The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-17
1reed by Wolves.


freed by wolvos.
Wolves have been unusually plenty in
portions of ELK and Mexican counties. Pm.
Tor some months. and many farmers have
lost large numbers Of sheep from these bold
intruders Heavy rewards were offered in
some instances for the destruction of the
animals and many exciting adventures arc
| reported by those who engaged in the
search. In q wild part of Elk county il is
reported that a pack had repeatedly fol-
lowed q stage and the inhabitants were
kept In constant state of alarm for fear
OF beng attacked at night by the ravenous
| beasts. Richard Davidson and Porter
smith, of jersey Shore, stimulated partly
by the large reward and partly by spirit
OF adventure, started cut on grand wolf
hunt recently. They proceeded to Elk
4 county by rail, accompanied by boy
about fourteen years of age, who insisted
on going along. Leaving the cars at St.
Mary's they proceeded to the haunts of the
wolves In the wilderness, where they had
been attracted by the carcass of an OK
which had died some days before. They
travelled in light wagon, drawn by two
| horses OF little value, 80 that in case of
They had abundance Of ammunition, two
double -bnrrcled rifles, provisions, ropcs,
axes, etc. Within short distance Of the
hunting ground was an old deserted stable.
which had been used by crew OF lumber
ltcn. The horses and wagon were left
there in custody of the boy when they
| started for the hunting ground, each carry
| ing pine board about sixteen feet long,
for the purpose of putting up platform.
They found two small trees, about twelve
| feet apart, where they erected platform
| with the plank and rope about fifteen feet
above the ground, aud to each tree they
fastened ropes to assist them up and down.
They then started in search of the wolves,
leaving their guns on the platform, eau
| tiously watching each step of the way.
Their pockets were filed with assafGlida,
in order that the wolves might scent them.
They had gone but short distance when
the wolves made their appearance, and
they immediately retrcated aud ascendcd
| the PLATFORM, when the wolves were at the
| base of the trees in a few minutes. They
selected four of the pack and shot them at
once, when to their discontinue, they dis
covered that through an oversight they had
left the ammunition at the stable, and they
were without powder or ball. The pros.
pect was not cheering. Night was coming
on and the cold was severe. They had but
little room on the platform TO move aro md,
and at the foot of the trees drove Of
wolves which their imagination magnifcd
| into almost legion, were making night
hidcous with their howlings and jumping
up half way to tho platform. They secured
themselves to the boards and trees by
means of ropes, 80 that if overcome for
want OF sleep they might not fall if they
should lose their balance. Davidson threw
small piece of meat strongly seasoned
with strychninc, among them, and soon
had the satisfaction of seeing one of the
number struggling in the agonies of death.
Soon after dark the pack was reinforced
by three more hungry-looking devils, which
had been attracted by the howlings. Tho
night was spent on tho platform and it was
| night OF terror, made all the gloomier by
the yclls Of the infuriated beasts, mad
dened by their Intellectual attempts TO reach
the scatfold. Some time in the night
portion Of them left and the sharp crack of
revolver was proof that the boys place of
refuge had been discovered. About sun
rise the remainder departed in the direc-
ton of the carcass of the OK. Satisfied that
they might risk coming down, Smith con-
cludcd that he would descend and seek the
! boy, who had been left in charge of the
horses, while Davidson would prepare
breakfast They accordingly came down,
and soon roaring fire was kindlcd at tho
boot of large tree. Smith proceeded In
! the direction Of the stable in quest of the
| boy and team. A fow rods from his place
OF destination he founda large wolf lying
dead, having been shot by the boy, who,
| on their arrival there, was found perched
on the top Of the stable, safe, but almost
! frozen. In the stable were two wolves that
had been so badly hurt by tho horses III
| their struggles 10 escape that it was but the
work of moment to kill them. One of
| the horses had been killed and was par
TALLY devourcd; the other was loose in the
stable and bitten some, but not seriously
| hurt. After seasoning the carcass of the
| dead horse abundantly with strychnine they
started back TO the platform, carrying with
them their ammunition. Driving there
they partook of breakfast and then slept a
few hours, each watching and sleeping al
tcrnately. About noon they concluded to
start for home, having stripped the dead
wolves of their hides in the morning Ar
| irving at the stable four of the largest of
| the pack were found there, but were almost
dead from eating the poisoned carcass of
the horse. They were killed at once 1t
was now ,tolerably certain that the pack had
been destroyed. With thirteen hides and
scalps the hunters reached home, having
received bounty of $3.50, and the skins
are estimated as worth at least $50 more,
making pretty successful trip aftor pay
Ing for tho old horse.