Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-01-04
Big Rat Hunt in Mecca.-foOO KnIed.

~
EDITOR Chronicle will give YOU
a few facts in reference to rat hum
here In Mecca. Rats had got to be such
a pest among the farmers and others.
destroying everything to which they
could get access, that it WAS the ~univers-
al enquiry amongst all, chow shall we
get rid Of the pdTn1intsf p Finally a rat
hunt was agreed upon, 70 see il some Of
The little rascals could not be brought to
grief, by either losing their lives or their
tails. Two sides were chosen, and cap
tsins appointed, and as a stimulus. to
have all hunt Il was agreed thai the
side which could produce the most rat
tails on the Friday eveninR before
Christmas, should be treated TO an oyster
supper At the expense OF the losing party.
The captains chosen were j. r. Minchen
and w. B. SWager, who chose a cOmpa-
ny OF thirty-shree men on each side.
But il would be well enough 10 state
here, that only tNgenty-nine on a side
served. The remainder OF the thirty
three, though perfectly willing to serve
and run the risk Of losing One dollar or
getting their supper free were unable to
hunt On recount OF some physical disa-
bility, slight cold, cough, or something
OF that kind, and consequently they
were placed upon the retired list, not 70
serve again until all the able bodied
were first drafted into the service. There
WAS considerable speculation in refer-i
snce to which side would carry the day.
The first impression amongst all sides
was that Captain SwRger would tri-
umphantly lead his forces TO victory, and
in consequence thereof Captain Min
chen's force became slightly demoral-
I'D aEmH i fndnfnH frnm q nfN1fnrU
stand point, and in order to turn the tide
Of battle, and gain a glorious victory,
instead Of defeat, he recognized his
company, appointed new officers from
lieutenant down 70 eighth corporal, raj
lied his forces once more, and made such
a desperate and bloody onslaught upon
the rats and mice, that in the final
count Of the slain, victory perched upon
his banner. In consequences Of this ter
rible charge Of the Minchenites rats and
mice when driven from their depreda-
tons, universally retire into their holes
backwards. 1t is unnecessary 70 say or
speculate for what reasons. -Four thou
sand rats were slain in two weeks, and
so evenly balanced were the parties, that
there was only q difference Of from
twenty-five to sixty tails. The victory
was we'll won, and both parties deserve
credit for the amount Of good that has
De6n 0Outs Tue losing party pAAu AtE
the supper willingly, and when the re-
suit was made known, three rousing
cheers were given for Captain Minchen
and his men. 1t would be proper to say
here thst Mr.. Swager was unable 70 be
there, and that D. A. Pierson was sp-
pointed in his stead, who done his duty |
70 tns satisfaction of all. The supper
was served up by J. r. LAchman. His
house is not yet finished, and il being a
bitter cold night so to speak, the room
was not as warm as might have been for
comfort, yet we were led to believe that
all were well satisfied by the hilarity and
good feeling which seemed 20 exist, and
by the way b hot oysters disappeared.
The tails being nearly a salt barrel two
thirds full), were quite q sight. n 20
dispose o fthem, were burned. We think
for be number Of men engaged on both
sides, they did extremely well for the
time engaged. Yet there are more left,
and another hunt might be engaged in
with much profit to the community. /
We have much more we would be pleas
ed TO say, and would like to mention the
names OF those who made a business OF
hunting, and how many rats certain in
d%iViduals had caught. But time Rnd
space will not permit. II would proba-
bly, be well enough 10 say that nothing
ever passed of in Mecca which seemed
TO work a well and give such general
satisfaction. Finally We will close BY
asking the all absorbing question-"Who
stole the rat tails from the blind mer-
chant?n
ONE or THR pRFRATEp PARrY.