The evening times., 1899-08-03
A BLIND FOX HUNTER.
Remarkable Exploits of Tom John
son. of Jcssamine County, hy-
(F'rom the Augusta Chronicle-)

AHgustd tMOhA~AC-I
Near Nunday'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 en-
thusiastic fox hunters in the State. Often
he follows his hounds alone among the
Kentucky River cliffs, going at q gallop
that cne with keen vision would not dare
initiate, and. although 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
very dangerous point he dismounts, takes
hold OF his horses tail, and the animal
guides him to safety.
short time ago a party of hunters from
Madison and Garrard counties came here
and. with the loci 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 10 make
their way out of the cliffs that night. The
following day three OF the hunters came
together at Wolf's Point. Much apprehen-
sion was felt for the blind man, and they
decided 10 go 10 his home. several miles
away to learn of him. They did and
fonud him seated on the yeranda playing
the violin.
Johnson owns several fine hounds and
frequently trades dogs, and gets the best
OF it about as often as he is worsted. he
possessing the wonderful ability of telling
by touch the animals good qualities, the
color of the coat and the number o; s-ot5
on the body. and he can always tell his
dogs from the others by feeling of them
Years ago Philip Harrison, an o!d hunter
died in this country, and in his will he be-
Queathed his foxhorn 10 Colonel Jack
Chinn. Of Harrodsburg. A few weeks ago
johnson rode over to Colonel Chinn's and
the horn was shown him. He had hardly
taken it in his hands when he exclaimed:
why. this is Phil Harrison's cd horn
and | haven't seen il before in twenty-five
years.
1t was Johnson who solved the ''Phal-
tom Fox mystery that for many months
puzzled the hunters of this and ether c1un-
ties. Week in and week out this fox led
the dogs merry dance. but each night
after running the dogs near.y TO death, its
trail would be lost in the bluegrass pas
ture in the Poor Nick reighborhool
Johnson heard of this and sent word that
he wanted to hunt the phantom, so a hunt
was arranged On the appointed day hunt
ers from Garrard, Boyle, Lincoln, Madison
Washington, and Anderson counties con-
gregated near Ebenezer Church with the
pick of their packs, determined 10 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 y O'Clock, and there
as before, his trail vanished. Johnson,
mounted on a 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 grazing in
the same pasture. THAT explains it, ex-
olaimad rho ciuhf1oSS TnhpG0n 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 Cotswoids ard take a ride, thus
battling the hunters.