Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-03-06
Dr.. Edwards Istisr.

IL is being dragged ont OF its seclus
ion now, but if one 90 into the inter.
Tor ne will find that there is no change
10 the habits since so far back in the
past that memory of man runnetb not
contrary. Chempulpo, the seaport Of
Seoul, has many modern improve.
ments, telephones, street cars, and
dozens of other conveniences which
we of civilization think are necessi.
ties, yet if one but 20 afew miles a
way he will be in densest wilderness,
not only of nature but Of man. At the
invitation of some friend | took trip
OF about fifty miles up tie river to-
ward the mountains, we travelled
quitely along for few hours when
we came upon a village where the
people were dressed in a most fan
fantastic garb. and it was with great
est difficulty that our guard induced
the people to permit US to land. They
did not like the looks of white men
and said they were afraid we would
bring disease among them.
After leaving this village we ap-
preached the defles OF the mountains
and here we found that the people
always travelled in companies and all
went heavily armed. asked the rea-
son for this and Was told that tigers
were numerous and very dangerous.
The Korean tiger IS different from
all other tigers. He is much larger
and stronger as we'll as more Hood
thirsty. In other countries the tiger is
a jungle beast lurking in dense I'm.
dergrowth along rivers, and springing
from ambush upon his victims. The
Korean tiger is largest of all. being
nearly twice as large as any but the
royal bengal tiger, and instead Of
sulking he stalks boldly forth and at.
'tacks man and beast. He inhabits
the highlands, living principally in
the cold, snow covered slope Of the
mountains. He is not afraid of man,
and as he has had little or no exper.
fence with fire arms, is not afraid to
attack any thing be meets.
My reason for going into such
minute detail regarding the Korean
tiger is because we had an experience
with one during the night as we were
passing along the river. | was sleep.
leg soundly when was awakened by
sudden scrambling Of men overhead
and then the boat bumped up against
the bank and almost threw me out OF
my bunk. Immediately there was
heavy thump on deck as if some large
body had fallen. | arose and started
for the deck when was stopped by
a terror stricken boatman who yelled
something unintellglble at me in
Korean. 1t was only when my friend
came out and / learned that a tiger
had taken possession Of the boat. He
had jumped from shore to the boat
fortunately not striking any Of the
men and would remain there until he
was satisfied he could get nothing.
After a long time one Of the boat.
men ventured to peep out and said the
tiger had gone away. The men eau
tiously crept out and got the boat I'm.
der way again, and the rest Of the
night was devoid Of further incident.
The interior Of Korea is a vast,
barren, sterile waste. 1t is sparsely in.
habited, and the natives raise scarce.
ly:.enough grain to keep them alive.
Along the water course it is rare pop.
ulous but there is constant savage
warfare between the clans or tribes,
and there is also fear Of attacks from
wild beasts. In addition to tigers
there are bears, ferocious leopards,
and many poisonous serpents. Crok.
odiles infest the rivers, and sharks a.
bound in the waters of the ocean.
Taken altogether it is not a land
where one could enjoy life to its ut
most, for there IS too much continual
alarm over danger.
l had expected to spend severa
weeks IN Korea but find that l shall
have to go to the Philippines sooner
\