The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1907-01-17
QUEER LABORERS.
Lonely Curio Gatherers-Dragons' Legs
Ploughers of Salt.


The west is full of men who earn a
living in strange ways. For instance,
there are the curio gathercrs of the
Santa Catalina islands off the coast near
Les Angeles.
They outfit at Avalon, where there is
a large curiosity business, and are taken
to the various islands. often being left
several weeks, spending their time III
opening the graves of the ancient peo-
pie of the Santa Catalina channel. The
island of that name has many old town
sites from which tons of stone implc-
ments have been carried away. At San
Nicolas Island there are shell mounds Il
mile in length and eight or more feet in
height, which the collectors open care
fully, taking the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
mplcments-whiCh later are sold to thC
dealers or to some museum.
san Nicolas Is the most desolate spot
to be imagined, buifeted by wind and
the sand blowing like rain or snow. But
here Il single man livcS-a hCrdcr Of Il
few shecp-with two dogs as compan-
ions \ writer for the Craftsman says
that when he went ashore, after great
difficulty and danger in the heavy surf,
this one inhabitant was seen walking
away and did not display any sociability
until held up.
He was Basque. utterly ignorant of
the news Of the world for the last year
and apparently had but one desire UNI
tilled-bcans, which he was given. lie
had abundance of provisions, red wine
and tobacco. and in his daily ten or tif-
teen mile walk up the island he shot sea
birds to supply his larder. Robinson
Crusoc could not have been more alone
was that some day he might be blown
into the sea. though he confessed that
he also feared that the spirits of the
ancient islanders, so often disturbed.
might haunt him.
In TIE cities of the Pacific coast
strange fields of labor are found. The
most remarkable laborers among the
Chinese are those who form the legs of
the dragon. The latter is an extra
ordinary object resembling Il dragon.
often two or three hundred feet in
length of the most gorgeous makeup.
Each large city has dragon. There is
one in san Francisco and one in Los
Angeles. Each is estimated to be worth
$4,000 or $4,000. being made of the
most expensive silks and satins. with
gold silver, ivory and glass trimmings.
When times are hard the dragon is
brought out to appease the evil spirits.
and it is always exhibited ut the first
Of the year professions ana with the
tournament OF roses of Los Angeles.
When it appears it invariably creates a
sensation. winding down the streets like
Il huge caterpillar, Swapping its jaws
from side to side. its evil eyes glistening,
its antennae quiyering.
The legs of the dragon are China
men. concealed beneath it, their heads
being under the back. Being well trained
they give the beast the natural undula-
tory motion that real dragons are sup
posed TO have. The legs are some two
hundred in number. depending upon the
size of the creature, and the men are
very proud of their work, especially the
big man who bears the head and makes
the jaws open and shut.
Another important position Is the one
filled by Chinaman who preccdes the
dragon. who dances along taunting it,
Just escaping from the vicious snaps Sil the
hideous fangs make ut him. The legs
are trained for the positions which they
hold from year to year.
The track walker, common in the
west represents an important field of
labor His business is to walk over Il
certain number of miles of track every
day and see that it is in perfect order,
The traveller may see the walker OF the
Royal Gorge sitting on rock overhang-
ing the mysterious river, eating his din
ner preparatory to taking up the silent
tramp through one of the most remark
able canons in the Rockies
One would scarcely expect to find
laborers in the California desert. where
the temperature is often 80 degrees in
the shade. Yet here III a sink or depres-
sion nearly 300 feet below sea level. is
carried on an interesting business-that
of plOughing salt.
The plough is hauled by a cable at
tached to an engine. The salt is then
heaped into piles and later taken on
cars to StOrehouseS.