y o m i n q by Harry S. Douglass - Old Fulton History

April 1954
WOLF HUNT (cont.)
Page 85
'No, I have two buffalo robes in ray ilejgh; we'll bring them in
and the hunters can lie on the floor,' to which the boys quickly
agreed.
"With an ample supply of wood in the open fireplace, they
stretched themselves before it and were soon fast asleep, chasing
the wolf in their dreams. Before dawn, the Colonel was out, going
some three miles in either direction, and notifying the settlers of
the wolf hunt, and by 10 o'clock, some forty men had assembled to
join in the hunt.
"in the meantime, the Attica boys, being refreshed, retraced
their steps to where they left the track, and after following it
about 100 rods, found where upon the root of an overturned tree, the
wolf, without pickets,had bivouached for the night on the s ide hill
overlooking the valley. Prom here he continued in a westerly course,
crossing the road about midway between Person's 0orneI>s ancj ^heldon
Center. He kept the direction until he entered Cranberry Marsh
southwest of the Squire Castle place. It was agian night and further
pursuit for that day was abandoned.
"The third day the hunt was resumed, the woods being surrounded
to prevent the esc ape of the wolf, but the day closed without
dislodging him. '^he next day the hunt was again taken up with
increased enthusiasm, The hunters believing that the game, from
hunger,would attempt his escape. But no, Mr. Wolf knew the lay of
the land full as well as his pursuers, so that day proved fruitless
in result. •'•'hat day a meeting was called at Sheldon Center, when It
was decided that the Attica boys, with three citizens, would,on the
next day, enter the swamp at different points, individually, and if
possible, drive out the wolf. In the morning a larger number than
usual gathered. IJ -'he woods were surrounded and the boys went in„
Somehow, the Attica boys, who had not seen each other for t wo days,
happened to come together, a nd soon discovered the remains of a deer
that the wolf had caught and feasted on the previous night. They
Ware now greatly excited, hoping soon to capture the prize, when
looking a little in advance they saw the bushes move and the wolf
clamber over a snow-covered log. They, at once,leveled their rifles
and fired. He moved no further, and, on approaching, they found him
to be perfectly quiet, having been hit by two bullets. It was
admitted, however, from their positions,that Gardner fired the fatal
shot. The wolf was a monster one, measuring nine feet f rom tip to
tip, and was probably the last one killed In Wyoming County, or what
was then Genesee County.
"It was now about 3 o'clock, and the Attica boys were far f^om
home. The wolf was taken to Person's Corners and skinned. ,J -'he boys
were well cared for and even lionized for their pluck and success.
On the morrow a man by the name of Godfrey hitched up and took them
to Varysburg, and from thence, with their trophy, they footed it
home, where they arrived in the afternoon, much tot he joy of their
friends, who had no tidings of them since the first day. As for the
boys, they received $10. bounty and felt none the worse for their
adventureo