The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-15
ATTACKED
BY WILDCAT.
Hunter Had a Desperate Flight
With the Creature,
KILLED AFTER STRUGGLE.
Was First Of Its Species Seen Near Chicago
Within tho Last so Ysars--It Game
From Michigan.
KILLED AFTER STRUGGLE.

A wildcat OF the genuine bob-taiied va,
riety was killed In the Kankakee river
bottoms within fifty miles of Chicago last
week. 1t has been 20 years since the last
deer disappeared from the Kankakee
marshes and 80 years since the last Wild
cat was killed
The fact that the animal shot was a
real wildcat has found slow credence,.
but many have examined the carcass,
which Ralph Jones, an old hunter, proud
" displays. and have admitted that IL is
Genuine.
More than that, it's mate il still at large
In the bottoms Every rabbit hunter car
ries several loads OF buckshot with him
and anxiousy scans the trees while he
searches for game, and the farmers carry
guns when they - out TO milk the cows
at night.
A number OF persons saw the wildcat
before Ii was killed. vut no one would
credit their stories. CHASING them with
the ancient yarn about the big snake I'm
Bull Creek pasture, near Momence.
Ralph Jones himself did not believe I'm
the story and that is why he was caught
In the bottoms with only bird shot i'm his
shells. He was hunting rabbits with
two dogs which are distinguished by the
fact that neither OF them can run fast
enough 10 keep in sight OF a s-months-old
rabbit
These dogs were industriously follow
ing the scent OF a belated bunny when
they ran across tracks which they did
not recognize. Being curious, the dogs
proceeded to investigate.
The leading dog met the wildcat stretch
ed out on log asleep. The dog gave a
bark of greeting and the wildcat woke
~ xyhn
was coming up I'm the distance.
DOG BADLY SCARED.
The dog wagged his tail I'm a concilla-
tory manner, but the cat was cross at be-
ing disturbed. II sprang on the dog
with claws unfurled and teeth barred
There was howl, a cloud OF flying hair,
and the dog lay Kicking OF tf,c ground
The second dog took notice and ran 10
his master with tail at half mast Mr.
Jones thought IL was the biggest coon
he had ever seen i'm the bottoms. but
rushed forward 20 get in a shot before
the animal escaped.
The wildcat was in no humor to trihe
with a gun and took TO the tree. but he
made a poor selection. The tree was
small. From beneath the tree Mr.. Jones
discharged load OF No. 10 shot into the
animals back.
The force OF the load lifted the cat from
legs spread out Mr.. Jones for the first
time realized that IL was not coon that
he had 10 deal with. He took flying
shot al the descending wildcat with his
second barrel and then started TO run
through the bottoms.
The fall knocked the wind out OF the
wildcat, but he was not slow In getting
a new supply. and seeing his antagonists
full retreat, he scampered I'm pursuit. He
gained rapidly and Jones realized that
he must act quickly or face the furious
wildcat.
The CLINT OF the water of a bayou
caught his eye just then and gave him
an inspira tion. He knew cats hate water.
Jones reached the bayou and waded In.
He was up to his armpits In cold water
when the cat reached the bank. To Jones
horror the cat never hesitated but sprang
into the water and swan I'm pursuit.
There was only one chance and Jones
took IL.
Hastily putting another shell into his
gun he fired into the face of the wildcat
at close range. An agonized yowl follow
cd the shot and the next that Jones saw
OF the wildcat it was swimming toward
shore.
HAD NARROW ESCAPE.
1t reached the shore dripping with wa
ter and the first thing IL did was TO strike
its head against a tree. IL was full OF
fight, though. and for full minute IL
carved the tree with its claws. Then
Jones saw that his bird shot had blinded
the cat and he waded out of the cold
water.
The shot had not hurt the cats ears,
however and 1t heard Jones coming.
Making dash toward the shore it
sprang 'blIndly at the hunter and only
quick step 10 one side saved Jones from
the cats claws.
II was the close of the fig.it, however.
for the spring landed the animal in the
bayou and there It swan around helpless
ly in a circle.
Even then Jones did not trust 10 bird
shot again, but, clubbing his gun, he hit
the helpless animal over the head. crush
ing it's skull
III is supposed that the two wildcats
made their way into the Kankakee river
bottoms from the lower peninsula OF
Michigan. The bottoms OF Southern
Michigan rivers practically join those of
the Knnkakee river not far from South
Bend. Ind. and there is heavy timber
along the entire length Of these streams.
The spot where the wildcat was killed
Is within less than mile Of the Indiana
state line and within few miles of Mo-
nnence Ill