The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-08-11
A BLIND FOX HUNTER.
Tom johnson, of Jessamine County,
Kentucky, Whose Fame in
the Field Is Great.

Near Munday's Landing, among the
cliffs of Jessamine county, is the mod.
est home of Tom johnson. Since early
youth johnson has been blind, but not
withstanding this fact he is one of the
most enthusiastic fox hunters in the
state. Often he follows his hounds
alone among the Kentucky river cliffs,
going at a gallop that one with keen
vision would not dare initiate, and al
though he has been doing this for many
years he has never met with accident.
He knows every nook and crook in the
cliffs, and when he comes to a very
dangerous point he dismounts, takes
hold of his horses tail, and the animal
guides him to safety.
A short time ago party of hunters
from Madison and Garrard counties
came here and with the local hunters
spent several nights chasing the fox.
johnson was with them, and on the
second night they lost their bearings,
became separated, and none of them
except johnson was able to make his
way out of the cliffs that night. The
following day three of the hunters
came together at VOLTS Point. Much
apprehension was felt for the safety
of the blind man and they decided to
go to his home, several miles away, to
learn of him. They did so and found
him seated on the veranda playing the
violin.
johnson owns several fine hounds and
frequently trades dogs, and gets the
best of it about as often as he is worst
ed, he possessing the wonderful ability
of telling by touch the animals good
qualities, the color of the coat and the
number of spots on the body, and he
can always tell his dogs from the
others by feeling of them. Years ago
Philip Harrison, an old hunter, died
in this county, and in his will he be-
queathed his foXhorn to Col. Jack
Chinn of Harrodsburg. A few weeks
ago johnson rode over to Col. Chinn's
and the horn was shown him. He had
hardly taken it in his hands when he
exclaimed: ''Why, this is Phil Harri-
sons old horn, and 1 haven't seen it
before in 25 years."
It was johnson who solved the
phantom Fox" mystery that for many
months puzzled the hunters of this and
other counties. Week in and week out
this fox led the dogs a merry dance, but
each night, after running the dogs
nearly to death, it's trail would be lost
in the bluegrass pasture in the Poor
Nick neighborhood. Johnson heard of
this and sent word that he wanted to
hunt the phantom, so hunt was ar
ranged. On the appointed day hunters
from Garrard, Boyle, Lincoln, Madison,
Washington and Anderson counties
congregated near Ebenezer church with
the pick of their packs, determined
to give the phantom the run of his life.
Reynard was jumped at s o'clock at
night, and after traversing many
miles of country with the dogs in hot
pursuit he reached the pasture at ~
o'clock, and there, as before, his trail
vanished. Johnson, mounted on q fine
saddle horse, led the chase, and reach
ing the pasture he heard the thinking
of several bells, and was told that
nOcK OF nifty Sneep Weie 3 cling IL LIN
same pasture. 'That explains it," ex-
claimed the sightless johnson. you
will find Mr.. Fox ON the back OF one
of those sheep" And such proved to
be the case. Upon becoming tired the
sly animal would strike for the pasture,
mount the back of one of the Cotswolds
and take a ride, thus battling the hun
ters.-N. Y. Sun.