Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-05
from the Name fTsi,T
TOLeU and The Bear.

settlers Of Greenwood He came into
town in 1871 and took up farm in the
western part OF the town, through which
the old west County road was alterward
built. Here he lived Tor many years. and
here he died. The old west County road
was long ago discontinued rs a public
lhoroughiare, and the Tobey farm. since
his death, has grown up TO bushes and
weeds. and we are not certain that tho
house where he lived and reared family
is still standing. Mr.. Toboy was an
eccentric man, and we have heard many
stories of his peculiar traits and habits,
in our boyhood days lie was born at
Kittery Point, in the year l76s. and lived
there until he was fourteen years al age,
when he was apprcnticed 10 master
builder in the town OF Top.ham, by the
name OF rrueworthy.
It was an incident that happened dur
ing the years OF his apprenticeship, that
We propose TO relate. The towns OF
Brunswick aud Topsham presented
very different appearance ninety years
ago. from what they now do. There
were small settlements there then. and
mills at the falls; Bowdoin College hYd
not then been chartered, and much OF the
territory north of the now thriving Tops.
ham and Brunswick. was covered with
forests, where bears. wolves, and other
wild beasts were often found.
Young Toboy frequently expressed
desire to see a wild bear, and often boast.
cd 10 his fellow apprentices that if he
should chance TO meet one, he would not
run from him, but would fight him, il he
bear would give him an opportunity
Probably this was mere idle talk, and
doubtless Tobos had no expectation that
his boa ted courage would so soon be put
to the test.
A short time alter this he was ! eturning
home from Brunswick k-we have heard it
said lhst It was on Monday morning and
that he WAS returning to his work, after
having spent the night with his intended
wife. but this may not be true, nor is 1t
material 10 our story-he passed through
piece of woods. and rs he came TO the
top of short but steep hill, he was con
fro1toi by large bear OF the variety
known as the white faced bear. which
stood 10 the narrow path directly before
him. The whte.laced bear is always
ready for fight, and in this instance he
Immediately stood up man-lashion. and
with open mouth and flashing eyes. ad'
vanced toward Tobey, who for moment
stood spellbound with astonishment and
fear. lie soon rallied however and took
in the situation in moment. He must
either turn and run. in which casa he felt
quite certain The animal would pursue
and overlake him, or he must accept the
challenge and fight the bear in his own
way. Tobey was muscular man. md
as agile as young panther. So he sprang
toward the bear, winch was doubtless
thrown somewhat OF his guard by this
unexpected movement on the part OF
Tobey, and they iell together to the earth
the bear falling underneath. Tobey
Immediately got up aud the bear followed
him, when be was thrown again, and the
third time, in the same manner. AT the
fourth round the bear threw Tobey and
refused to let him get up. placing his
huge paw on his left arm, between the
elbow and the wrist, in such manner as
TO larcerate the muscles in 4 fearful man.
ner. lie now considered his victory won,
and held Tobey there toying with him as
q cat W i'll with mouse, before proceed.
ing to attack him with his teeth.
Tobey's presence OF mind did not
desert him and with his right hand he
took q small knife from his pocket. and
opening the blade with his teeth, he
thrust il in the bears belly. This was
a flank movement which bruin was not
expecting, and he Immediately released
Tobey, who drew the knife towards him,
cutting so large an opening that as The
bear sprang over him his exposed enlrails
were dragged across Tobey's face. The
bear went about four rods and died.
Tobey was terribly injured, the muscles
of the left arm were torn from their at
tacbments at the elbow, and hung down
over his wrist. In the struggle they
rolled down the hill, and Tobey's clothes
were all torn off, and his body scratched
and larcerated in shocking manner. He
managed however, 10 crawl 10 his board
ing place, and party Of workmen went
out and brought in the bear Tobey's
courage could not be impeached, for he
had made good bis boast. but it came
near costing him his life, and covered him
with scars which he carried to his grave.
In 1889. Mr.. TObey was married TO
Miss Abigail Gilpatrick, OF Biddelord.
and AS we have before stated. went TO
Greenwood in 1911. His children con.
sisted of one son, who died several years
ago, and of several daughters still living.
Mr.. Tobey died in 1919. After he became
an old man. he frequently related his ad-
venture with the bear, and always boasted
that when he and bruin rolled down the
hill, he was "top half the time" j..