The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-25
uoMrNG PIGEONS IN 1898.
Record of One Days Flight Stretched
to 700 Miles.

Record of One Days Flight Stretched
| to 700 Miles.
| Breeders of homing pigeons are enthu-
| sastic over the results accomplished by
their pets during the year now closing
Carefully prepared statistics show an as
tonlshlng increase In the number of birds
released for raising and trial purposes,
and, what the fanclers look upon as much
more inlpor jant, tine length OF flights from
sunrise to sunset.
I In 1881 there We're less than dozen
breeders of The carrier pigeon in the United
States. Today the National Federation
has go members. When the first gather
ing of a handful of amateur breeders got
together course OF 200 miles was consid-
cred a long one for the flyers. From 1851
| 10 1885 the care taken with the birds among
the then so-called cranks developed pig
cons which could cover 500 miles in day
light. 1t was in 1855 that Ned Damon,
owned by Mr.. T. Fred Coleman of Brook
yn, did that distance, and the feat was
held UP In glory by the said cranks. The
flight was from Newton, N. c., to Brook
lynn.
They are not called cIanks any more.
The utility of the homing pigeon has been
OF that mature that the true, intrinsic
worth of the bird has come fayornbly to
National legislation.
1t was in 1885 that the pigeons Of Mr..
W. q. Spangehl of Brooklyn were first
brought into play in yacht races. The race
that year was between the Boston boat
Puritan, and Sir Richard Sutton's cutter
Genesta, for the Americas cup. From out
side Sandy Hook the pigeons took to New
York City news that the telegraph Oh.
orators on shore could not describe with
accuracy 6eoa.se they were too far away
TO properly distinguish details.
Since then the birds have done clear cut
ana effective service in all the big yacht
races, and the extent OF breeding for this
and other purposes has been vast
breeders dislike to make comparisons
between the work OF homers on one hand
and railroads. bicyclers and steamships on
the either, because they concede that birds
are OF value only in the day time. But in
The day time. the breeders argue the hom-
lag ldgeon must necessarily assist In the
carrying or important news. The United
states government believes so, ANYWAY.
and IS preparing TO establish a system hy
Wnlcn the development OF carrier pigeons
VIII De brought about. BY the way the
national federation has already caused to
We introduced INTO congress a bill whereby
"t'i SiNc W the government
i,ee use OF birds In time of war, provided
Inc authorities agree to protect lofts from
J. onbery. punishment Of gunners who kill
the birds, etc,
AS to relative speed between homins
pigeons and other conveying means, as was
said above. the bresders hesitate to talk.
put II is known that one day last year a
o'rd brought long dispatch from Wash
ington, ID. c.. to- Brooklyn in three hours
ana half II circumstances could always
be as favorable the trains from the can.
ital would not carry SO many special de- |
livery letters. The result OF the wnrk al |
pigeons during 1858 on which the nieeon
may CHIEFLY congratulate themselves rs ira |
enethened distances made. The distance |
OF opo miles made In 1885 has been gradu- |
ahy pw Professionally stretched until this !
year, When Buffalo birds broke the world's
record In course Of 700 miles. The liher.
atioh look place on July at Lawrence |
DurK Tenn, ut 4:45 q. M, and the four |
lesaers reached Buffalo during the even. |
ing or the same day.
~ relarrng TO this record breaking per-
ollnanes Mr. spangehl said: Our birds |
~ nhtaied to more than ordinary cona;d-
srati.n, In Belgium, where the breed |
~ oi noming pigeons is almost national |
Auussry' the fanciers throw Thousands |
Snere we throw a basketful. Neyertheless
ne ueatment,l iberality and general go-in,
nnu ser there OF the American has bsaten
nsasiusn. With I'll the expsNence q ~
3txY. 0AlE&nm - go