Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 29th, 1932
Allow me to introduce you to “Starkey”, the station cat at Wombwell. “Starkey” is a member of the staff of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and is probably the only employee of his section who has not suffered a “cut”. He nearly had a severe one when the “Devonian” whizzed by as he was crossing the line, but that is another story.
It may strike you as strange that in a state of world-unemployment a cat can find paid occupation but you must not forget that “Starkey” is a key-man and a specialist in his line. “Starkey” is the direct line from the Pied Piper. His job is to keep the station premises clear of rats and mice and does it conscientiously and thoroughly. Where “Starkey” is, no rodent can live, at least not long. Let them be shrieking and squeaking in fifty difference sharps and flats and “Starkey” will soon put the soft paw on the chorus. He is a marvel as any porter will tell you.
“Starkey” was appointed for the goods yard where the commodities vulnerable to attack by vermin are chiefly stored, but he spends a good deal of his time in the booking office. He is always there to receive his wages. The company’s monthly schedule reads, “To milk for “Starkey”, 1s 3d”; and “Starkey” always gets it. He is an enthusiastic trade unionist in that he makes a bother if there is any cutting down of his remuneration.
There’s nothing like work for developing good habits. “Starkey” is due to report on duty at 5.30a.m. and is never late clocking in. Promptly at that hour a black shadow appears at the booking-office window and as soon as the slot is lifted, presto; “Starkey” pops in. If no one pays attention to his purrings, “Starkey” makes a noise like an inpatient passenger. The regular staff know him but if there happens to be a relief clerk on his hat flies off his head when “Starkey” flies through the window. Passengers who nudge him with their foot impatiently and wonder what business he has to be roaming about at that time in the morning jump back startled as “Starkey” takes a flying leap through the pigeon-hole without so much as an “excuse me,” or “By your leave, thank you.” But he has work to do and is too pre-occupied to stand on ceremony. Occasionally in the quiet of the afternoon when all rats and mice are asleep, he will rush out of the door and tap at the window for practice.
“Starkey” is a safety-first cat in that he never goes on the line now and is particularly shy of traffic. When young and inexperienced he lost one life under the circumstances mentioned and is taking jolly good care of the eight others. A few days ago, he was in imminent danger of being taken to Newcastle, two little girls who had booked from Wombwell to that place having taken a great fancy to him. But “Starkey” knew he could not be spared and, what’s more, couldn’t overcome his prejudice against going down to the platform. He just mee-owed, stuck his tail up, turned about and disappeared through the ticket window. He is a knowing cat is “Starkey” – or at least “she” is.