The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-12-29
THE BENTON CAMPAIGN.

THE BENTON CAMPAIGN.
GREAT PREPARATIONS TO SURROUND THE
BEAST ON NEW YEARS DAY-PLAN OF
OPERATIONS.
The following arrangements for the great
Benton county hunt are given by the La
fayette Courier. The gentlemen named are
the best citizens of the county, and their OBJ
iect is TO have well conducted but stupen-
dous hunt. If-well carried out as planned
whatever beasts are in the territory
win have a loud call. The Courier says:
We are in receipt of the following
communication, signed by Messrs. Tenn,
pleton, Esstburn, Swan, Boswell,
McMurty and so others. The various
forces expecting to be engaged on New
Years day in the grand hunt for the Ben
ton county beast will strictly observe the
follow ing Instructions: All citizens of Illi-
nois, together with those who live pear the
state line in this state, will form along the
| state line from the Lafayette, Muncie 81
Bloomington railroad TO point due
west OF Raub. The north half of this line
will be under command of L. C. Sumner,
and the south half under the command of
Capt. James Dunn, The forces of York
township and the west half of Newton
county Will form on a line running from
Raub due west to the state line, and will be
under the command of John Ross. The
forces of Richland township and the
balance of Newton county will form
on the Cincinnati, Lafayette q Chicago rail-
roadfrom Raob to Earl Park, aud be under
the command of Joseph Perkins. The forces
| from Union and Gilboa townships, and Jas
per coun.y, will form along the line of the
Cincinnati Lafayette q Chicago railroad
from Earl Park to Fowler, and be under
command of John McMurty and Leroy
Templeton. The forces from Prairie,
Pine. Boliver, and the east part
| Oak Grove townships will form along the
section line running south from Fowler to
! the Lafayette, Muncie 81 Bloomington Rail-
| road, and to be under the command of John
Wattles and G. Atkinson, The forces from
| the balance of Oak Grove and Grant town
| ships, and Warren county, will form along
the line OF the Lafayette, Muncie IL Bloom
ington Railroad, and be under the command
of Colonel w. j. Templeton and James
Harris. The gentlemen that are appointed
| to the command of these several forces will
| appoint whatever assistants may be neces-
sary, and will proceed at once to organize
their commands and give general directions
between now and the day OF the hunt, so that
/ there may be no delay or confusion on that
morning. Should these persons not act, the
citizens in the vicinity OF these several rem
devious Will appoint persons to take COM
mand. The several lines will form precisely
at
| HALF-PAST NINE O'CLOCK
in the morning, and the north and south
lines will move promptly at 10 o'clock. The
forces along the state line, and also those
| on this east from Raub to the Lafayette,
Muncie q Bloomington railroad, via Earl
/ Park and Fowler. will remain in their
places till IL O'Clock, except those on the
wings, who will close up with the northern
and southern divisions as they move
| forward. Promptly at IL O'Clock THESE
| divisions will advance. and the whole line
/ nlO
careful TO keep all gaps as we'll closed as pos
sible. and filing towards the flapks as may
be necessary TO an equal distribution of
forces along the line. The central point, to-
| wards which the lines should converge,
should be about equal distance between
Sugar and Parish groves, on section 16. T..
25, r.. 3. No notice should be taken of
/ wolves or sl1aller game, except it should
be to drive them toward the center. And
no shooting should be done except at the
beasts should they get in range. Expert
ence has demonstrated that these animals
whatever they are cannot be run down with
| horses, also, that they are afraid to approach
even : within few rods of the wagons or
horse.n5n when pursued. Therefore, should
they be seen anywhere along the line it is
| positively forbidden that sny one shall break
the lines to pursue them, because such a
course would be the height OF folly. When
ever they may be seen near any part of the
! line some of the men should dismount and
advance on loot. leading their horses, and
these footmen shonld keep one or two hun
dred paces in advance or the
| hcrsemen. In fact as the lines con-
verge and become tolerably compact
| it would be well for a portion Of the lines to
dismount and advance in the manner above
described. At first, while the whole force is
mounted the rate ofadvance should be about
| five miles per hour, but become more slow
and careful as the lines approach the center.
Should either of the beast brt ak through the
ranks the lines should separate at that
point, falling back to the right and
lett and, taking large circuit,
endeavor to head it. and drive
it back again into the lines. No whisky
nor stimulents of any kind win be allowed
about or near the hunting forces, under PEN
/ atty of having the same destroyed and the
parties bringing it first booted and after
wards prosecuted TO the full extent of the
law. We have made arrangements for the
proper reception of the members of the
press. Send out your reporter and wo will
see that he is furnished with every thing to
assist him in viewing the hunt. We also ex-
tend cordial invitation TO the hunters oi
your city to be on hand.