The Trigg letters

[hellcat]

Here is some more of the history of this strain of hounds.

The following is a quotation from Mr. Trigg’s book, The
American Fox Hound:

“In 1866 we opened correspondence with George L. F. Birdsong, of Thomaston, Ga., and purchased of him
that year and in 1867 the following dogs, paying these prices: Chase and Bee (by Longstreet) $100.00;
George, $100.00; Rip, $100.00; Fannie, $100.00. Lee was presented to us. In 1868, we visited Mr. Birdsong and spent a week with him. He was then feeble, in fact threatened with that terrible disease, consumption, from which he died the 18th of August the following year. He was able to take us on but one hunt, when we caught a red fox in 45 minutes. We suspected the fox was not in condition to run, and held a post mortem, but found nothing wrong with him.

“Mr. Birdsong then had in his kennel—we had him in the hunt—a dog that has been talked about a great deal in late years, July. We also had in the pack three of his get, I think then about three years old. i.e. Madcap, Light Foot, and Echo. He also had three yearlings out of Echo by his celebrated dog Longstreet, i.e. Delta,
Dumas and David. By begging two days and paying $500, he let us have Lightfoot and Delta. In addition to these we purchased Forrest, Boston, and Emma, paying $100 each.
“In 1867 we visited General G. W. Maupin, of Madison County, Ky., and were present at the great match race between Ben Robinson of Montgomery county and General Maupin. This meet took place at the Oil Springs, in Clark county, and was much talked about by the hunters everywhere at that time. After the race, we accompanied General Maupin home, spending several days hunting with him. On our departure we purchased of him a young bitch called Minnie that was one or two crosses from his celebrated dog called Tennessee Lead on one side and the imported English dogs on the other.”

Then Mr. Trigg talks about crossing a Tennessee Lead dog named One Eyed King on some bitches by Longstreet out of Echo by Old July, and getting some superior dogs that were the fastest he ever owned. Mr. Birdsong called Longstreet the best dog he ever owned. Longstreet was of the Henry strain, and not supposed to be related to old July, although they were both Irish hounds and descendants of Mountain and Muse, who were imported into Maryland during the year 1814. It seems to me that Mr. Trigg had for his
foundation breeding stock three of the best strains in existence at that time. They also appeared to be as good as anything we have today.

It is interesting to note that such good breeders as Gosnell, Henry, Maupin, the Senior Walkers, Goodmans, Trigg and Bidrdsong all lived at the same time, almost all knew each other, and traded breeding stock. They lived in Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Georgia, and transportation facilities were poor at that time. When July and Mary, as puppies, made their trip from Maryland to Georgia, they were carried in a sack, on horse back, a distance of 700 miles. Those men were real dog breeders, and they were always hunting better blood for out crossing. They were not hampered by pedigree lines as we are today. They bred the best ones to the best ones, regardless of strain.

I have been talking here about fox dogs and breeders who lived between 1850 and 1900, and have been discussing the best ones. I am sure they had plenty of the other kind. You hunters who like to make comparisons between the old time hounds and those of today should read about the get of Tennessee Lead and old July, and then write a story. Those two dogs have been dead 90 years, but you can find the history of their families in Mr. Trigg’s book, “The American Foxhound”, and George J. Garrett’s book, “Fifty Years With
Fox and Hounds”. On page 36 Mr. Garrett quotes from the Turf Register as follows: “The Pollock pack of Irish foxhounds caught four red fox in one day during December, 1836, by two o’clock in the afternoon.” That was 118 years ago. I doubt if those fox had been eating plenty of good greasy cracklins like Mr. J. F. Manning and I feed our fox here.

I recently came down with a bad knee that put me in the hospital. My neighbor, Mr. Reuben Windsor, brought me his hound dog library. He had it all, from the first stud books of the American Foxhound Breeders down to date. I started with 1850 and didn’t get much past the turn of the century, so the last 54 years is till open for
discussion.

[Riverbottom]

Glad you were able to find a copy of Mr. Trigg's book Jess. All too often, the story dies with the breeder and all we are left with at best are legends that may or may not be true. Lucky for folks like us, Haiden decided to put it down in print.

I was suprised also that all these breeders knew each other and wrote back and forth. When you think about it, they created at least two new breeds of foxhounds that didn't exist before. The Birdsong dogs and July came from Irish hounds, but Ben Hardaway hunted all over Ireland in the 1950's looking for the Irish version of Julys. He didn't find any.

The Walkers and Maupins also created a unique breed of foxhound. They relied heavily on imported English hounds, but the finished product didn't resemble the English foxhounds much except in color.

[Dads dogboy]

Riverbottom,

Read Mr. Ben's book a little closer. I think you will find that he found a Hound very similar to Mountain and Muse with the Irish Harrier of Northern Ireland.

I know that Mr. Ben had brought some Hounds over as late as a couple of years ago. They have a white 3 or 4 year old Irish import female, that while she is an OK Coyote Hound; can, to quote Mr. Ben "Dominate" a Grey Fox or Bobcat Race.

We have enjoyed knowing Mr. Ben very much. In his Day he was one " Hell of a MAN"! His book "Never Out Foxed" is a Great Read for anyone who consideres themselves Houndsmen. The DVD that Mr. Ben's friends put together after the book is very worth while to own and view. All proceeds from the DVD sales go to the Sportsmans Alliance to help fight the Antis. For anyone interested in the Book or the DVD go to www.mfha.com and click on members then click on the Midlands Fox Hounds.

C. John Clay
Dads Dogboy

[hellcat]

Glad you were able to find a copy of Mr. Trigg's book Jess. All too often, the story dies with the breeder and all we are left with at best are legends that may or may not be true. Lucky for folks like us, Haiden decided to put it down in print.

I was suprised also that all these breeders knew each other and wrote back and forth. When you think about it, they created at least two new breeds of foxhounds that didn't exist before. The Birdsong dogs and July came from Irish hounds, but Ben Hardaway hunted all over Ireland in the 1950's looking for the Irish version of Julys. He didn't find any.

The Walkers and Maupins also created a unique breed of foxhound. They relied heavily on imported English hounds, but the finished product didn't resemble the English foxhounds much except in color.

I believe the spirit of cooperation is what allowed these guys to breed such fine hounds.
I have several more of these letters on my web site for anyone who is interested.

http://www.lightfootenglishhounds.com

[Dan McDonough]

Hellcat,
That spirit of cooperation...very true.

Dan

[Riverbottom]

Your right C. John. Rouser. "It cost you $2000 to get that dog into your pack and now it's going to cost you $20,000 to get him out"

It's good to hear Mr. Ben is still active in hounds. Jess mentioned the spirit of cooperation. Ben Hardaway gave away, not sold but gave away more than 1000 hounds, including one of the greatest he ever owned, Wade.

Even if I had his bank account, I don't think I could ever part with my best hounds like that.

[Dads dogboy]

Riverbottom,

This past May they inducted Mr. Ben into the MFA Hall of Fame.

He gave his Bobcat Hounds to some young fellows in S. Carolina late last year. He does not hunt much these days, but you can bet anytime Mason or someone has the Midland out for a run some body gives him a report. I would think that he makes a race or two anyway.

You are so right about the cooperation thing, Mr. Ben has put more Fox Packs and Hunts together for people than most could imagine! He has given Drafts of Hounds to just about not only every state in the Union but every Continent on Earth. The Aussies that I talk to all have Hardaway crossbreds! He was and still is quote a Man!

Ole Rosser was one hell of a hound they say, but when the Deer showed up he sure liked them better and passed this on to all his Get!

Always enjoy your Posts!

C. John Clay
Dads Dogboy

[hellcat]

Hellcat,
That spirit of cooperation...very true.

Dan

Dan

I have often wondered why so few Hounds-men today work together to improve their hounds. Many of the old timers shared not only their hounds but information learned from years spent with their hounds. I have been fortunate to become friends with several of men of this type. Al Womack <blue ticks> Roy Howell <Plotts> Dick Tinsley <Walkers> Ray Keeter <Leopards> to name a few. I hunted and bred the same Light Foot hounds then that I do today, However each of these men spent time talking dogs and breeding along with many nights in the woods with me. I feel that I became a better hounds-men and breeder from hunting and speaking with these men.

[nosightsneeded]

In mineral wells, tx. It is crazy to think this place used to be covered with wolves.

[briarpatch]

Hey, "nosights", I feel sure they were talking coyotes rather than wolves. I am not far from you and I know that many years ago there were many coyote hunters in this area who called themselves "wolf" hunters. There are still a very few, but most of them now run in the pens and not in the woods.

briarpatch