The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, November 14, 1894, Image 8
%k ?ttjnnaH at? ?fc?H.
WBDKBSDAY, NOV. 14, 1894
BAT CATCHER BILL.
AN ODD NEW YORK CHARACTER
TALKS OF HIS PROFESSION.
The Business HM Gone to tb? Dog!, Meta?
phorically Speaking-lu the Good Old
Days Before the & P. C. Ju-The Pro?
fessor Tells Something of His Methods.
There are. bat six professional rat
catchers in New York city, and only
two of these have regular places of busi?
ness. The profession has gone to the
dogs. This statement; while used as a
metaphor, is also a paradox. As a mat?
ter of fact, the business has not gone to
tho dogs, but simply declined because
the state laws against rat baiting are
very severe and are rigidly enforced by
the officers of the a P. C. A.
In the "good old days" there was
money in rat catching. The "prof essor, "
armed with his lantern and tongs and
accompanied by a humble apprentice
to "hold the bag," would sally forth
and make an arrangement with some
restaurant or stable proprietor to relieve
the premises of a portion of its popula?
tion of rodents at so much per rat, gen?
erally "10 cents per." An hour later
these same rats would figure in some
Center street or Bowery pit as objects
of the prowess of some fancy black and
tan or rough haired terrier, the admir?
ing owner of it cheerfully paying 25
cents each, or five for $1, for them.
William A. Heitler, who claims to
be "the original Bill the Bat Catcher,"
a title gained in 18 years' service with
Harry Jennings, whose memory is kept
green among "the fancy," said, in dis?
cussing the decadence of his profession :
"The business isn't what it used to
be. Then we made our own terms and
made money at both ends. Then we
dealt with the people direct Now we
have got to deal with the agents, if a
flat is overrun with rats, the tenant
threatens to move. Then the agent writes
on a postal card, 'Bill, rid this fiat of
rats. ' That is mostly daylight work. I
go up to the fiat and set my traps and
keep a-setting them until there isn't
anything to catch. "
"Don't you use ferrets?"
"Yes, I use ferrets in my business,
but not in fiat houses. Don't you know
that a rat killed by a ferret is just the
same as a poisoned rat under the floor
or in the wall? I sell ferrets, but what
good are they? Now, when wedean out
a fiat, why, then, we sell the lady some
stuff to keep them out. It does the work
all right; only it drives them into some
other fiat
"The real art in this here profession
is night work. It ain't really what you
would call artistic, but it is more like
sleight hand. In the daytime you go
to the place and go all over the halls
and nail pieces of tin over most of the
holes. A house is to the rats just like a
town is to peopla There are avenues
and alleys.
"Now, just imagine that some night !
a lot of policemen would start from the
North river and the East river, biniul- j
taneouslike, and chase everybody into
Broadway, and then set 'em all go?
ing to the Battery. Well, that's the]
way we do with rats. We plug up all
the ends of the side streets, you might
say, and get them on to a Broadway.
"We do this by turning several fer?
rets loose to stir them up. The cellar is
where I want them. There I am with
my little bullseye lantern and my long
tongs. The rat starts across the floor. I
bear him and flash the lanterns. The
minute the round light spot strikes him
he comes to a dead standstill. He seems
paralyzed, and he won't move under
five seconds. Then is my chance.
"If I want to save him to try a dog
with, I reach forward, and with my
tongs grab him by the tail. If I don't
want a live rat-and there ain't much
call for them now-I break his back
with the tongs..
4 'The biggest night's work I ever done
was killing 960 rats at Willard's hotel
in Washington. When I got through
that job, I felt like proposing'to the
government to rid the wharves and
docks of the country of rats. Now, that
is all there is to rat catching. The work
isn't dangerous, except when you tackle
the rats on a ship. When the Spanish
training ship was here, I took 156 rats
off her. They were not like the house
rats we have here. They were slim and
gray, with tails twice as long as their
bodies. They were as active as monkeys.
"To give you an idea. I have a lit?
tle dog that has killed 50 rats in 18
minutes. I put 20 of these ship rats into
a pit with him, and at the end of 50
minutes he had only killed seven. They
did not fight him, but they simply kept
out of his way, jumping over him when
he would rush.
"But, as I was a-saying, the time
was when a rat catcher had money to
burn. It was a dull night that he didn't
clear his $25 or $35. Now he can't
.make that in a week in the busy season,
including what he gets for trimming
dogs' ears, selling ferrets and things
like that. When you have to deal with
real estate agents, you ain't going to get
jiQne the best of it "
"Did you ever try the scheme of bell
isg-.a rat? They say that will scare all
the other rats away?"
?"I.only know this: If you put a bell
on a trat, he will be found dead in the
walls inside of two days. It is my be?
lief that .the other rats kill him; but,
say, it you ever want to stir up a rat
colony, -catch one old fellow, smear him
with phosphorous paste and send him on
his travels.
"In the winter I sell a great many
live rats to the medical colleges. They
use them in experiments. There is a big
tannery over in Newark that gives 8
cents apiece for rat hides. The skin
must be perfect, however.
"The least tear makes it no good, and
it is hardly worth while skinning them,
so many are rejected. They tan the
skin soft, like kid, and tan it with the
hair on. The skins are not used to make
kid gloves. They told me the last time
I took 12 dozen over there that they
were..used for lining gloves."?
The First National Bank of San
j Bernardino, Oal., closed its doors yester?
day;
Prof. Zacharie, the Czar's physician,
ha8 been mobbed by Ibo medical stu?
dents of Moscow. They smashed io all
the windows of lats boase with stones.
Prof. Leyden tells what killed the
Czar as follow*): "The post mortem
examination established the accuracy of
our diagnosis-chronic nephritis, with
commencing atrophy ot the kidney,
secondary enlargement of the heart and
sporadic inflammation of the left lung.
The stomach was intact. The stories
ascribing the Czar's illness to poisoning
are absolute fiction.1'
Cn the West the railroads are the
leaders in immigration and coloniza?
tion societies. They ruo emigrant
trains, and keep emigrant agents con?
stantly at work to induce emigrants to
travel over their libes, and settle upon
lands which they reach. Certain of
the Southern roads have learned the
wisdom of. this, and are colonizing
thrifty settlers along their lines.
Augusta, (Ga.) Chronicle.
A special from Bichmond, Ya., says:
The Republicans will make contests in
four districts of this State. These are
tue 2d, 4th 6tb and 10th, and possibly
in others. They base their contests
upon the operation of the new Waltoo
election law. Under this many votes
were thrown ont on account of beiog
improperly prepared. In one county as
many as five hundred and another as
many as seven hundred votes, were re?
jected on this account, it is probable
that the cumber of votes rejected in the
State on this account will reach many
thousands. Another point of contest
will be the unconstitutionality of the
new law. This latter point, however,
is not regarded as having much if any
force.
The Home Product Co-operative Life is not
a "wild cat" scheme. It is based oe sound
principles, and experience of all life insurance
from the beginning of tbe business. It is
new and avoids th? errors of tbe old. Dr. J.
A. Mood will be the medical examiner ia chief,
and they intend to require as careful examina?
tion as any insurance company.
When Baby was sicfc, we gave her Castorfs,
When she was a Crud, she cried for Castoria.
When she became Miss, she ching to Castoria.
When she had Children, she gave them Castorf?
Say! Yon Bee-Keeper!
Send for a free sample copy of Root's
handsomely illustrated 36-p*ge, Gleanings io
Bee-Culture, Semi-Moothlv, (Si.00 a year)
and his 52-pages illus, catalog of Bee
Keeper's Supplies free for your name and
address on a postal. His* A B C of Bee
Culture, 400 dooble-column pp price $1.25,
is just the book for you. Mention this paper.
Address A. I. Root, the Bee-Man, Medina,
O.
B
Poisoned
LOOD
Is a source of much suffering. The,
system should be thoroughly cleansed
of all impurities, and the blood kept in
a healthy condition. S. S. S. removes
. CHRONIC SORES.
Ulcers, etc., purifies the blood, and
builds* np "the general health. It is
without air equal '
IraF. Stiles, of Palmer, Kan., says:
'?My foot and leg to my knee was a
running sore for two years, and physi?
cians said it could not be cured. After
taking fifteen small bottles of S. S. S.
there is not a sera on. my limbs, and I
have a new lease on life. I am seventy
seven years old, and have had my age
renewed at least twenty years by the
use of
Our Treatise on Blood md
Stein Diseases mailed
free to acv address.
SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., Atlanta, Ga.
i ? m RKiniaA VOR EITH2T? SEX. This rased?
I I? RR UN X b*'n? ?yectei: ci real v to the seal of
j feta Wilvil VthosodbeasescfiheG^to-UrinaryOr.
i ?--1 1 mm?, requires no chango of diet or
6^_^^^ nauseouj, raercur?L? or poisonous rced
<*? JJ ""^jHn? i ein es to bc taken inter?ally. T?hea
?? Sgtf ^AS ? PREVENTIVE
W BRJm by e:Li:rrc^ it !c ::npor,.siblitoccnitrac*
^??^.n** ^SS? any VCHC-CAI disease; hut in the eise of
those already U?rn?TOK?T*i.r Arrucrxo
_wuh Gonorrhea, .md Gleet, wc gu<ir<;u.
af" TP "B3? ' Buttes a euro. Piri cc h y rrr 3 il. postago pal ^,
n# dMk?aflijUper??-S,O?-CL???jr??.
Forsaleby Dr. J. F. W. DeLorrne. Sumter. S .C
DO YOU KNOW
DR. FELIX LE BRUN'S
STEEL ill PEJNYHOYft PIUS
are the original and only FRENCH, safe and re?
liable cure on the market. Price $1.00; sent by
ma?. Genuine sold only by
Dr. J. F. W. DeLorme, Sumter, S. C.
VITAL TO MANHOOD.
Ba. E. C. WEST'S NERVE AND BRAIN TREAT?
MENT, a specific for Hysteria, Dizziness, Fits, Neu?
ralgia, Headache, Nervous Prostration caused by
alcohol or tobacco, Wakefulness, Mental Depression,
Softening of Brain, causing insanity, misery, decay,
death, Premature Old Age, Barrenness, Loss of
Power in either sex, Impotency, Leucorrhcea and all
Female Weaknesses, Involuntary Losses, Sperma?
torrhoea ca?*ed by over-exertion of brain, Self
abuse, over-Indulgence. A month's treatment, SI,
6 for $5, by ma?. With each order for 6 boxes, with
$5 will send written guarantee to refund if not cured.
Guarantees issued by eurent. WEST'S LIVER PILLS
cures Sick Headache, Biliousness', lliver Complaint,
Sour Stomach, Dyspepsia and Constipation.
GUARANTEES issued only by
J. F. W. DeLorme, Sumter, S. C.
1890.
1894.
A. C. PHELPS ft CO.,
taral tar? Apis,
Sumter, ?. C.
Fire, Life, Accident, Steam Boiler, Plate
Glass, Bonds of Surety for persons in posi?
tions of trust, and Liability Insurance in
every branch, written in the very best Amer
can and Foreign Companies.
Over sixty-five millions of capiia! repre?
sented.
Office at Messrs. J. Ryttenberg & Sons, 2d
Floor, Front.
Mch 14-0
BALTIMORE AMERICAN.
ESTABLISHED 1773.
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Six Months.;. 3 00
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With Sunday Edition, One Year. 7 50
Sunday Edition, One Year.... 1.50
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The Semi-Weekly American is published in
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lt also contains interestiug special corres?
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A carefully edited Agricultural Department,
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Entered at the post office at Baltimore, Md.,
as second-class matter, April 13, 1894.
SPECIAL CLUB RATES.
The Semi-Week ly American, with any of
the following named journals, will be sent
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the prices given in the first column of fi gores:
NAMES OP JOURNALS.
American Agriculturist.| $2.25] $ 2.50
American Magazine.
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Turf, Field and Farm.
CHAS. C. FULTON & CO.
FELIX A GNUS, Manager and Publisher,
' " American Office,
BALTIMORE, MD,
IMO
?J SB fe? ? R S
PER MSNTH
? YOUR OWN LOCALITY
nade easily and honorably, without capi?
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always prosper. No time wasted in
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2 very thing needed to carry on the busi?
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against failure if you but follow our
simple, plain instructions. Reader, i<
you are in need of ready money, and
want to know all about the best paying
business before the public, send us your
address, and we will mail you a docu?
ment giving you all the particulars.
TRUE & CO., Box 400,
Augusta, Maine.
A, WHITE & SON,
Fire Insurance Agency,
ESTABLISHED 1866.
Represent, among other Companies:
LIVERPOOL k LONDON k GLOBE,
NORTH BRITISH k MERCANTILE,
HOME, of New York..
UNDERWRITERS' AGENCY, N. Y.,
LANCASTER INSURANCE CO.
Capital represented $75,000,000.
Feb. 12
W.t. DOUGLAS
CUAF 18 THE ?CST.
Wli anVk) HOSQUCAKING.
\*0*^ *5. CORDOVAN,
FRENCHS ENAMELLED CALF
^Mk RNEGALF&r?NoA?Kl
W?^?? *5.WMUCE,3S0U5.
?MI *2?SB+
^?THT^^^^^SEND FOR CATALOGUE
TSTMLIMI II " . -"~
^JWB?P^ BROCKTON, MASS.
! You can save money by.porchaslng W. L.
Douglas Shoes, r ?
Because, we are the largest manufacturers ol
advertised shoes in the world, and guarantee
the value by stamping the name and price on
Ihe bottom, which protects you against high
.prices and the middleman's profits. Our shoes
?quai custom work in style, easy fitting and
?wearing qualities. We have them sold every
-tvhere at lower prices for the value given than
any other make. Take no substitute. If 3'cmr
dealer cannot supply you, wc can. Sold by
J. RYTTENBEBG& SONS.
A LEADER.
JAMES MEANS' SHOES are leaders.
Why? Because they have an established reputa?
tion, and never fail to give satisfaction. Perfect
in style, quality, and fit. Buy JAMES MEANS'
92.00, ?2.50, 83.00, 83.50, 84.00, and
85.00 Shoe, according to your needs. When
you are passing our stor e call in and try on a
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friendship.' We shall have both if you will once
test a pair of JAMES MEANS' SHOES. ?
HAMMOND,
The Regulator of Dry Goods at Leading
Prices is the
AGENT FOB SUMTES, S. C
Sign, Green Front, Main Street,
H. A. HOYT,
MAIN STREET.
SUMTER, S. C.
SOLD AND SILVER WATCHES,
FINE DIAMONDS,
Clocks, Jewelry, Spectacles,
MERIDEN BRITANIA SILVERWARE, kc.
REPAIRING A SPECIALTY.
Feb- 1
Order Your
PROVISIONS AND GROCERIES
FROM
$ STEFFENS & SON,
Wholesale Agents, Charleston, S. C.
-Agents for
MOTT'S CIDEE,
BED SEAL CIGARS,
and DOVE HAMS,
THE SIHONDS NATIONAL BANK
OP SUMTER.
?
STATE, CITY AND COUNTY DEPOSI?
TORY, SUMTE it, S. C.
Paid up Capital ..... $75,000 00
Sarpins Fund. 12,500 00
Liabilities of Stockholders to
"depositors acccordiog to the
law governing National Banks,
in excess of their stock . . $75,000 00
Transacts a General Banking Business.
Careful attention given to collections.
SAVINGS DEPARTMENT.
Deposits of $1 and upwards received. In?
terest allowed at the rate of 4 per cent, per
annum. Payable quarterly, on first days of J
Januarv. April, July and October.
R.M.WALLACE,
L. S. CARSON, President.
Aug 7. . r.-Cashier-.
CAW I OBTAIY A PATENT? Fora
prompt answer and an honest opinion, write to
MUNN & CO., who have had near?yflf ty years'
experience in the notent business. Commun i ca
tiona strictly confidential. A Handbook of In?
formation concerning Patents and bow to ob?
tain them sent free. Also a Catalogne of mechan?
ical and scientific hooks sent free.
Patents taken through Hmm & Co. receive
special notice in the Scientific American, and
thus are brought widely before the puttie with?
out cost to the inventor. This splendid paper,
issued weekly, elegantly illustrated, has by far the
largest circulation of any scientific work in the
world. 83 a year. Sample copies sent free. .
Building Edition, mont hly, f&Oa year. Single
copies, 25 cents. ?Svery number <y>n?amg beau?
tiful plates, in colors, and photographs of new
houses, with plana, enabling builders to show the
latest desiens and secure contracts. Address
MUNN & CO., NEW TORS, 361 BROADWAY.
Main Street. Next to City Hall.
SPECIAL ATTENTION
Given to Compounding Prescriptions.
Dil J JUA SOL?IOl,
DENTIST.
Office
OVER BROWN k BROWN'S STORE,
Entrance on Main Street
Between Brown k Brown and Durant & Son.
OFFICE HOURS:
9 to 1.30; 2 to 5 o'clock.
April 9. 2
1
for Infants and Children
" Cas tori a is so w??adapted to children that
I recommend it as superior to any prescription
l:nown to me.,, H. A. ARCHER, M. D.,
Ill So. Oxford St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
"The use of 'Castoria is so universal and
its merits so well known that it seems a work
of supererogation to endorse it Few are the
intelligent famines who do not keep Castorfs
within easy reach."
CARLOS HARTYS, D. D.,
New York City
Cas to ria cures Colic, Constipation,
Sour Stomach, Diarrea, Eructation,
Kills Worms, gives sleep, end promotes di?
gestion,
Without injurious medication.
. "For several years I have recommended
your ' Castorfs, ' and shall always continue to
do so as it has invariably produced beneficial
results.''
EDWIN F. PARDEE, 3ff. D.,
125th Street and 7th Ave., New York City.
THE CENTAUR COMPANY, 77 MURRAY STREET, NEW YORK CITY.
JEWELRY:
Watches, Diamonds.
Sterling and Flated Silverware,
LARGE STOCK SUITABLE FOR WEDDING PRESENTS.
Clocks, Optical Goods, Fine Knives, Scissors
and Razors, Machine Needles, &c.
OL.SOM.
SIGN OF THE BIG WATCH.
ESTABLISHED 1868. Sumter, S. C.
j wish to state to the Farmers of Sumter and Clarendon Counties that I bare gotten in a car
load of McCORMIC REAPERS, SELF-BINDERS, MOWERS and HAY RAKES.
It is a settled fact that the McCormic Co., makes the lightest draft and most durable Grain
and Grass cutting machinery made in this or any other country.
Our prices are very low and terms easy. Write to me for catalogue, which will be mailed
to you free of charge. It contains cuts of all machines and gives full descriptions of them
SUMTER, S. C.
Mcb 21
G-EO. F. EPPERSON, Agent.
Office at Epperson's Livery Stable.
Madison Avenue
HOTEL,
Madison Avenue and 58th Street,
NEW YORK.
Three Dollars per day and up. American Plan.
FIREPROOF AND FIRST-CLASS IN
EVERY PARTICULAR.
Two blocks from the Third and Sixth Avenue
Elevated Railroads.
The Madison and Fourth Avenue and Belt
Line Cars pass the door.
H. M. CLARK, Proprietor.
Passenger Elevator runs all night