The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-23
A c.Ilfornia Bear STORY.

We find the following scrap Of adventure in a
letter addressed to the New York Commercial Id
vertisr, dated at the Aqua Frio Mines, on the Mar
apoosa river, south of San Francisco,
"My last letter was dated from Stockton, which
place we left in whale boat, with all our traps, on
the 18th Of November. We went up the San Joa
quin river, tenting at shutdown in some pleasant
location upon the banks, sleeping in canvass tent,
cooking our food at a good FIRE, and finding every
where most delicious water was always able to
sleep soundly There is really fascination about
this kind Of life. 30 novel TO me- The scenery is
truly magnificent. The woods are full of all kinds
of game, deer, elk, bears, squirrels geese quails,
ana almost every thing else fit for human susie
nance On the ninth day out, on the Mercedes
| river, we fell In with an encampment of large
party, who had come over the plains from Fort In
dependence. They were from Ithaca and its neigh
borhood, and were thirty in number, with between
fifty and sixty mules. They were naturally much
pleased at falling in with US, recently from San
Francisco, and were eager to obtain such know
ledge as we had acquired OF the country, and. some
of us, OF the mining districts
can incident occurred at this point which bound
us still closer together, and brought to more
profitable intimacy. While indulging with the prin-
cipal portion of the party, of their came in
with information that short time before our arrival
one of the party had been attacked and seriously
wounded by a bear. He was out with companion
looking for elk, when suddenly large black bear
sprang from his hiding place upon him. This was
enough to put US all in motion and it resolved
to hunt Mr.. Bruin, and make him contribute to the
deiicacies OF the camp Our party joined, with the
exception OF one who was upon the sick list Eight
OF the Fort Independence party and four OF ours,
armed with rifles and muskets, started on the ex.
petition. We also took with boy, whom
had brought on from Stockton-making in all thir-
teen. Alter beating among the willows and brush
wood for nearly three hours, we had almost con-
cluded to give up the chase; but, on consultation,
resolved to separate into two parties-nine of the
other party going in Hns direction and Msssrs
other. We CHANGED to fall upon the trail Of the
bear, and followed it through thick copse of will
lows and tall grass, keeping our rifles ready, and
looking cautiously around. The circumstances
were 80 entirely new to me that you will readily
suppose l held my piece with very tenacious
grasp.
Having observed symptoms that indicated we
were quite near Mr.. Bruins headquarters, we
threw ourselves into Indian le for our better pro-
lection and the more effective of our arms; when
just as Mr.. T was preparing TO descend a deep
ravine we heard a terrific growI and crash through
the underground, and before Mr. T could de-
fend himself, the bear-an uncommonly large one,
with eyes that really seemed to fash fre-was upon
him, and, dashing his claws into Mr. T--'s legs,
threw him forcibly upon the ground Fortunately
one oil our companions observed the movement, and
almost quick thought lodged the contents of his
rifle in the monsters shoulders Immediately fell
back some three feet, leveled my piece, and luck
lily shot him in the side. He directly released his
hold Of MIR. T, turned and trotted off. His late
victim, with admirable nerve, sprang to his feet,
and gave him a full charge from his musket in the
rear. We promptly followed his trail, which was
easily seen by marks Of blood upon the tall grass
and underwood, and, calling out to comrades
OF the Fort Independence party, we soon had them
joining in the chase.
"The sport became now truly exciting. After
trailing the monster for short time, one Of our
men discovered him in thick growth of under
wood, foaming at the mouth and showing other
signs OF rage and pain. We made a careful sur
vey, and fired. Three rifles only told upon him,
and be again rushed forth in the greatest fury the
balls seeming 10 have more effect upon him than
II he were made Of wood. He then dashed farther
into the cane brake. Mr.. T and myself feel
ing fatgued, and he being wounded in his leg, we
left the brake and went upon the plain. Mr.. T.
mounted tree; three others with myself took our
station on the edge Of the copse, while others went
In to despatch him or drive him from his retreat.
In the latter they succeeded. Mr.. T, from
his elevated position, shot him in the side, and
other wounded him in the leg. He still showed
tight and we gave him volley, at which he turned
off, ran 10 the river, and swam across the stream.
Some OF the lighter men followed him, and upon
the opposite shore killed him. Some Of US then
turned to camp, procured the boat, and after some
hard rowing brought in his carcase. II was est
mated TO weigh from eight hundred TO a thousand
pounds, and never did / eat such toothsomo and
delicious meat. Nevertheless go 10 no more bear
hunts unless a comrade is in peril. The sport Is
too dangerous for my taste.
This affair Of course placed us all upon a very
familiar footing. We found our new companions
TO be a fine body Of men, many of them gentlemen
of refined taste and thorough education, notwith-
stanuing tnclr present appearance, which, like our
own, was sufficiently uncouth. They wanted 20
send part Of their men down TO Stockton for their
provisions, which had been sent round the Cape,
but the major part desired TO go with direct TO
the mines: We arranged the matter by loaning
them our boat, and they packed our goods on their
mules, we paying them $50 difference, and bring
ing TO these mines all except those who went down
TO Stockton for provisions, they agreeing on the
other hand TO bring up a farther supply Of provi
sions, free Of charge; an important saving TO us.
"The Aqua FRO mines am much pleased with.
They are in very healthy location, in fine val
ley where there are many deep ravines. through
which large streams have flowed at some time now
past. We have taken n survey Of the diggings.
Among the ravines are built warm log huts, really
comfortable, There arc also tents, with foundation
walls Of rock stone, with fire. place and chmncys
Of stone This plan intend 10 adopt. The miners
arc obtaining from four 70 seventyf dollars per
day. The labor Is arduous and requires close APP
plication and perseverance. In these diggiDgs
Colonel Fremont, in July and August last, bad
fifty Mexicans and Indians employed, who made
from two to ten ounces per day. We begin work
in earnest in few days-with what success hope
10 tell you hereafter"