Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-16
Kitten That
Made HiSf0ru In
The Southwest


Mexico recently brought to light. the history of
cat closely rivaling the well known "Puss in Boots of
fairy tale fame.
Tab" the property of T. w "Doggie' Wilson
welnown the Negeretta district 10 miles
from Magdalena, New Mexico Tab first came to the
ranch tiny calico kitten suddenly appearing out
of nowhere in that vast wilderness Wilson always a
lover of animals large small, was intrigued by the
mysterious appearance and exceptional fendness of the
kitten determined to keep it for personal pet lie
amply rewarded.
Noticing unusual intelligence in the kitten at play
Wilson decided try his hand at training IT, and was
highly pleased with the results of his first efforts In
short time Tab well trained cat and king Of the
ranch duly respected such by all the hands who
also very fond of him.
Tab ate his meals from plate and drank milk from
cup. sitting upright small high-chair at the table
with the cowboys His manners were of the best He
disdaned licking up the food in the usual manner of his
kind Instead Tab would dip his food with paw and
calmly off with the utmost dignity. Though his
placed him the time the others
table he gentleman and never started TO eat
before the served and ready Contrary TO the
Tab everything that the others ate.
including buttered squash potatoes and meat And
he grew plump and healthy
His most astonishing accomplishment was eating corn
on the cob buttered and sailed Holding the
paws much a squirrel might would IL in the
his human friends at the table starting
end and eating straight the cob gradually
turning IL until the last kernel was gone.
Much like the "Puss In Boots" Tab roamed
the range country riding in style his masters
horse seated on small pillow that was fastened to the
saddle "Dogge Wilson rode the without
his Tab" When everything was in readiness. Wilson
hold his foot and give short.
whistle Tab would bound TO the foot and then 70
his pillow where perfect majesty. frequently
turning his head his pleasure to his master.
of the calico cat spread and people came
from miles around watch him and ride Wilson
fabulous for Tab but they all calmly
with the Il would rather part with
my right than with Tab"
After many happy years Tab met cruel and violent
death at hands of drunken cowboy Wilson swore
that when he found the who killed Tab, he would
personally kill him few days later one OF the COW
hurriedy left the ranch and il not until after
the Wilson years later that the truth out
how Tab met his death.
had been dance at the school house that night
and sleeping the bunkhouse One of the
boys home little early being both drunk and tired
asleep in his bunk Tab being as particular
personal habits his table cried for the
cowboy him Receiving no answer. Tab jumped
the bunk and gently patted the sleeper on the face
paw. Waking enough to the cat in his bunk,
drunk to realize what he doing the cowboy
staggered up, opened the door and with mighty Kick
sent poor Tab flying outside.
Three days later Tab found dead lying near the
chimney on the house, his ribs caved in
from that kick. All work the ranch was suspended
until after funeral and state of mourning was
observed though he were royal dienitay instead of
calico cat buried in state in small special built,
casket all the ceremony BETTING his station in the
ranch life On his grave small tombstone was erected
bearing the word Tab"
Tabs grave faithfully cared for until several
later "Doggie Wilson died After his death the
ranch passed other hands and Tab was only
legend to favorte niece of old Wilson who kept
promise return occasionally to the old ranch
and visit the mound the prairie to keep the grave
of Tab in recognizable condition and preserve its little
tombstone in good repair.
Tabs life proved that cats have similar traits to
human beings the eminent biologist Dr. Ida M Mellon
believes Dr. Mellen classes the cat as having brain,
character and mentality next to the apes in its closeness
IN the human and stories about cats seem to prove it.
Mr. F. Magnus Pugh lifelong student of feline char
acter once knew that actually told time This ami
NAL always knew when it $50 p m. 1t looked at the
clock got out of chair and walked to the gate to await
its master the worked late the cat stayed at the
gate until he came home The cat also knew when Satur
dav came because it waited at noon On Sunday the
cat skipped the trip altogether