IOWA BIRD LIFE— XI, 11)41 
fiS 
of Gene Soule out in the cemetery will settle that.” 1 drove to the 
cemetery, and after searching for some time finally found an old, 
weather-beaten marker on which the dates were barely legible. Dimly 
I read — “Born June 2 1849—Died Aug 15 1872,” 
This 23-year-old Eugene Soule, commonly called “Gene,” was the 
local gunsmith in Boonesboro, and was also considered one of the best 
shots in the county. He was accordingly chosen as captain of one side. 
Each side had an equal number of hunters and the hunt was to last 
three days. They assembled near the old court house and scores of 
people were out to see them start and to wish them success. Father 
watched them from the front door of the Goetzman harness shop as 
they started, four or five loads in each party. They used spring wagons, 
three-seated buggies and single buggies. 
Mr. Crooks, being then but 12 years of age, was too young to be a 
member of the hunting party, but by consistent begging he was finally 
allowed to go as the driver of one of the rigs. Young “Willie” Crooks 
was much elated, for his father was one of the hunters and he wanted 
to “go with Dad” to see him shoot chickens. Their party drove south- 
west of Boonesboro, across the Des Moines River to Marcy and the 
surrounding townships just south of what is now Ogden. The other 
party went northwest from Boonesboro. also crossing the Des Moines 
River, and hunted up in the northwest part of the county. 
It was a happy, jovial group of hunters and dogs that started on that 
morning of August 13, 1872, each bent on killing the greater number 
of chickens. If there happened to be a farm house on a section they 
would go in at that corner of the farm and would hunt right through 
that section. “Willie” Crooks would then drive the team around the 
section and meet the hunters after they had crossed the farm. The 
whirr of wings and the rapid shots were music to the ears of the men 
and boys. The dogs were all trained retrievers and few birds were 
lost. At night they would stay either at some farm house, or sleep in 
the hay loft of a barn. 
Tin-: IMKlJ n)' THE ['i'LAXD PRAIRIE THAT KILLED THE LARDER OK MANY 
A HfNOKY PIONEER KAMILY WAS THE I'KAIRIE ( [IH KKV 
