The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-02-17

January 29.-Our mountains seem in
tested with wild g varmint," principal
~ bears. During the past year rumors
have reached the larger villages of the
county of the depredations of these
animals in the mountainous regions,
destroying sheep, swine, and cattle
Fifteen bears have been killed within
sixty days in the neighborhood of
Ph@nicia alone, and still the number of
tile beasts seems not diminished. They
FroWl about everywhere, stealing poui-
tgy, attacking hogs, cattle, &c, and
viii often follow horse and wagon for
mile
One Of the mountain hunters had a
terrific encounter with q bear near a
stream called The Hollow Tree Branch,
ON Thursday, the 18th of January. He
cornered the animal, when 1t at once
showed fight. The hunter was armed
with long knife and a rife. After
hiring one bullet into the bear they both
cliuched, and a severe and for a time
doubtful struggle ensued. The hunt
eTs arms and breast were badly torn
and his face and hands frightfully
scratched, Suddenly he let go his hold
with his right land, and drawing his
knife from his belt, sunk it into Bruins
breast The animal then loosened its
hold ANA fell, bat soon arose again and
sprang for the hunter, who then club
bed him to death with the butt end of
Ills rifle, breaking the stock to pieces.
Although the hunter suffered greatly
from loss Of blood, he managed to drag
the bear to a house near by. 1t weigh
ell 800 pounds.
Gu the following day three hunters
H De Wall, an old hunter; Matthew
Woodward, and German known as
Dutch E'red-started from Chichester
vile for grand bear hunt in the
mountains roundabout. they had pro
ceeded but short distance from the
settlement when they suddenly came
mon the trail of three bears. For two
hours the hunters clamberea among
bushes, around precipices, and over
rocks and logs, until success crowned
their efforts They had ran the bears
into hole They tried every way os-
aihle To drive them ont of their quarters
huG without success. The old hunter
drawlei out Wall, boys, them ar
hairy cusses hey got to be smoked out,
l carlate. !" Dry brush was at once
obtained and placed in the mouth of
the entrance and set on fire Dense
Volumes OF smoke soon penetrated the
INTERIOR aud in a short time had the
desired effect. All stood eagerly watch
iur for the result, when suddenly
Dutch Fred ezclaimed - Gone away
ayavi Dere ISL Won nv de babies vas
oombd out!n Sure enough, the black
nose Of cub made its appearance at
tEe entrance, followed quickly by an
other. Both cubs were dispatched as
soon as they mnde their exit, and the
parry waited for the third-the old
bear to make its appearance.
After watching for a considerable
time iii VAN, Dutch Fred concluded t.
ectwl Ii after +" the old governor" as
ha termed her. 1t was a risky job, but
Tte.j was equal to the task The fire
was brushed away, and after the smoke
had become somewhat dissipated Fred
crawled in the hole after the animal.
His entire body disappeared, his feet
only sticking out, the old hunter and
Woodward standing ready to pull him
out when the signal should be given
Fred took rope with him, intending
80 lasso the bear and as soon as he go
Tar enough inside proceeded to carry
ont his design. At this the bear sprane
at him, and brief scutlie ensued, when
Fred succeeded in getting the rope
around the bear. BY the motions oil
Ered's protruding pedal extremities,
lls companions knew that a tussle was
gong on, and fearing fatal results,
seized his legs and . yankedn him ont
Tic was bleeding profoussly, the bea1
having severely lacerated him in the
struggle, but he had performed his joE
we'll, having securely fastened the rope
round the animal. All now got hold o
the rope, and by dint of Jerking ant
hard pulling succeeded in bringing the
old lady out to light, and they soo1
despatched her with their axes. Sh,
weighed nearly four hundred pounds
On the following Monday a party
started from Chichester's chair factory
oH a bear hunt, going up the Slide
Mountain. They were not long IN find
ing bear tracks, and for three day:
tacy followed this trail up one noun
tain and down another, working hare
all day, aud 1T night sleeping around
rude camp fires, until, at the end o
the third day, thcy found Themselves
Attiih tNb HdiNtISd Virus VI tic lac
tory they had started from Here the,
freed large bear and her two cubs
Having had to subsist ON game thei
ammunition had given out SO they sen
- the factory for help. The little set
Element was soon IN a great state o
excitement over the affair, and squads
of men left their work benches, ant
arming themselves with gums, axes, an(
clubs, hurried to the scene.
The odds against the now cornere(
animals were great. Some wanted t.
take them alive, while others propos
ga TO despatch them at once. All thi
time the mother. with the two cubs
Nesting close to her, viewed the scene
with evident terror and anguish.
4 Gut Gowa the tree, !" exclaimed ore
soon the chopping was commence
ana each one grasped his weapon tight
III and prepared for assault. Blow ate
blow was rained upon the root of Tia
tree, until it swayed and then fell witt
loud crash. The old bear, with n
angry growl, leaped into the crowd
winch hurriedly scattered, leaving he
mistress of the situation, and shequick
~ made her escape. One of the cub
e2eIeavored to follow suit, but fe
q IN ledge of rocks, and was 500
L |. Tie other cub attacked one c