The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-17

~ hehbt I'M ~ INC StuTy Ahhk NbubtuH
Jewellers OF Memphis to Throw Up Their
jobs to Go Pearl BuntlnE-The Gems Die.
covered In Two Lakes That Arc Vow Guarded
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Aug. 16.-The excitement
over the Klondiko gold discoveries, which for n
time ragged here, as In all other parts OF tho
country, has been altogether collapsed here.
abouts by the remarkable finds Of pearls in APP
pnrcntly incxhaustible numbers in lakes and
hayous OF western Arkansas.
The extent OF these pearl deposits cannot be
estimated. A couple OF the largest lakes, where
the most valuable finds have hcen made. have
already been leased by persons of means who
are willing to risk their capital in the venture.
They confidently hope that these lakes alone, of
the myriads Of lakes in Arkansas, will furnish
the pure gems.
The two lakes referred TO arc the Miller and
Murphy lakes. not far from Bald Knob. on the
Iron Mountain Railroad. and about ten miles
from Scarcy, Ark, only about 100 miles west OF
Memphis. The story OF tho discovery is inter
estinR.
A few weeks ago n young man named Fur
Tough came down from ST. Louis to fish in the
Murphy Lake. He had handled pearls in his
time and was at once struck by the appearance
OF these stones. He sent one Of them to an ex.
pert at st. Louis and awaited the verdict.
The positive assurance camo back that tho
stone was n genuine pearl and OF excellent
quality.
Furlough at once deserted his piscatorial en-
| ploymcnt and devoted himself entirely to &C.
cumulatinS u stock OF the gems. When his
money ran short he sent u few CT the smaller
specimens to the Byrd jewclry house in Mem.
phis. and BY return mail received the regular
market price for such stones.
Soon other persons from the same ncighbor-
1,NNl lA.nn 60 .NNra..rr al nt-r -
the Byrd establishment. The Memphis people
began 10 make inquiries, and it was not
long before employees OF the jewelry
house began to throw mp their jobs
and to make mysterious journeys over into the
swamp country. They gave out that they were
going fishing: and SO by degrees il became gen
orally known that the Arkansas lakes were
yielding fortunes In precious stones for all who
would 20 after them.
Mr.. J. J. Williams, County Trustee Of Shelby
county, went over to the scene OF the discover.
les a week ago. He spent three days there. and
during that time picked UP forty.two pearls
from the surface mud, ranging IN size from a
pea to n large acorn. and concluded a deal with
the owners of the property by which he secured
an exclusive lease of the two lakes for a period
Of fvc years.
Before leaving he engaged n force of deputy
sherifs TO guard both lakes day and night. and
lights we're erected all around the lakes. SO that
they could not be approached by depredators at
night without being seen.
On his return to this city Mr.. Williams pur-
chased a dredge boat and had il shipped over by
rail ia sections. II Is now being put together on
the shore OF Murphy Lake, and as soon as it is in
shape tho work OF dredging the lake will he
taken mp in earnest.
The mussels from which the pearls are devel.
opei abound in all the Arkansas bayous. Many
persons eat them. but the meat is too soft and
hsbby to DO favored by the epicure.
Under certain conditions u small grit forms on
the surface OF the iueat inside the shell, and this
gradually becomes u sort OF cancerous growth.
II expands and hardens, and as II grows IL
absorbs the meat Of the mussel till at last none
Of this animal substance is left, but in its stead
is u pearl more or less perfect.
II the shol! remains undisturbed 1t v i'll con.
tain the pearl when ii Is picked up, but IL there
has been "A current in tho water that
has disturbed the shells the pearls may
u" y ne arknnsas sl"s ~, an, : haron. ia NOT pS deem
and therefore the work of dredging and sitting
IL is not a serious undertaking.