The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-16
JEAN BARAT,s BEAR.
A Seizure that Bothered the Customs Omcers
and Frightened the Police.

Jean Pierre Barat OF Bordeaux France,
brought over with him performing bear in
the steamship Nevada. which arrived ut Castle
Garden on Wednesday evening. The customs
duty on n large bear such as this one Jean
Pierre Barat brought over Is $40. and in case
the duty is not paid. the bear Of course has to
he held for security by the United States Gov
eminent Jean Bnrat was not able to pay the
duty on his bear On landing Mt Castle Garden
he offered without any preliminary money
transaction. to lead the animal forth into tho
streets Of the city but this he customs nspee-
tors would not permit AMI finally the bear was
chained to u post on tho wharf. and two officers
were detailed to watch him for the night.
Yesterday morning the situation was not ma
terially changed. except thntthc bear had grown
irritable from hunger, and as the sun got high
moro irritable stll from tho heat. jean Bnrat.
the muster Of the bear. who. with his brother.
had also remained in the Garden all night was
likewise irritable. The two Frenchmen during
the morning walked the wharf impatientlv. and
~ noon came on the honorable customs officers
got To be ~ angry IA tho bear
IN the AFTERNOON the wharf became scenc
OF considerable life. Emigran's continually
passed to and fro. and ono woman coming
gle stroke OF his paw ripped her gown from her
neck down TO her heels. After that n policeman
took M his station nenr hy and 70 eycrybody
who came along said: q" Look out for the bear"
Children threw cookies TO it, which II ate with
avidity and became Modified in a measure; but
tho same children turned to teasing II later
and the bear tuggcd at its chain until tho ring
which was in Us snOut was wet with blood.
Az 9'clocS VI. Guillaume eau Of Amity treet
arrived al tho Garden TO see about the bear.
He Is boarding house keeper. and Is said to
have peculiar faculty for getting bears out Of
Castle Gardcn. He talked To Superintendent
Lcnten through the Interpreter. Mr. Rosen-
baum. He offered 50 at once and. adding an
33tnGr collar NJ tn? end OF each quarter o. an
he drew out. in the shape Of n So bill aud gold
piece. from his pocket. and offered TO Mr.
Roscnbaum. But this would not do. for tho SUI
pcrintcndent had sent up To- the Central Park
Tor cage aud means OF transportation for the
q expenses. He firmly refused the 60 which
VI: eau returned 10 his pocket.
. But that was beyond the patience Of Jean
Barat. He cursed volubly in French, and
spriuging to where the bear was tied. began to
loosen the animal There was q single small
poicemin present, and lie asked tue French
man 60 dcsist but the latter paid no heed TO him.
lie united the bear and led him toward the gate
leading out Of the Garden. He had swung his
knnpsuck oyer his shoulder, and. with long
pole in ono hand, h. pounded upon the planks
OF the wharf. while with the other hand he
yanked savageiy 10 the ring in the bears nose
which made the animal snort with pain and
rage. The Superintendent directed the small
policeman % arrest Burat. but that WIS not
practicable so long rs tho bear was with
him. Tho nfamed Frcnchmnn stood quite
alone with his bear. everybody on the wharf
giving inc pair wide berth; The small police
man very senslhly. instead Of attempting his
arrest sinGie-hauded made n circuit about him.
and going out through the gate sought asst
Hncc. The Frcnchmnn stopped another minute
10 de"aim and In that minute his opportunity
was lost. Back came half dozen policemen AS
lie WIS about TO walk unmolested through tho
gate. They 0cheld the bear and stopped: but
Barat also was overcome 10y the sight Of the Of
hrials. He turned doulafuliy TO MIR. Rosen:
baum, who. IN a voice Of thunder commanded
him t. tie the bear again to the post Barat
glanced at Superintendent Ientcn. but In his eye
he saw only u reiteration OF the command and
he knclt down 10 attach an additional chain to
the bears collar. The biggest OF the police Of
ncrrs thought the man was about To set the ami
NAL quite free. He raised his club and cried.
stop thatW white he and his comrades took
one steo forward and two backward. The
Frcnchman crnged. though he did not COM
prchend the movements of the officers and in
his terror tied the bear IN jiffy.
Now arrest the man.. and in nm instant n
hand was wound In the collar OF his coat and
he bcheld close before his eyes a club that
feared no mans skull. though II might hesitate
NJ the skull Of q bear.
Tho arrest. however. was but n form. The
frightened frcnchman was released on promise
Of keeping quiet thereafter. and. tho cage not
arriving from the Park. two watchmen were
appointed to keep guard over the bear for the
night, and the Garden resumed its normal I'M
terrified condition.