Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-02-29
A Lively Bear Fight.

The Willamsport (Pa) Gazette, in a
late issue tells the following
GA gentleman reached Williamsport
on Friday evening last, from logging
camp in Potter county, where he mas
been for five weeks past, who relates the
particulars of an exciting encounter WIN
an old bear and two cubs. 1t appears
that q man named Jonas Elmaker and his
wife had made a small clearing in Jack
son township. They have comfortable
loo cabin, "a small barn, several head of
cattle and few pigs. About O'Clock
ON the evening of January 81, Mr.. Elma-
ker heard a great commotion among his
cattle and pigs at the barn. On rushing
out to ascertain the cause OF alarm, mag
inc his surprise on finding that AN old
bear and two cubs had attacked year
ling calf The cattle were snorting and
believing at u fearful rate, while the pigs
were squealing Justify, as if they expected
to be dispatched every minute The bear
had thrown the calf down and was pre-
pairing to drag it out of the yard The
cubs were running around swapping their
teeth and uttering half suppressed growls
of delight at the prospect OF good
square meal
Mr.. Elmaker returned to the house, in
to attack the bears. lie seized his rifle,
while his wife armed herself with long
handled, double -bitted AK. Thus armed
they advanced to the attack. The bears,
made bold and ferocious by hunger, did
not seem inclined to give up their prey.
Rising upon her launches the old bear
showed fight, and the cubs crouched be-
hind her, snarliHg fiercely. Mr. ElmaiSer
raised his rifle and fired " the black
monster, thinking that ii she were killed
the cubs could easily be dispatched or
driven off But owing to the excitement
under which he was laboring, he missed
his aim and only broke the left fore paw
of the animal With fierce growl OF
rage, caused by the painful wound, the
old bear rushed at her assailants, followed
by the cubs. They stood their ground
for a few minutes, Mr.. Elmaker clubbing
his rifle, while his wife cut one OF the
cubs severely in the shoulder with the
ak. The rage of the animals became
fearful. and the great danger OF facing
them at once became apparent. lie,
treating rapidly to the house, they barred
the door and prepared to defend them
selves. Mr. Elmaker succeeded IN re-
loading his rifle, and firing through the
window, killed cub The old bear now
attempted to climb the 1og-house,
but owing to her broken paw was unable
to do so. Another shot from the rlhe
wounded her severely in the head, when
she set up the most hideous howls OF rage.
Failing to get another shot at them. the
parties inside remained ina state OF siege,
prepared to resist any further attack.
The animals loitered around until mid
night, when they retired, and all became
still. On making a search in the morning,
the old bear was found dead about SIX
hundred yards from the house, and the
cub Law where it fell in the early part OF
the engagement. The other had disap
peared in the forest The two dead bears
were secured and dressed-the old one
weighed $50 pounds, and the cub l93.
The Elmakers have a sufiiciency of bear
meat to last them for the balance OF the
season. The skins will be brought 10
Williamsport soon, and offered for sale
The affair caused much talk in the neigh
borhood for several days. 1t is seldom
that bears are so bold, but their bravery
on this occasion was caused, no doubs, by
the cravings of hunger The can was
badly lacerated by the teeth and claws OF
the animal. but will recover Mrs. Eima-
ker savs She is ready for the next raid.