Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1874 — Long Battle Between Oxen. [ARTICLE]

Long Battle Between Oxen.

Mr. Corydon Chadwick and Mr. Sullivan ,JJrskine have a pasture in common at South China, which they use for the pasturage of cattle. They have .the present season had several yoke as cattle m the pasture. Mr. ChadwioK Mr. Erskine have each an ox with a lopped or crooked horn, the right horn of one and the left of the other having that peculiar formation. These oxen were turned loose into the common pasture, and it was between them on that spot that the pitched battle of which we are to speak took place. For several days these cattle had been missing; when the other cattle came up these were not among the number. How many days they had been missing before search was instituted is not definitely known, but becoming alarmed the owners went in quest of them. Coming to an opening in the woods, covering an area of about -half an acre, Mr. Chadwick, who went in search, came upon a sickening spectacle. The lopped horns of the oxen were clasped, and the exhausted animals, united compactly, stood face to face, waiting for deatn, having apparently given up the struggle. It is supposed that while they were engaged in play their horns became entangled; failing to disconnect themselves, a terrible struggle of several days took place. The open space was literally torn up, as though it had been plowed with a sub-soil plow. When they were turned into the pasture they were large, fat, seven-feet oxen, but now they have become so emaciated and famished that a person could almost clasp them round with his arms. They were perfectly docile when found, but Mr. Chadwick could not untie the knot. The horn of each was sunk into the other’s head, and it was only by calling help and sawing the horns off that a separation could be effected. There were festering sores where the horns went in. Thus a mortal conflict, lasting eight days, had been going on between these oxen, who in that time had not partaken of any sustenance, and perhaps had not been able to lie down. Their jaws had to be pried open, and gruel admiaisteredto them. Their heads had been united so closely that their faces were bare to the bone. It is possible the animals may live. —Augusta (Me.) Journal.