The New York herald., 1879-01-01
HUGGED TO DEATH.

BEN, THE LAGEE BEER DRINKING coNEY ISLAND
BEAR KILLS BOY AT PARKynLE
The premises known the Club House. kept by
William S. Thoms. the Ocean Parkway, at Park
VILE, about two miles from the Brooklyn City line.
was the scene of a tragical occurrence Monday
afternoon, when boy lost his life in terrible man
ner. The victim bright and interesting child of
thirteen years. the of Samuel Stretch. respect
able workingman residing in that village, and his
slayer was bear that was supposed to be tame and
harmless. About hafpast two O'Clock on that after
noon Peter Stretch, the deceased, was in COM
pany with two younger brothers and two boys
named John Bush and John Morne: According to
custom of late the boys took seat on box beneath
a horse shed adjoining the club house above men
toned. where two large bears-lnale and female
were chained. After some time had elapsed they
rose from their seats ani began to play and shout
Young Bush round the bears once or twice,
when Peter Stretch undertook to follow him. As he
was passing round the male bear, which named
Ben. the animal stood up his hind feet, and when
the boys back turned he reached out his fore
paw. and. graphing him by the leg, drew him
toward him. The child, who was thirteen years
Of age feeling the claws penetrating his tender flesh,
screamed and his companions joined III the chorus.
But in an instant Bruin, bent on the death of his
human prey, had drawn the screaming boy to his
deadly embrace. Clasping his vice-like paws. one
across each shoulder he stihed the cries OF the
boy, and then with savage ferocity implanted his
huge fangs, an inch in length. deep into the right
side of the neck of the little fellow. cutting the ugu
lar vein and killing him. While the struggle,
last last. more than two minutes, was tax
ing place stabeman seized a pitehfork
and thrust it into the side of the brute. Mr. Thoms
who sitting by the stove in his hotel. few yards
away, on hearing the outcry from his chair, and
looking out of the window saw the trouble He
nSt nOf a n III
at hand he struck the bear several violent blows
with it.. compelling the animal to pelinquish his
hail and his son Peter. who keep hotel
on the opposite side of the Boulevard. We're
the and rendered all assistance in their power.
Mr. Rovenhall. Sr picked up the feless body of the
boy and bore it bleeding into Mr.. Thoms house DR..
his services could be OF avail The ribs of the VIC
tim were crushed in.
A MOTHERS GRIEF.
While sympcthetic hands busy the mother
OF the deceased rushed i'll trantically upon the
scene. and, in her maternal frenzy, insisted
that her child was not dead. and that
little brandy would revive him. To crafty
her that stIlulant procured, but, of course it
was useless. During the struggle the she bear who
is known Kate, stood up her hind legs and
glared upon the murderous work of her mate, but
she neither growled did she make any attempt
go near him. Ben having been beaten off proceeded
the horror of the spectators to lap the gore from
his paws Officer Miller. of the Fiatbush police,
called to shoot the brute, and lie fired less
than i've bullets into its head This had not the de-
sired effect, however, and young Ravenhall pro,
cured shot gun loaded neavLy with NO. 3
shot, which he fired under the LETT shoulder
of Ben. Still Bruin writhed. and Mr. Ravenhall Sr
stabbed the animal with long dirk knife. while Mr.
Thoms struck him several blows on the head with
axe, finally despatching him ettectuay. The father
of the deceasol who is an estiinabe citizen. is
in the employ of the firm of Messrs. Pollard 4 Will
der, pattern makers, of Broadway this city. Peter
great favorite, not only in his family, but
throughout the village, and was to have participated
in the play of "The Phantom Shadows at enter
tainment held on the evening OF his death at the
congregational Church ut Parkville. His tragical
death has thrown gloom over the village. Justice
OF the Peace Mcmahon has begun an inquest on the
body.
Mr.. Thoms stated to HERALD reporter yesterday
afternoon that the bear Ben was 300 pounds weight
and Kate $50 pounds. They brought to
Parkville from Ohio about two years ago. During
the summer they kept at carret Katens inn,
Coney Island, where they had always been docie and
well behaved. never showing any dangerous temper.
Last year." said Mr.. Thoms II kept them
when they were sent to Coney Island. At
| the closing of the this year they
they were again returned here. They would fre-
quently come into the bar with people and drink
lager beer out OF bottles. pulling the cork out them
| selves. have known them to drink from forty to
| fifty bottles day. Sometimes they would get
little full and would act though under the nfla-
ence OF the beer. But they were always clever and
well behaved. The bears had no beer yesterday.
have frequently taken them out to drive in
wagon" He said. further, that about an hour
before the boy killed, some children annoy
ing the bears by throwing stones and snowbas at
neighbors with whom the reporter spoke cxoncratcd
all persons from blame i'll the matter, but find fault
with themselves for permitting the bears to be kept
without being Gagged. The bear Kate will be shipped
from Pariville without unnecessary delay. A large
number OF persons called yesterday at the residence
of the parents of the deceased to express their
pathies tor them in their bereavement The occur
not reported to the Brooklyn police till