Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-11
wild Animals Many Years Ago in n. w
Ohio.

A missionary who had travelled over
Northwestern Ohio at an early day.
who was welcomed to the cabins OF the
settlers, said the deer was regarded
us the most important of all the wild
animals and was generally regarded
special gift. Said II settler, short dis
tance east of VanWert, had only means
20 pay for my land and move my family.
The winter was before us, the future
looked dark, and | was no hunter, but
Che Lord brought the deer near me and
we were provided with meat, tallow
for lights and the skins sold for neces-
saries. The deer was provided with
means of defense and the hunter who
was near the wounded deer sometime
met with formidable antagonist. Their
Keen sense of smell and their long cars
helped them to discover their danger.
The wolf rarely attacked man, but
when there were two or more together
the swift footed deer fought valiently
for their lives The howl of the wolf
by night was terror. A mother with
her cubs would make noise enough for
a. dozen but when the iron horse came
fhey disappeared. The bear came
from the north to enjoy the acorns and
fatten for their winter slumber.
and sometimes gave the fatal hug to
the strolling swine. The panther made
occasional visits. The cows from Per-
rysburg came running in in II state of
alarm; one was badly wounded supposed
TO be done by panther many OF
which then troubled the settlers, but
Che hunters rifle soon finished them.
The coon was hard on the
''roasting ears" but his fat body and
furry hide was eagerly sought for. The
chicken hawk by day and the owl by
night claimed share of the poultry,
black birds multiplied and came in
large ilocks upon the ripening grain,
and in wet warm time myriads of mos
quitoes the great annoyance of man and
beast. They had their use, and taught
the important lesson to prevent then
being and malaria, it was necessary
Co keep the surface of the land dry
The writer was helping TO gather the
prairie hay and heard an Unusual noise
In the grass and separated the gra,l
with his pitch fork when he saw the
black rattle snake in a circle with it'
head and tail erect and by his rattle
making the warning to keep away
Persons were rarely bitten. Our dos
when he met one was ready for figh
but the quick motions of the rattle
caused the dog to carry II swollen head
They were easily eXterpated. The blu
racer grew to six feet in length. The,
moved with head erect swift in thei
movements but they hurt no one. Th
great enemy was whisky which b.
custom and appetite was general
deemed essential. There was tw
causes to restrain its constant use it
access and the lack of means to pun
chase it.
The second frame barn in the tow
onlp Ntlo w DC IuloC'ls Dub oO lew lJCOpl
came that it was feared the wor
could not be done, especially withCl
liquor, but the owners of the propert
were opposed to the use of whisk
The men and boys by careful manag
ment succeeded in raising the bar
The housewife had provided a lunC
and small beer and as no liquor w
used the work was carefully manage
and no accidents happened. A shO
time after raising was had in Il
same neighborhOod and whisky flow,
freely. Two men were injured al
others indulged in fighting. The
are Instances of long ago, which sh'
that liquors effect in early days W
no better than at the present time.
PIONEER