Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-21
BIG GAME TO HER GUN
MISS CORNIE CHITTENDON HUNTS
ALONE IN THE FORESTS.
TACKLES THE FIERCEST ANNALS.
Deer She Shoots, Hangs by a Novel
Method of Her own, Dresses, and
Takes Home Across Her saddle
A Winsome and Accomplished Girl.
(WrItten for the Dispatch.)

wv IllLcH IDI iHc DlSpettSHJ
The up-to-date girl has successfully
overcome many obstacles that formerly
made her existence unlike that OF
mans, but the rough-and-ready outdoor
lie of hunter of big game has seldom
appealed to her with sufficient force to
make the prospect alluring. There is
one girl in America. however, who has
taken to male sport with so much de-
termination and enjoyment as to give
her a front place among the modern
Dianas.
Miss Cornie Chittendon is only 10 years
of age. but more game has fallen before
her unerring rifle during the past six
years than can be placed to the credit
of many Of the male hunters in the
neighborhood Of her home. at Cummings,
Cal. Game has been especially plend-
full around that section of the country
lately, and Miss Chittendon has taken
the fullest advantage Of the fact. During
the past six years no less than forty
five fat deer have fallen to her gun, ff-
teen Of these having been killed by her
during the past year.
Miss Chittendon possesses the keenest
instincts of a sportswoman. Since baby
hood she has been accustomed to live an
outdoor, self-reliant life. Her parents
with whom she has been brought up, own
a sheep ranch Of some 1850 acres, part
of Il being pretty rough country, and
over this and the surrounding forests
and hills Miss Chittendon has been ac-
customed to roam at will almost since
she was first able to todde Her edu-
cation would have been incomplete mad
she not been thoroughly trained In the
use of firearms. When quite httle
girl she was taught how to handle gun.
and very soon became so expert IN us
use that she could hit bird on the wing
three times out Of five
When she reached the age OF II
Miss Chittendon began to look for big
ger game than that which passed on the
wing over her fathers ranch. and very
soon her 9S55 Marlin rife was heard
speaking In the surrounding country
where gathered the deer, 'coons, foxes,
wildcats, and even fiercer game. the
mere killing Of deer, and carrying nome
its antlers, as a trophy ala not long
satisfy Miss Chittendon's ambitious SOUL
so one day she decided to astonish the
folks at home by taking back with her
an abundant supply Of deer-meat for the
domestic larder. The first deer she shot
that day she proceeded to dress after a
novel fashion, originated by herself.
Tying a rope to the horns OF the deer
noble animal with q fine eight-pronged
set of antiers she threw the rope over
the branch OF a tree, fastened the end
10 the pommel OF her saddle, and whip
ped up the horse, thus pulling the deer
into position for dressing. In this way,
she was able to dress the deer with ease.
and take IL proudly home on her horses
back. Since then she has gone out alone
on hunting expeditions. and has always
dressed the game she killed and brought
II back with her, ready for cooking.
Last winter Miss Chittendon developed
q fancy for hunting wild animals, and
trapping wildcats and coons. which
abound in the forest around her fathers
ranch. She has had many encounters
with fierce wild-hogs. which. single-hand-
ed and alone, she has attacked and Kill
ed with her Marlin gun, weapon sne
handles with the ease acquired by most
women only after half lifetime OF prac-
tice. Her fathers ranch Is hung around
with the antlers of deer, and the tusks
of wild animals while the floors are
covered with the furs of foxes, bears.
and wildcats that have fallen before tne
deadly aim of this modern Diana. All
the accomplishments OF past-mistress
I'm forestry are hers. She knows the
meaning OF all the signs that guide
trained hunter who Is following the traii
of game, and can track wildcat or
fox with the unerring instinct OF an
Indian.
ON one occasion she followed for nve
hours the trail OF q wildcat that had
been prowling around her fathers ranch
and doing great damage to the livestock
Following the trail up hill, down dale
and through woods for several miles,
she at last came upon the wildcat
crouching in the bows Of an enormous
tree. Being unable. on account OF tne
intervening branches. to get fair shot
at the animal. Miss Chittendon's nrst
bullet clipped a twig and went wide OF
the mark. The wildcat sprang at Miss
Chittendon, but before II could reach
her she had loaded again, and met lts