Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-01-21
For the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
EXCITING BEAR HUNT.
rHIRrY MEN UNDER ARMS.

WEN. HNEaaZ ---E +L MZME t
On Wednesday evening last, our village was
thrown into a state of excitement from the
fact that a huge bear had been seen the night
previous. in Mr.. Brinckerhoff's woods, a short
distance from the village. It being understood
through the day that an attempt would be
made in the evening to caretsure DUN, at an
early hour, some tnirty brave young gentle
men appeared at "Uncle Joe Stillwelps Ho-
EEL" well armed, and eager for the fray
A Captain was soon selected, and the party
were under march for the scene Of action. Ar
|riviuggat the woods, sentinels were placed eg
cry seventysfye yards-completely surround
ing the woods. Some three or four were Sc
lscted as a scouting party, to go through the
woods, and if possible, rout bruin. At a GER
tain signal, Elm case bruin was seen) all were
to rush to the spot. Not a sound was to be
heard save the tread Of the sentinelsi They
were not, however, kept long in suspense, for
soon the signal was given, and all hauds ma.de
a grand rnsh. In the centre of the woods
in a low bushy spot--bruin lay croucheG, as
Iif ready to spring upon any who might iutrude.
As they betleld him, although well armed, fear
was yisibly depicted upon the countenances Of
several Of these braves. But soon a tremeu-
|jons eaaaoaade was opened upon poor bruiu;
fear gradually gave way to the excitement,
and the men became desperately brave. 1t
was announced by one of the party .that
bruin was serefelg wounded I" See him. /. saws
another Of the braves, chow he shakes his
head, and froths at the mouth He is-ahont
to spring upon usl Then three Of the bra
vest of the brave" deemip% = discretion the
better part of valor,n with that nimblsness
which is only excelled ~, a squirrel, mounted
q tree, aad perched themselves upon the high
e st limb, where nsey might (no doubt) have
a better opportunity. of witnessing the dQ1.
& 7oGs dqa5male, One of the braves having dis
charged his piece, seized it by the barrel, and
was abor.tt to rush upon the infatuated beast,
when de was caught by the collar, and told
thatit was too dangerous an experiment, as
Etde q animal was only woundea.p The Cap
tain Immediately gave orders to . cbargew-
For d moment the men seemed paralszed.-
Then, on they rushed! when 10, ard behold
after i~nficting numerous bayoner stabs, the
supposed dreaded bear proved a hoax! An
ingeuioasly contrivees device, resembling a
bear, made OF a ssw-hencl, buffalo skin, &C.,
had been constructed and placed in the woods
during the afternoon. The charge was terri
bic, anfs upon the discovery that the party
were " solo, the Captain was suddenly missed
seat Inquiries were made for him, but ike
lSauta Anna, he had left a leetle bit before the
Termination of the strife. One Of the party
seemed to think he could hit the Captain ubout'
as easily as he hit the BEAR. OF course, some
swore and raved a little; but the majority,
like sensible men, relished the joke. Then,
Not a sound was heard, nor a funeral note,
AS his hide from Brinkefhotfs heller they hurried
A duel Between one Of the "duped'' and
the Captain came near taking place; but ! am
pleased to say that the affair terminated with
oat loss Of blood, and your hnmhle servant re-
tired from the spot, considering himself
ONE oFTHE YIoTIMs