The Sun from New York, New York • Page 17

I THE SUN, SIJNDAV, NOVEMBER 29, 1896. 5 fl A NEW HALL OF RECORDS. HAXanna jlxb nzsooxFonxa ojs M. THE JlEQlSTr.lt!! OVXICB. if Kara Tnnn a Century Old, It lias Ties i Condemned Unetnalkftly for Twenty-four Years Not Enough Room, No Yentlln-S tlon, nnd the Constant Menace of Fire and Collnpse Records In ConTuslon and 9 Many XjacklnKMr.

Hohmer1! StrnsKle A Illnck Pane In Kevolntlonary Hiss I torri and This Ilullillaic' Place on It. a fTho old Register's office, the most famous of nil the buildings in City Hnll I'nrk, Is to co. It has been pronounced unsafe by tbo Imllillne Dcpnrttnent, unlicnltliy by tlio Hoard of Health, I and Inadequate for tho work Intended for It by 1 thoso In chargo of tbo records of the metropolis. That It is all of those a trip through Its musty, 'I lll-smelllng rooms would convince the most In- experienced. The city lias grown too fast for I It, and lone ago It was felt that the time was at hand when tho city would havo to build a new 'try place for its records or bo In dancer of losing 1ft them.

A stray spark rom a clear or cigarette. jPT a burning match carelessly thrown down In a J2t corner, and tho ratnshacklo old building, which 'W look do stronc and substantial on tbeoutsldn, TV would bo doomoil. present lite, there will be undoubtedly the usual large number of protest from the organisations In the city whloh work for the preservation of historic buildings, for the presont Register's office passed through the revolutionary period, and its history fairly teems with exciting Incidents. As a prison It was the scone of some of the most awful tragedies of the time, and consequently any objection to tearing It down undoubtedly will bo overcome when the time arrives. It ha for years been an eyesore to many Americans who have known Its history; known of tho cruelties practised within Its four walls when the Hrltish occupied New York! known of the sufferings nf American patriots; known or ls horrors whon It win debtors' prison.

Tho lawjers who aro now working to brine about the change were first brought to a realizing sense of tho total Inadequacy of tho Register's olllcc.ni It now stands, at tho time tho Legislature nnnrxed the village or West Chester to New York city, Many of them had been active In prcvlouit attempts to remedy the evil, but hen Register bohtner had to decllno tn ro-celve the records and maps from tho Town Hnll of Westchester becatiso he had no room fur them, and because, too, ho would not consent to be held responsible for their safety, there was aroused protest which there was no stopping. I.nwyor H. Stanwood Menken of tho firm of Phllbln llecknian was tho Qrst man tocomo to tho front nnd demand that new building be ended, lie received assurances of support from so many lawyers and real estate men tint ho went right ahead. The llulldlng Department, tho Health llnnrd, and tho (irand tune helped Sir. Menken In tho light.

Inspectors lookod over tho structure and pronounced It rotlou. nnd then after the Health Hoard hnd had a word to say about the sanitary arrangements, the (Irand Jury took up the SORER00M IN THE LOFT. The best known lawyers In the city have declared thnt tne records now stored away In the fl vaults and pigeon holes of tho Itegister's office arc loo valuablo to be exposed to the danger of I fire or collapse, and that anew and larger place must bo found for them. Until steps to that II end are taken they mean to agitate the subject jj In every possible way. They havo formed an association to secure a new Hall of Records, and ifl If they havo the good fortune in the next few weeks that they have had In tho past fewdaya ft I their aim will be realized soon.

HI Probably no other building In tho city, which ML has been used for public purposes, has created so much discussion as the present Itegister's office. Away back In 1STS the lawyers of the city investigated the condition of the building, HE and threw up their hands In horror when they Hd saw the rosults. Then and there it was declared Ml to be an unsafe structure, and acommlttee com- HLl posed of John T. Lockmau, George Wadding- I I SSSJjy ras-CTBW jLia in sine Titr. rnoNT E.VTitANcr.

HV ton, and John Webber was appointed to make HJ i public the condition of this storehouse of city Hjr records and demnnd that It be torn down and a new building erected. This was tho original Hf- agitation in favor of a new building for the Hr I records, and because of their enthusiasm tho Hr. committeemen got themselves Into a heap of HJ trouble with UossTivccd and his follow era. Mr. Hft! I.ockmnuwns arrested fur his part In pushing Hi the reform, but backed as ho was by the bar of HK' tho State he escaped serious consequences.

Ht blr.co that tlmo at regular Intervals lawyers In this city huvo stirred up tho matter again, IjHL but the IndlfTorcicu of tho city officials nnd the IHJ lack of support from brokers, real estate pco- IBv pie, law)ers, and others who should havo been JHt thu very ilrst to Interest themselves in any move, tending tn make safer the mortgages, ML deeds, and other county papers, huvo weakened HmL tho movement each time. This present tnovo- IO.IE Of TIIH DOCUMItNT nOOSIS. inent, however. Is almost sure to lead to satisfactory rrsultB. is too widespread to die out; everybody who has any interest in preserving tho county papers Is In sympathy with It, So tho organization of tho now body known aa the Association to Procure the Immediate Erection of a New Hall of Records gives promise that within a reasonable length of time the historic structure will bo either torn don to mako way for a new Itegister's office or will be left taudlnc idle.

If, when the Hoard of Estimate and Appor- tlonment ia able to appropriate money for tho new building, it concludes to placo It oa tbo matter and made presentment on It. Among other things It raid: It Is totally uiirlt to bo occuplod as a public building (or any purpose, nnd Its condition Is such as to render It tit object for condemnation at Die hands of tb Flro Department, llulldlng Department, and Health Department. The entire building Is en constructed that In case of lire it will be Impossible to save any of tho valuable records of which It Is the storehouse. It Is appalling tn toutemplate the Incalculable loss and Irremetllablecoufuslou and uncertainty over titles which would be Involved In Its destruction. It In Incredible that the authorities should hao allowed tuch condlt4on of affairs to remain snlonua menace to such vital interests, anil If tbe people of this city nnd county suffer It longer to endure tho but Invito catastrophe.

"Thu (irand Jury desires to express most earnestly Its deenconWutlon that the building and its surroundings constitute a disgrace to thi city which shoulu not be tolerated for a day longer than it Is absolutely necessary." 'Ine (irand Jury made Its presentment last April, but. desDite the fact that eight months have passed Mnce then and that in addition Register Sohracr has been under order from the Huildlng Department not to place any more libers of records on the top lloor, nothing has leen done. Mr. Menken was not discouraged by thedlstosltlon of the city officials tn let the matter drop. Instead he pushed the matter all the harder, and on Monday night, at a dinner at thu Reform Club, he told his fellow lawyers lint hnd been dona In tho struggle to get a safe phuefor the rtrords.

and assured them that a little persistence uas all that was required to bring about the ihange. Among the Interesting disclosures raado at the meeting by Mr. Menken was one th.it he hud hud the Dwlghlburvey and Protection llureau examine tho Register's office. 1 he ri port of this examination he read. It was as follows: "In considering the fire hazard of the building and the safeti of the records.lt Is fair to start with tho statement that tne Hull of Records of great city Hhould bo a building mnde as secure from the danger of fire, either from without or within, as It la possible to make It; nnd It should bo so arranged as to reduce the possible loss by any accidental fire tn a minimum.

It sho Id stand even In conflagration. Tho old Hall of Records possesses none of these features, and In some respeUs Is about as bad and unsafe as It could well be. It Is ot a most heterogeneous stjlnof construction, combining prison vaults nnd sash and frame enclosed brick ceilings but a light wooden roof, ome heavy brick dividing walls, but with open doorways and open stairways. so that Inside It Is practically all one. 1 ho different floors and rooms are all connected, and smoke, fire, or water In one could do damage In another.

The massive-looking vaulted celling of thu Ilrst floor TI1K lllMJEUr. Is liable to produce an undue feeling of security; the lloorlng iboe Is wood, on wooden beams, with space between, and the roof nbovoall Is simply thin hoards, covered with tin. The enses. desks, map racks, oro all of wood, and there is qulto enough of this to muke a quick, hot fire. The bonkblndery is vory crowded, dirty place In tho frame and sash extension tu the Kecond tloor, and flro here would be apt tocrrop thiouuh tho furring to the roof.

"The roof Is also liable to be burned off hydro originating In the cubby holes above the portico, used for slorngo of old papers, and a fire originating there would bo hard to get at. The roof Is surrounded by a brick coping, and Incase of a great ilro tn the north or east burning brands might fall undiscovered behind this toping ami burn off the roof. If tho tonf uua will on Ilro burning clndora would fall all through tho building, ns tho stairs are opon from the Ilrst lloor up. There Is enough In-flaintnuble roatorlnl In the light pine closets, shelving, nnd cupboards to feed a hot fire. If one should start from any cause Inside, In some insoj there are unprotected gas brackets, which can awing against the closet doors.

The wardrobes, closets, rack'-and rases are all of light pine wood, and the valuable maps and documents exposed to lire, Biiioko. or water. There Is not a Ilro extinguisher, pall of water, or length of hose about the uiacr, and the watchman, as far as I could discover, hue no time clock, nor Is any record discover, hus no time clock, nor Is any recoru keut to show If he Is awake or asleep. "The danger of Iosh by fire is very grave and serious one, nnd tho building Isnotasare or proper place for tho preservation of aucb. Invaluable records as It contains." The principal reasons width Mr.

Menken and his associates give for their demand that new Hall ot Records bo constructed Is that the mortgages, tltlos, maps and other papers, representing: billion or more dollars and simply invaluable for reference, are In danger of being totally destroyed by lire, water, or collapse. Other reasons are that the building Is Ill-suited tn the work required of It, Lawyers, many ot them men well on In years, have tn climb up three nights of winding stairs lu order to reach tome nf the records, and then they may have to I stand up for hours making such extracts as they want tu use. Day by day. too. the older record are becoming more hopelessly mixed up.

There Is no room to arrange them, and so they are placed about anywhere, and a month's search would be required to find many paper which the lawyers think they ought to be able to lay their hands on at a moment's notice. Every day, too, the records become more Incomplete. Register Pohmer. forbidden by the authorities to put nny more libera on tho upper floor, cannot receive new records at nil. Tho Westchester records are without a place, too.

so that altogether the office is In a pretty bnd way, Mr. Menken and bli colleagues point at thu halls ot records In CORMEll or TIIK MAP 110051. othor places around New York, nnd sny that hv comparison New York's office Is a dlsgrnte to tho city. Iho llronklyn office li larger, lighter, better arranged and more convenient lu every way. Even white Plains nnd Jamaica havo better buildings for the purpose than has New York, whllo in Rockland and Richmond counties lawjcrs have less trouble In getting at what they want than they have In tho building at the east end of City Hnll Park, Ono of thi strongest supporters of tho project for a new building Is Register Sohtnor himself, Mr.

Sohmcr Is thoroughly distrusted with his present quarters nnd Is In it constant state of mental agitation over tho things In Ills charge. Recontly be declined to be responsible for any new papers that wrro brnuuht tn him. on thn ground that he couldn't hold the building up with his hands any more than ho could prevent possible combustion in snmo one nf tho dreary cells, where great hatches of records pile up on one another, and the dust Is an Inch thick on top of them. Mr. hohmer has tried to remedy things since ha has been In office, but hus been unahlo tn do much, us both tho Department of Public Works nnd tho Hoard of Estimate nnd Apportionment seim to have frowned on him.

In the Ilrst placo. the Hoard cut his estimate when thoannual budget was) mado up. and, ns a result, he ays. he was obliged to let a number of emplnv ces iro ami then reduce salaries nil around. Mr.

bohmer has tho Public Works Department for about two dozen dlffennt things, and so far lias received only a few locks for doors, a half dozen chairs, and one desk. Mr. Solimer asked that thn binding room hoc Untied out: then ho akeil that a closet be put In for lawyers' coats, a ntimncr costs having been stolen from pegs whllo their owners woront work. Neither of these requests was granted, Mr. Sohmer says.

A few other unheeded requests were that the only fire extinguisher In the placo he repaired, thnt a snfo bo put In. thnt a detail of polleo be, pent for duty In the building, that tin cases be prov ided for the old citi mnps, that hsrs be put In the windows, so that the clenners might work wlthnnt being In danger of fnlllng, nnd that chairs be provided for thu folio writers, who now have tho choice between standing at their work nnd sitting on sonp ttoxes. Mr. Sohmer asked for new entllntors nnd a whole lot of other things that he didn't get. and ho Is satisfied now thnt he will never be able tn do Justice tn his office until he has a new building and can feol that the records nro safe.

To even an Inexperienced ere the complaints agnlnst the present Register's office eem to bo Just beyond Question. It Is on the top floor that the bnd condition of the building Is mot np-parent. There Is one big room there, with long libers of records, tnhles for Inwvcr In stand up to and write on. and dozen srnnll de'ks for tho folio writer and copiers of old documents. At the south ond and at the notth end nf the building on this floor, however, aro two snisll rooms, almost closets, where the iddest ot the city records are kept.

In theo rooms nre some of the most ancient volumes relnt- Inc to real estate In this cltr. Other records In tho Dutch Innguage are In Albany, mid translations of sonio of the deeds are on tho bhelves In these rooms. The oldest original reconls are contnlned In volume of transactions between Juno 110. ltiOS. and Dec.

HI. IdT'J. The Dutch language Is u-ed exclusively In the earliest records In the volume nfter liillT some of the documents nre in Dutch nnd some in English. Among thu volumes labelled "conveyances" In the early ran of Iho eighteenth century are copies of agreements by which hnvs bound themselves to serve as apprentices. Thev Drnmlsed obedience and Industry, and were for-hidden to "hnunt ale houses, taverns, or plav houses," and In return were to get Instruction In "the art or mystery of a butcher," or "the art or mvstery of a barber or perlwle innkcr." There are a creat many of these rnro old records In the office, and most of them nro In hope, lessly confused piles of papers nnd hooks In these two dnrk rooms.

In case of Ilro they could never be replaced. ALt, KXTIIA SPACE CTIM7F.I). The accompanying cuts show how tho books and papers are scattered around in these two rooms. In the Urge room the records aro In good order but Incomplete, as they uro bound to bo with no place to put the Incoming ones, Tho roof vv hieh rovers these three rooms Is of wood, and every tlmo It rains tho water leaks through nnd saturates tho floors. The old records tn tho small rooms show evidences of many a sonklng.

Tho rest nf tho building Is In tho snmo crowded condition: if anything. It Is even worso on thu first and second floors than at tho top. Ihelawvrr who is obliged In tho present condition of things to Bpena several hours In the building Is to be pitied. If other evidences nf the buildings' former uso have been obliterated, there Is still the old mustv prison smell on every Mile. Tho rooms nro badly lighted, too; the Index system Is an ancient one; there are no modern appliances In tho place: to got at certnln volumes the senrchor must lug a heavy ladder around nnd climb It tn gel what wants Then he mu-t put It back again, which is lint so easy ns the space It formerly occupied Invariably shrinks nppreclsblj ilnrlna the time he spends in looking at the hook.

There is practically no ventilation In the building. In thn summer ono half sufTooitm there, nnd In thu winter ho nlmnst freeze. The binding room. Ilka tho small rooms on thn top lloor. Is mass of dirt and rubbish lulled with rerurds nf great vnlue.

Altogether, a worse condition fnr a place nf such Importnnru could not be. imagined. At present Register Sohmer Is doing what all othor Registers for the last twentv-llvo vears have hnd to do, take the most elaborate precaution to prevent accident. No smoking Is at-lowed anywhere In thn huildlng. nnd the mnn hn lights match Is In danger nf being ejected with great suddenness.

'I his rule applies tn all persons -lawyers, real estate men, politicians, and employees. The destruction of tho present Regis. ter'B office ought not tn cnuso many pangs In nny Amerlr-iu henit. Inng before the rky-scraprrHwhlch now surround Itwcrn tlioughtnf, when IlroHilvmy was still hut a country ro.nl. It wns the greatest and most auhstaiitliil building nf the town, earning then the evil reputation which clings to it tn this day.

The building wa erected In nnd Income tho abode of debtors and criminals, nnd wns ttiu seennd Jn.ll built In this rlty. It was called the New Jail, and even under the Colonial (Inv eminent was a dlsgiare to Iho ngo. Frequent notices In the provincial newspnperB told of tho sufferings of tho inmntes. llnlur'A (Jttiette nnd Mtrcuru of July '7, 177 has this paragraph regarding It; "Iho debtor confined In the jnll. Im-pressed with a grateful sense nf tho obligations they are under tn the respectable public for the generous contributions that huvo been made for them, beg leave In return their sincere and hearty thanks for tho same, particularly tho worshipful, the Corporation of tho city of New ork, to the reverend, the clergy the English, Dutch, and Presbyterian rbuiches.and their respective congregations, by whoso generous donations they have been comfortably sup-ported during the last winter and preserved from perishing in a dreary prison with hunger and cold," In the old maps of New York the New Jail occupies a prominent place.

The land around It was known first as the l'lelds, then as tbe torn-mon, and later ns the Park. Alexander McDougal, who wroto the hand, bill summoning the people tn the famous meeting in the Park, ot which tlen, Lamb denounced the Mutiny uct, wus locked up in the New Jail, nnd there hosts of people went every day to offer him their sympathy and support. The proceedings against McDougal wero printed on tbe forty-fifth page of the Assembly Journal, and the Rons of Liberty adopted the caballstlo "forty-fire' aa their countersign. Holt's Journal of Feb. IB, 1770, cotitalnedthe following Item; Yesterday, the forty-fifth day of the year, forty- five gcntlemon, friends nf Capt, McDongal nnd the glorious cause of American liberty, wont In decent procession to the Now Oaol, and dined with film on forty-flvo pounds of beefsteaks cut from a bullock ot forty-live months old." Hwns directly In front of the New Jail that tho famous liberty pole light took place and only a few fret away In tho Held thnt tho Sons of Liberty, after two day of hard fighting, planted the pole.

Tho dark period of the New Jail came when tho notorious Capt. William Cunningham was nppolnted Hrltish Provost Mnrahal of Now York. During tho seven yearn thnt tho Hrltish occupied tho ell he had charge ot tho Jail nnd during thn whole Revolution more coldblooded vllllan did not come to the front. He was. appointed by (Inn.

Once, nnd, whllo some historian say that ho was at Nuwgate hanged for his crimes, other llancrnft among them sny they were unable tn find any such name on any nf the prison records. Cuunlnghnm wna particularly bitter against Americana, because he was In anmo nf the liberty polo lights and waa sovurcly handled bv the IMtrlols. He turned out to be a monster. There wero numerous place of confinement for the patriots In the city then, tho sugar house In l.lhertv street, the now or Mlddlo Dutch Church, at Ccdnr and Nnnu streets; the North Dutch Church, and other places, but tho new Jail was reserved for conspicuous men who fell Into Cunningham' ijlutches: and most persnnswho entered the preenl Register's nffico In thodny when It waa the New Jail, left hope behind. Cunningham had hi own quarters on the right of tho main door.

Tho gtinrd room was on thu nupositoslde. Tho deputy' room wa within the first barricade. Keefe. the dcput, was another rascal. Tho entrance to the new Jnll was gunrded tiny nnd night by two annul sentinels, the ilrst and second barricades, grated, barred, nnd chained, wero similarly guarded and bo wns the hnck door.

Sentinels were statlnnod on the platform In front of the grated door at the foot of tho second flight of stairs leading to tho rooms and cells in the second and third stories. There wns no nch thing as escape from tho New Jail In Cunningham' time. Oflen tho nrlsnncrs succumbed to tho tortures he devised for them, Tho chief prisoners. In tho northeast chamber on the second floor, which was called Congress Hnll. were packed In smnll spneo In such number thnt many died nf sulfocntion.

It was In the New Jail thnt Ethan Allen was confined for eight months. Allen hnd been carried to England a prisoner, but was brought bnckand placed on pnrnlo In New York. Ho declined tn be bribed by (Jen. Howe nnd was nr-rcsted nnd hnnded over to Cunningham, ho kept him In cell without even bread or mater fnr three days and then gave him a hit of fat Pork and a hard biscuit. Allen wns exchanged finally fnr an English iirlnner nnd thus got out of Cunnlnghsm's hnnds alive.

In bis own narrative Col. Ethan Allen mentions ns having been prisoners In the New Jnll It li him Capt. Travis of Virginia. Judge John Kell of Herccn county. N.

.1 William Miller of Westchester county, N. Cols. Otho Hnll and WlllHms. Mnjor Hrlnton I'avne. Major I.evl Wells, nnd Cnnts.

Vnn Zandt, Randolph, and I'lnhnven. In 18:11 tho New Jnll wns converted Into tho Hnll nf Records nnd set apart for the accommodation of vnrlnus official. The bell wns re-moved nnd plnced over the Hrldewell, which then stood In tho park, nnd the building was remodelled Into its present shape. Tin: l'jssisn of tub inAi'PEit. For-DearlnK Animal Ilernnilng; Senrce and Profit Are Hnlnll.

rom "i Vhitndrlphiii Hires. Among the changes that an advancing civilization nnd a senseloss denudation of forest land are creating throughout the length nnd brcsdth of a great continent, none are more conspicuous tlmn those pertaining to the fauna of this country. The solitudes of the great primeval forests, that formerly abounded In wild game, benuttful birds and fowls of tbe air, nnd valuablo fur-bearing animals, aro now nenrlv as de-crtcd as tho grent Western plains where the buffalo long since left nothing but traces of his existence behind. Trappers find It more difficult to obtain their furs each scaon, and along with tho sportsmen they retreat further Into the cold regions north of us. penetrating Into thovvllds of Hrltish America, whero life in winter Is scarcely endurable.

The fur trapper has had his day In the I'niUd Slates, nnd as a product of past condition" hcls disappearing as surely as tbe gamu which he has hunted. In the greut northern belt of State bordering upon the Canadian line he Is found In dwindling numbers, vivlnlv striving tomakuallving In his precarious calling, and bemoaning the times when It was an easy matter to flud enough animals In his traps each day to keep him supplied with money. It Is now tho work of a week to gather the kins that formerly came to his traps In a day. The popularity of furs has not declined, in fact, they are more In demand than ever, nnd fnshion decreos that they shall bo worn every winter on garments for men and for women. Most of them command a higher price than ever in tho history ot civilization, but thu trapper docs not profit so much by this change us might be supposed.

The fur-binrlng animals are disappearing faster than the prices lor tho furs advance. Other unsettled regions of the globo nro being explored tn help supply tho markets of tho world with skins, and science is doing everything In Its power to utillc the common skins of tbo domesticated animals. The fur of the cat, dog, sheep, lamb and otuer animals nf our barnvardand household has nlrtady become valunblo commercial, and through tho liver's artand tho currier's skill tho weartrs of cheap furs are totulh deceived. It is not an easy ton lor to ascertain tho rolattve value nf the Important furs, but those tnken from the forests and woods or tins country nro much higher than lu former davs. Tho silver foj, thnt abounded so plentifully In our northern woods.

Is now comparatively rare animnl, and from Slim to $i'(IO uro paid for first-class sped-mins. 'lhednrker the fur of the sliver fox tho more valuablo it is, and consequently tho further north tho trappers go the better luck thoy have. Those over the Canadian border trap moio and better sllvir foxes than tan be found am where in the I'ntted tatatos. although north-tru and I lie Michigan peninsula havo vlehlcd some eirilleut silver foxes. Owing to the great demand for tills fur, the animals liav been trapped and hunted so persistently that they uro very scarce, and the few remaining ones nre more timid and harder to catch than thu common red fox.

Hear skins generally come next tn the fur nf the silver foxes, and they run all the way from S40 to $7ft npleco for the rnw fur. Dealers grade tho skins ui cording to their idea of tho value, unit the trapper Is not alwnys sure that hu will itceive tliu highest quotations even after ho has shipped his booty to market. Thn cross fox furcomes thlid on tho list, and ia generally worth from SIS to "0, aciordlng In alze. general beauty, and llcnnes of color. Thu lurof the otter is marly as valuable, and a good specimen will command either at tho country store or In the illy markets'.

Thu beavtr Is not worth morn than ir. thu wolverlnoSKi. thn Ivux and blnck raccoon $11, nnd tlioinmniiin wolf and marten These urn the principal fur-bearing animals taught by tho trappers in this country, but a l.mg list of cheaper ones nro brought to market, such us tho mink, skunk, badger, wildcat, red and gray fox, muskrnt, and rabbit. The prltts paid for these vary from a few cents npieco to several ilollurH, 'Iho rubbll skins uro su i heap that Iho trappers would not tako the trouble to express tliem in tho clt.es If It wero not for tho fnct that they tun bo packed In wit tho others ntuu extra enst, 'I hu skins of thn deer, moose, elk, and antelope must, not be confounded vv Itli those of the strictly fur-hearing animnl. 'Ihn former aro sold us skins and hides, and not as furs, bringing so uuchnpound.

IKer hides usually bilng Irnm 'U to 'HI cents per pound. As most State laws forbid trappers killing these animals except during a very rhort season, thoro is not so much profit In minting them as tho prices offered would seem to warrant. 'Ihn trapper Is essentially what his name Implies, nnd lint a hunter orsporlsmati. Thu shotgun Is nut his linpliment, for this liars nnd Injures the sklus mid furs, 1 he trap uud skinning kulfo uro his chief arilclos of trade. The traps ore usually divided Into three classes-snares, deadfalls, and sticl traps.

The steel traps vnry in sUo from Iho small ones set to capture tho llttlo lu tho laigo double-sprlng nirangenioiiis kiiuwn ns "grlrzly lieur trans." 'Jliem latter nr mammoth alfulrs, weighing forty pounds, and with rn.ve of sharp teeth spread sixteen Inches apart When tint jaw of such a trap i Inse upon any en ature they uro pretty euro to hieuk the leg and hold tho cuptlvo prisoner until relluvedhy soino outsldo person, Tlio grirl hears have been known to tour tho lieon traps from their moorings and drag them mile or more through tho forests, but they have never beon known to pull the leg away from tlio relentless teeth. Tho deadfalls are made both for largo nnd smull iinlmnls. In thu small horseshoe enclosure a templing bait Is fastened on a delicate trigger, which, when slightly moved, lets down upou thu animal' baik a numbor of htnvy logs. Ihese fall squarell upon the back or shoulder of the hungr) crrulure. and either breax It or crush nui tlio life, Thu animal caught in a deadfall rarely lives to tell the tale.

The wary animals, like the fnx, can seldom be Induced to enter a deadfall, for their Instincts make them usplolous. Snares ore tisud for catching a variety of email nnlmals, and they are arranged In a great vurlety of wa, tho most common ot which 1 with the spring pole. 'the trapper visit these snare, deadfalls, nnd steel traps every morning, travelling through the woods in the bitterest cold weather and often returning without a pelt of any great value. Hard work, rough fare, and Utile pay are his rewards, and there Is little wonder that ho complains. He sees his Industry shrinking year by year, and vv Ithout any possible improvement In the future, he realizes that tlio doom of his class has been sounded.

Another generation und he will be gone, along with the Indian fighter, the cralrlu scout, and tho buffalo hunter. MANUFACTURING JEWELERS AND IMPORTERS. The Pioneers of Popular Prices for High Glass Goods, WHAT TO BUY FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Glance through the following list. Something will strike your fancy.

In every Department we carry superior goods only, and we are the lowest price house In America for reliable, Standard Quality Goods. Prices marked In plain figures. Our stock is the newest, most varied, and the largest in the city. Immense assortment of everything enumerated. DIAMOND JEWELRY.

WATCHES. BItACELETO 7.. TO 8000.00 mr-VER AND PBN. CIIATM.AIXE TO BA.NTH 11.73 OOO.OO onor EauitiNot) s.oo noo.oo i-aijikh' hii, veii HCKEW C.OO 37S.OO HCNTI.NO B.7S 1S.OD WIHT.IIKE 7.SO fiOO.OO I.AIIIEH SHAVER CI.CHTEK 1S.OO H7S.OO IIKVUTIFUI, EN AM. SIAKOVISE SS.OO S7S.OO EI.L.EII, A t.I, COI.ORH, FANCY COIIIIINA.

WITH PIN TO TION 7.0O MATCH 7.50 1S.OO STUDS C75 OOO.OO tsOI.ID GULII hCAItr AND STICK CIIATEl. VINE B.OO RO.OO ,,6 LADIES- SOLID GOJ-D HI.EEVEIirTTO.NS.... 6.00 70.OO nvsTlso AND 0.7S IOO.OO HOMD 001.1. CHATELAINE. RICH.

WE X'SE NO INFERIOR DIAMONDS. VMI'I I I'D PERFECT CUT. HIIIOIIT. SNAPPY A s() STONES ONLY. SECURELY SET IN A I( REST HAND SOLID GOLD MOUNT.

A nIAMON1M AND OTHER CHOICE SOLID GOLD JEWELRY. VtVJ ,0 ItltACELETS OO TO 850.00 OENTS- SILVER BROOCHES nnd PEN- WATCHES C.OO SO OO IIAXTM 8.75 05.00 I GENTS' OOLII DROP nnd SCREW EAR. WATCHES IA OO ISO OO 1.C5 10.00 GENTS' SOLID GOLD INFANTS' and MISSES' I FILLED WATCHES 1O.O0 OX.OO 10 HOYS' SILVER LADIES' RINGS I.OO" IO.OO WATCIIiM hoys' agents' rings i.r.o so oo nov, H(MIM GfJIU studs COLLAR HITTONS LOO S.SO ccl.ElmArEI, w. sleeve rui-tons 1.7.-. 15.00 I AUU WATC1IEH IN LOl KETS and CHARMS.

1.S5 SO.OO HEJTT NECKLACIS S.50 IO.OO j'rt. SOLID GOLD VICTORIA. CHAINS 3.75 S5.00, tASI) I.ORIoNETTE CHAINS O.OO 75.00 I GENTS' UKI'. VEST ALL OUR WATCHES ARE THOR. "-s SO OUGHLY TESTED AND REKULATED CENTS' 11KT.

UOflll.C 1 TEST CHAINS 7.50 3O.O0 I AND AUK OPARANTEED PERFECT TIMEKEEPERS. OPERA GLASSES, ETC. PEARL, IN ANY uLOGKS. SHADE S3.SO TO SS5.00 ALUMINUM O.OO" 30.00 ONYX 81 O.OO TO SSO.OO LEATHER 2.S3 7.SO I CE. GOLD EYEGLASSES a ,5 AND SPECS 8.75 IO.OO I MAKI WES AMI UM1SICEL.

LAS WITH GOLD HRONZE O.OO 30.00 CUCKOO C.00 50,00 INGS J.OO OO.OO CHOICE I.OO IO.OO In Sterling Silver Tableware and Novelties we display an enormous variety. Thousands of other articles not mentioned in the above list will be found in our establishment, each and every one especially adapted for Holiday Presents. Extraordinary values are offered in all departments, and we advise early inspection while stock is complete. Articles selected now will be reserved for future delivery. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE MAILED FREE.

Our establishment is open evenings during December. LAMBERT 3d cor. 58th St. noi ov.it a vii r.n itr XATVttJi. A Forest Lnndcivpt) Pictnrrd la Colora on a ChrHtnut Slab, IlAitTronn.

Nov. US. That natnro Is a raro artist In colors, iinplylns tliem with incomparable effect, every nne knows; but few persons aro a aro probably that occasionally she nlo tries her uunnliic hanil at photography. Frank H. I'caboilynf I'aucaluck, at the extrcino noulh-eastern eml nf the Nutmeg State, haj a wou-ilerfully preclso anil curious specimen of her linnillvrnrk In this vvn).

It is a natural land-scaue photocraph on a eticstnut slab, Ailay in two ago, whllo vvnntlcrini: about tho I.nlulni: Woods, a vast ami dreary vvililiTuesH of tunuled rnrvst, innraui. nnd ftrns, in the northern ptrt nf tlio lull town nf Nnrtli Mciiiluulmi. lVnliiuly r.iino into a clearing In the heart tint JuniMn that bestrewn vvltli tint prostrate trunks of many fnrest trees felled by the wnodiinian's itxe. Stumbling about the Juiiililo nl lot, plullkc, Hie and tiriislinn id, many pieces nf vv liich wero matted with patches nf innsnnnd lichens, fnrm-lug singular and ctrlking nrabemjuo art put-terns, lie finally espied a short hettuut plunk on vrlioKA widii facu was Imprinted it vivid, clearly ilellued plctuieof the woodland tccno thereabout. "Tho slab." said Mr.

I'eabndr. "had been lying for nearly a eur In a muck orawamp region nf the l.rdirlnir Worils, nnd no dnubt tho illslutezrnting cltluvln from the ground, reek-Ingwith innlnture, had wrnught a phenomenal chemical change in its smooth fare, developing therein a photographic illness to receive and perpetuatu Impressions, Ai an) rato a perfect llkene.s of the laudfrnpn confronting tliu chestnut slnb camora, set tip thero by nature, hnd been taken by li unt! faithfully and sharply fixed thereon. In fact, there Is the vvliolo scene Imprinted accurate to a tint, with every tree, its trmvn and trunk, interlacing branches and boughs, even iiiluiilo twins. Mvnmp hrubbtry and rpindllng Btaddtrsand shoals, i learlydofluid in I tie plunk llkenci-s. The slab, slmo It was In a nearly ro-cumbenl posture, nf cnurie, phntngrnphed only theilrees and brush that were directly In front nnd above It, but Ihe likeness Is an unmistakable one.

Kurlhi rmiiro, It Is color photograph, fnr the outlines of tho objects traced on the plank plain aro nf a deep i ellovr. like ochre." Mr. Peabody dlsplajed his odd treasure in the show window of the Westerly jU 'JWbimr, and scores of people havo examined It. SMITH COI.J.VOB JSmtTS. lira, nurnctt' "Fair Hrbrlo" Presented by tbe Student or Wallace Hopse.

Northampton, Nov. Tlirco tlires a yoar a play Is elven by one of tho ramnus houses at Smith College. Tho houses take turns In Riving these presentations, anil each house gives a play every two years. Two )enrs ago the glrla of the Wallaeo llouso gave, a flue Interpretation of "Sho Htoops to Comiuer," and much Interest was felt In the dramatlo performance this year. Tho name of the play Is alwa)i kept a Jecret from the rest of the col-lege until tho evening of IK prtsenta Jon, On this occasion waaMrr.

Francos Hodgson nurnctt a "A Kalr luvrharlan." as dramatized by Mrs. SI. A. II. Kmerbon, wife of Prof.

Kmer-son nf Amherst Co. lege. All tho parts wore -veil taken. The first plac of honor mav be safely assigned tn tho heroine, Ml t'ochran. Not only wns her acting delightfully niturnl, but she wns so beautiful thnt the whole audience lost iti, heart to her, SIlss (lllbtil.

In tbe role ol nuualnt, lovnblo old maid: Slis as tvr.imilcal, domineering grandmother: Silas Drown, ni tl.n timid, shv gr.iiiddnuiiliter nf the latter, nnd SIliS HIIH as tho t)plcnl KnulisliliMti. nhn, in spite of his Kngllsh Ideals of womaiihonil, falls deeply In love vviih tho unrntivcntiiinal Atneii-win heroine, were nil excellent. Sllsi. I.utlirnn ni the Hev. A.

Pnpnlitoii was Irresistibly ludicrous, and furnished most of the fnn. The i illege has bail I treat In the lecture lino tnln vviek. On Widne da) afternoon Sirs. Tmld of Amhorst gave talk before the rront Kveuta Club on her summer trip to Julian, at the time of thu ecllpie. This evening Slri Slauaret Sangttr gnve a practical tull.

to the iiitmbera of thu Alpha N.rletv and their frlenda on "Journalism in a Profession for Women bKVXKH AS Sir. Al.iynnrd, Wlin Hum Tried II, Hnya It I r.y to Itommtleute Them. Wnri Ihf llotton Fx ening rrautcrti f. At tho meeting of tho Society last ev cnliii: C. Mnynanl of Newtnnv lllo spoko riulte nt length on tho much.

maligned American animal, the tkuuk, gl ing the resu Its of some flv months' observ ailons of ono vv hlch ho linsdoines. tlcated. Slephte, for that Is her name, was cap-turnlvvhileiUlto young and being of alfectlnnato dlfpiihltion. has bncomo grintly attached In her raplnrs, and during tho lant half ynr link had free raukrof Sir. Mnyiiaril'n hnakeiind ground.

has mucin a trip In cars and stHgu to his xtimmer home on Cupe Cod, and ban been handled and slrnkid by hundreds of persons, including many ladles. Is Kind, timid, gnnd-iinuin d. nluj fill, During tins time she has alturdea opportunity for constant stud), and Sir. Slnv. Hard knows morn now about this neiullar American product than an) oilier living pur-son, lie able, tn correct mum elater.ieuls heretofore made that are not true; he limit that it will esLiipii If there Is a povibllltv ol ho lining, and defends Itself mil) when cornered, and that befnre Its attai llgivui a number of warning signals iiilto us pronounce i in tliaiac ter ar tbou nf the ralileKiiako or tin.

cotton. liiDUthid moccasin, su thnt line who sees tbo signals, ma) escape the denouement In remain, lug absuliitely iiiutlnnes Ihe i re.iture will thin slink away, for li defends Itielf only with great reluctance. As In attai ks nil lliu barn-void. Sir, Slawiard thinks thnt much of this kind ot dauiago Is dun to other animals, fnr sn well as he can judge tbe animal Is afraid of the hen, and If at all destructive could catch only )oung chickens. In cunuecunn with his first paper, I'M ward K.

Norton, president of the hhwd. spokeof the skunk In Ilsiommerclal aspect it being an ix. cluslvtly American animal which furnishes about it million skins Humiitlly for manufacturing purposes. 1 be quality of hi so dependent i mi a lrlu Imaginary line. Including Slassauliu-srlta.

Now Vork and iJluo, and so closely does Iho quallt) conform lo these limits and so much dots It vary outside of them that an expert can tell tho place ol capture vrltnln forty or fifty inllu merely by an Inspection of the tor. AN EAST SIDE GUILD. TUB UXXTBItBlTT -40 riBtriiD itr its xr.iaunona. mW Opinion to What It Hn Aeeompllabesi fl In the Neighborhood or II Home In Dm I'H Inaeey Street-It Work Anions; Chit, 'H dren-Oond That It II KfTecled. A recent editorial article In Tin: SUM on the University lemon which Imi beon In op- fl eratlon on thn oast sldo under tho r.nmoof tlio vH Nelghbnrhnod tlulld since 1NHT, has aroused nrcat ileal of discussion over tho question of iH tho vnluo of tho association ns a moulder of opinion and a help In reducing thu antagonism Vl of the poor against tho well to do, to nccom- pllsh which purpoao la tho primary object of tho oriranlrntlnn.

As tho great majority of tho 1:15,000 votes thnt were can at tho last 'H election for William Hr)an cmo from th discontented, the qilestlun Is nsked whether tho Unlversliy Settlement Is paying; Invest- 'B mont, nnd vrhether It has any- thing nt all on tho lino It set nut to follow and has followed eonitstoiitlv slnco Its fdunda- '( Ion. Tho question wns put tills week by a tnl HUN reporter tn II. the head vmt vvurkcr In thn Koltlemont, ami liuothers. Tho replv was thit tho nrganlrnttnn had taken no pnit lu Imitlnnnl politics: thnt It was not vL ono of lu functions to take pnrt In national politics, but that the Assembly district in which thn home nf the Settlement Is located 'H had lvn very Inrci majority fnr SlcKIn- Icy for President, and thnt tho election (lis- trlct In which the homo is filtunted had for el tho flrst tlmo given Ileptibilcnn majority. rp! The mho was lod'l In lavor nf McKlnley.

Ahvn)? beforu It bud Iheeu in nl out tho snm jsxxl piniHitilon Hie other wa). riirtber It VSuw aald thut uf tliu numbers of tne i lull founded 'iLw bv the hettlemcnt only three had voted for A-H Hi van. All the rcsijwcri! for sound money. SLM llll. St reporter spent iv rouplc of nftor- noonn tbe illi trlct.

the lileu In Inc to get from JLw tbo who llvul there and Irani it'srcla Inn would lie lilted to Judge of the work of the settlement, their "pinions of it. sn thin a iil fair j. colli 1 b- formed ot the amount vH and the value jf the Is Ing done. Hut nt jJsH he outel It vvni found thn' toe latter part of 'tH Ihn object wa Uiinltilnilile. tho be- lJxS ing thnt the piipii ati.ui nt thu ilbirnt Is a shifting one.

nnd thai, the meml i-Jhip and nB tho pupils or the i live shHf-d vvtth iH the population. '1'hc hoj nnd gills and nunc vinfl men and vnung wnmeu who wen- memlwrs or pupils a fen ago, uud In whu.u tbeliilil- elite of thu settleinent rhnulil nnvv Lo devel- oped. If It ever wero to develop, ore no longer CiH there. They have ninvnl avvnv and spread all iWA mei the cltv. Whero fix or seven years ugo sLW Hi" ropulutlon wan nlmnst exclusively tier- gH man.

iis-tloy it is nlmnst exclusively liuslan Hw 1 1 "brew. Out nl oopiilation or H.000 tn hW these blocks there are, practiinlly sccaklnr, tm old residents. The nno liiiimi hero and 'vH there milium II' "hikes his hnd and sa)s: VjjH "Ihe district his gone tn hell." while he 8lg.1s 'H fnr the old class nntl Ihenld i.elglil ins. "What do )nii luluk nf the I nlversllv feet- tlemeniV" nsked 'llll- M'v refsii ter of Slorlts of tiiee old resident-. He keeps a -hU Ligar store In De'niui) sliect Jnt InsIiivv ths home, and has been there tvventv-two years.

'1 'What, do vuu he askel. ''JU "Is It a good Has It imule the neigh- borlnoil any better'1 si'd the rcnouer. 1 "Oh." im tald. "vou ma'i the mls'ion nt 20. '1 Oh.

)es. I gyes- it's good inough. it don't do mu an) good. Them used tu be a Iub house -jH there, with lodge rooms up stairs There was buslnefs lore tiioae ihos. I u.td to get some sfl trade.

Hut tbe'e penpld up there now. they 'H don't bring an) buslne-s to tne. It's a good XJH thing, I guess SI) irirl gjes there. Last win- VH ter. when sn many Poor pinple wero frcezinir and starving, thev gnve nwny lots nt food nnd '-JH (h)thes, and the) helped tho poor people.

That "IjB was a Loot! thing to do." 'jafl "Is that all It has done?" akeil tho reporter. ftH spoke up Mrs.Fuelit, who was behind tiH the rounter. "It Usui to be that wn couldn't gettbe lindlord to do anv thing. When tho IfU plumbing win bad, or when the halls wera dirt), or when there we-e rerifilis. he'd neTer 71 dn them.

Now be dots them right away, nnd fl all the landlords around here do them right awav. or else the people nl 'l g-t the Beard of Health utter theci. Oh. It's thing yM ")es, It su good thing. I guo-s." said Sir.

Ftichs. "SIv girl goes thee. Mio likes It. -tM and we're not afraid to leave her there, for tha peoDle aro good, and she don't learn no bad." tin the CDrnir below Kucha's p'ace is a butter and egg store. Thu proprii tnr Is a fut Hebrew.

"VM When the questlnn was asked of lifhi ho saldl "What Is thai?" fM "Ihe Jils'lnn at 20," said the reporter. SjLw "Oh, )i'U aro on the bnk." he faid. "Tea, my rhlldren take their Denotes there. I guess It's nil right. It ain't broke, is it;" "No.

It Is i.nt broke," said the reporter, "but f-B what do ou think of It Is tt a good thing?" yM "(Hi, 1 don't know nothing about that. I ijH cuesH Us good. I don't kno.v. I thought vou UM were going to say tt vv is broken, nnd sty chll- fiM d-tn has tKith got mnrey i It. 1 guess It's cm good enough.

I don't bo her m' head about such things The man had been in business at the rorner twn)ears rrauk Kemp bss a saloon at iho corner above the bom-. He has been there fourteen )enrs. When tbe questions wero -g nked him, he sail: "I guess ho." 3 what?" asked the reporter. "Well, I dunnn," said Sir Kempf. "I truest "Jg It's all right.

It don't do any barm 'S "Hut does It do an) coodr" wea-ked, "1 guess it djts more zned it doei harm." was the I epl). "Sly two i ulldren used yt to go there. 1 guc-s thev oidn't le im nnvthlnit but good there. Thc)'ro married now, and (. llvo up town." fF "What good do's It do'" the reporter.

"Well, it makes the strict- lie kept clean," wns the reply "and It makes the landlords 7 Mi. their bouses, und It teaches the llttie chll- fi dren "Am thing elfuv" A "Well, tt has schools, gness It's a good Vl thing. I know children used to think It was a great nlace. 1 liked to hive them the- because I knew then where the) were. They learned snmo to save tin re." "Has tbe neighborhood improved Incothey came here'" "Well, I don't know.

AH the Hermans -J have moved away, and Russian Jens have corns in. I don't know Is that an Improve- ment. It's a good place. I guess, for a Int of 4 rich people put up the mone) and Inst winter It gnve nut clothes and thinks to pour people." i An opinion was asked of the tmlico of the KldrhlL'o strict station. Ward Stan Chrles Nells who has been In tho precinct ten years, said when the question was put In him: "Wbv, mini.

It's the tutuie generation that will hhtitv thu good those penpleaic lining It isn't fnr nnybodj to it) what cend they aro li doing now. Hie) 're working with theehlldren nnw prliiLlDallv. They teach tlum to lein -f. and make things nboiit them rlenn. There's ff hardly a ilnv pisses but some cbihiii'ii come In If hem and tell us nboul people thinning ashes In the street and the like.

The) kiep a tine place for tliu children, and the nmig people to go, nnd the)'ro In gocsl iimum. 'J bey if, have schoo.s where the) i diicate the young, and those they educate would nev -r Is- educated t' nt all the) didn't dn It. ltus- plan nnd their pare" Is wouldn't pay a tent for them anv where 'I be) kiep tlio boss and girls off tho meets too. "They're not like mu-t nf such places, nlwii) kicking tn the polim about eveiytblng I and lomplnlnlng. We have otuplnlnts from them onroln a i.

He about women out lie streets or dUorderl) houses, nnd wu never had one )et I that wasn't right. The)'ie go, pinole, nnd we'd stretch point to help Hum 1 here wna Jf raff and rntfi houe Marled in ar tl em Inst winter. looked as it it wns going to lo si ad), and we got r.d of if fin them III few ilivs You uevirsiw stub gritelul people. I've been III theie a gnod mm.) Hint's, and I tell you )ou inn't say what nn amount of. good they'm doing," 1 Peter Carter, another ward mnn, ngreed with Nells He said he bnd been lu the precinct 1 nulls even mouths, hnwevei, ami could not tell what good had been done to the neighbor- hcud, for it vrns good before he lame 1.

Tho trei Cleaning lleimriini nt hns nn office in Jlrniiiim itlli'ol. It is 111 i bin go of Francis I.e. m. vvliii Isnnuof the of the Settlement Hnme. Ho is an enthusiast nn the Hiibjii i of the home, as well ns on tho I subject of cleaning streets, und hence might bo lonsldered biased.

Mifllie It to pay thnt the men nf the department under him do- claiu Hint Iho IlHlnlicln of thu guild have huliied lo keep the str.i Is 5 A do7eu or morn telieineiits In the lielghbn hood wero visited b) tin purler, und perhaps forty inoro people tniki with, Slost 3 of them vvetu Hii-sinu Jews, an hilf nf them knew nothing nt all nliotit the settlement. The other halt knew nf It through their children, 2 who either went tn some of the schools or no- tmslled tnelr pi nines there Th seltluraent Is not a bunk, but It lui)s stamps uf I lie Penny Prnvldent l'lind Hank and fells the'" tn tbe rliildrvii. Then when child Im a dollar or i so It induces hln. to tako It to snmo savings bank deposit It Tin settlement aa pur- thiiMsl of tho Prnvldent II. ink Sl.IlOO la btatnps vvi.U in tut Ik hnvn been put chased by thu children.

Tiiedn) and Krldav iiftcrnootss nro punlmslng dn)s. I.a't Tuesday thero wore about sclent) small i hlldren In line. Some nf them nuie hnrd more tlinn able to walk. s-omci or them cluti lied penny in their hands. Some had two icnis, some three, and there were two who had "he cents each.

All of them turned their money Into stamps. It is tho na. turo nf the Russian Hebrew to ho suspicious of strangers, and In iloen Instances no amount uf puraunsinn would Induce tbo wc nun In Hie leneniunts who hud children attending tne settlement tn ray nny thiug at all. The settliiuent is III tbo parish of the Ilniniin I (Tiur.sh of the Nativity, ot i whli It tlio liuv lather liverilt Is rector. Hither Kvcr tl wus nsked what ho of the set.

tleminl He said I ha iii'I ati) opinion. I believe In letting people do as 'hey please. 1 haven't any opinion iitHiut It ut all." The principal of the public school nearest tbt settUuteut vvas.equally non-cummltal, si -ttnm 'dfd.