Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1867-05-15
HISTORY Y
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY,
OHIO
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the
year 1867, by J. W. HoUX, in the Clerks
Office of the District Court for the
Southern District of Ohio.
HEREAFTER the History will appear
on the Sd page. ..
g}GisfflIaug.
FIGHT BETWEEN A RAT TERRIER AND
A SWARM OF RATs-THE DOG VAN
QUISHED AND DEVOURED.

The Milwaukee Sentinel vouches fol
the following remarkable incidents
Near one Of our grain warehouses
situated on the river bank, large swarms
Of rats have been in the habit of feast
ing on the wheat which has been scatter
ed around. A few days ago a black k-and-
tan terrier, getting wind of the rendez-
vous, made an attack upon couple OF
rats that had ventured too far into the
open air. Selling one in its teeth, it
shook it vigorously. The rat squealed
piteOusly, attracting to the spot dozen
or more companions.
These, on seeing the situation of af-
fairs, Joined in raising the alarm. In
less time than it takes US to tell the in
oident, the ice around us was black with
a swarm of rats, numbering several hun
dreds. The terrier, after dispatehing
the first victim, charged into the swarm
with the determination of serving the
remainder in a like manner. But for
once a terrier was doomed to meet with
fight from the poor animals he had so
long devOured at pleasure, and in trIce
he was surrounded on all sides by a
swarm of ferocious brutes anxious to be
avenged for the death Of their compan-
ion. Then ensued the most frightful
scene immaginable. The rats swarmed
around their adversary and fastened their
claws and teeth in his flesh. The dog,
enraged by the pain, fought bravely,
killing scores of his enemies in his con
test for life. But the odds against him
were too great, and after sharp conflict
which lasted about five minutes, he was
forced to succumb. His body was liter
ally devoured by the rats, they seeming
to take a savage pleasure in tearing their
vanquished enemy to piecemeal. Scarcely
a vestige Of the animal remained be-
hind. The terrier hied game, however,
there were about half hundred rats left
upon the field, bleeding and mangled
and as many more, more or less injured.
A singular instance of the kindliness
of dumb animals to their fellows was
noticed at the coeclusion of the combat
A number of the combatants had been
somewhat lacnrated by the teeth of the
dog. Their companions gathered in
groups around them, licked the blood
from their wounds, and then tenderly
carried them in their teeth to their nests.
The bodies of the slain were tenderly
cared for. One by one they were car
ried away to a hole in the ice near by,
where they were piled up. When all
the bodies had been gathered together,
the survivors grouped around them, and
one Of the number, mounting upon the
pile of bodies, seemed to deliver a brief
funeral oration over the remains of their
companions. The utmost stiffness reign
ed among the company during the ad-
dress of their chief. The whole COM
pany then proceeded to tumble their
dead companions into the water, where
they soon sank from sight. In half an
hour scarcely vestige of conflict re-
NAMED The funeral service was the
most extraordinary instance of the kind
we have yet observed, and is well de-
serving Of the study of naturalists. The
fight as a whole would have delighted
sporting men and dog fancies. 1t was
highly interesting to the few who OBJ
tainsd a view of it.