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Theodore Wirth in about 1915. Last of the "Reds"
Haunts Loring Park

Grays Coming from Kansas to Take the Charmed Life of "Cruncho."

Wily Bird-eating Quadruped Successfully Dodges Coppers' Bullets

"Cruncho the Red," the last of the squirrel hordes in Loring park, a defiant rebel, who is apparently bullet-proof, or at least possessor of a charmed life, roams at will through the park and chatters out a saucy defiance at Theodore Wirth, whenever he happens along. However, Cruncho has but another month in which to give up the battle and die game, or put pride behind him and hike to Kenwood parkway, where many of his relatives have flown, as persecuted patriots fleeing to a land of freedom. In one month's time Mr. Wirth expects to receive from Washington state a consignment of two dozen gray squirrels, which are to be installed in some newly built, just-for-two cottages, in the trees of Loring. Mr. Wirth had expected ere this to have the gray squirrels here but was disappointed. Meanwhile "Cruncho, the Red," he of the hated family of bird-eating squirrels, grinned sardonically at the superintendent of parks yesterday and dodged a volley of bullets from the revolver of the park policeman.

The Gardens, Loring Park, in about 1909. (Postcard image courtesy mnhs.org)