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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (July 23, 1905)
BEAUTIFUL TEXAS A JAGUAR AND A GIRL WHO CAPTURED A WILD HORSE MILLIONAIRE E. Fanny Murion, a Texas girl, has displayed the audacity, skill, and daring of a veteran warrior. Unaided she has captured a.nd teamed the wildest horso that ever led a band of mustangs over hill and plain; she has driven a full grown Jaguar into a strong cotton sack lashed in the mouth of his den, and she has fed a.nd thrashed the ferocious beast un til it licked her hand and fol lowed her like a pet lamb; she has slain a monster mountain lion, "the terror of the ranches," for whoso scalp she might ha.vo received a reward of a thousand dollars in sold; and while carry ing more hearts at her belt than a.ny other beauty of tho border she has brought a young mil lionaire to his knees at her fest. VERY BODY on the southern frontier of Texas is talking nf Funny Marlon. Sho lias gin In old "Clubfoot," a mountain lion, that long de fk'd the prowess and skill of veteran hunters while It fattened upon young cattle and fine colts. This remarkable young woman has attract ed more or less attention ever sinee Bhe was able to ride. She first startled the community by planning to capture " Black Tiger," a famous wild horse that had many limes run uway from the fastest racehorses In the coun try. Failure did not cool the determined girl's ardor. Find ing that the magnificent black horse was faster and smarter than other animals of his kind, the shrewd young girl deter mined to involve him in the meshes of a stratagem. .4 J Determines to Catch lid Horse. Expert ropers had followed Black Tiger's trail for daya nd days without ever coming within reach of the wonder ful racer. More patient horsemen had tried the experiment nf " walking down " this animal. They had hung close on his heels clay and night for weeks, giving him no time to feed, sleep, or drink. The noble animal had always found some way to elude his pursuers. Miss Morion had watched Black Tiger loading his band of mustangs to water and she noticed that. In returning to tho range, ho always followed the same trail leading through the forest. Selecting a large oak, with a high limb that hung over t lie narrow path, the girl arranged a noose and attached It to the limb In such a way Jhat the wild horse would bp apt to thrust his hend Into It provided he did not scent danger. Concealing herself near the trap, she watched the prancing herd galloping away from the watering place. Bluck Tiger, ns usual, led the band. The animal was In fine form. Ills jet black hair glistened and Ills long mane and tall swept the ground. There was a wild look In his fine eyes, foam was Hying from his nostrils, and his head was held high in the air. St Captures Pride of Plains. Brutus Buford, a rich young Kentucklan, who owned a horse runch In the neighborhood, had offered $1,000 for Black Tiger with a rope about his neck. As the gallant horse drew near the tree Miss Murlon thinking, " If I can master him he Is worth a fortune." Black Tiger did not sec the noose, but when tho rope touched his neck he sprang forward as If a bullet had struck him. The girl was surprised at the conduct of her captive. Instead of surging against tho rope and choking himself down, as a mustang would have done, Black Tiger no sooner felt tho rope tighten about his neck than he took a step forward, snorting and looking greatly surprised, and then stood still. It Is now confidently believed that this splendid nnimal answered " the call of the wild," and that he strayed awuy from the ranch when ho was about 3 years old. lie has every mark of a thoroughbred, and since he bears a striking resemblance to the great St. Florlan, It Is almost certain that there are strains of the best blood In his veins that the Uluo Grass region ever produced. The young girl might have exchanged her capture for a sum of money that she considered a fortune, for she la tho only daughter of a widowed mother of limited means. Bhe '7 x. preferred to master the fine animal, fully conscious of the admiration that she would excite when she became able to gallop him over the plains and circle about the camps of the cowboys In the vicinity. Black Tiger soon learned to take sugar and salt from the hands of his mistress, and It was not long before tho sensible horse was following her about like a pet dog. It proved to be no difficult matter for the venture some girl to break her new mount to the saddle, and to the amaxement of the rough riders of the border, only a few days passed before Fanny Murlon was dashing over hill and plain, mounted upon the finest looking horse ever seen in western Texas. Old plainsmen had thought Black Tiger to be incorrigible. People hold their breaths when they saw the daring young girl forcing the magnificent animal to leap over wire fences and circle about the herds at full speed. Plots to Capture Jaguar. While the people of the community were wondering what Fanny Murlon would do next the story spread abroad that she had captured a full grown Jaguar. This proved to be true. A monster jaguar had been preying upon cattle and young horses In the ranch pastures for two or three years. Various efforts had been made to capture or slay the bloodthirsty beast, but It still roamed at large defying hounds and hunters. Large rewards had been offered for the scalp of the jaguar by the suffering ranchers, but the boldest and most expert hunters had failed to get a shot at the monster or locate Its luir. One evening as Fanny Murlon was galloping Black Tiger through tho mountain pans she accidentally saw the famous jaguar entering Its den under a ledgo of rock. It required but u few seconds for the quick wltted girl to form a plan for capturing the dangerous beast alive. After closely examining the mouth of the den and the locality, the daring girl returned to her home to make preparations for her desperate under taking. Procuring two large, strong sacks, used by cotton pickers, she placed one Inside the other and arranged a rope In tho mouth of the sacks In such a way that they could be closed by a quick jerk. She watched the lair of the Jaguar for sev eral days in order to learn the habits of the animal before she attempted to execute her plan. She discovered that the jaguar entered his den about the same hour every evening, doubtless for the purpose of taking a rest before he set out on his nocturnal prowl. Takes Bloodthirsty Beast Captive. This strange girl might have taken a rifle and lain In wait for the dangerous beast with every factor of success in her favor, but It appears to be a part of her nature to court dan ger, and, as she afterwards said, she wanted " to take the terror alive and show the ranchers that a girl could lead him at her belt." There is not a hunter In Texas who would have attempted to execute her plan though tempted by the offer of a heap of gold. The cotton sacks were placed In the mouth of the den and covered with leaves. Black Tiger was tied at some distance, and the vinturesome girl sat hidden among tho rocks with a rifle in one hand and a rope connected with the mouth of the sacks In the other. A pack of hounds struck the trail of the Jaguar on that same evening, and, when the animal came' tow ards his lair, he came In a hurry. There was no time for investigation. Ills old enemies were howling i his heels. He lunged Into the den with a growl of triumph, but when tho sacks closed behind him and he discovered that ho was trapped he uttered a roar that aroused the girl to a Benso of her peril. Struggling, snarling, and roaring, the Jaguar rolled In the sacks out of the mouth of his lair. The girl ran to the side of her captive, and, nfter tying the sacks hard and fast, sho lt ft tho Jaguar alone with his troubles while she sought to mount her horse. Black Tiger did not like the looks of the sack, bouncing about and rolling along the mountain side, but when his mistress had secured the rope attached to it and given the word he sprang forward at a lively gait ns If he knew that he was dragging his old enemy at his heels. Miss Murlon secured a strong pair of shears, and whenever a claw was thrust through the sacks she cut it off. After wards she cut a hole In the sack for the Jaguar's nose. She finally cut a slit largu enough to permit the head of the fero cious beast to appear in the open air. Then, putting a strong collar on his neck, she chained htm to a tree. Not many days passed before the jaguar looked eagerly for his mistress when she approached him with food and water. Kindness conquered the ferocious beast, and in less than two weeks he was as docile as a kitten. Young Millionaire Falls in Love. Miss Morion was now famous, and almost every young man in the country was violently in love with her. Only a few dared to venture close enough to hear her sweet voice and enjoy a glance of her " tamjng and killing eyes." Tho cowboys said: "She is not like other girls. Sho can coax a wild horse to put his head into a noose and make a pet of a bloody jaguar." This fearless Texas girl called hrr last capture Dolly, cither In derision or for the purpose of shaming the Texans who had lived In fear of his ferocity. When Brutus Buford saw Fanny Murlon circling about over the prairies, a big jaguar leaping at her whip and Black Tiger looking as If he are JuBt ready to break away and run wild, he felt his heart beating fast and he whispered to himself " There Is the pret tiest picture I ever saw in my life." That same night he ad mitted to a friend that he was certainly " dead in love" with that wonderful girl who raptured wild nmmais aim smashed " the heart of vrry man who rrossed her pal ,. "Why don't you tell her nbout It?" sal.' tho friend. " Tell her." exclaimed Buford, " why, I haven't got a rare horse that can catch her, and If I should slip up on her that playful pet might tear me to pieces." . J Campaign Against Mexican Lion. It was not long before this love stricken youth was brought face to face with the objjot of his passion under circumstances of a most extraordinary and exciting nature. A ferocious Mexican lion, known as "old Clubfoot," had been preying on tho young colts In Buford s pastures. The beast had donn so much damage and been so successful In evading pursuit that the wealthy young rancher In his wrath had offered a reward of 1,ikki for tho sculp of the destructive lion. Club foot could not be trapped. He had left a part of one foot be tween two steel jaws hence his name an- hl wisdom. " If that wonderful girl should happen tc kill or capture old Clubfoot I should certainly consider her a superior being nnd I am not sure but I should regard her with superstition," said Buford. That same evening as he was tiding over one of his pastures he caught a glimpse of the picture that always set his blood coursing hotly through his veins. The sun was sinking like a great ball of fire In a sea of clouds of blue and crimson, making a glorious background for Black Tiger and his mistress upon n little knoll flooded with mellow sunbeams. The black beauty stood like a statue with his head high In tho air and his ears pricked forward. The pretty girl held her hat In her hand and her long hair was floating in tho wind. She seemed to be looking at some object above or beyond tho man who was admiring her. The jaguar also saw or scented something in the same direction. St Saves Life of Wealthy Rancher. There was something so earnest about the living picture that Buford was forced to look behind him. A glance at tho tree under which he sat on his horse nearly congealed his blood. Old Clubfoot sat on a limb within easy reach, licking her chops and wagging her long tail. He did not have time to move before the vicious beast leaped. One paw struck tho horse and the other fell heavily upon Buford's shoulder. Horse, man, and beast rolled upon tho ground. Buford was unarmed, but ho possess-d groat strength. Ho had struggled to his feet nnd ho had the lion by the throat. Though tho snarling beast had Its long claws fastened In one of his shoul ders, Buford was trying to beat It to death with his fist. The lion lunged forward and its sharp fangs were touching Buford's neck. A pistol cracked, and the monster sank quiv ering at the astounded man's feet. When ho turned he saw Fanny Murlon with a smoking revolver In her hand. " Are you hurt?" she asked, as she slid from the saddle, leaving Black Tiger to snort nnd snuff at the dead body of tho lion. " You have saved my life," exclaimed the young man. " How your wound bleeds," said Fanny. " Let me help you." She led him to a tittle stream not far away, where sho tore her apron Into strips and washed and bound up his wounds. Makes Her Greatest Capture. Miss Murlon talked a gnat deal, but the wounded man snt and looked at her in dumb admiration. They rode together to the widow Murion's house. When Buford departed the widow said to her daughter: " Fanny, I think you have made another capture." " I am sure of It, mamma." ft A 1 T Is said that when a man Is In lovt hi wears his heart on his sleeve, for he Is anxious to have a girl know how his heart throbs. It Is like wise held when a girl Is In love she conceals her feeling in Its Innermost recesses. In other words, coyness Is a characteristic common to women at least expected of them at least tho sweetly, feminine poets have made It so. " The cruel nymph well knows to feign coy looks and" cold disdain," sang Ciay. " And what value were there In tho love of the maiden were It yielded without coy delay?" asked Scott. This Is only partially true a glri tails In love quite ah frequently as a man she at least romances regarding her feeling- but she crushes them in the sole of her shoe Instead of wearing her heart on her sleeve, because conventions de cree she shall. " She will rather die than give any- sign of affection." says Benedick of Beatrice, thus showing that coy ness Is a dissemblance of feminine affection. The students of psychology and sociology know that women have cultivated an attitude of effeminate coyness along with the thousand and one conventionalities that have been thrust on them. In spite of these opinions, In the days gone by It was almost us common for the women as the men to do the courting. Today there are purts of the world where young women feel they are doing nothing wrong by taking this pleasure and responsibility on themselves. Always Leap Year in Polynesia. In Polynesia there are no women's club and the doctrines Of woman's rights have never been heard, and still these half cmaiuiiMtcd young girls feel they have the right to extend nil offer of marriage to an equal or to an inferior. Their pro posals are sometimes accepted, again rejected. When their love is unanswered they do not commit suicide or take poison, us an American novelist might make us believe. They may grieve a little while, only to console themselves with the thought, " If at Hut you don't succeed try, try again." These proposals are often spoken In most romantic words. A Fijian maiden desperately in love with a young man asked his father If aha might lovs his son and receiving no encouragement she said: " Let me only live outside of his home. w 111 sleep dpon the wood pile. If I may only light his clgaret for him I ahal'A rejoice. " I may only hear hit vole from a distance; It will suffice. Life will be pleasant to me." Tud Men Dare Not Propose. Between the northern and southern extremity of New Oulnea lies Torres strait. The largest Island In the strait Is inhabited by Mclaneslans, whose oustoms are insular and unique they are of special interest to students occupied with the phenomena of love and nutrriage. They are, with one ex ception, of the Papuan type: frizzled hair people who culti vate the soil, use the bow and arrow, and, un-Australlaa like, treat their women with consideration. I W i hi I'TH i "T7irT7.""ii' iTi 'I ("W I WJI H I II h "1 I " "i f I i inpspsias TTi'i Prof. A. C. Haddon, the most eminent authority on these people, says that the women of the region are wonderfully Independent, 't he most a man ever dares is to suggest he is fond of a girl, but If he actually proposed he would be the ltuwhlng stock of the whole district. On the island of Tuu boys are taught: " You no like girls first; If you do girls laugh and cull you woman." When a girl likes a man she tells his sister and gives her a ring of string. She tells the brother she has some good news for him, and If he approves they .select a rendez vous, where the conversation Is carried on In this manner: "You like me, proper?" " Yes," she declares. " I like you proper, with my heart Inside. Eye along heart see you you my man." Half frightened, he continues: " How you like meT" She usually answers: " I like your leg your skin good. You my man." Sends Food to Man She Wooes. In a neighboring Island courtship assumes a more prac tical form. The love sick maiden sends her young man food, and plenty of it. lie waits some time, and if he decides he ap proves of her he acknowledges her favor by eating all she baa sent him. A good dancer is always admired in these islands. A man's being married does not prevent his being courted again. Girls have enough tact not to make this known to the wife. A sister is selected. Some of the girls are wonderfully persistent. Haddon tells of a girl who wus in love with a cook. She made the advances, but he paid no heed, and so she accused him of trying to steal her. She carried on a long lawsuit, though the case was de cided in the man's favor. In spite of these advances most of these women become the projierty of their husbands when married sometimes to the extent if a man gets angry he kills his wife, and his sister if she remonstrates. In New Zealand women di their courting in a most ro mantic fashion. The young girl visits the courting house set apart for this purpose. Standing up In the dark she says: " I love so and so and I want him for my husband "; whereupon the chosen lover, if willing, says " Yes," or enough to signify assent. Pueblo Girl Chooses at Will. The Pueblo gui Is even more Independent; after many a delightful and m times romantic flirtation she comes to the conclusion fhe Is fonder of out suitor than the others and she ulls h r futi.cr she Is determined to have the yuuug man. The father usually acquaints the young man with the fact It seldom happens that any objections are raised, but the iiiiii 1 1 vx si i i ill it it ri 1 1 i r, m i,i mi a ,...;'. . irx y i i- ir-st' -vs father of the bridegroom must reimburse tho parents of the maiden for the loss of their daughter. This Is done by an offer of presents In keeping with tlielr wealth ami rank. The young people are thoroughly independent, and if they learn they do not love each other as much as they Imagined they separate and leave their children to be cared for by their grandparents. The Moquls girls are so strenuous In their love affairs tliey are satisfied with a verbal contract. Goods, personal effects, and valuables of the women still .belong to them. If a woman leaves her husband she takes all with her. The hus band Is often Indebted to a wife for a loan, and this keeps them together where otherwise divorce would ensue. Among the Spokane Indians when the man falls In love he must con sult the father and the girl, though It Is more usual for the girl to make the advances. They usually marry from the same tribe, Uut If a man marries out of his tribe he must Join his wife. It is thought she can work better In a country that Is known to htr. How Indian Girl Won a Husband. The Indian girls of the Hudson, according to several reli able authorities, signify openly their desire to matrimonial life. When one of them takes a notion to marry bhe covers her fare with a veil nnd sits covered as an Indication of her desire. If she attracts a suitor negotiations ensue; presents ure given by relatives und friends, and the bride taken. A pretty girl, Manjiknawis she was called, was fond of a self-contained, egotistical young man who had no special fond ness for her beauty. She had a notion that her ability us a housekeeper might win him though her beauty did not. Shu was solicitous In attending his wants; men. led his moccasins and prepared his food, but he was equally Indifferent to these kindnesses. So she rcsolvnl to play a trick. She dug a holo In the spacious lodge und covered it carefully. When tho young man returned from the chase lie threw himself down In the usual place and f. II In. " Ha, ha," mid the girl, as sho helped him out. ' You lire my prisoner at last. 1 did It on purpose." A smile came over the young man's face. Half flattered and more amused by the inventive mind he tald: " So be it. I will be yours." Coyness an Unnatural Attribute. There arc many other peoples where women do the woo ingall showing that coyness Is no niuru natural to woman than man In primitive conditions. It develops with culture and more conventional Boiiety. It Is hardly to be wondered at that a girl In modern, complex society may be fond of a nun who does not think seriously of her. Though she hus no desire to do the courting, she may enjoy a harmless flirta tion If not with him. with his shadow-that will do an well. She wl'l not die of a broken heart nor commit suicide mora than her Jilted sister in primitive conditions. - "