Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-01-22
BoNAPARTE MoTTETTE.
How He Lives With His Goats and His
Big Dogs.


Big Dogs.
Stunning human beings and culti-
waiting the friendship of wild animals,
Bonaparte Mottette, an aged French
man, has obtained q section of land
on the Los Pinos river, so miles
from Durango. His nearest neigh
bors are miles away, and they first
learned of his eccentricities when he
undertook the task of tanning Jules
Barriller's wild goats which were de-
scribed at length some time ago. AL
though the old man is reticent, it is
the common impression around there
that Barriller, when he found himself
about to die, wrote letter to some
friend asking him to carry ON the
work he had taken up.
Meanwhile, however, the goats grew
wild. Many of them were killed by
hunters, and now they are quite as
shy as mountain sheep, excepting the
few the old man has succeeded in tam
ing. 1t seems to be his intention to
elaborate Barriller's idea and estab-
lish park where all hunted wild ami
mails may find refuge. Already he has
made preparations to fence his posses
sions, and has posted signs that no
animal must be killed within the
boundary lines of his land. Readers
will remember that Barriller, a lone
prospector, obtained two goats as
pets, and before he died there were
numbers of them about his place. At
his death only one old goat was left
that did not desert the place. He was
killed while hurrying to greet posse
of hunters. who, he apparently be-
lieved. would treat him as Barriller
had done.
Barrillers successor has a number
Of wild animals domesticated already
To a prospector who ridiculed his idea
he said the work would go on long af.
ter he was dead. The Frenchman
seems to have plenty of money, as
twice year he drives a team of goats
to Durango and hauls out the few
supplies necessary to last him until he
can make another trip. At such times
his cabin and premises are guarded by
four Great Dane dogs, far more saw
age than any bear or wolf in the
mountains. The dogs have been
trained not to molest deer or goats
and they confne their attentions to
would-be trespassers.
The wild goats seem to be increas-
ing in numbers, notwithstanding the
ravages of mountain lions. wolves.
bears and eagles. The birds carry off
the kids, but other animals destroy
the old ones as well as their offspring
George Taylor a Denver man, who
lives at 1882 Lawrence street, has
been in the vicinity of the French
mans preserves all summer. and a
few days ago he killed Mexican blue
goat. 1t was great curiosity when
brought to Durango, and Fish Com
missioner T. J. Holland, who returned
from that place today, said the goat
was one of the largest he had ever
seen. Taylor also killed two white
goats, and has incurred the enmity of
the old Frepchman, who thinks they
all belong to him because he inherited
them from Barriller George Smart,
another Denver man. has killed one
white goat this summer. He says
they are very hard to get a shot at
and he would not believe Mottette had
succeeded in tanning sny of them until
he saw the domesticated goats. The
flock of wild goats would increase
much more RAPIDLY if it were not for
the eagles. The birds are most re-
pacious in their destruction of the
llids.-Denver Post