Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-03

THE BUFFALO AND THE INDLAN.-There Is
sreat cmmotion at the West among the Indians
and the buffsloes The destiuies of these two
I;nds of wild creatures seem to be mysterious
10 iotcrtwined, aud it has long been predicted
tbqt the determination OF the one viii be slmul-
toneous with that of the other. In times Of
neace. the indians go out 10 force to the regu-
lar baunts of the buffalo at certain seasons to
Sv in their supplies, and they return to their
lodges with their ponies loaded down with the
,nojls of the chase. But the invasion of the
or9zag grounds of the bufaloes and the hunt
inc grounds of the Indians by the Pacific rail-
road has reyolutionized the habits of both
these Wild creatures, and disconnected and de-
moralized them. The Indian tribes that are
on the war path are put to the trouble OF driy-
ING the buffalo on the route they have to take
so as to insure supply of food. The buffalo
IS Reconnaissance OF the Indian. In place OF
driving wagons loaded with supplies, he drives
the bufaoes, and kills them as they are want
ed. Ii is not pleasant to think OF the annihlia-
ton of the bison. But the causes seem to be
at work that are to bring about that result. La
TIE good old times, when the Plains We're quiet,
and only dozens traversed them where thouS-
ands now do 50, the herds Of buffalo were
counted by fifty and hundred thOusand.-
They now seem to be Squandered, and to be dl-
vided into small herds. There are still millions
OF these animals, but they have become disOr-
ganized and scattered in those localities pene-
,rated by the Pacific railroad and the currents
OF emigraut travel, The following description
OF the American bison, which We take from the
Fort HAYS correspondence of the Philadelphia
Evening Telegraph. Is correct and interesting:
THE American bison is generally larger than
the COWS or oxen OF this country, and heavier,
weighing from sixteen hundred to two thousand
pounds. The color of the hair Is a dun, or
brownish- black, except the long hair. which Is
Gnged with yeliowiSh rust color. The head,
shoulders and neck are usually covered with
great shaggy masses of hair, while on ether
portions of the body and legs the hair is rather
short and fine. Along the back It Is coarser
and about half the length OF the hair on the
neck The physiognomy is rather repulslYe,
and indicates ferocity if aroused or excited
The flesh of the bison is similar to coarse grain
ed beef but more tender and juicy, and has
the game flavor When the hump is nicely cut
in steaks and properly broiled, or when cooked
in the Italian style, by sewing up the meat IN
the hide and baking in an earth oven under
meath the surface of the ground, it Is ranked
among the most delicate of American dishes.
The tongue Ia highly priced among eplcures,
and much preferred to the tongues OF CATTLE
The decided preference for this portion Of the
bison, has often resulted in hunters Staying
them merely for the tongues Of the animals,
aud leaving all other portions for the wolf and
yulture to feed on. s,4
The Indians iii Kansas are almost entirely
dependent upon the bison for their food, cloth
ing, dwellings and fuel. The hides, with the
hair furnish the finest buffalo robes, while
the dressed hides are also a considerable article
Of commerce, and quite profitable. 1t IS rather
astonishing that, with the present admirable
facilities for reaching all the Eastern cities and
trade centres, some enterprisl0g son OF Amer
lea has not devised some mode of capturing the
bison, and having them transported to market
in the cars of the Union or Empire lines
of fast freight, and thus realize magnificent
profit out of the operation. There is no por-
ton Of the bison but what can be made mark
etable if in Philadelphia or New York. The
cost Of securing them, and the freight would
be comparatively trifling, whom their value IS
considered This trade cannot much longer be
postponed. 1t the bison can be caught and
killed, and portions Of the meat prepared and
sold East, at satisfactory profit, how much
more remunerative to bring them East on the
hoof, and dispose of them alive. The man or
men who start this movement will inevitably
reap rich harvest. F" -'
The day is not far distant when the beet OF
the bison will supply the tables of the iphabi-
tants of our large cities. When that day ar
rlyes the doom of the bison will be sealed.
Should any Indians be then left, it will be IN
terestiug tC consider how they will live-for the
buffalo IS their only source of support. -RtcA-
mood Wig de. .sis
The GRAPE CRoP. By aITaccounts the ag
gTegate crop Of grapes this year is larger than
ever before. The leading varieties are the
Catawba, Isabella, Clinton, Delaware, Con-
cord, Diana, Hartford and Prolific, Some OF
zoe newer Sorts and some recently brought
INTO notice, such as the Iona, Ives Seeding,
Norton Virginia, and several of Rogers Hy-
orldS, are yielding very well. There are no
sources from which we can make a correct es-
innate "a ate OF the amount of this years crop.-lN.,