Orleans County Monitor

EDEN.

An amusing incident occurred in Eden on Friday last. Leonard McDowell, who was tried in this county a few years ago for the murder of Patrick Finnegan, and acquitted, was possessed of a lot of geese, which were attached on a writ in the hands of Deputy Sheriff H. C. Lamoher, often called "Old Grimes," and duly receipted, all of which were to be given up on demand. On the day above mentioned, the officer thought best to go and get the geese, and took along a brother deputy, Jonas Stevens, and a boy to hold the horse. On arriving at McDowell's, he (McD.) offered no resistance, but his wife had no intention of giving up the geese and showed fight at once. She being of large proportions, and aided by a numerous progeny, presented no slight obstacle in the matter; so the officer tried to reason with her, saying he was only obeying the mandate of the State, and it would be useless for her to resist; but arguments were of no avail with her, and the plucky officer made a dive for a goose, which was snatched away from him as soon as caught,—a sharp tussle ensued for the possession of another; and the round ended with the capture of one goose, which was placed in a large box on the wagon provided for the purpose, and Mr. Stevens placed in charge. Round 2d commenced with a sally for a goose by "Grimes," who was met by Mrs. McD. with a formidable shillalah, a blow from which was successfully parried. The parties closed and a lively scuffle took place, and for a time it was doubtful which would win, but finally both "went to grass," with the officer atop and the club secured and thrown away. Another goose was secured after a good run and placed with its fellow. Round 3d—"Grimes" came out of his "corner" blowing and went for the flock, this time being met by the dog was sent into the lot causing them to take wings, and for a time go beyond the reach of men's process, yet the vigilant officer found them, drove them back and secured another. Mrs. McD. then turned her attention to Mr. Stevens and struck at him with her club, which in attempting to parry was received on the back of his hand, when that gentleman got off the box, and in a twinkling, the amazon was "sent to grass and her shillalah far beyond reach. During this side affair one of the children came up and pulled a board off the box to let out the geese, but they were prevented from escaping by the timely arrival of Grimes with another goose. The fourth round commenced by the throwing of a good sized stone which passed within a foot of the officer's head, thrown by one of the children. By this time the officer began to show signs of being "irritated," and he went for that boy to mete out a severe punishment; but could not catch him, having used up most of his locomotive force in catching the geese. This other side affair gave one of the girls time to catch a couple of geese and start for the woods, beyond the reach of the law. Next the officers were assailed with an axe in the hands of the besieged party (as that instrument had been so effective in the act for which McDowell was tried); but the axe was wrested away and hidden and another goose secured. The dog interfered in the same manner again, but a well-directed and powerful kick caused the canine to leave the field totally disabled, and no amount of coaxing or driving could induce him to enter it again during the continuance of hostilities. Again Mrs. McDowell attempted to strike the officer with a club, and again was she thrown to the ground and disarmed, but not before she had 'made her mark' on the physiognomy of Lampher, extending from his right eye down across his fair (?) cheek. But all wars end, and this one did. Twelve of the nineteen geese were borne in triumph away. Two hogs which had also been attached, were left till a more convenient season. The boy who had accompanied the officers to guard the geese when caught, had kept aloof from the contest, and watched from afar off with a countenance of ashy paleness. Our readers can possibly imagine the din caused by this battle being made up of "jaw music' from the contesting parties, the barking of the dog and the cackling of the geese, but we cannot describe that.—Newsdealer.