The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-10-14
THE FUN OF HUNTING ALLIGA-
 TORS
"A Night With Bud Morgan-Exciting

Neches in Texas Fifteen Years Ago.
 Fifteen years ago alligator hunting on the Neches was at it's height. Those were palmy days for the successful hun ter, none of whom could go out and re- turn the next morning with as many hides as Bud Morgan. Bud grows hap py when he remembers and talks of those days, for he says he made more money with less work and more fun than ever before or since. Bud is now driving hack, and a lucky passenger is he who succeeds in getting Bud to spin some of his alligator yarns just as the actual facts took place when Beaumont was hardly more than a village. These yarns need no embellishments, no vivid congregations nor pretty word pictures to make them of interest. They are best just as they come from his lips.
 Alligator hides in those days sold for from 50 cents to S1.5O hide, according to size. There were large numbers of shoes, purses, ladies' bags and a dozen other things made from then, and every body seemed struck with the craze. The fad grew to such an alarming extent that limitations soon became more plentiful than the genuine article, and to this day there can be seen in almost any household some nicknack made of an imitation of alligator hide.
 Tn those days there lived a queer look ing old individual at Sabine Pass whom the boys called Alligator Smith. He was so called because he purchased all the hides from the hunters to reship. He lived in @ little hovel, and the gossip around town had it that he was ''big rich and had money buried" but the hunters cared naught for that so long as the glittering gold came forth when they turned in their Hast haul"
 One morning Bud came in just after daylight and was as happy as a lark. In his boat there were F of as pretty hides as ever dare swim in the Neches. This meant at least $70 for his nights work, and the best of it all was that it broke the record of all hunters "It's buster" said he, and indeed it was. The first person he met that morning was the News correspondent, then a mere child, whose age could be counted by units without going into the tens. Bud could not contain himself in his su- prene joy, and the first thing he said was:
 Say, boy, tell the old man you want SO 5O EdtOl llIaAIlll6 tO-iiA5AI WAsiA A1ob' Don't tell him any more than that, for he knows who am, and you can bet Q hide it'n be all right; and don't forget now, cause I'm goin' out for fun to- night, not hides, and I'll show you sport you read about. Run along, and ask him now an I'll wait here in the skiff till you come back
 A little begging and promising to be good all day Sunday made it 'all right with the old man," as Bud had prophe sled.
 A happier boy there never was. All day long, notwithstanding Buds parting injunction to ''sleep as much as you can to-day, cause you'll be up all night and get powerful sleepy" the brain of that boy kept wl1irling in happy anticipation of the sport on hand for the night.
 ''Ill tell the boys in Corsicana about 1t, and won't they be wild" Such thoughts as these flashed in and as quickly flashed out of the young mind as he tossed and tunlbled on the bed trying to obey Buds last instructions.
 It was about in the evening when Bud came along and said he was ready. A midnight lunch was prepared and Bud, his partner, and the News cores pondent started out. It was two miles down to Old river, and then two miles up Old river to the hunting grounds, so That by the time the spot was reached 1t was almost dark The moon, which was full, began slowly rising from the tree tops, and shone down on the spark ling water, making @ beautiful scene which was the more impressive from the supreme silence that reigned over all, marred only by the constant and regu- Jar click-clack of the oars and their gentle splash i'll the water as each stroke was made. The old logs floating here and there looked like huge black monsters, seeking prey, while an all most imperceptible breeze waved the pretty willows to and fro, adding. sub- 1irnity to the scene.
 Bud stood at the bow of the boat while his partner pulled, and the boy sat in the rear. Bud wore on his head, above his hat, brilliant bull's-eye lantern When they approached the camping place all that could be was taken from the boat and securely fastened in little hut erected for the purpose Then the hunt began.
 Right down here bit, boys, is an old 'gator with about 25 young uns, and we'll tackle her first. Pardner, suppose you get out here and look for nest. There ought to be one right along there.'' .-..
 As soon as "Pardner'' got out Bud explained in a low tone: "You see he is pretty green, but I needed man to help me, so I agree with him to give him third. Now told him to get out 80 as to tell you when throw live gator in the boat like I'm going to torickly, why you just get up close to the same side of the boat he came in on and don't move nor be afraid and you'll see some fun"
 Come on here, pardner; we must be goin',' he shouted in loud voice, and once more they were all in the boat They pulled down the stream and in a few minutes several little balls of blood red fire appeared along the water ap- preaching Buds light. These were the eyes of the alligators. Presently 8 number of low sounds like the grunts of puppies began coming In rapid suc- cession. The red balls of fire grew thicker and thicker, and there seemed to be fully twenty of them swimming around the head of the boat when the light was on Buds head. He was standing with gun in hand and facing