Old West newspapers turned elusive wolves into legends
Individual wolves that eluded government hunters during the late 19th and
early 20th century became famous in the West. Newspaper reporters often
portrayed these survivors as supernatural in their ability to escape
death.
Among those whose exploits were followed by Spokane newspapers was Old
Cripple Foot, a wolf that reporters claimed had cost Montana farmers at
least $20,000 over a period of 10 years, well beyond the typical life
expectancy of 6 to 8 years.
“Hundreds, perhaps thousands of (bullets) whistled about her,” The
Spokesman-Review reported in 1926.
Old Cripple Foot was one of several named for close calls with government
traps. Others included Three Legs and Three Toes.
In the end, they all proved mortal. Even the old Montana wolf couldn’t
dodge every bullet.
“Old Cripple Foot has raided her last flock, decimated her last herd,
terrorized her last range,” read the 1926 story about her death. “Six
puppies, found inside (her den) met a like fate — and now, the range can
breathe more easily.”
— Dan Hansen