Year: 1878

I -


u fCorrespondenca OF the Detroit Free Prcas


CHARLOTTE, MICH, December ,16.--Wil-
liam Wall, who died Saturday morning,
was one OF the first settlers Of Eaton coun-
sy, and the oldest pioneer OF Eaton town
ship living. He moved from Ohio to this
county in the fall of 1885, coming from Ann
Harbor with an OK team, and obliged for
some distance to cut a road through the
woods before he could bring his goods ana
his wife TO the log hut in waiting for them
on the present site of the brick residence IN
which he died. An interview with one OF


his sons disclosed some very Interesting
"reminiscences OF early pioneer life IN Eaton
county. For several years but lew settle
ments were made in the township, but in
Is42 MFR. Wall could boastof quite Q clear
ing - and four neighbors in radius OF
as many miles. In that year the settlers
were un11oyed by mad wolf, which would
attack the stock in the night and bite pro-
miscuonsIy all within reach, the victim OF
the bite invariably going mad and suffering
terrible agony until relieved by death. 1T
seems a regularity Of the mad wolves that
they leave the company, or flock, OF; wolves,
and with remarkable persistence bite and
destroy every animal within reach. The
wolf in question had succeeded in doing
considerable damage, and numerous at
tempts bad been made to destroy 1T to no
purpose. One night in the middle OF June
MIR. Wall was awakened by the sGtleaI-
Ing of bis pigs and bark OF his dog. Jump
ine out OF his bed he ran TO the pen, which


Was made OF logs, and saw wolf chasing
and biting bis hogs. He leaped into the in
closure, took the wolf by the hind legs, and
attempted to dash its head against the logs.
The wolf had firm hold Of one, OF the
hogs, and would not let go. Wall ran to
the wood pile, got club, and succeeded 10
Killing the wolf, which proved to be mad.
The dog had taken active enough part IN
the affray to get several bites, and, with
three OF the swine, went mad and DIED.
This adventure gave Mr.. Wall the name OF
."WiIliam Wall, the wolf-slayer," by which
he was widely known. Another time,


while after his cows in the woods, he lost
his way and wandered till dark, when The
wolves commenced to howl, and had soon
surrounded him, and began closing in from


all sides. He could hear them running
through the underbrush and bowling in a
iriebtful manner. The prospect Of being
compelled to spend the night in the woods
with these half-famished wolves was any
thing but pleasant. The wolves became
more and more daring, and occasionally one
would dart past him and snap at his legs IN
a very suggestive manner. at length he


was compelled to take refuge in tree. He
climbed to goodly height, and was trying
to settle himself in q secure posltlon
for the night, when he noticed a
light not far distant, and, after little coSi-
.tation, convinced himself that it was made
by a burning log-heap in clearing
where he had been at work during the day.
He decided to make break for the clearing,
and for his protection cut limb from the
tree and made very formidable weapon In
the shape Of large club. The wolves were
bowling and digging around the foot OF the
tree in almost endless numbers. Taking Oh
his coat, he made q bundle of it, and when
he had descended near the ground threw II
as far as possible. 1t hardly touched the
ground before the wolves pounced upon II
and began fighting, each attempting to get
a chance at the garment, during which
time Wall jumped to the ground,
and, running for the clearing, had
gained considerable ground before he was
discovered by the pack, when they all
spIang after him. It was hard run and
close race, but he succeeded in reaching a
large burning log-heap built around stump
and jumping over the smouldering logs
reached the stump. The wolves came with
in few rods Of the fire and began circline
around il, keeping up always their un,
earthly bowling. Mr.. Wall passed the
night percbed on top Of the stump. but


found no time TO sleep, as he was kept busy


poking up the dying embers In order tc
keep the wolves at a respectful distance.
at daylight they disappeared. and the prl


soner hastened home to his family, who hac
expected to hear that "William Wall. the
wolf-slaye had been slain by the wolves