The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-07-08
As William Thornburg, Near
Hagerstown, Was About to
Be Gored, Canine Rushed
Into the Fight.
VICTIM OF ATTACK
SERIOUSLY INJURED
Charge of Crazed Bull Hurled
The Farmer Onto a Fence
And RecoiI Sent Him Into
The Pasture.

Hagerstown. Ind. July S.-After Will
liam Thornburg had been thrown to
the ground and was being gored and
stamped by an enraged bull and Just
as he gave up all hope of rescue, the
faithful family dog leaped the fence
and engaged the attention of the fren-
zied animal. While the dog and the
bovine fought, Thornburg managed to
regain his feet and made his way from
the enclosure. He was seriously in
jured and the services of a physician
were required. Thornburg is a prom!-
nent farmer residing three miles
north of town.
Beloved FierceIy.
While crossing the lot in which the
bull was kept. Thornburg was at
tackled unexpectedly. He did not notice
any peculiarities on the part of the
brute and did not anticipate any trou-
BILE. With head lowered to the ground
and believing fiercely the animal
made a charge. Thornburg started to
run, but saw he was going to be over
taken and tried lodging. The wiry bull
was as active on his four feet as the
man on two. Whenever Thornburg
tried to advance a few feet the bull
lunged. Snorting and putting the
creature gave the man little chance
to escape. Thornburg tried to reach
the fence but the bull was not to be
denied. Thornburg had no means of
protection and the bull rushed him.
With a dextrous but forceful move the
bull struck the man with his head and
hurled him onto wire fence.
Struck on Back.
The man struck the fence on his
back. The upright wires penetrated
his body and a long cash was cut IN
the back of his neck. The recOil OF
the fence threw the man back into the
pasture lot. Thornburg was disabled
and the best he could do was to get
to his hands and knees. The bull
glared at him with inflamed eyes,
snorting and painting The creature
seemed to be waiting to see sign OF
life in the man. Thornburg shouted
for help. but IS cries we're unheeded
by members of the family, who failed
to hear
The man started to crawl and the
ferocious beast bounced upon him.
With hoof and horn he began his death
dealing work. Thornburg was gouged
and stamped frightfully, but the bulls
sharp hoofs failed to strike hard
enough to break any bones. Thorn
burg was weakening but maintained
his shouts for aid. At last the dog
resting peacefully in the sunshine at
the back doorstep was arouse by the
shouts and deemed them worthy of
investigation.
Dog to Rescue.
When the dog realized the precarious
position of his master he did not hesi-
tate With bark and a bound he
cleared the fence and bore down on
the bull. Nimbly and with all the
strength of his sinewy body he lunged
at the animal. Straight at the bulls
head he jumped trying to fasten his
teeth in the animals nose. Missing in
these attempts he snapped at the
creatures legs and body. The bull be-
came distracted by the persistent at
tack and drew away from his human
victim to charge the dog.
While the two fought over a ra-
dius of thirty feet. tearing up the sod
in their orgies. Thornburg partly
crawled and partly hobbled to the
gate and made his escape. The dog
continued waging the unequal CON-
bat until his master was safe. Then
he gave up the fight and ran from the
field.
The mans escape from death or IA
tai injury is regarded as miraculous.
The bull seemed to be crazed and after
Thornburg had been thrown against
the fence was too weakened to put up
a defense for himself. The heroic dog
must be credited with saving the life
of his owner.