The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-23
APPETIZING ANTELOPES.
IMPoRTATIoNS FROM DAKOTA To
MAKE UP FOR DEER.
Local Consumers Make Rush for the
Delicacy and Soon Exhaust the Sup.
ply-Review OF the Game in Market
for the Holiday Season.


One OF the innovations OF the season Is
the receipt here Of dozen antelopes from
the distant prairie lands Of Dakota, where
hot mud-throwing geysers stir up the feel
ings Of the inhabitants all the year round,
and where billiards are as fashionable in
the winter time as dancing parties are here
about.
These antelopes weigh from forty TO sew
enty-fivc pounds each and are much like
the deer OF this yicinage, though not so
pretty in appearance or 80 symmetrical in
form, nor are they so large by nearly half.
Indeed, their size is about the same as a
hali.grown iawn or deer
The flesh is about the same in appear
ance and taste rs the home produced ven-
ison, which, by the way, is just now very
scarce aud commands ready sales at prices
varying from q To II cents per pound ut
wholesale. This scarcity caused the con-
signment Of the antelopes mentioned, and
which are rarely seen in this market.
Many in this city have read OF the ante
lope OF the Western plains ana of their
habits, which is TO roam over the
broad prairies, seldom il ever seeking
timber except, perhaps. at long Intervals,
when billiards threaten to blow the HE
out OF the speedy little jumpers. As a
general thing they stay ON the prairies
summer and winter, aud when the bli1-
yards sweep down upon them they huddle
together IN some deep canon or mountain
gorge, or find shelter in a ravinc under a
friendly hillside. They have long. course
hair, vary NJ from two TO four inches.
much like that Of the common goat,
though the color oi the deer, aud a pcculi-
arity about II is that il pulls out rs easy or
easier than chicken icaghclS
Those familiar with the ilesh Of the an
telope as ~ article OF food esteem il So
highly that they lost no time m laying in
few slices for a family meal, and the
supply was soon exhausted Possibly
more will be shipped here later on.
In this connection it may be well 20 ~
mark that bear meat has bctn unusually
scarce in this market the current s,.,>ou.
In fact but two oi bruins canasses have
bcsn brought here 50 iar, and ihc,c WEN,
sent from among the cine-bukcs OF the
Tyronzi. some iorty or fifty miles north.
west OF here and xix % eight miles trom
the Kansas railway.
Up in that rcgion there j. still bruad
stretches OF heavy forest lands covered
with heavy growth Of cane where hears
grow aud thrive, aud where they are now
aud then captured for their hides aud
flesh good bear skin will often sell for
~ much a. -, while they range from that
figure down 20 ~, selling o. % quality.
Bear meat is worth from ; 10 - cents per
pound, but It often commands - % 50
cents per pound in New Orleans, Louis
vile aud other cities along about Christ
mas time
As the Southern valleys are ap'lly fill
ing up with settlers AMI the clncbmke
area is becoming smaller each year il will
not be many decades ere the bears will be
~ scarce as buiialogs are now on the
plains 81 the West. And decrs arc also
few and far between in many localities
where they were numerous few years
ago. Out in Wolf River bottom, for exam
Pile. where they were plentiful little
while back, none are now TO be iounl cN-
| ccp, NJ long intervals, and ASIDE from a
| Wild fox occasionally, or few turkeys
| here aud there. with fair supply OF SOUR
| rcls, goodly stock OF rabbits aud qnlis
aud some ducks, the sportsman Inns but
little 10 attract him along the Wolf River
valley.
Across the river. however, In the
swamps aud brakes Of Arkansas, as we'll
~ along the valleys TO the southwark in
the YaEoo basin, there IS still room for the
hunter to bag game literally, even bear,
beaver, 'plssum, foxes, turkeys, swan and
other game OF lesser size being more or
less abundant.
There has been a very good demand for
game Of all kinds here for some time past.
all fresh arrivals being readily taken.
Turkeys are worth 80 cents to u each;
possums, - cents, squirrels, - cents Ia
Sl.JO per dozen; quail. sl.2j to Sl.7j por
dozen; ducks. 80 - per dozen, and ~
on, and the present spell OF cold weather
is pie for the pot hunters