Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-04-14

ther nSureS as the nero
About the year 1916 wolves were
abundant in Tomhickon valley, between
Catawissa and Hazleton. When the
Catawissa railroad part Of the Phil
adelphia and Reading, was being built,
Dr. Thomas a. II. Thornton, practic-
ing physician, one cold autumn night
was called out Of bed to visit patient
about 90 miles from his home. AT that
time there were no regular roads as we
now have. In their place the traveller
used narrow paths or trails. DR.. Thorn
ton in his anxiety to reach the bedside
Of the sufferer attempted to make a
short cut. He lost his way and for
week wandered through the wilderness
aud, having no gun, was Obliged TO
subsist on roots and herbs The doctor
was on horseback and after wandering
aimiessly about the painless forests for
four or five days got into large swamp,
where the horse stepped into a quag-
mire, from which his owner was unable
to extricate him, and the animal had
to be abandoned, imbedded as be was
almost to his belly il the soft and DOGGY
bed. The doctor removed the saddle
bags containing his supply Of medicine,
ETC., threw them over his shoulders and
started off.
Several hours after the doctor got
out of the swamp where he had aban-
doned his horse he was Mortified to see
that he was being followed by a band
of five or six wolves. At first they kept
at respectful distance when stones
were thrown at them, but finally, as if
they appreciated the helpless condition
of their intended victim, and as dark
ness came on, the hungry, bloodthirsty
band became holder and bolder. They
circled around the terrified and jaded
man and, closing in, started to attack
him on all sides one more vicious and
impulsive than the others made spring
at the doctor S throat, but well direct
ed blow from "a club temporarily dis
abled the animal and caused his raven
Gus COMPANIONS 20 discontinue at that
time their premcditated and combined
attack.
1.-The doctor, by this thrilling episode
and the frightened condition of the
wolves, succeeded in going perhaps a
milo unmolested when, to his great
horror, he found the whole pack, led by
the vicious brute he believed he had
manned with his club, hot on his trail.
The stunning blow administered to the
leader of the bowling band seemed TO
have only intensified the brute's cour-
age and thirst for blood. The man,
weakened by long exposure and loss OF
food. realized that he would soon be torn
to pieces if he did not adopt some new
means of defense.
Fortunately, as the animals began
closing around him for another on
slaught, he reached high rock and
mounted on its top, where giant tree
served to protect him from falling back
ward He reached this eminence III time
to provide himself with some stones and
two or three good clubs before his pur-
suers started to attack him. He stood
back to the tree, and as the animals at
tempted to come up he drove them back
with his primitive weapons. a large
stone hurled with great force and ac-
curacy broke the head of one Of the as
sailants, and this gave the doctor Il
breathing spell.
1.-The man, however, realized that he
must soon quit his refuge, and, remem-
bering that he had III his saddlebags a
large bottle full of ammonia, he deter
mined to employ it rs Il final resort to
save his life. lie quickly removed one
of his green baiZe leggings, tied 1t Sc
curely to q stick, and after saturatlnS
the logging with ammonia he boldly
started down the rocky promontory to-
ward the wolves. The cunning animals,
apparently aware that he could be more
easily overpowered on level ground,
separated, skunk off and permitted him
to proceed several hundred yards before
they renewed the pursuit. They did not,
however, allow much time to elapse be-
fore they took the trail of the man who
had thus far so successfully baf1led their
powers.
1.-THE doctor stood still and waited
until one of the brutes rushed within
an arm S length, when he struck him
in the face with the cloth saturated
with ammonia. This reception was a
most novel and unique one for the wolf,
who ran off bowling with pain. Two
more of the band were slapped across
the mouths with the saturated baiZe,
and they also left. After this experience
the wolves followed the doctor till day
light next morning, when they gave up
the chase, which they had continued for
As hours and which unquestionably
would have resulted in a most horrible
death if it had not been for the contents
of the ammonia bottle.
"Dr Thornton succeeded in finding a
shanty occupied by the men construct
ing the Gatawissa railroad, where he
was carefully cared for, and i'll the
course Of four or five days was taken TO
his home, where he was i'll for fully a
month. Philadelphia Record.