Chapter 10

Wild Animals
The wild animals abounding in the forests of Jay, when civilization commenced its war upon them, were the bear, deer, wolf, wild cat, wild hog, otter, gray fox, raccoon, woodchuck or ground hog, porcupine, mink, muskrat, skunk, opossum, rabbit, weasel and squirrel. Early settlers claim to have killed catamounts. Some of these animals being now rarely seen should be described. The wolf has the general appearance of a large dog. He hunts in the night, lives chiefly upon deer and rabbits, but kills sheep, hogs, and almost any other animal when he can. Wolves do not go in large gangs except in the winter; then twelve of fifteen are sometimes seen in one pack. At other seasons they go in pairs, except when attended by their young. The she wolf generally makes her nest in a hollow log, each succeeding year occupying the same place until disturbed, after which she seeks a new spot near by. The make wolf sleeps a hundred yards or so distant from her nest, on rising ground. At evening, when she has young, she walks a few feet from the nest and howls. He answers with a terrible roar, goes to the nest, than away into the woods, and during the night brings home whatever game he chances to catch. At sunrise he gives apparently a warning howl and retires, while the king of day fills the forest with golden light. The wolf is a shy animal, and never attacks a man unless when very hungry or in defense. B. W. Hawkins tells the following story: Long before the white men inhabited Jay County some Indians were trapping on the head waters of the Salimonie, in Madison Township. One Indian went several miles from the camp, alone, to set some traps. On the way he killed a deer, which he tied across his shoulders. Returning just after dark, he heard wolves near him. They first acted as if playing around him then came nearer and encircled him, snapping their teeth and showing a determination to attack. He shot, and instantly they were upon him from every side. He seized his tomahawk and struck at them in all directions, but one caught him and tore the cords from his leg. At that moment he cut loose the deer, which they seized, and ran away. The Indian crawled to a fallen tree, the roots of which had turned up. Upon these he climbed and remained until morning, when the Indians came in search of him. When Mr. Hawkins saw him he was a cripple, and had to hunt on horseback.

Wild hogs are simply tame ones that have run in the woods until they have become wild, or their progeny. They sometimes live to the age of twelve years or more, become very large, and have a large tusk on each side of the snout. They are the wildest animals that ever traveled the woods. They do not root around irregularly like tame hogs, but always in a straight course, as if surveying, occasionally raising their heads and walking several rods. They never attack a man unless cornered. The early settlers killed them rapidly, and now none remain.

Wild cats were very numerous in Jay. They are of a brindle color, have the shape of the house cat, but are four or five times larger. They are a ferocious animal; will fight desperately when attacked, and can catch and kill a nest of pigs in spite of the efforts of the mother.