May 16, 1904
Coyote Attacks Keeper Edwards in National Zoo
Desperate Fight Between Enraged Animal and the Man
ARMS BADLY LACERATED
Brute Beaten Off by Club in Hands of Attendant Run fling to Rescue
Arthur Edwards, one of the keepers at the Zoo, was so badly torn about the hands and arms by a big coyote yesterday that he will lose one finger and be deprived of the use of both arms for several weeks to come.
The coyote that attacked Edwards is one of those presented to the Zoo by J R Eddy, the landscape gardener. He was brought from the Indian Territory with his mate when a pup and Edwards has had the care of him ever since. Notwithstanding this, the coyote has shown all the treachery of his tribe and has been "bad " always. In February, he attacked Edwards but was beaten off before he could do any harm. Head Keeper Blackburn, it is understood, has known the vile disposition of the animal, but when the ease was reported to Superintendent Baker yesterday he expressed surprise.
Fight for His Life
The fight between Edwards and the coyote, which is an unusually large one, occurred at 12 o'clock yesterday, when Edwards was cleaning out the enclosure in which the animal lives. The attendants have to go into the cages alone and lock the door behind them, and when they are in with a bad animal they take particular care that their backs are never turned to it. Yesterday as Edwards was backing out, having put the enclosure in order. The coyote sprang at his throat with a snarl of rage. The keeper threw him back, but with all the quickness of his kind, the animal was on him again before he had time to unlock the door and get out.
He missed the throat hold he was trying for, but Edwards was knocked down by the force of the brute's attack. Seeing that the animal would get at his throat in another second, Edwards attempted to stall him off by grasping his neck, preferring to have his hands and arms torn to letting the wolf's teeth sink into his throat.
The Ruse Succeeded
His ruse, costly as it was, succeeded. The coyote fastened on his right hand, and with one snap of his steel-like jaws, crunched every bone in it. Letting the hand go he grasped the forearm. Coyotes are all snappers, and do not hold their grip as a bull dog would. Up and down Edwards right arm the enraged brute went, as long as Edwards retained power enough in it to keep it in front of his throat, for which the coyote was working hard.
Finding the strength gone from his right arm, Edwards put forward his left, from which, in the twinkling of an eye, the ligaments were torn horribly. Fighting as he was for his very life, the keeper was no match for the brute on top of him. He was afraid to move his hand to try to get up, knowing instinctively that it would give the coyote the chance at his throat. While they were still on the ground, the coyote worrying the man to death, another keeper ran to the rescue. With a club he beat the coyote off, pounding him almost into insensibility before he could make him let go his grip, for the coyote, coward as he is under ordinary circumstances, is as desperate as a cornered rat when fully aroused. The keeper then dragged Edwards from the enclosure.
Edwards Taken Home
The wounded man was taken to hs home in Tenleytown. Upon examination It was found that his right hand and arm were badly torn. The little finger will be amputated. The left hand was also mashed, and the ligaments of the left arm torn out of place. It will be some time before he can return to his duties.
This morning the coyote was lying quietly in the sun, taking matters easily. Every now and then his treacherously yellow eyes brightened into a malignant glow as they rested upon visitors. Headkeeper Blackburn is away at present, and what disposition he will make of the vicious brute upon his return is not known.
(You can read the original newspaper frontpage here)
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