REPORTS FROM EARLY CAT SHOWS IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK STATE (LOCKEHAVEN CAT CLUB)

1901 ROCHESTER CAT SHOW

CONCERNING CATS - Democrat and Chronicle, January 3rd, 1901
Many Noted Prize Winners Entered for the Coming Show — How to Ship Pets.

The entries for the forthcoming cat show, which opens next Tuesday at Fitzhugh hall, are about all in, and Rochesterians will have an opportunity of attending the first cat show ever held in this city. Judging from the interest which has been manifested, there is little doubt that the exhibition will be among the social events of the season. The show is to be in charge of the Rochester Wellesley Club and the Beresford Cat Club, and the arrangements made for the affair insure its success. The entry list contains the names of many of the famous felines in the country, and the total number of entries runs well up into the hundreds.

The entries include a number of prize winners at other shows, and representatives of the most noted cat breeding establishments in the country. The entries in the Persian, Angora and Manx classes are especially numerous, and the exhibit of the latter promises to be of exceptional interest. But the fact that these blue-blooded representatives of catdom are entered, should not deter owners of ordinary cats from entering their pets at the show. Several classes for ordinary breeds have been arranged, and the show of local animals is expected to be one of the most interesting of the many features of the exhibition.

Among the premiums to be awarded at the show are special medals offered by the Beresford Cat Club, of Chicago. The medals are made from a special die owned the club, and the owners of the animals which carry off the medals will have reason to congratulate themselves.

The Cat Journal, a monthly devoted to those interested in cats, has the following suggestions to offer to persons intending to forward animals for exhibition: "Too much care cannot be taken in shipping cats. We urge better boxes and crates to be used than most of those from afar sent last year. A common box opened on the top is not a good form of crate. A little door can be made with a hinge and secure fastening on top, but the box should be high enough for the cat to stand, sit or lie down, and have a slat opening at one end of the front side of the box, so that the cat can move to that end and look out and realize what is going on, and see a kind face and get the true meaning of the familiar or unfamiliar sounds. It wants very little: light and air, and a warm, dark corner in which to retire and rest. It is well to place sawdust first in the bottom of the box, and cover this thickly with a bed of clean straw or hay, and a drinking or feeding pan or cup should be hung inside, so that water or food can be given to the cat. The matter of getting the cat to the express is all important.

"Any careful owner will not trust his pets to a long, cold ride in the regular express company's wagon, but take it to the express company's agent at the train just a little while (say an hour or so) before the train starts, thereby avoiding unnecessary exposure. It is really cruel, and past all understanding, how some owners ship their cats."

THE CAT CELEBRITIES – Democrat and Chronicle, January 4th, 1901
They Are All Expected at the Show Next Week in Fitzhugh Hall. At the meeting of the Wellesley Club, held yesterday afternoon, the final arrangements for the much heralded cat show were made. The show, which opens next Tuesday, will bring together many celebrated prize winners. Among the recent entries are to be mentioned Swampscott, acknowledged to be the longest haired cat In America, and Teddy Roosevelt, famous in name and breeding.

It Is expected that Rochester will make a sort of one half way meeting ground between East and West, so that those unable to go all the way to Boston, or Eastern cats not able to go to Chicago, can meet and compete with Western cats at Rochester. At a very early date entry blanks and premium lists were asked for, and the interest In the fancy meet is growing, for the show was hardly talked of before promises of entries were given.

There will be fifty three classes catering to all breeds and colors, and an endeavor will be made to give fair play to all. There are 223 specials divided among the cats.

Miss Louise Wetmore, of No. 108 South Fitzhugh street, Rochester, is secretary, and E. N, Barker, of No. 39 Washington avenue, Albany, will Judge all classes. No pains will be spared to make all welcome. It is not too late to enter your cat today.

The show will be open daily from 9 A.M. to 9. P.M., and the members of the Wellesley Club will be on hand at all hours to receive their friends. It is expected that the list of long-haired cats will be larger than shown at Philadelphia last month, and will include the cat celebrities of the continent.

PUSSY’S EXPOSITION – Democrat and Chronicle, Jan 6, 1901
It would not be surprising if the approaching cat show in this city were liberally sustained. Despite all the newspaper jokes about cats and all the objurgations and other missiles hurled at them from windows in the dead of night, old maids and dowagers are not the only persons who take an interest in what we may be permitted to call felinity.

The cat show was incidentally mentioned to some street car passengers yesterday, and it was surprising to notice the enthusiasm over cats the suggestion evoked. There was an instant discussion of favorite Toms and Tabbies. Men are a little shy, ordinarily, about betraying interest in this subject, but when they believe their confidence will not be abused they own up to a soft regard for the furry, purring creature which takes so much comfort at their firesides.

The domestic cat in its normal state is a miniature and harmless representative of the huge cats of the jungle when they are not on the trail for food or at bay against their enemies. What a soft, sleek, comfortable creature pussy is! What sound produced by animals is more soothing than its rhythmical purr! What flexibility and pliancy of body and limb! How noiseless is its tread! How daintily will it pick its way over questionable ground! If there are no boys or dogs within sight, a cat will cross a muddy street as circumspectly as a lady in satin slippers.

Of pussy's vocal performances at night it is not necessary to speak. They have long been celebrated in song and story. Every newspaper wit has shied his keenest shafts at the artist and every back fence bears the scars of domiciliary pro-jectiles which have invariably missed their mark. But for a few days — or nights — these oratorios will be suspended. The cats that once on the garden wall the soul of music shed, will rest as mute in Fitzhugh hall, as though that soul had fled [note: a play on "The Harp That Once Through Tara’s Halls]

NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR THE CAT SHOW - Democrat and Chronicle, January 6, 1901
Many of the kings and queens of catdom came to town yesterday morning. They were genteel in appearance and conducted themselves with great dignity in the presence of those to whom a peep was permitted. Prominent among the arrivals was Robin Hood, a handsome Persian brown tabby. The arrangements for the show are nearly complete, and the cats will all be in place by Tuesday morning. The indications are that the show will be the largest in point of entries of the year. The entries in the several classes that have already reached the city are as follows:

Long-haired Cats.
Class 1. white males — four entries.
Class 2. white females — one entry.
Class 3. black males or females — three entries.
Class 4. blue males — two entries.
Class 5. blue females — no entries.
Class 6. orange or yellow, marked or unmarked, no white — two entries.
Class 7. cream or fawn, no marks, no white — no entries.
Class 8. brown tabby males, no white — one entry.
Class 9. brown tabby females, no white — three entries.
Class 10. gray tabbies, males or females, no white — one entry.
Class 11. silver tabbies, males or females, no white - two entries.
Class 12. chinchilla or shaded silver, as unmarked as possible, no white males — no entries.
Class 13. chinchilla or shaded silver, females — no entries
Class 14. smoke males — no entries.
Class 15. smoke females — one entry.
Class 16. brown or gray tabby with white, males or females —two entries.
Class 17. orange or silver tabby with white, males or females - no entries.
Class 18. tortoiseshell with or without white, males or females — two entries.
Class 19. any other color, no white — one entry.
Class 20. any other color with white — eight entries.
Class 21. best white, black, or blue, solid colors — no entries.
Class 22. best orange or yellow, marked or unmarked, cream or fawn, no white — no entries.
Class 23. best brown gray, or silver tabby — no entries.
Class 24. best silver, silver tabby, or smoke — no entries.

Altered Cats.
Class 26. best white, blue, or black — one entry.
Class 27. best tabby, any color, no white — four entries.
Class 28. best any other color — six entries.

Short-haired or Ordinary Cats.
Class 29. white, males or females — one entry.
Class 30. black, males or females — one entry.
Class 31. blue or maltese, males or females — one entry.
Class 32. brown tabby, males or females, no white — one entry.
Class 33. gray tabby, males or females, no white — one entry.
Class 34. silver tabby, males or females, no white - one entry.
Class 35. orange or yellow tabby, males or females, no white —one entry.
Class 36. tortoiseshell with or without white, males or females — one entry.
Class 37. brown or gray tabby with white, males or females — two entries.
Class 38. silver, orange or yellow tabby with white, males or females — three entries.
Class 39. blue and white or black and white, males or females — three entries.
Class 40. any other color with or without white — four entries.

Manx.
Class 41. Male — two entries.
Class 42. Females — two entries.
Class 43. altered or gelded — one entry.

Class 44. Russian blue, males or females— no entries.
Class 45. Siamese, males or females — no entries.
Class 46. any other foreign variety — one entry.

Kittens.
Class 47. best white, black, or blue — two entries.
Class 48. best tabby, any colors, no white — no entries.
Class 49. tortoiseshell with or without white, or tabby with white — two entries.
Class 50. best any other color — no entries.

Altered Cats.
Class 5l. best white, black, blue, or maltese - three entries.
Class 52, best tabby, any color, no white - three entries.
Class 53. best any other color — eight entries.

THE CATS ARE IN TOWN - Democrat and Chronicle, January 8, 1901
The great event is at hand. The cat show opens to-day. This morning Fitzhugh hall will see such an aggregation of aristocratic felines as was never dreamed of before. Everyone’s darling tabby will he there, in her best ribbon and collar, and it is expected that this enterprise under the auspices of the Wellesley College Club will be not only a great success financially, but socially as well. It isn't often that Rochester has the pleasure of gazing familiarly at the handsomest felines in this country, with pedigrees, and it is expected that the general public will take advantage of this unusual privilege.

But the entries are not all confined to the aristocracy in the feline line, as witness the entry of one Teddy Roosevelt of breed unknown, and owned by a Rochester fancier. This Republican of democratic tendencies expects to land at least a blue ribbon, it is stated. A list of Rochester society women who are to act as patronesses at the big show was published in yesterday’s issue of the Democrat and Chronicle. Nothing has been left undone to make the show a success.

THE CAT SHOW AT FITZHUGH HALL – Democrat and Chronicle, January 8, 1901
This week promises to be a most interesting and novel affair. The announcement that it is not the only cat show in the city this week will not keep away any patrons of pussy. There is another cat show on. This one is at Rundel’s art gallery, 9 West Main street. You can see the various styles of new century cats in Mr. Rundel’s show window all this week. If you desire to take one of them home with you, do so. Prices will not prevent. Don’t fail to see this exhibition.

PUSSY INSTALLED AT FITZHUGH HALL - Democrat and Chronicle, January 9, 1901
The cat show which opened yesterday at Fitzhugh Hall, under the auspices of the Wellesley College Club, is the event of the season. All day long there was a string of visitors at the hall, who came to admire, to pet or to purchase the beautiful specimens of feline loveliness which are on exhibition. It is said to be, by a fancier, the best and the largest cat show held in this country since that held in New York in 1896.

The arrangements are specially good. Fitzhugh Hall proves an ideal place for an exhibit of the kind, and every precaution seems to have been taken for the care and protection of milady's pets.

Prizes were awarded yesterday by E. N. Barker, of Albany, a former breeder of cats and dogs, and owner of the once famous King Humbert. It is claimed that the only cat there with a perfect tail is Locksley, owned by Mrs. Mix, of Chicago. He is a beauty in yellow and white, with a large bushy tail, more like that of a red fox, and which any cat might well envy. Most of the pets yesterday afternoon, when visited by a reporter of this paper, were suffering from ennui, evidently, for they scorned the many flattering remarks and the wholesale admiration of which they were the object. Most of them were snugly curled up in a corner, and intent upon their afternoon siesta, show or no show, and they didn't intend to be disturbed. When they were aroused by friendly prods or by having their dainty ears tickled, they would get up and stretch open their big eyes in mild surprise at such an indignity, and immediately curl up again, and prepare for another nap.

They are arranged in comfortable wire cages, in which food and water are placed; everything is scrupulously clean, and the furry beauties are more or less adorned with bows of satin ribbon of various color; some have collars with tinkling bells, and a few are without ornamentation of any kind. Some are provided evidently by fond and loving mistresses, with dainty silken cushions upon which they lie contentedly, but the others owned by breeders are not so luxuriously housed.

There are some outrageous flirts, as was to be expected among so many beauties, and Miss Tabby does not hesitate to sing sweetly to Mr. Tortoise across the way, and many fetching glances are exchanged between the pair. They are both aristocrats, and a coal black gentleman close by divided his attentions between a beautiful white Angora, and one of less pretentious pedigree, in black and white, creating jealous disdain in the breast of the white Angora.

Among the visitors were many small children, who delighted in fondling the pussies whenever an opportunity was offered them. It is evident that the exhibit is to be the most popular attraction offered in this city for many moons.

Mr. Baker stated that the show of short-hairs is exceptionally good, and the last two classes, which are mostly from Rochester, are the best in the show. Some of the most celebrated cats in the country are here, including Champion Mete, the big winner from New York; Torti, from Chicago; Swampscott, the big white cat, and Treasure. Miss Moreau, of New York, sent nine manx, or tailless cats, and Mrs. Thurston, from Newport, sent five longhaired cats, most of which took prizes, and some the most valuable special prizes. Mr. Jones, of Palmyra, has the largest collection both in long and short- haired cats at the show, and he takes the prize for the best cat at the show, a brown Persian tabby from imported stock, named Robin Hood. The prizes awarded yesterday by Mr. Baker were as follows:

LONG HAIRED CLASS, WHITE MALE: First prize awarded Swampscott, owned by Mrs. Fred Everett Smith, of Chicago. Second prize, awarded Puff, owned by Miss Taylor, Rochester. Third prize, awarded His Majesty, owned by Mrs. M. B. Thurston, Newport, R.I.

WHITE FEMALES: First prize, awarded Jewel, owned by Mrs. Thurston.
BLACKS: First prize, Magic, owned by Mrs. Thurston. Second prize, awarded Nig, owned by Mr. Coolidge, Phelps, N.Y.
BLUES: Second prize, awarded Jimmykins, owned by Mr. Jones.
ORANGE OR YELLOW: First prize, awarded Angora owned by Mrs. Joseph Pressey, Rochester.
BROWN TABBY: First prize, awarded Robin Hood, owned by Mr. Jones. Second prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Jones.
BROWN TABBY FEMALES: First prize, awarded Goozie, owned by Mr. Jones. Second prize, awarded Happy Day, owned by Mr. Jones,
Third prize, awarded Treasure, owned by Mrs. F. E. Smith, Chicago.
GRAY TABBY: First prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Jones.
SILVER TABBY: First prize, awarded Witchwood, owned by Mrs.
Kate Lorraine Gage, Brewster, N.Y.
SMOKE MALE: First prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Jones.
SMOKE FEMALE: First prize, awarded Cossitt, owned by Mrs. M.B. Thurston, Newport.
BROWN AND WHITE TABBY: First prize, awarded Kilpie, owned by Mr. Jones. Second prize, awarded Kippie, owned by Mr. Jones. First prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Jones.
TORTOISE-SHELL: First prize, awarded Miss India, owned by Mrs. Thurston. Second prize, awarded Juliet, owned by Mrs Sage. Third prize, awarded Meme, owned by W.H. Nellis, Rochester.
BEST WHITE, BLACK OR BLUE KITTEN: First prize, awarded Flashlight, owned by Miss Hurlburt, Tompkinsville, S.I.
BEST BROWN OR GRAY KITTEN: First prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Jones.

ALTERED CATS – BEST WHITE, BLUE OR BLACK: First prize, awarded Fuzzy Wuzzy, owned by Mrs. Richard Harlan, Rochester. Second, awarded Toodles, owned by Mrs. Meade, Rochester.
BEST TABBY, ANY COLOR: First, second and third prizes awarded Mr. Jones’s cats.
BEST ANY OTHER COLOR: First prize, awarded Locksley, owned by Mrs. H.A. Mix. Akin, N.Y. Second and third prizes awarded Mr. Jones’s cats. Highly commended, Mrs. Meade’s William McKinley.

SHORT-HAIRED OR ORDINARY WHITE: First prize, awarded Mrs. Schlitzer’s cat, Rochester. Second prize, awarded Chester Coquette, owned by Mrs. L.C. Morran, Southampton, L.I.
BLACK: First prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Jones. Second prize, awarded Topsy, owned by Mr. Mallory, No. 142 State street, Rochester, N. Y.
BLUE OR MALTESE: First prize, awarded Petie, owned by Mrs. Thomas Jackson, Rochester.
BROWN TABBY: First prize, awarded Major, owned by A. H. Black, Rochester.
GRAY TABBY: First prize, awarded Baby, owned by Mrs. Jackson. Rochester.
SILVER TABBY: First prize, awarded Sylvia, owned by H. S. Draper, New York city.
ORANGE OR YELLOW TABBY: First prize, awarded Mete Champion, owned by Mr. Draper. Second prize, awarded Orange, owned by Mr. Jones.
TORTOISE-SHELL: First prize, awarded Torti, owned by Mr. Draper.
BROWN OR GRAY TABBY: First prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Jones.
SILVER OR ORANGE: First prize, awarded Bunny, owned by Mrs. N. M. White. Rochester. Second prize, awarded Chester Curprise, owned by Mrs. Morran.
BLUE AND WHITE OR BLACK AND WHITE: Second prize, awarded Beauty, owned by Richard P. Randolph.
ANY OTHER COLOR: First prize, awarded Trust, owned by Mr. Draper.

MANX: First prize, awarded Duke of Chester, owned by Mrs. Morran. Second prize, awarded Chester Caprice, owned by Mrs. Morran.
MANX FEMALES: First prize, awarded Chester Carmen, owned by Mrs. Morran. Second prize, awarded Chester Chiffon, owned by Mrs. Morran.
ALTERED MANX: First prize, awarded Chester Coquette, owned by Mrs. Morran.

SHORT-HAIRED KITTEN: First prize, awarded Chester Bride, owned by Mrs. Morran. Second and third prizes, awarded Mr. Mallory’s cats.
TORTOISE-SHELL: First prize, awarded Chester Prince, owned by Mrs. Morran. Second prize, awarded Lassie of the Second, owned by Mr. Draper.

ALTERED CATS — BEST SOLID COLOR: First prize, awarded Dewey, owned by Mrs. Ashton, Rochester. Second prize, awarded Turquoise, owned by Miss Hurlburt. Third prize, equal between Max, owned by Mrs. G. B. Hall, Rochester, and Mrs. J. E. Lavery. Rochester.

TABBY ANY COLOR, NO WHITE: First prize, awarded no name, owned by Mr. Stebbins, Rochester, Second prize, awarded Jim Corbett, owned by Miss Townsend, Rochester, Third prize, awarded Tiger, owned by Mrs.P.H. Kline, Rochester. Highly commended, Zenda Vesta, owned by Mrs. Brandon, Rochester; Ginger, owned by Mr. Jones; and Thomas, owned by Miss Hurlburt.
BEST ANY OTHER COLOR: First prize, awarded Petsey, owned by Miss Taylor, Rochester. Second prize, awarded Beauty, owned by Mrs. Kinney, Livonia, N.Y. Third prize, awarded Tiger, owned by Miss Miriam Lawrence, Rochester. Highly commended, Mr. Cole’s John; Mrs. Ryan’s Tiger; Mrs. Bragdon's Zarra Adter.

BERESFORD CAT CLUB PRIZES:
Long haired, best blue, prize awarded Mr. Jones’s cat.
Best white, prize awarded Swampscott, owned by Mrs. Smith.
Best silver, prize awarded Witchwood, owned by Mrs. Gate.
Best smoke, prize awarded Cosset, owned by Mrs. Thurston.

BEST TABBY: Prize awarded Robin Hood, owned by Mr. Jones.
BEST ANY OTHER COLOR: Prize awarded Miss India, owned by Mrs. Thurston.
BEST SHORTHAIRED MALE: Prize awarded Orange, owned by Mrs. Jones.
BEST SHORT HAIRED FEMALE: Prize awarded Mr. Jones’s cat.

The show will continue to-day and tomorrow, and will be open evenings, so that all will have an opportunity to see the famous pussies now domiciled at Fitzhugh hall.

PRETTY, POPULAR PUSSY - Democrat and Chronicle, January 10, 1901
Fitzhugh Hall Again Drew Immense Crowds at Wellesley Club Cat Show.
The cat show has proven so far one of the most successful undertakings that has been attempted in this city in some time. Yesterday there was a phenomenal attendance, and at the busy seasons of the afternoon and evening it was almost impossible to get near enough to see pussy favorably. There was a large attendance of society people, as well as little folks and real cat lovers. Financially the show is a big winner, and the young ladies of the Wellesley Club who had the pluck to go ahead with the enterprise have every reason to congratulate themselves.

Everyone was asking to see Robin Hood, a lovely brown, long-haired tabby, the greatest prize winner, considered the best cat of all at the show, and owned by Mr. Jones, of Palmyra. The long-haired pussies attracted a great deal of attention, especially the great white Angoras. Several sales were reported, and many prospective purchasers were trying to decide just which special puss best suited their purse and their taste. Certain it is that the points of the various favorites are being carefully canvassed, and Mr. Barker, the judge, has been kept pretty busy explaining the marks of superiority that led to the award in the several classes.

An incident of the show which is worthy of special mention happened yesterday afternoon, when Miss Blanche Nolds, a dainty but timid little miss of 9 years, appeared at the show bringing her pussy. Miss Nolds had heard of the show, and wanted her kitty to be entered. Here is her application which she handed in, together with the pussy cat:

This kitten's name is Lady Washington. This kitten has a record of catching 20 mice in 20 minutes her Mistress Is Blanch Nolds city.

Lady Washington has not taken a prize, being a very nondescript sort of an animal, but she has attracted no little attention, and Miss Nolds is very proud of her just the same.

To-day is the closing day of the show, and the morning and afternoon will be given up to the entertainment of the little folks especially. Many a little tot is looking forward to a view of these famous prize cats. To-night there will be a special musical programme and the award and presentation of the prizes. The members of the Wellesley Club will give a reception to their friends. No one ought to miss the cat show for it is well worth going to see, and judging from the attendance of last night few will miss it.

Following is a list of prize winners which was not published in yesterday’s issue of the Democrat and Chronicle, all of which are special:

BEST PAIR OF BLACK KITTENS: Prize awarded kittens owned by B. L. Palmer. Rochester.
BEST SHORT-HAIRED MALE: First prize awarded Meme, owned by H. S. Draper, New York city.
BEST SHORT-HAIRED FEMALE: Prize awarded Chester Carmen, owned by Miss Moreau, Southampton, L.I.
BEST ROCHESTER CAT: Prize awarded Dewey, owned by Mrs. Ashton.
BEST FAMILY OF KITTENS: Prize awarded Mr. Mallory's cat, Rochester.
BEST CAT OWNED BY BOY OR GIRL NOT OVER 14 YEARS: Prize awarded Beauty, owned by Richard Ludolph.
BEST CAT FROM CANADA: Prize awarded Pete, owned by Mrs. Thomas Jackson, Rochester.
BEST LONG-HAIRED CAT IN SHOW FROM ROCHESTER: First prize awarded Puff, owned by Miss Taylor. Second prize awarded Fuzzy Wuzzy, owned by Mrs. Richard Harlan. Third prize awarded Aurora, owned by Mrs. Joseph Pressey.
A silver cup was given as a prize for the best cat in the show, of which Robin Hood was winner. A prize given by Mr. Jones was won by one of his own cats, also Robin Hood.

BEST LONG-HAIRED FEMALE: Prize awarded Miss India, owned by Mrs. Thurston, from Newport.
BEST SMOKE FEMALE: Prize won by Cossitt, owned by Mrs. Thurston.
BEST NOVICE UNDER ONE YEAR OLD, NEVER BEFORE EXHIBITED: Prize won by Flashlight, owned by Miss Hurlburt, Tompkinsville, S.I.
BEST DISPLAY OF MANX CATS: Prize awarded Miss Moreau.

Dossenbach’s orchestra is a great attraction at the show in the evening, and the pussies seem to prick up their ears and display animation at the sound of the popular selections of this popular orchestra. To-day will be the last opportunity for those who have not already visited Fitzhugh hall.

CLOSE OF THE CAT SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, January 11, 1901
To-day it is a thing of the past — that cat show, concerning which so much has been said and read and written and printed. The event was planned and carried to a successful culmination by the Rochester Wellesley Club, the members of which will meet some day next week to discuss the affair in its various after-lights, financial, social, and philanthropical — for it must be remembered that the governing thought in arranging the exhibition was the attainment of sufficient funds to found a scholarship at Wellesley for some deserving young woman of Rochester. The club’s officers were not ready to say last night just how much progress towards the $5,000 wanted had been made through the proceeds of the show. This end of the enterprise will be considered at next week’s meeting of the club.

It is not yet known whether the club will establish itself as the official backer of Rochester cat shows. That is another matter to be considered at the meeting. The event that ended last night was considered a success, both in point of attendance by patrons and in point of number and excellence of entries.

It was largely an affair of social note; the patronesses are all members of the best circles. This aspect of the function, it is figured by persons interested, will increase with each succeeding cat show. It has been suggested also that this tendency would be largely developed if the cat-fanciers and the florists could see their way clear to uniting on an annual show, so that the attractions could be combined at a single exhibition. The prophecy was made last night that if the combination should be formed Fashion would adopt the an-nual exhibition and in time give it a fame like unto that of the New York horse show.

Several sales were made yesterday, mostly of Angora kittens and short-hair cats. The prize-winners received their awards last night, and later in the evening the Rochester exhibits were carried away in baskets by owners or by (more or less) willing escorts. The exhibits from out of town remained another night at Fitzhugh hall, in care of Harry Jones, of Palmyra, who will ship the cats to their various destinations to-day, and then go home to clear his ears of mingled mews and music, the former of the felines and the latter of Donnelly's orchestra, which furnished some excellent entertainment lust night.

GATHERING OF THE CATS - Democrat and Chronicle, January 11, 1901
The much talked of cat show which is to open at Fitzhugh hall to-morrow morning promises to be one of the social successes of the season, as well as affording the general public an opportunity to inspect the finest cat flesh the world has produced. The Wellesley Club of this city is holding the show for a charitable purpose, and the patronesses are Mrs. Fred Allen, Mrs. Henry F. Burton. Mrs. Harry Langdon Brewster, Mrs. J. Warren Cutler, Mrs. Newton M. Collins, Mrs. Henry G. Danforth, Dr. Kazabeth Denio, Mrs. A. O. Fenn, Mrs. Albert H. Harris, Mrs. Sumner Hayward, Mrs. John Howe, Mrs. Max Landsberg, Miss Alida Lattimore, Mrs. George Loomis, Mrs. Alexander M. Lindsay, Mrs. W. A. Montgomery; Mrs. Henry Perkins. Mrs. J. Harry Stedman, Mrs. W. R. Taylor, Mrs. James Watson, Mrs. Warham Whitney, Miss Clara Wilder, Mrs. Frederick Will and Miss Marion Wright.

The event will be the occasion of many "cat parties," and the hall will be the popular meeting place for society people during the days of the show. Apart from this, interest centers in the really excellent cats which will grace the show. The Beadle, from Mrs. Locke’s Chicago collection, was a notable arrival of yesterday. The Beadle has taken prizes almost without number on both sides of the Atlantic, and is a magnificent Angora, weighing thirty pounds or more. Swampscott Victor, Gauzie, Crystal and a whole string of the celebrities are here anxiously awaiting the competition.

The Beresford Cat Club, of Chicago, which has offered a number of valuable medals, will be well represented. Already the hotels are beginning to fill up with cat fanciers from all parts of the country. The show has brought together about every kind of a cat from the common feline of the back alley to the aristocratic resident of milady’s boudoir, and will be well worth going to see.

STOLE ANGORA CAT FROM SHOW - Detroit Free Press, January 11, 1901. George H. Herring, the chiropodist at 204 Woodward avenue, was placed under arrest, by Special Officers Rutledge and Saal yesterday afternoon upon a charge of larceny. It is alleged that he stole a handsome Angora cat from a cage at the cat show Wednesday night and that the cat was found in his rooms. The officers state that he admitted having stolen the feline but did not consider it criminal.

CATS DREW WELL – Democrat and Chronicle, January 12th, 1901
The cats have all gone to their homes, and the Rochester Wellesley Club, under whose auspices the cat show was given, is figuring up where it stands financially. The work is very pleasant, because already matters have been shaped enough to know that the figure is on the right side of the column and a good sized one. Miss L.S. Wetmore, secretary of the club, said last night that she presumed the proceeds would show $600 clear gain. There were 1,100 paid admissions the first day, 2,200 the second, and between 900 and 1,000 the third day and night.

The society is greatly pleased with the result financially and otherwise, and so much so that another show next year is contemplated. The money realized is to be used toward establishing a scholarship at Wellesley College for a Rochester girl: no girl in particular but any one who may prove herself worthy. It will require $500 each year for this expense. The money thus realized will not be paid over, nor the young woman started at the college until next September.

The cat show was the first to be held in this part of the state. New York has held them, but It remained for Rochester to be the second city in the state to have the honor of being host to pussy. The cats were all in splendid condition when they left for their homes, and meowed requests that they might return next year and again display their points of excellence. Some 150 of the cats died at the last show held in London, England, but then a "London fog will kill a dog," and sometimes a cat. Yesterday Miss Wetmore was sending away the prizes that had been won. Several purchases were made during the exhibit here, and a few of the pussies remained behind as personal property of Rochesterians. There are more cats of pedigree in Rochester to day than before the period of the cat days.

PREPARATIONS BEGIN FOR ANNUAL CAT SHOW – November 8th, 1901
Pussy is going to pay Rochester another visit. She made her debut in this city about a year ago under the auspices of the Wellesley Club, and so warm was her reception and so favorable an impression did she leave, that it has been decided to repeat the visit. The dates announced for the show are November 20th, 21st and 22nd, at Fitzhugh hall, and all entries must be in by Friday, November 15th.

In connection with the cat show there will be a cavy exhibit, and John Robinson, of New York, has been engaged to judge the animals. It is intended to furnish entertainment aside from the exhibit of aristocratic and plebeian felines, so there will be a "European cat circus," in which numerous highly intelligent pussies will do numerous startling acts.

It was stated by E. N. Barker, one of the principal judges last year, that the show produced the finest collection of short-haired cats he had ever seen. It is hoped that everyone in Rochester who possesses a cat will enter it in the show. What are known as "common cats" are quite as acceptable as those of long pedigree and aristocratic lineage. Entry blanks may be secured by applying to Miss Louise Wetmore, No. 84 South Fitzhugh street, or Mrs. Joseph Dodge, No. 129 Thayer street. The cost of each entry will be $1. The entrance fee for cavies will be 50 cents. Following is a list of prizes and medals which will be awarded:

SPECIAL PRIZES.
The Beresford Cat Club will donate four club medals, two to cats owned by members of the club, and two to cats owned by non members. Altered cats not eligible for these medals.
To the best male cat in the show, owned by a member of the B. C. C. of A., a Beresford club medal.
To the best female cat in the show, owned by a member of the B. C. C.. of A., a Beresford club medal.
To the best male cat in the show, owner not a member of the B. C. C.. of A., a Beresford club medal.
To the best female cat in the show, owner not a member of the B. C. C., of A., a Beresford club medal.
To the best long-haired queen, owned by a New York number of the B. C. C., of A., a silver cup, Mrs. Clinton Locke.
To the best short haired female, one year’s subscription to Poultry Monthly
To the best smooth-haired cat, solid color, one year's subscription to Poultry Monthly.
To the best short-haired kitten, one year subscription to Poultry Monthly.
To the best long-haired kitten, one year subscription to Poultry Monthly.
To the best long-haired cat in the show, silver cup, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company.
To the best short-haired cat in the show, silver cup, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Company.
To the best long-haired solid white cat, Madras jardiniere, L. S. Foulkes.
To the best neuter cat, long-haired, one year subscription to Field and Fancy.
To the best neuter eat, short-haired, one year subscription to Field and Fancy.
To the best black female, photographs of himself and family, Menelik III.
To the best mother with family, of kittens, short-haired, $5 in gold, Horace McGuire.
To the best brown tabby, male, photographs of himself and family, Menelik III.
To the best Rochester cat, $5 in gold, George Peer.
To the best out-of-town cat, not owned by fancier or breeder, silver dish, Miss Ellzabctz Gibbard.
To the best team of long-haired kittens, book. "Concerning cats." Lansing Wetmore.
To the cat most unusual in coloring, silver cup, Hiram H. Wood.
To the best exhibition of long-haired cats outside New York state, $5 In gold, E. L. Howe.
To the best short haired black kitten, silver cup, Henry J. Moore.
To the best cat owned by boy or girl not over 14 years old, $3, Miss Marion Wright.
To the homeliest [least attractive] cat in the show (cats entered in this class must be sound and well), gold locket. Humburch Brothers.
To the best short-haired cat, owned by a member of the Rochester Wellesley Club, silver cup. Horace McGuire Jr.
To the best collection of Manx cats, silver medal, Rochester Wellesley Club.
To the best long-haired novice, silver modal, Rochester Wellesley Club.
To the best Persian cat, silver medal, Rochester Wellesley Club.
To the best tortoiseshell cat, silver medal, Rochester Wellesley Club.
Other special prizes will be announced later.

The judges will be E. N. Barker, who was here in charge of the show last year, and John Robins, of New York. The patronesses are: Mrs. Frederick T. Allen, Mrs. George Loomis, Mrs. Henry F. Burton, Mrs. Alexander M. Lindsay, Mrs. J. Warren Cutler, Mrs. William A. Montgomery, Mrs. Newton M. Collins, Mrs. Henry Perkins, Mrs. Henry G. Danforth, Mrs. J. Harry Stedman, Dr. Elizabeth Denio, Mrs. H. W. Sibley, Mrs. Albert O. Fenn, Mrs. William R. Taylor, Mrs. Albert H. Harris, Mrs. James Watson, Mrs. Sumner Hayward, Mrs. Warham Whitney, Mrs. John Howe. Miss Clara Wilder, Mrs. Max Landsberg, Mrs. Frederick Will, Miss Alida Lattimore, Miss Marion Wright.

The money realized from the «show will be added to the fund established by the club last year for the purpose of creating a scholarship in Wellesley College to aid worthy Rochester young women ambitious for a college education.

THE CAT SHOW IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE – Democrat and Chronicle November 10th, 1901
College alumni the world over are anxious always to work for alma mater and the different clubs vie with each other in the variety and elaborateness of the entertainments constantly offered by them. The most unique undertaking of its kind was announced last year when the Rochester Wellesley Club advertised a cat show. The result of this exhibit, when announced, inspired the club to start s fund which, when complete, would give them the privilege of a scholarship at Wellesley which is to be devoted to some Rochester girl.

Preparations now under way for this second annual cat show, which is to be held in Fitzhugh hall from noon Wednesday, November 20th, to noon Saturday November 23d. It is surprising how rapidly the interest in raising and owning fine cats has increased in this country the last few years. England has long been the home of pedigreed cats and from there the fancy came to this country. Though the raising of high class cats started in New England, Chicago is now the cat center in this country. There the Beresford Cat Club of America, has its headquarters, and the Wellesley Club has secured patronage of this organization for their exhibit and have received from them four handsome silver medals and a silver cup to be given as special prizes. The entire premium list for the coming show is very attractive. Every class has been provided for by the regular cash prizes of S4 and $2, and firsts and seconds. The special list is even longer than last year and shows how much interested the local business firms and friends are in having the cat show success and the Rochester scholarship founded at Wellesley. It seems as though any feline pet could cover itself with glory and prizes at Fitzhugh hall next week. That many will certainly do so is evinced by the rapidity with which the entry blanks are being sent in. Everyone wants Mr. Barker, of Albany, the best judge of cats in America, to see their finest cat or cats. And this applies not alone to the longhaired Angora, but to the short-haired or "ordinary" cat, which proves many times not to be ordinary at all. Mr. Barker is specially appreciative of short-haired cats and has offered his five specials to these alone.

But cars are not everything at this show. The National Cavy Club, lately established, has added a new interest to pet stock exhibits [. . .]. And not by any means the least attraction which will claim your attention at this show is Monsieur Dubec and his troop of trained animals. There is to be a performance every afternoon and evening and Saturday morning. Cats are extremely difficult to train, as their independent, yet sensitive spirit resists persuasion and resents force. Monsieur Dubec has achieved wonderful success in this direction and Spectators will see pussy, among other wonderful feats, calmly walking a tight rope or gingerly picking her way over live mice at every step.

The management is extremely anxious that this year’s exhibit shall even surpass that of last year and asks for the healthy co-operation of every cat owner, whether fancier or breeder or simply master or mistress of a pet cat. A large entry from New York state is especially desired. Everything possible for the health and comfort of the animals will be done and great care taken in unpacking and re-packing any pets sent. Premium list and entry blank will be sent on application, or may be obtained from Miss Louise Wetmore. No. 84 South Fitzhugh street or from Mrs. J. HI. Dodge, N. 29 Bayer street. All entries must be in by Friday, I November 15th.

ENTRIES FOR CAT SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, November 13, 1901
The List of entries for the cat show which opens at Fitzhugh hall next Wednesday is daily increased by the addition of names of feline celebrities, and those who take pleasure in a congregation of cats of high degree are promised a treat in that event. The entries will be grouped in two general classes for short-haired and long-haired cats. The short-haired animals include the common kinds and the longhaired breeds are fancy stock.

The Siamese, the Russian blue and the Abyssinian, the latter supposed to be descendants of the cats worshiped by the Egyptians, are short-haired, but are considered fancy stock. The Indian, Persian, Egyptian, Chinese and Angora are longhaired. Persian cats command high prices. The Angora in its native places has curly hair, but the curl soon disappears from the hair of those bred in this country. A cat from Thibet has long hair and blue eyes; this breed is rare. Cat-breeders give much attention to short ears, a round head, short body and a firm coat.

Cats much pass a physical examination before being admitted to quarters in the hall. Dr. George Legg has been appointed to oversee this work. It is expected that all the cats will be in the city on Wednesday morning. E. N. Barker, of Albany, is to be Judge of the exhibit.

ENTRIES FOR CAT SHOW. - Democrat and Chronicle, November 14th, 1901
No entries to the cat show to be held at Fitzhugh hall on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of next week will be received after to-morrow night. It is desired that especial attention be called to this fact, and everyone who wants to enter cats is urged to have them listed by to-night.
The list of classes has been made up. There are fifty-five in all, and in each one there are two prizes. In every class the first prize is $4 and the second prize $2. Following is a complete list of the different classes:

LONG-HAIRED CATS.
Class 1 — White male.
Class 2 - White female.
Class 3 — Black male or female
Class 4 — Blue male.
Class 5 — Blue female.
Class 6 — Orange or yellow, marked or unmarked, no white.
Class 7 — Cream or fawn, no white.
Class 8 — Brown tabby male, no white.
Class 9 — Brown tabby female, no white.
Class 10 — Silver tabby, male or female, no white.
Class 11 — Chinchilla or shaded silver, as unmarked as possible, no white, male.
Class 12 — Same as class 11, female.
Class 13 — Smoke male.
Class 14 — Smoke female.
Class 15 — Brown or gray tabby, with white, male or female.
Class 16 — Orange or silver tabby, with white, male or female.
Class 17 — Tortoise shell, with or without white, male or female.
Class 18 — Any other color, no white.
Class 19 — Any other color, with white.

LONG-HAIRED KITTENS.
Class 20 — Best white, black or blue, solid colors.
Class 21 — Best orange or yellow, marked or unmarked, and best cream or fawn, no white.
Class 22 — Best brown, gray or silver tabby.
Class 23 — Best silver or smoke.
Class 24 — Best any other color.

LONG-HAIRED ALTERED CATS

Class 25 — Best white, blue or black.
Class 26 — Best tabby, any color, no white.
Class 27 — Best any color tabby with white.
Class 28 — Best any other color.

SHORT-HAIRED CATS.
Class 29 — White, male or female.
Class 30 — Black, male or female.
Class 31 — Blue or maltese, male or female.
Class 32 — Brown tabby, male or female, no white.
Class 33 — Gray tabby, male or female, no white.
Class 34 — Silver tabby, male or female, no white.
Class 35 — Orange or yellow tabby, male or female, no white.
Class 36 — Tortoise shell, with or without white, male or female.
Class 37 — Brown or gray tabby, with, white, male or female.
Class 38 — Silver, orange or yellow tabby, with white, male or female.
Class 39 — Blue and white or black and white, male or female.
Class 40 — Any other color, with or without white.

MANX.
Class 41 — Male.
Class 42 — Female.
Class 43 - Altered or gelded.
Class 44 — Kitten.
Class 45 — Siamese, male or female.
Class 46 — Siamese kitten.
Class 47 — Any other foreign variety.

SHORT HAIRED KITTENS.
Class 48 — Best white, black or blue.
Class 49 — Best tabby, any color, no white.
Class 50 — Tortoise shell, with or without white, or tabby with white.
Class 51 — Best any other color.

SHORT HAIRED ALTERED CATS.
Class 52 — Best white, black, blue or maltese.
Class 53 — Best tabby, brown or gray, no white.
Class 54 — Best silver tabby or orange, no white.
Class 55 — Best any other color.

To those unfamiliar with the terms employed by cat fanciers, some elucidation of them may not be unacceptable. White must be entirely white, with no marks, and eyes generally bine or yellow. Black must be quite black, and orange eyes are especially prized in this class. Blue or maltese are without white and are especially beautiful when they have orange or yellow eyes. A tabby is any cat which is barred, striped or mottled. Brown, blue, gray, silver or yellow animals, marked with black or darker color, go in tabby classes. Manx cats have no tails, and appear in all colors. Long-haired cats are Persian, Angora, Indian, etc. The silver, smokes and creams are peculiar to longhaired cats, the characteristic appearance being due to the shading of the hairs from the dark at the ends to the light at the bodies. Chinchilla is a name frequently applied to shaded silver.

MANY ENTRIES RECEIVED – Democrat and Chronicle, November 15th, 1901
Entries are being dally received by the secretaries of the cat show to be held under the auspices of the Wellesley Club at Fitzhugh hall, beginning at noon next Wednesday and closing at noon of November 23d. Among the famous prize cats entered are
Sweetheart and Ladylove, from Southern New York and Menelik III., from Washington, D.C. Chiefton, a foreign importation, will also be here. Rochester honors will be contested for by a larger number even than at the show last year. Among these are Jupiter and Juno, the prize Angoras of East avenue, who came here this summer from the coast of Maine. Two famous beauties that will be here are General Otis and Queen Victoria. Entry blanks and prize lists may be had of Mrs. Joseph Dodge, No. 29 Thayer street, or of Miss Louise Wetmore, No. 84 South Fitzhugh street. Entries close Saturday night.

ABOUT THE CAT SHOW - Democrat and Chronicle, November 17, 1901
The people of Rochester, old and young, have become so interested in cats and so well versed in cat-kind that it is necessary but to mention the dates of the coming cat show, from noon, Wednesday, November 20th, to noon, Saturday, November 23rd, to have those days set apart for visits to Fitzhugh hall. There, in dainty cages, will be found cats of high and low degree, each, according to the fond owner's opinion, worthy of at least one, if not all four prizes awarded to each class; not to mention several specials.

Admiral Dewey, a handsome and noble black cat, has presented himself with all due modesty for exhibition. Oom Paul, a Rochester cat noted for his lighting propensities, offers himself as a match for any other cat in the show. It is hoped that he will not be overcome in any encounter between now and Wednesday as to unfit him for the final "prize fight." "Topsy II" and "Everham," both of whom took prizes as kittens last year, will seek on Wednesday their reward» for entering the world of full-grown cats.

Every baby is worth thousands of dollars to someone, but few people have the opportunity of seeing one, sent all alone from Massachusetts, for exhibition; "Baby," a beautiful tortoise shell cat, valued at $1,000, will be seen at Fitzhugh hall next week. All these and many more invite you to come.
Besides the cats there will be cavies, or guinea pigs, of all sorts and colors. A fine exhibition of gold fish, Japanese and American, and singing canaries will add to the entertainment. Monsieur Dubeck’s trained cats will give a performance each afternoon and evening, and Saturday morning, during the show.

[. . .]A Utica cat, emulating the example of a Lockport feline, short-circuited a powerful electric current the other day, but, unlike her Lockport sister, came out of the experience alive and well. This tough Utica pussy should have a place in Rochester’s cat show.

ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS OF CATS TO BE EXHIBITED – Democrat and Chronicle, November 18, 1901
The cat show will soon be here. Rochester cannot boast of an annual horse show, but it can boast of its cat show. Cats of all descriptions, from far and near and of many climes, are to take up their abode the latter half of this week at Fitzhugh hall. The gifted press agent furnishes this interesting and entertaining advance notice of the cat congress:

"In addition to the exhibition pussies, which have nothing to do but look charming, there is to be a troupe of trained cats, brought all the way from Europe to furnish entertainment particularly for American small boys and girls, though, incidentally no doubt, they will amuse the big ones as well. These wonderful pussies walk tight ropes, enact thrilling dramas and do other unusual things. Whatever they do, it is bound to be novel, for though we have heard of all sort of creatures being trained to perform in public, even to the unslothful ant, few of us have had the pleasure of seeing performing cats.

That the children will be delighted goes without saying. All children love kitties and will want to see them, as who will not? Everyone loves to see a well-kept cat about the house. There is an air of contentment about the purring creature lying in a sunny corner that nothing else can give. The old-fashioned New England kitchen was not complete without its sleek, well-fed tabby.

"Such cats are an ornament to society, but let no one think there is any relationship between these dignified and discreet animals and that set of outcasts known as the back fence variety, whose screeching invectives at dead of night awaken honest folk from sleep and call forth the most unchristian thoughts and language. These are the Anarchists of cat society, who go howling about at midnight, inciting and denouncing in their fierce caterwauling, reminding one of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘wall- eyed, yellow frame house of a horse,’ that came up to the back pasture, trying to incite a revolt against man, the oppressor, among the more respectable, law-abiding horses.

"The cat that appeals to the more practical-minded of us, it must be confessed, is the useful mouse catcher. The cat that goes cheerfully about the business of ridding the house of mice is a public benefactor. Nothing is too good for that cat, not even mice. But in the cat world, as elsewhere, utility is not all, and beauty claims her accustomed tribute. We lay our hand in blessing on the head of the mouse catcher, but we adore her charming sister, whose face is her fortune.

"Both kinds will be seen at the cat show, and the fancy kinds especially, in most pleasing variety. The tortoise shell cat, or Spanish, with its pleasing mixture of black, white and yellow; the Chartreuse, of a bluish gray color; the angora, with its long, silky hair of dusky white, the favorite drawing room pet; the twisted-tailed cats of Madagascar and the red colored breed of Tobolsk — all or nearly all of these famous breeds will be there, including the prize blue-ribbon cats of other shows, while by their side, undaunted by her rivals, the "homeliest cat" will lift her unblushing face.

"All of you know by this time that the cat is a very ancient institution, dating back for thousands of years; but while the subject of cats is an old one, the cats at the coming show will not be ancient subjects, even though they have their reputed nine lives with them. At any rate they will not be so old as to have ceased to be interesting. At the same time, it is to be hoped they will not have the same paralyzing effect in Rochester that they once had in Egypt, when the shrewd general of an opposing army, knowing the superstition of the Egyptians, headed his army with cats, whereupon the horrified natives fell back, not daring to touch the sacred felines, and the army marched into the city.

"But cats, the useful, the beautiful and the wonderful, do not end the list of attractions at the coming show. There will be a fine display of goldfish, Japanese and American, and last but not least, there will be cavies (guinea pigs) of all sorts and colors. Just here the committee wishes to have corrected the report that the exhibition is to include a collection of calves, a mistake arising doubtless from a misunderstanding of the word cavies. Not that the committee would be understood as considering an exhibition of calves in the least objectionable, except as the subjects might not appear graceful in cages; of the sizes that must be used in the show."

It is promised by the committee of the Wellesley Club, under whose auspices the cat show is to be given, that the entertainment will be most unique and pleasing. I No one should miss paying a visit to Fitzhugh hall during the exhibition, which opens at noon Wednesday and continues until noon Saturday. Besides receiving more than the worth of their money, those who attend will have the gratification of knowing they are contributing toward a Rochester scholarship at Wellesley College, which will be something for Rochesterians to be proud of.

HIGH-BRED CATS – Democrat and Chronicle, November 19, 1901
The following patronesses have been announced for the cat show which will commence to-morrow noon at Fitzhugh hall; Mrs. Frederick P. Allen, Mrs. Henry F. Burton, Mrs. Harry Langdon Brewster, Mrs. J. Warren Cutler, Mrs. Newton M. Collins, Mrs. Henry G. Danforth, Dr. Elizabeth Denio, Mrs. A. O. Fenn, Mrs. Albert H. Harris, Mrs. Sumner Hayward, Mrs. John Howe, Mrs. Max Landsberg; Miss Alida Lattimore, Mrs. George Loomis, Mrs. Alexander M. Lindsay, Mrs. W. A. Montgomery, Mrs. Henry Perkins, Mrs. J. Harry Stedman, Mrs. H. W. Sibley, Mrs. W. R. Taylor, Mrs. James Watson, Mrs. Warham Whitney, Miss Clara Wilder, Mrs. Frederick Will and Miss Marion Wright.

A feature of the show will be a number of "cat parties," and interest grows daily In the exhibition, which will absorb the attention of local society the remainder of the week. The variety of feline tribes that will be up for inspection by the general public is large and the show will be exceedingly entertaining and instructive, even to people not well up on the subject of fancy breeds of cats.

SECOND ANNUAL SHOW OF CATS AND CAVIES – Democrat and Chronicle, November 21, 1901

The second annual cat show, and cavy and ornamental fish exhibition, under the patronage of the Wellesley Club of this city and the Beresford Cat Club of Chicago, opened in Fitzhugh hall yesterday. The greater portion of the afternoon was devoted to arranging the exhibits, but in the evening the show had been gotten well under way and was enjoyed by a very large number of visitors.

In a general way there are many more feline exhibits than at the very successful show held at the same hall one year ago. It was also the opinion of many visitors that the individual merits of candidates for ribbons ranked higher than at the first exhibition, which is saying much. Certain it is that there are many cats of high degree now purring and posing for the admiration of visitors to the big exhibition hall. There are long-haired cats and short-haired cats, maltese and tabby cats, tortoiseshell cats, cats from Persia and the land of the Turk and tailless Manx cats. In fact, the collection is the largest ever brought together in Rochester, and is said to include some of the most valuable cats in the world. The number of exhibits from out of town is very large.

The collection of cavies, or guinea pigs, while not so large, is very attractive to lovers of those animals, and includes many interesting specimens. The collection of ornamental fish, exhibited by George W. Smith, of this city, attracted much attention yesterday afternoon and last evening, and is said to be the largest collection ever shown here.

Perhaps the rarest specimens of cats are in the tortoise-shell family. It seems that male tortoise-shell cats are so scarce that they are almost unknown. It was stated by E. N. Barker, one of the judges, that he had never seen but three male tortoiseshell cats with white, one of which is in the present collection, and had never before seen a male tortoise-shell cat without white, and had only hteard of two before. The present collection contains one without white. Usually, it is explained, only take on the peculiar turquoise [sic. tortoise?] markings.

Mrs. Kimball’s male tortoise-shell Baby, which is valued at $1,000, but which could probably not be purchased at any price, has the distinction of being one of the three male tortoise-shell cats with white known. It is a magnificently marked animal and attracted much attention. It bears a first-prize ribbon.

Mrs. Mix of Aiken, N.Y., exhibits the male tortoise without white. It is smoke colored and is finely marked. It is a large animal, three or four years old. It was imported from England, where it took five first and two championship prizes. Mrs. Mix exhibits two valuable female tortoise shells.

There is a good general collection of short-haired or ordinary cats, which were not reached by the judges yesterday. They receive their awards of vari-colored ribbons to-day, in accordance with their merit.

The display of Persian cats is very large and generally meritorious. One, pure white, with blue eyes, attracted much attention. It is an importation from Turkey, and is 2 years old. It is exhibited by Miss Detroit.

John Robin, of New York, exhibits two very handsome blue Persians, and Mrs. Bond shows a notable specimen of the black Persian, which is nearly the largest animal in the collection. Then there are brown tabbies, imported from England, and many other varieties, some of which have yet to be visited by the judges.

A very notable exhibit, and one which elicits much admiration from judges of cats of high degree, is Silver Chieftain, a light Silver male, imported from Persia. It took the first prize at the Crystal Palace at London. It is entered by Mrs. Conlisk, of Buffalo. It was the proud possessor of a first prize ribbon last evening.

The awards, so far as announced, are given below:

LONG-HAIRED CATS
Class 2, white female - Miss Detroit, first; Miss Wright’s Lilith, second.
Class 4, blue male - Mr Robbin's Simon D., first; Mr. Robbin’s Robert J. second.
Class 6, orange yellow – Mrs. Chapman’s Rufus, first; Red Arthur, second.
Class 7, cream or fawn, no white – Mrs. Mix’s Dairy Maid, first.
Class 9, brown tabby, female, no white – Mrs. Edith K. Neel’s cat, first; Mrs. Bond’s Shadu’h Mulk, second.
Class 11, chinchilla or shaded silver – mrs. Conlisk’s Silver Chieftain, first.
Class 14, smoke female – Mrs. Mix’s Lady Love, first; Mrs. Conlisk’s Katiedid, second.
Class 15, brown or gray tabby – Peggy, first.
Class 17, tortoiseshell, with or without white – Mrs Mix’s Tootie Diana Fawe, first; Rupata, second.
Class 18, any other color, no white – Mrs. Mix’s Kink [King?] of the Silvers, first; Mrs. Chapman’s Miss Ophelia, second.

LONG-HAIRED KITTENS
Class 20, best white, black or blue, solid colors – Mr. Robins’s Blue Girl, first; mr. neye’s Dimple, second.
Class 22, brown, gray or silver tabby – Mrs. Chapman’s tags, first; Sargent Force’s Jupiter, second.
Class 23, silver or smoke – Mrs. Mix’s Jack Frost, first; Mr. Robin’s Rosa, second.
Class 24, any other color – Mrs. Mix’s Oriole, first; Mrs. Charles Smith’s Colonel, second.

LONG-HAIRED NEUTERS
Class 26, white, blue or black – Mrs. Chapman’s Little Billee, first.
Class 27, any other color, tabby, with white – Charles Smith’s Rossie, first; Miss Wetmore’s Bennie, second.

SHORT-HAIRED OR ORDINARY CATS
Class 29, white male or female – Mrs. J. Schlitzer’s Trilby, first; Cat, second.
Class 30, black male or female – Mallory & Thomas’s Topsy II, first; Louis Pierce’s Nig, second.
Class 31, blue or maltese, male or female – Elsie Caring’s Jack, first; Walter E. Copp’s Tiddlewinks, second.
Class 32, brown tabby, male or female, no white – Miss Florence Williams’s Boots, first; Mrs. Shellhorn’s Minnie, second.
Class 33, gray tabby, no white, male or female – Mr Draper’s Tommie, first; Mr rabbitt’s Otis, second.
Class 35, orange or yellow tabby, male or female, no white – Mr Draper’s Mete, first.
Class 36, tortoise shell, with or without white, male or female – Mrs. Kimball’s Baby, first; Mr Draper’s Lassie second.
Class 37, brown or gray tabby, with white, male or female – Mr Dodge’s Topsy, first; Mrs. Dransfield’s Collins, with her family, second.
Class 38, silver, orange or yellow tabby, with white, male or female – Miss Dodge’s Queen Mab, first; Fuzzy, second.
Class 39, blue and white, or black and white, male or female – Richard Ludolph’s Beauty, first; Cox’s Cure, second.
Class 40, any other color, with or without white – Miss Dukelow’s Pug, first; Mr Draper’s Smut, second.

MANX
Class 41, male – Mrs. Terwilliger’s Bob, first.

KITTENS
Class 42, white, black or blue – Sam B. Palmer’s Topsy, first; Mr. Draper’s Jet, second.
Class 43, any other color – Miss Brown’s Topsy, first; Miss Townsend’s Queen Victoria, second.

Other prizes will be awarded today. During the evening a very pleasing entertainment was given by a company of trained dogs, monkey’s cats and white rats, under the management of M. Dubec. The animals performed numerous feats which amused some of the older visitors as well as the children. The exhibition will remain open during the remainder of the week.

PUSSY’S LAST APPEARANCE – Democrat and Chronicle, November 23rd, 1901

The cat show at Fitzhugh hall closes at noon to-day. School children of all ages wil1 be admitted for 10 cents, and they should not fail to see the cat circus, the last performance of which will be given at 11 o'clock this morning. Each child will be given an opportunity to vote for his or her favorite cat, at a cost of 1 cent, or six votes for five. One little enthusiast yesterday put in 72 votes for one cat.

An interesting event occurred Thursday night at the hall, in the birth of two tiny cavies, the mother of which is very proud. It only takes six hours for cavies to reach the stage of development at which they "take notice," and at the end of that period these little ones were cheerfully gnawing carrots. They were the objects of much admiration yesterday.

The attendance was unusually large last night and yesterday afternoon, the largest since the show opened. The way to see the animals in comfort is to go early before the crowds begin to pour in.

A special prize was given yesterday to Mrs. Miller’s Jerry. It was a silver cup: " from Pussy’s friends." The cats were all lively last night, the kittens especially being very playful. Two white kittens that look like animated snowballs were centers of attraction.

In class 52 were four cats any one of which was worthy of first prize. It was therefore decided to divide the prizes among them, giving two first and two second prizes. They were Mrs. Hollway’s William McKinley, Mrs. Ashton’s Dewey, Miss Ross's Admiral Dewey and Mrs. Van Houten's Malty, the last two taking second prizes.

Last evening the famous Wellesley cat was disposed of at auction to George Peer for $10. There were many bidders.
The show has been a gratifying success in every respect. There will be a substantial sum which the Wellesley Club will be able to add to its scholarship fund, as the result of the show, which has given the people of Rochester, the children in particular, so much genuine pleasure.

CLOSE OF CAT SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, November 24, 1901
Fltzhugh hall was crowded yesterday up to the closing of the cat show at noon. The animal circus attracted a great number of little folk, and each child was allowed to vote for his favorite cat at a penny a vote. The famous Wellesley cat was sold at auction to George Peer for $10. A silver cup was given on Friday to Mrs. Miller’s "Jerry" as a special prize. The show has been a success in every respect, and it is believed that a substantial sum has been realized and will go to the Wellesley scholarship fund.

1902 ROCHESTER CAT SHOW

BABIES, PONIES, CATS AND DOGS – Democrat and Chronicle, December 7th, 1902
It was stated yesterday that it has been definitely decided that the Young Woman’s Christian Association of this city will, through its Gymnasium Committee, hold a two weeks’ Pet Show and Fair in this city during the first two weeks of February. This project has been under discussion for several days, but it was not until yesterday afternoon that a decision was reached.

The Gymnasium Committee held a meeting yesterday afternoon at which A. R. Rogers, who is the owner of Jim Key, the horse on exhibition last week at Fitzhugh Hall under the auspices of the Rochester Humane Society, was present. A contract was signed with him, and there will be a meeting of the committee the first thing this week to get the work started at once. The plan and scope of the undertaking will be laid out immediately. The ladies are enthusiastic and unanimously agreed to undertake the enterprise. It is hoped to make it one of the largest events ever held in Rochester, to raise the sum of between $3,000 and $10,000 for the use of the association.

The Pet Show and Fair will be held in Fitzhugh Hall, and, for the purpose of utilizing all possible room, the galleries and space between will be floored over. In addition to this, the large rooms that are located in the so-called attic will be fixed up and thus the entire floor space that can be used will exceed 7,500 square feet.

The plans have not yet been made in detail, of course, but on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the first week in February, a Cat Show will be the special attraction. On the first four days of the second week in the month, the special attraction will be a Dog Show. On the two remaining days the public will witness a Pony Show. On each evening there will be special features planned for the entertainment of the people. Among those already under way is a musical concert for the first evening. On the second evening it is thought there that may be a gymnasium exhibition by the association classes, including a basketball contest by two opposing teams of young ladies.

The Cat Show will be given under the national rules of the American Cat Show. The dog show will be governed by the American Kennel Club rules.

TO ORGANIZE A CAT CLUB – Democrat and Chronicle, December 17th, 1902
On Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock there will be a meeting held in the Young Woman's Christian Association building for the purpose of forming a cat club. The club will be organized under the rules of the American Cat Club, and all interested are urged to be at the meeting. The club will give a cat show at the Pet Fair and Show to be held in February by the Gymnasium Committee of the association.

BABIES, CATS AND DOGS - Democrat and Chronicle, December 24, 1902
Show Under Auspices of Y. W. C. A. to be Held February 9th to 21st.
The date of the Pet Fair and Show to be promoted by the Gymnasium Committee of the Young Women‘s Christian Association has been fixed. The fair will be held February 9th to 21st at Fitzhugh Hall. On the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th a dog show will be held under the auspices of the Rochester Kennel Club. These dates have been chosen that the dogs exhibited in New York under the auspices of the American Kennel Club may be brought direct to this city at the close of the New York show, and from here be sent to Buffalo and on to Chicago, all of which shows will be held under the rules of the American Kennel Club.

The new club will apply at once for admission into the American Cat Association, and the cat show in connection with the Pet Fair and Show will be held under the auspices of the newly organized club, according to the rules of the American association. Cats from all parts of the country are expected. The dates of the show are February 11th, 12th and 13th. The other dates of the Pet Fair and Show will be devoted to babies and ponies. It is expected this will be the biggest fair of the kind ever held in Rochester. Those back of the enterprise are very enthusiastic and believe it will be a great success.

FAMOUS CATS TO BE HERE – Democrat and Chronicle, December 30th, 1902
Exhibit of Rochester Club Will Attract Many Pussies of High Degree.
The Rochester Cat Club, recently organized, is planning to hold its first annual show in connection with the pet show and fair of the Y. W. C. A. in Fitzhugh Hall in February. The cat show will be held on February 9th, 10th and 11th. An Executive Committee, composed of Mrs. W. W. Armstrong, Miss Louise Wetmore and Mrs. Joseph Dodge, has been appointed, and its first work was to mail to all of the country's cat clubs the local club’s premium list. The club has applied for membership in the American Cat Association and there are now about fifty members.

At the exhibition next month Mrs. Clinton Locke, president of the Chicago club, will show her cat, the Beadle, the winner of many championship ribbons. Another cat from Chicago will be Sentimental Tommy, the son of Champion King Max. King Max is considered the finest cat in Boston. He has held for three successive years the first and special prizes of the Boston cat show. Some of the cats to be shown are owned in Rochester. One is Bonnie, owned by Miss Louise Wetmore, vice-president of the newly organized club. Bonnie is the son of Wychwood, owned by Miss K. L. Gage, of Brewster. N. Y. He was the second prize winner at the last Rochester show. Prince Royal, owned by Mrs. Joseph Dodge, secretary of the new organization, is also to be shown. He is a grandson of Royal Norton, one of the finest white cats in this country, owned at present by Mrs. Leland Norton, of Chicago, who was one of the judges of the cat show at the Pan-American Exposition.

Menelik III., owned by Mrs. Mabel C. Bond, of Washington, has been seen in Rochester before, and he will be shown next month. He is considered the finest black cat in America. He received the first prize at the Rochester show last year. The president of the local club, Mrs. Edith K. Neel, will exhibit many well-bred cats. At the Washington cat show, which was held recently, she captured several first prizes with her "string."

1903 ROCHESTER CAT SHOW

PLANS FOR PET SHOW AND FAIR – Democrat and Chronicle, 18th January, 1903
POSTER COMPETITION TO ADVERTISE IT - MONEY PRIZES 0FFERED - Dogs and Cats of High "Degree Will be Shown - Tabbies Who Travel With Hot Water Bottles to Protect Them - Kennel Club Arrangement

Work is progressing rapidly and arrangements are nearing completion for the pet show and fair to be given by the Gymnasium Committee of Young Women's Christian Association from March 2d to 14th, inclusive at Fitzhugh Hall. Nearly all the chairmen of committees have been appointed, and each is making strenuous efforts to have her part of the affair the most successful feature, while gradually the vast undertaking is beginning to assume definite form.

Already the entries of cats promises the largest and best cat show ever held here, and Rochester has seen some pretty good cat shows under the arrangement of the Wellesley Club, which are fresh in the minds of the public. Some of the prominent exhibitors will be Mrs. H.A. Mix, of Old Port Akin; Mrs. E N. Barker, wife of the editor of Field and Fancy; Mrs James Conlisk, of Gowanda; Mrs. A. S. Lincoln, Worcester, Mass; Mrs. Lloyd M. Hallenbeck of Catskill, who brought the first Manx cat to this country; Mrs. J. P. Dickinson, of Morgansville, and Mrs. Mary C. Gross, of Keyport.

Mrs. W. S. Hofstra, of Garden City, L.A , president of the Atlantic City Cat Club, will be a very large exhibitor Mrs. Hofstra owns some of the finest cats In this country, and will bring them all to Rochester. One of them, an Oriental cat, traces Its ancestry direct from the palace of the King of Slam, therefore claiming royal birth. When the Crown Prince of Siam left home he took with him to Europe two favorite cats, and their grandchildren are those owned by Mrs. Hofstra. They are valued at $1,000. They are black, sleek and shining, with not a single white hair. They travel in warm baskets surrounded by hot water bottles to prevent them taking cold, to which their Eastern extraction makes them very susceptible. Mrs. Hofstra has also two chocolate and cream Siamese cats, purchased from Lady Beresford, of England; a blue Persian Toma, prize winner at the Richmond show last summer, and for which she paid $250. Then she has four brown tabbies, grandchildren of Persimmon, of London, the most famous cat in the world. Besides these there are many fine local cats which will have no reason to feel ashamed of their more aristocratic company in Fitzhugh Hall.

PET SHOW AND FAIR – Democrat and Chronicle, 28th January, 1903
How Rochester Enterprise is Regarded in Other Cities.
The following article published In the New York Daily America, a leading sporting paper, shows that A. R. Rogers who has charge of the Pet Show and Fair to be given in this city In March, is the "right man in the right place." [. . .] "Mr. Rogers’ next enterprise will be at Rochester, N. Y., lasting two weeks. March 2 - 14. It will be given under the auspices of the Gymnasium Committee of the Young Women's Christian Association. This will be a cat show under the American Cat Club rules, lasting three days, by the Rochester Cat Club, at which 300 cats are expected. A dog show, lasting four days, under the A. K. S. rules by the Rochester Dog Club, at which Spratt is arranging to bench 600 dogs. An automobile and bicycle show, a pony show by the Pony Club, and, In addition, during the two weeks, there will be a food fair, merchants’ fair and sportsmen’s show.

"Mr. Rogers has his hands full, and has promised the Y. W. C. A. $10,000 profit. This pet show fair Is something of a novelty. There have been cat shows, dog shows and pet stock shows, but these are the first shows that cover the entire field. Mr, Rogers is a member of most of the kennel clubs, cat and cavey clubs, and there is a big field open in this line."

SPECIAL MEETING OF LOCKHAVEN CAT CLUB – Democrat and Chronicle, 3rd February, 1903
To Be Held This Evening at Headquarters Pet Show and Fair, No. 118 Franklin Street.
A special meeting of the Lockhaven Cat Club has been called for this afternoon, at 3 o’clock, at the office of the Pet Show and Fair, in the Young Women’s Christian Association building, No. 118 Franklin street. Mr. Rogers, superintendent of the cat show, which is to be held during the first week of the Pet Show and Fair, in March, will make a report, and reports from the various committees will also be submitted.

The members of the club feel very much encouraged over the coming cat show, which will not only be the largest ever held in Rochester, but is expected to be the largest ever held in America. The many applications for entries that are being received not only from the residents of Rochester but from New York, Boston and Chicago, show that the interest is widespread. The only fear is that the managers will be unable to care for as many cats as will be entered, as Fitzhugh Hall space is limited.

Many beautiful prizes have been offered by friends and cat lovers, the latest one just received being a set of Empire coops or cages in which cats are exhibited.

Cat owners as well as those interested in cats are invited to attend this meeting, so that they may know the general plans of this, the third championship cat show ever held in Rochester. Mr. Rogers reports that over fifty ladies from New York and Boston have promised not only to bring their cats, but to come themselves, and many have never exhibited outside of their own city. One of the rules that may be of Interest to cat lovers is that cats may be taken home at night. It would be wise for those desiring to exhibit their cats, if they would send their applications at once, as all classes are limited.

Rochester is celebrated for its short- haired cats. E. N. Barker, editor of Field and Fancy, who judged at the cat show last year, said that he had never seen at any show so many fine short-haired cats as he had seen in Rochester. It is a fact that in many homes there are cats which the owners do not realize are very valuable, and would carry away all the caps and prizes at any show.
In arranging the cat show this year the committee has made two divisions in each regular class. One known as the novice, and the other as the open. The novice class is for cats that have never won a first or second prize. The open is for any cat, prize-winner or not. The advantage of this to the local cat which enters in a novice class is that it does not have to compete against prize winners. The committee will be very glad to see at the meeting this afternoon all those who desire to enter their cats, or are interested in the cat show. All members are earnestly requested to be present.
The classification of both long- and short- haired cats is a very large one. It includes every known breed, and many that are not known. There are thirty-two classes of the open class, long-haired cats, and sixty-two classes of the novice class, long-haired cats. In the classification of short-haired cats, there are ninety classes of the open class and 117 of the novice class. The classes are divided according to sex, color of fur, color of eyes, etc. Some of the best known breeds are white, black, blue, brown or gray tabby, and other colored tabbies, tortoiseshell, smoke, Siamese, Manx, Maltese, etc.

SILVER CHALLENGE CUPS FOR CAT SHOW PRIZES CLUB – Democrat and Chronicle, 4th February, 1903
Beresford Club of Chicago Will Offer Them - Classification of the Toms and Tabbies.
The members of the Lockehaven Cat Club of Rochester, which is to hold a three days’ cat show at Fitzhugh Hall during the Pet Show and Fair given under the auspices of the Gymnasium Committee of the Young Women’s Christian Association, held a meeting yesterday afternoon at the fair headquarters, No. 118 Franklin street. A. R. Rogers, superintendent of the show, was present, and made a report of the progress of events to date. Many premiums have been promised by merchants of the city, as well as clubs and individuals from out of the city. It is hoped the list will be completed as soon as possible.

The Beresford Cat Club of Chicago, one of the patrons of this show, has wired to the Cat Committee in charge of the cat show that it will offer beautiful silver challenge cups for the first time outside of Chicago for competition. Rochester is considered to have the finest short-haired cats in the country, for which special prizes and cups will be offered.

The judges of the cat show have been appointed. Mrs. E. N. Barker, wife of the editor of Field and Fancy, who judged the last two cat shows held in Rochester, will judge the long-haired cats. She is considered one of the very best judges iu the country of this class. Mrs. Lane, of Chicago, well known to all cat lovers and who has judged all the big shows in the West, will act as judge for all kittens and neuters. T. Farrar Rackham, of Newark, N. J.. the greatest judge of short-hairs in the world, has been engaged to judge the short-hairs at the coming show.

One special feature will be appreciated, and one of many innovations that will be introduced at this cat show, is that no judge will be allowed to exhibit any of his or tier own cats. The entry fee for cats is $1. Entries for cats may be sent to Mrs. J. H. Dodge, secretary, No 168 Harvard street, or to Miss Louise S. Wetmore, No. 84 Fitzhugh street. The entries will close the 25th of this month to be catalogued. The following are the classifications of cats, by carefully looking over which cat owners may see at a glance in which class his or her cat belongs:

The long-haired cats are classified in the open class, any cat except neuter eligible to enter, and the novice class for cats never having won a first prize. The open class will admit the following thirty-two varieties:

All comers, males, any color:;all comers, female, any color; white, males, blue eyes; white, females, blue eyes: white, males, golden eyes; white, females, golden eyes; black, male; black, female: blue, male; blue, female: cream, male; cream, female; orange, male; orange, female; orange tabby, male; orange tabby, female; smoke, male; smoke, female; silver, male; silver, female; silver tabby, male; silver tabby, female; brown or gray tabby, male; brown gray tabby, female; tortoiseshell, male: tortoiseshell, female; tortoiseshell and white, male: tortoiseshell and white, female; any color tabby and white, male; any color tabby with white, female; any other color, male; any other color, female.

The novice class will admit of the following: White, males, blue eyes; white, females, blue eyes; white, males, golden eyes; white, females, golden eyes; black, male; black, female, blue, male; blue, female; cream, male; cream, female; orange, male; orange, female; orange tabbv, male; orange tabby, female: smoke, male; smoke, female; silver, male; silver, female; silver tabby, male; silver tabby, female; brown and gray tabby, male; brown or gray tabby, female; tortoiseshell, male; tortoiseshell, female; tortoiseshell and white, male; tortoiseshell and white, female; any color tabby with white, male; any color tabby with white, female; any other color, male; any other color, female.

The open class for short-haired cats admits: All comers, males, any color; all comers, females, any color; white, males; white, females; black, male; black, female, blue (Maltese), male; blue (Maltese), female; brown or gray tabby, male; brown or gray tabby, female; orange or orange tabby, male; orange or orange tabby, female; silver tabby, male; silver tabby. female: tortoiseshell, with or without white, male; tortoiseshell, with or without white female; smoke, male, smoke, female; any color tabby with white, male; any color tabby with white, female; any color cat, with or without white, male; any other color cat, with or without white, male; any other color, cat, with or without white, female.

Foreign cats: Siamese, male; Siamese, female: Manx, male; Manx, female; any other variety; wild cats

The novice class for short-haired varieties admits the following: All comers, male, any color; all comers, female, any color; white, male; white, female; black, male- black, female; blue (Maltese), male; blue (Maltese), female; brown tabby, male; brown tabby, female; orange or orange tabby, male; orange or orange tabby, female; silver or gray tabby, male; silver of gray tabbv, female; tortoiseshell, with or without white, male; tortoiseshell, with or without white, female; smoke, male, smoke female; any color tabby with white, male; any color tabby with white, female; any other color cat, with or without white, male; any other color cat, with or without white, female.
Foreign cats: Siamese, male; Siamese, female; Manx, male; Manx, female; any other variety.

ATTRACTIONS OF PET SHOW-FAIR – Democrat and Chronicle, 18th February, 1903
The cat show, which will follow on March 4th, 5th and 6th under the auspices of the Lockehaven Cat Club of this city, will be the largest event of its kind ever held in America, so the management confidently announces. It is given under the patronage of the Beresford Cat Club of Chicago and the Atlantic Cat Club of New York city. All entries that are to be published in the official catalogue of the show must be made before February 25th. Any inquiries may be sent to the secretary at the Y. W. C. A. building, No. 153 Clinton avenue north. The entry fee for each cat or kitten is $1, and a free admission ticket for the three days of the show is given each person entering a cat. The show is given under the rules of the American Cat Show Committee.

It is not necessary that a cat or kitten to enter the show should be listed, or have a pedigree. There are many fine short-haired cats in Rochester, and if your cat has never been exhibited before, it may win a prize or a ribbon at the coming show. A great number of special prizes bare been offered at this show. They include a gold piece for the best male or female of the long-haired variety, given by Mrs. D. Cutler, of Detroit, Mich.; a $5 gold piece for the best silver longhaired male or female bred in America, given by Mrs. F.G.S. Sarmiento, Detroit, Mich., and a $5 gold piece for the best brown longhaired tabby, female, given by Mrs. L. W. Barren, Detroit, Mich.

PRIZE LIST IN THE CAT AND DOG SHOWS – Democrat and Chronicle, 19th February, 1903
The cat prize list, which consists of twenty-eight pages, is being mailed to-day, and is not only handsomely illustrated but contains six pages of prizes, rules and classification and general information. There are many classes of kittens and neuters, and in addition, there are special classes of brace of kittens and cats, teams of kittens and cats, and classes for cats shown by firemen and policemen, and a special class for the best office cat found in Rochester, also a special class of the homeliest and the handsomest cat exhibited by a school child. This is the most elaborate prize list that has been issued by any cat show, and can be secured by calling upon Mr. Rogers. In regards to cats Mr. Rogers wants to also emphasize the fact that in judging them the judge does not look to the pedigree, but judges entirely on the merit of the cat.

KING AND QUEEN OF THE CATTERY – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 22nd February, 1903

It is expected that dainty puss will be the most talked of animal in Rochester on March 4th, 5th and 6th, during the annual cat show of the Lockehaven Cat Club, of this city, given during the Pet Show and Fair of the Gymnasium Committee of the Young Women’s Christian Association, at Fitzhugh Hall, from March 24 to 14th, inclusive. If she doesn’t have her head completely turned by all the admiration which she will receive, and the singing of her praise by the daily press, to say nothing of the thousands who will go to pay her homage, it will be because she is so accustomed to that sort of thing that she has come to expect it as a matter of course, and would feel strange without it.

The accompanying cats show some of the magnificent specimens that have been entered at this cat show, kings and queen of famous catteries. "Teddy Roosevelt" is a Paris kitten, particularly proud of his splendid tail, as he has a right to be. He is owned by Mrs. L.C. Kemp of Huron, S.D. He has blue eyes, a perfect hearing, was sired by Paris, and has taken first prize. Zodac and Zenda are two cunning kittens, two months’ old, grandsons of Teddy.

The two little bright-eyed dark kittens are named "Bully Boy" and "Lady Love" and are from Mrs. Mix’s "Old Fort Cattery," Akin, N.Y. Mrs. Mix is a very large importer and breeder of some very fine stock. She refused $500 for one kitten at the recent New York cat show. Mrs. Mix will be a large exhibitor at the Rochester show.

"Oma," the beautiful white cat of aristocratic bearing and an expression of ennui, as if wearied with so much adulation, is owned by Mrs. C.H. Marlleng, of Nashville, Texas.

These are only sample cats, so to speak, of the many beautiful pets that will be exhibited at the show which [it] is expected will be one of the largest ever held in America.

Entries for the Rochester Cat Show, to be published in the catalogue, must be in not later than Wednesday, February 25th. There are many beautiful short-haired cats as well as long-haired ones owned in this city, and it is expected that there will be a large entry of local cats. As the Pet Show and Fair, under whose management the cat show is conducted, gives a season pass during the cat show, to everyone that enters his or her cat, which includes the caging and feeding of the animal while at the show, many are sending their cats, as it will cost more to buy admissions each day than it would to pay the entry fee. Besides, there is the chance of winning some of the handsome prizes.

It takes over five pages in the prize list to enumerate the many beautiful prizes that have been offered by cat lovers and friends of the Lockehaven Cat Club, under whose auspices the show will be given. Mrs. Joseph Hampton Dodge, No. 168 Harvard street, the secretary, and Miss Louise Wetmore, No. 84 South Fitzhugh street, vice-president, have entry blanks and prize lists, or these can be secured of A.R. Rogers, superintendent, at the Y.W.C.A. building, No. 153 Clinton avenue north.

The cat show this year will contain many more classes than they have in the past, and there are special classes for cats to be exhibited by school children, which is expected to draw a large entry, and to cause a great deal of interest. The prizes are two handsome kodaks to be given to the pupil in the schools of Rochester who exhibits the homeliest cat and the handsomest cat. A special entrance fee of only fifty cents is charged the children, which includes a ticket of admission.

Another special class is for cats exhibited by policemen or firemen. Quite a number of entries have been received in each of these classes, especially from the station houses and fire engine houses, and keen rivalry is expected as to which has the best cat.

Many entries in long-haired varieties are being received from out of the city, and some of the most valuable cats in the United States will be on exhibition here.

The committee is receiving word daily from lovers and owners of cats, that they expect not only to send their cats to Rochester, but to come themselves. Special arrangements are being made for the care of the cats during the show. The Spratt Company cages have been engaged, and every attention that can possibly be given them in feeding and handling will be looked after. A special feature that has never been in use at any other cat show is having an inclosed run made in the building, so that cats can get exercise. All cats are caged separately, unless requested to be caged together, and they can be taken home nights if so desired.

Intending exhibitors should get their entries in immediately, so as to have their cats properly catalogued.

The official poster for the Pet Show and Fair is out and is exceedingly clever. It shows Mrs. Cat riding in an automobile pushed by Mr. Dog. Seated beside Mrs. Cat on the front seat is little Miss Cavy. They are on their way to "The Pet Show and Fair," and in the distance is seen the pony doing a clever stunt. It is an excellent design, and very prettily developed in the most posteresque manner. Large colored posters advertising both the cat, dog and pony show will soon decorate the whole city. They are most attractive and cannot fail of their mission.

The poster contest which all artists were invited to enter will close the 25th of this month. Entries have been coming in daily to Miss M. Louise Stowell, chairman of this committee, whose studio is in Powers building, where all posters should be addressed. The prizes given in this contest are very liberal, the first one being $20. Mechanics Institute students are urged to enter this contest and all others who are interested.

PET SHOW AND FAIR – Democrat and Chronicle, 23rd February 1903
W. J. Gram to Close Entries with Boston Exhibitors - Cats and Cavies.
W. J. Gram, secretary of the Rochester Kennel Club, has been sent by the Pet Show and Fair to Boston and left last night to attend the Boston Dog Show which is on this week. [. . .] A. R. Rogers, the superintendent, will be at the office of the Pet Show and Fair, Y. M. C. A. Building, every day this week as well as Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and will give any information and help exhibitors [need] in making out their entry slips. No entries for dogs can be received after Wednesday [25th] at 12 o'clock midnight.

Entries for cats can be sent either to Mr. Rogers, to Mrs. Joseph Hampton Dodge, No. 168 Harvard street, or to Miss Louise Wetmore, 84 South Fitzhugh street. It is desired by the Lockehaven Cat Club that exhibitors will try and get their entries for cats in by Wednesday, February 25th, so that they will be able to get them properly catalogued.

One important point In connection with the Cat Show is that a cat to enter the show need not be registered nor have a pedigree. The ordinary well trained household pet will be as cordially welcomed to a place in the exhibit as the cats of the longest and purest lineage. There are classes for every breed of cats as well as for dogs, so that every household that has a dog or a cat may be sure there is a place for their pet in this pet show.

The Cat Show and Cavy Show Is to be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the first week, three days only, and the Dog Show four days of the following week, March 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th. Both the cats and dogs will be fed and taken care of by the committee, unless the exhibitor wishes to feed them himself. Cats will be kept in clean cages that are thoroughly disinfected, and the dogs are benched in thoroughly disinfected benches or kennels. One item that many do not seem to know Is that both dogs and cats may be taken home at night by the owners, if they so desire.

CATS OF HIGH DEGREE – Democrat and Chronicle, 28th February, 1903
Among the cats entered for the pet show next week are two valued at $1,000 each. One Is "Baby," the famous short hair tortoiseshell cat, owned by Mrs. F. Kimball, of Natick, Mass. "Baby" is acknowledged by cat fanciers to be the best specimen of the tortoise-shell cat ever shown in America. She has won first prizes at the last three annual fairs at Boston, also first prizes at Worcester, Providence, Hartford, Buffalo, Washington and Philadelphia. The other $1,000 rat to be shown here next week is a blue Persian, "Champion Lupin," owned by Mrs. C. A. White, of Chicago, Ill.

The entries for cats will not close until Wednesday morning, the opening day of the cat show. The committee wishes to remind the school children of the special prize of a Kodak, which has been offered for the best cat shown by either boys or girls, also the special prizes offered for the best cats shown by policemen and letter carriers.

The list of patrons and patronesses for the pet show is not yet completed, but among the prominent citizens of Rochester and other parts of the state who have consented to act are the following: Lieutenant-Governor and Mrs. Frank W. Higgins, Senator Jotham P. Allds, Hon. and Mrs. Frederick Cook. Hon. and Mrs. John Van Voorhis Mr. and Mrs. Granger Hollister, Mr. and Mrs. Warham Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. William N. Cogswell, Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Barry, Mr. and Mrs. G. D. B. Bonbright, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Farley, Mr. and Mrs. John O. Brewster, Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Clements, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Strong.

PET SHOW AND FAIR OPENS MONDAY NIGHT –Democrat and Chronicle, 1st March, 1903
Governor and Mrs. Odell Are Among the Patrons.
The Pet Show and Fair, about which so much has been said for so many weeks past, will open to-morrow evening at Fitzhugh Hall, and continue for two weeks, under the auspices of the Gymnasium Committee of the Young Women s Christian Association. Expectation is on the qui vive, for much has been promised for this entertainment, which bids fair to eclipse anything of the kind ever attempted here before. For months past, Mrs. W.W. Armstrong .chairman of the Pet Show and Fair Committee, and A. K. Rogers, of New York, superintendent, have been busy perfecting their plans and appointing committees and making arrangements. Now everything is completed, and as stated, tomorrow will be the opening night of what will comprise a cat and cavy, dog and pony show as well as a fair of no ordinary character.

Some of the best known people of the city have lent their names as patrons of the enterprise and yesterday it was announced by Mrs. Armstrong that Governor and Mrs. Odell were among the patrons. Other names received to those already published in the Democrat and Chronicle are Mr. and Mrs. Hiram W. Sibley, and Mrs. Henry G. Danforth.

[. . .] Beginning Wednesday afternoon, the cat show will open, and the Pet Show and Fair will be on "Full Blast," so to speak. The cat show will be given under the management of the Lockhaven cat Club, and the American Cat Show Committee rules will prevail. The entry list in this contest remains open until Wednesday. The present officers of the Lockhaven Cat Club are: President, Mrs Edith k. Neel, Urbana, NY; first vice-president, Miss Louise S. Wetmore, Rochester, NY; secretary, Mrs Joseph Hampton Dodge, Rochester, NY; treasurer, Mrs Alfred Jackson, Rochester, NY; Executive Committee, Miss Louise S Wetmore, chairman; Mrs Joseph Hampton Dodge, Mrs Alfred Jackson, Mrs William W Armstrong, Mrs Edith K Neel. Albert R Rogers, of New York City is the superintendent.

Albert R Rogers, superintendent of the show, on behalf of the committee, has issued the following statement: "The management of this cat show has made a decided innovation in the matter of prizes. It will be noticed that no cash prizes are offered but in addition to the beautiful ribbons and the handsome medals and challenge cups offered by the cat clubs, a very large number of specials will be offered – many of which we are unable to announce at the early date on which we print this list. The stand which we take after consulting with over fifty prominent cat lovers and exhibitors, officials of cat clubs, editors and judges, is as follows:

"The cat lover and owner does not send his cat to a cat show to see how much money he can make out of it, but purely from his interest in cats and a pride in his own pets. That the owner of a cat cares more for the blue rosette or piece of plate or whatever the prize is that he wins than for $2 or $3 cash all agree (except a few whose only interest is dollars and cents). We desire to eliminate the professionalism [meaning exhibiting as a business or only for financial gain] from this cat show; we are aware that there are a few catteries who look at it only from the monetary side; these we may not have. But the lovers of the cat who are not only interested in them but are proud of their pets - the lady or gentleman who does not aspire to be a professional - we expect will take even more pains and make greater effort to enter their cats than they would if we offered a big premium in cash to pay them for coming."

PET SHOW OPENS WITH GYMNASTICS. CATS HOLD SWAY TO-NIGHT SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, 2nd March, 1903
Many Rochester Pussies Entered for This Exhibit Which is to Continue to Friday — Long List of Special Prizes Offered.
The managers of the pet show and fair will give their special attention until Wednesday of this week to receiving entries of cats, an exhibition of which will open the show. It will continue to Friday night. A number of Rochester cat lovers have already entered their pets for the show, though it is expected the list of exhibitors will be much larger before the show opens. Last year there were nearly 100 Rochester cats entered for the show and this season, when preparations are on a much larger scale and when the Atlantic Cat Club, of New York, and the Beresford Cat Club, of Chicago, are participating in the exhibition, there should be 200 cats from Buffalo.

Among the entries which have already been made are the following:
Mrs. Emil R. Roller. No. 334 Garson avenue, short-hair black, Peter.
Miss Clara Bogner, No. 232 Hudson avenue, blue, Honey.
Miss May Bragdon, No. 34 Hubbell park, orange and white short-hair, Zoro.
Mrs. George C Bragdon, No. 34 Hubbell park, orange tabby, short-hair, Zenda.
Walter P. Copp, No. 34 Holmdel place, blue-and white maltese, John Thomas.
Miss Elizabeth Cramer, No. 10 Grove street, short-haired cat,Chubb.
Miss Marjorie Fowler, No. 272 Alexander street, manx, Prudheim.
Miss Elizabeth B. Fitch, No. 35 Harper street, gray angora tabby, greylocks.
Miss F. M. Hibbard, Hubbard Park Orphan Asylum, common solid black Topsy, and common blue maltese, Malta.
Mrs. Alfred Jackson, No. 143 Meigs street, black Persian, Prince Chub.
August F. Kuehler, No. 391 Lyell avenue, short-haired, Nellie Bly.
Miss Grace R. Lawrence, No. 725 Troup street, silver tabby, Romeo.
Mrs. Andrew Ludolph, No. 8 Chamberlain street, short-hair. Beauty.
Mrs. J. D. McFiggins, No. 4 Sterling street, short-hair cat, Jack, gray and black stripe cat, Sam.
Mrs. C. S. Pickett, No. 66 Pierpont street, Tweeters.
Mrs. Clara U. Smith, No. 852 St. Paul street, tortoise-shell and white, Tiger Lily.
The Misses Wehle, No. 675 Main street, longhair silver, Lord Southampton.

Following is a list of special prizes:

Atlantic Cat Club challenge cups (New York city) — No. 1. best long-haired white; No. 2. best long haired black; No. 3. best long haired blue; No. 4. best long-haired silver; No. 5. best long-haired smoke; No. 6. best long-haired orange or cream; No. 7. best long-haired silver tabby; No. 8. best long haired brown tabby.
An Atlantic Club medal will be given outright to each challenge cup winner.
The Beresford Cat Club offers its six challenge cups.
The Beresford Cat Club of America offers the following challenge cups; First prize winning males in the open «lass, belonging to members of the Beresford Cat Club of America, and shown under the American cat show rules in any city the club may designate. Each cup to be won three times before becoming the property of the winner. The winner to belong to the same owner or cattery and a cat of the same color, but not necessarily the same cat. At least one win to take place in Chicago.
The Beresford Cat Club offers four Beresford medals — No. 1. best long-haired white male or female: No. 2, best longhaired orange, male or female, belonging to the B.C.C. of A.; No. 3. best Rochester cat, long haired; No. 4, best Rochester cat, short haired.
The Pet Show and Fair, desirous of making this the popular class of the show, offer four fine cameras or kodaks as prizes, one in each of the four all-comers classes.
A.R. Rogers offers a handsome sterling silver cup, value $50, to winner of best display. The name of winner and a picture of a cat will be etched on the cup.
The Empire Cooping Co., Fultonville, N.Y. offer a standard size, double cat cage, special design, solid veneered ends, partition and back, built to order, to second best display under same rules.
Mrs. Fred Everett Smith offers a handsome cat-carrying case for the best and largest number of cats shown from one cattery.
The Pet Show and Fair offer a feeding bowl (silver plated) for best brace of cats, providing there are three entries.
The Pet Show and Fair offer a feeding bowl (silver plated) for best team cats, providing there are three entries.
The Pet Show and Fair offer a feeding bowl (silver plated) for best brace of kittens, providing there are three entries.
The Pet Show and Fair offer a feeding bowl (silver plated) for best team kittens, providing there are three entries.
Best school children’s cat owned In Rochester — The Pet Show and Fair offers under this class: An Eastman kodak for homeliest cat; an Eastman kodak, for handsomest cat.
A special will be offered for the best cat in the show entered by a Rochester policeman, provided there are three entries.
A special will be offered for the best cat in the show entered by a Rochester postman, provided there are three entries.
A special will be offered for the best office cat owned in Rochester, provided there are three entries.
A special prize will be given for the best long-haired neuter.
A special prize will be given for the best short-haired neuter.
Mrs. W. W Armstrong offers a cup for the best short-haired cat in the show.
Mrs. James Conlisk (Gowanda, N.Y.). offers a cup for the best long-haired cat in the show.
A special prize will be given for best cat in the show.
Mrs. Everett Davis offers a piece of Cloisonne for the best kitten in the show.
Mrs. D. Cutler, of Detroit, Mich., offers a $5 gold piece for best cream male or female long-haired.
Mrs. F. J. S. Sarimento, of Detroit. Mich., offers a $5 gold piece for best long-haired silver male or female, bred in America.
Mrs. L. W. Bowen, of Detroit, Mich., offers a $5 gold piece for best brown tabby female, long-haired.
Miss E. L. Burritt offers a hand-painted miniature cat head for the best orange male.
Miss Larrabee offers a silver cup for the best blue-eyed white male.
Mrs. William Chapman of Cusic Cattery offers a silver spoon for the best orange female.
Mrs. W. F. Kimball offers cash for the best short-haired tortoise-shell female, any age, with or without white.
Mrs. Florence Dyer offers an Empire coop for the best cream male.
Mrs. Edith K. Neel offers a special, to be announced later, to the best silver tabby, male.
Mrs. Edith K. Neel offers a special, to be announced later, to the best brown tabby male bred in America.
Ivanhoe "Othello" offers a silver nut dish for the best long haired black queen.
Mrs. B. P. Robinson of Chicago offers a wash drawing for the best long haired blue kitten.
Mrs. C. H. Lane, of Chicago, offers a Feverile glass vase for the best long-haired cream queen.
Mrs. Clinton Locke offers a silver cup for the best long-haired queen in the show.
Mrs. Arthur Jackson offers a handsome piece of hand painted china, for best longhaired black male.
Mrs. R. Ottolengui (New York) - Handsome sterling silver cup, for best silver male (long hair).
Miss Lucy C. Johnstone (Chicago) — Backus puppy crate, for best cream kitten, long-haired.
The gymnasium department of the Y.W.C.A. offer a very handsome sterling silver medal to the winner in each class, both long and short hairs, under the following rule: The best cat, male or female, in the kitten, novice and open classes of each designated color, to compete together for the winners’ prize in its class. The best cat of the three to be known as the winner and to be awarded the medal. These medals will be given provided two classes of three each are filled in each color. I.e. If in the silvers, the novice and open classes fill, and the kitten class did not fill three kittens, the best cat in the novice, the best in the open and the best kitten of the two, or if one only enters, it to compete, and the best of the three adjudged the winner.
Other specials are to be announced later.

A CONCERT OF HIGH STANDARD PRELIMINARY TO THE PET SHOW AND FAIR – Democrat and Chronicle, 4th March, 1903
One of the best concert programmes heard in Rochester this winter was presented last evening at Fitzhugh Hall under the auspices of the Pet Show and Fair. This concluded the two preliminary entertainments to the big animal show which begins at 1 o'clock to-day. [. . .]

At I o'clock to-day opens the cat show under the auspices of the Lockehaven Cat Club, of this city. Already the aristocratic pusses are arriving, all beautiful specimens of the feline. They came in in crates and luxurious cages yesterday afternoon, apparently none the worse from their long journey, several having come from Chicago. They were delighted, however, to be released and fed, and purred their appreciation at being permitted to stretch themselves and enjoy the fresh milk provided. Workmen were busy until a late hour last evening arranging and setting up the cages and to 1 o'clock to-day everything will be in readiness, and Miss Puss will have on her best ribbon and be all ready to receive the dear public, under the auspices of the pet show and fair, given by the Gymnasium Committee of the Young Woman's Christian Association.

[. . .] After to-day the cats and cavies will be on exhibition from 10 A. M. until 10 P. M., with a continuous performance. A new feature is announced for the cat show, and which was decided on yesterday. School children entering cats will be admitted free, and the cats will be admitted free up to the number of 100. They must all be in before 10 o'clock this morning. First come, first received. Special prises have been awarded this class. A handsome kodak will be given the homeliest cat and the handsomest cat owned by a school child, both boys and girls.

The following ladies arrived yesterday from Chicago, members of the Beresford Cat Club, under whose patronage the cat show is being given: Mrs. Charles Hampton Lane, first vice-president of the Beresford Cat Club, and judge of neuters and kittens: Mrs. Elwood H. Talman, exhibitor and treasurer of the club: Mrs. Blanche P. Robinson, director and delegate from the club; Mrs. Fred Everett Smith, delegate and exhibitor; Mrs. Josiah Cratty, exhibitor. The ladies are stopping at the Livingston Hotel.

The names of the owners who [to date] have entered cats follow: Harold E. Akerly, Mrs. M. Ashton, Mrs. Stella M. Bader, Clara Boguer, Mrs. Emma R. Boiler, Mrs. George C. Bragdon, Miss May Bragdon, Burton Brewing Company, Miss R. Frances Chapin, Mrs. Walter B. Copp, Miss Elizabeth Cramer, Master A. J. Doud, Miss Elizabeth B. Pitch, Miss Marjorie Fowler, Miss F. M. Hibbard, Mrs. Alfred Jackson, August F. Kuehler, Miss Grace B. Lawrence, Mrs. Andrew Ludolph, E. C. Mallory, Mrs. G. D. McFiggins, W. H. Mooers, Mrs. Penny, Miss Elizabeth C. Perrin, Mrs. C. S. Pickett, Salter Brothers, Mr. and Mrs. Schellhorn, Miss Maud Schellhorn, Mrs. Charles M. Smith, the Misses Wehle, Miss Florence M. Williams, Mrs. Stella Williams and Mrs. Alma J. , Wright, all of Rochester.

Mrs. J. Bain, North Chatham, N. Y.; Miss Alice Barnes, Ypsilanti, Mich.; Mrs. Maud C. Blount, Wayne, Mich.; Mrs. B. Brown, Brooklyn. N. Y.; Mrs. H. M. Brown, Fairport; Mrs. F. D. Brown, Millerton, N. Y.; Mrs. E. L. Burritt, Washington. D. C.; Mrs. W. M. Chapman, Romeo, Mich.; Mrs. J. Copperberg, West Simsbury, Conn.; Mrs. Josiah Cratty, Oak Park,Ill.; Mrs. Dwight Cutler, Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. Florence Dyer, South Weymouth, Mass.; Mrs. O. L. Dosch. Dayton. O ; Mrs. J. V. Gotwalts, Pottstown, Pa,; C. M. Hanington, Rockland, Me.; Mrs. W. F. Higgins, South Framingham, Mass.; I. A. Hix, M. D., Binghamton, N. Y.; C. H. Jones, Palmyra, N. Y.; Mrs. F. Kimball, Natick, Mass.; David S. Kindell, Philadelphia; Mrs. J. P. Mallorie, Waterside, Tunis Mills. Md.; Mrs. Mason Morrow, Allen Hill, N. Y.; Mrs. H. A. Mix, Akin, N. Y.: Mrs. Edith K. Neel, Urbana. N. Y.; Dr. Howard Stout, Neilson, New York; Mrs. Elizabeth Norton, Williamtown, Mass.; Mrs. Frank Norton, Cazenovia. N. Y.; Miss Emma E. O'Neill, Washington, D. C.; Mrs. E. R. Pierce, Cincinnati, O.; George E. Rowland, Jersey City, N. J.; Mrs. F. J. Sarmiento, Detroit, Mich.; Miss Elizabeth Sill, Geneva; Mrs. F. E. Smith, Chicago; Mrs. Edward H. Tolman, Chicago; the Misses Ruth and Estelle Ward, Brooklyn; Frank B. Wedow, Marshall, Mich.; Mrs. C. A. White, Chicago, C. W. Wurster. Ithaca.

CATS AND CAVIES THE ATTRACTION – Democrat and Chronicle, 5th March, 1903
Yesterday was a lively day at Fitzhugh Hall. It was the opening of the big cat show of the Pet Show and Fair given by the Gymnasium Committee of the Young Woman's Christian Association, whose posters have for many days decorated the windows of the downtown stores. The cat show is under the auspices of the Lockehaven Cat Club of this city, and under the patronage of the Beresford Cat Club of Chicago and the Atlantic Cat Cluh of New York, the following members of which are present: Mrs. Helena A. Mix, Akin, N.Y.; Mrs. James Conlisk, Gowanda, N. Y.; Mrs. Alma J. Wright, Phelps, N. Y.

There are about 200 beautiful cats now entered, which are receiving the adulation of the crowds who are flocking about the cages. Many fond owners help to swell the ranks, and wait close by to hear the nice things said of their pets. Yesterday morning all sorts and conditions of people were on hand to enter their cats at the last moment. They brought them in baskets and they brought them in bags, they were old and young, shabby and well dressed, all with the one common object of getting a prize for the beloved family cat.

It is safe to say that never have there been handsomer cats or more of them entered at any show in this city. Among the finest and most admired are the beautiful silver tabbies, with long, soft hair, big, intelligent eyes, and affectionate dispositions. There are several proud pussies of this class that have won innumerable blue ribbons and prizes in other shows. They wear their honors gracefully, with no undue showing of "puffedupness."

Yesterday the judges were busy all day and last evening, both on the cats and the cavies. They will not conclude their work until this evening. Mrs. E. N. Barker, of New York, is the judge of all long-haired cats; Mrs. Charles Hampton Lane, of Chicago, is judge of the short-haired cats, kittens and neuters, and T. C. Turner, of New York, is judge of cavies. Walter O. Filley, of Rochester, is judge of school children’s cats.

About half the animals have been judged, and the awards will be made this evening. There were a number of sales yesterday of fine cats, among them being one for $75 to Mrs. Michelson, of Tarriffville, Conn., "Rob Roy;" and one to Mr. Cutler, "Belle," for $25.

One of the strangest sights at the show is the affection between a big black cat and a large white rat. They occupy a cage together, and are the greatest chums. When they go to sleep the rat lies snuggled close to the cat, with his head on the cat’s neck. Everyone stops to see this unusual affinity. [. . .]

An Incident occurred yesterday morning that, while amusing to the onlookers, was not so pleasant to Mr. Jones of Palmyra, one of the largest exhibitors at the show. An immense cat arrived in a crate, said to be one of the largest cats ever shown. Mr. Jones put his hand in the crate to take Mr. Cat out, when the animal sprang at him and bit and scratched so viciously that the cat was crated up, and immediately returned to its owner. It was not considered safe to keep It around.

Some of the handsomest badges issued have been made for the Pet Show and Fair. The premium ribbons are also very elegant and elaborate and the cat or cavy who wins one of these will have something worthwhile. The entire arrangement of the fair is on the most elaborate scale, and too much cannot be said In praise of the efficient management. Mr. Rogers has been untiring in his efforts to make the affair a success, as has also Mrs. Armstrong, chairman of the Pet Show and Fair Committee, and the officers of the Lockehaven Cat Club. It is expected to-day will be the banner day of the cat show, and an immense crowd is expected. Those who come early will stand a much better chance of seeing the dainty pets without crowding.

BATTLE ROYAL AT PET SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, 6th March, 1903
There was trouble yesterday among the animals at the Pet Show and Fair at Fitzhugh Hall. During the night the raccoons escaped from their cage, and made things lively around the hall. It seems that raccoons look upon rats as their special prey, and the skin of the rat as a great delicacy, not to be sneezed at. Then there was trouble. As soon as the raccoon gained his liberty he sniffed at the great white rat, which is the chum of the big black cat. The raccoon made love to the white rat in a manner that was anything but pleasing to the big black cat. The big black cat resented this familiarity, and of course there was a battle royal between the raccoon and the black cat, the latter coming out ahead and saving the life of its chum, the white rat. At late accounts the raccoon had not been recaptured. One of them was found and returned to its cage, but the other is still as liberty, probably hiding under the platform of the stage.

The attendance yesterday afternoon and evening was very large in spite of the unfavorable weather. The main feature of the afternoon was the reception held in the Oriental room by the managers of the Pet Show and Fair to the out-of-town exhibitors. This was a most enjoyable occasion, and very much appreciated by the guests and their entertainers [. . .] Mr. Rogers made a very happy speech in which he said that this, the third cat show held in Rochester, is in many ways the best. At none has greater care been exercised in the attention shown the cats, and their comfort, and to devise rules and classes for the cats that would please all interested.

The innovation in the matte of prizes has met with universal favour, in that no cash prize is offered. "The cat owner and lover does not send his cat to the show to see how much money he can make," declared Mr. Rogers, "but purely through his interest in cats, and his pride in pets."

Next year Mr. Rogers said he wishes to promote an international cat show to be given by the cat fanciers all over the country, at some central point, either in Rochester or Buffalo, so that cats from the East and from the West will have equal opportunity to compete. This he would make an exclusive ribbon show, and run by Eastern and Western clubs, so that all will be equally represented in the management. Judges, he said, should be at least three in each class, and if thought best a judge should be brought from Europe. Mr Roger’s remarks along this line were received with enthusiasm.

He took occasion to speak very highly of the work done by Miss Wetmore in behalf of the Lockehaven Cat Club, and of Mrs. Armstrong’s ability and efforts to make the enterprise a success.

[. . .] One cat was also sold by Mrs. Charles Smith to Mrs. F.L. Hughes, a kitten, "Tiger Lily," for $12. The happiest and proudest person at the show yesterday was little Julia Balo, of No. 6 Woodford street, a pupil of No. 8 school, whose cat "Peter," a beautiful tiger, won the first prize in the special class for school children. Julia received a Kodak and a beautiful blue ribbon, and the cat was the admired of all admirers.

The awards on the cats were not completed until a late hour last evening, so it was impossible to get them out in time for the press.

1904 ROCHESTER CAT SHOW

CAT SHOW IN JANUARY – Democrat and Chronicle, 15th October, 1903
The Lockehaven Cat Club is going to have a cat show in January, according to a decision reached at the annual meeting held yesterday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Alfred Jackson, No. 143, Meigs street. Many things of interest, to cat lovers were discussed and preliminary plans wore laid for putting the coming show on a larger scale than any previously held. From the fact that the exhibitors from all over the country were so well pleased with last year’s exhibition it is beyond question that the entry list will be doubled in January. Rochester is so admirably situated as to be a central point between the Eastern and Western clubs, and the local club is assured that its exhibition will attract the entry of the best cats in America. The following officers were elected yesterday: President, Mrs. Alfred Jackson; vice president, Dr. Emil Knight; secretary, Miss G.R. Lawrence; treasurer, Mrs. Richard Gardiner.

CAT FANCIERS MAY HOLD SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, 10th January, 1904
Whether or not there will be a cat show in Rochester this season is a question. Several members of the Rochester Cat Club are anxious to hold one, but they realize from past experience the amount of work that accompanies such an exhibition. This city is the headquarters of the Lockhaven Cat Club, members of which are scattered throughout the country from the Atlantic coast to Chicago. Its president is Mrs. Alfred Jackson, of Meigs street, Dr. Emil Knight is vice- president, and Miss Edith Lawrence, secretary.

The Rochester members suggest that some organization of a charitable nature combine with them in carrying on a show, as they would cheerfully share the profits if they could divide the work. As far as high breed cats are concerned, the Flower City has its share. In various homes there are felines of an ancestry that reaches back so far that their aristocracy is beyond doubt. The pretty creatures also bear evidences of this, for, as the old saying goes, "blood will tell." Various letters of inquiry have been received asking If Rochester will not have another cat show, as outsiders wish to participate.

MEETING OF CAT LOVERS – Democrat and Chronicle, 19th January, 1904
All cat lovers in Rochester are invited to attend a meeting of the Lockhaven Cat Club, which will be held at the home of Mrs. Alfred Jackson, No. 143 Meigs street, this afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock. At this time it will probably be determined whether or not it will be advisable to hold a cat show. If a sufficient enthusiasm is manifested and adequate pledges of support are received at this afternoon's meeting, such a show will probably be held.

CAT FANCIERS MEET – Democrat and Chronicle, 20th January, 1904
The Lockhaven Cat Club held a meeting yesterday afternoon at the residence of its president, Mrs. Alfred Jackson, No 143 Meigs street. The principal decision reached, was that of making an effort to have Mrs. Jackson appointed as one of the committee of three to serve on the management of the cat exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis. In order to accomplish this, the club will use its influence with Hon. F. D. Colburn, general manager of livestock for the fair. The appointment will be considered an honor by those interested in high bred cats, the raising of which is coming more and more into vogue.

In the event of Mrs. Jackson's appointment, the presence of her name upon the committee would give enviable fame to the Lockhaven Club, four officers of which live in Rochester. They were all at the meeting yesterday, and include Dr. Emil Knight, vice-president; Miss Grace R. Lawrence, secretary; Mrs. Charles Mann, treasurer. The reports of the last two showed the prospects of the club to be encouraging. The Lockhaven Club is believed to be the largest In the United States. The club also adopted resolutions to be sent to Manager Colburn. In substance they expressed the desire that cat fanciers in America and in foreign countries lend their hearty co-operation and sympathy to the exhibit at the St. Louis fair, to the end that the display might be worthy of the occasion.

There is now some prospect of Rochester having a cat show this winter. If one is held, Dr. Knight will doubtless be the manager. As the Lockhaven members are scattered over a large part of the country, cats would be shown from Chicago, New York, and many other cities. It would probably be held about the last week in February. There is a prospect that the club will combine with some philanthropic organization, dividing the proceeds and responsibility. The club decided to charge only the initiation fee of $1 to new members from now until after the show. It has been the custom to charge both this fee and also a yearly tax of $1, but the latter will at this time be omitted. The society desires all interested in cats to join, whether they own one or not.

LOCKHAVEN CAT CLUB – 26th January, 1904
A special meeting of the Lockhaven Cat Club, to which all cat lovers, regardless of affiliation with the club, are cordially invited, will be hold at the home of Miss Elizabeth C. Perrin, No. 103 St. Paul street, at 12 o’clock noon to-day. At this meeting further plans will be decided upon for the cat show to be held under the auspices of the club in Fitzhugh hall, February 24-26th. Mrs. Alfred Jackson, who was last week indorsed by The Lockhaven Club as one of the three delegates to the World’s Fair, yesterday received the information that the Beresford Cat Club, of Chicago, has also indorsed her, together with Dr. C. D. White, of Chicago, and a Mr. Chapman, of Romeo, Mich.

FOR THE CAT SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, 30th January, 1904
Miss Grace R. Lawrence, secretary of the Lockhaven Cat Club, desires that all wishing to enter cats for the show which will probably be held the last of February, to notify her at once, stating the number of cuts they wish to exhibit. She will be at her home, No. 1025 Troup street, from 10 to 11 o’clock In the morning and from 1 to 2:30 o'clock every afternoon excepting Wednesdays and Saturdays. She may be reached over the Rochester telephone. No. 4049.

ABDUCTION OF SAM - Democrat and Chronicle, 2nd February, 1904
The near approach of the annual cat show in Rochester has caused would-be exhibitors to cast about for specimens of the feline tribe with which to capture the coveted blue ribbon. "All’s fair at cat shows, as well as in love and war," seems to be the motto that at least one of the fair sex has adopted at this time, and her tactics have brought mourning to the household of W.H. Mooers, of No. 65 Emerson street.

On Sunday afternoon "Sam," a silver tabby who had taken prizes at cat shows in former years, was skylarking on the pavement in front of the residence, when a well dressed female approached, picked up the tabby and commenced to fondle it. Sam is partial to ladies, and enjoyed the caresses; but while lavishing her endearments on the cat, the female did not cease to continue her rapid walk, and soon arrived at the corner, where she took the Sophia street car bound for the city, with Sam still in her arms. Mr. Mooers saw the woman pick Sam up, but did not just at that moment recognize the animal. When the fact that Sam had been forcibly abducted dawned on his perception, he said things which, if overheard by the fair abductress, would have caused her ears to tingle.

Sam’s milk saucer (which is hand painted china, by the way) is neglected, and his snug nest in the boudoir of his mistress is unoccupied, and there is deep gloom in the house, which will only be dispelled by Sam’s return. If the lady, who so cruelly and wantonly separated Sam from his owners, will return the animal before the cat show opens, all will be forgiven. If not, then there may be trouble in store for pussy’s abductress, as she is known.

CAT CLUB TO MEET – Democrat and Chronicle, 7th February, 1904.
Mrs. Alfred Jackson, president of the Lockhaven Cat Club, is desirous that all members be present at a meeting to be held to-morrow morning in the supervisors’ committee room of the Court House at 11 o’clock. The meeting will be important as further arrangements will be made for the prospective cat show. The place for holding the exhibit has not yet been decided upon.

If the show is held there will be some very fine specimens of the feline race displayed, as a number have already been promised. Within the past few days Mrs. Jackson has received two silver tabby kittens from the famous kennel at Sandusky, O. These were the kittens of Queen Irene, the finest silver tabby in the United States, who is the daughter of Rob Roy, the English prize winner of Avondale, England. The kittens’ father is Sir Henry Irving, of Chicago fame. The little creatures arrived during the recent blizzard, after a journey that occupied twenty-eight hours instead of twelve, in which time the trip is usually made. They will surely be entered if Rochester has a cat show and they survive the winter.

Mrs. Elizabeth C. Perrin, of St. Paul street, has recently imported three French tortoise-shell Angoras that have amber eyes. They have historical names, Napoleon, Eugene and Napoleon II. Other beauties who will contest for honors are Mrs. Perrin's Roger, a Chinchilla, and a number of his offspring. Emerald is one, and she has a noble ancestry, being the daughter of the famous Green Eyed Monster and grand-daughter of Lord Southampton.

NO PLAN FOR CAT SHOW – Democrat and Chronicle, 9th February, 1904
At the meeting of the Lockhaven Cat Club, held yesterday in the supervisors’ committee room in the Court House, a committee was appointed to make arrangements for the proposed cat show. The members of the committee are: Dr. Emil Knight, chairman; Mrs. Andrew Ludolph and Mrs. Charles P. Mann. While It has been decided to hold the show, the place and time have not been determined. Many matters have come up which command careful consideration. It is probable that a meeting of the owners of the club will be held this afternoon for further consultation.

CAT SHOW CALLED OFF ON ACCOUNT OF THE COLD – Democrat and Chronicle, 18th February, 1904
Several Prize Winners Exhibited in Madison Square Garden Contract Pneumonia and Die — Show Next Fall.

[Note: it is more likely that the cats contracted a viral infection at the show]

There will be no cat show in Rochester this winter. The Lockhaven Cat Club reached this decision after learning of the high mortality among the thoroughbreds exhibited last month at the cat show in Madison Square Garden, New York. The number of deaths directly traceable to cold supports the claim of those fanciers who hold that high-bred cats cannot withstand the exposure incidental to long journeys. But the Lockhaven club has by no means given up the idea of promoting a show. It plans to hold a large one next November. It is expected that a large territory extending from the Atlantic coast to the Far West will be represented in the finest specimens of feline blood the country has produced.

The number of cats that died as a result of exposure at the Madison Square Garden exhibition was large. There were twenty-seven deaths, nearly every one from pneumonia. Among the victims was the famous Sir Thomas Upton, owned by Mrs. Gotwaltz. Sir Robert, a handsome prize winner belonging to Dr. Ottolengui, is seriously ill. Others who lost valuable pets are Mrs. Groff, from whom the epidemic took seven; Mrs. Estelle Ward, of Brooklyn, who was deprived of five; Mrs. Brian Brown, three, and Mrs. Hofstra, whose five Siamese cats all succumbed. Nearly all of these animals were in the cat show held in Rochester a year ago.

It is believed that the Lockhaven members who live in Rochester will have all the better show by waiting until next fall, at the same time avoiding the risk of bringing an untimely death upon valued pets. When the exhibit does take place many of the cats will come hundreds of miles, as the most noted ones are owned in Eastern cities or in Western towns. The club has purchased a challenge cup and several specials have been donated for the cat exhibition to be held at the St. Louis Fair.