Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-11-21
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A DESPERATE BATTLE.
A Hunter Finds Skeletons which Tell OF q
Fight to the Death.

Hunter Finds Skeletons which Tell OF n
Fight to the Death.
An experienced hunter and explorer
named r. c. Emmons arrived in Supe-
rior last Tuesday from the Rainy river
country, Mr.. Emmons has been in the
north for the past three months making
explorations along the Canadian bound.
ary. His lips are sealed so far as in
formation about his trip, which relates
to the country through which he has
made explorations, is concerned. But
he had a story to tell, and it was Of a
tragedy enacted in those far off, dim
forests. The tale runs thus:
/ was following one of the small
streams tributary to Rainy river when
suddenly came upon a half completed
log cabin situated in an opening in the
timber. l saw at glance that 1t was
deserted, and my interest and curiosity
were aroused by this unexpected evil
dence Of fo-mer explorations in this
neighborhood. The cabin was built OF
hewed logs of small size and chinked with
mud mixed with gravel. should judge
the cabin had been erected early last
spring and deserted soon after, or, in fact,
before 1t had been fully completed. I
lifted the latch, and the door opened
readily. 1t was typical settlers home.
There were a rude fireplace and frying
pan. A table stood In the center Of the
room, and upon it were tin plate and
a knife and fork. A compass hung upon
a nail, and packers outfit reposed in
one corner. The pack was nearly new,
and upon one side Of ii were printed.
with some attemp' at art, the initials
o. A. M. am thus particular about
details. for beyond the initials upon the
pack l found nothing to establish the
identity of this man, whom l shortly
after ascertained met death in as desper-
ate battle for life as ever man had.
Leading into the forest to the south
was slight trail almost obliterated, but
still discernible to the practiced eye Of o
woodsman. followed it for a short dis
tance, about 10 rods should think, when
| emerged into another small opening.
Here / made startling discovery. Di-
rectly In my path lay the skeleton of a
large man. Near by lay winchester
rifle with broken stock, and close be-
side the skeleton lay broad ak with a
very rusty blade, Within radius of 90
feet lay the skeletons Of nine large timber
wolves.
Itrequired only moment for me TO
grasp the story Of that mans terrible
fate. The scene was like an open book.
He had been attacked by wolves and
overpowered by numbers. That he had
sold his life dearly was evinced by the
skeletons of the wolves. l soon became
convinced that the battle had not com
menced where the skeletons were found,
and in this was right. ! followed the
trail still farther and found the skele-
tons of four other wolves, but each was
some distance from any of the others.
These must have been the first OF the
wolves to die and had been killed by the
rife. The man was evidently making
for his cabin as rapidly as possible and
covering his retreat with his rife.
It appears that the wolves were des.
perate, however, and within 10 rods Of
his cabin and safety he was compelled
to make q stand and fight for his life
against hopeless odds.
All alone in this gloomy forest per
ished man whose identity may never
be known. He must have had friends
somewhere, however, and It may yet be
revealed. The incident must have oc-
CURED early in the spring, when hungry
wolves travelling in packs do not hesitate
to attack man. Hamilton Spectator.