Skunks at Skeels Crossroads

It seems that southern Liberty Township had a pest problem some years back. And getting rid of the smelly little critters proved to be a problem for a couple men.

Below is a little news piece from a 1915 issue of The Celina Democrat, concerning the Alexanders from Skeel’s Crossroads.

Skeel’s Crossroad was a few miles south of Chatt, in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on State Route 49. It is just a crossroad today, but at one time it was a hamlet that had a post office by 1888. Their post office was discontinued in 1905 and their mail was sent to Celina. Skeels Road still exists today.

Celina Democrat, 19 Nov 1915

The Celina Democrat, Celina, Ohio, 19 Nov 1915:

SKUNKS
John and Alexander Kincaid, of near Skeels X Roads, were arrested last Friday by Deputy Game Wardens Herman Nohr, of Lewistown, and Harry Lininger, of this city, on a charge of killing and having skunks in their possession out of season. The season opened last Monday, the 15th.

They were taken to Coldwater and arraigned before Justice of the Peace D.W. Frick. They plead guilty and were each fined $10 and costs. The former settled, but Alex did not and was committed to jail until the fine and costs were paid. The mittimus to the sheriff was not properly made out and Sheriff Pumphrey would not accept the prisoner from the Butler township constable.

The constable took his man back to Coldwater and Squire Frick attempted to correct the mittimus. He then sentenced Kincaid to two days in the county jail and fined him $10 and costs. The error in the mittimus was corrected and Sheriff Pumphrey took charge of the prisoner.

Wednesday Mr. Kincaid, through his attorney Frank V. Short, filed habeas corpus proceedings before Probate Judge Raudabaugh and immediately discharged the court finding that the Justice had sentenced Mr. Kincaid to jail, when the law governing the matter provided for nothing more than a fine. The entire sentence of Kincaid was therefore declared illegal.

Well, that stinks!

Skunk

A couple things here.

They were arrested on Friday and the season opened on Monday, three days later. Someone was watching the Kincaids and their skunks very closely.

A $10 fine seems plausible, but jail-time for killing and having skunks out of season seems a little severe. Did that mean they had live skunks? Plus, Alex hired an attorney.

I had no idea there was a market for skunk pelts, but I guess there was and still is. I looked online and there are skunk coats. Actually, they are rather attractive and probably pretty warm.

I suppose people also trap skunks because they are a pest, nuisance, and a possible risk of rabies. Skunks like to live under decks and buildings and will spray a nasty oily scent on humans or pets if they are threatened. I know. We have had them here. We have never been sprayed, but they do create an unpleasant scent around their living quarters, which is sometimes beneath our deck.

Skunks are classified among the fur-bearing animals in Ohio’s codes. Not being a hunter or trapper, I did not know there was a skunk season.

From the website, Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules, with Ohio codes, today’s rules:

Rule 1501:31-15-18 | Furbearing animals, seasons, and bag limits.
Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31 Chapter 1501:31-15 | Hunting and Trapping:

Unless otherwise provided by division rule, it shall be unlawful to hunt, take, or possess a furbearing animal at any time except during the respective open season. Provided further:

(1) The open season for hunting raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, and weasel is from November tenth through midnight, January thirty-first;

(2) The open season for trapping raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, and weasel is from November tenth through midnight, January thirty-first…

(7) Coyotes may be hunted and trapped year-round unless otherwise provided by division rule;

(8) The furbearing animals listed in this rule may be possessed at any time during the respective open season through the next immediate June fifteenth or by a person having a permit issued by the division of wildlife…

Skunks aren’t all bad and can be beneficial around the yard. They keep other pesky animal populations down and prey on rodents, grubs, rats, mice, moles, gophers, beetles, grasshoppers, yellow jackets, spiders, cockroaches, and snails. And they are kind of cute.

My closest encounter with a skunk was years ago, when I was about 10. Riding my bike, I rounded the corner of the barn and there was a skunk, right in front of me. Evidently I did not appear to be a threat to him and I was able to back away without getting sprayed. The incident made my heart race, though.

Skunk

A couple skunk jokes:

What did the skunk say when he went to church? Let us spray.

What did the skunks do with their letters? They scent them.

Yesterday I found a broken skunk. It was out of odor.

Where did the skunk go after losing his tail? A retail store.

Skunks don’t make dollars, they make scents.

Lastly, remember, today, January 31, is the end of skunk season in Ohio.

4 comments

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    • Joe on January 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
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    Your blog reminds me of Pepe Le Pew, one of the Saturday morning cartoon characters I watched as a child. He was one of the supporting cast appearing with Bugs Bunny. Pepe cast skunks in a positive light with his French accent and suave, charming character. He was a favorite of mine. Yours also if I remember correctly. I wonder if he ever captured the heart of the black and white female cat he was always pursuing.

    1. Ah, Pepe! Yes, he was my favorite, too. I had forgotten about the cat he had his eyes on. I don’t believe she liked his scent. Now all this skunk talk has peaked my interest in a skunk coat! 😉

    • Marian Wood on January 31, 2025 at 10:24 am
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    This case does indeed stink! Enjoyed your post and your jokes 😉

    1. Agree. This case just doesn’t pass the smell test. Thanks for writing.

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