The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-29
BULLS IN BATTLE ARRAY.
Desperate Conflict bsiweea an Enos@aas ALI
gator and Cattle.

4
Desperate Conflict between an Enossoas ALI
gator and Cattle.
kissimmee Letter in Globe Democratic
very exciting and sanguinary con-
test between huge alligator and sew
erai head of cattle occurred on Saturday
few miles beloa here, on the bank of
Lake Tohopakahgo, in which the alli-
gator YVES killed and two bulls SO badly
injured that they had to be SHOT, and
another was rendered ilors de combat.
A party of hunters were camping out ON
the lever shell mound, eight miles south
east OF here, which overlooks the lake.
| tA0ugh several hundred rods from the
shore, which is marsily and grassy. Cat
tie gather near there by the hundreds.
as the grass is always fresh. and black
flies, their bane On most lake sides, are
generally absent While eating their
dinners that day the hunters We're
startled by loud beliowings that came
! from the lake, accompanied by the well
known cry or grunt of al!igators. On
hastily getting to the bluff a most excit-
| ing scene was witnessed. From the APP
| pearance of the field it seem that one
of the old bulls went to the shexe for
water, and while he was drinking big
/ gator swan up and seized his nose. The,
| spectators came on the field just a mo-
ment aferward
| The Dull, a big black, with g. pair of
magnificent sharp horns slightly curv-
ing backward, was taken at terrible dis
| advantage, and began believing loudly
| and endeavoring to shake OF his anita
! gsonist. The gator had secured firm
hold, however, and he chung tenaciously.
cnurning the water into foam with his
| immense tail, the blood streaming from
the bulls lacerated nose, already dyeing
| the waters red. With g. mighty effort
the bull plunged backward, hauling his
| attachment partly ON dry land and
then the fun waxed furious. The bull.
rendered frantic from the pain, endeav-
ored to hook the gator. and failing in
in that, stamped at him and plunged
around madly to get rid of his foe. At
tracted by his bellowings, TWO other bulls
came furiously down the side, and, see
the gator plunged at him. Observing
his new enemies, the latter tried to es-
cape but too late.
One OF them caught his born near the
gators fore leg, and with an upward
toss tore big hole in his side. the saur-
ian responding with deep roar sof an
ger and pain. As the other bull came
on the gator thrashed around with his
tail and gave the animal a terrible blow
.
dull thump. His first victim was now
free, and the three thoroughly infatuated
animals surrounded their foe, believing
and with lowered heads, presenting 4
picket of sharp horns which the saurian
didn't like, as he attempted to crawl
into the water. His three opponents
now 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 en-
deavor TO toss him. The gator was get
| ting weaker all the time and,
/ though still game, he seemed anxious 10
, cry quits One of the bulls allowed his
i anger to blind him finally, and as he
came on without his usual caution the
, reptile turned and gave him sweeping.
blow with his tail that caught the AM
mails legs. breaking them like pipe
stems, the old fellow falling with a
roar of madness that could have been
! heard a mile. while the saurain's eyes
! | glowed at his enemies. Then ensued a
rough and tumble contest which no
: description would do justice TO. The
bulls plunged VIGOROUSLY at hiIn, often
times hitting one another in their mad
rnshes, while the alligator sweI1 his big
tail around in endless circles and iniiict-
: ing terrible whacks on their sides and
legs. FOR over twenty minutes tHLS was
continued, the mingled roars of the in
furiated animals producing 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 toss, rippin g
him up SO that his entrails protruded.
: The effect was seen at once, and his ter
rible tail played more feebly, but his
4 hold on the bulls nose could not be
broken. Several more ugly wounds
were made, and the reptiles roars of an
ger was changed to those of pain and
. fear. His antagonist charged at him
, time and time again, decorating terribly.
Y Finally no resistance was made, the
h victor trampled on the bloody carcass,
though the terrible grip of those iron
Jaws still maintained their hold ON the
nose of the first bull, which had been
forced to his knees and was fast dying
}, from the terrible blows he had received
0 ard the great loss of blood. Several OF
thu, watchers then went down and ..mer-
cifully shot the two wounded bulls.
: The alligator, which measured, as well
Is as they could ascertain, over seventeen
y feet, the head and jaws being over six
feet, was literally disembowled. The
blow delivered by the gators tail broke
several ribs of the bull, whose legs were
also broken, while even the victor was
badly injured. The one which had been
seized by the nose, presented horrible
" appearance. the flesh having beer
IS stripped to the bone BIZ the iron hold oil
ar the saurian's laws.