Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-10-21
A Blood-Hound's Gratitude.
TDetroit Free Press.

Detroit Free Press.
There is now living in Eator
county, this State, q farmer who
ss Federal soldier and a pris-
oner at Andersonville, was q
party to a strange incident dur
ing the palmy days of that ter
rible prison pen. The prisoners
were to go out in squads,strong-
ly guarded, to collect fircwoOd,
One day it came to this mans
turn TO go, and for the first time
since his Imprisonment he had
caught sight Of Colonel Catch
en-" the big bloodhound who
had run down more escaping
prisoners than all the other dogs
combined. In fact at that time
he was the only hound at the
post. lie was IL monster dog,
savage as tiger, and he had i'll
several cases pulled down and
killed the prisoners before the
pursuers could come up. Such
were the stories of his ferocity,
whispered inside the stockade,
that more than one tunnel was
abandoned just as it was ready
to lead its diggers under the
posts and to liberty.
The Mlchigander noticed that
the dog limped painfully on one
of his fore feet, but gave the
no special attention un-
til, after being out for half an
hour, he sat down to rest near
one of the guards. The dog
the guard as if TO
ask some favor, but was repuls-
ed with an oath and a threaten
ed blow. He then skulked u
round and came near the prisO-
ner, who saw that he had an old
horseshoe nail run into his foot.
With a little coaxing he got the
log near, and finally pulled out
he nail, and the animal ran a
way, seemingly well pleased.
Twelve days after. that, one
hight about midnight, tunnel
vas ready to pass out the few
Who had secretly dug it. The
w olvcrine went first, and, in
Iced, last. The others remem-
)ered the stories of the big
bloodhound, and drew back at
he last moment. The prisoner
vas long time getting clear
# the ncighborhood, and weak
md starved as he was, he was
lot more than two miles from
he stockadc when day broke
md "Colonel Catchem" was put
N his track. When he heard |
he hound coming he looked for
suitable tree to climb, but fail
d to find one. Armed with u
lub he took his stand and de-
ermined to make a fight for il.
'he dog came along the trail
rith a rush, stopped short at
light of the prisoner and was a.
'out to spring. when he recog-
lied the man and began exhib-
ting every sign Of friendship.
After few minutes the pursuers
rere heard IN the distance. The
og at once trotted off in that
irection, and was shortly bay
1g and leading them over a fic-
ltious trail.
The prisoner pushed ahead for
alf an hour, and was then re-
joined by the dog, who kept
ithcr close to his heels or just
head of him all day, and lay
eside him in the woods at night.
his position Of guardian or
ompanion he maintained until
Dward night Of the second day,
-hen he returned 10 the stock !
de. The prisoner was then
lirty miles away, but the roads
,ere patrolled and on the filth
forming he was rccaptured.
Vhen he was returned the hoand
let and carcsscd him, and forl
MS was whipped by one Of the
.uards. From that hour TO the
lose Of the war the dog would
OF take the trail Of an escaping
risoner. He was tried time
nd again, but he would not
oilow the trail q single rod.
another bloodhound was pro-
ured, but as soon as he took up i
trail the other dog would fol-
DIV and fight him. During
he last three months of Ander-
onyille not q prisoner was run
own by the dogs, although doz-
us tunneled out, and many were
ying in the woods when the
youfederacy went with a crash. \