The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-26
BRYAN WIN LEAD THE CHASE.
Panther and Lion Hunt In His Honor In the
Country Near Austin, Tex.


AUSTIN. Tex. Dec. 25.-The panther and
lion hunt which will take place In this county
next Wednesday in honor OF Col. William
Jennings Bryan promises to be the largest
and most exciting sporting event OF Its Kind
ever pulled of in Texas. Over two hundred
hounds will participate In the chase, ana the
packs are already arriving here from all parts OF
the State. Invitations have been Issued to over
one hundred people. including all OF the State
officials. Col. Bryan will have the position OF
honor and will lead the chase. The country
along the Colorado River north OF Austin Is
exceedingly rough. and the various daring
panthers and Mexican lions have become so
numerous there "a to demand their Immediate
determination. These animals have killed many
fat calves and sheep Of farmers and ranchers.
When hungry they do not hesitate to attack
man. They are full OF fight when cornered and
the hunt will not lack exciting features Ex-
Coy Hogg. who weighs over, three hundred
and lfty pounds. will ride q horse and try to
keep up with Bryan In the chase.
ANOTHER VERSION OF 1T.
James johnson Of Austin, Is the owner Of q
panther There Is not a man or woman in Aus
tin who is not acquainted with Mr.; johnson s
panther, For Ave oi moe years naughty children
Of Austin, when they rebelled against doing
those things which their fathers and mothers
wanted them 10 do have been forced into obedience
by the threat that James Johnson's panther
would eat them II they were not good as children
ought ~ be This panther has passed through
several hands. He was at one time an attraction
the possession Of MI johnson This much IL
said to avoid all libel suits, and that truth may
come out IN al things pertaining TO this Zero
Last spring the animal escaped in some way
from his cage and Austin became wild As Is
known, Austin secures her electric lights through
the power secured by hel magnificent dam. II
so happened that, when tile animal slipped
through the bars Of it's cage the dam WAS dead
d. tttrlN
waite, above II 10 make the wheels go round. and
consequently the capital Of the State was In dark
ness The children could not be Fl. induced to go
bold Legislators from the rural districts, who,
and othe, dangers, moved about at night in a
most cautious way Ii became necessary TO
,sesablsh sondSnee at lest to the extent
tion, and So a hunt was organized. Dogs OF every
kind and degree were collected and men with
Winchestcrs and shutguns took the field against
this disturber Of the public peace Even the owner
of the beast was forced into hunt TO the death
That chase has never been written up The
reason is that no pen has been found bold enough
TO attempt 10 detail II in all it's excitements The
animal was at last discovered In q chicken coop.
placidly devouring a hen. and its owner. pl ng
rope about its neck led IL back to the cage. That
was before Mr. johnson became the owner The
former owner. thrifty man. having had eNpc.
rience, and not Wishing 30 again take tho chances
OF losing popularity. disposed oil his pet The
chain oil title rom him To MI johnson IL not given
here bccaus. II is not known 10 the NtuS Any
how the animal Is controlled by Mr.. johnson
and the very latest news about II in that Mr. John.
son. evidently a sterling Democrat Of the free,
&c, at the ratio. &c. without the consent. &c
proposes 10 give the next standard bearer OF his
party, the Hon. William j. Bryan, the hunt al
his life. In other words. II is proposed To turn
the panther loose and then hump him UP with
hounds and horns and men through all the way =
and bywhyS around Austin
As a nimrod Mr. Bryan has established a repu-
thtiOn He has met the gaudy ni6llard as 1t came
south from his own land and brought II down.
He has stirred up the squattng quail and banged
the life out of II NJ same scurricd away. He
has chased the nimble cat squirrel Ia its hole
and made the winter robin roost higher. But
he has never. as far az the records show, met
face 10 face the gtinning, glazing panther. Roy
atty hunts tigers ltswcll that 10 our fore most
citizen should be given chance at a panther,
though IL DO tame. since there are neither tigers
nor wild panthers av ailable for his cntcrtainme mt
OF course MI Bryan may or NAV not accept tho
invitation, but the scheme speaks no less elo-
quently Of AUSTIN enterprise. Citizens are unAni.
nous n the de sire TO have the beast destroyed II
seems that an appeal 10 the patriotic instincts
OF tho owner IL their only means OF converting
the be asst into a carcass. II the owner can he
persuaded TO honor his favorite statesman while
accommodating his fellow citizens all hands
may be happy and Join in the fun.