Charlevoix county herald., 1910-03-12
= WENTY years ago a visitor
to that part of the south be-
low North Carolina could see
ailigators in almost every

V
to that part of the south be-
low North Carolina could see
u ailigators in almost every
M 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
Eor 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-
beers OF the eggs have been gathered
and sold as curios.
1t was not until about 1856 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
Eng 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.
e; The output of the tanneries of this
country approximates 100000 skins
annually, worth about $4,000, part
of which comes from Mexico and Cen
.frai America. Il is estimated that
about 100000 ailigators were killed
tsn Florida alone between 1880 and
:I1909. nearly 10000 being killed in
190S
The earliest settlers in the southern
states found alligators, or, as they
were then called, crocodiles, exceed
Jngly abundant in almost all streams,
especially in Florida and Louisiana.
Many marvellous tales are found in
abe early chronicles of the ravages of
1hese monsters. They were said to
eat dogs and pigs. and to consider the
.negro an especially succulent tidbit,
while 1t was considered dangerous to
go into the streams where they were
known to exist. When such a stream
mad TO be crossed, hours were spent
sometimes in beating to frighten off
the aligators.
The researches of scientists have
shown that there is very slight foun-
dalton for such stories. and il is prob
able that the greater number of the
pigs lost by the planters could have
been traced to other enemies, particu-
3ariy the twofooted kind, while run
away slaves would naturally encour-
tnge the belief that alligators had
'dined off them.
The greater part OF the supply OF
alligator leather now comes from
E1orida. 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 aud 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 somo low bank Or log overhangine
the water. where it can enjoy the
warmth of the sun and be able to re
sreat to it's 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
Glarger fish with but slight trouble. Fol
animals like the muskrat and otter
swimming across lagoons they are al
ways on the watch.
! On selling its prey the alligator
sinks with 1t to the bottom, and there
remains until all struggling has
ceased. IL Is then able with less effor
90 tear It to pieces. While thus sub
merged a peculiar collar at the base
OF the tongue prevents the water from
passing into its lungs.
While the alligator is said to make
very effective use OF its tail in war
fare the widely disseminated story
that &c uses its tail to sweep animal.
on the banks into its jaws appears t.
have but slight foundation In fact.
In April or May the mother alliga
tor builds small mound with a hol,
in the middle. The foundation of thii
nsund is of mud and grass, and OF
these she lays some eggs. She ther
covers the eggs with another stratum
OF grass and mud, upon which she de
Dosits some more eggs Thus she pro