Feb. 15, 1896. 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
141 
this time, and so he yelled at Tom to go on up — and then 
they had it. The spectacle was ludicrous in the extreme. 
Mr. S. would tell Tom not to go and Mr. 0. would tell 
him to go on up, and there was Tom clinging to the tree 
for several minutes, not knowing what to do. Finally, 
though, he paid no attention to either his father or Mr. 
C. , and began to climb again. He managed after a hard 
struggle to reach the hollow. By this time Mr. S. and 
Mr. C. had quieted down. I threw Tom a long stick I 
had cut and he began to push it down into the holiow. 
Soon we heard a great growling and snapping in the tree. 
Tom had touched the occupant with the stick and he did 
not like to be molested in that manner. Tom kept punch* 
ing at him for about five minutes when, with a sudden 
growl, the coon, as it proved to be, ran out of the hollow 
and up the tree. He came so close to Tom and so sud- 
denly that he almost caused him to let go of his hold, he 
was scared so. We now thought we would like to see 
the dogs and the coon have a fight. So we tried in every 
way to get him down from the tree. First one of us and 
then the other would shoot at the limb he was on, in this 
way trying to make him jump down, but without suc- 
cess. 
Finally Tom's father put in his gun a shell loaded with 
bird shot and, going off some distance from the tree, fired 
directly at the coon. This was too much for him, and 
running out to the end of the limb he jumped to the 
ground. As soon as he touched, Eanger and Jack were 
upon him, and then they had it hot and heavy. Above 
the fuss of the growling, snarling and snapping, every 
now and then one of the dogs would yell as the coon 
fastened his teeth in him in some soft spot. First the 
coon would be on top and then the dogs. After they had 
fought for a few minutes in this way the coon made a 
sudden spring, knocking old Ranger down and jumping 
over Jack's back, made for the pond, which was in sight 
and only frozen around the edges. We would not shoot 
at him, as we knew he was just trying to get to the water, 
which is a coon's stronghold when cornered. They can 
whip, usually, several dogs if they are allowed to get into 
water. As soon as the coon got to the edge of the pond 
he looked back as though to see if the dogs were following 
him. Seeing that they were, he swam out into the pond 
about 20yds. from shore and turned around, apparently 
awaiting the attack from the dogs. By the time he had 
turned the dogs were in the water right after him, 
and now we had an exciting time. The dogs 
would swim around the coon, attacking him 
whenever they could see an opening. Just as 
old Ranger tried to seize him from behind, while Jack 
was barking at him in front, the coon suddenly turned 
and grabbed old Ranger by the ear. What a yell he gave! 
one would have thought he had been killed. We let them 
fight in this way for about ten minutes, when the dogs 
were so completely used up that we instructed Coleman 
to kill the coon; so, going to the edge of the pond and 
taking aim at his head, when the dogs were at a little 
distance he fired. His aim was true, and with a few 
struggles the coon was dead. We now sent Coleman 
around to the mill not far away to get a boat, so we could 
get the coon out, and after we had secured him" we started 
for home, as it was then growing late. On our way back 
the dogs treed a coon and a possum, both of which we 
bagged. I also shot a pheasant on the wing with Mr. S.'s 
gun. 
When we got home we found that the old darky had 
faithfully performed his mission and all of our game was 
there. We had killed four coons, two possums, two wild 
turkeys and a pheasant. We all said that we had never 
had a finer hunt in our lives, and we then agreed that the 
next winter we would, if possible, try our luck again. 
We stayed in the country for three or four days longer, 
when we left our host with much regret to return to our 
city duties. R. S. Pollard. 
Fox Terriers and Docking. 
Wellesley, Feb. 2. — Editor Forest and Stream: The 
inclosed letter, stating the views of the American Fox 
Terrier Club concerning docking, is being sent to all the 
delegates of the A. K. C. H. H. Hunnewell, Jr., 
Sec'y pro tern A. F. T. C. 
American Fox Terrier Club. Worcester, Mass., Feb. 1. 
— Dear SiR-.At the coming American Kennel Club meeting 
in February there is a resolution coming before the Club 
which prohibits the docking of tails and the cutting off 
of dew claws. 
Docking vitally affects the American Fox Terrier Club, 
and we strongly protest against this resolution. In favor 
of docking, we will say the following: 
First — Fox terriers have been docked ever since they 
have been classed as a distinct breed, the earliest pictures 
of fox terrier taken in the very beginning of this cen- 
tury showing docked tails. 
Second — A fox terrier with a long tail gives the im- 
pression of being an entirely different type of dog from the 
short-tailed one. Occasionally (not often) one sees a fox 
terrier with a long tail, and one is always impressed with 
the lack of breeding he shows, and also bow much smart- 
ness and alertness — imperative characteristics of the breed 
— he loses by reason of his long tail. 
Third — Fox terriers' tails vary in length and style of 
carriage, and if the rule preventing the cutting of tails 
were adopted it would completely destroy the uniformity 
of the breed. In appearance the dog would be changed 
from a very smart looking animal to a very inferior look- 
ing one. 
Fourth — In order to improve our strains in this coun- 
try we must occasionally import terriers from England, 
and as the English Kennel Club has not adopted any 
measure prohibiting docking of tails, and is not not likely 
to do so, the dogs imported to this country from England 
would, in consequence, be barred from the bench by reason 
of their docked tails; thereby depriving the importer from 
having his dog known and seen by other breeders, to the 
detriment of the best interests and improvement of the 
breed. 
With regard to the cruelty of the practice: We, who 
have been docking for many years and are best capable 
of judging, fail to see wherein it lies. The tails are cut 
when the puppies are so young — being from a week to ten 
days old — that they can scarcely notice it in the least, the 
bone being at that age very soft, A puppy will sometimes 
give a slight squeal, but before it has been placed by its 
mother's side seems to have forgotten all about it. There 
is little if any bleeding, and the tail heals in an incred- 
iblly short space of time. Never, we might add, has a 
terrier jP"PPy\ to our knowledge, been made ill or died or 
been in any way inconvenienced by an operation. All 
this shows that the amount of cruelty is infinitesimal and 
hardly worth considering, especially when such a great 
advantage in appearance is obtained. 
In regard to the cutting of dew claws: We admit it to 
be a more painful operation than docking, and one that 
takes longer to heal; but, as that affects all breeds of dogs as 
much as the fox terriers, and as every one knows that a 
great deal of future trouble and suffering is prevented by 
cutting the claws off — especially when they hang very low , 
as is often the case — we will not dwell on the subject, 
feeling confident that humanity now dictaates the prac- 
tice and always will. 
We hope that you will give this matter your eereful 
consideration, and, realizing how vitally it affects the 
breeders and owners of Terriers, will conclude to give us 
your support in defeating a resolution to prevent docking 
and cutting dew claws, — a resolution the first provision 
of which might be the death blow to the American Fox 
Terrier Club. We are yours most respectfully, 
John E. Thayer, President, 
August Belmont, 
W. Rutherford, 
Clarence Rathbone, 
H. W. Smith, Sec'y, 
H. H. HunneWell, Jr. , Sec'y pro tern. 
Governors of the American Fox Terrier Club. 
Special Car for ithe Show Circuit. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The Mascoutah Kennel Club has been making every 
effort to arrange for a sppcial express car for the accom- 
modation of exhibitors, leaving New York soon as con- 
venient after the close of the W. K. C, show, and make the 
circuit, returning to New York. The plan proposed was 
that each club interested should contribute proportion- 
ately and defray half of the cost of the car, the other half 
to be made up by exhibitors, thereby giving them the 
advantage of less than half the usual express charges; 
Spratts to manage the business, exhibitors to make appli- 
cation to them for space, etc. But Detroit has refused lo 
contribute anything for the purpose, consequently the 
Mascoutah Kennel Club and the St. Louis Kennel Club 
have arranged to have a car leave New York a week after 
the close of the W. K. C. show, in time to arrive in Chi- 
cago the Monday preceding the opening of the show 
there; after that going ;to St. Louis, and returning to 
New York. This, of course, will deprive exhibitors ex- 
pecting to stop in Detroit of the advantage of low express 
charges from New York there, or in fact from New 
York to Chicago. 
This arrangement will be carried out providing the car 
can be filled in New York with dogs for Chicago and St. 
Louis shows. The usual charge on a crate of 601bs. 
to make the circuit would be $10. The estimated cost to 
exhibitors for the same size crate is $5, on a crate say 
about 3x3x2; a crate twice that size would be charged 
more in proportion, but the same ratio of saving would 
exist. This estimate is based upon crates, not dogs, no 
matter how many dogs there would be in a crate. It 
simply requires a certain number of crates to pay the ex- 
penses of the car. The car will be heated and ventilated, 
and two attendants to look after the dogs, which alone is 
worth more to the owners than the money saved in charges. 
The first plan was to have Spratts fit out a car, and 
the same car continue on the circuit, but the express 
company could not afford to lose the use of the car for 
two or three weeks, as the car would have to remain in 
each place about a week without earning anything. 
The St. Louis Kennel Club and the Mascoutah Kennel 
Club have done all that can be done for the benefit and 
saving to exhibitors, to say nothing of the comfort of their 
dogs. There have been many complaints about excessive 
express charges, etc. The matter is now in the hands of 
the exhibitors to avail themselves of the benefit, and they 
will have no one to blame for excepsive charges but them- 
selves if they do not see fit to take advantage of this 
proposition. 
Field Trial Champion Association. 
The F. T. C. A. held a meeting on the evening of Feb. 8 
in response to a call of President Dexter, the purpose of 
which was to consider the rules and to set a time for the 
drawing of the stake. It was carried that entries close 
on Sunday night at 8 P. M. 
Then came a discussion as to what was meant by the 
definition of eligibility. The matter was defined on the 
club's entry blanks as follows: "For pointers and setters 
that have been placed in any public field trial. Entries 
close Jan. 1, 1896, except for dogs qualifying after that 
date and before the trial is run." Both the letter and the 
spirit of the rule are so plain that those who run may 
read. Dogs which qualified before Jan. 1, 1896, were 
barred if they were not entered by that date. They suf- 
fered no hardship, for they had their opportunity to 
enter. Under the strained construction of the rule it gave 
two opportunities to some dogs to enter, besides the ad- 
vantage of knowing what all the entries were. In plain 
terms, under the published contract, dogs which had 
qualified after Jan. 1, and had not done so before, were 
given an opportunity to enter and start. 
The following motion smoothed matters and was car- 
ried: "All dogs qualifying after Jan. 1, 1896, shall be 
eligible to start irrespective of previous winnings." This 
is a strained inteipretation, as it is an entirely different 
statement. 
All of which was illegal, as it was not within the juris- 
diction of the Association to take such action at an Asso- 
ciation meeting, for the rule on this matter is explicit, as 
follows: "The management of the meeting for the annual 
championship field trial shall be intrusted to the directors 
of the Association, and with them lies the interpretation 
of all rules. They shall decide upon all matters not pro- 
vided for in these rules." 
The directors did not take the action, as a directors' 
meeting was not called. It is therefore illegal and void. 
In the Matter of Delegates. 
The next meeting of the A. K, C. will undoubted y be 
an important one, therefore all clubs should endeavor to 
be represented at it. 
The acceptance of the office of delegate carries with it 
more thanja perfunctory assent to a club's request to repre- 
sent it, and more than silently sitting in a chair through 
a club meeting. Representing a club properly is not fully 
done by merely answering the roll call and subsequently 
reading one's name in the report of the proceedings, A 
delegate owes it to himself, to his club, to all of the clubsi 
of the A. K. C, that he be informed on important ques 
tions of the day,, and on the constitution, by-laws and 
rules of the A. K. C. 
A delegate who declares that he does not know what is' 
the jurisdiction of the A. K. C, or whether it has any 
jurisdiction at all in certain matters, confesses ignorance' 
of the duties of the office he professes to fill. As a dele- 
gate he should know the jurisdiction of the A. K. C. It 
is his duty to know it and also related subjects. A dele- 
gate who is groping aimlessly in the dark, or who grasps, 
at any flimsy evasion to avoid going on record, is about 
as efficient as a delegate as a wooden Indian is as an 
organic being. 
There are many questions before the A. K. C. which 
require the exercise of moral courage and fearless action. 
If a delegate cannot bring himself to a point to act with 
determination and directness, he should hesitate to accept 
an office which he cannot efficiently fill. 
A delegate who asserts that he does not know, that he 
is in doubt, that he has a timorous feeling respecting re- 
sults, and so on ad infinitum, should have all such mat- 
ters settled in his mind before the meeting. He should 
know what to say and how to act. He does not cut a 
dignified or pleasantly impressive figure airing his inef- 
ficiency in solemn council, if inefficiencies there be. 
It is possible that the doings of the individual delegates 
may be subjected to a closer scrutiny at the coming meeting 
of the A. K. C. than commonly is bestowed on such mat- 
ters. The manner of club representation is worthy of 
careful notice, for if a part of the machinery is useless 
the results must be more or less short of what is desired. 
National Beagle Club of America. 
A quarterly meeting of the National Beagle Club of 
America was held at the rooms of the American Kennel 
Club, 55 Liberty street, New York, Monday, Feb. 3. Tl e 
members present were Hermann F. Schellhass, H. L. 
Kreuder, J. W. Appleton, George B. Post, Jr., A. Wright 
Post, John Bateman and George W, Rogers. The new 
officers for the coming year installed were: President, 
Hermann F. Schellhass; First Vice-President, J. W. Ap- 
pleton; Second Vice-President, George B. Post, Jr.; Third 
Vice-President, John B. Lozier; Secretary, George W. 
Rogers; Treasurer, George Laick; Executive Committee, 
A. Wright Post, John Bateman, N. A. Baldwin, and 
officers. 
Joseph Lewis, of Moodus, Conn., was nominated as one 
of the official judges in the place of George B. Post, Jr. 
Messrs. Mifflin Wharton, Islip, L. I. ; W. C. Duff, Phila- 
delphia, Penn., and C. F. Lewis, New York, were elected 
to membership. Messrs. J. W. Appleton and A. Wright 
Post were appointed committee on special prizes, and on 
pedigrees, W. S. Clark, Linden, Mass. 
The Futurity Stake that was proposed at the club's last 
field trials has been placed in the hands of a committee 
comprising Messrs. J. W. Appleton. George W, Rogers 
and H. L. Kreuder, who will formulate plans to be sub- 
mitted at the next adjourned meeting, which will be held 
at Madison Square Garden, Feb. 19, 8 P. M. 
Geo. W. Rogers, Sec'y. 
February 3 . 
Westminster Kennel Club. 
The entries for the Westminster Kennel Club Show in 
Madison Square Garden next week beat the record with a 
total of 1,610, or 204 more than last year's. The classes 
are represented by these entries: 19 mastiffs, 159 St. Ber- 
nards, 11 bloodhounds, 40 Great Danes. 4 Newfoundlands, 
18 Russian wolfhounds, 6 deerhounds, 22 greyhounds, 
17 foxhounds, 6 Chesapeake Bay dogs, 92 pointers, 59 Eng- 
lish setters, 55 Irish setters, 3a Gordon setters, 148 spaniels, 
111 collies (rough-coated), 3 collies (smooth-coated), 
86 poodles, 8 Old English sheep dogs, 73 bull dogs, 7 French 
bull dogs, 73 bull terriers, 81 Boston terriers, 2 Basset 
hounds, 26 dachshunde, 45 beagles, 151 fox terriers, 
40 Irish terriers, 22 Black and Tan terriers, 13 White Eng- 
lish terriers, 6 Dandle Dinmont terriers, 18 Badlington ter- 
rier?, 35 Scottish terriers, 7 Skye terriers, 7 whippets, 
15 Yorkshire terriers, 9 toy terriers, 21 pugs, 59 toy span- 
iels, 8 Italian greyhounds, 2schipperkes, 20 miscellaneous. 
United States Field Trials. 
West Point, Miss., Feb. 10. — Special to Forest and 
Stream: The Champion Stake was commenced this morn- 
ing in pleasant weather and in the presence of a large at- 
tendance of sportsmen. There were ten starters: Jfngo, 
Topsy's Rod, Delhi, Cynosure, Tony Boy, Harold Skim- 
pole, Tippoo, Count Gladstone, Strideaway, Terry's fi-ale 
and Lad o' Rush; the latter drew the bye in the first 
round. The stake will probably be finished on Wednes- 
day. B. Waters. 
Death of the Beagle Speedie. 
Milwaukee, Feb.7. — Dr. A.White's beagle b'tc'i Speedie, 
that won first in Class B and championship in 15in. class 
at Northwestern trials, is dead. Speedie was kept at Col- 
umbus, Wis., by a friend of the Doctor, when his barn 
caught fire and the bitch was burned with the other c in- 
tents. Mr. Hough spoke very highly in his report of trials 
about her. Louis Steffen. 
Continental Field Trials Club. 
Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 8. — The annual meeting of the 
Continental Field Trials Club will be held at Battery 
D, in Chicago, Ills., Thursday, March 12th, at 2 o'clock 
P. M. Business of importance will come before the meet- 
ing for consideration, therefore a full attendance is desired. 
P. T. Madison, Sec'y-Treas. Dr. N. Rowe, Pres. 
Eastern Field Trials Club. 
Greenfield Hill, Conn., Feb. 8. — A meeting of the 
members of the Eastern Field Trials Club will be held in 
Madison Square Garden Feb. 20, at 3 P. M. 
S. C. Bradley, Sec'y. 
"The Singing Mouse." 
Mr. Hough, through his medium, "The Singing Mouse," writes 
poetical rhapsodies on various topics. The river, che mountain, the 
mii). are all poetically treated. Tne thoughts are happily expressed, 
and the make-up of the book a most dainty oner All along the mar- 
gins of the pages run the little pictures.— New York Times. 
