Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-03-05
Famed Naturalist Lives Mountain Peak Among Wild Animal

" YHAT animal is the most dan
NN/ gerous to human beings II
w cornered? When this ques-
ton was put to Enos A.
Mills. famous naturalist and wild ami
NAL stalker. The Star representative
expected to hear. perhaps, one of the
following answers: "A lion, a grizzly
bear or wild cat"
1t is generally admitted that Mr..
Mills knowledge of animal life is ex-
pert and profuse, and his opinion on
questions concerning comparative
1erocity of beasts would accordingly
be Of considerable interest. 1t was.
"A horse" was his reply.
Anticipating an expression of sur
prise and a natural feeling inwardly
of incredulity on the part Of the ques-
toner, and obviating necessity for
request for explanation, Mr.. Mills. in
that quiet. convincing tone that
breeds confidence in what he is say
ing, went on:
"Yes, would rather face any other
animal, wild or tame, than an enraged
horse Ammunition or muscular
strength failing, strategy can be
brought into play with some effect
with any angry beast except a horse.
Once cornered and with his pride hurt,
his nerves strained and his temper
fully aroused, a horse is easily the
most dangerous animal to face. in
my opinion. Possessed Of limitless
power and a keen eye, he will leap
forward with distended nostrils and
extended forelegs into an attack
which means certain destruction to
any living thing pounced upon. His
heavy hoofs do the damage and leave
death in their wake"
x 4 =
NO less interesting than Mr.. Mills
~ observations and opinions is the
man himself. The first impression Of
slight stature is Offset by the wiry
build and rugged features of this
lover Of life in the open. Years Of
tracking through virgin wildernesses
or scrambling over rocky submits
from one end of the Rockies to the
other have Injured him to relentless
elements
Yet, in spite of this cultivated armor
against the most severe attacks OF
nature, like Achilles, he has a physi-
cal weakness, and it took our own
climate of the east to discover it. A
makeup which was sufficient to
withstand the terrors of billiards on
Colorado's mountain peaks in a bust
ness suit, to live for days in the
wilds stripped of food or gun, and to
survive landslides. strange as 1t may
seem, was not rigorous enough to
tight the weather Of the Atlantic
coast.
Consequently Mr.. Mills has cut
short his tour of the cities and has
returned to his little cabin far up on
the slopes of Longs Peak, Col, to
recover his health in an environment
that would mean suffering and death
TO those unaccustomed to long ex-
posure. +
Il am suffocating for want Of fresh
air" declared the noted nature guide
of Rocky Mountain National Park,
just before leaving for his home, after
bringing his interrupted trip to an
end in Washington recently. My
system demands the air Of the noun
rains. 1 am unable to become accli-
mated elsewhere. Frankly, 1 do not
understand how human beings can
breathe the adulterated, heavy at
mosphere of the cities and live"
Mr.. Mills came to Washington to
protest to Congress against what he
terms ''government-sanctio mo-
nopolies" in the national parks of the
west. Private corporations. he told
the legislators. have been given abso-
lutte control of transportation and ho-
tel facilities in these federal reserva-
lions, to the discomfort and indigna-
lion Of motor tourists Of the ''tin
can" and other varieties who wish to
visit there. The latter are compelled
TO pay high tolls in order even to gain
entrance to the government-owned
land, purchased out Of national taxes.
he asserted.
X X + X
A S an author, Mr.. Mills is not only
prolific, but highly rated. His
books on the habits of wild animals
of North America, written after
months and years of privations ex-
perienced in gathering first-hand in
formation about his subjects. are
gripping as literary compositions
and are cited as authorities by ma
1ure and animal students.
a characteristic incident in the
mans career is seven-day tramp
through the woods a number of years
ago on the trail Of a single grizzly
bear, which later became the central
figure in a book covering his obser-
vations. On this hike Mr.. Mills car
ried no food and no weapons. All
his shooting was done with a small
camera, and he claims to have gotten
snaps" of grizzlies from closer
points Of vantage than ever were
taken in the actual haunts of the
bear. Z -
Asked to describe interesting points
of this tramp. Mr.. Mills told Of how
he followed for days the tracks in
the snow Of his quarry. always re-
manning far enough in the rear to
avoid detection, and yet often creep