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

It is we'll known among certain class
that "Joc Beel" has a bear pit under
his canteen on common street. 1t ex-
tends all along under the house and is
reigned over by big black bear welgL-
ing over 400 pounds. There are also
she bear and two comparatively young
cubs, which Joe reckons among his do
nestle 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 preachar was holding service
in the 'singing room," three American
strangers came to visit the 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 child's cries and with growl rushed
towards the trap door and seized the
child lust 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 she bear. Joe hearing the
noise which the fearful sight caused,
came to the door and asked what wss
the matter. Seeing his child, as it were
in the jaws of death, he did not hesitate
for moment to think, but leaped from
the floor into the pit, lighting on the
head of the bears. He managed, by a
frantic effort, to tear his child from the
savage monster and threw him behind.
In another instant he handed the little
fellow up among the almost paralyzed
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 growled fercely
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 we're 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 enraged at
having the child taken away. The men
looking on still seemed powerless to help
though one of the visitors had re:
volver in his pocket. Joe, however, did
not lose 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 Joe quickly
got on his feet. The old he bear hac
not shown fight at all, but when Joe
shouted had skunk back 10 the dark cor
ner. The she bear had now stood off
showing her teeth, but he continued tt
shout and she also went back. Joe wa:
.rc>cued from the pit, his legs being GOV.
Tered M;ssblood. The trousers T.ich -
had on were turn to shreds and his stock
ings were saturated with blood. Th,
child had not been injured at all beyond
slight scratch on the head. Joe say
the she bear was always contrary beast
and that when he trained her first he useC
to put her in puncheon of water ant
punch her head under with a broom, ant
when the cub was nearly drowned j
would bite the broom. Joe refuses al
medical attendance and applies highwine
to the bite, which continues to bleed to
6ay.-MontreaL Witness.