Aww, Rats

In 1900, farmer Patrick Ryan, who lived near Cumberland (Allegany County), devised a unique way to rid his farm of rats that were ruining his corn, wheat and other crops. He’d tried various approaches, but most unconventional one — soaking corn in whiskey in a barrel — worked the best.

“This the rats ate rapidly, and when Mr. Ryan went to the barrel he found 82 intoxicated rats, which he soon killed.”

Source: Democratic Advocate,  March 10, 1900