The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-21
"Big Game" in India.

Hunters who wish to bag "big game"
should lose no time in visiting the unhap-
py hunting-grounds that are situated
among the jungles of the Madras Presi-
deEcy, India. Hunting, which is a past
time in most countries, is a necessary
occupation. if not a duty, in this meek
of woods" If the human inhabitants
should not keep up an active wal agains,
the ferocious animals, the latter would
soon 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,l9t
persons, while human beings killed
1865 dangerous Wild beasts. Among The
wild beasts killed were five terocious
elephants. This was not q large number,
but it must be keptin mind that one ele.
plant can do a greatamount of damage.
He goes on through a country spreading
desolatiot like a tornado, up.
roots trees, ove-turns houses, demolishes
carriages, and kills domesticated
animals and men. Each ofthe elephant s
slain last scason had CHILLED his man."
Among the animals killed we're 27S
tigers, 300 panther; and leopards, 2l3
bears and wolves. No less than 92O
huge serpents were also slain. These
monsters had killed 206 human beings.
Bears are credited with killing IL, and
panthers 90. The tiger is held in the
greatest terror. II is far more danger
u than the lion. It is the impersona-
ton OF hunger. cruelty and cunning. Its
appetite appears never 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 it
gets sufficiently bold to pursue men. 1t
turks by the wnyside 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
country eXerts q most powerful in-
tluence on ito settlement and the pros
perity of its inhabitants. In this re-
spert the territory occupied by the
United States was most remarkable. In
the opinion of an eminent naturalist, il
contained no wild animal that was moi
OF more benefit than disadvantage 10 the
settlers. 1t abounded in fur-bearing
animals, whose skins were in great de-
mand in al! the great centers Of wealth
and civilization. These skins constitu-
ted a source of wealth to the early set
tiers. Hunting and trapping we're 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 bu6a-
Ices we're made into garments, employed
as coverings for beds, or used as pro-
tections in sleiphs, 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 a great
many purposes. Rabbits, squirrels,
ground-hogs, opossums and 'coons also
furnished valuable meat and skins.
Foxes ard bears cid some damage, but
were useful in keeping in check many
of the snail animals that rank as YER
min. They were easily caught in traps
or killed by the use OF fire arms, and
their skins were very. valuable and
broughta high price at a time when agri-
cultural products raised at
distance from water COM
munication could not be sold
Tor money or exchanged for articles of
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
tro,,hIaso IN Timsc