Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1857-01-03
Interview with IN Old Hunter-Seven Ycsrs in
the Woods.


We had an interview yesterday with Mr.. w.
j. Adams, who has for the last seven years been
engaged in hunting and trapping in Southwestern
Minnesota. Mr.. Adams is one Of q company
which organized for this purpose in 1919. Il con-
sisted originally of thrty-tive members, but has
grown gradually up to the present season, and
now numbers seventy-two men capable of per-
forming active service. The company has its own
laws, which are enforced through officers elected
by the popular voice, and all difficulties between
members, and all violations of the prescribed
rules of the organization, are heard and sum-
marily settled by them. The company represents
almost every nationality. Mr.. Adams himself is
a native of New London, Connecticut, but his
long residence in the wilds of the West. and his
habits as trapper, have nearly obliterated all
traces of YankeedOm from his physical man. The
natural shrewdness and keenness are assuredly
there, but these qualities have taken new forms
of outward manifestation.
The company with which Mr.. Adams is con-
nected has its headquarters at Fort Dodge.
Some of them own farms in that vicinity on
which their families reside, and thither the
hunters resort at stated times. Here, and at
some of the Minnesota settlements, breadstuffs
and other necessary supplies are procured for the
hunters who are out on duty. Their furs are
taken to st. Louis for market.
The country over which the company hunt and
trap lies along the Big Sioux river, and extends
Northward and Eastward over wide area. Here
they take by trap and gun, innumerable quantities
of Otter, Beaver, Muskrar, Mink, RaccoOn, Wild
cat, Grey wolf, Elk and Deer. Mr.. Adams in
forms us, however, that tho approach of settle
ments both in Northwestern Iowa and Southern
Minnesota, together with the operations Of his
company, have materially diminished the amount
of game, and next season they propose seeking
new hunting grounds near the Rocky Mountains.
MIR. Adams represents the most of the extensive
range of country through which his hunting has
extended as very inviting region. 1t is travers-
cd by five rapid streams of clear water, flowing
over pebble, sand and rock. On some of them
fine sites for mills occur, and generally their
banks are adorned with vigorous growth of
timber. The prairie country predominates.-
The soil is of good quality, and the country
neither too level nor 100 much broken. Lime
stone is of occasional occurrence, and Mr.. Adams
informs US that he has now and then found coal
cropping out from the banks of the water courses.
The winters are pretty cold, the snow usually
lying on the ground from one to three feet deep.
Nevertheless, MIR. Adams represents the climate
as being delightful, 1t is no hardship to lie out
all night, wrapped in single blanket, with the
saddle for pillow-after one gets used to it.
Sickness is unknown to the members of the
company. 1t sometimes happens that man gets
lost or is killed by the Indians, but none of them
get sick. Mr.. Adams is of opinion that within
tive or three years, settlements will be pushed
out over most of his old hunting grounds in
anticipation of which, he has already taken for
himself claim at the junction Of two beautiful
streams which form Rock river, tributary of
the Big Sioux. Let 20 enterprising pioneer here
after disturb the logs which mark the spot, or
dispute with Mr.. Adams the rights he has so
hardly earned.
The attractions of a life in the woods have had
their effect upon MIR. Adams. He is not at home
amid the haunts of civilization. Our active,
busting city, with its great stream of life flowing
ever along its principal thoroughfares, and with
its opulence and luxury staring him everywhere
in the facets dull and dreary sight to him.
Far more desirable the free life of the woods,
the excitement of the chase, the unceasing out
look for hostile Indians, the good cheer and COM
partnership of the camp after the days adventures
are over. We questioned him on this head, and
found him prepared for US at every point. 10
our every contrast between the comforts of civil
lied life and the dangers and privations of the
wilderness, he had some ready answer to give,
which completely silenced US. We gave up, and
concluded to follow closely his parting advice
GO You take pleasure in. making newspapers and
in reading them-I in hunting and conversing
with my campmates about what we have done
and seen. You 60 on making papers and will
continue to hunt"