The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-04
From Halls Notes on che Western Waters.
WOLVES.


Wolves are very numerous in every part
ofthe western country. There are two kinds
the common, or black wolf, and the prairie
WOLF The former is large fierce animal,
and very destructive TO sheep, pigs, calves,
poultry, and even Young colts! They hun,
in large packs, and after using every strata
gem to circumvent their prey, attack it with
remarkable ferocity. Like the Indian, they
always cndeavor 10 surprise their victim, aud
strike the mortal blow without exposing them
selves to danger. They seldom attack man,
except when asleep or wounded. The lar
gest animals, when wounded, entangled, or
otherwise disabled become their prey but
In general they only attack such us are in
capable Of resistance. They have been
known TO lie in wait upon the bank ola stream
which the buffalo were in the habit Of cross
ing, and when one of those unwieldy animals
was so unfortunate as to sink in the mire,
spring suddenly upcnii, and worry il TO death,
while thus disabled from resistance. Their
most common prey is the deer, which they
are alike acceptablet to theirrayenous appetites.
When tempted by hunger they approach the
farm houses in the night, and snatch their
prey from under the very eye Of the farmer ;
and when the latter il absent with his dogs,
the wolf is sometimes seen by the females
lurking about in midday, as If aware Of the
unprotected state Of the family. Our heroic
females have sometimes shot them under such
circumstances.
It IS said by hunters that the smell Of burn
ing assafHtida has remarkable effect upon
this animal. Ifa fire be made in the woods,
and portion Of this drug thrown into il, so
as to saturate the atmosphere with the odor,
the wolves in reach of the scent, immedi-
ately assemble around, bowling in the most
nournful manner, and such is the remarkable
fascination under which they seem to labor,
that they will often suffer themselves to be
shot down rather than quit the spot.
OF the few instances Of their attacking hui
man beings Of which we have heard, the fol-
lowing may serve to give some idea Of their
habits. In very early times, negro man
was passing in the night, in the lower part Of
Kentucky, from one settlement to another
The distance was several miles, and the coun-
try over which he travelled, entirely unset
tied. In the morning his carcass was found
entirely stripped Of flesh. Near il lay his
axe, covered with blood, and all around the
bushes were beaten down, the ground trod-
den, and the number Of foot tracks so great
as 10 show that the unfortunate victim had
fought long and manfully. On pursuing his
track, il appeared that the wolves had purs,,-
ed him fora considerable distance; he had
often turned upon them and driven them hack.
Several times they had attacked him, and been
rcpelIed, as appeared by the blood anu tracks.
lie had killed some of them, before the final
onset, and in the last conflict had destroyed
several. His axe was his only weapon.
ne6la nRfiAa aaana;r nr oagn,snv- ,cuu,s, WIN
no companion but his fiddle, when be disco
vercd that pack Of wolves were on his track.
They pursued very cautiously, but few OF
them would sometimes dash up, and growl as
ifimpaticnt for their prey, and then fall back
again. As he had several miles TO go, he
became much alarmed. He sometimes stop
ped. shouted, drove back the pursuers and
then proceeded The animals became more
and more audacious, and would probably have
attacked him, had he not arrived at deserted
cabin, which stood by the way side. Into
this he rushed for shelter, and without waiting
to shut the door, climbed up and seated HIM
self on the rafters. The wolves dashed in
after him, and becoming quite furious, howl
ed, and leaped, and endeayored with every
expression Of rage to get to him. The moon
was now shining brightly, and Cuff being able
10 see his enemies, and satisfied OF his own
safety, began to act on the offensive. Find
ing the cabin full Of them, he crawled down to
the top of the door, which he shut and lasten-
ed. Then removing some of the boards from
the roof, scattered them with tremendous
clatter upon such Of his foes as remained out
side, who soon scampered of, while those in
the house began tocrouch with fear. lie had
now large number OF prisoners to stand
guard over, until morning and drawing forth
his fiddle, he very good-naturedly played for
them all night, very much as he supposed,
to their edfication and amusement, for like all
genuine lovers Of music, he imagined that it
had powerto soften the hs art, even of wolf.
On the ensuing day some Of his neighbors as
sembled and destroyed the captives, with great
rejoicings.
The story Of Putnam and the wolf is fami-
liar to every school boy but it is not so well
known, that such adventures are by no means
uncommon. The youthful achievement Of
the gallant revolutionary hero, has acquired
dignity from the brlliancy of his after life,
which was adorned with a long list Of heroic
and patriotic deeds, when in fact this exploit is
one Of ordinary occurrence among our re-
solute hunters. We select the following two
instances, both of which are well authentica-
ted.
Many years ago, Frenchman with his son,
was hunting in part Of Missouri, distant
about forty miles from st. Louis. Having
wounded large bear, the animal took refuge
in cave, the aperture leading into which, was
so small as barely 10 admit its passage. The
hunter leaving his son without, instantly pre-
pared to follow, and with some difficulty drew
his body through the narrow entrance. Having