The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-26
PACK OF WOLVES
| SURROUND SETTLER
MINNESOTA MAN HAS THRILLING
EXPERIENCE IN WOODS.
Henry Mattson Of Big Fork River
Fights Off Hungry Beasts with Ham
and Candles and Is Kept Prisoner
in Tree ALI Night.
Special to The journal.

Special to The journal. -' =. ....
Deer River, Mimi, March 26.-Henry Mattson,
homesteader, living on claim Oh the Big
Fork river, about twenty seven miles northeast
of Bass lake, the terminus OF the ltasca Lum-
Der company s railroad had thrilling adven-
ture with wolves last Thursday night, news OF
which has just reached here. Mattson had been
to Bass lake to buy provisions, and meeting
several friends, did not get started on the home
ward journey till after s. o'clock. The provisions
he had purchased lie placed In gunnysack,
which he threw over one shoulder, while in his
hands he carried twelve-pound ham. The
night was exceedingly cold and dark, there being
moon. ' Pc. 5f.-'. .. -.
Mattson's way took him along tote road
leading thru tie big woods to numbering camp
which marked about half the distance from his
home to Bass lake. In the darkness, however,
Mattson wandered from the road and struck a
trail thru the woods leading in the general
direction. After he had been gone from Bass
lake about, Lour he. heard the bowling Of
wolves, but as the animals have been numerous
this winter he paid no particular attention to
their cries. Soon. however. he became aware
that they We're pursuing him. He quickened his
pace but being heavily loaded with provisions
his progress was slow. As he entered 4 clearing
he glanced behind and in the darkness the
CLEAN of many eyes and the sbadowy outlines of
a dozen more wolves. He drew a revolver
and fired at the animals, causing them to scurry
| away a short distance. They back,
| however and again he fired This repeated
until all of his cartridges were gone, but still
the animals hung to his trail.
Surrounded by Wolves.
Then Mattson heard the bowling of another
pack just ahead of him, and realized that he was
practically surrounded. He looked around for a
place of refuge and nearby espied the hollow
stump of what had once been immense pine
Into this he clanlbered, carefully dragging his
ham and sack of provisions with him, for he
felt that they to valuable to sacrifice to the
wolves. Hardly had he clambered into the
! stump when both packs were on him. They sur
rounded the tree, and now and again woulG
| leap at the settler, the upper portion of whose
| body could be seen above the rim of the stump
Mattson, however, by using his ham as a weapon
! succeeded in beating off their attack. At las
one immense fellow made leap at him, ant
in attempting swinging blow at him. the string
| by which the ham was held parted and he wa
| left defenseless. 49,, ..
The ham. however, distracted for a time tn,
! attention of the ravenous animals. and Will
| they were snawing 1t and fighting among them
| selves Mattson remembered that among the sup
plies he had purchased were two dozen Of tai
| low candles. He quickly unfastencd his gunny
| sack and taking out the candles arranged then
j in a circle around the rim of the tree, boldn,
! them upright with splinters He lighted then,
! and when the wolves had finished feasting tn
ham they found that their intended victim wa
| safe behind circle of flame. They retreate
to a short distance. sat and waited for the fir
| to die out. All night they sat there. but Matt
I sons supply of candles held on, and he stave
off attack till daylight sent the animals scurr!
Ing away. Then he shouldered his sack of pro
visions and trldged On home.