West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-02-23
4 GRIZZLY BEAR HUNTER IN CON.
GRESS.
Warrington Correspondence Chicago Time..l

Washington Correspondence Chicago Times1
Romualdo Pachccois Spanish -Ameri-
can. incidentally ne holds seat in the
House OF Representatives from the
Third California District. In this char
acter he is well enough known through a
contest for his seat. But there is an
other character not revealed in his pub.
lie life, fascinating side that makes
him one OF the most vitality interesting
OF men, when he is in the free atmos-
phere OF sympathizing friends. Very
few men possess such perfect physique
and such extraordinary talent as a
sportsman.
The sportsman who trails lions and
tigers Is regarded rs belonging TO the
upper walks of scientific hunting.
Regulations of this character, world
wide, have been made in the iungles of
India and the deserts Of Africa
The thrilling episodes of hunting
man-eaung tigers and lions pale before
the incidents of hunting grizzly bears
With only the simple lasso.
RomualdO Pachcco (Pah-chay-ko) is
one OF the most accomplished grizzly
bear hunters upon the Pacific Coast.
lie always hunts his elephantine mass of
ferocity and lightning deviltry in com
pany with three or four udq,teros. The
only weapon is the lasso, sometimes i'm
bastard Texan called the lariat, a cor
ruption of the Spanish la raitaS.
To understand the dangers and appar-
ent possibilities Of this class of hunt
ing one needs 10 take n careful and soul
searching look at the grizzly bear as he
rOams his native wilds. No animal sur
passes him in savageness and strength.
His weight is upon the average from one
thousand to twelve hundred pounds.
One stroke of his paw, one bite Of his
Jaws is a swift introduction to death 10
the unfortunate who comes within his
reach. He nearly always invites attRck.
tie runs from men at any extreme dis
tance, but invariably Y offers the initiative
IN the shape of savage charge when
ever he comes within hailing distance.
80, then, one can imagine at once the
dangers of hunting the grizzly bear with
a lassO
In the first place, if the bear is caught
by the first l3sso, lack Of cool headed.
prompt action Of the assistants with
their lassos, will certainly result in
some one hunter having the life torn out
OF him, in case his horse is not nimb!e
enough to get away The grizzly makes
Jumps Of ten feet, and when he has a
chance TO charge il requires a move
ment approaching the speed of light
nlng TO dodge or escape him.
To conquer grizzly requires that he
shall be lassOed by four men at opposite
angles with each other. When he is
held "taut" from four opposite direc-
tions il is possible for fifth man 10 90
IN with q knife or 70 lasso him about
the throat, as bears choke very easily.
But all through his ticklish work, if
there is an instant slack Of the lasso
there is a danger OF his slipping Off and
death threatens TO put an end 10 the
nearest man. All of the vGqueros who
hunt the grizzly have a number of las
so', and In case Of n slip make prompt
action with another throw.
first noticed Pacheco riding easily
out Eleventh-street one night during
the opening days Of Congress. A better
rider never passed through the streets of
Washington. lie was part Of his hor,e.
That describes his quality as a rider. n
IS rare that so picturesque q man is seen
so far East. Pacheco Is dark. black
eyed, Spanish featured man, who inyari-
ably is attired in a suit OF black sur
mounted by a rakish soft black hat.
When / saw him up + Street. riding. he
was mounted upon let black horse.
whose color further added to the allu.
sion that horse and s0mbre-cOstumed
rider were one. Inquiriug about
Pacheco q few days later, n California
friend mentioned some Of Pacheco's ex-
traoriiuary qualities Of reckless riding
and desp crate bravery in hunting. lie
mentioned some gr zzly bear hunting i'm
cidents that We're simply hair raising.
II is alway- the proper thing To pooh
pooh and make light of things you don't
understand. So 10 has not been IN
common for the average cynical member
OF Washington society 10 discredit the
achievemcn.sOf PaChecO Hunting sto-
ries are 50 eften exaggerated that the
peaceful dwcllers in settled countries
soon learn to disbelieve all the high col.
orcd narratives Of border life.
But n talk with Pacheco would disarm
any one. I'm the first place he has never
been the relater of any of the wonder.
tul stories told about him. They came
from other members Of the California
delegation; but when confronted with
these stories Pacheco, who can not lie.
blushcs and confcsscs.
/ had Pachcco pointed out TO me one
day in the opening of the session A
few days later ] was introduced IN him
IN a strolling crowd upon the avenue.
After the first formal opening Of conver-
sation PacheCO was at once presented
with his grizzly bear experience.
Really Mr. Pscheco, have you ever