McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1883-12-06
"Big Game" IN India.
Chicago Times.

Chicago Times.
Hunters who wish to "big game
should lose no time in visiting the I'M
happy hunting grounds that are situat-
ed among the jungles of the Madras
Presidency, India. Hunting, which is
3 paStime in most countries, is q neces-
sary occupation, if not duty, in this
''neck of woods" If the human in
habitants should not keep up an active
war against the ferocious animals, the
latter would soon extiIminate the FORM
er. A constant warfare for the suprem-
acy is going on. The official reports
show that during last year wild beasts
killed l, 1876 persons, while human be-
| ings killed 2,O55 dangerous wild beasts.
Among the dangerous wild beasts
killed were five ferocious elephants.
This was not large number, but it
must be kept in mind that one elephant
can do great amount of damage. He
goes through country spreading desc
lation like a tornado, uprcots trees, ov-
erturns houses, demolishes carriages,
and kills domesticated animals and
men. Each of the elephants slain last
season had 'killed his man." Among
the animals killed were 278 tigers, 1906
panthers and leopards, 2l3 bears and
"a wolves. No less than 920 huge ser
penis were also slain. These monsters
had killed 206 human beings. Bears are
credited with killing II, and panthers
&c. The tiger is held in the greatest
terror. 1t is far more dangerous than
the lion. 1t is the impersonation of
hunger, cruelty and cunning. Its ap-
petite appears never to be fully salts
fed. In early life it deyours the help
less young of other wild animals. As
it becomes larger and stronger it at
tacks full-grown domesticated animals.
Finally it gets sufficiently bold to pur-
sue men. 1t Turks by the wayside or
adar wells and springs, ready to leap
upon the traveller or the water-seeker.
Leopards and panthers are dangerous
enough, but are less destructive of hui
man life than tigers.
The character of the wild ANIMALS of
a country exerts o most powerful in
hrence On the settlement and the pros
perity of its inhabitants. In this re-
spect the territory occupied by the Un-
tied States was most remarkable. In
the opinion of an eminent naturalist, it
contained no wild animal that was not
of more benefit than disadvantage to
the settlers. 1t al ound d in fur-bear-
ing animals, whose skins were in de-
mand in all the great centers of wealth
and civilization. These skins consti-
tuted source Of wealth to the early
settlers. Hunting and trapping were
profitable en.ployments when people |
could not engage in farming. Some of
the skins were converted into garments
and others into money. The skins of
bnffalos were made into garments, en-
ployed as coverings for beds, or used
rs protection in sleighs. Moose, deer,
and bears furnished meat un-
til domesticated animals could be intro !
duced and raised in sufficient numbers |
to supply the people with food. Their
fat and hides were useful for great !
variety OF purposes. Rabbits, squir-
rels, ground-hogs, opossums and 'coons
also furnished valuable NEST and skins.
Foxes and bears did some damage, but
were useful in keeping in check many
min. They were easily caught in traps
or killed by the use of firearms, aud
their skins were very valuable and
brought high price at time when
agricultural products raised at dis
lance from water communication could
not be sold for money or exchanged for
articles of food and clothing. All the
native animals of this country are of
easy determination. Most. of them dis
appear before the march of civilization,
and only stay as long as they are want
I'D by the inhabltants. The Hindoos
night lead happier and less exciting
ives if their game were as valuable and
Is little troublesome.