The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-23
Rescued from Icars,

In Montreal, Joe Bocf, has bear pit
under his cantccn in Common street. 1t
extends al along under the house, and is
rolled over by big black bear weighing
over 400 pounds. There are also she
bear and two comparatively young cubs,
which Joe rcckons among his domestic
pets. Strangers frequently visit the place
and arc generally escorted to see the bears
through trapdoor in the floor. Recently,
while colorcd preacher was holding ser
vice in the ssinging room," three American
strangers came to visit the place, and the
trap door was thrown open to show the
bears. While Joe went into the bar-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
had uttered frightened scream. The cook
lay down on the floor and reaching down
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 just as he was be-
ing lifted up. The little fellow was in an
instant dragged into the den, cncircled by
the claws Of the old she bear. Joe hearing
the noise which the fearful sight caused
came to the door and asked what was the
matter. Seeing his child Mt it were, in the
jaws Of death, he did not hesitate for a me-
ment to think, but lcapcd from the floor
into the pit, lightning on the head of one of
the bears. lie managed by 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 paralizcd spectators. The men
around seemed so suddenly struck with ter
ror that they could do nothing to help Joe,
who had placed himself in such imminent
danger. The moment the child was out of
tho pit the she bear growlcd tlerccly and
sprang on Joe, who had no arms to defend
hmfclf. The savage brute seized him by
the right knee, throwing him on his back.
Her teeth were driven fully an inch deep
into his flesh. He was was then complete
ly at the mercy of the animal, whose tame
ness had disappeared, it being cnragcd at
having the Child taken away. The men
looking on still seemed powerlcss to help,
though one of the visitors had a revolver in
his pocket. Joe, however, did not lose his
presence of mind, but seized brick which
lay near him, and struck the bear on the
snout with all his might. The brute let 90
her hold and fJoo qnickly got on his feet.
The old he bear had not shown fight at all,
but when Joe shouted had skunk back to
the dark corner: The shc bear now stood
off, showing her teeth, but he continued to
shout and che also went back. Joe was
then rescued from the pit, his legs being
covercd'with blood. The trousers which
he had on were torn to shreds and his stoc-
kings were saturated with blood. The child
had not been injured at all beyond light
scratch on the head. Joe says that the she
bear was always contrary beast. and that
when he trained hor first he used to put
her In puncheon of water and push her
head under with broom, and when the
cub was nearly drowned it would bite the
broom. Joe refused all medical attendance
and applied highwines to the bites. sr s,