The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-27
A BEAR MASSACRE.
HOW THE BRAVE BUTCHERS OF ST. LOUIS Kill
THEIR SURPLUS BEARS.

HOW THE BRAVE BUTCHERS OF ST. LOUIS KILL
THEIR SURPLUS BEARS.
From the st. Louis Times Journal Dec. 24l
Announcement made yesterday that black
bear, weighing 200 pounds. would be killed at two
o'clock. at the saloon of Fritz Thomc. North Third
street. About one hundred persons assembled.
The bear very docile looking brute. chained In
the yard-the rear of tho saoon-and gazcd In appa-
rent astons hment at crowd gathered around
his den. which sort of dog kennel. built against
n coal shed. He year and half old and was
purchased year ago from man who captured him
in Arkansas. Fritz had been feeding him literally
prepare him for the lunch table in the saloon. and
he had become accustomed to visitors that
he had In y lost his savage nature
and as harmless as . pet dog. During
tho year that he had been in the saloon yard
he had never attempted to violate the rules
of civilization except once, when no endeavored
take mouthrul from the left leg of Fritzs little boy
aud succeeded in making hole about as large .
thimble in the calf of the child's limb. He was Sc
yereiy chastsed, and the lesson had good effect
upon him. Fritz had decided. however, that Bruin
useless pet. and concluded to serve him up TO
About two o'clock Kohler, the butcher, arrived
with Ratchet and butcher knife. entered the yard
and walking up TO the bear. patted him the head.
Bruin looked up at him. unsuspicious Of anything
wrong. when Kohler. poising the Ratchet, aimed q
blow at his head. The blunt side of the instrument
struck the bear between the eyes and no into his
kennel. bowling and moaning like a child. Kohler
followed and tried to pull him out while several OF
the bystanders protested against the use OF the
hatchct, as IL was cruel and would not
kill the animal. AT this stage Of the pro-
cecdngs Il. y. Macdonald, agent of the
Society the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. APP
pcared and put temporary stop to the buchcry by
declaring that no would cause Kohers arrest unless
he killed the bear in more humane manner. He
said that beating the animal on the head with tho
Ratchet would not kill it, and that revolver
rifle must be used. spirited argument followed.
when Fritz became angry declared that the bear be-
longcd him and that 1t should not be killed Mt all
affair was declared or Mr. Macdonald left the
saloon aud had hardly reached the Post Office when
Fritz decided that the bear should be killed with
revolver. He went behind the bar. secured tho
weapon, and the crowd followed him into the yard.
Bruin enticed out OF the kennel with handful
Of crackers. and Fritz pointed the revolver at his
head. Several minutes elapsed before no could get
good aim when the weapon was discharged the ball
striking tho bear between the eyes. He gave
dismal howl and ran into the kennel while Fritz
started for the saloon. The bear continued
to moan. but still kept his feet. and koher.
Bystandcr threw rope his head and held
him out at the full length of the chain. He WAS
struggle desperately. Kohler then took the
Ratchet and hammered him numerically on the
head until the handle broke but with effect except
to make him howl. Koher then called for an axe and
dealt the bear blow which stretched him senseless
upon the ground. koher then took his butcher
knife, plunged IL into the bears throat Just forward
his fore legs and worked 1t backward and forward
but without touching vital part, for the beast.
covering from the effects Of the blow from the axe,
began to struggle and howl vigorously. Four men
succeeded in holding him down and Kohler kept
plunging tho knife into the wound in the throat until
q stream of blood finally started Then he rested
from his labors and the men held the boar firmly to
the earth. the poor brute moaning In the most in
tense agony and looking 10 the bystanders in
appeal tor help to tree himself from his tormenors.
Again and again the knife used, but the bear
stubbornly refused to die and for fully fifteen min
utes he lay upon his back held down by his captors
moaning and staring wildly ut the around him.
Finally another lunge was made with the knife which
evidently touched his heart. for his eyes began
glaze, and with convuisivs movement he disd The