A few months ago, I had the pleasure of being the guest of Carl Raymond on his popular podcast, The Gilded Gentleman. Carl started his podcast in 2021, and it is now at an impressive #21 on Apple’s top history podcasts. During the hour-long program, I share many of my favorite cat stories of Old […]
Archive for the ‘Cat Stories’ Category
Hatching Cat Talks Grimalkins on the Gilded Gentleman
Posted: 22nd May 2026 by The Hatching Cat in Cat StoriesTags: Cat Stories, Cats of Old New York, New York City History
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1894: The Astor Kitten Who Caused a Stir at 320 Fifth Avenue
Posted: 7th May 2026 by The Hatching Cat in Cat StoriesTags: Albert Bierstadt, Charlotte Augusta Astor, Fifth Avenue, Hallet Alsop Borrowe, James Coleman Drayton, Mary Bell, New York City History
When a little black and white kitten fell from a ledge on Fifth Avenue, everyone who witnessed the event placed the blame on the ASPCA and the fire department. We’ll never know who was at fault, but what I want to know is this: Was this in fact a pet cat of Charlotte Augusta Astor? […]
1905: Malta, the Wandering Cat of NYC Financier Russell Sage
Posted: 20th February 2026 by The Hatching Cat in Cat StoriesTags: Cats of Old New York, Columbia University, Elgin Botanic Garden, Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, New York City History, Russell Sage
New York City financier Russell Sage, aka Uncle Russell, had a reputation on Wall Street as being a spendthrift, a workaholic, and a ruthless money lender without emotion. So when he failed to show up at work after offering a $10 reward for the return of his missing cat, his financial cronies thought he’d gone mad.
1908: Haggerino the Harlem Tramp Cat of West 115th Street
Posted: 10th January 2026 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Stories, Cats in the MewsTags: Adolphus Bussing, Father Divine, Harlem history, King Towers, Sweet Daddy Grace
A tale of cats, spiritual leaders, a war on rats, and a baptism by fire hose. In other words, this is not your average cat story.
1884: Peter, the Feline Muse of Famous Cat Artist Louis Wain
Posted: 15th November 2025 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Men, Cat StoriesTags: Cat artist, Cats of Old New York, Emily Marie Richardson, Famous cat painters, Louis Wain
Cat artist Louis William Wain was not a New Yorker but he did live in New York for a few years, so there is a New York City connection to his amazing life story. In this post. I share some of Wain’s reflections on Peter, his pet cat, and on New York City cats in general. (I even found out exactly where he lived when he was in New York City.)
