Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-13
Daily Nrnnrbrr Somnal.
FIGHT WITH WILD CATS,

There was yesterday on exhibition a
the Campus Martius two paws which once
belonged to two wild cats, each OF the
feet being armed with claws that no one
could feel of without small chill creep
ing up his back. George b. Morris, the
farmer who had them in charge, stated
that himself and two other farmers had
very exciting time in making the capture
of the animals one of the men being sc
bitten and clawed about the legs that he
has beea unable to work since Sunday
For three or four months past, farmers
living in Brownstown and Huron Town
ship have been very much annoyed by the
two animals, who inhabited swamp in
the latter township, or at least made for
the place whenever pursued. The beasts
have created considerable havoc among
young lambs and sheep, and have been
pursued by hunters many times since last
spring, always getting into the swamp
and making their escape.
Last Friday evening, while farmer
named Mead was at his barn caring for
sick horse, one of the cats had the audaci-
ty to enter hen-coop, not twenty feet
from tho door, and was not driven off until
Mead had wounded her with pitchfork.
Securing Morris and another neighbor,
the three cleaned up their guns and de-
termined to devote last Sunday in hunting
down the troublesome visitant. No one
really knew the species of the animal, and
the impression was general that it was a
half-grown panther, Mead having never
seen wild cat. Getting out of bed at the
first signs of daylight, the men mounted
their horses and rode to the swamp, hav-
ing each dog. For several hours after
arriving there, they beat about the place
without discovering any signs OF the ami
NAL, but at length one of the dogs which
was prospecting in the swamp on his own
account. suddenly set up "A fearful yelling
and bowling, and came to the men with
his back all scratched up. The other dogs
made for the spot, and drove the feline
out of the swamp and up tree, where
she was dispatched by a rifle shot.
Surprising. this animal to be the one
causing all the damage, the farmers had
no idea of the presence of another. They
were seated under tree eating a cold bite
when a male cat, considerably larger than
the one slain, came out of the swamp and
attacked a dog which was just then lap
ping water at small pond. In "a second
hair was flying like thistle down in a gale
and the other dogs joined in. In two
minutes, and while the men were picking
up their guns and running to the spot,one
OF the dogs was disabled by the cat, and
the other two refused to close in again,
running around in circle. AS the men
came up the cat leaped for Mead, fasten-
ing to his leg, and the sudden attack
threw him down. He tried to shoot, but
could not, and for some time his friends
found no safe opportunity, until at length
one of them knocked the beast over with
his gun, and then shot him through as he
was returning to the attack. The shot
only disabled the animal, and after receiv-
ing il he was still match for both dogs
until shot through the head. Both of the
animals were stated to be of very large |
size, and their paws were proof that no
dogs had any business getting in front of
the dagger-like claws which adorn them.
While the cat which attacked Mead was
hanging to his leg it tore his bootleg into
strips with its hind claws, and would have
been more than match for him alone
Detroit Free Press, dug. 81.