SAN FRANCISCO

THE PACIFIC BENCH SHOW. San Francisco. In one cage a lady has placed her pet kioodle and in the same apartment is a Tabitha cat. The lady tearfully told [the reporter] that they were on such terms of friendship at home that she could not bear to have them separated, and hence she brought them both. The managers protested that this was not a cat show and tried to send away the feline, but the lady wouldn't have it that way, and so it remains, one solitary cat among seven hundred dogs, all but one thirsting for blood ; but Tabitha views her surroundings with the utmost nonchalance and takes her meals regularly. – Oakland Tribune, October 31, 1877

WILL BE A CAT AND DOG SHOW – The San Francisco Call, April 23, 1897.
Felines Will Have a Place at the Coming Exhibition. Many Fanciers Who Have Thoroughbreds Have Already Entered. Special Prizes and Gold Medals Will Be Given and a Splendid Exhibition Is Assured.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call, 908 Broadway, April 22nd: Always striving for something original, Oakland has now decided that she will have a cat show with her dog show. At the last meeting of the club it was definitely decided that pussy should have a chance to exhibit her wool and purring abilities, as well as the bowwows. No entry fee will be charged exhibitors of cats, and the only expense to which the owners will be put is that of benching and feeding.

In this State, more so than in many other, there are people who have made a specialty of breeding cats, and they own many valuable Angoras and Maltese. It has been decided to give them an opportunity to show their pets, and prizes will be awarded to the lucky ones. Dr. Fred Pierce, the city veterinary surgeon, will be judge of the cats, and in this line he is well known all over the country at a very efficient arbiter.

The bench show will open the second week of next month at the Exposition building. It is attracting as much attention all over the State among owners of thoroughbred dogs as the show of the San Francisco Bench Club. In this city there are many prominent dog-fanciers and they will put all their pets on exhibition. [. . .] Among the cats will be some fine animals imported from Europe, and one exhibitor has entered twelve Angoras of remarkable beauty. No ordinary house cats will be accepted, as all animals must be thoroughbred to secure recognition.

[1902]The Pacific Cat Club will also hold its annual cat show in conjunction with the carnival. Nearly 100 cats have been entered.- Oakland Tribune, February 4th, 1902

SUCCESS CROWNS EFFORTS OF KENNEL CLUB – San Francisco Chronicle, 24th April, 1903
Outside of the continued interest in the dogs, to-day will be a red-letter occasion, because the first real cat show in this city will open in the upper gallery. The Maltese, Angora, Tiger, and the all sorts of feline beauties, will have to be benched by 10 o’clock, and the judging will commence in the afternoon. There are sixty-six entries. A feature will be the serving of a luncheon by the ladies in charge, the proceeds of which will go into the treasury of the Cut Club. A number of the bull terrier dogs have heard about the cats, and last evening they were having a long consultation as to ways and means by which they could reach them.

KENNEL CLUB CLOSES SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITION
WITH an enthusiasm not soon to be forgotten for its fine crowds, the stir and bustle and the awarding of trophies, the seventh annual dog and cat show of the San Francisco Kennel Club closed last evening. [. . .] Interest in the cats was as keen as that in the dogs, and last evening when the prize s were awarded there were some questions as to the judging, even as with the dogs. The prize lists for the cats include:

Class 1: Male Angora with long white hair and blue eyes — First prize Thomas owned by Herbert Stockton; second prize, Apollo, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels.
Class 2: Female Angoras with long white hair and blue eyes — First prize, Kitty, owned by Mrs. M.T. Gaffs; second prize, Daphney,owned by Presidio Cat Kennels.
Class 2: Specials male Angora with long white hair and blue eyes — First prire, Cherub, owned by Mrs. A. St. J Oliver; second prize, Esau, owned by Mrs. A. Greenberg; third prize, Pong, owned by Mrs. W.W. Van Arsdale.
Class 4: Female Angoras with long white hair and amber eyes -First prize, Amlnah. owned by Mrs. A H. Abbott; second prize, Fluffa, owned by Mrs. Leontine Mowry; third prist Snowie S, owned by Herbert Stockton, high class, Tess of the D’Ubervuilles owned by Mrs. A. Gruenberg.
Class 5: Male Angoras with black hair — First prize, Frisky, owned by Mrs. H. O. Hanley.
Class 9: Male Angoras with brown or tabby hair — First prize, Teddy S, owned by Herbert Stockton.
Class 10, female Angoras with brown or gray hair — First prize, Zoza. owned by Mrs. A. H. Brod.
Class 11, Angoras with long hair and orange or red eyes — First prize, Dewey, owned by Mrs. Herbert Stockton.
Class 13, male and female Angoras with cream-colored hair—First prize, Cream Puff, owned by Mrs. A. H. Abbott; second rise. Hooligan, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels.
Class 14, male or female Angoras, with tortoise-colored hair —First price, Juno, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels.
Class 15. male or female Angoras, with tortoise shell and white hair — First prize, Pansy, owned by Mrs. A. H. Abbott; second prize, Victoria, owned by Presidio at Kennels.
Class 16. male or female angoras of any other color — First prize, Lady Duff and litter, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels; second prize, Ramona, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels; third prize, Robinson Crusoe, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels.
Class 17, neuter angoras with white hair — First prize, Middy, owned by Mrs. Otto Brod; second prize, Emis Al Omra, owned by Mrs. Caroline Hildebrand; third prize, Fluff, owned by Mrs. A.H. Abbott; high class, Snowball, owned by Jesse D Pratt.
Class 18, neuter angoras, with blue or black hair — First prize, Savoy Bob, owned by Mrs. J. M. Graham.
Class 19, neuter angoras of any other color — First prize, Ginger (red), owned by Mrs. D. Snyder Harvey; third prize, Toodles, owned by Dr. Harriet Welch; high class. Dictator, owned by Mrs. W. W. Van Arsdale.
Class 20, long-haired Angora kittens, two to six weeks old —First prize, Montezuma, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels; second prize, Saragosa, owned by Presidio Cat Kennels.
Class 21, litters of long-haired Angora kittens one to two months old — First prize, litter of six, Zaza and babies, owned by Mrs. A H. Brod; second prize, litter of three, Pansy and babies, owned by Mrs. A. H. Abbott; third prize, litter of five, owned by Mrs. A. Gruenberg; high class litter of six, Snowy S. and babies, owned by Herbert Stockton.
Class 22, male cats with short hair — First prize, Jimmy, owned by Mrs. Flora E. Howard.
Class 23, female cats with short white hair — First prize, Beauty, owned by Mrs. Flora E Howard.
Class 27, female cats with short gray or brown tabby hair —First prize, Mollie, owned by Miss Hermione G. Abbott; second prize, Miss Gray, owned by Valentine Deane.
Class 30, male and female cats of any other color, with short hair — First prize, Sir Thomas, owned by Mrs. S. R. Davenport, second prize, Tom, owned by Mrs. Ella Harris; third prize, Miss Blue, owned by Mrs. William A. Deane.
Class 32, neuters, with blue or black hair — First prize, Fritz, owned by William Mesenburg; second prize, Thomas, owned by Mrs. James Clark Robbins: third prize, Lover, owned by Ethel Hudson.
Class 34, kittens — First prize, Midnight, owned by Mrs. J. M. Graham.
Class 36, male Siamese — First prize, Sikh, owned by A. H. Hoag.
Class 37, male Siamese, with chocolate hair — First prize, Frisco.
Class 38, neuter Siamese — First prize, Chom, owned by Miss Mary Freeman.
Class 39, male Siamese kitten, 2 to 9 months old — First prize, King Siam, owned by Mrs L, S. Lynch.
Class 41, female Siamese kitten — First prize, Dolly Varden, owned by Mrs; A. M Hoag.

Special prizes —
California kennels cup won by Arminah (Mrs. Abbott).
The western field challenge cup, won by Arminah (Mrs. Abbott)
One dozen photos from Thors for best stud, to be judged by two of his get, Apollo, Presidio cat kennels.
The L. and G. Breun cup won by Zaza (Mrs. A. H. Brod).
One dozen Taber photos for best collection of cats, one owner, Mrs. A.H.Abbott.
Three bottles champagne, best white cat in show, Arminah.
Nathan Dohrmann, special best cat from Almeda county (Mrs. Howard’s Beauty).
Newman & Levinson special best cat from San Jose, Teddie (A. H. Stockton).
11 by 14 photo offered by F. O. Brahton for best Siamese in show, won by Sikh (Mrs. Hoag).
Silver cup given by A. H. Brod for best long haired neuter, tie between Middy White neuter and Ginger Red, won by Ginger.
Modeled leather frame for best tortoise shell and white long-haired, Pansy (Mrs. A. H. Abbott).
Decorated china plate, given by Miss Minnie Taylor, won by Fritz (Mrs. Mesenberg) for best maltese in show.
The Cat Journal one year for best long haired kitten under three months, Montezuma (Presidio Cat Kennels).
Best kitten under three months, Montezuma (Presidio Cat Kennels).
Graphophone and records, best long-haired cat exhibited by little girl, tie between Carlos, blue and white (Gertrude Creswell) and Snowball, white, won by Jesse Pratt.
The best short haired cat in show, brass candlestick, donated by Mrs. Dean, Fritz (Mrs. Mesenberg).
Cat Journal one year for best black kitten or cat, Frisky (Mrs. Henley).
Chas. Brown and son special for best chinchilla, Rosy (Mrs. Salinger).
Silver cup for best short-haired neuter, barring Siamese on account of their superiority, Fritz (Mrs. Mesenberg).
Box of candy for best short haired kitten, Miss Blue, owner (Mrs. William Deane).
Best cat, short haired, exhibited by a little girl, one dozen photos from Bushnell’s, Mollie (Hermia Abbott).
Best short-haired cat exhibited by a little boy, box of perfume, Valentine, Miss Gray (Mrs. A. H. Hoag).
Bottle of perfume for best brown tabby, Zaza, owned by Mrs. A. H. Read.
Cherub wins framed photo of Royal Norton for best of his kind.
Mrs. C. Markling offered $5 for best cat owned by a member of the club, Aminah, by Mrs. Abbott.

DIRECTORS ARE TO MANAGE [DOG AND CAT SHOW]– The Oakland Tribune, 30th March, 1903
The San Francisco Kennel Club has planned to have its bench show, which takes place April 22 to 25 inclusive, managed by their board of directors in general and by a committee consisting of W. O. Ralston, Charles K. Harley and J. L. Cunningham, in particular [. . .] It is planned to have a cat show during the last two days.

[DOG AND CAT SHOW]– The Oakland Tribune, 9th April, 1903
The cat show which will take place during the last two days of the dog show in San Francisco this month is attracting considerable interest and there are a large number of entries. The only Siamese made on the coast will be among those benched. It is an exceptionally fine specimen of that very rare breed.

BIG CROWDS ATTEND DOG [AND CAT] SHOW – The Oakland Tribune, 24th April, 1903
The Mechanics’ Pavilion in San Francisco was crowded with spectators all day yesterday at the dog show, and for the first time in the history of the Kennel Club the members will not have to dig to make up a deficit. The attendance at the first day was large, but yesterday the attendance eclipsed all expectations [. . .] By 10 o’clock this morning some sixty handsome cats were benched and the judging is taking place this afternoon. There are felines of every description, both great and small. Prominent among the kinds on exhibition are Maltese, Angora and Tigers. This is the first cat show ever held in San Francisco and it has aroused considerable interest.

HIGH-BRED CATS NOW CENTER OF ATTRACTION – San Francisco Chronicle, 25th April, 1903
Attention at the Kennel Club Show Has Shifted to the Upper Gallery.
Blue-blooded beauties at the dog and cat show brought out thousands of people yesterday, the Pavilion being crowded from early until late. Interest was divided between dogs of degree on the main floor with the cats of pedigree safely and lovingly caged in the old art gallery. The venture of the Pacific Cat Club to hold an exhibition in conjunction with the San Francisco Kennel Club has been rewarded with generous patronage. Interest in the pussies was quite as keen as that in the dogs.

[. . .]Although the cat show is such a signal success, it opened with a tragic death – that of a royal Siamese young cat owned by Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Hoag. It was frightened to death. Mrs. Hoag, who has an enviable collection of these shaded brown, velvet-eared cats, was on time with her baskets. One by one she transferred the rare cats from their travelling baskets to the wire cages, and all went well until she came to the doomed cat. She took the terrified little creature out tenderly, but it gave one look at the strange surroundings, and, gasping, died almost instantly. Everything was done to resuscitate the valuable feline, but nothing availed. The little cat had never been out, and was frightened, after the manner of cats, for all time; but it is a mystery to those who owned the pet how she disposed of her other eight lives. One strange death after another has taken the progenitors of the victim of fright. The mother and father were brought out of Siam surreptitiously, as they must be, as there is an edict in the kingdom regarding them. Yesterday’s tragedy takes off the last limb of the family cat tree in this country.

Mrs. Hoag shows three other Siamese beauties, and there are two others, one the property of Mrs. Mary Freeman and the other of Mrs. L.S. Lynch. There was a crowd around the Siamese cats all the time, because comparatively few people have seen them. They are wonderfully marked from a cream to a dark brown, with the greatest delicacy of shading, the tails and ears being as rich in tone as a seal skin. It is somewhat difficult to realize that they are really, truly cats.

On the whole, the cats behaved remarkably well. A few of them sang shed tunes, but most of them curled up on the cushions and every once and a while took the proverbial forty winks. They were all benched before noon and four hours after that Mrs. C.S. Dewitt “judged” the cats and kittens according to the now well-established rules which are almost as complete and exacting as those for dogs. Her work was not concluded last evening and will be given out tomorrow. Mrs. Christian Reis judges the Siamese.

There are white and black and red and tortoise and orange and Maltese cats; there are some with blue, others with big amber eyes, there are genuine “tabbies,” litters of Angoras and other rare breeds and finally there are some ordinary back-fence cats, entered by the president, Mrs. William A. Deane. She owns some aristocrats, but she benched three strays, one of which was thrown over her fence when it was a kitten. Each of these plebeians is the proud possessor of one kitten. Mrs. Deane contended that no show would be complete with the rovers.

The officers of the Pacific Cat Club and the conductors of the show are: President, Mrs. William A. Deane; vice-president, Mrs. George E. Bates; treasurer, Mrs. Caroline E. Hilderbrand; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Allan H. Abbott; recording secretary, Mrs. A.H. Brod; bench show committee, A.H. Abbott, A.J. Oliver, Mrs. William A. Deane, Mrs. A.H. Brod; show superintendent and secretary, Mrs. A.H. Brod; committee on general arrangements, Mrs. C.C. Reidy, Mrs. A.H. Abbott, Mrs. D.M. Heermans, Dr. Hattie Welch, Mrs. A.J. Oliver, Mrs. Kate Walters, Mrs. Caroline E Hildebrand, Mrs. George E. Bates, Mrs. H.A.L. Ryfkogel.

The ladies of the cat club are serving tea, and that, with the proceeds of a souvenir programme, will defray the expenses incurred by the show. The cats will be shown again today.

MANY ENTRIES TO COMBINATION SHOW – San Francisco Chronicle, 26th November, 1903
Aristocrats of the dog world and the worlds of feathers and fur will compete with each other for coveted blue ribbons at the “San Francisco Show,” to be held at Mechanics’ Pavilion from December 1st until 10 o'clock on the night of December 5th. The exhibition will be a combination event under the auspices of the Pacific Collie and Old English Sheep Dog Club, Oakland Poultry Association and the Cat Club, and in many respects it will overshadow any former shows held on this Coast. The cat show will be smaller [then the dog or poultry shows], but a prize will go to every exhibitor. Among others Mrs. Robert Watson will exhibit a Manx cat, the only one of its species ever brought to California.

COMBINED EXHIBIT OF DOGS, CATS AND POULTRY – San Francisco Chronicle, 4th December, 1903
With a small but goodly array of pampered tabbies stored carefully away in the far art gallery, where canine yelps are but a faint echo, the San Francisco combined dog, poultry and cat show went merrily on yesterday at Mechanics’ Pavilion. [. . .] This morning begins the Judging of cats by Mrs. N. S. Rogers-Stone of Cupertino. The task will occupy a part of the day, as the exhibit is not large in numbers. There are, however, say the cat fanciers, representatives of the Angora and the Maltese which are deserving of competition with the best specimens in the country. The tabbies make an interesting exhibit, each seated on a soft sofa cushion in a daintily decorated cage, serenely unconscious of the spectators. A large part of those who had come to see the dogs and chickens also took in the cat show up stairs, and found it worth their while.

PROSPECTS GOOD FOR DOG [AND CAT] SHOW – San Francisco Chronicle, 27th March 1904.
The officers of the San Francisco Kennel Club are delighted
with the prospects for a good show in April [. . .] The cat show, which will be large, will be held in connection with the dog show on April 15th and 16th. The cats will have their special departments in the gallery of the Pavilion. The officers of the Cat Club are Mrs. W. A. Deane, president; Mrs. George E. Bates, vice-president; Mrs. Caroline Hildebrand, treasurer; Mrs. Allen Abbott, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. A. H. Broad, superintendent and recording secretary.

DOGS AND CATS OF HIGH DEGREE TO COMPETE – San Francisco Chronicle, April 3rd, 1904
ENTRIES closed last night at midnight for the coming show of the San Francisco Kennel Club. [. . .] The Pacific Cat Club, composed of several hundred members, will hold its second exhibition of prize cats in connection with the San Francisco Kennel Club show on April, 15th and 16th. Quite a variety of handsome tabbies will be shown, and the contests for prizes are expected to be close. The several handsome specials that will be offered have added much to the interest in the exhibition. Among the large numbers of cats that will be exhibited, the white Angora or Persians are undoubtedly the most admired, but apart from those there will be many handsome cats shown. The brown, gray and orange tabbies are much fancied by lovers of the house pets. Teddie S,, owned by H. Stockton of San Jose, is said to be a beauty. Among the white beauties is the famous prize-winner Cherub, owned by Mrs. A. St. J. Oliver. He is the son of Royal Norton of the Drexel Kennels, Chicago, Among the orange and reds the most prominent is Mrs. A. H. Brod’s Jack o’ Dandy, which won first in his class at the last exhibition. Hooligan is a beautiful cream-colored animal owned by Mr. McCracken. Mrs. Hoag’s exceedingly pretty Siamese cats are much admired. They are known as the royal cat of Siam and exceedingly difficult to raise. With few exceptions all of the Siamese cats imported into this country have been smuggled. Mrs. Hoag takes pardonable pride in showing Sikh, the only Siamese male cat on this Coast.

Much is expected from Buster, an imported white Persian beauty. Of course, the largest showing will be made by the short-haired or domestic cats. Mrs. Davis of Oakland owns several handsome long-tails, which she will exhibit, prominent among which being Fritz, a winner of three specials in the last show. William Messenberg will also add to the interest of the cat show by entering some of his prise favorites. Mrs. James C. Robbins is in hopes of seeing her prize beauty, Thomas, wearing winning colors on the evening of April 16th. Among some of the cats that will be on exhibition, and which will assuredly attract more than ordinary attention, are Mrs. Deane’s and Miss Herrione’s tortoise-shell cats.

Mrs. Dewitt will again officiate as judge. Silver medals will be given to first prize winners, and bronze medals to second prize winners in all classes. The officers of the club are: Mrs. William A. Deane, president; Mrs. George E. Bates, vice-president; Mrs. Caroline E. Hilderbrand. treasurer; Mrs. Allen Abbott, corresponding secretary; Mrs. A. H. Brod, recording secretary.

Bench show committee - Mesdames Abbott, Oliver and Brod. Show superintendent and secretary - Mrs. A. H. Brod.

HIGH-CLASS DOGS IN PARADE – San Francisco Chronicle, April 17th, 1904
The eighth annual dog show of the San Francisco Kennel ended last night [. . .] The cats had their day yesterday in the upper gallery of the Mechanics’ Pavilion. Beautifully gowned women discussed all day long the merits of the different long-haired and short-haired tabbies of aristocratic lineage. One of the officers of the Pacific Cat Club said that the long-tails were not bred with the object of rat or mouse killing, and that points did not count in that direction. A cat to win prizes in a show must be broad in head, show intelligent and handsome eyes, carry a well-conditioned coat, must not be too long in leg, must have a well-feathered tall (bushy) and be of perfect shape. According to cat show rules the points of judging are as follows:

Head 10 points, eyes 15, ruff 10, coat 15, tail 15, condition 10, color 10, shape 15. Mrs. Irene Dewitt of Corning, Cal., formerly of Chicago, passed judgment on the different breeds and was particular in handing out the winning colors. Her awards gave general satisfaction. The contest between four long-haired neuters was so close that the judge reserved her decision until to-day.

The special prizes were won by the following exhibitors:
Best long-haired male or female bred on the Coast. Cherub, Mrs. A. St. J. Oliver.
Best cat in show (any color), Teddy S., H. Stockton, San Jose.
Cup for the best blue-eyed white cat in show, Queen Alexandra, Master Coddington
Cup for the best cat of opposite sex to the winner of the Challenge cup, Lady Cream Puff. Mrs. A. H. Abbott.
Best female, to be judged by her kittens, Aminah, Mrs. A. H. Abbott.
Best stud, to be judge by his get, Cherub, Mrs. A. St. J. Oliver.
Best long-haired litter in the show won by Mrs. Mowry, owner.
Best cat from Alameda county, Jimmie, Mrs. Davies of Oakland.
Best cat from Santa Clara, Los Angeles or Sonoma counties, Teddy S., H. Stockton of San Jose.
Best long-haired neuter in the show (any color), decision reserved.
Best Long-haired cat in the show, owned by a member of the club, Middy, Mrs. A.H. Bird.
Best odd-eyed cat in the show (long-haired), Bobby, Mrs. L. Mowry.
Best male, female or neuter cat or kitten bred from Angora stock, Cigarette, Mrs. E. H. Strong.
Best white cat in the show that has not won before, Apollo II, Mrs. E. L. Everson.
Best female in the show, Lady Fanchon, Mrs. C. E. Hildebrand.
Best long-haired novice (any color), Lady Elgin, Mrs. E. L. Evison.
Best orange or red cat in the show (male or female), Rufus, Miss Crossen.
Largest and best exhibit from one kennel that does not win the Pacific Cat Club special, Mrs. A. H. Bird.
Best brown tabby female (long haired) in the show, Zaza, Mrs. A. H. Bird.
Best long-haired cat exhibited by a little girl, Snowball, Jessie Pratt.
Best long-haired cat exhibited by a little boy. Queen Alexandra, Dudley Coddington.
Best brown or gray tabby male in the show, Teddy S., H. Stockton.
For best long-haired kitten, three months old or under, Miss Crossen of San Jose.
Best long-haired white kitten in the show, not over three months old, won by Mrs. L. Mowry.
Best cream cat (male or female) in the show, Hooligan, Presidio kennels.
Handler’s prize, won by Mrs. H. Stockton of San Jose.
Cup for the best short-haired (ordinary) cat in the show, Midnight, Mrs. D. Clegg.
Best Maltese in the show, Fritz, William Mesenburg.
Largest short-haired (ordinary) neuter in the show, Boy Blu, Leland marcuse.
Best short-haired black male in the show, Nigger, Mrs. B. Marcuse.
Best short haired cat, under one year old, from Alameda county, exhibited by a little boy, Betty, Bertie McCarthy of Oakland.
Best white neuter (short haired) under one year old, from Alameda county, Snowball, F. Troy. Oakland.
Beat short haired neuter in the novice class, Totti, Mrs. F. Tibbitts.
Best black female (short haired) in the show, Susan Van Dusan, Mrs. E. A. Leigh.
Best short haired female (ordinary) in the show. Beauty, Mrs. Howard.
Best short haired (ordinary) male In the show, Urisse, Valentine Deane.
Best short haired tabby in the novice class, Judge Dooling.
Best odd eyed (short haired) cat in the show, Fleurette, Mrs. Wiliam A. Deane.
Best short haired tortoise shell and white cat in the show, Midget, William A. Deane.
Best short haired litter in the show, Mrs. Howard of Oakland.
Best short haired kitten in the show, Brindle Bug, Mrs. Kate Waters.
Best short haired cat or kitten exhibited by a little girl, Mollie, Hermie Abbott.
Best short haired cat or kitten exhibited by a little, boy, Miss Gray, Valentine Deane.
Best maltese in the novice class, Totti, Mrs. Tibbitts.
First cat entered, long or short haired, Tokio, Mrs. R. Watson.
Best cat outside of San Francisco, Teddy S., H. Stockton.
Largest and best exhibit from one kennel, long or short haired, won by Mrs. William A. Deane.

CAT ARISTOCRATS DRAW BIG CROWD. (San Francisco Chronicle, 5th December 1914)
Mother of Six and Thomases Worth $1000 Features of Sixth Annual Show. One Descendant From Tabby Raised by the Slingsby Family of England.
The Pacific Cat Club's sixth annual show opened yesterday on the fourth floor of the Emporium building. It will continue until 10 o'clock this evening. The proceeds will be given to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There are 171 entries. They represent cats of high and low degree, but not felines of the variety that silhouette themselves against a full moon, perched on a back fence and dodge bootjacks and slippers while they sing to their mate sulking somewhere in the immediate vicinity. These cats on exhibition are pet cats; well-behaved in company; well fed; fat and most demure, and not at all boisterous.

In that respect this cat show is different from a kennel show. At the latter the dogs do all the talking, the crowds looking on in fear and trembling. But on the fourth floor of the Emporium building a person would not know there was a cat within a mile of the place, except for placards on the wall announcing the fact, for these cats keep their thoughts to themselves. There isn't a "me-ow” from any of them. Society women and curious spectators are the talkers and the admirers.

And there are lots of cats on exhibition worth admiring, too. “Billy Bounce," a sable Persian tabby, owned by Mrs. W. H. O’Donnell, 2884 Union street, is the largest cat in the show. He weighs 23 pounds and is valued at $1000. Across the room there is another $1000 beauty, “Nella Billi III,” owned by Mrs. Jack Gordon, Thalheim. He is a long-haired blue, third removed from an original imported Persian tabby, whose ancestors were raised by the Slingsby family, London, prominent at this time because they figure in the alleged baby substitution case involving the famous Yorkshire estate.

The proudest cat on exhibition is "Babiens," a long-haired Persian who is there with her six little ones. They are owned by Mrs. K. M. Van Horne, 1249 Franklin street. Another prize winner Is “Captain Henry Roeder,” a long-haired neuter, owned by Mrs. M. L. Goodsell, 1158 Haight street. “Argent Buster,” a shaded silver male, of the long-haired variety, Persian ancestry, owned by Mrs. W. C. Lynch, 1881 O'Farroll street, was awarded a first prize by Miss Dorothy B. Champion, the New York cat expert, who is officiating as Judge. “O Rex San,” owned by Mrs. D. S. O'Brien, was also there. He won a blue ribbon and cup donated by the Western Cat Fancier at the recent Oakland show for the best black male cat.

CAT SHOW SCHEDULED NEXT WEEK IN SF – Daily Independent Journal, 7th January, 1950

Rarest of rare felines — the Imported Russian Blue, will be shown to Northern California for the first time at the San Francisco Cat Show, it was announced today by the show management, The Cat Show, the 27th event sponsored by the Pacific Cat Club Inc. will be held in the Civic Auditorium next Saturday and Sunday. More than 200 other rare and pedigreed cats as well as a good supply of common household mousers, will go on display and vie for fancy cups, beautiful ribbons and other prizes at the San Francisco Cat Show. Thousands of cat fanciers from all over the Pacific Coast plan to attend the two day event.