The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-26
coon HUNTIN'
Observation-Disclosures Party
Through the Woods
Of Soldier Creek by Moonlight
Last Night.
GAME NOT NUMEROUS
But There Was Lots Of Fun
and Excitement.
Tony Brown Walked Miles on
Land Without Complaint.
81 KICK RIGHT HERE
He Said Every Time He Had to
Wade the Creek.
The Party Returns to the City
This Morning.
But There Was Lots Of Fun
and Excitement.
Tony Brown Walked Miles on
Land Without Complaint.
81 KICK RIGHT HERE"
He Said Every Time He Had to
Wade the Creek.
The Party Returns to the City
This Morning.

IUlS Morning.
1t isn't every one who lives i'll Kansas
that has had the opportunity of partici
pating in a real coon and 'possum hunt.
and for that reason the hunt of last night
planned hy Postmaster A. J. Arnold and
ex-Postmaster John Mileham should be
read with profound interest by every
reader OF the Journal.
The express wagon, containing the
hunters, in everyday garb, left the post
office at P. IN. yesterday. The wagon
contained the originators of the hunt,
and Dan Wyatt, ex Councilman Jasper
Earnest, Tony Brown, and "there were
others" There were several large bas-
kets in the wagon filled with good things
which gave promise thet the participants
should not come home hungry.
The scene of the proposed hunt was
laid in the vicinity of the farm belong
ing to MIR Mileham which is IA miles
northwest of Topeka. Mr.. Mileham
himself vouched for the fact that good
hunting abounded in that vicinity and he
himself engaged the dogs. They wsre
10 be furnished by farmer named
Oliver Cunning ham who lives about two
miles from the Mileham farm.
On the ride out each We'd with the
other in telling just what he would do
when he arrived at the end of the jour
ney 1t was agreed that the whole party
shoud "5cour the woods" during the en-
tire night.
Il used to hunt 'coons back in Indiana"
said Postmaster Arnold, "and l know a
thing or two sboIt them"
DO you know said Mr. Earnest, "that
when coon runs he always turns over
L. L 4 I
trouble in following the trail'
IL don't believe a word of it,' said
John Mileham. 4 used to hunt 'coons
myself, but 'possums are my specially. l
just revel in baked 'possum, and will be
satisfied if we get one"
"Oh. l won't be satisfied with less than
a Dozen said Tony Brown.
At half past six the wagon drove into
the farm yard OF Alr. Mileham'S place.
I'VE are not going near the house,
said Dan Wyatt. 1--WE will build fire
in the woods and camp out No sleep
ing in beds goes"
This sentiment was unanimously
agreed to, and fire was blils in "A III ok
ly mbered sEot and the unloading com
menced. Tony Brown spread the cloth
and proceeded to prepare supper. Post
master Arnold got some water and with
the assistance of Mr. Earnest, made a
pot Of excellent coffee, which was much
too hot for the comfort of those who
tried to drink it.
When the meal was out of the way the
dogs had no yet arrived Iaud Tony
Brown had just bribed a farm hand to
go in search OF thcm when a deep bay
lug was heard in the distance, followed
by the shouts of dozen peo pie. and soon
after troop of men and boys, preceded
by great mum her OF dogs of every de-
gree and size, came struggling through
the brush. Tony Brown was so elated
that he took particular pains to shake
ths hand of every member of the party.
including this dogs.
''Now fellows look here" said Tony,
""e must organize. I appoint this man
captain and whatever he says goes, see.
Now captain what shall we do''
GO coon hunting" blandly respond
ed the newly commissioned captain
whose name was c. w. Hawkins. The
statement was greeted with a chorus of
shouts.
Acting upon the advice of the captain
the whole party which now numbers
twenty persons plunged into the thick
timber. VIII Cunningham was placed in
charge of the hounds and started off on
trot 10 keep up with the dogs The
rest of the party scrambled along at va
rlous distances behind
he dogs had not been released more
thAn hve minutes and the hunters were
stlll IN sight of the camp fire when one
OF the hounds set up howl which meant
that he had discovered a trail of some
KIND Nothing could have created more
excitement than that howl Every one
rushed off pell nell in the direction from
winch the sounds were proceeding. The
HFst thing encountered was barbed wire
renee OF at least six wires Anv one who
has ever come in contact with such y
fence knows what this meant to the citv
hunters. ''
Postmaster Arnold crawIed tbronob
win the assistance of two bows who held
me wires as far apart as possible. Cant
wyatt said he would 90 under. and the
wire was held up from the bottom to ac-
commodate him. He started crawling
Ten feet from the fence and when he
STOOD up there were the terrible barbs
rlght In front of his nose. His second
enort was successful. Mr.. Milebam de-
clded TO stand up when directly under
the wire. Tony Brown rolled his 30O
pounds into ball and went under at tbs
hrst trial After q run of half ni1a
Iarther 1t was found that the DOGS had
stopped baying and this meant that tboT-
rad struck false scent
This first experience was not ancour.
aging and Col. Mileham noticing fiict.