Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-27
BATTLE BOlO AND BLOODY
CRIMINALS CORRAL.
LED IN DENSE DARKNESS.
Ferrets Fighting Fearlessly and Ter
rier Tracking Truly-Rapidly
Rounding Up Robber Rats.

A search for criminals under the d.
| rection of private detectives took place
last night in a prominent government
| building, and Maj. Sylvester's experts
will be unaware of the occurrence until
they read the details in tonight's Star.
Not only was there a search, but gun
play was INDUCED in. rich red blood soiled
the floors and never a policeman on the
| job.
Some arrangement had evidently been
made with public officials. for the watch
| men on their midnight posts twisted their
| necks into geometric designs endeavoring
TO follow the CREATIONS of the invaders.
their only move being to finch as the
sharp report of rifle sounded down the
long corridors
The old Post Office Department building
on 9TH street between E and + was the
scene of this unusual occurrence. and the
attacking party was headed by f. l.. Bar
clay. jr., who is under contract to de-
stroy or capture the army of rats inhab-
iting the old building.
Noble POSey. who has mania for
catching rats with his bare hands. and Is
proud of his title of human rat catcher.
directed the attention of an intelligent
rat terrier known to many Washing
tonfans by the name of Baby Girl. Posey' s
fighting tools consisted of a small rifle
and an electric flash lamp, and both of
these peculiar instruments played an i'm
portant part in the nights slaughter.
Four ferrets occupied the principal at
tentiOn of Barclay. and the working of
these dumb-looking animals was surpris-
ing when they "smelled rat
The Opening Skirmish.
Commencing on the top floor, every
nook and Granny was scrutinized by the
sharp-nOsed Baby Girl. and soon a sharp
yelp announced the cornering of the prey.
The rat was smiling from behind a large
file case, but a sharp-nosed ferret slipped
into the crack. and after few squeaks a
monster rat sprangs for freedom. Baby
Girl gave one quick spring. and there was
one less rodent to destroy government
property.
The fight went on from floor to floor,
and ended in a grand free-for-a1l in the
basement. Some of the old rats entered
conduits and sewer openings. but they
were either driven out by the ferrets or
pected to return. The sound of rifle shots
fired at scampering rodents had peculiar
effect on some of the veterans on the
watch force. for they came to attention
and tenderly fondled cane in memory of
the days when they "toted a gum
Regardless of the slaughter the fight
will be kept up for twelve nights. while
the ferrets will have the run of the entire
building for that period. A white ferret
was partially disabled by contact with a
live wire in one Of the conduits. yet it
continued the search for it's natural en-
envy.
Here's Smart Rat
Noble Posey. Barclays assistant,
vouches for the statement that a rat can
help itself from a jug or similar vessel.
and referred to wholesaler in Louisiana
avenue in verification. This merchant had
jug of his favorite strip stored in the
basement of his store. and the fact that
the cork was removed and half the con-
tents missing could not be traced to hui
man agency, for the reason that the key
to the cellar reposed in the owners
pocket. Lines of dried strip on the out
side of the jug gave an inkling Of the cul-
prits and a watch was set.
Shortly after nightfall a fine old gray
beard appeared and jumped to the top Of
the jug. Delicately balancing himself, the
old sinner dropped his tail into the jug,
and when it was Withdrawn a sweet din
ner was spread for his ratship.