The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1872-11-15
From the Erie (Penn.) Dispatch.
HOW A BEAR WAS CAUGHT
THE ADVANTAGE OF A GAP
IN A FENCE.

| O'Brien's Mensgerie has gone into
Winter quarters ct Girard, and
among the pets belonging to that
concern is good-sized black bear
which was kept chained in the yard
OF the Avenue House. The house
was built on a side hill, and to go to
the bar-room from the roadway it is
necessary to ascend flight Of steps
set On the slope. A day or two ago
there was jolly party assembled in
the bar among whom were Col.
Swan, Billy Ellison, of North East,
Jim Wadsworth, of Girard, and half
a dozen more equally well Known
denizens of the county. Daring q
lull in talk about politics. Col. Swan
went to look at the bear, going too
close as the bsr-keeper thought, but
didn't heed the admonition, and the
bear made plunge at him with such
effect that be broke the chain. The
gallant Colonel made the liveliest
tims to the bar-room, distsncing the
bear at the first jump. Bruin, find
ing himself at liberty, began to put
on lordly airs, and trotted round the
yard in search OF some one to hug.
The place was fenced with the excep-
tion of the stairway to the street, and
a man with a pitch:ork jumped on
that to dispute Bruins passage,
should he try it. The others got
hold Of clubs, pOkers, hoes, and any
thing handy for weapons, and |
Wadsworth was so lucky as to secure
a fish-spear. The magic "touch of
elbows" inspired eoursge, and the
men began to advance on the bear in
platoons, Bruin slowly retreating, as
among so many be didn't know
which to hug first In this state OF
indecision, he finally turned about
and trotted into his kennel. "PVe
got him." shouted Jim Wadsworth, as
he jumped 20 the front, and present
ed the five pronged cpear at 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 Wadsworth
back sumersauls snd rolled over him.
TIE astonishment and scare were
mutual, but the bear was up first, and
he charged through the line, heed
lees of ''belts" from clubs, and made
for rear fence. H re the unscisn-
tifie construction of the Gencs got the |
better OF him. AT the corner where I
he mounted, The bottom of the post
was close to stone wall, bat the top
eaned to the eastward so as to leave
IN opening like the letter V, and in
he bears hurry he dropped his fat
body into the gap, wedging it fast.
His four legs were dangling on the
,ide where liberty awaited him, but
lis hind legs were still in the yard.
Compromising Bruins situation at
. glance, Wadsworth grabbed hold OF
,ne OF the hind legs and pulled as
hough he ment to tear the leg out.
The bear tried to turn to bite this
Iouree Of annoyance, but he could
lot reach far enough, and in his fury
le tore big chunks out Of the top
ence- board with his .eeth, ard broke
me tooth trying to bite the top OF the
,ost of. A dozen bed-cords, and as
many traee-chains as could be found, [
Tere brought, and, after infinite I
roble, slip-nooses were got into the {
ears mouth, and around his neck '
nd legs, and when he was trussed {
p like a mummy, five or six men t
fled him out. But he YVES not con- G
nere1: and OF this he gave evidence G
yhen the party tried to remove some q
f the ropes, an operation that was
ecessary before he conld be prop
rly chained again. Finally come
ne sent for Adam Forepaugh, the
and be took the ropes of,
ut the chain on. and fastened the I
ear to his kennel