Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-04-01
A BEAR.CATCHISG GOVERNOR.
How she Present Executive of Cali.
fOFnia once LRssOed a Grizzly.

How she Present Executive of Cali
fOFnia once LOssOed Grizzly.
An enthusiastic correspondent Of the
San Francisco Alta gives the subjoined
description Of an encounter with griz-
zly bear, in which CALIFORNIA; new gov
ernor (Pacbeco) figured prominently:
Governor Pacheco has, among his ac-
complishments-and they are many
one possessed, we believe, by no other
Governor in the United States. He can
lasso and get away with a wild grizzly
bear, and we saw him too do it in MAY,
1852, on the Rancho de los 0sos (Bear
ranch) in San Luis 0bispo, then the resi-
dence of Governor Pacheco's mother.
Away up in the mountains, arong the
wild oats, the grizzlies take their morn
ing nap, after their nightly prowling
about in search Of stray calf, pig or other
small game Early one morning the
enormous print of grizzly's foot was
seen in the earth close by the dwelling
of the Governors mother, and in few
minutes Romualdo and two or three
others we're in the saddle and off for the
mountains When the tall wild oats,
half way up the mountain, was reached,
the party had got ridden more than two
minutes among the tall, dry wisps, whep
the horses suddenly started, snortipg
loudly, and instantly a huge grizzly
stood erect, with a terrific presence,
high above the dry, wild oats. He
looked just like gigantic negro, with
shaggy, fur overcoat, his eyes cleaning
fiercely, his large, white, protruding
cruel teeth and red mouth unpleasantly
conspicuous. Each man and every horse
for the instant seemed petri6ed-as if,
while every nerve and every muscle and
wary sense was at its utmost tension,
they had suddenly looked upon Msdusa
In seconds time, Pacheco spurred for
ward swinging his lasso. The bear
commenced sparring Wsrily, and few
professional boxers can fend of as these
creatures will. But Paceeco' lasso shot
out like an arrow, and clasped about the
huge fore foot, when the horse (who saw
every movement, and was jnst as wide
awake as Pacheco,) sprang the other
way, and, the lasso being fast to the
pommel the bear was instantly thrown to
the ground, when two other men, quick
as lightning, had thrown their lassos and
caught the hind feet; then another rider
caught the loose foreioot, and the four
horses took their positions like calvary
animals trained by some noiseless signal,
and slowly marched down the mountain
side, two horses in the van and two n
and two in the rear, dragging Ursa Ma
Jor quietly down the grassy descent the
the rear horses keeping Just taut.line
enough to prevent the bear from getting
any use of his terrible hind claws Nahi
has painted some of these California las
soing scenes, that have been as near JUS
tice to such exciting tableaux as could
be done by the painters art, but nothing
could portray the intensity of excitement
and action brought forth at such a mo-
ment. Pacheco was, at that time, twen-
ty'one years DID, and the handsomest
man we ever looked upon.
u guess the panther in the wilderness
was not more fair than he"
When he first realized the presence of
the terrible enemy, and stood erect in his
stlrrups, his face cleaning with the glory
OF youth, fearlessness and excitement
his great black eyes sparkling, his white
teeth tightly pressed upon his nether lip,
perfectly still for a second, he was the
most glorious object in nature. In no
longer time than the sight of this could
just be taken in he sprang forward, and
his long dark hair tossed wildly for a mo-
ment, and then he had captured the bear
as related
The captors slowly took their prisoner
down to the house, where long, heavy
piece OF timber lay upon the grass.
Fastening the bear hind feet to the tim
Der with the strong lassos, and the fore
feet to strong, deep driven stake, they
stepped away to a respectful distance,
their eyes upon the ferocious creature,
and their hands upon their saddepom-
mels. We walked up close to the bear
to take a careful look at him; all cried
out "Cuiado take care"
why, he's all secure" said we.
"Yes, but look out
you don't think he could get loose?"
Perhaps not, but you'd better keep
away"
And we did.