Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-06
TALENTED TOMCATS.

n shoit titlc ago a prominent ea-
loon on Clay street. between Rearney |
ana Montgomery. was the abode OF |
two large, handsome cats. called re-
specuyely Dick and Wash.
wash was a few weeks the elder |
ana was given the name he bore be-
cause he had the honor Of being ush- |
cred into the world ON an anniversary |
OF the birthday OF n gentleman whom. |
II was claimed. was first IN peace, war
ana other matters. The 30 cats were
almost exactly alike IN color and marks
ings, both being jet black, with white
rect, and both OF very large size.
lhey We're always together.
AZ first the place was overrun with
rats and mice. but when the kittens
became old enough TO possess healthy
apnetltes and large enough to grapple
Win n good-sized rodent the building
was thoroughly cleaned OF this kind OF
Vermin. But Dick and Wash devel-
oped such abnormal uppetites for fresh
rat In the skin that regular. well-or-
ganized expeditions would be made into
nelghboring buildings.
Within two years scarcely a rat could
be found within radius OF two
blocks. The cats were so well known
as famous ratters that they were uni
| versally respected and admired, and
the entree 10 many a prominent mer-
| camille house was cheerfuily given
them, says the San Francisco Exam
| liner.
! Dick and Wash. although not mem
| bers OF tile California Athletic club.
! caught the popular craze. and We're
adopts In the manly art Of self de-
| fonse-and onense When playing to-
| gether as kittens this propensity was
developed, and they were trained In
| the art 10y one OF the saloon proprietots
| until they became very handy with
their props" Small boxing gloves
We're made and The bouts between the
! Ielines furnished no end OF amusement
! TO patrons OF the saloon and were
equally source Of qualification 70 the
proprletors, for y was the cause OF
| many dollars being spent over the
par
Durlng these pattes the cats iousht
with green eyes, bulslhG tells anu
every evidence OF real anger but when
tne gloves We're taken OF lhey remain
ed as friendly as ever. They became
anxious Tor the sport ana We're Always
eager 10 nave round or Two.
Apuut eleht months aso w ASH re-
ceived "A hot rih-roaster from ms broth.
er ana also a left-hand uppercut that
Jared MS brain considerably Ihht
was the last time he ever Wore the
| gloves. He was virtually Knocked out
and was taken sick. \ physician was
finally called In and everything done
to cure the malady, whatever IL was,
! within few days Wash's funeral took
| place Dick mourned his companiou's
death for some time. but. like human
beings. time served to assuago his
GRIEF and he ia ain one of the hnnd.
somest oats in San Francisco. and re-
,nains the chief oruutneut of his mns-
ter's plnce and the net OF many i'd
,rirnrs
mention Of Snn Francisco cats, no
~ -. ~ . ,.,,iI H., t,,,,,,,,, ,,t,t i,
%t.'s s.i,p ,'','e.,t a. H., fer,Jes ISit.
t ~, - 49, -, - co,.ss.sd Ia,
" - ,. .',.,',,,, t,,,art,,-Sorr hours
more peuplS w.. H., AZ -, Sbn IL
su'.t,t ""s ~ -. t,,,5 ,,i,h htacif
heavy set gray; striped WIN p'" .'.
ahu can gvheralN pe iVul'u oni,,a,,S
ladies' st.lhs room ~ 1ly o.H .'t,,t,i
| ferry. kitty SHOWS her VNve.ltnt .as.v
by deVoting most OF her u'.e'', e',l W.
the ladies, ana has many iltIlus
among them, she regarus me pUVr
as highly as the rich, ana Us reaulIy
brushes against a plain calico dress
as q silk one,
with the exception OF her owner
she is suspicious OF the stronger sex,
and will have nothing to do with either
boys or men. During her four years
residence at the depot. as Kitty mas
been twice>1st olen-both times by men
her antipathy may be well grounded.
Once she returned with Il slender coll
l
slender chain, which she had evidently
broken, and Immediately sought her
home, after an absence OF three weeks.
Promptly at o'clock in the morning
Kitty takes up position near the tick
ct window and waits for the sergeant
to come and deal out her morning
meal She knows him as far away
as she can see him, ana often runs
out to meet him half n block or more
away from her station. When the ser
geant wants Kitty he either whistles In
approved police fashion for her OF
thumps on the floor with his cane
Kitty has true police Instincts, and
comes running n anywhere within
hearing.
Kitty does not pose as thief catch
er, but on one occasion rendered hei
cwner valuable assltance II was
known that noted criminal who had
been In hiding would make an at
= tempt TO leave the city, and on the
day when he was expected TO make
the attempt Sergeant Lengford mar
rowly watched everybody who ap
$ preached the ticket Office. Kitty wa
by her masters side, but during rusi
left him, and was next seen VIII
arched back, following Nervous ap
pearing man through the door 70 th'
: boat Astonislied at the cats action
the officer Followed the man anu SAY
resemblance 10 the man ne Wunt"i
t.4n ~