Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-17
A BLIND FOX HUNTER.
Tom" johnson of Jessamine County,
KY, is n veritable Wonder.

tom" johnson of Jessamine County,
KY, is n veritabIe Wonder.
From the Augusta Chronicle.
Near Munday's Landing, among the cliffs
of Jessamine county, is the modest home
of Tom" Johnson. Since early youth
Johnson has been blind, but notwithstand-
ing this fact he is one OF the most enthu-
siastic fox hunters in the state. Often he
follows his hounds alone among the Ken
tuck river cliffs, going at gallop that
one with keen vision would not dare mi-
tate. and although he has been doing this
for many years he has never met with
cident. 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
eral nights chasing the fox. Johnson
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 APP
prehension 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 and found him seated on the
veranda playing the violin.
frequently trades dogs. and gets the best
of it about often he is worSted, 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-
oueathed his foXhorn to Colonel Jack
Chinn of Harrodsburg. A few weeks ago
johnson rode over to Colonel Chinns and
the horn was shown him. He had hardly
taken it in his hands when he exclaimed:
why, this is Phil Harrisons old horn, and
| haven't seen it before in twenty-five
years.
1t was johnson who solved the ''phan-
tom fox mystery that for many months
puzzled the hunters of this and other
counties. Week in and week out this fox
led the dogs merry dance. but each night,
after running the dogs nearly to death.
its trail would be lost in the blue grass
pasture in the Poor Nick neighborhood.
Johnson heard of this and sent word that
he wanted to hunt the phantom, so
hunt was arranged. On the appointed day
hunters from Garrard Boyle Lincoln, Mad
ison 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 O'Clock at
night and after traversing many miles of
country with the dogs in hot pursuit he
reached the pasture at II Clock ana
there. as before. his trail vanished. john
son, mounted fine saddle horse, led
the chase. and reaching the pasture he
heard the tinkling of several bells and was
told that a flock of fifty sheep were graz
ing In The same pasture. That explains
it," exclaimed 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 hunters.