The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-11-03

growth. small spruces and various other
types of landscape gave variety to the
progress from this point, and when the
line emerged in to the clearing, there
across a deep ravine at the bottom oil
which flowed trout brook sat the South
Wardsboro party near an old shack.
1t was some time before all the East
Dover crowd reported, and it was learned
that the net results of the first drive by
both groups were: Bears seen, none;
deer started, six; quadrupeds killed-one
rabbit shot, one hedgehog shot, one hedge
hog dubbed to death There were no
casualties among the hunters. 1t was
brought out that Dexter Kathan of Put
ney shot red fox on Putney mountain,
on his way to South Wardsboro.
Some of the East Dover contingent
crossed the ravine while others remained
where they were to begin the afternoon
drive Lunch was now in order, and the
fact that bear meat was at hand was es-
tablished when the veteran hunter from
West Wardsboro, Albert Robinson, drew
from his lunch package two slices OF
cooked bear meat which he presented to
the Reformer man and the Globe man. 1t
was as good as chicken and proved that
whoever cooked it possessed the know
how
While luncheon was in progress a hen
hawk flew over the field, high over head,
and had no difficulty in making his way
through barrage of rifle bullets.
A consultation after dinner resulted in
Mans for the next drive, which was con-
Quoted on somewhat different plan. In
! stead of two lines advancing toward each
other. which is not attended by the dan
ger which some might imagine, it was
decided to establish one line stationary
and have the other beat the woods.
/ Signal hill, SO called because years ago
signal station was erected on the sum
/ nit in connection with a government sur.
yey was chosen for this purpose. 1t is
southeast of where the hunters dined.
and ike White hill it is owned by T. D.
Potter. a Springfield, Mass, lumberman
who owns 1000 acres i'll, that locality.
r. w. Pimpton, Wardsboro Station
grain and teed dealer, was made captain to
establish the stationary line along an old
wood road to the north OF Signal hill,
5 which he did SO we'll that he had exactly
enough men to cover the des red distance,
stationirz them near enough together 50
that bear could not steal past them.
! Capt. Stocker and Capt. Turner went
with the rest Of the forces and skirted
the south side of the Hill and then start
ed north over the top with the intention
OF driving the bears toward the waiting
line. which was entrusted with the execu
tion OF the beasts.
Quietly the waiting line stood sentine
until shortly before o'clock, when thu
approaching hunters came in sight. which
brought to all the sudden realization thai
tie hunt was over.
| The hunters were now about two miles
from East Dover and about the same dis
lance from South Wardsboro. Withou
DELAY the homeward trip was begun. ant
the two places were reached at 4 o'clock
The routes chosen for the homewari trll
we're the easiest that could be found
which doesn't mean whole lot, and II
snite of the hard days work the hunter
realized that the ground they had coveTe'
was not patch on the bear country tina
was visible in all directions.
Before leaving the Sherman farm IN tn
morning the hunters were asked to he'll
themselves from bushel of apples tina
sat in the dooryard Some brilliant IN
dividual reasoned that where there wer
apples there must be apple juice, and o.
returning in the afternoon he inquired
there was any new, cider on the place
: He was directed to the woodshed, wher
: lO-gallon key all tapped stood uprigh
on block. with glass handy. Say, wh
says the bear hunt was in vain?