The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-12

mont or plaything for the baby 1t Ia
only within tho last fow weeks that tho
news has begun to spread through the
rural districts Of the rich pearl fisheries.
anu they now realize that these pretty peb-
blcs are likely to be worth from SI5O TO
$500 apiece.
Not long ago Il young man from ST.
Louis went down into the bottom lands of
Arkansas for II weeks hunting and fish
ing. Ho left the train and civilization as
Bald Knob and penetrated into the woods
ne far as Murphy lake, famous for it's fish.
AS he sat there on Il log waiting for bito
smooth, shining pebble, half buried in
the black mud, caught his eye He knew
II little about precious stones and II hasty
examination almost convinced him that il
was II pearl. Tho native guido who was
with him offered to show him where a LOT
of such stones could be found ana in a few
moments the young man had forgotten all
about fishing and was filling his pockets
with the CONS, much to tho amusement
oil the guide, who assured him that the
people who lived in the vicinity had known
for long time of the existence OF tho
stones, but had paid no attention to them.
Tint same night the fisherman sent to I.
lapidary in st. Louis u few specimens and
ny return mail came the assurance that
tho gems were pearls of excellent quality,
unusual size and great value. In order to
DO doubly assured, however, he sont two
or three stones to Memphis jewcry firm,
Offering them for sale. He promptly re-
ceivod check for nm amount much larger
than he had anticipated. Then no deter
mined to fellow the pearl fishing industry
Tor an indefinite period. He kept his lucky
s1rlko secret and prospectcd all the near
by lakes, finding another in tho vicinity of
haIu hnoD which seemed tn be rich in
pearls
ITO was doing well when his secret leaked
out Jewelers. in Memphis had received Il
number of fine pearls from Arkansas, and
llnaliy ono firm sent an agent, Mr.. J. a.
u farn. to make inquiries He no sooner
arrived in the pearl country than he sent
IN MS resignation, and mt once made ar
rahgomcnts to conduct II pearl business of
MS own on ~ largo scale. Then the nows
spread rapidly, and now the bayous of
ARKANSAS are swarming with prospcctors.
Capitalists have already leased all tho
land around the two lakes on White river
where tho first large finds were made, and
inc property is being guarded night and
Gay. "A large Gordon of special constablcs
has been engaged to drive mon away from
tho shores, and at night the muddy banks
arc illuminated by tho narng light of gas
N''''S ''iShNS III OT0eF lUuU unScrUDulOuS
claim jumpers may not sneak in after
dark and carry off tho pearls. a largo
drcdger will soon he at operation ON the
lake This will scoop up the bottom of
thu lake and drop great shovcfuls into n
screen. AS there is nothing hut soft mud
and shells on the lake bottom the pearls
and shells can easily DO screened from the
mud.
Among tho army of prospcctors which
now swarms through the district is Charles
Wins. who represents Memphis jewelry
firm. Ho Ia buying up all the pearls thar
the natives have to offer, and is probably
doing better business than any of the
Others. He travels on mulo back, and is
making thorough canvas of the bayou
district. Pearls have not only boon found
in the lakes, but far inland, where they
have been deposited in previous years whom
the great river took u different course.
Tho possibility of finding rich pearl demos
Its in their cotton fields is just being real.
;zcd by tho farmers, and they arc conse-
1ucntly In n feverish state oe excitement.
Utmost ns much so rs If their land were 10.
;ated ia the midst of gold country.
S. r. MACDONALD i,