CAT SHOW: Bradford has been mad for cats for years – 2006
notwithstanding, of course. If you don’t believe us, you only need
turn to the Bradford Landmark Society for details.
While conducting a year-end cleaning of RTS files, we stumbled
upon an article from the society’s newsletter and it struck a
resonant chord in light of the city’s recent battle over so-called
feral cats.
The article was about a “grand cat show” held in 1884 in at the
old Orpheus Hall. This Cat Convention was reported in The Era on
Feb. 10, 1884, as follows:
“Upon the stage of Orpheus Hall yesterday were seen piled rows
of roomy cages made by nailing long planks together and
sub-dividing the boxes into apartments by means of partitions.
These quarters will be occupied for about a week by tabbies of all
grades, of which about 100 have been entered, and to keep them
within bounds, wire netting will be used.
“It was no infrequent site to see ladies and children enter the
hall to place their favorite cats on the list of entries, and the
boys were out in force. Manager Johnston has also received entries
by mail and is looking forward for a cat convention that will be a
credit to the feline race.
“As each visitor enters the hall, he or she will receive a blank
card which may be numbered corresponding to the number of a cage in
which a favorite pussy is confined. …
“The squall will open at 7 o’clock this evening and continue six
days. Messrs. Johnston and Lane threaten to keep the cat show open
for six days, during which time the town will doubtless be overrun
with rats and people living away from Orpheus Hall will enjoy sweet
slumbers.
“There were 97 cats on show, and among the most recent entries
are the following: ‘Richburg’ and ‘Bolivar,’ the well-known pets of
the St. James, beautiful specimens of the aristocratic class of
cats, exhibited in decorated special cages; the Evening Star’s
‘Sarah Bernhardt’ – a splendid animal, and M.D. Sheridan’s cat, a
ferocious half-tamed beast.”
More on this tomorrow.
