Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1874-03-07
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.
Hand to Hand Fight With a Bsar-A Man Held
Down by the Brute,

At the late meeting Of the Pioneers of
Cinton county, Mich gan, held at ST.
Johns, Henry A. Smith, who resides utar
Eureka, gave a graphic account Of des.
perale hand to hand Contest with bear
In the edge of Hratlot county, some
tweuty-six years ago. The Repu6l liedn
details the thrilling adventure as follows;
On Christmas dsy, MIR. Smith was out
hunting near his forest home when h.
sighted young bear, shot but did not
kill II, aud the young animal took to its
heels. Soon after the mother of young
bruin put In an appearance. Mr.. Smith
also shot the old bear and supposed he
had killed her but he discovered his
mistake on approaching the supposed
corpse, for she ross to her feet aud gave
battle TO her antagonist. Tue ball had
grazed her scalp and stunned her, auG
Mr.. Smith imprudently approached her
without reloading his gun, II was too
late TO retreat, he had lost his knife, and
Mr.. Smith aimed heavy blow at the
brnte's head with the guH, but sue warded
of the blow. Again he attempted to
brain the animal with his gun, but un-
/ fortunately the stock was snlvered from
the barrel, and at the came instant the
bear struck him in the forehead, knock
ing him ssnseleSs.
When consciousness returned the brute
stood over him, her warm and nauseHt-
/ ing breath coming full In his face. He
remained molioniess for some tune, until
the situation became unbearablt, and be
resolved to make a d, sperate effort 10
shake the brute of He thrust his hand
into the corner of her mouth, and at
tempted to grip her lip go tightly that be
could keep ber at bai but IN this he did
not succeed. The bear closed her jaws
upon one of his arms, and held him With
a vlce-.ike grip. Mr. Smith struck tut
bear a powerful blow upon the nose with
his serviceable hand, causing a copious
ho@ of b ood, but her Jaws seemed TO b.
set upon the now useless arm. After
long struggle Mr.. s NTH succ eded In re-
gaining his feet, and then came the tug
If war. He planted blow after blow
upon the ribs of the bear with the fist at
his service, hnt fhe still hung t. the COW
eied arul. fle attempted sgaln and again
10 PROSTATE her upou the grouud, bu her
muscle proved too much for HIM. Mean
while the bsSr Vas In 100 close proximity
tO ber adversary to admit OF her atrls iug
nina with her paws, and the stsugg rr-
sOived iistlf iutO d pure tlial of Strength
"a "fough-and tumble dght "-duflng
which The combatants rolled cver aud
under eacl other 10 turn, rs a tet-- porary
advantage Was gained by either. - ias,
Mr.. atulth hy dtgseee forced the brute TO
the place Whero ais gun barrel Law, eud
%. an opportune momeut ho seized IL and
5acceeded IN batte-ing tic skull of hn
adversary with II until she settled down
and relaxed her hold upon the arm she
had so long held In chancery. Thus
attdetl the guuouiraru hafrta Tina II ifa or
death struggle being over, Mr.. smith
sauk down upon IA log and again becam
Obliylcus Of all things earthly. When
he again became conscious, some time
eaps, before be fully realized the sh ua.
tiou. He never entirely recovered from
the effects Of that terrible struggle. He
exhibited at the pioneer meeting the Coal
which be wore on that Ito him) memor.
able day. The garment, which was com
posed ofliuen, WAS literally torn to shrtds
, aud the blood stains ulOn il were still
J visible, though somewhat damned by TIT
; fading process Of tWeuty-six years time
Mr.. Smith is heavy, powerfully buil
man-was at the time Hercules II
I s'renRth-aud the struggle, wish b,
! hinks lasted about thi.e quarters Of 81
hour, must have been sea ceiy l,ss de-
, pereLe thau tile awful lines Of battle
; With their flaming foods If fre, viii,
! scOurged the Southern states duriUg th,
t war of the rebellion, MIR Smith is san
2 guine that nothing but the thought of hii
, vile aud two children gave him tn
almost superhumau strength nee, s-ary t,
wage that war tO a successful issue. H'
= gave IL as his opinion that u iull gro"h
/ healthy bear Is formidable sntagouis
I IN a square, staud-up fight. HIS battle
. h4g coat SHOWS that although HIS Is
. "bear story" and ny no means sInal
one, il is true in every particular.