Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-23
EHE UNION AND AMERICAN.
MARROW ESCAPE.
Terrific Combat with n Mastiff.

Terrific Combat with N MastifE
Mr.. E. Douglass, of this city, was re-
Gently the owner of mastiff, which he
had raised and which was about two
years and half old, and, no doubt, the
largest dog in the county.
d. On Monday evening MIR. Douglass was
attempting TO drive some chickens into
his garden, but the dog occupied the este
and would not let them pass him. Mr..
ID. ordered him away, but the mastiff
would not obey until his master had
thrown several rocks at him, when he
took refuge under the kitchen. In a mo-
ment or more Mt. Douglass saw his dog
with lean steps and glazing eyes advancing
slowly towards him for fight. Our friend
seeing that he could not stop the dog by
words or gestures, at once prepared to de-
fend himself, as flight was impossible. As
soon as The dog was near him he arose on
his hind feet and attempted to seize Mr..
d. by the throat Then ensued combat
between the man and dog of ten min
utes' duration, and for fierceness, scarcely
has parallel in such encounters. Mr..
Douglass first threw out his left arm,
which the dog bit considerably near the
wrist, and with his right hand caught the
infatuated brute by the throat, and as
soon as bis left hand was released from
the grip of the dog, he seized his under
jaw with it. Knowing from every cir
lengthy one, as soon as the first excite
ment had subsidized, Mr.. Douglass ordered
his family to close every door of his
dwelling but one, toward wnich he gra-
dually but slowly drew the dog Before
reaching the steps in front of the open
door, the dog had for time partially dis
engaged himself, and BIT Mr.. Douglass Sc
verely on the left thigh. By this time
our friend became calm and collected, and
promptly rescued the dog by the under
jaw and throat, and then began again TO
draw the brute toward the open door. FL
nally he had reached the door steps,
which were about five feet high, and be-
gan to walk up them backward, and
when at the top he, by summoning all
his strength, and by one violent effort,
threw the dog TO the gTounu on his,
back. Before the animal could recover
his feet and ascend the steps, Mr.. Doug
lass had entered the house and closed the
open door. The mastiff showed every
disposition 10 renew the battle, and made
frantic attempts to enter the windows.
At last finding ingress Impossible, he
took his position and watched the door
closely for Mr.. Douglass, and manifested
by his actions that he would attack him
again il he entered the yard Ia the
meantime Rev. Mr.. Hail. a neighbor,
came TO Mr. Douglass rescue, (the dog
showing no disposition to modest any one
but Mr.. Douglass), and with his gun shot
the dog twice and killed him, greatly to
the relief and safety of our townsman,
who was closely besieged in his own
house.
We may state, in conclusion, that Mr.. !
Douglass owes his safety to his great |
strength, being man of two hundred |
pounds weight and of proportionate |
muscular power. Our friend was en-
tirely unarmed, and although during the
combat, his servants brought him his gun,
the encounter was 50 terrific that he was |
unable TO use fire arms.-NelO7aafl, (GG.) |
Herald