Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-03-09

two extensive wings at some distance apart
10 penetrate thewilderness in perfect order,
and meet at some given point, then circling
in smaller and smaller compass till they
would all come together in the centre, that
II be was oucircled he could not escape
This, no doubt, was rational plan, but un-
successful Many persons in the hunt i'm
agined they had seen under logs, or in
thickets, where the child might have beded
in leaves, &C., yet no certain trace could be
found. The pursuit was continued daily
and unremittingly till the goth Of Decem-
Der, when some gave out from fatigue, and
their places were supplied by others. Such
was the anxiety Of all to afford some relief
to the almost distracted parents. IL they
could fiud the dead body, or some part of
his clothing, it would mitigate their grief
even ifthey had proof he had been devoured
by wolves, and that his sufferings were at
an end. But no such consolation; not foot
trace could be discovered; the whole will
derness and settlements had been thoroughly
searched from the Sandusky to the Maumee
in width, and as much as fifty miles in
length, and principally in the manner de-
scribed, when further pursuit was abandoned
in despair
"From that day to this, the fine, active,
and promising little Matthew Brayton has
never been heard Of The mystery will
never be solved in this world. Two or three
journeys have been made to the far distant
tribes of Indians to the west and beyond
the Mississippi for the purpose of discovery,
believing it possible some straging Indians
might have come across him, and taken
him to some remote tribe. No comments
need be made on the unhappy affair, or the
Affections Of the parents, brothers, and sis
ters; they can better be conceived antold. !
However, with regard to Matthews fate,
am myself of tho opinion that il the wolves
had killed him, some part of his clothing
and some portion of his body would have
been found. Ny conclusion is that he
wandered till life was nearly spent by want
of food and excessive fatigue; that in this
exhausted state, he laid himself down in
some secret place and perished-though
his death has been more generally ascribed
to the wolves"
Such is the account of the late DR.. Brain
ard of the loss of Matthew Brayton, aad the !
extensive search made for him by his friends !
and neighbors. 1t was not the Doctors lot
TO live to see Matthew, after "a years cap
tivity among the Indians return to his par
rents, and thus to clear up all doubts as to
his fate. None would have rejoiced more
with the family than be, for, undoubtedly, !
he bad often seen Matthew, and dandled
him upon bis knee, for he was born in this
town.
WOLVES.
In the early days of our town, you will
readily imagine, that theinhabtants in and (
around the village, were greatly annoyed
by wild beasts, especially by the prowling
wolf. / cannot do better than to again
quote from the writings of DR.. Brainard,
who gives graphic and l have no doubt,
truthful account ofsom of the pranks of the
justly obnoxious animals He says:
"In the early days, when all around was
a wilderness, the wild beasts were very an
noying and often times alarming to the set
tiers. They having gradually receded, as
well as the savages from civilization and i'm
provements in the eastern countries, had
taken up their abode in the western wilds,
adding greatly to the number already there.
The Indians only killed such as they could
subsist upon, or whose fur would be valuable
in market. Wolves could do them little
injury while living, and would be of no value
if killed. They would not waste their am
munition on them, consequently wolves be-
came more and more numerous, while the
bear was seldom seen save by hunters
Therefore, TO the wolves, the most bold,
daring, and thievish Of all the beasts of tie
woods, our young cattle and swine frequently
became prey. Their hunger and rapacity
knew no bounds, and fearing their feroeity,
and knowing their peculiar and exquisite
taste for sheep, for many years we did not
attempt to keep this useful animal. Not
withstanding the heavy contribution they |
laid us under by seizing our cattle and hogs,
they were not content, but would often |
prowl through our village by night to pro-
cure some more delicious repast. This
will show by recounting merely an incident:
A man living on the first street from the
main one, one evening beingin paroxysm
of chill and fever, recollecting his horse in
the stable across the street nearly opposite, |
had not been fed his grain, requested his
wife to carry his accustomed allowance TO |
him. She being an accommodating part
ner in hard times, readily consented. She
had proceeded about half way when a gang
of wolves made an assault. Being yet |
young and active, you may conclude she
was not long in retracing her steps; fear
lent wings to her speed, the wolves close to
her heels, till she shut the door against
them. They being thus foiled and disap-
pointed, appeared to be 10 great rage, set
up tremendous and repeated howls, and |
seemingly unwilling to depart. In few
minutes, however, as people had not yet
retired to rest, nearly all the male part as
sembled at the scene Of this wild confusion,
armed with such weapons as they in the mo-
ment could most readily grasp. The com
mon enemy seeing they would be overpow-
cred by numbers fed, and all again was
quiet, except their distant howl which still
sounded upon The ear This is one of many
similar attacks in the village in the hours
Of night. The only serious consequence Of
this, was the husband being told BY his af-
fectionate wife, that sick or well, be would