Evening Star Newspaper, February 2, 1930, Page 5

PANTHER REFUSES | TOTELL WHO HE 1S Stubborn Beast Disguises [ Self as Dog, Cat, Rabbit | i and Coon. o cllrped by a stray bullet when his fpar entered the danger zone, the boy‘ was shot while preparing to join the | g::mn the dogs, cat and bunny were | istaken for bigger prey, and the goose | puffered a wrenched leg while dangling Yrom a-tree in the unwilling role of panther bait. Research accords to Emma Braxton, olored resident of the Suburban Gar- ens section, in Northeast Washington, | the honor of being the first human | being to do down on the records as an eye-and-ear witness of the elusive beast, although reports had filtered in fpoout a predatory prowler prior to her Experience. Huntsville Gets in Chase. The earliest published rumor that a panther was at large appears to have | come from Huntsville, Prince Georges | County, Md. on January 10, when Yarmers of that section told of several | «dogs being killed and a horse attacked by a ferocious animal. On January 12 B false report emanating from anony- mous sources had it that a panther thad escaped from the Beaver Dam Club. The colored woman heads the list iof victims of the stealthy critter. She fold police she was attacked January J3 by an animal as large as a panther, which snatched from her a pet poodle &nd carried it. shricki=7 piteously, to its «en. She was quite positive the thing fwas a panther, except that maybe it was B0 oversized police dog. The first sacrifice of the hunt which Bt once started occurred on the night Jollowing, when a fine specimen of ¥elis domestica, or common garden var- ety of tomcat, was brought down by colored sharpshooter, Arthur Green, miter the latter had treed it on C street hortheast near Benning road. Club Denies All Ownership. On January 15 the board of gov- frnors of the Beaver Dam Club issued i communique disclaiming past, pres- ent or future ownership of any wild- cat of whatsoever description, and beg- ging its capturers kindly to refrain from bringing it to the club, dead or alive. On January 16 there came to the lice a report which was deemed ighly important at the time, which has been lost sight of in view of later idevelopments. A resident of the north- east section announced the loss of his fighting wolf dog, Pido, which escaped drom a pen on the previous Sunday. fThe dog was described as very vicious - §n the presence of other dogs. The Bladensburg Fire Department pwung into action on January 17, led by Chief Andy Gasch, after I . Lewis, well known Maryland amateur mthlete, had breezed into town with a mew unofficial cross-country sprint rec- ord and a breathless stary of having been chased by the varmint. “Panky” lescribed the animal as “half again-as large as a police dog.” Rail Employes See It! On_the following day trackmien of fhe Pennsylvania .Railroad saw the beast at the Benning freight station. ‘They vowed it was “too large to be & cat and not like a dog.” Capt. Charles fT. Peck, upholder of law and order mnd_protector of the helpless in the dar-flung eleventh precinct, in the eastern section of the city, at once or- ganized a panther squad, composed of Acting Sergt. W. F. McDuffie and Policemen J. E. Glick and E. R. Shoe- smaker, all wildcat huntsmen of some mote. The police trio, armed to the fteeth with sawed-off shotguns, rifies ;‘nd pistols, hurried to the Benning sta~ ion and examined tracks in the snow. (Convinced the prints were too large Yor a dog, the doughty officers spent @ cold and fruitless vigil in the Ben- ;ing neighborhood. This same day other things happened o make the panther problem loom Darger than ever. A pig was clawed %o death in Bernard Chapman’s pigsty, out on Fiftieth street northeast, and nductor Eugene A. Buckley of the ashington Railway & Electric Co. was slightly injured by a bullet sup- posedly intended for the mountain lion. “Blind Tiger” Is Blamed. Conductor Buckley's experience led Capt. Peck to issue a warning against promiscuous shooting by panther hunt- ers. The warning was coupled with a grank suggestion of skepticism on the art of the precinct commander. The int was dropped that maybe some of he more colorful accounts from the ;‘Imn " could be traced to a “blind ger. The raid on the Chapman pigpen Prought out most of the city’s remain- §ng big game trackers. The United tates Government, through W. E. rouch, acting chief of the predatory enimal division of the Department of Agriculture, offered all available lion #raps, nets and other paraphernalia in Ats possession. Walter Johnson, of some Tepute as a tamer of Tigers, Cubs and other big league game, fetched his trained dogs to the scene. Windsor Adams, deputy game warden, arrived twith his guns. Policemen McDuffie 2nd McKee were formally assigned to the cougar beat of the eleventh pre- cinct, when Capt. Peck became won over to the panther arguments of his (men. Converts Hog Into Sausage. | Transferring its depredations to the | Marlboro pike near District Heights, the phantom puma descended January 2] on Harry Fowler's pigsty and in- dulged in another porcine orgy. One hog was converted into sausage and nine others were slashed mercilessly. Policeman McKee kept an all-night watch with a billy goat tied to a stake as bait, but the only enlivening incident of an ‘otherwise dull evening was the | Irightening away of a group of colored hunters who heard, the goat bleat a riendly greeting. On the night of January 23 the nervy THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., FEBRUARY PANTHER-HUNTING HAZARDS IN WASHINGTON 9 1930—PART ONE. again, much to the consternation of Fire Chief Gasch, who also, it seems, is a deputy sheriff. Gasch,, accompanied by his brother, Harry, and a friend, | H. O. Harvey, lay in wait in their un- | lighted automobile, parked with the| headlights ready to flash straight on the Fowler pig pen. All had their shotguns ready for whatever might happen. A couple of dogs brought the guns to their shoulders on false alarms. Hunters Get Wild Catalepsy. Finally a long animal slunk up to the pen. The headlights were switched on, and there stood a genuine, full-grown panther, if there ever was one, accord- ing to Gasch. The hunters did not get & chance to shoot, however. The animal bounded over a fenge and was gone in the darkness, leaving the hunters some- what in a state of wild catalepsy. . In the meantime an unidentified De- partment of Agriculture hunter took to the trail, vowing not to return until he had bagged the critter. B. K. House, self-confessed mountain lion sleuth of Newmarket, Va., also swore to track the beast to its lair. On January 24 the animal was spot- ted again by James Brashears, another game warden who knows his wildcats. He saw it on the Fowler farm, and in a short time posses were out in hot but futile pursuit. Sleeps Peacefully in Snow. Eclipsing in ingenuity all previous schemes for trapping the prey, one “‘Mr. Peter,” veteran French Canadian trapper and more recently night watch- man at Chevy Chase Lake, appeared at the Fowler place January 25 with a bell, length'of cord, .45-caliber revolver, thoroughbred cougar canine of diversi- fied ancestry and a large package of meat gone wrong. Mr. Peter’s plan was to lure the tiger into essaying the role of a Swiss bell ringer. Tieing the odoriferous bait to | one end of the twine, the bell to the middle of the string and a fence post to the other end, Mr: Peter dug a trench in the snow and went into hiding. He spent & quiet night, slumbering peace- fully in the snow. It was on the following day that Ed- ward Smith of 800 Castle place north- east was aroused by a disturbance in his backyard, and he shot at what ap- peared to be a bloodthirsty bobcat or the like. The same day word come from Mattawoman Creek, beyond La Plata, that two hogs had been killed and a dog’s head eaten off by a vora- cious varmint. The animal, by one of those miraculous leaps frequently de- scribed by those who have seen it, also appeared on Bladensburg road a few hours later, to be sniped at by Motor Cycle Policeman Watson Salkeld, and thereafter was reported at large in Rock Creek Cemetery, in the north- west, and roaming the backyards of Cheverly, near Bladensburg. Citizenry Gets Jumpy. By this time the police and citizenry were just as much afficted with the jumps as the pestiferous kitty, with eye- witness reports coming from all direc- tions and bullets going the same way. In the midst of this panther de- monium, George Kenney, colo: shot FOR RENT Three Bed Rooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Bath and Large Reception Room. E}ectric Refrig- eration. Reasonable Rental THE ARGONNE 16th & Columbia Road FOR RENT Four Rooms, Kitchen, Bath and Reception Hall. Electric Refrigeration. Reasonable Rental 2001 16th St. katamount walked right into a care- fully laid trap and walked right out SAVE YOUR CAR From the Your car will run better—look better—and last longer if properly FROM THE WEATHER and SAVE DEPRECIA- sheltered. SAVE IT TION. Best-Bilt Metal GARAGES TERMS LIKE RENT and up to the lec WARHINGTO according type sel Weather! Also Frame, Concre Block and Stucco G ra, Fingst mat and workmanship. Fully guaranteed. Terms in vou proportion to the cost. 1205 a gunload of automobile parts at a flee- ing four-footed prowler near Suburban Gardens, and Earl Perry, colored “child, was shot accidentally by his brother as they made ready to fare forth in quest of the animal. Last Wednesday another pig was slain and one more wounded, this time in the pigpen of Policeman Ed Scott, at Glendale, Md. On this same day a Brightwood “panther” turned out to be a stray dog and was lodged in the pound, and another man-eating mam- mal_which frightened a colored man on Deane avenue northeast proved to be a harmless collie. Except for a few sporadic rumors traceable’ to additional mistakes in identity, the last week end brought a welcome lull in Washington's exciting suburban safarl. Guns are being ofled and ammunition belts filled in readiness for any emergency, however. Sues County for Hogs. Only one cloud has fallen across what otherwise was developing into a quite promising panther perspective. Harry Fowler, whose hogs were raid- ed some time back, and who had been one of the outstanding advocates of the panther theory, caused widespread cha- grin among members of the puma posse as the week came to a close by filing a claim for $80 damages with county authorities. In so doing Fowler put himself on record as believing his hogs were killed by nothing more junglelike than a stray dog. That’s his final story, and he is going to stick to it, and the best part of this theory is that the county ‘n.ys for hogs killed by dogs running at arge. CLINIC FOR CHILl_)REN. pital by Physiotherapy Expert. A special clinic in physiotherapy will be conducted Wednesday morning at Children’s Hospital for the Washington Chapter of the American Physiotherapy Association, Lippett, who will demonstrate the work '&he hospital is doing for crippled chil- ren. The clinic will be from 9 to 11 o'clock, after which the Washington Chapter will hold a meeting at the hospital. COAL MINERS STRIKE. NORTONVILLE, Ky., February 1 (). —Four hundred miners of the Norton Coal Co. walked from the two shafts here yesterday afternoon after a strike vote was taken Thursday night, whena conference with the mine owners failed. The operators refused to grant the 1917 wage scale asked by the miners. A unanimous strike vote was cast. MENT. Bring in your old watch and trade it in for this nationally advertised Bulova. 75¢c a Week o-date Bulova. Eye St. N.W. Demonstration to Be Given at Hos- | under direction of Miss | EDUCATOR TO SPEAK. Dr. Yeager to Address Advertising Club on Public Speaking. Dr. W. Hayes Yeager, professor and executive officer of the public speak- | ing department of George Washington | University, will discuss “The Relation of Advertising to Public Speaking” at a luncheon meeting of the Advertising Club of Washington next Tuesday in the National Press Club, Dr. Yeager is widely known as a lec- turer on business and professional sub- jects. 1n his address Tuesday he will demonstzate the principles of effective speaking and their business uses. Pioneer Motorist Dies. CUMBERLAND, Md., February 1 (Special) —Albert E. Glison, 58, who opened the first garage in Cumberland and who made a record of a quarter of a century ago in driving an auto- mobile from Cumberland to Baltimore over the old Baltimore turnpike, died after an illness of several years. Leather exported from the United States last year was valued at nearly |and his _companion, | Charles T. Peck of the eleventh pre- | | sentence a man WOUNDED BEAST 15 CHASED BY PAIR ; Huntsmen Lose Trail of An mal Resembling Panther in Woods Near Forestville. The Capital last night was without a report of the “panther” in its midst, | although police &nd huntsmen were stili on the alert for the alarm that would send them into the flelds of Northeast ‘Washington and nearby Maryland with guns and dogs. A wounded beast, reported to resemble a panther, was chased for more than a mile over the fields and through the woods of Prince Georges County yes- terday morning by E. L. Fowler and a hunting companion, but the trail was lost when the animal is reported to have doubled on its tracks in the woods back of Forrestville, Md. Fowler reported sighting the beast near the farm of C. L. Fowler, between Forrestville and Ritchie Station. He he told Capt. cinct, followed tracks as big as a man’s first, marked with occasional blood- stains. - The tracks, Fowler told Capt. Peck, were made by some large cat mal. Fowler said that he took the trail when he noticed the beast, several hun- dred yards away from him back of Fowler’s farm, in & neighborhood previ- ously marked by depredations. From Leonardtown, Md., 60 miles away, today came the report that a marauding wild beast, believed to be the | phantom panther, the night before last killed a pet Persian kitten belonging to Lionel McCormick of Bushwood, Md. McCormick reported that he heard a noise outside his store Friday night and ran to the door to see a fleeing tan-col- ored beast. The lifeless form of the kitten was lying in the roadway. McCormick, with Edwin Plowden, jr.. took the trail of the beast and followed it to Church Swamp, a mile away. There the trail was lost. DRUNK AT Colored Man “Reinforces” self to Hear Sentence. Leroy Johnson, colored, who was convicted early last week of possession of whisky, took a “bracer” before com- ing to court for sentence yesterday morning. The arm of his bondsman, James Conroy, appeared very essential to his progress as he walked through a door- way at Police Court. Before the two had got to their seats Judge Ralph Given glanced up and saw the man. whom he was to sentence. “Don't bring him any nearer,” said the magistrate to Conroy. “I couldn’t | in that condition, Hand him over to the marshal until OWN TRIAL. Him-| $18,000,000. he sobers up.” i Value at so [ Lumber Plumbing ° BULOVA “MISS LIBERTY” Liberal allowance for your old watch. Be modern—change your watch tomorrow for this Week How much more charming your diamond will be white gold. Bring _your old Company Gives So Much NEW BUILDING MATERIAL Roofing Wallboard Let us estimate on your entire list Low a Price & Sheet Metal Doors & Sash OUR ANNUAL TRADE-IN EVENT..... Now is the best time to modernize your jewelry—during our TRADE-IN EVENT., Your old ring or battered watch is worth REAL MONEY to you. 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NEW_ORLEANS, La., February 1.— Seven Federal prohibition agents and | twWo Tum runners engaged in a hand- | to-hand encounter near here today, in | which axes were SWung and pistols | brandished, but no one was injured. | ‘The rum runners escaped in a swamp | after the battle and the officers brought two_automobiles to New Orleans, each | containing 30 gallons of whisky, | The_officers lay in wait for the rum cars three miles north of Pearl River near the Honey Island Swamp and blocked the road with their own auto- mobiles. When the rum cars arrived the driv- ers got out and attacked the officers with axes. BILL TO CURB FALSE BANK RUMORS URGED —_— | Circulators of Damaging Reports| About Solvency Would Be Liable | to Penalties. By the Assoolated Press, Representative Hooper, Republican, Michigan, yesterday introduced a bill in the House making circulation of a false report against the solvency of a national bank or a State bank member of the Federal Reserve system a mis- demeanor subject to a $5,000 fine. The bill also would provide a fine of | $5,000 and imprisonment for not more than five years of two or more per- sons conspiring to violate the provision or against persons conspiring to boy- cott, blacklist, or cause withdrawal of deposits from national and Federal re- serve banks. MAJ. HUGHES EXPIRES. Army Dental Corps Officer Is Vic-| tim of Thrombosis. Maj. Richard O. Hughes, Army Den- | tal Corps, stationed at Langley Fileld, Va., died at that post yesterday from an attack of thrombosis, according t6| advices to the War Department. Ho| is survived by a widow, Mrs. Sarah B.! Hughes, now at Langley Field. Intes ment probably will be made in the Ar- lington National Cemetery. | Maj. Hughes was born in Morris, III, February 14, 1881, and served as a| captain in the Dental Corps, National | Army, during the World War. In July,| 1920, he was commissioned a captain | in the Dental Corps of the Regular | of major in October, 1924. DIAMOND RING 329.75 Charming 18-kt. white gold ring set with dia- mond. Wonderful value WOULDPRINTNEW WASHINGTON DATA Fess Bill Provides $200,000 for Books, Pamphlets and Other Material. An_appropriation of approximately | $200,000, to provide for the publication | of a series of books, pamphlets, photo- graphs and other documents relating to the life of George Washington, in preparation for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Washington's birthday in 1932, would be authorized by & bill introduced yesterday by Senator Fess, Republican, of Ohio. The bill was referred to the Senate library committee for report. Senator Fess said that research has disclosed that there are more than 5,000 unpublished writings connected with the life of George Washington, which would be included in some of the proposed volumes. He pointed out that the Senate has passed bills on three previous occasions on this subject, but without reaching a final agreement with the House. He expressed the belief that the measure introduced yesterday would meet the approval of both branches of Congress. The bill authorizes the following: Preparation of a definitive addition of all the essential writings of George Washington, in 25 volumes. Distribution of 100,000 copies of a pamphlet entitled “Honor to George Washington.” One hundred thousands copies of a pamphlet, eading About George Washington. ‘Two thousands copies of a set of di- rections for celebrations and pageants for the bi-centennial. Distribution of 120,000 copies of a portrait of George Washington. Preparation of a George Washington atlas, and preparation of a map show- ing places identified with the career of ‘Washington. The bill also authorizes the George ‘Washington Bi-centennial Commission to appoint a director, historian, an executive secretary and other neces- sary personnel. —_— YOUNG PLAYERS TO ACT. “Ninety Days’ Grace” to Be Pre- sented Friday Night. The fourth annual presentation by the Young Dramatists of the Church of the Covenant will be “Ninety Days' Grace,” to be given at Pierce Hall, Fif- teenth and Harvard streets, next Fri- day night at 8 o'clock, ‘The cast of six will include the Misses Dorothy Porterfield and Mae Norwood, and Arthur Wise, Peter Costing, Alfred Barrett and Edward Hall. The play A8 “Y” SWIMMING COURSE WILL OPEN TOMORROW Classes for Training of Life Saving Examiners Will Be Held at Night. The second annual swimming course for the training of life-saving exami- ners will be sponsored by the American Red Cross February 3 to 7, inclusive, at the Y. W. C. A. pool, at Sixth and E | streets, it was announced yesterday by Comdr. W. E. Longfellow, chairman of the life-saving committee. The course will be co-educational. Classes will be held in the evening at 7:30 o'clock for two hours, under di- rection of D. Melville Carr, life-saving field representative of the Red OCross for Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District. He will conduct classes consisting of a review of life- saving methods, teaching methods, grading of students in test methods of promoting life-saving and water safety programs. Swimmers from nearby Maryland and Virginia counties will be admitted. review of 30 examiners, rej pools in Washington and vari mer camps, will be conducted in con- nection with the course. Application blanks may be obtained from Mr. Long- fellow at the District Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1730 E street. Five Given West Point Honor. Five young men have been appointed by the President as cadets-at-large at the West Point Military Academy, sub- Ject to qualification at the entrance ex- amination in March. ‘They are: Charles B. Elliott, street, Washington, D. Henry Hess, Cornwall, N. Y.; Roger E. Ball, Madison, Wis.: Howard B. Liddle 3 and William C. Lewis, Your House. ..., Your Rooms. . . is being directed by Miss Helen L. |Lyon and Mrs. Alfred Barrett. New model movement Am with in 50c a Week : $67.50 $1.50 a Week Fiery, white diamond set in 18-k. hand-pierced. whi te gold mounting of modern design. ELGIN PARISIENNE $ 75¢c a Week Distinctive wrist watches in smart colored enamel designs. 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