The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-07-20

NhC SlOullAs vi bAlC way OOl III Tic
morning. they saw where three deer
had crossed the trail; but, as they had
other business to attend to, they did
not follow the tracks. In the evening
they came back the same way, having
seen no game during the day. When
they came to the tracks they had seen
IN the morning, Thomas said to his
companion
"Joe, would you like to kill couple
of these DEER"
''Yes, but I don't want to follow
= hem ell over the country"
well, don't follow them at all Just
go to that pine thlcket right across the
ridge and strike that boiler about half
way down on the left hand side. The
deer will be in the bottom and you can
shoot nearly straight down on them so
they can't tell which way the shot came
from. You can kill two of them if you
shoot straight"
Joe was little afraid the old fellow
was playing a trick on him, but he de-
cided to run the risk and follow his in
structions. He found the deer just as
he had been told he would, and he kill
ed two of them before they could de-
eide which way to run.
This story may seem remarkable, but
it is certainly true. The old hunter
knew the country, knew what timber
the deer would be likely to be in at that
time in the day and under those weather
conditions, and knew about what they
would be doing. He had studied deer.
There are other Incidents in his life
known to the present generation, but
enough have been given to acquaint the
reader with his abilities as a hunter.
1t is pity that he did not make rec
ord of his hunting experiences, as did
that other great hunter, Meshach
Browning, for book of the kind would
certainly be interesting. But he never
considered it worth while and we can
do no more than regret the fact
JOSEPH II.
OF Joseph Wilson Second son of
Thomas ID we know very little. He
was born February 10. 1873, and lived
at home till he was married. He NOV
ed to Shinnstown, Harrison County,
West Virginia, shortly after his MARI
age, but later he moved to Missouri.
All accounts of him and his descendants
have been lost to US.
JAMES 1.
James Wilson third son of Thomas
IL was born March 6, 1881. He, like
his brother Joseph, lived to maturity
with his father and then went further
west to seek his fortune. He married
and settled near Somerset. Ohio, where
his descendants now live.
Before he left the mountains. he be-
came hunter of no mean skill. On
one occasion he saw large bear feed
ing in hazel-nut thicket, but could not
get in position to get fair shot at
the animal. After some maneuvring
to get IN better position, he decided
to trust to luck and to fire at the por-
ton visible. The bullet struck the fore
foot of the bear and inflicted a very
painful wound. Enraged by the pain,
the animal charged at the hunter, but
he was not the man to run, Whipping
out his hunting knife, he braced him
self and awaited the onslaught. When
Bruin reached him, he threw his IN
hurt paw at the mans breast. but found
it solid. Thus supported, he made a
lunge at the mans neck but, quick as a
fash, James thrust his right arm into
the animals mouth and with his left
drove the hunting knife to its heart.
The bear fell dead Immediately, but
the hunters hand and arm were severe
lv bitten. A moment of indecislon,
and his assaiant would have inflicted
more severe if not fatal injuries.
Other incidents in his career are now
forgotten, but we infer from the one
just related that he was a man about
whom much might be written. A man
who could calmly thrust his hand into q
bears jaws could scarcely live to old
age without experiences worthy of
note.
JONATHAN |
We now come to Jonathan, the COM
panion of Thomas III on many of his
excursions and hunter of almost equal
fame. 1t is said that shortly before his
birth, his father was fighting Indians
and was in very grave peril when his
brother-in-law, Jonathan Hays, came to
the rescue. and probably saved his life.
AS evidence of his gratitude, Thomas
II named his son after his comrade.
Jonathan was born April 5, 1854 He
married Elizabeth 1nskeep and settled
at Altamont, Maryland. He was the
father of two boys and five girls-Ab-
raham, Sallie, Elizabeth, Jonathan,
Hester, Susan and Rachel.
He was a farmer and stock raiser.
He was not perhaps, as well known as
his older brother Thomas. but he COM
III Il.