River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-12-28
The Cincinnati Bears.

In the Geological Gardens at Clncln-
natl is a bear-pit which has for months
been peacibly inhabited by CHINA
mon bear and four black bears. The
cinnamon is much larger than his COM
paniOns, and fiercer, but he took Of
Tense not long since at something done
by the most active of the blacks, and
the encounter which followed is thus
described by the Cincinnati Enquirer !:
1.-TWO of the four bears climbed the
snag of tree set up in pit, third
clambered up the iron gate, and the
fourth paced around the pit in terror.
The moi Sc of the conflict drew crowd
to the scene.
The cinnamons style of fighting was
to seize his adversary by the throat.
Just back OF the ear, and, quartering
under the jaw close u2on him like
a steel-trap, and hold him down shak-
ing him occasionally with short shakes,
but always bearing down and holding
fast.
The little one, which was only half
or two-thirds the weight of his assail-
ant shrieked most human like. At first
his cries were appalling. but they soon
faded into hoarse gurgling sounds, half
sigh and half shrek.
At first the keeper, Mr.. John NOrd-
helm, as brave as an old tiger-hunter,
tried the effect of punching hole to
make bruin quit his hold, but it was
not noticed. He next threw q lot of
fresh fish i'll right under his nose, but
the bait did not take then water was
thrown on nina big stream from a
hose This D,ada him Ipt oO
The little lacerated blacky got up
and made circles around the cage,
shrieking and CRYING at a terrible rate,
while the bear on the CRATE bars and
the two perched in the tree shook
like blown leaves, as IL fearing their
turn would come next. The little one,
though, that had stood on the floor a
looker-on all the while, crOuched in a
corner, half in defiance and half in
fear.
Old Cinnamon ate his fish and then
returned to his mutton, the little bear.
The little fellow jumped into the pool,
and old Cinnamon pounced on him
to drown him. Again the hose was
applied. Old Cinnamon did not seem
to mind it. He tugged little blacky
out of the pool and commenced chew
ing him up.
At this moment John Nordheim
bolted right into the den, armed with
a long handled, heavy spade.
'Oh, don't go in, shouted men and
shrieked women, but he had passed
the portals, and walked right face to
face with death.
Thud, thud, thud-three thuds of
- Iv-r,i,1'c hn11 pnlp1cQn
little blacky, but turned Cinnamon on
brave John Nordheim, who had moth
inc but a spade and John NOrdheim
muscle and brain with which to make
the fight.
Thnd. thud-down went Cinnamon,
and up he got again, and staggered
close to little blacky and opened the
fight again.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud-thick
and heavy fell the blows on old CHINA
mons skull. The old beast loosened
his hold and ran in the dungeon next
the pit.
to Mr.. Tenner, and III lock him up for
good, now
Mr.. Tenner obeyed, and Nordheim
shut the door.
When the door was securely shut,
it was amusing to see the three fright
ened. but unhurt bears leave their
posts and strut up to that door, then
stride around the cage as much as TO
say, Wont somebody please knock a
chip off my shoulder.
Around and around they marched,
returning to the door, smelling it, feel
ing it cautiously and rearing up against
it. as if to make sure that all was safe,
then strutting off, Falstaf-like, when
the danger was gone.