Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-02-26

A~S "~eu INC NOPE anu prayer OF
al farmers in the southern and western
parts OF Whitman county, WASH, for
several years past that some kind Of
contagious disease would break out
or could be inoculated into the trouble,
some ground squirrel. Several At.
tempts have been made to breed some
kind OF a disease among them, but all
seem to have been unsuccessful.
In view of these numerous unsuccess.
ful attempts, and the interest taken in
the matter, considerable comment was
caused few days ago by the report
coming from near PeAawawa that
there was some kind of disease which
was killing the pests in large numbers,
and the country might hope to be free
from their devastating ravages.
A Spokesman-Review correspondent
has made an extensive trip through the
infested district in order to investigate
the authenticity Of the reports and the
extent to which the disease is proving
natal. There seems to be no doubt that
there is contagion among them which
Is proving fatal to few, though not to
the extent that has been represented.
The first effect on the animals IL to
make them dumpy and stupid, then
scabs or sores appear on the body Of
the animal, and soon they lose the use
OF their hind parts and are barely able
to get around. Very few dead squirrels
were found, but the animals seem to be
less numerous than they were q few
weeks ago. This decrease in numbera
Is explained by some observers by the
fact that the females have gone in their
holes to have their young, but Il has
also been noticed in districts where the
young squirrels are old enough to get
out OF the holes. Already preparations
are being made to spread the disease.
Inquiries come from oil over the coun-
try concerning the authenticity of the
reports and the effect it is having to
decrease the numbers and ravages of
the pests.
But while farmers are anxiouslv
watching the outcome of the infection,
they are by no means idle in aiding
nature to destroy their enemy. Traps,
guns, bombs, and all kinds of poisons are
used to aid in their destruction. One
Colfax firm has already sold over Ave
hundred ounces of strychnine and other
poisons in proportion. Arsenic seems
to be springing into favor as a de-
stroyer, but some who have been ex-
perimenting with it report rather un-
favorably. Since the success of the
western one-third of this county de-
ponds almost entirely on the discovery
OF some method which will promptly
and effectively exterminate these mis-
chievous little animals, all new sup-
gestions to that end IRE thankfully re.
ceivcd and given a fair trial. In
Spokane county five hundred patent
bombs for the extcrmination of SOUR
rels have been received by the county
for distribution among
the farmers.
They operate" said Commissioner
Thorpe, ION the same principle rs the
giant powder cones, with sulphur and
other paralyzing ingredients, and at
the close Of the process a slight explo-
sion occurs, producing a pyrotechnic
display that sends the victims off to
squirrel heaven in blaze of glory, so
to speak, from beneath the depths of
the earth. The only objection we have
to the bombs is that they come too
high. The owners Of the patent want
two cents apiece for them. We feel
that the county cannot afford to pay
that price while practically the same
results are obtained by the giant pow
der suffocating process, which comes q
great deal cheaper"
1.-THE fact has leaked out" said a
farmer at the court house, that much
Of the opposition to the giant powder
for the determination OF squirrels has
been wrought up by agitators in the
interest Of patented contrivances and
venders of poisons, who are travelling
over the country, decrying the efficacy
If all methods but their own"
More than q dozen farmers testify to
he good results of the giant powder
IS advised by the commits.
'ioners, one man expressing the opinion
hat II systematically operated there
iced not be ground squirrel left in
he state Of Washington within two