Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-23
Franklin County Boys on a Hunt

|
Rees, V. Renick, F. Williams, II. w. Wood
row, and E. r. Woodrow, and led by Col
JOB. Renick, left Columbus for Marion
county, on deer hunt, being providef
| with tent, also carrying with them ter
days rations. Their larder was well sup
piled with substantials of life, hunters mo-
generally caring much for dainties and nick.
macs with the exception of pickles, gooC
supply of which it was necessary to take
as certain of our party, although they haG
not yet had an attack of buck fever were
labOring under an attack of dear fever
This kind of dear, when they emerge from
their toilet, are very apt to create futter
in fellows bosom.
We reached our hunting grounds on
Friday the Sth inst. about II m, and ex-
pected to pitch our tent in the first suita-
BILE position we could find. But through
the energy and influence of Col. Renick.
we succeeded in obtaining possession OF
vacated cabin, just in the edge of the
woods, in which we proposed to hunt
Our cabin had small room attached, hav-
lug once been used as kitchen; but we
appropriated it for dog house. I should
have mentioned that we took with us eight
hounds, our intention being to hunt in the
most pleasurable and exciting manner, viz:
chase with hounds. We were busy from
the time we arrived till within an hour of
sundown, in storing away our provisions,
making benches, and a table. for our cabin.
and in procuring for our horses hay and corn
which we obtained in the neighborhood.
Having finished camp duties, we went
into the woods, and killed number of
squirrels for supper and breakfast.
Saturday morning, 9th. Were up by
o'clock, cooked our breakfast and were
ready to start by half-past 4. Col. Renick
then placed a portion of us in position along
the river, and others in the woods where
he thought the deer would be likely to
pass. when chased by the hounds, with or
ders to keep very quiet and to fire at noth-
ing except deer, while he, accompanied
by F. Williams, and V. Rpnick, took the
hounds and started, to jump deer-after
ing to make start, he released the boys
from their posts with permission to kill
every thing shootable, on their way to
camp, and if you had heard the cracks of
their guns, in fifteen minutes after this or
der, you would have supposed a lively skir-
mish to be in progress. We reached camp
with thirty-five squirrels, cooked our sup
per, and went to bed, or rather to the floor.
a little disappointed at not having had a
hase.
Monday, the 11th, each started to his
post by daylight. 1t was showing hard
when we left camp. Six of us, Il. w.
Huffman, j. Il. Huffman, R. House, R.
White, H. w. Woodrow, and E. X. Wood
row, had about two and half miles to 90,
through dense woods, to reach our posts
None of us being familiar with the route,
we very soon became lost, and after about
three hours wandering in the woods, we
found ourselves back at camp. Three of
the boys then gave 1t up, while the other
three persevered, and finally reached their
post, after riding fifteen miles to reach a
point, distant only two and a half. AS a
matter of course, the hounds started a
deer in our absence, and ran it very
near one of our posts. What a
pity that boy was not on his
post! He would undoubtedly have had
an attack of fever, known among hunters
as the buck fever. He might have done
worse, he might have frightened the deer
extremely, by firing his shooting iron in
the air. The deer ran on to the river, and
W. shot hu old lin n mi Of
Colonel Renick. named Zane, who Joined
us the day previous.
Tuesday, 12th. Left camp by daylight,
and reached our posts in good time. We
had not long to wait, ere the cry of the
hounds and the yells of the riders told us
that they were in full chase. The deer
passed within one hundred and twenty
steps of one of the boys, who fired, but it
was too long shot to be effective. Per-
haps he had slight attack of that fatal
fever; fatal to powder and lead, but not to
deer. The deer then made a circuit of
about eight miles, being closely pressed by
the. dogs and riders. She finally, after a
chase of twenty five miles, ran to the river,
and was shot by George Miller. This was
a splendid chase, both riders and hounds
sticking close to their work.
Wednesday, 18th. Started buck early
in the morning. After a chase of six miles
the hounds lost the trail, no one getting a
shot that day.
Thursday, 18th. Started by o'clock.
and after very lively and exciting chase
of about twelve miles, the hounds caught
the deer, Col. Renick being only one hum
dred yards behind the dogs when they
closed with the deer.
Friday, 15.h. Started very early in the
morning, the hounds being very close to
the deer when he jumped. They ran him
by sight for half mile and came very
near catching him. Then the deer gained
on them rapidly. After running about six
miles the deer passed within twenty steps
OF one of the stands; but alas! this boy also
was seized with that terrible fever and fail
ed to kill his deer, though he struck him.
one buck shot penetrating his brisket. He
then ran on about two miles, and passed
him, putting both barrels into him. The
deer then ran about fifty yards and drop
ped dead.
Saturday, 18th. Failed to make start
We had plenty of company while in camp,
as it was known in few days throughout
the county that Colonel Renick was there,
and many old hunters and friends came to
see him. We entertained them with true
back woods hospitality, asking them to
take a seat on log, the floor, a water
bucket or wherever they could find one.
and invited them to share our grub with
US, which, by the way, was quite paatable
49,, & i L.