New Ulm embryo psychiatrists and psychologists have become profoundly interested in a somewhat perplex-ing phenomena, which at the present time threatens to disrupt the heretofore existing harmony and accord in the ranks of the local students of mental science. Two factions have developed and the subject matter under debate is the question: “Can mu-sic from a bassoon cause a dog’s mind to unbalance to such an extent that the canine becomes obsessed with mania to kill large numbers of chickens?”

The controversy had its inception as the result of an Airdale, belonging to a resident of the southern corner of the city, going on a rampage and slaughtering over 50 full-blooded fowls in that neighborhood within a few weeks. One faction claims that the bewhiskered canine lost his mind as the result of being obliged to listen to the moaning of a bassoon, played by “Shorty,” whose abode is not far from where the offending dog is domiciled. They base their contention on a recent magazine article, in which the effects of music from that instrument on the human and animal mind were discussed in detail.

The opponents of this theory, who, it developed, are all personal friends of “Shorty,”” maintain that he handles the bassoon so masterfully that there is no basis for the proponents’ contention. At any rate, “Shorty” is an exemplary neighbor and a “hale fellow, well met.” His backers say they will go the limit for him.

Brown County Journal,

November 14, 1924

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