Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1889 — Kangaroo Skin. [ARTICLE]

Kangaroo Skin.

Since 1859 kangaroo skin has been gradually coming iato use in this country. When first, introduced in that year tanners fought shy of them and it was some time before the good qualities of the leather were ascertained. In one establishment in Newark, N. J., 6,000 kangaroo skins are weekly tanned. The animals are killed in Australia, 300 miles, back from the coast, and shipped here. The 'characteristic climate of Australia and the pugnacity of the kangaroo make hunting the hides dangerous. Winter starts in May and ends in December in that country. The rest of the year the heat is intense, the thermometer reaching 140 degrees. Eight men hunt together for kangaroos. They are called a “set.” When brought to bay the kangaroo jumps like a flash for a hunter’s chest, and tries to crush it in with his forefeet. To prevent this each man wears across his breast a two or three-inch thick matting. Armed with a spear, with a club attachment at the other end, they ride upon swift horses into a herd. With the agility and equipoise of circus riders they stand erect upon their horses and use their spears and clubs. The kangaroo is able to jump clear over a horse. As the game is bagged it is skinned, and the skin is stretched on the ground and pegged down to prevent a shrinkage. The flesh furnishes meat for the camp. Each man places his private mark upon his booty, and when they have 100 skines apiece they return to civilization. Kangaroo hunters make large profits, some men being known to have made $4,500 free of living expenses in a single year.