The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-11-27

Ottawa strip coal, customers being supplied in
small lots only, though thousands of tons have
gone through town over the Burlington road.
Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiyn in Ottawa was celebrated in
about the usual manner. The religious feature
Of the day, however was even less observed than
usual, the Episcopal church being the only ono
in which services were held attended by a not
large congregation How the day was observed
from culinary point of view, each must deter
mine for himself.
The event OF the day in sportsmen's eyes wa.
the grand deer hunt, which festive Nimrod OF
the party describes rs follows:
For week or ten days previous, the hunt
had made considerable stir among the boys,
and even those who only occasionally join in the
glorious hunt were 'on to- 1t. Election, with
all Its joys and disappontments, had blown over
and numbered among the things of the past,
and to cheer the dropping spirits OF the outs
something exciting must be had, while the ins
were only, too glad for an opportunity to give
vent to their joyous feelings. Accordingly, il
was resolved TO celebrate Thanksgiving by a
Deer Hunt, and, Notwithstanding the sad expe-
rence of past efforts in getting up hunt of this
kind, the boys were willing TO take the chances,
and shelled out most literally to secure the
wished.for deer He arrived in Ottawa last
Tuesday and was received in a royal manner.
From the moment OF his arrival until the morn.
ing Of the hunt Tom McDermOtt was in his
glory. Hundreds hocked to his shop to get
questions as to when, where and how he was to
be let out? and II he would run good? what
direction he was likely to take! or II he would
run at all? and ten Thousand other questions,
till Tom was almost as wild as the buck, and
in doubt in his own mind as to whether he was
himself or somebody else.
1.-THE morning of the hunt arrived, and Thurs
day dawned as gloriously and beautifully for
hunt as though 1t had been made to order. Tho
air was soft and balmy, and during the night
n excellent 'traCkinp'
while it was just wet enough for good trailing
Indeed everything favored the hunt and there
seemed no chance for disappointment this
time. As early as o'clock the streets began to
present lively appearance, and by 10 O'Clock
1.-THE hour appointed for the starD Columbus
street in front of Whites Hotel and Tom Nc.
Dermotts shop was damned with horscmen,
mounted on all kinds Of 'nags,' while as many
more were on their way to the hunting grounds,
which were located just beyond the canal bridge
in Carey's corn field.
at was scarcely a hitting place to let loose
deer, but the best within reasonable distance OF
the city, and was selected more for the purpose
of giving those that did not want to 90 far an
opportunity of seeing the start. Everything be-
ing ready, letting loose the deer was the work OF
few moments, and was performed in the incest
manner possible by Sheriff Milligan. AS soon "a
the deer got his freedom, he stood for moment
turning his head and looking over his shoulders
at the crowd; then, eleyatlng his tail, went of
'on bound up through the corn field at such
rate of speed as would silence the least doubt in
the mind Of any one that glorious hunt was
certain.
"Seyeral times he made the rounds of the corn
field, and at rate of speed that would leave the
Heetest hound far In the rear; but owing to some
cause or other he did not jump the fence or pass
through the several openings as was expected
but doubled right back and browsed about
among the corn stalks hid from the view of all,
as no one was allowed to follow him until the
appointed hour arrived.
"Duting all this time the crowd were in high
state of excitement, but very orderly and obey.
ing orders like an army. Every moment added
more to the already immense crowd, and to see
some of the more daring horsemen come in,
thinking themselves late, was most astonishing
as well as amusing Finally, as 10 o'clock drew
near the signal to loose the hounds, which had
been tied up in Carey's barn, was given. They
came out 'howling, and were on the trail in
moment, and then commenced the grand rush
for the 'front.' Away they went like the wind.
and after them the motley crowd OF mounted
men, hooting, yelling, and riding at that mad,
exciting rate which would cause band OF
Comanche Indians to weep with envy. On they
went, galloping over hounds, pedestrians and
everything else that happened in their way-aR
anxious to be in the lead. The dogs were not
long in starting the deer from his hiding place,
and away he went, making directly for the open
ing to the road and up to the bluffs, but, as i'll
luck would have 1t, some fellow stood on tho
fence, and the deer seeing him, turned and ran
who caught him and would have torn him into
pieces were it not for the quickness OF some OF
the hunters in driving off the dogs and securing
the deer, which was quickly brought back and
Gagged.
"And thus ended the second great deer hunt
failure; and which proves conclusively that once
deer IS Gagged and moved from bis native hauntS.
such thing as q successful hunting OF him is
out OF the question. 1t has been tried on two oc-
casions and under favorable auspices with like
result.
"Ths disappointment OF the crowd was be-
yond measure and many were the regrets eI-
pressed but the result was no cause OF the mana
gers although perhaps there was not an indi-
vidual there but lin his own mind would have
made 1t n success.
ITO see that cavalcade Of disappointed horse.
men 'homeward taking their weary way, was
something long to be remembered, and the scenes
| of wild maneuvers on the home stretch, just
verged on hair raising The only wonder and
at which much qualification is felt 10 that no one
got hurt very seriously.
| "On arriving in town most OF the hunters had
hasty meeting and resolved to enjoy the rest
of the day fox hunting. AS they filed over the
bridge forty .seven counted in line. But even
the foxes refused to be hunted and along towards
the afternoon horsemen in twos threes and more
and sometimes solitary would be seen urging
his tired steed towards his oats. SO ended the
day so far as the hunters were concerned. But
| tired bodies told US that the hunt though past
and gone is not forgotten!
/ In the evening the ball Of the Cadets, OF Co.
D., attracted some 40 or 50 couples OF young pee
| pie, who enjoyed q pleasant evening.
l The matinee and evening performances OF the
Claire Scott company at the Opera House were
well attended.
So the day furnished amusement for oil and
was OF course success.