Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-09-01
Wild STEER ON
THE RAMPAGE

rampage. The beast seem
ed to realize what was in store for
him and to be determined to sell his
life as dearly as possible. Several per-
sons narrowly escaped being injured
by the infuriated animal as he charg-
ed through peoples back yards and
attacked the boats as he swan the riy-
er in his fruitless dash for liberty.
The steer was a large dark oolored |
animal purchased of DroVer j. @.
Campbell, Rush township, and by him |
delivered at Lyon 5 cattle pen on We'd |
nesday. On Saturday afternoon the |
beef was led out to the slaughter house. |
Around his neck was a long rope of
thirty feet or more, which was to be
used in drawing him up for slaught-
er. Before the end of the rope could
be slipped through the ring the steer,
which was of very wild disposition,
made dash for liberty aud with
Charles White and another attache OF
the slaughter house hanging on to the
long rope ran out over Ferry street
and across the cinder tip to the rear
of Mill street where with the two men
still tugging at the rope he dashed
through the gate leading into the back
yard of Bernheimer's clothing store.
No obstacle sufficed to check the
frantic steer and he plunged through
the fence into the back yard of Miss
Waters millinery, while another leap
took him into the yard adjoining.
which is back of Butterwick s jew
eIry store Up to this point path OF
ruin and broken fences marked his
course through the back yards.
At Mr.. Butterwick S, however, he
was prepared to give his grand stand
performance.
After capering about the yard for
moment he made Rn assault OH the
basement window. There was report
of shattered glass as the animal RAM
med his horns through. His intention
was evidently to seek refuge i'll the
basement, but he was prevented by an
inside shutter, strongly built, which
had been placed there by Mr.. Butter
wick to add greater security.
At this point the steer leaped back
in the yard of the millinery, where
the two men were still clinging to the
rope. As the animal charged in their
direction they were glad to let 60 and
run for their lives. They had an ex-
ceedingly close call aud Mr.. White did
not entirely escape. He had barely got
through the gate leading out OF the
yard when ne was struck by the steer
and hurled violently to the ground.
sustaining bruises but no serious in
jury.
The animal, now wholly free, took
to the canal which he followed as far
as Church street, where he made direct
for the river. The ferry boat loaded
with people and teams had just left
the Danville shore when the big steer
, came rushing down to the river. He
, did not hesitate moment but with q
mighty leap plunged into the water,
still swollen as the result OF the recent
! rains, and began to-swim toward the
South Danville shore.
2 Before proceeding far he changed
his course in the direction of the ferry
: on boatu soon uauti"''urf heLgaut
| About this time several boats roweC
/ out from the Danville shore in pursuit.
of the runaway steer and it was mo-
long until he had more than he could
do to beat off his pursuers.
1t was a remarkable spectacle, how
ever. AS the several boats closed
round to get hold of the long rope
which was still fast to the steer, the
, latter handicapped as he was by the
; water put up valient fight. The men
, in the boats, among whom was Charles
! White from whom the steer escaped,
were obliged to use their poles to beat
the infuriated animal off. At one time
he seemed on the verge of getting his
front feet into one of the boats
Finally as the opposite shore was
approached, one of the pursuers sue
ceeded in getting hold of the rope
The steer seemed to realize his oppor-
tunity and striking bottom about this
time he made dash for shore drag
ging the row boat after him at a rate
which cast the best record of the naph-
tina launches far into the shade. Strik-
ing the shore the boat and its occup-
ants were dragged out upon the sand,
while the steer sought refuge among
the bushes.
Here with the aid of a tree the rope
was quickly snubbed and the animal
made secure for the time being. His
eyes by this time were wild and blood
shot and his rage was appalling. No
power could restrain him and it was
not long before he broke the rope and
charging upon some men who stood in
the way he rushed back into the river.
He soon turned, however, and struck
| out in a bee line for the ferry land
| ing, which was well-filled with peo-
pie. Many III waiting at the spot were
| women and children and it was all
they could do to get out of the way.
From the ferry landing the steer
made his way up through South Dan
Vile and disappeared in the direction
of Droyer Campbell's farm
Late Saturday night it was learned
that the animal was corralled on the
Hummer farm where with several 9th
or steers he had been kept for some
time after being unloaded from the
cars when brought east. He arrived
in savage mood and several about