Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-10-16
Misffllaueous.
HUNTING A BEAR.
Correspondence of the Plsttsburg Sentinel !

SCHUYLER FALLS, Sept. %, 1873.
On Sept. 90. 1873. in the absence of
your correspondent from home. our whole
community were thrown into condition
of intense excitement. A large black
bear made his appearance just east of our
quiet village. With cry for help, Mr..
Pelky, the village blacksmith, started on
the trail. In few moments, excited men
and boys. armed W ith weapons of defense
or destruction, might have been seen hur-
rving forward and joining In the chase.
Farmers left their peaceful vocations in
their corn-fields. brandishing their sickles
in the air. with intent to kill, thirsting for
heroic fame and the opportunity to bathe
their weapons in Bruins blood. Mer-
chants left their stores and customers:
mechanics their shops; housewives their
kitchens; students filed out from the
schoOl-roOm, and with hot haste min 0led
in the exciting scene.
Bruin, closely pressed by his pursuers,
made several detours through forest and
field with utmost speed for life He
passed through meadows, fields of stand
ing corn, and orchards, on his perilous
way. Ravines were crossed, hills climbed,
and fences scaled in his flight. Rapid FIR
ing from revolvers, shot-guns, and rifles,
with unerring aim. Gas all declare filled
the air with sounds of shot and ball.
The first ball lodged in the body Of the
bear was fired by Mr.. Thomson Ames.
As it took effect he jumped full four feet
from the ground. fell, turned over, and
reversed his course. Full 80 men and
boys were now in line. with some fair
women and brave girls mingling in the
chase. Sweeping through a field of corn
with steady pace. Bruin was met and con-
fronted by Mr.. j. ID. Everest, with sew
eral shots from revolver. Backward
stepped the hunter brave. while Bruin ad-
vanced and closed in with the man who
dared dispute his way. He raised HIM
self upon his hind feet and with his fore
paws knocked his assailant to the ground;
| with open mouth. and eyes glaring with
| rage, he made for the throat of his strug-
Cling victim. At this critical period. Mr..
| Everest. with remarkable presence of
mind. thrust his revolver into his mouth
| and fired two or three shots; with the
clutch of despair he seized the under jaw
with the other hand. resolved to hold fast,
| and conquer or die. Just then MIR. Anson
| gave the brute stunning blow with his
boot, on the side of the head, and he left.
| his assailant now rejoicing in his deliver
ance.
another lot and encountered Mr. Chaun-
cey Turner. Mr. Turner. as all know
who are acquainted with him, Is good In q
| political fight. but the bear was too much
for him. Unarmed and alone, he at
tempted to turn round and his feet were
entangled and he fell to the ground.
Madde ned with pain from the shots al
ready received, the bear fell upon him
like a ravenous wolf upon defenseless
lamb. Mr.. Turner was bitten through
the left arm in three different places, and
also upon the stomach; he was also
| bruised in the face. Fortunately two
stunning blows across the head OF the
| bear made him let go his hold, leaving
Mr.. Turner bleeding and bruised consid-
erablv. If the bear had not been weak
ened bv loss OF blood. he would in all
| probability have killed Mr.. Turner.
Shortly after this Mr.. b. Hare fired the
| fatal shot and killed the bear.
1t proved to be an old male bear His
weight was 250 pounds. II he had been
tat he would have weighed 400 pounds or
more. In the excitement. so many shoot
ing at random. it was providential that no
| one was injured or killed. Mr.. Everest
says when that bear had him down he
was glad he was member OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church of Schuyler Falls
| in good standing. He says the bears
mouth was as large as the gable end OF
Keets shop, and his teeth were IL l-2
feet long; and when he fights another
bear in a cornfield he wants the Western
corn so he can stand on the stalks and not
on the ground. c. Turner says he does
not see why that bear should have
pitched on to him. He never in his life
balooed "go up old bald head" as his
mother taught him better. When the
bear tackled Everest there was made
over 60 home runs, the biggest home
run on record. Time, 1:60. Result.
bear killed. Twenty-three ball holes on
left side, and about 23 on the right.
Several wounds on legs, one ball In the
head, one In upper lip.