The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-27
O'NEILL WAS THERE
The Plaintive Wall of an Anaconda
Boy on Mount Haggin.
A FIGHT WITH A MAD EAGLE
The Eminent Actor Engages In
Mortal Combat With the Bro
of Freedom and Loses
His Prize silk Tile.

The famous actor James O'Neill, had a
thrilling adventure on Mount Haggln sat
urady last. With several members OF ms
company Mr.. O'Neill was taking an aIter-
noon stroll, in the course of which they
explored the hills south of the city. Iheh'
as one hill leads only to another, hnally
attempted the ascent of Mout Haggln'
whose snow-clad crest was above tnem'
The beautiful view of the valley, winch
was more enhancing the higher they
climbed lured them on.
The summit they sought TO attain re-
ceded constantly and they were some as
lance from IL on a desolate landing where
they had paused TO rest, when rant cries
reached their ears.
'Harki" exclaimed O'Neill.
What is it?" asked his comrades, as
they listened and the cries sounded loud
er again.
Some one is in distress over the point
yonder; we must lend assistance. Come
on, let us see.'
Scarce waiting for reply, the actor was
on the jump up a rocky steep, over
loose shale rocks that slipped beneath
his feet, clutching at briers and now
pulling himself up over projecting crags
His activity stood him In good stead. and
the others following more cautiously, ne
was lost for few minutes to their view
as he sped along a narrow pathway. But
exciting contest-a pair of eagles engaged
in an attack upon two boys, with O'Neill
to the rescue.
One of the lads was cllnging to a scrub
by oak trying to protect his face In his
arms from the bird flying about his head
and uttering shrill cries. The other, his
coat torn in shrods and his face bleeding,
had tight grip on his hat, in which were
the crushed remains of two eagles eggs.
The injured parent was beating him with
her wings at every swoop and the boy
was yelling vigorously, though powerless
TO protect himself.
o'Neill had In his hand a stout stick
he had used as an alpenstock, and ran to
the boys side, where he assumed an atti-
tude of defense that is not given in the
school for fencing. but which proved most
important.
The eagle came again to the attack and
tho club swung In the air like batter
smuggling the ball for a home-run. But he
famed. and the talons of the winged foe
crashed through the silk tile. the pride OF
a New York halter and the eagle sailed
away with the hat in his claws.
The other bird then swooped upon them
and this time a blow square upon the
breast sent the emblem of freedom turn
ing somersaults in the air for a dozer
yards before he recovered sufficiently "a
renew his flight
BY this time the others of the party had
gathered a quantity OF stones which were
hurled I'm such profusion at the eagles
still lowering near that they did not re-
new the attack.
The boys proved to be Willie Fleming
and Johnnie Luce of this city two
schoolboys who had been enjoying Their
afternoons holiday in the hills. a favoritt
pastime of Anaconda boys, when they
discovered the eagles eyrie and had rob.
bed IL of its eggs during the absence oil
the birds, that, unfortunately for the
lads, inopportunely returned
On the way homeward the inquisItivs
youngsters learned the name of their gal
liant rescuer, and on condition that they
would not tell of their adventure unit
Mr.. ONeill had left town, were giver
seats In the front row at the Performance,
of Monte Cristo" that evening. The,
were conspicuous by the deep interes
they took in the play. and their vocifer
Gus applause for every triumph of tn,
valorous Count of Monte Cristo.
Mr.. O'Neill has a bunch of eagle feath
ers which he knocked out of the bird, anC
badly battered silk hat. which he will
keep as a souvenir of his encounter will
the eagles on Mount Haggin.