Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 179, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1920 — HAD BATTLE IN OPEN GRAVE [ARTICLE]

HAD BATTLE IN OPEN GRAVE

Obsequies Postponed While Terrier and Wildcat Settled Their Little Difficulty. Alfred -Searcy is to Australia what Buffalo Bill and the other scouts and pioneers of our early West are to America., Life, too, in the Australian . northwest was no less rough than upon our own Indian plains. Searcy tells this story of a burial In the “early days” at Port Darwin: "At the grave It was discovered that a wildcat had taken refuge in IL The warden of the goldfields, who was to conduct the service, requested the removal of the animal, but this was objected to by the owner of a terrier with a reputation. This ‘sport’ thought the opportunity to see a fight too good to be lost, and the majority of those present quite agreed. Moreover, as one ‘ould gintieman’ remarked, Tm sure Dick won’t mind waiting a bit Indade, it’s himself would like to be standing np to see the fun, God bless him.’ “As he uttered what was Intended to \be a cdmpllment to the deceased the terrier saw the cat, and in a moment flying hair attested the reality of the battle. Both animals had their backers, and numerous bets were made by the crowd as it surged around the grave. The contest was short, sharp and decisive, the cat ‘going under,’ but not until it had inflicted severe punishment upon its adversary. The dog was then hoisted out of the grave, the fellows immediately became fittingly, solemn and the burial of poor Dick was proceeded with.”