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Story
January 5, 1904
Daily Capital Journal
Salem, Marion County, Oregon
What is this article about?
In Echo, Oregon, on New Year's Day, over 6,000 rabbits were killed in the state's largest drive on Harry Rogers' farm using wire netting; two coyotes also slain amid chaotic pursuit by 300 participants; excess rabbits used for cannery and hog food.
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ECHO'S RABBIT DRIVE
Six Thousand Johnny Hares Killed New Years Day
As Many More Escaped, and the 12,000 Were Gathered on Three Sections
New Year's rabbit drive was the largest ever held in the state of Oregon, there being at least six thousand of the destructive little creatures slaughtered. Such large figures sound unreasonable to those unfamiliar with conditions here. Great preparations had been made for this drive, for a large crowd of visitors was expected.
Three miles of wire netting was put up on the farm of Harry Rogers at the mouth of Butter creek. This amount of netting gave the longest wings ever provided for a drive and thus made it possible to cover a larger amount of territory than ever before.
Trains were all late, and for this reason only three persons came from Pendleton. Miss Lingenfelter, Dr. Smith and his father, and they made a quick trip out from Echo but got to the drive too late to take part.
The drive started about 11 o'clock and in about a half an hour it was all over, but while it lasted the fun was fast and furious. The ground seemed to be alive with rabbits and long before the corral was reached the people had to kick the rabbits out of their way so as to make walking possible.
They were so numerous that rabbits were running in all directions and not one in five that were on the ground were killed. As close together as the drivers could get there were streams of rabbits escaping between them.
It was discovered that there were a couple of coyotes among the rabbits and then the excitement grew more intense. There were 300 men, women and children driving and everyone tried to get a whack at the coyotes. It was soon over with the sly animals. They were clubbed to death. At the finish there were about 5000 rabbits in the corral and the field was covered with the slain.
Along each wing there was a large windrow of dead rabbits. It is safe to estimate to say that fully 6000 rabbits were killed.
The cannery wagon was there with four horses attached and upon this wagon was loaded 1000 of the rabbits, all the cannery could use. Harry Rogers also had a four horse team there and he took 1500 home to cook for hog food.
What was taken away made no impression on the heaps of dead rabbits.
Mr. Ford, official photographer for the O. R. & N. Co., was here with his apparatus and took numerous views of the drive and interesting incidents thereto.
At the close of the drive it was announced that there would be another drive at the same place on Sunday, January 10th, and Mr. Ford said he would be here again on that day to take more views to illustrate the literature his company is issuing.
Arrangements will be made for the next drive so that people from Pendleton and Heppner may get here in time to take part.—Echo News.
Six Thousand Johnny Hares Killed New Years Day
As Many More Escaped, and the 12,000 Were Gathered on Three Sections
New Year's rabbit drive was the largest ever held in the state of Oregon, there being at least six thousand of the destructive little creatures slaughtered. Such large figures sound unreasonable to those unfamiliar with conditions here. Great preparations had been made for this drive, for a large crowd of visitors was expected.
Three miles of wire netting was put up on the farm of Harry Rogers at the mouth of Butter creek. This amount of netting gave the longest wings ever provided for a drive and thus made it possible to cover a larger amount of territory than ever before.
Trains were all late, and for this reason only three persons came from Pendleton. Miss Lingenfelter, Dr. Smith and his father, and they made a quick trip out from Echo but got to the drive too late to take part.
The drive started about 11 o'clock and in about a half an hour it was all over, but while it lasted the fun was fast and furious. The ground seemed to be alive with rabbits and long before the corral was reached the people had to kick the rabbits out of their way so as to make walking possible.
They were so numerous that rabbits were running in all directions and not one in five that were on the ground were killed. As close together as the drivers could get there were streams of rabbits escaping between them.
It was discovered that there were a couple of coyotes among the rabbits and then the excitement grew more intense. There were 300 men, women and children driving and everyone tried to get a whack at the coyotes. It was soon over with the sly animals. They were clubbed to death. At the finish there were about 5000 rabbits in the corral and the field was covered with the slain.
Along each wing there was a large windrow of dead rabbits. It is safe to estimate to say that fully 6000 rabbits were killed.
The cannery wagon was there with four horses attached and upon this wagon was loaded 1000 of the rabbits, all the cannery could use. Harry Rogers also had a four horse team there and he took 1500 home to cook for hog food.
What was taken away made no impression on the heaps of dead rabbits.
Mr. Ford, official photographer for the O. R. & N. Co., was here with his apparatus and took numerous views of the drive and interesting incidents thereto.
At the close of the drive it was announced that there would be another drive at the same place on Sunday, January 10th, and Mr. Ford said he would be here again on that day to take more views to illustrate the literature his company is issuing.
Arrangements will be made for the next drive so that people from Pendleton and Heppner may get here in time to take part.—Echo News.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Nature
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Rabbit Drive
Oregon
Pest Control
Coyotes
Communal Hunt
Butter Creek
What entities or persons were involved?
Harry Rogers
Miss Lingenfelter
Dr. Smith
Mr. Ford
Where did it happen?
Farm Of Harry Rogers At The Mouth Of Butter Creek, Echo, Oregon
Story Details
Key Persons
Harry Rogers
Miss Lingenfelter
Dr. Smith
Mr. Ford
Location
Farm Of Harry Rogers At The Mouth Of Butter Creek, Echo, Oregon
Event Date
New Year's Day
Story Details
Largest rabbit drive in Oregon history with 6,000 rabbits killed on Harry Rogers' farm; coyotes also slain; preparations included wire netting; visitors from Pendleton arrived late; another drive planned for January 10th.