davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03
Most Dangerous Game in Africa.

1t is agreed upon all hands by ex-
buffalo IS one of the three most dan
gerous four-footed foes that man can
attack. Most men class this animal
with elephants and lions, as game that
requires the highest attributes of skill
courage and caution 20 bring to bag.
AS a matter of fact, it may be laid
down that more deaths and dangerous
accidents happen annually in Africa
in hunting the buffalo than in the
chase of any other species of heavy
game. In regions where large num-
BeTs of these splendid beasts still wan
der, in troops of three hundred, four
hundred and even more, and where
they have been little disturbed, the
hunter has no great difficulty in shoot
ing as many as he requires. In fairly
open country, where scattered covert
exists, and where they can be readily
approached--for they are by no means
keen-sighted creatures-a man may,
he begins to think, shoot buffaloes as
easily as he can shoot oxen. But,
directly a buffalo is wounded and his
blood-spoor has TO be taken up, and
the hunter has to follow him into the
dense coverts to which he retreats,
the business is entirely changed. Then
you may prepare to lock out for your
self, to take up your heaviest and
most reliable weapon and to follow
the track of your game with every
sense alert, and your rife handy for
an instant and most deadly charge.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03

horses behind him, ferried across the
river, and spent the next tive days in
hunting. He had with him his own
Hottentot servant, good and reliable
hunter, and fair shot, and he had
as well several natives of the district
who were anxious for meat, and ready
to show him the game
On the first day the Dutchman came
across some fifty buffaloes grazing
in fairly open veldt Getting behind
some good and convenient covert, and
with the wind in the right directi
he had little difficulty in shooting two
fat cows and young, fresh bull. The
cows were pretty easily secured; but
the young bull, although shot through
the lungs, jumped on his legs from
some long grass and bush, then
walked up, charged fercely at the
spooring party, and was only killed
within a few feet of the hunter. The
rest Of the day was spent in skinning
and cutting up the game. Part of the
natives were sent back to the Boer
camp, laden with as much meat as
they could carry-the Beers requiring
not only fresh meat for immediate
use but enough to make a supply of
"biltong' (salted sun-dried f1esh) the
remainder of the flesh was bestowed
upon the native villagers who we're
With the expedition.
Large numbers of buffaloes were
still reported a little further ahead,
among the lagoons and marshes of
| this region, and the Dutch hunter,
therefore camped for the night, ate a
hearty supper by the roaring fire, and
| slept soundly till early dawn. Before
sun-up the party were again stirring.
| In less than two hours time the ma
tives had led the way to a broad,
marshy lagoon, or ''vlei," as the Beers
call it, surrounded by drier ground,
| upon which grew bush, acacia trees,
! and few tall palms. Part of this
/ lagoon was shallow open water, the
remainder consists of dense bed OF
| tall reeds, which led to further
swamps and lagoons beyond. The
sight that met the Dutchman's eyes
as he and the natives crept cautiously
/ towards the edge of the ''vlei," and sur
veyed the scene from behind screen
of bush, was wonderful one In and
about the "vlei,'' stood a troop of not
| less than two hundred buffaloes, some
rolling in the shallow, some drinking
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03

ton. In such instances 1t has usually
been found either that the animal
had been previously wounded by some
other hunter, or had been clawed by
a lion; in either case it's naturally
morose temper having been rendered
yet more dangerous.
No hunter ought to attempt to tackle
buffalo with a rifle of lighter calibre
tnan a SIT double express.
Once plentiful all over Southern At
RIGA wherever water was to be found.
the buffalo has now to be sought far
in the interior. There Is one singular
exception to this statement. Many
years ago the Cape government
passed an act protecting under Sc
we're penalties the buffalo-as well as
the elephant-in Cape colony In the
forest and densely pushed regions
bordering the coast line, some strong
troops of Duffaloes are still to be
found between Mossel bay and the
Kowie river. A few years ago, dur
ing a great drought. some Of these
fine beasts were to be seen drinking
in the river within few miles of the
town of Uitenhage. These animals
can only be shot in Cape colony by a
special permit from the governor, and
on payment of the sum of ten pounds
for each specimen obtained. Beyond
Cape colony the sportsman has to
travel nowadays several hundred
miles before be can hope to find butt
falo. Perhaps the best country exist
ing at the present time is the low and
unhealthy region lying in Portuguese
territory between the Sabi and Fam
best. Upon the Bust and Pungue
rivers and their tributaries, and about
the tributaries of the Zambesi, on
its easterly course, large herds of
buffalo are still to be found. This
country, however, Is only accessible
during the African winter-April to,
October-unless the risk of deadly
fever be taken. There are still buffa
10 to be found, to, about the Chobe
river, In the far-off swamps and
marshes of the Upper Okavango. In
these regions the tTatse fly is certain
to be found in the buffaloes' haunt,
and the hunter must perforce do all
his work on foot.
AS the African buffalo is one of the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03

some standing belly-deep IN water,
dark and motioniess. The buffalo
birds "a species of starting Buphaya
Africana) those watchful allies of
these animals and rhinoceroses, were
flying hither and thither, many of
them packing and feeding on the ticks
and parasites which infest the buff
falo. A number of small white herons,
too, were about the ''vlei," some of
which were also to be seen actually
perching on the broad backs of the
great game. In any case the stalk re-
quied caution, and, with these watch
full "buffel-vogel' about, extreme care
was, as the Boer saw, essential Con-
cealed behind a thick mass of bush.
to which he and the Hottentot had
crept. the Dutchman waited patiently
till the troop moved and a fair shot
offered.
Attacked by an Enraged Buffalo.
At last several fat COWS, for which
he had been waiting came, together
with a tremendous old bull, within
80 yards. Selecting the best COW, the
Boer aimed behind the point Of the
shoulder, and brought her down. She
fell instantly to the shot. struggled a
little further, and soon lay dead The
Boer had hoped and expected to bring
down another COW. His intentions
were frustrated, however, by the bull,
which charged upon the instant direct
ly towards the rife smoke. Within
ten yards, the Dutchman, who was
kneeling, fired again, hitting the grim
beast in front of the chest, and turn
ing IL. Meanwhile. at the .ound Of
the firing the whole immense, herd
foundered out of the "vlei," and went
off crashing through an angle of the
reed beds, and thence far into the
bush. AS they fled the Boer showed
In another cartridge, took aim at a
retreating cow eighty yards off, and
by cky shot, broke her back She
fell believing, and was quickly dis
patched. Leaving the natives to skin
and cut up these carcasses, the
Dutchman now took up the pursuit of
the wounded bull, which he had
marked in his fight through a dense
patch of reeds to the light of the la
COON. The beast had turned of alone,
and the greatest care had to be taken
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03
Hunting
the
Dangerous
African
Buffalo
By III. a. Bryd e n

II. A. Dryden, the co-author Nth
Percy Selous of "T'rauel and Big
Came, is a man Who was born to
the chase. From his youth 1t has
been his ruling passion and he has
gone with has rifle all over the world.
In every continent his fame as q
Nimrod IS known, and he has q mod
est direct style of presenting his
adventures, tinged NTH little touch
of poetic sentiment here and there,
which is very pleasing indeed. If any
fault at all could be found Nth him
1T would be that he was overmodest
and inclined to boast for others IN
stead of telling his own story.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03
Stalking a Buffalo Herd,

l cannot better illustrate the char
acter of these determined and plucky
animals than by an adventure mar
rated to me not long since in the hunt
ing veldt by Boer hunter from the
Transvaal. He had been tracking
with some other compatriots far to
the northwest of Lake Ngami. Flesh
was badly wanted in camp, and as
tsetse fly was prevalent in the
marshy country, north of the Okanan-
go river, on which they were out
spanned, and the natives reported
large herds Of buffaloes, he left MS
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03

in following it through such covert
But the Dutchman had hitherto al
ways had great luck with buffalo,
and was determined to finish off his
task. AS soon as the reeds were
reached, the blood spoor was easily
to be followed. The heavy bullet had
evidently raked the lungs, the bull
was bleeding freely, and large patches
of crimson marked its path. The reeds
were very tall-twelve or fourteen
feet-and thick, and the spooring
seemed SO dangerous an operation
that the Hottentot, who was carrying
second gun-a Martini Henry-fell
behind, leaving his master to take the
first risk with his heavy eight-bore.
At every step-they were wading
knee deep in water-the hunters
stopped to listen. They had not pen
etrated fifty yards through the avenue
of broken reeds, afforded by the pass
age of the bull, when in an instant,
and without warning, the beast was
upon them. The Boer was knocked
fat upon his back by the charge; the
bull had miscalculated his distance,
had no doubt, charged for the sound,
and had struck his nemy with his
nose, which was held high, as is the
habit Of these brutes when charging.
Galloping over the PROSTATE Boer, the
Buffalo went straight for the Hotten-
tot few PAGES behind. This unfor-
tunate the brute struck with his horn
and tossed on one side some yards
into the reeds. Then, continuing it's
career, the bull passed on out of the
"vlei" and took shelter in some thin
bush, where it was afterward found
dead. The Boer, all the wind knocked
out of him, and severely bruised,
picked himself up, retrieved his rife,
which was flung yards away, and then
sought the Hottentot. The unfortunate
servant lay among the reeds and
water, terrible wound gaping just
below his chest, to the left-breathing
/ his last He lived only short time,
and died pathetic and unwilling OBJ
/ ject lesson in the risks and dangers
| of following wounded buffalo into
/ thick covert
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03
Some PeriIs of aIo-Huntinu.

Occasionally hunters have been at
tackled by a solitary buffalo which has
charged them before shot has been
fired, and without apparent provoca-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03

toughest and most difficult Of all game
animals to bring to bag, so that hand
some creature, Burchells zebra
(Equus BurchellD, the zebra of the
plains, is by far the most easily de-
stroyed. A single $50 Express or Mar
tini-Henry bullet will at once turn
this fleet and handsome animal of the
troop, an easy victim Gf not aeady
killed outright) to the hunters next
shot. With a broken leg the zebra
is instantly helpless; with a broken
limb, and shot through the body to
boot, one of the larger African an
telopes, such as a hartebeest or brin-
died gnu, will often run for miles, and
finally escape the hunter altogether.
AS an almost invariable rule Burch-
ellis zebras are hunted on horseback:
they are fleet and enduring, and even
first-class South African hunting
pony must be in very good form, and
upon hard even ground, to carry his
rider within hail Of them. Most usu-
ally these animals are to be met with
feeding on open grassy plains, or in
open bush, where large glades and
clearings are to be found. In talon
end chase across flats, with a fair
start, they can usually gallop clean
away from the mounted man. If it
were not for habit of curiosity, they
would, indeed, be "kittIe cattle" to
come up with on the great plains.
But their curiosity is often their un-
doing. l have many times galloped
steadily behind a troop of these ze-
bras, and then halted for a moment.
The zebras would then wheel quickly
round in line and stand for a minute
to have good look at the pursuer.
This was the time to put in steady
shot. Sometimes, even when the hun
ter is galloping, they Will turn round
and stand for a moment, apparently
out of sheer curiosity.
DISCRIMINATING the African Zebra.
In semi-bushy country, where their
view is more circumscribed, these re
bras are without much difficulty shot.
In Mashonaland large numbers of
those zebras have been shot within
the last few years by the pioneers
and settlers I have found that by
making a long d our AMI getting be-
tween them and the bush to which
they run for shelter, these animals
when feeding in the open can be
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03

\ incident highly in
dicative of the ex-
traordinarily danger
Gus character of the
African buffalo is re-
lated by Mr.. Ainsley
Williams, the gentle
man scout of the fa-
nous Niger water
shed exploring party.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03

You will find, too, that the native
spoorer, who trotted in front of you
readily enough on the blood spoor Of
greatly prefer to follow in your rear,
and leave you to take up your own
person the first and dangerous risk
in the dark and shadowy thickets into
which you are advancing. He knows
none better-the dark, evil fury
and the lurking, noiseless ways of the
beast of which you are in search.
The buffalo, so soon as he is wounded,
seems, indeed, to think of little else
than bloody revenge. Mike most
other game, which, when wounded,
will almost invariably h~take them
selves in flight as far from the pur-
suer as possible, he usually retreats
some distance into the densest bush.
and then either hides up In some
dark corner, where the shadows are
deep and dense, or, trrning upon his
line, takes a parallel path back, and
so waits for his foe; or he will even
follow back upon his own spoor and
conceal himself. Sometimes he will
stand lurking amid the dark thickets:
at another time. IL badly wounded,
he will lie down; In either case pre-
pared and determined to inflict a
bloody revenge for the hurts under
which he Is smarting. Year after
year fatal accidents happen in South
African buffalo hunting, year after
year men, il not killed outright, are
terribly mauled; and, until the buffalo
is completely exterminated, he will
be found as savage and as dangerous
as the lion himself, and, withal, far
moro rovop oofu1
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-06-03
Forbids STAGE Kisses.

The duke of SAKE, who is also man.
ager of the Court theater, lately is
sued an order forbidding kissing on
the stage.
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30
REINSTATEMENT OF SHILOH SCHOOL
DISTRICT No. al.

| A petition having been filed with
the county school superintendent
and said petition having been posted
as required by law and no objection
having been made why said petition
should not be granted, and the rec
ommendation having been filed with
the Clerk of the Board of Supervis'
ors from the school superintendent
recommending the granting of the
petition as prayed for by the pc,
titioners, to-wit:
We, the undersigned residents Of
Graham County, Arizona, respect
| fully represent that we desire tc
form a new school district with
/ the following described boundaries,
to-wit:
Commencing at a point on the
Gila River where it intersects the
south line Of Section 80. Twp. 5, R.
"a, thence West to the Southwest
corner of Section "a, Twp. 5, R. %,
thence North to the NV corner Of
Section 10, thence East to the Gila
River, thence up said river to the
place of beginning. We further de-
clare that we are collectively the
parents and guardians of at least
ten children of school age, residing
at a greater distance than two miles
from any district school house.
Upon motion duly put and carried
by unanimous vote, the above pc
tition, praying for new school dis
trict, and the same having been rec
commended by the county school
superintendent, is hereby granted
with boundaries as described in the
petition. And the number of said
school district shall be Forty-one,
and is a reinstatement of what was
formerly known as Shiloh School
District.
By order of the Board, all con-
stables and justices of the peace in
filing claims hereafter, against the
county shall number the sheets of
the fee bill accompanying the de-
mand consecutively and shall so
itemize the demand that each item
shall bear the number correspond
ing to the number of the fee bill
sheet and no one item of the demand
shall be for a greater amount than
that of the corresponding sheet of
the fee bill.
Board adjourned at 500 o'clock
p. M, to meet again the first Mon
day in May, at 900 a. m.
GEORGE WEBSTER,
Chairman.
Attest:
L. F. VAUGHN,
Clerk.
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30
ACADEMY NOTES

Work has continued up to the
closing week of school with unabated
zeal, and the students, with hardly
an exception, are passing their ex-
aminations with high grades. The
Academy has never before showed
such a good attendance at its close.
We desire to call the attention of
the public to the exhibition of work
that will be up next week.
We wish to thank all who assisted
in any way to give the excellent
program and farce on the 22d, the
proceeds of which were given to the
Academy building fund.
The students of the first and Sec
ond years are great artesans on
noseology. Whenever they pass
the chemistry room they say "phew"
and hold their noses. Lon Mat
thews took an empty bottle having
the usual accompaniment of corks
and tubing, and began tour of the
grounds and rooms. His way was
clear before, behind and on both
sides. But when he charged the
third years, there was hurried
council of war, and Lon retired to
his Notifications in the chemistry
room, and there did powerful work.
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30
Ordinance No. 47

Amending Ordinance No. s, entitled "ordi
nance No. 8, Prescribing Licenses for Saloon,
and Theatrical Halls"
Whereas The growth. advancement and ma
terial progress OF the Town of Stafford, and the
Improvement OF all conditions which will ap
peal to the citizens of adjacent localities and
neighboring towns, should be the chief and
primary concern Of the members Of this body
and all progressive residents of our active, en-
ergetic and growing municipality; and,
Whereas. We believe the objects of this 0rdi
nance Is of momentous Importance to the Town
Of Stafford and will meet the hearty approba.
ton Of Its citizens generally; therefore,
Be II Ordained by the Council Of the Town
of Stafford:
Section /. That Section One, Of Ordinance
Eight. OF the Town of Stafford. be and the same
is hereby amended, so as to read as follows:
Section 2. The proprietor or manager OF
every saloon. or public drinking place where
spirituous, vinous or malt liquors are sold. In
the Town of Stafford, shall pay an annual
license tax Of Four Hundred $4,000 Dollars,
payable IN ad yance.
Section 8 This Ordinance shall take effect
and be in force from and after March 81. 1909.
Passed by the Common Council. of the Town
Of Stafford, this 29th day Of March, 1909.
JOHN J. BIRDSo,
Mayor Pro Tenn.
Attest: B. +. THUM Clerk. Cat
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30
First publiertton Aprn 0-st
Notice Of Election

TERRITORY OF ARIZONA,
COUNTY OF GRAHAM.
SCHOOL PRECINCT NO. Z.
An election is hereby called to be held at IT.
Thomas. Arizona, on May IL, 1909, TO submit 10
the tax payers of this district whether the
bonds Of this district shall be issued and sold
for the purpose of raising money for building
one school house. supplying the same with
furniture and necessary apparatus and 10 i'm.
prove the school grounds.
The name and place of holding such election:
The yoelckel Store Building"
The judges to conduct such election; Chas.
Koppock. Louis voelckel and J. W. Wills.
Polls to be open from o'clock .. m. to
o. clock p. m.
The amount of bonds In denominations of
One Hundred tSl000ol Dollars each shall be
four per centum on the value of the taxable
property within this district estimated at about
One Thousand tsl.0oo.oo) Dollars. The rate Of
interest shall be seven ca per cent per annun,
and the bonds shall he payable In ten no. years
from date of issue.
c. d. STEPHENS, Trustee.
SAM H. HINTON,
LOUIS VoELCKEL,
Precinct No. 2. Ft. Thomas.
April 20, 1909.
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30
First Publication April e8-4t
Notice 10 Creditors

In the Probate Court of Graham
County, Arizona Territory.
Notice is hereby given by the un-
dersigned administrator of the
estate of Nina F. Simpson, deceased,
to the creditors of and all persons
having claims against said deceased,
to exhibit them, with the proper
vouchers, within four months after
the first publication of this notice to
said administrator at the store OF
The Foster Mercantile Co., in the
town of Stafford, Graham County,
Arizona, the same being the place
for the transaction of said business
in Graham County, Arizona.
Dated this the 18th day of April,
1909. D. M. SIMPSON,
Administrator.
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30

Bank statements of the
amounts due from
county banks ........ $37,S11.12
Greenbacks s,........... 473.0O
Checks 414.91
Silver ........... 154.00
Pennies. es.......... 34.05
Total S3S, 1851 .Uo
And that said amount was in ac-
cord with the statement of the treas
urer for the quarter ending March
81, 1909.
GEORGE WEBSTER,
Chairman Board of Supervisors.
H. j. DoWDLE,
Member Board of Supervisors.
z. C. PRINA,
Member Board of Supervisors.
A. G. MCALIsTER,
District Attorney.
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 9th day of April, 1909.
L. F. VAUGHN,
Clerk Board of Supervisors,
Graham County.
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30
LIST publication April Soth At
Notice TO Creditors
In the Probate Court of Grahal

In the Probate Court of Graham
County, Territory of Arizona.
In the matter of the estate of
Caroline Bryce, deceased.
Notice is hereby given by the
undersigned, administrator of the
estate of Caroline Bryce. deceased,
to the creditors of and all persons
having claims against the said de-
ceased, to exhibit them, with the
necessary vouchers, within ten
months after the first publication
of this notice, to the said admins
traitor at his residence in Bryce,
Graham County, Arizona.
Dated this Oath day of April, 1909.
A. N. BRYCE,
Administrator.
Graham guardian., 1909-04-30

HOME MISSION APPOINTMENTS For
MAY 9, 1909.
Artesia--Cyrus Robinson and j.
M. Moody.
Lebanon. H. Mangum and
Hyrum Crockett.
Central-Silas P. Crum and G. N.
Notes.
Matthews-Don G. Mcbride and
C. E. Ferrin.
Eden-Eugene Evans and Orville
Allen.
Bryce-Delbert Welker and Byron
Smith.
Hubbard-John Mattice and Lehi
Larson.
Graham-W. w. Wild and Rupert
E. Lee Wixom.
Emery-C. f. Watson and George
Bigler.
Meetings at Artesia convenes at
IL o'clock noon.