Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-03-23
THE FAIRS AFTERMATH.
SWINDLES PERFORATED BY
MIDWAY FAX IRIS.

Blarney Stone = 1t Was a Lime
stone Paving Block Dug Up From
Chicago Street - 81, 900, 900
Spent by the Public on the Midway
Collector of Customs Clark, at the Port of
Chicago, has made an interesting report to
the United States Treasury Department., one
chapter OF which concerns the Midway Plais
ance of the Worlds Fair. This part OF the
great exposition was under the direct charge
of Deputy Collector J. E. Ralph, who makes
public some curious facts as to how the peo-
pie were fooled by the so-called "Blarney
stone" throwing out a warning about the
growth of the hasheesh habit, and incident
ally refers to var ious tricks of the foreign
fakirs to draw out the money of the gullible
Americans. hr Ralph says
cat the opening of the Irish village, there
was one essential thing lacking to make the
'Blarney Castle a counterpart of the original
structure in Ireland, and that was the 'Blar-
ney stone The manager, DESTROYS OF endoW-
ing the visitors with an opportunity for be-
ceming famous spouters, took into his conf
dence James Riley, a contractor, and request
ed that he produce a 'Blarney stone Mr..
Riley secured the services of Charles Thomp-
son, an employe of the village, and these
two men, on a dark night in June repaired
TO tho corner OF Fifty-seventh street and
Portland avenue in the city Of Chicago,
and there dug from the street a limestone
paving block about eighteen inches by eight
inches by ten inches in dimensions. They car
ried it to the village and placed 1t in a case
which had been received that day in bond
Case No. 81, serial 4099-addressed to
Thomas Baker, Irish Industrial Village.
This case contained model of THE Bells Of
Shandon. Invitations were issued to the
representatives of the Chicago papers and to
Mayor Harrison, the latter accepting the In
vitation to officiate at the opening of the case
containing the famous 'Blarney stone
ION the day set aside for the ceremonies
Mayor Harrison could not be present, and
Customs Inspector E. w. Matlock was sent
for to open the case. The inspector arrived
with the inyoice for Case No. 81, serial 1899.
which stated that the case contained model
of the Bells of Shandon,' valued at $25. He
opened the case and found it checked 'one
stone overf After properly labelling
both model and stone, he made his
return on the invoice; 'One stone
over, estimated value $780, This stone was
then placed in the walls of the castle, where
1t remained during the balance of the Fair,
and was kissed by at least $4,000 people,
fee of ten cents apiece being charged. At the
close of the Fair the manager Of the village
desired to take the stone and exhibit 1t in a
store in the city of Chicago, but was in
formed that he could not do so IN
less he made a consumption entry On
same and paid the duty. This
delivered, the store on duty-paid permit.
Both the inspector in charge of tho village
and myself remained in ignorance OF the his
tory of the 'Blarney stone until January %,
1894 believing up to that time that it was i'm
ported in Case No. 81, serial 1899 = The in
voice on which consumption entry was paid
read as follows 'One piece of stone from
Blarney, County Cork, Ireland, value $500.
81 wish to call the attention of the depart
ment to the fact that large quantities of
into
the Egyptians, at least 300 pounds being con-
sumed and distributed ON the Midway. made
a report of this to the special agents, but
never heard the result of their Investigations
'Hasheesh,' which means herbs in Arabic
promises to supplant opium, and is a narcotic
drug having the same effects as opium. 1t is
made from an Indian hemp which is cult
waited in Asia Minor. 1t is used very extern
siveIy in Asia and Turkey for the purpose OF
producing a particular kind OF inebriety
Its value being high, only the aristocratic
class enjoy it. In order TO get an exact idea
of the great consumption of 'hasheesh' in
Egypt, it is only necessary to know that the
average quantity used per month by small
cafes is ten to twelve pounds, one grain be-
ing sufficient for q dose or smoke. The
Egyptian Government has absolutely pro-
hibited the introduction of 'hasheesh' in
Egypt, but smugglers are so clever and ex-
pert that they succeed in introducing i'm
mense quantities of it"
says "There were consumed in the German
village and Old Vienna 5000 cases of i'm
ported wine and 5000 kegs of beer and 100
cases of merchandise, for all of which con-
sumption entry was made in the city.
Hence, you will see that the Midway Plais-
ance was large source of reve-
nue. for the Treasury Department.
Goods received and accepted as eX-
hibits in the Midway comprised every
known variety of merchandise, comprising
wild and domestic animals antiquities, rugs,
jewelry, fancy embroideries, bric-a-brac,
works of art in statuary and paintings. In
addition to concessionaries there were 1850
foreigners who took part in the concessions,
as natives, statesmen, or musicians. 1t has
been estimated by several of the most impor-
tant concessionaries that over 81 900 900 was
spent by the public in the attractions of the
Midway. The largest consumer of foreign
goods was Robert Levy, eoncessionary of the
Turkish village, who at the close of the Fair
received over $40. 900 refund for goods re-
exported. The second largest was the Irish
Industrial Association, of which the Coun-
tess of Aberdeen was concessonary This
village has opened a large store IN the city
of Chicago and promises to be large fac
tor in the importation of Irish woOlens, laces
and iewelry. To some one connected with
this village should be credited one of the
greatest jokes ever perpetrated on the Gus
toms force, if not on the public"