The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
The Rat Catcher


strapped across the little mans back
these three items flied the bill Of rat
catching concern that slowly coursed
it's way down Columbia avenue on Sat
urday.
He had followed rat catching for
many years, the old man said-how
many he didn't then recall-and he had
boen successful in his work. At the
stables on Seventh and Washington
avenue he had cleaned out 3l7 rats in
one day. 1t was Il common occurrence
for him to get IS out of house, and
often he had captured over hundred in
stores Grain stores are especially pro-
life Of rats. The box containing ferrets
and the dog that trotted so demurely
behind were important adjuncts of the
business.
There were four ferrets IN the box
These he had owned for several years,
having obtained them from the captain
of a schooner sailing between this coun-
try and Liverpool. A peep into the
opening made for ventilation satisfied
the reporter as to what kind Of "var-
mint" ferret is He has long body,
which is thin and supple, as though
homeless. The neck is long and tapers
down 70 head with very sharp
snout. The eyes are small and red,
hence the expression, GAS red as a
tArret's eyes," The owner said that
these had become so well domesticated
that they could be handled without fear
"How do 60 to work? Well, 1 ex-
anime house, carefully ascert, lining
where the rat holes Are. Then, over all
but two of these ! place net with
small meshes. The ferret is put into a
hole, and that is Immediately covered
with net. l then station myself with
the dog at the only hole left
open. | am armed with q club,
which takes heavy part in the bust
ness should the rats become too numer-
GUS for the dog. 1t is hardly ever more
than five minutes before rat beunces
cut of the uncovered hole and the dog
receives him in his mouth. The ferret,
after having been through the house,
works out himself, and leaves hardly
any rats behind"
II never used the same ferret twice
in succession he explained, "and that
is the reason | carry four of them.
They become tired, and il used too
A often stop to rest, and therefore time is
lost
He dia not know what became of the
rats, as he never tool: them himself 1t
seemed remarkable, but rat had never
beea known to turn on o ferret, the rat
seeming to recognize the ferret as his
enemy, and always going out of the way
Just as fast rs possible. Contests in
close quarters between n rat and ferret
had invariably resulted in victory for
the ferret, for, with all the nimbleness
of the rat, the ferret is the most active
and takes the rodent by the throat be
While the old man talked he thrust
his hands IN the box and among his pets
without the slightest fear OF being bitten
by them, and said to the reporter that in
his own room he gave the little yellow
coated fellows perfect freedom. at is
iioe, hc oahu "Ai WILL iShSO
for persons to have them about the
house, and it was matter Of some sur
prise that such was not more fire.
quently the rule, as it was a certain pre-.
ventive against rats and mice. The
ferret is fond Of blood, and it is this
thirst that gives him such an excellent
zest in the hunt for rats. If any one
should own a male and female, it is not
long before they are the pcssessors OF
large number. They are well known
for their fecundity, producing as many
as two litters in one year. They eat
raw meat, and the fresher it is the bet
Ter they like it, having all excellent rel
Hh for the taste Of blood. So strong is
this developed in them that care has to
be taken not to let them get among
chickens, for they would xii, and suck
the blood from a dozen chickens in a
night"
The little old man who gives this in
formation has been abba to make a COM
Portable living following the calling of a
rat catcher, and when not otherwise
employed it keeps him busy dividing his
attention as equally AS possible between
the dog and ferrets, for there is intense
jealousy between these members of that
household. Phil. Record