Richland beacon., 1888-04-21
A RAT.TAIL SUPPER.
Tho Means James Wallace Adopted
to Rid Shawnee Mound of Rats.
From the Kansas City Tines

From the Kansas City Times.l
Did any of tho readers of the Times
ever hear of o "rat-tail supperf l
doubt very much if such a phrase has
reached the ears of persons outside OF
that beautiful strip of country in lndi-
ana known as Shawnee Mound Prairie,
lying sixteen miles southwest of Lafay-
cite. 1t was about eight years ago that
q supper rs described received its origin
and dealt on DISCRIMINATING blow to the
rat kingdom of that portion of HOosler-
dom. The prairie was besieged with
rats to such an extent that for couple
of seasons the corn crops had been laid
waste and the farmers were at loss to
discover some method of putting an end
to the destroyer of their principal crop.
James Wallace, wealthy Irish farmer,
is to-day, perhaps, more respected by
all his neighbors than any other man III
that district, simply because his name
was attached to the following, found
posted ON all the school houses and
prominent gate posts:
STAKE NOTICE.
"The rat must go. The farmers have
been tormented by these pesty animals
long enough, and the cry for protection
is abroad in the land. Therefore, be it
known that on Tuesday night week
hence there will be a supper will be
given at Pin Hook school house, the
proceeds of which will be given to the
man, woman or child who brings the
largest number Of rat tails.
JAMES WALLACE"
1t would be expressing it mildly to
say that the farmers were pleased when
they read the above. The scheme was
30 plausible to them that they were al
most as wild with excitement as the he
publicans were when Blaine sent his
letter refusing the nomination for Presl-
dent. The father, on reaching home,
broke the news to the wife and children,
and the latter heralded it broadcast over
the prairie. Rat-tail societies were
formed among the farmer youths and
various plans of determination discussed.
In few nights the campaign began.
1 shall never forget it. The scene was
an exciting one. Dotted here and there
for miles around one could see the Ian
terms and torchlights bobbing up and
down among trees and hedges, while tlm
frequent reports of pistols and shOtguns
sounded to the listener like skirmishers
at war.
When a single family turned out, tho
father and sons welded the weapons o.
destruction, while the women folks
brought up the rear, armed with pail
of scissors each, with which to clip The
tails from the dead and dying, and il
may be added that q large number o
rats were running about minus theil
tails.
Was the ''rat-tail supper" a success
To the tune OF several thousand tails
and on the night of the supper it was Al
amusing sight to see the Cupid-stricIeI
farmer boy, in company will. his hes
girl, walking arm and arm into the
school house, with q bunch OF rat-talls
In each OF their hands.
The school-house was packed full o
country people aud rat tails was tn
leading topic of Condensation.
Some OF the tails had been cut short
and some long, thus affording an insigh
to the manner in which they had bee
clipped by the excited women in thel
great hurry to carry away the trophies c
their labor.
Previous to the announcement OF SUI
per q general handwashing took place /
a large basin prepared for the occasion
No one can wonder at this after til
handling of so many rear projections
Then came the snpper-oysters-aft1
which the task Of counting the tails b.
gan and lasted for over an hour, di
turbed frequently by the clappinS
hands as some prominent farmers nun
Der exceeded that of his neighbor.
Amid the shouts of every one i'll til
school house the result was announce
in favor of James Wallace and family
the man who had carried the scbem
throu gh-and then followed eoBgratl
lations from all sides until that gentl
mans arm was almost shaken from i
socket. OF course. like all prominel
men, he was called upon to make
speech. He needed the request, and
a voice choked with emotion poured oil
the gratitude of his heart to the lars
assemblage Of neighbors. The rat h
lost his hold on Shawnee pranie, due
| Iot Sou,o,,s ssrot.toI supOpr"