The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-08
MAN IS ATTACKED
 BY WILD ANIMAL
Ed McDermott Near Decatur
 SuStains Severe Injuries
BELIEVES IT WAS PANTHER
Tennessee River Is Lowest In the Memory of the Oldest Man. Election Day Will Be
 Quiet in Decatur.

McDermott, a local sportsman and man. ! ager of the Swan Lake fishing and hunt ing resort just across the Tennessee river from this city, while out coon hunting in the river bottoms below here the other night was attacked by some unknown wild animal and came near losing his life. As it was, his face and shoulders were badly lacerated. The beast broke his gun in the struggle, and in fighting the beast with his gun, the gun ex- ploded, killing one of his fine hounds.
 The fight took place in dense wood and as the night was very dark, MT. Me- Dermott could not tell what the animal was. After he had extricated himself from the grip of the animal 1t escaped in a dense jungle of cane and under brush in the bottoms.
 | It is believed that the animal was a panther, as one was seen in that locality on two different occasions rot long ago. Some weeks ago a party of white men were hunting there one night when the l panther attacked their dogs, killing one of them in the fight which followed Later negro who was hunting squir- rels in the bottoms was attacked by a l panther and the dogs were in a fight to the death. From time to time this pan ther has killed quite a number of pigs, sheep and calves for the farmers who iiVe nearby. Where the panther came from Is unknown, but it is believed that it escaped from some show. A party is being organized and the beast will be hunted down and killed.
 There have been several shows in this locality during the past few months and It is believed that the panthern escaped rom some one of these. The people who reside along the river are in constant dread of the animal lest it make a night attack on them.
 River Is Very Low. The general rains during the past few uays nave raised the Tennessee river, but to no great extent. The Tennessee river has been one inch lower this fall than 1t was ever known to be before. so say old river men.
 Stock water has been very scarce and III many places of the Tennessee valley stock nave been suffering for water, since the rains, however, there is now plenty of stock water
 The river has been so low that the Terry boat, even, could hardly run. All other steamers are tied up waiting for rise in the river. At this city the deem est place h the river is seven feet and the ferry boat drags bottom about half way in crossing the river here.
 To Improve Tennessee River.
 The annual meeting of the Tennessee River and H2rbor association will be held In New Decatur on November 22 The last meeting was held in Chattanooga end resulted in much good
 It is believed that this will he one of the most profitable meetings ever held. Many prominent men from all sections of the country will be present Among the cnes from distance who will attend will be Gen. Joe Wheeler, Congressman w Richardson of this district, and several other congressman from Alabama and Tennessee.
 It Is expected that the association will RISK congress to make a large donation for the improvement of the river from Chattanooga down.
 Cotton Carnival in Decatur. The Commercial club of New Decatur M Mwln give cotton carnival commencing november IA and lasting for week. Ihe attractions will be furnished by the i.oplnson carnival company. A $10O dia- mona ring will be given to the most nonu- lar young man in the city Several nrizes VIII be given to the farmers for live stock and produce.
 Election Will Be Quiet. There is but little election talk in the Decaturs on the eve of the election. The repupneahs seem to be taking but little interest in the matter.
 The county ticket Is without onnositior and as a result but a small vote js Ioolr- ed for. Judge William Richardson inc democratic nominee, is practically with out opposition in the district. The re- puDlicans have nominee for congress in the person of MT. Roberts of Hunts Vilie. the editor of the Huntsville Re publican. MT. Roberts has made no can vass whatever, and it is very probable that most of the men of that partv will vote for Judge Richardson. Judpe Richardson has made one of the hest 1 congressman this district has ever had in its past history. He has always had the interest of the people of his dis. trict at heart, regardless of party or 1 creed.
 The Elks have made arrangements tc | get the returns by wirs in their hall here | tomorrow night and are selling tickets | for seats in the hall. The Commercial club of New Decatur have also made arrangements to get the returns in their | club rooms
 Building Many Cars.
 The Louisville and Nashville railroad company has nearly completed an order | for 500 box cars and will commence work | in few days on an order for 500 gon. | dolas. The company i5 building more cars here now than ever before in their past | history.
 Weddings in Decatur.
 The past few days has witnessed sever. | al weddings in the -ccaturs On Wednesday Miss Coletta Berry was married to Oscar Pettit. of Birmingham | at the residence of her brother, Henry Berry. It was a quiet wedding and the ceremony was performed by the Rev w. G. Curry, pastor of the Central Bap tist church. They will make their home in Birmingham.
 Miss Willie Walker was married tC O. H. Mahoney at the residence of Judg, w. E. Skeggs. in New Decatur Judg, Skeggs officiating. Both are of New De catur,
 Tavern Changes Management.
 The Tavern, one of the best knowr and most popular hotels in North Ala bama has changed management. Mrs c. F. Wells. who has been managing tn concern for some time has resigned t go to Calera, Ala, to take charge of hotel there She is succeeded in the man