Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-14
A MISSOURI COON HUNT.
FUN IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
WITH THE CARklES AND DOGS.

"'Possum Up Gum Stump. Coon in q
Holler''-Cuttini; Down Trees 20 Reach
the Game Lively Tussles with tho
Dogs-OId Ram bier "Gits Dar."
The second annu u coon and ,possum hunt
OF the Kings Lake club took place on the
clubs preserve, in Lincoln county, this state,
Saturday night. Eight O'Clock arrived and
everybody was ready for the start In single
hle they marched out of the sitting room to
the space in front Of the club house The
party numbered fully thirty-fve, with the
coon hunters and natives who go along for
the purpose of choI ping the trees should they
succeed ii finding the game Some of the
party had lanterns and others carried torches,
such as are used fo' political parades Four
or five axes were tlken; the dogs were called
together and the party was ready.
There were abou5 seven dogs In the hunt,
and it could be plainly seen by their actions
that they were perfectly aware OF what was
going on. They watched their masters close
ly, Cs though awaiting the order to dash
away. The black and tan hound predomi-
nated among the lot They were all well
broken and tried coon dogs IF there are
night In this bottom. " said one of the natives,
them dogs will most certainly find EN-"
Finally Old Sol a aopeared with a fire brand
in his hand, and, with long drawn out
''whoopee, whoop'om up" tho dogs were
given the word and dashed off for the woods
Old Sol took the lead and kept up his call of
encouragement to the dogs as the party
started
OLD so. WAS RIGHT
The attack had begun; open war was TO be
waged, and heaven save the poor coons and
poSsums that wero TO como in their way
Tho course which The party took was south
easterly from the club house. They had gone
but short distance when ono of the dogs
gave the alarm, and the hearts of all began
TO jump with joy al the prospects of battle
between tho dogs and the coon Old Sol said
it was Rambler, and it was sure thing he
was on the track of coon.
Maj. Caruth said it might be 'possum
Old Sol was certain that it was q coon the
dogs were trailing; he could distinguish the
difference in old Rambler's bark when he had
a coon or possum.
Suddenly the whole pack took up the alarm,
and the long drawn out alarm bark of the
hounds was welcome music to the ears of the
whole party.
Listen, " says OLD Sol Dat am old Ram
bier and Snider. Got "a coon, sho', and right
i'll 'mongst dem big trees in de bottom"
All hands go to them, and sure enough Old
Sol was right; the dogs had treed a coon up
one of the biggest oHks in the forest.
Look at dat tree good" said Old Sol, ''an'
if it am got any lin os on it we'll send up some
one an shake dat coon out"
NO" said one of the natives, there are no
a.
room to chuck my coat, an we'll fling that
tree in a mighty few minutes"
"An hands heah wild axes cried out Old
Sol
Four big, strong and determined fellows
two on a side-taks off their coats, throw
down their hats and tackle the three foot
tree. With long, measured, steady strokes
their axes cut into the heart of this giant of
the forest
spell us" ono of the choppers exclaimed,
and four fresh men stepped forward and took
their places.
Look out; she's cracking some one was
heard to cry, and the next moment down
came that giant of the forest and mister coon
came down with il With mad rush the
dogs sprang forward to give the coon a warm
reception. Everybody was shouting, and the
dogs were barking, he whole party making a
noise that was almost deafenng.
1t was big coon, and a splendid fighter.
He soon sent some of the dogs-those that
were not gritty-h owling away with pain,
and they took no further part in the fight.
Once or twice the coon broke away from the
crowd and tried to escape, and when he did
the circle which was formed around the
scrimmage broke and ran.
When this happened several incidents oc-
CURED that were very amusing. The hunters
would pile over one another in their mad rush
to get back, and at one time number of them
were piled in ono heap
MADE 1T LIVELY FOR THE DOGS
The dog Snider showed his staying qualities
and exhibited the most grit. An effort was
made to hold several of the dogs and only
allow one or two to tackle the coon at q time
But che excitement became so intense that no
one knew what he wss doing half the time All
were yelling at the top of their voices and the
dogs were barking; the noise was fearful; no
doubt it could have been heard for miles in
that bottom at night. At one time when the
result was doubtful and one of the favorite
dogs howled with pan, some one shouted out:
"Uso the ak on him; don't allow him to
kill Old Rambler
mo" shouts Old Sol, ''doan do dat, let 'em
fight 'er out. Old Rrnbler will git dar purity
soon"
Presently Old Ra nbler got throat hold
on the coon and ths death rattle could be
plainly heard
The game was up for the coon; it was only
a question of short time until he could
breathe no more. He had mado his last ex-
curson on earth. Rambler pinned him to
the ground and squeezed him to death
Snider did some great fighting and for a
puppy only a year d acquitted himself in a
remarkable manner.
The battle was commented upon by nll for
moment or two and then the dogs we're
started off again
light snow began to fall about this time,
to which no heed was paid by the party.
They all had seen great fight and were anx-
ious for another.
Presently the bark of Old Rambler again
gave the alarm, and when the party reached
the dogs they had two coons freed This was
more than any one had bargained for in so
short time. Coons were plentiful for a GER
tainty. Tho choppers were put to work; the
tree this time WIS not II large one and It was
cut down i'll short order. But the coon was q
little too quick for the dogs, and before they
could catch him he was up another tree.
This tree was hewn down, and rs it fell, the
coon sprang from it into another tree. Then
there was another tree to cut. This time the
dogs nailed him. He was young one and
was soon sent to kin gdoln come by Snider.
As soon as he was flushed the other tree was
cut and that coon vent the some route as
those before him
Shortly after this the dogs trecd couple
Of 'possums. which were added to the bag In
very quick time. Asi5 was now after O'Clock
in the morning, it was decided to start for the
club house st. Louis Republic
loves Iabor Lost.