The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-17
DANIEL wEBs1ER.s DEER HUNT
The Beautifui Doe that his n una Daughter
Went Over.


From Ne s. LoIs R,pul.poiE.
Tho death Of DR.. Hoffman recalls to mind
IN animated account OF a deer hunt which ap-
peared in the Now York Spirit Of the Tines
Tho hunt occurred Ia 1887 upon the prairies Of
Illinois. opposite Jefferson Barracks. aud IN il
Daniel Webster distinguished himself bY s'yih
ing down n, do With the rife. The core
spondent writing from Jefferson Barracks.
says:
A party was formed consisting of the Hon.
William II. Ashley-whose devotion TO field
sports is 80 we'll known-Judge Walsh. DIR. Hon
man. and many other gentlemen equally ardent
In the sports Of the field forming quite formld-
ahe pnrty. About O'Clock Mr.. Webster aud
his family. with many other ladies and gentle
mon In attendance, together with the hunting
party crossed the river. short ride of about
Two mll1s brought then into the hcart 0,
MANY miles in oKtent. and. those who were
merely lockers on being stationed upon one
plain in every direction, the hunters
horn brought 9 noble pack OF hounds on tue
buy from "A veteran old hunter warned them to
look out iqr gam. iew minutes brought them
sprung from its bed Of flowers. alarmed Ivy It's
keen sense % danger. and few with the feet
ness nj the wind across tho plain.
The doe with y mighty "nnrt cleared
a broad and sluggish stream filed with n
tangled mass 81 long grnss md water liliee, al
most mpassable, except by leaping. The
tangled In the meshes OF the rank Rrass. The
frightened deer stood ON rising ground and
blew from its nostrils Wild. unearthly whistle
peculiar to itself II stood but al instant TO SEQ
how cunniD gly IT had brought thcm into tho
snare. aud ngain bounded forward making Tor
the wood. But the dogs were " old uns at tho
game. and the hunters were used tQ tho strate-
gem which tho doer made 10 elude them. In
view of this movement "a portion OF the party.
with two noble Rrcyhuunds belonging to DIR.
Hoffman had been stationed near the. skirt OF
the wood 10 intercept liz fight in that direction.
A few more bounds and the timid deer would
have found an asyu in th9 depth Of the
speed Of lightning the greyhounds leaped from
their leashos. and went full cry after their prey
The poor deor was now sadly perplcxei
enemies behind. and nothing but a boundless
plain over which II could ny, without having
length Of tino with It's iloet-iooted tormentors.
| II stood an image OF despair One ray Of hope
seemed TO CLEAN from its eyes as II strained
them toward tho now far-distant mounds. on
one Of which Mr.. Webster and his friends were
Not an instant had II to hesitate. Life or death
! WIS the result of It's present move. II flew for
the mound with tho speed OF an arrow for its
mark. The hounds are close at its heels. II
loot OF the hill. and had gained the top or
when 2 sharp report = beard. the crack
| stricken deer bounds high In the air and falls
| dead almost NJ the feot Of the party. Dir. Web
| ster has shot II. In his excitement oi the chase
| he has seized rifle that stood 10y the side of q
| tree. and. with the unerrinR aim OF n back
mani He looks as though he had committed q
guilty action as he stands by It's side. ~ sorrow
! fully gazing ut his fatal work.
| His lovely daughter was hanging over n
her large black eyes tohl how black and lus.
| trousl swimming with tears rs the poor deer
| lies at her feet. It's bosom heavinR with agony
as its life il flowing away in the purple stream
that trickles the grass. A portion Oftho par.
! (which had been out in another direction now
| returned. bringing with them a nne large buck
| mud rs tho whole were fatiguod, either by tn,
| chase or by the excitement OF witnessing il
| they were glad TO cease from the sport which
licious strawberries. which grew in great plenty
everywhere over tho prairics afforded them
| delightful roireshment. and the pure watei
| which flowed from spring gushing out OF tn,
| mound slaked their thirst The party returned
| 10 81. Louis Just as the sun was sinking to hi,
| rest. richly laden down with the game which
| their sport had procured