Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
Chase of a sheep Slayer.

suffered by the farmers in the district north
of Preston, from the remarkable sheep
killing propensities of large and fierce dog,
which roamed over the country at night,
slaughtering sheep in every direction, ana
escaping by some unaceountable means the
numerous snares which were set to compass
its capture, dead or alive Night after night
did this mysterious brute pursue his course,
creating alarm in every direction, and SEEM
ingly defying any attempt to check the ms
chief he was making. No farmers flock,
in the wide district he selected as the scene
of his rayaees. was safe from his attack;
while he occasionally placed so great dis
lance between the various points of his visi-
tation. as to raise a doubt whether one dog,
however ferocious and determined, could
accomplish so large an amount OF mischief:
One morning the owner OF a fine iiock would
ascertain that several of his choicest sheep
were lying killed in his fold, and himself
some thirty or forty pounds the poorer; and
the next, farmer SO many miles distant as
to warrant his fancying himself out OF harms
way, would discover himself in similar
position, from the totally unexpected visit
of this ruthless destroyer. To such height
had the ravages of the brute proceeded du-
ring an entire month, that the country slde'
literally "rose in arms against him. Near
" hundred sheep had be torn the throats
of. and though seen now and then at dis
lance. he never would allow a single person
to come within gun-shot range of him. He
was understood to be dark colored, of UNI
usual size, and swift of foot; but that was
all. and doubts were entertained as to wheth-
er it really was dog or not, many being
inclined to believe, from the description
given of it, that it might be some wild beast
escaped iro n travelling menagerle.
Certain it is that It's appearance, IN
country so thinly populated, and SO quiet
and retired, aud the destruction that attend
ed its path, gave rise to many stories more
creditabe to the imagination than TO the
Judgment of the narrators. The excite
ment created naturally increased with every
further account of the animals deadly Wis
its; and at length the farmers of the district
felt themselves compelled to set watches
over their focks every night; or TO house
every sheep, at whatever Inconvenience. be-
fore dusk. Those who know the country
OF which we speak, the perfect security
which is felt as to any attacks on property,
and the great difficulty the farmers generally
would have in obtaining assistance to keep
night watches, or in finding room IN their
outbuildings at this time of the year for any
thing like flock of sheep, however small,
will readilyunderstand the desire which was
universally felt to rid the country of a VIC
itor who caused so much annoyance, anx-
iety and fear In the early part of last week
the farmers of the country turned out far
and near, to the number of upwards of a
hundred, armed with guns, pitchforks,
&c., and completely secured the district in
search of their enemy, but without effect
On Saturday night week 1t was found that
he had killed twelve sheep, at Beacon-fell-
side; and on the Sunday following three or
four hundred persons were on the hunt for
the destroyer. In the course of the day,
Mr.. Logan, of Barton, got a distant shot at
a large dog by the side of Barton mill, sup
posed to be the one all were looking for, but
the animal escaped unhurt. That night he
killed fifteen sheep at Catterallhall. On
Wednesday, at day break, the brute was
seen in the act of tearing a sleeps throat
out at Wool-fel's mill, having five others
lying dead about him. The cry was imme-
diately raised; all within hearing turned out,
with such weapons as could be seized in the
hurry and excitement of the moment: and
the start was commenced with a determine
ton to run g the game'' to the death at every
hazard.
Numbers of Others joined the pursuers as
they swept across the country, and there
then began chase, and arose a cry, such as
the g Pikes'' and 81 Fells'' Of that district
never witnessed, or echoed to, before
Across fields, over hedges, bitches and walls;
through gaps, dykes, and briars rushed the
savage beast. and perseveringly followed his
pursuers, resolved to have revenge The
news of the hunt spread on every side, and
as those who had run longest failed for want
of wind or strength, others supplied their
places. Before the chase had lasted
couple of hours, many joined IN II who had
come the distance of ten or twelve miles,
At one time it was feared the sheep slayer
would escape into the Fyle: but, Fortunate
Is, at Whinney-cIough, aud when he was
gaining on his pursuers, Mr.. J. Smith.
farmer had "a shot at him, and hitting him
in the hind leg, turned him back towards
Barnes lane. II was now past ten O'Clock,
and the pursuers, instead of slackening in
speed or losing strength, appeared TO in
crease in number and in spirit; while the
dog, exhausted from his nights work, the
severe run he had had, and loss of blood
from the wound in his leg, showed evident
symptoms of breaking up. At about half
past ten O'Clock, seemingly worn out and
terrified, the brute dashed into house at
Barnes lane, in which was a woman and
four children. The alarm of the poor NC
man may be imagined; but fortunately it
was Of short duration, for young man com
ing up, armed with a pitchfork, drove the
prongs through the feroeious beast; scOnd
man, named Bleasdale, then cut it, throat.
Thus ended this extraordinary hunt, after
a run Of upwards Of twenty miles. Upon
examination, the animal was found to fan
very little short of the descriptions which
had been given of IL, exaggerated as they
were thought to be at the time. II was of
an unusual size, and very strongly made,
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