ours was not a fair wind, slant, in fact quite a close haul for fleet bound northward. By this time we were well nigh across the * ” I sew that our skipper wassomewhat restless, and Tmost say w tion beyond doubt offshore. The bank to the east that we had been eyeing now began to define its meaning. No time was to be lost. Our topeails and the outer Jib were taken in and furled, the foresail settled and reefed. This done the mainsail was close-reefed and bonnet taken out of jib. BAD WEATHER AXD POUNDING THE ROCKS. Even under this canvas the Jane was making bad weather of it. We were by this time about fifteen miles south of Abescom. Dark and stormy, with a northeast gale square in our teeth to beat to windward, our course to Bandy Hook was a thing simply impossible for us to do. Too close to the coast to lie towith safety, on ot and aft. The only alternative was to keep ber off and run before it, with the chances of reach- ing the harbor that we had leftagain. Driving dead before the wind, with @ heavy sea ru: ning, our vessel deeply laden and under the canvas we dared to show, made her steer badly atthe best. To keep within a point or so of our course was @ thing not easy to do. We imed, as we supposed, full well to windward to suficiently allow for leeway. By this time Cape May light was dimly seen in the dis- tance, just abaft our lee Cape Henlopen sighted and a faint glimpse of the beacon light obtained. Alas, all was shut out from our view; dense darkness prevailed. In dread suspense of the fate awaiting us we continued, the lookout fail- ing to see anything save the mountainous white capsand hear the howlings of the billows. Alternately the captain and myself bad thebelm 88 onward we plunged our way. "Iwas neari midnight. Judging from our speed before such a alo we knew that we must be nearing the reakwater. I had just retired from the wheel and ascended the main rigging in eager watch- fulness some light to discern or object to ob- serve to guide our entrance into the harbor we were seeking. But nothing save o huge object of darkness, looming up just under otr lee, could be seen. In an in- stant I shouted, “Let her luff,” but, alas, too Inte. An instant later and the crash came. We struck head on the rugged ice breaker. Our vessel bilged and beat on the reef, while the elements wrought bitter vengeance on their prey. In the meantime the crew took to our boat, and from the lee of our stranded vessel cut loose just as » buge sea picked up boat and all and landed us ‘high on the ice- covered rocks. Making our way to the light house we reached there almost perished, long ere daylight dawned, Nothing savea few splintered spars and tangled rigging was left of our cratt Jane, whiie the crew toa man was minus ail save Just what we stood in as our Vessel went from under our fee eiuene te ss OHIO MAY BE DOUBTFUL This Is the Opinion of the Cleveland and Anti-Free Silver Men. Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. Couemnvs, Ouro, March 31.—If the demo- crats nominate Mr. Cleveland for the presi- dency and do not commit themselves to free silver cvinage Ohio will be a doubtful state in the presidential election this year. ‘That may seem astounding to people in the east, but a careful review of the rituation here must lead one to this conclusion, In 1876 Samuel J, Tilden came within 7,566 votes of carrying this republican state, and Mr. Cleve- land is a great deal more popular in Obio than Tilden was, With the business men particu- larly Mr. Cleveland is very strong. His courageous stand upon the silver question has made for him friends everywhere,and one con- stantly meets weil-known republicans who openly announce that they intend to vote for him if he is nominated. When Samuel J, Tilden came so near carry- ing Ohio in 1876 there was no such factional fight in the republican ranks im this state as they is now. In fact, there never was such a bitter fight inthe republican ranks in Ohio as there is today. Since the senatorial election the lines dividing the Sherman and Foraker men have been growing more distinct, and the Ureach between these two factions has been growing constantly wider. ‘The action of the state central committee here Friday night has made the friends of Gov. McKinley furious, and they are vowing ven- | geance. The Sherman men have already in- | augurated plans for going jnto every county in the state, securing control of the county con- ventions and making the state convention at Cleveland a solid Sherman organization, with the avowed object of utterly annihilating Forakerism. The Cincinnati Times-Star of Saturday, a recognized Sherman organ, con- tains an editorial which, it is claimed, outlines this policy. It say “The action of the state committee yesterday in defeating Gov. McKinley for the tempor chairmanship of the state convention shows bitterness and desperation of the Foraker con- tingent in Ohio politics. * * * It is about time for the republicans of the general assem- blyand of the state to combine against For- akerism and wipe it out of existence. Never before in the history of the state hasan ex- governor tried to hang on to political patron- age in such an audacious and unseemly manner. Itis tobe hoped that the republicans of the state will speak in no uncertain sound at the coming state convention.” This editorial is printed under the heading, “Make an End of Forakeriem.” ‘The $6,000,000 Cincinnati water works bill isno doubt killed by the factional fight, as well as the legislation now pending to reorganize the city of Columbus. Similar measures for cities in various parts of the state having failed to the active working republicans who would Eave vecured ofices by them are disgusted and will refuse to take any active part in the com- ing spring municipal elections. This state of affairs is indicated in the primary elections of the two parties in this city last week. More than double the number of votes were cast at the democratic primaries than were polled in the republican primaries, although the city has a majority of republican voters. There is little doubt that the democrats will carry this city at the coming election, and the ‘municipal elee- tions throughout the state will showgreat dem- ocratic gains, all due to the republicans, the result of the febt. ‘Lhe Foraker men are trying to blame the de- feat of Gov. McKinley upon the Sherman re- publicans, and do it in this way: They claim that they understood it wasto be a square fight over the convention chairmanship between Forakor and Sherman men in the committee; that Speaker Laylin was to be the Sherman candidate and Mr. Griffin was their candidate. Each Foraker man plodged himself to vote for Mr. Grifin. They were surprised when the name of Gov. McKinley was announced by the Sherman men. Their men had alread; themselves to vote for. Mr. Grifin 108 pe could taken up Gov. McKinley as their presidential candidate. is met by the Sherman how- ‘This sto men, rer, with the statement that Executive Chair- THE BILL MOVEMENT GOING TO PIECES. ‘The Hill movement here seems to have well gone to pieces, With the exception ofex- vane Hon. T. E. Powell, J. no democrats i j 5 i i if i starboard tack we were bemg washed fore |" apatby among the pti ry Smoker’s Nose knows when it is pleased. It is pleased with the fragrant and ; aroma of Blackwell’s Bull Durham Smoking Tobacco Which has been for more than a quarter of a century the desire and delight of comfort lovers everywhere. It strikes. the taste of many fastidious smokers. somz Tur wrncnaxt wo 01 ‘on credit in years gone bY was an in~ PEOPLE ‘vidual tobe avoudeds exeere in eaves abvolute necessity. Phe prennum charred RNOW Yothecuntomer was many oliars ex cons of cash Prices, ‘and niuch diseatie- HOW. faction was the reeult ‘Our Credit House was the frat in Wash faston to advertise a price fist, chow! ‘and the credit price cl 'd Faraiture. In so deine ve ined. the confidence of the padiie this vn learned by cotta 5 thiat our credit priees were ce low and, th many instanoen, lower than cash prise clsewliere. Today we are selling quantities of BOME goods to people who cculd for {Sem it mecomerys ARE avail thous! ause itis an LEARNING believe 3: equal pay: wow. fhanitinto pay DO —_We woud be gind to have you vie andte! as what you tank of ours you market. Bou. fst Paris award tn 1850 Baby Carriaces is com as Landsome patterns wish to see. We READ AND BEE. our prices and our 1 on * ‘No Fequired and § per cent discount tor setiiewents within thirty days ‘The prices from 86 to n ‘These liefruccrators toon the hich. Our stock of We sel? G@ROGAN’S MAMMOTH CREDIT HOUSE, 819, $21 and $23 7th st. now. exorbitant dentai fees office. work because we work services are guarautead want the earth. witha fair profit instex: ‘There is no such thing Filling with Silver. “ Piatioa.. Tue Kerrey I. oUF inaterial the best tha 401 7TH ST., COR. D. Our price list demonstrates that it is ridiculousto pay in any city where we have an And yet we would not have you suppose we docheap | 4! cheaply. On the contrary, our first-class in every respec money can buy. We | these prices partly because the magnitaile of our busi- { ness wives us advantaves in purch: partly because we are moderate in our desires and satis- | fled with the District of Columbia while most dentists | In other words, our offices are con- ducted on business principles, and we ace contented ine stock, &e., and 4 of wanting your last dollar. with us as gauring the fee by the pocket book, the following price list obtaining with 00 35.00 STITUTE, OAK CREST, MD., FOR THECURE OF LIQUOR, MORPHINE, OPIUM, ALI, MATERIALS GLEANED AND DIED. KEW SPRING SHADES. 4 NEW PROCESS FOR DYEING GENTS SUITS. ‘The lining remains bright and clean. Goods called tor ANTON FISCHER, and delivered. 906 @ ST. ¥.W. mba 514 PENN. AVE OE OPS OF SPRING MILLINERY THURSDAY, March 31, and FRIDAY, April 1, at Locas & Mannose Gate with Mra. AT. Whiting), _ 2011 Get. now. wh28-Lm Gexrs Suits CLEANED, ‘Linings and Button Moles ket in thelr former color and shaje. DYEING IM ALL SHADES ACCORDING TO BAMPLE. A. F. Borsor, SCOURER AND DYER, Southeast cor. 17th and Fairmount ave BRANCH STORES: 1535 Cheatnut st.. Philadelphia 123 8. 10th st., Philadely 1623 Columbia ave., Phy ‘716 Market at., Wi 1 Wasbiinses 11th and G ste. D MAKIN HE EASY ? Isy learning the perfect fitting tailor aystem. The only one in hat requires no ftuny. Reduced to 810 for one month. I veut to ineasure. branches. Coats cut ama ti tuake their own dresses for 25 i858 CHR FRIEDKICH, MopI=Tr, 2M moved to 2114 Pa. ave. how. Styl Atshort notice. Pertet gusrauteed. Prices Senior Kasten: Frouptly at moderate. prices suyeriot atyie. at 204 fuish—by EDITH A. HIC te drafter and for ber sister, Mave B. VAN RECT, 12000 sto tahun wens Crratep VE REMOV amg DUtLonE t shape, plain or w buttons! Pry mak: iis 14 ant Ostrich feathers a ‘ibe style. Party dresees and. Fount lace curta'ta done ty aS MEDICAL, &e. D®- caBLero 507 12th wt. mw. Washington, D.C. Graduated London, England, 1808, and New York 187%, DISEASES OF MEN. Acute or Chronic, Hereditary or Acquired. Tack of energy, nerve force, vitality, partial orcom- | plete lows of Vicor is positively restored im a few weeks by the scientific application of local medicaments and electro-therapeutic ineasures, 80 successfully applied | by Dr. Carleton. Failure impossible. Age no iunpedti- tueut. ‘These conditions, except in cases of paraiyata, EXTREME oid age or general breakdown of the entire | comstitution, are im nine cases out of ten the result of an inflaminatory, hypersensitive and highly irritable condition of the Prostatic Urethra, which gets from Lad to worse. NEVEK Leals spontaneously and CAN- NOT be cured by stomach medication, The resuits f warly indiscretion or excesses of mature Fears is indew® asad one to most men. Few escape the diretul conse- quences of folly. The crop is sown and for harvest Lothins is reaped but regret, Some have a dullstupid feeling, wore tired in the morning than op going te COCAINE, CHLORAL AND TOBACCO HABITS | bea: fovbleness of purpowe, melancholy, tiupaired AND NEURASTHENIA, win MONDAY, Geonte's county. Blas and tw:nty-tour’ miles the Bait of “4 ‘The treatment a: Oak cal with that usedin Dr wise. TH April 4, at Osk Crest, Prince Sixteen iuiles irom Wasbinzton from Baltimore on the W jore and Obio rail tected. Crest Institute will be sden' ‘and the other Kee! institutes in the different =tates. Dr, Keeley's won- be success in ti habiteis too well known to be regarded ment. The Keeley treatment has never q hp it the District of Colum! formation will be cheerfully ‘who have treatwent and cureof these ‘a8 Rn expel used een id. state of Maryland. ‘Fiven, as Well as the names ‘been cured by the of partes taken and Recley Double Chiorideot Goid treatuuent at Dwighits iL, and other Keeiey mstitutes. ‘The public is warned spinel Would-be patients that Kecley's formuia.and statements are ‘Oak Crest is very. six trains pas: iatiy timore, stopping at this point. walk two minutes jn Up ON OD all sides,even woing so far as to ssion Brain te imitators who are thes. ave in posession of Dr. are urine his remedy. Such Yenience for the accomodation of patieuta, with very Postal, tel ress0. el facilities have been provided, to make the sojour1 Amatron will be in attendance im the be leasant as possible. for lady. patienta, who hotel. or in attractive Lomes ‘exray and everyibiug posi rn of the patients Snveniently hear, Deomrgp Oe Rensree, DRI ADRS Gy ives atl THE Prove its werits will sell fur GO days at @2, quart emt, wo publicity, harwalows but LIQUOK HABIT. 20 ve ‘ash-| VARICOCELE, STRIC 6 at. a j advice wd gi ub de ee ee WW. TREATS ALE rictures | inemory, shyuess, inability to concentrate the mind, | want of confidence and feel unfit for business, society orto marry. Dr. Carleton ia positively the only advertising sur- | coon in the United States who treats these (roubles ea | recogniaed scientific and curative principles. URE, hodory and Bladder ailments and all acute oF chronic diseases within the | range ot my specialty of GENTTO-SUEGERY trtste® ‘with the skill and success born of experience and am earnestness of desire to benefit my patients. Privacy, Qssured. Hours, 0 oS Sunday. tod Com sultation free: also my mew treatise, “Humbagwery Unmasked,” free at office or by wail. pened PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE TREATMENT CAN be obtained, With the best of medical references, Ug, apvlyine at $13 Oh st. o.w. SouETH ‘Aita-Con | mild canes o ‘t SiMe Dr. CARLETON treat requiring skillful aud ¢ " ‘out er acute end chronic diseases af us and orcamie ‘Weakinewny, disease Fecently come tosdays. Dr It. estab Liberty. st. chronic affechuns ue ape, sa Servet, Puna, Cixi ROFESSIONAL MASSAGE, MES. H. CAMERON, PROT On ws croton Pane ashe dese ERAVUT ime ARSTON'S TREA TM CURB Da Ermer Pees Bae aay a ? SeTaceete Rabe SOR UO Pisce, AR OP SUB es) EMVAND, | GLA\TE AMD LITSOGRAPERE, ™ Sep cnernane rer