Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-02-29
A Lively Bear Fight.
From the williamsport (Pa.) Gazette

from the Mlllamsport (fsJ Oazrlte
A gentleman reached Wiliamsport
on Friday evening last, from logging
camp" in Potter county, where he has
been for five weeks past, who relates
the particulars of an exciting encounter
with an old bear and two cubs. 1t APP
pears that man named Elmaker and
his wife had made small clearing in
Jackson Township. They have com
Portable log cabin, small barn, several
head of cattle, and few pigs. About
9 o'clock on the evening of January 81,
Mr.. Elmaker heard great comm otion
among his cattle and pigs at the barn.
On rushing out to ascertain the cause
of alarm, imagine his surprise on find
ing an old bear and two cubs had at
tackled a yeariing calf. The cattle were
snorting and believing at fearful rate,
while the pigs were squealing as Justify
as if they expected to be dispatched
every minute. The bear had thrown
the calf down, and was preparing to
drag it out of the yard. The cubs were
running around swapping their teeth,
and uttering halfsuppressed growls of
delight at the prospect of a "good
square meal.n
Mr.. Elmaker returned to the house,
informed his wife, and made prepare
tons to attack the bears. He seized
his rifle, while his wife armed herself
with long handled, double bitted axe.
Thus armed they advanced to the at
tack. The bears, made bold and fero-
cious by hunger, did not seem inclined
to give up their prey. Rising upon his
launches, the old bear showed fight,
and the cubs crouched behind her,
snarling fercely. Mr.. Elmaker raised
his rifle and fired at the black monster,
cubs could easily be dispatched or
driven off. But, owing to the excite
ment under which he was laboring, he
missed his aim and only broke the left
forepaw of the animal With fierce
growl of rage, caused by the painful
wound, the old bear rushed at her as
sailants, followed by the cubs. They
stood their ground for few minues,
Mr.. Elmaker clubbing his rifle, while
his wife cut one of the cubs severely in
the shoulder with the axe. The rage OF
the animals became fearful, and the
great danger of facing them at once be-
came apparent. Retreating rapidly to
the house, they barred the door and
prepared to defend themselves. Mr.
EImaker succeeded in reloading his
rifle, and, firing through the window
killed cub. The old bear now at
tempted to climb the Lighthouse, but
owing to her broken paw, was unable tc
do SO. Another shot from the rife
wounded her severely in the head
when she set up the most hideous howl:
of rage. Failing to get another shot Al
them, the parties inside remained in {
state of siege. prepared to resist any
further attack. The animals loiterec
until midnight, when they retired, anc
all became still. On making a search
in the morning, the old bear was found
dead about six hundred yards from thu
house, and the cub lay where it fell il
the early part of the engagement. Tn
other had disappeared in the forest. Thu
two dead bears were secured anC
dressed-the old one weighed 38'
pounds, and the cub 1913. The Elmaker
have suffciency of bear meat to las
them for the balance of the season. Tn
skins will be brought to WILLIAMSON
! soon and offered for sale. The atfai
caused much talk in the neighborhoo'
for several days. 1t is seldom that bear
are so bold, but their bravery on thi
occasion was caused, no doubt, by tn
cravings of hunger. The calf wa
, badly lac Grated by the teeth and jaw
of the animal, but will recover. Mr.!
Elmaker says she is ready for the mex
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