Councilman Samuel Bell, a horse importer of Wooster, O., has a Minorca pullet that takes as much delight in catching rats and mice as a rat dog. The hen was raised with a litter of fox terriers, and from being associated constantly with the dogs has acquired their hatred for rodents. She will tackle the largest kind, and while she has never killed a large one, will keep them at bay until the dogs come to her relief. She has killed many half-grown ones. She seems to know that the big rats are too much for her. It is in dispatching mice that she is at home, and two to four picks from her bill always lay the mouse out. A funny part of the hen’s accomplishment is that she will stand for hours on watch for mice, and when one appears, pounce on it with the fury of a cat.
The only coordinated reference I can find to Councilman Bell is at the American Shire Horse Association history page (pictures of horses). It is possible, but not (in my estimation) likely, that this Bell is related to Judge Bell.
[tags]Ann Arbor Register, August, 1895[/tags]