The times., 1899-10-22
A BLIND Fox-HUNTER.
often Follows His Hounds Alone
Among Kentucky Cliffs.


Frlm The Augusta (Ga) CArouicle-)
A Kentucky correspondent says: Near
this place among the clifs of Jessamine
county. is the modest home Of Tom
johnson Since early youth johnson has
been blind but Notwithstanding this TACT
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 i'm the cliffs.
and when he comes TO a very dangerous
point he dismOunts takes hold OF bis
horses tail. and the animal guides him
to safety.
"A short time ago a party OF hunters
from Madison and Garrard counties came
here and with the local hunters spent sew
eraI 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 70
make his way out Of the cliffs that night
The following day three of the hunters
/ came together at VOLTS Point Much ap-
! prehensiou was felt for the safety OF the
blind man and they decided to go 10 his
home. several miles away. to learn or him.
They did so and found him seated on the
yeranda playing the violin
johnson owns several fine hounds, and
| frequently trades dogs and gets the best
of il about as often as he Is Worsted, ne
uOssessing the wonderful ability OF telling
I by touch the animals good qualities. the
| color of the coat. and the number of spots
on the body. and he can always tell DIS
dogs from the others by feeling them.
| Years ago Philip Harrison, an old hunter.
died i'm this county, and in his viii he be-
Queathed his fON-hOru 90 Col. JacE tnlun,
/ OF Harrodsburg. a few weeks ago Johnson
rode over 90 Colonel Chinn's and -ha horn
was shown TO him. he had hardly taken
| il in his hands when he exclaimed. Why,
/ this is Phil HarrisOn's old horn, and I
! haven't seen it before i'm twenty-five years
1T was Johnson who solved the phantom
| fox mystery shat for many mOatns puZ-
/ lied the hunters Ci this and other counties
/ Week in and week out this fox ied the
/ dogs q merry dance. but each night. after
running the dogs nearly to death, its trail
| would be lost in the bluegrass
pasture in the Poor Neck ueish-
/ bcrhCcl. Johnson heard Of this
and sent word that ne wanted 70
[ hunt the phantom so q hunt was arranged
/ on the appointed day hunters from Car
1 rard BovIe Lincoln, Madison, Washing
4 ton. and Anderson counties cousrsgated
[ near EebaueZer Church. with the pick or
their packs. determined TO give the phan-
tom the run Of mis- life
.Reyuard was jumped at $ o'clock at
/ night aud after traversiug many miles Of
country with the DOGS in hot pursuit. be
reached the pasture at IL O'Clock. and
there. as before. his trail vanished John
son. mounted on fine saddle horse lei
| the chase, and reaching the pasture he
heard the .iukliGg Of several bells, ana
was told that a flock OF ffJy sheep were
/ grazing in the same pasture. That eN-
plains it, exclaimed the sightless John
| SON. YOU VIII find Mt Fox upon the
back Of one of those sheep. Aud such
| proved TO be the ease. Upon becoming
tired the sly animal would strike fer the
pasture, mount the back of enc OF me
Cotswolds. and take a ride. thus battling
the hunters