davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

miles an hour being not uncommon. ana
are source OF great danger, as the Is
lands AFFORD no harbors.
They were discovered in 1856 by Prib
slof master of the sloop st. George,
whose father was one Of the survivors
-7f Behring'S crew. They are generally
: .rsoncealed by dense fog, which rem
= sers them very difficult and hazardous
y 10 locate.
With the exception of the seals and
o. he human inhabitants the islands are
lrntirely destitute. of animal life, and
g., he same may be said Of the life Of the
~ ca for a distance of 100 miles from
: 4 heir shores The condition of the ma
- ives has been greatly improved since
= . he United States occupation. as Is eVi-
. fenced by the change from miserable
90 aud huts to comfortable houses, village
:, ettlements and a Greek church. The
government surveillance is very strict,
Z I, 10 one being allowed on the islands
~ sithout a government permit.
1t is perhaps not generally known
> !, hat the fur seal is not a true seal. 1t
= I, $ classed by biologists as belonging To
!, ne family otafiidae, the species being
+. -allorhinus ursinus commonly called
A'sea bear" while the true arctic seal
1-,elongs TO the family phocidR, of
which there are numerous genera and
= species The differences between the
lgwo animals are way considerable, the
tAnatomy of the fur seal suggesting a
: generic relation between il and the
bears, while that of the true seal indi-
Gates relationship with the otter. In
fact. Professor Mivart expresses the
opinion that the fur seal is the direct
descendant of the bearlike carnvora
and that the true seal is possibly of.
otter origin.
Aside from these more profound diff
ferences the superficial ones are quite
distinctive The fur seals have ex-
ternal ears. and upon the removal of
the coarse, stiff, long hair, the fur,
which is an underground and which is
so highly priced, is exposed More
over, I'm progression on land they raise
themselves on both front and hind
limbs and can move with considerable
rapdity, while the true seals have nell
ther external ears nor fur, and i'm NOV
ing on land never use the hind limbs,
and the front ones only occasionally,
y their usual method being "A squirmine
or wriggling action produced by the
, muscles OF the trunk, the limbs remain
, ing passive.
Time was when fur seals were 10 be
1ound by the million away down south
a. as wei as away up north. When Cap
t.ain Cook went sailing round the world.
rae saw numerous rookeries i'm the south
~ ieas. populated by untold numbers Of
ffur seals. lie and other British trad
.srs also found that there was good
~ iemand for fur seal skins in China.
nd forthwith the slaughter began In
.,ne year 100000 skins were taken
from Desolation island, as many more
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
Funeral by Trolley.

The funeral trolley car has been
steadily making it's way, and its general
adoption promises to be not long de.
ferred. An improved ear, made for sery-
ice in Cincinnati. dispensing with tho
mourning carriages ordinarily necessa-
ry. is an immense boon TO people OF
limited means. In Cincinnati, for in
stance. a hearse costs $S, and five car
riages. which would be necessary TO
carry 90 people would cost 81 each or
$40. making SIS. This item should now
be reduced by at least one half While
in this country the street car would
probably not be looked upon as meeting
the requirements of a great public fu-
neral IN the City of Mexico all the at
tendants at state obsequies travel 20
and from the cemetery in street cars
and while the funeral procession is in
progress all the other traffic of the line
is stopped.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

lands. and I'm 1873 the islands were
leased 10 the Alaska Commercial com-
pany for $4,000 q year and royalty
OF $3.50 on every skin taken, the num-
ber 20 be limited 10 100000 year. For
some years the revenue OF the govern
ment from this source averaged S3l0,-
900 year very good return on an in
vestment Of 5000. coo. especially when
the goldhelds and other resources OF
Alaska are remembered.
There was some little trouble be-
tween Russia and the United States,
however. about the catch OF seals on
the Pribilof islands. a Russian nam
ed Pnugel. then consul at Honolulu
went there, planning TO take hand I'm
the game, but the Alaska Commercial
company had made private arrange
ment with Prince Matsukoff, the only
individual who had any personal right
10 the islands. The company was left IN
peaceable possession. ana this condition
has been continued ever since, SO far as
the islands themselves are concerned.
or late years, however. the catch OF
seals ON the Pribilof group has fallen
off enormously and, though the COM
pany is allowed 10 take 100000 an
nualy under certain restrictions, the
total taken in 1895 was only $4,000 and
i'm 1896 only 1000.
This was not because there were no
more than these few thousands of seals
on the islands i'm the aggregate, but be-
cause. according TO the bargain between
the United States and the Alaska Com
mercial company. only the bachelor
seals may be taken. The company
would carry out this rule without any
legal restrictions since if il were trans
gresscd the entire herd would surely
disappear i'm a few years more. just as
the souther. herd disappeared years
ago.
The Pribilof and Commander islands
are as exceptional I'm many ways among
islands as the fur seals are among ami
mails They are shrouded i'm mist most
of the summer season and are quite in
accessible i'm the winter season by rea-
son of terrihcally bad weather Winter
inaccessibility however, is no disad-
vantage for although the seals have no
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

orado and il was his experience with
herds that gave him the idea of putting
distinguishing marks on the seals. Much
20 our surprise our branding expert
ments of last year have taught us that
the seals do not return, as we imagined,
20 the same rookeries as they were born
on. but that they come back to any spot
within a reasonable distance of their
birthplace. This season we found seals
branded by us last year some distance
away from where the operation was
performed.
"Pelagic sealing must be stopped even
If we have 10 make 1t a criminal Of
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

I'm August the harems break up. their
regularity Is no longer maintained, and
by the middle OF September the season
Is over. and the seals, with the eNcep-
tion OF a few stragglers, are gone. Dur
ing all this time. from the beginning
of the season To The end OF it, about
three months. the bulls, though engag-
ed In constant warfare, neither eat
nor drink and leave the islands cover
od with wounds and mere shadows OF
their former selves.
The males under years of age. call
cd bachelors" are NOT admitted To the
breeding rOokerics. They form rook-
cries 10y themselves and are the only
animals that are under the regulations,
which are strictly enforced, allowed 60
De- killed This ~ done by driving
them In herds from the bachelor rock
cries To a previously prepared killing
ground, where they are dispatched with
clubs resembling baseball bats.
The killing OF the bachelors is a do
cidodlv simple though CORY operation.
Indians armed with clubs get between
them and the sea and drive them in
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

Dr. Jordan found 200 people on the
island OF st. Paul and 60 on ~. George.
nearly all or them being Aleuts Ia the
employ OF the Alaska Commercial COM
pany. Speaking OF these people and
their methods OF work he said:
''rhe way I'm which these Aleuts un-
der the charge of government officials
do their killing Is as humane as II can
possibly be made. These seal islands
are the cleanest shambles on earth and
every year experience is teaching the
men better and more humane methods
OF slaughter. The animals are no lon
ger herded together I'm big droves, but
are carefully separated when they are
driven up into their slaughter ground.
and every care is exercised that there
shall be no unnecessary cruelty in the
killing. Like nearly all amphibious ami
mails, seals have skulls about as thick
as paper and "A slight tap on the head
with club is all that is needed TO drop
them. i intend TO advocate in the
Washington conference in the fall the
application of more scientific methods
Of herding the animals than at present
prevail. The rookeries ought TO be lev
eled off artifcialy and divided up by
stone walls into even spaces so as TO
allow more regularity in the droving OF
the animals.
"The natives get 30 cents for each seal
that is killed. and in addition $3.50 .
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

other place of habitation, they occupy
the islands between May and September
only
The males, called "buls." are much
larger than the females. called "Cows.
They measure some 6h feet in length
and weigh from 800 Ca coo pounds while
the COWS measure from 4 to AZ feet IN
length and weigh only from so to 90
pounds. The young ones are called
pups" and "a collection of them togeta-
cr "a pod
They arc very active in the water
have very acute scent and appear 20
be possessed Of great curiosity. as they
always surround vessels and appear
very tame. one of their most striking
pcculiarlties is that of tanning them
selves with one OF their hind nippcr.
This is specially noticeable after conn
bat. when The victorious bullwill stretch
himself out, scratch himself with hie
front nippcrs and fan himself with a
hind one. manifcsting great satisfaC-
tion. though remaining an the time
kecnly ON the alert for impending ATE
tack. Professor sharp relates that com-
ing unaWares upon pun hc picked IL
mp len his arms when the little fellow
sou UP dU hIIlNrA UNli'NI 'INt anu NINll
being set down again scampered on m
great delight
The bulls begin Co arrive at the rook-
cries about the LIST of May Those ar
riving first take up position along
the waters edge which they stoutly
maintain against 1ll Domors. 10. how
ever. driven back, they form in e soc-
ond row. which they endoaylr to hold
as best they can. each one flr himself
every inch OF ground be.ug desperate
ly contested for uutl AN thn males
have arrived. when they present q see
rial arrangement with the strongest
ones at the sea front
The COWS make their appearance
about the middle 0f juno and "a fierce
war is Immediately n1uguatel fer
their puEso7.Dn. during which The COWS
remain perfectly passive though lul-
cd and hlul.l about ail sometimes
Killed iu the savage struEgies hotu cen
The bulls. By the lst of July each bull
has appropriated as many cows as his
pf0wcss would enable him o.. thc NUM-
b,r varying from l2 90 2o and occupied
with thcm We'll mapped ont space in
the rookprv called n "harrm." These
are arranged with such regularity as 10
suggest plan or design
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

events. it's premature publication by an
American newspaper kicked up a great
row and drew from Great Britain a
still longer dispatch. In this reply no
mention was made of a certain note
from Embassador Hay TO Lord Sails
bury, bearing date June 20, and this
omission adds to the "delicacy OF the
situation"
1t was however, agreed that a meet
ing of experts from the United States,
Canada and Great Britain should be
held I'm Washington I'm October for the
purpose of thrashing the old straw all
over again. Only recently, however, on
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
WTERVA TTONAL DLPL LOMACY AND


This is the story of the fur seal and
the trouble he has made between John
Bull and Uncle Sam.
In the first place, IA may be wen 10
know that the Pribilof islands which
constitute Uncle Sans fur seal posses
sions. are situated IN Bering sea some
few hundred miles north OF the Aleu-
fian islands. The group is composed OK
two islands St Paul and 81. Georse,
which are about % miles apart ana
consist Of volcanic peaks that present
a precipitous shore line, except where
the black lava has been broken down
and disintegrated by the action OF the
waves and the elements into sandy
reaches intersperscd with lava boWl-
ders. The vegetation is scant, but the
climate is much mider than is gen
orally supposed, the thermometer sell
dom registering lower than p degrees
+. High winds, however, prevail 80
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

The present difference between the
two governments has arisen from the
desire of the United States authorities
in view of the continuing decrease of
the herd for another conference on the
whole sealing question. Last June John
Sherman, secretary of state, sent long
communication to the British govern
ment, reciting the facts as our state de-
partment understands them. This pa
per is held in some quarters TO have
been a tr1ne more outspoken than dip
lomatc document should be. AT all
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

from the island ~ South Georgia. and
in two years 10000 from the South
Shetlsnds Messatuero was also "a great
seal roOkery then. and 90 yielded mill
lions OF skins. Tney killed every seal
old and young OF both sexes. without
regard 20 the future Of the herds.
In 1892 the Americans took a hand In
the destruction. and there was a big
row between the United States and Ar
gentina kecause some Yankee seal
catchers took great numbers from The
mainland near Buenos Ayrcs. The re-
suit of all this wholesale and indis-
crlminate slaughter was the CONNER
cial extinction Of the south sea fur
seals. \ Few are still to Doe found on
the other side of the equator but there
are not enough 90 make % worth while
20 20 there 10 catch them any more
The United states paid Russia 81
100000 FOR Alaska and the Pribilof is-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
The Shah's Cats.

Lovers of cats will be interested to
know that the shah OF Persia surpasses
all other royal devotees in enthusiasm
for these particular animals. He has
no fewer than 80 of them. and they have
attendants of their own, with special
rooms for meals. When the shah goes
away the cats go too. carried by men on
horseback Queen Victoria does not care
for cats, and visitors 10 Windsor castle,
Osborne or Balmoral see very few Of
them, except now and then in the pri-
vate apartments Of residents.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
In Modern Armor.

Moonshiners have made things so un-
comfortable not 10 say dangerous, for
j. u. Wooten. a constable i'm Breathitt
county. Ky, that he has recently equip
ped himself with an absolutely bullet
proof steel shirt. The accounts do not
explain the apparent immunity of the
rest Of his body from the guns Of the
Illicit distillers.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

Tense. II not another seal Is caught FOR
the next four years the herd will con-
tinue 20 decline until 1901. which would
be the very earliest moment that natu-
raj results can begin 90 increase the
number. one thing that the govern
ment should do and do at once is To
announce prohibltive tarin on the
skins OF female seals brought to this
country frcm England. The United
states is the biggest market for fur gar
ments % this kind and such an act
would. therefore. practically mean the
destruction of The Industry
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

learning that Russia ana Japan might
be allowed representation at the con-
ference. because Of their great interest
in the seal question. Great Britain an
nounced that perhaps she wouldn't take
uart after all though she would keep
her word and talk it over NJ Americans
only. In addition to Englishmen and
Canadians were Co he present
And there the matte. rests. No one
but the heavyweight diplomats knows
whether Russia and Japan will take
part. and the diplomats won't tell Even
they are probably uncertain as 10
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

land. one blow generally, at the most
two. on the top of the head is enough
10 Kill and the entire seasons catch is
over in 10 days or two weeks. Careful
and accurate daily records OF the kill
ings are kept and all the operations
ore conducted i'm the most business like
manner.
The wrangles between the United
States and Great Britain all arise from
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

II did not begin till after the end Of the
close season and were confined To the
month of August, but 1t is claimed by
the Alaska Commercial company and
the United states government that the
British government is lax i'm enforcing
the Paris regulations and that many
seals are surreptitiously taken from the
Bering sea itself in the close season by
British sealers.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

The pups are born a few days after
the arrival of the cows and are taken
care Of for a short time by their moth
ers, who, however. show but little ma
ternal affection and allow them very
soon TO flock by themselves into pup
rookeries or pods.
Singular as IL may seem, they are un-
able 70 swim at first and do not VEN
ture into the water until they are about
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
Women Worth Fifteen Sheep.

Two Danish explorers but recently
returned from the center of Asia have
made the discovery of race OF fire
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16
PROFESSOR DAVID STARR JOR.
DAN.

day our government supplies them
with free coal. and they live in houses
very neatly built and fitted up by the
company. They elect their own chief
once a year, but he has no authority
whatever over them, except that he is
considered as foreman OF the work."
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-16

worshipers who must be added 10 the
list of known races They are totally
uncivillzed and are moreover pygn,es.
compared with other specimens OF the
human race. Their peculiarity extends
moreover 60 thcr domestic animals.
their sheep being but little larger than
FOX terriers and their cattle mo- larger
than the ordinary foal. Their only
trade Is he bartcring Of furs. while a
woman can Doc bought Tor Q COVE or
r. sheep The explorers found these
natives very timid and .eady "a iaLs
e 'heir heels az smal provocaiioa.
The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-11
PARAMOUNT NEWS.

The promised rain has failed 10
make its appearance, though 1t is
much needed.
Some of our young folks have
had The measles, after having had
them wears ago. Gall them Ger
man measles. Are there any
sucii
A rood deal of work has been
done on our roads, but do the men
! who boss the job think over she
situation carefully and see whether
thew put their work where it will
do the most good.
A dusy place was w. &. Shan
mons strawberry patch ,oday, peo-
pie we're there from near and lar.
some who live 25 and 30 miles
away. They picked berries. trans
ferring to their pals and Jars, ane
the silver from their pockets Il
his. A happy man was w. b.
ALMA.
The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-11
Death of B. W. jelly.

Benz. NJ. Jolly, born i'll New Marion,
Riplev county, Indiana, March 3, 1854, |
died at his home, IS miles south OF Cor
wallis, Wednesday morning, after br;ef
illness. Both the parents of the deceased
died when he was quite young, ana ne
lived with relatives i'll Ohio until he was
nearly of age. He also lived two years
with a married sister in Missouri before
starting for Oregon in 1875. Arriving IN
this state he came Immediately to Benton
county and obtained employment of VIM.
Porter, and remained in the latter's en-
ploy several years. About II years ago
he was united in marriage to Miss Laura
Porter, daughter OF Isaac Porter.
Mr. Iolly was man of affairs and was
highly esteemed by all who knew HIM.
For 20 odd years he has continuously re-
sided in the Belknap neighborhood ana
all his neighbors will bear testimony to
his many noble and manly traits of char
acter. Although not wealthy he had by
industry and frugality, risen from the
position of an obscure, penniless farm
employee, to that of substantial and in
fluential citizens of the county. de
leaves to mourn his loss a widow, one
brother, Hon. VIM. Jolly, of Philonlath,
sister, Mrs. Maggie Smite, of Newberg.
: besides host of friends. The funeral
services occur this morning at the family
residence, DR.. Thompson officiating.
The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-11
Asssignee's Notice.

In tie matter of the assignment OF the
Coast Carriage and Wagon Company fof
the benefit of creditors;
Notice is hereby given that M. M.
Davis, as assignee of the Coast Carriage
and Wagon Co., has filed his hnai ac-
count as such assignee with the clerk OF
the circuit court of state of Oregon, for
Benton county, and the said court has
fixed the 22nd day of July, at O'Clock
in the afternoon of said day, as the time
for hearing any aud all objections to the
same and for final settlement OF the
matter All objections to said finai ac-
count must be filed with the clerk OF the
aboye-named court on or before Saturday,
the a6th day of June, at one o'clock IN
afternoon of said day.
Dated May 24th, 1897.
| NJ M. DAVIS,
Assignee of Coast Carriage aud Wagon
Company.
The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-11
-HosKINs JoTTINGs.

A. @. Miller has completed his
new sawmill.
: A. D. Hale went to Albany,
Saturday, to help the democrats
spin the web 10 catch the popullst
flies.
Geo. Smith, of Corvallis, was
in the valley this week, and pur-
chased a number of sheep for mar
ket.
Hop pickers are talking of 40
cents box this year. Hops are
looking fiue and are maturing
early.
j. Strawberries are in demand.
People are crazy for them. How
ard Bush lett for Albany, Wednes-
day, to bring in a load of the
delicious fruit
The grangers are talking of hold
ing big picnic on July 4th, te
which all oranges are invited te
participate. Proceeds will be usee
for a new grange hall.
Two funerals have occurred
since memorial day. Charlie
SHES, we'll known in Benton ant
Polk counties, aged So years, dies
on Saturday, May Both, and wa
buried Sunday following.
GRANGER.
The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-11

roe and Simpsons chapel were in
at the dedication OF
the new M. E. church in Corvallis
last Sunday.
The band boys of Dusty have
changed the date of their picnic at
Bellfountain from June 18th to
June 26th. Let all interested par
ties take notice.
The pastures are drying up rap
idly and cattle will soon have to
rustic a little in order to keep fat.
In fact, the seasonis just as near
a drought as one ever sees in Ore
gon.
Rev. and Mrs. Ed. H. Belknap
of Turner, visited the formsr's ole
home Monday, and Aunt Mahala
returned with them to spend a few
weeks in Marion county.
M. Z. Judkins called at ou
Office last week and left a bucke
of luscious tame strawberries, tn
first of the season. The berrle
we're ssout of sight" in a short tim
and were greatly appreciated.
The concert and social given b
the primary classes OF the M. I
Sunday school, last Friday ever
: ing. was a decided success in ever
;. way. The dialogue by the mt
+ girls, concluding with the lullat
e song, was especially worthy
mention, and the clever mann
in which the entire program w
+ rendered gave proof that mu'
care had been taken in its prepa
alton. The only regret shown w
l. bv those who could get no suppe
= and this fact is evidence enous
D. TO show that the financial part
- the program was very probable
deed. ....5
The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-11
BLoDGETT NEWS.

A. c.. Huffman and A. Cadwal-
ader were in Corvallis last Satur-
day.
EfGe King represented the
Blodgett school at the spelling
contest.
Supt. Denman visited the school
in this vicinity during the fore
part of the week.
Mrs. Isaac Norton is sick. DR..
b. q. Logan: of Philomath, is the
attending physician
There will be preaching service
at Blodgett schoolhouse OH Satur.
day evening, June 18th, by Rev.
T. I. Vincent, of Monmouth.
There is quite a stir at the sta
ton. New supplies are being re.
ceived, painting and blacksmithing
in progress and wood being placeo
near the track.