E. J. Smith, Thomas H. Butler and “A Witness”

Port Edgar. August 31st, 1894.

Dear Sir,

On seeing in the Magazine that you would like to know when the last fox was killed, the last one to my knowledge, I think it was in the year 1873 or ’74, was killed by Mr. Edward Packe in Fox Bay. A man by the name of John Dack and myself went out to kill beef as they were all wild cattle in those days. We killed a cow down by Gun Hill and returned home with the beef, arriving about two o’clock in the morning. When Mr. Edward Packe went out in the morning he saw a fox going into the hen house so went into the house and got his rifle and fired at the fox and broke its fore leg, he then hit it with the butt end of the rifle and broke it, as he had no more bullets. This fox is supposed to have come across our tracks and followed them, I have helped to kill plenty in White Rock, but that is the last one. I am almost sure it was in 1874.

I will enclose a threepenny piece, dated 1874, that I found in a bull’s stomach, I send it to let you see it and will you please send it back to me, if it is any use for the Magazine I will tell you all about it.

I remain, yours truly,

E. J. Smith.

We have written for particulars of threepenny bit which we received safely.—Editor.

Sir,

In reply to your query about the foxes—the last fox killed in the West Falklands to my knowledge, was killed in Fox Bay, west side, in the early part of the year 1874. That was the last one I either saw or heard of, possibly some may have been seen later, in some other part.

I remain, Sir, yours sincerely.

Thomas H. Butler.

West Fox Bay. September 1st, 1894.

Sir,

The last fox killed out here was shot outside the old cook-house door at West Fox Bay, which used to be the Station dwelling house, in February 1873.

A Witness.