New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-30

had Hssd then 6 Of st y and gk
to avoid creating 'rIsh." ~ -
Murphy Lake br from ST. L9gs w69
pearl on the muddy shore His negro guide told
him such objects were abundant In that region,
spot where number of similar pearls were easily
picked up. The guide was amused at his interest
playthings for the children. He nevertheless
mail to St Louis and Memphis In reply he was
informed that they were true pearls. and received
sent other parcels, and gradually the matter be-
gaf 10 at a one of the Memphis f s seS
to investigate. On his arrival he found the condi-
resignation to the arm, and Went into pearl hunt
of Mem nS 9w peope leased the lake and
to make complete and systemSatie exploration Of
lake led TO numerous lawsuits by people who
claimed that part OF the land around it was public
everybody, and several times the rival claimants
The great excitement occasioned by the slowing
newspaper accounts OF the Arkansas fnds caused
hitherto affected notably in kansas Miehiga an
Eastern States were affected. In Connecticut some
Prospecting was done by hunter about the head;
work he had gathered number OF pearls. one of
which he sold for $500. and two others were esti-
River in Litchheld County. considerable success
In New-York State Grass River and it's affuents
OF the streams that drain from the Adiron-
dackS Ine 81 AdWIence III the lHWeSleA1
angle of the State, were the principal scene or
operations The central point the town OF
Russell, in st. Lawrence County. In 1885 NJ. G.
Rowe, OF that place. opening mussel for bait,
while fishing in Frost Brook. 4 tributary of Grass
River, found a pink pearl as large as a pea In
1897 the excitement began, and soon multitudes
were at work with the Inevitable result Of com
plete exhaustion Of the mussel beds in a short
time
AS the streams this region clear and
necessary to have special outfits Tor
the work. A rubber suit. consisting of boots and
would then wade up the stream, having perforat-
ed tin pail slung about his neck To the face was
strapped the water telescope, l. e., llght square
wooden box open above and shaped 70 Mt the
face and closed below with a pane of glass. The
hunter walked in a STOPPING posture. with the
see the shells lying the bottom. and take them
with a "spud." pole carrying at the end a
pair Of spring clasps, or nippers'
This last fever its course In most states IN a
year or two. and the hunting is now carried on
mainly in the Mississippi Valley, in Wisconsin.
Arkansas and Iowa although 1t is liable to break
out again at any moment, as there are rev
places which have not yet been exploited.
In 1891 the manufacture OF pearl buttons from
the shells OF the pearl muSsels was begun at MUS
fTdustrv In 1893 there were sixty factories engaged
IN this business in Iowa. Illinois, Missouri and WIS
consin. The supplying OF shells TO these FACTORIES
has become the principal business or the erst-
while pearl hunters the searching for pearls being
now minor consideration, as they are quite scarce
Various methods of collecting the shells are en-
ployed. Many hunters wade in the stream leeIlhS
with their feet for the sharp ends or the unto,
which always project. When one Is discovered the
finder either dives after il or lifts 1t with ms rect
Rakes, tongs and dredges are also USED.