The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-24
..Rars. N rHk Whit morsE.
The Army Of Rodents Fut 60 Flight
with Great Slaughter.



with Great Slaughter.
Washington Fest
The White house i now about clear OF
rats. Two weeks ago no old harm wss ever
more infested with rats than the home Of
the president Of the United States. During
the night the gnawing Of sAe rats in their
efforts 30 make new openings aad thess
races between the walls made sleep we'll
nigh impossible.
There is rot rat ln the upper portion
Of the house now, said Prank Hosmsr.
who has been employed 70 clear tho White
house of the pests. Il suppose We have
killed sixty Of them. though that does not
represent the number that we're here when
the work began Nest Of the rats have
been driven out OF the house into the
garden by the ferress. ard have hurrowed
IN every direction 70 End hiding places.
Yesterday afternoon Hosmer was watch
ing ferret a. it went down one hole aftrr
another thai the rats had made. Il occa-
sionally chased out Fas that was soon
dispatched hy the iong-hAlrei terrier that
was keeping guard on the outside. The
work has gone on 50 long nov
thai the catches ara few. and
chase Of several hours does not re.
two rats. The ferTets would themselves
xiii their prey, but they are prevented ~
far as possible. When they have cnee
sucked the rats blood they are Of little use
for three or four hours, IA during that time
they lie dormant wherever they happen 10
hzye hadstheir feast, whether in q rathole
or in the open air.
Their active chase has. however. the In
centive Of q feast OF rats blood TO urge
them on. They are not fed Until their days
work Is done They are trained and have
= scent equal 10 that OF any hunting dog.
They viii maneuver about the iunnesings
OF the rats without q saoEnent of rest for
five or six hours. bat at the end Of that
time their vork for the day Is dons and
they so on strike. No ooaxEng or any ART
known TO man can urge q ferret 10 con-
TIME on the wArpath after rats OF anything
else when II has become tired.
The chief part 81 our work Just now
said Hosnler. Is IN clearing the garden of
the pests ard IN stopping up every possible
hole for them 10 ges back into the house
should any los be killed. The raj holes arc
well saturated with tar and = poisonous
mixture that viii make their fees sore
should they ever attempt 10 pess through
them. and IL Is safe 10 say that Mr. Rat
win make himself scarce for long time 10
come. y
The chief means that have aided the rats
In their manenyeFs about the White house
hare been the ducts laid for supplying
fresh air. and also for water and gas pipes
BY these means they could travel where
ever they pleased, bat now their roaming
grounds hare been well STOPPED up.
Mrs. Harrison was yesterday hooking ~
one Of the ferress, when il brought its teeth
together through the finger Of tts owner.
who vas showing IT, Both stewards and
cooks IL the White house are now relieved
that no longer chickens are found deed and
eatabies dragged from she table while be-
ing prepared.
The White house has been q sheiteFing
place for rats ever since any oEe connected
With IL can remember. They have shown
themselves 20 he too cute 20 be caught Ia
the ordinary traps set for them. ard find
sufficient 20 eat without risking their
nerks between the steel wires Of trap.
The last rat Eight in the White house
took place during the latter part 81 General
Grants administration, when serTeta we're
used as Al present The rests gradually
crept back. AAd were somewhat GzsfiGSsskg
daring ths Cleveland regime.