Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-02
BRYAN Gets WILD
SPORT WITH REAL
TIGER AS QUARRY

AUSTIN, TEXAS, April s.-r
Austin is not on the political map Of
the United States just now the citl-
zens would like to know why. The~s
are several thousand persons in this
town who have a speaking acquaint-
ance with three members of the new
Cabinet, and many are on terms Of
intimate friendship with these three,
Albert Burleson, Postmaster Cen
eral, began his political career here
and has made this place his home
practically all his life, except during
the period he resided in Washington
while in Congress. David F. Hous-
ton, Secretary OF Agriculture, resided
in Austin several years while a men,
Der of the faculty of the University
of Texas, and later as president
Colonel William Jennings Bryan, Sec.
rotary of State, spent several winters
here, and his children attended tn.
public schools of Austin during two
sessions
this city feel toward these three Cab.
met men is not by any means all the
political distinction that has come as
a result of Democratic national sue.
cess.
1t is here that Colonel E. NJ. House.
VINO mas been credited with being
President Wilson's chief adviser On
matters relating to appointments. has
made his home practically all his life
He spends only a small part of the
year in Austin.
In reviewing the list of Austin men
who suddenly have come into ma
tionei prominence, mention also
should be made of Captain "BilI' Nc
Donald. who is said to have won
President Wilson's admiration dur
ing the time he served as personal
bodyguard while the recent national
campaign was in progress. Captain
Mcdonald has made Austin his home
off and on for the last twenty years
The familiarity of Austin people
with these personages whose names
are now frequently mentioned in the
news reports that come from Wash
ington brings National Government
affairs close home. The local news
papers speak of Postmaster General
Burleson as our Albert" and Sec
rotary of Agriculture Houston is re-
ferred to as "old Prexy"
Colonel Bryan of His Dignity.
Even Colonel Bryan is not regarded
by people here as the dignified person
his position as Secretary of State
would perhaps warrant. II is remem-
bered that during the winters he
spent here he INDUCED in many boyish
outings and mingled freely.
He was made the victim of pranks
by the late Governor ]. S. Hogg. The
two men were loyal friends and were
together most of the time. II was on
Colonel Bryan's first visit here that
Hogg and others played a trick on
the distinguished Nebraskan. Bryan
had never done much hunting up 10
that time, and one day he expressed
wish to try his prowess with the
gun in the cedar brakes along the
Colorado River above Austin.
What kind of wild game do you
have around here?" he inquired Of
Hogg.
We'll, the most exciting sport
would be chasing a Mexican tiger"
Hogg said this with a twinkle IN
his eye. well knowing there probably
was not a wild tiger within 800 miles
of here
He had in mind, however. a plan to
give Colonel Bryan a touch Of the
genuine sport of tiger hunting. He
recalled the fact that in back room
of one of the local saloons was IN
old. toothless and almost blind Mex
lean tiger that had been in captivity
here for many years and was perfect
~ harmless
"I'H see if / can arrange a tigss
hunt for you, Colonel Bryan was
told
5aeged Real Tiger.
In a few days all of the prepare
tions for the outing were finished.
Two negroes took the animal into the
brush that borders the river about s
miles from the town and hoist il high
into a tree. fixing it on a crotch u
limbs so it would not fall Bright
and early on the morning of the biz
hunt Governor Hogg. Colonel Bryan
and more than a dozen other men
rode through the streets of the city.
blowing horns and calling their pack
Of hounds.
When the outskirts of town were
reached the hounds took up the scent
Of the tame tiger and were followed
at full speed by Bryan, Hogg and the
other members of the horseback par
~. Colonel Bryan was permitted 10
reach the tree where the dogs were
bayiug the tiger ahead of any one
else. and began shooting al the ami
NAL. He was warned of the danger
should the tiger spring upon him. and
the farce was kept up until finally the
animal fell out of the tree and was
pronounced lifeless by the hunters
The skin of the tiger was given -
Colonel Bryan, as a trophy of tbs
chase. and he priced 1t very highly.
Care was taken not to divulge the de-
ception that had been practiced upon
him, and so far as known he believes
vet it was a wild tiger he killed.