The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-16
LION HUNTING IN DENVER.
1 Former Cowboy WAN Lariat Brought
the sport TO "A Close.

Early last evening the people OF West
Denver. living in the vicinity Of Ninth and
Champa streets. were thrown into a stale OF
the widest excitement. \ iull-groWn|
mountain lion terrOrlZed the nclyhborhold
with display Of vicious temper s,hdlne
lev antc-mOrtom chllls down the spinal
columns Of the lleeing men, women, ana
children.
The lion is the property Of II. W. Wilson,
a gentleman living 40 1870 Ninth street.
Yesterday, as usual, the animal was sum
ming himself behind the bars OF strong
iron cage in the back yard. The beast had
been taken from the freedom Of his noun
tain confines about year ago and brought
I'D tine narrowed limits OF a prison but hic
feet wide and ten long. The lion had been
roamer p the Eagle River country IN his
carly youth. one day trapper shared
him, before bal, nOw-eyident physical
strength had been developed.
Mr.. Wilson. being iond of animals,
adopted the dion and brought him To bis
West Denver residence. During the past
year the pet OF the family grew 90 feline
manhood, and he is line specimen of ms
tribe. 4 liOness had been added 10 his
dOmiciie 10 keep him company. Yesterday
a dog attached 10 the Wilson family began
amusing himself by making insinuatng r.
marks To the lion family. The unusually
even temper OF tie master OF the cage was
unruillcd for "A time. but the remarks OF his
unwelcome visitor becoming SD annoying.
he made desperate attempt 10 reach his
tormentor through the bars of the prison.
In the language u the prlle-ring, he "ieii
short Then with sudden and I'M
petuOus dash. the lion forced his muscular
frame between the bars ana gained his lib
erty
The dog disappeared in an instant. The
lion. dazcd by his coming in contact Win
the bars of the cage, recklessly dashed
ahead without regard 10 tine course he was
taking. An open door was across his path
way. With one jump lac landed in room
where Mr.. " lsOu and his family were at
supper: second leap carried HIM across
inc table without touching anybody IN the
party, and IN less than a wink the front
ward was reached. The animal, no doubt,
by this time was as badly frightened As the
people who saw him, for he butted against
u fence having iron bars "a quarter Of an
inch thick, bending them into ares equal 10
a semi-circumiercnce and allowing him 10
pass through. The lion then started on
gO-as-y Ou-pleaso gall0p out Ninth street to-
ward Chanpa. The neighbOrs He'd for
cover. At Ninth ana Champa streets
stately tree stood in the lions track. Obey
Ing the instinct bred in the days OF his early
mountain life, he climed the tree and await
cd developments.
For a long time he was left unmOlested.
Pedestrians along Ninth street were scarce,
ard those who did 90 too far 10 retreat were
warned ID look out for the "menagerie.'
The simplest way Of disp0sing OF the lion
would have been 10 Kill him. Mr.. Wilson.
however. being satisfied that the animal
was gOOd-natured and harmless under
ordinary circumstances, did not want TO
20 10 this extreme before measures for
the lions capture had been tried. Mean
time both men and beast were quiet.
Evidently each was sparring for wind. The
lion was comfortably enscOnced among the
leaves on the apex Of the tree, and began TO
feel more friendly toward mankind; 50
i1nuch so that be made move 10 again
visit the earth. \ gain the street was
cleared of interested spectators. The strain
was too much for a very nervous man in
the crowd. He thought OF how he might
possibly be- called on To furnish Il steak TOR
the lion who WAS supposed 10 be hangry
Then brilliant idea struck him; he sent
| in an alarm to Police Headquarters and
! called for the patrol wagon. The officers
and the wagon arrived. The lion was
sighted. Three brave men instinctncly
reached for their rcyoyers.
Don't shoot" said "a voice iIom sOi.c-
where.
Catch him."
Take him 10 the station and put him in