Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-02-23
WENTY years ago a visitor
to that part of the south be-
low North Carolina could see

d116dLO1S Ill d1uOSL VV0ly
stream and bayou, but now
one may frequently spend months trav-
cling through this region and not see
single alligator, except those in cap
tivity. The killing of the creatures
for sport or for their hides has been
the main cause of their great decrease
In numbers. In addition, thousands
of the young have been killed or
shipped away, while enormous num-
bers Of the eggs have been gathered
and sold as curios.
It 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, 900, part
Of which comes from Mexico and Gen.
trail America. It is estimated that
about 100000 alligators were killed
In Florida alone between 1880 and
1909. nearly 10000 being killed in
1903.
The earliest settlers in the southern
states found alligators, or, as they
were then called, crocodlles, 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 it was considered dangerous to
known to exist. When such a 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.
dalton for such stories, and it 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 had
dined of them.
The greater part of the supply OF
alligator leather now comes from
Florida, and owing to excessive hunt
ing the industry is profitable only in
the central part of the peninsula, in
what is called the Lake Okeechobee
regions and in the Everglades. Here
the principal hunters are Seminole
Indians. who have their homes on
hummocks far back in the Everglades
and come to the settlements only
when in need Of articles which they
cannot produce themselves.
The alligator is most active at night
and its days are usually spent lying
on some low bank or log overhangine
the water, where it can enjoy the
warmth Of the sun and be able to re
treat to its native element at the first
sign of danger. While on land ALI
gators are very clumsy, in the water
they are exceedingly active. and being
strong swimmers are able to catch the
larger fish with but slight trouble. Fol
animals like the muskrat and otte1
swimming across lagoons they are al
ways on the watch.
On selling Its prey the alligato,
sinks with it to the bottom. and there
remains until all struggling has
ceased. I: is then able with less effort
to tear it to pieces. While thus sub
merged peculiar collar at the base