Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-23
EXCITING WOLF HUNT.
THE FIELD REsEMBLED THAT
OF A DISASTROUS BATTLE.

OE a OlSASIhOUb BATTLE.
An Onslaught on the Savage Brutes
by $50 Missourians = Thirteen
Wolves Killed-Men injured, Dogs
and Horses Killed.
Early last spring the two little boys of
Edward Limpus, of Roster, No., were
missed from home one evening, and the
whole neighborhood spent the night and
the following day searching for them. A
full account of the finding of the bones Of
the children and the evidence of the fact
that they were devoured by wolves was
published at the time. When the work
of the season was ended the time for the
wolf hunt was at hand, and in pursuance
to notice which had been sent out 1870
men on horses, with about 200 dogs, as
sembled at Roster prepared to spend the
week in grand wolf hunt, which was to
be continued until all the wolves had been
killed or run out of the country. The
circle decided on was about 90 miles in
diameter, and the object of the hunters
was to drive the wolves from the shelter
of the Grand River hills into the open
prairie and then keep them away from
any of the surrounding timber until they
were all killed.
In order to accomplish the work of the
hunt and not let any of the animals es-
cape, the whole affair was placed in
charge of William Stone as general of the
forces, and he then divided the 1S0 men
into six squads of 80 men each, under the
command of captain, who acted under
the general orders, but who was to use his
own judgment whenever any unforeseen
circumstances arose. The captains were
to take the men under their charge and
station them around the hills in such a
way that they could be concentrated
gradually as the advance was made; COM
ing in from all quarters at once in such a
manner that the wolves would have only
one direction in which to run.
After arranging the men in their respec-
tive squads the rest of the day was spent
in getting acquainted with the topography
of the country. To this end General
Stone began at the extreme southern end
of the range of rocks, and the whole day
was spent in riding backward and for
ward over the hills with the whole COM
mand until every one was perfectly fa-
miliar with all the hooks and crannies in
which the wolves were liable to hide dur
ing the hunt.
At o'clock on the following day the
fox horns were sounded and the mount
began. The dogs were all under leash,
and none were to be loosed until the last
signal was given. The start was made,
every man riding directly for his assigned
post, and General Stone going to the cliff
just above the holes where the wolves
were supposed to be lodged. At ten min
utes past z the first shot was heard, and
then they came rapidly, the last one being
only twenty minutes behind the first. The
final signal was given, and the Gordon be-
gan narrowing toward the wolves. The
dogs at first ran silently, but soon they
began to scent their enemies, and then
the woods rang with the music of theii
yelping. Every hole was investigated,
and wherever the hounds showed signs Of
the animals a halt was made to dislodge
the wolf. When the hole would not per.
init forcing the wolf out fire was resorted
to, and the smoke soon sent the beast
from his retreat As the circle narrowed
regular exodus of wild animals took
place from the underbrush, foxes, coons
and such small fry went scnrrying through
the woods for life, while now and then
the big, gray form of wolf would be
seen making dash for the timber.
The line was pushed quickly toward the
open country, where the guns of the
party could be used to some effect, as in
the underbrush it would have been an ex.
ceedingly dangerous proceeding to fire
while SO many men were in close prox-
unity.
The first accident befel George Snyder,
whose horse fell into hole, throwing its
rider and breaking his arm. He was as.
sisted back to Roster, where his injury
was dressed, and he then pluckily rode tc
the opening and joined in the hunt on
the prairie. -Four wolves were shot be.
fore the prairie was reached, and the
lookouts stationed along the edge of the
timber reported that eleven had come out
| of the woods and were in the high grass
| off toward the Marias de Cygne River
The hounds were put on the trail, an6
soon chase began such as has never be
fore been seen in that section. When thu
wolves left the timber they punched to
gether and ran slowly, as if at loss wha
to do. The hounds dashed in, but i
soon became evident that they had M
easy matter to decide, as many of then
were killed in the fight.
The odds were too heavy, however, fo
the wolves, and when the entire pack O
hounds made a dash into the weeds
break was made and nine wolves came il
bunch directly toward the squad cap
tanned by Mr.. Licklider. The horses wer,
already greatly excited, and when they
saw the wolves stampede occurred, il
which Horace Ford and William Gate
were thrown directly in front of the pacl
of savage brutes. Gates received broker
leg in the fall, and Just as Ford attempted
to rise he was knocked down by an i'm
mense wolf, which he grasped and at
tempted to kill with his hunting knife
The wolf caught Ford's shoulder in it
| jaws, and then followed a most terrif,
hand-to-hand struggle. A lucky strok,
of his knife at last found the heart of tn,
animal, and then Ford tainted with pain
His arm was frightfully torn ani
mangled. He was sent back to town an(
the hunt continued. The wolves had b
this time got good start. Two had beel
shot as they dashed out of the weeds, TIVE
had been killed by the dogs in the weeds
| Ford had killed one, and four had beer