Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-21
FIGHTING A BEAR IN A CATTLE
CAR.


FIGHTING A BEAR IN A CATTLE
CAR.
An Indian Lock ed up with BeaHis-
A Terrific Fight-MOnhcys and
RuaIxes Looking On-Bread. Tur-
nips, and ss n Month.
From the London (Canada) Free Press.l
The men on the mixed train going
west yesterday morning had pretty
good-sized sensation just as the train ar
rived in Boutwell,. As the noise Of the
wheels subsided, unusual and excited
sounds were heard issuing from bonded
car, which all along the passage from
the Suspension Bridge had remained un-
der lock and key, attracting no special
notice from any one, as no one on the
train seemed aware of its true contents.
Gradually the noises grew louder and
more excited; sseufiling was heard, ac-
companied by yells and imprecations
from human voice, and series OF low,
fierce snarls and growls as from an en-
ragged and powerful animal; then shut
fling to and fro, and more excited but
perfectly unintelligible exclamations.
The men were at loss what to make OF
all this, and marveled exceedingly A
crowd collected, and noises Of the same
character continued within.
There appeared to be terrible rum
pus inside the car, which each moment
grew more desperate and alarming All
at once a violent humping against the
door and the voice of the man, which
had by this time grown more coherent,
but sounded faint and smothered, broke
out in explanatory appeals, Brek door,
| brek door Injin get kill" After
which the struggle seemed to be renewed
more furiously than ever Injin giving
vent to short yells of pain and distress.
No time was lost by the men outside,
who proceeded at once to obey the call
and break the lock. No sooner had the
door been partially opened than out
sprang strapping young Indian, in q
terribly excited state of mind, minus his
hat, with his clothing hanging in shreds
about his body, and displaying several
bleeding wounds. He was well nigh ex-
hausted, but did not stop running till he
got behind the station-house in place
of safety, where he stood painting for
breath for some minutes before any one
of those who surrounded him could
elicit any information from him as to
the nature of the ordeal through which
he had passed. That, however, was per-
fectly ineligible to those who witnessed
his escape, for he had no sooner got clear
than large black bear came snufling at
the door, wanting to get out, too, and
pursue his enemy, like a roaring lion, to
devour him. On seeing the men, how
ever, and probably not caring to jump
into the immediate presence Of so many
persons, Bruin recoied and sneaked into
a corner, from which he glared savagely
at them.
There we're several other animals in
the car, some of them in cages, and
some securely fastened up with chains
and ropes. Among them was a young
cub belonging to the old bear, who at
once took refuge behind his ma in the
corner, apparently somewhat bashful by
the appearance of so many grown men
There wasl also an antelope, couple of
monkeys, wild kangaroo, some curious
specimens of the feathered creation, and
box Of snakes, which remained com
foratably coiled up in the blankets
either too tired or sleepy TO take any
part in the fuss The collection, it APP
pears, belonged to travelling Snowman,
who proposed to exhibit in Western
town.
The Indian boy, for he was scarcely
out of his teens, although big and mus
cular, as soon as he could collect his
ideas, and began to realize that he was
safe aud sound, related that he was en-
ployed by the proprietor at eight dollars
per month to attend the animals in their
travels as keeper; that he had been shut
up with them in the car for nearly three
days, with nothing to eat but bread and
turnips, and with only water to drink;
that the old bear had become restive in
the car while on the journey, probably
from hunger and thirst, and ended
by committing an assault upon him,
which he repelled as long as be was
able to hold out. He thought every
moment he would have to give in,
and consent to be eaten up for breakfast
by the she bear and her interesting off
spring Twice she got her arms fondly
around him, and would certainly have
hugged him to death but for the hercule-
an strength which enabled him to throw
her off and spurn.her advances. Being
somewhat cramped in her physical ener-
gies by the confinement and dull routine
Of show life, besides being not so young
as she used to be, she was the more
easily overcome and failed to make as
stout an attack as the circumstances
seemed to demand from her. The young
man from the country parts, however,
was determined not to be taken in
any more by the deceptions and allure
ments Of side-show life, and then and
there determined to abandon a profes-
sion in which he discovered he. had
neither the talent nor education to shine
very resplendently.
He tink me big fooll" said he; In
gin only get eight dollars a month, and
a chance to get ate up into the bargain.
No, no. my friends, that muchly too
thin Ughl Not for Joseph-not if he