Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-12-17
AN OLD HUNTER.
BRIsniE sKILEs AND MS ruNrs.
The champion Fox Catcher OF Lancaster
Rud Unester Countios--ui, Many
Trophirg OF tho chase.

aud Unester Count,c1--uis Many
Trophicl ot tho chase.
ruuIdclpula Record.
Brisbin Skilcs, snowy haired, boniface,
Is tho champion fox catcher of Lancaster
and Chester counties. He is the "minc
host Of public house in tho thinly
populated hamlet OF Nine Points, which
is situated several miles " over the hills !"
south OF Christiaua station, on tho main
limo OF the Pennsylvania railroad. Tho
sports OF the two counties named are now
greatly exercised whether Skiles this sea
son will DO ablo to beat his previous record
Of twenty Reynards caught. There have
been any number of wagers made, and at
the prcseat time tho odds arc decidedly in
favor Of the old man. He has already
eighteen live foxes chained fast upon his
prcmises, and is confident that no will be
able TO crown his declining years with
score that will put any competitor who
may follow in his footsteps 20 tho blush.
The only rival whom Skilos has any reason
to fear is Frank Clayton, who lives near
MarShaltowD, in Chester county. But
for thirty years Skiles has been tho cham
picn, and he proposes TO remain such until
either death or old age removes him from
tho active list.
Champion Skilos has been living at his
present residence for only two years. lie
moved there from Mount Vernon, eight
miles north from Christiaua, two years
ago. Since no was Ia years old he has been
famous hunter of Reynard, and says he
can't tell how many foxes he has captured
since he began tho business. His son
said : " Pop sat down t'other day and
tried TO figure up how many foxes ho had
snatohed since he was q boy. believe no
got up TO 500, and then gave tho caloula-
tion up in disgust"
The reporter was shown yesterday this
seasons catch. In the garrct of the tav.
crn there wero chained ssyen splendid
specimens of the common fox, and in the
cellar were eleven others. Two Of tho col.
lection were extraordinarily large spcci.
| mems Skiles keeps an immense pack oi
hounds, TO the great annoyance ot the
clergy in his section Of the country.
During the season Skles is ont ON the
hunt at least two days in each week. He
| scOurs the country o'or with horse and
hounds, but generally sticks TO the roads.
| Since he has moved into Bart township
foxes have begun to multiply and are now
quite plentiful. Once in very great
while Philadelphia party visits him and
organizes hunt. These visits champion
Skiles csteems great honor, and an old
lAoAtbAtN NOAhSil NluhOA lO"aANa
the huutsmen.
Champion Skiles never slaughters fox
Some years ago, one OF his hounds killed
| one, and the old gentleman grieved over it
| for mouths. His great sport is to run them
TO their holes aud tako them alive. The
| hounds are called of, muzzlc placed upon
his foxship and the prize carried home in
! triumph, which is kept chained unit
about the 1st of March, when the whole
catch is released. One of the old sport i
| great desires is TO recapture fox. Every
| fellow that is set at liberty is branded and
| is known thereafter as old Skiles' catch.
The sportsmen of lancaster and Chester
counties for fifteen years have been run
ming TO hole Skiles' foxes. 1t is not offer
however, that Skiles himself gathers in ouc
OF his previous catches. The other day
however, he dug out pump fellow he
hal had chainsl in hi cellar seven year,