Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-05-31
Arixona's Csnels.

Camels now running wild in Ar-
zona are descendants of small herd
originally imported for use in Nevada.
In the early days of mining on the
Comstock, long before there were any
railroads in the Great Basin region, 1t
was thought that camels might be
proftably used about the mines, par
ticularly in packing across the sur
rounding deserts, and II ships of the
deserts" were accordingly purchased
and brought 70 Virgin" City. They
were wanted for use in packing salt
from the Salt Springs salt marsh TO
the Comstock reduction works This
salt deposit lies far out in desert re-
gion. and 10 reach it many waterless
stretches Of sand and alkali had 10 be
traversed
The cames were able TO cross all tho
deserts IN perfect comfort, carrying
heavy loads of salt and finding means
Of subsistence in the prickly and bit
ter plants and shrubs everywhere 10
be found in abundance In short, the
animals did "a good work here in our
deserts az they are able to do in any
country in the world, but they were
too slow for an American.
When the occupation Of the camels
as packers Of salt was gone they were
sold 10 some Mexicans, who used them
for a time in packing wood down out
of the mountains. The Me1cans took
them up rocky trails into the rugged
hills and used them the same as they
use mule-unmercifully. They soon
killed three of the wretched beasts and
would have killed the remainder had
not Frenchman, who owned a big
ranch on the Carson river, below
Dayton, taken pity on the poor abused
creatures and bought the whole Of
them. This Frenchman had been in
Algeria with the French colony, where
he had developed an affection for the
camel-probably owed the animal a
debt Of gratitude for having saved his
life on some occasion. He had no use
for the beasts, therefore turned them
out to roam the desert plains at will.
The animals, left TO shift for them
selves, soon waKed fat, aud increased
and multiplied In few years from
nine the herd had increased 10 thirty
six, old and young. The Frenchman
then sold the whole lot 10 be taken
down 10 Arizona 10 be used in pack
ing ore down of big mountain range.
Il was said there was a good smooth
trail. but the animals found all the
rocks and soon became footsore and
useless, when all were turned adrlft 10
shift for themselves They have re-
gained the instincts ofthe original Wild
state Of their species and are very
wary and swift They fly into water
less wastes impenetrable TO man when
approached. Some Of the old animals,
however, occasionally appear in the
vicinity Of the old settlements. VI
late it is reported that the cattlemen
have been shooting them for some rea-
son, perhaps because they frighten and
stampede their horses. Noo one knows
how many camels are now running at
large in the wilds Of the ella country.
but there must be a great number,
One is occasionally caught. -Four
years ago one was caught near 70 Gila
Bend that measured over nine feet in
height. 1t appeared to be stray one
Of the herd in that region.
Hu.band-"Suppose. dear. that |
should come home some evening Like
Bill Jones did last evening, and make
a big fuss because the tea was cold !,