The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-13
A MISSOURI COON HUNT.
FUN IN THE WOODS At NIGHT
WITH THE DARKleS AND DOGS.

the Game - Lively Tussles with tho
Dogs-old Rambler "Cit. Oar"
The second annual coon and postum 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
le they marched out Of the sitting room &c
the space In front Of the club house The
party numbered fully thirty-6ve, with the
coon hunters and natives who 60 along for
the purpose Of chOpping the trees should they
succeed in finding tho gama Some Of the
party had lanterns and others carried torches
such as arc used for political parades FouI
or five axes were taken, the dogs were called
together and the party was ready
There were about seven dogs In the hunt
and It could be plainly seen by their action,
that they were perfectly aware Of what was
going on They watched their masters Close
ly, as though awaiting the order TO dash
away. The black and tan hound predomi
mated among the lot They were all well
broken and tried coon dogs III there are
any coons or p0sums proving around to
night in this bottom, said one Of the natives,
them dogs will most certainly find EN-"
Finally Old Sol appeared with a fire brand
in his hand, and, with a long drawn out
"whoopee, whoop'em up" the dogs were
given the word AMI dashed of for the woods
Old Sol took the lead and kept up his call OF
encouragement to the dogs rs the party
started
OLD SOL WAS RIGHT.
The attack had begun; open war was 20 be
cra-oI onI heaven covo tba t,o,r orors .a,,d
possums that were 10 come In their way
The course which the party took was south
easterly from the club house. They had gone
but IA short distance when one Of the dog
gave the alarm, and the hearts Of all began
TO Jump with Joy at the prospects Of a battle
between the dogs and the coon. Old Sol said
IL was Rambler, and it was sure thing he
was on the track Of a coon.
Maj Caruth said It might be a 'possum.
Old Sol was certain that it was a coon the
dogs were trailing he could distinguish the
difference in old Rambler's bark when he had
a coon or postum.
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
in 'mongst dem big trees in do bottom"
All hands go 10 them, and sure enough Old
Sol was right the dogs had freed a coon up
one OF the biggest oaks in the forest.
look at dat tree good, p" said Old Sol, "an
If it am got any limbs on it woll send up some
one an shake dat coon out.n
"No' said one Of the natives, there are no
limbs on IT, Stand back there and gives me
room TO chuck my coat, an Wen ding that
tree in a mighty few minutes
"All hands heah wild axes" cried out Old
Sol.
Four big, strong and determined fellows
two on a side-take of 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, one Of the choppers exclaimed,
and four fresh men stepped forward and took
their places.
Look out; she's cracking" some ono was
heard 20 cry, and tho next moment down
came that giant Of the forest and mister coon
came down with it. With a mad rush the
dogs sprang forward to give the coon a warm
reception. Everybody was shouting and the
dogs were barking, the whole party making
noise that was almost deafening.
1t was big coon, and a splendid fighter
He soon sent some Of the dogs-those that
were not gritty-howling 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 one heap.
MADE TT 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 ono or two 10 tackle the coon at time /
But the excitement became 50 intense that no /
one knew what he was doing half the time All /
were yelling at the top OF their vAces and the /
dogs were barking; tho noise was fearful; no
doubt il could have been heard for miles IN
that bottom at night. At one time when the
result was doubtful and one Of the fayorite
dogs howled with pain, some one shouted out |
"Use the ak on him, don't allow him to I
kill Old Rambler"
mo, shouts Old Sol, "doan do dat, let EN-
fight 'er out. Old Rambler viii git dar purity /
soOn."
Presently Old Rambler got throat hold
IN the coon and tho death rattle could be
plainly heard.
The game was Up for the coon; it was only
1 question of short tine until he could
breathe no more lie had made his last OK
'ursion on earth Rambler pinned him 10
he ground and squeezed him 10 death.
Snider did some great fighting and for
puppy only year old acquitted himself in
manner.
The baltic was commented upon by all Tor
/ moment or two and then tho dogs were
started of again.
A light snow began 10 fall about this time,
o which no heed was paid by the party
They all had seen a great fight and were anx
GUS for another.
Presently tho bark Of Old Rambler again
,aye tho alarm, and when the party reached
he dogs they had two coons freed. This was
more than any one hal bargained for In so
hort q time. Coons were plentiful for a GER
ainty. The choppers were put to work. the
rec this time was not q large one and it was
ut down in short order. But the coon was
title too quick for the dogs, and before they
ould catch him no was up another tree.
his tree was hewn down, and as it fell, the
Don sprang from it into another tree. Then
here was another tree to cut. This time the
logs nailed him. Ho was young ono and
vas soon sent to kingdom come by Snider.
Is soon IS ho was finished the other tree was
ut and that coon went the some route as
hose before him.
Shortly after this the dogs freed couple
( 'poSsums, which were added to the bag in
cry quick time Asst was now after O'Clock
q the morning, it was decided to start for tho
hub house, st. Louis Republic.
Loves Labor Lost.
"Tommy," said che teacher sternly, "your