The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1910-03-31


low North Carolina could see
alligators In almost every
stream and bayou, but now
one may frequently spend months trav-
cling through this region and not see
a single alligator. except those In cap
tivity. The killing of the creatures
for sport or for their hides has been
in numbers. In addition. thousands
of the young have been killed or
shipped away, while enormous num-
bers of the eggs have been gathered
ard sold as curios.
II was not until about 1855 that the
demand for alligator leather became
of Importance. The market was not
long continued. In 1869 fashion again
called for the leather for manufacture
ing into fancy slippers. travelling bags.
belts, cards cases. music rolls. etc.
The demand has continued to the
present. and many thousands Of the
animals have been killed. while the
preparation of the skins has given
employment to hundreds of people.
The output of the tanneries Of this
country approximates 100000 skins
annually, worth about $425,000, par,
of which comes from Mexico and Cen
tral America. II Is estimated that
about 3,S00.000 alligators were killed
in Florida alone between 1880 and
1909. nearly 10000 being killed in
1908.
The earliest settlers in the southern
states found alligators. or. as they
were then called. crocodiles, exceed
ingly abundant in almost all streams
especially in Florida and Louisiana
Many marvellous tales are found in
the early chronicles OF the ravages OF
these monsters. They were said to
eat dogs and pigs. and to consider the
negro an especially succulent tidbit
while 1t was considered dangerous tC
go into the streams where they were
known to exist. When such stream
had to be crossed, hours were spent
sometimes in beating to frighten of
the aligators.
The researches of scientists have
shown that there is very slight foun
dation for such stories. and 1t is prob
able that the greater number of the
pigs lost by the planters could have
been traced to other enemies. particu
larly the two-footed kind. while run
away slaves would naturally encour
age the belief that alligators hat
dined off them.
The greater part of the supply o
| alligator leather now comes from
Florida, and owing to excessive hunt
ing the industry is profitable only II
the central part of the peninsula, II
what is called the Lake Okeechobe,
regions and in the Everglades. Her,
the principal hunters are Seminole
Indians. who have their homes oil
hummocks far back In the Everglade
and come to the settlements onl.
when in need of articles which the.
cannot produce themselves.
| The alligator is most active at night
and its days are usually spent lynn
on some low bank or log overhangin
the water. where 1t can enjoy tn
warmth of the sun and be able to re
treat to its native element at the frs
sign of danger. While on land all
gators are very clumsy. In the waite
they are exceedingly active. and bein
strong swimmers are able to catch tn
larger fish with but slight trouble. Fo
animals like the muskrat and otte
swimming across lagoons they are a
ways on the watch.
On seizing its prey the alligato
sinks with 1t to the bottom. and ther
remains until all struggling ha
ceased. Il is then able with less effor
to tear II to pieces. While thus sui
merged a peculiar collar at the bas
of the tongue prevents the water froI
passing into its lungs
While the alligator is said to max
very effective use of its tail in wal
fare the widely disseminated stor
that It uses its tail to sweep animal
of the banks into it's jaws appears I
have but slight foundation in fact
In April or May the mother alligi
tor builds a small mound with hol
In the middle. The foundation OF thi
mound is of mud and grass. and o
these she lays some eggs. She the
covers the eggs with another stratuI
OF grass and mud. upon which she d.
posits some more eggs. Thus abe pr'