Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-01
HUNTING SEASON
DEATH TOLL 100
Various States to Be Asked to
Pass More Drastic Laws
to Stop Slaughter.
SECRETARY WILSON'S PLAN
Federal Government Will Conduct
InvestigatiOn-S1 Victims OF
Own Carelessness.

Chicago, Dec. 1.-The hunting sea
son, which closed yesterday, cost 100
lives and resulted in more or less Sc
we're injuries to 81 men Last year
the dead numbered 100 and the injur-
ed 81. The annual loss of life in the
pursuit of game has attracted the at
tention of the authorities of the gov
ernment, and, by direction Of Secre-
tary Wilson of the agricultural de-
partment, the biological survey is
studying the accidents this year, as
we'll as statistics for the last five
years.
The results of the investigation and
suggestion for legislation will be en-
bodied in a report to be published at
the end of the year. With these sta
tistics to work on the federal govern
ment will try to induce the various
states to enact laws which will de
crease the annual slaughter of hunters.
BEWARE OF A COMPANION.
When one goes hunting he would
better take no companion. This year
statistics prove that a companion is
the most dangerous part of hunting
outfit He has caused at least 25 per
cent of the fatal accidents of the sea
son, his carelessness being responsible
for "a deaths and the injury of Ii per
sons who were lucky enough to es
cape mortal hurts.
A well known Chicago man was q
victim of a companion. Charles G
McRoberts, law partner of Charles II
Aldrich, and once a candidate for aid
crman from the Twenty-fifth ward
while hunting near Antioch, ILL.,, wa:
accidentally shot by his guide.
A. A Hayes, general freight audito
of the Santa Fe railroad, also fell from
companions shot. He was shot il
the leg by a companion while huntin,
near Belpre, Kan, and died from re
sulting blood poison.
THINKS EVERYTHING A DEER.
The enthusiastic hunter who mir
takes every moving thing for a dee
also took his gun in hand again thi
year, and when the sum total of hi
achievements in the way of killing pee
pie had been figured up it showed hin
responsible for the death of 10 person
and the injury of seven others.
While hunting rabbits near McLoutt
Kan, John GLENN accidentally sho
six young women who were standing
on the front porch of his home.
rabbit ran around the house and Glenn
fired at it with shotgun. He misse
the rabbit, but the shot struck tn
young women, all of whom wer
wounded in the lower limbs.
VICTIMS OF OWN CARELESSNESS.
Thirty-one Of the deaths were vic
tins of their own carelessness, havin
shot themselves. Most of these acc
dents were caused by the victim pull
ing his gun, muzzle first, toward hiI
while climbing a fence or leaving
boat or some other situation In whic
caution should have been exercised
OF the injured 13 shot themselves.
Andrew F1nsland, a well known re,
ident of Superior, Wis, is in danger {
losing his mind as a result of shootin
a deer. He wounded the animal, bu
il managed to escape. For four SUI
cessive days he hunt for the carcas
of the deer. He finally found 1t an
brought 1t in. He was almost famisl
ed and became violently i'll. He gre
worse and had to be taken to hosp
tai, where he is in serious conditio
both mentally and physically.
Edward Smith of Saginaw, N. c., VIII
was blind, but accustomed to hunt III
accompanied, shot himself when b
stumbled with his gun.
SENATOR AND GAME WARDEN.
One of the best hunting stories {
the season is told on State Senate
Charles Cartier of Ludington, Micl
The senator, returning from huntin
! expedition in Ontonagon county, d.
tected Deputy Game Warden O'Conne
going through his luggage in the bal
gage car.
What are you doing there?" he d
manded
Il am game warden, and am e
ing through this baggage" said O'Col
nell.
"I am a senator and helped to max
the game laws" said Cartier.
well, you did -- poor job" r
torted the warden.
For once the tart reply made a bi
ger hit than the soft answer. whic
proverbially turneth wrath away.
Senator Cartier laughed hearth
and proceeded to get better acquain
! ed with Warden O'Connell. AS a r
suit Of their talk it is not unlikely tn;
Senator Cartier will have some pra
tical suggestions to offer when the r
vision OF the game laws is taken up
the next session Of the Michigan lie
islature