National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-11-15
A Wisconsin Seaageant in Montana
---Bear Shootin

A correspondent of the Helena
(MOntana) Gazette, writing from
camp Green Clay Smith, near the
Yellow stone, gives the following
thrilling account of a bear fight.
"Orderly Segt. S. X. Shroke, of
company Il. Capt. Campbell, forme.
ly of Monroe, Wis, having been in
Montana something less than a
year, thought he must signalize his
mountain life by dispatching single
handed huge grizzly. According
ly, on the 9th inst, when out, hunt
ing-being about 80 miles from
camp, on the eastern branch of the
POwder-the opportunity was en-
braced to doso. Leisurely proceed
ing on his way, his tranquility of
mind was suddenly disturbed by
looking up and seeing bear just
ahead of him. Their eyes met sim
ultaneOusly, bruins vengefully glar-
ing. The st rgeant halted, and
cooking his piece, the bear came
right on, as if understanding the ma
noeuver he would show how con-
temptuously he regarded it. But
the sergeant equally defiant-and
prudence, perhaps lost sight of in
that novel ambition which a major.
ity of those recently from the east
have to kill grizzly while in the
mountains-leveled his rifle and
fired, just as his savage foe reared
OH his hind legs to close with him.
His bullet struck close to, if it did
not penetrate the heart. The bear
fell. Regaining his feet, with a
fierce, terrible growl, he wheeled
and endeavored to escape. Calling
to his cOmpa lion, who was prObab-
ly 100 yards in the rear, to come
quickly to him, upon his arrival
they pursued the animal together.
When within twenty yards, the
sergeant having reloaded, again
fired, and thinks he shot the beaI
well up on the shoulders, and about
midway of the body his companion
Immediately followed with his bul
let, planting good ounce of lead il
one of the huge beasts shoulders.
Braiu now turned upon and pur
sued his foes. They stood then
ground, and when Scrgt. Shroke hat
reloaded, the bear WAS within ter
feet of him, coming with unbate,
speed. He leveled when he almos
imagined he could feel the monster,
hot breath in his face. The trigger
is pulled--the percussion proves
faulty, with the undischarged gun
in his hand, a powerful blow of tn
infurlated grizzly carries away TIN
greater part of his scalp. Before
reaching the ground the bear ha
caught in his mouth his left hand
and the Jaws of his teeth met anon,
the chords and sinews. The scar
geant sinks to the ground beneath
the shaggy giant, whose hold on hi
hand is still unrelaXed when hi
companion reaches the spot and
sends a bullet into the beasts heaC
Stunned, but still having murder
: Gus vitality, the bear rolls over o
his back, and his red tongue agai
( protrudes from his mouth TO ono
! more close on the searge ant. Que
; as thonght the sergeant thrust u
/ right hand down the ANIMALS thros
S and fiercely grasped his tongue. II
companion has reloaded his piet
S and puts third bullet in the bear
e head. Again the bear withdrew h
worries, and clutehing in his mou1
u the 4seargeants gun, commence
Il chawing off the stock. Now, +
II gaining his feet, the seargeant di
D. charged two bullets from his revC
yer. These ended the contest wit
"a the death of the bear. The sea
III geant returned to camp in indcsc
{, able agony, and, though still sutl'
20 ing with great pain, he is in II ia
way OF speedy recovery; but he "
it Curry to his last moment the sea
It of this desperate adventure.
III saws he "has killed the bar, al
{, don't want nothing more to do wi
], the critters"