Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-12-01
NOW WILD BEASTS ARE
CAUGHT.
NEW YoRK's DEALER IN MENAGERIks-
A FORTUNE IN CANARIEs-THE MAN
WHO CONTROLS THE TRADE IN
TIGERS, LIONS AND OTHER
INTERESTING ANIMALS.

One day was walking down Chat
ham street, New York, when my step,
were arrested by queer sound pro
ceeding tumult, as il all the birds in
the world had met in debating society
had little difficulty in finding the
door from whence the chopped volume
of music issued. 1t was, believe, No
90, handsome front and a large store
| sauntered to the door and looked in
and saw II sight that | do not think
can be duplicated in America. On each
side Of the store the walls were lined
with bird CAGES from top to bottom.
The groundwork was of canaries, and
there must have been thousands OF
these yellow tufts Of fuss and feathers
Underneath this swarming tier of ca.
naries were large compartments, in
which pheasants, cranes and every
rare bird, sacred or prolane, that l ever
heard Of On the higher shelves were
smaller song birds and show birds
from inano love birds or whistling
dnches, up to the hoariest and hoarsest
of parrots. In this wilderness of cages
u shortsh man, evidently of Teutonic
build, was walking leisurely. As he
saw me he turned and came forward
with that easy, pleasant grace common
to well bred city men. saw at a
glace that he was of the best type of
Germans hearty, selfpoised, intelli-
gent and cordial. His face was clear,
thoughtful and strong-the face of a
man who has seen the world, has
fought it and whipped it. | am thus
special in describing him because
found him one of the most agreeable
and entertaining men | ever met, en-.
gagged in the most unique business, and
the Napoleon of his profession. don't
know how | came to know so much of
him so soon, except that be displayed
that engaging frankness that the tray
eled man shows to the inquisitive pro.
vincial At any rate, discovered after
an hours chat that / was talking to
Henry Reichc, of the firm of Reiche &
Bro, dealers in birds and wild animals
This firm is famous the world over
and stands without competitors. In
the name of this firm there are organ.
ized bands OF hunters in all parts of
Asia and Africa engaged in capturing
elephants, lions, tigers, &c, for ship.
ment to the branch house in Hamburg.
From this point the animals are sup.
piled TO England and the continent and
shipped to America. All the wild ami.
mails that Gil the menageries and parks
of this continent came through the
brigbt.eyed German with whom | spent
that delightful day. His history is full
of interest.
In 1874 or 40 Charles and Henry
Reicho, two young Germans, having
little less than the practical education
that seems to be natural, to young
Germans, were bird peddlers in New
York. They went about from street
to street selling birds from stands
Their trade was principally in cana.
ries, which they had sent over from
Germany, where they only cost ten or
twelve cents each. They did pretty
fair business up to 1862, when they
made a daring stroke that made them
a fortune and established the enormous
business they now control. At that
time California was 10 the fash Of
gold.fnding. Gold wasplentiiul there,
but luxuries few. There was no trans.
continental road and the isthmus route
was tedious and costly. Young Reiche,
knowing that canarios were unknown
there, and believing they would be.
come the rage when once seen, dc.
Lermined TO carry over a cargo. He,
therefore, got 5000 Of the yellow fol. |
ows together, and, packing them in
little cages, started for the islhmus
at Cartbagena, he had his
birds carried across to Panama bay by |
natives, and caught ship there, and |
'oon reached San Francisco. Ho was
ate in reaching the ship, and the cap.
ain was about to sail without him, but,
ioeing his boats filled with covered
boxes, thought it was belated mail
natter When Reicho drew near the
'aptain hailed him and asked him what
nc had.
Canary birds" replied Reichc.
Canary birds be id" shouted
he captain. "lf I'd known il was
'irds, I'd ha' left you long ago"
Reiche's first idea Of the flush tide
10 was TO ride was caught from a
lomesick Englishman, who, hearing
be whistle of a bullfnoh that had been
put in with the canaries, Of
cred TO pay the expenses of the entire
argo for that finch. As this amounted
o 1888 Reiche saw that he had struck