An Old Offender Vanquished
— A Southwick Time Machine Historical Curiosity | Republished Account
Granville, Massachusetts, 1818
For some time past, the farmers in Granville, Massachusetts, and the adjoining towns had suffered serious losses in their flocks of sheep, several being killed in one night. It was ascertained by the tracks and the manner in which the spoiler treated his prey that these depredations were committed by a wolf, whose haunt must be somewhere in the neighborhood.
Our injured yeomanry were determined, at the first opportunity, to hunt down so dangerous a foe.
It was discovered early on the morning of January 5, 1818, that he had visited a sheepfold in this vicinity with his usual success in plunder. Alarm was immediately made, and the enemy was traced into a large swamp, which was soon surrounded by more than 100 persons.
At the “winding of the horn,” the company advanced toward the center of the swamp, when the wolf was soon discovered. He was regularly kept at bay until his range was confined to two or three acres of land.
In this situation, the charge of musketry commenced. It was calculated that more than 30 guns were fired; yet the foe, braving all dangers, broke through the ranks of the assailants and escaped, though with manifest symptoms of inconvenience from the wounds he had received in the encounter.
The next morning, the chase was renewed. Upon seeking him about a mile from the scene of action, he was found dead.
He appears to have been an old offender, of uncommon size, and well calculated to do mischief. He measured six feet from the nose to the end of the tail, was three feet in height, and weighed 85 pounds.
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