Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-04
A CROW THAT TALKED,
Interesting History of n Famous Ken.
lucky Bird.

Interesting History of n Famous Ken
lucky Bird.
From the Lexington (KyD Herald.
In the year 1899 Georgetown, KY, lost
what she considered one of her most prom
inent well as promising citizens AL
though the death occurred when the sub
ject of this obituary notice was but three
years of age. he had attained a position in
the community to which but few of that
age and experience can ever hope to as
pire.
The subject of this sketch is Pete the
famous talking crow of Georgetown. The
facts are taken from the sketch of Pete
written about the time of his deah and
from talks with some of the oldest in
habitants of the town. who remember the
dolngs of Pete and can still chronicle them
with exactness. Pete was the property of
Mr.. John Adams grandfather of Mr. John
A. Bell of the Georgetown Times
He staid around the hat manufactory of
Mr.. Adams. and obtained his early educa-
ton from the workmen in the shop True
kentuckian he was. Pete was not long
In learning that one of the first duties of
gentleman was to attend the races. At first
ne was taken along. but after seeing one
or Two races no developed into one of the
regulars and never missed a meeting And
II was in the excitement of a start that he
cried out in loud voice Co.. thus speak
ing his first word
This expression on the part of Pete i'm
meCiately won him many warm friends and
IN days afterward he would sit in the
stand and invaria bly, give the word to the
horses as they passed him 1t is stated
that while Pete was able to give the word
with all the distinctness and vim of a
regular and experienced starter he some-
times lacked judgment as to the proper
punching of the horses when they passed
ana sent them away to many bad starts
lie Is even quoted as~the origin of the use
OF the bell, his words being mistaken for
those Of the starter and the horses sent
away when the starter had no intention of
doing SO.
Fishing likewise was one Of Pete's weak
nesses. but his prediction for this snort
arose rather from the fact that he was fond
OF minnows than from the sporting blood
that the crow showed so plainly he pos
sessed. His first fishing expedition was
TO Bourbon bridge. and having been fed
some dainty tidbits in the way of minnows
by members OF the party. ne developed a
taste for excursions of this sort. and the
sight of fishing pole had as an exhila-
rating effect on him as would the strongest
mint Julep. and any attempt to pull off a
hshng expedition without the aid and con-
sent of Pete was considered by him as
gross insult. Pete always laid claim to the
first fish caught. whether big or little, and
were he refused. scOded or driven off with
a switch. he would fly straight home to his
master. where he was sure of better treat
ment. For at home Pete always had the
best of treatment. and his master would
have shared his last crumb with him
Some Of the historians of this remarkable
crow assert that Pete possessed all the
requisite qualities of a true Kentuckian ex-
cept that of a fondness for Bourbon, but
one kindly old lady told me that Pete early
learned the trick of drinking from the
journeymen in the hat shop. and rather in
timated that hatterS at that time were
somewhat given TO the consumption of the
article. having 1t in the shops and dspos-
ing of it at odd times. Gen Flournoy how
Pete n
gentleman ever to touch intoxicating drink.
and that at all times he was as sober a
judge.
He on one occasion entered residence
completely unannounced Some visitors
had come to spend the day. and their bon
nets were carefully disposed a bed up
stairs. Pete thought that he was d better
judge of what was the correct thing in mill
linery than were the ladies' and proceeded
to pull the feathers from the bonnets one
by one In doing so he made a noise and
was discovered The lady Of the house
scoided him and attempted TO strike him
with broom. Pete. nothing daunted.
bridled up and screamed: Curse your soul.
I'll tell George Sawyer"
This was long speech. probably as
he ever made in his life. with the exception
of the phrase that he would repeat twenty
times day: "Oh Bill! Oh. Bill! Tell
George Sawyer to come here" This was his
all occasions. By doing he was at one
time almost the cause of the death of u
half drunken teamster who had driven into
Georgetown. Pete saw him coming down
the street and. lighting on the seat of the
wagon beside him, the crow cried oh.
Bill! On. Bill Tell George Sawyer to come
here" The man. taken by surprise. rolled
from the seat into the street. and just
missed being run down by his own wagon.
Pete felt that ordinary crows were be-
meath his notice. and therefore did not
associate with them. Like his wild brother,
however. he was always on hand at hog
killing time to pick up tidbits. and on one
occasion known to have retired from
the field to Mr.. Carrick Onutt's porch in
order to rid himself Of the unpleasant COM
pany of the wild crows which had come to
the feast.
1t was at Just such an occasion that Pete
met his death. 1t was hogkiliing time at
Mr. Ben Smiths. who lived near Edge Hill.
and Pete was there usual. nephew
of Mr.. Smiths who was unacQuainted with
Pete's character and standing in the com
munity, shot him with the gun with which
he had been killing hogs. The man after
ward stated that it was an accident. as he
did not know Pete was pet. The event
saddened the entire community. and the
small boys of the town delegated to them
selves the burial of Pete with proper cere-
monies A long procession was formed and
the crow. placed in a coffin. was Inferred
In what ia now a portion OF the college
campus. what Gen. Flournoy calls In his
history of Pete classic ground