Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-11-02
SILVER FOXES.


her more perfect species, against all
handicaps, is exemplified in the case
Of the silver black fox. This animal
at one time roamed the forests Of
America in considerable numbers, and
constituted true species, superior in
size, coloring and quality Of fur to the
common red fox of that day and this.
Indeed, it was the wondrous beauty
Of the silver black fox fur that became
the principal obstacle to its existence,
for we suppose that even primitive man
recognized the superior beauty Of this
pelt. Consequently, the animal was
diligently hunted to the point of ex-
tinction as separate and distinct
species.
1t was at this point apparently that
Nature interviewed and by causing the
silver black to mate with his humber
cousin Of the red coat prevented the
breed being entirely wiped out. The
strain has persisted through unknown
generations and to this day in the wild
state silver black whelps are found in
filters of the red fox
The earliest fur traders in America
knew and valued above all others the
pelts of this wonderful little animal
Trappers and hunters were ever keen
to obtain even a single speciment
A single black pelt would give him
sufficient credit at the fur post to rem
der work unnecessary for many months
thereafter. Little wonder, then, that
/ the taking of silver black fox pelts
was looked upon in that circumscribed
world as the event of a lifetime.
Some IS years ago, in Prince Ed
ward Island, trapper discovered a
/ den containing silver black whelps.
/ He conceived the idea of raising and
mating these and thereby insurng him
( self a steady income from the sale of
pelts. With two of his closest friends
he determined to keep the secret,
even from members of their immediate
families. They intended to use this
secret source for supplying the pelt
market, and did not realize the fact
that by giving the news to the world
they would reap a much greater re-
ward through the sale of the animals
for breeding purposes.
The secret finally leaked out. This
one was disclosed by the sudden alb
normal prosperity of the three friends.
The drafts received from the London
fur brokers became too large to be
handled by the local banker, fact
which aroused lively curiosity. Their
struggle to guard their hidden source
of wealth from possible competitors
makes a story by itself, of long Jour
neys TO distant points to mail small
packets of furs, and various willy STRAIT
/ agems to defeat the curiosity and sus-
/ Hicion Of their native community
, Finally, the knowledge was shared and
three backwoodsmen became million
aires, fathers Of new industry The
! demand for foxes as breeders became
acute. Prices went from $1,000 to as
high as $4,000 for one pair of breed
ing animals.
! These were boom days when owners
of one pair of foxes could form a
company, capitalizing the pair for
100000 or more and have the stock
overScribed in a few hours Many
such Companies were launched, some
survived, but others smashed when
the prices suddenly declined.
Following the break in the original
combine the business of breeding.
grew steadily on Prince Edward Is
land. At present there are more than
300 ranches in the province. Per
sons employed number about 5000.
During 1921 pclta sold Cor the aggrc-
g1a sum Of Sf2lDoDo. This is in
addition to the value os the animals
sold for breeding stock tor which fr-
.vres are not available. The in1ustr.
a~'..i un Il $50" rarch.ng' exist, E.
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