Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-06-27
The Murder OF the Buffalo.

Few persons probably know how rapidly
the American bison is disappearing from
the Western plains At one time it is said
they were to be found everywhere west of
Lake Chanplain and the Hudson River,
but for many years they have been extinct
east of the Mississippi River. The war OF
destruction, however, appears to 60 on
more bravely in proportion as they are
driven into narrower and narrower limits,
and it is not unlikely that the fate of the
European bison, which once abounded in
the woody wilderness Of Germany, north
ern Gaul and neighboring parts Of the Con-
tinent, but which is now to be found alone
and rarely in the forests of Lithuania, will
soon be theirs.
Some idea of the extent of this ruthless
daughter may be formed from the fact that
twenty-five thousand bison were killed
during the month of May south of the Kan
sas and Pacific Railroad for the sake of their
hides alone, which are sold at the paltry
price of So each on delivery for shipment
to the eastern markets. Add to this five
thousands small estimate-shot by tour
lists and killed by the Indians to supply
meat to the people on the frontier, and we
have a sum total of thirty thousand as the
victims for single month.
If the bison were wild and savage ami
MALT to kill one required any especial
skill or bravery or nerve, there might be
some justification for this enormous slaugh'
ter. But the fact is that the bison is an
exceedingly mild-dspositioned animal. His
looks indicate ferocity and malignity, but
his nature does not correspond with his
appearance. Even in the breeding season
when the common bull is frequently dan
gerous, when the stag and the elk 6ttacL
everything that comes in their way, and
when most animals are pugnacious, the
bison will 90 by on the other side to avoiC
a man. 1t is only when he is wounded BY
a laundering aim or irritated by persist
ent pursuit that he shows fight enough tt
make hunting him enjoyable. Besides
the Indian ponies are trained to dodge hi
onset, when maddened beyond endurance
so that the hunter who can manage to sticl
to his horse has little to do but to sit still
and keep firing until he can make fata
shot.
Every one remembers how Prince Alexis
! under the leadership of General Sheridan
participated in this "sport," to the intens
qualification of his royal father and to tn
profit of the special correspondents. 1t il
doubtful, however, whether even roya
precedent can justify this kind of so-calle'
hunting. However this may be in tn
Eastern States, the following paragraph
, from the letter of an army officer show
, that in the Western States this kind c
| "sport" is estimated at its true worth
} while, at the same time, its reference t
! the number of persons who are followin
the Russian Princeling's example confirm
the apprehension that the American tiso
; will soon become as fabulous an animal 9
7 the dodo
t wTo shoot buffalo seems mania, Me
( como from London-cockneys, tops an
nobles-and from all parts of the republi
4 to enjoy what they call sport. Sport
2 when no danger is incurred and no ski
a required. | see no more sport in shootin
= buffalo than in shooting an OK, nor S
G much danger as there is in hunting Texs
n cattle"