A Unique Battle

How a Maddened Bull Was Vanquished by an Automobile.

Story of a Remarkable Contest That Took Place In a Forty Acre Pasture--Taurus Put to Flight

D. A. Philippi, a well to do pioneer of Mahomet, Ill., recently bought a fine automobile for traveling about his big fields and for pleasure driving. While making a trip around his farm the other day Mr. Philippi stopped at the forty acre pasture, where a bull reigned undisputed lord and master. The bull was a particularly savage one, always ready for a fight and not tolerating the presence of any one in his domain. 

When he saw the auto stop at the gate the bull came up, with was in his eye. When he smelled the gasoline he began to paw the dirt and bellow his disapproval.

"Toot, toot!" said Mr. Philippi on his horn. The bull wheeled at the unusual sound and started to run, but thought better of it and came back. Encouraged by the bull's indecision, Mr. Philippi ran his auto through the gate into the pasture, all the time tooting vigorously on the horn.

The bull became "rattled" and struck out across the pasture in full retreat. As soon as Mr. Philippi closed the gate he mounted his motor and started in hot pursuit. There was something very entertaining in the idea of tooting a little horn and routing a mad bull that was said to have killed a man and wanted to kill others. 

The bull glanced back and saw there was a man in the strange vehicle that was pursuing him. That made him forget teh sound of the horn. He stopped short, reversed ends, planted his forefeet firmly and lowered his head. 

The farmer had been counting upon a stern chase, and this change of front surprised him. But there was only one thing to do. He threw on full force and charged the bull. When the collision came taurus went head over heels to grass. The shock nearly upset the auto, but somehow it managed to get back on all four wheels again. When within a few second of taking the count the bull got up and pawed dirt and again accepted the gage of battle. 

Farmer Philippi threw wide the lever and again charged. The bull hesitated a moment and then ingloriously fled. The machine chased him for fifty yards. Suddenly there was a quick spurt by the pugnacious auto, and the bull was crashed into from the rear and send plunging forward upon his knees and nose. The brake was applied, and the victorious machine circled around again to the unique duel.

Toward the far fence of the pasture fled the animal, bellowing with anger and terror. Before he reached the fence El Toro sustained another rear end collision. 

From a bullfight the affair now turned into a bull hunt. Up and down the field the chase continued. Never again did the abashed and humbled animal show fight. His sole ambition was to get away from the terrible monster that pursued him.

Seven or eight times was the race run across the pasture. As many times did the auto ram the terrified taurus from the rear, and just so many times did the king of the pasture bite the dust. 

Quite a number of Mr. Philippi's neighbors had heard the bellowing fo the bull from afar. Supposing that some one had been attacked by the dangerous animal, they armed themselves with pitchforks, scythes and clubs and hastened to the scene. 

But their services even as humble bandilleros and picadors were not required. Finally the bull stopped exhausted. All the fight had been completely knocked out of him.