Newspaper Extracts
The Colebrook Hunt
22 November 1840
On Thursday last, this little pack of harriers met at Ulley, and, after having a ten minutes run with a hare in the valley between Ulley and Brampton, "Butler" a capital hound, and true, got upon the drag of a fox, and hit it into a willow garth, from whence reynard was seen cautiously stealing away. "Tally O!" "Forward!" "Hark to Butler!" was the cry - and away the pack went in gallant style, leaving Morthen to the right, down to Lin's Wood, where reynard doubled for Upper Whiston, then went on to Ulley Banks and crossed the Brook, which proved a stickler to many of the Horsemen, and caused the field to become very select. He afterwards tried Burnt Wood, thinking to find safe quarters, but the hounds being close upon him, he was very wily to "come out of that" and was viewed away towards Treeton Wood, which, being warmly pressed, he skirted, as also Hail Mary Hill, leaving them to the left. He then went at a rattling pace down to the meadows, swam the River Rother, crossed the North Midland railway, and also the new cut of the Rother, and on landing found himself only 200 yards from his persuers, who stuck to him in splendid style, much to the astonishment of many old fox hunters.
He now made for and entered High Field Spring Wood (showing evident symptoms of distress) round which he vainly ran three times, with a view to elude his enemies, and came out on the lower side, in the direction for Treeton, but shortly doubled towards Handsworth, the hounds hotly persuing, and not more than ten yards from his brush.
In this manner they ran over about six fields, when reynard, finding it impossible longer to go on, soughed in a field belonging to Mr. Dodson, old Butler bouncing in immediately after him. Here, owing to the time spent in the wood, Dawson, the huntsman (or as he is more familiarly styled, "Old Johnny"), and several of the tailers off came up, and Johnny pulled the hound out of the sough. Every person in the neighbourhood willingly lent a hand to unearth the "varmint," which was speedily done with the assistance of a couple of terriers of the right sort. Reports having been circulated that these harriers would not worry a fox, reynard was thrown to them, and was not only speedily killed, but eaten too.
There was a numerous field of horsemen, who were much delighted, and highly commended the hounds.
The run occupied nearly two hours, over a very heavy country, and at a severe pace, many of the sportsmen at the conclusion having to tell of "moving accidents by flood and field."
It is much to be regretted that the Sheffield Gentlemen are likely to lose this valuable pack, which, ever since the Sandbeck hounds were given up, has hunted the country as well as harriers could possibly do. They are shortly to be sold.
