The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21
THE "WAPAN0CA CHIEF"
HIS PERSONAL EXPLOITS AS TOLD
BY HIMSELF.
Yarns About Fishing and Duck Shooting
That Would Make Nimrod Turn Over
in His drave-shooting Mlstletoe for
Turkey, Etc.

To the Editor Of The Appeal.
Sir--Have you lost or mislaid one OF your
correspondents? II you have, late issue
Of Kansas paper will show what has be-
como OF him. II says
1--WE had the pleasure this week of meet
ing one Of the most celebrated hunters and
fishermen OF Tennessee, a prominent in
surance agent Of Memphis, evidently the
Chief OF the Wapanocas, and while we
cannot vouch for some OF his statements,
his well known veracity ION shooting days.
at the club precludes any doubt as to his
statements. lie told the following story:
Early in my life became an expert as a
large game hunter-deer, bear, wildcat,
etc. studied astronomy. j could find
my way out OF the woods the darkest night
by merely running my hand down
the side OF tree. In other
words, | can tell the north side OF
a tree by the feel Of IT, After firing of tho
above sports, as well rs quail shooting, my
rotundness made II necessary TO do my
hunting in a boat. 80 made study OF
engineering, and by almost daily practice
with the most approved rifle, having at
tached 10 IL q telescope and United states
wind gauge, measured the speed OF flight
OF the various kinds OF duck and found
that the teal and mallard few about l75 TO
243 miles per hour. Therefore, 10 bring
down my game, had 10 get the velocity
OF the wind by my gauge, setting my tele-
scope pointing nj the duck seventeen feet
from the line Of the gun at a point about
100 Yards away. never shoot at duck
any closer, considering II murder.
"'How many ducks do ! kill in dayT
oh, 100 10 200.
"'Does II not break my old dog Jeb
down TO retrieve 10 manyY
"'Great Cpsarand nubbins, no. There's
where my wind gauge comes IN. drop
them all into my boat
"Do fish? With my rod and reel am
nearly ~ destructive on the ilnny tribe as
tho professional market fisherman, but as u
rule only catch the rare kinds. During q
late visit TO our lake ! employed u native
20 catch me some ten aud twelve pound
trout for bait | made cork for my line
out OF ten-gallon empty kcg, put fish
on my hook aud east IL into the water. In
moment the cork was out OF sight and so
was |. On coming to the surface Of the
water | discovered my boat being
violently pulled about in the water,
my line having previously been
fastened TO IL. Well, after time VIC
Courtney, my valet, and MYSELF got the
fish near the shore, and with the assist
ance Of three yoke Of oxen and log chain
| landed my fish on the bank, where. 10 my
surprise, he begun 10 eat grass, nj times
| believing like COW, aud finally gave
birth 10 full sized calf and -, Well,
all right, gentlemen; II you don't want 20
hear my story through | will wait until
get ono Of you in room by yourself and
tell the balance"
Now, Mr. Editor, you no doubt ask, can
/ locate the chief | can. The ear marks
are too plain. lie il tho same bold and
fearless fisherman who imagined, while
asleep In camp, one night, that he heard q
lizards heart beating under his pillow
and, after calling on Courtney for club,
and after lac thought he had cxterminated
his reptile, discovered that the beating
heart was the gentle tick OF his new watch
Which would never tick aguin. The los
of that timcpiece cost him weary nights
vigil. lie awOko that night about II
o'clock and thought Il was daylight.
with gun in hand he slyly slipped
ont 10 the haunt Of tho turkey
TO bo ready for his morning gobblc, and
| after many weary hours (li o'clock pm
To o'clock am, day began 10 break
Just over his head was the game-a fash
and down came big bunch OF mislletoe
but no turkey NJ no turkey was on tina
tree. A walk OF two miles gave him ~
appetite that would make most me-
happy, but not him. lie had missed tina
snoro of six hours which makes the otho
members Of the club unhappy when I
the house with him; but even that snorc
with iis variations, has value rs n guild
to the lost hunter on dark night. 81
down and wait until this snorcr takes hi
lirst nap. II will guide you safely int
b camp without the aid Of the dipper o
north star. Recall your ambassador iron
} that por, In Kansas, Mr.. Editor, and Sent
Joe Mulhaiian in his place.