Francis Clarence Lewis

Son of William H. Lewis and Catherine A. Gaffrey; husband of Lavinia LaSpada; father of five children

Hunters Save Companion Attacked by Wounded Lion   Contributed By JacquelineBogedahl · 3 July 2013  San Jose Mercury News---August 20, 1928

    Iron nerve and expert marksmanship on the part of his two companions yesterday morning saved Lawrence Abruzzini, 18, from the wild fury of a wounded mountain lion.  As it is young Abruzzini has a ripped shirt and raw marks of the beast's claws on his back and his companions have the 105 pound carcass of the animal.

    The encounter with the lion was the chief adventure on a deer hunting expedition into the hills of San Benito county yesterday.  In the party were Lawrence and Ernest Abruzzini, 1354 Sherman Street, Frank and Ollie Lewis 1148 South Tenth Street and Arthur Kincaid.

    On the W. T, Lewis ranch in San Benito county they joined with several others in quest of deer.  Lawrence Abruzzini, Frank and Ollie Lewis and Kincaid were together when then came suddenly upon two mountain lions, fired, almost simultaneously, and apparently wounded both.

    Mhe hunters separated and crept through the brush in search of their quarry.  When they were about to give up, Abruzzini unexpectedly came face to face wth one of the animals, wounded and snarling.  The big cat leaped, and Abruzzini ducked--not a moment too soon. He felt the animal's claws scar his back.  The lion leaped completely over him, and was turning to leap again when two rifle shots rang out almost as one.  Frank Lewis and Kincaid, following Abruzzini, had seen the lion leap over him and both fired.  One bullet struck the lion in the head and the other in the body, killing it instantly.

    "Well, we had to do it,' they said, when asked if thdey were not afraid of hitting Abruzzini.  "It looked as though the lion would get him if the bullets didn't, so we took a chance."

    They didn't try to find the other lion after that,