The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1914-08-20
CORRESPONDENCE
Fieldinf.

Fielding. -
Booster Banner: The sportsmen of
Haughton and South Bossier spent last
week in the woods and prairies several
miles east of Bellevue.
The party consisted of the following
named: w. C. Raines, J. T. McDade,
D. A. Horton, Ross E. McDade, H. N.
Cornell, c. K. Mechanism, J.W. Oneal,
D: C. Elston, w. c. Horton, J. N. Wat
son, E. E. Walker, L. G. Biggs, w. B.
Hickman, Louis Padgett, A. C. Bevel,
J. w. Elston, and large number of
casual visitors, besides full retinue of
darkies- cooks, hostlers, etc.
The object Of the camp was to have a
reunion of the hunters of the vicinity,
and to try out some new dogs.
Mr.. Raines recently purchased pair
of trained deer hounds in Kentucky,
which headed the pack, about ten to
fifteen in number.
The rendezvous was at "Camp
Branch" on Clark's Bayou. The thirty
odd men, with their horses and camp
equippage, gave the place the appear
ance of real army post.
From five O'Clock in the morning until
noon of each day was spent in the woods
and on the prairies. We enjoyed fine
race each day, the Kentuckians leading.
The full pack made emusic among the
pines' and indeed it seems pity that
it is only lovers of the sport who can
understand the pleasure of hearing a
pack of hounds in full cry after deer.
In Wednesdays hunt a large buck
was dumped" right under the heads of
the mounts of four of the party. Cor
nell was about to take a shot, but had
some doubt as to whether or not the law
was out, and, in the spell of doubt, his
gun was accidentally discharged, but
did no harm to the fleeing buck. Bill
Quincy also fired his gun in the air to
announce the "jump." The willy buck
led the pack lively chase around the
Hickman old place and headed west,
entering the swamps at the Onley old
place, several miles away. Charlie
Horton beat them to the finish point,
but it was only to bid farewell to the
deer and stop the dogs.
Thursday large "buck" was jumped
near the Hollingsworth old mill seat and
circled the woods for an hour or more,
during which time it passed Ross Nc
Dade, who unloaded his automatic
toward the tree tops, which caused the
fleeing animal to hike for safety, and as
it crossed the Haughton and Bellevue
road at the three mile board Jim Lanier
and Son Hogan fired two shots each to
encourage the dogs, which had its effect,
for Oneal and Horton, although heading
the dogs twice, could not call them of
until the deer had reached safety by
swimming the lake at Cuffy's Bluff.
Other races, ending in the vicinity OF
Cotton Valley to the north and Lake
Bisteneau to the south, fully tested the
mettle of the hounds and the staying
qualities of our huntsmen and their
steeds.
During the hunt rattle snake, which
measured six feet in length, about ten
inches in circumference, and with seven
teen rattles, was killed on Clinton
Branch. It's skin was the only trophy
of the hunt.
Our afternoons were spent in hunting
squirrels and in engaging in variou;
sports around mp-jumping, wres-
thing, etc.-some of the old men joining
in with the younger members OF the
party. -
The after-supper hour was spent il
telling our experiences in hunts O
former years.
The older members of the party have
been hunting together for the pas
twenty-odd years. Mr.. H. Barnacastl'
and "Uncle Matt" Odom (now dead
were the only absent ones Of the OLE
gang, and they were sadly missed by all
Ben Murray, colored, with two as
sistants, served as cooks, and they wer
good. In addition to the good thing
from home, we had roast lamb, pc
stew, mutton steak, liver salad, peacl
cobbler, black coffee, iced tea, bate
cakes and ribbon cane syrup.
There >were heavy rains two days. bu
rain-coats kept us dry.
It was with regret we broke camp an
returned home, but with the resolve tina
we would meet again during November
when the deer season is open for sure
and we can enjoy bringing buck or tw
to camp, and tell how we did it.
/ Ye local editor, being fond of fiel
sports, is especially invited to join u
during the November hunt. You wi
find quail to shoot. WHITE TOP.