Morning journal and courier., 1880-07-12
A Tight Hug.
The Strong Man Of Lowell Vanguishet
 by a Grizzly Bear.


 GFrom the St. Louis Republican,
 During the past week an Italian tramp has been exhibiting large bear to the gaze of the public of this vicinity, from whom he has gathered small harvest of nickels by pass ing around the hat whenever a crowd collect ed. The bear, though apparently young, is monster and a genuine grizzly from the Rocky Mountains. He is very tame, how ever, and his countenance and behavior breed confidence A good iron collar encir- cles his neck, to which is attached strong rope. The rope is usually in the hand of the Italian, and the bear readily obeys his orders. The small boy Is further confident from the fact that the geat shining teeth are rendered harmless by muzzle of wide iron bands
 The hard rain of Friday morning suspend ed the street exhibitions and drove the Ital- ian and his pet to shelter. The keeper and the animal happened to be in the vicinity of the saloon and boarding house of Gus Saetler on the Bellefontaine road, between College and Hall avenues, when the rain came up, and the proprietor allowed them the protec- ton of his roof The bear was conducted into the cellar and tied securely. His keeper, foot-sore and weary, after partaking of the Inequalities of the house laid down upon bench and was soon wrapt in a profound slumber. While the Italian slept the hotel keeper admitted party of his boarders and customers to the cellar to see the. bear. It being generally admitted that Saetler can throw any man in Lowell off his legs one of the men who saw the bear said to Saetler ''rn bet you keg of beer you can't throw him, meaning the bear. The match was talked of for some minutes, and after return ing to the saloon it was agreed that the saloon-keeper should try his strength on the bear and that keg of beer on either side was to be the wager Saetler is known as the strong man of Lowell, and his reputation was also at stake The particulars being ar raT ood f1Vnxy rntI Tn6t tr ba oo1Ior md af Ter approached the bear. As he came near the brute stood upon his launches and seem- ed to smile in 8 friendly way at his antagon- ist. Saetler laughingly said he guessed they had better shake hands before the match So he held out his hand to the bear. The animal was slow to notice the movement, but finally took hold of the proffered hand. Saet- Ter was enjoying what he considered good, friendly shake, when the bear made asudden convulsive movement, drawing his right paw towards him and bringing his opponent with 1t. About the same time something in size and weight about equal to a sledge- hammer hit the man on the back of the neck. It was the left paw of the bear. The man fell to the ground and the bear landed on his back. The spectators, who thought that the grizzly meant downright murder, let fly volley of stones and bricks and beat the brute with a pole until 1t yielded it's hold and allowed them to pull the wrestler out of the way Mir. Saetler felt chagrined, discouraged and disgusted His packers insisted on another round They said the bear had taken advan- sage by striking him, which he had no right to do that such action on the part of the brute was unfair and that they would see that he did not act that way again. They further encouraged Saetler by telling him that a man who could lift keg of beer from the floor to the counter with his two little fingers ought not to be afraid of muzzled and bound bear. Some minutes later, after taking a little brandy to moisten his lips and revive his strength, Saetler advanced slowly towards the bear for another round The bear came the length of his rope and stood on his hind legs. As before Saetler suddenly darted at him with the intention of catching him around the shoulders and throwing him down. The bear did not quite understand what it meant, but he jumped back and struck at his tormentor with full force The paw merely grazed the right shoulder, close enough, however, for the claw to hitch in the clothing. Coat, shirt and undershirt were torn away, leaving the shoulder per fectly bare. This was enough for one of the