The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-05
A PEST OF PRAIRIE DOGS.
TEXAS DECLARES RELENTLESS Van
ON THE LITTLE ANIMALS.
No Mora wolves 10 Bat Thorn and So They
Are Multiplying EnormOusly-Miuions OF
Them In the observation-disclosures to
Farms - prnirIc Dogs Good Eating.

AusTIS, Tex, March 1.-The Texas Legisla-
ture has passed a law which providos for the
determination OF prairie dogs in the state.
The law was demanded by stockmen and
farmers. It's author Is Representative Il. H..
G.. Peery, n farmer and stock raiser OF Baylor
county. which is situated far up In the Pam
handle, in the very ccntre-of the prairie dogs
domain. he was elected to the Legislature on
n prairie dog determination platform and came
here determined 10 secure the passage of o law
TO rid the State OF the pest. The very mention
OF prairie dogs caused merriment among the
east Texas members who had never seen the
pest, but the west Texas members unanimous
ly favored the passage OF an determination law,
and the bill was passed.
Many interesting facts concerning the
prairie dog were brought out In the discussion
of the bill. II was stated that the animals
have multiplied enormously in the last few
years. Representative 7. s. GroRan OF Sweet
watar made n strong speech in advocacy OF the
bill. He said that he represented a district
comprising $1,000 square miles and that it
was honeycom bed with prairie dog holes.
He estimated the number Of these animals in
His district at not less than 5,OO0.00O. and said
that they were increasing rapidly. Before the
settlement OF the western part OF the State by
stockmen and farmers the country was over
run by wolves and other wild animals which
proved upon the prairie dogs and kept their
numbers down. When the country became
settled the wolves were killed of or driven out
andsthe prairie dogs were left undisturbed In
the full enjoyment OF the good things which
the land afforded. The towns Of the little ami
mails began.to. multiply with startling rapidly.
and the stockmen and farmers soon discovered
that the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT drive them out
OF business II. permitted to remain in the coun-
try. In Rnma ma rita pf the Panhandle nf Tn xne
it Is estimated that the average number of
prairie dogs inhabitinG each section OF land Is
not less than 10000. The animals live in
towns the population Of each being from 500
to 1000. In some sections 10 per cent. of the
grass is DESTROYED by the prairie dogs, while
the average destruction Of grass throughout
the region inhabited by the animals will re ach
80 per cent. 1t is no wonder that the stock
men are up in arms against the pest. 1t is
only within the last few years that the man
with the hoe has invaded the prairie dog coun-
try. The animals seemed to welcome the adj
vent of the farmer. They established towns
in the centre OF big fields OF growing wheat
and then cut down wide swaths Of the grain.
The prairie dogs are intelligent and in point
Of activity few other animals.equal them. Their
towns are laid out with cnre and ability. Each
colony seems to have a President or Mayor
that directs the government OF the tcwn. 1t
might be supposed that inasmuch as they in
habit an arid region Of the State they would
find difficulty in obtaining water; but each
town contains one hole or habitation which
goes down to water. This hole Is not infre-
Quently $50 feet in depth. aud it is always oceu-
pied by the chief of the colony. The other
holss Of the colonists are from twelve to
nestle in their nature They do not run about
much and it isise!dom.that. one of them is seen
further than 200 yards away from its place of
The dogs are so active that 1t is difficult to
shoot them. The cowboys derive much nmuse-
hind legs HF f at the door & IT, home 1s WHEN VIXEN shot Ro at at
animal instantly DROPS into its hole and it is
seldom! 1t {. that nat the 6s,6 6HIIst t6 5eac + its tame marl ior the
after as an am a nTis sAe Of food,' 81 said d4 Mr.. f Peery.
They are not a species Of, dog, and l suppose
known from some tenderfoot who heard the
peculiar bark OF the little animal and thought
the sound %ressmbled the bark Of dog"
flesh Of the prairie dog has a delicious flavor.
and that but for the name the animal would
the Comanche Indians had a great liking for
prairie dogs and that: they were wont to'make
SSeaWs nEGl nsisn sSew n ns 1nen John Few wars ta aSU &
up, at Quanah;, In the Texas Panhandle. with
out a oS s.nti n H Heb had Idbss,en w9Tkipg in rail
Worth and Denver City Railroad. he observed
dogs., and it occurred TO him that he might be
able to make a stake out OF the little animals.
l SPon G aTTi mIss,o at 9S% rm h he eb sent q d lstteT to q q
consignment. of three or more. cars Of Texas
SQUIRRELS He received a telegrapbic reply
receipt Of this order Ferwin started at work TO
I'LL it. He constructed large cage traps. set by
trigger. in a number Of prairie dog owns and
in a few DAYS had captured and dressed several
thousand dogs. sufficient to I'LL three r~efriger-
ator cars, He forwarded the shipment TO Chi
fora considerable sum OF money from the com-
mission house. The animals were sold In Chi
house and its customers being ignorant OF the
imposition practiced upon them. Ferwin and
the u railroad ihe sad frsiT lsr men {, y and a a fey others 9TH who
profitable business. lie cashed his draft and
The Peery law provides that any person who
shall permit prairie dogs to remain on Land
deemed guilty of a misiemeanor and shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding 800 for each
section; or part Of section; on which prairie
1000. 1t is lawful for the .ownsr or lessee OF
adjacent land to eyterminate tho dogs at q
be a lien upon the land. This lien shall be
%superior to all other liens excspt taxes. The
prairie dogs exist may, employ men to destroy
the dogs on the lands Of non, residents. and the
cost OF the work shall be charged against the
owner OF the land. There are vast tracts of
land in the Panhandle and Test Texas that
are owned by railroad companies and non res
idents. and representatives Of these interests
tried to- defeat the bill, They said that the ex-
pense OF destroying the dogs would be very
heavy. The resident land owners said that
ers Its efficiency would be greatly IMPAIRED
for the reason that the dogs would multiply on
the lands OF non Residents and migrate to the
lands OF the resident owners. thus preventing
their. exterminatiop from ever being effected.
1t Is said by residents Of the prairie dog re-
Rion that II will be O comparatively easy mat
err 70 e~xterminate the animals and that they
will be able. TO wipe them out OF existence In
Texas within one year. The most efficient
near the colonies. The ~. !mals are greedy
Gators and iail easy victims 10 poison.
The n Poem Against Splitting.