Morning journal and courier., 1885-06-23
FIGHTING MOUNTAIN LION. MT. John Sq quires Relates A Little In- cident Nm The Life Of James Jack

lFrem the Cheyenne Leader.
 John Squires, who came direct from the
 Little Laramie river, about 150 miles from
 this city, tells this story: Two weeks ago
 last Saturday James Jackson started out to
 cut some wood for his ranch, and took with
 him his double-barrelled shotgun and few
 rounds of ammunition, expecting to obtain a
 number of ducks and geese. When short
 distance from his cabin he saw couple of
 large birds perched upon rock, and at once
 took aim and fired at them. He missed the
 birds, but what was his surprise to hear g
 roar of mingled rage and pain emerging from
 the vicinity of the rock A large mountain
 lion was paving the earth and licking with
 it's tongue gaping wounds in it's shoulders
 and side. MT. Jackson's first intention was to leave the spot instanter, but then he thought it would be quite laurel on his brow to kill the lien and take it's body to his cabin, and from there either to Laramie or Cheyenne and have it mounted. Then he
 placed fresh cartridge in his gun and fired two shots in rapid succession at the beast. The animal was not killed, but tore the earth and.rocks with its paw in a fearful manner and roared with pain, as @ number of shots had hit the beast. Jackson now became excited and determined to have the beast at all haz- ards, so he placed the last two cartridges in his gun and again took aim at the beast. and succeeded in imbedding in it's hide a larger number of shot.
 This was the turning point in the con- menced hostilities. The lion sat upon it's launches, glared at the assailant for few seconds, then with roar it started for Jack son, making the rocks and dust fly as it ap- preached. Jackson started to run, but see ing he was about to be overtaken, turned around, grasped the muzZle of his gun with both hands, and awaited the approach of the now ferocious brute. In an instant the lion was upon him. and, using all his strength, he struck the animal across the head, com pletely breaking his gun. For an instant the lion was stunned, and Jackson sought to i'm prove this by escaping. He again started on the run, but the beast was soon after him, roaring and writhing in pain. Seeing that escape by retreat was impossible, Jackson turned around and threw off his coat, pulled his small pocket knife from his pocket, and calmly awaited the approach of the enemy In less time than it takes to describe it the man and lion met and were rolling in 8 struggle which meant death to one. Jack sons knife had long pointed blade, (which was very sharp, and this hs used to the best advantage. But he could not use it to suct an extent as to infict mortal wound, as the lion was mincing his body every second witt it's terrible jaws, and tearing horrible gashes I With it's claws
 Hard they struggled for about ten minutes and the clothes were torn entirely from Jack sons body by the ferocious beast, but he stil ! retained the knife in his hand, and as they rolled over he succeeded in plunging tho knife into the lions throat. It bled horribly ! and seemed to become weaker and, improv l ing the opportunity, Jackson succeeded in stabbing it in several places, until fin ally l it released it's grasp and fell over dead.
 At this time Jackson faintedIfrom the over exertion and the loss of blood, and when he revived it was evening. There he was, his flesh torn and mangled, and his body covered with clotted blood. He crawled a short dis tance to pool of clear, cool mountain water, and bathed with it his head and wounds and was soon sufficiently revived to drag himself to his cabin, about a mile distant. He re- mained there alone several days, caring fol and dressing his wounds as best he could un- til Squires happened along and did all he could for the unfortunate man.
 Squires desired to so for surgeon, but te this Jackson objected, saying that it was un necessary, the wounds would soon heal and Jackson said that as soon as he was able I to get around he was going to bring the lio1 to one of the cities, either Laramie or Chey enne, and have it mounted.
 Squires left Jackson for Denver last Wed ! nesday, and will be absent several weeks, anG \ says that the wounded man is doing finely and is able to be around, although his wounds are serious and severe.