Evening star., 1900-12-15

"It Is a fact not generally known" said
Mr.. William b. Smith of Arizona last even
ing to Star reporter, that the greater
part of the turquoise sold in this country
and large part of that used abroad comes
from the mines of New Mexico. The Amer
lean product, Ii is said, Is gradually but
surely displacing the oriental stone. The
colors of the American turquoise are not
only more to the taste Of the connoisseur.
but are more permanent, the fading OF
New Mexican turquoise being a very rare
occurrence. Turquoise mining in New Mex
leo Is of very remote origin. Many of the
present mines when located indicated oper-
atlons by the inhabitants of New Mexico at
a time prior to or contemporaneous with
the Aztecs. stone and earthen vessels or
great antiquity being found IN the workings
The rarest specimens of the wampums OF
the New Mexico Indians contain beads OF
turquoise. many of them being gems ac-
cording to modern standards. One of the
most successful turquoise mines In the ter
ritory is located near Los CeErillos. Many
gems of great value are credited to TINS
mine, the workings and information regard
ing the output of which are jealousy
guarded from the public. Other successful
mines are located in the Burro mountains
near Silver City
The life Of a member of the fire depart
also one of close confinement 1t Is true
that every sixth day the fireman has what
is known as his day off, when for twen-
ty-four hours he is off duty. But even on
his day off he is required to attend every
fire to which his company responds. and
to there remain until his company IS re-
leased. Then, again, Illness or other
inability of members to perform duty Oper-
ates to cut out his cay off. for the rules re-
tiraf hat a r.
tain number of men duty at all times,
and when that number is reduced by the
illness or other unavoidable absence OF other
members of the company no man Is al
lowed his day off until the required mini
mum strength of the company IS again at
tanned. OF course, the men are permitted
meal hours. when they are allowed to VISIT
their homes for the purpose or taxing tnelf
meals. but even this privilege Is so regu-
lated as to limit their time of absence to
the shortest period possible Most or the
houses occupied by the various companies
are supplied with reading matter. and in
several of them pool tables have been pro-
yided 10y friends of the men. Yet the time
OF the men at their company quarters hangs
very heavily upon them at times, and that
Is one reason why visitors are cordially
welcomed. Some time ago it occurred to an
EptScopalian minister of the city, Kew. u.
F. Sprigg, that the firemen would welcome
the visits of a clergyman, and he has since
then regularly visited three of the compa-
MES in the northwest section Of the city
once q week. 1ntSP NISltS OF the cleTSy-
man have become part of the routine life
of the members of these three companies
engine mpanies {. 9 and 11-and his ap-
pearance is a matter Of real pleasure to
the members of these companies. the rev.
erend gentleman Is a man of broad and
liberal views, one who Is deeply interested
in the work of the fire fighters and. to their
credit, notwithstanding the fact that all OF
them are not Of the same faith. they par
ticipate in the brief and informal services
conducted by him with the same liberal
spirit which characterizes his labors. These
services usually consist III the reading or a
selection from the Scriptures. an informal
discussion explanation of the selection
read and brief prayer On each visit the
clergyman brings newspapers and other
reading matter, and to those interested he
distributes reading matter of religious ma
ture. Sometimes, of course. the services
are interrupted by alarm of fire. when
the company dashes out in response. But
20 a conclusion with such liberal infor-
mality as to insure the undivided attention
OF the men. and with such kindliness as to
make them entertaining and welcomed
breaks In the monCtony of the daily life OF
the men. When man is sick and IS absent
from quarters the venerable clergyman
visits him at his home, where he is no less
cordially welcomed.
x x X i X
The employees of the White House are
urahie to give any information about the
small brass plates. containing numbers
tia. are noticed on all the outer and hall
way doors at the Executive Mansion The
general suppostfon, and probably the cor
rect one. is that the rooms were number ed
merely for the benefit of the housekeepers
of Presidents In the olden days. In those
days the housekeepers in large mansions
carried around with them huge punches OF