Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-02-21
HORSE And -FOUR dogs Dead
Disastrous Result of a Fox Hunt
~ in Brandywine Hundred.
REYNARD CAUGHT IN THE RIVER
Belonged in New Jersey and
Was Making for Home.
One OF the Most Exciting and Disastrous
Chases That Ever Took Place IN the
Vicinity of Wiimlngton-Train Dashes
Into n Pack of Hounds-John Obey
Loses a Valuable Steed. s,a. SARGE

A handsome bay horse, four valuable
hounds and pretty gray fox dead and
one dog with its ego knocked Quits
the net result Of fox hunt. which took
place in Brandywine hundred FRI
day, and, in all, il was one of the most
exciting and disastrous that ever took
place in the vicinity Of Wilmington.
The participants were residepts OF
this city md BrandywIne hundred, and,
although the chaee continued only
about 20 minutes. it will long be re-
membered and talked about by those
who took part The peculiar features
we're due chiefly to the queer antics OF
the fox, which was asmnll gray animal
recently received by William F8lIahee,
proprietor of the Practical Farmer
Hotel, from "a friend at Millville, N.
j. IL Ia an odd fact that the Jersey
fox is not of the same sporting brand
as the Delaware animal ard the chase
II not, as rule, so exciting, but Fri
days hunt was somewhat of an ex-
ception. The ordinary Delaware red
fox usually leads the hunters long
chase over territory which is easy to
follow, but the Jersey fox, which Is Of
the gray variety, is different and usu-
ally makes short circuits, which keep
the hunters within small radius of
the starting point
The members OF the hunting pnrty
went to the Practical Farmer upon the
Invitation of Proprietor Fallahee, and
Nc III o'clock Mr.. Fallahee delivered
the fox to DANES Hand, who dropped
IL In a nearby field few minutes later.
After Reynard had been given start
the hounds were liberated. The tricky
little fox appeared to realize that he
belonged in Jersey and struck almost
a bee line for the Delaware shore.
Whether he intended to swim acress
the river or believed he could get over
on the Zoe cannot, OF course, be slated,
but atrany rare he started for The di-
reotion of his former home. The
hounds were soon close behind him,
however, and, realizing that capture
was almost certain, he led them along
the tracks of the r., W. & b. railroad
toward Olaymont and just as a south
bound express train bore down on him
darted across the tracks, as IL to lead
the dogs to their death, and the dogs,
unmindfu of their own perilous posi-
tion and bent only on capturing the
fox, paid little heed to the train, which
dashed into them and killed foul.
Several others were hurt and one, a
valuable animal owned by MIR. Falla-
hee, had its eye Knocked out.
Reynard then made his way toward
tho river bank closely followed by the
dogs which had succeeded in crossing
thesrailroad, and was soon on the ice
and making toward midstream, when
no was overtakeu by dogs and so badly
manned thas William Morteen, one Of
the hunters, killed him.
As the horsemen were pursuing the
dogs north on the Philadelphia turnpike
the horse upon which John Okey was
riding, which was a pretty bay, dropped
dead Just above Olaymont Hall. Whai
caused death IL not known, as the horse
appeared to be in fine condition an6
had just got started on the hunt.
"A hunt is to start from the Blacl
Horse Hotel, near Media. Pa. on Feb
ruary 22d, and some Wilmington ant
Brandywine hundred sportsmen are tc
take part.