New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-22
4 MISSOURI COON HUNT.
From The ST. Louis Republic.

from inc 81. LOUIS hcpuDHc
Tho second annual coon and possum hunt OF the
Kings Lake Club took place the clubs preserve IN
Lincoln County, this State. Saturday night :: Elgnt
In single file they marched ont of the sitting to
tho space In front OF the clubhouse. The party
numbered fully thirty-fve with the hunters ami
natives who 20 along for the purpose OF choppng the
Of The partv had lanterns and others carried torches
such used for political parades. Four or five
axes were taken the dogs were called together and
the party ready.
could he plainly by their actions that they were
perfectly aware Of what was going on. They watched
o se dash the
dominated among the lot; They were all well broken
possums proving around tonight in this bottom"
said Of the natives, them dogs will most certainly
Finally od Sol appeared with areSrsnd r his
of for the woods Old Sol took the lead and kept
up his call Of encouragement TO the dogs as tho party
started.
Tho attack had begun; open war to be waged.
and heaven save the poor coons and possGmIs that
partv took was southeasfcrIy from tho club house
They had gone bnt short distance when one Of the
logs gave The alarm and the hearts OF all began TO
dogs and coon Old Sol said It was Rambler. and
It was sure thing he was on the track OF coon.
Major CarItb said il might be possum
Old Sol certain that It was coon the dogs
trailing; he could distinguish the difference In
Suddenly tho whole pack took up the alarm. and
the long drawn-Out alarm bark OF the hounds was
"0: fsen" s SAYS 50 old SOL Dat am old Rambler and
snder Got coon, sho', and right in 'mOngst dom
All hands go to them, and sure enough old Sol
so sat the e fSsS 6sd freed coon up one OF 'no
Look at DAT tree good said Old Sol. an If It
am got any limbs on 1t well send up some one an
aYo,' said one Of the natives, there are no limbs
on H. Stand back there and give me room 10 chuck
nv coat. an Won fling that tree In mighty few
MINUTES re ,. ,oo, ,-, .vo., cried ~, OLA 60,
-Four big, strong and determined feiows-two on 2
sde-talle of their coats throw down their hats and
steady Strokes their cut into the heart of this
giant Of the forest - ,,,
four fresh stepped forward and took their p aces
"Look out; she's cracking" some one was heard
TO cry. and tho mex moment down came that giant
OF the forest and mister coon came down with tt
with mad rush the dogs snrang forward 10 give me
and the dos were barking tho whole party making
a noise that almost deafenng.
soon cent some If tbe dosstboso that were not gritty
bowling away with pain, and they took no further
part n the h In sSd or ee sos and
he did the circle which was formed around the scrim
When this happened several incidents occurred that
were very amusing. The hunters would pile over
another I'm their mad rush to get back and at one
time number OF them we're piled In one heap.
The dog snider showed his staying Qualities ana
several Of the dogs and only allow one or two to
tackle the coon at time But the eIcitement be-
half the time Al yelling at the top OF their
voices and the dogs were barking; the noise was fear
ful no doubt It could have been heard for miles IN
that bottom at night At time when the result
was doubtful and one OF the favorite dogs followed
with pain, some one shouted OUT
Use tho axe on him. don't allow him to kill old
Rambler
~No7 shouts Old SOL doan do dat, let em fight
'er out Old Rambler VIII GIT dar purity soon"
Presently Old Rambler got throat hold on the
coon and the death rattle could be plainly heard.
ton ~ short time until he could breathe moro.
IL lad made his last excursion on earth. Rambler
pinned lin 70 tho ground and squeezed him 10 death
sr.dcr $50 some great fighting and for puppy only
year old acquitted himself I'm remarkable manner
To battle was commented upon by all for a
NOV .pt or two and then the dogs started Off
Cha snow began 70 fall about this time, TO which
no Ac'i was paid by the party. They all had seen
E.cal Lrht and were anxious for another.
Presently the bark Of old Rambler again gave the
two cOons freed. This more than any had
harganed for I'm short time. Coons plentiful
for certainty. The choppers were put 20 work
the tree this time not largo and IL
cut down I'm short order. But tho little
too quick for the dogs and before they could catch
him he up another tree. This trcc hewn
down, and as IL fell the coon sprang from II into
another tree Then there another tree TO cut.
This time tho dogs nailed him. lie was young one
soon as he was finished tho Othcr tree cut and
that coon went the same route as those before HIM
Shortly after this the dogs freed couple Of pos
sums, which wore added 10 the bag in very quick
time. As II after O'Clock In the morning
IL was decided 10 start for the club house.