Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-09-06
An ADVENTURE WITH A GRIZzLYi
Or my Prospecting Tour.

In the summer Of 1850, was working,
with two partners, a claim on the North
Fork Of the American River in California.
Our lead, which had been a pretty good
one was running out, and we bad for some
time been discussing The propriety ofeav-
ing it and going prospecting. This move
ment ! had opposed for some time, think
ing that, as long as we could do reasona.
bly, we'll where We were, It would be bad
policy to leave our claim and roam over
the country in search of better diggings.
One evening, however, when the results
Of our united days labor were declared to
be five dollars, | came TO the conclusion
that perhaps we could not do better than
make little trip up in the neighborhood
for the purpose Of prospecting. So, after
little discussion, (as, Of course, it would
tdo for me to come round too suddcnly,)
it was decided that we should try the ex.
pertinent the next morning.
The morning dawned, and after slowing
away our surplus possessions in the tent,
we took our picks and pans, with our
blankets and several days provisions, and,
separating, sailed in different directions.
1t was understood that we should return
in three or four days to the tent and re.
port progress. After travelling several
hours, sat down to rost during the heat
Of the day, intending to resume my jour.
ney in the afternoon. Stretched on my
back under an oak, its cool shade and still
ness OF the scene around me soon Gained
me TO sleep. When | awoke it was late
in the afternoon, and jumped up, some
what alarmed, as | had intended ma.
king a camp some twenty miles oil, my
stopping place for that night. Re.adjusl.
ing my blankets on my back, vas about
resuming my journey, when my attention
was arrested by some singular footprints
on the trail. Bending over, examined
them closely, and came to the conclusion
that they we're those of grizZ Y bear
As may be imagined, this discovery was
any thing but pleasant one. had never
seen a grizzly, and was net particularly
desirous of making the acquaintance oi
one, even armed; but now, with nothing
but pick, the thought was anything but
enliyening. | had frequently ridicuIed
such of my friends as were in the habit OF
smuggling round" rifles, Colts royoIvers,
ETC., and laughed at the idea Of cucumber.
ing ourselves with. such useless baggage.
But, at the discovery of these tracks, my
sentiments underwent an entire change.
4 whole armory would not have been an
unwelcome companion to me then. On
examining the tracks, ! found that they
lead in the same direction in which ] was
going, and that consequently, | stood a
good chance Of overaking my lour.tooied
friend, if hurried and i'll loi'ered !
would be obliged 10 spend the night alone
in the mountains.
Moving slowly along, calculating the
chances offered by either Of these two
pans, did not observe that was descen.
ding into little ravino, through which
small stream ran until stood on the edge
of The creek. had worked long enough
in the diggings TO know some Of the indl.
cations OF the existence Of tho precious
metal, and as soon as my attention was
directed 10 the stream, made up my mind
that the dirt was worth "panning out, )" by
way of trial, at once. All thought Of the
bear was gone. Gold was more potent
than grizzly for the nonce, and hastily un-
singing my blankets, got out my pick
and pan from my luggage and went 10
work. Ny success astonished me- Two
ounces from the first pan, and one from