Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1903-11-13
FAMOUS A is DEAD.
Frances E. WillaI1s Feline Pet Ii
No More.
Toots, the Sale OF Whoac Photograph
over $4,000 10 white
Uibbouers, the Victim of
T~ubcrculoHls.

Toots Willard. the most celebrated cat
in the world. is dead.
Over a decade ago he came Into In
iernational prominence when 1t was
announced that Miss Frances Willard
had 4 splendid Persian puss. who bore
the stately name OF Gladstone. But
when the Grand Old Man" repudiated
certain temperance principles dear to
the heart OF Miss Willard she promptly
rcchristened her pet and called him
"Toots."
lie instantly became the idol OF the
white ribboucrs on two continents. and
there was an immediate demand for his
photographs. And so 1t came to pass
that Toots looked pleasant" hundreds
OF times while the big eye of the amer
winkcd at him. His picture hangs in
thousands OF homes. II Graccs the walls
OF noble houses in England. and can lie
found in the hut OF ~ %Icelander. for ! !
has coined more than $4,000 for the
temperance cause through the sale Of his
photos. However. his finest picture is
4 l~ife-size water color painted by Miss
Gertrude Esiabrooks and owned by Mrs.
Leland Norton. 3Sl7 Michigan venue.
at whose home he died.
During his ]kittenhood hundreds of
people visited Rest cottage 10 see Miss
Wizards beautiful cat and lay their
hands on his satiny coat Dut adulation
pallcd upon him and he became ex-
trcmcly !T-cc!blc, and with tooth and
claw profcs;cd against irGiscrlmiEate
caressts. Ills Eaughticst trick was TO
hide in dark corners and spring Il on
people. But when he retired to private
life he quickly regaincd his naturally
sweet disposition.
When Miss Willard vent abroad after
her mothers death she begged Mrs. Nor
ton, who had the largest aggregation of
ArCora cats. 20 take charge &C her pre-
c.Ous puss. and he rcmairGG there until
lie died. AS long as she Ir.' Mss Will
lard went to see ToOts. a.,. g..".CG him
lunches OF fragrant English ".ulcts. He
vas passionatcly fond Of TIC delicious
perfume. and would gather them in his
vcivcty paws. cradle them under his
chin. loss them in the air. roll ON them.
md fua!'; 20 20 steep with his nose
buried in the purple bloom.
Tcot's most sensational exploit vas
| W. A--E NA' NsAA ~ W. 'l'Ns AA'
So OF m electric burglar alarm. The
Hu..J- h'I&2eG. the bells tangled and held
a noisy jubilee which reused the entire
household. The terrified family. armed
with rD,ulIers. crcp through the huus,
and roIud it "adistuThod. But some one
WAS ~S;orp.-5 softly around in the hitch
On. ard t'Cu came n loud crash as a pile
C pan Ci.tt,red to the lCLT. The door
vas o.c:-d vide enough TO thrust in q
sN0o:!c~ IRON. and there in the moon
Light "a T0o;S, "mCO".uG" e welcome.
TCUts' s0ic relative was D.%ic Norton
tho !am & trick bicycle rider. whose son
Royal Merton. is the Iscs, valuable cat
IN tie "u"lG Mrs. Moron having re.
fGzCG S2.5GO Cor him. For sCvcra! year.
Toots had been III with tuberculosis
ard has been Isolated from Mrs. Nor.
tons other cats. and also debarTed from
seeing visitors.
He was 4 magnificent animal. weigh,
In % pounds. with eyes like jewels.
splendid. plumy brush, and long, silky
o n