The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-19
BAD DAY FOR WILDCATS
TWO SMALL GIRLS OF CALIFORNIA
ARE MIGHTY HUNTERS.
They Chased n Cat Up a Tree, then
Climbed the Tree and Shook Him
on for Their Dogs to Kill.

San Francisco Examiner.
Fighting ones weight in Wildcats
that, as every hunter knows, is about as
big test OF courage as any man cares to
give, for the wildcat is the fiercest beast of
its size that roams the forest. But two lit
tie girls in southern California, who do not
know what fear is, are ready to fight their
weight in wildcats any day.
They are Zoe Vanderlip and "Tootsie'
Edgar, and they are not yet out of pima
fores. In fact, one of them is only dozen
years old and the other Is two years
younger. They are the daughters of F. NJ.
Vanderlip and G. A. Edgar, business men
Of Santa Ana.
The other day these adventuresome little
Californians freed and vanquished wild
cat.
That the animal did not make them it's
prey, instead Of shaping events the other
way round, is still a matter OF surprise
among the men hunters down that way. a
matter of pride and, thankfulness on the
part of their parents and matter Of ad-
miring delight on the part of their school,
mates and friends.
For the small Miss Edgar and the small
Miss vanderlip did a remarkably daring
thing the other day in Santioga canyon.
ten miles away from their homes in Santa
Ana Not content with giving chase to
their quarry, they leaped from their ponies,
climbed the tall tree in which the cat mad
taken a fighting stand. crawled within three
feet Of the ferocious creature and actually
compelled it to jump to the ground, where
the excited hounds in waiting soon dis
patched 1t.
1--WE weren't scared a Bit" they say in
soft tones and with pretty depreciation
mot the least bit. We had started out to
get Mr.. Wildcat. and there wasn't tree
in Santiago canyon tall enough to stand in
the way. We depended upon the animal
dropping off. and we succeeded. We knew
the hounds would do the rest The main
thing was to get the cat off the tree. How
else could we have done it?''
The incident occurred during visit of
several days which the girls were enjoying
at the home Of Mr.. j. 4. Pleasant in San
tiago canyon.
One morning they started out, bright
eyed and eager, astride their pet ponies,
anticipating glorious fox hunt, for there
is just one thing in all this world that
these dainty maids delight in more than
playing with their dolls, and that is a fox
chase. A pack of experienced hounds ac-
companied them They had only been out
ing at them over the hills when something
interesting happened. The dogs Jumped
up a wildcat
"Oh!' cried little Miss Edgar.
"a wildcat! What great good luck
Away dashed the animal, and after ii the
hounds: And after the hounds came the
stars. their hair flying over their Shout
ders."
Up and down hill. the horses jumping
ravineS here and there, went the girls in
hot pursuit in order that they might be
''in" at the finish, but the animal was not
to be taken until it had made an attempt
to save itself by taking refuge in tree.
The girls leaped from their mounts, and,
hitching them to a nearby tree, went forth
TO locate their game. To the average girl
the bare thought of approaching a tree in
which a cruel wildcat was crouching would
have been sufficient cause for a faint or at
least a scream of terror. But not so with
.'Tootsie" and Zoe. They not only went up
to the tree. but they climbed it. Seeing
the cat on the outer edge of a limb they
deliberately worked their way over to it.
Obeying a common impulse. needless of
flushed faces and eyes fastened upon their
quarry. ''Tootsie'' took the lead with Zoe
close by her side, and crept along the limb
Shake the treer' whispered one to the
other. They shook with all their might.
The limb swayed and jerked. This was
apparently TOO mucn 1Or MS cdtSniD. Tor
with a growl he bounded out of the tree
and as far away from the dogs as pos
sible.
ooh" cried the daring hunters again.
Not stopping for an instant, they scram-
bled out of the tree with all possible haste,
and, again mounting their faithful nags,
they resumed the chase.
After ST t run they overlook the dogs.
They were engaged in battle royal with
their prey. The girls stood by and watched
the course of the fight with keen interest.
Finally firing of the uneven struggle, they
picked UP heavy sticks and with these as
sisted the dogs in putting an end to the life
of the animal which had unexpectedly en-
tered into their days sport. Then together
they picked up the dead bob and tied Il
to the mans saddle used by Zoe.
This exciting scene with the cat only
served to arousce their ambition for an
other chase, and they set off through the
mountains in search Of a fox. They had
proceeded but short distance before they
realized their desire. for the dogs started
up just what they were looking for.
The girls again called upon their mounts
for a burst of speed. and they responded
nobly. AT breakneck pace they followed
the dogs and fox over the hills After
work Of him.
BY this time the girls, deciding that they
had enough exciting sport for one day. Sc
cured the fox to the saddle and made their
way back to the home of Mr.. Pleasant
where they recounted their adventures and
exhibited the cat and fox TO prove their
story.
THE CANAL. AS AN UNVESTNgJrNT