The morning call., 1893-01-03
A FIGHTIFOR LIFE.
The Desperate Struggle of
a Farmer.
TORN BY TWO PAINTERS.
One of the Fierce Beasts Killed and
the Other Severely Wounded by
a Brave Kentuckian.

Portsmouth (o) Dispatch to 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 gulf, is just 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 his
face is mesh of bleeding wounds. but the
doctor says he will live, and the nelghbors
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 Oh
the woods, where its bones were, picked.
Dozens of hunting parties have been organ
lied, but they have only succeeded in ind
ing numerous evidences in the ravages OF
the wild beast.
Recently, while Mr.. Mallon was eating
his supper, he was startled by the fearful
believing of his cattle. He ran 10 the barn
yard, which is on the edge of the thick
woods, and saw his stock scurrying toward
remote corner Of the lot pel-mel The
cattle stopped and all turned their heads IN
one direction, with n0strils distended with
fear. Mr.. Mallon hurried 10 the direction
indicated and just as he turned straw
stack he saw long, tawny beast jump
from the PROSTATE form Of one OF his calves
and start for the woods. Ii was the panther
which had terroriZed the neigh bOrhood. He
hurried to the house and got his gun and
then started directly for the woods.
He thought the beast would not go far,
expecting to return for its prey. He was
not disappointed, for he had not gone far
into the woods when the swaying of
branch caught his eye and by the dim twi-
light he could discern the long body OF the
panther lying along the limb, with its eyes
turned on him and its tail slowly moving to
ana fro. 1t was waiting for him.
Mallon stopped a moment. The shot was
a long one and the half light made it more
uncertain. His rife was the old-fashoned
muZzle-l loader, and If he missed or only
wounded the game il was serious business.
He determ ned TO try, however, and taking
a long aim he let go.
The report of his gun was followed by
the tumbling of the game. but as he started
tor the spot where the body fell the silence
OF the forest was broken by aterriic scream,
and the next instant he felt the claws OF
another animal at his back. The weight Of
the cat knocked him down on his face, and
as he turned be managed TO get his hands
on the hit of his knife. Quicker than 1t
can be told he turned, and the next instant
he had the steel blade deep in the bowels OF
his fearful antagonist. That is all Mallon
remembered.
The next thing he knew he was home and
his wounds were being dressed His family
had at once alarmed the neighborhOod, and
the party which was quickly gathered fol-
lowed the shot and screams until 1t found
the brave man where he had tainted,
covered with his own and the beasts blood.
A part took him home, and the others
started ON the trail of the still living brute.
The dead panther was huge brute,
measuring nearly seven feet from tip to tip.
The other was probably tie female who
had waited in the forest fer her mate to kill
the meal. intending to enjoy it with him
afterward. Ii is thought the latter will be
found dead. as il must have been severely
wounded TO have left MallOn without
finishing him.