The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-25

dealers and at Bulls Head, particularly 1t appears
to be extensively practised The exhibton present.
extremely udicrous 1t is not unusual to see twenty
or thirty in o range, with their tails cut and drawn
up as tight as possible to the ceiling, in the manner
we have described.
Only portion of the animals sold at the Bulls
Head are owned by the keepers OF the stables, q
large number being disposed OF by persons who
make business OF buying them rom farmers in diff
sachusetts, Ohio, and other States. These may not
improperly be termed spectators in horses for their
business has all the uncertainty Of speculation about
it. They sometimes make hundred per cent on
their purchases; and where there is rapid SALE so
that their profits are not absorsed by stable ex-
penses, they become rich in few years. As gene
raj thing i not lucrative occupation ands at
tended with considerable losses and risks. Sometimes
horse will remain three or four weeks, and even
longer, upon their hands, while they are occasion
ally mistaken in his qualities. 1t Is very seldom,
however, That the dealers are mistaken and they
generally make the most Of their bargains. They
are pretty shrewd and calculating and it would re-
quire no ordinary degree Of cunning to get the bet
ter Of them In the purchase Of horse. Some ami
mails are sent to the stables at Bulls Head to be
stabling in the interim.
1t is about fifteen years since it was established
during which time its business has increased to
considerable extent, though not in degree at all
commensurate with the growth of the city. The
number OF horses sold there daily is small in COM
parison with the number disposed Of throughout
New York. Hundreds change hands every day at
private sale, OF which account whatever is taken
while omnibus proprietors, railroad companies, and
others, who employ immense numbers, buy great
many in the country, and have them sent in droves
by steamboat or railroad All kinds horses can be
bought at the Bulls Head, from the common cart
horse to the best quality Of roadster, of which
there is generally large force constantly on hand
WHAT BECOMES OF ALL THE DEAD
HORSES!
AN ACCOUNT OF BARREN ISLAND.
1t will naturally be asked what becomes Of the
thousands Of horses that die every year thscity; and
after relating where they come FROM and the various
uses to which they put article would be ncom
pete if we did not tell also where they go to- About
a year ago, our readers will remember, the most in
veterate war was waged against the bone boiling
establishments in the upper part of the city.
large number of these had been permitted through
the supineness and Indifference of our municipal
authorities, to carry their business to the great
detriment of the public health and the interests of
property holders in the wards where they were
established. Frequent complaints were made against
them by the people living in their vicinity; the
efiuvia that proceeded from them was almost insup-
portable; and it was alleged by competent medical
authority that they engendered diseases of most
malignant and fatal character. The excessive NOR
tailfy IN our city during the prevalence of the
cholera and other epidemics was attributed to the
poisonous exhaations that arose from the decaying
carcases OF horses, COWS, and other animals which
accumulated about them. They at last became so
measures for their removal. The former City In
spector, Dr. White being invested with the requisite
authority, commenced a regular system of warfare
against them, demolishing the buildings wherever
they could be found, and threatening to prosecute
their owners if he detected them again at the same
occupation within the limits of the island. Their re-
moval it was thought would remedy the grievance
OF which our city had such just cause of complaint.
The bone boilers it is true, were most efectuay put
down for the time being but the putrefyng carcases
and oal still remained, and were as offensive as ever
Various propositions were suggested, by which the
city was to be- relieved Of them they were thrown
out to sea, but the returning tide conveyed
them safely back, and in few weeks
the docks We're full of them. Failing in this another
mode was devised, which proved equally Intellectual.
Heavy stones attached to them, but after lying
few weeks under water they arose to the surhce in
disgusting state of decomposition. Meantime the
bone boilers, routed out Of the city, attempted to
establish themselves on the Jersey shore and on one
OF the islands in the East river but meeting with the
same opposition there they were compelled to give
up the business. The City Inspector, DR.. White,
was directed by resolution of the Common Council,
to contract for the removal of the dead animals
horses COWS; dogs, cats, butchers oal and the gar
bage from hotels. An arrangement was accord
ingly made with Stephen Coles, and subsequently
inability of the former to fulfil the contract Since
this agreement was entered into the city has not
been afflicted with nuisances of the character
described. One or two attempts were made by the
bone boilers to reesablish their business but they
have been allowed no respite by the City Inspector
Mr.. Reynolds before applying for the contract pro-
cured lease OF one of the numerous sand banks
which lie along the side of Long Island near Sleeps
Head Bay. This bank Is not appropriately called
Barren Island, the only vegetation it produces being
coarse grass and some stunted cedars Its location
and general character render it peculiarly adapted
for the purpose to which it has been applied indeed
It appears as nature had especially designed it for
the receptacle Of the refuse matter Of the city The
principal objection hithereo urged against the es
adjustment of bone boiling factories was their prox-
unity to the city; but here is place more than twelve
human habtation, If we except the horses of those
employed in it. It lies about three miles from
Long Island, and is very difficult Of access to boats of
large tonnage, account Of the shoals by which it
is surrounded. steamboat has been built expressly
for the purpose of conveying the ol and dead AMI
mails from this city to large factory constructed
for the purpose, in which from fifteen to
twenty persons are employed in skinning them,
and in other work connected with the bone
boiling business The number of dead horses
brought to this island every year between 1000 and
5000 which forms about one.ffth part of the otfal
and other matter formerly left to decay in city,
breeding pestience in our midst. The Common
Council, in compliance with the terms Of the con-
tract made with Mr.. Reynolds. appropriated two
COcks-One al the 1901 OF Inlrtyfourth street, East
river, and the other at the foot of Foreth street.
North rverwhere the refuse matter could be placed
on board of barges to be afterwards transferred to
the steamboat, and sent to Barren Island sum
sufficient to defray the expense Of its removal was
allowed; for as all other methods of relieving the city
Of the nuisance had failed our authorities were glad
to get rid oft on such easy terms About forty men
and thirty horses are employed daily in removing
the oflal dead animals, and garbage from different
parts of the city extending from the Battery to Kings
Bridge TO the two docks already mentioned This force
Is distributed in the following manner:-There are
five two horse carts constantly engaged in taking
moving garbage from the hotels, and eight in con-
slant use for collecting dead horses cows, &c. The
drivers of these required to VISIT two or three
times day, each station house, and the office of the
City Inspector where boxes are kept for the reccp
ton of orders relative to dead animals. They are
also directed to call at the railroad depots and COW
stables at which they never fail in finding work for
their horses Mr.. Reynolds has lease of the island
oialh H.