The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-10-04
A FRIEND
The Mad Dog

Sir Tomas Powell Buxton was well
known in the early part of the present CEN
tury as one of the most ernest assistants Of
Wilberforce in the summer of 1916, when
he was thirty years old, capital sportsman
and a man of great heigh (six feet four), he
was living at Hamstead, and daily riding
into Spitalields to attend the affairs of
brewery, in which he was partner.
During a visit that his wife and children
were making at distance, he had been
staying with his brother-in law, Mr.. Hare,
not far from his home. When his servant
brought his horse to him there, it was with
the intelligence that the dog, Prince was in
strange state, had killed the cat, almost
killed another dog, and had tried to bite
some of the servants. Mr.. Buxton desired
that the creature be tide up and taken care
of. and then rode off to his business in The
town. But, as he returned, he saw Prince,
evidently mad covertd with mud running
furously. aud biting at everything he would
pass Mr.. Buxton tried to drive him dcwn
or into some clubhouse, bnt in vain; and he
bit at least dozen dogs two boys and a
man, sprang at boy and seizing him by
the breast; but this time his master was
near enough to knock him down with his
whip He then changed his course, setting
off for London, and Mr.. Buxt ton rode by his
side waiting foran opportunity of stopping
him; but the poor animal was past attend
ing to the we'll known voice whether coax
ing or scolding. He was getting near more
closely inhabited places, and considering
the fearful damage he might effect, Mr.
Buxton thought "if ever there was an occa
sion that justified risk oflife this was it, u
and determined to catch him himself. Prince
ran to garden door, and Mr.. Buxton, leep
ing from his horse grasped him by the neck
His struggles were desperate that il
seemed impossible even for so powerful a
man to hold him, he being large and pow
erfni animal; but lifting him up from the
ground he was more easily managed, unf
Mr. Buxton contrived to ring the bell. bu
for long time no one came to his help
and being afraid lest the foam, might get il
to some scratch on his fingers and be al
dangerous as the bite. he with great diff
, Guilty held Prence with one hand. while h,
woFkhd the other into the glove in hi
, pocket, then changed hands and put on tn
other glove.
At last the gardener opened the door ant
asked what he wanted.
81 have brought you mad dog" was tn
' naswer; and desiring him to get stron
, chain. Mr. Buxton walked into the yart
! carrying the dog by the neck.
q He determined to not kill the dog at once
!. thinking that if it should prove not to be
J. case of hydrophobia il would be a grel
relief to the persous who had been bite
IS and this only could be detirmined by le
-s ting the disease take its course.
!, The gardner was in great terror, but ha
sence enough TO obey in structions. and wa
e. able TO secure the collar around the dog
J. neck and fasten the other end of the chai
to tree. Mr.. Buxton then walked to Il
. utmost bound OF the chain, and with all b
il force (which" be says, was nearly exhau
~ ted by the dogs frantic struggles, he thre
N the creature as far away from him ns
- could, and then sprang back in time
'h avoid poor Princes desperate bound aft
r. him, which was followed by the most fea
full yell he ever heard.
All day the unhappy creature, in 4
on misery Of that horrible disease to whi
ry our faithful companions are sometimes su
=. isct, rushed round and round the tree, chal
- ping the foam that gushed from its jay
sh and when food was thrown to him, snatch
.ts at it with fury, but could not eat ii
RS. The next day Mr.. Buxton thought I
49, chain in danger of giving way, co. renewi
his act of bravery, he obtained n strong
chain and pitchfork. Between the proI
of this he contrived to get the dogs bo
without piercing il, and thus held him p