Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-01-10
a b ui2ereat Eird-

n
way-man for the Tide Water rIpe Lin,
Company, recently had an adventure il
Lawrence county, Pennsylvania which
he will not forget until some days g
around, at least. What befell Major
Hsrkins while in that vicinity is as here
III related. The Majors business called
him TO Coaltown,-a village, as most OF
the rea'lers of the Guardian are aware, -
which Is situated in NeshanLoek town
ship. about four miles north OF this city.
The Major started ON foot to transact
this business, and while proceeding
along the road ABOUT two miles from
New Castle, he was somewhat startled
by hearing a singular buzziIig sound TO
his rear. He turned, and, TO his great
astonishment, saw large golden eagle
approaching him rapidly in the roadway.
The bird by its actions, clearly showed
that its intentions were ANYTHING but oi
friendly nature. The Major was un-
armed, and as the eagle bore down on
MIN, still emitting the buzzing sound,
he began to think that his situation was
far from pleasant one. When the bird
got near him, and its formidable look
ing beak and talons showed that it was
able to reduce the average man to mince
meat, the Major, III sheer desperation
..,.,,o1,5,I 80 ki.G xritt, II tho sf-auUtb
OF his lower limbs. TINS action, instead
OF frightening his feathereI asssilant,
only seemed to increase its ire, for the
eagle proceeded to insert its beak in one
OF his legs, following up this wariIke
demonstration by using Its talOns with
great energy AMI bloody execution IN
the same neighbornoOd. After brief,
though desperate struggle, the Major
succeededln txtricating him selffrom the
clutches of the hinge bird. His blood
was up, and while his anger was at
white heat at the thought OF the scratch
es and contusions he had received In the
affray, lie resolved to be the aggressive
party in the fight. He retrea:ed few
psces, and seized a dead branch OF a
tree. which WIS conveniently lying near
by. Armed in this manner he swOopeG
down on the eagle. The bird WAS over
flowing with pluck, sndresolutely stood
its ground. A sharp fight eLsued IL
which the man used his club, and the
Iird of freedom Its talOns and beak.
For twenty minutes did they battle III
this way, the Major having somewhat
the worst OF the fight. He might have
abandoned the contest had not he been
reinforced 10y strange dog. The ca
nine pitched INTO the fight with great
eusto, but the eagles beak and cIaws
seemed to be everywhere, and the halr.
Iide and flesh fairly tiew IRON the dog Z
back, and that animal, with his tan BE-
tween his legs. was about to seek an
flight for some place where
he cauld lick hls wounds in peace. wneh
a boy and another dog came upon the
CORY field. The attacking party, no"
four, advanced IN oodJ
upon the eagle, and another desperate
fight took place. The recent reinforce
ments however, were too much Tor the
p,ucky eagle, ana 1t WAS finally exhaus-
ted IN its contest against odds, and was
downed, fighting to the last. The Ma
ior and the boy tied the eagles feet TO-
oether and fastened its beak so that II
could 10 longer use it. The Major,
bleeding from many wounds received Iu
the fray, then started with his captive
for the Fountain House, this city, a
wnicn place he was stopping. "hlie
en- route he met woman III wagon
who informed him that the eagle wiis
the property OF d young man who re-
sided about four mics from New O.'S-
tie. and that it had been sent him as a
present from an uncle who lived IN the
West. Sne expressed willingness to
return the eagle to Its owner, aud SHE
was allowed to do 50.