Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-03-26
How The City of Sandusky was Saved
from Famine.

from Famine.
The Buffalo Republic is responsible for the
following, which is as good as anything of the
kind since Locke's moon story
I" Years agone when the course Of trade rnn
in counter direction to what We now behold
owing to a severe drouth the city of Sandus-
XIV underwent all the horrors of protracted
famine. The water on the bar at the month
OF the bay, was so low that vessels were una
BILE to reach the port, and as there was no land
transportation at that time which could be re-
lied upon in case of sudden emergency. it
appeared as if Providence had forSaken the
place entirely, and that its Inhabitants must
soon perish. For days and weeks, their stock
OF provisions had been gradually disappearing,
until soon all was gone, and their only reli-
ance was upon the few fish which they were
enabled to obtain from the waters of the bav,
and an occasional meagre sunply of game from
the neighborng forest
g At the time of which We write, the woods
in that vicinity and in fact throughout the
western reserve, were frequented by vast num-
bers of wild hogs, which obtained bountiful
subsistence, and grew fat upon the shack which
everywhere abounded. These hogs were doubt
the population in the interior, and the rapidity
with which they multiplied, rendered them
strangers to man and very shy of his presence.
During the drouth, of which mention has al
ready been made, large droves of these ami
mails wended their way to the lake, in the
neighborhood of which, they continued to re-
main.
Sandnsky bay, in particular was a favor
a,lo 81, Pan Al r
which they were accustomed to walIow after
shaking their thirst. Those who are acuuain-
ted with the locality of which we speak, will
remember the annoyance to which the early
settlers were exposed in the shape of fine red
sand, which covered the beach, and which, in
times of high wind, was not only troublesome
but exceedingly dangerous Thousands of hogs
in consequence of frequenting this spot, be-
came totally blind but still, with all the Gun.
ming which belongs to this perverse race in its
natural state, they continued to elude their
hunters
Zone day, when the famine in the city was
at its height, and when it was apparent that
even the strongest must soon succumb, Joe
B-took down his gun and resolved to
make a last effort to rescue his wife and little
ones from fate the most horrible of which
the mind has any conception. All day long
had their sunken eyes and shrivelled hands i'm.
plored him in vain for bread-but alas he
knew too well that not within the whole city
was there a mOuthful to be had though he
were to offer in exchange thrice its weight in
gold. Nerved to desperation by this reflection.
but still with feeble steps, he took his way to
the forest resolved not to return without re-
lief in some shape.
" For long time he hunted in vain. tray
ersing miles of weary pathway, without so
much as seeing single evidence of animal ma
ture, until he was on the point of yielding to
despair. At this moment noise as of ap-
preaching footsteps, attracted his attention,
and he paused with every faculty rendered keen
by hunger, to listen. Nearer and nearer came
the tramping, as Joe, to screen himself from
observation. took shelter behind q tree. a wild
hog emerged from thicket, advancing direct
ly towards him, followed immediately by ano-
ther and another,
The hunter, trembling with anxiety and
excitement raised his gun, but suddenly paus-
ed in astoniShment at The singular phenomenon
before him. The drove, (for drove there wasl
was approaching him in Indian file, and head
ed directly for the bay. The second hog held
in his mouth the tail of the first, the third
that OF the second, and go on to the number of
sixty and upward, each was holding fast to the
caudal appendage of his predecessor, and all
were being led by the foremost of the drove,
and he being the only one that could see, was
thus conveying his afflicted companions
60 The hunter comprehended the scene in
moment and instantly decided upon his
course. Raising his gun deliberately, he fred
and severed the tail of the leader close to the
roots His affrighted leadership, with loud
squeal bounded into the thicket and disappear
ed, while his blind companions came to dead
halt Joe quickly divested himself of his
boots and crept stealthily up to the first of the
band, which stood quietly holding in his mouth
the amputated tail Of his former conductor
This the hunter seized and commenced gently
pulling upon it. First one hog started, then
another, until soon, like train of cars, all
were in motion, and without pausing to rest
for single instant, Joe led them quietly into
a huge pen near his residence, where they were
soon slaughtered and tie city ecas sared'
DILIGENCE N BUsINEss.-Cultivate n spirit
Of diligence both in your temporal and spirit