The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-23
A Low TRICK ON A GREAT MAN.
Jim HOGg's HumOr Responsible For
the Bryan Panther Joke.
New York Evening Sul

New York Evening Sun.
Col. Bryan's reputation as an intrepid
panther hunter was short lived. 1t now
appears that both the beast and the colonel
labored under misconception-the one
that its life was to pay forfeit, and the
other that a real hunt was on. But the
advantage was with the colonel for he had
some fun. 1t appears that the panther was
a resident of Austin, where 1t was
member of the household of a Mr. John
son, who had brought it up by hand and
made great pet of It. The panther was
az tame as a hearthstone Angora cat and
as good natured as a setter pup. 1t wan
dered about the streets of Austin. a curl
osity and a favorite. Infancy fondled II
and old age fed 1t tidbits. 1t had become
SO thoroughly domesticated that It would
run from toy terrier, and Joined the cat
concert in the backyard at night. This
was the savage beast that somebody sac
rificed to Col. Bryan's passion for the
chase. Johnson connived, but there is a
shrewd suspicion that Jim Hogg got up the
hunt. Col Bryan confessed his surprise
that magazine rifles were not to be carried
in such a dangerous pastime, but 1t was ex-
planned to him that Texans were not like
other men-they took wild beasts with their
hands. that is to say, a lasso would be suf-
ficient when the panther was brought to
bay. On the principle that when you are
in Rome you should do as the Romans do,
Col. Bryan bravely resolved to take his
chances, and no horn was louder or mer-
rier than his as the cavalcade filed through
the streets OF Austin to the encounter. The
colonel has a good seat, and his caracoles
would have scared the panther into fits IL
It had been taking its morning constitu-
tional according to Its wont. But 1t was
boarded up in a cave on old man Phelan's
farm, not three miles from the capitol
steps. johnson was a bit nervous about
H. - AE 1t H..
get after it, but he was told that the pam
Their should have a good start, and be
headed for grove of scrub oak. When the
cave was unsealed the panther spied Mr.
Johnson and exhibited every symptom of
delight, for 1t had been shut up for sew
eral hours, and was almost dying Of nostal-
gia. No doubt it would have run to Mr..
Johnson and fawned on him IL Col Bryan
in the excitement of the moment, had not
uttered blood-curdling "Yoicks," where
upon the panther bounded or with the
pack Of mongrels, which Jim Hogg had
raised in Austin by a levy in the Dark
town district. in full cry. The story that
the chase led up ravines, through morasses
and over rugged peaks, with dogs Cropping
by the way and Col. Bryan rowelling his
painting steed until the blood poured, was
picturesque, but 1t was not true. The fact
is, that as soon as the cougar reached the
scrub oaks it..toolS- to the. fork of a tree,
and was dislodged only by persistent prod
ding with a persimmon pole 1t fell rather
than bounded from the tree. and was deftiy
lassoed by F"rontiersman Bill Redd before
the dogs could get to it. The panther was
willingly led back to Austin, Mr.. johnson
keeping out of sight so as not to be the
cause of an awkward scene. AS it's famil-
lar haunts in the capital came into view
the animal is said to have manifested
transports of delight.
1t is painful story of trifling with hu-
man credulity, and proves a want of rev.
erence In Texas for greatness. When the
joke leaked, we don't know. But Col Bry-
an learned that he had been imposed upon,
for on his return to Lincoln he made some
caustic remarks about the imaginativeness
of Austin newspaper men. Jim Hogg Is no
longer spoken of as William J. Bryan's
running mate. Mr.. Hogs sense of humor
has been his undoing.