THE CAMERON COUNTY PRESS.
ESTABLISHED BY C. B. GOULD, MARCH, 1866.
VOL. 42
Raising the Silver Fox.
Uy Rene Bache in Saturday Evening Post.
In furs as articles of adornment are
not soon to disappear from general use,
methods must be devised for raising
fur-bearing animals in confinement."
This rather striking statement furn
ishes the text for a bulletin that is soon
to be issued by the Biological Survey.
Already this Government bureau has
given a good deal of study to the prob
lem, and the first suggestion it has to
offer on the subject relate to the pos
sibilities of fox-raising under somi
domestication.
It is the so-called "silver" fox that is
in question--an animal whose pelt,
silver-gray to black in color, is to-day
the most highly valuable of all furs,
excepting only that of the sea-otter.
When it is considered that good skins
will readily fetch from five hundred to
two thousand dollars a piece, it may be
inferred that there is money in the
business of conducting a fox farm even
on a very small scale.
Oddly enough, the animal concerned
is the same as the ordinary red fox,
whose skin is worth only a dollar and
a half to three dollars and a half. But
now and then it happens that the fur
of this variety of Reynard takes on a
silver-grey or black color—the darker
it is the more valuable —and this pecul
iarity is readily transmissible to the
offspring of such specimens. In fact,
silver foxes bred in confinement, al
most invariably producce only silver
youug, and there seems to be little
tendency to revert to the red.
The Government experts are of opin
ion that it will prove practicable to
produce a domestic breed of silver
foxes. But by selecting those which
show least aversion toman, with due
regard to other qualities, a strain may
be obtained that can be handled as
satisfactorily for propagating purposes
as cattle or sheep—in other words, a
thoroughly domesticated race of foxes.
TRYING TO KEEP THE COLOR TRUE.
Silver foxes can be bred, even under
present conditions, as easily as red
ones, and at vastly greater profit, the
main problem being to make them
breed true to color. As already state*?,
however, this is not difficult. A num
ber of breeders in this country have
undertaken this sort of farming as a
business with considerable success,
chiefly in Maine, Michigan, and some
of the Canadian provinces. They have
obtained their original stock from dens
of wild foxes.
Hope lor great profits in fox raising
must lie almost entirely in improving
the stock by selective breeding. The
object of every fex farmer should be
to prodace foxes as nearly pure black
as possible, and, in order to do this, he
must retain his darkest and most valu
able animals for propagation, selling
only the poorer ones. The temptation
to sell specimens of high value is often !
great, but it is more profitable to keep
them for breeding. Some of the high
est priced fox skins ever put on the
market, by the way, have been from ,
foxes reared in captivity.
The running expenses of a iox farm
are small. Every Bilver fox raised is
likely to yield a pelt with a market 1
value exceding one hundred dollars.
Even pale skins bring this figure, and
darker ones much more. It is, there
fore, evident that a fair income may be
derived from rearing only a few of the
animals--especially when one consid
ers the fact that the sale of specimens
for breeding stock is in the present
stage of the business, very profitable
One of the most important features
of the work of the Biological Survey
during many years past has been the
napping of the "life zones" of the
United States—that is to say, of the
transcontinental belts, throughout
which animal and plant life is relative
ly uniform. Accordingly, to deter
mine what areas are suitable for fox
farming, it is necessary only to learn
what zones include localities where
loxes are known to produce superior
fur. By this means it is ascertained
that silver foxer may be bred and rais
ed to the best advantage in Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Da
kota, and also in the mountain regions
extending southward in New York,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and
in all the States of the Rocky Moun
tain country.
While it is not at all difficult to im
itate the natural conditions under
which wild foxes live, this is by no
means desirable from the point of view
of the breeder. If incisures are too
large, the animals may remain as wild
as to be unmanageable. They require
little space, and thrive in yards not
more than forty feet square. An area
of five acres is ample for extensive
operations, and not more than two
are likely to he needed for any except
a large and long-established fox-farm
ing business.
A BACK YARD AS A PRESERVE.
Half an acre will accommodate six j
pairs of foxes, which are quite as many
as a beginner should attempt to handle.
An ordinary back yard is not quite suf
ficient, but little more room is needed.
Islands are well suited to the needs of
"blue" foxes in Alaska, but silver foxes
need close personal attention, which
can be better given in restricted in
cisures.
The inclosures should be of wooven
wire fencing, of two-inch mesh—young
foxes can wriggle through an opening
two inches square—and should be ten
feet high and sunk into the ground two
feet, an additional two feet being al
lowed at the top for an inward over
hang, to prevent the animals from
climing out. Foxes are excellent
climbers. One pair will require two
such pens, each thirty feet square, be
cause the male and female are kept
separate most of the time; and in each
pen there must be a small house or
shelter-box, made after the fashion of
a dog-kennel, four of five feet square,
and with an entrances six inches
square. There should be an outer
court, similiarly fenced, to prevent cur:
ious visitors or stray domestic animals
from annoying the foxes; and if pos
sible, there should be a few trees or
shrubs in the outer court, to afford
shade and seclusion.
The outer court should be kept al
ways locked, and the inner inclosure
should be visited only by the regular
keepers, to whom the foxes are accus
tarned. They rarely become tame, and
are constantly in a state ot fear. It is
only by the greatest care that relations
of confidence can he established be
tween them and their keepers. Even
the offsprings of several generations
reared in captivity remain wild. On
the other hand, they do not seem to be
otherwise than happy in confinement.
They play a good deal, or lie stretched
in the sun. Cold weather has no ter
rors for them, and snow is a delight,
liarely do they try to escape.
Close personal attention is a prime
requisite in the business of fox farming.
The animals breed once a year, and
the mating season is in February and
March, the young being born in April
and May. They are from two to eight
young at a birth. In December or
January the male and female are put
together and in March or April they
are separated. Tne male fox is a
model parent, and has even been
known to climb a high fence te carry !
food to his offspring, but his presence j
excited the female, and it is best to
give him quarters of his own.
The young when they are six weeks
weeks old begin to come out and play, j
and to lap a little milk and take an oc
casional bit of solid food. They breed
when less than a year. It is recom
| mended that they be separated from
the mother as soon as they are weaned,
because it sometimes happens that,
owing to her anxiety in their behalf, ;
I she fusses with them to such an extent j
as to injure them.
Foxes are pretty nearly omnivorous.
In a wild state they eat a great variety
I of frod, including mice, rabbits, birds,
and such insects as grasshoppers and
beetles. It is best to feed them, in
captivity, with some meat, table scraps,
and even dog biscuit. But it is desir
able not to over feed them. Bones
with a little meat on them are good for
Reynard to gnaw. A fair daiiy allow
ance is a quarter of a pound of meat
and a email handful of miscellaneous
j scraps. One of the most successful
| breeders at the present time, gives to
j each of his foxes a quarter of a pound
! of meat and quart of skim-milk daily.
Pension Increases.
The following pension increases
j have recently been granted in this dis
j trict, represented by Capt. C. F. Bar
| clay:
; Jonathan Letnmon, Mahaffey, to $lO.
| Mathias Mayes, Snow Shoe, to sls.
| Mrs. Lestina M. Scott, Kane, to 12.
Jacob Copenhaver, Smith Mills, to sl2.
I Jonas Setzer, Bradford, to sls.
; Elihu Chadwick, Emporium, to sls.
Frances M. Flanagan, Coalport, to sls.
: Henderson Barefield, Pottersdale, to
| S2O.
School Report.
Haynes School honor roll for month
ending August 28: Mildred Haynes,
j Rena Wykofi, John Wykoff', Rhodney
i Ives, Freeda Smith, Florence Haynes,
Thomas Penrith, Gerald Haynes, Nellie
Wykoff, Cordon Haynes.
Exit A B. SMITH, Teacher.
A car load of between 300
and 400 bushels of extra
choice Ohio peaches at New
: ton's. Prices right.
"Liberty and Union, One and Inseparable."— WEßSTEß.
EMPOFTTJM, PA., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1908
Minnie Warren—Tom Thumb.
A very pretty wedding took place
last Friday evening, at eight o'clock,
at the Presbyterian Church, when
Deacon Karl Bonham pronounced the
words, thatunited Miss Minnie Warren
(Aloysa Metzger) and Mr TomJThumb
(James Comforcl) in bonds of padlock.
The bride looked charming in her
beautiful gown of snowy white, with
long veil fastened in her hair, by lilies
of the valley. The maid of honor, Miss
Mabel Hertig, was becomingly gown
ed in blue, while the bridesmaids, the
Misses Rose Dolan, Kathryn Hertig.
Ruth Husted, Charlotte Jessup, Grace
Ness and Beatrice Butler, were dressed
In pink and carried pink roses. The
groom and his attendants wore the
conventional back. The best man was
Mr. Merle Judd, and the ushers were
Messrs. Kerk Smith, John Jones,
Sybern Murry, Charles Clark, Leo
Egan and Arthur Warner. The flower
girl was Miss Cordelia Bair and the
bride's page was Master Herbert
Hockley. After a reception a very in
teresting programme was rendered
which consisted of several selections
by Fisk's Juvenile, Bank; recitation.
Miss Mildred Lloyd; piano solo, Miss
Rose Dolan; dialogue, Misses Marion
Brady and Mildred Lloyd, and vocal
solo, by Miss Irene Baker. All the
numbers on the programme were very
well rendered. The wedding and en
tertainment were held for the benefit
of the Presbyterian Church and a neat
sum was realized.
What the Harvest Will Be.
What will the harvest be enquires
brother Hockley of the Emporium In
dependent in a long editorial this
week Guess the editor hasn't read
the daily papers during the past ten
days. Why, providing the western
farmers can get help to harvest it at
the best wages they have over paid,
the harvest will be one of the biggest
wheat crops ever harvested by any
country in the world, the United States
standing first in the production of
wheat It will result in the greatest
corn crop ever produced in this coun
try and provided the railroads oan
furnish cars enought to get it to mark
et, it will bring more money than all
the coal mined, or all the steel made or
gas and oil produced. Besides there
will be the best hay crop; the best po
tato crop, and the best cotton crop,
and under all these favorable condi
tions, if it don't produce the greatest
j crop of Republican ballots ever heard
I of in this country, Laymon will never
i guess again.—Port Allegany Reporter.
Felt's Reunion.
| The Felt's family reunion was held
, last Saturday, with twenty-five rela
j tives being present. The afternoon
was pleasantly spent at the residence
of J. Paul Felt and wife, on Sixth
street, followed by a picnic supper
served on the lawn. After supper the i
families repaired to the home of J.
: Pitt Felt and wife, corner of Broad and
j Fifth streets, were the evening was
j passed, in a general good time. Those
j present were: Mr. J. Pitt Felt and
j wife, J. Paul Felt, wife and children,
j Dr. L. R. Felt and wife, Mrs Sallie
Felt, Guy S. Felt and wife, C. H. Felt
i and wife and son Lee, of Emporium;
| Dr. C. L. Felt and family, and Frank
Felt of Philadelphia; Floyd Felt and
Florence Hammond, of Lancing, Mich.;
: Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Shaffer, of New
j York City; E. T. Felt and wife, of
| Johnstown.
Wagon Service the Best.
Several years ago, Mr. H. G. Seger,
son of our respected citizens, Mr, and
I Mrs. N. Seger, went to Chicago and,
being a wide awake young man, soon
saw an opportunity to enter into com
petition with the mail contracting de
liveries. He filed his bid, accompan
ied by a large bond. He captured the
contract and purchased hundreds of
wagons and horses. Ho held the con
tract for years. Then came the Tun
nel Company, popular with the peo
ple of that city. Seger & Meckle were
again awarded the contract dnd now
the P. M., at Chicago writes Seger &
Meckel, the wagon contractors, con
gratulating them upon the good ser
vice, their record being the best mes
senger service in the history of Chica
go service.
Hemphill Wins a Hot Game.
Elcanora and Adrian played a 12 in
ning game at Adrian last Thursday,
which Eleanora won by the score of
4 to 2. Hart, Maze and Oieson, all
local lads held down second, catcher
and pitcher respectively for the winners
and their batting and fielding had
much to do with the result. Hemphil
a former pitcher on the local Inter-
State team twirled a remarkable game
for the victors, allowing but two hits in
12 innings.—Dnßois Ex.
Who Paid the Bill.
Editor Prenn:—
Kindly state, in this week's PRESS, for tlie in
formation of your Readers, who paid for paving
Fourth street from Episcopal church to D. E.
Olmsted Block.
A SUBSCRIBER.
The brick paving referred to was
jointly paid by the borough of Empo
rium and Hon. Josiah Howard—the
pavement cost a little over §2,000, Mr.
Howard paying an equal share for the
brick, sand, filling and laying, which
amounted to something over $900.00,
and the borough paid about SIOO.OO
more, the difference being for the
excavating. The state of th® Borough
finances would not allow the work
when this energetic citizen came to the
front, as he always does when needed.
When the state of Pennsylvania con
structed the state road from Broad
street to West Creek bridge, Hon.
Josiah Howard again came to the re
lief of Emporium and saved a bond is
sue, by presenting his personal check
for $960.00. It does seem to be the
curse of this community, as well as
many others, to misjudge the motives
of every public spirited citizen. We
believe in according every man his
just dues. This question (by Subscrib
er) has been repetediy asked us. In
justice to Mr. Howard, we desire to
state that he has repetediy refused to
allow his named used in connection
with donations towards public improve
ments. By his works all citizens know
him and respect him as a hijih-minded
and honorable christian gentleman*
battling for our entire county.
Middle West Lining-Up for Taft.
Within the past week or ten days !
there has been a general awakening
politically in the Middle West and
states oi the Northwest and Pacific
slope, with a very decided improve,
tnent in favor of the Republican stand
ard bearers, Taft and Sherman.
The objection entertained by the think
ing voter and business man to Bryan
is the taint of free silver still hanging
around his neck. It frightens the busi
ness man. What the Democrats might j
do.to the tariff is of serious importance
to the business element, but more than
that it is of individual moment to the
small producer, whether he be manu
facturer or agriculturist. So strong is
the sentiment in favor of the election
of "sound, safe and sane friends of the
tariff" that in some states in the south
and Middle West and Northwest
Democratic nominees for Congress are
forced to declare for a high duty on
raw materials. Even the Democratic
voter has no confidence in his own
party when it comes to the tariff issue,
remembering no doubt, the betrayal
of the people and starvation when the
so-called tariff Democrats raised the
banner, with the inscription, "Polk,
Dallas and the Tariff of '42", Dallas
being from Pennsylvania. As Vice
President lie cast the vote that doomed
the tariff to defeat. With an enemy
of the tariff in Bryan and Kern in the
Vice Presidential chair, the American
people dare not and will not risk a
repetition of those days of starvation—
horrible days of want. During the
past few weeks we have met gentle
men from all sections of tho country,
talked with them, listened to their
arguments. While we notice, mani
fested to a larger degree than ever be
j fore, an independence in the voter.
Democrats assert they will vote the
Republican ticket because they do not
like the radical principles for which
Mr. Bryan stands, while no Republi
cans are going to transfer their vote-to
the Democratic candidate. Judge
Taft, unlike Bryan, has espoused noth
ing radical. This fact appeals strong
ly to the business clement, whether he
be large capitalist or manufacturer, or
a small shopkeeper or producer. Un-
I less all signs fail, we may now look for
| an awakening of the voter in favor of
I the election of Republican nominees In
I Nation, State and Cameron county.
! New Suits and Coats for Women.
The new fall Suits and Coats have
| arrived at the big store. You are in
vited to inspect the largest and hand
somest line of the latest up-to-date gar
ments ever shown in Emporium. Suits
1 range from $13.50 to $.'50.00. Coats
I from $4.00 to $26.00 you will be sur-
S prised at the value and quality we of
fer. The new "Duchess" Walking
Skirts are also here. These are the
: best fitting and most stylish skirts in
j tho U. S. The workmanship is perfect.
The material is tho very best aud the
| prices the lowest for the quality $5.00
to to $13.50 each.
R. KUEHNE,
1 Emporium's Largest and Finest Dry
Goods Store.
For Sale.
A sixteen inch water motor fan; used
only six weeks; for sale cheap. Apply
ito Ed. Blinzjer,Emporium, Pa. 24-tf
FOUND DEAD
AT DRIFTWOOD j
Special to the Press:—
Last Sunday afternoon the body of a
man was found near the Buffalo & Sus- |
quehanna depot at Driftwood, lying !
near a pile of logs. Apparently the i
man had been dead for three or tour 1
days, as the body had started to de
compose. On instructions from Over
seer C. J. Miller, Justice Nefcy empan
elled a jury who rendered a verdict
that death resulted from natural causes.
On the body was found one cent and a
money order receipt for S2O 00 which
had been sent to Milesburg, Pa. Later
it was found that the dead man's name
was George Quigg and whose residence
was Milesburg, Pa. The remains were
taken to that place for burial on the
Flyer Monday. The deceased was
about 00 years old and was a woods
man.
The Vermont Election.
Vermont makes a good showing.
The Republicans carry the State on
Tuesday by about 29,000. The result
is gratifying and is taken as a safe in
dication of Republican success next
November. The Maine election will
be held on Sept. 15. In that state the
local issues are very prominent and
the result cannot be safely analyzed on
national lines.
NOTES OF INTEREST.
The races at the Dußois Fair Sept.
8-11 promise to be the best ever held
iu Dußois, which is "going some."
The track is in prime condition and
judging from the fast field of steppers,
some recods are likely to ''go broke."
The management of the Dußois Fair
has engaged a real Airship for this
year's meeting, Sept. 8-llth. This
will be a fine opportunity for the peo
ple of this vicinity to see one of these
wonderful air flyers at a very slight
expense.
United States Senator Boies Penrose
has returned from a two months rest
in the Rocky Mountains. He will
take, at once, a lively interest in the
National campaign, assisting the Na
tional chairman. His health has been
fully restored and he will make as
many speeches in Pennsylvania as en
gagements will permit.
A few students can yet be accomo
dated in the dormitories of the Lock
Haven Normal School for the Fall
term which begins Sept. 7th. The
school is usually filled during the en
tire year, hence the number of rooms
are limited. You will make no mis
take if you select, this highly establish
ed school. Address the Principal for a
catalogue.
A large number of young people go
away to school each year. To those
who are considering the question of a
school, we desire to call their attention
to the Lock Haven State Normal
School. This institution has a fine
reputation for doing excellent work.
Its modern and up to date. It is in a
prosperous condition. The Fall term
begins Sept. 7th. Write for a cata
louge.
When the tariff is to be revised after
March sth, Judge Taft will be ably as
sisted, as President, in making the
necessary changes. The Republican
party is pledged to a revised tariff,
but not a free trade tariff for revenue
revision, the same old Democratic
Donkey trick to catch the farmer. It
will not work. The American laborer,
farmer and businerr. man know fully
what that meanp and will hustle,
as of old, for a "safe and sane tariff,"
to be secured by Taft and Sherman's
election.
The management of the Dußois Fair
is determined to moke this year's meet
ing particularly interesting to the
farmers. The fine dance pavilion, es
i pecially adapted for the purpose, will
be exclusively for their use. It will
contain all exhibits of farm products,
and be Grange headquarters. A check
room for lunch baskets, etc , with at
tendants on duty at all times, will add
j greatly to the comfort and convent
j ence of everyone. Sept. Btli to 11th
I are the dates.
i A school girl was required to write
j an essay of 250 words about an auto
| mobile. She submitted the following:
I "My uncle bought an automobile. He
I was riding in the country when it
' busted going up a hill. I guess this is
about 50 words. The other 200 are
what my uncle said when he was walk
ing back to town, but they are not fit
! for publication." If all the words un
; fit for publication that are uttered by
j autoists who travel over some of our
; roads were recorded, they would make
an essay about the size of the Congress
-1 ional Record.
TERMS: $ 2.00 —$1.501N ADVANCE.
THE WEATHER.
FRIDAY Fair.
SATURDAY Showers
SUNDAY Showers
ASSETS
First National Bank,
EMPORIUM,PA. .
At the close of business Sept. 2, 1908,
$763,353.06
SCHOOL DAYS.
Young folks can have tho practical side of
! heir education liy securing one of our Savings
Banks. They encourage you to save money;
they give you certain ideas of business; they will
i «o stimulate in you the htbits of thrift and
* onomy.
I will secure you ib- nk.
I STEREST PAII' ON CERTIFICATES OF
U POSIT.
DR. LEON REX FELT,
DENTIST.
Rockwell Block, Emporium, Pa.
DR. H. W. MITCHELL,
DENTIST,
(Successor to Dr. A. B. Mead.)
Office over A. P. Vogt's Shoe Store,
Emporium, Pa 12y
A car load of between 300
and 400 bushels of extra
choice Ohio peaches at New
ton's. Prices right.
A Snitch Party.
Miss Kate Metzger entertained a few
friends at her home last Thursday
evening in honor of the Misses Hinkle
of Wilcox, who were the guests ofF.
G. Judd and The evening was
pleasantly spent by playing the new
game of "Snitch" and by doing the
barn dance. Refreshments were serv
ed. Those present were—the Misses
Marion Judd, Carolyn Cox, Gladys
Lloyd, Messrs. George Barker, Chas.
Foster, Geo. Balcom, Warner Judd,
Wayne. Van Wert and Frank Knight.
Like Finding Money.
Rather than carry them over we
will sell Friday and Saturday about
20 womans Trimmed Hats that were
$5.00 and $6 00 at SI.OO each. The rib
bon alone on most of these hats is
worth more.
R. KUEHNE,
Emporium's Leading Dry Goods Store.
Council Proceedings.
Special meeting Borough Council,
Emporium, August 27, 1908. Present:
Messrs. Friendel, White, Marshall,
Cummings, Mumford and Itishell.
Absent—Messrs. Goodnough, Norris
and Hamilton.
The President explained that Special
meeting was called for considering the
appeal taken by Mrs. E. M. Newton
and others to contest the ordinance
providing for the paving of part of
Fourth street.
Moved by Mr. White, seconded by
Mr. Marshall that matter of appeal
taken by Mrs E. M. Newton and others
to contest tho ordinance providing for
the paving of a part of Fourth street
be placed in the hands of Messrs.
Johnson & McNarney. Unanimously
carried.
On motion Council then adjourned.
R. C. MOORE, Sec'y.
Birthday Social.
A birthday social will be given at
Brooks Hall, Sterling Run, Pa., Tues
day evening, Hfeptember Bth, by tlie
the Ladies Aid Society of tho Metho
dist Episcopal church, in honor of the
eleventh birthday of tho Aid Society.
A good time is guaranteed to all who
attend. A bountiful supper will be
j served between the hours of 7:30 and
10:30.
The autograph quilt which was on
exhibition at tho County Fair will be
sold at auction and many other useful
and fancy articles will be on exhibi
tion and for sale. If arrangements can
be made the Driftwood band will furn
ish music.
Now if you can't come just send as
many cents as you are years old and
help the good cause along, or in other
words,
This birthday social is given to you
An occasion ol pleasure, though nothing new
If you cannot attend just send us a letter.
Enclosing a cent for each year, or better,.
Send a dollar iryou fear your age will be known
Which will in a measure, your absence atone.
"Buster Brown" that irrepressible
youngster, will be seen at the Empori
um Opera House soon. The manage
ment this season offer an entirely new
prodction, splendid scenery and cos
tumes, and a company second to none.
The date will soon be announced.
For Sale.
1000 strawberry plants, pedigree
! stock, grown from R. M. Kellogg, Co.,
i thoroughbred, for variety and price
j call on Herbert Day, at Tannery Of
flce - 29-3t.
NO. 29.