Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-07

How 4 BEAR WAS CAUGHT. = From the
Erie (Pennsyvania) Dispatch 10 Brien' 5
nrnaglcre has gone into winter quarters at
Grard and among the pets belonging to that
concern is Il good sized black bear, which was
kept chained in the yard of the Avenue House.
The house was built on side hill, and to 90
to the bar room from the roadway it is neces-
Sary to ascend flight of steps set on the slope.
\ day or two ago there was jolly party as
Scmbled in the bar room. During lull in
talk about politics Colonel Swan went to look
at the BEAR goiug too close, as the barkeeper
thought but Swan didn't heed the admonition
and the bear made plunge at him with such
effect that he broke the chain. The,gallant
room, distancing the bear at the first jump
Bruin, finding himself at liberty, began to put
on ordly airs, and trotted round the yard in
search of some one to hug. The place was
fenced, with the exception of the stairway to
the street, and man with pitchfork Jumped
on that to dispute Bruins passage, should he
try it. The others got hold of clubs, pokers,
hoes and anything handy for weapons, and
Wadsworth was SO lucky as to secure fish
spear. The magic touch Of ''elbows' inspired
courage, and the men began to advance on the
bear iu platoons, Bruin slowly retreating, as
among so many he didn't know which to hug
first ln this state of iudecision, ne finally turned
about and trotted into his kennel. I've got
him, shouted Jim Wadsworth, ,as he jumped to
the front and presented the five pronged speart
the mouth Of Bruins den. The echo hadn't
died away before the spear was broken in two
or three pieces, and the bear turned Wads-
worth back somersault and rolled over him.
The astonishment and scare were mutual but
the bear was up first, and he charged through
the line, needless of belts from clubs, and
made for rear fence. Here the unsclent.tc
construction of the fence got the better Of him.
At the corner where he mounted, the bottom
of the post was close to stone wall, but the
top leaned to the eastward so as to leave an
opening like the letter Y, and in the bears
hurry he dropped his fat body into the gap,
wedging it fast His fore legs were dangling
on the side where liberty awaited him, but bis
hind legs were still in the yard. Comprehend
ing Bruins situation at a glance, Wadsworth
grabbed hold of one of the hiud legs and pulled
:is though he meant to tear the leg out The
bear tried to turn to bite this source Of annoy
ance, but he could not reach far enough, and
in his fury he tore big chunks out Of the top
fence board with his teeth, and broke one tooth
irving to bite the top of the post off. dozen
bed cords, and as many trace chains as could be
found were brought, and after infinite trouble,
slip-nooSeS were got into the bears mouth and
around his neck and legs and when he, was
truSsed UP like mummy, five or SIX men lifted
him out. But he was not conquered; and OF
this he gave evidence when the party tried to
remove some of the ropes, an operation that
was necessary before he could be properly
chained again. Finally some one sent for
Adam Forepaugh, the lion-tancr, and he took
the ropes off, put the chain on and fastened