The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-10-08


John Squires. who comes direct from
the Little Laramie River. about $50
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 .
donble-barrelled shotgun and few
pounds Of ammunition, expecting to
obtain number Of ducks and geese.
When short distance from his cabin,
ne 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 aroar
ofmingled 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 its shoulders and side. Mr..
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 lion and take its 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 sue
cesslOn at the beast. The animal was
not killed, but tore the earth and rocks
with its paws in q fearful manner, and
roared with pain, as number of shot
had hit the beast. jackson now be-
came 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 sue
ceeded in imbedding in its bi!e large
number of shot.
This was the turning point in the
commenced hostilities. The lion sat
upon its launches, glared at the assail-
ant for few seconds, then with roar
it started for jackson, making the
rocks and dust fly as 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 APP
prOach 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. completely
breaking his gun. For an instant the
lion was stunned, and jackson sought
to improve this by escaping. He again
started on the run, but the beast was
soon after him, roaring and writing in
pain. Seeing that escape BY retreat
was impossible, jackson turned around.
threw off his coat, pulled his small
pocket knife from his pocket, and calm
ly awaited the approach of the enemy.
In less time than it takes to describe
it, the man and lion had met and were
rolling il a struggle which meant death
to one. Jackson's knife had long
pointed blade, which was very sharp,
and this he used to the best advantage.
But he could not use it to such an ex-
tent as to inflict mortal wound, as the
lion was mincing his body every second
with its terrible jaws, and tearing hor-
rible gashes with its claws.
Hard they struggled for about ten
minutes, and the clothes were torn en-
tirely from Jackson's body by the fero-
cious beast, but he still retained his
knife in his hand, and as they rolled
over, he succeeded in plunging the
knife into the liOns's throat. 1t bled
horribly and seemed to become weaker,
aid, improving the opportunity, Jack
son succeeded in stabbing 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 revived it was evening.
There he was, his flesh torn and man
gled and his body covered with clotted
blood. He crawled 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 himself to his cabin, about
mile distant. He remained 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 20 for a surgeon,
but to this Jackson objected, saying that
it was unnecessary, as the wounds
would soon heal. and jackson 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 it mounted.
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
severe.-Cheyenne Leader.