REPORTS FROM EARLY CAT SHOWS IN NEW YORK STATE (EXCLUDING BUFFALO, NEW YORK CITY & ROCHESTER)

CATS OF EVERY VARIETY – The Plain Speaker (Mass.), 13th January, 1905
ALBANY, N.Y. Cats of every variety from all over eastern New York are exhibited at the cat show which has opened here under the auspices of the Mount Holyoke college alumnae. The class attracting most attention is that devoted to children's pets.

[ALBANY CAT SHOW] MORE HONORS FOR THE CONLISK CATS Buffalo Evening News, 18th January 1905
After carrying off the honors at the New York Cat Show, Mrs. James Conlisk of Gowanda, was prevailed upon to send her cats to Albany, as an added attraction at the recent show there. Mr. Conlisk in writing to a Buffalo friend, says that at Albany Bitterne Chiffon made her fifth straight first prize and that Mrs. Conlisk's Sweet Marie took second prize in the same class, while ‘'T. J,." another Conlisk cat, won a first prize and a special prize. If a cat show Is held in connection with the Bench Show here next March, the Buffalo public will doubtless have a chance to see these celebrated cats from the Conlisk Catteries on the banks of Cattaraugus Creek.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.

PERSIANS TAKE TOP PRIZES AT COUNTY CENTER CAT SHOW. The Daily Item, 9th January 1961
White Plains - Persian cats dominated the top awards at the Empire and Westchester Cat Clubs annual championship shows Saturday and yesterday in the County Center. The clubs staged separate shows but conducted them simultaneously. Some 293 cats brought by exhibitors from states east of the Mississippi River and Canada competed in the shows. Except for the best- in-show awards, Empire and Westchester clubs picked the same cats for the highest awards.

A blue Persian, Grand Champion Normant Blue Parader, owne by Mrs. Merald Hoag of Rockville, Md.. took the Empire best-in-show, The Westchester Club's best-in-show was Gr. Ch. Sheroman Boy Wonder of Nor-Mont, a silver Persian also belonging to Mrs. Hoag. ,
Other winners were: Best Tabby, Gr. Ch. Minquis Punxsutawney, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Martinke of Newark, Del; best champion. Ch. Shawnee Moondance, owned by Mrs. Nikki Horner of Newburgh, Ind.
Best domestic short hair, Ch. Shawnee Marksman. owned by Mrs. Horner
Best Siamese, Gr. Ch. Bridle Trail's Sprite of Astra, owned by Mrs. Agnes F. Bradley of Mineola, L.I.;
Best short hair in show, Gr. Ch. Wila-Blithe Pola of Silva-Whyte, owned by Richard Gebhardt of Orange, N.Y.
The show was attended by more than 3,100 people.

A number of the cats’ cages were decorated. A Siamese, for example, had a Buddha. in its cage. Another cage contained a likeness of the Egyptian goddess Bast, with the head of a cat and the body of a woman. Bast, who also had several other names, represented the life-giving powers of the sun. In other cages, there were toys, special curtains, painted back-drops, and other items for feline comfort. One cat had its own canopied bed and a stuffed black cat for company. Some of the cages were decorated with photographs or hand-drawn portraits of the cats. A photographer who specializes in photographing cats also had an exhibit at the show. Another cat had its own rabbit's foot for luck.

In booths sponsored by commercial concerns, all sorts of items connected with cats were exhibited. These items included toys, scratching posts for cats’ claws, a spray to keep pets off furniture, and decorated collars for cats. For cat owners there were aprons, bookends, scarves, what-nots, handkerchiefs, towels, stickers, plaques and pictures, all with a feline theme.