The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-12-28
VETERAN FOX HUNTER MoURNs
PASSING OF FAVORITE HOUNDS
Greenville News.

Greenville News. @
Central.-R. G. ("Gam') Gaines, 7s
year old resident of Central, is per.
haps the leading fox hunter of the
state in the number Of chases engaged
in the game bagged and the number
OF years on the hunting trails of
Dixieland.
Since he was a boy about the
foothllls OF P:ckens county, Mr.. Gaines
has felt supreme thrill in following
a pack Of hounds and each wear has
engaged in number of hunts. This
year, for the first time, Mr.. Gaines
mas taken but little part in hunting,
although he has ordered a number of
1ox from Florida, which he expects
TO llberate between now and the
Christmas holidays.
The fact that he is 72 wears Of
age Is not the principal reason that
hr. Gaines has taken but little part
IN fox hunting this fall. He is s1ill
ffale and hearty and one would never
take him to be three score and twelve
years of age. 1t is sentiment more
than any ether which prevents the
feeling of enthusiasm on mention OF
the chase, aswas formerly the c.se.
About year ago Mr.. Gaines and
W. j. Rankin, who resides south of
Central, went on hunting trip to
the Warerce bottoms of Kershaw
county. The two hunters carried
along a total of ten dogs. 1t was
such an expedition as had been en-
gagged in on number of other oc-
casions and the hopes Of each were
raised high. Joined at Camden by
several other persons, the party left
for the big chase.
While on the Wateree the boat in
which the dogs were being carried
caps:Zed and six of the ten animals
we're drowned in the whirling waters
ot the Waterec. The dogs would
;ot have gone down to watery grave
out for the fact that they were chain
ed and when the boat capsized the
hunters were unable to rescue more
han four of the ten.
Dishcartencd by the loss of six
dogs, the hunters continued
nto the swamps, where additional
logs were also secured. While con-
inuing the chase two of the remain
ng four dogs belonging to the Cen
ral men went into the swamp in
pursuit Of game and never returned
t was with but two Of the ten dogs
IS we'll as heavy hcarts-that the two
hunters returned to Central to tell Of
heir unfortunate trip.
Mr.. Gaines is widely known over
;he state and in many other SECTIONS
If the south. He has hunted large
came in virtually every county of the
state at one time or another. His
greatest catch, made a number of
years ago in the mountains off Oconee
:ounty, was seven fox in five morn
ngs.
81 still like hunting and the chase
las the same thrill as ever,' he said
n discussing hunting" but the un-
imcly end OF my dogs has served TO
dampcn my enthusiasm when it
omes to taking more trips to the
over part Of the state"
Mr.. Gaines has always kept a pack
# from eight to dozen dogs, but |
he eight he has now are likely to
'cceivc the bulk Of their training on
he red hills of P:ckens county un.
ess their owner undcrgocs change
If mind, following the death of his
ormer pets.
Jim Roberts, VIII cdied in An .crsor
some lime ago, was declared to be
he leading fox hunter of the state
upuntil that time. He and Mr..
iaines were intimate friends, having
in number of lants to-
sether.