Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1912 — HAPPENINGS IN THE CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAPPENINGS IN THE CITIES

Thought He Had Captured a Groundhog; - *(,-'l'

TRENTON, N. J.—James Williams, a farm hand of White Horse, who is a firm believer in the ground hog weather theory, was put under the care of a physician as the consequence of his endeavor to capture the animal and keep him out of his hole, so that the six more weeks of winter would be eliminated. Williams’ experience was such that he says he will never bother the ground-hog again. For several weeks Williams had boasted to friends that he had found the ground hog’s hole and announced that when the proper time arrived he Intended to insure the community good weather by forcing the to remain in the open, even if he did see his shadow. Several volunteered to aid him in the captnre, bnt Williams desired all the honor, and said he could perform the feat single handed. Before dawn b* went to the supposed hole of the

ground hog, about one and a half miles from White Horse, and waited.- y f It seemed a long time to dawn ands the farm hand felt drowsy. He aroused himself and walked about the hole several times to keep awake, hot wak finally overcome, and before be knew It was sound asleep in the snow. Williams arose with a start. The sun was brightly sbining, and the snow swlftly'melting about him. He gave one hurried glance Into the hole and then quickly arose. Not ten feet from him he saw an animal walking leisurely- in the direction of White Horse. He believed his ground hog was escaping, and immediately started in pursuit. He took the animal unawares, and the capture was easy. Holding his prey under one arm be started for the village. When he was espied coming down the road with bis captive there was a mighty cheer from a crowd which had gathered. It was the prondeat moment dl Williams’ life. As he walked into the crowd he held the ground' hog np so all could see it and was amazed to see the crowd suddenly disperse and flee in, panic. “Drop that skunk,” the town const*, ble shouted, as he dlved into a cellar. The villagers scattered In all directions.