Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-10-17

Next IN Importance to the mink
comes the muskrat 1t is found very
piehtltully in all the lakes throughout
the entire State, and large quantities
OF the turs are shipped from ST. Paul
tor the European markets The skins
are worth about twenty-five cents
each, and are easily converted into
good warm gloves, which find ready
market among the poorer classes of
our population, Bear skins. which
are becoming rather scarce now, are
brought in by the Chippewas general
~, and find ready market at fifteen
dollars each. Wolf and raccoon skins.
which are used principally in the man
utacture OF robes, are plentiful this
year The wolf skin is worth about
four dollars and the raccoon about one
dollar. Fox skins are gathered for ex.
pOrtatlOn. In some parts of Europe.
especially Germany, large quantities
OF these turs are used for trimming
purposes. The fur of the American
fox is preferred to the European, and
good profits can be made on shipments
from this country.
The best otter skins arc sent to Chi
ma, where the fur is highly priced
Pe!ts are worth from seven to eight
dollars each. Beaver is the only fur
sold by weight. II is worth three dol
lars per pound, and is bought up by
agents Of Eastern manufacturers in con-
siderable quantities. Buffalo skins are
brought here by the Red river traders,
but not in large quantities, the great
bulk Of the skins being sent down the
Missouri river 10 st. Louis Good buf
taIOes can be purchased for seven or
eight dollars by the quantity, although
retailers here have the conscience to
charge fifteen dollars. 4 white buffa.
10 skin Is considered a great rarity, and
Is very much sought after by traders
Major Hatch of this city, while acting
as the agent of the BIackfeet Indians
several years ago, was presented with
a couple OF white buffalo skins by the
chief Of the nation. They were the
only skins Of that description, in the
possession Of the tribe, and the com.
pLlment was esteemed the highest that
could pc paid. The recipient regards
the favor very highly, and would not
part with the present for love or mo-
ney, | suppose.
In deer skins there is not much do
ing, on account Of the scarcity Of pelts.
The Sioux played great havoc with the
deer before their expulsion from the
State, rendering that description of
the game quite scarce; but now that
these relentless hunters are away, it is
hoped that these monarchs of the for
est will become more pleAtitul The
skins are principally bought on ac-
count Of New York houses, and are
worth about five dollars each. From
New York they are transported to
Johnst0wn and GIoversville, n. Y, to
be manufactured into gloves and a va
riety OF useful articles
Probably three-tourths of all the furs
furnished by this State find their way
to New York, where they are sold to
manufacturers and then distributed all
over the country. The New York
houses have their agcnl~ mere. and ap-
pear to monopolize all tie trade There
are two or three estu ublishments here
where furs are dressed, but the most
valuable turs are transported to New
York to be dressed; so that the best
class OF fur goods can be bought cheap
er in that city than they can here
There is a good opening here for
trst-class dressing and manufacturing
house, and it is surprising that some
astute Yankee has not jumped at the
chance ere this.
The Hudson Bay Company have an
agency in this city, but not for the
purchase or sale of furs. 1t is merely
forwarding agency for the transpor-
tation OF goods to Fort Garry and the
numerous posts throughout the terri.
tory OF that ancient monopoly. Most
OF the goods received at these trading
posts come from England; but St Paul
enjoys fair share of the patronage,
especially in the winter season, when
the supplies at the posts are apt to run
short. Fort Garry, which is the post
whence all the other posts obtain their
supplies, is only about sixty miles from
the northern boundary of this State;
so that you will perceive it is quite
convenient to this market, and can be
readily supplied at any time of the
year. The Hudson Bay Company en-
joy the reputation Of being the Oldest
business concern on this continent
Their charter was granted by James
the Second-two centuries ago.-N. Y
Herald.
Singular Birds.