Wolves Devour Two Persons

POTTAWATTAMIE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/4/2009 at 15:44:13

Maquoketa Sentinel, January 31, 1856.

RAVAGES OF WOLVES IN IOWA-
TWO PERSONS DEVOURED

(From Keokuk Daily Post, 11th)

Owing to the extreme cold weather for some time past, the wolves in Pottawattamie County have become dangerous neighbors. Poultry-yards and sheep folds have been robbed to a frightful extent, and in several instances the hungry beasts have not been inclined to spare the human species.

About three weeks ago, a man was returning from a prayer meeting, accompanied by his two daughters, one sixteen and the other twenty-three years of age.They were all riding the same horse, when suddenly a pack of timber wolves assailed them, and being unable to escape by flight, they attempted to defend themselves. But the ferocious beasts attacked the horse rendering him unmanageable. The oldest daughter was partly thrown and partly dragged to the ground and instantly devoured. This enabled the father and other daughter to escape. Several neighbors were soon mustered, but upon repairing to the spot nothing was found but one shoe, and a very few remnants of the unfortunate girl’s clothing.

A boy of about thirteen years old left his father’s house to get water at a spring, which was about half a mile distant, since which time nothing has been seen of him. The pail was found near the spring; also some marks of blood and a lock or two of hair. Several persons have been chased by these savage monsters.