The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-11-03
ANNUAL FIELD TRIALS
Union County Fox Hunters Associa-
tion.
written for Union Times by John
M. Little).

Union County Fox Hunters association
were held at the Hobson place south
of Union and Fair Forest and Tiger
river, commencing on the morning of
October oath. The weather was ideal,
although a little dry, scouting con-
ditions were very much aided by heavy
dews.
The object of these annual meets is
to furnish source of outdoor recre-
alton with the fox and hounds to those
that love the chase, and to encourage
the breeding of high class hounds.
The hunting grounds are only
short distance from where Fair For
est empties into Tiger and the sur
rounding country is almost mountain
Gus, the hunters can stand on the high
cliffs and hear the entire chase. Foxes
were plentiful, and each morning in
Is minutes after leaving camp the
hounds had fox up and going after
him in full cry. We only regret that
two fine foxes were caught and killed
by the hounds during this hunt. Foxes
are not plentiful in Union county; we
have none to kill.
On Monday afternoon the hunters
began to arrive at the camping
ground. About 2 o'clock Mr.. w. A.
l.. Kelly, of Pea Ridge, one of our
must enthusiastic members, was first
to arrive, with his two fine bitches.
Cora" and "Hettie" Later on in the
afternoon the campers poured in from
all sections of the county; in fact,
every township in the county was rep
resented. The attendance was large
throughout the meet, number com
ing in cars from Union, Santuck and
Carlisle. Whitmire also sent a dele
cation of jolly good fellows. 1t was
about O'Clock when Mr.. John L. Nc
Kinney of Jonesville arrived with his
two famous Hedgepeth hounds. This
strain of hounds originated in Bun
combe county, N. c., and Mr.. McKin-
ney says they are noted far and near
for their head-work as we'll as speed
Mr.. Mckinney is an all-round sports
man, and keeps things lively while
In camp, but when out in the chase
he Is very considerate, always speak
ing very softly, as he says it is not
right to disturb your friend when lis
tening to the music of the hounds.
While at the meet Mr.. Mckinney very
reluctantly sold one of his dogs at a
long price.
We would like to give the name of
each hunter and visitor, also the
names of the dogs and their breeding,
but time and space forbid. Will only
say that Union county can show a
very classy lot of high bred dogs. We
think some of them would score we'll
at the larger meets, such as the Ma
tional and Brunswick.
The all age race was set for Tues
day morning, Mr.. Jim Mobley of Whit
mire, Mr.. Alverson of Cross KEYS,
and Jno. M. Little of Kelton were
selected as judges. Mr.. Ed Betsill of
Cross Keys was elected master of
Fox Hounds" and DR.. Jeter to assist
him in hunting the hounds. Each
member had the privilege of entering
two dogs in this race, and at about 6
o'clock Tuesday morning between 40
and so dogs were released in the thick
ct below the Hobson house. Only n
few minutes suspense, while each
hunter was trying to find the highest
hill, the fox was up and the chase
was on. This was great chase, last
ing about three hours, the fox finally
swimming Tiger river to shake off his
pursuers, but to no avail. This fox
was caught and killed near the Lau-
rens line.
On Wednesday morning luck was
with the hunters again. A fox was
up in few minutes, a great race
was on for one and one-half hours,
the dogs never going out of hearing
during the entire chase. This fox was
also caught and killed near the specta-
tors.
1t was impossible for the Judges to
get an accurate score on each entry
so they decided to award the honors
as follows:
In speed only: 1st, "Hetty," owned
by w. A. L. Kelly; End, "Bob," owned
by Jim Mobley; 3rd, "Blanch," owned
by Wade Howell.
The following dogs were highly
commend as all-round fox dogs {:
"Bob," owned by Jim Mobley; "Bill !"
owned by Mr.. Alverson; "Ruff' and
Minnie" owned by Jim Jeter; "Sallie"
and JEFF" owned by Joe Meggs:
CLARA" owned by Raymond Bishop !;
Flight" owned by Sheriff FAINT:
"Carey" and "Carb," owned by Tom
Mcdaniel; "Jeff," owned by Ed Bet
sill; "Ned," owned by Dan Tally:
Jenny" owned by Jno. M. Little:
jeff" owned by John Mckinney.
We were pleased to have with us
number of visitors land old fox hunt
ers, among them Mr.. Epps Tucker,
Mr.. Bailey, Mr.. Gregory, Mr.. T. B.
Kelly. With the exception of Mr..
Kelly, these gentlemen do not own
fox hounds now, but wish the asso-