The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-11-19
A Tiger Hunt In Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Times describes an
exciting adventure with q tiger that had
escaped from a menagerie and was dis
covered in Torresdale, about foul teen
miles from the Quaker city. About
five o'clock in the morning and while it
was yet very dark, Andrew Hoffmeyer,
a stone mason, was awakened from his
sleep by hearing means proceeding from
some point not far from the house. At
length he reused his wife and 10th lis
tened. The sounds would break out at
intervals and continue a short time,
then case. Presently, when the sounds
were renewed, Hoffmeyer sprang out OF
bed. declaring that he knew it was
some one in distress. Dressing himself
hastily he went out into the darkness in
the direction whence the noise pro-
ceeded. It came from the field of a
neighbor. Walking across this field he
presently through the darkness dis
cerned what seemed to be the body of
an animal lying close against a fence.
Hoffmeyer thought it was a cow suffer-
ing from some hurts, and full of good
; intentions advanced closer, until he had
got within a few, steps of the re-
| CulllUeuG lClm VI guC aillLAal1 "AASn LIZ
became conscious of two fiery eyes
glaring at him out of the darkness with
an expression that belonged to no branch
of the cow species under the sun. To,
say that Hoffmeyer got out of the way
quickly is to do injustice to the remark
able physical activity which he brought
to bear on the matter at that critical
moment. There was a tree not far dis
tant, and in his progress toward this de-
sirable point the grass never felt the
touch of his feet.
Having reached the tree, and seeing
that he was not followed, he deliber-
ated O moment, then ran toward a shop
where lights were glimmering at that
early hour. It was States butcher
shop. Bursting into the place, where
Mr.. States and two or three hired men
were at work, he informed them breath
lessly of what had happened. At first
thew were disposed to discredit his
story. They, however, were joined by
q man named Eckert, and all going
again to the place, discovered that the
animal was a real tiger. Eckert went
back to the house and got an immense
doubled barrelied gun used for duck
shooting and heavily loaded with No.
S shot. Armed with this efectlve
weapon, and accompanied again by the
others armed with small bird-guns
which not one of them would venture
to fire, they got down by the fence
again. BY this time it was about six
o'clock. When they reached the place
tle animal had risen from the spot
where he was first discovered and was
walking slowly on the other side of the
fence.
It was a tiger, anu a very large one:
He moved along the fence slowly until
he came to a point opposite the place
where the men were standing. Here he
STONED a moment, and, placing his paws
AGAINST a rail, looked over. The men
nromp;ly proceeded to give him more
latitude. retreating to the nearest house.
which was occupied by a family named
Clary. Eckert requested Mrs. Clary to
leave the door open, 50 that in the event
Of his shot missing its object he could
retreat inside. The animal meantime
had taken himself off the fence and was
%leisurcly pursuing his way. Going down
within about thirty feet of him, Eckert
leveled his gun at him. Just as he was
about to fire he was stopped by a yell
from some of the party, who advised
him not to risk it, as, if he missed and
only served to rouse his tigership. some
of item would lose their lives. With
out needing the request he went a little
closer. and, while the animal stopped to
look ut him, took deliberate aim for the
region of the left shoulder. and fired.
Tie tiger jumped five or six feet into the
air and fell dead without a groan. The
men with the bird guns promptly rushed
up and emptied the contents of each and
everyadditional gun into the dead tigers
he should not come back to life again.
Having done this, and still having
doubts rs to whether the work was
complete, Mr.. States came forward with
his x and battered the animals head
almost into n jelly. after which there
! appeared to be but little doubt that he
was dead.