The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-08-28
QUEER THINGS WE SEE.
Mr.. Cheeseman's Frog Pond, Within the
Limits of Chicago.

Mr.. Grossman's Frog Pond, within thu
Limits Of Chicago.
There is a unique and hourishing in
dustry, the only one Of its kind in Chi
cago, TO be found away out on the Soutf
Side. just where Sixty eighth street in
tersects Langly avenue. This is frog
gerry, established twenty-six years ago
and owned and operated during tha
time by Albert GrOssman, a veteran o
the gallant Twenty-fourth regiment o
Illinois.
The nursery and abode OF the croak
ing denizens of the swamps is hand
some two-stOry frame building situated
opposite lakewood cemetery.
In tie evening. when the days heal
is passed and night begins to curtain
the landscape, the frogologist may bt
found seated on his porch smoking the
pipe of peace. Through the open win
dOws the dulcet strains of the piano will
glide sweetly into the cleaning: and il
you listen attentively-very, very at
tentiyely-you may hear hoarso coun
terpart proceeding as if from the bow
els of the earth, This is the frogs sing
ing their evening hymn.
AS the visitors approached the Gross
man cottage they noticed frog play.
ing with the baby on the porch. They
thought 1t was a toy frog made of pap,
Ter mache or gutta percha, and were as
tOnished when they laid hands on the
wicket gate to see the frog dlsengage
itself from the child's gambOls and
bunch itself on its hind legs so as to get
a good view of the intruders. Then his
frogship, evidently satisfied with his
inspection, gave three grating croaks,
and, Hopping down, scampered into the
| house.
| This Interesting animal was after
ward discovered to be Mr.. GrOssman's
tame frog Barney. Barney acts as Dor
ter, and also minds the baby. He is
| livelier and more attentive than a mes
senger boy, and has more conscience
than the average nurse. He is very
much attached to the baby, and will
spend hours trying to amuse it. He
shares the child's candy. and being the
soul OF good nature and generosity, he
was detected the other day trying to
make return by dividing up big spi-
der with the child. Barney is some
thing OF coxcomb, and wears a bit of
red ribbon around his neck. BY being
formally introduced by Mrs. Grossman.
he became quite friendly with the re-
porter. When, on taking him In his
hand, the reporter remarked how heavy
he felt. the lady explained that Barney
had habit OF swallowing the pennies
that visitors gave the child. The coins
might be heard rafting when the frog
was shaken. He must contain half q
dollars worth at least. When Barney
dies the baby will be rich.
AS Mr.. GrOssman was away in Indi-
ana, whittier he goes every day to hunt
for frogs in the swamps. the visitors
amused themselves. until the gentle
mans return. with Barney and another
frog, the Duchess. The Duchess is not
as amiahle as Barney, and is quite shy
OF strangers. She engaged, however.
in lively conversation with Barney.
They appeared to be giving out riddles
to one another. They must have been
very funny riddles, too. for the baby
crOwed immoderately and clapped its
chubby little hands in glee,
When Mr.. GJOssman returned about
o'clock he brought about ten dozen OF
the speckled animals with him in bag.
They crOaked dOlefully in q low. dull
kind OF grooming, which sounded like a
Dianissimo echo OF planning mill that
was operating about six blocks distant.
After being mustered out of the army
Mr.. Grossman suffered severely from
hemOrrhage of the lungs, and found
return to the cOmpositOr's case matter
OF danger. Being advised to follow some
outdoor ayocation he selected frog
catching as profession. He found the
lucrative as well as health
full. He raised a family of thirteen
children, all of whom are living, one of
the sons being police officer in EugIe- |
wood. He owns the house in which he |
lives, besides six valuable lots adiOin- |
ing. He delights to talk of his calling. |
II deal only in grass frogs" he said: |
Bull frogs are no good, although some |
people eat them. | always find ready |
market for my frogs. Why, every eve
ming during the season from twelve to
twenty fishermen visit me for bait.
Frogs are used for bass. muskalIounge.
and pickerel fishing. Saturday even
lngs as many as forty men call here
for bait. The gray frog is the best. 1t
is most easily seen in the water. A
frog will change color in few hours.
put old grass among green frogs, and
my 'Oiy SoOil buiH cray
Mr.. GrOssman every morning dresses a
number of frogs for table use. These
he sells TO the hotels and restaurants /
IN the city. Frogs fetch 30 cents a
iOzen for bait or for table.
The frogs yesterday were particular
y lively. They had to be kept under
over or they would escape. They are
active in warm weather, Mr..
irOssman said. He has dog named
Buzz who is trained to capture run
away frogs. Buzz gave some exhibit
ions OF his accomplishments yesterday.
Two or three frogs were let loose and
,Orralled by the alert and watchful
Buzz before one could say Jack Rob-
nsOn." :
Frogs abounded in Englewood some
ears ago, but are. now almost extermin- ,
tea. The trick frog, Barney, is one of
he last of the race, which may account /
or his intelligence, perhaps. The
loosier frogs have no talent worth
peaking OF, Mr.. Grossman said. {
Altogether, a visit to the froggery is
and enjoyable.-InterO Ocean. II
RazzIed the Barber. I
The checklist man of the season I