The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-15
BACKGROUNDS Is MAN FRAILERS.
Amador's Sheriff is Equipped With a
Half-Dozen.
Some Facts of Interest Here, Now
That This County Has
Pair of Them.

Sheriff Frank T. Johnson's pair OF
and if properly trained to the work for
which they were procured should in the
near future be of great service in hunting
down criminals.
The puppies come of good stock-that
owned by Sheriff Matthews of Monterey.
They are now about eight months old,
and should be in the hands of trainer,
but the Supervisors have as yet made no
provision therefor. Sheriff Johnson states
that few dollars month only would be
required to care for and train the dogs,
and he has hopes that the Supervisors
will soon realize the necessity and adj
vantage of providing for them.
The young dogs have already been
tried. and they give evidence of possess
ing excellent seeming qualities, although
one of the stories told on the Sheriff re-
garding an alleged test which he is said
to have made in the vicinity of Brighton
had really no foundation.
Sheriff Gregory of Amador has be-
come impressed with the usefulness of
bloodhounds for trailing criminals, and
has induced that county TO purchase six
of these dogs, but they cost nearly twice
as much apiece as those purchased by
this county. They are, however, older
and already prepared for business. The
following from the Amador Republican
will be OF interest in this connections:
''Sheriff Gregory brought back with
him from Texas six bloOdhounds of the
man-capturing species. They are all
young dogs, three of them are full
grown, 2 years old and thoroughly
trained. The other three are about year
old. These dogs were secured from the
Huntsville and Rusk penitentiaries OF
Texas. They were kept and trained for
the express purpose of hunting escaped
convicts. They are the same species that
were in ante-belium days used to track
runaway slaves. They are not of the
exclusively bloodhound type, but a
cross, which experience had shown
to be the best suited for the purpose de-
sired. One of the dogs in the Huntsville
prison has record OF recapturing
twenty-One convicts.
'These animals are exclusively trained
for man-tracking. To attempt to use
them for other purposes would soon inn
pair their value as man.hunters. They
are required to be kept at work daily.
Mr.. Gregory himself proved the merits
of the animals before purchasing them.
They have to be trained constantly, not
only to keep on the scent, but also to
keep them in proper condition for work.
They are lean and lank looking animals;
any surplus flesh would interfere with
their efficiency.
I'VE understand the six dogs cost,
landed in Jackson, in the neighborhood
of $500. Mr.. Gregory intends to keep
them and give them a thorough trial in
detective work. Sheriff Cunningham of
Stockton had two at one time, but from
lack of exercise and training their useful
ness was soon impaired. 1t not infre-
quently happens that crime is commit
ted where dogs of this nature conld be
used to advantage. The killing of Tovey
two years ago was a notable example.
Had a trained dog been placed on the
trail within few hours after that homi-
eide, there can be little doubt of the track
ing of the murderer. The presence of
such animals in this county may also
have the effect of keeping the criminal
element away from the boundaries Of
Amador County.
''Three OF the dogs were taken out this
morning for training. They were put on
the trail of Al. Morgan, who repaired to
Eudy's field, part of which is covered
with wood and brush. The dogs were
taken there chained and turned loose.
Morgan concealed himself up tree. The
dogs quickly traced him to his hiding
place."