Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-08
DISCOVERIES MADE IN MALARlAL LAKES
Are Not as Valuable as Those From
the Orient.
TO DEVELOP THE FIELD


| mussels in the hope of sudden wealth, while
the rest of the country has been agitating
itself on the subject of dollar wheat. A
New York diamond broker recently ex-
hibited very large pearl which had been
sent to him from the Arkansas field, just
" hat part of it he refused to say.
The stone is one of the finest specimens
of the ''swe etwater'" variety ever seen in
New York. 1t is perfectly formed slightly
oval in shape, of a pure white, and weighs
30 grains. 1t is valued at $500. Another
broker recently received consignment of
Arkansas pearls, " hich included a pink
pearl, weighing 26 grains. 1t is worth not
more than 800, however. on account OF
slight blemiSh on one side. Many smaller
pearls have come from this same region
during the past week, and there is talk of
New York company to work some of the
Arkansas pearl lakes. 1t is possible how
ever. thhat they will be late in the field as
Memphis company has already leased one
of the most promising lakes for term of
hve years for $4,000. and individual specu-
lators have obtained control of several
others.
The klondike excitement Is not to be
compared with the enthusiasm in northern
Arkansas over the recent finds of pearls.
AT Helena and Little Rock family parties
are going out to camp along the river and
hunt for pearls. Most of these parties have
found only small ones, but one woman
PiCheu up d PINK pearl worth YOU, and two
small Toys who were looking for clans
and not for pearls found two which they
sold for 80 apiece. Most of the valuable
nnds. however, have been made in the
lakes and ponds, which are controlled by
private individuals or by companies In
some places the owners have had to stand
guard with snotguns to keep off the en-
thusiastic pearl seekers. who have been
accustomed to hunt CLAIMS wherever they
wished. and who think that the mere fact
that the shells may contain gems worth
800 or so ought not to make any differ
ence In this right.
As Dangerous ns Klondike.
The Arkansas pearl fisheries are recon-
mended as a good substitute for Alaska for
those who are in search of hardship and
adventure. There Is not so much frost and
snow. but there Is plenty of malaria, which
Is apt to carry off the unacclimated visitor.
and the swamps and forests which one has
10 traverse in order to reach the lakes
where the treasures lie will supply the ad-
Venturcr with as manv unpleasant expe-
rfcnces as Chilkoot pass. Besides the ma
iaria That hangs round the lakes and
SWampS, they contain sulphur and iron
which gives the water a decidedly unpleas-
ant yellowish tinge. The places in which
pearls have thus far been discovered are
Murphy and Walker lakes Cross lake, Sui
flowing into them. These are all In She
Bald Knob country. southwest of Mem
phis.
Several Memphis citizens have invested
money In leases in White county, and the
concern already referred to will make an
organized effort to develop the industry in
the lakes and ponds which it controls This
company has already taken out several
hundred dollars worth of pearls hmt So
Tar the work has all been done by nepro
clggerS and divers, who are paid 81 per day
for their services. On account of the color
of the water they have to feel for the
cd in, fIa
their hands or bare feet, and so can work
effectively only in shallow places As soon
as machinery can be put in. however, the
bottom of the lakes, including the deener
parts, will be thoroughly dredeed and n
Is expected that more satisfactory results
will be obtained. 1t is the theory of the
Memphis men who are backing the enter
prise that the mussels occasionally shed
their pearls. and that others that have
dled still contain the gems and will be
found buried deep down in the mud at the
bottom of the lakes
1t is possible too that the manufactures
of mother-of-pearl will be started to ,1tIl-
lie the shells, as is done in Lower Califor-
MIA, whence most of the pearls used in but
tons for our wafstccats and dresses now
comes from. Mother-of-pearl 1t NAV he
explained, Is simply the smooth inside
lining of the shell. which is cut up and
used for buttons and ornaments
Some Rich Strikes.
Instances Of rich finds are reported every
few days from Bald Knob or the adjoining
country. few days ago a negro, who
gave his name as Harris, walked into a
Memphis jewelry store. and exhibited a
small bag Of pearls. Most of the stones
were small, and worth not more than a or
- each, but there were few Of larger
size. including one or two pink pearls of
very good quality. An offer of 500 was
made for the lot. The negro held out for
more. and finally accepted $50 He said
| that ne had worked for month. and had
| opened thousands Of shells to get the
stones He acknowledged that he was
| from down White county way" but re-
| fused to tell where he had found the gems.
| as ne SAID mat there were more in the
same place. and he was going back after
them.
A man named Deale in Bald Knob sen,
dozen pearls to New York. and has re-
| ceived ali offer of 800. He found them
| all in the course OF a week.
| j. P Smith of Four Mile lake has been
| gathering pearls for several months but
has been keeping quiet about it. He SAYS
| that he has sold about $1,000 worth and
| still has some very good stones in his DOS
| session.
John German found a 500 pearl at the
| Red river.
| Three brothers. negroes named Hopkins.
claim to have taken 81 200 worth of stones
from the river and the ponds near 1t.
Many of the natives in White county
| nave In their possession pearls of more
| or less value taken from the ponds hefore
| the excitement set in. Many of them de-
cline to say anything about their finds
| as they don't wish to encourage a rush To
the spot.
| New York and Wisconsin,
| There are two other places in this coun
| try where pearls have been taken in con-
| siderable numbers. One of these is the
| Wisconsin lake region, where the stones
have been found for several years past
In these lakes and streams the water ID
perfectly clear, and the shells are obtained
| by wading and diving. Several New Yorl
dealers say that they have had stones o.
considerable value from the Wisconsin
/ fields. and some thousands OF dollars have
been taken out of the lakes and stream.
| of this region within the past few wears
| Though there Is no systematized effort II
carry on the work such as is to be made
| in Arkansas.
The other field where pearls have beer
| found recently Is in the Grasse river IL
| northern New York. Three years ago al
| Adirondack guide exhibited to u New
| Yorker for whom he was working a hal,
| dozen smooth white stones that he haf
taken from clans which he dug up for bait