40 BEAVERS—THEIR WAYS. 
the pelts are packed in bales to be taken to market. 
The pelts are classed according to their size and length 
of fur. The poorest brings $15 and from that figure 
the price ranges upwards to $25. The fur is used in the 
manufacture of coats, hats and garments for women. 
A good deal of it is shipped to China, where it is made 
into expensive shoes for the aristocratic women.”’ 
The above article was copied in many of the leading 
newspapers in both the United States and Canada, and 
the result was a deluge of letters addressed to the post- 
master of Washburn, the Leader and other citizens of 
McLean county making inquiry about the beaver farms, 
the price of live beaver for stocking similiar ranches in 
contemplation, &c. &c. 
Washburn in those days having no all rail connection 
after the boating season was past, communication 
with the busy world was kept up by stage coach by way 
of Bismarck, North Dakota’s capital city. 
One evening in April, 1895, the coach drew up in 
front of the Merchants, the only hotel at the time in the 
little hamlet of Washburn. Only one passenger stepped 
from the coach—a stately appearing man of handsome 
physique—with all the bearing of a well-to-do. After 
supper he asked to be shown his bed—saying he had 
traveled far without rest and was weary. 
After breakfast next morning he asked to be shown 
the Leader office where he found the scribe busy with 
‘‘making up the forms.” 
‘Is this Mr. T——___”’ he inquired ina quiet tone. 
‘*Yes sir,’’ I replied—‘‘have a seat.’’ 
“Iam up here to see something of your beaver farms 
