Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-10
Fighting u Mountain Lion.

MR.. JOHN SQCIRES RELATES A LITTLE Incl
DENT IN THE LIFE OF JAMES JACKSON.
From the Cheyenne Leader.
John Squires, who comes direct from the
Little Laramie river, about $50 miles from this
city, tells this story: Two weeks ago last Satur-
day James jackson started out to cut some
wood for his ranch, and took with him n
double-barrelled shot gun and few pounds of
ammunition, expecting to obtain Il number of
ducks and geese. When a short distance from
his cabin he saw a 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 a roar of mingled rage and
pain emerging from the vicinity of the
rock. large mountain lion paving the
S %nns ana ne u, cS sG with its tongue gaping
sons first intention was to leave the spot in
stanter, but then he thought it would be quite
laurel on his brow to kill the lion and take its
body to his cabin, and from there either to Lar
annie 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 paws in Il fearful manner and
roared with pain, as Il 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
Unfolding in its hide a lalg e number of shot.
This was the turning point in the commenced
hostilities. The lion sat upon its launches,
glared at the assaiant for few seconds, then
with roar it started for Jackson making the
rocks and dust fly us it approached. Jackson
started to run, but seeing he was about to be
overtaken, turned around. graSped the muZZle
OF his gun with both hands and awaited the
approach of the now ferocous brute In an
i Instant the lion was upon him. and, using all
his strength, he struck the animal across the
head. completely breaking his gun. For an in
slant the lion was stunned, and Jackson sought
on the run, but the beast was soon after aim.
roaring and writing in pain. Seeing that eS-
cape by retreat was impossible, Jackson turned
1rn mad fl,rn,x- lit
pocket-knie from his pocket, and calmly
awaited the approach of the enemy.
In less time than it takes to describe it the
man and lion had met and were rolling in a
struggle which meant death to one. Jacksons
knife had a long pointed blade, which was very
sharp, and this he used to the best advantage.
But he could not use it to such an extent as to
intiict mortal wound, as the lion was mine
ing his body every second with its terrible
jaws, and tearing horrible gashes with its
Hard they struggled for about ten minutes,
and the clothes were torn entirely from Jack
sons body by the ferocious beast. but he still
retained his knife in his hand, and as they
rolled over he succeeded in plunging the knife
into the lions throat. 1t bled horribly and
opportunity, Jackson succeeded in stabbng it
in several places, until finally it released its
grasp and fell over dead.
AT this time Jackson tainted from the over
eXertion and loss of blood, and when he re-
vived it was evening. There he was, his flesh
torn and mangled and his body covered
with clotted blood. He crawlcd short distance
to a pool of clear, cool mountain water and
bathed with it his head and wounds and was
soon sufficiently revived to YEARLY drag him
self to his cabin, about mile distant He re-
manned there alone several days, caring for and
dressing his wounds as best he could, until
Squires happened along and did all he could for
the unfortunate man.
Squires desired to go for surgeon, but to this
Jackson objected, saying that it was unneces-
sary, as the wounds would soon heal, and Jack
son said as soon as he was able to get around he
was going to bring the lion to one of the cities,
either Laramie or Cheyenne, and have 1t
mounted.
sSquires left Jackson for Denver last Wednes-
day, and Will be absent several weeks and saws
that the wounded man is doing finely and is
able to be around, although his wounds are
serious and severe.