The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-07-10
Rescued From Bears.

II is we'll known among certain class
that "Joc BecP' has bear pit under
his canteen on common street. 1t ex.
tends all along under the house and is
reigned over by big black bear weigl i.
ing over 400 pounds. There are also Il
she bear and two comparatively young
cubs, which Joe reckons among his do
mestic pets. Strangers frequently visit
the place and are generally escorted TO
to see the bears through trap door in
the floor. Yesterday afternoon, while
a colored preacfar was holding service
in the Singing r0orn," three American
strangers came TO visit :he place and the
trap door was thrown open 10 show the
bears. While Joe went into the bear
room his little boy six years old, went
too near the edge and fell into the den.
The old bears were in dark corner, but
one of the cubs at once ran towards the
child, who uttered frightened scream.
The cook lay down on the floor and
reaching caught the little fellow and
raised him up. The she bear had heard
the chlds cries and with a growl rushed
towards the trap door and seized the
child just as he was being lifted UP.
The little fellow was in an instant drag
ged into the den, encircled by the claws
Of the old size bear Joe hearing the
noise which the fearful sight caused,
came to the door and asked what was
the matter. Seeing his child, as it were
in the jaws of death, lie did not hesitate
for moment o think, but lcaped from
the floor into the pit, lighting on the
head of the bears. H. managed, by Il
frantic effort, to tear his child from the
savage monster and threw him behind.
In another instant lie handed the little
fellow up among the almost paralyzcd
spectators. The men around seemed so
suddenly struck with terror that they
they could do nothing to help Joe, who
had placed himself in such imminent
danger. The moment the child was out
of the pit the she bear growlcd fcrcely
and sprang on Joe, who had no arms
with which to defend himself. The
savage brute seized him by the right
knee. throwing him on his back. Her
teeth were driven fully an inch deep into
into his flesh. He was then completely
at the mercy Of the animal, whose tame
ness had disappeared, it being enragcd at
having the child taken away. The men
looking on still seemed powerless to help,
though one of the visitors had q re-
volver in his pocket. Joe, however, did
not loae his presence of mind, but seized
a brick which lay near him, and struck
| the bear on the snOut with all his might.
The brute let go his hold and j oe quickly
got on his feet. The old he bear had
not shown fight Mt all, but when Joe
shouted had skunk back TO the dark cor
| ner. The she bear had row stood off
showing her teeth, but he continued to
| shout and she also went back. Joe was
r@'cned from the pit, his legs being COW
cred Wiz |lood. The trousers 'nt.;,,k. =,
had on were torn - anreds and his stock
ings were saturated with blood. The
child had not been injured at all beyond
a slight scratch on the head. Joe says
the she bear was always contrary beast
and that when he trained her first he uset
to put her in puncheon of water ant
punch her head under with broom, ant
when the cub was nearly drowned il
would bite the broom. Joe refuses nj
medical attendance and applies highwine.
to the bite, which continues to bleed to
day.-AfOntredi Witness.