The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06
CARRIED OFF BY A JAGUAR
An Episode of Life on the Texas
Frontier.
Rescue. by Her sister. of Child
Carried Into the Forest by n spot
ted Panther-Tnken by the Beast
Into the Forks OF Tree.

MARBLE FALLS, Tex March 16.-The
little town Of Buffalo, on the Colorado
River. in western Texas. was thrown into
fever of the widest excitement on last
Saturday by the news that a spotted pan
Their or jaguar had carried little sallie
1 Skates off into the forest. crowd at
once assembled. and mounted upon their
best ponies they galloped out to Mr..
Skates ranch to hear the truth Of the
strange affair and assist in rescuing the
child. They found the little girl in bed
suffering from several wounds but for
tunately not fatally injured.
The little girl, who is about four years
old. had been seized by a very large panth-
er while playing in the yard and carried
up into the forks of large oak tree not
( more than twenty steps from the farmers
] front gate. Mr.. Skates knew that a pair
of these ferocious animals were providing
about in the vicinity Of his ranch for he
had frequently heard them roaring at
night but it had never occurred to him
that they were likely to become bold
enough to approach his house and attack
his family
1t is supposed that the panther was
watching for an opportunity to capture
a pet lamb that often followed the little
girl about the yard. The child was play
ing near the front gate, which is only
about ten steps from the door of the house.
public road passes the gate and beyond
the road there is an extensive forest Of
large trees. A small creek runs for a short
-. III
in the edge Of the woods. The shy beast
in approaching the house, had taken ad-
vantage of the banks Of the stream. He
had doubtless been watching the child and
the lamb from his cover for some time
Mrs. Skates had gone to a potato patch a
short distance from the house, when she
heard the little girl screaming for help. !
There was but one member Of the family |
near enough to be of any assistance
Miss Lucky Skates a young lady about |
seventeen years old, was seated near a |
window and when she heard her little sis |
ter's alarming cries she ran to the front |
door just in time to catch a glimpse of the |
spotted terror as it sprang over the yard !
fence. She did not see the child but fear
ing that some horrible thing had happened |
she ran to the gate. shouting for help al
the top of her voice She could hear the |
child's pitiful screams, but she did not see
her for several moments.
When she finally discovered the position |
of her unfortunate little sister she was
seized with such feelings Of horror and dis
tress that she could hardly move The
bold. raveuous beast had carried the
screaming child into the forks Of a large
oak that stood on the banks OF the creek
not more than twenty steps from the yard
gate. and there it sat with its sharp claws
IN u cir oil rr-hf1 Ia |
it glared with eyes that fairly emitted
flames Of fury at the young lady who was
making so much noise. Without the least |
hesitation or thought as 10 the danger Of
the act the brave girl seized an axe lying
at the wood pile near the gate and ran
to the root of the tree. With a Shrek that
would have concealed the blood of less
courageous girl. the panther dropped his
prey and began to descend toward his as
snarling and gnashing his teeth.
1T all happened IN a moment" says |
this remarkably brave young lady. i
saw the monster approaching or appar-
emily falling down the tree, with glazing
eyes and his hair all turned the wrong
way, and ! raised the AK The next thing
saw was his white fangs and HIS ugly
head almost in my face. He was just
ready to spring upon me. but | had the ak
already drawn over my shoulder and with
all my strength | drove the blade into his
skull. He dropped quivering in heap on
the ground, dragging the axe out Of my
hands and his blood spurted into my face.
Il knew at glance that l had killed
him and / hurriedly turned about TO look
for my little sister. Fortunately she had
fallen into the water, which had protected
her fall. though not deep enough to drown
her. | soon had her in my arms.
Mr.. Skates happened to return 10 his
home Just as his courageous daughter was
coming out Of the water. When he saw
the monster jaguar lying dead with the
axe fastened in Its skull and heard what
had happened. he says that he was so
badly frightened that he could hear his
heart beat and he was actually afraid |
that be would fall dead
Although the little girls flesh was badly |
acerated and her body slightly bruised |
from the fall. she was not seriously in
ured. The panther OF jaguar, for there
IS a difference of opinion as to the name
II the beast, was one of the largest ever |
killed in the Western country. 1t meas
Ired nine feet eight inches from the tip Of
is nose TO the end Of its tail.
The citizens OF Buffalo and Marble Falls
have. in a commendable spirit. declared
Miss Lucy Skates a brave little heroine
whose fearless conduct is worthy of more
han a cursory notice in a country news
,aper famous old voyager and trap
Der has dressed the panther's skin and
transformed It into a beautiful robe for
Mss Lucy, and the young men Of Marble
Falls gave a grand ball in her honor,
where she was crowned the queen panther .
slayer of Texas.-Pittsburg Despatch.