The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-23
BIRDS AVENGED BY FIRE.
THOUSANDS or BTRD SKINS DURy
UITH A FACTORY

The Largest Establishment In which Birds
PIumagc Was Made Into Hat Ornaments
Destroyed-Mnny Gunners Employed
ono Man Kills I Al 900 Birds in n season.
mWANTAGH. l.. l.. Nov. pa factory at this
place, where the skins and plnmnge OF birds
were prepared for the purpose OF ornamenting
womcn,s hats was DESTROYED 10y fire shortly
inter midnight this morning The establish
meut was the largest OF it's Kind In the United
States, and had agents In the South and at
numerous other places engaged In shooting or
trapping birds for millinery purposes. The
pIant was owned by William L. Wilson OF this
place. The immediate loss occasioned by the
fire IL placed at So 900. but the da mage to Mr.
wilson's business Just at this time when the
busy season had begun will be very much
larger. He will rebuild the plant at once The
factory was 10Ox50 feet. one story high and
built OF wood.
There were many peculiar features to Mr.
Wilson'S business Only q few weeks ago his
stock OF birds and wings was very low. hut he
had Just received some big shipments OF vnlua-
bio bird skins preparatory to beginning the
active season Of preparation for the spring de-
mands and especially on the Easter hat trade
Thousands OF these skins were destroyed. He
usually vpploys Atty hands. and would have
increasedhis force to that number before the
Christmas holidays. There was in stock In the
factory 10000 stuffed sea guls. 10000 wings
Of various other birds. 10000 heads OF birds.
representing many varieties from the beauti-
full plumed birds OF the South to the plain
Long Island crow. Tho resources OF the estab-
lishment had been severely taxed during the
past year to provide long wings and single
were sent out to provide a supply Of those
birds that would meet that demand. Long
ssnS 81 s o wS Mf Wilson tSss
they did at their regular callngs OF oyster
sSs Aofss of vrsna on and dc on s0T the fsrds
special orders for e certain varieties Of birds
found In those localities.
dns he Gs
to secure cargo o Of water fowl Of dirsTent
BIRDS. and the Florida coasts VIII be hunted By
xiii large number OF birds in season The
greatest record made BY any one man was for
IN hs srss tss In
the skins without disturbing the feathers;
The skins are turned inside out and sprinkled
reach the factory. After the skins are treated
in the factory they are put ip a barrel flied
The barrel Ia revolved until the skins become
perfectly coated with the preparation. Then
and the bodies Stuffed so as to resemble he
live bird. Some varieties OF birds have
skins that are very tender and their re-
care. The skins reach the factory packed in
sea grass. Birds that are shot nearby
arc sent intact to the factory and tn" cnrcas-cs
are pack ed in ice and sold to hotels and res
tautants. The establishment had use for every
kind Of birds. Even guinea hens were used
were made hy combining the head and holy Of
one bird with the wings and tail feathers Of
others.
Mr.. Wilson had number q. live birds In the
factory in small apartment. These escaped
during the fire and to-day 'nge was set ont
and number We're caught again. L. the cage
this n!trrn JOn were several varieties OF birds
including u number Of fancy pigeons. which
were use ! in the preparation OF u certain line
oil high-class hat ornaments.