The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-21

Many kinds of skin are common
enough for purposes OF dress, but that
OF the rattlesnake alone is affected by
Peter Gruber, of Rochester, N. Y, who
possesses an entire suit made of this
material. In its manufacture 125 skins
were used, and the effect is heighten-
ed by the skillful blending of the skins
of four kinds of snake-black, brown,
yellow and gray. The buttons consist
OF rattlesnakes' heads. Mr.. Gruber's
hat and stick are also covered with
the same material.
Books bound with human skin are
rare. but the possession of Signor
Gonredo is surely unique 1t con-
slsts of coat made from the tanned
hides of criminals and others, which
this eccentric gentleman has been at
no inconsiderable trouble and expense
to collect. No fewer than 81 bodies
have contributed to this grewsome
garment, whereof. that the whole may
be in keeping, the buttons, carved to
represent death heads, are cut from
human bones.
Madagascar can boast of factrry
where the experiment of making spid-
ers' silk is being tried, so that ere
long dresses of that material may be
common. They are not that yet, but
one, at least, is in existence. This,
which is owned by the daughter of
New York millionaire, employed &c
sklllful SILK weavers in it's manufac-
ture from many thousand webs. Its
somewhat somber hue is relieved by
quantity of jewels, gems to the value
OF 2,4OO pounds sterling scintillating
on the bodice alone.
A French collector possesses a small
square made from the hair of Mar
garet, Countess of Lennox, mother of
Lord Darnley, which is valued at
LOO pounds sterling. The dress own
ed by Frau Weisse, Of Berlin, though,
OF course, not SO valuable, is compos-
ed OF like material. being made entire
~ of women's hair, which, at no little
cost, was purchased from peasants,
who, for consideration, were ready
to part with their luxuriant locks to
crafty the eccentricity of an OPEN
handed lady.
Mrs. Edwards, an American actress.
possesses dress valued at 5000
pounds sterling, which was given to
ner on her marriage by an Indian
rajah. 1t is made of beetle wings.
whereof over $4,000 of lovely irri-
descent green were employed before the
gown was ready for the fair wearer.
Many wealthy women have, it is said,
endeavored to procure duplicate,
with, however, no success, as the rar-
ity OF the beetle has hitherto preclud-
Ell the accomplishment of their de-
sire.
Among the effects of Herr Binder.
VINO died some years back at Munich,
was curious coat made of small
pieces OF wood, none above an inch
IN diameter, fastened together by gold
and silver wire. Not only is the gar
ment curious, but it is yeritable
work of art. for cuttings from almost
every known tree were used in its
construction, and the variously color
ed woods have been made to blend
with no little taste.
very stir and uncomfortable must
this coat have been to wear, but less
SO, perhaps-being of light material
than similar garment made in the
early eighties to the order of a Bra
lillian. who had such a liking for gold
tnat ne, on special occasions, wore a
coat made OF plaques of this precious
metal. Naturally, he only appeared
thus bedizened in the privacy of his
FAMILY, by whom he was at length
persuaded to convert his sartorial &C.
centricity into coin of the realm.