The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-26
FIGHT WITH PAINTERS.
A Kentucky Farmers Flesh Torn
From His Rody


Portsmouth (ohIo) Dispatch 20 Cincinnati ENQUIRER
James Mallon. who lives some eight miles
back of Springville, in Kentucky, In one of
the widest tracts of land, covered with the
primeval forest lying between the river and
the gull, Is just now little the worse for
wear, but he is the hero of the hour Just the
same. From his thigh TO his ankle on the
left leg. and running around the body on
the right side, are frightful gashes, and h is
face Is mesh of bleeding wounds, but the
doctor says he will live, and the neighbors
hope he will.
For year the farmers had been losing
their sheep. and once in while young
steer was killed and dragged to the edge of
the woods, where the bones were picked
Dozens OF hunting parties have been organ
lZed, out they have only succeeded in find-
Ing numerous evidences in the ravages of
the wild beast. Last night, while Mr. NAL
Ion was eating his suppsT. he was startled
by the fearful believing of his cattle.
lie ran 10 the barpyard. which is on the
edge OF the thick woods, and saw his stock
senrrying toward a remote corner of the lot
pell-mell. The cattle stopped aud all
turned their heads in one direction with
nostrls dlstended with fear. Mr.. Mallon
hurried in the direction indicated, and lust
as ne turned straw stack he saw long,
tawney beast jump from the PROSTATE form
Oh one OF his calves and start for the woods
1t was the panther which had terrorized the
nelghborhood. lie hurried to the house ana
got his gun, and then started directly for the
woods.
He thought the beast would not go far. ex-
pectIng to return for its prey. He was not
disappointed for he had not gone far into
the woods when the swaying of a branch
caught his eye, and by the dim twilight he
could discern the long body OF the panther
lying along the limb, with it's ewes turned
on him and its tail slowly moving 10 and
fro. 1t was waiting for him.
Mailon stopped moment the shot was a
long one and the half light made it more
uncertain. His rife was the old-fashioned
muzzle-loader, and If he missed or only
wounded the game it was serious business
lie determined to try. however. and taking
long aim he let go.
The report Of his gun was answered by
inc tumbl!ng OF the game, but as he started
Tor the spot where the body fell the silence
oil the forest was broken by a terrific
Scream. and the next instant he felt the
claws or another animal at his back. The
weight of the cat knocked him down on
MS lace, and as he turned he managed to
get his hand on the hilt of his knife
quicker than IL can be told he turned and
the next instant he had the steel blade deep
In the bowels of his fearful antagonist.
mat IS all Mallon remembered.
The next thing he knew he was home and
MS wounds were being dressed. His family
mad at once alarmed the neighbOrhood. and
the party which was quickly gathered fol-
lowed the shot and screams until it found
the brave man where he had tainted, covered
with MS own and the beasts blood. A part
took him home, and the others started in the
bloody trail OF the still living brute
he dead panther was huge brute, meas
uring nearly seven feet from tip to tin. The
other was probably the female, who had
waited In the forest for her mate to kill the
meal, intending to enjoy it with him after
ward. 1t is thought the latter will be found
dead, rs 1t must have been severely wounded
to have left Mallon without finishing him.