Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-11-04
A Mountain Adventure.

NJ. E. IRVING, the mountaineer hunter,
recently came into Colorado Springs
| from the mountains, and reported the dis
| covery OF a pony in company with herd
OF bison known to range among the hills
| about the northern base Of Pixies Peak.
The pony had often been seen by other
hunters leading the bison herd, and had
long been known as the property of an
old citizen now absent. Irving, believ-
ing that he could capture the pony, was
appointed by Justice Lyon a deputy con-
stable for that purpose, and he according
| ly left Colorado Springs about ten days
ago, mounted on mule, with lariat, rifle
and mountain outfit. On Tuesday he re-
turned, bringing with him the pony.
His manner Of capturing the animal
was an achievement that stands alone
among the iariat-throwing exploits The
third day out in the mountains he discov-
cred the pony in small park of some fifteen
acres, together with several bison and q
large herd of elk. The pony, it appears,
was feeding off little distance from the
herd. Irving, by lying close to the back
OF his mule, and permitting 1t to feed
slowly along, succeeded in getting be-
tween it and the other ANIMALS, when he
rose in his saddle and gave an unearthly
scream, at the same time bearing down
on the pony, which, with snort and a
bound, started off in an opposite direc-
| ton from the now frightened herd. The
bison and elk were soon out of sight
The pony took toward the southern
edge of the park, where it disappeared up
deep, narrow, rocky canon. Irving,
finding it impossible to urge his mule
along the almost impossible gorge, dis
mounted, and leaving the animal secured
to tree continued the pursuit on
foot. For nearly two miles he fol-
lowed the devious course of the canon,
which in places was not more than
three feet wide, its walls rising perpen-
dicularly to a height of several hundred
feet. The canon unexpectedly opened
into park Of some two or three hundred
acres, around which mountains rose with
gradual slopes, covered with a dense
growth OF the pinion tree. Following the
path OF the pony among the pinions, along
the base OF the mountain, Irving was
startled by strange noise, the like of
which he had never heard before, and
which filled him with a nameless dread.
lie fastened on, however, and soon came
upon the pony, securely in the power of
mountain lion, which had fastened its
teeth into its side, pulling it down to the
earth.
1rvlng'S first movement was to secure
the pony with his lariat, one end of which
was fastened to his belt. No sooner had
he accomplished this than he was dis
covered by the lion, which, loosening its
hold on the pony, sank down by its side
IN crouching attitude, with its gaze fixed
upon the hunter, and ready to spring upon
him with the crushing power peculiar to
the animal. With the celebrity and accu-
racy of the experienced hunter Irving
sent ball from his Winchester through
the brain of the lion, which bounded into
the air with a roar that might have been
heard mile, and quickly expired.
The pony, slightly injured, t1gged
Justify at the lariat in its efforts to regain
its freedom. But Irving says that after
reading the execution to him he seemed
to give up and became quite docile. The
hide and head of the lion We're secured by
the hunter, and were on exhibition at
Colorado Springs yesterday. The length
of the animal from nose to tip of tail is
eleven feet and four inches. The pony
has been advertised at constable's sale.
and many bidders are awaiting the day of
sale. 1t is shaggy, vicious, wild look
ing animal, which would pass for cross
Of the bison and the broncho.-Denyer
Neaos.