Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-03
OREGON'S WHITE WOLF.
DESCRIPTION OF A BATTLE BETWEEN
WOLVES AND eLks.

Several Ra, ehers of Southern Oregon Start
Out on . HINT After the Marsaders Of
Their Sheep Flock. ard Meet with an Ez-
citing Adventure.
The owners of the large sheep ranches
in the vicinity of Linkville. Ore. have
been 50 much annoyed by the depreda
tons committed by the white wolf in
their herbs that grand hunt for these
daring marauders was organized. The
white wolf OF southern Oregon is the
fercest animai-not eTen excepting the
bear-to b. found in the country. and is
a formidable looking beast, often attain
ing five feet in length and nearly as large
as a yearling calf. His strength and
ferocity are remarkable. and his courage
undaunted.
Knowing him to be a rather tough Gus
toner to tackle at close quarters, the
hunting party. which consisted of half a
dozen of the neishboring stock owners
and a correspondent, VI The Independent,
went thoroughly armed against him with
hunting knives, revolvers and rifles. The
cunning of the animal in evadi:!g pursuit
is incredible, and after chasing couple
all night we found ourselves no nearer
than before, so just at aybreas halt
was decided upon and breakfast was
eaten under AN immense pine growing in
Il narrow glen between two rocky crags
about quarter Of "a mile or "a little more
in length and through which a little shall
low stream trickled over a pebbly bottom.
We kept as quiet as possible, for the
tracks of different animals in the sandy
banks of the stream showed that it was
a frequent resort Of wild beasts, and
sure enough before the meal was finished
we felt the ground begin to tremble
under the tread of an approaching band
of some large animals. Quick as thought
we had dispersed and taken up stations
about two hundred yards apart in the
underbrush. which WAS dense enough to
conceal US completely. and yet admit Of
US getting good view of the game.
We had scarcely time to freely breathe
before the lower growth of trees closing
the entrance Of the little vale parted and
the form OF a huge ell, appeared, advanc-
ing proudly toward the stream we had
just left. A nobler looking creature
than the elk found OH the Pacific coast
with his stately antlers, such as the
hunters Of the eastern states have no
conception of, and his dainty tread and
sensitive nostrils, cannot well be i'm
agined. The fine fellow l have spoken
of advanced cautiously. shifting the air
with the excitement of suspicion, but he
had already passed our most distant out.
post, so, apparently thinking return
equally hazardous, he brushed forward
and was followed the next moment by
herd-one, two, six, tent was iu-
possible TO count them.
But before our rifles could be brought
to the shoulder new actor appeared on
the scene. A white wolf, quite six feet
in length. and the largest the writer of
this article ever saw, came bowling from
the belt of small timber already spoken
of. bowling frightfully, and sprang on a
fawn drinking near its mother, which
screamed loudly as the wolf bore it to
the ground. This seemed to he the sig
nal for the rest of the band to appear
and they came yelping down the glen in
pairs and threes. their bloodshot ewes
and gaping mouths, with smoking, loil
ing tongues. prociaining that they were
hungry. Inspired by the same feeling
of curiosity to see what would come of
the wolves during the attack every man
forbore to interfere and quietly watched
the combat that ensued
For the elks, which had at first scarce
ly seemed to comprehend the intentions
of the wolves. soon collected themselves,
and, tossing their great heads, began tc
paw the earth with their fore feet, max
ing the air resound with their wild and
furious believing. They formed circle
about the wolves that had crowded
around the body of the PROSTATE fawn
and presented 80 them Formidable ram
part of bristliug heads. This circle mar
rowed and narrowed until it completely
incloscd the wolves, that now began &c
realize their danger, for they left theiI
prey, plunging forward at deer with
swapping :s~s and snarling in a fright
full manner that revealed their sharp,
cleaning teeth. But their ferocious on
slaught was received on the lowered ant
lers. that in turn struck at them and sent
them bowling back for few moments,
but only to retuSn again to the attempt
to break through the bristling wall of
their antagonists. This performance was
repeated again and again. the eiks clos
ing together nearer and nearer at each
repetition, until they finally assumed the
offensive altogether and began to attack
the wolves with hoof and horn For
few minutes the scene was one rese.n.
bling pandemonium. The plunging and
ieaping of the maddened trapped wolves
and the steady rising ana striking Of the
bodies OF The deer with howls of pain
interminsled with the shrieks Of rage and
fearful snarling, made it an occasion
never to be forgotten by any who were
present As on. Of the wolves, making
a desperate dash for liberty broke at last
from the circle and fed down the valley
Mr.. T, who was my rext neighbor in
the brush, sent shot after him, but it
was apparently without effect. and was
likewise wholly unnoticed by the elks.
In half an hour the combat was ended,
and the fury of the elis being appeased
--as 1t might well have been, for they
had killed the last one of the wolves
they withdrew SO that we could see the |
torn and bleeding bodies OF the wolves
that lay scattered about the dead fawn.
The deer began now to betray their old
uneasiness AZ our hidden presence, and
we. Judging ! was time to have some
sport in our OWN behalf. sent volley of
shot into them. Three Of the beautiful, |
stately creatures fell plunging to the
ground in the death agony Helena |
(Mont., Enterprise,