The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-25
MADE PRISONERS ~ BIG ELK
Stamped UP and Down Porch All Night aud
wouldn't Let FIN Out.
From the Montana Record,

From the Montana Record.
The Record has received from a corre-
spondent In the Yellowstone National Park
a most interesting and true tale of the ad-
ventures of a bull elk, which is full Of ludi-
orous Incidents. The story Is as follows:
For twenty-four hours the snow had fallen
at Mammoth. and at o o'clock on the evening
in question fully three feet covered the forma-
ton. Robert Edgar. better known to tho
whites az Geyser Bob. and to the indiana
as Posintonka Big Sose'. was forced TO
make his bi-daily trip with the snow plough.
and as he swung around the Cottage Hotel
on the night run of his path finder he espled
a large bull elk coming over the brow OF the
hill.
Here was a chance to square up for all the
tricks Of the Cottage gang. which was given
to using Geyser as a butt OF not a few Jokes.
Forgetting the dignity becoming q Govern
ment employee, he hurried to the etabl
| procured an armfui Of hay and returned just
as the elk reached the foot of the hill. and
cast the hay in front Of the front door of the
hotel.
The elk. not too proud to tickle his throat
with Government dry grass, fell to. IL was
now $50, and three of JHc.e Sans trained
and tried Philippine heroes came over to
chat and spend an hour. As they approached
the elk he tossed his twelve points, took a
few steps forward, and the soldiers, seeing
that he meant business, Immediately made
for the barracks, II at once becoming a point
OF interest.
Assistant superintendent Joseph De Bar
came for dinner. For ten years Joe had not
gone Of a walk. He struggled along through
the snow, head down, until Providence bade
him look up. He obeyed Providence. and
not twenty feet in front Of him the elk was
making ready to charge. Joe charged first.
| Madly he ploughed through the snow. made
a hundred yard detour and entered the Cot
tage through the back door.
Huntley Child and @. Roger Pryor followed
in Joe's wake. and II is doubtful II even when
younger they exceeded the speed record set
by De Bar.
When Old John, the Waterman. came Joe
was on the porch to give directions. Come
right along, John: I'll keep him busy. with
that Joe stepped forth. armed with bottles.
stovewood and pieces Of coal. The second
throw landed, and the elk, enraged. sprang
forward. Joe. for the second time In ten
years, exceeded a walk. sprang for the door,
while Old john made haste to find the back
door, to which a fairly good trail was being
rapidly made.
Pryor advanced the theory that the elk
wanted water. Manager Campbell OF the
! cottage volunteered to serve 1t. and rushed
the can to the edge of the porch. The elk
disdained water and charged onto the porch.
Campbel retreated In bad order. tunble
and fell. The crowd inside hurried away,
leaving Campbell alone. Finding himself
on his knees, Campbell uttered q prayer. to
which heaven responded, The elk fell over
the pail. Instantly both were UP and on
| together. The elk reached Campbell Just
in time to get two prongs into his leg. Camp
bell threw himself against the door. 1t gave
I'm and he was saved. No more attempts
were made by civilians to paoify the elk.
In response to a hurry up call to Fort Vel.
lowstone, q detachment OF hve soldiers ar
rived via the hills and the now popular back
door route. The elk had stationed himself
on the porch, not three feet from the door.
Fully twenty blanks we're fired at him and
burning papers offered him. all In vain.
Neither would he accept hospitality nor de-
part. "Twenty-three!" an exorcism cleaned
from the editorial pages Of the Independent
was even yelled by every one In chorus; the
dinner bell was rung In his very face, but he
was immovable.
Being imprisoned. with the watchful guard
Just outside the door. all went to bed early.
At 800 a travelling salesman with a lantern
arrived. He used all arts known TO the
| knights OF the road he cooed and praised the
elk. he swore and threatened him, but the
noble beast remained impassive. With happy
thought the salesman tried something new.
With the lantern he gave the elk the signal to
back up." but the elk had been in the noun
tains 80 long that he was a little rusty on
signals aud took It for a challenge. Inc
drummer insanity obeyed the signal. and
the way he backed up Is still being talked
of in the park.
All night long he elk walked he porch.
and occasionally. Just 10 assert his authority.
he broke a window or so. With daylight
he withdrew TO the rear of the building and
finding all tracks leading inward again
started for his pos; In front. On the return
Journey he stepped into a small geyser hole
and broke his leg. At SIS a soldier put him
out of his misery with a shot, ending the
reign of he tyrant.
While the Coroner's jury was being held
In the ONCE TO decide who should fall heir to
the teeth a soldier went over the back fence
on skis and pilfered the ivorles.