Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 236, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1912 — GOAT IS HIGH JUMPER [ARTICLE]

GOAT IS HIGH JUMPER

Leap of Thirty Feet Is But Sport for Swiss Chamois. ’ - j Capricornus From Switzerland Keeps St. Louis Neighborhood Anftjsed by Acrobatic Feats —Hurdles Barns and Coal Sheds. St. Louis, Mo. —Frank B. Meste- 1 macher of the Thirty-six engine house has at his residence a chamois (Rupicapra tragus), or Swiss mountain goat, that is at once the wonder, delight and mystery of the neighborhood.

Born and bred in the Swiss Alps, this goat amazes the neighbors by most astounding leaps. It is nothing for him to jump on a shed or “addition” roof twelve or fifteen feet high. Often he will jump on to the porches which ornament the second story, thence to the roofs of the houses. A Jump off the highest roof, about twenty to thirty feet, is nothing for him. He can walk right up to a fence twelve to fourteen feet high and fly over it like a bird. The grace with which this chamois makes ing leaps attracts and delights all who see him.

Dwellers in the vicinity of Mestemacher’s home, who in hot weather sleep on their porches, have been visited by the chamois in the morning. He has all the impudence and curiosity of the common goat and is attracted to make his jumps Jay any thing that may excite his interest In this way he has jumped on every roof that has attracted him save that of Christian Brothers* college, which is some distance away. Those who have seen him perform are sure that he can leap to the roof of the Third National bank' building if he cared to do so, and say that the only jump he has not taken is into a second-story window. They would not be surprised to see him do this at any time. When the chamois gets going across the back yards he takes fences in his stride and hits the ground but once in each yard. He hurdles coal sheds and stables as if they were a foot

high. He is a wise old goat and takes life easy, except when molested by children, who love to see him perform. He is very fond of salt and will jump anywhere to get It He is immense in size, being about three feet six inches at the shoulders, and looks more like an antelope than a goat.