North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-01-01
Bears, but no wild Cats.

|
That waggish cuss known as BRAcKETT
Of the Chippewa Falls wis., Times, re.
latcs, Dec. q, the following relate. "Jim's''
word for one dollar or for our pile would
be good, but this story is of so romantic a
character that we suspect there is bare
| faced sell in it, Where are Gen. Putnam
and his wolf story if Brackets yarn is
true Jcemes we do not wonder that
your County officers are successful in hunt
ing positions. When they get defeated in
caucus hereafter, they will have learned to
greive and bear it ..
On Wednesday of this week. our County
Treasurer, Rodman Palmer Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors. VIM. Richardson
Sheriff, 0. NJ. Blashtield, and Deputy Sher-
iff, l.. X. Buzzell, went to Paint Greek for
the purpose of Il wildcat hunt A den of
these animals is said to be at that place.
but its exact whereabouts is only known
by Mr.. Palmer, and the cats are univer-
sally known as Palmer's cats.
Arriving at Paint Greek in the after
noon, it was thought best not to disturb
the den that evening, and the party separ-
ated TO sec what could be found in the way
Of game. Twenty minutes had not passed
after the separation of the party before
Sheriff Buzzell was suddenly confronted
bv an enormous black bear coming right
out Of the ground, and not six feet distant.
The peril was imminent to run, out OF
the question: murder most foul was in the
bears eve and there was only one way
to do fight it out on that line and that
right suddenly. He gave one loud shout,
to warn his companions drew his gun
hesitated an instant only. knowing full
well that miss-and he would serve no
more papers in Chippewa eounty--fred,
striking the bear in the centre Of the fore
head. -.
Doubling up like a knot, the bear disap-
peared in the ground as suddenly as he
came out.
The shout and firing soon brought the
rest of the party to hand. 4 council Of
| war; was held, and the course determined
| on was, to 20 into the hole, tie rope tc
| the bear leg and draw him out--all sup
posing the animal dead. This of itself was
a difficult feat, for the entrance seemed tt
be perpendicular into the earth, and wa:
barely three feet across the only way o
entry was by being lowered head foremost
into the hole. Mr.. Buzzell soon prepared
himself for this job-stripped coat, hat anc
all useless wearing apparel: tied straps
round his ankles laid himself upon The
ground, Palmer taking him by one leg anC
Blashfield by the other, he was lowered
into the ground about eight feet before hi
came to the bear, which was laying quar-
tering, hind part toward him. He then
took his rope and undertook to tie it rounc
one hind leg-when a tension of the mus
Gle, a movement of the body. at the same
! time scattering beam of light revealed
two other bears, and to him his awful sit
uation Mr.. Buzzell tells us that word,
are inadequate to describe his feelings fol
the instant. Imagine, dear reader, your
self eight feet in the ground, head fore
most, without single weapon to defend
yourself, among three wild bears, and your
only means of getting out being hauled uI
| by ropes attached to your feet, we say, i'm
agne yourself i'll such position and YOU
| can tell how Mr.. Buzzell felt at that time
How Buzzell ever escaped from the situa
! ton liz which he was in is a wonder to al
| who know ANYTHING about it, but he did,
|
| head and a scratch on the other extending
from the jaw to the temple. Palmer anc
Blashfield say they twitched as men never
twitched before, fully expecting 10 see Buz
zell's head smashed in before they coulC
get him out. But Calls we'll that end;
WE'LL" and in this encounter the old bear
got the worst of it, for he followed his mar
out, and upon the first showing of his hcaC
received ball sriking him under the jaw
and coming out at the top of his head
This etlectually used the old bear up, bu
how to get him out Of the den, was The
thing. 1t was bigger runt than on,
friends had anticipated-bu true plucl
will wln All things We're made ready fol
another charge. Mr.. Bfashfeld was thi
time slowly and cautiously lowered into
the den, revolver in band. a surveyin!
of affairs showed him that the old bca1
was dead, and that bat one other bear wa
in sight. and that not at all pugnaeous.-
| lie quickly attached a rope to the ole
hears leg. whanged his revolver Mt the re
naming one, gave the signal and was jerk
ed out.
1t seems that there was another entrance
to this den, and while Blashfield was des
cending into it, bear was ascending by
another outlet just discovered. Mr.. Rich
ardson. sent a ball into his head befor,
above ground, followed by some other 0
the party. SO soon as the old bear wa
drawn out, the others seemed bound t,
come too, and,as fast as they showed them
selves, they were fred at. Forty-o one shot
were fired before they were killed. The
heads were almost like seivc, completed,
riddled with holes. The party arrived II
home about 10 p. m, of that day will
their booty. The old bear dressed 30t
pounds, and the others d0but $50 zach.
We think these gentlemen lave full,
demonstrated that they are as good on bea
hunts as political hunts.
We make our bsst bow, gentlemen. 70
the very excellent piece Of steak sent us a
a reminder of the occasion. You may d
SO as often as you please, and We will nc
get mad over it.