Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-23
FOR THE zoo COLLECTION
Three Young Buffalo Added to the Gov
ernment's Collection There.
Journey Across the Coniinent Safely
Made and T+ahsfersto Park
Without Incident.


Geological Park today and added to the
collection there. They came in early this
morning in a stable car and were trans
ferred from that by means of ali express
wagon 10 the corral at the park
The specimens were purchased under the
direction of DR.. Frank Baker from the
Ailard herd of buffalo in Montana. The
group is made up of two females and one
male, each two years old, in splendid con-
dition, and Of a very good size for their
age. They came from the Flat Head In
dian reservation, ard were shipped from
Ravalli. Missouia county. Mon, the trip
to this city occupying nine days. The buff
falo were secured for DR.. Baker by Pablo,
a half-breed, who has an interest in the
.Allard stock.
No Difficulty Encountered.
The youngsters were accompanied on
their long Journey by William Van Bus
kirk, an experienced handler of buffalo and
we'll known breeder in Montana. He
rode with them all the way, but says that
not the slightest difficulty was encountered
at any point. The stable car was divided
into three compartments, each occupant
having room all its own. They were fed
and Watered regularly, OF course, and did
not seem in the least injured or annoyed
in any way by their long trip and con-
tinuous housing.
When the car arrived this morning prepa-
rations were Immediately made by Mr.
Blackburn, the head keeper at the Zoo,
assisted by Mr.. Monroe, to get his new
charges to the park. A heavy express
wagon was used for the purpose with a
bed constructed entirely of heavy t:mbers
and two-inch planks. The three stalls in
which the buffalo were located on the car
occupied one entire end up to the center
door. and pen was made Of heavy timbers.
nf no fret CT nr.
compartment to the door of the car, against
which the van had been backed. The ar
rangements perfected under the eye of
Mr.. Blackburn precluded the slightest pos
specimens. and insured their speedy and
safe transfer to more comfortable quarters
at the park
Three men with a heavy gate stationed
themselves on top Of the wagon in readl-
ness to close UP the van when the speci-
mems should be safely lodged within.
When all was ready Mr.. Blackburn sta
toned himself behind one of the sides of
the newly constructed pen in the car, and
Mr.. Van Buskirk was intrusted with the
work OF opening The door of each COM
partment in turn.
Attracted Crowd.
All this time the buffalo were the beheld
of all beholders. Hundreds of small bows
had gained Information of the transfer
and were On hard-on top of the car, under
IT and clambering all over the sides of it,
all eager to get glimpse of the animals
two-year-old buffalo. when he is in good
condition and Is little out of humor, can
register a marvellous kick, and one of the
females in the party seemed to be in es-
pecially good condition and in especially
bad humor this morning
Ine kicks she inflicted against the side
OF the car could be heard plainly for half
a square, sounding like tremendous blows
OF sledge hammer administered by
stout, experienced man. AS one pickanin-
ny remarked: '.She kin jes make dat right
hin tut talk, deed she kim and he was
not far wrong.
When Keeper Blackburn thought the
proper time had arrived, he gave the word.
and Mr.. Van Buskirk opened the door of
the first compartment. This was occupied
by the gentleman bovine, anu no trouble
was experienced in getting him into the
wagon. Then the door was closed again
to preclude any possibility of Mr.. Van Bus
kirk being surprised from the rear and
the second door was opened and the lodger
in this compartment forced by means of a
SUCK TO beat retreat into the wagon FL
nally the third one was induced to follow.
ana at word the heavy gate was lowered.
Mr.. Blackburn Gratihed.
Mr.. Blackburn expressed himself as being
much gratified at the ease and haste with
Which the job was accomplished, and said
he expected no difficulty at all in trans
ferring his charges from the van to the
corral at the park. The drive to the park
consumed considerable time during which
the animals kept UP constant munching,
with an occasional kick or two against the
sides of the wagon, which proved strong
enough. however, to resist all attacks
Upcn the arrival at the destination .he
wagon was backed up against the gate of
the corral and the buffalo did not REQUIRE
much time IN getting out in the air again
DIR. Baker is highly pleased over the pur
chase, and says the new specimens will
add greatly to the herd of these noble
animals now at the park.