New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-05-22
A BEAR ADVENTURE,

A BEAR ADVENTURE,
An Incident of Rocky Mountain I,re.
Dick Barron was one of the most dar
ng among the pioneers, and be happened
to be one of the most unfortunate. To-
gether with other neighbors, Dick had
removed from Central Colorado to the
western slope Of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains. His home was IN wildly
romantic and beautiful spot, and fortune
appeared to smile upon MIN, so Tar as
pecuniary matters were concerned; for
his land yielded well in the summer and
the mines gave a fair yield Of yellow
dross /" in the colder months.
But death came to the family Of Dick.
The first stroke fell upon his eldest boy,
a lad of Twelve years of age. The little
fellow was fond of hunting, and, with his
rifle,he would often venture to consider
able distance from his home, and some
times was very successful in bringing
down small game. But one day he was
absent much beyond his usual time, and
search discovered his mangled remains
lying at the bottom of ledge of rocks.
He had evidently fallen from above and
thus met sudden and cruel death. The
blow fell heavily upon Dick and his wife,
but the man bore bravely up under his
grief, while the woman gave way to mel
ancholy.
Not long after a second child, little
girl of five years Of age, sickened and
died. It now appeared as if Mrs. Barron
would go mad, and for time her agony
was terrible to behold. But this gradu-
ally subsidized, and the mother began to
sink rapidly, and in a short time after
she followed her little one, leaving still
another child, daughter three yeas of
age, to the care Of the stricken father.
The grief Of Dick was not OF an explo-
sive character, but it was deep and en-
during. Still he had something yet to
live for, and he went to work like brave
man to provide for his little Eva. Winter
had set in, and Dick had come to the
conclusion to make as much as possible
in the mines before spring, and then sell
his property and go to San Francisco,
where he could secure the advantages of
education for his little one.
For some time the neighbors of Dick,
as we'll as himself, had been much annoy
ed by theft. Several lambs and sheep
had been killed, and poultry in large
quantities stolen. There was difference
Of opinion with regard to these depreda-
tons. Some said they were committed
by Indians, others by wolves, and others
by bears. But as yet no snow had fallen,
and as the ground was frozen very hard,
no tracks could be seen.
One morning, however. the alarm was
given. A light snow had fallen during
the night, and tracks were discovered.
A large grizzly bear was the thief and
despoiler, and he must be hunted down
at once. 1t was not supposed that they
would be obliged to go far to find the
animal, and so Dick siezed his rife and
joined the party, leaving his child still
in bed.
The tracks were fresh, and dozen ex-
excited men were soon on the trail. In a
short time they were on the monster;
but each man passed, turning their eyes
toward Dick and waiting for him to
speak The bear was standing near the
cabin door of Barron, gazing at the child
who was seated in the doorway, watching
the movements Of the animal with evii-
dent curiosity, but without exhibiting
any signs Of fear.
Dick felt his very heart sink within
him as he saw this; but his weakness
passed away in an instant, and without
removing his eyes from the bear, he
asked:
Men, can you use your rifles with
steady hands?"
'sYes, !" replied several.
Then raise them and have them ready.
Be sure your aim is good, and that every
bullet would be buried in the body Of,
the beast in case Of firing. But hold
your shot until I give the word
Instantly every rifle was raised.
Dick moved carefully around toward
the back of the cabin It was his in
tention to::enter the window, seize the little
one, draw he back, and closing the door,
save her. But now the animal began to
utter deep growls, and sadvance slowly