was known that the simultaneous explosion of a dozen rats charged with dynamite would destroy all the workhouse buildings and kill the inmates.     Guns were fired off, powder was burned and other ways to force the rats to vacate their strongholds were resorted to, and met with much success. Thousands were seen running in the direction of this city, and while the workhouse people sighed with great relief this city is now terror-stricken.     It is realized that it would be impossible to drive all the rats out of a city of 100,000 inhabitants without risk of something happening that might cause several of the loaded rodents to explode.     Housewives have unbaited and locked up the rat traps and cats and dogs are being kept under restraint.     It is feared that the rats that left the workhouse and came to Trenton will probably remain together, so that if one should explode the others would follow suit. Extra firemen and policemen have been put on duty, but just what part they are to play to avert a catastrophe will have to be determined by developments. Steps will likely be taken to prevent a rat disaster. From—Charlevoix County Herald. (East Jordan, Mich.), 22 May 1909. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.