Connecticut western news., 1889-10-09
HUNTING ALLIGATORS.
HOW A HUNTER HAS SPORT AND
 MAKES MONEY.
One Man Realized $350O from Slaugh
 tering Saurians.

gOAAAS5 SouAASA0
 There is literally no end to the num- Der of enterprises that are springingT into existence in Charleston and the surrounding country. Recently the boom in these prosperity producing concerns has received new impetus, and the News and Courier almost daily records the commencement of some new enterprise. The latest and perhaps the most novel of these new enterprises is one that has recently been started in the Combahee section.
 A prominent rice planter, who was seen by a reporter for the News and Courier, thus described it:
 "It is one of the best paying indus tries than have ever heard off," said he, s'and the wonder is that it has not been worked successfully long time ago. On the plantation I speak of a man named E. c. Brown has put'up a small tent in which he lives, or rather sleeps, during the day. He is all ex- cellent shot with the Winchester rifle and kills alligators by the score. But I am talking too rapidly.
 "About dark MT. Brown gets in his boat, which is padded by one-armed negro. He takes with him his gun and full supply of ammunition, be- sides big iron hook. When it's very dark he lights bull's-eye lantern and ties it to his forehead just over the crown of his hat. Then the expedition commences.
 ssThe lantern will throw clear light at least one hundred yards, and the alligators can be seen at this distance lying around on the banks. The light attracts the saurians and they remain on their perches, so to speak, as if en- tranced. The boat sometimes jostles the aligators in passing by if the shooter desires to do so. Generally, however, MT. Brown shoots them at distance of ten feet and invariably shoots them in a vital spot near the back of the head.
 "When the alligator is shot it is caught with the hook and put in the boat. MT. Brown shoots on an aver age about ten alligators every night. After nights hunt the victims are taken to Mir. Browns tent and the skins are taking off and packed with salt in barrels.
 s'The tail of the animal is sold to the negroes, who prize it very much as steak. With the proceeds of the steaks sold MT. Brown purchases all his food and ammunition and pays his boatman.
 "The skins are shipped in barrels to firm ill Jacksonville, Fla, where they realize about 75 or 80 cents apiece, after freight has been paid. In this way Brown is doing big business, and makes, clear of all expenses, about $6 every night, and sometimes more. @
 "Now, this is what I call maxi ing money. One of Browns friends, so he tells me, realized over $3, ,5OO last year in killing alligators in Florida. But this is not all. Brown bu1ies the head of every alligator he kills, and in few months after interment the teeth fall out, or will come out with 8 little exertion, and these also command good price.
 "The meat of the alligator which is not used by the negroes is given to the hogs. Brown does not suffer from malaria, but evidently enjoys excellent health. He sleeps in his little tent during the day and spends the night in shooting the alligators.r He finds no trouble in shipping the barrels of skins to Jacksonville, and there is always a ready market for any number he may send.
 "This is new industry, to be sure, and I wonder why some enterprising genius has not made money at it be- fore" s The announcement of this industry will doubtless cause hegira of boats and gator hunters to the regions of the Combahee, the Stono and other streams in the vicinity of Charleston, which now teem with alligators. At | least it is known that one hunter has already declared his intention of mak- ing money in this way.
 She Couldn't.