The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-01-03
ZEBRA TESTING SCHEME
Rarest Specimens Imported For
Experimental Purposes.
PROPERTY OF A WEALTHY BANKER

PROPERTY OF A WEALTHY BANKER
Warner n. Van Norden Will Try to
Verify Heredity Theories Of Pro-
fessor Ewart of Edinburgh Univer-
sity-special Home Being Planned
For the Valuable Animals.
Vying with the Duke of Bedford, one
Of the richest peers Of England, whose
great estate near London contains blue
blooded prize stock as well as wild
animals of rare species, Warner N.
Van Norden, the banker, has bought
for his fine stock farm at Rye, N. T.,
five zebras representing the rarest spec
linens of the family, says the New
York World.
Two zebras Of the Bohimii class
came from the South African mountain
Businesses Just north Of the Transvaal
Another came from the dark country
Of Abyssinia. This one Is said to be
the rarest specimen in captivity and
cost Mr.. Van Norden $1,000. The cost
of the five zebras, including that of
bringing them from their faraway
homes, will be around $25,000. Three
are already installed In Mr.. Van Nor
den's stables. The other two will be
= an riy ,,ovf Snrfn0
Matching the handsome colonial home
Of New York's first chief justice, John
Jaw, which Mr.. Van Norden purchased
about year ago, home for the valua-
BILE animals Is being planned by Archi-
tect Frank Rookie. Everything that
will conform to the habitat and neces-
stiles Of the animals will be installed
for their health and comfort. There
will be large paddock, with drink
ing pool in the center. All the build
ings will be steam heated and the tenn
perature regulated hourly.
Mr.. Van Norden's love Of fine stock
Is not the motive for his purchase OF
the zebras. He secured them for pure
" scientific experimental purposes.
Carving out the theories Of W. Ewart,
professor Of natural history In Edin-
burgh university, he will try to sub
stantiate certain theories Of heredity.
The zebras are the most perfectly
striped ever seen in the United States
Of purest white. with glossy black
bands in unbroken lines covering tho
entire body, The common 1ebras seem
in circus parades and menageries, IN
contrast to the blue blooded species,
are Of a yellowish brown, with broken
bands Of black, extending only part
way around the body, with little or no
markings on the legs and head.
Professor Ewart contends that the
product Of a horse and zebra VIII re-
semble in color some distinct common
ancestor and neither Of the natural
parents.
The specimen Mr.. Van Norden se-
cured from Abyssinia is as rare an ad-
vent in the United States as south
sea islander would be In the north pole.
It has long been coveted by the man
asement Of geological collections all
over the world. DR.. Hornaday OF the
Bronx Geological gardens has long
wished to add one or more to their
growing collection Of rare exhibits. 1t
was only procured after an expedition
sent out by Hagenback Of Hamburg
had spent some months In diHgent
search and perilous adventure.
Because Of its secluded .haunts, often
times In the most dangerous mountain
heights, and because Of it's cunning.
,swiftness and agility it is one OF the
most difficult animals to capture. 1t is
the largest and handsomest OF the spe'
c,es and moreover Is said to be almost
extinct.
For this reason Mr.. Van Norden will
experiment in raising some In the UNIT
ed States, and, although he has not
promised, he may bring Joy to the
hearts of the 400" collectors who have
been longing to possess 80 great an
animal rarity.
Mr.. Van Norden's zebras are mere
babes, being only six years old and al
frisky as young colts, for. as Mr.. Van
Norden explained, the life Of zebra Is
more than twice that Of horse, the
age Of fifty years frequently being at
tained. The animals were kept by Ha-
genback in Hamburg for few months
to domesticate them, and Mr.. Van Nor
den has been assured that they are
harness broken. Mr.. Van Norden 1s
one Of the few rich men of New YORK
who do not go in for automobiles. He
prefers good horses, but his love Tor
driving has not yet Influenced him to
risk his life behind harnessed pair OF
frisky zebras.
The zebras captured by the Hagen
back expedition have been divided b.
tween Mr.. Van Norden and the Duke
of Bedford. The latter received four
choice specimens.