hr724_LC_35_0602_a_2.html
07 LC 35 0602
House Resolution 724
By: Representatives Hudson of the 124th, Lane of the 158th, Burns of the 157th, and Barnard of the 166th

A RESOLUTION


Honoring the original July Foxhound and recognizing the historical marker to be placed in his memory on May 5, 2007, in Hancock County, Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, in July of 1858, two Irish foxhounds arrived for the first time in Georgia as a gift to Colonel Miles G. Harris of Hancock County from a noted Maryland hunter, Nimrod Gosnell; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Harris invited hunters from miles around to join him on a fox hunt during October of 1859, and the hunters who came from all over middle Georgia were extremely skeptical that this unusual hound with short ears and woolly hair could match their choice breeds; and

WHEREAS, none of the dogs that had gone before had been able to catch the quick red fox, but on the first hunt the Colonel´s new hounds had run down a red fox in less than an hour, leaving all the other dogs scattered in their path; and

WHEREAS, the choicest runners could not match the superior performance of the Irish foxhounds in the hunting field chasing red foxes; and

WHEREAS, regrettably, one of the Irish foxhounds died shortly after the first run, but the remaining hound that the Colonel had named "July" survived; and

WHEREAS, July was made available as a stud in Hancock and Putnam counties, and his descendants came to be recognized as July Hounds, one of the best lines of foxhounds available in middle Georgia; and

WHEREAS, in his honor an official historical marker will be erected on Highway 16 in Hancock County by the lovers of July Hounds so that all will know the story of the original July Foxhound.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor the original July Foxhound and salute and express their enthusiastic support for the historical marker to be placed in Hancock County in his honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the governing authority of Hancock County.