Fugitive Bison Roam Montana Streets

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) -- The busiest street in Great Falls became a home for roaming buffalo. Three bison broke out of Mickey's Packing Plant on the southern edge of Great Falls Thursday and took to 10th Avenue South, one of the state's busiest thoroughfares.

They stopped by a nursing home, ran through a park and visited Giant Springs Heritage Park before being herded into a pasture and shot several hours after the first report of them hitting the town.

Terry Albrecht also spied the fast-moving crew after his sister-in-law, who lives about a block away, called to say she had seen some bison run by and needed assurance that she wasn't going crazy.

"So I looked out the window and saw these bison in front of my house," he said. "We've seen deer, coyotes and geese but we've never seen bison before."

Cascade County Undersheriff Kent Funyak said other than creating a major traffic hazard, the buffalo didn't do any damage.

Gene Tinsen, part owner of Mickey's Packing Plant, said the bull and two cows were headed for slaughter, but broke through a 5-foot high, wooden rail fence.

I looked outside my window, and what do you think I saw? The strangest sight I've ever seen. You'll never guess just what I mean. I can't believe it myself. I saw 2 buffalos, 2 buffalos, buffalos on my lawn. Romping all around and stomping on the ground And all of my grass was gone.

I watched them for awhile, and what do you think I saw? The strangest sight I've ever seen. You'll never guess just what I mean. I still can't believe it myself. I saw 4 buffalos, 4 buffalos, buffalos on my lawn. Romping all around and stomping on the ground And all of my grass was gone.

Then I began to worry. Well, what was I supposed to do? The strangest sight I've ever seen. I guess you've guessed just what I mean, Though I can't believe it myself. I saw 8 buffalos, 8 buffalos, buffalos on my lawn. Romping all around and stomping on the ground And all of my grass was gone.

Pretty soon there was 16 buffalos, 16 buffalos, buffalos coming in the door. Romping all around and stomping on the ground There were buffalos by the score.

Looked again and there's 32 buffalos, 32 buffalos, buffalos sliding down the stairs. Romping all around and stomping on the ground There were buffalos jumping on the chairs.

Pretty soon there was 64 buffalos, 64 buffalos, buffalos running in my room. Romping all around and stomping on the ground Somebody better get a broom!

One hundred and twenty eight buffalos. Man that's enough of those buffalos jumping on my bed. Romping all around and stomping on the ground So this is what I said:

You'd better get outta here buffalos, get outta here buffalos, buffalos get outta my bed! You've been jumping on things and busting all the springs And I'm gonna shoot you dead.

I looked outside my window, and what do you think I saw? The nicest sight I've ever seen. I guess you know just what I mean, Though I can't believe it myself. I saw No buffalos, no buffalos, buffalos on my lawn. Not romping all around or stomping on the ground, But all of my grass was gone.

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