Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-02-10
AN EXCITING CONTEST.

AN EAClTIN6 GONIESh.
A very exciting and sanguinary con-
test between huge bull alligator and
several head of cattle occurred Satur-
day a few miles below Kissimmee,
Fla, on the bank of Lake Tohopakal-
igo, In which the alligator was killed
and two bulls so badly injured that
they had to be shot, and another was
rendered almost hors du combat A
party of hunters, several Of them Wis
itors from the Tropical Hotel there,
were camping out on the lower shell
mound, eight miles southeast Of here,
which overlooks the lake though sew
eral hundred rods from the shore,
which is marshy and grassy. Cattle
gather near there by the hundreds, as
the grass is always fresh, and black
flies, their bane on most lake sides,
generally absent. While eating their
dinners that day the hunters were
startled by loud believing that came
from the lake, accompanied by the
well-known cry or grunt of alliga-
tors. On hastily getting TO the blufi
most exciting scene was witnessed.
From the appearance Of the field il
would seem that one Of the bulls went
to the shore for water, and as he was
drinking a big gator swan up and
seized his nose. The spectators came
on the field just a moment afterward.
The bull, big black animal with a
pair of magnificent sharp horns
slightly curving backward, was taken
at terrible disadvantage, and began
believing loudly, and endeavoring to
shake off his antagonist. The gator
had secured firm hold, however,
and he clung tenaciously, churning
the water into foam with his immense
tail, the blood streaming from the
bulls lacerated nose already dying
the waters red. With a mighty effort
the bull plunged backward, hauling
his attachment partially on dry
land, and then the fun waxed furious.
The bull rendered frantic from the
pain, endeavored to hook the gator,
and failing in that, he stamped at him
and plunged around madly to get rid
Of his foe. Attracted by his below
ings, two other bulls came furiously
down the side, and seeing the gator
plunged at him. Observing his new
enemies, the latter endeavored to es-
cape. but too late. One Of them
caught his horn near the gators fore
leg, and with an upward toss tore a
big hole in his side, the saurian re-
spending with deep roar of anger
and pain. AS the other bull came on
the gator thrashed around with his
tail and gave the animal a terrible
blow, knocking him down on his side
with dull thump. His first victim
was now free, and the three thor
oughly infuriated animals surrounded
their foe, believing and with lowered
heads presenting picket OF sharp
as he attempted to crawl into the
water. But his three opponents new
began systematic warfare. First
one would dash at him, escaping the
flying tail of the big reptile, and give
him dig with his horns and endeavor
to toss him. The gator was getting
weaker all tho while, and, though
still game, he seemed anxious to quit.
One Of the bulls allowed his anger to
blind him finally, and as he came on
without his usual caution, the reptile
whirled and delivered n sweeping
blow with his tail that caught the
animals legs, breaking them like pipe
stems, the old fellow falling with a
roar Of madness that could have been
heard mile, while the saurian's eyes
seemed to gleam with triumph as they
glowered at his enemies. Then ensued
a rough -and-tumble contest which no
description could do justice to. The
bulls plunged viciously at him, often
times hitting one another in their mad
rushes, while the alligator swept his
big tail around in endless circles, and
inficting terrible whacks on their
sides and legs For over twenty min
utes this was continued, the mingled
roars of the infuriated animals pro
ducing indescribable, ear-splitting
sounds. Finally the gator again seized
his first victim by the nose, and with
a death grip. The other animal
plunged in, and, catching both horns
under the gators side, gave him a
toss, ripping him up so that his en-
trails protruded The effect was seen
at once, as his terrible tail played
more feebly, but his hold on the bulls
nose could not be broken. Several
more ugly wounds were made, and the
reptiles roars of anger changed TO
those of pain and fear. His antago-
mist charged at him time and time
again, lacerating him terribly. Finally
no resistance was made, the victor
traInpling on the bloody carcass,
though the terrible grip of those iron
Jaws still maintained their hold on the
nose of the first bull, who had been
forced TO his knees and was fast dying
from the terrible blows he had receiv-
ed and the great loss of blood. Sew
eral of the watchers then went down
and mercifully shot the two wounded
bulls. The alligator, which measured,
as well as they could ascertain, over
seventeen feet, the head and jaws
| hein, six feet. was a monster. but was