They Walked With The Silver Kings by Mell Russell

"I AM THE CAT who walks by himself' wrote Kipling, over sixty years ago: "And all places are alike to me."

That's just once Mister Kipling got in over his head, and proved he knew nothing about cats. and probably didn't even like cats! For no cat, of his own choice, walks by himself: all crave human companionship, and all cats love their homes. They can die of home-sickness, and sometimes do.

Assuredly, none of the sparkling Silver Kings who has paced across our show benches for the past half century has walked by himself. Always, by his side, has walked a proud owner—breeder—friend--hal devoted.

slave! Usually a woman. Three of these pioneer breeders who have helped to develop some of

the finest Silvers in America, have stepped out of the past to tell us of their struggles and triumphs which have given us a priceless heritage—the foundation for our beautiful Silvers of today. They tell of the past, as they recall it; step briefly into a past some of the older breeders of today can recall. They do not venture into the immediate past, nor the present. That is another story.

These are just a few personal memories—glimpses into the past; sup-plemented by reference to yellowed old pedigress in my notes, and show catalogs and cat magazines of those days. The telling of it all would fill volumes but the enthusiasm, and the devotion to this unique class of long-hairs; nothing is missing there.

Mrs. Alfred Townsend, (Bonnie Silvers) began breeding Silvers about

forty years ago, when she was living in Ardsley, New York. She owned, and bred some of the most famous, first on the Atlantic coast, later on t'le Pacific coast. She never bred any other color.

"Oh it was not easy in those early days of Silver breeding," she says. "There were so few cats, and we desperately needed new blood and outcrosses. We were learning, really pioneering. Sometimes a fine Silver was imported from England, but that was expensive; we got a few from the Middle East; we got them wherever we could, and treasured them all. We worked hard."

Year Book, 1964 12R

They W'alked With The Silver Kingsby Mell Russell

"I AM THE CAT who walks by himseW"wrote Kipling, over si'xty years ago: "And allplaces are alike to me."

That's just once Mister Kipling got in overhis head, and proved he knew nothing aboutcats. and probably didn't even like cats! Forno cat, of his own choice, walks by himself:all crave human companionship, and allcats love thei'r homes. They can die of home­sickness, and sometimes do.

Assuredly, none of the sparkling SilverKings who has paced across our show benchesfor the past half century has walked byhimself. Always, by his side, has walked aproud owner-breeder-friend-hal devoted.

Mrs. Russell slave! Usually a woman.

Three of these pioneer breeders who have helped to develop some ofthe finest Silvers in America, have stepped out of the past to tell us ofthcir struggles and triumphs which have given liS a priceless heritCtge­the foundation for our beautiful Silvers of today. They tell of the past,as they recall it; step briefly into a past some of the older breeders ofto::lay can recall. They do not venture into the immediate past, nor thepre,cnt. That is another story.

The,e are just a few personal memories-glimpses into the past; sup­plemented by reference to yellowed old pedigress in my notes, and showc:J.talog:; and C:J.t magazines of those days. The telling of it all wouldfill volumes but the entr.'usiasm, and the devotion to this unique classof lone-hairs; nothing is missing there.

r·l1rs. Alfred Townsend, (Bonnie Silvers) began breeding Silvers aboutforty years ago, when she was living iii Ardsley, New York. She owned,end bred some of the most famous, first on the Atlantic coast, later ont:1C Pacific coast. She never bred any other color.

"0:1 it was not easy in those early days of Silver breeding," she' says."There were so few cats, and we desperately needed new blood andcutcrosscs. We '.'.'ere learning, really pioneeri'ng. Sometimes a fine Silverwas imported from England, but that was expensive; we got a fewfrom the Middle East; we got them wherever we could, and treasuredt~lem all. We worked hard."

Year Book, 19E1 12!l

Gr. Ch. Co-Mc's Silver Cherub, AA 1964 Chinchilla Female. Mrs. C. H.

Coughlin, breeder owner.

been recognized, and the standard calls for a cat that appears blue, with bluish-white undercoat and ruff; other the same qualifications as the black Smoke Miss Hurd was developing.

In far-away Osaka, Japan, where one of the most active CFA clubs is now operating, there is great enthu-siasm about the Silvers.

The two little Silver girls pictured below are the first Silver kittens born in Japan. Their mother, Las Montanas Mayflower, was sent to Mr. Takashi Takeda in 1963, bred to Duncanshire D'Argent, and the kittens were born in Osaka. Mr. Takeda is the founder, and the present Secretary of the Japan Cat Fanciers, CFA. The photography is by Mr. Takeda.

Down through the years, even for half a century, some of these breeders have walked, with their Silver Kings padding along beside them on silent, fur-stockinged feet. They have given us a priceless heritage. May we ever guard and treasure it.

Two little American Japanese girls. (Duncanshire D'Argent,

Las Montanas Mayflower)

My sources of information: Mrs. Alfred Townsend, (Bonnie Silvers) Miss Catherine Hurd (Metichiwan Smokes) Mrs. Arthur Smith (Citrus Ridge Silvers) who graciously permitted me to interview and ghost-write their ex-periences;

Mrs. Ethel Maule (Phyatak Siamese), who loaned me her collection of show catalogs and cat magazines, going back into the early 1930's.

Files of ancient pedigrees, my own and others, many very old. Old cuts and photographs of early-day Silvers.

138 C. F. A.

Gr. Ch. Co-Me's Silver Cherub, AA1964 Chinchilla Female. Mrs. C. H.

Coughlin, breeder owner.

been recognized, and the standard calls for a cat that appears blue, withbluish-white undercoat and ruff; other the same qualifications as theblack Smoke Miss Hurd was developing.

In far-away Osaka, Japan, \\·hereone of the most active CFA clubs isnow operating, there is great enthu­siasm about the Silvers.

The two little Silver girls picturedbelow are the hrst Silver kittens bornin Japan. Their mother, Las MontanasMayflower, was sent to Mr. TakashiTakeda in 1963, bred to DuncanshireD'Argent, and the kittens were born inOsaka. Mr. Takeda is the founder, andthe present Secretary of the Japan CatPanciers, CFA. The photography is byMr. Takeda.

Down through the years, even for half a century, some of thesebreeders have walked, with their Silver Kings padding along besi'dethem on silent, fur-stockinged feet. They have given us a pricelessheritage. May we ever guard and treasure it.

TW0 little American Japanesegirls. (Duncanshire D'Argent,

Las Montanas Mayflower)

My sources of information:Mrs. Alfred Townsend, (Bonnie Silvers)Miss Catheri'ne Hurd (Metichiwan Smokes)Mrs. Arthur Smith (Citrus Ridge Silvers)\\·ho graciously permitted me to interview and ghost-write their ex­periences;

Mrs. Ethel Maule (Phyatak Siamese), who loaned me her collectionof show catalogs and cat magazines, going back i'nto the early 1930's.

Files of ancient pedigrees, my own and others, many very old. Oldcuts and photographs of early-day Silvers.

138 C. F. A.

Many of the finest of early day breeders were interested in Silvers. Mrs. Hobbs with her Winter stock; Miss Paine's Rosederes; Miss Hurd was breeding Smokes in New York; Miss Gilbert's Wahoos; the Pequo-settes, with Imp. Dante of Allington back of them; the Rockmoors; the magnificient Clarements who went everywhere, always winning; the Southerns (Southern Silver Lion was the sire of the famous Ch. Silver Lion of Rosewood in California;) Mrs. Mood and her typey Delphis; Zeises and his Corsos; the Minnesotas; Miss Barlow's typey Kildares with the beautiful eye color in Washington, and others there in the far Northwest; Mrs. Stewart was breeding beautiful Silvers in Arlington, Va. She later bought Imp. Leo of Allington from a West Coast importer and added that line; one went to Flagstone, and a note on his pedigree says Mrs. Shy of Shy's Castle got another of his sons; and in the Deep South Mrs. Arthur Smith was coming to the front with her Citrus Ridge. There were many others, of course; but you will find most of these in your old pedigrees if you can go back far enough.

130 C. F. A._

Many of the finest of early day breeders were interested in Silvers.Mrs. Hobbs with her Winter stock; Miss Paine's Rosederes; Miss Hurdwas breeding Smokes in New York; Mi'ss Gilbert's Wahoos; the Pequo­settes, with Imp. Dante of Allington back of them; the Rockmoors; themagnificient Clarements who went everywhere, always winning; theSoutherns (Southern Silver Lion was the sire of the famous Ch. SilverLion of Rosewood in California;) Mrs. Mood and her typey Delphis;Zeises and his Corsos; the Minnesotas; Miss Barlow's typey Kildareswith the beautiful eye color in Washington, and others there in thefar Northwest; Mrs. Stewart was breeding beautiful Silvers in Arlington,Va. She later bought Imp. Leo of Allington from a West Coast importerand added that line; one went to Flagstone, and a note on his pedigreesays Mrs. Shy of Shy's Castle got another of his sons; and in the DeepSouth Mrs. Arthur Smith was coming to the front with her CitrusRi'dge. There were many others. of course; but you will find most ofthese in your old pedigrees if you can go back far enough.

Ch Roseclel'e of Beau Clair of Bonnie Silvers

130 C. F. A_

Ours was a busy household. Our three boys were very young; I was always running around to cat shows, buying the best I could find, breeding and selling. Mr. Townsend, who is a horticulturalist, was winning his trophies in flower shows, breeding Shelties, a kind of sheep dog they favor in his native Scotland, and showing and sometimes judging in the great Madison Square Garden shows. When he looked at one of my cats and told me it was good, that cat proved to be good; if he saw faults, that ended the matter. He always knew type.

In about 1924, Miss Paine brought down two handsome Silver males from Canada; she named them Rosedere Don Clair, and Rosedere Beau Clair. Mrs. Steward bought Rosedere Don Clair for her Arlington cattery, and I bought Rosedere Beau Clair. He was really the foundation of my Bonnie Silvers. He sired many beautiful kittens for me, and I always sold my best. He sired Bonnie Maid O'The Mist; I sold her to Miss Maude Lantry, then a young and popular actress on the New York stage. Miss Lantry showed Bonny Maid everywhere; she became a champion, and was known all over the East. He also sired Bonnie Jean of Ardsley, equally beautiful and famous. Bonnie Jean was a CFF Grand Champion. I have a cut of Beau Clair, so you can see his beauty. He was born about 1923, in Canada.

Another of my beautiful studs was Bonnie Pride O'The Silvers. He was born May 16, 1936. His sire was Ch. Pequosette Dante, son of Imp. Dante of Allington; his dam, Ch. Idalia of Pequosette, with Pequosettes, Winters, Claremonts, Winterdeens and Wedgewoods in her petligree.

In 1947 we moved to Altadena, California. I had sent Bonnie Jersey Gem and her five tiny babies on ahead to Mrs. Hazlett of Beverly-Serrano, in Hollywood. I brought My Honey Boy of Bonnie Silvers with me. These two cats carried all my old, famous lines. Bonnie Jersey Gem, 18 years old this past May 3rd, now sleeps in the shady spots in the yard on hot days, hunts the sunny spots on cool days, and dreams of those many, beautiful, cuddly babies she nursed in the past.

Mrs. Hazlett's Beverly-Serrano cattery, and Mrs. Walton's Starlight, were the ruling catteries in Hollywood in those days. Mrs. Hazlett had built up her line from what she considered the best of the local cats, and there were some expert old breeders; Miss Workman had the Hill-andales. They were beautiful; Hiss Hershberger had Bamtam Ranch, more good ones; Mrs. McCoy had the Garlands, and she had bred in and owned some of the Kildares with their fine head type and deep eye color. Mrs. Van Zele, Casa Contenta, knew how to breed, and hers were right; the Rosewoods with their beautiful coats and size and good eye color were spectacular, but had no head type. Mrs. Walton's Star-

Year, Book, 1964 131

Ours \\ as a busy household. Our three boys were very young; I wasalways running around to cat shows, buying the best I could find,breeding and selling. Mr. Townsend, who is a horticulturalist, waswinning his trophies in flower shows, breeding Shelties, a kind of sheepdog they favor in his native Scotland, and showing and sometimesjudgi'ng in the great Madison Square Garden shows. When he lookedat one of my cats and told me it was good, that cat proved to be good;if he saw faults, that ended the matter. He always knew type.

In about 1924, Miss Paine brought down two handsome Silver malesfrom Canada; she named them Rosedere Don Clair, and Rosedere BeauClair. Mrs. Steward bought Rosedere Don Clair for her Arlingtoncattery, and I bought Rosedere Beau Clair. He was really the foundationof my Bonnie Silvers. He sired many beautiful kittens for me, and Ialways sold my best. He sired Bonnie Maid O'The Mist; I sold her toMiss Maude Lantry, then a young and popular actress on the NewYork stage. Miss Lantry showed Bonny Maid everywhere; she becamea champion, and was known all over the East. He also sired BonnieJean of Ardsley, equally beautiful and famous. Bonnie Jean was a CFFGrand Champion. I have a cut of Beau Clair, so you can see his beauty.He was born about 1923, in Canada.

Another of my beautiful studs was Bonnie Pride O'The Silvers. Hewas born May 16, 1936. His sire was Ch. Pequosette Dante, son ofImp. Dante of Allington; hi's dam, Ch. Idalia of Pequosette, withPequosettes, Winters, Claremonts, Winterdeens and Wedgewoods inher petligree.

In 1947 we moved to Altadena, California. I had sent Bonnie JerseyGem and her five tiny babies on ahead to Mrs. Hazlett of Beverly­Serrano, in Hollywood. I brought My Honey Boy of Bonnie Silverswith me. These two cats carried all myoid, famous lines. BonnieJersey Gem, 18 years old thi's past May 3rd, now sleeps in the shadyspots in the yard on hot days, hunts the sunny spots on cool days, anddreams of those many, beautiful, cuddly babies she nursed in the past.

Mrs. Hazlett's Beverly-Serrano cattery, and Mrs. Walton's Starlight,were the ruling catteries in Hollywood in those days. Mrs. Hazlett hadbuilt up her line from what she considered the best of the local cats,and there were some expert old breeders; Miss Workman had the Hill­andalcs. They were beautiful; Hiss Hershberger had Bamtam Ranch,more good ones; Mrs. McCoy had the Garlands, and she had bred inand owned some of the Kildares with their fine head type and deep eyecolor. Mrs. Van Zele, Casa Contenta, knew how to breed, and herswere right; the Rosewoods with thei'r beautiful coats and size and goodeye color were spectacular, but had no head type. Mrs. Walton's Star-

Year, Book, 1964 131

lights of course carried all the fine old Eastern lines, they had about eve ything e%cept eye color, and she got that later from her Allington 1:ne and some Kildares and Hillandales.

The..e we e many beginning to breed Silvers at that time; and I saw some muddy coats, bars, and other faults we had either never had, or

had bred out. It takes an expert to breed Silvers; the others soon give up, and many of them did.

Las Montanas Cattery had come out from Denver about a year before we arrived. Hers were from the Starlights after the Allington breeding, Beverly-Serranos, a little of the old Claremont line and Kildares; Mrs. Larzelere of Silver Gables had bred some of them for her, and gotten others. I liked them, and we soon began breeding together, and we both liked what we got. I'm pleased to say that of the five grand Champion Silvers now living, bearing

Ch. Wee Heather Midget. Las Montanas name, two carry my (Ch. Bonnie Career Boy of Shasta blood lines. I bred Las Montanas ()fah Lau-'e of Wee Heather)

Born 1959. Thimbleberry to My Honey Boy of "jivers, and got Ch. Bonnie Prince Charlie; Charlie's son,

Bonnie Career Boy, went to Shasta, became a Champion, and sired amon3 others, Wee Heather Midget, now on his way to Grand Champ-ionship. Many others, of course. We always seem to follow the careers of cur male;; the females are equally as important, perhaps more im-pertam.

Now, like Gem, I'm resting in the sun—or in the shade. I go to the cat shows and see the beautiful, sparkling Silvers, and marvel at their perfection, their grooming, their size and bone. Of course they are larger and heavier—how could they help being, with all those vitamins, and scientific feeding? No more muddy coats, no bars, no imperfect tipping or shading. Some things I regret and fear—the injudicious in-breeding for the sake of "setting type", or getting exaggerated type quickly for exhibition, and wins. This can quickly lead to trouble, and the destruction of a cattery. And it is not necessary any more. The type has been developed. The Silvers at best are limited as to where they can be bred, and we must not destroy any. They are too beautiful. I look at them in all their sparkling glory, and I remember my loved ones, now all gone, and I want to cry. I do cry.

132 C. F. A.

lights of course carried all the fine old Eastern lines, they had aboutevc'y~hing e'\cept eye color, and she got that later from her Allingtonl:nc and some Kildares and Hillandales.

Tbe:'c \\e e many beginning to breed Silvers at that time; and I sawsome muddy ceats, bars, and other faults we had either never had, or

had bred out. It takes an expert tobreed Silvers; the others soon give up,and many of them did.

Las Montanas Cattery had come outfrom Denver about a year before wearrived. Hers werc from the Starlightsafter the Allington breeding, Beverly­Serranos, a little of the old Claremontline and Kildares; Mrs. Larzelere ofSilver Gables had bred some of themfor her, and gotten others. I liked them,and we soon began breeding together,and we both liked what we got. I'mpleased to say that of the five grandChampion Silvers now living, bearing

Ch. Wee Heather Midget. Las Montanas name, two carry my(Ch. Bonnie Career Boy of Shasta b I a a d lines. I bred Las Montanas

Oluh Lau:"e of Wee Heather)Born 1959. Thimbleberry to My Honey Boy of

~'IL:2 :::i1vers, and got Ch. Bonnie Prince Charlie; Charlie's son,Bonnie Career Boy, went to Shasta. became a Champjon, and siredamon3 ct:lers, Wee Heather Midget, now on hi's way to Grand Champ­ions11ip. Many others, of course. We always seem to follow the careerscf cLlr male;; thc female:; are equally as important, perhaps more im­pcrtan,.

Now, like Gem, I'm resting in the sun-or in the shade. I go to thecat shows and see the beautiful, sparkling Silvers, and marvel at theirperfection, their grooming, their si'ze and bone. Of course they arelarger and heavier-how could they help being, with all those vitamins,and scientific feeding? No more muddy coats, no bars, no imperfecttipping or shading. Some things I regret and fear-the injudicious in­breeding for the sake of "settiilg type", or getting exaggerated typequic:dy for exhibition, and wins. This can quickly lead to trouble, andthe destruction of a cattery. And it is not necessary any more. The typehas been developed. The Silvers at best are limited as to where theycan be bred, and we must not destroy any. They are too beautiful. Ilook at them in all their sparkling glory,· and I remember my lovedones, now all gone, and I want to cry. I do cry.

132 C. F. A.

Ch. Rob Roy, Captain of Claremont, was

probably the greatest of the Claremonts, whc r, ere famous ii the 1920's and 30's. Miss Etta Hodnette of Denver owned Ch. Rob Roy and others of the Claremonts, bred and showed them extensively at that time. They finished their days in partial retirement in

Ch. Rob Roy Captain Denver. A note on the back of this picture, of Claremont given me by Miss Hodnette says he was a beautiful Shaded, sweet and gentle. That in 1926, he went Best in Show over 18 Champions, in Detroit. He was a consistent winner.

J dnuary 20th and 21st, 1933, The California Cat Club benched its first championship show, on Sunset Blvd. Hollywood. There were 126 entries, and of that number, 45 were in the Chinchilla and Shaded classes. They transferred them back and forth so many times, the two classes cannot be listed separately; there were 7 Silver Tabbys and 5 Smokes, total, 57. Best Cat in Show, (champions not competing) Prince Edward, Chin. Novice, owner Mrs. John Roberts (of Four Oaks?) BOX Bonnie Lassie of Rosewood, Chin. owner, Mrs. Wood; Best Champion, Ch. Starlight Heart Bandit, Shaded, Mrs. Walton owner; BOX Ch. Wahoo Favora of DelNorte, Chin. owner Mrs. Williams.

A few carried cattery names: Starlight, Butterfield, Red Grange, Silver Eyes, Rosewood, Del Norte, Moonbeam. Mrs. Hazlett showed a few kittens but had no cattery name. Birth dates were not given, neither were the names of sires and dams listed.

It was a 4-point CFA show, the first, I believe, in California, but by no means the first cat show. The older associations had benched earlier shows. Mrs. F. H. Craver was the judge.

I wonder whatever happened to Prince Edward, Novice Best in Show? He appeared a few times in later shows, but I cannot find him in any of my old pedigrees.

But Mrs. Butterfield's Dolly Varden, who didn't even get a ribbon in the Shaded Novice class, has gone down in history. Bred to Peke of Butterfield, they produced a wonderful female named "Scotia." Scotia, bred back to her sire, Peke of Butterfield, was the mother of Son of Scotia; (a beautiful enlargement of his photo hangs in a famous photo-grapher's studiio in Santa Monica; a beautiful cat!) Son of Scotia bred Susabeth, and sired Son of Scotia II, and Susabeth was the daughter of Urmia Capri, whose sire was Son of Scotia. There is an example of early-day line-breeding and inbreeding, perhaps experimental, perhaps just using the best at hand. At any rate, this strain appears in some of

Year Book, 1964 133

Ch. Rob Roy, Captain of Claremont, was

probably the greatest of the Claremonts, whcv,ere famous i; the 1920's and 30's. MissEtta Hodnette of Denver owned Ch. Rob Royand others of the Claremonts, bred and

, showed them extensively at that time. Theyfinished their days in partial retirement in

Ch. Rf

0Cb] Roy Captain Denver. A note on the back of this picture,o aremont

given me by Miss Hodnette says he was a beautiful Shaded, sweet andgentle. That in 1926, he went Best in Show over 18 Champions, inDetroit. He was a consistent winner.

January 20th and 21st, 1933, The Calilomia Cat Club benched itsfirst championship show, on Sunset Blvd. Hollywood. There were 126entries, and of that number, 45 were in the Chinchilla and Shadedclasses. They transferred them back and forth so many' times, the twoclasses cannot be listed separately; there were 7 Silver Tabbys and 5Smokes, total, 57. Best Cat in ShlJw, (champions not competing) Prir.c€Edward, Chin. Novice, owner Mrs. John Roberts (of Four Oaks?) BOXBonnie Lassie of Rosewood, Chin. owner, Mrs. Wood; Best Champion,Ch. Starlight Heart Bandit, Shaded, Mrs. Walton owner; BOX Ch.Wahoo Favora of DelNorte, Chin. owner Mrs. Williams.

A few carried cattery names: Starlight, Butterfield, Red Grange, SilverEyes, Rosewood, Del Norte, Moonbeam. Mrs. Hazlett showed a fewkittens but had no cattery name. Birth dates were not given, neitherwere the names of sires and dams listed.

It was a 4-point CFA show, the first, I believe, in California, but byno means the first cat show. The older associations had benched earliershows. Mrs. r. H. Craver was the judge.

I wO;'lder whatever happened to Prince Edward, Novice Best in Show?He appeared a few times in later shows, but I cannot find him in anyof myoid pedigrees.

But Mrs. Butterfield's Dolly Varden, who didn't even get a ribbonin the Shaded Novice class, has gone down in history. Bred to Peke ofButterfield, they produced a wonderful female named "Scotia." Scotia,bred back to her sire, Peke of Rutterfield, was the mother of Son ofScotia; (a beautiful enlargement of his photo hangs in a famous photo­grapher's studi'io in Santa Monica; a beautiful catl) Son of Scotia bredSusabeth, and sired Son of Scotia II, and Susabeth was the daughterof Urmia Capri, whose sire was Son of Scotia. There is an example ofearly-day line-breeding and inbreeding, perhaps experimental, perhapsjust using the best at hand. At any rate, this strain appears in some of

Year Book, 1964 133

the most famous Silvers of the West Coast, the Northwest and the Southwest, even today . . . Dolly Varden . . . a little Novice loser in her first CFA show! So you never can tell.

In the May, 1933 Pacific Cat Review, Mrs. Eva T. Harris (Barbe Bleue blacks and blues), writing of Persian cats says that in the 1916 cat show at the San Diego Exposition there were seventy-three so-called Shaded silvers. And that Mrs. Lola Besse who judged, remarked the number and said: "The Shaded Silver is too beautiful to smear up with off color breeding." Mrs. Harris further says: "Know your Silvers and see to it that Pedigrees show no mixture of colors lest your choicest baby kit appears with a great or small tawny smudge on the permanent coat, thus becoming an outcast."

When I moved from Denver to California in 1946, with my Las Montanas Silvers, many cats were being shown that influenced later history. Starlight Heart Bandit, the first, was dead. He was from Wedge-woods, Gaylands, back into the Minnesotas and Winters. Ch. Starlight Heart Bandit II, his son, carried Hillandales, Lariston, Vagabond Prince, etc. Back of: Starlight Sir Lee and Starlight Lady Lea, were—

Imp Leo of Allington x Starlight Silver Echo; Ch. Chiquita Linda and Caprice of Laguna, were—

Imp. Leo of Allington x Ch. Lady Cozette (of Beverly-Serrano, later sold to Miss Gilbert and registered as Wahoo Lady Cozette.) Gr. Ch. Duffy of Beverly-Serrano was—

Ch. Starlight Bandit II x Ch. Chiquita Linda Gr. Ch. Michael of Beverly-Serrano, bred by Mabel Fisher (later regis-tered Angelus) was-

Gr. Ch. Duffy of Beverly-Serrano x Mitzi of Beverly-Serrano; Gr. Ch. Mistress Mary of Lanny Lei was-

Gr. Ch. Michael of Beverly-Serrano x Starlight Souvenir Cookie; Gr. Ch. Calure Gala of Chatami was-

Gr. Ch. Skyland Arcturus x Gr. Ch. Mistress Mary of Lanny Lei. Gala has given the great Chatami cattery of the Northwest a procession of beautiful champions and grand champions through the years. A sister of Gala is owned by Skyland; a direct line into the famous Scotias. Gr. Ch. Skyland Diana was—

Ronny of Silver Gables x Alcyone of Skyland. Ronny, son of Starlight Sir Lee x Chi Chi of Silver Gables; he was one of the founders of Las Montanas Cattery. Eva McCoy's (Garland) Irisheen went back through Adamson's Roblyn to Kildares, Minnesotas, Claremonts; her Chandra was mostly from Rosewoods, Buena Vista, and cats with no cattery names listed. The Kildares, Claremonts and Winters gave these cats their excellence.

134 C. F. A.

the most famous Silvers of the West Coast, the Northwest and theSouthwest, even today ... Dolly Varden ... a little Novice loser inher first CFA show! So you never can tell.

In the May, 1933 Pacific Cat Review, Mrs. Eva T. Harris (BarbeBleue blacks and blues), writing of Persian cats says that in the 1916cat show at the San Diego Exposition there were seventy-three so-calledShaded silvers. And that Mrs. Lola Besse who judged, remarked thenumber and said: "The Shaded Silver is too beautiful to smear up withoff color breeding." Mrs. Harris further says: "Know your Silvers andsee to i't that Pedigrees show no mixture of colors lest your choicestbaby kit appears with a great or small tawny smudge on the permanentcoat, thus becoming an outcast."

When I moved from Denver to California in 1946, with my LasMontanas Silvers, many cats were being shown that influenced laterhistory. Starlight Heart Bandit, the first, was dead. He was from Wedge­woods, Gaylands, back into the Minnesotas and Winters. Ch. StarlightHeart Bandit II, his son, carried Hillandales, Lariston, VagabondPrince, etc. Back of:Starlight Sir Lee and Starlight Lady Lea, were­

Imp Leo of Allington x Starlight Silver Echo;Ch. Chiqui'ta Linda and Caprice of Laguna, were-

Imp. Leo of Allington x Ch. Lady Cozette (of Beverly-Serrano, latersold to Miss Gilbert and registered as Wahoo Lady Cozette.)Gr. Ch. Duffy of Beverly-Serrano was-

Ch. Starlight Bandit II x Ch. Chiquita LindaGr. Ch. Michael of Beverly-Serrano, bred by Mabel Fisher (later regis­tered Angelus) was-

Gr. Ch. Duffy of Beverly-Serrano x Mitzi' of Beverly-Serrano;Gr. Ch. Mistress Mary of Lanny Lei was-

Gr. Ch. Michael of Beverly-Serrano x Starlight Souvenir Cookie;Gr. Ch. Calure Gala of Chatami was-

Gr. Ch. Skyland Arcturus x Gr. Ch. Mistress Mary of Lanny Lei.Gala has given the great Chatami cattery of the Northwest a processionof beautiful champions and grand champions through the years. Asister of Gala is owned by Skyland; a direct line into the famous Scotias.Gr. Ch. Skyland Diana was-

Ronny of Silver Gables x Alcyone of Skyland. Ronny, son of StarlightSir Lee x Chi Chi of Silver Gables; he was one of the founders of LasMontanas Cattery.Eva McCoy's (Garland) Irisheen went back through Adamson's Roblynto Kildares, Minnesotas, Claremonts; her Chandra was mostly fromRosewoods, Buena Vista, and cats with. no cattery names listed. TheKildares, Claremonts and Winters gave these cats their excellence.

134 c. F. A.

A few you will recall easily because they went on to championships and grand championships; of course there were many more. Some of their finest were never even shown.

Mrs. Van Zele bred her Casa Con-tenta Donna Isabel to Ch. Kinnikin-nick de Las Montanas, and their daughter, Casa Contenta Caprice, went to Mrs. Lovett (Marleon) in New Jer-sey, became a Grand Champion and reigned supreme for many years at Marleon.

At the time of the final illness and death of Mrs. Wood, the Rosewoods, then old, were given to Mrs. Van Zele,

Ch. Kennekennick de and ended their days in luxurious re-

Las Montanas tirement at Casa Contenta. Through the Starlights, the Bonnie Silvers, and the Garlands, the

West Coast Silvers got their best infusions of new blood. Leo of Ailing-ton, imported by Mrs. Hammond was a valuable addition. Besides the two breedings to Beverly-Serrano and Starlight, he did breed at least one litter of kittens for Mrs. Hammond. I can find no record of these, however.

While the Silvers were rising to their peak in the East, Mrs. Arthur Smith at her Citrus Ridge Cattery in Miami, was beginning to give more and more of her interest to them. She began breeding in 1928, and has bred all colors.

In 1936 she registered her cattery in CFA and is now one of the oldest charter members still active in Miami's club. She says:

"I bought the best I could, locally, with Silver Gates, Winter, Star-light, Pequosette, Rockmoor, Belvedere and Vanity Fair in the back-ground. I never owned any imported lines, my cats were all American bred; my first, from Mrs. Doucet who was showing nothing but Silvers in the early 1930's.

"I always sold my best. Mrs. Pauline Filkins, of Audubon, N. J. praised my cats highly and made many All Eastern wins with them. Mrs. Ralph Mabie had two of mine. Her Citrus Ridge Valentine II was a premier champion.

"Many people criticized me for selling my Citrus Ridge Tres Jur Sir Echo, but I know Mrs. Kisler could give him a chance I could not give him myself. She made a wonderful record with him, and his beautiful kittens have gone all over the United States. He was born in 1951, and died in 1962.

Year Book, 1964 135

A few you will recall easily because they went on to championshipsand grand championships; of course there were many more. Some oftheir finest were never even shown.

Mrs. Van Zele bred her Casa Con­tenta Donna Isabel to Ch. Kinnikin­nick de Las Montanas, and theirdaughter, Casa Contenta Caprice, wentto Mrs. Lovett (Marleon) In New Jer­sey, became a Grand Champion andreigned supreme for many years atMarleon.

At the time of the final illness anddeath of Mrs. Wood, the Rosewoods,then old, were given to Mrs. Van Zele,and ended their days in luxurious re-

Ch. Kennekennick deLas Montanas tirement at Casa Contenta.

Through the Starlights, the Bonnie Silvers, and the Garlands, theWest Coast Silvers got their best infusions of new blood. Leo of Alling­ton, imported by Mrs. Hammond was a valuable addition. Besides thetwo breedings to Beverly-Serrano and Starlight, he did breed at leastone litter of kittens for Mrs. Hammond. I can find no record of these,however.

While the Silvers were rising to their peak in the East, Mrs. ArthurSmith at her Citrus Ridge Cattery in MIami, was beginning to givemore and more of her interest to them. She began breeding in 1928,and has bred all colors.

In 1936 she registered her cattery in CFA and is now one of theoldest charter members still active in Miami's club. She says:

"I bought the best I could, locally, with Silver Gates, Winter, Star­light, Pequosette, Rockmoor, Belvedere and Vanity Fair in the back­ground. I never owned any imported lines, my cats were all Americanbred; my first, from Mrs. Doucet who was showing nothing but Silversin the early 1930's.

"I always sold my best. Mrs. Pauline Filki'ns, of Audubon, N. J.praised my cats highly and made many All Eastern wins with them.Mrs. Ralph Mabie had two of mine. Her Citrus Ridge Valentine II wasa premier champion. '

"Many people critici"zed me for selling my Citrus Ridge Tres Jur SirEcho, but I know Mrs. Kisler could give him a chance I could not givehim myself. She made a wonderful record with him, and his beautifulkittens have gone all over the United States. He was born in 1951,and died in 1962.

Year Book, 1964 135

Ch Citrus Ridge Pericles

Las Montanas Caress of Gar-Le as a kitten

"My Citrus Ridge Perki Pasha lived but four short years, but made a wonderful record. He was All American Shaded in 1956, while Sir Echo only got honorable mention also All Southern in 1956 and 1957.

"In April of this year, I sent my Margate Softon of Citrus Ridge, a beautiful young Silver male, to Amsterdam, Holland, along with all his ribbons and trophies. I hope he will help the European breeders, and am looking forward to news about him.

In my early days of breeding I was told by some judges that I could not go on improving; I had the best and there was no place to go. Well, I did not let that stop me, and when later Mr. Ghyst of Los Angeles sent me a lovely Chinchilla girl, "Cloette of Beverly-Serrano", I again began getting lovely, typey kittens. Mated to my dear old Citrus Ridge Pericles, I got many beautiful kittens. I have a wonderful old queen from this breeding—Ch. Citrus Ridge Per-Ette. She will be 14 in July, and by that time will have a litter of babies running around here. Pericles, who was

shaded, but turned chinchilla as he grew older, was a wonderful old boy. He was 14 when he died."

In the Southwest, Mrs. Harry Garrison, Gar-Le Cattery, has been breeding Silvers for many years. She has had the best from Flagstone, Citrus Ridge, and many others. Her beautiful kittens go out all over the South and Southwest, every year. Meanwhile, she has been Regional Vice President, president of local clubs, and had a hand in managing the spectacular CFA cat shows in Houston, where all the great names :n Catdom of the Deep South, the Southeast and West and Southwest meet to battle it out for their wins, every year. Her Gar-Le Adoree went to the rising Co-Mc Cattery. Mrs. Coughlin, and Adoree's daughter,

Cherub, began winning as Best Xitten at 4 months, is now a Grand Champ- ion, and a consistent winner. Las Montanas Caress of Gar-Le, has those unique "Scotias" of the West Coast on both sides of her pedigree. She goes out on the show circuits until it is breeding time, then she stays home and dutifully raises her little family of beautiful b a b i e s. "Ribbons and trophies are nice," she says, "but a nest of tiny speckledy, salt-and-p e p p e r

C. F. A.

Ch Citrus RidgePericles

La, :v!ontanas Care,s of Gar-I.ea, a killen

"My Citrus Ridge Perki Pasha lived but four short years, but made awonderful record. He was All American Shaded in 1956, while Sir Echoonly got honorable mention also All Southern in 1956 and 1957.

"In April of this year, I sent my Margate Softon of Citrus Ridge. aheautiful young Silver male, to Amsterdam, Holland, along \\'ith allhis ribbons and trophies. I hope he will help tne European breeders,and am looking forward to news about him.

In my early days of breeding I was told bysome judges that I could not go on improving;I had the best and there was no place to go.Well, I did not let that stop me, and whenlater Mr. Ghyst of Los Angeles sent me alovely Chinchilla girl, "Cloette of Beverly­Serrano", I again began getting lovely, typeykittens. Mated to my dear old Citrus RidgePericles, I got many beautiful kittens. I havea wonderful old queen from this breeding­Ch. Citrus Ridge Per-Ette. She will be 14 inJuly, and by that time will have a litter ofbabies running around here. Pericles, who was

shaded, but turned chinchilla as he grew older, was a wonderful oldboy. He was 14 when he died."

In the Southwest, Mrs. Harry Garrison, Gar-Le Cattery, has beenbreeding Silvers for many years. She has had the best from Flagstone,Citrus rtidgc, and many others. Her beautiful kittens go out all overthe South and Southwest, every year. Meanwhile, she has been RegionalVice President, president of local clubs, and had a hand in managingthe spectacular CFA cat sho\\'s in Houston, where all the great names:n Cdidom of the Deep South, the Southeast and West and Southwestmeet to battlc it out for their wins, every year. Her Gar-Le Adoree wentto the rising Co-Me Cattery. Mrs. Coughlin, and Adoree's daughter,

Cherub, began winning as Best :Gttenat 4 months, is now a Grand Champ­Ion, and a consistent winner. LasMontanas Caress of Gar-Le, has thoseunique "Scotias" of the West Coast onboth sides of her pedigree. She goesout on the show circuits until it isbreeding time, then she stays homeand dutifully raises her little familyof beautiful b a b i e s. "Ribbons andtrophies are nice," she says, "but a nestof tiny speckledy, salt-and-p e p per

l "r~J C. F. A.

babies all piled on top of each other in a little mound of sleepiness are nicer." Still she has several championships, and one grand. Gr. Ch. Las Montanas Silver Thistle of Gar-Le is the beloved patriarch of Gar-Le Cattery.

The Smokes, who belong in the Silver Division, have always been a mystery to many uninformed people. How do they get that dark top coat, white undercoat and ruff? Those copper eyes in a cat supposed to be related to the Silvers?

Miss Catherine Hurd who began developing the black Smokes in 1929, in New York, can tell us about her early experiences.

"When I began breeding Smokes in 1929, there was little at that time to work with in the East, and I found them a most interesting challenge. My first Smoke came from a shaded silver "Winter" male and a blue dam; she had the sweet little round head and face most of my Metichiwam Smokes carried throughout, but otherwise was not particularly outstanding. The leading Smokes at that time were the Kimkas of the Middle West. I purchased Ch. Kimka Kelita, Smoke female from Mrs. Barde, and then began to produce good Smokes. Type and eye color needed to be improved, and I did this by breeding in some good blue blood. This, however, gave the ruff and undercoat quite a "muddy" color, but always the cobby type. As the original eye color of the Smokes was green, the deep copper eyes of the blues helped there. I found that if color-bred Smoke were bred to color-bred Smoke for generation after generation, the eyes would revert to green.

"I experimented with introducing blacks, and also whites, very sue-ce3sf ully. After establishing eye color and cobby type, my next problem was getting back the clear white undercoat and ruff. And it still is a problem. Outstanding Smokes I bred were Ch. Nyrnple Errant, Ch. Metichiwan Colette, Ch. Dubarry, Ch. Tuerlee, Ch. Xanadin (now 10 years old) Smoke Signal, Tamberlane, and Ch. Prince Albert. A favorite of mine was a Smoke bred by the Dunonin Cattery which I purchased torn Mr3. Miles. Nearly all of these trace back diirectly to probably the greatest of them all, Conqueror Tamberlane.

"I have always been a great admirer of Silvers, and the Bonnie Silvers and Winter stock were my favorites. I purchased Bonnie Wee Clieet (shaded) of Mrs. Townsend many, many years ago. She had

loveliest head and eyes. "1 t!i,ilk the new Smoke breeders should follow the Smoke standard

of CFA and CFF. I note several of the judges giving winners to grayish-,!iite undercoats and even grey top coats with tabby markings. The top

coat should be black, unmarked, and the undercoat and ruff, clear

Since these notes were written by Miss Hurd, the Blue Smoke has

Year Book, 1964 137

babies all piled on top of each other in a little mound of sleepinessare nicer." Still she has several championships, and one grand. Gr. Ch.Las Montanas Silver Thistle of Gar-Le is the beloved patriarch ofGal'-Le Cattery.

The Smokes, who belong in the Silver Division, have always beena mystery to many uninformed people. How do they get that dark topcoat, white undercoat and ruff? Those copper eyes in a cat supposedto be related to the Silvers?

Miss Catherine Hurd who began developing the black Smokes in1929, in New York, can tell us about her early experiences.

"When I began breeding Smokes in 1929, the:re was little at thattime to work with in the East, and I found them a most i'nteresting,challenge. My first Smoke came from a shaded silver "Winter" maleand a blue dam; she had the sweet little round head and face most ofmy Metichiwam Smokes carried throughout, but otherwise was notparticularly outstanding. The leading Smokes at that time were theKimkas of the Mi'ddle West. I purchased Ch. Kimka Kelita, Smokefemale from Mrs. Barde, and then began to produce good Smokes. Typeand eye color needed to be improved, and I did this by breeding insome good blue blood. This, however, gave the ruff and undercoat quitea "muddy" color, but always the cobby type. As the original eye colorof the Smokes was green, the deep copper eyes of the blues helpedthere. I found that if color-bred Smoke were bred to color-bred Smokefor generation after generation, the eyes would revert to green.

"I experimented with introducing blacks, and also whites, very suc­ce3sfully. After establishing eye color and cobby type, my next problemwas getting back the clear white undercoat and ruff. And it still is aproblem. Outstanding Smokes I bred were Ch. Nyrnple Errant, Ch.Metichiwan Colette, Ch. Dubarry, Ch. Tuerlee, Ch. Xanadin (now 10years old) Smoke Signal, Tamberlane, and Ch. Prince Albert. A favoriteof r.1;ne was a Smoke bred by the Dunonin Cattely which I purchasedt, om Mrs. Miles. Nearly all of these trace back diirectly to probablythe g:eatest of them all, Conqueror Tamberlane.

"I have always been a great admirer of Silvers, and the BonnieSilvers and "Winter stock were my favorites. I purchased Bonnie WeeCheet (s:laded) of Mrs. Townsend many, many years ago. She hadthe loveliest head and eyes.

"1 t!ldlk the new Smoke breeders should follow the Smoke standardof eFA and CFF. I note several of the judges giving winners to grayish­\,:li,c undercoats and even grey top coats with tabby markings. The topCGat s)lO~dd be black, unmarked, and the undercoat and ruff, clear\"/hitc. "

Since these notes were written by Miss Hurd, the Blue Smoke has

Year Book, 1964 137