New-York tribune., 1902-12-21
WITH DOG AMI GUN.
IN WEST VIRGINI4.
Some Recent Experiences and Tales
of Earlier Ones.

z,,., W Va. Dec 20 (speciaD.-"wall. you
know about them darn deer-they're dumb Great
1Ires If you stan still an they don whln you
they'll run right up afore you all 1hen you al
i,,et veil kind of scft like whistle quick an
the critters will stop dead still Then you shoot an
he sartain YOU hit look out for your shirt talis
This vas rather a long continuous speech Tor
Frank Nessick the most inveterate, if not the
most successful deer hunter on the South Branch
as they can that part of the Potomac which Winos
through the mountains of Eastern west Nirslhia'
He laid II down in much the same fashlon as
nudge advocate announces some legal fact AS ne
said it no doubt was possible. You knew that the
deer would do lust what he said they would
Frank Messick is of the younger generation OF
West Virginia woodsmen. A boy in war times, ne
lost his chance 10 fight rebel under the stars
and bars. But he has hunted indigenous game
since he was old enough to sight gun, and about
fhe willy ways Of wild animals he knows more even
,han his father did. There is less game now, and
TO study II has been necessary
The dogs and the beaters have been out three
hours already continued Messc. The hour then
was one before sunrise and the place of conference
almost the summit of South Mountain, which is
really not much more than a ridge.
Where are they??" asked one Of the party.
which was made up of members and guests Of the
Hampshire Club which has a fine clubhouse four
miles up the valley from Romney.
They're over on the other mountain, an they're
drivin' this way continued the guide. You all
DON reckon what troubles I had gettin' these
at mop of hair which had not been comoed In
months. Yes, sir, heap Of trouble. You can
buy mans house over his head and mans
farm under his feet, but I'm blarlked If he's a man
if he'll sell his dogs. He amt West Virgnian,
anyhow
L thought it was against the game law TO hunt
deer with dogs?" interrupted one, ''cub" from
the city and visitor the club, who knew more
about leading a german than he did Of running
6eer.
A look of deep compassion spread over Franks
whiskey burned face. but it melted into a smile:
Course it would be agin the law If we run 'em
with hounds but slow dogs, an there amt
one Of EN- more than half hound. an there you
are The law SAYS hounds an nothing else.
Tell me. Mr.. Guide man. do you think We VIII
kin a deer?" This from the second city cub
called Cupid" because he was anxious TO get
back TO town and Emily or Gertrude or
other. You see. this is my last chance, for I've
got TO go home in the morning.. He would nave
babbed had any one listened.
I'VE will wait here until the dogs sound on the
other hill" continued Messick. Then you all can
take your stand at the runways along the ridge
The deer always make for the river, as TO throw
the dogs off the scent. They've got to cross this
here ridge, and Of you ali has got TO
stop them with bullets. Il you dont-well,
wouldn't give much for yo' shirt tall
In this last reference Nessck recalled peculiar
West Virginia hunting custom, which has come
down from earliest days and is still preserved re-
hgiously. If a set TO watch d deer missed
his game, either through poor shooting any
other cause, the lower half of his shirt was slit
off with a hunting knife amid the derisive howls
Of the more fortunate hunters. In the days of the