Look Back: On the hunt in Wood County

Historical newspaper excerpts from the Wood County Historical Society

Game is said to be very plentiful in the picturesque hills and vales of Wood County, and rabbits and possums tempt the rural youth in every copse and clearing. Both game and furs find ready sale at good prices in our market.

The Parkersburg Orthopolitan

Dec. 26, 1874

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Sabbath breaking

About a regiment, more or less, of hunters and dogs left the city Saturday night with guns, and other accoutrements for a day's sport. Of course, they must have spent the Sabbath in shooting game of various kinds, which is a very reprehensible thing to do on Sunday in a Christian country, and the police desire us to call attention to the matter.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

Oct. 22, 1888

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An eagle captured

Last Saturday morning while H.C. Roberts, of Newark, was out hunting, he saw a large bird flying toward him, and concealing himself behind a fence, the bird lit in a tree near him. He fired at the monster, breaking one of its wings. On examination it proved to be one of the finest specimens of the harpy eagle. Its measurements were as follows: Across the wings, 7 feet 6 inches, from top of head to tip of tail, 3 feet.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

Dec. 20, 1888

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Don't be a game hog

Only a few days intervene before the opening of the bird hunting season in West Virginia, and from all reports a rich treat awaits those who enjoy the sport but the State Journal desires to say a word to the man with the gun and the dog, and that is, don't be a hog.

Hunters should not be greedy or go in blood mad to kill off everything in sight. If each man will be content with a modest number of birds there will not be the wholesale extermination which pays no heed to the future.

There will be many instances where it would be comparatively easy to flush a covey and follow it up until the last one falls, but the man who does this will be doing next year's sport that much harm.

No man should go out, either, with a grim intent to secure birds enough for his entire neighborhood or to put in cold storage for an all winter supply.

The main things are the sunshine, the fresh, keen air and the touch of nature and it takes little killing to give you all of these and the zest of the hunt besides.

The [Parkersburg] State Journal

Oct. 29, 1904

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Trip was a success

Merchants Policeman Samuel Emerick returned to Parkersburg last night after enjoying a several days hunt along the Ohio River. He brought a big bunch of game with him.

Mr. Emerick had been out with Lieutenant of Police Smith and night clerk Buckley but the latter will not return to the city until tonight or tomorrow.

Mr. Emerick says that game is plentiful and that the members of the party enjoyed great sport.

The [Parkersburg] State Journal

Nov. 5, 1904

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical Society. Would you like to help preserve our past for future generations? The society offers informative monthly meetings and an interesting, 20-page quarterly newsletter. Dues are just $15./year. Send to: WCHPS, P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.