The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-01-01

Alfred Ross, a Mississippian, went
to San Francisco in 1850. In a short
time after landing he had a fight with
a well-known desperate forced upon
him. They fought with knives, and
Ross killed his man. This gave him
nOtoriety, and he was looked upon as
brave, and skilled with the terrible
bowie. From San Francisco he and n
friend named Woolf went to the mines
above Oroville. Not liking things
there they went back to San Francisco,
and from there they went into Lower
California, by water. There they pur-
chased horses and mules and went TO
the interior. One day they attended
bull and bear fight, and Ross, whose
opinion of Mexican grit was not very
high, asked them why some of them
did not fight the grizzly, instead of
putting the bull into the ring. Finally
Ross agreed that for the sum of $4,000
he would fight the worst grizzly bear
they could find. Ross made a bowie
knife for himself. 1t weighed fourand
half pounds, and was keen as ra-
zor. The day of the fight, which had
been published all over the country
for two months, 10000 people were as
sembled to see the sport, and they
were charged 81 each for admission to
the place where the combat was to
take place. They had enlarged their
bull and bear pen, and increased its
depth so that 1t would be impossible
for a bear to climb out, and the whole
place was fixed so as to accommodate
many thousands of spectators. About
o'clock Ross, who had received the
balance of the $1,000 and given it to
WOolf, made his appearance with the
manager, who was also the Alcalde of
the town. For two hours or more the
people who crowded the pen were wild.
Bets, three and four to one, We're there
offered that no American could be
found who, armed only with Il knife,
| would enter the ring with the beast.
"SOme Spanish fighter who had made
a record in the arena ut Madrid and
had been blessed by priests and had
presents and praises showered on him,
even by Queen Isablla herself, might
do it, but hereto and Gringo Amer
icanO, neverw And, If he did, five to
one was freely offered that the bear
would get the best of the man. $4,000
and what other money the Americans
had was all put up by Woolf. Wrap
ping n shawl around his left arm till
1t was swathed to the shoulder, Ross
went into the crowd and cody asked
a young and pretty girl to tie it up for
him. She gladly did So, using her
own handsome scarf for the purpose.
Ross took diamond ring from his
finger and gave it to her. Returning
to his platform he picked up his coat
and tossed it to the bear, who seized ii
and tore it to shreds. Ross then drew
his bowie from the scabbard, frightened
his belt and jumped down. y thrill
Of horror went up even from that Span
ish bull-fight-loving crowd rs they
saw the bear spring at him. But the
bear had found his match. One quick,
upward blow; the bears urder-.ja
dropped, cut in two. One more quick
descending blow behind the shoulder
reached the heart. The bearfght was
over, and not scratch had Ross re-
ceived. Nivas rent the air, and curses
also from some who had lost money,
but they Were few. Ross and Woolf
were the lions of the place, and had
more money than they wanted.-ioto
((fI J Mail