The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-15
GOLD BRIN.o
Career OF the Grizzly Monarch Of
the Siefras.


[Sani Francisco Chreniele.I
The following particulars concerning
the biggrizzly bear, "Old Brin," for the
capture Of whose scalp an expedition is
now being arranged by the hunters Of
this State and Nevada, are furnished by
s. I. Brewster, Secretary of the Sierra
Valley Sporting Club: ! will give you
points in the history of the big bear, so
far as | can. George Davis, who for
merly lived in the range of Old Brin, is
good authority. He trapped and shot
him. 1t was while the bear was escaping
from Davis trap that he injured his foot
in such a way as to make his tracks now:
50 readily known.
MIR. Davis says that when he first came
across his tracks, in 1865, he was then a
monster. He has measured his track
often, and at the date spoken of it
measured fourteen inches across. He
caught him in trap that had caught
and safely held very large bears, but
Old Brin seized hold of tree with his
forepaws and tore the trap to pieces.
Davis then followed him up, came across
him where he had lain down, and at fifty
yards shot him with buckshot. But he
did not mindit at all, though he got away
as soon as possible.
Davis has seen him often and caught
him several times, but never had trap
that would hold him. Old Brin is un-
doubtedly very large bear. Men of
good Judgment think he will weigh 1000
pounds. Cattle are his prey, and he is
often followed by smaller bears. Davis
says the other ones go with him to share
in the spoils He has been shot many
times, but the bear seems to bear a
charmed life.
Many stories are told by those who
have hunted him and met him. The one
that amused me most was told by Mr..
F., who has hunted and killed many
bears. He was once hunting grouse in
the vicinity of Weber Lake, and came
across the track of Old Brin. He had but
one wire cartridge with him, but as he
always goes for bears with shotgun, he
thought he would try him. He followed
the track and came on Old Brin Just as he
passed through thicket of frs. The
old chap was quietly occupied in dispos-
ing of berry lunch, FPS first impulse
was to shoot him, but the longer he gazed
the larger grew the bear, and he finally
slid off and left him. That night, after
quietly thinking it over and getting a
little more courage, he laid in supply Of
cartridges and set out in search Of Old
Brip once more. Again he got near with
out being seen, but Brin seemed bigger
than ever and F.'s courage oozed out, and
he made his escape for a second time
without firing shot.
T. pronounces Brin the largest bear he
has ever seen Another hunter, a Mr..
w., says at one time he was hunting in
the vicinity of Weber Lake in bushes
nearly as high as his head, when he saw
a bear and shot him and expected to sec
him fall dead, but instead of that his
bearship, with a terrible snort, raised up
ON his launches and looked around as il
searching for some object OH which tc
vent his wrath. Mr.. W., although ar
old hunter, confessed that he was awed
by the immense size and terrible aspect
Of the bear and concealed himself behind
a tree and got away from the vicinity al
the first opportunity. All who have met
him say he shows no fear of man and
will not even leave the road at times.
Horsemen have often turned and left
him in possession of the highway. One
unfortunate trapper ran on snow-shoes
close by hollow tree where old Brin had
taken up his quarters. The bear pounced
on him and tore him to pieces. l was
told that he was seen in q small valley
near Weber Lake but ia few days ago.