The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-12-06

A ROAMING LIONESS.


For some time past the farmers and
people in general about Redwood in I'M
ion county, have been very much disturb
ed by wild beast that has been roaming
through the county and has already well
nigh finished several men who made war
with 1t. A reporter of the Delaware Ga
Scte has recently hunted up the
facts regarding the beast, which are quite
startling. From all the attending circum-
stances and guesses of those who have
seen the animal it is supposed to be a
young lioness which recently escaped
from a railroad car near Mansfield. The
presence of the animal in the neighbor.
hood of Redwood was first discovered
by Malcolm Starnats, lumberman, who
met it in an open field, He saw it in a
bunch ofgrassand got upon stump, rife
in hand, to get a better look at il, when
the animal suddenly leaped out and in
two bounds was upon his back. In light
ing the animal almost stripped him of his
clothing. He gave such yell that the
animal was frightened away, He de-
scribesit in these words: ut could jump
like the devil and was somewhere in size
between an elephant and cat"
The next man who saw it was Joseph
Cathill. He was walking along thicket
just at dusk when the animal sprang from
the bushes, and would have torn him in
pieces but for the friendly assistance of
his bull dog. He escaped with lacera-
ted head and shoulder.
Albert Wallace had the next encounter.
He was attracted to the woods near his
house by the barking of dogs, and went
out supposing that coon had been chas-
ed up tree. He had hardly reached the
thiCket when the lioness leaped out and
caught him between the hip and knee,
tearing his flesh in terrible manner The
dogs joined in the fight,by which he was
liberated. He started to get away but
fell down in attempting to run. The dogs
having been whipped in short order the
animal again pounced upon Wallace,
again fastening its teeth in his leg. He
gravely seized the animals head and call
ed upon the dogs to assist, but they stood
back, and the fight between man and
beast continued His cries for assistance
scared the animal away.
Some men in the neighborhood heard
the noise and fastened to the woods, ar
irving just after TIE beast had gone away.
A part of them took Wallace home and
the rest started in pursuit of the lioness.
1t was finally found hiding in a thcket
near fence, John Sterling volunteered
to take a gun and go near enough to shoot
at it, but the animal leaped out and pounC-
ed upon him. The rest stood back and
looked on while Sterling was rolling on
the ground in a fierce struggle with the
brute. The dogs finally came to the res
cue, and the animal was again frightened
away. Sterling had been severely bitten
on the left arm and elbow. His condition
is at present quite dangerous.
The hunters were thoroughly aroused
and again started in pursuit. 1t was final
ly found in stubble- field. Two young
men named Maralathin and johnson
agreed to sneak up to the fence and shoot
at it. Maralathin took the lead and took
the first look over the fence. In an in
slant the animal sprang for him, striking
the fence by his head and caught him by
the shoulder and elbow. Johnson did a
brave thing just then. He raised his gun
and, taking deliberate aim, fired. The
animal dropped over the fence, gave
deep roar and springing to its feet started
off toward the woods and has not been
seen or heard of since.