Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1896 — Settling a Puma. [ARTICLE]

Settling a Puma.

In some parts of tlit* state (he California lion or puma is far more troublesome than 1 lit* bear. These beasts will kill a yearling eolt or a bnlf-growu heifer, ami will tackle any smaller animals about the homestead. While they are sneaking cowards, they will light savagely at close quarters. Oil one occasion a young son of the writer was occupying a section of government land by way of pre-emption in tin 1 foothills of Fresno county. One night there was such a furious barking of dogs at no great distance from tin* cabin that la; took a shotgun and went out expecting to find a coon or a wildcat that the dogs had driven up a tree. The night was dark, and he could only see the dim outline of some beast stretched out on a limb. He bad only quail-sliot cartridges, but concluded that with the dogs It would bi> safe to blaze away. One or two discharges made no impression. (lathering some dry sticks and leaves and putting a match to them, the outline of a puma was clearly made out. After tiring sir shots the lion came down and stood up for a light at close - quarters. .lust then the dogs tackled him In the rear and forced him back Into the tree. At the eleventh shot the beast fell out of the tree dead. His weight was a little short of .'SOO pounds, and he measured from bis nose to the tip of bis tail about B'/j feet.