The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-25
They Will Travel Extensively Over
the West and Shout for Is 10 |.
THEY WILL COME EAST, VERY LIKELY.
Strange Performances BY These feathsred
Mlmlcs That Belong Down in Texas, and
Something About Their Peculiar Owner.

Marble Falls. Texas. July 25.-
"Caw." said the crow. and Cav said
"lAll men are liars" Te-he-te-he.
old Folk Song
But you would not think so il you could
see Jake Posey and his talking crows
Posey and his crows recently invaded
this town on their way TO Illinois. His
aerial army is trained to shout, 'Hurrah
for Bryan
Posey and the birds are campaigning
for 16 10 l i'm their own peculiar way.
They will cross Missouri after leaving
this state, and expect 10 make the entire
Middle West before the November elec-
ton.
The crows all talk. AS for Posey, he
calls himself "Uncle Sam" and he does
bear some resemblance TO the portraits
of that historic individual.
Jacob Posey has been living the life OF
a hermit on an island I'm the Rio Grande
for about twenty-five years. A few weeks
ago he started to make a tour of the
country on foot, accompanied by flock
OF about 300 pet crows.
From time immemorial there has been
a famous crows roost on Mustang Island.
Countless swarms of these birds possess
ed this island when the Spaniards first
occupied the country.
The Indians used to make long Journeys
at certain seasons OF the year for the pur-
pose of reaching this locality during the
breeding season. and they would remain
here for several weeks feasting upon eggs
and young crows.
HUNDREDS OF THEM TAME.
The hermit. In the course of his long
isolations has cultivated friendly rela-
x.yfth ba rd nd slRnQQdQ6
tanning several hundred of them.
People In southern Texas who have Wis
tied "Old Jake" have had some wonder
full stories TO tell OF the strange sights
that they witnessed on the island. The
old man has succeeded in making nearly
all of the vast roost of birds as tame as
chickens, and ne has taught many of
them to say few words as plain as ever
Barnaby Ridges famous raven shrieked.
'I am n devil!'
Hundreds of Jake's birds are constantly
saving: "Hurrah" How are your"
sick EN-" "Go it, He'll" "Ha. ha, ha,"
and dozens OF other short exclamations
and short phrases
He has been living upon such terms of
close familiarity with the flock of birds
that they seem TO regard him as a very
essential part of their world. Whenever
the birds miss him on account of sick
ness or absence from his cabin they are
evidently greatly distressed.
Upon his return or when he opens his
door they greet him with passionate
outburst OF cav, and fiocks of the tam
er ones fiutter abou1 his head, uttering
such words as "Halloo, Jake" or Poor
Jake. Crow glad"
No one knows who or whatever put II
into Jake's head to start on tramp over
the country with a flock of his birds. He
is an eccentric character and he will not
permit any one to advise him or inter-
fere with his plans.
He started out with the intention OF
reaching Kansas City in time TO be pres
ent at the Democratic convention, but he
was badly informed as to dates and the
geography of the country.
BUSINESS is SUSPENDED
When he enters town the people
know 1T and business is generally sus-
pended for the next few hours. Every
body is interested, from the Oldest citi-
zen TO the babes at their mothers knees.
He walked into the little town OF Mar
BILE Falls about 10 o'clock in the forenoon
and sat down under the shade OF large
oak tree that stands in the only business
street. About ten minutes after the
boughs of the big oak were literally alive
with crows and the housetops I'm the Vi
cinity were black with the birds
Wake up!" The whole 800 shrieked SIM
uItaneously, wake upl Wake up.'
That was enough TO bring the people
to their doors, and the air was full OF
such expressions of surprise. The birds
replied by taking wing, and as they cir
cled low I'm black cloud over the town.
they shouted: "How are you? Hurrah
for Bryan, Hurrah for Billy!'
Crowds of people gathered in the street
ol., IoLa nd Of hn In
auisitive began TO hurl questions at him.
He answered very few OF them. His at
tention appeared TO be absorbed by his
flock OF birds.
He made them all settle on the ground
and form I'm a double column. and then.
at signal from their master. they
shrieked: "Hurrah for Bryant adding
TO the slogan chorus of 'caws" that
were deafening.
Then they faced about and marched
around Jake. hurrahing and cawing like
so many devils Hating after they had
formed a complete circle around their
king, each bird turned his head TO one
side and looked wise.
"who will be the next PRESIDENT" said
Jake. That question seemed to tickle
them. for they stood as straight as they
could and answered. "Billy Bryan" flop
ping their wings and screechng TIA, ha.
BILLY Is ALL RIGHT.
''ITow is Billy?" said Jake.
The birds answered "All right" drawi-
ing out the words to perfection. At a
signal from the old man they all ascend
ed into the air. cawing and hurrahlng for
Bryan.
After q few moments Jake called sew
erai OF the old birds 10 him and gave
each OF them little tin cup. They
seemed eager to take the cups I'm their
bills, and as soon ss they secured them
they few straight Mt the crowd that had
assembled I'm the street, shrieking
Mick. Nick!'
The moment piece Of money was
dropped In one OF the cups the bird
would seize the cup with one Of It's feet
and crow and 'Ha. ha." as if he were
Immensely tickled.
The old man sesnps vhSsyers pIsht