The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-19

AueE 10 OnStdutlY armed and Guard
Their herds Day and Night-Terrific
Battle Between Man, Dogs and
Feline-An intrepid Mother on sentt-
mel Duty.
From the ST. Louis Republic.
ASPEN, Col, Feb. 6.-This section OF
Colorado is experiencing one OF the ssverest
winters known for years. The mountains
have been covered to a great depth with
snow since Sept. 20, and the weather has
been extremely cold since the beginning Of
winter. This has driven all kinds of game
down into the valleys. Large herds Of deer
and elk are frequently seen upon the valley
ranches, but as a general thing they
are so poor as to render them
unfit for food. The mountain lions,
however. are making life q burden TO the
ranchmen. and In some locations il is
decidedly dangerous to be in the open cir
after nightfalL They have become so bold
that to go about unarmed is an indiscretion
that few are guilty of even in broad day
light, and the majority of ranchers are COM
PEELED 70 guard their stock night and day.
The lions are vicious in the extreme, being
nearly starved to death, and instead of turn
ing tail and scampering of to the noun
preached in broad daylight. they not only
stand their ground but are always on the
offensive.
A few days ago John Wilson, who resides
on Brush creek, about six miles below
Aspen, was hooking up his team preparatory
TO bringing load of grain to Aspen, when
his attention was attracted to large lion
couched at the foot Of a haystack which
stood in the barnyard and within about ten
feet Of him. He stated that the animal was
preparing TO spring upon him or the team,
and the sight made his hair stand and blood
run cold. He pulled a revolver, of which
he had two in his belt, and fired. but owing
to his sudden fright the aim was not &C
curate and the bail passed over the beast
This SO angered the lion that it Immediately
sprang upon Mr.. Wilson, bearing him to
the earth with terrific force. Fortunately
the firing OF the revolver called to his aid
two large dogs, who came tearing into the
yard. just as the ferocious beast sprang
upon their master, ana they set upon the
animal, attracting its attention before it
had time TO fasten its teeth in the flesh OF
the PROSTATE man. Then there was a con-
glomeration of man, dogs and lion for a few
seconds that would be bard to describe. Mr..
Wilson soon succeeded in extricating him
self from his dangerous predicament,
ard watching his chance fired another shot,
striking the beast over the temple, but APP
fight between the dogs and his lionship
waxed warmer. Another shot was impossi-
Bile now. for fear of killing one or both OF
the dogs. Mrs. Wilson appeared on the
scene at this juncture, armed with VIM
chester rife, but was unable 70 bring it
into use for the same reason. Wilson finally
grabbed up a neckyoke and succeeded in
crushing in the skull OF the lion By few
well-directed blows.
The beast was found to be an old fellow
and measured eight feet from the point of
his nose to the tip OF his tail. He was 50
poor that only skin and bones renamed.
The carcass was thrown on the load of grain
and brought to town, where it attracted a
large amount Of attention, owing to its
enormous size.
Mr.. Wilson's arm was considerably lac
Grated in the encounter and one Of the dogs
came out of the fight with a broken leg.
Two Of Mr.. Wilson's little children had been
playing with a small sled in the yard where
the fight took place but a short time before
the lion was disco vered. Mr.. Wilson states
that it is no uncommon eight TO see these
lions among the small water courses, but
this is the first instance in which they had
come into his very yard.
When it becomes necessary for the chill
dren to cross the threshold of the door now
Mrs Wilson stands ia the door way armed
with loaded Winchester.