Odd, Old News: The Chilkat’s Cat

1920 photo of a ship captain holding a cat. [Photo creator unknown]

The wreck of the Chilkat (See last week) with its tragic loss of life and heroic rescue of the survivors was not the end of the story. Another passenger of the capsized ship was found later.  The littlest survivor’s saga made the press:

The Chilkat’s Cat

The Humboldt Times, April 27, 1899

   If the cat that survived the wreck of the Chilkat knew the great amount of trouble it has innocently caused, the feline would surely wish that it had met a similar fate to those that perished in the disaster.  It is a good thing perhaps that the cat does not know, for the knowledge would surely drive it to drink or else force a search for oblivion in some method peculiar to its kind.

   Seldom if ever, has a dumb animal gained such prominence or newspaper notoriety as the one in question.  If the blue blood of the four-hundred of the cat kingdom coursed through its veins, then an explanation might be easily made for the great ado that has been made over the animal.  But such is not the case. It boasts of no genealogy which raises it above the level of its species, or that would entitle its name to be placed in the bluebook of felines.  The animal was a gift to the late Captain Anderson of the streamer Chilkat by Thomas Baird of this city.  After the disaster it was ascertained that the cat survived the wreck and Mr. Baird since then has been desirous of getting it into his possession.  The cat disappeared from the wreck, and all efforts to locate the animal have proven futile.  Notices were placed in the newspapers, but still “the cat never came” back.

   Charles Clark of Rohnerville called at the Humboldt Times office Tuesday morning and said he had seen a statement in the newspapers about the affair, but up to that time was unaware that the matter was of any importance.  He said he had rescued the animal from the hull of the wrecked vessel, brought it up to the town and placed it in good hands, since which time he had been out of the country.  He expressed his willingness to send Tabby to captain Anderson’s wife, as he did not care for the animal.

   Mr. Baird appeared before the United States Commissioner, H. L. Ford, Tuesday afternoon and swore out a warrant for the arrest of the person that he thought had the pussy in their possession.  The matter, unless an understanding is arrived at between the parties, will be heard before Commissioner Ford, who will be called upon to decide the merits of the cause celebre.

 

The  accused catnapper was shortly apprehended and appeared before the court:

The Chilkat’s Cat

The Humboldt Times.  May 4, 1899                 

Charles Clark appeared before United States Commissioner Ford Wednesday and pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny for abducting the Chilkat’s cat.  A warrant had been sworn out on Clark by Thomas Baird and he was captured by U.S. Marshal Rager at Janes Creek, while enroute to Oregon with the Gospel Wagon workers.  Clark was fined the cause of the action, and upon giving $50 bonds was released.  The feline was restored to Mr. Baird, who is happily in its possession once more.  He intends sending the animal to Mrs. Captain Anderson.

Whether the Chilkat’s cat ever got to chill with Captain Anderson’s wife the newspapers did not report… nor how many of its nine lives it had left.

Earlier Odd and Old News:

There are many more but here are the most recent:

• Odd, Old News: Trinidad’s Enormous Serpent
• Odd, Old News: The Blue Lakes Monster
• Odd, Old News: The Great Rio Dell Gold Strike of 1878
• Odd, Old News: Wee Willie’s Wayward Wandering Ways
• Odd, Old News: The Wreck of the Chilkat