The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-10-30
1T PUZZLED WILD BEASTS.
Wire Fence in tho Woods Proved to
Be a Trap.-Cow Moose Did the
Trick and was Proud of 1t.

Irlck ana was Proud OF 1t.
Blue Sea Lake, Canada, October 60
1t is now three years since the COM
pletion Of the railway through this
part of Canada. When the first trains
began to run the wild creatures suf-
fered rather severely from their ig-
norance of the power and speed of the
locomotive.
Bears, deer harcs and even birds
used to be picked up every day by
the section men. For the first few
months nartridges would stand in CO.
veys within three or four feet of
handcars, allowing the railway hands
to shoot them with rcvolvcrs.
After the first twelve months the
wild things learned their lesson. Bears
were ncve, caught by the trains.
Deer were killed only when the
frightened creatures got on the track
and ran between the shining rails
ahead of IN engine, evidently afraid
to step across the metals. Partridgcs
learned ihat it was safest to fly out of
the right of way soon as the rumble
Of approaching wheels was heard.
STRANGELY enough the foxes, though
supposed to bc tNn most knowing Of
forest folk, have been slowcst to find
out the danger of The track. Three
full grown ones have been killed late
ly on one section of the line, just
about this place.
A whole litter of young ones were
cut TO pieces on an upper portion Of
the line near the Indian reserve. On
two different occasions fine brushes,
or fox tails, have been picked up be-
tween the rails showing where foxes
escaped, if they escaped at all, with
great difficulty and considerable loss.
But none Of he animals seems to
understand the philosophy of the
meshed wire fences, which inclose the
track. T'>n head section man travel
ling alons w. H"c of his hands on Il
hand car lately IL tremendous
noise issuing from the fence, and up
on turning sharp corner discovered
the cause Of buck, which had thrust
its forefoot through one Of the mcshcs
and contrivcd to get the lower strands
twiscd about in such manner that
all his furious strugglings could not
release it.
Another Of .''e.sn men found n
similar noise 10 be caused by two
fighting staGs, which were pokinS
away AT each other through the fence.
AT his approach on" them made Off,
but the other had his antlers stuck
through the wide opening near the
top and could neither withdraw them
nor go forward before the man had
put Il long knift into his heart from
behind the shoulder. -
Hunters find that many of thc deer
have injured their forelcgs by paving
at these fences, in the attempt to
break a way through, as the creatures
are accustomed to force passage
through the creepcrs and tangles Of
their native woods. The curious part
Of it is that the deer have not the
slightest difficulty in jumping over
the fences when they desire to do So,
though in the first few months num-
bers Of them were severely injured
by leaping short, as though they could
not see the height Of the wire.
The bears learned to let the fence
alone and to cross when necessary by
climping a stout post, though curious
things sometimes happen when fence
is encountered as they are hurrying
away from danger.
j. instance, vcr.' large she bear