Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1898-04-04
AMMONIA SAVED HIM.
4 pennsylvania DOCTORS ExPE-
RlEhcE WITH WOLVES.


The following is true wolf story
written from data furnished by Dr.
Thornton of Lev isburg, Pa, whose Ia
Their figures as the hero:
about the year 1845 wolves were
abundant in Tomhiekon valley, between
Catawissa and Ha2leton. When the
Catawissa railroad, a part of the Phii-
adelphia and Reading, was being built,
DR.. Thomas A. H. Thornton, a practic-
Ing physician, one cold autumn nighs
was called out Of bed to visit patient
about 20 miles from his homo. 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
short cut He lost his way and for
week wandered through the wilderness
and, 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 quag-
mire, from which his owner was unable
to extricate him. and the animal bad
to be abandoned, imbedded as be was
almost to his belly in 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 be had aban-
dened his horse be was Mortified to see
that he was being followed by band
Of five or six wolves At first they kept
at a respectful distance when stones
were thrown at then, but finally, as If
they appreciated the helpless condition
of their intended victim, and as dark
ness came OH, the hungry, b10odthirsty
band became bolder and boldeF. They
circled around tho 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, throat, but well direct
ed blow from club temporarily dis
abled the animal and caused his raven
Gus companions to discontinue at that
time their premeditated and combined
attack.
"The doctor. by this thrilling episode
and the frightened condition of the
wolves, succeeded in going perhaps a
nile unmolested when, to his great
horror, be 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, be reached a high rock aud
mounted on its top, where giant tree
served to protect him from falling back
ward. He reached this eminence in time
to provide himself with some stones and
two or three good clubs before his pur-
suera 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 a
breathing spell.
1.-THE man. however, realized that he
must soon quit bis refuge, and, remem-
bering that he had in his saddlebags q
large bottle full of ammonia, he deter
minea to employ it as a final resort to
save his life. He quickly removed one
of his green baize leggings, tied it Sc
eurely 70 q stick, AID after saturating
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 uverpowered 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 tho man who
had thus far SO successfully bafHed their
powers.
Tho doctor stood still and waited
until enc 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
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 fhpv hid f,n,,tir,.,nel C..