Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-09-24
The Meat Mines of Siberia

The Meat Mines of Siberia
1t has often been stated that the in
habitants of Polar Siberia feed their
dogs on mammoth meat, preserved in
natures ice-house, and sliced off at the
convenience of the dogs. How these
tropical animals come to be so near the
pole is an unsolved problem of the
earth's history. There are various
theories intended to explain the con-
ditions, but none of them are quito con-
vincing. The most reasonable one is
that countless ages ago there must have
been a sudden change of temperature
at the poles from torrid to frigid. The
animals were caught out of their lati-
tude, frozen and buried in ice. A re-
cent traveller in Siberia relates that,
happening to drive in sledge along
the base of one Of the monstrous ice
cliffs that overhang the estuary of the
river Lena, he came upon pack Of
wolves deyouring the frozen flesh of q
mammoth.
So nature brings recompense for her
freaks and takes care of her own. The
meat mines of Siberia have not been
developed, and no one knows what
riches they may contain or how they
may yet be utilized in the economy of
the world. The search may discover
the delicacy of flet de mammoth, war.
ranted fresh from Siberia.
Heavy Ransom.
1t is pointed out that the e15, ,00Opaid
the other day an ransom for Mr.. Suter
represents 264 pounds of gold, whereas
that gentleman's weight probably does
not exceed 154 pounds; while 211
pounds weight of gold was given for
Colonel Synge, who can be little short
of thirty-fve pounds heavier than Mrt
Suter. Statistically considered, this is
very striking increase in the price Of
human life in the brigand market.
About 1854 DR.. McCraith, Of Smyrna,
who weighed at that period about las
pounds, was ransomed from brigands
for G400, or seven pounds weight Of
gold. In 1867 Mr.. Alfred Van Lennep,
of Smyrna, weighing about 150 pounds,
was ransomed for e1,50O, or twenty-six
pounds weight of gold. Thus in 1853
the brigands could command about
fifty-fve shillings two dimes per pound
for their captives, while in 1867 the
price had risen to 200 shillings per
pound. But this is nothing to the sub.
sequent increase. Colonel Synge's cap
tors obtained l, 143 shillings per pound,
and those of Mr.. Suter 1912 shillings
per pound. In the hands of brigands
captive is now worth, according to the
latest quotation, nearly 1.72 times his
weight in gold.-Leuant Herald.
What 10000 Acres Are.
Men talk carelessly about acres and
money. 1t is difficult to realize to the
mind large sums of money. Commodore
Vanderbilt once told me that he could
never realize how much $10,000,000
amounted to. The same is true of large
tracts of land. Men talk of 10000, 49,.
900 and $4,000 acres without any resli-
zation of the extent OF such an acreage
l visited the other day ranch of 10000
acres. intended to make thorough
survey of it, that is, to ride around it
and across it. l made my survey, but
when learned that the fence which in
closed it was over seventy miles in
length L concluded to inspect it by Sec
tions. / did considerable riding in two
days, nevertheless, but 1 didn't ride
around it. On the ranch there were
1900 acres all under tho plow, one bit
of,land nearly as level as floor, par
allelogram in shape, and the furrow
which the plcw cut in traversing from
one end to the other was three miles in
straight line. 1t is only after one has
visited such an estate and devoted days
In riding over it that he realizes what
10000 acres of land is.- Western Letter.
The Methodist Episcopal church,
South, has 3,673 travelling preachers, a
gain of 113 in the past year, and S37,-
s31 members, gain Of 1896. OF these
members 1,081 are negroes and 1881
are Indians. The Virginia conference
is the argest, having 57,068 members,
and 1sa travelling, 10 superannuated
and 173 local preachers.
A curious story is told in Berlin.
A horse while crossing the electric
railway, having set his hoof upon the
rail, was instantly thrown down, so
strong was the current, and another
horse, having also touched the rail, with
his iron shod hoof, received shock
which sent him galloping off in wild
terror. L