THE " 0UrG02? DAILY JOITirN'AIi ' rOItTLAyPr WEDNESDAY ' XVJIN1IG.V DUCEMBJER 24, 1902.
FORTUNES MADE IN
THE BED OF RIVER
A. :
Interesting History of the Toilers of the
Mississippi Who Reap Rich Re
wards Though Only Gammers.
(Continual -.tfM
Kakea and tons havs been abandoned
How In favor of what la called a row
foot dredge. Each mn baa a nat-bot-tamed
rowboat to hlmaelf. At each end
of each aide la an upright aupport On
the two support of the aame aide reeta
long bar made of 5- Inch pip. - Hang
ing from thl bar at Interval of alx
Inches are chains from U to 14 Inches
long. Each of these chalna has from two
te four "crowfoot" hooka. A crowfoot
book haa four curved, but not sharp
prongs. ,
When the clammer reaches the bed ha
turna his boat across the current, put
ting out a aort or rudder to keep It la
position. Then he llfta the two bare,
with their string of hooka, from the
supports and lowers them over the side
so that they wiU trail the hooka over
the bed aa the boat drifts down stream.
As one boat often haa 240 books, and
each hook haa four prongs, and each
prong may catch a dam, it may be seen
that the possibilities are abundant.
Clams when feeding and that aeema to
be their chief occupation always He on
the bottom of the river, with the shell
opened upward. Whenever anything
touchea the shell they shut up, as may
be Inferred, quite like a clam, than
which there ia no tighter ahutting up.
Consequently, when they close on the
prong of a crowfoot there they hang
until they are forcibly removed.
After trailing the crowfoot for a cer
tain distance, the fisherman hauls one up
,.to thajuipnorte. .jjulla of the clamsand
throws them into the bottom or the boat
where they lie as tightly shut as they
can possibly be. Then he lowers that
iredge, hauls in the other and cleara
that. So it goes. Sometimes, when 150
or 200 boatH are out on a bed lesa than a
mile long and a few rods wide, there Is
wonderful plsturesqueness and charm In
the scene.
When the clammer brings hia catch
shore he first puts them Into a sort of
tank with a sheet-iron bottom. This Is
alx feet long and a foot or two In depth.
He tills thin half full of water and builds
a fire, which draws through under the
whole lenRth of the tank. The ordinary
elnmmer builds this little furnace of
stones right on the river bank.
The clams are boiled 16 or 20 minutes.
Just enough to open the shells. This la
variously , known as boiling,, cleaning,
husking or afielllng. Next they are
thrown out on the cleaning board. When
the fishermen foen elftmmln- ,hy used
to get the water out of the tank as
quickly as they could, but somebody hap
pened, to and a pearl In It one day and
- fit,. :;JL. .. r'jliiofii 11 v atrain -l'. thrnilffh A
box with a bottom of fine mosquito-wire
net. A good many pearls have rewarded
this extra carefulness.
Once on the cleaning board, the shells
are taken off the meats and thrown into
bins, while the meats are picked over
for pearls or slugs. Some idea of the
frequency with which these slugs or ba
roques are found may be had from the
fact that one man took 150 pounds of
them to New York a few weeks ago.
Much of It. however, is what they call
chicken feed; , so small and poor that It
Is worth less than a cent a grain. Im
mense quantities of these slugs are sent
to Europe and one buyer ia convinced
that the British traders take them down
to the African savages for barter.
FRESH WATER CLAM 8.
One of the' largest beds, if not the
largest bed. of fresh water clams worked
in. this country, is the Albany, about
three miles below Clinton. It Is over
two miles long, is 160 feet wide and was
five feet deep in places. This bed con
tinues, with a few breaks, three miles
farther down the river, and has yielded
millions of shells. Undoubtedly a great
many pearls were thrown away at the
beginning of the clam fishing, when only
the shells were thought of.
"The, price paid for shells vary ac
cording to the specie. The beat variety
.for making buttons is perhaps the deer -horn,
a long shell from which as many
as 28 buttons have been cut. These
' Shells- -bring -aboet30 a t&atout atast it
would take a long time to get a ton of
them. The best variety, counting Its fit
ness and its plentifulness. Is the nigger
head, a shell In which , also cemes the
finest of the perfect white pearls. These
shells bring S10 to 20 a ton. Stacked op
at one time at Leclaire, Iowa, were ?50
tons of these niggerhead sheila.
The, clammers have their own names
for the varieties of shells hatchet-backs,
muckets, pocketbooka, blue elephants'
ears, butterflies, plmple-backa and so on.
There is one season of the year when
the rake comes back into use. That la
winter, when the clammers cut holes In
the thick ice and "fish" through them.
Those rakes have a sort of pouch or
basket of netting above the teeth, so that
the clams fall into that as the rake la
puehed forward, not pulled -backward,
along the river bed. - They are boiled In
the same riverside furnaces which are
used In summer. Almost every fine day
a group of gossiping villagers can be
seen loafing in the warm aura of the
stream arising from one of these tanks.
Clamming along the Mississippi seems
to enjoy a distinction which ia some
what usunual in these days. It is a pur
suit as yet unlnvaded by almost omni
present women. The clammers' wives
often boll the shells . and look over the
meats, but there are no actual clammers
among them. The work is hard and, in
addition, the effects of being so con
stantly in and on the water are bad, so
bad that the fishermen have a theory -that
- Mississippi River water .la poison
ous. The notion is not to be wondered
at when one sees strong men hobbling
about, their feet so swollen and inflamed
that they can hardly walk. Going
barefoot over sharp shells Is doubtless
responsible for thia, not the "poison" in
the water.
Pearls have one trait which la quite
unknown to the uninitiated, but la full
of fascination to the man who handle
them and adds Immensely to the gamb
ling phase of the occupation. Pearl are
formed in layers as onions are and, llko
onions, they can be peeled OU', layer by
layer, to any desired depth. The fas
cinating chance attached to this quality
is the chance of peeling several layers
off a rough or dull pearl and finding a
perfect and brilliant one under that un
inviting surface. Pearls which reward
this sort of treatment are called "peel
ers." . '
A country buyer near Albany, 111., tells
how he .made 1690 by peeling one pearL
That was half a dozen years ago. thongh.
Was- Xrcjfi-waUr pearl were looked at
dubiously and. the finder wer glad to
sell them at the first crossroad. '
Da Rexford waa then a farmer and
tender of a Government light on the
bank near one of the big elam bed. On
bla way to light up one evening ha waa
stopped by a clammer who offered him a
shell which contained a pearly aubstance
ahapeu llko a potato and weighing about
lit grains. The clammer wanted an
offer and Rexford. with oonscleuoua lack
of enthusiasm, said he'd giro him IB lor
It. The clammer stood out for more; ao
Rexford raised hia offer to 17. but do-,
dined to -go higher. . The next evening
the clammer again stopped the Govern
ment lighter. " He had evidently grown
skeptical of the value of his) find, for b
besought Rexford to tax tt for tie and
the latter Anally consented.
Ha found that the fisherman had bored
Into the lump from two aides, so that
about 7S graina of the pearl had been
rendered useless. With hia knife bo, be
gan peeling off the layers until, after
reducing the weight to about it graina,
ha found a fine though not perfect
peart, which be took to New Tork and
aold for S700. The clammer waa inclined
to think hlmaelf an injured individual,
but he finally admitted that he had got
all ho asked, and even brought hia sub
sequent finds to Rexford with the re
mark: "Here, pan! I bought yon a farm with
one pearl, now I want to build you a
house with thia."
PEELING A PEARL.
Peeling, however, la by no means al
ways successful. Ben nowes, another
buyer, peeled one pearl, for which he had
pHtl $125. and after getting it down to II
sistwbvav nturfir, yyu"Ca'r'eets
before that he had made ISO on two
pearla by lucky peeling. But It ia beyond
a doubt that the clammers have ruined
thousands of dollars' worth of material
by an Ignorant and clumsy attempt to
better their find. There la no guarantee,
from the outward appearance or an ir
regular or imperfect pearl, whether it
contains something better or worse. The
only Indications whicn can be counted !
upon at all are that a pimply aurfaca ia
likely to improve In the lower layers,
while a pitted surface .becomes worse.
With elammers, aa with- miners, there
la - always a stampede toward a apot
where a lucky find is reported. But In
clamming, nobody can claim any. section.
Everybody la free of-tbo river and of
It banks, -
A year or two' ago the clammers at
Savannah attempted to form a union and
pre-empt the privileges of the beds in
that neighborhood. To do this they
leased from the farmers the rights to the
banks for several miles on both sides ot
the river and warned "trespassers" to
keep off. The bluff worked for a time
but was only a bluff. The riven and a
strip of the bank IS feet wide, belongs to
the government and is open to all. 80
the anion was forced to admit all com
ers. ,
There was no trouble. In fact.' the
whole history of clamming: along ; the
Upper Mississippi is a really remarkable
tribute to the law-abiding character of
the people . of that section. In spite ef
th fact that the -finding -of " valuable
pearl almost Immediately becomes widely
known and that the buyers constantly
travel from camp to camp, one often
sleeping In a clammer' hut and making
no secret of the fact that ho haa per
haps a. good many dollars in money and
possibly more In pearls about him, no
robberies or acts of violence have ever
been reported.
The elammera are generally farmers
or villagers, honest and industrious, but
hitherto unlucky. Among them are soma
rtvor-rats and roustabouts, but they are
In too great a minority to make an 'Im
pression. . :."
It Is hard to calculate the number of
persons whom the clam beda of the Mis
sissippi. If protected and preserved, would
be capable of supporting. It is estimated
that In 1900 at least 20.000 persona were
supported by the clam shell and clam,
peart industry along only a part of the
section referred to. This Includes the em
ployes ef the button factories and, of
course, their families.
If something ia not done, however, the
dirge of the clam will have to be aung.
Rot only on the Upper Mississippi, but on
all the streams of the United States. In
Europe the mussel beds are carefully pre
served and unless this precaution Is Imi
tated in this country, clammer and clam
alike will become things of the past.
CLEVELAND DRAWS THE LINE.
(Cleveland Plain Dealer.) ,
One feature of Mr. Cleveland's latest
public deliverance, which probably wllj
cause him more trouble than any other
was his reading the Hon. William R.
KearsTouf Nf the Democratic' "party, and
his reading the Hon. Joseph Pulltxor
Into the Democratic party. In the open
ing sentence of his letter, written espe
cially for Mr. Pulitzer's newspaper, the
ex-President says: "I should hesitate
to make any further statement were It
not for the urgent solicitation of the
'World,' which Is pursuing an editorial
policy that must, In my judgment, tell
IMPORNT ANNOUNCEMENT
:;-V.':i'5-; - 'i ;'"V . ?' ' "'" ; ". .., . .' . .:'. '-:Yy,:x, ..v;-:
We haye acquired a number of residential, busin ss ind investment properties, also a large number of farms, situated in tb.,' various
parts of the" t6unt and state. It is our intention to aisp se f thesi properties as so n as possible. .J ' ,"
To those contemplating; the prtrileg of - home or desiring invest -aent properties, we tre'bt a position td offer'propositionf ' well worth
considering'. '. " -
If you will call or write, stating location and kind of property, we will frankly tell you if our list contains what you desire. These prop
erties can lie purchased with part cash and balance on bond mortgage. Address all communications to the,, Western Investment Co., 291 1-2
Morrison street, Portland, Oregon. '
Below is a partial list of Farms, Rooming Houses, and Lots and Business Chances : " 1' "
FARMS.
sa
to
so
so
" SH
IM us
49
49
100
MO
SO
S
so
S40
S.
80
S3
TS
4
10
soc
40
1S9
ere CJaekamaa Coaaty
acres, is suitmted
acres, to steered, oreaasd , .
aeres, 40 no timber
soreeV npt at aaV ' aaa
a ores, s Sandy Biros
gas dairy farm
-rat farm. Moot
seres,. IS beaverdam, IS a law . .
asrea, SO proved. Wastes-1 ....
seres, Jackson County, aUalngs
acre. 30 beaveraasa. Bear eity . . .
acres, SO snl-rated, stakes-
ssrssV.s improved
sores, stock rng goo tannings,
aeres, Saely improve. Basts-1
acres, Bsotton Una road, frai
aeres, Washington Oewsty . .
Orsshasa .........
aotssj, garden, kerns ........
aeres, la Woodstock
i ssi as, Klamath Coaaty
aerso, X U m Connty, natssr
aeres, Walts Bahasm B1vm
awe
tea
..t ljoo
..1.SOS
.. 18
Moe
..MO
..i,soa
. . asos
aso
S.40O
.. sxsoe
4,500
' ta!t
l!f MM
..9 SB0
.. Mo
..
, oe ,
. . 440
. . SOfl
,.S so
40
.. Woo
ROOMING HOUSES-.
IS rooms, eentr&l corner ..St-SOs
44 rooms, finely fornlsfts- SVOOO
IS roes a, aass resldeass SBO
14 rooms, good furniture, asaS -ST .SOS
It rooms, elegaatly furnishes. S1.SM
43 rooms, Sae saUdlag, loaf lease S3 ,00
10 rooms, near 9. , good fan-tore ......$ 7 SO
. msM, Wasdur, glass te S SBO
SB rooms, oentnU iooa-tto ........ .......S 00
19 rooms, good looattom, tanas) ....a too
S3 rooms, paying well SI .too
SS rooms, ia a ashless sester S3.300
TP rooms, fias talldingr , S1JMW
ST rooms, hotel full ot hoarders $109
It rooms, eern sr. fat S 980
IS rooms, rpU did transient so rasa $1,100
SS tanais, go fnrattnrs $1,999
IS fooaav aeat, leas' lease $ 809
So. rooms, paying well 909
IS rooms, all new taraltors $ 79S
19 rooms, sat llta s, sheep rant S- SO
IS rooms, also sorasv 'iufiding 9 880
19 rooms, sa Washington st $ too
SO rooms. Best toastum In city $3,300
19 rooms, ss-tnO, tra-atea. lease $ 909
HOUSES AISO LOTS.
S-roem noose, 8 lots, frrnit . $3,900
t-roem hoase, 1 tov sa at Una .$ T09
lt-roeta hows, 1 lot. Wast aids $3,909
Mem koass, 1 lot, ISoaUe-la $ 7S9
T-xoom koass, S loss, new, modern $,000
4- sosm keritos, 1 lot. T aafcourer are .....$ 809
9-soom ho ss, eerae lot, Orand era $1,398
8 room henss, 1 lot, Wsodlawa $ 899
9-coom hsnas, 8 lots, B. SOtk, bargain SlTS
5- room ho to, I lot, meat ear lias $ BOO
9-rsom hease, S lets, new, rratt $1,100
S-room house, S lots, fralt. Bargain $1,889
S-room hoass, 1 1st, ales nlaos $1,709
9-rsom hoass, 4 lota, an to fralt 91,878
T-room hoass, S lota, new, cheap 81,800
S-room hoass, 1 lot, choice fruit' $1,100
5- reom house, modern, never eecupled. . . . 11,909
8- roem house, 3 lots, Weos twa $1,199
7- room honae, 1 lot, on car lias $1,909.
9- roem house, a lots, Brooklyn. .......... .92fiOO
8- room hoaae, 3 lots, sleely situated $1,780
6- roem house, 3 lots, nice hems $ 859
3-room house, 1 lot, Woodlawn $ 909
a-room house, a lots. West are , ....$ 889
S-reom house, 1 lot, KantarUla $ 909
BUSINESS CHANCES.
Bastaaraat, old-established place 9lJtSO
Saloon, good location 9 9SO
Cigars aad eoafsctio ery, good $ 8S0
Balooa sa good street $ 70
Streeery, eeatrany located , $ 900
Oroeery, doing big ha siaeas .$3,199
Saloon la business center $1909
Oroeery, nles resident portion of city $ SOS
eVrooery, wholesale and retail $7,89
Kent market, Sns for the money $ 4S9
B acii'y, gosd bustaees, eerae $3,009
Blaoksmltli shop, esntral $ 499
Oyster house, wholesale and retaU $1.B99
Cigars aad fmlts, downtown $9,19
Best aura Tit on mala street ....$3,99
Meat aaarkst, eentral, business eemer $3,89
Cigars and fruit, large stock, fine trade . . .92JOO
Oiocery, nsw stoek, Uriag rooms $ 899
Oroeery aad deU oatessen, borgala $ T89
Bsstaarant. aolar as bustnsss $M09
Bleat market la Has suburb $ 969
Oroeery aad bakery on good comer $ 099
Slaanfactnrtag, bargain S3JW
Cigars and sonfeeoasry, good stoek $1499
Cigar store, 3 years' lease $ 809
WESTERN INVESTMENT COMPANY,
MORRISON STREET.
ffor Dethorratie - success an the 1 public
"welfare."
Ndw. it so happens that Editor Pulltser
Rnd Editor Hearst, while displaying
many similar Journalistic methods; are
widely at variance in their political
preachments, even though each claims to
preach the only true Democratic doc
trine. In their divergent political policies
SECURITY
COMPANY
266 Morrison Street, PORTLAND, OREGON.
5 j? 3
STATEMENT
At the Close of Business, October 1st, 1902.
s7 J&
RESOURCES:
Tr:z:ziiy.zzi
BONDS $820,463.59
PREMIUMS 16,630.62 .! 837,094.21
CASH AND DUE FROM CORRESPONDENTS 396,759.81
REAL ESTATE 13,191.79
$2,769,225.44
LIABILITIES:
CAPITAL :Z:Z...m. $ 250,000.00
SURPLUS AND UNDIVIDED PROFITS 69,63.20
D2P0SITS .J 2,449,588.24
$2,769,225.44
J& J& J&
Thia bank Invites accounts from Individuals, firm, ban lea,
merchants and corporations, and will extend to Its customerg
every aceornmodatlon consistent with good banking.
Interest paid on savings accounts and on time certificates
of deposit.
H. W. C0RBETT, President
L. A. LEWIS, Vice-President
J& J& J&
OFFICICRS
A. L. MILLS. Second Vice-President
C. F. ADAMS, Secretary
R. Q. JUBITZ, "Assistant Secretary
DIRECTORS
H. W. CORBETT L. A. LEWIS C. A. DOLPH JAS. F. FAILING
A. L. MILLS JOSEPH SIMON C. F. ADAMS
Editor Pulitxpr nas stuck to tbe old
Democratic paths tene rally, whlls Editor
Hearst has foilowad th road cleared by
Bryan. ' As a Bryanite. h was racently
tlratsrf to Conaresa, and the belief la
srowlna; that h hopes to succeed the
Nflbraskan as th Democratic leader in
1H. As If be were ImpresHed with thl.
belief, Mr. Cleveland seems to desire
to build up Editor Fulitxer'a paper at
th xsens of Editor Hearst's, and may
be he even would Join a moVemeW to
rn alee Editor Pulttser the leader of the
reorganised and rejuvenated Democracy,
If It were not for the fact that Mr.
Piilltaer ia debarred from the presidency
by the accident of birth, he belnf a na
tive of Austria. Anyhow, It la certain
that one of the most Interesting; results
ot the ex-President's latest public state.
merit will be to pit these two Demoeratle
tdftrtor --ts!WB-- sach other 1 8ree .
rivalry than ever. J t -
nwtxwxsn qttbt.
I am a candidate for the Leaislnture t
and wouia inte 10 your aupvon, ,
Hayrlx What's the matter; has yewr ';
wife got lire 'of ausportln' yerf" .
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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