The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-07-29
Tue SANDWICH WoLF. The Barnsta;


BILE Journal gives MANY particulars "a or j
columns) concerning the wolf lately killed
in Sandwich, in this state, OF which the fol-
lowing is an abstract. A great proportion of
Plymouth, Sandwich, BaInstable, and Fal-
mouth, is still covered with forest, and this
forest land is connected together 50 as to
form one extensive, uncultivated region,
which affords a wide range for deer and
other animals. The inhabitants of these
towns are not so exclusively seamen rs is
commonly thought; the greater part are
farmers, who get their living out of the
ground, one of the principal objects of
their attention is sheep, which they drive
into the woods after shearng, where the ami
mails find sufficient food during the summer.
In 1897, many sheep were found dead in
the woods much nutlated about the throat,
and some were found Wounded, but not
killed +; at length the tracks of some I'M
known animal were discovered, and soon
alter, strange beast resembling large
dog was seen. When the sheep returned
to their owners in the fall of 1927, some
farmers did not find more than half their
number, and more or less were missing
from almost every flock. During the win
ter OF lS27-S, the unknown animal visited
the enclosed fields and barn yards, and
Killed some sheep In almost every fold,
IN the vicinity of the woods his tracks
were seen in the snow, and the citizens
united In hunting matches TO destroy him,
but he escaped unframed. In the summer of
1873, he killed many sheep both in the pas
lures and in the woods, and several carcases
OF deer were discovered he was Fl frequently
seen, ana many times pursued by the hunt
ers, out always escaped. He was once seen
IN the road by two Young women after
they had shouted at him several times, he
deliberately Jumped over the fence into a
held and killed lamb. Prey was album
dant, and he seldom took more from sheep
than the blood, the milk glands of ewes, and
a few mouthfuls from the hind quarters
many sheep were found alive, cruelty
wounded, and a few recovered. During
the winter of 1888, he continued his US
ual habits, and many general turn out of
the people was made after him, but they
could neither kill nor capture him. Dogs
were afraid of him, and would not follow
his track. Each of the towns of Sandwich
and Falmouth offered reward of 500 for
his destruction within their bounds. AT
length, on the tenth of June last, a party
discovered him in Barnstable, and Joseph
HoXsie severely wounded him with charge
of buckshot; he was pursued about three
miles to swamp in Sandwich, where a sec
ond charge Of buckshot killed him. He
proved to be wolf, weighing Is pounds,
and measuring feet from the nose to the
end of the tail 1t is supposed that he was
brought to Plymouth from Labrador by a
fishing vessel, few years ago. The YES
sci had three whelps on board, one Of which
escaped to the woods and the others died ;
they were supposed to be young foxes, but
it is believed that they were wolves. 1t
was season of great rejoicing when the
animal was slain. He had DESTROYED more
than one thousand sheep in Sandwich, and
perhaps an equal number in other towns.
Hampshire GGzette.