Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-12-26
A Curious Battle.

A Curious Battle.
One of the most curious battles on
record occurred near Fredensburg. on
Tuesday, between couple of stations.
The following particulars of the affair
we're received from a gentleman who
witnessed part of the fight: About two
weeks ago o Philadelphia gentleman
named Robert Dunlap sent five-year-
old Golddust stallion, called Gold King
to the farm of Aaron Maskell, intend.
ing to let the animal remain there until
next season. 1t appears that Mr..
Maskell is boarding several other
horses, and among the number is q
three. year-old stallion called Schuylkill
Chief. Soon after being brought to
the farm, Mr.. Maskell, who, by the
way, is an experienced horseman, dis.
covered that Gold King possessed an
exceedingly vicious disposition. He
attacked one of the grooms last week
and bit him severely in the shoulder,
and at times the horse became so furi-
Gus that it was not safe to enter his
stall. The Chief, however, is said to
have an amiable disposition and can
be handled safely by boy. On Tues.
day morning both animals were
brought out into the yard for water
and exercise. Mr.. Maskell led Gold
King, and farm hand named Kreitzer
had the Chief in hand, the frst-named
animal had Oh bride with very Sc
we're bit, but the other horse was
simply controlled by a halter. While
ut the watering-trough Gold King be-
gan behaving badly, and when the
other horse approached. his rage knew
no bounds. The more MIR. Maskell en-
deavored to control him the more furi-
Gus he became. The other horse then
began to exhibit signs of anger, aud,
fearing that Krietzer could not hold
him with the halter, Maskell yelled to
take Chief back to the stable. An in
slant later the throat-latch on the. bride
on Gold King broke and he was free.
Uttering an indescribable cry OF rage
the infuriatsd horse rushed on the
Chief. Krietzer became frightened,
and, dropping the halter, sought u
place OF safety over an adjoining fence.
Rearing on their hind feet the horses
came together with terrific force, and
the shock made both recoil on their
launches. Hostilities we're resumed
almost instantly, and then followed
such striking and biting and kicking as
was never done before by equines.
The cries of the Infatuated animals
could be heard mile of, and as the
cOmbatants became weaker their rage
seemed to increase. Maskell and
Krietzer saw that it was utterly useless
to attempt to separate the animals
without assistance, 80 the latter was
dispatched for help to neighboring
farms. In less than half an hour near
ly fifty men and boys had assembled
around the barn yard, where the horses
still fought viciously. Various means
OF separating them We're proposed, ibut as
each plan was tried it proved failure.
In the mean time the horses fought on
without paying the slightest attention
to the excited spectators. At last some
one suggested that two lassos be made
and one thrown on the neck of each
horse. This was thought to be good
idea, and was acted upon Immediately.
After the lassos were made no one
knew how to throw them from dis.
lance, and for some time no one could
be found brave enough to approach the
vicious horses. At last Maskell and a
man named Glover took the lassos and
approached the horses. Glover sue
ceeded in throwing his moose around
Gold Kings neck ut the first attempt !;
but Maskell made three casts before he
got his lasso ON Chiefs head. A dozen
ready hands then grasped the ropes,
and the horses were drawn apart. They
both struggled violently and uttered
the most savage cries but the tight
ening of the ropes soon choked them
down, and they were hobbled and
taken into their respective stables.
Both animals were covered with cuts
and bruises, and Gold Kings forelegs
are so badly injured that it is feared he
will never entirely recover. The Chiefs
injuries, although severe, are not likely
to cause permanent injury. After be-
ing taken to their stalls both animals
continued to utter furious cries for sew
eral hours. Strange to say, neither of
the animals has taken food or water
since. The combat does not seem to
improve Gold Kings disposition a
particle, and yesterday he would not
allow any one to enter his stall. A
Reading veterinary surgeon was sent
for, and arriving yesterday took
charge OF the horses. AS soon as he is
we'll enough Gold King will be sent
back to Philadelphia.-INiners' Journal.
Steel In His Stomach.