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The skin of the Fisher and Weasel, was found amongst
the Indians, in use as an ornamental pouch for the pipe & tobacco
but the animals themselves, were not known here since the
occupancy of the country by White folks

The Otter still maintains an existance amongst us, but
confines himselfe to streams and ponds of such magnitude,
as afford him plenty of sea room, as well as good fishing ground
He has been taken repeatedly, in possession of a house constructed
by the Musk Rat; but whether he came to it by high handed robery,
or by more foul murder, is yet an undecided matter - That they ever
lived in Prairie Sloughs, or any where else where fish was not convenient
is I think a mistake in the reporter

The Beaver of [illegible] an inhabitant of this part of Ill was cut
off at so early a day, that no trace of former existance, is now to be found

The Bear was know by report ever since I came to the country,
but a solitary specimen, was all that has certainly been caught -
some twelve or fifteen years since, one was found strolling about
the prairie in my neighbourhood. It was immediately pursued and
taken alive It was miserably poor & though well treated after
its captivity, survived only a few weeks. It was judged to be one yr. old

The news of its capture called ^out all of the old hunters far & near; but
though some tracks and other sign of Bear was found, none
could ever be put in chace

The large Wolf both black & gray was found here at the
first settlement of the country, but the want of extensive
forests or other secure retreats, soon rendered his existance
so perilous that he left for parts unknown -

The Prairie Wolf was for many years, one of our most
intolerable pests Sheep, Pig, and poultry, were all equally
his prey; nor was any season, summer or winter, or any time
day or night, found to minish his presence, or moderate his apetite
Before domestick stock became plentiful, he was fain to fill his
belly with such as he could get Green Corn, Pumpkins, Squash
Water Melons, Cucumber, and the like were not rejected.