The news & observer., 1905-12-03
YO! HOTTIE FOX. GO!
Following the MeckIen-
burg Hounds to Chase.
Striking Scene When tine Old Gre,
"Uncatchsbie" Finally Jumps
into the laws of the Dogs
After HIM.

Especial to News and Observer
The Mecklenburg, Chase City, Va.
Nov. 30.-There had been three fox
chases last week with the Mecklen-
burg pack with as many foxes killed,
putting the newly acquired dogs to
the practice that did SO well that Col.
w. T. Hughes proposed a special
chase for Tuesday last. Lets go early
tomorrow" said he, "as there is an old
grey eight miles off that is said to
have eluded all pursuers for many
seasons, and so at 4 a. m. on a damp,
dark morning provided with the best
horses in the stable, a buggy, more
than a score Of hounds, and a colored
attendant. a speedy drive was made to
the trailing point. Speed was neces-
sary in order to keep the hounds in
the road and from tracking foxes
known to be at intermediate points
the roads being in excellent condition
the distance was made before six
O'Clock. There was an hours time
consumed in tracking the sly old grey's
haunt before the dogs got him up, but
they got to fast work at once. making
melody that betokened an early catch
and perhaps before daybreak. The
crossroads and topography was prac-
tically unknown to the party, and fol-
lowing the hounds became very diff
ficult, owing to many cross country
roads. fresh and old saw-mill and
plantation roads. but as day began to
dawn, and the fox had been followed
for over an hour shifting and turning
from deep creeks to steep hillSideS
doubling miles of distance. skirting
woods, and almost impenetrable thick
cts, the mornings farming breakfast
fires were being kindled. and soon
there was an outpuring of mounted
men and others on foot to get in the
chase, some bareback on horse or
mule intercepting and advising the
hunters as to that old fox's haunts and
ways, and so gradually seven parties
had joined the chase. When a saw
mill camp was struck, the teamSters
told of the trail as the kill was near.
when for twenty minutes there were
half dozen fences to take. and yawn-
ing bitches and streams to jump. 1t
was evident from the cry of the
hounds that the fox had been treed
somewhere, and soon the view halo
was heard very family over a steep
hillside, where Mr.. B. l.. Walker Potts
had viewed the fox up a tall black
gum tree, with every dog at the tree.
The fox jumped right in the jaws of
the pack others of the party arriving
just in time to witness the torn and
bleeding body that turned out to be
that of the veritable supposed to be
uncatchable old grey in his last death
struggle Striking out for home our
party was met by Mrs. n ID. Wright
Potts, who insisted that the chase
should continue over her plantation, as
another fox had Dust past over while
chasing the first one half-hour ago
just i'm sight of her house. Col Hughes
and Mr. w. E. Dibrell at once turned
into the field, but it being late in the
day, and the scent growing somewhat
faint, the dogs had to be called off
after a further hours hunt as the diff
cultieS in keeping up with the dogs
had been greatly increased by the ex-
ceedingly rough country and freshly
felled forests, and wire and other
fencing that intercepted the hunters
on every side, but an invitation was
accepted to return and to pay respects
to the foxes on the Potts farm very
soon. Mrs. Potts met us very cor
daily, having prepared a lunch with
home made wine and fruits, which
was gratefully enjoyed by the recip-
tents. A special field and section is
not always in reserve for guests who
wish to witness. nearby, the best of
sports, within less fatigung distances.
The Christmas holiday chases are be
ing looked forward to with the great
est pleasure and the meet promises
to be very large one. The number
of Northern sportsmen here are great
er than ever this season. and very
many birds have been killed.
Among the lately arrived guests are
the following: Jno. Penny, York, Pa;
JnO w. Allison. and w. Ronald. Phil
adelphia; Maitland RELY, n. Y; J.
Dale Dilworth, Salem. n. j.; Howard
Delrymple, Camden, N. j.; E. 3. Bow
den, Philadelphia; E. NJ. Columbus,