Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1894-02-02
UNCLE SANS LITTLE zoo,
A CURIOUS BRANCH OF THE Gus.
TOM HOUSE SERVICE.
How Animals Confiscated for Nom
Payment of Duties Are Cared For
Until Sold at Auction.

Payment of Duties Arc Cared For
Until Sold at Auction.
X MONG the many other estab-
~ lishments in this city which
~ Uncle Sam owns, is board
ing-house for animals, or the
"Animal Castle Garden" as it is known
among shipping men. 1t is not to be
inferred from this that our dear old
Uncle is fond of pet animals, that he
has set up separate establishment to
keep them in. The aim of the place
is much more business-like. In fact,
it rather disappoints one to hear that
the quadrupeds housed here are some
what tainted with the mark of the out
cast, for they are not honest animals,
like those seen every day; they are
animals which the Custom House off,
GERS have seized from those who were
about to smuggle them into this coun-
try.
'It is only few days ago." said one
of them, "that we had sale here of
four French poodles and three English
pugs which had been seized on board
the steamer Weimar by Custom House
Inspectors Hussey and O'Neil. The
officers were searching for something
else, but stumbled across these seven
bow-wows and promptly gathered
them in"
As soon as any animals are confis-
Gated in this manner they are at once
forwarded to these stables The prin-
cipal work done there is in handling
of horses and cattle which are on their
way to Europe. When found neces-
sary to have a boarding place for the
smaller fry the old animal place was
naturally selected as the most conven-
lent one.
When such animals are brought to
the stable the United States Live
Stock Appraisers inspect them at once
and appraise their value. They are
kept week or two and then are dis
posed of at auction. The owners of
the stables charge from thirty to fifty
three cents day for keeping an ami
NAL, and it is necessary for the au-
thorities to get rid of the boarders as
soon as possible in order to escape
enormous charges. When not sold at
once the charges for keeping an ami
NAL frequently exceeds the price it
brings at the sale, and then there is
unpleasant language all around. One
dog which was brought to the stable
when the animal boarding house was
first instituted remained there so long
that the charge for his keep amounted
to nearly 800. Meanwhile, from the
effects of the long confinement, the
canine, magnificent mastiff, had be-
come bowlegged. Hence, when he
was finally put up at auction, he
brought just seventy-fve cents.
The top floor of the stable is de-
voted to keeping the animals, and
here, in all the hay and straw, they
have very snug nook. The younger
dogs are kept in a large cage and, to
Judge from their appearance and lively
actions when taken out they lack
neither food nor comfort. OF course,
these quarters are not always avail
able, us when n drove of hogs is
brought in by the inspectors. The last
time this occurred five large porkers
were domiciled in the cellar under the
establishment, where they thrived and
became wonderfully fat, SO fatted that
it was with difficulty they could be
moved mp the stairs.
But dogs and hogs are not the only
animals which take up their quarters
ill this establishment. 1t would really
be impossible to name all the known
and unknown creatures which have
passed through here. A bright-plumed
West Indian parrot hangs in the Office,
which was bought at recent auction
sale by the owner of the stables, who
took fancy for it while keeping it for
Uncle Sam. Then there have been
cats and sheep and white mice, and
everything else imaginable in the
quadruped line. But the palm was
carried off some two years ago by
monkey, a chattering, nervous, high.
strung society lady of a monkey,
whose hair was snowwhite. This
peculiarity was not from old age,
either. The Simian was young one,
and the only one of its kind ever seen
here. 1t was claimed by its owner,
who paid all the charges and bore her
away in triumph.
There is considerable inducement
for people to try to smuggle in ami.
mails, for the import duty on them is
never less than twenty per cent. ad
valorem. The sailors are the greatest
offenders in this respect, for they see
chance to have playmate during
their long voyage, and, afterwaro
some profit from selling it. 1t is all
right as long as they stick to one, but
greed obscures their common sense
and they take several on board. Their
plea of personal property" falls fiat
with the Custom House officers and the
animals are carted away to the board
ing-house to be finally disposed of for
the benefit of Uncle Sam
The scene at the stables on an auc-
tion day is an unique one. There is
always the crowd of hangers on, who
come to every sale simply because it
has a sort of fascination for them.
Then there are the spectators who
make a business of buying and selling
animals. Last, but not least, are the
people who are interested in the ami
mails about to be sold, generally their
former owners, who endeavor to APP
pear as unconcerned as possible. They
deceive no one but themselves, how