DEATH OF FAMOUS FLEA

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1933, Page 7

DEATH OF FAMOUS FLEA

PADDY’S REMARKABLE RECORD. As it must to all fleas,. death came recently to Paddy, famed trained .flea of “Professor” William Hockler’s famed Manhattan flea circus, states an American exchange. Habitual patrons of Dr. Hockler’s establishment well know the star performer who jumped through hoops, pushed a toy train, danced, juggled, kicked a ball, and ended every performance by ■ waving the flag of the Irish Free State in the manner of George Michael Cohan! waving the U.S. flag. He was a bright red flea with black, roguish eyes, much larger than most male. fleas.. Few of his admirers knew that Paddy' was not " : an Irish flea; he was found on a German sailor in Hoboken. Dr. Heckler exhibited his flee for the last time in Carbondale. On the- way . back to New York his automobile caught fire. While the car burned Dr. Heckler worked to save his fleas, removing jar after glass jar from his suitcase, unscrewing the caps to give* his pets fresh air. All rallied from the effects of - the smoke except Paddy. Next-night he was listless and refused his hoop. Next night T he was dead.

Dr. Heckler told a reporter that Paddy at the time of his death held the . alltime record of 52,850 consecutive per-