New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-07


SEA COW BETSEY.
name Is for use only ~ her intimate friends.
The general public supposed to connne
themselves to the more dignified and formai
name Manatus Australis. which she shares IN
common with her Kind But she's a good
natured old soul. or. better. young soul (sne
has never divulged her age. being little tender
on that point and If any one offends the exact
proprieties. this Is overlooked and forgotten.
RETsEY'S ARRIVAL. AT THE PARK
Although Betsey came in on Tuesday with
the rest of the passengers on the Clyde Line
steamer Comanche. she did not attempt the
tourney to the Park until yesterday morning.
The Park Commissioners were kind enough 10
send down one Of their private conveyances, the
latest thing in trucks. AMI the guest OF the nour
rode in state. accompanied by her three at
PENDANTS to the door of the old monkey mousse
which will be her headquarters for time. MT
Smith, the director of the menagerie was tnere
TO receive her. and she, together with her box,
was carefully put upon the floor In the centre
of the building and made ready to receive
callers.
The water in the box-for Betsey always travels
IN WATERWAYS a trife dirty and 1t was run out
When Betsey became aware Of what they were
irving to do with her she literally got her pack
nm. 1t was nice thing TO do, to expose ner
"a the admiring gaze Of so many strangers
and she so shy at that! Such indignites had
never been practised upon her before, and she
objected strenuously. She slapped her oeautiful
broad tail about in the water but IL was no use.
When nearly all Of 1t had been let out ana Bet
sev.s hack in evening dress. appeared above the
water. a brilliant idea struck her. She slapped
her tail with one last despairing rap against the
end of the box murmured "Goodby" and then
nrenared to dive Alas and alack! The deep sea
does not lie under the monkey-house. The bot
tom of the box was stubborn, and refused 10
Weld and Betsey folding her f1ippers calmly
across her breast resigned herself to receive her
visitors Some of the skeptica ones VINO were
present said that Betsey had been taking lessons
In "the proper thing" from some OF the peauties
at Palm Beach. and knew that TO be 80 shy at
first was Just about right What she did after-
ward didn't count.
SHE CHATS PLEASANTLY WITH REPORTER
One of the Park attendants was the first one
70 install himself in her good graces he spoke
softly to her, calling her by name. and betsev'
with some coyness. to be sure. winKed her o'ner
eve. and gracefully raised Ser fipper 10 snake
hands The attendant was somewhat overcome
by all this graciousness and nearly had IT.
but was finally restored by the calm assurance
~ the reporters who were standing near. me
Tribune reporter was introduced TO the laoy just
after she had absolutely refused 10 nave any
thing To do with three or four other members Oh
the nress He went forward with some diinuehce'
hut the hostess was graciousness ITSELF ana snook
his hand cordially. Looking about 10 De sure
That no one was within hearing distance. sne
whisnered: "I don't associate with all this com
mon trash They can't fool me. II they try IL;
they'll get good run for their MONEY ca" 'e''
Surprised at the familiar slang that the iady
used with such freedom. he asked: HaVe you
ever visited New-York before? ..,,. .ho.o
'Not on your life" she answered .nu ', tnos 9
girls that come to Florida for the winter Kno"
Wien each one of the visitors had been duly
nresented the hostess tapped her tail as sig
nal OF distress and WEAKNESS, and the auoence
was declared to be at On end Fresh wafer Was
mn into the box and about peck OF lettuce was
thrown into the water In place II the regulation
AFTERNOON tea When this was over the mouse
Wae locked UP and Betsey was left alone to ENJOY
her afternoon siesta
CAUGHT IN A NET OFF FLORIDA
Betsey is not a little creature. She ia nine feet
and four inches long, and weighs IN the neigh
horhood Of 1.50o pounds She would not tell her
story Yesterday afternoon as she was too tired
but the man who brought her up here from
FLORIDA told It for her His name is G. W. Harle
ana ne halls from West Palm Beach, Fla; and
hv-the-vay. he's quite a character himself. He
sa,d: 81 was out fishing with rope net neal
the mouth of the ST. Lucy River on December q
last when suddenly felt an immense strain or
the net. After long, hard struggle, l man
AGED TO bring the net up on shoal. ana mere
10 INV intense surprise. l found that had caugh
4 big sea cow 1t was Betsey. She mace marc
1tru9rle to stay In the water. but II was no use
With the help Of strong ropes and ten men
6nsIiv managed to get her to Palm Beach.
Hsd thia box made for her. and exhibited her Il
fhe tourists or any one elae who wanted TO SCI
her for the consideration of Is cents nead
when Colonel Cruger was down at Palm beacI
Ave or six weeks ago sold the old girl 10 MN
For S76 and tina. Is the reason why she ana
~ here to-day She's a pretty good girl wner
YOU get acquainted with her. but she's nth;
nhy with strangers. She comes from gooe
fsmiy aud they are noted for their comenness
In olden times some sailors saw one OF the peiie'
Of the family and started the story OF the mer
maid and they ere all quite proud OF that. Yot
want to iven her up q little with that stors
when you see her again. .
Betsey Is not the first one Of her family IN TIM
country In 1876 two little ones were brougn
tanks, to Baltimore and later were taken 10 IN
philadelphia Zoo. where they lived In CONNIE
Inent for two months and q half About seven
3 teen OF eighteen years ago one was Drouent .
his city and put In the menagerie IN Centre
Fork but Il only lived about ten months, as
- unable to stand the cold weather. And nov
Hc4Gox 1omeo along snd the public will expec
& nat things Of her u she wants to keep IN tn
foSUde With the baby hippopotamus. She n [
q mn6oeo clear with . palm-leaf fan stuck Il
q = eod Of IL Her back needs . lawn-mowe!
& "a - & = covered With = growth Of short
c1(ea Int ahe'e goe6-telnpsred and win