Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-12
FIGHTING A MOUNTAIN LION.
Mr.. John Squires Relates Little ihol
dent la the life of Flames jackson.

t
dent la the life OfJames Jackson
From the Cheyenne Leader.
John Squires. who comes direct from
the Little Laramie River, about 100 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 a double-oarreled
shotgun and "a few pounds OF ammunition,
expecting to obtain number Of ducks
and geese. When a short distance from
his cabin he saw "a couple of large birds
perched upon a rock, and at once took
ann and fired at them. He missed. the
birds, but what was his surprise TO near
"A roar of mingled rage and pain emerging
from the vicinity OF the rock. large
mountain lion was paving the earth ana
licking with its tongue gaping wounds IN
it's shoulders and side. Mr.. jackson \
first intention was tn leave the spot ~
stauter. but then ne thought 1t would De
quite laurel on his brow 10 kill the non
and take its body TO his cabin, ana noin
there either TO Laramie or Cheyenne ana
have It mounted. Then he placed "a irenD
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 paws in a tearful man
ner, and rO2red with pain, rs number
of shot had hit the beast. Jackson now
became excited and determined to have
the beast at all hazards, so he placed the
last two cartridges In his gun and again
took aim at the beast, and succeeded IN
imbedding in its hide large number OF
shot.
This was the turning point in the COM
menced hostillties. The lion sat upon It's
launches. glared at the assaiant for a
few seconds, then with roar II started
for Jackson, making the rocks ana dust
fly as it approached. Jackson started TO
run, but seeing he was about 10 be over
taken, turned around, grasped the muzIle
Of his gun with both hands, and awaited
the approach Of the now teroclous brute.
Ia an instant the lion was upon him, ana,
using all his strength, he struck the AMI
nal across the head, completely breaking
his gun. For an instant the lion was
stunned, and Jackson sought to improve
this by escaping. lie again started on
the run. but the beast was soon after
him, roaring and writing in pain. see
ing that escape by retreat WasimpOssible,
Jackson turned around. threw off his
coat, pulled his small pocket knife from
his pocket, and calmly awaited the ap-
preach OF the enemy.
In less time than it takes to describe 1t
ing in a struggle which meant death 10
one. JacksOn's knife had a long pointed
blade, which was very sharp, and this he
used to the best advantage, But be could
not use it to such an extent as TO 1nhict a
mortal wound, as the lion was mincing
his body every second with its terrible
jaws, and tearing horrible gashes with its
claws.
Hard they struggled for about ten min
utes, and the clothes were torn entirely
from Jackson's body by the ferOcious
beast, but he still retained his knife in
his hand, and as they rolled over, he sue
ceeded in plunging the knife into the
lions throat. 1t bled horribly and SEEM
ed to become weaker, and, improving the
opportunity, Jackson succeeded in stab
bIng it in several places, until lin
ally it released its grasp and fell over
dead.
At this time Jackson tainted from the
Oyer-exertiOn and loss of blood, and when
he revived 1t was evening. There'he was,
his flesh torn and manGled and his body
covered with clOtted blood. He crawled
a short distance TO pool of clear, cool
mountain water, and bathed with it his
head and wounds, and was soon sufficient
ly revived to YEARLY drag himself to his
cabin, about a mile distant. He remain
ed there alone several days, caring for and
dressing his wounds as best he could, I'M
til Squires happened along and did all he
could for the unfortunate man.
Squires desired TO go for a surgeon, but
to this Jackson objected, saying that ii
was unnecessary, as the wounds would
soon heal, and Jackson said as soon as be
was able to get around he was going to
bring the lion to one of the cities, either
Laramie or Cheyenne, and have it noun
ted
Squires left Jackson for Denver last
Wednesday. and will be absent several
weeks, and says that the wounded man
is doing finely and is able to be around
although his wounds are serious and
sQVpra