The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-29
Saurian Keeps Burglars and
Rats Out Of Shop.
Catches Pocket of Thief, Getting
His Wire Cutters.
BURGLAR GETS AWAY
Climbs Through Window With
Alligator in Pursuit.
Knows Owner From Strangers
and Resents Intrusion.

Pittsburg, Kan, July 29.-George
Hastings, owner of a meat market
here, is the possessor of an alligator
which serves the purpose of a watch
dog"
The reptile has proven on numer-
Gus occasions. that it may be relied
upon to guard the shop at night. A
snarling, kissing noise it makes is US
ualy enough to frighten the most in
trepid and bold. 1t always tries to
drive away danger in this way, but
when this method fails, he springs
upon the intruder and attacks him
with its teeth.
Recently an attempt was made to
burglarize the Hestings butcher shop.
Although it never has been positively
known, it has always been the bellef
of Mr.. Hastings that but one man,
unaIded made the attempt. A window
in the rear of the shop was broken
and the nocturnal visitor crawled
through the opening. 1t was early IN
the evening, Mr.. Hastings having closed
the shop only a few minutes previous
ly. He started home Immediately af-
ter doing so, but after having gone
but a few blocks, turned and retraced
his steps to the shop to procure a
package he had intended taking home
that night.
Gator Chases Thief.
JDOn tuning the Key III lIS II Jill
door the sound of the most rasp1ng
kissing noises he had ever heard came
to his ears He hurried to the rear
and got there Just in time to see a
man climbing through the opening IN
the window. The alligator was stand
ing under the window, which is about
six feet above the floor, with it's mouth
wide open and it's tongue projecting.
At sight of its owner it ceased its
Missing and at the command Of Hast
ings, left the window
1t was On this occasion that Hast
ings first learned that the animal
would attack burglars He turned on
the lights and was looking about the
place to see f anything was missing
when he found a pocket that had been
torn from the burglars coat In the
pocket was a glass cutter, which IS
supposed to have been used in remov-
ing the glass from the window. There
was also 65 cents in nlckels ana olrneS'
which Hastings had left in the cash
register upon closing the shop that
night.
Keeps Strangers Out.
On another occasion Hastings learn
ed that tho alligator would not permit
anyone to enter the shop at night II
it could prevent it. This was soon
after he had purchased the reptile. He
went to the shop himself one night,
entering by the way Of the rear door.
Scarcely had he gotten on the inside
than the animal set up q. kissing noise
and approached him He procured a
broom, thinking he could frighten the
animal. But when he failed to do SO,
he left the shop by the door through
which he had entered. He then went
to the front door of the shop, and after
entering, turned on the lights, went TO
the rear room. The alligator did not
approach him this time, or hiss, as 1t
mad done upon his first visit
Is Two Years Old.
The animal Is about three feet long.
Hastings is endeavoring to teach the
animal to do tricks In this he has
succeeded to some extent; The alIiga-
tor. at his command, will stand IN an
upright position on it's hind feet. 1t
win leap headforemost into a tank of
water from the top Of a chair or box
at an elevation several feet higher
than the waters surface.
The animal not only keeps burglars
out of the shop. but rats as well. 1t is
as stealthy as the most cautious cat
and will pounce upon a rat and kill
it at every opportunity.