The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-04-18

Rocky Mount and Benton. George Mon
lingo, ST., from near Minden, was the
recognized champion hunter, and had a
fine pack of hounds.
I will now name few that l knew and
hunted with during those happy days:
Capt. J. J. Crow, Mac Crow, James Mon
lingo, Doc Johnson, Sam Harrall, Ben
Moseley and Ike Dyer, from g Flat Lick"
Charley Mcdonald, Alberta Glass, Capt.
Webb, from Minden; c. j. Gray, James
Davis, DR.. Thomas Parham, VIM. Mont
gomery, from Pleasant Valley; Edmund
W. Hodges, Crawford Hodges, Capt. Jack
Hodges, G. w. Carruthers, F. R. Galloway,
from Cotton Valley; John R. Griffin, VIM.
H. Hill, John C. Head, DR.. w. NJ. Swami,
John H. Lotion, from Bellevue; Capt. W.
]. Hughes, Cook Broom, Rocky Mount.
| will now describe a noted deer hunt in
October, 1870. Ali repaired to the Moseley
farm, one mile west of Calchoate Crossing,
on Bodcau Lake. Some were in buggies
and wagons, but a majority were on horse
back. lived only two miles from the
camp. Word was sent me to come over
on next morning and open the hunt with
my fine dog, Queen, to lead the first day
or the next day. Jim Monzingo's fine dog,
Mac, was tied at the camp to lead on the
second day. At sunrise next morning
crossed the ford. My hounds soon jumped
a deer. On they went. Bang, bang went
the guns on all sides. Down the lake they
went, and then turned toward the camp.
had three fine shots, but only killed one
very small deer. At this time, on my right,
the entire pack of thirty-one hounds were
running in full chase. | had several more
fine chances, but really forgot that had a
gun-had genuine chuck ague.' Bang
went two very loud guns; then followed a
hallooing that could have been heard for
miles, and then three long blasts from the
meat horn. One of the negro drivers had
killed fine buck near the camp. All got
there as soon as we could Then came the
usual initial custom to throw blood in the
face of the man or boy, if this was his first
deer. Jim bloodied this negro in good
form. noticed that my hounds were not
there. Jim turned to me and said, "don't
you hear Queen on our left?" She had
turned the deer and was coming our way.
Then heard the Bellevue pack coming the
same course. This made three fine packs
all making for the noted g Thorn Thick"
At this place the tired deer would come,
for they had the advantage Of the hounds
and could jump over the thorn bushes.
while the hounds had but poor chance
We all knew where they would enter the
"Thorn Thick" and took near cuts to
reach this much coveted place. AS I rode
up saw the flash of old Fillpot, as jim
called his gun-34 inch barrel, chambering
four buckshot. Down went a fine buck.
We were standing by the deer; l said to
Jim you must have overloaded old Fillpot,
for this deer is shot from the tip of his nose
to the end of his tail. Just at this time all
the hounds had gotten together, all after
this buck. On they came; only few
lengths in front of Mac and Queen was a
black ard tan hound. Then rode up the
entire Bellevue crowd. Griffin enquired,
"who shot that wounded deer?" Jim re-
piled, "who ever saw wounded deer jump
thorn bushes like that deer did, Then Jim
and John Lotion had hot words. Then
Col. Griffin said they had badly wounded
a large buck, which he thought all the
hounds got together after this wounded
deer; that if we would honestly tell what
dog was in the lead it would prove conclu-
sively whose deer it was. Jim, pointing to
a black and tan dog, said "that dog was
in the Lead It was Lotions fine hound.
This brought all to their feet. John Head
then drew his bottle on the crowd and said
he ''did not believe that deer was shot by
any one; it was bitten by snake; this is
good for snake bites; let's all take drink -
Bill Hill then stepped to the front and said
he was not satisfled-when that bottle got
to him it was empty. He then drew his
own bottle and said 'here goes for that
poor mangled buck that it took twelve men,
assisted by thirty-one hound dogs, to kill. y
This brought roar Of shouts that started
all the dogs to bowling, which reminded
Capt Carruthers of the Rebel Yell. He
gave the order to march, which all obeyed.
We killed on this hunt fifty two deer
that we got, and many wounded ones were
left to be destroyed by the wolves.
This little story may seem simple to the
average reader of this day; but still many
old men will enjoy it, No doubt it will
bring fond remembrance to all, particu-
larly so to the old editor of the Banner.