The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-07-18
A DEAD COON IN TOWN.
ONE OF THE DUKES PETS
COMES TO GRIEF.
After Escaping and Taking Refuge in
the U. S. Legation, He Leaves
There and Gets Shot.

animal pets, DlfdS, etc, ana he IS uSu-
ally accompanied on his travels by a
small menagerie, the care of which is
probly one Of the numerous duties
devolving upon the Dukes valet
Among the fauna that His Grace
brought to Honolulu was a pet raccoon,
accompanied by lady raccoon and a
young family. These were objects OF
the Dukes greatest solictude and
usually occupied a prominent place on
the front porch Of his cottage in the
rear OF the ex Royal Hotel Whether
something that he saw or heard made
him fearful of British petucoat rule
when be reached England, or whether
the air of Hawaii was more than usually
suggestive Of freedom, is not known;
but It is certain that the love of liberty
became imbued within Mr.. Coon's
breast to such an extent about o'clock
yesterday afternoon that he made a
bold and successful strike for life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
By an attack upon the wires of his
cage he managed to get himself
through, and was once more a free
coon, leaving home, wife and children
all for liberty
His escape was soon noticed and
people from all parts of the grounds
rushed in pursuit, crying in holy horror
"Ihe Dukes coon has escaped "
With an lntuitive perception which re-
fleets credit on the whole coon race,
the animal made direct for the Amer
can Legation, thinking himself safe
under the folds Of the Stars and Stripes.
But, alas, no Patrick Egan WIS there
to uphold the sanCtlty of American
soil and forbid intrusion within its
sacred limits No shelteriug band was
outstretched to save a wandering
refugee from capture and perhaps
death, as was the case in Chill The
rabble we're allowed inside the gates
and Mr.. Coon had hard time of it for
awhile. He finally escaped from his
pursuers by climbing into the upper
branches of tall algaroba tree in the
rear of the Legation grounds, where he
recovered his breath and defed his
pursuers to capture him alive Various
means of inducing him to return were
resorted to but they did not work.
The coon had tasted liberty and it was
good enough for him, and when night
fell he was still iHbibng it in large
draughts. If he had lived to tell his
experiences, he would doubtless aver
that the air of Honolulu has been sat
urated with liberty since the 18th of
January.
After a good nights rest the coon
awoke refreshed but terribly hungry
and thirsty The latter was easily
satisfied from water in the grounds, but
an early breakfast was another matter.
visions of the ducal grub he had been
pampered with during his captivity
arose before his eyes, and in an evil
moment thoughts of eggs came into
his mind, Eggs, he must and would
have, nothing less than eggs, and nice
fresh ones at that, would do for the
former pet of a great English duke
Not finding any such luxury around
the American Legation the coon
foolishly left the tree and taking a.
Heeting glance at his wife and babies
as he went by, boldly jumped the
fence and surreptltionsy entered the
chicken-house of Earnest Naiot in the
rear of the hotel cottages and of his
former abode. One fat pullet who
wanted her own eggs was killed and
another was b>ing despatched when
Mr.. Marriott who was awoke by an un-
usual noise Among his chickens, the
time being $3.50 this morning, inves-
tlgated matters with lantern and
gun and fired three shots at the intruder,
supposing it to be mongoose. After
the third shot the poor coon never
moved and he has now gone to join
the other members of the Dennis
family.
Captain Kahookano, who was on
duty near by, came running up to in
vestigate the shooting, ard after the
facts had been made known to him,
took the body Of the coon to the
police station, just as he would have
done in the case of a human being.
This morning early the Duke and his
friend called at the station and were
received by Captain Juen. The Duke
offered to pay Mr., Marriott for the loss
OF his chicken and any other damage
he may have sustained, but the ofer
was declined, He then examined the
corpse of his dead pet, and finding
that the pelt was comparatively unin-
jured has given Captain Juen an order
to have 1t made lrto a rug, which is
now being done by one of the prisoners,
who is an expert at tanning,
..-..z--
Wants Two Bridal Chambers.