Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-01-06
BATTLE WITH A WHALE.
Tho Thrilling Experience of Boat Crew
with q Monster.

WIN uoUsteTs
The whaling steamer Lizzie n, Capt
West, which has been engaged in the fin.
back whale fishery on the eastern coast
this season, when about fifteen miles east
southeast from Sequin Island, off the coast
OF Maine, saw large lone whale of that
species and attempted its capture. boat
was lowered and manned by Capt West
his mate and four seamen. Capt West
with large, heavy whale gun, in which
was an explosive bomb lance, took the
breech OF the boat, while the mate steered
Upon approaching the whale IL was seen
that nc would be an ugly customer to deal
with. as he showed no inclination to run,
but kept slowly milling around, evidently
waiting 10 be attacked
When the boat was near enough 10 war
rant a shot Capt West fred the gun, but
as the sea was rough the motion of the
boat destroyed the accuracy of his aim
The whale was badly wounded but not in
any vital part. The whale then made for
the boat, and In passing under 1t struck is
with his flukes. throwing it some thirty feet
into the air with its crew. AS the boat de.
scended the whale again struck II with hit
tail completely demolished the boat and
killed one OF the crew. Jacob Klock, cut.
ting him completely in two. The whale
then commenced to bite and strike with
his tail at the pieces of the boat, killing
two more men, Neal Olson and
Chris. johnson. who were supporting
themselves on pieces of the wreck. Capt
West, the mate, and the other men were
safely taken aboard the steamer, and an.
other boat was lowered TO capture the
monster. = Then the whale attacked the
steamer. BY quick turn of the rudder
the steamer cleared him by few feet.
This occurred second time, and the swell
which was created by the whales fall
back into the water knocked all on board
of their feet. BY throwing over an i'm.
mense cask, at which the whale, thinking
1t was the ship, kept bucking away, the
Captain was enabled TO get a shot with the
bomb lance, and finally the whale was
killed.
DR.. Ernest Besiner lately made report
TO the French academy upon the reappear-
snce Of ieprosy in Europe. The disease.
he says, has had disquieting development
In Spain, chiefly in the province of Valen.
cha, whence large quantities of fruit and
greens go To Paris and other French cities.
But the disease, he maintains, can only he
transmitted from man to man directly; il
does not either travel by the ground or by
water or air. Neither is Il hereditary.
The bacillus of the disease Is similar 10
that of tuberculosis; II NAV even be the
same species. The best means TO proven,
infection consists In proper attention to by.
giene, cleanliness, and careful diet.
"The Tune the Old Cow Died Of"
How many have used this expression
without any definite idea OF its meaning or
origin. IL seems to have come 10 us from
over the sea. In Scotland and the north
Of Ireland the saying Is very common In
Me mouths OF the peasantry. 1t arose out
OF an old song
There was an old man and he had an old COW,
And he had nothing TO give her
So he took out his fiddle and played her n Ia ne:
Consider. good COW. consider.
This 10 no time OF year for 'io grass 90 grow;
Consider, good cas-. tunilder.
The old COW di { hunger, and when
any grotesquely melancholy song or tune
Is uttered the north country people say
That Is the tune the old cow died Of.