The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-08

HAPPY FAMILY BROKEN UP,
EATEN UP AND SHOT UP.
This Is the Tale of Reversion to Type
That Sounded Many Death Knells
and Aroused r. F. Jones to the War
path and Vengeance on the Head Of
Foxy Boy. 81 W.

Atavism, the reversion to the traits
of distant ancestors, has caused the
downfall and death Of handsome and
popular Reynard Vulpus, familiary
known as Foxy Boy. Almost everyone
in the northwest knew Foxy Boy, the
pet Of the r.. F. Jones farm and the
most remarkable fox in the world, for
he was the only specimen Of his tribe
who had been successfully tanned and
domesticated.
s No poultry show was wholly complete
without Foxy Boy in a big cage, sur
rounded by chickens, ducks, pigeons and
other feathered creatures which are the
natural prey Of the foxes. Many a
text was preached on his conduct ana
he was long held up as the exponent
of how a wild nature could be success
fully subdued and imbued with the finer
morals Of a domestic and civilized com
munity.
His Happy Cubhood.
Reynard came to the Jones farm at
Hennepin avenue and Sixteenth street
as tiny little cub. He was at once
placed among the chickens because he
was then perfectly harmless. The
chickens and the little fox. became fast
friends and the friendship continued
thru their later lives. S,a
Even when his teeth grew sharp and
1T might be expected that his savage
nature would assert itself, Foxy Boy,
as he was nicknamed, showed no in
clination to revert to the traits of his
forefatheEs and attack his feathered
friends. He had his permanent abid-
ing place with the flock and was
but to protect them from rats and the
/ k0 q Il
the farm and his fame spread to dis
tant parts. He went to the state fair
Of North Dakota, to the Poultry show
at Sault Ste.i Marie and to numerous
county fairs and poultry shows, every
where receiving the highest praise and
admiration ss:szsE.gz.
Back to Wild Ways.
/. But alas! Atavism was stronger
than training and the effects Of
civilization & a
The other night Mr.. Jones was
awakened by. a disturbance in the
poultry house. He hurried down and
the first glance showed him that foul
murder had been committed. More
than a score Of the finest specimens
were dead .or dying and the place was
filled with feathers and innocent gore
There lay the lore eacock, who had
not ollloWed the custom of his family
and. taken a high perch. Here LAY
some Indian runners, there a bunch 81
Mandarin ducks, some Guinea fowls
and s a number Of brilliant Chinese
pheasants. TWenty,four handsome anf
wa uabte birds had been Slaughtered
The Slayer, Slain. 5.5
lurking in the corne as Reyn;arss
Vulpus with blood on his sharl
muzzle. and guilt I in. his eYes
He#Was the traitorous assassfIsWho ii
the darkness of. night had turned OF
his trusting friends and with his serue
teeth sunk deep had driven tn,
death thrust. The. bloody W,orl
was done with matchfess skill, for tn,
fangs had with deadly accuraac, &,
reached the carotid artery.
Mr.. Jones gave chase, tosthe muir
derer, but he might as we'll have triet
to- catch with his hands 81 ghtnin,
| itself. Seeing that 1 capture { was III,
possible, Mr.. Jones ran TO the: hotls
for his sevenssho oter, resolv wing s.
make an end Of the savage beast 81
the meantime Foxy Boy had manage,
/ to get out Of the house and when Nj
Jone reached the place he saw TIL
fox skufking in the direction Of TIL
| Parade. He gave chase and under th
| light at Erie avenue drew good mark
| One shot and Foxy Boy had paid til
| penalty of his crime.