Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-16
LION HUNTING IN DENVER.
A Former Cowboy With Lariat
Brought the sport to n Close.
Prom the Denver Republican.


From the Denver Republican.
Early last evening the people OF West Dem
yer living in the vicinity OF 9Th and Champa
streets were thrown Into state OF the widest
excitement full-erown mountain lion ter
rorlzed the neighborhood with a display OF
vicious temper, sending icy ante-mortem chills
down the spinal columns Of the fleeing men,
women and children
The lion is the property OF n. W Wilson, q
gentleman living at $50 9Th street Yesterday.
az usual the animal WAS summing himself be-
nIhu the bars Of strong iron cage IN the back
sArd; The beast had been taken from the
Heeoom OF has mountain confines about q
!eaI $50 Ahd brought 10 the narrowed limits OF
a prison but i've feet wide and ten long The
non had been a roamer in the Eagle river
country IN ms early youth. One day a trspper
shared hlm, before his now eyiden, physical
strength had been dcveloped
Mr.. Wilson. beng fond of animals .Aoptea
the hon and brought hlm TO his West Denver
.esiaehee. During the past year the pet OF the
iaInllE grew to feline manhood and "A a ina
sPSe'heh o. his tribe. honess had been added
10 ms doniiclle to keep him company Yester
day dog attached TO the Wilson fan,il, ho,,.r
amusing himself by making iusinuating re-
marks TO the lion family. The unusuAlIy even
temper OF the master Of the cage was mr.
ruified Tor time. but. the remarks OF his nm
weicome visitor becoming so ANNOYING ha
made desperate attempt 60 reach his tor
mentor through the bars OF the prison In tho
language Of the prize airing. he fell short
Then, with a sudden aud lmpetaous dash. ,he
lion forced his muscular frame between tha
bars and gained hls liberty
Inc dog disappeared IN an instant The
non oazed by las coming IN contact with tho
oars OF the cage, recklessly dashed ahead
without regard 10 the course he was taking. An
| open uoor was across his pathway With ona
jump he landed IN a room where Mr. Wilson
anu ms family were at supper. a second lean
Carried hIm across the table without touching
ANYBODY ia the party, and IN less than a wink
! the front yard Was reached. The animal no
| doubt. by this time was as badly frightened as
the people who saw him. FOR he buttsd against
fence having iron bars a quarter of an iuch
thlcA bending them into arcs equal TO a semi
circumference and allowing him 20 pass
through The hon then started on a eo-as-
yon-please gallop out 9th street toward
Champa The noIghbors fed for cover. Al
Sth and Cbampa streets a stately tree stood in
the hon 5 track. Obcying the instinct bred in
the days OF his early mountain life he climbed
the tree aud awaited Developments
For long time lac was left unmolested
Pedestrians along 9Th street were scarce
and those who did go too far TO retreat were
warned TO look out for the ''manRgerie." The
simplest way of disposing OF the hon would
have been 10 xiii HIM. Mr.. Wilson, how
ever. being satisfied tina: the animal was good
natured and harmless under ordinary circuu-
stances, did not want 10 20 TO this extreme be-
AOAI AutahuIes lOF the lion capture had beef
/ trled. Meantime botn men and beast were
| quiet Evidently each was sparring for wind
The lion was comfortably enconsed among the
leaves on the apex OF the tree, and began 10
! feel more friendly toward mankind SO much 50
that he made a move 20 again visit the earth
| Again the street was cleared OF interested
| spectators. The strain was too much for
| very nervous man In the crowd He thought
OF how he might possibly be called on 10
FURNISH steak Tor the lion, who supposed
a. lNa..r I'LL
him; he sent in an alarm TO police Headquarters
aud called for the patrol wagon. The officers
and the wagon arrived The lion was sighted.
Three brave men instinctiyely reached for their
reyolyers.
Don't shoot" said voice from somewhere.
"Catch hum"
Take him TO the station and put him in the
bull pen" suggested a sarcastic individual.
uIEe hlm 10 the hoboes 20 play with"
chlmed IN another
The wagon was turned toward the CITY Hall.
Three sad men accompanied IL They had not
been trained to wrestle with mountain Hons
and were compelled to beat a retreat
Here man Who Will corral the lion" was
the shout as a cowboy came TO the scene
The cowboy was man named Lewis WIN
did not shirk the task OF twisting the hons tai
or capturing him in the least.
Yes, have had some practice on them
| feliers, he said. Il lassoood five of EN- last
winter, up IN the mountains, and reckon
| can do this one"
| rope was secured and then the FUN COM
menced. After several Intellectual attempts
Lewis gracefully threw the loop over the npi-
/ mails neck and shoulders. But the animal was
not to be cajoled as easily as was anticipated.
The rope was drawn taut and made breathing
| difficult for the beast. He advanced several feet
toward the ground and then refused 20 bulge
Suddenly he slid in the direction OF the crowd
which had gathered.
CONSERVATION Lewis was left alone
Then the hon again assembled the tree.
flnaily' After. much maneuverIug. 2e reached
the ground in a falnting condition. one mans
| curiosity got the better OF has Judgment ana
he approached the animal for an Inspection
He was promptly clInched on the leg by tie
beast, but escaped being bitten. The lion was
cage.