The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-01
II Attracts Numerous Curiosity Hunters
and Wayfarers on Front Street.

and Wayfarers on Front Street.
The head, neck and broad antlers Of a
moose or elk, known among scientists as a
species OF the ccrridea family, attracted
considerable attention on Front street
yesterday. As the specimen had been
fixed up cleyerly and artistically for dis
play TO adorn the front door OF Beale
street game and fish stand, and cost the
aforesaid dealer $40 cash down II was an
object OF curiosity from natural history OF
| rather early order, though II has been less
| than n generation since the moose were
| found numerously in the swamps and
marshes OF the sunk land districts along
the upper 81. Francis river, as well rs In
the river valley about New Madrid and
yicinago.
A few years ago an elk was reared out
at the race course by Esq. Dick Mason,
when he had charge of the fair grounds,
and II grew TO be largt. fat meek-eyed
brute some 500 pounds in weight, n
butcher, In the person OF MIR. Albert
Secs-cl, carving II into steaks and and SELL
ing II at ~ 10 10 cents per pound 10 those
fond OF such game. Tho hesh Ii much
| like ordinary wild venison, but Is rather
coarscr, the fat IL soft and the tongue and
nose are the rare bit, or most esteemed
portion la the eyes OF game loving cpl
cures.
The specimen under review was cap
tured near the head waters OF the St.
Francis river, amongst the marshes and
low grounds, where the animal generally
prefers 10 roam when enjoying It's free
dom, and the head and antler were fixed
up and shipped from Cabool on the Kan!
sas City railway. The antlers have six
snags or blades 10 each prong, and from
tip 10 tip will measure perhaps five feet or
little more. The neck OF this particular
elk IL short and thick, with the yeriebra
strong 30 rs 20 enable Il 10 carry the heavy
weight Of horns, which will doubtless turn
the beam at fifty pounds, and this speci.
men II no exception 10 others OF the elk OF
moose tribe, some having been head ol
with heads and horns nearly double In siEs
OF this one. The elk tribe was formerly
quite numerous In this country, but like
the buffalo, they are now seldom found
anywhere. Even the broad swamps ant
forests Of the Mississippi valley have beer
settled up NO rapidly OF late years that NJ
chance 10 wander abroad unmolcsted b,
hunters.
The elk Il shy and timid In lis viii,
state, but Is easily domesticated. and {
few years ago n broad-horned member o
the tribe was caught, tanned and used 4
! work tread-mill Tor Smelling corn, on thu
farm Of Mr.. Press Phillips, near Poin
Pleasant, Mo-, about 100 miles above thi
city on the river.
In oldcn DAYS, or when the country wa
younger and sparscly inhabited by whit
men. they were quito plentiful all over tn
upper portion Of North America and Can
ada though few were ever seen south Q
the Ohio river, except ~ above montione'
, In the swamp districts Of the 81 fmnci
! basin.
, One Of the most interesting objects Il
J the Smithsonian Institute at WaHhingto
. Is the skeleton Of an Irish elk, whic
j stands high above an ordinary mortal
: head, almost m tall A. giraffe, and pcrfcS
: In its symmetry OF form, its antlen owe
ten feet from tip 10 tip, and lie iorc quai
tcrs, like IT, lees prctentious brother
latter days, higher than its Group. A sin
liar specimen IL In the museum nj Edir
bury, Scotland. These mainmoths Of IN
deer tribe have been extict for ages, an
naiuralists say that they belonged TO th
Plcistoccne period. previous 10 the appeal
anco Of man. Whether or not this Is col
|, rect, II will be safe 10 ANY that ere anoths
!. generation passes tho only specimens
!. the moose will be Of tho stuffed orskelcto
a order In museums; and the hcadhnd horn
: which came here Yesterday could not
purchased from their present owner for
p siO0 note.