Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-30
THE LIONS DISAPPEAR.
A JOLLY TIME BUT ZIG GAME WAS
VERY SCARCE.
How 1t Seems to Hunt "varmints"
In Tally-Hos- Wildcat and
Two Coyotes Brought
Down.

/
The grand hunt in the Elysian park
and on the Los Feliz rancho yesterday
for couple of California lions was not
entirely failure. The hunting was
good, but the lions were not found. The
only game scared up was one cotton
tail rabbit, two coyotes, and before night
the unerring aim of Captain Charles
Haskell's Winchester duly discharged
brought down wild cat.
For more than two months past the
lessee ranchers of Los Feliz have been
bothered by two California lions. The
"varmints" have a special liking for
pigs, and in few days Mr.. Frank H.
McCrea, who lives at the ranch house,
had fully one hundred pigs killed by
them. At FIRST he thought it must be
the work of coyotes. not dreaming that
any lions were about till one day he
| discovered fresh track of lions foot,
as big as his hand. Soon after, while
| wandering over the Loe Feliz hills un-
he describes as nearly az large and of
Vno nano oi@o, oAaPo oAu Coioi VI ou al.
rican lioness.
Only yesterday week DR.. Alexander
and Mr.. McCrea saw two lions in the
E ysisn park, just north of the deer cor
raj, in the eucalyptus grove between two
roads.
These facts were reported to Mr.. G.. J.
Griffith, the proprietor OF Los Feliz
ranch, and he determined to rid his do
main OF the brutes, and, accordingly,
organized the hunt of yesterday. He
invited, through the local press, every
body with guns or hounds to attend.
Mr.. Griffith generously furnished tai
ly-ho wagon for the representatives of
the prees.
The meet was appointed for O'Clock
am. at the second brick yard up Chavez
raviDe, but it was not till 8: 80 O'Clock
that sufficient number of persons as
sembled to make q strong party.
Mr.. Griffith himself handled with skill
the ribbons of four fine bays hauling the
tally-ho, in which were seated Col. H.
G.. Otis of the Times, J. E. Bennett of
the Evening Express and two repre-
sentatives of the HERALD.
The party advanced to the spot where
the lions were last seen. and here the
hunters organized and elected Charles
Haskell captain. There were in the
company Captain Haskell had, three
thoroughbred Cuban blood hounds and
one stag hound. J. Coty and Will
Barber had two fine grey hounds. The
four Hunter brothers, John, Samuel,
Richard and Joseph, we're on horseback,
and had four Cuban blood hounds.
Among others were Constable L. d.
Rogers, Miguel Micaroh, A. J. Bradish.
s. A. Kendall, Robert Kendall, ]. E.
Martin, 7. Letterman, George Sullivan,
John McCann, DIR. Alexander, George
Reed, Joseph Griffith, Morgan Griffith
and many others on foot.
The tally-ho and teams kept the road,
but several reporters joined the chase.
Mr.. Griffith having provided guns and
ammunition.
Captain Haskell deployed his men in
skirmish line and the company stimuli
taneously entered the great eucalyptus
grove Of Elysian park, after careful in
juctions to look up all trees. The
forward, and the hunt began.
Every corner was carefully searched,
as every cafion in the hills. clear up to
the Los Feliz ranch house, but not a
lion, or even the track OF one, was seen,
nor did the dogs get scent.
A part of the company arrived at the
ranch house just at noon, where a
bountiful lunch was spread by Mr.. and
Mrs. McCrea.
About the time the people in the car
riages had finished lunch the horsemen
came in without the dogs. While on
the ridge of the Los Feliz mountains
two coyotes were started and the pack
divided in the chase after them. The
ground was too rough for the horsemen
to keep pace with the hounds 60 the
men left them and proceeded to Mr.. Nc
Crea's ranch,
NgAfter lunch the party separated. Sew
eral of the newspaper men returned to
Los Angeles and the rest enjoyed target
shooting, while Mr.. Haskell and others
went after the hounds.
When the hounds had all responded
to Mr.. Haskell's horn the party started
for Los Angeles. While driving along
the river bottom the men were on the
lookout for coons, but pone were started.
The party had gradually diminished
until by the time the road branched off
| from the river bed and went through
Elysian park only Mr.. Haskell and the
tally-ho people remained. AT this
point Mr.. Haskell left the party and
with his dogs started along the top of
the ridge parallel with the road. The
coach was stopped at points along the
road and calls to Mr.. Haskell were
made, but no response was heard. The
last stop of the coach was in front of the
park keepers house, and during the 10
minutes wait several shots were heard
from the ridge. But, as Mr.. Haskell
did not appear or respond to the nu-
merous hallos, the coach proceeded to
Los Angeles, arriving at the stables ex-
actly at 5 10 p. M, and ending most
enjoyable day.
| 1t seems, however, that Mr.. Haskell's
dogs, shortly after they were on the
ridge, treed wildcat and Mr.. Haskell
shot and killed it. The animal was
killed about 200 yards in the rear of the
park keepers house and about mile
and half from the court house.
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