Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-02-14
CAPT. SCOTT AND THE COON.
The True story Told for the Frst Time
North Of the Potomac

Probably all of the readers OF the
Forest aud Stream saws a correspond
emit of that paper. have heard OF the
story of Capt Scott and the coon. but
viii venture TO add that not one OF
lem who lives north of Mason u
IDixon's line could repeat the tradition
correctly. Anyway, ! will tell 1t as
Keeper Smith narrated it.
Capt. Martin Scott was Virginlan
and an officer of the regular army.
The coon episode happened some time
81. the year 1880. Capt. Chen Lieut.)
saott was stationed at Fort Smith a
l-ontier post on the Arkansas river,
hich was commanded by Capt. Brad
ord, who was the author Of the famous
tory. 1t was a very common recre-
ation for Scott to shoot the darling
chimney swallow on their darling
a. ratio lli0ht with bullet from his
ng Kentucky rifle. This is degree
90 skill almost incredible. for there are
&, shots Of the present day who cam
kHl three ont of five with the improved
eech-loader Lieut. SCOTS boon
mpanion was Quartermaster Swear
& gen. who, like many other amateurs
biI something when he was At The big
OF it. He was great admirer OF
tao ieuleuant's sporting gifts and
lpved to bask under The luster OF his
companions great skill.
Que dag dog freed coon in tall
o. ttonwood tree down in the lowlandS,
hort distance from the fort, and the
log not being able 10 climb the tree
commenced barking to attract some
les attention. The story goes that
e coon sitting in crack Of a limb
f0Okin0 down in supreme contempt at
ais four-f0Oted foe at last growing
ed oil the monotonous yelping hail-
"a the dog and told him 10 sbut his
itw-that lac had no intention OF COM
ipg down. This madc the dog moro
ugry aud he continued his yelp,ng.
again thc coon called TO him lrouica-
aud advised him not to break q
ood vessel, and the coon was 50
eased with his joke that he wrapped
tail around limb, and swung him
( in the air and laughed until he
owed every tooth ia his head. You
Ii laugh on the wrong side OF your
auth soon, howIcd the dog; land
ne comes one who will make you do
ycu thieyiug. misunderstanding ear
an-eating loud-smeliugo old yarmlnt,
you.
"Who is he, You handy Legged
stump tailed. cgg-sucking ruptloP'
cried the coon as lac repaired 10 the
shelter of tho tree.
'It's Lieutenant Van Swcaringen,"
growlcd the canine.
The coou @rinued until his eyes dis
appeared in his face.
'Liule Van" he gruntcd dcrisivcly;
"why he may shoot aud be blauked.
I'll bet my valuable hide against your
mnugy po't that ho don't get me out
OF this tree,
Van SWearingcn appeared and bazed
away at the coon. who did not even
condescrnd TO hide behind a branch.
Having shot all Of his ammunition
away the qnartormaster retired in high
dudgcon Shortly after another figure
appeared on the scene. aud pouring
some fresh powder in the pan prepared
to fire.
What's bis uamc?' inquired the
coon.
Scott yelled the dog.
"Who?A inquired the coon. [earfully
nglated.
Lieut. Scott bayed tho dog.
Martin Scott squealed tine animal.
I'm gone coon. Cap'n Scott Cap'n
Scott don't fire I'm coming down
so saving he folded himself in ball
and dropped 70 the ground and Yield
eel his lilo to the dog without 81 strug-
glc