Morning journal and courier., 1890-06-27


The Naugasuck valleys Most Famous
spertsman-KeIs, Otsers, Foxes, Etc.,
HAVE Fallen Before Hlm-Drove .
Team TO New Haven In 1903.
Erastus Baldwin Of Harwinton, or s'Russ"
Baldwin, a. he IL called by hin thousands of
acquaintance, is the most remarkable char
scter in the Naugatack valley, says the Wa
terbury Republican. Mr.. Baldwin lives in q
house which has been his habitation since
1904. II IL located half mile north of the
Campvills station and in one of the most
rugged and picturesque notches in the
Naugatuok valley. On either side high and
craggy hills covered with thick growth Of
wood, and Astounding in game, shoot up
ward, while the Naugatuck river flows
through the valley below.
Amid such surroundings resides the fa-
nous hunter and fisherman. His shaggy
white hair and beard and his loud and hoarse
voice make him appear rugged % the hills
around him. Mr.. Baldwin is ninety six
years old this summer. He IL feeble now
and his hearing il impaired, but his eyesight
Is still steady and his mind ID as keen as q
two edged sword.
"I always took fancy to hunting and fish.
luGy sAiu INC nOnOBonaIlhu W tno nopupl~
can reporter. "When was only three years
old, and while still wore dresses. caught
an eel that weighed two pounds and dragged
him into my fathers house in BranfoId,
whore was born. My father used to duck
me every little while to keep me ont of
water, but 1t didn't do no good. I have
caught three barrels of cells in one night in
boxes under my sawmills.
I've hunted all through these woods, and ]
have pretty we'll thinned off the foxes and
'coons and ekunks and woodchucks. never
was scared but once. One day when was
out hunting on the west side of the Manga.
tuck river lit was when I was seventeen
years old) met panther q few yards
| away. I was scared and I climbed tree
like monkey. could always shin up 6
tree with gun in my hand as quick as 9
'coon.
81 have caught good many offers. They
crawl down the side of the mountain into
the river, leaving behind 'em trail as it 6
log hod been dragged along. Once saw one
| 60 into the river. was barefooted and tried
| to jump on to him and catch him. But the
otter went ACROSS the river and after him
1 On the other side he attempted to crawl I'M
der log aud I grabbed him by the tail an6
| pulled. He squealed like baby, but
smashed him against log. Two other otter
that were following this one down the noun
tain skedaddled.
81 have shot hundreds of foxes in these
parts. Three winters ago killed nineteen
but somehow couldn't get the twentieth
one. One morning got up early, took my
dog and gun, went out and shot two foxes
came home, hitched up my team and was of
for Waterbury with load of slaves befor,
sunrise. I don't shoot any now. saw SOM
squirrels out in my yard yesterday aud So
out to get my gun and try for them, but 10,
hand trembled and feared would miss, 81
didn't try.
81 never touched tobacco. If had uset
that cussed pizen shouldn't be here to-day
A man who uses that stuff wants ten drink
of whiskey day. I've got memory like
Christian. You can read any chapter of tn
Bible to me and If I hear you can mock yo1
by saying 1t over after You as soon as You ar
through. I've forgiven all my enemies. "
even forgiven Colonel Morse. I don't know
whether the soul lives after the body or not
but believe it does. I've been rather
rough customer; I've been little roguish
but I hope for better world. think shal
60 to the place where my father and mothe
and my wife have gone"