Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-09-07
THE MOUNTAIN LION.
Stirring Stories of Adventure
Among the Rockies"
4 War Of erminAtion-LassolnR .
Monster from Horscback-A Young
NImrOd's Feat-A Iuntsman'S
Justlnable Faint.

California OF some pretty big mountain
lions they have on the Pacific coast, but
| think we have here in Montana larger
and moro fcrocious specimens Of this
feline species than Californians ever
heard or dreamed of. Certainly they
are found in great numbers all through
this Northwestern belt of country and
.hcir ravages extend so far rs to attack
not only weak calves and ycarlings oh
.hc ranges, but also sheep, goats and
!ull-grown steers.
The natural home OF the mountain
lion is in the Northwest and the fathers
If the species live here in Montana
among the foothills of the Rocky noun
aims. Since the disappearance of the
iast herds of bison that once roamed
over the prairies Of Montana. Idaho and
Wyoming the plains and hills OF the
Northwest have become infested with
Ill sorts of wild animals. Wolves and
coyotes are, of course, the most de-
ltructiye, but this is owing rather to
,hcir astonishing numbers than any
thing olse. Mountain lions come next
md are almost as numerous rs their
cousins, the coyotes and wolves. Close
lftcr the lions follow the bears. of which
there are several varieties in the Rocky
Mountains, such MS cinnamon, black,
brown. silver tip and the true grizzly,
'ound far up among the peaks, near the
perpetual snow-line.
But mountain lions, owing to their
cr0city and great numbers. must be
considered the most dangerous and
most destructive wild animal we have.
So bold have they become of late that
mttlcmen and the Territorial authori-
lies too have been compelled to give
attention to the ravages committed by
these beasts among the ilocks and
herds. A lively war of extermina-
lion has been going on against them
Tor some time. Tho Territory offer a
premium Of So on every scalp brought
In 10 be punched and some OF tho
counties add to tho inducemcnt by
Jliering on their own accounts nice
little sum in addition TO the Territorial
bounty. The cowboys. with lots OF
pare time on their hands during the
winter months, gain handsome
argess for themselves (nOt to speak OF
.he fun and sport they have) by hunt
ng and killing mountain lions from
November TO March, Tho COW
Iuncher, with an oye to business, first
lraws on the Territorial Treasurer fol
t8; he then hands n bill to the county
or something more, and finally sells
he hide to II furricr for what 1t il
worth. There were l4i mountain
ions killed and paid for in Montana il
1884; 16l in 1885, for which $l.2SS
ame out OF the Territorial Treasury
nd this year tho figures promise tc
un up to 200 or thercabouts.
Mountain lions in this section attain
prodigious size. Specimens are Otter
1illcd measuring feet from tip to tiE
and weighing not far from $50 to 30,
pounds Many moro measuring from
10 to II feet are frequently bagged, ant
occasionally q monster reaching |:
feet in the clear and perhaps longer l.
brought down by some lucky an,
daring hunter. The hide of this AMI
nal makes agexcellcnt rug. Scarccl!
ranch in the whole Rocky MountaiI
region is without u mountain lion skin
on the floor. On9 cattle ranch oil
Powder river has every room in tn,
house carpeted with handsome skins o
this animal. The hide is brigh
brown on the back and rump, but ia lc
away into n soft white brown toward
tho sides and becomes almost q pur
white under the belly. The tail i
tipped with white and ihe head, eyes
ears nose and features are an exact re
production of the domestic cat on
larger scale. The feet and claws qr
also like those of f'Tom and Maria"
While am penping these lines Wqr
comes from u roundup party near hero
busily at work rounding up cattle an
branding calves, that Rod Carlon,
cowboy with the outfit and an cxpol
with the lariat, accomplished the n
markable feat of roping mountai
lion alive from horseback. The for,
man and three BOYS of the Green Moul
tain Land and Cattle Company we,
riding along the banks of Emmcl
| oraoE noar thn foothills of Wolf NOM