Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-02-11
Fight with n Jaguor.

A correspondent of the Galveston News gives the
following account of desperate fight between Mr..
Absolem Williams, who is about seventy years of
age, his wife, and enormous tiger which occur
red there about the ls Of December, at Mr. WIS
idence
The tiger was first discovered on the premises of
Mr.. James Drake, who lives in the north portion of
Jefferson county, where it entered his enclosure at
tackled his horses and killed one besides wounding
two others. While the tiger committing its
depredations it was discovered by Francis Drake,
son of the proprietor Of the premises, who fired a
shot gun at it, wounding it in the side. but not dan
gerousIy, when it made its escape. The next day,
while Mr. and Mrs Williams were sitting in their
house, (the rest Of the family being absent,) they
were startled by strange noise in the yard in front
of their house. Mr. W. going out, discovered
his dog engaged with tiger, when he seized an OK
woke and aimed blow at the varmint,' but MISS
Ing it, struck his dog. The dog then got away from
the tiger and retreated. In an instant the tiger
sprung on Mr.. Williams and, selling him by the
hand, jerked him about twenty feet.
The old gentleman, finding himselfin the too pow
erfuI grasp of the wild animal, courageously deter
mined to give it the best " rough and tumble fight
in his power, and having weapons within reach,
he seized the tiger by the throat with his other hand
and throwing his whole strength forward, crushed
the tiger to thu ground, both falling side by side
At this time Mrs Williams came to the rescue, with
gun, which she snapped at the tiger, but there be-
ing no printing in the pan, it did not go off. Mr.
w then, with one arm around the tigers body: and
grasping it's throat with his other hand by effort
disengaged himself The tiger, discovering new
adversary in the person of Mrs W., jumped at her
and attempted to grasp her head within it's jaws
while it struck and lacerated her breast with its
fore paws. She tried to avoid the monster but was
feled to the ground. The tiger made another grasp
at her head, his upper teeth penetrated at the top
of the skull and sliding along the bone, peeled OF
the skin till they met the lower teeth, which pene
trated to the ri ht side Of her face.
In he moan time Mr. w had seized the OX-yOko
again, and, giving the tiger tremendous blow
caused it to leave Mrs w, when it leaped into the
house and got under the bed. The door was imme
diately closed and the monster secured. Mr.. w
was exhausted from the effects of bis wounds, from
which the blood flowed in streams; but not so his
better half When she saw their mutual foe thus
attempt to take possession of their house, she deter
mined to finish the battle, and Notwithstanding the
severity of her wounds, her dress almost entre y
torn from her person, and covered with blood, she
deliberately took the gun, and shaking some pow
der from the barrel into the pan, placed the muzzle
between of the openings which the logs of the
house afforded, and fired with steady and deadly
aim The tiger killed. When subsequently
measured, it found to be twelve feet f ON the
| tip of it's tail to its nose.
During all the time the fight was going on, no one
bat those engaged in it within hearing. Mr.
W IS nearest neighbor lives three miles off Howev
er, as Mrs W. was washing the blood from her per
son, neighbOr came riding by, and alarmed at hel
appearance, inquired the cause. The old lady, una
bic from the loss Of blood to speak, pointed to The
| dead body of the tiger.
The escape of MIR. and Mrs. Williams is indeed
wonderful, and they recovering gradual,
from their wounds Mr.. w. jokes about the tige
| fight; and intimates that the old lady most en-
ragged when the 8 yarmint' took possession of hi
bed and house. 1t need hardly be added that Mr.
Williams is brave man. He fought the British a
New Orleans, and subsequently the Mexicans il
the cause of Texas but this last fight is. perhaps
the most singular of all. His wife, in intrepidit
and daring, is worthy Of him. and the two together
are of that courageous class that have ENCOUNTERED
forest wids and frontier dangers-the pioneer Q
Christian civilization and American institutions.
THE ScHooLMAsTER WANTED.-The following
says the Mobile Advertiser, is copy Of bill sen
in to a gentleman some time since:
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