The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-08-07
Deadly Days for Mules.

ernment could have added, ct mod
crate estimate, year to the war in
South Africa. American horses and
mules have mounted and remounted
the British cavalry, suppliad cad re.
Supplied the muscle to move the artil.
lery and furnished and refurnished
pack trains. Texas has been drained
OF mules, and Kansas, Wyoming, Mis-
'souri aud other stock raising States Of
the West have been 60 nearly depleted
that the $40 animals Of 1899 bring to-
day $50. More than half as many
raGies'and horses as men have gone to
! the English srmy. One hundred and
one thousand have been shipped from
this country alone. And still trans
! port week With nan c. sao7s hosd;s
leaves New Orleans.
This is by far the largest exporta-
tion Of live stock for military purpos-
! es tie world mas ever known. Along
with the purchases of live stock, I'll
liens Of dollars have been spent for
fodder and lumberofor equipping large
stockyards, having an army Of labor
ers, veterinarians, carpenters and ma.
chinists, and maintaining an official
staff here.
General Samuel Pearson, of the
Boer army, has been in this country
since November last working diligent.
~ to put an end to this mule supply.
His suit il the Fedora. Court at New
Orleans to stop the shipments, Judge
Parlange decided, was not matter
the Court could pass upon; it,wss for
the Cabinet to decide. General Pear
SON was unsuccessful in his efforts at
Washington. But he is still at work,
and is about TO reopen the case at New
| Orleans on new grounds.
Two months before the hostilities
began England had officers in Austria,
Portugal, Canada and the United
States purchasing animals. All these
stations were opened that no delay
should be suffered, but the cost Of the
stock being from SO to ilGG per sent.
higher in the other countries aud the
quality much inferior, they were soon
abandoned and entire reliance placed
upon the United States.
The first shipment sailed from just
above New Orleans October 10, 1899,
TIVE days before war was declared.
The Pran carried out that day GIL
mules--a small load. Subsequent
shipments all ran higher, the City Of
Manchester. which sailed November
81, carrying the largest cargo Of stock
that ever ssiled-2,O8O mules and
horses. Mules formed by far the
larger part Of all shipments.
Regular cattle chips could not be
secured. But the prices offered were
sufficient fo.make the owners of mum
ber Of cotton carriers then awaiting
cargoes, turn them into transports.
The animals are packed closely side by
side. There is standing room only.
a loss Of 10 per cent. on some trips in
the summer is considered small. There
is veterinary surgeon aboard each
boat, and from Is to 100 muleteers.
The latter, after feeding and watering
the stock each day, have to give
hand in dosing the sick, binding the
bruised sufferers from the ship roll
ing, enc singing up those too weak &c
stand longer.
There is another task--that of hoist.
ing over the dead. The transports
seem to be known among, and spotted
BY, the great fishes. ,Porpoises, sharks
and tie like follow them for days, for
they are sure Of at least three good
meals Of mule every day.
The swiftest vessels Of the feet
make the distance to Cape Town in 90
days BY this time many of the poor
creatures, from standing still so long,
without room to turn around, are too
stiff to move and have to be lifted out
of the stalls. They soon recover
those not too far gone-and when they
realize that they are again on terra
firma they jump and buck with JOY be-
yond control. But it is simply giving
them another taste Of life before the
slaughter; for fever, insects and bull
dets make short wenk of them.
Occasionally storms are encounter
ed that toss the ships about so that
many of the beasts are aaimed and
crippled beyond recovery OF killed out
right. The Corinthia encountered
gale that blew her upon reef OF HAY
Ii in January, 1900. After Grs days
work ia attempting to float her she
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