The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1883-12-14
ssBig Gama,, In India.

&%AD SNN@
Hunters who wish to bag "big game"
should lose no time in visiting the unhap-
by hunting-grounds that are situated
among the jangie5 of the Madras Presi-
dency, India. Hunting, which is a past-
time in most countries, is a necessary
occupation, if not q duty, in this meek
OF woods II the human inhabitants
should not keep up an active wal against
the ~ferocious animals, the latter would
o exterminate the former. A con.
slant warfare for the supremacy is going
on. The official reports show that dur.
ing last year wild beasts killed 1,l9e
persons, while human beings killed
2,G55 dangerous wild beasts. Among the
Wild beasts killed were five ferocious
elephants. This was not q large number,
but it must be keptin mind that one ele-
plant can do a greatamount of damage.
lie goes on through a country spreading
desolation like q tornado, up,
roots trees, o%verturns houses, demolishes
carriages, and kills domesticated
animals and men,. Each ofthe elephant
slain last season had "killed his man."
Among the animals killed were 278
tigers, 1900 panther; and leopards, 2l3
bears and wolves. No less than 900
huge serpents were also slain. THESE
monsters had killed 206 human beings.
Bears are credited with killing IL, and
panthers 20. The tiger is held in the
greatest terror. 1t is far more danger
Gus than the lion. 1t is the impersona-
ton of hunger, cruelty and cunning. It's
appetite appears eve to be fully salts
fed. In early life it deYourS the helpless
young OF other wild animals. AS it be-
comes larger and stronger it attacks FULL
grown domesticated animals. Finally il
gets sufficiently bold to pursue men. It
Turks by the wayside or near wells and
springs, ready to leap upon the trave.
Ter or the water-seeker. Leopards and
panthers are dangerous enough, but are
less destructive of human life than
tigers.
The character of the wild animals of a
country exerts a most powerful in
huence on its settlement and the pros-
perity of its inhabitants. In this re-
spect the territory occupied by the
United States was most remarkable. In
the opinion of an eminent naturalist, ii
contained no wild animal that wa moi
OF more benefit than disadvantage TO the
settlers. 1t abounded in f~ur-bearing
animals, whose skins we're in great de-
mand in all the great centers Of wealth
and civilization. These skins constitu.
ted a source of wealth to the early set
tiers. Hunting and trapping were prof
liable employments when people could
not engage in farming. Some OF the
skins were converted into garments and
others into money. The skins OF butfa-
loes were made into garments, employed
as coverings for beds, or used as pro-
tections in sleighs, Moose, deer, ante
lope and bears furnished meat until do
mesticated animals could be introduced
and raised in sufficient numbers to sup
ply the people with food. Their
fat and hides were useful for q great
many purposes. Rabbits, squirrels,
ground hogs, opossums and 'coons also
furnished valuable meat and sklEs.
Foxes ard bears did some damage, but
were useful in keeping in check many
of the small animals that rank AS ver-
min. They were easily caught in traps
or killed by the use OF fire arms, and
their skins we're very valuable and
broughta high price at time when agri-
cultural products raised at
distance from water com.
munication could not be sold
food and clothing. All the native ami
mails of this country are of easy exter-
mination. Most of them disappear be-
fore the march of civilization, and only
stay as long as they are wanted by the
inhabitants. The Hindoos might lead
happier and less exciting lives If their
game were as valuable and as little
troubleso me-Chicago Times.